JPH11198816A - Estimate system of visual recognition and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compare the visual recognition of a mark objectively by deciding the standard of the estimate of a visual recognition based on the mental observa tion about the visual recognition of the mark. SOLUTION: A video projector 120 can project the image from the car approaching a crossing to a screen 122. A subject holds a button box 130, pushed a first button 132 when any mark is discovered and pushed a second button 134 at the point of the time when it can be clearly read what is the mark. The buttons 132, 134 are connected to the I/O board 114 of a computer system 110 through a box 136. The computer system 110 can control the video projector 120 through a board 118 and control a projection speed. The video projector can project the image on the screen 122. A portable telephone 138 is also put on this estimate device imitatively on this estimate device and the calling out and speaking can be done at a set time by the computer system 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an evaluation system and method for evaluating the visibility of a sign or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Although research on the visibility of a sign or the like (visibility of an object) has been conducted, no objective evaluation method has been established for the evaluation. For this reason, for example, a large number of subjects are collected at a place where a sign or the like is installed, and actual visibility is measured, and estimation is performed based on the actual measurement.

[0003]

As described above, it has been conventionally difficult to objectively evaluate the visibility of a sign or the like.
The conventional visibility evaluation method requires time and cost.

[0004] For example, various signs as shown in FIG. 1 are used in current railroad crossings. The signs shown in FIG. 1 include road signs (indicating “with railroad crossings”) 1,
There are a caution fence 2, a train direction indicator 3 attached to a level crossing alarm 7, a level crossing warning light 4, a level crossing warning sign (cross mark) 5, a level crossing warning light 6, and the like. Level crossings 8, 8 'are also important elements for indicating level crossings. Further, there are 9 and 10 as a level crossing caution sign as an auxiliary indicating height or the like. The temporary stop line 11 is also necessary for prompting a temporary stop and for making the boundary between the level crossing and the road easy to understand.

[0005] In order to investigate what kind of sign used for these railroad crossings works for visibility to a railroad crossing, what kind of sign should be used, and which ones can be integrated. In addition, there is a demand for a system for evaluating the visibility with objectivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to make a psychological study on the visibility of a sign or the like and to set a criterion for evaluating the visibility based on this consideration, thereby objectively determining the visibility of a sign or the like. The purpose is to make comparisons possible.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display device for displaying a visibility evaluation object or a whole view including the visibility evaluation object, and a display device for displaying a view including the visibility evaluation object. When noticing the presence of, and when the subject understands the meaning of the visibility evaluation target, input unit to input, and control the display unit and the input unit,
After the visibility evaluation object is displayed on the display device, the timings input to the input unit are measured to calculate respective attraction distances and interpretation distances, and the visibility evaluation object is visually recognized. And a control analysis unit for evaluating visibility.

Further, the visibility evaluation system may include a device for applying a load to the subject during the visibility evaluation.

A method for evaluating visibility used in this apparatus is also the present invention.

[0010] By using the visibility evaluation device of the present invention as described above, the visibility of a sign or the like in various situations can be easily evaluated, and the evaluation can be interpreted as eye-catching (discovery). It can be done from both aspects of gender (conviction).

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the visibility of a sign or the like in this specification will be described.

First, the visibility is an "overall concept indicating the visibility of an object". Considering this, there are "attraction" and "readability". "Attractability" is "conspicuousness of objects in the background", and legibility is
"Indicates whether or not information can be recognized from characters or patterns, and the degree thereof."

[0014] This will be specifically described using a sign for a railroad crossing as an example. Suppose a car driver is approaching a railroad crossing while driving on a road for the first time. If the distance is long, or if the railroad crossing is shaded by buildings or terrain, the car driver cannot confirm that there is a railroad crossing first.

Next, a road sign or a signboard indicating a level crossing or a level crossing main body will be seen. Signs and level crossings seen from a distance cannot always be identified from the beginning because of limited vision. When a railroad crossing appears from behind an obstacle, there is a temporal separation between the initial stage of seeing the sign or the railroad crossing and the stage of recognizing it, even if there is no visual problem.

By the way, it is necessary to decelerate in order to temporarily stop before a crossing even when no warning is issued. There are limits to stopping depending on the speed of the running car and the performance of the brakes. The driver needs to recognize the presence of a level crossing so that he can start decelerating beyond this point.

This will be described using a model. This model includes a notice sign discovery and belief model, a level crossing discovery and belief model, and a stop judgment model. These models combine to form an overall railroad crossing approach model.

First, the discovery / conviction model will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining a notice / finding model of a notice sign, and FIG. 2B is a finding / confidence model of a level crossing sign.

If the distance from the railroad crossing is long, or if the railroad crossing is shaded by buildings or terrain, the car driver cannot confirm that there is a railroad crossing first. The first information that may be presented as information indicating the existence of a railroad crossing is a road sign indicating "with railroad crossing" (road sign 1 in FIG. 1).
It is.

In FIG. 2A, a road sign indicating "having a level crossing" is at a distance of p1 from the level crossing. A point where the approaching driver first notices the notice signs is referred to as a notice sign discovery point A1. Here, it is recognized that there is a sign presenting information effective for driving, which is present in front of something. The distance from the marker to A1 is a value reflecting the attractiveness. In the case of a sign with a high attractiveness, a1 is long, and in the case of a low sign, it is short.

Next, a process of recognizing exactly what the found sign indicates and recognizing accurate information follows.
A point at which the driver has sufficiently convinced the information of the notice signs is referred to as a notice sign certainty point A2. Distance a from sign to A2
2 is a value reflecting legibility. In the case of a sign having high legibility, a2 is long, and in the case of a low sign, a2 is short. However, a1 ≧ a2 holds.

Similarly, a discovery / conviction model for level crossings (from the cross mark to the track itself as shown in FIG. 1 indicating various types of information indicating level crossings) is obtained by replacing the above-mentioned level with the level crossing. . This is shown in FIG. The point at which the approaching driver first notices the existence of a railroad crossing is a railroad crossing discovery point B1, and the distance b1 from the railroad crossing to B1 is a value reflecting the attractiveness. The b1 is long if the level is high and the level is short if the level is low. Next, a point at which the position of the railroad crossing is accurately confirmed is a railroad crossing certainty point B2. The distance b2 from the railroad crossing to B2 is a value reflecting legibility. If the railroad crossing is highly legible, b2 is long, and if it is low, b2 is short. However, b1 ≧ b2 holds.

Here, considering the relation with the notice sign, the following relation is necessary for the notice sign to have a notice function.

P1> b1-a1 p1> b2-a2 In an actual level crossing, it is considered that there is a level crossing where the above relation is not satisfied because p1 is short. Defining p1 so as to satisfy the above equation is a minimum requirement for functioning as a warning sign. Usually not possible, but p
A problem also occurs when 1 is longer than necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a model in which the driver recognizes a crossing and stops (or decelerates) in front of the crossing.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Time C when the railroad crossing is confirmed to the other side
The vehicle speed of No. 1 is s1. In consideration of the speed s1 and the distance c1 to the railroad crossing, the car driver decelerates to the speed s2 at the railroad crossing entrance. Deceleration is performed by a point C2 at which deceleration starts and a deceleration g from there (C2).
2 and g are not constant and may change continuously).

The railroad crossing check point C1 is located between the railroad crossing discovery point B1 and the railroad crossing certainty point B2 in FIG. 2B. Therefore, b1 ≧ c1 ≧ b2. The crossing check point C1 differs depending on the driver. Some drivers may not be convinced of a railroad crossing but may slow down for safety. For this driver, it can be determined that the railroad crossing is convinced when the speed is reduced.

If the railroad crossing check point C1 is sufficiently far from the railroad crossing in consideration of the speed, it may not be necessary to attenuate immediately. Therefore, the distance (idle running distance) during which the vehicle moves during the reaction time from when the railroad crossing is recognized to when it reacts is longer.

The final limit for stopping before the crossing is shown in FIG. The distance required to stop a car traveling at a certain speed at the maximum deceleration is d1.
And The point D1 is a limit point where deceleration is started to stop.

The shortest free running distance j shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B indicates the free running distance when the shortest judgment is made. Being able to confirm the railroad crossing at a point farther than d1 + j is a necessary condition for stopping before the railroad crossing. Therefore, the following holds.

C1> d1 + j By combining these three approach models, it is possible to describe the relationship between a car driver approaching a railroad crossing and signs. At the same time, it is possible to determine the installation standard.

The first is a standard for setting a warning sign, and in order to enable recognition at a far enough distance from the railroad crossing itself,
The following relationship is required:

P1 + a1> b1 and p1 + a2> b2 In addition, the following relationship is required so as not to enter a level crossing unintentionally.

C1> d1 + j In order to satisfy this formula, "lower the approach speed", "improve the road surface friction coefficient near the railroad crossing", and "notify the railroad crossing" to minimize the idle running time. "
And "recognizing a railroad crossing from a greater distance".

As described above, it is necessary to objectively measure what kind of sign should be used in order to convince the railroad crossing quickly and let the driver perform the deceleration operation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 (a) shows the central black defined by JIS and one arm for each of the four arms.
The designs with black lines are the most commonly used. However, recently, those shown in FIG.

Also, the only crossing-related sign on the road is a road sign indicating "with a crossing". For example, if a crossing distance notice sign as shown in FIG. 5 is used, the visibility of the crossing can be improved. It is thought that it is possible.

A visibility evaluation apparatus capable of objectively evaluating the visibility of these signs will be described with reference to FIG.

The visibility evaluation device shown in FIG. 6 looks at a screen shot at the driver's position of approach to a railroad crossing, at which point a sign was found, and at which point the contents of the signs were read. You can measure whether you have done it. Then, based on the measurement, the visibility of the markers can be evaluated.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 120 denotes a video projector.
An image approaching the railroad crossing can be displayed on the screen 122. Subjects can sit in front of the screen and see the same image as if they were sitting in the driver's seat of a car.

The subject also has a button box 130 connected to box 136. The button box 130 has two buttons, which are used when the first button 132 is pressed, if any sign is found, and the sign is clearly readable. Press the second button 134 with. Button 132 and button 134 are connected to the computer via box 136.
It is connected to the I / O board 114 of the system 110. Computer system 110 also includes board 1
The video projector 120 is controlled via 18 so that the projection speed and the like can be controlled. The video projector can project an image on the screen 122. Video from a video projector can be recorded on a computer
The image may be sent from the system 110 or may be either.

A mobile phone 138 is also simulated in this evaluation device, and the computer system 11
With the control of 0, it is possible to call and talk at a set time.

The operation of these visibility evaluation devices will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, evaluation conditions are set (S202). This means that, for example, conditions for evaluating the speed at which a car approaches a railroad crossing and at what time a mobile phone is called are set. This setting is performed using the keyboard 112 and the display device 116 of the computer system 110.

Thus, the evaluation starts, and an image from the driver's seat of the car approaching the railroad crossing is displayed on the video screen (S204). This video is from computer system 1
Synchronization is achieved by the time count of 10 (S20).
4) The computer system recognizes where it is displayed. In addition, the speed of the projected image, that is, the speed of the vehicle, is also controlled by the computer system 110 based on the set conditions.

In the condition setting (S202), it is set to use a mobile phone (YE in S208).
S), and the simulated mobile phone 138 is called at the set time (S210). The subject is now evaluated under load.

The subject presses the first button 132 when he / she finds a sign. When detecting that the first button is pressed (S212), the computer system 110 stores this time (S214).
This is the value corresponding to the discovery distance.

Next, the subject presses the second button 134 when he / she can determine that the found one is indeed a sign indicating a level crossing. When it is detected that the second button is pressed (S216), the time at this time is similarly stored (S218). This is the value corresponding to the reading distance.
This ends the video projection (S220).

In this way, a time value corresponding to a discovery distance and a value corresponding to a reading distance for a certain sign or the like can be obtained. From the values of the two distances, the visibility of the displayed sign or the like is evaluated (S222). This evaluation will be described later in detail.

In the above description, the response of the subject is obtained using the button. However, in this case, only the response of the subject to one sign is obtained. Therefore, an apparatus for obtaining the reaction to a plurality of signs will be described. . In FIG. 6, a touch panel is provided on the surface of the screen 122 so that the computer system can recognize the pressed position.

The operation of the visibility evaluation device having such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 8, first, conditions for evaluating visibility are set (S302), and an image controlled by the computer system is projected on the screen (S304).
A time count synchronized with the video is started (S306).
These are the same as the operation of the visibility evaluation device described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the computer system 110
The detection of the touch panel on the screen 122 is started (S308). When the subject finds a sign in the video projected on the screen 122, the subject touches the found sign on the screen. This is detected by the touch panel (S314), and the position and time are stored in the computer system (S316). Further, the subject touches the position of the sign on the screen again when the meaning of the same sign is read. This is detected by the touch panel (S314), and the time and position are stored in the computer system 110 (S31).
6).

In this manner, the subject can obtain a response to a plurality of markers until the video ends.

By analyzing the pressed position and time, the obtained value is either a value for the discovery distance for the certain sign (first touch) or a value for the reading distance (second touch). ) Can be recognized by the computer system 110 (S320). The visibility evaluation is performed in the same manner, and will be described later in detail.

The evaluation of the visibility when a mobile phone is called under the condition is also performed in the same manner as the above case (S310, S312).

Next, how to evaluate a sign or the like using the two values obtained by the above-described visibility evaluation device will be described.

The visibility evaluation using the obtained discovery distance and reading distance will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 shows the discovery distance on the x-coordinate and the interpretation distance on the y-axis.
The graph shows the coordinates. Where x on the x-axis
Is a point that can be found at a distance sufficient to take appropriate processing, and y is a point that can be found at a minimum distance to take appropriate processing. Also, a on the x-axis is a point that can be read at a distance sufficient to take appropriate processing, and b is a point that can be read at a minimum distance to take appropriate processing. z is the physical visual limit.

By taking the coordinate axes in this manner, in the area below the line where the discovery distance is equal to the interpretation distance (graph of y = x: straight line with a slope of 45 degrees) (discovery distance> interpretation distance), 2
The evaluation of the visibility of a certain sign having two values (finding distance and reading distance) can be divided into three areas A, B, and C, as shown in FIG.

That is, a sign entering the area A is a good sign because both the discovery distance and the reading distance are sufficiently good.
The sign that enters the area B is a sign that requires improvement in either the discovery distance or the reading distance. The sign entering the area C is a reject sign in which either the discovery distance or the read distance does not meet the criteria.

The values of a, b, x, and y change according to the speed of the vehicle, as described with reference to FIG. Then, based on the speed limit of the road, the values of b and y are set to be larger than at least a value obtained by adding the minimum stop distance d1 and the shortest running distance j. A and x
Are different values depending on the purpose of the sign. For example, a level crossing sign having the purpose of finding a level crossing from a distance is widely used.

Further, the visibility of the sign described in FIG.
Figure 1 shows the subdivision of the evaluation criteria for classification (A, B, C).
0 is shown. FIG. 10 shows the discovery distance as the x coordinate and the reading distance as the y coordinate as in FIG. Further, a, b, x, and y have the same meaning as in FIG. z is the physical visual limit. In FIG. 10, the area is divided into nine.

Each area will be described in correspondence with the three classifications shown in FIG.

A: Good marker 9: Can be found and read at a sufficient distance.

B: Sign required improvement 8: Improvement is needed to find at a sufficient distance 7: Improvement is needed to read at a sufficient distance 6: Improvement is needed to find and read at a sufficient distance

C: Fail sign 5: Insufficient distance for discovery 4: Insufficient distance for discovery Improving reading distance 3: Insufficient distance for reading 2: Reading for interpretation Insufficient distance Discovery distance also needs to be improved 1: Insufficient distance for both discovery and interpretation The computer system 110 shown in FIG. 6 includes various evaluation conditions (vehicle speed, daytime, rainy day, nighttime, etc.) The above-mentioned evaluation criteria are prepared in the form of, for example, a table, and the evaluation criteria of the above-described three or nine categories can be determined and output using the prepared criteria. This evaluation criterion can be set based on a driving test of an automobile or the like.

In the visibility evaluation apparatus shown in FIG. 6 described above, the image of the approach to the railroad crossing has been described in the form of a projected screen. May be used. In this case, the touch panel is installed on a CRT display device or a liquid crystal display device.

The image of the sign to be evaluated may be a moving image or a still image. In the case of a still image frame feed, since the distance does not depend on time, the discovery distance and the reading distance of the sign are obtained based on the absolute distance of the image of the frame displayed at that time.

The video projected for evaluation is a live-action or CG
(Computer graphics), or a combination thereof (for example, imposing a sign generated by a CG on a real image). In particular, when a sign to be evaluated is generated using CG, the color and shape can be freely changed, so that many kinds of signs can be easily evaluated.

It is desirable that the evaluation conditions be changed in various ways. Also in this case, the evaluation is performed by utilizing the CG, for example, by changing the background, driving in the daytime or nighttime, or generating dense fog.

In order to obtain the subject's response, the buttons and the touch panel are used in the above description. Alternatively, a pedal using a foot, voice recognition using a voice, a visual axis sensor using a line of sight, or the like can be used. .

In the above description, the mobile phone is used as an example for applying a load to the subject.
Again, in the actual driving work and situation, such as watching the navigation system, displaying the image that the child jumps out on the screen and pressing the brake, watching the speedometer, operating the radio and other acoustic products, Anything can be used as long as it is considered to be a hindrance (load) for finding the sign. Preferably, these loads are also under the control of the computer system 110.

The present invention may be applied not only to a stand-alone computer system, but also to, for example, a client server system composed of a plurality of systems.

The configuration of the present invention can be realized by reading out the program from the storage medium storing the program related to the present invention by the system and executing the program. This recording medium includes a floppy disk, CD-RO
M, magnetic tape, ROM cassette and the like.

[0074]

As described above, by using the visibility evaluation apparatus of the present invention, the visibility of a sign or the like in various situations can be easily evaluated, and the evaluation can also be performed with an attractiveness. (Discovery) and legibility (conviction).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sign for a railroad crossing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a sign discovery / conviction model during driving a car.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a car after finding a sign while driving the car.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating types of signs.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating types of notice signs.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a visibility evaluation device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the visibility evaluation device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the visibility evaluation device.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating evaluation criteria for visibility.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating detailed evaluation criteria for visibility.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Computer System 112 Keyboard 114 I / O Board 116 CRT Display 118 Graphic Board 120 Video Projector 122 Screen 130 Button Box 132 First Button 134 Second Button 136 Connection Box 138 Cell Phone

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A visibility evaluation system, comprising: a display device for displaying a visibility evaluation object or a whole view including a visibility evaluation object; and when a subject notices the presence of the visibility evaluation object,
And, when the subject understands the meaning of the visibility evaluation object, an input unit for inputting, the display unit and the input unit are controlled, and the visibility evaluation object is displayed on the display device. From the above, by measuring the timing input to the input unit, to calculate the respective attraction distance and interpretation distance, comprising a control analysis unit that evaluates the visibility of the visibility evaluation object, Visibility evaluation system. 2. The visibility evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising a device for applying a load to a subject during the visibility evaluation. 3. In the visibility evaluation method, a visibility evaluation object or a whole view including the visibility evaluation object is displayed, and when the subject notices the presence of the visibility evaluation object,
And inputting when the subject understands the meaning of the visibility evaluation object, measuring the timing input to the input unit after the visibility evaluation object is displayed, and An evaluation method for calculating the visibility and the reading distance, wherein the distance and the reading distance are calculated, and the visibility of the visibility evaluation object is evaluated.