A sign information output apparatus (10) comprising: an image capturing unit (12) mounted on a vehicle (50), configured to capture an image and acquire a captured image signal representing the captured image while the vehicle (50) is being driven; a sign detector (34) configured to detect a road sign (58, 58a through 58f, 88, 106) from an image area represented by the captured image signal acquired by the image capturing unit (12); an information output section (48) configured to output sign information (72, 90, 108) with respect to a type of the road sign (58, 58a through 58f, 88, 106) that is detected by the sign detector (34); a measured amount acquirer (46) configured to acquire, with a given sampling interval Δt, a measured amount that is correlated to a behavior of the vehicle (50) in transverse directions thereof, wherein the measured amount comprises a time-dependent change of a steering angle or yaw rate; a starting time determiner (134) configured to determine a starting time of a judgment process to detect a change in the travel direction of the vehicle (50) based on the measured amounts acquired by the measured amount acquirer (46); and an output instructor (40) configured to instruct the information output section (48) to stop output of the sign information (72, 90, 108) if a time-integrated value determined by the output instructor (40) of the measured amount from the starting time determined by the starting time determiner (134) is judged to satisfy an output stop condition, which is satisfied, if an absolute value of a time integral of the measured amount exceeds a first threshold value.

There is provided an image processing device capable of recognizing a presence of an object with low visibility on a combined image, a warning device and a method for processing an image. The image processing device (13) includes an image acquiring unit (18) configured to acquire a first image capturing an area around a mobile object (17) including a first area and a second image capturing an area around the mobile object (17) including a second area adjacent to the first area; a contour detector (19) configured to perform a contour detection to the first and second images; and a determiner (20) configured to detect, if a first contour detected on the first image extends to a boundary with the second image on a combined image generated by using the first and second images, whether or not a second contour is detected on an extension of the first contour on the second image.

A sign information output apparatus (10) includes an output instructor (40) for instructing an information output section (48) to stop output of sign information (72, 90, 108) if a traveled distance (L) measured in response to the detection of a sign (58, 58a through 58f, 88, 106) exceeds a threshold value (Lth), and a threshold value changer (38) for changing a threshold value (Lth) depending on at least one of interval information (42) with respect to an interval at which signs (58, 58a through 58c, 58e, 58f) of one type are placed, speed limit information (44) with respect to a speed limit of the road (56, 82, 84), and a speed of the vehicle (50).

An information processing apparatus capable of assisting safe driving of a vehicle at a place such as an intersection where the view from the vehicle is obstructed or restricted is provided. A detection processing unit detects a traffic mirror in an image and an object in the traffic mirror on the basis of image information representing an image captured by an image capturing apparatus mounted in a vehicle. A calculating unit calculates a difference between a size of the detected traffic mirror and a reference size and calculates a size of the object by using the calculated difference. Driving assist information for the vehicle is generated on the basis of the calculated size of the object, and the generated driving assist information is output.

Provided is an electric bus (200) and an electric bus battery exchange system. The electric bus (200) according to the present invention includes: a battery exchange hole (210) disposed on top of the electric bus (200) for exchanging a discharged battery for a charged battery by being connected to a battery exchange unit (110) of a battery exchange station (100); a front camera unit taking front images in the process of entering the battery exchange station (100) for battery exchange; a communication unit for receiving position information of the battery exchange unit (110) from the battery exchange station (100); a route output unit outputting a predicted driving route for reaching a swapping point below the battery exchange unit (110) based on the front images taken by the front camera unit and the position information of the battery exchange unit (110); and a display unit displaying the predicted driving route outputted by the route output unit, superimposed on the front images taken by the front camera unit. Accordingly, the electric bus (200) can reach exactly a battery exchange point by taking front images when an electric bus (200) enters a battery exchange station (100), and providing a predicted driving route which is for guiding the electric bus (200) to the battery exchange point based on the front images.