MOBILE BODY EVALUATION DEVICE, MOBILE BODY EVALUATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To solve a problem in which a mobile body cannot accurately be evaluated by conventional evaluation devices.SOLUTION: A mobile body can accurately be evaluated based on the change of the dimensions of the mobile body by a mobile body evaluation apparatus comprising: a reception unit for receiving pieces of mobile body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information that are pieces of information about the actual dimensions of one or more parts of the mobile body; an initial dimension information acquisition unit for acquiring one or more pieces of initial dimension information that are pieces of information about the initial dimensions of one or more parts of the mobile body; a dimensional difference information acquisition unit for acquiring one or more pieces of dimensional difference information about the difference between the actual dimension information included in the mobile body information received by the reception unit and the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit for each of the one or more parts of the mobile body; an evaluation unit for acquiring evaluation information that shows the evaluation of the mobile body using the one or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit; and an evaluation information output unit for outputting the evaluation information acquired by the evaluation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaluation device for evaluating a moving body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, maintenance status data for used vehicles, including data on past accidents, etc., is stored in a database, and evaluation devices exist that perform evaluations based on the maintenance status data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-259573 A (page 1, Figure 1, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, data that could lower the evaluation, such as accident data, is not actively provided and may not be stored in the database, so the above-mentioned conventional evaluation device may not be able to accurately evaluate the moving body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The moving body evaluation device of the first invention is a moving body evaluation device comprising: a reception unit that receives moving body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information which are the actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body; an initial dimension information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information which are the initial dimensions of one or more locations of the moving body; a dimension difference information acquisition unit that acquires, for each of the one or more locations of the moving body, one or more pieces of dimension difference information relating to the difference between the actual dimension information included in the moving body information received by the reception unit and the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit; an evaluation unit that acquires evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the moving body using the one or more pieces of dimension difference information acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit; and an evaluation information output unit that outputs the evaluation information acquired by the evaluation unit.

[0006] With this configuration, the moving object can be accurately evaluated by evaluating the moving object based on the change in its dimensions. For example, since a vehicle involved in an accident is likely to have had its dimensions changed, an accurate evaluation can be made taking into account the possibility that the vehicle is an accident vehicle.

[0007] In addition, the moving body evaluation device of the second invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to the first invention, the moving body information has one or more pieces of actual dimension information and intensity change information relating to changes in the strength of the body of a moving body, and the evaluation unit uses one or more pieces of dimension difference information and intensity change information to obtain evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the moving body.

[0008] With this configuration, the moving body can be evaluated more accurately by evaluating the moving body based on the change in dimensions and the change in body strength of the moving body.

[0009] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the third invention, compared to the first or second invention, further includes an actual dimension information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information which are the actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body, and the receiving unit is a moving body evaluation device that acquires moving body information including the one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit.

[0010] This configuration eliminates the need to input actual dimension information, making evaluation easier.

[0011] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the fourth invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to the third invention, the actual dimension information acquisition unit acquires two or more pieces of corner position information indicating the positions of two or more corners of a moving body, and uses the two or more pieces of corner position information to acquire one or more pieces of actual dimension information which are the actual dimensions of each of one or more locations.

[0012] With this configuration, actual dimension information can be obtained efficiently.

[0013] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the fifth invention is a moving body evaluation device according to the third or fourth invention, wherein the one or more locations include one or more of a body, a door, a hood, and a trunk lid.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to obtain actual dimensional information for areas where the dimensions are likely to change due to an accident or the like.

[0015] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the sixth invention is a moving body evaluation device according to any one of the third to fifth inventions, in which the actual dimension information acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information by irradiating a laser onto a moving body.

[0016] With this configuration, highly accurate actual dimension information can be obtained.

[0017] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the seventh invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to any one of the third to sixth inventions, the actual dimension information acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information using one or more distance images captured of a moving body.

[0018] This configuration makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional actual dimension information. In particular, by obtaining one or more pieces of actual dimension information using one or more range images obtained by irradiating a moving object with a laser and capturing the moving object, it is possible to obtain three-dimensional actual dimension information with high accuracy.

[0019] In addition, the moving body evaluation device of the eighth invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to the seventh invention, the actual dimension information acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information using at least four distance images taken of a moving body from at least four sides, namely the front, back, left, and right.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently obtain information on the actual three-dimensional dimensions.

[0021] Furthermore, the mobile body evaluation device of the ninth invention, compared to the second invention, further includes an intensity change information acquisition unit that acquires intensity information indicating the intensity of one or more parts of a mobile body and acquires one or more pieces of intensity change information using the intensity information, and the receiving unit is a mobile body evaluation device that acquires mobile body information including the one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit.

[0022] This configuration eliminates the need to input intensity change information, making evaluation easier.

[0023] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the tenth invention is a moving body evaluation device that, compared to any one of the first to ninth inventions, further comprises a moving body diagram storage unit in which a moving body diagram, which is a diagram relating to one moving body, a diagram construction unit that constructs a dimension difference expression diagram, which is a diagram in which areas where there is a difference between the initial dimensions and the actual dimensions can be recognized on the moving body diagram, using dimension difference information for one or more locations acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit, and a diagram output unit that outputs the dimension difference expression diagram constructed by the diagram construction unit.

[0024] This configuration can assist in intuitive recognition of locations where dimensions have changed in a moving object.

[0025] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the eleventh invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to the tenth invention, a moving body diagram is stored for each type of moving body, and the diagram construction unit uses the dimension difference information of one or more locations acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit to construct a dimension difference expression diagram, which is a diagram in which locations where there is a difference between the initial dimensions and the actual dimensions can be recognized on the moving body diagram corresponding to one type of moving body.

[0026] This configuration can assist in intuitive recognition of dimensionally changed locations in various moving objects.

[0027] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device of the twelfth invention is a moving body evaluation device in which, compared to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, the evaluation unit uses two or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit to acquire evaluation information having two or more pieces of partial evaluation information indicating an evaluation of each part of a moving body.

[0028] With this configuration, the moving object can be evaluated in two or more parts.

[0029] Furthermore, the mobile body evaluation device of the thirteenth invention is a mobile body evaluation device in which, compared to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, the evaluation unit uses one or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit to acquire evaluation information having characteristic evaluation information indicating an evaluation for each of two or more characteristics, including dimension evaluation information indicating an evaluation regarding dimensions.

[0030] With this configuration, the moving object can be evaluated for each of two or more characteristics. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, a moving object can be accurately evaluated based on changes in the dimensions of the moving object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram of an information system according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Block diagram of the information system [Figure 3] Flowchart explaining the operation of the information system [Figure 4] Data structure diagram of the mobile management information [Figure 5] Figure showing an example of the evaluation information output [Figure 6] Figure showing an example of the output of the dimension difference representation diagram [Figure 7] External view of the computer system [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the computer system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of a mobile object evaluation device and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations, and therefore repeated description may be omitted.

[0034] 1 is a conceptual diagram of an information system according to this embodiment. The information system includes a mobile object evaluation device 1, one or more terminal devices 2, one or more distance image sensors 3, and one or more intensity sensors 4. The mobile object evaluation device 1 is communicably connected to each of the one or more terminal devices 2, the one or more intensity sensors 4, and the one or more distance image sensors 3 via, for example, a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or a wireless or wired communication line.

[0035] The mobile object evaluation device 1 is, for example, a server of an operator who operates an information system. The operator is, for example, a mobile object dealer that handles mobile objects. The mobile object is, for example, an automobile, but it may also be a motorcycle, a ship, an airplane, or the like, and the type does not matter. Furthermore, the mobile object is usually a used car, but it may also be a new car.

[0036] However, the operator may be, for example, an inspector who inspects the mobile object or a user of the mobile object, and the type does not matter.Furthermore, the mobile object evaluation device 1 may be, for example, a cloud server or an ASP server, and the type and location do not matter.

[0037] The terminal device 2 is, for example, a PC, but may also be a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal is a terminal that can be carried around. Examples of the mobile terminal include a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc., but it may also be a notebook PC, and the type does not matter.

[0038] The range image sensor 3 is a sensor that captures a range image of a target such as a moving object. Note that an image sensor such as the range image sensor 3 may be referred to as, for example, a camera or an imaging device. A range image is an image that contains distance information. Distance information is information related to distance. The distance information is, for example, three-dimensional position information (x, y, z), but it can also be a set of distance and direction (r, θ, φ), and the representation format is not important. The range image is, for example, a collection of pixels (x, y, z, brightness value), but it can also be a collection of pixels (x, y, z, pixel value), and the structure is not important. Note that the pixel values ​​are RGB, YUV, etc., but the format is not important.

[0039] The distance image sensor 3 is placed, for example, on the front, back, left or right of the moving body and captures a distance image of the moving body. However, the distance image sensor 3 may be placed, for example, on the top or bottom of the moving body or at an angle to the moving body, and the positional relationship with the moving body does not matter.

[0040] More specifically, it is preferable that four range image sensors 3 are arranged around a moving object, capturing four range images from four sides of the moving object. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that two range image sensors 3 are arranged above and below the moving object, capturing two range images from two sides above and below the moving object (i.e., capturing images from the front, back, left, right, and top and bottom using six range image sensors 3). Each of the four or more range image sensors 3 outputs the captured range image in pairs with a range image sensor identifier.

[0041] The range image sensor identifier is information that identifies the range image sensor 3. The range image sensor identifier is, for example, a MAC address or an IP address, but it can also be an ID, or any other information that can identify the sensor. Note that the range image sensor identifier may also be, for example, position information (such as "front," "back," "left," or "right") that indicates the position of the range image sensor 3 relative to the moving object.

[0042] However, one range image sensor 3 may be moved to four or more predetermined positions, such as front, back, left, and right, in a predetermined order relative to one moving object, and four or more range images may be taken from four or more directions. In this case, the positions at which the four or more range images were taken can be determined based on the order of the four or more range images. Alternatively, the platform on which the moving object is placed may be rotated, allowing one range image sensor 3 to take images from four or more directions, including front, back, left, and right.

[0043] The range image sensor 3 is, for example, a laser range image sensor. A laser range image sensor is a sensor that captures a range image using a laser. Specifically, the laser range image sensor may be, for example, a laser radar (also called a lidar).

[0044] Laser radar can be described as a radar that uses a laser instead of radio waves. Laser radar, for example, emits a pulsed laser toward a space containing a moving object while changing its direction using a polygon mirror or the like, and receives the reflected and scattered light from the moving object. Laser radar then measures the distance to two or more points on the surface of the object based on, for example, the time it takes for the laser emitted in each direction to be received, and outputs a range image composed of two or more pixels with three-dimensional position information based on the measurement results. Laser radar can capture range images over a wide range with high accuracy. Laser radar is a well-known technology, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0045] However, laser range image sensors other than radar can also capture range images with high accuracy. Furthermore, by capturing two or more range images at different positions and combining the two or more range images, a highly accurate and wide-range range image can be obtained.

[0046] However, the distance image sensor 3 is not limited to a laser distance image sensor, but may be a sensor that captures distance images by irradiating light other than laser (for example, LED light), or a sensor that captures distance images using natural light, and the type is not important.

[0047] The strength sensor 4 is a sensor that detects the strength of a moving object and outputs strength information based on the detection results. The strength sensor 4 is composed of, for example, a strain sensor, a stress sensor, or the like, but the type is not important. The strength is, for example, the modulus of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity is a value that indicates the resistance to deformation. The modulus of elasticity is, for example, a value obtained by dividing stress by strain, but the modulus of rigidity, Young's modulus, or the like may also be used, and the type is not important. Furthermore, various strength detection methods are well known, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0048] The strength sensor 4 is usually attached to the body of a moving object to detect the strength of the body. However, the strength sensor 4 may be attached to a part other than the body, and the attachment position is not important.

[0049] In more detail, for example, one or more strength sensors 4 are attached to one or more parts of a mobile object. The mobile object to which one or more strength sensors 4 are attached is, for example, driven on a road or test-driven on a test bench, and vibrations during the driving cause stress and strain in parts such as the body. Each of the one or more strength sensors 4 detects strength based on the stress and strain of the part to which the strength sensor 4 is attached, and outputs one or more pieces of strength information that are the detection results, paired with a part identifier.

[0050] The part may be a component of a moving object. The part to which the intensity sensor 4 is attached is usually the body, but it may also be a component other than the body (for example, a chassis, a drive train, etc.). Alternatively, the part to which the intensity sensor 4 is attached may be, for example, one or more elements that make up the body. Examples of elements that make up the body include the left door, the right door, the hood, the trunk lid, etc., but it may also be a member to which the elements such as the left and right doors are attached (hereinafter, may be referred to as the main body of the body), and the type of member does not matter.

[0051] Specifically, for example, four intensity sensors 4 may be attached to, for example, a left door, a right door, a hood, and a trunk lid of one mobile object.

[0052] In the following, "body" refers to the "entire body" consisting of, for example, the left door, right door, hood, trunk lid, etc., but may refer to one or more of these elements. Furthermore, the body dimensions may refer to, for example, one or more of the overall length or overall width, but may also refer to height, the wheelbase (described below), the maximum diameter (described below), etc. Furthermore, the body strength may refer to, for example, two or more representative strength values ​​corresponding to two or more elements that make up the body (specifically, for example, representative values ​​for the strength of the left door, the strength of the right door, the strength of the hood, and the strength of the trunk lid). The representative value may be, for example, an average value, but may also be a median or a mode (the same applies below).

[0053] Alternatively, for example, when only one intensity sensor 4 is attached to one moving body, the intensity sensor 4 is attached to, for example, one element of the body (specifically, for example, either the left door, or the right door, or the hood, or the trunk lid), but it may also be attached to the body itself or to a part other than the body.

[0054] In this way, there is no restriction on the number of intensity sensors 4 and the part to which each intensity sensor 4 is attached. Also, for example, two or more intensity sensors 4 may be attached to one part, and in that case, in the moving object evaluation device 1, a representative value may be obtained based on two or more pieces of intensity information output from two or more intensity sensors 4, and the representative value may be obtained as the intensity information of the one part.

[0055] A part identifier is information that identifies one or more parts of a moving object. A part identifier is, for example, a part name such as "body" or a component name such as "left door" or "hood", but it can also be an intensity sensor identifier or ID linked to a part name. An intensity sensor identifier is information that identifies an intensity sensor 4. An intensity sensor identifier is, for example, a MAC address or an IP address, but it can be any information that can identify the intensity sensor 4.

[0056] However, the intensity sensor 4 may be of any type, and may be a sensor (e.g., a mechanical force gauge) that is pressed against one or more parts of a moving object by a user's hand to detect the strength of the part and output strength information based on the detection result. In this case, the user simply inputs the output strength information, for example, in pairs with the part identifier, via an input device such as a keyboard.

[0057] However, the information system may include a normal image sensor or a set of a light emitting element array and a light receiving element array instead of the distance image sensor 3 (see the modified example described below). Also, the information system can be realized, for example, by a single PC or a single mobile terminal with a built-in camera or an external camera connected, and the hardware configuration is not important.

[0058] 2 is a block diagram of the information system. The moving object evaluation device 1 includes a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12, a processing unit 13, and an output unit 14. The storage unit 11 includes a moving object diagram storage unit 111. The processing unit 13 includes an initial dimension information acquisition unit 131, an actual dimension information acquisition unit 132, a dimension difference information acquisition unit 133, an intensity change information acquisition unit 134, an evaluation unit 135, and a diagram construction unit 136. The output unit 14 includes an evaluation information output unit 141 and a diagram output unit 142.

[0059] The terminal device 2 includes a terminal storage unit 21, a terminal reception unit 22, a terminal transmission unit 23, a terminal reception unit 24, a terminal processing unit 25, and a terminal output unit .

[0060] The storage unit 11 constituting the moving body evaluation device 1 can store various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, moving body diagrams, which will be described later. The storage unit 11 may also store, for example, initial strength information, which will be described later, initial dimension information, which will be described later, first correspondence information, which will be described later, and second correspondence information, which will be described later. Other information will be explained as appropriate.

[0061] The moving body diagram storage unit 111 stores moving body diagrams. A moving body diagram is a diagram relating to one moving body. The moving body diagram may be, for example, a blueprint of the moving body, an illustration of the moving body, a photograph of the moving body, or the like, but the format is not important. Note that the moving body diagram may have, for example, one or more pieces of initial dimension information.

[0062] The moving body diagram storage unit 111 may store one or more moving body diagrams in association with, for example, vehicle type information, which will be described later.

[0063] The receiving unit 12 receives various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, moving body information. The moving body information will be described later. The various types of information also include, for example, instructions such as an instruction to output a dimension difference representation diagram, which will be described later.

[0064] The receiving unit 12 receives information such as mobile object information input via an input device such as a keyboard or a touch panel.

[0065] Alternatively, the reception unit 12 may receive information such as mobile object information transmitted from the terminal device 2. More specifically, the reception unit 12 receives information such as mobile object information paired with a terminal identifier from the terminal device 2, for example. The terminal identifier is information for identifying the terminal device 2. The terminal identifier is, for example, an address such as a MAC address or an IP address, an ID, or the like, but may also be a user identifier for identifying the user of the terminal device 2, or any other information capable of identifying the terminal device 2. The user identifier is information for identifying a user. The user identifier is, for example, an email address, a telephone number, an ID, or the like, but may also be any other information capable of identifying a user. However, if the information system includes only one terminal device 2, the terminal identifier does not need to be transmitted or received. The reception unit 12 may also receive information read from a recording medium such as a disk or a semiconductor memory, and the reception method is not limited.

[0066] Mobile object information is information about a single mobile object. Mobile object information is usually associated with a mobile object identifier. Note that association also includes cases where the mobile object information has a mobile object identifier. A mobile object identifier is information that identifies a mobile object. A mobile object identifier is, for example, a license plate number or a vehicle number, but it can also be an ID, or any other information that can identify a mobile object. It is also preferable that the mobile object information also includes, for example, vehicle model information. Vehicle model information is information that indicates the type of mobile object. Vehicle model information is composed of, for example, a manufacturer name and a vehicle model name such as "Corolla XX," but it can also be a classification name such as "sedan" or "van."

[0067] Moving body information typically includes one or more pieces of actual dimension information. Actual dimension information is information relating to the actual dimensions of a moving body. Actual dimension information is typically information indicating the actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body. Actual dimension information is typically associated with a location identifier. A location identifier is information that identifies one or more locations of a moving body. A location identifier is, for example, a part name, an ID, or the like, but any information that can identify a location may be used.

[0068] The actual dimension is a dimension that is actually measured. The actual dimension may be, for example, a dimension at the current time. The location may be a part or a portion. In other words, the location where the strength is detected and the location where the actual dimension is measured are usually the same, but may be different.

[0069] Specifically, the mobile object information may include, for example, actual dimension information for each of the body, left door, right door, hood, and trunk lid. Note that the one or more pieces of actual dimension information included in the mobile object information are, for example, information automatically acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 described later, but may also be information input by the user via an input device such as a keyboard.

[0070] That is, it is preferable that the receiving unit 12 receives moving body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquiring unit 132. However, the receiving unit 12 may also receive moving body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information input by the user.

[0071] Furthermore, the moving body information may include, for example, one or more pieces of intensity change information in addition to one or more pieces of actual dimension information. Intensity change information is information relating to changes in the strength of a moving body. Intensity change information is usually information relating to changes over time in the strength of one or more parts of a moving body. The intensity change information includes, for example, information relating to changes in the strength of the body. Furthermore, it is preferable that the intensity change information also includes, for example, information relating to changes in the strength of each part that makes up the body. Note that the intensity change information may also include information relating to changes in the strength of parts other than the body (for example, the chassis, drive train, etc.).

[0072] The one or more pieces of intensity change information included in the moving body information are, for example, information automatically acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 described later, but may also be information input by the user.

[0073] In other words, it is more preferable for the receiving unit 12 to receive moving body information including, for example, one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 and one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit 134.

[0074] However, the receiving unit 12 may also receive moving object information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquiring unit 132 and one or more pieces of intensity change information input by the user. Alternatively, the receiving unit 12 may receive moving object information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information input by the user and one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquiring unit 134. Alternatively, the receiving unit 12 may receive moving object information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information input by the user and one or more pieces of intensity change information input by the user.

[0075] However, the intensity change information may be, for example, information regarding a spatial change in intensity of a single moving object. A spatial change refers to a change in intensity depending on the location within a single moving object. A location may be one or more components of a single moving object, or a different position within a single component. Such a spatial change in intensity may occur, for example, when a part of a moving object is damaged in an accident or the like and the damaged part is repaired (for example, by replacing a part, repainting, etc.).

[0076] The processing unit 13 performs various types of processing. The various types of processing include, for example, processing by an initial dimension information acquisition unit 131, an actual dimension information acquisition unit 132, a dimension difference information acquisition unit 133, an intensity change information acquisition unit 134, an evaluation unit 135, and a diagram construction unit 136. The processing unit 13 also performs various types of determinations, which will be explained using flowcharts, for example. Other types of processing will be explained as appropriate.

[0077] The initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 acquires initial dimension information. The initial dimension information is information relating to the initial dimensions of a moving object. The initial dimensions are initial dimensions. The initial dimensions are, for example, dimensions listed in a catalog (i.e., design values), but may also be dimensions actually measured for a new car (i.e., actual dimensions at the time of new car). Dimensions include, for example, length, width, height, length, breadth, thickness, maximum diameter, etc., but the type is not important. The maximum diameter is the longest dimension of the part (e.g., diagonal length, major axis, diameter, etc.).

[0078] The initial dimension information is usually information about the initial dimensions of one or more locations of one moving object. As mentioned above, a location may be referred to as a part or a component. The initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 usually acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information corresponding to one or more locations of one moving object.

[0079] Alternatively, the dimension may be, for example, the distance between two components. This type of dimension may be, for example, the distance between the front axle and the rear axle (wheelbase), but it may also be the distance between two front wheels or the distance between two rear wheels, or any combination of two components.

[0080] The one or more pieces of initial dimension information to be acquired include, for example, information relating to the initial dimensions of the body. The initial dimensions of the body are, for example, one or more of the initial length of the body (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the initial overall length) or the initial width of the body (hereinafter referred to as the initial overall width). It is also preferable that the one or more pieces of initial dimension information also include, for example, information relating to the initial dimensions of each part that constitutes the body (for example, the left and right doors, the hood, the trunk lid, etc.). Note that the initial dimension of a part is, for example, an initial maximum diameter (hereinafter referred to as the initial maximum diameter), but the type does not matter. An initial dimension relating to the distance between two parts is, for example, an initial wheelbase, etc.

[0081] The initial dimension information may be, for example, a set of initial overall length and initial overall width (initial overall length, initial overall width), or a set of location identifier and initial maximum diameter (location identifier, initial maximum diameter), and its format is not important.

[0082] The initial dimension information acquiring unit 131 acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information as described above, for example, from a server of a manufacturer, a retailer, etc. The server of the manufacturer, etc. stores catalog data of one or more moving objects including the moving object in question, and the initial dimension information acquiring unit 131 may download the catalog data of the moving object in question and acquire one or more pieces of initial dimension information from the catalog data.

[0083] Alternatively, one or more pieces of initial dimension information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 11, for example, and the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 may acquire one or more pieces of initial dimension information from the storage unit 11.

[0084] However, the initial dimension information may be actual dimension information at the time of new vehicle production. In more detail, for example, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 described later may acquire one or more pieces of actual dimension information of the one mobile body or a mobile body of the same model as the one mobile body at the time of new vehicle production, and the processing unit 13 may store the acquired one or more pieces of actual dimension information in the storage unit 11 as one or more pieces of initial dimension information of the one mobile body.

[0085] The actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information. As described above, the actual dimension information is usually information indicating the actual dimensions of one or more locations of a single moving object (for example, the overall length, the overall width, the maximum diameter of each of the left and right doors, etc.). The actual dimension information may be, for example, a set of the overall length and the overall width (total length, overall width), or a set of a location identifier and the maximum diameter (location identifier, maximum diameter), and the format is not important.

[0086] The actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information of a moving object, for example, using one or more distance images captured by one or more distance image sensors 3. In more detail, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 detects a contour based on the brightness values ​​of two or more pixels (e.g., (x, y, z, brightness value), etc.) that make up the captured distance image. Note that the method for detecting a contour is well known, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] Next, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires two or more pieces of angular position information based on two or more pieces of three-dimensional position information (x, y, z) corresponding to the detected contour line. The angular position information is information indicating the positions of two or more corners of one moving object. The acquired angular position information is, for example, coordinates such as (X1, Y1, Z1), (X2, Y2, Z2), ..., but the format is not important. Note that although the angular position information is preferably three-dimensional information, it may also be two-dimensional information (see the modified example described below).

[0088] A corner may be defined as a location where the curvature is greater than the surrounding area. A corner may be defined as a corner, for example. Two or more corners may be, for example, the four corners of a rectangular part (e.g., the upper left corner, upper right corner, lower left corner, and lower right corner of a door). Alternatively, two or more corners may be two opposing corners of a rectangular part (e.g., the upper left corner and lower right corner of a hood). Alternatively, a corner may be the most protruding part (e.g., the front end, rear end, left end, right end, etc.).

[0089] Then, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information (for example, overall length, overall width, maximum diameter of the left door, maximum diameter of the right door, etc.) using the two or more pieces of detected corner position information.

[0090] The actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information, for example, using at least four distance images obtained by photographing a single moving object from at least four sides, ie, front, rear, left, and right.

[0091] Specifically, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires corner position information of the left end and corner position information of the right end of a moving object, for example, based on a distance image taken from the front or rear, and uses the acquired two pieces of corner position information to calculate the distance between the left ends, thereby acquiring actual dimension information indicating the overall width.

[0092] The left and right ends can be determined, for example, by calculating the spatial change in distance information of two or more pixels constituting the distance image, and finding the leftmost and rightmost positions among a set of positions (which can be called a contour) where the change is greater than a threshold. Furthermore, the left and right corner position information can be calculated as the three-dimensional position of the pixel corresponding to the leftmost position and the three-dimensional position of the pixel corresponding to the rightmost position. Furthermore, the front and rear ends of a moving object, the four corners of each of the left and right doors, and the maximum diameter of the hood, trunk lid, etc. can also be obtained by detecting such contours.

[0093] In addition, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires angular position information of the front end and the rear end of a moving object, for example, based on a distance image taken from the left or right side, and obtains actual dimension information indicating the total length by calculating the distance between the front end and the rear end using the two acquired angular position information.

[0094] In addition, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires, for example, based on a distance image taken from the left side, two pieces of corner position information corresponding to two opposing corners (for example, the upper right corner and the lower left corner) of the four corners of the left door, and calculates the distance between the two corners to acquire actual dimension information indicating the maximum diameter of the left door.

[0095] In addition, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires, for example, based on a distance image taken from the right side, two pieces of corner position information corresponding to two opposing corners (for example, the upper left corner and the lower right corner) of the four corners of the right door, and calculates the distance between the two corners to acquire actual dimension information indicating the maximum diameter of the right door.

[0096] Furthermore, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may, for example, acquire actual dimension information indicating the maximum diameter of the hood using a distance image taken from the front, and may also acquire actual dimension information indicating the maximum diameter of the trunk lid using a distance image taken from the rear.

[0097] One or more of the actual dimension information indicating the overall length and the actual dimension information indicating the overall width may be obtained using a distance image captured from the top or bottom, for example. Furthermore, actual dimension information indicating the maximum diameter of the bonnet, etc., may also be obtained from a distance image captured from the top.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, the actual dimension information regarding the wheelbase may be calculated based on the position information of the center points of the front wheels and the rear wheels, obtained using a distance image taken from the left or right side, for example.

[0099] Furthermore, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may acquire, for example, one or more pieces of actual dimension information for each of one or more moving bodies. The acquired one or more pieces of actual dimension information may be stored in the storage unit 11 by the processing unit 13 in association with the moving body identifier, for example.

[0100] The dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 acquires dimension difference information. The dimension difference information is information relating to the difference between the initial dimension and the actual dimension. The dimension difference information is, for example, information indicating the result of subtracting the initial dimension from the actual dimension. The subtraction result is either 0, a positive value, or a negative value. Note that 0 indicates that the actual dimension is the same as the initial dimension. Furthermore, a positive value indicates that the actual dimension is longer than the initial dimension by that absolute value, and a negative value indicates that the actual dimension is shorter than the initial dimension by that absolute value.

[0101] However, the dimensional difference information may be, for example, the result of subtracting the actual dimension from the initial dimension. In this case, the correspondence between positive and negative and the expansion and contraction is reversed from the above. Alternatively, the dimensional difference information may be the absolute value of any of the subtraction results.

[0102] Furthermore, the dimensional difference information is not limited to the information indicating the subtraction result as described above, but may be, for example, information indicating the result of dividing the subtraction result by the initial dimension. This allows accurate evaluation of the dimensional difference regardless of the size of the moving body or each part thereof.

[0103] The dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 acquires one or more pieces of dimension difference information, for example, using one or more pieces of initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 and one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132. In detail, the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 may acquire dimension difference information regarding the difference between the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 and the actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 for each of one or more locations of one moving body.

[0104] Alternatively, the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 may acquire, for example, one or more pieces of dimension difference information regarding the difference between the actual dimension information included in the moving body information accepted by the accepting unit 12 and the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 for each of one or more locations of a moving body.

[0105] The one or more pieces of acquired dimensional difference information may be stored in the storage unit 11 in association with the part identifier.

[0106] The dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 may acquire, for example, one or more pieces of dimension difference information (hereinafter, may be referred to as a dimension difference information group) for each of one or more moving bodies. Each of the acquired one or more dimension difference information groups may be stored in the storage unit 11 in association with a moving body identifier.

[0107] The intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires intensity information. The intensity information is information relating to the intensity of a moving object. The intensity information is usually information indicating the intensity of one or more parts of a moving object. As mentioned above, a part may be referred to as, for example, a component or a location. The intensity change information acquisition unit 134 usually acquires one or more pieces of intensity information corresponding to one or more parts of a moving object, and acquires one or more pieces of intensity change information using the acquired one or more pieces of intensity information.

[0108] The part may be, for example, a left door, a right door, a hood, a trunk lid, etc. That is, the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 may acquire intensity information indicating the strength of the left door of a certain mobile object, and use the acquired intensity information to acquire intensity change information related to the strength change of the left door. Similarly, intensity change information for each of the right door, the hood, and the trunk lid of the certain mobile object may also be acquired.

[0109] Alternatively, the part may be, for example, a body. That is, the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires intensity information indicating the intensity of the body of one moving object, and acquires intensity change information regarding the intensity change of the body using the acquired intensity information.

[0110] In detail, the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 may acquire, for example, two or more pieces of intensity change information corresponding to two or more parts of a moving body (e.g., a left door, a right door, a hood, and a trunk lid), and may regard a representative value (e.g., an average value, a median value, etc.) of the acquired two or more pieces of intensity change information as the intensity change information of the body of the moving body.

[0111] The one or more portions from which the intensity change information is acquired may be the same as, for example, the one or more portions from which the actual dimension information is acquired, but they may be different. In other words, although it is preferable to acquire the actual dimension information and the strength information from one part, the actual dimension information and the strength information may be acquired from different parts.

[0112] The acquired intensity information is, for example, a set of initial intensity information and measured intensity information. The initial intensity information is, for example, associated with a partial identifier and stored in the storage unit 11 in advance. Alternatively, the initial intensity information may be, for example, acquired only the first time and accumulated in the storage unit 11, and acquired from the storage unit 11 from the second time onwards. The measured intensity information is information related to the intensity actually measured, and may be referred to as the current intensity. The measured intensity information is, for example, intensity information output from the intensity sensor 4.

[0113] In more detail, for example, an intensity sensor 4 is attached to one or more parts of a moving object, and the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires intensity information output in pairs with partial identifiers from the one or more intensity sensors 4, while acquiring one or more pieces of initial intensity information corresponding to the one or more partial identifiers from the storage unit 11. Then, the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires a change in the measured intensity relative to the initial intensity for each of the one or more partial identifiers, and acquires intensity change information related to the acquired change.

[0114] The acquired change is, for example, the division result obtained by dividing the measured intensity by the initial intensity. The division result is usually 1 or a value smaller than 1, but it may be a value larger than 1. For example, if the division result is "0.9", it indicates that the current intensity is 90% of the initial intensity. In this case, the acquired intensity change information is, for example, a numerical value such as "1" or "0.9" indicating the division result, but it may also be information indicating either "less than 1", "1", or "greater than 1".

[0115] However, the change may also be the result of subtracting the initial intensity from the actual intensity. In this case, the result of subtraction is usually 0 or a negative value, but it may also be a positive value. 0 indicates that the actual intensity is the same as the initial intensity, and a negative value indicates that the actual intensity is lower than the initial intensity by its absolute value. Alternatively, the change may be the result of further dividing the result of subtracting the initial intensity from the actual intensity by the initial intensity (i.e., a normalized value: hereinafter, normalized value). The intensity change information acquired in this case is, for example, a numerical value indicating the subtraction result, but may also be information indicating either "negative," "0," or "positive."

[0116] The intensity change information is not limited to the change in the measured intensity relative to the initial intensity, but may be, for example, the change or rate of change in the current measured intensity relative to the measured intensity N times ago (N is a natural number). Alternatively, the intensity change information may be the change in the measured intensity of one moving body relative to a representative value of the measured intensity of one or more other moving bodies of the same model and year, and the type of intensity change information is not important.

[0117] The intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires intensity change information for, for example, one or more locations of one moving object. Each of the acquired one or more pieces of intensity change information may be stored in the storage unit 11 in association with a partial identifier.

[0118] The intensity change information acquisition unit 134 may acquire, for example, one or more pieces of intensity change information (hereinafter, may be referred to as an intensity change information group) for each of one or more moving objects. Each of the acquired one or more intensity change information groups may be stored in the storage unit 11 in association with a moving object identifier.

[0119] The evaluation unit 135 acquires evaluation information regarding the evaluation of one moving object. Evaluation can be said to be an estimation of the value of a moving object. Evaluation information is information indicating an evaluation of one moving object. The evaluation is, for example, an evaluation based on dimensional difference information, but may also be an evaluation based on intensity change information. It is preferable that the evaluation is, for example, an evaluation based on dimensional difference information and intensity change information.

[0120] That is, the evaluation information includes, for example, an evaluation regarding dimensions. It is also preferable that the evaluation information also includes an evaluation regarding strength, and it is even more preferable that the evaluation information also includes evaluation regarding other characteristics. Examples of other characteristics include reflectance and color. Reflectance can be referred to as the smoothness of the surface. For example, reflectance can be obtained based on the luminance values ​​of two or more pixels that make up the distance image captured by the distance image sensor 3. Furthermore, color can be obtained based on the pixel values, such as RGB, of each pixel.

[0121] The other characteristic may be any characteristic that can be acquired based on the output from the distance image sensor 3 or the intensity sensor 4. Furthermore, the other characteristic may be any characteristic that can be acquired based on the output from another sensor (not shown) that the information system has, and the type of the other characteristic does not matter. Note that the same applies to the partial evaluation information and overall evaluation information described later.

[0122] The evaluation information may be an integer value such as "3," "2," or "1," but may also be a letter such as "A," "B," or "C" corresponding to such an integer value. Alternatively, the evaluation information may be a numerical value including a decimal point, such as "2.5" or "1.9," or an arrangement of two or more letters or symbols, such as "B+" or "AA-." Alternatively, the evaluation information may be, for example, dimensional information or strength information, or a term such as "good condition" or a sentence such as "no signs of accidents," and the form of expression is not important. Note that the same applies to the partial evaluation information and the overall evaluation information described below.

[0123] The evaluation information may include, for example, one or more pieces of partial evaluation information. Partial evaluation information is information indicating an evaluation of one or more parts of a moving object. The partial evaluation information may include, for example, an evaluation regarding dimensions. The partial evaluation information may also include an evaluation regarding characteristics other than dimensions. The characteristics other than dimensions may be, for example, the intensity described above, but may also be reflectance, color, or the like, and the type is not important. Note that the reflectance can be obtained, for example, based on the luminance values ​​of two or more pixels that make up the distance image. Furthermore, the color can be obtained based on the pixel values, such as RGB, of each pixel.

[0124] The evaluation information may also include, for example, overall evaluation information. The overall evaluation information is information indicating the overall evaluation of one moving object. The evaluation unit 135 typically acquires the overall evaluation information using one or more pieces of partial evaluation information. The evaluation unit 135 may, for example, acquire a representative value of one or more pieces of partial evaluation information and acquire overall evaluation information indicating the acquired representative value. However, there may be partial evaluation information that is not used to acquire the overall evaluation information. The overall evaluation information may also include an evaluation value for each characteristic, such as size or strength. Furthermore, the overall evaluation information may also include an overall evaluation value based on the evaluation value for each characteristic. The overall evaluation value may, for example, be a representative value of the evaluation values ​​for each characteristic.

[0125] The evaluation information may include only overall evaluation information without including one or more pieces of partial evaluation information. The overall evaluation information may be simply called evaluation information.

[0126] The evaluation unit 135 acquires such evaluation information based on, for example, one or more pieces of dimensional difference information, but may also acquire it based on one or more pieces of dimensional difference information and one or more pieces of intensity change information. However, there may be some dimensional difference information that is not used to acquire the evaluation information. There may also be some intensity change information that is not used to acquire the evaluation information.

[0127] The evaluation unit 135 acquires evaluation information for one moving object, for example, using one or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit 133 for one or more portions of the moving object. In more detail, the evaluation unit 135 may calculate the evaluation information by, for example, acquiring a representative value of one or more pieces of dimensional difference information and substituting the representative value into a function that uses the dimensional difference information as a parameter. Note that, for example, if each piece of dimensional difference information is an absolute value, it is preferable that the function be a decreasing function. Furthermore, if each piece of dimensional difference information can take a negative value, the evaluation information may be calculated using a decreasing function that uses the absolute value (or square) of each piece of dimensional difference information as a parameter.

[0128] Alternatively, for example, first correspondence information, which is a set of pairs of dimensional difference information and evaluation values, is stored in the storage unit 11, and the evaluation unit 135 may search the first correspondence information using the acquired representative value as a key, and acquire the evaluation value paired with the dimensional difference information that matches or is closest to the representative value.

[0129] Alternatively, the evaluation unit 135 may, for example, calculate a partial evaluation value by substituting one or more pieces of dimensional difference information into a function, and acquire evaluation information having the calculated one or more partial evaluation values. The functions into which each piece of dimensional difference information is substituted are usually different. However, for example, if the dimensional difference information is a normalized value obtained by subtracting the initial dimension from the actual dimension and then dividing the result by the initial dimension, each piece of dimensional difference information may be substituted into the same function.

[0130] Alternatively, the evaluation unit 135 may acquire evaluation information for one moving body, for example, by using one or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit 133 for one or more locations of the moving body and one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 for one or more parts of the moving body.

[0131] In detail, the evaluation unit 135 may, for example, obtain one or more representative values ​​of dimensional difference information, and also obtain one or more representative values ​​of intensity change information, and calculate the evaluation information by substituting these two representative values ​​into a function that uses the dimensional difference information and the intensity change information as parameters.

[0132] Alternatively, for example, second correspondence information, which is a set of pairs of a set of dimensional difference information and intensity change information (hereinafter referred to as group information) and an evaluation value, is stored in the storage unit 11, and the evaluation unit 135 may search the second correspondence information using the acquired pair of two representative values ​​as a key, and acquire an evaluation value paired with group information that matches or is closest to the set of two representative values.

[0133] Alternatively, the evaluation unit 135 may calculate a partial evaluation value by substituting one or more pieces of group information into a function, and acquire evaluation information having the calculated one or more partial evaluation values. As described above, the functions into which each piece of group information is substituted are usually different, but if each piece of group information is a normalized value, each piece of group information may be substituted into the same function. The acquired evaluation value may be stored in the storage unit 11, for example, in association with the mobile unit identifier.

[0134] The evaluation unit 135 may acquire evaluation information including two or more pieces of characteristic evaluation information. The characteristic evaluation information is information indicating an evaluation of the characteristics of the moving object. The characteristic may be, for example, a dimension, but may also be intensity, reflectance, color, or any other characteristic of the moving object.

[0135] It is preferable that the evaluation unit 135 acquires two or more pieces of characteristic evaluation information including dimension evaluation information. The dimension evaluation information is information indicating an evaluation regarding dimensions. It is more preferable that the evaluation unit 135 acquires two or more pieces of characteristic evaluation information including dimension evaluation information and strength evaluation information. The strength evaluation information is information indicating an evaluation regarding strength.

[0136] In detail, the evaluation unit 135 may, for example, acquire one or more pieces of dimension evaluation information using one or more pieces of dimension difference information acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133, and further acquire one or more pieces of strength evaluation information using one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit 134, and then acquire evaluation information having the acquired one or more pieces of dimension evaluation information and the acquired one or more pieces of strength evaluation information.

[0137] For example, the processing unit 13 may also acquire the above-mentioned reflectance change information, the above-mentioned color change information, etc. for each of one or more parts, and the evaluation unit 135 may also acquire one or more pieces of reflectance evaluation information indicating an evaluation regarding reflectance, one or more pieces of color evaluation information indicating an evaluation regarding color, etc., and acquire evaluation information that also includes the acquired one or more pieces of reflectance evaluation information, the acquired one or more pieces of color evaluation information, etc.

[0138] The diagram construction unit 136 constructs one or more diagrams. A diagram is, for example, a dimension difference representation diagram. A dimension difference representation diagram is a diagram in which a location where there is a difference between the initial dimension and the actual dimension can be recognized on the moving body diagram. A location where there is a difference is, for example, a location where the difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0139] For example, the diagram construction unit 136 determines whether the dimensional difference information for one or more locations acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit 133 for one moving body is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The diagram construction unit 136 then acquires a moving body diagram of the one moving body from the moving body diagram storage unit 111, acquires dimensional difference information for one or more locations determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold value, and places the acquired one or more pieces of dimensional difference information at corresponding locations on the acquired moving body diagram, thereby constructing a dimensional difference display diagram in which locations with large dimensional differences are clearly indicated on the moving body diagram. The corresponding locations are locations identified by location identifiers associated with the acquired one or more pieces of dimensional difference information.

[0140] Alternatively, for example, the moving body diagram storage unit 111 stores two or more moving body diagrams corresponding to two or more types of moving bodies including the one moving body described above, and the diagram construction unit 136 may, for example, acquire, for each type of one or more moving bodies, dimension difference information for one or more locations where there is a difference between the initial dimensions and the actual dimensions in the same manner as described above, while acquiring a moving body diagram corresponding to that type, and arranging the acquired dimension difference information for each of the one or more locations in the corresponding locations of the acquired moving body diagram, thereby constructing one or more dimension difference expression diagrams corresponding to one or more types of moving bodies.

[0141] The diagram configuration unit 136 configures the dimension difference representation diagram, for example, in response to the receiving unit 12 receiving moving body information and the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 acquiring the dimension difference information. Alternatively, the diagram configuration unit 136 may configure the dimension difference representation diagram when the receiving unit 12 receives an instruction to output the dimension difference representation diagram. The instruction to output the dimension difference representation diagram is received, for example, together with the moving body information, but may also be received after or before the moving body information is received, and the timing of reception does not matter.

[0142] In this way, after the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 acquires the dimension difference information, the drawing composition unit 136 can compose a dimension difference expression drawing using the acquired dimension difference information at any time.

[0143] The output unit 14 outputs various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, evaluation information, a dimensional difference representation diagram, etc. The output unit 14 transmits information such as the evaluation information to, for example, the terminal device 2 that is the sender of the mobile object information received by the reception unit 12.

[0144] However, the information such as the evaluation information may be output in any manner, for example, displayed on a display, printed out by a printer, stored in a recording medium, or passed to another program. Note that the same matters are also applicable to the evaluation information output unit 141 and the diagram output unit 142.

[0145] The evaluation information output unit 141 outputs the evaluation information acquired by the evaluation unit 135. For example, when the reception unit 12 receives mobile object information via an input device such as a keyboard, the evaluation information output unit 141 outputs the acquired evaluation information via an output device such as a display.

[0146] Alternatively, when the reception unit 12 receives mobile object information from a terminal device 2, the evaluation information output unit 141 transmits the acquired evaluation information to the terminal device 2. In particular, when the reception unit 12 receives mobile object information paired with a terminal identifier, the evaluation information output unit 141 transmits the acquired evaluation information to the terminal device 2 identified by the received terminal identifier.

[0147] The evaluation information output unit 141 normally outputs the acquired evaluation information in response to the evaluation information being acquired by the evaluation unit 135. However, the evaluation information may also be output in response to, for example, the reception unit 12 receiving an instruction to output the evaluation information, and the trigger and timing of the output are not important.

[0148] The diagram output unit 142 outputs the dimension difference representation diagram constructed by the diagram construction unit 136. For example, when the reception unit 12 receives an instruction to output moving body information or a dimension difference representation diagram via an input device such as a keyboard, the diagram output unit 142 outputs the constructed dimension difference representation diagram via an output device such as a display.

[0149] Alternatively, when the reception unit 12 receives an instruction to output moving body information or a dimension difference representation diagram from a terminal device 2, the diagram output unit 142 transmits the constructed dimension difference representation diagram to the terminal device 2. In detail, when the reception unit 12 receives an instruction to output moving body information or a dimension difference representation diagram paired with a terminal identifier, the diagram output unit 142 transmits the constructed dimension difference representation diagram to the terminal device 2 identified by the received terminal identifier.

[0150] The diagram output unit 142 normally outputs the constructed evaluation information in response to the construction of a dimension difference representation diagram by the diagram construction unit 136. However, the evaluation information may also be output in response to, for example, the reception unit 12 receiving an instruction to output the evaluation information, and the trigger and timing of the output are not important.

[0151] The terminal storage unit 21 included in the terminal device 2 can store various types of information, such as a terminal identifier.

[0152] The terminal reception unit 22 receives various information and instructions, such as moving body information and an instruction to output a dimensional difference representation diagram.

[0153] The terminal transmitting unit 23 transmits various types of information. For example, the terminal transmitting unit 23 transmits information such as mobile object information received by the terminal receiving unit 22 to the mobile object evaluation device 1 in pairs with the terminal identifier stored in the terminal storage unit 21.

[0154] The terminal receiving unit 24 receives various types of information, such as evaluation information and a dimensional difference display diagram.

[0155] The terminal processing unit 25 performs various types of processing, such as converting the format of received information into the format of information to be transmitted.

[0156] The terminal output unit 26 outputs various types of information. Examples of such information include evaluation information, dimensional difference display diagrams, etc. The terminal output unit 26 normally displays evaluation information and other information on a display, but it may also print out the information using a printer, store it on a recording medium, transfer it to another program, or send it to another device.

[0157] The storage unit 11, the moving body map storage unit 111, and the terminal storage unit 21 are preferably non-volatile recording media such as hard disks and flash memories, but may also be realized by volatile recording media such as RAM.

[0158] The process by which information is stored in the storage unit 11 or the like is not important. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like via a recording medium, information transmitted via a network or a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like, or information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like. The input device may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or any other suitable device.

[0159] The reception unit 12 and the terminal reception unit 22 may or may not be considered to include an input device. The reception unit 12 and the like may be realized by driver software for the input device, or by the input device and its driver software.

[0160] The processing unit 13, initial dimension information acquisition unit 131, actual dimension information acquisition unit 132, dimension difference information acquisition unit 133, intensity change information acquisition unit 134, evaluation unit 135, diagram composition unit 136, and terminal processing unit 25 can usually be realized by an MPU, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 13, etc. are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, the processing procedures may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0161] The output unit 14, the evaluation information output unit 141, the graphic output unit 142, and the terminal output unit 26 may or may not include output devices such as a display, a speaker, etc. The output unit 14, etc. may be realized by driver software for the output device, or by an output device and its driver software.

[0162] The transmission functions of the terminal transmission unit 23 and the output unit 14, etc. are typically realized by wired or wireless communication means (e.g., a communication module such as a NIC (Network interface controller) or a modem), but may also be realized by broadcasting means (e.g., a broadcasting module).

[0163] The receiving functions of the terminal receiving unit 24 and the accepting unit 12 are usually realized by wired or wireless communication means, but may also be realized by means for receiving broadcasts (for example, a broadcast receiving module).

[0164] Next, the operation of the information system will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 3. Note that this flowchart shows the process when evaluating one mobile object. When evaluating two or more mobile objects, the same process is executed for each of the two or more mobile objects.

[0165] (Step S301) The processing unit 13 determines whether the receiving unit 12 has received moving body information.

[0166] In this flowchart, "reception" usually refers to reception of information input via an input device such as a keyboard, but may also refer to reception from the terminal device 2. When reception is from the terminal device 2, information such as mobile object information is usually received in pairs with a terminal identifier. The received mobile object information includes one or more pieces of actual dimension information acquired by the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 and one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit 134.

[0167] If it is determined that the receiving unit 12 has received the mobile unit information, the process proceeds to step S302, and if it is determined that the mobile unit information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S308.

[0168] (Step S302) The initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information from, for example, a server of a manufacturer of one moving object.

[0169] (Step S303) The dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 acquires one or more pieces of dimension difference information using one or more pieces of actual dimension information contained in the moving body information accepted in step S301 and one or more pieces of initial dimension information acquired in step S302.

[0170] (Step S304) The evaluation unit 135 evaluates one moving body using one or more pieces of dimensional difference information acquired in step S303 and one or more pieces of intensity change information contained in the moving body information accepted in step S301, and acquires evaluation information.

[0171] The acquired evaluation information may include one or more pieces of partial evaluation information. Each of the one or more pieces of partial evaluation information may include dimensional characteristic evaluation information and strength characteristic evaluation information.

[0172] (Step S305) The evaluation information output unit 141 outputs the evaluation information acquired in step S305, and then returns to step S301.

[0173] In this flowchart, output usually refers to output via an output device such as a display, but may also refer to transmission to the terminal device 2. In the latter case, information such as mobile body information is usually transmitted to the terminal device 2 identified by the terminal identifier received in pair with the mobile body information in step S301.

[0174] (Step S306) The processing unit 13 determines whether or not to output a dimension difference representation diagram. For example, in response to one or more pieces of dimension difference information being acquired in step S303, the processing unit 13 determines to output a dimension difference representation diagram. Alternatively, in response to the receiving unit 12 receiving an instruction to output a dimension difference representation diagram, the processing unit 13 may determine to output a dimension difference representation diagram.

[0175] If it is determined that the dimension difference representation diagram is to be output, the process proceeds to step S307, and if it is determined that the dimension difference representation diagram is not to be output, the process returns to step S301.

[0176] (Step S307) The diagram composition unit 136 composes a dimension difference representation diagram using one or more pieces of dimension difference information acquired in step S303 and the moving body diagram stored in the moving body diagram storage unit 111.

[0177] (Step S308) The diagram output unit 142 outputs the dimension difference representation diagram constructed in step S303, and then the process returns to step S301.

[0178] 3, the evaluation in step S304 is performed with respect to the size and strength, but it may be performed with respect to only the size, or, instead of or in addition to the strength, it may be performed with respect to other properties such as reflectance or color.

[0179] 3, processing starts when the mobile object evaluation device 1 is powered on or a program is started, and ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end the processing. However, the trigger for starting or ending the processing is not important.

[0180] A specific example of the operation of the information system according to this embodiment will be described below. Note that the following description can be modified in various ways and does not limit the scope of the present invention. A conceptual diagram of the information system is shown in FIG.

[0181] The information system in this example includes a moving object evaluation device 1, four distance image sensors 3, and four intensity sensors 4. The moving object evaluation device 1 is a PC installed in the examination room of an inspector who inspects moving objects. The target moving object (hereinafter sometimes referred to as moving object X) is a sedan.

[0182] In this example, the parts are the body, left door, and right door. The dimensions of the body in this example are the overall length and width of the body. Furthermore, the strength of the body in this example is a representative value of the strength of the left door, the strength of the right door, the strength of the hood, and the strength of the trunk lid.

[0183] In the moving body diagram storage unit 111 of the moving body evaluation device 1, a sedan-type moving body diagram corresponding to the moving body X is stored in advance.

[0184] The storage unit 11 may store, for example, mobile object management information as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a data structure diagram of the mobile object management information. The mobile object management information has a mobile object identifier (e.g., "X"), one or more pieces of partial information, and overall evaluation information (e.g., "dimension B, strength A, overall B+").

[0185] Part information is information relating to one or more parts of a moving object. Part information includes, for example, a part identifier, actual dimension information, initial dimension information, dimension difference information, intensity change information, and part evaluation information. Note that actual dimension information and intensity change information are elements of the moving object information described above. Each of the one or more pieces of part information is associated with an ID (for example, "1", "2", etc.).

[0186] For example, the partial information corresponding to ID "1" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as partial information 1) has a partial identifier "body", actual dimension information "(total length 3895, total width 1700)", initial dimension information "(initial total length 3900, initial total width 1700)", dimension difference information "(total length difference -5, total width difference 0)", strength change information "intensity ratio 0.98" and partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 3)".

[0187] In addition, the partial information corresponding to ID “2” (partial information 2) has a part identifier “left door”, actual dimension information “maximum diameter 1204”, initial dimension information “initial maximum diameter 1200”, dimension difference information “maximum diameter difference +4”, strength change information “intensity ratio 0.95”, and partial evaluation information “(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 2)”.

[0188] Similarly, partial information 3 has a partial identifier “right door”, actual dimension information “maximum diameter 1200”, initial dimension information “initial maximum diameter 1200”, dimension difference information “maximum diameter difference 0”, intensity change information “intensity ratio 1”, and partial evaluation information “(dimension evaluation 3, strength evaluation 3)”.

[0189] Now, an inspection of a mobile object X is about to be carried out in an inspection room. At this point, no mobile object management information has yet been stored in the storage unit 11. First, a mobile object identifier "X" that identifies the mobile object X is input via an input device such as a keyboard.

[0190] In the mobile object evaluation device 1, the reception unit 12 receives the input mobile object identifier, and the processing unit 13 associates the received mobile object identifier with the ID "1" and stores it in the storage unit 11. As a result, the storage unit 11 stores mobile object management information having the mobile object identifier "X".

[0191] In the mobile entity management information at this point, all elements other than the mobile entity identifier are "Null." Null is information indicating that the element does not exist. For example, the evaluation information is "(Null, Null, Null)."

[0192] Next, four distance image sensors 3 are placed on the front, back, left and right sides of the moving body, and these four distance image sensors 3 output four distance images (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the front distance image, rear distance image, left side distance image, and right side distance image) capturing the front, rear, left side, and right side of the moving body.

[0193] In the moving object evaluation device 1, the reception unit 12 receives the four distance images, and the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 acquires four pieces of actual dimension information based on the received four distance images. The method for acquiring various actual measurement values ​​from distance images has been described above and will not be repeated here. Here, for example, assume that "total length 3895" is acquired from the left side distance image, "total width 1700" is acquired from the front distance image, "maximum diameter of the left door 1204" is acquired from the left side distance image, and "maximum diameter of the right door 1200" is acquired from the left side distance image.

[0194] The processing unit 13 uses "total length 3895" and "total width 1700" from the four acquired actual measurement values ​​to construct partial evaluation information having a part identifier "body", actual dimension information "(total length 3895, total width 1700)", initial dimension information "(Null, Null)", dimension difference information "(Null, Null)", strength change information "Null" and partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)".

[0195] Furthermore, the processing unit 13 uses the "maximum diameter 1204 of the left door" to construct partial evaluation information having a part identifier "left door", actual dimension information "maximum diameter 1204", initial dimension information "Null", dimension difference information "Null", strength change information "Null", and partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)". Furthermore, the processing unit 13 uses the "maximum diameter 1200 of the right door" to construct partial evaluation information having a part identifier "right door", actual dimension information "maximum diameter 1200", initial dimension information "Null", dimension difference information "Null", strength change information "Null", and partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)".

[0196] Then, the processing unit 13 stores the acquired three pieces of partial evaluation information in association with the IDs "1," "2," and "3." As a result, the three pieces of partial information 1 to 3 are added to the mobile object management information.

[0197] Next, the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 acquires four pieces of initial dimension information from the manufacturer's server. In this example, it is assumed that "initial overall length 3900", "initial overall width 1700", "initial maximum diameter of left door 1200", and "initial maximum diameter of right door 1200" are acquired. Note that for the left and right doors, for example, the length and width may be acquired, and the diagonal length calculated from the length and width may be considered as the maximum diameter.

[0198] The processing unit 13 updates the initial dimension information "(Null, Null)" in the evaluation information 1 to "(initial overall length 3900, initial overall width 1700)" using "initial overall length 3900" and "initial overall width 1700" out of the four acquired initial values. Furthermore, the processing unit 13 updates the initial dimension information "Null" in the evaluation information 2 to "initial maximum diameter 1200" using "initial maximum diameter of the left door 1200". Furthermore, the processing unit 13 updates the initial dimension information "Null" in the evaluation information 3 to "initial maximum diameter 1200" using "initial maximum diameter of the right door 1200".

[0199] Next, for evaluation information 1, the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 subtracts the initial dimension information (initial total length 3900, initial total width 1700) from the actual dimension information (total length 3895, total width 1700), and updates the dimension difference information (Null, Null) to (total length difference -5, total width difference 0) based on the result of the subtraction. Also, for evaluation information 2, it subtracts the initial dimension information (initial maximum diameter 1200) from the actual dimension information (maximum diameter 1204), and updates the dimension difference information "Null" to "maximum diameter difference +4" based on the result of the subtraction. Furthermore, for evaluation information 3, it subtracts the initial dimension information (initial maximum diameter 1200) from the actual dimension information (maximum diameter 1200), and updates the dimension difference information "Null" to "maximum diameter difference 0" based on the result of the subtraction.

[0200] Next, the evaluation unit 135 acquires an evaluation value for the dimensions based on the dimensional difference information "(total length difference -5, total width difference 0)" for the evaluation information 1. Note that the method for acquiring an evaluation value for the dimensions based on the dimensional difference information has been described above, so it will not be repeated here. Here, it is assumed that "dimension evaluation 2" has been acquired. The processing unit 13 updates the partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)" to "(dimension evaluation 2, Null)".

[0201] Furthermore, for evaluation information 2, "dimension evaluation value 2" is obtained, and the partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)" is updated to "(dimension evaluation 2, Null)". Furthermore, for evaluation information 3, "dimension evaluation value 3" is obtained, and the partial evaluation information "(Null, Null)" is updated to "(dimension evaluation 3, Null)". This completes the evaluation of the dimensions of each part.

[0202] Next, to evaluate the strength, four strength sensors 4 are attached to the hood, trunk lid, left door, and right door. The mobile object is placed on a test bench in the facility and a test run is performed on the test bench. The four strength sensors 4 output measured strength information for the hood, trunk lid, left door, and right door.

[0203] In the moving object evaluation device 1, the storage unit 11 pre-stores initial strength information for the hood, trunk lid, left door, and right door. The strength change information acquisition unit 134 calculates the strength change of the above three parts based on the four pieces of actual strength information from the four strength sensors 4 and the four pieces of stored initial strength information. In this example, it is assumed that the hood strength change information "1", trunk lid strength change information "1", left door strength change information "0.92", and right door strength change information "1" are acquired.

[0204] Next, the intensity change information acquisition unit 134 acquires a representative value of the above four pieces of intensity change information (in this example, the average value is 0.98), and sets this representative value as the body's intensity change information "intensity ratio 0.98." The processing unit 13 updates the intensity change information "Null" in partial information 1 to "0.98," the intensity change information "Null" in partial information 2 to "0.92," and the intensity change information "Null" in partial information 3 to "1."

[0205] Next, the evaluation unit 135 acquires an evaluation value related to intensity for evaluation information 1 based on the intensity change information "0.98." Note that the method for acquiring an evaluation value related to intensity based on intensity change information has been described above and will not be repeated here. Here, it is assumed that "intensity evaluation 2" is acquired. Similarly, it is assumed that "intensity evaluation 2" is acquired for evaluation information 2, and "intensity evaluation 3" is acquired for evaluation information 3.

[0206] The processing unit 13 updates the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 2, Null)" in the partial information 1 to "(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 3)", updates the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 2, Null)" in the evaluation information 2 to "(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 2)", and updates the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 3, Null)" in the evaluation information 3 to "(dimension evaluation 3, strength evaluation 3)". This completes the evaluation of the strength of each part.

[0207] Next, the evaluation unit 135 uses the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 3)" contained in partial information 1, the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 2, strength evaluation 2)" contained in partial information 2, and the partial evaluation information "(dimension evaluation 3, strength evaluation 3)" contained in partial information 3 to first obtain a representative value (here, mode "2") from the three dimension evaluations (2, 2, 3) and obtain the corresponding evaluation information "dimension B." The evaluation unit 135 also obtains a representative value "3" from the three strength evaluations (2, 3, 3) and obtains the corresponding evaluation information "strength A." ​​Furthermore, the evaluation unit 135 obtains "total exterior B+" based on "dimension B" and "strength A."

[0208] The processing unit 13 updates the evaluation information "(Null, Null, Null)" to "(dimension B, strength A, overall B+)." With the above, the mobile object management information as shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

[0209] The evaluation information output unit 141 uses the above-mentioned mobile object management information to construct evaluation information for output and outputs it via an output device such as a display. As a result, the display displays evaluation information such as that shown in Fig. 5. This evaluation information includes "Body evaluation: dimensions 2, strength 3", "Left door evaluation: dimensions 2, strength 2", "Right door evaluation: dimensions 3, strength 3", and "Overall evaluation: dimensions B, strength A, overall B+".

[0210] The diagram configuration unit 136 uses the above-mentioned mobile body management information and the stored mobile body diagram to configure a dimension difference display diagram that displays the areas where the dimension evaluation is "2" or less, and the diagram output unit 142 outputs the configured dimension difference display diagram via the display. As a result, a dimension difference display diagram such as that shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display. In this dimension difference display diagram, the dimension line corresponding to the overall length of the body is highlighted with a thick line, and the left door is highlighted with hatching.

[0211] (Modification 1) In the embodiment, the distance image of the moving object is captured by the distance image sensor 3, but instead of measuring the distance, for example, a laser may be irradiated onto the moving object to capture a silhouette of the moving object.

[0212] In detail, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may capture (e.g., raster scan) one or more silhouettes of a moving object using, for example, a light-emitting element array and a light-receiving element array that are arranged at corresponding positions across the moving object and are movable forward, backward, left, and right with respect to the moving object. The light-emitting element array is an array of one or more light-emitting elements that emit a laser. The light-receiving element array is an array of one or more light-receiving elements that receive the laser.

[0213] For example, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may acquire the overall length of a moving object by displacing the light-emitting element array and the light-receiving element array from the left or right of the moving object and capturing a silhouette of the moving object from the left or right side and calculating the horizontal distance between the leading edge and trailing edge of the silhouette. Alternatively, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may acquire the overall length of the moving object by displacing the light-emitting element array and the light-receiving element array from the front to the rear (or rear to front) of the moving object at a constant speed v and acquiring the time t1 from when the light-receiving state of the light-receiving element array changes from the light-receiving state to the non-light-receiving state (i.e., when the light-emitting element array becomes invisible from the light-receiving element array) to when the non-light-receiving state changes to the light-receiving state (i.e., when the light-emitting element array becomes visible from the light-receiving element array again), and multiplying the speed v by the time t1. It goes without saying that the light-emitting element array and the light-receiving element array may be fixed and the moving object may be moved.

[0214] Additionally or alternatively, the actual dimension information acquiring unit 132 may acquire the overall width of a moving body by disposing the light-emitting element array and the light-receiving element array in front of or behind a moving body and displacing them left and right to capture a silhouette of the moving body from the front or rear, and calculating the horizontal distance between the left and right edges of the silhouette. Note that the overall width of a moving body can also be obtained by, for example, moving the light-emitting element array and the light-receiving element array from left to right (or right to left) relative to the moving body at a constant speed v, acquiring the time t2 from when the light-receiving state of the light-receiving element array of light from the light-emitting element array changes from a light-receiving state to a non-light-receiving state to when it changes from a non-light-receiving state to a light-receiving state, and multiplying the speed v by the time t2.

[0215] (Variant 2) Alternatively, instead of using laser irradiation, one or more two-dimensional images may be captured using, for example, a normal image sensor (e.g., a still camera, a video camera, a camera built into a mobile terminal, etc.), and the actual dimension information may be obtained by analyzing the two-dimensional images (e.g., detecting contours, obtaining corner position information, etc.), and the method of acquisition is not important.

[0216] In detail, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may, for example, use one or more image sensors to photograph a moving object from one or more of the front, back, left, and right sides, and perform contour detection, etc. using one or more of the photographed images, and acquire two or more two-dimensional angular position information (e.g., (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), ..., etc.) using information such as the size of the area surrounded by the contour in one image and the distance from the image sensor to the moving object.

[0217] However, the actual dimension information acquisition unit 132 may acquire three-dimensional angular position information by, for example, acquiring three-dimensional position information of each pixel from two or more images of a moving object captured at different angles, using the parallax between the images, etc. Note that acquisition of three-dimensional position information using parallax is a well-known technique, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0218] As described above, according to this embodiment, the moving body evaluation device 1 receives moving body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information that are actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body, acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information that are initial dimensions of one or more locations of the moving body, acquires one or more pieces of dimension difference information regarding the difference between the actual dimension information included in the received moving body information and the acquired initial dimension information for each of the one or more locations of the moving body, acquires evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the moving body using the acquired one or more pieces of dimension difference information, and outputs the acquired evaluation information, thereby enabling accurate evaluation of the moving body based on changes in the dimensions of the moving body. For example, since a vehicle involved in an accident is likely to have changed in its dimensions, an accurate evaluation can be made taking into account the possibility that it is an accident vehicle.

[0219] Furthermore, the moving body information includes one or more pieces of actual dimension information and strength change information related to changes in the strength of the body of a moving body, and the moving body evaluation device 1 uses one or more pieces of dimension difference information and strength change information to obtain evaluation information indicating an evaluation of a moving body, thereby enabling a more accurate evaluation of the moving body based on the changes in the dimensions and body strength of the moving body. For example, by lowering the evaluation of a moving body whose dimensions have changed and whose body strength has decreased, while not lowering the evaluation of a moving body whose dimensions have changed but whose body strength has not decreased, an evaluation can be made that takes into account the possibility that the moving body is an accident vehicle.

[0220] In addition, the moving body evaluation device 1 acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information, which are the actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body, and acquires moving body information including the acquired one or more pieces of actual dimension information, thereby eliminating the need to input the actual dimension information and making evaluation easy.

[0221] In addition, the moving body evaluation device 1 can efficiently acquire actual dimension information by acquiring two or more pieces of corner position information indicating the positions of two or more corners of a moving body, and using the two or more pieces of corner position information to acquire one or more pieces of actual dimension information which are the actual dimensions of each of one or more locations.

[0222] Furthermore, by including one or more of the body, door, hood, and trunk lid as the one or more locations, the moving body evaluation device 1 can obtain actual dimensional information of locations whose dimensions are likely to change due to an accident or the like.

[0223] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device 1 can obtain highly accurate actual dimension information by irradiating a moving body with a laser and obtaining one or more pieces of actual dimension information.

[0224] Furthermore, the moving body evaluation device 1 can acquire three-dimensional actual dimension information by acquiring one or more pieces of actual dimension information using one or more range images obtained by photographing a moving body. In particular, by acquiring one or more pieces of actual dimension information using one or more range images obtained by irradiating a moving body with a laser and photographing the moving body, highly accurate three-dimensional actual dimension information can be acquired.

[0225] In addition, the moving body evaluation device 1 can efficiently acquire three-dimensional actual dimension information by acquiring one or more actual dimension information using at least four distance images taken of a moving body from at least four sides, i.e., front, back, left, and right.

[0226] Furthermore, the mobile body evaluation device 1 acquires intensity information indicating the intensity of one or more parts of a mobile body, acquires one or more pieces of intensity change information using the intensity information, and acquires mobile body information including the acquired one or more pieces of intensity change information, thereby eliminating the need to input the intensity change information and allowing for easy evaluation.

[0227] In addition, the moving body diagram storage unit 111 stores a moving body diagram, which is a diagram relating to one moving body, and the moving body evaluation device 1 uses the acquired dimensional difference information for each of one or more locations to construct a dimension difference representation diagram, which is a diagram that allows locations where there is a difference between the initial dimensions and the actual dimensions to be recognized on the moving body diagram, and by outputting the constructed dimension difference representation diagram, it is possible to assist in intuitive recognition of locations where the dimensions of the moving body have changed.

[0228] In addition, a moving body diagram is stored for each type of moving body, and the moving body evaluation device 1 uses the acquired dimensional difference information for each of one or more locations to construct a dimensional difference representation diagram, which is a diagram that can be recognized on a moving body diagram corresponding to a type of moving body where there is a difference between the initial dimension and the actual dimension, thereby assisting in intuitive recognition of dimensional change locations in various moving bodies.

[0229] In addition, the moving body evaluation device 1 can evaluate each of two or more parts of a moving body by using the two or more pieces of acquired dimensional difference information to obtain evaluation information having two or more pieces of partial evaluation information that indicate the evaluation of each part of a moving body.

[0230] In addition, the moving body evaluation device 1 can evaluate the moving body for each of two or more characteristics by using the acquired one or more pieces of dimensional difference information to acquire evaluation information having an evaluation for each of two or more characteristics, including dimensional characteristic evaluation information that indicates an evaluation regarding dimensions.

[0231] Furthermore, the processing in this embodiment may be realized by software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. This software may also be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. This also applies to the other embodiments in this specification.

[0232] Note that software for realizing the information processing device in this embodiment is, for example, the following program. That is, this program causes a computer to function as a reception unit 12 that receives moving body information including one or more pieces of actual dimension information that are actual dimensions of one or more locations of a moving body, an initial dimension information acquisition unit 131 that acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information that are initial dimensions of one or more locations of the moving body, a dimension difference information acquisition unit 133 that acquires, for each of the one or more locations of the moving body, one or more pieces of dimension difference information regarding the difference between the actual dimension information included in the moving body information received by the reception unit 12 and the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit 131, an evaluation unit 135 that acquires evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the moving body using the one or more pieces of dimension difference information acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit 133, and an evaluation information output unit 141 that outputs the evaluation information acquired by the evaluation unit 135.

[0233] 7 is an external view of a computer system 900 that executes a program according to this embodiment to realize the mobile object evaluation device 1 or the terminal device 2. This embodiment can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon. In FIG. 7, the computer system 900 includes a computer 901 including a disk drive 905, a keyboard 902, a mouse 903, and a display 904. Note that the entire system, including the keyboard 902, the mouse 903, and the display 904, may also be referred to as a computer.

[0234] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a computer system 900. In Fig. 8, the computer 901 includes, in addition to a disk drive 905, an MPU 911, a ROM 912 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 913 connected to the MPU 911 for temporarily storing instructions for application programs and providing temporary storage space, a storage 914 for storing application programs, system programs, and data, a bus 915 for interconnecting the MPU 911, the ROM 912, etc., and a network card 916 for connecting to networks such as an external network and an internal network. The storage 914 is, for example, a hard disk, an SSD, or a flash memory.

[0235] A program that causes the computer system 900 to execute functions of the mobile object evaluation device 1 and the like may be stored on a disk 921 such as a DVD or CD-ROM, inserted into the disk drive 905, and transferred to the storage 914. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 901 via a network and stored in the storage 914. The program is loaded into the RAM 913 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the disk 921 or the network. Alternatively, the program may be read into the computer system 900 via another removable recording medium (e.g., a DVD or a memory card) instead of the disk 921.

[0236] The program 901, which shows the details of the computer, does not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the mobile evaluation device 1 and other devices to perform their functions. The program may include only a portion of instructions that call appropriate functions or modules in a controlled manner to achieve a desired result. How the computer system 900 operates is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0237] While the above-described computer system 900 is a server or a desktop PC, the mobile object evaluation device 1 and the like may be realized by a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a notebook PC. In this case, for example, the keyboard 902 and mouse 903 may be replaced with a touch panel, the disk drive 905 with a memory card slot, and the disk 921 with a memory card. However, the above is merely an example, and the hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the mobile object evaluation device 1 and the like is not important.

[0238] In addition, in the above program, the sending step of sending information and the receiving step of receiving information do not include processing performed by hardware, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the sending step (processing that can only be performed by hardware).

[0239] The computer that executes the program may be a single computer or a plurality of computers, that is, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

[0240] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means (terminal transmitting unit 23, terminal receiving unit 24, etc.) present in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

[0241] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or may be realized by distributed processing by multiple devices.

[0242] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0243] As described above, the moving body evaluation device according to the present invention has the effect of being able to accurately evaluate a moving body based on changes in the dimensions of the moving body, and is useful as a moving body evaluation device, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0244] 1. Mobile evaluation device 2. Terminal Device 3. Range image sensor 4 Intensity Sensor 11 Storage area 12 Reception 13 Processing section 14 Output section 21 Terminal storage section 22 Terminal Reception 23 Terminal transmitter 24 Terminal receiving unit 25 Terminal processing section 26 Terminal Output Unit 111 Mobile Map Storage Unit 131 Initial dimension information acquisition unit 132 Actual dimension information acquisition unit 133 Dimensional difference information acquisition unit 134 Intensity change information acquisition unit 135 Evaluation Department 136 Diagram composition section 141 Evaluation information output unit 142 Figure output section

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives actual dimension information that is the actual dimensions of one or more locations of one moving object; an intensity change information acquisition unit that acquires intensity information indicating an intensity of one or more portions of the one moving object and acquires one or more pieces of intensity change information using the intensity information; an initial dimension information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of initial dimension information that are initial dimensions of one or more locations of the one moving object; a dimension difference information acquisition unit that acquires, for each of one or more locations of the one moving body, dimension difference information relating to a difference between the actual dimension information accepted by the acceptance unit and the initial dimension information acquired by the initial dimension information acquisition unit; an evaluation unit that acquires evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the one moving object using the one or more pieces of dimension difference information acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit and the one or more pieces of intensity change information acquired by the intensity change information acquisition unit; and an evaluation information output unit that outputs the evaluation information acquired by the evaluation unit.

2. further comprising an actual dimension information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of actual dimension information that are actual dimensions of one or more locations of the one moving body; The reception unit The moving body evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the actual dimension information acquisition unit acquires the one or more pieces of actual dimension information.

3. The intensity change information acquisition unit A moving body evaluation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, which acquires initial intensity information for each of the one or more parts from a storage unit in which initial intensity information indicating the initial intensity of each of the one or more parts of the moving body is stored, acquires intensity information output from an intensity sensor of each of the one or more parts of the moving body, acquires a change in the actual intensity indicated by the intensity information relative to the initial intensity indicated by the initial intensity information for each of the one or more parts, and acquires the intensity change information related to the acquired change.

4. a moving body diagram storage unit in which a moving body diagram relating to the one moving body is stored; a diagram construction unit that constructs a dimension difference representation diagram, which is a diagram in which a location where there is a difference between an initial dimension and an actual dimension can be recognized on the moving body diagram, using the dimension difference information of one or more locations acquired by the dimension difference information acquisition unit; 2. The moving body evaluation device according to claim 1, further comprising a diagram output unit for outputting the dimension difference representation diagram constructed by said diagram construction unit.

5. A mobile object diagram is stored for each type of mobile object. The diagram construction unit A moving body evaluation device as described in claim 4, which uses the dimensional difference information of one or more locations acquired by the dimensional difference information acquisition unit to create a dimensional difference expression diagram, which is a diagram that can be recognized on a moving body diagram corresponding to the type of moving body where there is a difference between the initial dimensions and the actual dimensions.

6. A mobile object evaluation method comprising all of the processing performed by the mobile object evaluation device described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Computer, A program for causing the mobile object evaluation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to function.

Images