Abstract: A moving object detection method and apparatus is proposed in which a plurality of heads are installed above a detection line traversing a road, their outputs undergo A/D conversion and binary conversion, and the outputs are then linked along the detection line. A vehicle detection preprocessor performs, on the obtained linked 0/1 existence data, vehicle detection preprocesses of filling-up, noise rejection, width maintaining, Y character profile prevention, delaying, maximum width checking, and so forth, in a predetermined sequence. A vehicle detection processor separates and detects entering vehicles, existing vehicles, corrected/deleted vehicles, and so forth, from the linked 0/1 existence data after vehicle detection preprocessing. False detection of moving objects is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for photographing a moving body. A video memory including a plurality of frame memories is used in order to store frame images obtained by a plurality of photographing operations. The frame images obtained by photographing are sequentially stored in any of frame memories. Any of a plurality of frame memories is selected in accordance with a detection of a front edge or a rear edge of a vehicle, and a frame image in a selected frame memory is used. A speed of a vehicle is used for this selection. In another case, apparatuses for photographing, such as TV cameras or storage devices such as video memories are provided in a plurality of systems, and a frame relating to either of the systems is selected in accordance with the speed. The high speed processing is enabled without image processings such as clipping of characters on a license plate.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting vehicle types utilizing height information and a debiting system using such a system or a method. A plurality of distance sensors (heads) are provided laterally on a road, and 0/1 linked existence data and linked height data are generated by a link generator. The former data represent the existence of a vehicle on a detection line drawn along the road width direction on the basis of the distance data obtained by the heads and the latter data represent height profiles of a vehicle on the detection line. Height data such as maximum, minimum and average height in every height block are calculated by a scan-by-scan height evaluator 38 on the basis of the linked height data and vehicle position information, and a vehicle type detector 40 detects the type of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic debiting system and method suitable for free lane traveling. Debiting antennas disposed on a first gantry are used to communicate with an in-vehicle unit (IU) mounted on the vehicle for debiting. The passages of the vehicles are detected by the loop coils or line scanners, and the license plates, etc., of the vehicles are photographed by the enforcement cameras. Debiting confirmation antennas on second gantry are used to communicate with the IU for the confirmation of debiting. When the normal debiting is confirmed, a local controller informs a system central controller of the fact, whereas when abnormal debiting is confirmed, images of the license plate, etc., of the illegal vehicle are transmitted to the system central controller as illegal vehicle images. The debiting is thus possible at the time of free lane traveling.

Abstract: An operation control system for automated guided vehicles conveying articles along an unmanned conveying system. This operational control system comprises a first travel path loop and a second travel path loop along which a first group and a second group of the automated guided vehicles are automatically travelled. A common travel path is provided along which the automated guided vehicles of both the first and the second group are travelled, to enable a transfer of articles between the groups of automated guided vehicles. Also a correlating unit for correlating one automated guided vehicle of the first group with another automated guided vehicle of the second group, and a transfer control unit for controlling the transfer of the articles between the automated guided vehicles are provided. The transfer control unit permits only a transfer of articles between automated guided vehicles correlated with each other by the correlating unit.

Abstract: An automatic painting system including a non-explosion-proof automatic painting machine which has an arm having a spray gun and an arm housing, the arm and the arm housing being inserted through an opening defined in a side wall of a closed painting booth into the interior of the painting booth. A hermetically sealing bellows is mounted on and extends between a distal end of the arm and an inner surface of the side wall around the opening therein for protecting a portion of the arm which is slidable with respect to the arm housing from the atmosphere in the painting booth. The interior of the bellows is kept in communication with the atmosphere through the opening in the side wall.

Abstract: An automatic painting system has a painting booth composed of a partition having side walls, a ceiling, and a floor which jointly define a working space isolated by the partition from exterior space for accommodating a workpiece to be painted in a position therein. The partition has air inlet and outlet ports opening into the working space. A movable painting mechanism such as a robot paint spray gun is disposed adjacent to the workpiece position and controlled by a control unit disposed outside of the painting booth and including a robot drive source. The control unit and the movable painting mechanism are interconnected by an arm accommodated in an arm housing extending through the partition with a sealing member hermetically sealing a gap between the arm housing and the partition. A door is mounted on the partition in the vicinity of the workpiece position for transfer of the workpiece into and out of the painting booth.