Non-transitory storage medium storing image transmission program, image transmission device, and image transmission method

• US 10,665,096 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2018
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Koichi, Igawa, Junichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Hee-Yong
• Application Number:
  US15/963,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20180315304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 348113
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/582 of traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A non-transitory storage medium storing an image transmission program that is executed on an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle having an imaging unit configured to image surroundings of the vehicle to acquire an image and a communication unit configured to perform communication with an information center, the image transmission program includes: an image acquisition step of causing the imaging unit to acquire an image relating to an intersection based on whether or not a mark target facing the intersection is prominent; and a transmission step of causing the communication unit to transmit the image acquired to the information center.

Claims

1. A non-transitory storage medium storing an image transmission program that is executed on an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle having an imaging unit configured to image surroundings of the vehicle to acquire an image and a communication unit configured to perform communication with an information center, the image transmission program comprising:

an image acquisition step of causing the imaging unit to acquire an image relating to an intersection based on whether or not a mark target facing the intersection is prominent; and

a transmission step of causing the communication unit to transmit the image acquired to the information center.

2. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes

specifying whether or not the mark target is prominent with reference to a database configured to store the mark target in association with information indicating whether or not the mark target is prominent, and

causing the imaging unit to acquire the image relating to the intersection based on whether or not the mark target is prominent.

3. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes

causing the imaging unit to acquire an image relating to the intersection in a case where the mark target is not prominent, and

causing the imaging unit not to acquire the image relating to the intersection in a case where the mark target is prominent.

4. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes causing the imaging unit to acquire the image relating to the intersection based on whether or not the mark target is prominent in a case where the mark target is positioned at a left front corner or a left back corner of the intersection in left-hand traffic or at a right front corner or a right back corner of the intersection in right-hand traffic.

5. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes causing the imaging unit not to acquire the image relating to the intersection in a case where the mark target is positioned at a left front corner or a left back corner of the intersection in left-hand traffic or at a right front corner or a right back corner of the intersection in right-hand traffic.

6. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes specifying that the mark target is prominent in a case where the mark target is a chain satisfying a predetermined condition or has a predetermined feature in appearance.

7. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition step of the image transmission program includes causing the imaging unit to acquire the image relating to the intersection at a place between a position in front of the intersection by a predetermined distance and the intersection.

8. An image transmission device that is mounted in a vehicle having an imaging unit configured to image surroundings of the vehicle to acquire an image and a communication unit configured to perform wireless data communication with an information center, the image transmission device comprising an electronic control unit configured to:

cause the imaging unit to acquire an image relating to an intersection based on whether or not a mark target facing the intersection is prominent; and

cause the communication unit to transmit the image acquired to the information center.

9. The image transmission device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to

specify whether or not the mark target is prominent with reference to a database configured to store the mark target in association with information indicating whether or not the mark target is prominent, and

cause the imaging unit to acquire the image relating to the intersection based on whether or not the mark target is prominent.

10. An image transmission method that is executed on an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle having an imaging unit configured to image surroundings of the vehicle to acquire an image, and a communication unit configured to perform communication with an information center, the image transmission method comprising:

causing the imaging unit to acquire an image relating to an intersection based on whether or not a mark target facing the intersection is prominent; and

causing the communication unit to transmit the image acquired to the information center.