JP2002245588A6 - Emergency vehicle priority passage support system - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To ensure a smoother priority driving of an emergency vehicle by informing a general driver in advance that an emergency vehicle will soon pass even if the general driver does not directly confirm the approach of the emergency vehicle. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an emergency vehicle priority passage support system that can perform emergency activities by an emergency vehicle smoothly and quickly.
A central processing unit (15) recognizes travel of an emergency vehicle caused by blinking of a patrol light from information photographed by a monitoring camera (VC) and processed by an image processing device (12), collected by a sound collection microphone (13), and voice analysis processing. When the alarm sound due to the siren ringing of the emergency vehicle is recognized from the information processed by the device 14, the vehicle type determination unit 17 and the vehicle travel determination unit 18 are activated.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an emergency vehicle priority passing support system that notifies an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, a fire engine, a patrol car, and the like to surrounding vehicles such as a general vehicle traveling forward.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, patrol cars, etc. are required to arrive at the site as soon as possible in the event of an accident or disaster. In this case, it is usually forced to travel on the same road as ordinary vehicles. In addition, it is notified to each general vehicle in a predetermined area that travels ahead by driving a patrol light, siren sound, etc., that it is traveling in an emergency. The general driver recognizes that the emergency vehicle has approached for the first time by directly confirming the patrol light, the siren and the like. However, the approach notification means for this type of emergency vehicle differs greatly depending on various factors such as road environment, noise, wind direction, sunlight, weather, onboard equipment (speaker) drive, sound insulation performance in the vehicle, etc. When the vehicle can be confirmed for the first time after approaching the vehicle, or when the vehicle cannot be quickly evacuated due to road congestion or the like, priority traffic of the emergency vehicle is significantly hindered.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As mentioned above, the road environment has been conventionally informed of each priority vehicle traveling ahead by patrol drive, siren ringing, etc., for priority traveling of emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, patrol cars, etc. When the confirmation time is delayed due to various factors such as noise, wind direction, sunshine, weather, on-board device (speaker) drive, sound insulation performance in the car, etc., or when the vehicle cannot be evacuated quickly due to road congestion In addition, there is a problem that priority traffic of emergency vehicles is significantly hindered.
[0004]
At this time, if the general driver can recognize the emergency vehicle before confirming the approach of the emergency vehicle in advance, smoother travel of the emergency vehicle can be ensured.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if the general driver does not directly confirm the approach of the emergency vehicle, the emergency driver will be notified in advance that the emergency vehicle will pass soon, and the emergency vehicle It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency vehicle priority passage support system that ensures smooth priority traveling and thereby allows emergency activities by an emergency vehicle to be performed smoothly and quickly.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to the present invention is a sound (sound) that is obtained by performing image processing on a video captured by a surveillance camera such as a CCTV camera installed on an automobile traffic road, or collecting from a microphone installed on an automobile traffic road. ) Analyze information, or identify the flashing emergency vehicle patrol light (red or yellow rotating beacon), siren type, moving direction, vehicle type, etc. by the above image processing and sound information analysis processing, On the basis of this identification information, the road information board at the destination of the emergency vehicle displays that the emergency vehicle will pass soon, and further, a radio signal is transmitted to the in-vehicle device of a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle. Text messages and voice messages that inform emergency vehicles (car navigation systems, television receivers, radio receivers, dedicated receivers, etc.) that an emergency vehicle will soon pass By sending a message like, an emergency vehicle to the driver of general vehicles which are traveling in front of the emergency vehicle is characterized in that notification in advance that the upcoming passage. By applying such a system that supports priority passing of emergency vehicles, smoother priority traveling of emergency vehicles can be ensured and emergency activities can be performed quickly.
[0007]
That is, the emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to the present invention recognizes the type, position, traveling direction, and the like of an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently from a specific environmental change on an automobile road, and the recognition unit recognizes it. Means for notifying the driver of a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching based on the information.
[0008]
Further, the emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to the present invention includes a monitoring camera that captures a passing vehicle on an automobile road, and a recognition unit that recognizes an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently based on a captured image of the monitoring camera. And means for notifying that the emergency vehicle is approaching a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle based on the information recognized by the recognition means.
[0009]
In addition, the emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to the present invention recognizes an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently based on a sound collecting microphone that picks up sound on an automobile road and sound information captured by the sound collecting microphone. And means for notifying that the emergency vehicle is approaching a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle based on the information recognized by the recognition means.
[0010]
Further, the emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to the present invention includes a plurality of monitoring cameras for photographing a passing vehicle at a plurality of points on an automobile traffic road, and a surrounding sound at each of the plurality of points on the automobile traffic road. A recognition means for recognizing an emergency vehicle traveling in an emergency based on a sound image captured by the sound collecting microphone and a plurality of sound collection microphones for picking up the sound, and information recognized by the recognition means And a means for notifying that the emergency vehicle approaches a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle.
[0011]
Further, in the emergency vehicle priority passage support system, the present invention provides at least one of means for transmitting a radio signal to an in-vehicle device of a general vehicle and notifying, and means for displaying on a road information board and notifying the general vehicle. Thus, a means for notifying a general vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching is realized.
[0012]
Further, in the emergency vehicle priority passage support system, the present invention provides voice information, character information, or message information composed of voice information and character information as a vehicle-mounted device (car navigation system, radio receiver, A television receiver, a telephone, a dedicated receiver, etc.) to inform the general vehicle of the approach of an emergency vehicle.
[0013]
Further, according to the present invention, in the emergency vehicle preferential passage support system, the type of emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire truck, patrol car, etc.), position, traveling direction, etc., by the recognition means for recognizing the emergency vehicle during emergency traveling. It is characterized by recognizing.
[0014]
With the above-described system of the present invention, the general driver who is traveling ahead can recognize in advance that the emergency vehicle will pass soon without the general driver confirming the approach of the emergency vehicle directly. As a result, smoother priority traveling of the emergency vehicle can be ensured, and emergency activities by the emergency vehicle can be performed quickly.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a monitoring camera (VC) such as a CCTV camera for monitoring a car traffic road, which is installed at a plurality (n) of points along the car traffic road.
[0018]
12 inputs video information captured by each of the monitoring cameras (VC) 11 through a transmission path such as an optical cable or a metal cable, and calculates various parameters and detects an event from the input video information. This is an image processing device to perform, here, for various emergency vehicles such as ambulance, fire engine, patrol car, etc. Is output in a predetermined information processing form.
[0019]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a sound collecting microphone (sound collecting microphone) that picks up the sound of the automobile traffic road, and is provided here at a plurality of (m) points along the automobile traffic road.
[0020]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a voice analysis processing device that analyzes the collected sound output of each of the sound collecting microphones 13 and detects an event. Here, a siren sound is detected for various emergency vehicles such as an ambulance, a fire engine, and a patrol car. (Collecting) Recognize time, features, etc., and output information of the recognition result in a predetermined information processing form.
[0021]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a central processing unit that controls the entire system. Upon receiving information processed by the image processing unit 12 and the voice analysis processing unit 14 and recognizing emergency traveling of an emergency vehicle, a vehicle type determining unit and a vehicle traveling determining unit, which will be described later. Is used to control the emergency vehicle type (ambulance, fire engine, patrol car, etc.), travel position, moving direction, speed, etc., and the letters that the emergency vehicle will approach based on the specified information Then, message information (emergency vehicle approach notification information) by voice or the like is generated and sent to a road information providing device to be described later.
[0022]
Reference numeral 16 denotes a storage device accessed by the central processing unit 15. Here, emergency vehicle priority storing characteristic information of each emergency vehicle for specifying an emergency vehicle, emergency vehicle approach notification information for each emergency vehicle, and the like is stored. A passing support processing table (TBL) is stored, and used for processing by the central processing unit 15, a vehicle type determination unit, a vehicle travel determination unit, and the like described later.
[0023]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a vehicle type determination unit that determines the vehicle type (ambulance, fire engine, patrol car, etc.) of an emergency vehicle under the control of the central processing unit 15, and the recognition result obtained by the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14. Based on this information, the vehicle type of the emergency vehicle is determined with reference to the emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL), and information on the determination result is notified to the central processing unit 15.
[0024]
Reference numeral 18 denotes a vehicle travel determination unit that determines the travel content of the emergency vehicle under the control of the central processing unit 15. Based on the recognition result information obtained by the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14, The emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL) is referred to determine the emergency vehicle's current position, moving direction, speed, and the like, and information on the determination result is notified to the central processing unit 15.
[0025]
21 is a road information providing device for notifying a general vehicle traveling in front of an emergency vehicle that an emergency vehicle is approaching under the control of the central processing device 15, and an emergency vehicle approach notification received from the central processing device 15. Based on the information, emergency vehicle approach notification information is sent to a VICS beacon in an area subject to emergency vehicle approach notification, and emergency vehicle approach notification information by a text message is displayed on a road information board (described later) installed in the area. Send it out.
[0026]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a road information board installed on the road where the vehicle passes, and it displays the traffic information received from the road information providing device 21 in an electronic manner. The general vehicle is notified by a predetermined text message.
[0027]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a VICS beacon (radio wave beacon or optical beacon) that provides road traffic information by radio signals to a driver of a general vehicle traveling on a predetermined section of an automobile road. Here, from the road information providing device 21 Emergency vehicle approach notification information based on received characters and voice messages is transmitted to a car navigation system (car navigation) 30 of a general vehicle by radio signals.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an emergency vehicle approach notification processing procedure executed under the control of the central processing unit 15.
[0029]
Here, the emergency vehicle approach notification processing operation in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the respective drawings.
[0030]
Surveillance cameras (VC) 11 installed at a plurality of (n) points along the automobile traffic road send image information on the photographed road to the image processing device 12, and a plurality (m) along the automobile traffic road. The sound collection microphone 13 provided at the point sends the sound collection information to the sound analysis processing device 14.
[0031]
The image processing apparatus 12 inputs video information captured by each of the monitoring cameras (VC) 11 through a transmission path such as an optical cable or a metal cable, calculates various parameters from the input video information, and detects an event. I do. Here, for various types of emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, patrol cars, etc., the detection time of the patrol light, the flashing mode and color of the patrol light, and other features unique to the emergency vehicle are recognized, and information on the recognition result is sent to the central processing unit 15. To send.
[0032]
The voice analysis processing device 14 analyzes the sound collection information input from each of the sound collection microphones 13 and detects an event. Here, with respect to various emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, patrol cars, etc., the detection (collection) time, characteristics, etc. of siren sounds are recognized, and information of the recognition results is output in a predetermined information processing form.
[0033]
The central processing unit 15 recognizes the driving of the emergency vehicle due to the blinking of the patrol light from the information processed by the image processing device 12 (step S1 in FIG. 2), and from the information processed by the voice analysis processing unit 14, the alarm sound by the emergency vehicle siren ringing. Is recognized (step S2 in FIG. 2), the vehicle type determination unit 17 and the vehicle travel determination unit 18 are activated.
[0034]
The vehicle type determination unit 17 determines the vehicle type of the emergency vehicle by referring to the emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL) based on the recognition result information obtained by the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14. Then, the information of the determination result is notified to the central processing unit 15 (step S3 in FIG. 2).
[0035]
Specifically, the blinking cycle of the patrol light obtained by the image processing device 12 and the information on the recognition result such as the emission color (red / yellow) and the pattern information such as the siren and half bell obtained by the voice analysis processing device 14 are urgently used. The vehicle type of the emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently is determined by collating with information registered in advance in the vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL), and information on the determination result is notified to the central processing unit 15.
[0036]
In addition, the vehicle travel determination unit 18 refers to the emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL) based on the information of the recognition results obtained by the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14, and determines the emergency vehicle. The current position, moving direction, speed, etc. are determined, and information on the determination result is notified to the central processing unit 15 (step S4 in FIG. 2).
[0037]
Specifically, information of recognition results such as the position, time, and moving direction of the emergency vehicle obtained by the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14 is registered in advance in the emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table (TBL). The traveling direction, estimated moving position, time, and the like of the emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently are determined by collating with the installation position information of the image processing device 12 and the voice analysis processing device 14, and the information of the determination result is used as the central processing device 15. Notify
[0038]
Based on the information of each determination result obtained by the vehicle type determination unit 17 and the vehicle travel determination unit 18, the central processing unit 15 determines the vehicle type of the emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire engine, patrol car, etc.), travel position, movement direction, By specifying the speed and the like, emergency vehicle approach notification information (message information by text and voice) is generated based on the specified information and sent to the road information providing device 21 (FIG. 2). Steps S5 and S6).
[0039]
Based on the emergency vehicle approach notification information received from the central processing unit 15, the road information providing device 21 sends emergency vehicle approach notification information by text and voice message to the VICS beacon 23 in the area subject to the emergency vehicle approach notification. At the same time, emergency vehicle approach notification information by text message is sent to the road information board 22 installed in the area.
[0040]
Under the control of the road information providing device 21, the road information board 22 notifies a general vehicle by a predetermined text message that an emergency vehicle (an ambulance, a fire engine, a patrol car, etc.) will soon pass. For example, emergency vehicle approach notification information with characters such as “fire engine is approaching from behind 500 m on the up lane side” is displayed in an electrical display.
[0041]
The VICS beacon 23 transmits emergency vehicle approach notification information by characters and voice messages received from the road information providing device 21 to the car navigation system 30 of a general vehicle by radio signals. For example, emergency vehicle approach notification information by voice and / or text such as “Ambulance will pass soon. Please evacuate to the left lane” is transmitted.
[0042]
Thus, the driver of a general vehicle traveling in front of an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently does not have to directly confirm the approach of the emergency vehicle by the vehicle information device such as the road information board 22 and the car navigation system 30. Therefore, it is possible to recognize that an emergency vehicle will pass soon, and it is possible to save travel with a margin. As a result, smoother priority traveling of the emergency vehicle can be ensured, and emergency activities can be performed smoothly and quickly.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, the emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently is recognized based on the processing result information of the image processing device 12 and the processing result information of the voice analysis processing device 14. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for recognizing an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently based on information on the processing result of the image processing device 12 or information on the processing result of the voice analysis processing device 14. In the above-described embodiment, the road information board 22 and the VICS beacon 23 notify the driver of a general vehicle traveling ahead of the emergency vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching, but only the road information board 22 or A configuration in which the driver of a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle is informed only by the VICS beacon 23 that the emergency vehicle is approaching, or the emergency vehicle is transmitted to the driver via the vehicle-mounted device of the general vehicle by means other than the VICS beacon 23. May be configured to notify that the emergency vehicle is approaching, or may be configured to notify the driver of the general vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching by other notification means such as a marker lamp or a loudspeaker provided in advance on the roadside or the like.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even if the driver of a general vehicle traveling in front of an emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently does not directly confirm the approach of the emergency vehicle, Since it is possible to notify that the vehicle will pass soon, it is possible to save the vehicle traveling in an emergency with a margin, which can ensure a smoother priority driving of the emergency vehicle and smoothly and quickly carry out emergency activities by the emergency vehicle It can be carried out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an emergency vehicle approach notification processing procedure in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Surveillance cameras (VC) such as CCTV cameras
12. Image processing apparatus 13. Sound collecting microphone (sound collecting microphone)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Voice analysis processing device 15 ... Central processing unit 16 ... Memory | storage device 17 ... Vehicle type determination part 18 ... Vehicle travel determination part 21 ... Road information provision apparatus 22 ... Road information board 23 ... VICS beacon 30 ... Car navigation system (car navigation system)
TBL ... Emergency vehicle priority passage support processing table

Claims (8)

The emergency vehicle approaches a general vehicle that travels ahead of the emergency vehicle based on information recognized by the recognition means that recognizes the emergency vehicle that is traveling urgently from a specific environmental change on an automobile road. An emergency vehicle preferential passage support system characterized by comprising means for informing the effect. A surveillance camera for photographing a vehicle on a motorway,
Recognizing means for recognizing an emergency vehicle traveling in an emergency based on a captured image of the monitoring camera;
An emergency vehicle preferential passage support system comprising: means for notifying that the emergency vehicle approaches a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle based on information recognized by the recognition means. A sound collection microphone that picks up the sound on the road
Recognizing means for recognizing an emergency vehicle traveling in an emergency based on sound information captured by the sound collecting microphone;
An emergency vehicle preferential passage support system comprising: means for notifying that the emergency vehicle approaches a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle based on information recognized by the recognition means. A plurality of surveillance cameras for photographing a passing vehicle at each of a plurality of points on an automobile road;
A plurality of microphones for picking up surrounding sounds at a plurality of points on the road,
Recognizing means for recognizing an emergency vehicle traveling in an emergency based on a captured image of the monitoring camera and sound information captured by the sound collecting microphone;
An emergency vehicle preferential passage support system comprising: means for notifying that the emergency vehicle approaches a general vehicle traveling in front of the emergency vehicle based on information recognized by the recognition means. The means for informing the general vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching is at least one of means for transmitting a radio signal to the vehicle-mounted device of the general vehicle for notification, and means for notifying the general vehicle by displaying on a road information board. Item 5. The emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to Item 1 or 2 or 3 or 4. Means for reporting the approach of an emergency vehicle to a general vehicle by radio signal generally transmits the voice information or the character information or the message information composed of the voice information and the character information to the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle to approach the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to claim 5 which reports to a vehicle. The recognition means for recognizing an emergency vehicle during emergency traveling recognizes at least one or all of the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle, the position of the emergency vehicle, or the type of the emergency vehicle. Emergency vehicle priority passage support system. Output detection information, The emergency vehicle priority passage support system according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle-mounted device of a general vehicle is at least one of a car navigation system, a radio receiver, a television receiver, a telephone, and a dedicated receiver.

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