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. [Background technology]

[0002] Radar detectors, car navigation systems, and other systems have been widely used for some time now. These systems have a function of notifying a user of the approach of a warning object such as a speed measuring device, a police area, or a checkpoint area. For example, the present applicant has proposed a radar detector that displays a CG (Computer Graphics) of an object to be warned on a display means such as a liquid crystal display device when the vehicle approaches an object to be warned in a predetermined manner or when microwaves emitted from a speed measuring device are detected (see FIG. 19 of Patent Document 1). Although the presence or absence of an object to be warned can be notified by an alarm sound, such a display makes it possible to recognize the position of the object to be warned.

[0003] There are also devices that provide a real-life warning by displaying a photograph including an actual object to be warned, such as a speed measuring device, a control area, or a checkpoint area. This radar detector is configured to display a small actual-image warning when the vehicle approaches within 1 km of the object to be warned, and to display a large actual-image warning when the vehicle approaches within 500 m of the object to be warned. In addition, a snowplow driver warning system has been disclosed that allows the driver to accurately grasp the location of railroad crossings even when work is being done at night or when there is snow on the ground and it is difficult to confirm the location of the crossings by viewing on a display device a video data file that was previously captured when visibility was good (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-9546 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-44367 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The radar detector in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 was configured to issue an alarm by displaying a common CG according to the type and content of the speed measurement device, enforcement area, checkpoint area, etc., so there was no relationship between the CG displayed on the screen and the actual object of the alarm that the vehicle was approaching. In contrast, a radar detector displays a photo (real-life alarm) that includes the actual object of the alarm that the vehicle is approaching.

[0006] However, because conventional live-action warnings were still images, the location where the photograph containing the speed measuring device was taken did not necessarily match the actual scenery ahead, which changes as the vehicle was traveling, making it difficult to identify where the vehicle measuring device was located in the scenery ahead.

[0007] That is, the still image of the conventional live-action warning was an image taken just before the object of the warning in order to include the object of the warning in the image. Even if such a still image taken just before the object of the warning is displayed, for example, 1 km or 500 m before the object of the warning, the image of the still image does not match the scenery ahead. It is only when the vehicle approaches just before the object of the warning that the image of the still image matches the scenery ahead.

[0008] In addition, the live-action alerts issued to notify police areas, checkpoint areas, etc. were photographs taken in part of the area (for example, the center of the area), and so it was not possible to determine the extent of the area simply by looking at the photograph.

[0009] The snowplow driver warning system in Patent Document 2 is designed to allow the driver to check the location of railroad crossings, which are difficult to see in reality, by using images of the crossings captured when visibility is good, and is based on the premise that the image on the display device will not match the actual scenery ahead.

[0010] In addition, railroad crossings have a distinctive black and yellow appearance, so if the image shows the scenery ahead taken from a snowplow moving slowly along the tracks, it is easy to identify where the crossing is in the image. However, the scene ahead of the vehicle includes roads, other vehicles, buildings, and structures such as signs and street lights, and the vehicle is moving faster than a snowplow, so it is difficult to identify the speed measuring device, which does not have a particularly noticeable appearance, from the scene ahead of the moving vehicle.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a system, program, imaging device, and software that issues an alarm using an actual video that corresponds to the scenery ahead of a moving vehicle, and clearly indicates the object of the alarm in the actual vehicle video, thereby making it easy to identify the actual object of the alarm that the vehicle is approaching. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0013] According to the above configuration, by displaying a live-action video of the process of approaching an actual object to be warned and issuing a warning, it is possible to match the image of the live-action video with the actual scenery ahead that changes as the vehicle travels. For example, if the object to be warned is a speed measuring device, the object to be warned in the live-action video can be clearly indicated, allowing the user to easily identify the actual speed measuring device in the scenery ahead. In addition, for example, if the object of the warning is an area for enforcement or checkpoint, the user can easily identify the actual area in the scenery ahead by displaying a live-action video including the range from the start point to the end point of the area. According to such an in-vehicle electronic device of the present invention, it becomes easy for the user to identify the object of the warning, 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 an in-vehicle electronic device such as a radar detector or a car navigation system. Furthermore, the system of the present invention can be realized if it mainly comprises a means for acquiring location information, video data of live-action video capturing the scenery during the process of approaching the object to be warned, a means for displaying the live-action video, and a control means for executing the above-mentioned control processing. Therefore, the system of the present invention may be implemented using hardware such as a general-purpose personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a portable game machine, etc. In this case, software for operating these general-purpose portable terminals as the system of the present invention and video data of live-action videos may be stored in a server and provided to the portable terminals via the Internet.

[0015] In this specification, the term "live-action video" refers to a video captured from an actual landscape, and is a visible image displayed on a display device. Even if "live-action video image" is not specifically stated, "live-action video" refers to an image displayed on a display device. When referring to data rather than image, the term "live-action video image data" is used.

[0016] (2) Preferably, the video data of the live-action video is associated with location information at the time of capture, and the control means is configured to determine the timing of displaying the live-action video based on the location information of the vehicle and the location information of the video data. (3) More preferably, the control means is configured to cause the display means to display the live-action video at a timing when position information of the vehicle and position information of the video data match. (4) More preferably, the control means may be configured to display the actual video several to several tens of seconds before the current position information of the vehicle and the position information of the video data match.

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

[0018] For example, by displaying the live-action video at a timing when the current vehicle position information coincides with the position information at the time the live-action video was captured, the image of the live-action video can be made to coincide with the actual scenery ahead when the live-action video starts to be displayed. Thereafter, by synchronizing the playback speed of the live-action video with the vehicle speed, the user can compare the live-action video with the scenery ahead and easily identify the actual object of the warning.

[0019] Also, for example, by displaying the live-action video several to several tens of seconds before the current vehicle position information coincides with the position information of the live-action video, the live-action video of the scenery ahead several seconds ahead of the current time is displayed. As a result, the user can check the object of the alarm in the live-action video in advance, and then, when the vehicle reaches the capture point of the live-action video, the user can easily identify the actual object of the alarm from the scenery ahead.

[0020] Here, the image data of the actual 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 objects to be warned throughout the country, and is configured to start outputting a proximity warning when the current vehicle position is in a predetermined proximity relationship with any object to be warned, and to stop outputting the proximity warning when the object to be warned has passed.

[0021] On the other hand, the drive recorder is provided with buttons for starting and ending continuous recording. Therefore, an imaging device is configured to give the drive recorder a signal equivalent to pressing the start button when the radar detector starts outputting the approach warning, and to give the drive recorder a signal equivalent to pressing the end button when the radar detector stops outputting the approach warning. By using an imaging device configured in this way, it is possible to capture actual video from before the object of warning passes through to after the object of warning passes through, by passing through any object of warning nationwide.

[0022] In addition, the video captured by the drive recorder is recorded in association with the vehicle's position information, speed information, and capture time, etc. By using the dedicated imaging device configured as described above, it is possible to obtain actual video data corresponding to each of the objects to be warned throughout the country by automatically recording, for example, the video and position information from 20 seconds before the arrival of the object to 10 seconds after it has passed, or automatically recording the video and position information from 1 km before the arrival of the object to 500 m after it has passed.

[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 vehicle speed information.

[0024] According to the above configuration, by synchronizing the playback speed of the live-action video with the vehicle speed, it is possible to maintain a constant correspondence between the actual scenery ahead and the live-action video according to the vehicle speed at the time of the warning. This makes it possible to display the live-action video at a playback speed according to the vehicle speed at the time of the warning and changes in vehicle speed, making it possible to always issue an appropriate warning.

[0025] (6) Preferably, the actual video includes a video of a landscape not including the object of the warning, captured at a location before the object of the warning passes.

[0026] According to the above configuration, even when live video is displayed when the object to be warned about is not yet visible, for example, when the live video is displayed 1 km or 500 m before the object to be warned about, these live video images match the actual scenery ahead, so that the user can easily understand the situation in which the vehicle is actually approaching the object to be warned about by looking at the live video that does not include the object to be warned about.

[0027] (7) Preferably, the live-action video is a series of images capturing scenery from before the object of the warning passes through until after it passes through.

[0028] According to the above configuration, the user can be notified of the start of the alarm through a series of live-action videos. Here, the alarms in the above-mentioned conventional radar detectors were all still images, so they only displayed still images before the object of the alarm passed, and none of them displayed still images after the object of the alarm passed. For this reason, the timing of the alarm being released was unclear. In contrast, the system of the present invention configured as above can intuitively convey the release of the alarm to the user by continuously displaying images up until after the object of the alarm has passed.

[0029] (8) Preferably, the control means is configured to cause the display means to display a map and, when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance of the object to be warned, to cause the display means to superimpose the actual video 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 an object to be warned and the position of a vehicle on a map on a screen, and to superimpose a live-action video of a warning on the map. This allows the user to objectively grasp the proximity state between the vehicle and the object to be warned by icons on the map while checking the actual object to be warned by the live-action video.

[0031] (9) Preferably, the control means is configured to change a display area of ​​the actual video displayed on the map in accordance with the distance from the vehicle to the object to be warned.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the display area of ​​the live-action video displayed on the map can notify the user of the proximity state between the vehicle and the object to be warned. For example, when the vehicle and the object to be warned approach each other within a predetermined distance, the live-action video is displayed in the smallest display area, and thereafter, the display area of ​​the live-action video is increased as the vehicle and the object to be warned approach each other. This allows the user to relatively notify the proximity of the vehicle to the object of the warning by the size of the live-action video, and the closer the vehicle is to the object of the warning, the larger the display area of ​​the live-action video becomes, making it easier to identify the object of the warning in the live-action video. Also, the closer the vehicle is to the object of the warning, the larger the display area of ​​the live-action video becomes, making it possible to add more information to the live-action video.

[0033] (10) Preferably, an indication for visually identifying the object of the alarm contained in the live-action video is added to the live-action video.

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

[0035] Here, the above-mentioned "indication display" broadly includes displays that indicate the object of an alarm in the live-action video, such as an arrow pointing to the object of an alarm in the live-action video, a speech bubble containing information about the object of an alarm, coloring the entire object of an alarm, a line tracing the outline of the object of an alarm, and the like. Such an instruction display may be embedded in the image of the live-action video, for example, but is preferably drawn in front of the image. For example, information such as the coordinate position on the screen of the object to be warned in the live-action video, the size of the instruction display, and the direction of the instruction display may be recorded for each predetermined frame, and the instruction display may be displayed in front of the image of the live-action video based on this information.

[0036] (11) Preferably, at least one of the position and size of the indication display is changed in accordance with the object of the warning contained in the live-action video.

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

[0038] Furthermore, because such dynamic instruction displays perform artificial movements according to a program in live-action video, they stand out particularly in the live-action video, which changes naturally as the vehicle moves, and can instantly attract the user's attention.

[0039] (12) Preferably, when the object to be warned contained in the live-action video is made up of a plurality of components, the indication display is added to each of the components of the object to be warned.

[0040] According to the above configuration, when the object to be warned is a speed measurement device, important components that contribute to speed measurement can be indicated by the indication, thereby drawing the user's attention and encouraging safe driving. For example, if the speed measurement device is a radar type, a loop coil type, an H system, or an LH system, the position of the camera of the speed measurement device is indicated by an arrow. Also, if the speed measurement device is a loop coil type or an LH system, a line is traced to indicate the loop coil embedded in the pavement. This allows the user to intuitively understand the purpose and function of the speed measurement device, making it possible to issue a more effective warning, and also to call the attention of users who see the warning in the form of a live-action video, encouraging safe driving.

[0041] (13) Preferably, video data of a plurality of live-action videos captured at different times for the same object to be warned is matched, and the control means selects one of the video data captured at the different times based on current time information, and displays the live-action video on the display means. (14) More preferably, two types of the live-action video captured at least during the day and at night are associated with the same object to be warned, and the control means selects either the daytime or nighttime video data based on current time information, and displays the live-action video on the display means.

[0042] According to the above configuration, the timing of issuing a warning using the live-action video and the timing of capturing the live-action video displayed on the display means can be made to correspond to, for example, match or approximate the environmental conditions of the image of the live-action video and the actual scenery ahead. Here, as the "different time" in the present invention, it is preferable to select a "time" at which, when the vehicle is driven in the range displayed in the live-action video, the user feels that the scenery ahead during actual driving is different from the displayed actual vehicle video.

[0043] For example, it is preferable to provide an actual video for each period with a certain width in which the scenery does not change much, such as spring, summer, fall, winter, month, day, hour, morning, afternoon, evening, and night. According to such a speed measurement device of the present invention, for example, if the time when the vehicle comes into a predetermined close state with the object to be warned is during the day, it is possible to display an actual video of the daytime, if the time is during the evening, it is possible to display an actual video of the evening, and if the time is during the night, it is possible to display an actual video of the nighttime. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the image of the actual video is matched with the environmental conditions of the actual scenery ahead, and for example, it is possible to display an actual video of the daytime when visibility is good at night when visibility is poor, or from the same viewpoint, it is possible to display an actual video of summer in snowy winter.

[0044] (15) Preferably, the video data of the actual image captured at night is captured at night using a night vision system.

[0045] If the area around the object to be warned is dark and there are few street lights, capturing nighttime footage with a normal camera will not allow the object to be warned or its surroundings to be captured in a live-action video. Therefore, if nighttime footage is captured using a night vision system as in the above configuration, the object to be warned and its surroundings can be captured in a live-action video in a visible manner. This makes it possible to match the environmental conditions of the live-action video with the actual scenery ahead, and even when the actual object of the alarm is difficult to see in the scenery ahead at night in a dark place, it is possible to identify the position and range of the actual object of the alarm by referring to the night vision image of the live-action video.

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

[0047] According to the program of the present invention, for example, the program can be downloaded to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a mobile game machine, and the computer mounted on the mobile terminal can execute the control process of the above-mentioned control means, and when the vehicle comes into a predetermined proximity to an object to be warned, the display means of the mobile terminal can display live-action video, thereby functioning as the above-mentioned system of the present invention. Note that image data of the live-action video may be stored, for example, in a storage means built into the mobile terminal, or in a server on the Internet.

[0048] (17) In order to achieve the above object, the imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device for acquiring image data of a live-action video to be used in any of the systems (1) to (15) described above, and is configured to include a memory means for storing position information of an already installed object to be warned about, a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of a vehicle, an imaging means capable of capturing video of the scenery ahead from the vehicle while it is traveling, and an imaging control means for causing the imaging means to start capturing video when it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approach state to the object to be warned about based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the object to be warned about, and causing the imaging means to end capturing video when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the object to be warned about.

[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 is configured to control the imaging start timing and imaging end timing of the drive recorder.

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

[0051] (20) In order to achieve the above object, the imaging method of the present invention is an imaging method for acquiring image data of a live-action video to be used in any of the systems (1) to (15) described above, which comprises the steps of: storing position information of an already installed object to be warned in a storage means; acquiring position information of a vehicle by a position information acquisition means; and controlling an imaging means capable of capturing video of the scenery ahead from the vehicle while it is traveling based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the object to be warned; and when the imaging control means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined approach state to the object to be warned, causing the imaging means to start capturing video, and when it determines that the vehicle has passed the object to be warned, causing the imaging means to end capturing video.

[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 control means controls the imaging start timing and imaging end timing of the drive recorder.

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

[0054] The basic principles of the imaging device or imaging method for acquiring video data of live-action video have already been explained using an example of a combination of a radar detector and a drive recorder. According to the imaging device or imaging method of the present invention, it is possible to easily capture live video from before to after an object that has already been set up to warn of an alert, simply by passing through that object. This makes it extremely easy to obtain live video of many objects that have been set up around the country, and realizes a system equipped with a wealth of live video image data. Effect of the Invention

[0055] The system, program, imaging device, and software of the present invention issue an alert using actual video that corresponds to the scenery ahead of a moving vehicle, and by clearly indicating the object of the alert in the actual vehicle video, it is possible to easily identify the actual object of the alert that the vehicle is approaching. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a radar detector according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view of the radar detector, and (b) is a side view of the radar detector. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the radar detector of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2A and 2B show an example of the display mode of the display unit of the radar detector of FIG. 1, where (a) is a diagram showing a standby screen, (b) is a diagram showing a radarscope, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of a GPS alert display. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen display in a radar wave warning function of the radar detector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a display image of a real-life video, in which FIG. 5(a) is an image before approaching an object to be warned about, FIG. 5(b) is an image when approaching an object to be warned about, and FIG. 5(c) is an image after passing an object to be warned about. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing schematic diagrams of another embodiment of a display image of a real-life video, in which FIG. 6A is an image before approaching an object to be warned about, and FIG. 6B is an image when approaching the object to be warned about. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a display image in the second embodiment, in which FIG. 7(a) is an image taken immediately after it has been determined that an object to be warned has been approached, FIG. 7(b) is an image taken before approaching the object to be warned, and FIG. 7(c) is an image taken when approaching the object to be warned. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

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

[0059] The base 33 has a spherical recess at a predetermined position on its upper surface, and is made of a material such as rubber that is elastically deformable and has an appropriate coefficient of friction. The outer diameter of the ball part and the inner diameter of the recess are set to be approximately equal. As a result, when the ball part is inserted into the recess, the outer shape of the ball part and the inner shape of the recess roughly match, allowing the ball part to rotate and move in any direction along the spherical surface. By roughly matching the diameters of the two and providing an appropriate coefficient of friction for the inner shape of the recess, the ball part can be held at any angle and position.

[0060] 1(b) in a direction in which case body 1 is pulled upward while holding base 33, the diameter of the opening of the recess increases, allowing the ball portion to be released from the recess. Conversely, when base 33 and the ball portion are separated, if the ball portion is pressed against the opening of the recess and then urged toward base 33 in that state, the opening will temporarily expand due to elastic deformation of the recess, and the ball portion will be stored in the recess.

[0061] Thereafter, the shape of the recess returns to its original state due to the elastic restoring force of the base 33, preventing the ball portion from easily coming out of the recess. One side of an adhesive member such as a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet, double-sided adhesive tape, or hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the bottom surface of the base 33, and the other side of the adhesive member is attached to a predetermined position inside the vehicle cabin, such as the dashboard. This fixes the base 33 to the predetermined position inside the vehicle cabin.

[0062] 1(a) and (b), this radar detector has a solar panel 2 and a switch section 3 arranged on the top surface of a case body 1, and a microwave receiver 4 for detecting microwaves in the frequency band emitted by a speed measuring device arranged inside the front side (the side arranged toward the front of the vehicle (windshield side)) of the case body 1. Meanwhile, a display section 5, a warning lamp 6, an infrared communication device 7, and a remote control receiver 16 are arranged on the rear side of the case body 1 (the side arranged toward the rear of the vehicle (user side (driver side)).

[0063] A GPS receiver 8 is disposed inside the top surface of the case body 1. An adapter jack 9 is disposed on one side of the case body 1, and a power switch 10 and a DC jack 21 are disposed on the other side. A battery (not shown) is disposed inside the bottom surface of the case body, and this battery is charged with power supplied from the solar panel 2 and the DC jack 21 and supplies power to each section. A speaker 20 is also built into the case body 1.

[0064] In this embodiment, the display unit 5 is a small 2.4-inch color dot matrix liquid crystal display with a backlight, and the display surface is on the rear side of the case body 1 (the side located toward the rear of the vehicle (the user side (driver side)). The height H of the rear side of the case body 1 on which the display unit 5 is mounted is greater than the height H0 of the other parts.

[0065] 2, infrared communication device 7 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device having a built-in infrared communication device, such as mobile phone 12. Adapter jack 9 is a terminal for connecting memory card reader 13. By connecting memory card reader 13 to adapter jack 9, data stored in memory card 14 attached to memory card reader 13 can be imported into the device, and the contents of the memory of control unit 18 and database 19 storing position information, video data of live-action video captured of the scenery in the process of approaching an object to be warned, and the like can be written to memory card 14.

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

[0067] The database 19 is a non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. Information relating to certain alarm targets is registered in the database 19 at the time of shipment, and data on alarm targets added thereafter can be updated as described above. Data can also be updated via the infrared communication device 7. The DC jack 21 is for connecting a cigarette lighter plug cord (not shown) and can be connected to a cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle via the cigarette lighter plug cord to receive power supply.

[0068] The radio receiver 15 receives incoming radio waves of a predetermined frequency. The remote control receiver 16 communicates data with a remote control (portable device: child device) 17 by infrared rays and performs various settings for this device. The switch section 3 is also connected to the control section 18 (not shown), and allows the same settings as those of the remote control 17 to be performed. The remote control 17 is equipped with a standby switch button, a setting button, a selection button, a cancel button, a decision button, a reset button, and up, down, left and right cross buttons.

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

[0070] Furthermore, a connector terminal 25 is provided at the other end of the connection cable 22 for connection to a socket 24 provided on the side of the case body 1 of the radar detector, so that the connection cable 22 can be attached and detached to the radar detector. Of course, the connection cable 22 may also be directly connected to the radar detector.

[0071] Therefore, by connecting the connector terminal 23 attached to the connection cable 22 with 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 factor, throttle opening, fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, intake air flow rate (MAF), injection open time, remaining fuel amount, accelerator opening, turn signal information (operation of left and right turn signals (ON / OFF)), steering wheel rotation angle information, etc. The radar detector of this embodiment has a vehicle information display function that displays the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle via the OBD2 connector as a vehicle information display screen as described above. The vehicle information display screen is a screen that mainly displays the engine load factor, and for example, in addition to the current value of the engine load factor, the current values ​​of the throttle opening, fuel flow rate, and instantaneous fuel consumption, as well as the average fuel consumption, which is the average value of the instantaneous fuel consumption acquired every second from the time the radar detector was attached to the vehicle to the present, are displayed, and the display mode is changed according to the magnitude of the engine load factor.

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

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

[0074] Functions that are realized by the computer using the programs contained in the control unit 18 include a GPS log function, a standby screen display function, a radar scope display function, a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, a wireless warning function, the vehicle information display function described above, and also a live-action video display function, which is the most notable feature of the radar detector of this embodiment.

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

[0076] The standby screen display function is a function for displaying the vehicle speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude detected by the GPS receiver 8 on the display unit 5, as shown in FIG. 3(a). As shown in Fig. 3(b), the radarscope display function searches for objects to be warned about within a predetermined range (for example, within about 1 km) from the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 based on the position information stored in the database 19, and displays the relative positional relationship between the vehicle position and the positions of the objects to be warned about on the display unit 5. In Fig. 3(b), "W" on the left indicates west, "E" on the right indicates east, and "N" on the top indicates north, 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. In addition, icons with letters such as "L", "RD", "P", and "N" indicate the type and position of the objects to be warned about.

[0077] When pressing of the standby switch button on the remote control 17 is detected while executing the standby screen display function as shown in Fig. 3(a), the display function is switched to the radarscope display function as shown in Fig. 3(b). Also, when pressing of the standby switch button on the remote control 17 is detected while executing the radarscope display function, the display function is switched to the vehicle information display function. Also, when pressing of the standby switch button on the remote control 17 is detected while executing the vehicle information display function, the display function is switched to the standby screen display function.

[0078] The control unit 18 executes processing to realize each function such as a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, a wireless warning function, etc., depending on the event that occurs while executing the standby screen display function, the radar scope display function, and the vehicle information display function (hereinafter, these functions are collectively referred to as the standby functions), and returns to processing of the original standby function when the processing of the corresponding function ends. The priority of each function is set in the order of radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function from highest to lowest. When the GPS warning function is realized, the live action video display function executes processing to realize it as part of it or in association with it. When the processing ends, the processing returns to processing of the GPS warning function or processing of the original standby function.

[0079] The GPS warning function is a process executed at a predetermined time interval (1 second intervals) in response to an event from a timer in the control unit 18. The process calculates the distance between the object to be warned stored in the database 19 and the object to be warned based on the latitude and longitude of the object's current position detected by the GPS receiver 8. When the calculated distance becomes a predetermined approach distance (for example, within 500 m), the display unit 5 displays a GPS warning as shown in FIG. 3(c) and outputs an approach warning sound indicating this from the speaker 20.

[0080] The objects that will be alerted are: drowsy driving accident locations, radar, H system, LH system, speed limit change points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, parking ban monitoring areas, N system, traffic monitoring system, intersection monitoring points, signal ignoring prevention systems, police stations, police boxes, accident-prone areas, areas with high rates of vehicle theft, sharp / continuous curves (expressways), branching / merging points (expressways), advance ETC lane guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), and within PAs / SAs. These include gas stations (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio reception areas (expressways), prefectural border notices, roadside stations, and viewpoint parking areas. Database 19 stores type information of these objects to be warned and latitude and longitude information indicating their locations, as well as schematic diagrams to be displayed on display unit 5, and video data and audio data of actual video images, in association with each other.

[0081] The radar wave warning function is a warning function which displays a warning screen on the display unit 5 and outputs a warning sound from the speaker 20 when the microwave receiver 4 detects a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted by a speed measuring device (such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as "radar")). For example, when the microwave receiver 4 detects microwaves in the frequency band of microwaves emitted by a radar, as shown in FIG. 4, a schematic diagram or photo of a radar stored in the database 19 is displayed as a warning screen on the display unit 5, and voice data stored in the database 19 is read out and a voice saying "This is radar. Watch your speed" is output from the speaker 20. During the voice output, the warning lamp 6 is turned on.

[0082] The wireless alarm function is a function that issues an alarm when the wireless receiver 15 receives a wireless signal emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like, so as not to interfere with the vehicle's travel. In the wireless alarm function, the frequencies of police radio, car location radio, digital radio, special small radio, police station radio, police telephone, police activity radio, tow truck radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire radio, emergency radio, highway radio, security radio, etc. are scanned, and when a wireless signal is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that a wireless signal corresponding to the frequency stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is received is displayed on the display unit 5 as an alarm screen, and audio data stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is read out, and an alarm sound indicating the type of wireless signal is output from the speaker 20. For example, when a police radio signal is received, a sound such as "This is a police radio. Watch your speed" is output. During the sound output, the alarm lamp 6 is turned on.

[0083] The live-action video display function is a function that, using the GPS warning function, calculates the distance between the object of warning stored in the database 19 and the latitude and longitude of the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8, and when the calculated distance becomes a predetermined approach distance (for example, within 500 m), displays live-action video on the display unit 5, capturing a scene of the process of approaching the object of warning. In this case, as in the conventional case, the display unit 5 may display a GPS warning as shown in FIG. 3(c) and output an approach warning sound from the speaker 20, and then start displaying the live-action video, or the display of the live-action video may start without displaying the screen in FIG. 3(c). This selection may be set in advance by the switch unit 3, the remote control 17, etc. The decision to start displaying the live-action video is made by the same process as in the conventional case of deciding to display a GPS warning, and when the control unit 18 determines that the object of warning is within the predetermined approach distance, it reads out the video data from the database 19 in sequence and transmits it to the display unit 5.

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

[0085] By synchronizing the playback speed of the live video with the vehicle speed, it is possible to maintain a constant correspondence between the actual scenery ahead and the live video according to the vehicle speed at the time of the warning. This makes it possible to display the live video at a playback speed that corresponds to the vehicle speed at the time of the warning and the change in vehicle speed, making it possible to always issue an appropriate warning.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of a real-life video, in which FIG. 5(a) is an image before approaching the object to be warned, FIG. 5(b) is an image when approaching the object to be warned, and FIG. 5(c) is an image after the object to be warned has passed. When the object to be warned, H system 40, is approached (for example, within 500 m), the display of the real-life video starts as shown in FIG. 5(a), and a series of images are displayed from approaching as shown in FIG. 5(b) to passing as shown in FIG. 5(c). The user can more clearly recognize the actual object to be warned by viewing the same image as the actual scenery on the display unit 5 from before passing the object to after passing it. The top right of the display screen indicates the current time.

[0087] When the live-action video display starts, the user can recognize that the object to be warned is approaching, but in this embodiment, the display image is added with an indication for visually identifying the object to be warned contained in the live-action video, and an example is shown in which the indication is an arrow 41. The arrow 41 is configured to change its size to follow the object to be warned contained in the live-action video, and when the warning starts and the object to be warned is far away from the vehicle, a small arrow points to the object to be warned that is shown small in the live-action video, and as the vehicle approaches the object to be warned, a larger arrow points to the object to be warned. This makes it easier to identify the object to be warned in the live-action video, whose position and size change.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the display image of the live-action video, Fig. 6(a) is an image before approaching the object of the alarm, and Fig. 6(b) is an image when approaching the object of the alarm. In Fig. 6, the indication is displayed by an enclosure 42, and further, a notation section 43 is added to display the contents of the object of the alarm. The size of the enclosure 42 is changed in accordance with the object of the alarm. Also, when the object of the alarm is passed, a comment to the effect that it has been passed may be displayed on the display image of the live-action video.

[0089] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the object to be warned is a speed measurement device as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, it is possible to point out important components that contribute to speed measurement with the instruction display, and it is possible to attract the user's attention and encourage safe driving. In addition, since such dynamic instruction displays perform artificial movements according to a program in the live-action video, they are particularly noticeable even in the live-action video that changes naturally 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 a basic configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment only in the function of displaying live-action video among the functions realized by the computer through the program of the control unit 18.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in this embodiment, in which FIG. 7(a) is an image immediately after it is determined that the vehicle has approached the object of warning, FIG. 7(b) is an image before the vehicle has approached the object of warning, and FIG. 7(c) is an image when the vehicle has approached the object of warning. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the control unit 18 displays a map 50 on the display unit 5, and when the vehicle approaches the H system 40, which is the object of warning, within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km), displays a live-action video 51 superimposed on the map 50. Furthermore, 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 of warning. Also, as in FIG. 5, the live-action video 51 uses an arrow 41 as an indication display, and changes its size to follow the object of warning included in the live-action video 51. Specifically, when the vehicle and the object of the warning approach each other within a certain distance, the actual video 51 is displayed in the smallest display area as shown in Fig. 7(a), and thereafter, as the vehicle and the object of the warning approach each other, the display area of ​​the actual video 51 is increased. Note that the current time is shown in the upper right corner of the map screen.

[0092] 7, position 52 of H system 40, which is the object of the warning, and position 53 of the vehicle are displayed on map 50, and it is possible to overlay a warning in the form of live-action video 51 on this map 50. This makes it possible to objectively grasp the proximity between the vehicle and the object of the warning by using icons or the like indicating the positions on map 50, while checking H system 40, which is the actual object of the warning, in live-action video 51.

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

[0094] [Embodiment of the imaging device] Next, an embodiment of the imaging device according to the present invention will be described. The image data of the actual moving image used in the system of the above embodiment can be acquired by the imaging device of this embodiment. The imaging device of this embodiment includes a storage means for storing position information of an already installed object to be warned, a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of a vehicle, an imaging means capable of capturing a moving image of the scenery ahead from a traveling vehicle, and an imaging control means for causing the imaging means to start capturing a moving image when it is determined that the vehicle has come into a predetermined approaching state to the object to be warned based on the position information of the vehicle and the position information of the object to be warned, and causing the imaging means to end capturing a moving image when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the object to be warned.

[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 imaging end timing of the drive recorder. For example, the imaging control means causes the imaging camera to start capturing video when it determines that the vehicle has come into a predetermined approaching state with respect to an object to be warned, and causes the imaging means to end capturing video when it determines that the vehicle has passed the object to be warned.

[0096] The drive recorder is provided with buttons for starting and ending continuous recording. Thus, the imaging control means is realized by giving the drive recorder a signal equivalent to pressing the start button when the radar detector starts outputting the approach warning, and giving the drive recorder a signal equivalent to pressing the end button when the radar detector stops outputting the approach warning. By using the imaging device of this embodiment, if you pass through any object that is a warning in the country, you can easily capture actual video from before the object passes through until after it passes through.

[0097] The video captured by the drive recorder is recorded in association with the vehicle's position information, speed information, and capture time, etc. By using the imaging device of this embodiment, for example, it is possible to automatically record the video and position information from 20 seconds before the arrival of the object of the warning to 10 seconds after it has passed, or to automatically record the video and position information from 1 km before the arrival of the object of the warning to 500 m after it has passed, thereby obtaining a wealth of actual video data corresponding to objects of the warning throughout the country.

[0098] [Modifications of the system embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications are possible. For example, the system of the present invention may be embodied as follows.

[0099] (1) The control unit 18 may be configured to display the live-action video several to several tens of seconds before the current vehicle position information and the position information of the image data of the live-action video match. In this case, the optimal display timing of the live-action video can be determined based on the current vehicle position information and the position information at the time of capturing the live-action video, and it is possible to provide an arbitrary correspondence between the image of the live-action video and the actual scenery ahead.

[0100] (2) When adding an indication to visually identify the object of the alarm contained in the live-action video, it is possible to show it in a speech bubble containing information about the object of the alarm, to color the entire object of the alarm, to display a line tracing the outline of the object of the alarm, or, in the case of a loop coil type speed measuring device or an LH system, to draw a line tracing the loop coil embedded in the pavement.

[0101] (3) Multiple pieces of video data of real-life motion pictures taken at different times may be stored in association with each other for the same object to be warned. In this case, the control unit 18 selects one piece of video data from the multiple pieces of video data taken at different times, and displays the real-life motion picture based on the selected video data on the display unit 5.

[0102] For example, the different periods may be two types, daytime and nighttime, and these two types of live-action videos may be associated with the same object to be warned about. The control unit 18 may select either the daytime or nighttime video data based on the current time information, and display the live-action video on the display unit 5.

[0103] Also, as the different periods, the actual video may be provided corresponding to each period with a certain width in which the scenery does not change much, such as spring, summer, fall, winter, month, day, hour, morning, afternoon, evening, and night. According to the period when the vehicle comes into a predetermined proximity to the object of the warning, for example, the actual video of the same season or date as that season or date is displayed, if it is daytime, the actual video of the daytime is displayed, if it is evening, the actual video of the evening is displayed, and if it is nighttime, the actual video of the nighttime is displayed. However, it is not necessary to match the environmental conditions of the actual video image and the actual scenery ahead, and it is possible to display the actual video of the daytime with good visibility at night with poor visibility, or to display the actual video of summer in snowy winter, in order to more clearly recognize the object of the warning.

[0104] The video data of the actual image captured at night is obtained by capturing images at night using a night vision in an imaging device. This makes it possible to obtain video data of the actual video in which the object to be warned and its surroundings can be visually recognized even in a dark place with few street lights around the object to be warned. Therefore, while attempting to match the environmental conditions of the actual video and the actual scenery ahead, even in a dark place at night where the actual object to be warned in the scenery ahead is difficult to visually recognize, the position and range of the actual object to be warned can be identified by referring to the night vision video of the actual video.

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

[0106] The program stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 may be downloaded to a portable terminal such as a general-purpose personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a portable game machine, and the control unit 18 may be caused to execute the control process of the control unit 18 on a computer mounted on the portable terminal, so that the live-action video may be displayed on the display means of the portable terminal when the vehicle approaches the object of the alarm in a predetermined manner. In this case, the image data of the live-action video may be stored in a storage means built into the portable terminal, or may be stored in a server on the Internet.

[0107] Furthermore, in the system of the present embodiment, only a program for implementing the computer of control unit 18 is included, but the program may be distributed among a number 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 a driver of a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Case body 2. Solar Panels 3 Switch section 4 Microwave Receiver 5 Display section 6. Alarm lamp 7. Infrared communication device 8 GPS receiver 9 Adapter Jack 10 Power Switch 11 Imaging device 12 Mobile Phones 13 Memory card reader 14 Memory Card 15 Radio receiver 16 Remote control receiver 17 Remote Control 18 Control Unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 21 DC jack 22 Connection cable 23 Connector terminal 40H System 41 Arrow 42 Enclosure 43 Notation 50 Map 51 Live-action videos 52, 53 position

Claims

1. A system having a function of starting to display a live-action video of a scene in the process of approaching an object to be warned when the object to be warned is in a predetermined approaching state, A function of displaying an instruction to visually identify the object to be warned, The instruction display has a function of being embedded in an image of a live-action video that captures a scene of the process of approaching the object to be warned, or being drawn in front of the image of a live-action video that captures a scene of the process of approaching the object to be warned, and displayed. A system characterized by.

2. A function of drawing and displaying a scene of the process of approaching the object to be warned in front of an image of a real-life video captured, At least one piece of information regarding the coordinate position of the object to be warned, the size of the indication, and the direction of the indication is recorded for each predetermined frame, and the indication is displayed in front of an image of a live-action video that captures a scene in the process of approaching the object to be warned based on the information. The system of claim 1 .

3. At least one of the position and the size of the indication is changed in accordance with the object of warning contained in an image of a live-action video capturing a scene of a process of approaching the object of warning.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. The actual video footage of the scene approaching the object to be warned was taken at night using a night vision system.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

5. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images