Traffic management device, traffic management system, traffic management method and program

Abstract

To reliably acquire road traffic information excellent in real-time performance.SOLUTION: A traffic management device 102 includes: a first acquisition unit 111 that acquires image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road and photographing position information indicating a position at which photographing for generating the image information is performed; an image processing unit 112 that acquires vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle by processing the image information; a position acquisition unit 113 that acquires position information indicating a position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; and a storage control unit 115 that stores traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the position information in a traffic storage unit 114.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic management device, a traffic management system, a traffic management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] To avoid congestion on roads and calculate travel times, systems such as the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System; registered trademark), which uses FM multiplex broadcasting and beacons, and the AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification) system, which reads the license plates of moving vehicles, are used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). VICS is a registered trademark.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a technology in which a barcode attached to the side, bottom, or ceiling of a vehicle is read at a vehicle passage gate at a toll booth, and toll payment procedures at the toll booth are carried out only when the vehicle passes through the barcode reader. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-265722 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-221237 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-059489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Even if VICS and AVI systems can assist in monitoring traffic conditions, in reality, images from cameras installed on roads are also monitored manually, making it difficult to quickly grasp traffic conditions such as congestion.

[0006] In the AVI system, the quality of the images obtained from the camera used to read license plates is low, making it difficult to read license plates accurately.

[0007] Furthermore, even if the technology described in Patent Document 3 can support toll payment operations at toll booths, it is not easy to use it to monitor traffic conditions.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to reliably acquire the vehicle's traveling conditions with excellent real-time performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a traffic management device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a first acquisition means for acquiring image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing for generating the image information was performed; an image processing means for processing the image information to acquire vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle; a position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; a storage control means for storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; 、 the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; The image processing means a code reading means for detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information, thereby acquiring the vehicle identification information included in the code; and a feature acquisition means for acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information, When the first appearance information is acquired, the storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. do. In order to achieve the above object, a traffic management device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: a first acquisition means for acquiring image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing for generating the image information was performed; an image processing means for processing the image information to acquire vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle; a position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; a storage control means for storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; a second acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means, or when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention 3 The traffic management system relating to the above point of view is as follows: The traffic management device described above; The road management device includes at least one photographing device that generates the image information by photographing the road and transmits the image information and photographing position information to the traffic management device.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention 4 The traffic management method relating to the above point of view is as follows: The computer Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; and storing the traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means. fruit, the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; Processing the image information includes: The vehicle identification information included in the code is obtained by detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information. acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information; Storing the traffic information includes, when the first appearance information is acquired, storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. nothing. In order to achieve the above object, a traffic management method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises: The computer Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information in which the vehicle identification information and the location information are associated in a traffic storage means; and acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle. 、 Storing the traffic information includes storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device, or when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention 6 The program related to the above points is On the computer, Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; Processing the image information includes: The vehicle identification information included in the code is obtained by detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information. acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information; The program for storing the traffic information includes, when the first appearance information is acquired, storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises: On the computer, Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information in which the vehicle identification information and the location information are associated in a traffic storage means; acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; The program includes storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device, or when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably acquire the vehicle movement status with excellent real-time performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a traffic management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image including a vehicle C captured by a camera. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a traffic management device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of traffic information. [Figure 6]1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a physical configuration of a traffic management device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic condition providing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a traffic management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of registration information. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a traffic management device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a traffic information management method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a traffic management device according to a second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] <<Embodiment 1>> A traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a system for managing the traffic conditions of a road R, as shown in FIG. 1, which shows the road R viewed from above.

[0017] Road R may be, for example, a highway, and may be part (a predetermined section) or all of the main road on which vehicle C normally travels, a road at the entrance or exit of a service area (SA) or parking area (PA), or a road for passing through a toll gate.

[0018] Other vehicles OC besides vehicle C are also traveling (moving) on ​​road R. That is, vehicle C is one of a plurality of vehicles including other vehicles OC traveling on road R. Vehicles C and OC may be buses, trucks, passenger cars, etc. Although not shown, there may be a plurality of vehicles C.

[0019] The road R is not limited to an expressway, but may be any other general road.

[0020] 1, the traffic management system 100 includes a plurality of image capturing devices 101, a traffic management device 102 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "management device 102"), and an in-vehicle device 103. Note that the number of image capturing devices 101 may be one.

[0021] Each of the multiple image capturing devices 101 and the management device 102 transmits and receives information to and from each other via a network N1 configured as a wired, wireless, or combination of these. Also, the in-vehicle device 103 and the management device 102 transmit and receive information to and from each other via a wireless network N2.

[0022] (Functional configuration of the imaging device 101) Each of the photographing devices 101 is a device that generates image information by photographing road R and transmits the image information and photographing location information to the management device 102. As shown in FIG. 2 , each of the photographing devices 101 functionally includes a photographing unit 105 and a transmitting unit 106.

[0023] The photographing unit 105 is attached to the road R, photographs the road R, generates image information indicating the photographed image, and outputs the image information to the transmitting unit 106.

[0024] The image information generated by the photographing unit 105 includes an image of the ceiling of the vehicle C (hereinafter, the image of the ceiling may also be simply referred to as a "ceiling image"), as shown in Fig. 2, as an example of the image displayed thereby. The image information according to this embodiment includes the exterior of the vehicle C other than the ceiling of the vehicle C.

[0025] A code Q containing the vehicle ID of vehicle C is displayed on the ceiling of vehicle C. Code Q is composed of one or more characters, symbols, two-dimensional codes, one-dimensional codes, etc., and is provided on the ceiling of vehicle C by painting the ceiling or attaching a sticker, etc.

[0026] The code Q according to this embodiment includes the vehicle ID of the vehicle C, as well as code appearance information indicating a feature quantity related to the appearance of the vehicle C.

[0027] The vehicle ID (Identifier) ​​of vehicle C is information for identifying vehicle C (vehicle identification information of vehicle C), and is, for example, information indicated by the license plate attached to vehicle C (information generally called a vehicle number / registration number). Code Q may include the model of vehicle C, the number of passengers it can accommodate, etc., and may also include terminal identification information (contact information) of the in-vehicle device 103 installed in vehicle C.

[0028] The feature quantity relating to the appearance of the vehicle C is a feature quantity obtained from the appearance of the vehicle C other than the code Q, and is, for example, a feature quantity indicating one or more of the shape, color, size, pattern, etc. of the vehicle C.

[0029] In order to make it easier to change the code Q, the code Q may be displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display provided on the ceiling of the vehicle C.

[0030] The transmitting unit 106 transmits the image information generated by the photographing unit 105 and the photographing position information to the management device 102. The transmitting unit 106 according to this embodiment further transmits the photographing time to the management device 102.

[0031] The photographing position information is information indicating the position where the photographing unit 105 took the photograph for generating the image information.

[0032] The photographing position information may be information indicating a specific location such as latitude and longitude, or XX km from a reference point on road R, or may be device identification information (device ID) such as a name, code, or serial number assigned to the photographing device 101, the photographing unit 105 (e.g., a camera constituting the photographing unit 105), or the transmission unit 106. For example, if the photographing position information is a device ID, it is preferable to store in advance in the management device 102 information that associates the device ID with a specific location. This makes it possible to convert the location indicated by the photographing position information into a specific location as needed.

[0033] The photographing time is the time when the photographing unit 105 took a photograph for generating image information.

[0034] In detail, the transmitting unit 106 stores the photographing location information in a storage unit (not shown) in advance, and keeps track of the current time using a clock unit (not shown). When the transmitting unit 106 acquires image information generated by the photographing unit 105, it acquires the photographing location information from the storage unit, and acquires the current time at the time of acquiring the image information from the clock unit as the photographing time. The transmitting unit 106 then associates the acquired image information, photographing location information, and photographing time, and transmits them to the management device 102.

[0035] (Functional configuration of traffic management device 102) The traffic management device (management device) 102 is a device for managing the traffic conditions of road R. As shown in FIG. 3 , the management device 102 functionally includes a first acquisition unit 111, an image processing unit 112, a position acquisition unit 113, a traffic memory unit 114, a memory control unit 115, a second acquisition unit 116, a traffic condition acquisition unit 117, and an information provision unit 118.

[0036] The first acquisition unit 111 acquires the image information, the shooting position information, and the shooting time from the transmission unit 106.

[0037] The image processing unit 112 processes the image information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111 to acquire the vehicle ID of the vehicle C. In detail, the image processing unit 112 functionally includes a code reading unit 119 and a feature acquisition unit 120, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The code reading unit 119 obtains the vehicle ID included in the code Q by detecting the code Q from the ceiling image of the vehicle C included in the image information.

[0039] The code reading unit 119 according to the present embodiment further obtains code appearance information included in the code Q by detecting the code Q from the ceiling image of the vehicle C included in the image information.

[0040] The feature acquisition unit 120 acquires first appearance information indicating a feature amount relating to the appearance of the vehicle C based on the appearance of the vehicle C included in the image information.

[0041] Referring again to FIG. The location acquisition unit 113 acquires location information indicating the location of the vehicle C, using the shooting location information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111. The location acquisition unit 113 according to this embodiment acquires the location information of the vehicle C, using the vehicle ID acquired by the code reading unit 119 in addition to the shooting location information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111.

[0042] The traffic storage unit 114 is a storage unit for storing traffic information 121 including vehicle IDs and location information. In the traffic information 121 according to this embodiment, the vehicle IDs, location information, and time are associated with each other, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, in the traffic information 121, the location of vehicle C at each time is associated with the vehicle ID of vehicle C.

[0043] The traffic information 121 is stored in the traffic storage unit 114. Therefore, for example, by referring to the positions associated with the vehicle ID of the vehicle C in the traffic information 121 in chronological order, it is possible to determine the transition of the position of the vehicle C on the road R. This makes it possible to determine the driving situation (movement situation) of the vehicle C on the road R.

[0044] Furthermore, by referring to the positions included in the traffic information 121 in chronological order for each vehicle ID, it is possible to determine the progress of each vehicle C traveling on the road R. This makes it possible to determine the traffic conditions on the road R. The traffic conditions include the occurrence of traffic congestion, predictions of traffic congestion, etc.

[0045] Referring again to FIG. The storage control unit 115 generates traffic information 121 by associating the vehicle ID acquired by the code reading unit 119 with the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 113. In this embodiment, the storage control unit 115 generates traffic information 121 by further associating the vehicle ID and the location information with the shooting time acquired by the first acquisition unit 111 as a time. Then, the storage control unit 115 stores the generated traffic information 121 in the traffic storage unit 114.

[0046] In particular, when the first appearance information is acquired by the feature acquisition unit 120, the storage control unit 115 stores the traffic information 121 in the traffic storage unit 114 using the first appearance information.

[0047] In this embodiment, the storage control unit 115 stores the traffic information 121 in the traffic storage means 114 when the feature amount indicated by the first appearance information matches the feature amount indicated by the code appearance information.

[0048] Here, the case where the comparison targets, such as feature amounts and positions, match is not limited to the case where the comparison targets match completely, but also includes the case where the comparison targets differ within a predetermined range, and the same applies hereinafter.

[0049] The second acquisition unit 116 acquires vehicle information including the current position of the vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103 mounted on the vehicle C. The vehicle information is information relating to the vehicle C that is held or acquired by the in-vehicle device 103.

[0050] The traffic condition acquisition unit 117 determines the transition of the positions of the plurality of vehicles C based on the traffic information 121 of the plurality of vehicles C stored in the traffic memory unit 114. In this way, the traffic condition acquisition unit 117 acquires traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of the road R.

[0051] For example, the traffic condition acquisition unit 117 acquires traffic condition information by determining the change in the position of another vehicle C (not shown) moving ahead of vehicle C based on traffic information 121 of multiple vehicles C stored in the traffic memory unit 114.

[0052] Here, the traffic condition information of the road R is information indicating the traffic condition of the road R, and includes, for example, at least one of locations where congestion has occurred and locations where congestion is predicted to occur.

[0053] A conventional method may be adopted as a method for acquiring traffic condition information based on the traffic information 121, and a method for acquiring traffic condition information using a learning model that has been trained by machine learning is preferable, for example.

[0054] In this case, the traffic condition acquisition unit 117 acquires traffic condition information by inputting the traffic information 121 into a trained learning model that has undergone machine learning to acquire traffic condition information using the traffic information 121 as input data. In the machine learning, it is preferable to perform supervised learning in which traffic condition information corresponding to the past traffic information 121 is used as a correct answer.

[0055] The information providing unit 118 provides one or more of the traffic condition information acquired by the traffic condition acquiring unit 117 and information based on the traffic condition information.

[0056] In this embodiment, the information providing unit 118 narrows down the traffic condition information within a predetermined range from the current location included in the vehicle information acquired by the second acquiring unit 116. The information providing unit 118 transmits the narrowed down traffic condition information to the in-vehicle device 103 of the vehicle C.

[0057] Furthermore, the information providing unit 118 generates guidance information for guiding the vehicle C based on the traffic condition information, and transmits the guidance information to the in-vehicle device 103 installed in the vehicle C.

[0058] For example, when a traffic jam occurs or is predicted in the direction of travel of vehicle C, in order to avoid the traffic jam, guidance information for guiding to an SA or PA on road R is generated and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 103. Also, for example, in order to avoid a similar traffic jam, guidance information for guiding to a detour route to the destination of vehicle C is generated and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 103.

[0059] Furthermore, the information providing unit 118 calculates the estimated time (estimated arrival time) at which vehicle C will arrive at a specific point based on the traffic condition information, and transmits the estimated time to the in-vehicle device 103 mounted on vehicle C. The specific point is, for example, the destination of vehicle C, or an SA or PA on the way to the destination.

[0060] Furthermore, the information providing unit 118 may transmit the traffic condition information to another predetermined device (not shown) in order to provide the traffic condition information through radio, electronic bulletin boards installed at SAs or PAs, or the like.

[0061] Conventional methods may be used to predict the estimated arrival time based on traffic condition information, and a preferred method is to predict the estimated arrival time using a learning model that has been trained using machine learning, for example.

[0062] In this case, the information providing unit 118 acquires the estimated arrival time by inputting the traffic condition information into a trained learning model that has performed machine learning to predict the estimated arrival time using the traffic condition information as input data. In the machine learning, it is preferable to perform supervised learning in which the actual arrival time according to the traffic condition information is used as the correct answer.

[0063] (Functional Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 103) The in-vehicle device 103 is a device mounted on the vehicle C. Functionally, the in-vehicle device 103 includes an ID storage unit 125, a current position acquisition unit 126, and a communication unit 127, as shown in FIG.

[0064] The ID storage unit 125 stores the vehicle ID of the vehicle C in advance.

[0065] The current position acquisition unit 126 acquires the current position of the vehicle C. To acquire the current position, a conventional method such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) may be used.

[0066] The communication unit 127 transmits and receives information to and from the management device 102. For example, in response to a request from the management device 102, the communication unit 127 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle ID stored in the ID storage unit 125, the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit 126, and the like to the management device 102.

[0067] The on-board device 103 may be mounted on another vehicle OC.

[0068] Up to now, the functional configuration of the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been mainly explained. From here, the physical configuration of the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment will be explained.

[0069] (Physical configuration of the imaging device 101) The photographing unit 105 is physically composed of, for example, a camera. The transmitting unit 106 is physically composed of a computer. The computer constituting the transmitting unit 106 may be substantially similar to the management device 102 shown in FIG. 7. However, the computer constituting the transmitting unit 106 includes an interface for communicating with the camera or the like constituting the photographing unit 105 instead of the second network interface 1060, and includes a timer for measuring time.

[0070] The image capturing unit 105 and the transmission unit 106 may be physically integrated or configured separately. If configured separately, the image capturing unit 105 and the transmission unit 106 may communicate via a wired or wireless line or a combination of these.

[0071] (Physical configuration of traffic management device 102) The traffic management device 102 is physically, for example, a general-purpose computer, and as shown in FIG. 7, has a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, a first network interface 1050, a second network interface 1060, and a user interface 1070.

[0072] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, first network interface 1050, second network interface 1060, and user interface 1070. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0073] The processor 1020 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

[0074] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0075] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 1040 stores program modules for realizing each function of the management device 102. The processor 1020 reads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each functional unit corresponding to the program module.

[0076] The first network interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the management device 102 to the network N1.

[0077] The second network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the management device 102 to the network N2.

[0078] The user interface 1070 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like as interfaces for the user to input information, and a liquid crystal panel and the like as an interface for presenting information to the user.

[0079] (Physical configuration of the in-vehicle device 103) The in-vehicle device 103 is physically configured from a computer. The computer configuring the in-vehicle device 103 may be substantially similar to the management device 102 shown in Fig. 7. However, the computer configuring the in-vehicle device 103 does not need to be provided with the first network interface 1050.

[0080] (Operation of the traffic management system 100) So far, we have explained the functional and physical configuration of the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Now, we will explain the operation of the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0081] The traffic management method is a method carried out to manage the traffic conditions of road R while traffic management system 100 is in operation, and includes the traffic information management method shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the traffic condition providing method shown in FIG.

[0082] The traffic information management method is a method for generating and managing traffic information 121. The traffic condition provision method is a method for generating traffic condition information based on the traffic information 121 and providing it.

[0083] (Traffic information management method) In the traffic information management method according to this embodiment, the photographing device 101 continuously generates image information by continuing to photograph the road R while it is in operation, and continuously transmits this image information to the management device 102 in association with photographing location information and photographing time. The management device 102 then repeatedly executes the traffic information management method shown in Figures 8 and 9. In the traffic information management method, the in-vehicle device 103 operates in response to a request from the management device 102, and will be described below with reference to Figure 8 together with the operation of the management device 102.

[0084] 8, the first acquisition unit 111 acquires information from the image capturing device 101 (step S101). This information includes information in which image information, image capturing position information, and image capturing time are associated with each other.

[0085] The code reading unit 119 determines whether or not the code Q has been detected from the image information acquired in step S101 (step S102).

[0086] Specifically, the code reading unit 119 determines whether or not the code Q has been detected from the image of the ceiling area of ​​the vehicle C included in the image information.

[0087] If the code Q is detected (step S102; Yes), the code reading unit 119 acquires the vehicle ID included in the code Q (step S103), and acquires the code appearance information included in the code Q (step S104).

[0088] The location acquisition unit 113 determines whether traffic information 121 relating to vehicle C prior to the image capture time T1 is stored in the traffic storage unit 114 (step S105). Here, the image capture time T1 is the image capture time included in the information acquired in step S101.

[0089] In detail, for example, it is determined whether the traffic information 121 stored in the traffic storage unit 114 includes traffic information 121 in which the vehicle ID of the vehicle C is associated with a time T2 that is earlier than the photographing time T1.

[0090] If it is determined that the traffic information 121 relating to the vehicle C before the photographing time T1 is not stored in the traffic storage unit 114 (step S105; No), the position acquisition unit 113 ends the traffic information management method (see FIG. 9).

[0091] If it is determined that traffic information 121 relating to vehicle C prior to the photographing time T1 is stored in the traffic memory unit 114 (step S105; Yes), the position acquisition unit 113 determines whether the travel distance L of vehicle C is within a predetermined range (step S106).

[0092] The travel distance L of the vehicle C is the distance traveled by the vehicle C from time T2 to the image capture time T1. The travel distance L of the vehicle C is calculated based on, for example, the position indicated by the position information associated with time T2 in the traffic information 121 and the position indicated by the image capture position information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111. The predetermined range may be set to a range that the vehicle C can normally travel in the period from time T2 to the image capture time T1.

[0093] If it is determined that the travel distance L is not within the predetermined range (step S106; No), the position acquisition unit 113 ends the traffic information management method (see FIG. 9).

[0094] If the travel distance L of vehicle C is not within a predetermined range, it means that vehicle C has traveled a distance that it would not normally be able to travel, and the vehicle ID acquired by the code reading unit 119 may be incorrect information due to misrecognition or the like. Therefore, in this case, the location acquisition unit 113 does not generate traffic information 121. This allows accurate traffic information 121 to be generated.

[0095] If it is determined that the movement distance L is within a predetermined range (step S106; No), the position acquisition unit 113 acquires position information using the photographing position information acquired in step S101 (step S107).

[0096] In detail, for example, the position acquisition unit 113 determines the position indicated by the photographing position information as the position of the vehicle C, and generates position information indicating this position.

[0097] The position acquisition unit 113 may acquire position information indicating the position of the vehicle C using only the photographing position information without using the vehicle ID, and in this case, the processes of steps S105 to S106 may not be performed.

[0098] The feature acquisition unit 120 acquires first appearance information indicating feature quantities related to the appearance of the vehicle C based on the appearance of the vehicle C included in the image information acquired in step S101 (step S108). A conventional method may be employed as a method for acquiring the first appearance information.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 9. The storage control unit 115 determines whether the feature amounts of the cord appearance information acquired in steps S104 and S108 match those of the first appearance information (step S109).

[0100] In detail, the memory control unit 115 determines whether the features indicated by the cord appearance information acquired in step S104 match those indicated by the first appearance information acquired in step S108.

[0101] When it is determined that the feature amounts of the code appearance information and the first appearance information do not match (step S109; No), the storage control unit 115 ends the traffic information management method.

[0102] For example, if the code Q is fraudulently attached to a vehicle, incorrect traffic information 121 will be generated and managed in the management device 102. As an example of a case where the code Q is fraudulently attached to a vehicle, a third party may fraudulently create a sticker showing the code Q and attach the code Q to the ceiling of a vehicle other than the vehicle C on which the code Q should be displayed.

[0103] By performing the determination process in step S109, the possibility of such fraudulent activity can be reduced, and accurate traffic information 121 can be generated.

[0104] If it is determined that the feature amounts of the code appearance information and the first appearance information match (step S109; Yes), the storage control unit 115 generates traffic information 121 (step S110).

[0105] In detail, the memory control unit 115 generates traffic information 121 by associating the vehicle ID acquired in step S103, the location information acquired in step S107, and the shooting time included in the information acquired in step S101 as the time.

[0106] The storage control unit 115 stores the traffic information 121 generated in step S110 in the traffic storage unit 114 (step S111), and the traffic information management method ends.

[0107] By repeatedly executing such a traffic information management method, the position history of vehicle C is stored in memory control unit 115. Therefore, by referring to traffic information 121 stored in memory control unit 115, the traveling status of vehicle C can be managed.

[0108] According to the traffic information management method, the code Q including the vehicle ID is displayed on the ceiling, which is a relatively large area, so the code Q can be displayed in a relatively large size. Therefore, even if the image included in the image information has a relatively low image quality, the code Q can be detected and the vehicle ID can be obtained. As a result, the vehicle ID can be obtained quickly (generally in real time) and reliably.

[0109] Furthermore, since the photographing position information is also acquired together with the image information, the accurate position of the vehicle C corresponding to the image information can also be acquired quickly and reliably.

[0110] Therefore, it is possible to reliably acquire accurate vehicle driving conditions with excellent real-time performance.

[0111] (Method of providing traffic information) The traffic condition providing method may be performed continuously, may be performed intermittently at predetermined time intervals, or may be performed at a predetermined time (for example, when a request from the driver of vehicle C is received from the in-vehicle device 103).

[0112] As shown in FIG. 10, the traffic condition acquisition unit 117 acquires traffic condition information indicating the traffic conditions of the road R by determining the changes in the positions of the multiple vehicles C based on the traffic information 121 of the multiple vehicles C stored in the traffic memory unit 114 (step S121).

[0113] As described above, the traffic information 121 stored in the storage control unit 115 has excellent real-time characteristics and accurately indicates the traveling conditions of the vehicle C. Therefore, based on the traffic information 121, traffic condition information that has excellent real-time characteristics and accurately indicates the traffic conditions can be obtained.

[0114] The information providing unit 118 narrows down the traffic condition information acquired in step S121 based on the current position of the vehicle C (step S122).

[0115] In detail, for example, the second acquisition unit 116 requests the current position of vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103 of vehicle C. When the communication unit 127 acquires the request, the current position acquisition unit 126 acquires the current position. Then, the communication unit 127 transmits the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit 126 to the management device 102 as the current position of vehicle C. In this way, the second acquisition unit 116 acquires the current position of vehicle C.

[0116] The information providing unit 118 extracts traffic condition information within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle C acquired by the second acquiring unit 116. In this way, the information providing unit 118 narrows down the traffic condition information.

[0117] The information providing unit 118 transmits the traffic condition information narrowed down in step S122 to the in-vehicle device 103 of vehicle C (step S123). This makes it possible to notify the driver of vehicle C of only traffic condition information that is highly relevant to the driving of vehicle C. Since there is no unnecessary traffic condition information, it is possible to improve convenience for the driver.

[0118] The information providing unit 118 generates and transmits guidance information for guiding the vehicle C based on the traffic condition information acquired in step S121 (step S124), and then ends the traffic condition providing method. The guidance information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 103 mounted on the vehicle C.

[0119] As described above, traffic condition information is highly real-time and accurately indicates traffic conditions, so guidance information generated based on this information is also highly likely to be useful and highly real-time. Providing such guidance information can improve convenience for drivers.

[0120] The information providing unit 118 acquires and transmits the estimated arrival time, which is the estimated time of arrival of the vehicle C at the specific location, based on the traffic condition information (step S125). The estimated arrival time is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 103 mounted on the vehicle C.

[0121] As described above, traffic condition information is excellent in real-time performance and accurately indicates traffic conditions, so that estimated arrival times can be calculated with high accuracy based on this information. Providing such estimated arrival times improves convenience for drivers.

[0122] Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described, the first embodiment may be modified, for example, as in the following modified example 1. In the modified example 1, for the sake of simplicity, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0123] (Variation 1) The storage control unit 115 may acquire vehicle information including the vehicle ID of vehicle C in addition to the current location of vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103. The storage control unit 115 may generate traffic information 121 and store it in the traffic storage unit 114 when one or both of the vehicle ID and the current location included in the vehicle information matches one or both of the vehicle ID acquired by the code reading unit 119 and the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit 113.

[0124] In this modification, the second acquisition unit 116 acquires vehicle information including the current location and vehicle ID of the vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103 mounted on the vehicle C.

[0125] In detail, for example, the second acquisition unit 116 requests the current position and vehicle ID of vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103 of vehicle C. When the communication unit 127 receives the request, the current position acquisition unit 126 acquires the current position, and the communication unit 127 acquires the vehicle ID from the ID storage unit 125. The communication unit 127 transmits the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit 126 to the management device 102 as the current position of vehicle C. As a result, the second acquisition unit 116 acquires vehicle information including the current position and vehicle ID of vehicle C from the in-vehicle device 103.

[0126] The storage control unit 115 stores the traffic information 121 in the traffic storage means when one or both of the following conditions (A) and (B) are met:

[0127] (A) The vehicle ID acquired by the code reading unit 119 matches the vehicle ID acquired by the second acquisition unit 116.

[0128] (B) The location indicated by the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 113 matches the current location acquired by the second acquisition unit 116.

[0129] This modification reduces the possibility of generating and storing erroneous traffic information 121. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably acquire accurate movement status of vehicle C with excellent real-time performance.

[0130] <<Embodiment 2>> In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the code Q includes the code appearance information, and when the code appearance information matches the first appearance information, the traffic information 121 is generated and stored.

[0131] The code appearance information does not have to be included in the code Q. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which registration information associating a vehicle ID with second appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle C is stored in advance, and traffic information 121 is generated and stored when the code appearance information matches the second appearance information.

[0132] The traffic management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a traffic management device 202 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "management device 202") in place of the traffic management device 102. Except for this point, the traffic management system according to this embodiment may be configured similarly to the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that the code Q does not have to include code appearance information.

[0133] 11, the traffic management device 202 is functionally equipped with an image processing unit 212 and a memory control unit 215 that replace the image processing unit 112 and the memory control unit 115 according to the first embodiment, and further includes a registration memory unit 230. Except for these points, the management device 202 according to this embodiment may be functionally configured in the same way as the management device 102 according to the first embodiment.

[0134] The registration storage unit 230 pre-stores registration information 231. The registration information 231 is information that associates the vehicle ID of the vehicle C with second appearance information, as shown in an example of the configuration in Fig. 12. The second appearance information of the vehicle C is information that indicates feature quantities related to the appearance of the vehicle C.

[0135] Referring again to FIG. As in the first embodiment, the image processing unit 212 processes the image information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111 to acquire the vehicle ID of the vehicle C. As shown in Fig. 13 , the image processing unit 212 according to this embodiment functionally includes a code reading unit 219 that replaces the code reading unit 119 according to the first embodiment, and a feature acquisition unit 120 similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0136] The code reading unit 219 detects the code Q from the ceiling image of the vehicle C included in the image information, thereby acquiring the vehicle ID included in the code Q. The code reading unit 219 differs from the code reading unit 119 according to the first embodiment in that it does not acquire information equivalent to the code appearance information according to the first embodiment.

[0137] As in the first embodiment, when the first appearance information is acquired by the feature acquisition unit 120, the storage control unit 215 stores the traffic information 121 in the traffic storage unit 114 using the first appearance information.

[0138] In this embodiment, the storage control unit 215 stores the traffic information 121 in the traffic storage means 114 when the feature amount indicated by the first appearance information matches the feature amount indicated by the second appearance information.

[0139] The traffic management system according to this embodiment may be physically configured in the same manner as the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0140] (Operation of the traffic management system according to the second embodiment) So far, we have explained the functional and physical configuration of the traffic management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Now, we will explain the operation of the traffic management system according to the second embodiment.

[0141] The traffic management method is a method carried out to manage the traffic conditions of road R while the traffic management system is in operation, similar to the first embodiment, and includes a traffic information management method and a traffic condition providing method. The traffic condition providing method may be similar to the first embodiment, so only the traffic information management method will be described.

[0142] (Traffic information management method) In the traffic information management method according to this embodiment, the operation of the photographing device 101 may be the same as in Embodiment 1. The management device 202 repeatedly executes the traffic information management method shown in FIGS.

[0143] In the traffic information management method according to the present embodiment, steps S101 to S103 are executed similarly to those in embodiment 1, as shown in Fig. 14. Thereafter, step S104 according to embodiment 1 is not executed, and steps S105 to S108 similar to those in embodiment 1 are executed.

[0144] Following step S108, as shown in FIG. 15, the storage control unit 215 acquires second appearance information of the vehicle C (step S220).

[0145] In detail, for example, the storage control unit 215 acquires the second appearance information associated with the vehicle ID acquired in step S103 from the registration information 231 including the vehicle ID.

[0146] The storage control unit 215 determines whether the feature amounts of the first appearance information and the second appearance information acquired in steps S108 and S220 match (step S221). Step S221 is a process executed in place of step S109 according to the first embodiment.

[0147] In detail, the memory control unit 215 determines whether the features indicated by the first appearance information acquired in step S108 match those indicated by the second appearance information acquired in step S220.

[0148] If it is determined that the feature amounts of the first appearance information and the second appearance information do not match (step S221; No), the storage control unit 215 ends the traffic information management method.

[0149] If it is determined that the features of the first appearance information and the second appearance information match (step S221; Yes), the memory control unit 215 executes the processes of steps S110 to S111 similar to those in embodiment 1, and terminates the traffic information management method.

[0150] By performing the determination process in step S221, it is possible to reduce the possibility of fraud similar to that in the first embodiment and generate accurate traffic information 121. Therefore, it is possible to reliably acquire accurate vehicle driving conditions with excellent real-time performance.

[0151] <<Embodiment 3>> In this embodiment, an example is described in which traffic information 121 can be generated even if only one of the vehicle ID of code Q and the first appearance information is acquired by pre-storing registration information 231 similar to that in embodiment 2.

[0152] The traffic management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a traffic management device 302 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "management device 302") in place of the traffic management device 102. Except for this point, the traffic management system according to this embodiment may be configured similarly to the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that the code Q does not have to include code appearance information.

[0153] 16, the traffic management device 302 functionally includes an image processing unit 212, a position acquisition unit 313, and a memory control unit 315 instead of the image processing unit 112, the position acquisition unit 113, and the memory control unit 115 according to the first embodiment, and further includes a registration memory unit 230. Except for these points, the management device 302 according to this embodiment may be configured functionally in the same way as the management device 102 according to the first embodiment.

[0154] The image processing unit 212 and the registration storage unit 230 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0155] The position acquisition unit 313 acquires position information indicating the position of the vehicle C using the photographing position information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111.

[0156] As in embodiment 1, when first appearance information is acquired by the feature acquisition unit 120, the memory control unit 315 generates traffic information 121 using the first appearance information and stores the generated traffic information 121 in the traffic memory unit 114.

[0157] In this embodiment, when the image processing unit 112 acquires only one of the vehicle ID and the first appearance information, the memory control unit 315 generates traffic information 121 based on the acquired information and stores the generated traffic information 121 in the traffic memory unit 114.

[0158] In detail, when only the vehicle ID contained in the code Q is acquired by the code reading unit 219 from the image information, the memory control unit 315 generates traffic information 121 by associating the acquired vehicle ID with the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 113.

[0159] When only the first appearance information is acquired by the feature acquisition unit 120 from the image information, the storage control unit 315 acquires the vehicle ID associated in the registration information 231 with the second appearance information that matches the acquired first appearance information. The storage control unit 315 generates traffic information 121 by associating the acquired vehicle ID with the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 113.

[0160] The traffic management system according to this embodiment may be physically configured in the same manner as the traffic management system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0161] (Operation of the traffic management system according to the third embodiment) So far, we have explained the functional and physical configuration of the traffic management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. From here, we will explain the operation of the traffic management system according to the second embodiment.

[0162] The traffic management method is a method carried out to manage the traffic conditions of road R while the traffic management system is in operation, similar to the first embodiment, and includes a traffic information management method and a traffic condition providing method. The traffic condition providing method may be similar to the first embodiment, so only the traffic information management method will be described.

[0163] (Traffic information management method) In the traffic information management method according to this embodiment, the operation of the image capturing device 101 may be the same as in embodiment 1. The management device 302 repeatedly executes the traffic information management method, as in embodiment 1.

[0164] 17, in the traffic information management method according to the present embodiment, steps S101 to S103 are executed similarly to those in embodiment 1. Thereafter, steps S104 to S106 according to embodiment 1 are not executed, and step S107 similar to that in embodiment 1 is executed by position acquisition unit 313, and step S108 similar to that in embodiment 1 is executed by memory control unit 315.

[0165] Following step S108, as shown in FIG. 15, the storage control unit 315 determines whether or not the vehicle ID was acquired in step S103 (step S331).

[0166] If the vehicle ID has not been acquired in step S103 (step S331; No), the storage control unit 315 determines whether the first appearance information has been acquired in step S108 (step S332).

[0167] If the first appearance information has not been acquired in step S108 (step S332; No), the storage control unit 315 ends the traffic information management method.

[0168] If the first appearance information is acquired in step S108 (step S332; Yes), the storage control unit 315 acquires the vehicle ID from the registration information 231 that includes the second appearance information that matches the first appearance information (step S333).

[0169] If the vehicle ID is acquired in step S103 (step S331; No), or after step S333, the storage control unit 315 executes steps S110 to S111 similar to those in embodiment 1, and ends the traffic information management method. In step S110 according to this embodiment, the traffic information 121 is generated using the vehicle ID acquired in either step S103 or step S333.

[0170] In this embodiment, even if only one of the vehicle ID and the first appearance information is acquired by the image processing unit 212, the traffic information 121 can be generated and stored. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably acquire the moving status of the vehicle C with excellent real-time performance.

[0171] (Variation 2) The traffic management device 402 provided in the traffic management system of the present invention may functionally include, as shown in Figure 18, a first acquisition unit 111 that acquires image information including a ceiling image of vehicle C generated by photographing road R and photographing location information indicating the location where the photograph was taken to generate the image information, an image processing unit 112 that acquires vehicle identification information for identifying vehicle C by processing the image information, a position acquisition unit 113 that acquires location information indicating the location of vehicle C using the photographing location information, and a memory control unit 115 that stores traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and location information in a traffic memory unit 114.

[0172] The traffic management device 402 may include the image processing unit 212 according to the second embodiment instead of the image processing unit 112. The traffic management device 402 may include the position acquisition unit 313 according to the third embodiment instead of the position acquisition unit 113. Furthermore, the traffic management device 402 may include the memory control unit 215 according to the second embodiment or the memory control unit 315 according to the third embodiment instead of the memory control unit 115.

[0173] In this modification, as in the first embodiment, the code Q including the vehicle ID is displayed on the ceiling, which is a relatively large area, so the code Q can be displayed in a relatively large size. Therefore, even if the image information contains an image of relatively low image quality, the code Q can be detected and the vehicle ID can be obtained. As a result, the vehicle ID can be obtained quickly (generally in real time) and reliably.

[0174] Furthermore, since the photographing position information is also acquired together with the image information, the accurate position of the vehicle C corresponding to the image information can also be acquired quickly and reliably.

[0175] Therefore, it is possible to reliably acquire accurate vehicle driving conditions with excellent real-time performance.

[0176] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above may also be adopted. Furthermore, each embodiment and each modification may be further modified. Furthermore, each embodiment and each modification may be appropriately combined, and each embodiment and each modification may be appropriately combined and then further modified.

[0177] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in a sequential order, the order of steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of content. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and variations can be combined as long as the content is not contradictory.

[0178] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0179] 1. a first acquisition means for acquiring image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing for generating the image information was performed; an image processing means for processing the image information to acquire vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle; a position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; a storage control means for storing the traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; Traffic management device. 2. The location acquisition means further uses the vehicle identification information to acquire location information indicating the location of the vehicle. 1. The traffic management device according to claim 1. 3. the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; The image processing means detects the code from the image information to obtain the vehicle identification information. 3. The traffic management device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The image processing means a code reading means for detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information, thereby acquiring the vehicle identification information included in the code; and a feature acquisition means for acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information, When the first appearance information is acquired, the storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. 3. The traffic management device according to claim 3. 5. the code further includes code appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle; the code reading means further acquires the code appearance information by detecting the code from an image of the ceiling of the vehicle included in the image information; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the feature values ​​indicated by the first appearance information and the code appearance information match. 4. A traffic management device as set forth in claim 4. 6. a registration storage means for storing in advance registration information that associates the vehicle identification information with second appearance information that indicates a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the feature values ​​indicated by the first appearance information and the second appearance information match. 4. A traffic management device as set forth in claim 4. 7. a registration storage means for storing in advance registration information that associates the vehicle identification information with second appearance information that indicates a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle; When the image processing means acquires only one of the vehicle identification information and the first appearance information, the storage control means generates the traffic information based on the acquired one of the information, and stores the generated traffic information in the traffic storage means. 4. A traffic management device as set forth in claim 4. 8. the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehicles, including other vehicles, traveling on the road; a second acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information including a current position of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle; a traffic condition acquisition means for acquiring traffic condition information indicating a traffic condition of the road by determining a transition of positions of the plurality of vehicles based on the traffic information of the plurality of vehicles stored in the traffic storage means; and an information providing unit configured to transmit the traffic condition information within a predetermined range from the current position acquired by the second acquiring unit to the in-vehicle device. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 7 above. 9. the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehicles, including other vehicles, traveling on the road; a traffic condition acquisition means for acquiring traffic condition information indicating a traffic condition of the road by determining a transition of positions of the plurality of vehicles based on the traffic information of the plurality of vehicles stored in the traffic storage means; and an information providing unit that generates guidance information for guiding the vehicle based on the traffic condition information and transmits the guidance information to an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 7 above. 10. the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehicles, including other vehicles, traveling on the road; a traffic condition acquisition means for acquiring traffic condition information indicating a traffic condition of the road by determining a transition of positions of the plurality of vehicles based on the traffic information of the plurality of vehicles stored in the traffic storage means; and an information providing means for determining a predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at a specific location based on the traffic condition information and transmitting the predicted time to an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 7 above. 11. The traffic condition information includes at least one of a location where congestion is occurring and a location where congestion is predicted to occur. A traffic management device according to any one of claims 8 to 10. 12. the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehicles, including other vehicles, traveling on the road; The traffic condition acquisition means acquires traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of the road by determining the transition of the position of the other vehicle moving ahead of the vehicle based on the traffic information of the plurality of vehicles stored in the traffic storage means. A traffic management device according to any one of claims 8 to 11. 13. a second acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means, or when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 3 above. 14. The vehicle identification information includes information indicated by a license plate attached to the vehicle. 14. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 13 above. 15. A traffic management device according to any one of 1 to 14 above; and at least one photographing device that photographs the road to generate the image information and transmits the image information and photographing position information to the traffic management device. Traffic management system. 16. The computer Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; and storing the traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means. Traffic management methods. 17. Computer, A program for causing the traffic management device to function as any one of 1 to 14 above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 100 Traffic Management System 101 Imaging equipment 102,202,302,402 Traffic management device (management device) 103 In-vehicle equipment 105 Photography Department 106 Transmitter 111 First acquisition part 112,212 Image processing unit 113,313 Position acquisition part 114 Traffic Memory Department 115,215 Memory control unit 116 Second Acquisition Department 117 Traffic Condition Acquisition Unit 118 Information Provision Department 119 Code reader 120 Feature Acquisition Unit 121 Traffic information 125 ID storage section 126 GPS communication unit 127 Management and Communications Department 230 Registration memory unit 231 Registration Information

Claims

1. a first acquisition means for acquiring image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing for generating the image information was performed; an image processing means for processing the image information to acquire vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle; a position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; a storage control means for storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; The image processing means a code reading means for detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information, thereby acquiring the vehicle identification information included in the code; a feature acquisition means for acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount relating to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information, When the first appearance information is acquired, the storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. Traffic management device.

2. the code further includes code appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle; the code reading means further acquires the code appearance information by detecting the code from an image of the ceiling of the vehicle included in the image information; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the feature values ​​indicated by the first appearance information and the code appearance information match. The traffic management device of claim 1 .

3. The vehicle identification information is stored in advance in a manner that associates the vehicle identification information with second appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle. The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the feature values ​​indicated by the first appearance information and the second appearance information match. The traffic management device of claim 1 .

4. The vehicle identification information is stored in advance in a manner that associates the vehicle identification information with second appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle. When the image processing means acquires only one of the vehicle identification information and the first appearance information, the storage control means generates the traffic information based on the acquired one of the information, and stores the generated traffic information in the traffic storage means. The traffic management device of claim 1 .

5. a first acquisition means for acquiring image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing for generating the image information was performed; an image processing means for processing the image information to acquire vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle; a position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the vehicle using the photographing position information; a storage control means for storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; a second acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle; The storage control means stores the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means, or when the vehicle identification information acquired by the image processing means and the second acquisition means matches and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired by the second acquisition means. Traffic management device.

6. A traffic management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and at least one photographing device that photographs the road to generate the image information and transmits the image information and photographing position information to the traffic management device. Traffic management system.

7. The computer Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; Processing the image information includes: The vehicle identification information included in the code is obtained by detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information. acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information; Storing the traffic information includes, when the first appearance information is acquired, storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information. Traffic management methods.

8. The computer Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information in which the vehicle identification information and the location information are associated in a traffic storage means; acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an on-board device mounted on the vehicle; Storing the traffic information includes storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means when vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches vehicle identification information acquired from the in-vehicle device, when the position indicated by the position information matches a current position acquired from the in-vehicle device, or when vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches vehicle identification information acquired from the in-vehicle device and the position indicated by the position information matches a current position acquired from the in-vehicle device. Traffic management methods.

9. A computer, Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information associated with the vehicle identification information and the location information in a traffic storage means; the image information includes an image of a code displayed on a ceiling of the vehicle, the code including the vehicle identification information; Processing the image information includes: The vehicle identification information included in the code is obtained by detecting the code from the ceiling image of the vehicle included in the image information. acquiring first appearance information indicating a feature amount related to the appearance of the vehicle based on the appearance of the vehicle included in the image information; The program in which storing the traffic information includes, when the first appearance information is acquired, storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means using the first appearance information.

10. A computer comprising: Acquire image information including a ceiling image of a vehicle generated by photographing a road, and photographing position information indicating a position where photographing was performed to generate the image information; obtaining vehicle identification information by processing the image information; Using the photographing position information, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired; storing traffic information in which the vehicle identification information and the location information are associated in a traffic storage means; acquiring vehicle information including vehicle identification information and a current location of the vehicle from an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; The program includes storing the traffic information in the traffic storage means when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device, when the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device, or when the vehicle identification information acquired from the image information matches the vehicle identification information acquired from the on-board device and the position indicated by the position information matches the current position acquired from the on-board device.

Images