Vehicle condition determination system

Abstract

The aim is to determine the vehicle's condition by taking still images of the instrument panel. [Solution] The vehicle condition determination system comprises: an imaging unit that takes still images of the meter panel installed inside the vehicle; a control unit that takes continuous shots or slows the shutter speed to a certain level or lower during imaging; and a determination unit that determines the vehicle condition based on a plurality of continuously shot still images or still images taken with a shutter speed slowed to a certain level or lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle state determination system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for acquiring and recording data (vehicle information data) transmitted from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle. The recorded vehicle information data is used for analyzing the cause of vehicle malfunctions and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, since a hardware configuration for acquiring vehicle information data transmitted from the ECU is required, the configuration of the vehicle diagnosis system becomes complicated.

[0005] Therefore, it is conceivable to photograph a meter panel on which instruments indicating the state of the vehicle (for example, a speedometer, a distance meter, a fuel gauge, a warning light, etc.) are arranged, read the numerical values of the instruments from the photographed image of the meter panel, and determine the state of the vehicle from the read numerical values of the instruments. However, since some instruments (for example, warning lights and charging icons for electric vehicles) may perform blinking displays, in still image photography, there is a possibility of photographing at the time of extinction even when blinking. There was a problem that it could not be known from the still image photographed at the time of extinction that it was blinking. On the other hand, in video photography, the amount of photographed data becomes extremely large compared to still image photography, which is not preferable.

[0006] This invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle condition determination system that can determine the state of a vehicle by taking still images of the instrument panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle state determination system comprising: an imaging unit that takes still images of an instrument panel installed inside a vehicle; a control unit that takes continuous shots or slows the shutter speed to a certain level or lower during the imaging; and a determination unit that determines the state of the vehicle based on a plurality of continuously shot still images or still images taken with a shutter speed slowed to a certain level or lower. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle state determination system further comprising a shooting setting data storage unit for storing setting data related to the shooting, and configured to allow the setting of continuous shooting or shutter speed included in the setting data. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle state determination system that further comprises an ignition switch state information acquisition unit that acquires ignition switch state information indicating the on / off state of the vehicle's ignition switch, and the control unit performs the aforementioned photography when the ignition switch changes from on to off. One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle state determination system further comprising a timer for timing a certain period of time during which the above-mentioned photographs are taken. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the vehicle's condition can be determined by taking a still image of the instrument panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle condition determination system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a photographic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the processing flow of a vehicle condition determination system according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an automobile will be used as an example of a vehicle.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle state determination system according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a photography device according to one embodiment. In Figure 1, the vehicle state determination system 1 comprises a photography device 10, a communication device 20, an image analysis device 100 (determination unit), and a display device 110. The photography device 10 comprises a photography unit 11, a control unit 12, a photography setting data storage unit 13, an IGN information acquisition unit 14, and a timer 15.

[0012] The imaging device 10 and the communication device 20 are mounted in a vehicle. The imaging device 10 and the communication device 20 are connected to each other via the vehicle's in-vehicle communication channel 53.

[0013] The imaging unit 11 of the imaging device 10 takes still images of the meter panel 51 located inside the automobile. The imaging device 10 is installed, for example, on the steering column of the automobile so that the imaging unit 11 can take still images of the meter panel 51. The meter panel 51 contains the automobile's speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, etc. Therefore, the still image of the meter panel 51 taken by the imaging unit 11 shows the automobile's speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, etc.

[0014] The imaging device 10 receives an ignition switch (IGNSW) signal A. The IGNSW signal A indicates whether the ignition switch is on or off. The IGN information acquisition unit 14 of the imaging device 10 recognizes from the IGNSW signal A whether the ignition switch is on or off.

[0015] The communication device 20 transmits a still image of the meter panel 51, captured by the imaging unit 11, to the image analysis device 100 via the communication channel 54. The image analysis device 100 reads information such as the speedometer reading, odometer reading, fuel level, and whether warning lights are illuminated from the still image of the meter panel 51 received via the communication channel 54. Based on the various information read from the still image of the meter panel 51, the image analysis device 100 determines the status of the vehicle equipped with the imaging device 10. The display device 110 displays the result of the image analysis device 100's determination of the vehicle's status.

[0016] If the image analysis device 100 is located outside the vehicle, the communication channel 54 is wireless for at least the communication section connected to the communication device 20. On the other hand, if the image analysis device 100 is located inside the vehicle, the communication channel 54 may be wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless.

[0017] The control unit 12 controls the shooting of the shooting unit 11. When the shooting unit 11 takes still images of the meter panel 51, the control unit 12 either takes continuous shots or slows the shutter speed to a certain level or lower. The communication device 20 transmits multiple still images taken in continuous shooting mode or still images taken with a shutter speed of a certain level or lower by the shooting unit 11 to the image analysis device 100. The image analysis device 100 determines the state of the vehicle based on the multiple still images taken in continuous shooting mode or still images taken with a shutter speed of a certain level or lower received from the communication device 20.

[0018] The shooting setting data storage unit 13 stores setting data related to the shooting of the shooting unit 11 (shooting setting data, such as a CONFIG file, etc.). It includes settings such as the setting of the presence or absence of continuous shooting, the setting of the continuous shooting operation, and the setting of the shutter speed. The shooting setting data includes settings such as the setting of continuous shooting and the setting of the shutter speed. The settings such as continuous shooting and shutter speed included in the shooting setting data are configured to be changeable by the user remotely or directly on the imaging device 10.

[0019] The control unit 12 controls the shooting of the shooting unit 11 according to the shooting setting data stored in the shooting setting data storage unit 13.

[0020] The control unit 12 determines whether or not to perform continuous shooting when the shooting unit 11 shoots a still image of the meter panel 51 according to the setting of the presence or absence of continuous shooting included in the shooting setting data. When the setting of the presence or absence of continuous shooting included in the shooting setting data is "continuous shooting", the control unit 12 determines the continuous shooting operation when the shooting unit 11 shoots a still image of the meter panel 51 according to the setting of the continuous shooting operation included in the shooting setting data.

[0021] The control unit 12 determines the shutter speed when the shooting unit 11 shoots a still image of the meter panel 51 according to the setting of the shutter speed included in the shooting setting data.

[0022] The timer 15 measures a certain period of time during which the shooting unit 11 shoots a still image of the meter panel 51. The control unit 12 causes the shooting unit 11 to shoot a still image of the meter panel 51 from when the timer 15 is started until the timer 15 times out. Whether or not the control unit 12 starts the timer 15 is configured to be setable by the user.

[0023] Alternatively, the control unit 12 may monitor the battery remaining amount of a battery (not shown) which is the power source of the imaging device 10, and start the timer 15 when the battery remaining amount is below a certain amount. Thereby, when the battery remaining amount is below a certain amount, it is possible to limit the shooting time of the still image of the meter panel 51 and suppress the consumption of the battery remaining amount.

[0024] The control unit 12 may take a still image of the meter panel 51 when the ignition switch changes from on to off, based on the on / off state of the ignition switch recognized by the IGN information acquisition unit 14 from the IGNSW signal A. A warning light on the meter panel 51 may illuminate immediately after the ignition switch changes from on to off, but by taking a still image of the meter panel 51 when the ignition switch changes from on to off, it is possible to capture a still image of the event in which a warning light on the meter panel 51 illuminates immediately after the ignition switch changes from on to off.

[0025] The continuous shooting operation settings according to this embodiment are made taking into consideration the flashing display of instruments (such as warning lights) in the meter panel 51. For example, when a warning light flashes, still image shooting can be performed even when the light is off, so it may not be possible to tell from the captured still image that the light was flashing. To prevent such a situation, the continuous shooting settings according to this embodiment include setting the continuous shooting interval (how many frames to take per second) and the continuous shooting period (the period during which continuous shooting continues). Note that the continuous shooting interval limits the lower limit of the shutter speed, that is, how slow the shutter speed can be.

[0026] Specifically, using a warning light as an example, the continuous shooting interval should be set to a shorter interval than the flashing interval of the warning light (the interval between turning on and off). The continuous shooting period should be set to the period necessary to capture still images when the warning light is on, when taking continuous still images at that continuous shooting interval.

[0027] Alternatively, you can set multiple burst shooting intervals and randomly select one of these intervals to perform continuous shooting for a certain period of time.

[0028] In this embodiment, when continuous shooting is not enabled, the shutter speed is set considering that the instruments in the meter panel 51 (e.g., warning lights) are flashing. Specifically, taking a warning light as an example, the shutter speed is set to a value that exposes for a longer period than the flashing interval of the warning light (the interval between turning on and off). This allows exposure to include the time when the warning light is on, making it possible to determine from the captured still image that the light is flashing.

[0029] Figure 3 shows an example of the processing flow of the vehicle state determination system according to this embodiment.

[0030] (Step S11) When the imaging device 10 is started up, the control unit 12 checks the pre-set imaging settings data.

[0031] (Step S12) The control unit 12 controls the shooting unit 11 according to the shooting setting data to take still images of the meter panel 51 in continuous shooting mode or at a shutter speed below a certain level.

[0032] (Step S13) The communication device 20 transmits to the image analysis device 100 a series of still images taken by the shooting unit 11 or still images taken with a shutter speed slowed to a certain level or less.

[0033] (Step S14) The image analysis device 100 determines the state of the automobile based on multiple still images taken in rapid succession or still images taken with a shutter speed slowed to a certain level or less, which are received from the communication device 20.

[0034] (Step S15) The display device 110 displays the result of the vehicle status determination by the image analysis device 100.

[0035] The results of the vehicle status assessment may be directly notified to the user or stored in a database accessible to the user.

[0036] According to the embodiment described above, the state of the vehicle can be determined by taking a still image of the vehicle's instrument panel 51. Even for instruments that flash (for example, warning lights or charging icons for electric vehicles), a still image can be taken when they are lit, so it is possible to determine from the captured still image that they are flashing.

[0037] According to the embodiment described above, even if there are times when backlit photography occurs due to light reflecting off the meter panel 51 while the vehicle is in motion, still images can be taken at times other than the backlit times.

[0038] According to the embodiment described above, by taking still images of the meter panel 51, the power consumption of the shooting device 10 can be reduced compared to video recording, and the amount of image data can be reduced, thus reducing the communication load required for image transmission.

[0039] Furthermore, each of the functions of the vehicle condition determination system described above is realized by the vehicle condition determination system being equipped with computer hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the CPU executing computer programs stored in memory.

[0040] Alternatively, a computer program for realizing the functions of the vehicle condition determination system described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" here may include hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and flash memory, portable media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems.

[0041] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" also includes volatile memory (such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retain programs for a certain period of time. Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. It may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1...Vehicle status determination system, 10...Photography device, 11...Photography unit, 12...Control unit, 13...Photography setting data storage unit, 14...IGN information acquisition unit, 15...Timer, 20...Communication device, 51...Meter panel, 100...Image analysis device, 110...Display device

Claims

1. A camera unit that takes still images of the instrument panel installed inside the vehicle, A control unit that performs continuous shooting or slows the shutter speed to a certain level or lower during the aforementioned shooting, A determination unit that determines the state of the vehicle based on multiple still images taken in rapid succession or still images taken with a shutter speed slowed to a certain level or less, A vehicle condition determination system equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a shooting setting data storage unit for storing the aforementioned shooting setting data, The system is configured to allow the setting of continuous shooting or shutter speed included in the aforementioned setting data. The vehicle condition determination system according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes an ignition switch status information acquisition unit that acquires ignition switch status information indicating the on / off state of the ignition switch of the vehicle, The control unit performs the aforementioned photography when the ignition switch changes from on to off. The vehicle condition determination system according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a timer for timing a certain period of time during which the aforementioned photography is performed. The vehicle condition determination system according to claim 1.

Images