OBJECT DETECTION APPARATUS AND OBJECT DETECTION PROGRAM

Abstract

An object detection apparatus measures a distance to a detected object at each irradiation angle, based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from a laser light irradiating unit at each irradiation angle. The apparatus determines whether the measured distance remains unchanged for prescribed period of time, for each irradiation angle, and stores the determined distance in a storage unit as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle. The apparatus compares the current measured distance and the stored distances, and determines whether a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stored distances. The apparatus initially compares the shortest stationary object distance among the stored distances with the current distance, and upon determining that a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present, stops the comparison of the current distance and the stored distances that have not been compared with the current distance.

Claims

1. An object detection apparatus that detects an object in a detection area based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from an irradiating unit, the object detection apparatus comprising: a distance measuring unit that measures a distance to a detected object at each of a plurality of irradiation angles, based on the reflected waves of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit at each irradiation angle; a storage unit that is capable of storing the distances measured by the distance measuring unit in association with the irradiation angles; a stationary-state determining unit that determines whether or not the distance measured by the distance measuring unit remains unchanged for a prescribed period of time, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles; a storing processing unit that stores, in the storage unit, the distance determined to have remained unchanged by the stationary-state determining unit as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle; and a comparison determining unit that compares a current distance measured by the distance measuring unit and the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and determines whether or not a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit, the comparison determining unit initially comparing the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit to the current distance, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and upon determining that a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present, stopping the comparison between the current distance and the stationary object distances that have not yet been compared with the current measured distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit.

2. The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the comparison determining unit compares the current distance to the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit in order from the shortest stationary object distance, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles.

3. The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time by the stationary-state determining unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the distance.

4. The object detection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time by the stationary-state determining unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the distance.

5. The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance shorter than the current distance measured by the distance measuring unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance.

6. The object detection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance shorter than the current distance measured by the distance measuring unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance.

7. An object detection apparatus that detects an object in a detection area based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from an irradiating unit, the object detection apparatus comprising: a distance measuring unit that measures a distance to a detected object at each of a plurality of irradiation angles, based on the reflected waves of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit at each irradiation angle; a storage unit that is capable of storing the distances measured by the distance measuring unit in association with the irradiation angles; a stationary-state determining unit that determines whether or not the distance measured by the distance measuring unit remains unchanged for a prescribed period of time, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles; a storing processing unit that stores, in the storage unit, the distance determined to have remained unchanged by the stationary-state determining unit as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle; a comparison determining unit that compares a current distance measured by the distance measuring unit and the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and determines whether or not a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit; and a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time by the stationary-state determining unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the distance.

8. An object detection apparatus that detects an object in a detection area based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from an irradiating unit, the object detection apparatus comprising: a distance measuring unit that measures a distance to a detected object at each of a plurality of irradiation angles, based on the reflected waves of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit at each irradiation angle; a storage unit that is capable of storing the distances measured by the distance measuring unit in association with the irradiation angles; a stationary-state determining unit that determines whether or not the distance measured by the distance measuring unit remains unchanged for a prescribed period of time, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles; a storing processing unit that stores, in the storage unit, the distance determined to have remained unchanged by the stationary-state determining unit as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle; a comparison determining unit that compares a current distance measured by the distance measuring unit and the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and determines whether or not a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit; and a deletion processing unit that deletes, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance that is shorter than the current distance measured by the distance measuring unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance.

9. The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a moving object determining unit that determines a detected object detected at the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance determined by the comparison determining unit to not have a matching stationary object distance as a moving object.

10. The object detection apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a moving object determining unit that determines a detected object detected at the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance determined by the comparison determining unit to not have a matching stationary object distance as a moving object.

11. The object detection apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a moving object determining unit that determines a detected object detected at the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance determined by the comparison determining unit to not have a matching stationary object distance as a moving object.

12. The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the electromagnetic waves are laser light.

13. The object detection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: the electromagnetic waves are laser light.

14. The object detection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the electromagnetic waves are laser light.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an object detection program for detecting an object in a detection area based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from an irradiating unit, the object detection program causing a computer to perform: a distance measuring process to measure a distance to a detected object at each of a plurality of irradiation angles, based on the reflected waves of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit at each irradiation angle; a stationary-state determining process to determine whether or not the distance measured by the distance measuring unit remains unchanged for a prescribed period of time, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles; a storing process to store, in a storage unit provided in the computer, the distance determined to have remained unchanged by the stationary-state determining process as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle; and a comparison determining process to compare a current distance measured by the distance measuring unit and the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and to determine whether or not a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit, the comparison determining process initially comparing the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit with the current distance, for each of the plurality of irradiation angles, and upon determining that a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present, stopping the comparison between the current distance and the stationary object distances that have not yet been compared with the current measured distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the object detection program according to claim 15, wherein: the object detection program causes the computer to further perform: a deleting process to delete, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance shorter than the current distance measured by the distance measuring unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the object detection program according to claim 15, wherein: the object detection program causes the computer to further perform: a deleting process to delete, from the storage unit, the stationary object distance shorter than the current distance measured by the distance measuring unit, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit that are associated with the irradiation angle corresponding to the current distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the accompanying drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a laser sensor apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the steps in a moving object detection process;

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams of a state in which a wall in a detection area is determined to be a stationary object;

[0036] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams of a state in which the wall and a single parked vehicle in the detection area are determined to be stationary objects;

[0037] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams of a state in which the wall and two parked vehicles in the detection area are determined to be stationary objects;

[0038] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams of a state in which the wall and three parked vehicles in the detection area are determined to be stationary objects;

[0039] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams of a state in which the wall and four parked vehicles in the detection area are determined to be stationary objects;

[0040] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams of an example of a deletion process and a shifting process for stationary object distances when the number of stationary objects in the detection area decreases;

[0041] FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams of an example of the deletion process and the shifting process for stationary object distances when the number of stationary objects in the detection area decreases;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a diagram of selection of the shortest stationary object distance as a stationary object distance to be initially compared with a current measured distance;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the effect of reducing calculation load of the moving object detection process;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the effect of reducing calculation load of the moving object detection process;

[0045] FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams of an overview of a moving object detection process of a comparative technology;

[0046] FIG. 14 is a diagram of the increase in calculation load of the moving object detection process in the comparative technology;

[0047] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the increase in calculation load of the moving object detection process in the comparative technology;

[0048] FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams an overview of a moving object detection process of a conventional technology;

[0049] FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams of an overview of the moving object detection process of the conventional technology;

[0050] FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams of an overview of the moving object detection process of the conventional technology; and

[0051] FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams of an overview of the moving object detection process of the conventional technology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] An embodiment in which an object detection apparatus of the present disclosure is applied to a laser sensor apparatus will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. For example, the laser sensor apparatus is used for security purposes to monitor suspicious individuals, vehicles, and the like entering a detection area.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, a laser sensor apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 30, a scanning unit 40, and an output unit 50. For example, the laser sensor apparatus 10 is provided on an outer wall of a building. The control unit 20 is configured by a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 20 performs a moving object detection process that includes a process for controlling the scanning unit 40, by running a computer program stored in the storage unit 30. The storage unit 30 is a random-access memory (RAM) or the like. According to the present embodiment, the moving object detection process is actualized through software, by the computer program run by the control unit 20. The computer program can be installed in the storage unit 30 over a communication network or through a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

[0054] The scanning unit 40 includes a laser light irradiating unit 40a, a mirror 40b, and a motor 40c. The laser light irradiating unit 40a irradiates laser light. The mirror 40b reflects the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiating unit 40a towards a detection area. The motor 40c rotatably drives the mirror 40b. Each time the motor 40c rotates the mirror 40b by a predetermined angle, the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiating unit 40a is irradiated towards the detection area. As a result, the laser light is irradiated at each of a plurality of irradiation angles over a predetermined irradiation angle range (such as a range of several tens of degrees up to a range of 360 degrees). Specifically, the laser light is irradiated at each of the plurality of irradiation angles on a horizontal plane at a predetermined height position from the ground surface. The angle interval between the irradiation angles is set to an arbitrary value ranging, for example, from 0.1 degrees to 1 degree. The angle intervals may be set to the same value or to differing values.

[0055] The mirror 40b receives light reflected by an object present in the detection area. The received reflected light is inputted to a laser light receiving unit 40d of the scanning unit 40. The configuration of the scanning unit 40 may be other than the foregoing. For example, the scanning unit 40 may be configured such the mirror 40b is not used and the laser light irradiating unit 40a itself is driven.

[0056] The output unit 50 outputs detection result information on a moving object in the detection area in a manner enabling notification to an observer.

[0057] Next, the moving object detection process performed by the control unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The process is repeatedly performed, for example, at a predetermined processing cycle.

[0058] In the series of processes, first, at step S10, the control unit 20 acquires reflected light data of the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiating unit 40a at each of the plurality of irradiation angles. The control unit 20 then performs a distance measurement process to measure the distance to a detected object at each irradiation angle, based on the acquired reflected light data. According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, ten irradiation angles are used as the plurality of irradiation angles. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, angle numbers respectively corresponding to the ten irradiation angles are denoted.

[0059] The distance measurement process will be described in detail. The laser light irradiating unit 40a irradiates the laser light, while the mirror 40b is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle, from the irradiation angle corresponding to the angle number 1 to the irradiation angle corresponding to the angle number 10. The laser light receiving unit 40d receives the reflected light. The control unit 20 then measures the distance to the detected object for each of the angle numbers 1 to 10, based on a period of time required from irradiation of the laser light to reception of the reflected light. The storage unit 30 temporarily stores the measured distance therein in association with the irradiation angle, for the process at step S11. According to the present embodiment, the process at step S10 corresponds to a distance measuring unit and a distance measurement process.

[0060] At subsequent step S11, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the distance measured in the distance measurement process has remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, for each of the angle numbers 1 to 10. Specifically, for example, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the measured distance has remained unchanged over a plurality of processing cycles. Here, for example, the prescribed period of time is set to a period of time over which a pedestrian can be recognized as a moving object (such as two seconds). According to the present embodiment, the process at step S11 corresponds to a stationary-state determining unit and a stationary-state determination process.

[0061] When determined that a measured distance that has remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time is present, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S12. At step S12, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time at step S11 is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 that are associated with the angle number corresponding to the measured distance.

[0062] When determined that the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance at step S12, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S13. The control unit 20 stores, in the storage unit 30, the distance determined to have remained unchanged at S11 and that has not yet been stored in the storage unit 30 as the stationary object distance in association with the angle number. FIG. 3B shows an example in which only the wall WL is present in the detection area, and the distance from the laser sensor apparatus 10 to the wall WL for each of the angle numbers 1 to 10 is stored in the storage unit 30 as the stationary object distance. According to the present embodiment, the process at step S13 corresponds to a storing processing unit and a storing process.

[0063] At subsequent step S14, the control unit 20 performs a sorting process to rearrange the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 in order from the shortest stationary object distance, for the angle number corresponding to the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time. The sorting process will be described below, based on an example in which the number of stationary objects in the detection area gradually increases, with reference to FIGS. 4A to 7C.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4A, a first vehicle C1 enters the detection area and is parked in the detection area. In this case, at step S11, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 9 have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time. Then, at step S12, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged at step S11 is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for each of the angle numbers 6 to 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, at step S13, the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 9 are stored as stationary object distances in association with the angle numbers.

[0065] Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process to rearrange the stationary object distances in order from the shortest stationary object distance for each of the angle numbers 6 to 9. In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process four times because the stationary object distances corresponding to four angle numbers are stored in the storage unit 30.

[0066] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5A, a second vehicle C2 enters the detection area and is parked in the detection area. In this case, at step S11, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 2 to 4 have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time. Then, at step S12, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged at step S11 is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for each of the angle numbers 2 to 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, at step S13, the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 2 to 4 are stored as stationary object distances in association with the angle numbers.

[0067] Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process to rearrange the stationary object distances in order from the shortest stationary object distance for each of the angle numbers 2 to 4. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process three times because the stationary object distances corresponding to three angle numbers are stored in the storage unit 30.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6A, a third vehicle C3 enters the detection area and is parked in the detection area. In this case, at step S11, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 10 have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time. Then, at step S12, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged at step S11 is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for each of the angle numbers 6 to 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, at step S13, the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 10 are stored as stationary object distances in association with the angle numbers.

[0069] Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process to rearrange the stationary object distances in order from the shortest stationary object distance for each of the angle numbers 6 to 10. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process five times because the stationary object distances corresponding to five angle numbers are stored in the storage unit 30.

[0070] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7A, a fourth vehicle C4 enters the detection area and is parked in the detection area. In this case, at step S11, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 1 to 4 have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time. Then, at step S12, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distance determined to have remained unchanged at step S11 is shorter than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for each of the angle numbers 1 to 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, at step S13, the measured distances corresponding to the angle numbers 1 to 4 are stored as stationary object distances in association with the angle numbers.

[0071] Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process to rearrange the stationary object distances in order from the shortest stationary object distance for each of the angle numbers 1 to 4. In the example shown in FIG. 7C, the control unit 20 performs the sorting process four times because the stationary object distances corresponding to four angle numbers are stored in the storage unit 30.

[0072] Returning to the description with reference to FIG. 2, above, when determined at step S12 that the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time at step S11 is longer than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 and associated with the angle number corresponding to the distance determined to have remained unchanged, the control unit 20 performs the processes at steps S15 and S16. At step S15, the control unit 20 performs a deletion process for the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30. At step S16, the control unit 20 performs a shifting process for the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30. The deletion process and the shifting process will be described below, based on an example in which the number of stationary objects in the detection area decreases, with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9C.

[0073] First, an example in which, of the four vehicles C1 to C4 parked in the detection area, only the fourth vehicle C4 leaves the detection area will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

[0074] The information on the stationary object distances shown in FIG. 8A is the same as the information on the stationary object distances shown in FIG. 7C. Here, because the fourth vehicle C4 has left the detection area, as shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances 16, 12, 11, and 10 that have been determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time at step S11 are longer than the shortest stationary object distances 9, 8, 7, and 6 among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 for the angle numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the control unit 20 performs the deletion process in which the stationary object distances shorter than the distances determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, are deleted from the storage unit 30, for the angle numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0075] When the stationary object distances corresponding to the angle numbers 1 to 4 are deleted from the storage unit 30 in the deletion process, no stationary object distances are stored in sequence number 1 corresponding to the angle numbers 1 to 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, the control unit 20 performs the shifting process in which the stationary object distances in sequence number 2 and subsequent columns are shifted towards the sequence number 1 side, for the angle numbers 1 to 4.

[0076] Next, an example in which, of the four vehicles C1 to C4 parked in the detection area, only the first and third vehicles C1 and C3 leave the detection area will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C.

[0077] The information on the stationary object distances shown in FIG. 9A is the same as the information on the stationary object distances shown in FIG. 7C. Here, because the first vehicle C1 and the third vehicle C3 have left the detection area, as shown in FIG. 9A, the control unit 20 determines that the measured distances 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 that have been determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time at step S11 are longer than the shortest stationary object distances 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for the angle numbers 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the control unit 20 deletes, from the storage unit 30, the stationary object distances shorter than the distances determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, for the angle numbers 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

[0078] When the stationary object distances corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 9 are deleted from the storage unit 30 in the deletion process, no stationary object distances are stored in the sequence numbers 1 and 2 corresponding to the angle numbers 6 to 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the control unit 20 performs the shifting process in which the stationary object distances in sequence number 3 and subsequent columns are shifted towards the sequence number 1 side, for the angle numbers 6 to 9. In addition, when the stationary object distance corresponding to the angle number 10 is deleted from the storage unit 30 in the deletion process, no stationary object distance is stored in the sequence number 1 corresponding to the angle number 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the control unit 20 performs the shifting process in which the stationary object distances in the sequence number 2 and subsequent columns are shifted towards the sequence number 1 side, for the angle number 10.

[0079] In the process at step S15, the longest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 for each angle number remains in the storage unit 30 without being deleted.

[0080] Returning to the description with reference to FIG. 2, above, upon completing the process at step S14 or step S16, or when determined NO at step S11, the control unit 20 performs a comparison determination process at steps S17 to S24. Specifically, at step S17, the control unit 20 resets each of an angle number M and a sequence number N to 1.

[0081] At subsequent step S18, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the angle number M has reached 11 or greater, 11 being a value obtained by 1 being added to the number of irradiation angles. The control unit 20 performs this process to determine whether or not a comparison of the current distances measured in the distance measurement process at step S10 and the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 has been completed for all of the angle numbers.

[0082] When determined YES at step S18, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S10 and performs the distance measurement process of the next processing cycle. Meanwhile, when determined NO at step S18, the control unit proceeds to step S19. The control unit 20 determines whether or not the current measured distance corresponding to the angle number M matches the stationary object distance corresponding to the angle number M and the row number N.

[0083] When determined that the current measured distance and the stationary object distance match at step S19, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S20. The control unit 20 determines that the object detected at the position away from the laser sensor apparatus 10 by the current measured distance is a stationary object, for the angle number M. The control unit 20 then deletes the current measured distance corresponding to the angle number M.

[0084] Meanwhile, when determined that the current measured distance and the stationary object distance do not match at step S19, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S21 and increments the row number N by 1. Then, at step S22, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the comparison between the current measured distance and all pieces of stationary object information stored in the storage unit 30 for the angle number M has been completed. When determined NO at step S22, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S19. When determined YES at step S22, the control unit 20 proceeds step S23. At step S23, the control unit 20 determines that the object detected at the position away from the laser sensor apparatus 10 by the current measured distance is a moving object, for the angle number M. The output unit 50 outputs the detection result information including position information of the moving object in the detection area based on the irradiation angle at which the moving object is detected and the measured distance at the irradiation angle at which the moving object is detected.

[0085] Upon completing the process at steps S20 or S23, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S24 and increments the angle number M by 1. Subsequently, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S18.

[0086] In the moving object detection process described above, for example, when four vehicles are parked in the detection area as shown in FIG. 7A, above, the current measured distance is compared only with the stationary object distance in the sequence number 1, for each of the angle numbers 1 to 10, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0087] Next, the effects of the moving object detection process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Here, in FIGS. 11 and 12, a state in which the number of parked vehicles in the detection area gradually increases, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, above, is assumed.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11, the distance measurement process is performed at every predetermined processing cycle. The number of calculation operations increases as a result of the sorting processes being performed, only when the number of parked vehicles in the detection area increases (see FIG. 12). Specifically, the sorting process is performed four times when the first vehicle C1 is parked in the detection area. The sorting process is further performed three times when the second vehicle C2 is parked in the detection area. Subsequently, the sorting process is performed five times when the third vehicle C3 is parked in the detection area. The sorting process is further performed four times when the fourth vehicle C4 is parked in the detection area. FIG. 11 shows that the sorting process is performed four times when an Nth vehicle (N being an integer of 5 or greater) is subsequently parked.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, according to the present embodiment, even when the number of stationary objects in the detection area increases, the sorting process is performed for each angle number, and the current measured distance and the stationary object distance in the sequence number 1 are initially compared. Consequently, after the sorting process, the comparison between the current measurement distance and the stationary object distance is performed ten times. The processes to be calculated can be completed within the processing cycle.

[0090] Next, a moving object detection process of a comparative technology will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 15. Here, the moving object detection process of the comparative technology is that in which the sorting process is eliminated from the moving object detection process according to the present embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, because the sorting process is not performed, in the state in which four vehicles are parked in the detection area, all of the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 and the current measured distance are required to be compared, for each of the angle numbers 1 to 10. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, as the number of parked vehicles in the detection area increases, the number of comparison operations also increases. As a result, the comparison calculation cannot be completed within the processing cycle. The actual calculation load placed on the control unit 20 exceeds the processing capability of the control unit 20. The calculation for the moving object detection process fails.

[0092] According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0093] For each of the angle numbers 1 to 10, the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 and the current measured distance are initially compared. Then, when determined that a stationary object distance matching the current measured distance is present, the control unit 20 stops the comparison between the current measured distance and stationary object distances that have not yet been compared with the current measured distance, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30. Therefore, even should the number of stationary objects within the detection area increase, the number of times that the current measured distance and the stationary object distance are compared can be reduced, compared with a configuration in which the current measured distance is compared with all stationary object distances for each angle number. As a result, the calculation load placed on the control unit 20 can be reduced. Consequently, a moving object can be extracted at a high speed, regardless of the number of stationary objects.

[0094] For each of the angle numbers 1 to 10, the current measured distance is compared with the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 in order from the shortest stationary object distance. Therefore, in cases in which there is an increase in the number of stationary objects present in a row in a direction from the laser light irradiating unit 4a towards the irradiation direction, increase in the number of stationary object distances to be compared with the current measured distance can be suppressed. As a result, increase in the calculation load placed on the control unit 20 can be suppressed.

[0095] When determined that the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time is longer than the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 in association with the angle number corresponding to the distance, the control unit 20 deletes, from the storage unit 30, the stationary object distance shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30. Therefore, when the number of stationary objects present in the detection area decreases, the number of stationary object distances to be compared with the current measured distance can be reduced. As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit 30 can be conserved while reducing the calculation load placed on the control unit 20.

[0096] Instead of the configuration in which the stationary object distances are deleted from the storage unit 30, for example, a configuration in which the stationary object distance shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, is eliminated from the comparison subjects in the comparison determination process without being deleted from the storage unit 30 can also be considered. However, in this case, the stationary object distances of stationary objects that are no longer present remain in the storage unit 30. Conservation of the storage capacity of the storage unit 30 cannot be achieved

Other Embodiments

[0097] The above-described embodiment may be modified in the following manner.

[0098] According to the above-described embodiment, the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 are compared with the current measured distance in order from the shortest stationary object distance. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, after the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 is determined not to match the current measured distance, the comparison subject to be compared with the current measured distance may be the third shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30.

[0099] The process at step S12 in FIG. 2 according to the above-described embodiment may be changed to a process in which a determination is made regarding whether or not a stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time is present among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30. In this case, the control unit 20 may proceed to step S15 when determined that a stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged is present at step S12.

[0100] The configuration is not limited to that in which the process at step S12 in FIG. 2 is performed at every processing cycle. For example, a configuration in which the process at step S12 is performed once every plurality of processing cycles is also possible.

[0101] The processes at steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 2 may be omitted. In this case, when determined NO at step S12, the control unit 20 may proceed to step S17.

[0102] The process at step S14 in FIG. 2 may be omitted.

[0103] According to the above-described embodiment, the deletion process at step S15 in FIG. 2 is that in which a stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time at step S11, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, is deleted from the storage unit 30 for each of the angle numbers. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the deletion process may be that in which a stationary object distance that is shorter than the current distance measured at step S10, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, is deleted from the storage unit 30, for each of the angle numbers. In this case, for example, all stationary object distances shorter than the current measured distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 may be deleted. Alternatively, only the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 may be deleted.

[0104] Here, a specific example of the configuration in which only the shortest stationary object distance among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30 is deleted will be described. For example, 5, 10, 15 are stored as the stationary object distances in the storage unit 30, for a certain angle number. In this case, when the current distance measured in the distance measurement process is 7, the stationary object distance 5 that is shorter than 7 is deleted from the storage unit 30. At this time, the current distance 7 is determined to a distance at which a moving object is present. Subsequently, when the current distance measured in the distance measurement process is 8, the comparison subject to be compared with the current measured distance is 10, which is the shortest stationary object distance stored in the storage unit 30. Then, as a result of the distance measured in the distance measurement process being determined to be 8 for a prescribed period of time, 8 is newly stored in the storage unit 30 as a stationary object distance.

[0105] According to the above-described embodiment, the laser light is irradiated at each of a plurality of irradiation angles, on a single horizontal plane (scanning plane) at a predetermined height position from the ground surface. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the laser light may be irradiated at each of a plurality of irradiation angles on a plurality of scanning places at predetermined height positions from the ground surface. In this case, in addition to the moving objects described according to the above-described embodiment, suspicious persons, animals, and the like hidden in the space between the underside of the vehicle and the ground surface can be detected as moving objects, depending on the settings of the scanning plane height.

[0106] Instead of the configuration according to the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the stationary object distance that is shorter than the distance determined to have remained unchanged for a prescribed period of time, among the stationary object distances stored in the storage unit 30, is eliminated from the comparison subjects in the comparison determination process without being deleted from the storage unit 30 may be used.

[0107] According to the above-described embodiment, ten irradiation angles are used. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A plurality of irradiation angles other than ten may be used.

[0108] The electromagnetic waves used for object detection is not limited to laser light. For example, radio waves such as millimeter waves may also be used.