Snowplow

Abstract

To provide a snowplow that can eliminate blind spots.SOLUTION: A snowplow 1 is provided with a hemispherical camera 31, and human detection means for detecting human beings from images captured by the hemispherical camera 31. By using the hemispherical camera 31, human beings can be detected from an image captured over a wide range. In addition, as notification means is provided for notifying that human beings have been detected by the human detection means, the detection of human beings can be notified by the notification means. Furthermore, as a snow removing device 3 is provided with a snow cutting board 27, and the hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the snowplow 1 by using the snow cutting board 27, the hemispherical camera 31 can capture images including a part of the snow removing device 3, so that a human being in front of the snow removing device 3, which is prone to being in a blind spot, can be detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a snowplow. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, rotary snowplows have become popular in order to efficiently remove snow that has accumulated on roads, and they use airflow and centrifugal force generated by a blower to dump snow that has been accumulated by an auger (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Such rotary snowplows are configured with a helical ribbon-shaped auger and a snow removal device equipped with a rotary blower attached to the front of the vehicle.

[0003] Additionally, prior art includes a snowplow that is fitted with a surveillance television camera device having an ascent / descent device, a horizontal rotation device, and an up / down direction changing device to ensure forward visibility, and that has a monitor television device located near the driver's seat (e.g., Patent Document 3), and a snowplow that has a camera on the snow-throwing chute device that takes pictures of the snow-throwing location directly below (Patent Document 4). [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-96219 [Patent Document 2] JP 2000-240027 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-203853 [Patent Document 4] JP 2002-161521 A DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the snowplows of Patent Documents 3 and 4 above, the camera can ensure a certain degree of forward visibility, but in rotary snowplows, for example, the snow removal device is attached forward of the driver's cab, making forward visibility poor and prone to blind spots.

[0005] Furthermore, in articulated snowplows, in which the front and rear of the vehicle are connected by a pivoting coupling mechanism, the area between the front and rear of the vehicle from the driver's seat is prone to becoming a blind spot.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a snowplow that can eliminate blind spots, and further, an object to provide a snowplow that can ensure visibility ahead of the snowplow device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized by comprising a hemispherical camera and a human detection means for detecting a human from an image captured by the hemispherical camera.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that it comprises a traveling vehicle and a snow removal device provided in front of the traveling vehicle and having an auger for collecting snow.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that it further comprises a notification means for notifying that a person has been detected by the human detection means.

[0010] In addition, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the snow removal device is equipped with a snow cutting board, and the hemispherical camera is attached using this snow cutting board, and the hemispherical camera is capable of capturing images including a part of the snow removal device.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the image obtained by the semi-spherical camera can be divided into a detection area for detecting people and a non-detection area. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the snowplow of the present invention, by using a hemispherical camera, people can be detected from images captured over a wide range.

[0013] According to the snowplow described in claim 2, in a snowplow equipped with a snow removal device having an auger, a hemispherical camera is used, making it possible to detect people from images captured over a wide range.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the snowplow recited in claim 3, the detection of a person can be notified by the notifying means.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the snowplow described in claim 4, it is possible to detect people in front of the snowplow, which is prone to be in a blind spot.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the snowplow described in claim 5, the detection area can be divided into a detection area for detecting people and a non-detection area, thereby reducing false detections. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary snowplow showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] The same as above shows a case housing a hemispherical camera, with FIG. 4(A) being a side view and FIG. 4(B) being a rear view. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a modified example of the mounting state of the case housing the semi-spherical camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a side view, partly in section, showing a modified example of the mounting state of the case housing the hemispherical camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for setting a detection area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the mounting state of the case housing the hemispherical camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the mounting state of the case housing the hemispherical camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image captured by a semi-spherical camera and displayed on a display unit. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a snowplow showing a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display on a display means according to a third embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example 1

[0019] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 12. As shown in the figure, a snowplow 1 includes a road vehicle 2 and a snow removal device 3 detachably provided in front of the vehicle 2. The snow removal device 3 is mainly composed of an auger device 5 for collecting snow provided along the left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and a snow removal device 6 provided between the auger device 5 and the vehicle 2 and equipped with a blower for removing snow collected by the auger device 5 in a predetermined direction. The vehicle 2 includes a prime mover 2G such as an engine for driving the vehicle.

[0020] The auger device 5 includes an auger 8 and a casing 9 that covers the auger 8. The auger 8 is rotatably supported between left and right auger support members 10, 10 of the snow removal device 3.

[0021] The auger 8 has a helical ribbon-shaped blade attached to a rotating shaft, and is arranged symmetrically about the center in the axial direction. In other words, the twist directions of the blades of the auger 8 are opposite on the left and right. When the auger 8 is rotated in the forward direction, snow on the road surface is transported to the center of the auger 8, and the snow transported to the center of the auger 8 is ejected from the chute 7 together with air by the blower of the snow removal device 6 to the side of the snowplow 1. The blower and chute 7 are provided in the snow removal device 3, with the blower located at the rear of the auger 8 and the chute 7 located above the snow removal device 6.

[0022] The casing 9 has a front opening 11 on the front side, and has an upper surface portion 12 and a lower surface portion 13 whose spacing widens toward the front opening 11, with the upper surface portion 12 sloping higher toward the front and the lower surface portion 13 sloping lower toward the front, and the rear portions of the upper surface portion 12 and the lower surface portion 13 being connected by a curved portion.

[0023] The traveling vehicle 2 has left and right front wheels 21, 21 and left and right rear wheels 22, 22, and a driving force is transmitted from a prime mover 2G to these front and rear wheels 21, 21, 22, 22, respectively. A driver's cab 23 is provided at the front of the traveling vehicle 2.

[0024] Furthermore, the traveling vehicle 2 is provided with an engine room 25, which is the rear of the vehicle, behind the vehicle front part 24 where the driver's cab 23 is provided, and the prime mover 2G, such as an engine, is mounted in this engine room 25. The vehicle front part 24 and the engine room 25 are connected by a rotating connection mechanism 26 having a vertical connecting pin 26P (FIG. 3). The front wheels 21 are located below the vehicle front part 24, and the rear wheels 22 are located below the engine room 25. The traveling vehicle 2 is steered by the vehicle front part 24 and the engine room 25, which is the rear of the vehicle, bending horizontally around the connecting pin 26P.

[0025] Snow cutting boards 27, 27 each having a roughly strip-like shape are provided on the left and right upper front sides of the casing 9, and the thickness direction of the snow cutting board 27 faces the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle 2 and the width direction faces the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle 2, and the board is disposed at an angle so that it is roughly vertical when viewed from the front and its upper end 27J faces diagonally forward. The snow cutting board 27 cuts off snow at the top of the sides of the snow removal road in front of the snowplow 1, and the cut-off snow is taken in by the auger 8. The lower end 27K of the snow cutting board 27 is fixed to the casing 9.

[0026] In addition, a support rod 28 is provided between the inner surface of the upper end of the snow cutting board 27 and the upper front part of the casing 9, and this support rod 28 is inclined so that its upper end 28J faces diagonally outward to the left and right, and its upper end 28J is fixed to the inner surface of the upper end of the snow cutting board 27, and its lower end 28K is fixed to the center of the top surface of the casing 9.

[0027] A hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the traveling vehicle 2 by the snow cutting board 27. In this example, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, a substantially horizontal horizontal rod 29 is provided between the tips of the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27, and this horizontal rod 29 is made of a strip-shaped steel plate, both ends of which are fixed to the snow cutting boards 27, 27, and the hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the horizontal rod 29 at the center in the left and right direction of the snowplow 1. Figures 5 and 6, in which the hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the horizontal rod 29, are modified examples of the mounting state.

[0028] 4, the hemispherical camera 31 comprises a cylindrical main body 32 with a hemispherical upper portion, and a lens 33 provided at the bottom of the main body 32. An image sensor (not shown) that receives light captured by the lens 33 and converts it into image data, and an electric or manual adjustment means (not shown) that can adjust the orientation of the lens 33 are built into the main body 32, and are electrically connected to the main body 32 by a conductor 34. In this example, the hemispherical camera 31 can capture an image that includes at least a part of the auger device 5 of the snow removal device 3 and the area in front of the auger device 5.

[0029] The hemispherical camera 31 is housed in a rectangular cylindrical case 35, which has a top surface 35A, four side surfaces 35B, 35B, 35B, 35B, and a lower opening 35C that opens to the bottom of these four side surfaces 35B, 35B, 35B, 35B, and the hemispherical camera 31 is attached in the case 35 by mounting member 37 so that the lens 33 is positioned in the center of this lower opening 35C.

[0030] In addition, a hemispherical heater cover 36 is provided in the center of the lower opening 35C. This heater cover 36 is made of a transparent material such as synthetic resin or reinforced glass, and a hot wire (not shown) serving as a heating means is arranged on the inner surface. When electricity is passed through this hot wire, it generates heat, and this heat increases the temperature of the heater cover 36, thereby preventing snow from adhering to the outer surface of the heater cover 36.

[0031] In addition, a blocking member 38 is provided between the heater cover 36 and the lower edges of the side portions 35B, 35B, 35B, 35B, and this blocking member 38 and the heater cover 36 block the lower opening 35C, preventing snow and rain from entering the case 35.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the snowplow 1 is equipped with a control means 41 equipped with a CPU etc., and this control means 41 is equipped with a person detection means 42 that detects people from an image captured by the hemispherical camera 31, and a detection area setting means 45 that divides the image captured by the hemispherical camera 31 into a detection area 43 that detects people and a non-detection area 44.

[0033] Furthermore, the control means 41 displays the image captured by the semi-spherical camera 31 on a display means 46 such as a display, and the detection area setting means 45 enables the image displayed on the display means 46 to be divided and set into a detection area 43 and a non-detection area 44 by operating an operation means 47 such as a mouse. The display means 46 is provided in the driver's cab 23 or the like.

[0034] For example, the detection area setting means 45 can operate the operating means 47, i.e., a mouse, to display a demarcation line 43K between adjacent dot display parts 43T, 43T by adding a dot display part 43T to the display means 46, as shown in FIG. 8(A), and set a detection area 43 surrounded by multiple demarcation lines 43K, 43K...

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 8(B), a new point display part 43T is added in the middle of the demarcation line 43K, and as shown in FIG. 8(C), the new point display part 43T is moved as it is, so that the demarcation line 43K is divided into two parts, and the detection area 43 can be enlarged or reduced. When a touch panel is used for the display means 46, the touch panel is used as the operation means 47, and the detection area 43 can be set by touching the touch panel. The non-detection area 44 can also be set in the same manner. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the detection area 43 may be set on the screen of the display means 46, and the area other than the detection area 43 may be set as the non-detection area 44.

[0036] 12, a detection area 43 is displayed in front and ahead of the snow removal device 3. In this way, the area in front of the auger 8, which is difficult to see from the operator's cab 23, is set as the detection area 43. Also, since the non-detection area 44 is an area in which a person may be present, a false detection that a person is present in the non-detection area 44 when no person is present is avoided based on an image resembling a person.

[0037] The human detection means 42 determines whether or not a person is present in the image within the detection area 43, surrounds the image of the person with a frame display unit 48 (FIGS. 11 and 12), and visually notifies the presence of the person. As an example, the human detection means 42 executes an extraction process to extract a human image from the image data of the semi-spherical camera 31 based on its outline or the like, extracts the human image from the image data, and determines whether or not a person is present. In this case, the display means 46 that displays the frame display unit 48 is the notification means. The control means 41 is also capable of detecting the distance between the snow removal device 3 and the person detected by the human detection means 42.

[0038] When the human detection means 42 detects a human in the detection area 43, the control means 41 activates the notification means 49 to notify the presence of a human in the detection area 43. In this case, the notification means 49 is one that issues an alarm sound or turns on a light to notify the presence of a human.

[0039] Furthermore, when the human detection means 42 detects a person within the detection area 43 and the notification means 49 issues a notification, and the detected person approaches the auger 8 and a predetermined distance is reached between the auger 8 and the person, the control means 41 outputs a stop signal to the prime mover 2G and the auger device 5 to stop the prime mover 2G, stop the traveling vehicle 2, and stop the rotation of the auger 8. Note that the notification means 49 is preferably a means for notifying approaching people other than the driver or workers, and an example of one that issues an alarm sound is one that notifies by light, such as Patlite (registered trademark).

[0040] Furthermore, when the human detection means 42 detects a person within the detection area 43, the control means 41 actuates the brakes (not shown) of the traveling vehicle 2 at the same time as stopping the traveling vehicle 2, thereby stopping the traveling vehicle 2. Note that the control means 41 may control the traveling vehicle 2 and the auger 8 to stop before a person approaches, that is, when the human detection means 42 detects a person within the detection area 43, and may also control the snow removal device 6 to stop at the same time as the traveling vehicle 2 and the auger 8 are stopped.

[0041] As another embodiment, the hemispherical camera 31 may be attached to the left snow cutting board 27, which is one of the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27. Even if the hemispherical camera 31 is arranged on either the left or right side of the moving vehicle 2 as shown in Figures 9 and 10, it is possible to capture an image of the entire area in front of the snow removal device 3, which is in the blind spot from the driver's cab 23, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0042] In the modified example, Fig. 11 shows an image captured by the semi-spherical camera 31 attached to the left snow cutting board 27, and Fig. 12 shows an image captured by the semi-spherical camera 31 attached to the right snow cutting board 27, both capturing images of the front side and forward of the snow removal device 3, including the snow cutting board 27. As the images captured vary depending on the mounting position of the semi-spherical camera 31 and the model of the snow removal vehicle 1, this can be accommodated by setting the detection area 43 and non-detection area 44 using the detection area setting means 45. Also, when attaching to the snow cutting board 27, since there are various types of snow cutting boards 27, such as a standard type, a type that is longer than the standard type, and a type with a different forward inclination angle, the detection area 43 and non-detection area 44 can be set for each type.

[0043] It is also possible to set only one of the detection area 43 and the non-detection area 44. If only the detection area 43 is set in the area of ​​the image obtained by the hemispherical camera 31, the remainder will become the non-detection area 44, as shown in FIG. 12. Similarly, if only the non-detection area 44 is set, the remainder can be set by the detection area setting means 45 as the detection area 43 without using the operation means 47.

[0044] Furthermore, both the detection area 43 and the non-detection area 44 may be set, and the remaining area in the image captured by the semi-spherical camera 31 that has not been set as the detection area 43 or the non-detection area 44 may be set by the detection area setting means 45 so that it becomes either the detection area 43 or the non-detection area 44. Since there is no need to set the remaining area by the operation means 47, the setting work is facilitated.

[0045] In this manner, in this embodiment, corresponding to claim 1, the system is equipped with a hemispherical camera 31 and a person detection means 42 that detects people from images captured by the hemispherical camera 31. Therefore, by using the hemispherical camera 31, people can be detected from images captured over a wide range.

[0046] In this embodiment, corresponding to claim 2, the vehicle is equipped with a traveling vehicle 2 and a snow removal device 3 having an auger 8 provided in front of the traveling vehicle 2 for collecting snow. Therefore, by using a hemispherical camera 31 in a snow removal vehicle 1 equipped with snow removal device 3 having an auger 8, people can be detected from images captured over a wide range.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, in accordance with claim 3, an alarm means 49 is provided that notifies when a person has been detected by the human detection means 42, so that the alarm means 49 can notify when a person has been detected.

[0048] In this embodiment, corresponding to claim 4, the snow removal device 3 is equipped with a snow cutting board 27, and this snow cutting board 27 is used to attach the hemispherical camera 31. The hemispherical camera 31 is capable of capturing images that include a part of the snow removal device 3, so that it is possible to detect people in front of the snow removal device 3, which is prone to being in a blind spot.

[0049] In this embodiment, corresponding to claim 5, the image obtained by the hemispherical camera 31 can be divided into a detection area 43 that detects people and a non-detection area 44. By being able to divide the image into a detection area 43 that detects people and a non-detection area 44, people are not detected in the non-detection area 44, so that erroneous detections can be reduced.

[0050] As effects of the embodiment described below, the snow removal device 3 is equipped with a snow cutting board 27, and the hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the snow removal vehicle 1 by this snow cutting board 27, and the hemispherical camera 31 can capture images including part of the snow removal device 3, preventing blind spots from occurring and making it possible to detect people approaching the snow removal device 3 of the snow removal vehicle 1. Also, a horizontal rod 29 is provided in the left-right direction between the upper parts of the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27, and the hemispherical camera 31 is attached to the left-right center of this horizontal rod 29, so that the front side of the snow removal device 3 in front of the traveling vehicle 2 can be imaged from directly above in the left-right center and people in front of the snow removal device 3 can be detected.

[0051] In addition, since both ends of the left and right cross rod 29 are fixed between the upper parts of the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27, a rectangular frame structure is formed by the upper surface 12 of the casing 9, the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27 fixed to this upper surface 12, and the cross rod 29 made of a hard material connecting the upper parts of the left and right snow cutting boards 27, 27.Although it is reinforced by the support rod 28, the strength of the snow cutting board 27, whose upper end 27J is a free end, can be ensured.Furthermore, the mounting strength of the hemispherical camera 31 can be ensured and the generation of vibrations applied to the hemispherical camera 31 can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, since the hemispherical camera 31 is housed in the case 35, it is not affected by rain or wind, and since it is equipped with a hemispherical heater cover 36 equipped with a heating wire as a heating means, it is possible to prevent snow from adhering to the outer surface of the heater cover 36 and also to obtain an anti-fogging effect. Furthermore, since the heater cover 36 has a cornerless hemispherical shape, snow is less likely to adhere to it.

[0053] Furthermore, since the detection area setting means 45 is capable of setting a plurality of non-detection areas 44, when the non-detection areas 44 are spaced apart from one another, the setting work becomes easier and the occurrence of erroneous detection can be suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, when human detection means 42 detects a person within detection area 43 and, after notification by notification means 49, the detected person approaches auger 8 and a predetermined distance is reached between auger 8 and the person, control means 41 outputs a stop signal to prime mover 2G and auger device 5, stops prime mover 2G, stops traveling vehicle 2, and stops rotation of auger 8, so that no operation by the driver is required and devices etc. can be stopped automatically. Also, if human detection means 42 detects a person within detection area 43 and notifies people around snowplow 1 by notification means 49, the detected person can be notified of the approach of snowplow 1. Example 2

[0055] Figures 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted. In this example, an image of the area between the front part 24 of the snowplow 1 and the engine room 25 is captured by a hemispherical camera 31.

[0056] For this purpose, a hemispherical camera 31 is placed on the upper part of the rear surface 24K of the front part 24 of the vehicle using the case 35, and the hemispherical camera 31 is configured to capture images of the area between the front part 24 of the vehicle, including the rotating connecting mechanism 26, and the engine room 25 and the surrounding area.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to check whether there is anyone between the front part 24 of the vehicle and the engine room 25 during or before starting snow removal.

[0058] In this manner, in this embodiment as well, corresponding to claims 1 and 5, by using the hemispherical camera 31, people can be detected from images captured over a wide range, and similar effects and advantages to those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved. Furthermore, in this example, people can be detected between the front part 24 of the snowplow 1 and the engine room 25, which is behind the driver's cab 23 and forms the driver's blind spot. Example 3

[0059] FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, an example of a setting method by a detection area setting means 45 is shown.

[0060] As in Example 2, a hemispherical camera 31 is placed on the upper part of the rear surface 24K of the vehicle front 24 using the case 35, and the vehicle connection space 51 (Figures 2 and 3) between the vehicle front 24, including the pivoting connection mechanism 26, and the engine room 25 is captured by the hemispherical camera 31.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle coupling space 51 is a portion where the space between the vehicle front 24 and the engine room 25 widens or narrows when the traveling vehicle 2 turns, and is a portion that is likely to become a blind spot from the driver's cab 23. As shown in Fig. 15, a detection area 43 that is long from side to side in Fig. 15 is set to surround the vehicle coupling space 51, and a rectangular non-detection area 44 is set in the portion of the rotating coupling mechanism 26 where people can ride.

[0062] In this case, similar to the setting of the detection area 43, by adding dot display parts 44T to the display means 46, a demarcation line 44K can be displayed between adjacent dot display parts 44T, 44T, and a non-detection area 44 surrounded by multiple demarcation lines 44K, 44K... can be set. Note that Fig. 15 shows the detection area 43 surrounded by four demarcation lines 43K, and the non-detection area 44 surrounded by four demarcation lines 44K. Also, in Fig. 15, the dot display parts 44T are illustrated as white squares for ease of understanding.

[0063] In this way, the detection area 43 only needs to be set once, and the detection areas 43, 43 are set on both sides of the non-detection area 44. Incidentally, the non-detection area 44 is a location where an operator may stand on the rotating linkage mechanism 26 to remove snow from the roof of the front part 24 of the vehicle, and the operator can be seen from the cab 23, so by setting it as the non-detection area 44, it is possible to prevent false detections. Incidentally, the areas on the screen other than the detection area 43 and the non-detection area 44 are set as non-detection areas.

[0064] Furthermore, multiple non-detection areas 44 can be set on one screen. In Fig. 12, "non-detection area 1" to "non-detection area 8" can be set as the non-detection area 44. For example, if the "non-detection area 1" in Fig. 12 is set as the non-detection area 44 in Fig. 15, checking the check box 44C, which is a switching section to the left of the display of this "non-detection area 1," to switch it on will enable the non-detection area 44, and checking the check box 44C to switch it off will disable the non-detection area 44.

[0065] Therefore, by disabling the non-detection area 44, it is possible to detect people within the detection area 43 that was overlapped by the non-detection area 44, and it is also possible to detect people on the rotating linkage mechanism 26 by switching the on / off operation without having to reset the area.

[0066] In this manner, in this embodiment as well, corresponding to claims 1 and 5, by using the hemispherical camera 31, people can be detected from images captured over a wide range, and similar effects and advantages to those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved. Furthermore, in this example, people can be detected between the front part 24 of the snowplow 1 and the engine room 25, which is behind the driver's cab 23 and forms the driver's blind spot.

[0067] Furthermore, multiple non-detection areas 44 can be set within the detection area 43 or overlapping with a part of the detection area 43, and since the overlapping parts become non-detection areas 44, it is possible to set one wide detection area 43 and set areas where detection is not required as multiple non-detection areas 44. Furthermore, since the non-detection area 44 can be switched between enabled and disabled, it is possible to switch the non-detection area 44 according to the usage conditions without having to reset it. When setting multiple non-detection areas 44, the non-detection areas 44 are set so that they do not overlap with each other.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the mounting position and mounting structure of the semi-spherical camera can be appropriately selected. Also, the semi-spherical camera may be provided at both the position of embodiment 1 and the position of embodiment 2. Furthermore, various types of human detection means can be used for detecting a person from an image captured by the semi-spherical camera. Also, in claim 1, an auger is not necessary, and it is sufficient to have various types of snow removal devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Snowplow 2. Vehicles 3 Snow removal equipment 8. Ogre 27 Snow cutting board 31 Hemispherical Camera 42 Human detection methods 43 Detection Area 44 Non-detection area 49 Notification methods

Claims

1. A snowplow comprising a hemispherical camera and a human detection means for detecting a human from an image captured by the hemispherical camera.

2. 2. The snowplow according to claim 1, further comprising: a traveling vehicle; and a snow removal device provided in front of the traveling vehicle and having an auger for collecting snow.

3. 3. The snowplow according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm means for notifying that a person has been detected by the human detection means.

4. 3. The snow removal vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the snow removal device is provided with a snow cutting board, the hemispherical camera is attached using the snow cutting board, and the hemispherical camera is capable of capturing an image including a part of the snow removal device.

5. 5. The snowplow according to claim 4, wherein the image obtained by the hemispherical camera can be divided into a detection area for detecting people and a non-detection area.

Images