System, program, imaging device, and software

Abstract

To provide a system capable of easily identifying an actual warning target object that a vehicle is approaching by issuing a warning using a live-action moving image corresponding to a scenery in front of a moving vehicle and clearly instructing the warning target object in the actual moving image.SOLUTION: A system comprises control means (18) for displaying at least a live-action moving image of a scenery of a process for approaching a warning target object on display means (5) when it is determined that a vehicle is in a predetermined state approaching the warning target object, based on current location information of the vehicle and location information of the predetermined warning target object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system such as a radar detector or a car navigation system that provides predetermined information to a driver of a vehicle, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, systems such as radar detectors and car navigation systems have been generally widespread. This system has a function of notifying a user of approaching an object to be warned such as a speed measuring device, a restricted area, or a checkpoint area. For example, the applicant has proposed a radar detector that displays a CG (Computer Graphics) of the object to be warned on a display means such as a liquid crystal display device when the vehicle reaches a predetermined approach state with the object to be warned or when detecting a microwave emitted from a speed measuring device (see FIG. 19 of Patent Document 1). Note that the presence or absence of the object to be warned can also be notified by an alarm sound, but according to such a display, the position of the object to be warned can be recognized.

[0003] In addition, there is a device that displays a photograph including an object to be warned such as an actual speed measuring device, a restricted area, or a checkpoint area to give a real-shot warning. This radar detector is configured to, for example, display a small real-shot warning when the vehicle approaches 1 km before the object to be warned and display a large real-shot warning when the vehicle approaches 500 m before the object to be warned. In addition, a driving warning system for a snowplow that can accurately grasp a crossing position even when it is difficult to confirm the crossing position at night or in snowy weather by viewing a video data file captured in advance when the visibility is good on a display device is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] In the radar detector of Patent Document 1 described above, a common CG corresponding to the types and contents of the speed measurement device, the control area, the interrogation area, etc. was displayed to give an alarm. Therefore, there was no relevance between the CG displayed on the screen and the actual alarm target object that the vehicle was approaching. On the other hand, in the radar detector, a photograph (actual photograph alarm) including the actual alarm target object that the vehicle is approaching is displayed.

[0006] However, since the conventional actual photograph alarm was a still image, the imaging location of the photograph including the speed measurement device did not always match the actual forward scenery that changed as the vehicle traveled, and it was difficult to specify where in the forward scenery the vehicle measurement device was located.

[0007] That is, the still image of the conventional actual photograph alarm was an image taken immediately before the alarm target object in order to include the alarm target object in the image. Even if such a still image taken immediately before was displayed, for example, 1 km before or 500 m before the alarm target object, the image of the still image did not match the forward scenery. It was only when the vehicle approached immediately before the alarm target object that the image of the still image and the forward scenery finally matched.

[0008] In addition, the actual photograph alarm for notifying the control area, the interrogation area, etc. was a photograph taken at a part (for example, the central part of the area) of the area. Therefore, just by looking at this photograph, it was impossible to specify the range of where the area was from and to.

[0009] In the driving warning system of the snowplow of Patent Document 2, it is for confirming the crossing position that is actually difficult to confirm with the video of the crossing taken when the visibility is good, and it is premised that the video of the display device does not match the actual forward scenery in the first place.

[0010] In addition, the level crossing has a prominent black and yellow appearance, and in the case of a video of the forward view taken from a snowplow moving on the track at a low speed, it is possible to easily identify where the level crossing is in this video. However, the forward view of the vehicle includes roads, other vehicles, buildings, structures such as signs and streetlights, and the vehicle moves at a higher speed than the snowplow. For this reason, it is difficult to identify a speed measuring device that does not have a particularly prominent appearance from the forward view of the moving vehicle.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and uses a live-action video corresponding to the forward view of a moving vehicle to give an alarm, and clearly indicates an object to be alarmed in the actual vehicle video, so that the actual object to be alarmed that the vehicle is approaching can be easily identified. The purpose is to provide a system, program, imaging device, and software.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] (1) In order to achieve the above object, the system of the present invention is configured to include control means for causing a display means to display a live-action video of at least the scenery during the process of approaching the warning target object when it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approaching state with respect to the warning target object based on the current position information of the vehicle and the position information of a predetermined warning target object determined in advance.

[0013] According to the above configuration, by displaying a live-action video of the process of approaching the actual warning target object to give an alarm, the video of the live-action video can be made to coincide with the actual forward view that changes as the vehicle travels. For example, when the warning target object is a speed measuring device, by clearly indicating the warning target object in the live-action video, the user can easily identify the actual speed measuring device in the forward view. Also, for example, in the case of an area such as a restricted or interrogation area for the warning target, by displaying a live-action video including the range from the start point to the end point of the area, the user can easily identify the actual area in the forward scenery. According to such an in-vehicle electronic device of the present invention, it becomes easy for the user to identify the warning target, and it is possible to encourage the user to drive safely.

[0014] Here, the system of the present invention may be implemented in the form of in-vehicle electronic devices such as a radar detector or a car navigation system, for example. Furthermore, the system of the present invention can be realized as long as it mainly includes a means for acquiring position information, video data of a live-action video that captures the scenery during the process of approaching the warning target, a means for displaying the live-action video, and a control means for executing the above-described control process. Therefore, the system of the present invention may be implemented using hardware such as a general-purpose personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a portable game machine. In this case, it may be configured to store software for operating these general-purpose portable terminals as the system of the present invention and video data of the live-action video in a server and provide it to the portable terminal via the Internet.

[0015] Note that the description of "live-action video" in this specification means a video that captures the actual scenery and is a visible video displayed on the display means. Even when not particularly described as "video of the live-action video", "live-action video" means the video displayed on the display means. When referring to data rather than video, it is described as "video data of the live-action video".

[0016] (2) Preferably, the video data of the live-action video is associated with position information at the time of imaging, and the control means is configured to determine the timing for displaying the live-action video based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the video data. (3) More preferably, the control means is configured to display the live-action video on the display means at a timing when the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the video data match. More preferably, the control means may be configured to display a live-action video at a timing several to several tens of seconds before the position information of the current vehicle matches the position information of the video data.

[0017] According to the above configuration, based on the position information of the current vehicle and the position information at the time of capturing the live-action video, the optimal display timing of the live-action video can be determined, and an arbitrary correspondence relationship can be established between the video of the live-action video and the actual forward scenery. Note that the determination of whether the vehicle has approached a predetermined distance to the warning target object in the above (1) may be based on, for example, the position information of the warning target object stored alone or the position information associated with the video data in the above (2).

[0018] For example, by displaying the live-action video at a timing when the position information of the current vehicle matches the position information at the time of capturing the live-action video, the video of the live-action video can be made to coincide with the actual forward scenery at the start time of displaying the live-action video. Thereafter, by synchronizing the playback speed of the live-action video with the vehicle speed, the user can easily identify the actual warning target object by comparing the live-action video with the forward scenery.

[0019] Also, for example, by displaying the live-action video at a timing several to several tens of seconds before the position information of the current vehicle matches the position information of the live-action video, a live-action video of the forward scenery several seconds ahead of the current time will be displayed thereafter. As a result, the user can confirm the warning target object in the live-action video in advance, and then can easily identify the actual warning target object from the forward scenery when the vehicle reaches the imaging point of the live-action video.

[0020] Here, the video data of the live-action video in the present invention can be obtained, for example, by using a dedicated imaging device in which a drive recorder is linked to a radar detector. That is, the radar detector stores the position information of warning target objects across the country, and when the position of the current vehicle has a predetermined proximity relationship to any warning target object, it starts outputting a proximity warning and stops outputting the proximity warning when passing the warning target object.

[0021] On the other hand, the drive recorder is provided with buttons for starting and ending continuous recording. Therefore, at the timing when the radar detector starts outputting the approach warning, a signal similar to pressing the start button is given to the drive recorder, and at the timing when the radar detector stops outputting the approach warning, a signal similar to pressing the end button is given to the drive recorder to configure an imaging device. By using an imaging device with such a configuration and passing through warning objects across the country, it is possible to capture a live-action video from before to after the passage of the warning object.

[0022] In addition, the video captured by the drive recorder is recorded in association with the vehicle's position information, speed information, imaging time, etc. at the time of imaging. By using a dedicated imaging device having the above configuration, for example, the video and position information from 20 seconds before the arrival of the warning object to 10 seconds after the passage, or the video and position information from 1 km before the arrival of the warning object to 500 m after the passage are automatically recorded, and it becomes possible to obtain video data of live-action videos corresponding to warning objects across the country.

[0023] (5) Preferably, the control means is configured to synchronize the playback speed of the live-action video with the current vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed information.

[0024] According to the above configuration, by synchronizing the playback speed of the live-action video with the vehicle speed, it becomes possible to maintain a certain correspondence between the actual forward scenery and the live-action video according to the vehicle speed at the time of warning. As a result, the live-action video can be displayed at a playback speed corresponding to the vehicle speed and the change in the vehicle speed at the time of warning, and it is always possible to give an appropriate warning.

[0025] (6) Preferably, the live-action video includes a video of a scenery that does not include the warning object captured at a point before the passage of the warning object.

[0026] According to the above configuration, even when a live-action video is displayed in a proximity state where the warning target cannot yet be visually recognized, for example, 1 km before or 500 m before the warning target, since these live-action videos match the actual forward scenery, by viewing the live-action videos that do not include the warning target, it is possible to easily understand the situation where the vehicle is actually approaching the warning target.

[0027] (7) Preferably, the live-action video may be configured as a series of videos that capture the scenery from before to after the passage of the warning target.

[0028] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the start to the cancellation of the warning with a series of live-action videos. Here, since all the warnings in the conventional radar detector described above were still images, only the still image before the passage of the warning target was displayed, and there was no one that displayed the still image after the passage of the warning target. For this reason, the timing of warning cancellation was unclear. In contrast, in the system of the present invention having the above configuration, by continuously displaying the video until after the passage of the warning target, it is possible to intuitively convey the cancellation of the warning to the user.

[0029] (8) Preferably, the control means may be configured to display a map on the display means and, when the vehicle approaches the warning target to a predetermined distance, display the live-action video overlaid on the map.

[0030] According to the above configuration, in a system such as a radar detector or a car navigation system, it is possible to display the position of the warning target and the position of the vehicle on the map on the screen, and display the warning of the live-action video overlaid on this map. Thereby, while confirming the actual warning target with the live-action video, it is possible to objectively grasp the proximity state between the vehicle and the warning target with icons or the like on the map.

[0031] (9) Preferably, the control means may be configured to change the display area of the live-action video displayed on the map according to the distance from the vehicle to the warning target.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the user can be notified of the approaching state of the vehicle and the warning target by the display area of the live-action video displayed on the map. For example, when the vehicle and the warning target approach a predetermined distance, the live-action video is displayed with the smallest display area, and then the display area of the live-action video is increased as the vehicle and the warning target approach each other. Thereby, the approaching state of the vehicle and the warning target can be relatively notified by the size of the live-action video, and as the vehicle approaches the warning target, the display area of the live-action video becomes larger, making it easier to identify the warning target in the live-action video. Also, as the vehicle approaches the warning target, the display area of the live-action video becomes larger, making it possible to add more information to the live-action video.

[0033] (10) Preferably, the live-action video may be configured to have an indication display for visually identifying the warning target included in the live-action video added thereto.

[0034] According to the above configuration, the warning target included in the front view of the live-action video can be easily identified by the indication display. The front view of the live-action video includes structures such as roads, other vehicles, buildings, signs, and streetlights, and it is difficult to identify a warning target such as a speed measurement device from such a front view. The faster the vehicle speed, the more difficult it is to identify the warning target in the live-action video. Therefore, by adding an indication display to the live-action video, the user can immediately identify the warning target in the live-action video.

[0035] Here, the above-mentioned "indication display" widely includes displays that indicate the warning target in the live-action video. For example, it widely includes displays such as an arrow indicating the warning target in the live-action video, a balloon containing information about the warning target, coloring of the entire warning target, and a line tracing the outline of the warning target. Such an indication may be configured to be embedded in the video of the live-action video, for example, but it is better to be configured to be drawn on the front of the video. For example, information such as the coordinate position of the warning target object in the live-action video within the screen, the size of the indication, the direction of the indication, etc. is recorded for each predetermined frame, and based on this information, the indication is displayed on the front of the video of the live-action video.

[0036] (11) Preferably, it is better to configure at least one of the position or size of the indication to change following the warning target object included in the live-action video.

[0037] According to the above configuration, as the vehicle approaches the warning target object, the warning target object in the live-action video whose position and size change can be accurately pointed out by a dynamic indication, and the user can more easily identify the warning target object in the live-action video. For example, at the start of the warning when the distance from the vehicle to the warning target object is far, the warning target object shown small in the live-action video is pointed out with a small arrow, and as the vehicle approaches the warning target object, the warning target object is pointed out with a large arrow.

[0038] In addition, such a dynamic indication performs an artificial operation according to a program in the live-action video, so it is particularly conspicuous even in the live-action video that changes naturally as the vehicle travels, and can instantly attract the user's attention.

[0039] (12) Preferably, when the warning target object included in the live-action video consists of a plurality of components, it is better to configure the indication to be added to each component of the warning target object respectively.

[0040] According to the above configuration, when the warning target object is a speed measuring device, important components contributing to speed measurement can be pointed out by an indication, and it is possible to arouse the user's attention and promote safe driving. For example, when the speed measurement device is a radar type, a loop coil type, an H system, or an LH system, the positions of the cameras of these speed measurement devices are indicated by arrows. Further, when the speed measurement device is a loop coil type or an LH system, the loop coil embedded in the paved road is traced with a line and indicated. This enables the user to intuitively understand the purpose and function of the speed measurement device, issue a more effective warning, and arouse the attention of the user who has seen the warning based on the actual video, thereby promoting safe driving.

[0041] (13) Preferably, for the same warning target, the video data of a plurality of the actual videos captured at different times are made to correspond, and the control means is configured to select any of the video data captured at different times based on the current time information and display the actual video on the display means. (14) More preferably, for the same warning target, at least two types of the actual videos captured during the day and at night are made to correspond, and the control means is configured to select any of the video data during the day or at night based on the current time information and display the actual video on the display means.

[0042] According to the above configuration, the time when the warning is issued by the actual video is made to correspond to the imaging time of the actual video displayed on the display means, so that, for example, the environmental conditions of the video of the actual video and the actual forward scenery can be made to match or approximate. Here, as the "different times" in the present invention, it is preferable to select a "time" when the user feels that the forward scenery during actual driving is different from the displayed actual vehicle video when the range displayed in the actual video is traveled by the vehicle.

[0043] For example, it is advisable to include live-action videos for each period with a certain width and few changes in scenery, such as spring, summer, autumn, winter, month, day, time, morning, noon, evening, night, etc. According to such a speed measurement device of the present invention, for example, when a vehicle reaches a predetermined approach state with an object to be alarmed, if it is during the day, the live-action video during the day can be displayed; if it is in the evening, the live-action video in the evening can be displayed; if it is at night, the live-action video at night can be displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to the case of matching the environmental conditions between the video of the live-action video and the actual front scenery. For example, in the case of poor visibility at night, a live-action video during the day with good visibility may be displayed. From the same perspective, in winter with snowfall, a live-action video in summer may be displayed.

[0044] (15) Preferably, the video data of the live-action image captured at night should be captured at night using night vision.

[0045] When the area around the object to be alarmed is a dark place with few streetlights, even if a normal camera captures a video at night, the object to be alarmed itself and the surrounding situation cannot be captured in the live-action video. Therefore, if the video at night is captured using night vision as in the above configuration, the object to be alarmed itself and the surrounding situation can be captured in the live-action video in a visible manner. Thereby, while attempting to match the environmental conditions between the live-action video and the actual front scenery, even when the actual object to be alarmed in the front scenery is difficult to visually recognize in a dark place at night, it is possible to specify the position and range of the actual object to be alarmed with reference to the night vision video of the live-action video.

[0046] (16) To achieve the above object, the program of the present invention is configured to cause a mobile terminal to function as any of the above-described systems of the present invention.

[0047] According to the program of the present invention, for example, it can be downloaded to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a portable game machine, and the computer mounted on the mobile terminal can execute the control process of the above-described control means. When the vehicle reaches a predetermined approaching state with the warning target, a live-action video can be displayed on the display means of the mobile terminal, enabling it to function as the above-described system of the present invention. Note that the image data of the live-action video may be stored, for example, in a storage means built into the mobile terminal, or stored in a server on the Internet.

[0048] (17) To achieve the above object, the imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device for acquiring video data of a live-action video used in any of the above-described systems (1) to (15). It includes a storage means for storing the position information of the already installed warning target, a position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information of the vehicle, an imaging means capable of capturing a moving image of the scenery ahead from the moving vehicle, and based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the warning target, when it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approaching state with the warning target, the imaging means is caused to start video imaging, and when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the warning target, the imaging means is caused to end video imaging.

[0049] (18) Preferably, a radar detector including the position information acquisition means and the storage means is combined with a drive recorder including the imaging means, and the imaging control means controls the imaging start timing and the imaging end timing of the drive recorder.

[0050] (19) To achieve the above object, the software of the present invention includes the video data of the live-action video acquired by the imaging device of the above-described (17) or (18), and a program for causing a computer to realize the function of displaying the live-action video on the display means.

[0051] (20) To achieve the above object, the imaging method of the present invention is an imaging method for acquiring video data of a live-action video used in any of the systems (1) to (15) described above. The method includes storing the position information of the already installed object to be alarmed in a storage means, acquiring the position information of the vehicle by a position information acquisition means, and controlling an imaging means capable of capturing a moving image of the scenery ahead from the moving vehicle based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the object to be alarmed by an imaging control means. When the imaging control means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approaching state with respect to the object to be alarmed, the imaging control means starts video imaging by the imaging means, and when it determines that the vehicle has passed the object to be alarmed, the imaging control means ends video imaging by the imaging means.

[0052] (21) Preferably, a radar detector including the position information acquisition means and the storage means is combined with a drive recorder including the imaging means, and the imaging start timing and imaging end timing of the drive recorder are controlled by the imaging control means.

[0053] (22) To achieve the above object, the software of the present invention includes video data of the live-action video acquired by the imaging device according to (20) or (21) described above, and a program for causing a computer to realize a function of displaying the live-action video on the display means.

[0054] Regarding the basic principle of an imaging device or imaging method for acquiring video data of a live-action video, as already described by taking the combination of a radar detector and a drive recorder as an example. According to the imaging device or imaging method of the present invention, it is possible to easily capture a live-action video from before to after passing of the object to be alarmed simply by passing the already installed object to be alarmed. As a result, it becomes extremely easy to acquire live-action videos of a large number of objects to be alarmed installed nationwide, and a system equipped with rich live-action video data can be realized.

Effects of the Invention

[0055] According to the system, program, imaging device, and software of the present invention, an alarm is issued using a live-action video corresponding to the front view of a moving vehicle, and the alarm target in the in-vehicle video is clearly indicated, so that the actual alarm target approaching the vehicle can be easily identified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0056]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0057] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

[0058] [First Embodiment of the System] Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of a radar detector which is a first embodiment suitable as the system of the present invention. This radar detector is usually mounted on the dashboard. This radar detector is fixed by attaching the bottom surface of the plate 33b of the pedestal 33 to the normal dashboard. A ball joint receiving portion 33a is provided at the upper part of the pedestal 33, and the ball portion provided at the lower end of the support column portion 31 extending downward from the bottom surface of the case body 1 is inserted into this ball joint receiving portion 33a, and the ball portion can be held at an arbitrary angle and posture within its movable range.

[0059] The pedestal 33 has a spherical concave portion at a predetermined position on its upper surface, and the pedestal 33 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed such as rubber and has an appropriate friction coefficient. The outer diameter of the ball portion and the inner diameter of the concave portion are set to be substantially equal. Thereby, in a state where the ball portion enters the concave portion, the outer shape of the ball portion and the inner shape of the concave portion substantially coincide, and the ball portion can rotate and move in an arbitrary direction along the spherical surface. And by making the diameters of both substantially coincide and giving an appropriate friction coefficient to the inner shape of the concave portion, the ball portion can be held at an arbitrary angle and posture.

[0060] Furthermore, since the pedestal 33 can be elastically deformed, when the case body 1 is biased in an upward pulling direction while holding the pedestal 33 from the state shown in Fig. 1(b), the diameter of the opening of the concave portion expands and the ball portion can be detached from the concave portion. Conversely, in the case where the pedestal 33 and the ball portion are separated, when the ball portion is pressed against the opening of the concave portion and biased so as to be pushed into the pedestal 33 in that state, the opening of the concave portion once expands due to the elastic deformation of the concave portion and the ball portion is housed in the concave portion.

[0061] After that, due to the elastic restoring force of the pedestal 33, the shape of the concave portion returns to its original state, and the ball portion is suppressed from easily detaching from the concave portion. Further, one surface of an adhesive member such as an adhesive sheet, a double-sided adhesive tape, or a hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the bottom surface of the pedestal 33, and the other surface of the adhesive member is attached to a predetermined position inside the vehicle cabin such as a dashboard. Thereby, the pedestal 33 is fixed to the predetermined position inside the vehicle cabin.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), in this radar detector, a solar panel 2 and a switch section 3 are arranged on the upper surface of a case body 1, and a microwave receiver 4 that detects microwaves in the frequency band emitted by a speed measuring device is arranged inside the front side (the side arranged toward the front of the vehicle (the windshield side)) of the case body 1. On the other hand, a display section 5, an alarm lamp 6, an infrared communication device 7, and a remote control receiver 16 are arranged on the rear side (the side arranged toward the rear of the vehicle (the user side (the driver side))) of the case body 1.

[0063] Further, a GPS receiver 8 is arranged inside the upper surface side of the case body 1. Furthermore, an adapter jack 9 is arranged on one side surface of the case body 1, and a power switch 10 and a DC jack 21 are arranged on the other side surface. A battery (not shown) is provided inside the bottom surface side of the case body, and this battery charges the electric power supplied from the solar panel 2 and the DC jack 21 and supplies the electric power to each part. Also, a speaker 20 is built in the case body 1.

[0064] In this embodiment, the display section 5 is a 2.4-inch small color dot matrix liquid crystal display having a backlight, and the rear side (the side arranged toward the rear of the vehicle (the user side (the driver side))) of the case body 1 is used as the display surface. The height H of the rear side of the case body 1 where the display section 5 is mounted is made larger than the height H0 of other parts.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 2, the infrared communication device 7 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device incorporating an infrared communication device such as a mobile phone 12. The adapter jack 9 is a terminal for connecting a memory card reader 13. By connecting the memory card reader 13 to the adapter jack 9, data stored in the memory card 14 attached to the memory card reader 13 can be taken in, or data such as position information, video data of a live-action video taken of the scenery during the process of approaching a warning target, and the contents of the memory of the database 19 and the control unit 18 can be written to the memory card 14.

[0066] Specifically, when there is update information such as information on a new warning target (position information including longitude and latitude, type information, etc.) in the data stored in the memory card 14, the control unit 18 stores (downloads) the update information in the database 19 built into this radar detector to update the data in the database 19. Note that the function of the memory card reader 13 may be configured to be built into the main body case 1.

[0067] The database 19 is a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) built into the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. Information on certain warning targets is registered in the database 19 at the time of shipment, and data on warning targets added thereafter can be updated as described above. Also, data update can be performed via the infrared communication device 7. The DC jack 21 is for connecting a cigarette plug cord (not shown), and can receive power supply by connecting to the cigarette socket of the vehicle via the cigarette plug cord.

[0068] The wireless receiver 15 receives wireless signals of a predetermined frequency flying in. The remote control receiver 16 conducts data communication with a remote control (portable device: slave unit) 17 by infrared rays and performs various settings for this device. Also, the switch unit 3 is connected to the control unit 18 (not shown in the figure), and can perform the same settings as the remote control 17. The remote control 17 is provided with a standby switching button, a setting button, a selection button, a cancellation button, a determination button, a reset button, and cross buttons for up, down, left, and right.

[0069] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the radar detector of this embodiment includes a connection cable 22 that is connected to an OBD-II (II is the Roman numeral "2", hereinafter "OBD-II" will be denoted as "OBD2") connector mounted on a vehicle. At the tip of this connection cable 22, a connector terminal 23 that can be detachably attached to the OBD2 connector of the vehicle is attached. The OBD2 connector is also called a fault diagnosis connector and is connected to the ECU of the vehicle, and various vehicle information is output.

[0070] Furthermore, at the other end of the connection cable 22, a connector terminal 25 for connecting to a socket port 24 provided on the side surface of the case body 1 of the radar detector is provided, enabling the connection cable 22 to be detachable from the radar detector. Of course, the connection cable 22 may be directly connected to the radar detector.

[0071] Therefore, by connecting the connector terminal 23 attached to the connection cable 22 to the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side, the control unit 18 acquires various vehicle information every second. The vehicle information includes vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load ratio, throttle opening, fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, intake air volume (MAF), injection opening time, remaining fuel volume, accelerator opening, wiper information (operation (ON / OFF) of the left and right wipers), steering wheel rotation steering angle information, and the like. The radar detector of the present embodiment includes a vehicle information display function for displaying the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle via the OBD2 connector as described above on a vehicle information display screen. The vehicle information display screen is a screen mainly displaying the engine load ratio. For example, among the vehicle information, in addition to the current value of the engine load ratio, the current values of the throttle opening, fuel flow rate, and instantaneous fuel consumption, and the average fuel consumption, which is the average value of the instantaneous fuel consumption acquired every second from when this radar detector was attached to the vehicle until now, are displayed, and the display mode is changed and displayed according to the magnitude of the engine load ratio.

[0072] Further, the control unit 18 is a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I / O, etc., executes predetermined processing based on the information input from the above various input devices, and outputs predetermined alarms, messages, and information using the above various output devices.

[0073] The functions of the radar detector of the present embodiment are stored on the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as a program executed by the computer included in the control unit 18, and are realized by the computer included in the control unit 18 executing this program.

[0074] The functions realized by the computer by the program of the control unit 18 include a GPS logging function, a standby screen display function, a radar scope display function, a GPS alarm function, a radar wave alarm function, a wireless alarm function, the above-described vehicle information display function, and further a live video display function, which is the most prominent feature of the radar detector of the present embodiment.

[0075] The GPS logging function is a function in which the control unit 18 associates the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 every second with the detected time and speed (vehicle speed), and stores it as a position history in the database 19 of the non-volatile memory. This position history is recorded in, for example, the NMEA format.

[0076] The standby screen display function is a function that displays the speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 8 on the display unit 5 as shown in Fig. 3(a). The radar scope display function is a function that searches for warning target objects within a predetermined range (for example, within a range of about 1 km) from the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 based on the position information stored in the database 19, and causes the display unit 5 to display the relative positional relationship between the vehicle position and the positions of the warning target objects. In Fig. 3(b), the "W" on the left indicates west, the "E" on the right indicates east, the "N" on the upper side indicates the north direction, and the icon at the intersection of the horizontal line connecting "W" and "E" and the vertical line extending downward from "N" indicates the vehicle position. Also, icons with characters such as "L", "RD", "P", "N", etc. indicate the type and position of the warning target objects.

[0077] When the pressing of the standby switching button provided on the remote controller 17 is detected during the execution of the standby screen display function as shown in Fig. 3(a), it is switched to the radar scope display function as shown in Fig. 3(b). Also, when the pressing of the standby switching button provided on the remote controller 17 is detected during the execution of the radar scope display function, a process of switching to the vehicle information display function is performed. Further, when the pressing of the standby switching button provided on the remote controller 17 is detected during the execution of the vehicle information display function, a process of switching to the standby screen display function is performed.

[0078] While the control unit 18 is executing the standby screen display function, radar scope display function, vehicle information display function (hereinafter collectively referred to as the standby function), it executes the processes to realize each function such as the GPS warning function, radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, etc. according to the generated events, and returns to the process of the original standby function when the process of the function ends. The priorities of the functions are set in the order of the radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function from the highest. The live video display function executes the process to realize it as a part of or in association with the GPS warning function when the GPS warning function is realized. When the process ends, it returns to the process of the GPS warning function or the original standby function.

[0079] The GPS warning function is a process that is executed at a predetermined time interval (1 second interval) by an event from the timer in the control unit 18. It obtains the distance between the latitude and longitude of the warning target object stored in the database 19 and the latitude and longitude of the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8. When the obtained distance reaches a predetermined approach distance (for example, within 500 m), it performs a GPS warning display as shown in Fig. 3(c) on the display unit 5 and outputs an approaching warning voice indicating that from the speaker 20.

[0080] The warning target objects include drowsy driving accident locations, radars, H systems, LH systems, speed limit switching points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, no-parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal violation suppression systems, police stations, police boxes, accident-prone areas, vehicle targeting-prone areas, sharp / continuous curves (highways), branch / merge points (highways), ETC lane pre-guidance (highways), service areas (highways), parking areas (highways), highway oases (highways), smart interchanges (highways), within PA / SA gas stations (highways), tunnels (highways), highway radio reception areas (highways), prefecture boundary notifications, road stations, and viewpoint parking lots, etc. And in the database 19, the type information of these warning target objects and the latitude and longitude information indicating their positions are stored in association with the schematic diagrams to be displayed on the display unit 5, video data of live videos, and audio data.

[0081] The radar wave warning function is a warning function that, when a signal corresponding to the microwave in the frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (such as a mobile radar, hereinafter simply referred to as "radar") is detected by the microwave receiver 4, displays a warning screen on the display unit 5 and outputs a warning sound from the speaker 20. For example, when the microwave in the frequency band of the microwave emitted by the radar is detected by the microwave receiver 4, as shown in FIG. 4, a schematic diagram or a photograph of the radar stored in the database 19 is displayed on the display unit 5 as a warning screen, and the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out to output a voice "It's a radar. Pay attention to speed" from the speaker 20. While the voice is being output, the warning lamp 6 is lit.

[0082] The wireless warning function is a function that issues a warning when the wireless receiver 15 receives the radio wave emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like so as not to interfere with its running or the like. In the wireless warning function, frequencies such as traffic control radio, car audio radio, digital radio, very small radio, police activity radio, police telephone, police activity radio, vehicle location radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire radio, emergency radio, highway radio, security radio, etc. are scanned. When wireless is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that the wireless corresponding to that frequency stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is received is displayed on the display unit 5 as a warning screen, and the voice data stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is read out to output a warning voice indicating the type of that wireless from the speaker 20. For example, when traffic control radio is received, a voice such as "It's traffic control radio. Pay attention to speed" is output. While the voice is being output, the warning lamp 6 is lit.

[0083] The live-action video display function uses the GPS warning function to calculate the distance between the latitude and longitude of the object to be warned stored in the database 19 and the latitude and longitude of the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8. When the calculated distance reaches a predetermined proximity distance (for example, within 500 m), it is a function to display on the display unit 5 a live-action video that captures the scenery during the process of approaching the object to be warned. In this case, as in the prior art, after displaying a GPS warning as shown in Fig. 3(c) on the display unit 5 and outputting an approaching warning voice indicating that from the speaker 20, the display of the live-action video may be started, or the display of the live-action video may be started without displaying the screen of Fig. 3(c). This selection may be set in advance by the switch unit 3, the remote control 17, etc. The determination of the start of the display of the live-action video is performed by the same process as when making the determination of the conventional GPS warning display. When the control unit 18 determines that the object to be warned is at a predetermined proximity distance, it sequentially reads video data from the database 19 and transmits it to the display unit 5.

[0084] The video data stored in the database 19 is acquired by the imaging device according to the present invention described later. Also, the position information at the time of imaging is associated with the video data of the live-action video, and the control unit 18 determines the timing for displaying the live-action video based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the video data. Specifically, the live-action video is displayed on the display unit 5 at the timing when the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the video data match. For example, the control unit 18 may be configured to synchronize the playback speed of the live-action video with the current speed of the vehicle based on the speed information of the vehicle.

[0085] By synchronizing the playback speed of the live-action video with the speed of the vehicle, it becomes possible to maintain a certain correspondence between the actual forward scenery and the live-action video according to the speed of the vehicle at the time of warning. As a result, the live-action video can be displayed at the playback speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle at the time of warning and the change in the speed of the vehicle, and it is always possible to give an appropriate warning.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a display image of a live-action video. FIG. 5(a) is an image before approaching the object to be alarmed, FIG. 5(b) is an image when approaching the object to be alarmed, and FIG. 5(c) is an image after the object to be alarmed has passed. When the distance to the H system 40, which is the object to be alarmed, reaches a proximity distance (for example, within 500 m), the display of the live-action video is started as shown in FIG. 5(a), and a series of videos from approaching as shown in FIG. 5(b) to passing as shown in FIG. 5(c) are displayed. The user can more clearly recognize the actual object to be alarmed by visually recognizing the same image as the actual scenery on the display unit 5 from before to after passing the object to be alarmed. Note that the upper right of the display screen shows the current time.

[0087] When the display of the live-action video is started, the user can recognize that the object to be alarmed is approaching. In this embodiment, it is a display image with an indication display added for visually identifying the object to be alarmed included in the live-action video, and an example when the indication display is an arrow 41 is shown. The arrow 41 is configured to follow the object to be alarmed included in the live-action video and change its size. At the start of the alarm when the distance from the vehicle to the object to be alarmed is far, the object to be alarmed shown small in the live-action video is indicated by a small arrow, and as the vehicle approaches the object to be alarmed, the object to be alarmed is indicated by a large arrow. This makes it possible to more easily identify the object to be alarmed in the live-action video whose position and size change.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing another example of a display image of a live-action video. FIG. 6(a) is an image before approaching the object to be alarmed, and FIG. 6(b) is an image when approaching the object to be alarmed. In FIG. 6, the indication display is made by an enclosure 42, and further, a notation part 43 for displaying the content of the object to be alarmed is added. Note that the size of the enclosure 42 changes following the object to be alarmed. Also, when passing the object to be alarmed, a comment indicating that it has passed may be displayed on the display image of the live-action video.

[0089] According to the above configuration, when the object to be warned is a speed measuring device as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, important components contributing to speed measurement can be indicated by the indication display, which can arouse the user's attention and promote safe driving. In addition, such dynamic indication display performs artificial operations according to the program in the live-action video, so it is particularly prominent even in the live-action video that naturally changes as the vehicle travels, and can instantly attract the user's attention.

[0090] [Second Embodiment of the System] Next, a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention will be described. The system of this embodiment is a radar detector having the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment. Among the functions realized by the computer by the program of the control unit 18, only the live-action video display function is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the display image in this embodiment. FIG. 7(a) is an image immediately after it is determined that the vehicle has approached the object to be warned, FIG. 7(b) is an image before approaching the object to be warned, and FIG. 7(c) is an image when approaching the object to be warned. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display the map 50, and when the vehicle approaches a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km) to the H system 40 which is the object to be warned, the live-action video 51 is superimposed and displayed on the map 50. Further, the display area of the live-action video 51 displayed on the map 50 is changed according to the distance from the vehicle to the H system 40 which is the object to be warned. Also, similar to FIG. 5, in the live-action video 51, an arrow 41 is used as the indication display, and the size is changed following the object to be warned included in the live-action video 51. Specifically, when the vehicle and the object to be warned approach a predetermined distance, the live-action video 51 is displayed with the smallest display area as shown in FIG. 7(a), and then the display area of the live-action video 51 is increased as the vehicle and the object to be warned approach. Note that the upper right of the map screen shows the current time.

[0092] Also, in FIG. 7, the position 52 of the H system 40, which is the object of warning, and the position 53 of the vehicle are displayed on the map 50, and it is possible to superimpose and display a warning by the live-action video 51 on this map 50. As a result, while confirming the H system 40, which is the actual object of warning, in the live-action video 51, the approach state between the vehicle and the object of warning can be objectively grasped by an icon or the like indicating the position on the map 50.

[0093] As a result, the approach state between the vehicle and the object of warning can be relatively notified by the size of the live-action video 51, and as the vehicle approaches the object of warning, the display area of the live-action video 51 becomes larger, making it easier to identify the object of warning in the live-action video 51. Also, as the vehicle approaches the object of warning, the display area of the live-action video 51 becomes larger, and it becomes possible to add a lot of information to the live-action video. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the content of the object of warning can be displayed, or the distance between the vehicle and the object of warning can be displayed. Note that these pieces of information may be displayed in the map 50 outside the live-action video 51 together with other driving information such as speed. Also, in FIGS. 7(a), (b), and (c), the screen of the map 50 is fixed, but the map may be changed so that the current position is always at a certain position on the display screen. Also, in the system of the present embodiment, as a standby screen display function, a map screen may be displayed, and the position and speed of the vehicle may be displayed thereon.

[0094] [Embodiment of Imaging Device] Next, an embodiment of the imaging device according to the present invention will be described. The video data of the live-action video used in the system of the above embodiment can be acquired by the imaging device of the present embodiment. The imaging device of the present embodiment includes a storage means for storing the position information of the already installed object of warning, a position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information of the vehicle, an imaging means capable of capturing a moving image of the scenery ahead from the moving vehicle, and an imaging control means for starting the moving image capture by the imaging means when it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approach state with respect to the object of warning based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the object of warning, and ending the moving image capture by the imaging means when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the object of warning.

[0095] Specifically, a radar detector including a position information acquisition means and a storage means is combined with a drive recorder including an imaging camera as an imaging means, and an imaging control means controls the imaging start timing and the imaging end timing of the drive recorder. For example, when the imaging control means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approaching state with respect to the warning target, the imaging camera is caused to start video imaging, and when the vehicle is determined to have passed the warning target, the imaging means is caused to end video imaging.

[0096] The drive recorder is provided with buttons for starting and ending continuous recording. Therefore, an imaging control means is realized by giving a signal similar to pressing the start button to the drive recorder at the timing when the radar detector starts outputting an approach warning, and giving a signal similar to pressing the end button to the drive recorder at the timing when the radar detector stops outputting the approach warning. By using the imaging device of this embodiment like this, if a warning target across the country is passed, a real-time video from before the warning target passes to after it passes can be easily imaged.

[0097] In the video imaged by the drive recorder, vehicle position information, speed information, imaging time, etc. at the time of imaging are recorded in association. By using the imaging device of this embodiment, for example, the video and position information from 20 seconds before the arrival of the warning target to 10 seconds after passing are automatically recorded, or the video and position information from 1 km before the arrival of the warning target to 500 m after passing are automatically recorded, and rich real-time video data corresponding to warning targets across the country can be obtained.

[0098] [Modification Example of System Embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the description content of the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications are possible. For example, the system of the present invention may be implemented as follows.

[0099] (1) The control unit 18 may be configured to display the live-action video at a timing of several to several tens of seconds before the position information of the current vehicle matches the position information of the video data of the live-action video. In this case, based on the position information of the current vehicle and the position information at the time of imaging the live-action video, the optimal display timing of the live-action video can be determined, and an arbitrary correspondence relationship can be established between the video of the live-action video and the actual forward scenery.

[0100] (2) When adding an indication display for visually identifying the warning target object included in the live-action video, it is possible to indicate it with a balloon containing information about the warning target object, color the entire warning target object, display it with a line tracing the outline of the warning target object, and when the speed measuring device is of the loop coil type or LH system, it is possible to indicate the loop coil embedded in the paved road by tracing it with a line.

[0101] (3) For the same warning target object, the video data of a plurality of live-action videos captured at different times may be associated and stored. In this case, the control unit 18 selects one video data from the video data of a plurality of videos captured at different times, and displays the live-action video based on the selected video data on the display unit 5.

[0102] For example, the above different times are two types: daytime and nighttime. For the same warning target object, the two types of live-action videos are associated, and the control unit 18 may select the video data of either daytime or nighttime based on the current time information, and display the live-action video on the display unit 5.

[0103] Also, as the different periods mentioned above, each actual video may be provided corresponding to each period with a certain width and few changes in scenery, such as spring, summer, autumn, winter, month, day, hour, morning, noon, evening, night, etc. In accordance with the time when the vehicle reaches a predetermined approaching state with the warning target, for example, display the actual video of the same season or month and day as that season or month and day, the actual video during the day if it is daytime, the actual video in the evening if it is evening, and the actual video at night if it is night. However, it is not always necessary to match the environmental conditions between the video of the actual video and the actual forward scenery. In order to more clearly recognize the warning target, it is possible to display the actual video during the day with good visibility at night with poor visibility, or to display the actual video in summer in winter when it is snowing, etc.

[0104] The video data of the actual image captured at night can be obtained by using night vision to capture the image at night in the imaging device. Thereby, even if the periphery of the warning target is a dark place with few street lights, the video data of the actual video in which the warning target itself and the surrounding situation can be visually recognized can be obtained. Therefore, while trying to match the environmental conditions between the actual video and the actual forward scenery, even when the actual warning target in the forward scenery is difficult to visually recognize in a dark place at night, the position and range of the actual warning target can be specified with reference to the night vision video of the actual video.

[0105] Although the system of this embodiment has been described by taking the example of a radar detector, it can be implemented as the functions of various electronic devices. For example, it may be incorporated as the functions of a navigation device, a drive recorder, and a car audio. Also, a function for setting each function and the priority of the warning based on an instruction from a remote control 17 or the like may be provided in the control unit 18, and each process of the control unit 18 may be performed based on the set priority.

[0106] Download the program stored on the EEPROM of the control unit 18 to a mobile terminal such as a general-purpose personal computer, mobile phone, smartphone, or portable game console, and cause the computer installed in the mobile terminal to execute the control process of the control unit 18. When the vehicle reaches a predetermined proximity state with the warning target, a live video may be displayed on the display means of the mobile terminal. In this case, the image data of the live video may be stored in the storage means built into the mobile terminal. Alternatively, it may be stored in a server on the Internet.

[0107] Also, in the system of this embodiment, although it only has a program for realizing the computer of the control unit 18, the program may be distributed and arranged among a plurality of computers for distributed processing.

Industrial Applicability

[0108] The system of the present invention can be used as a vehicle information system that provides predetermined information to the driver of a vehicle.

Explanation of Signs

[0109] 1 Case body 2 Solar panel 3 Switch section 4 Microwave receiver 5 Display section 6 Warning lamp 7 Infrared communication device 8 GPS receiver 9 Adapter jack 10 Power switch 11 Imaging device 12 Mobile phone 13 Memory card reader 14 Memory card 15 Wireless receiver 16 Remote control receiver 17 Remote control 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 21 DC jack 22 Connection cable 23 connector terminals 40 H system 41 arrow 42 enclosure 43 notation part 50 map 51 actual video 52, 53 positions

Claims

Claim 1 A smartphone having a function of causing a display means to display a live-action video stored in a server on the Internet when an object of warning reaches a predetermined approaching state. Claim 2 The smartphone according to claim 1, further comprising video data of a live-action video that captures a view during the process of approaching the object of warning as the live-action video stored in the server on the Internet, and having a function of causing the display means to display the live-action video that captures a view during the process of approaching the object of warning stored in the server on the Internet when the object of warning reaches a predetermined approaching state. Claim 3 The smartphone according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising video data of a live-action video that captures a view after the passage of the object of warning as the live-action video stored in the server on the Internet, and having a function of causing the display means to display the live-action video that captures a view after the passage of the object of warning stored in the server on the Internet. Claim 4 A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the smartphone according to claims 1 to 3.

Images