JP4825810B2 - Information recording apparatus, information recording method, information recording program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a recording medium for recording information relating to a traveling state of a moving body. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the information recording apparatus, the information recording method, the information recording program, and the recording medium described above.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a drive recorder that records the surrounding situation of a running vehicle is known in the same manner as a flight recorder mounted on an airplane. Such a drive recorder includes, for example, a front camera that captures the front of the vehicle, a rear camera that captures the rear, and a divided image forming unit that writes the front and rear images in a predetermined area of the image memory in synchronization with the reference signal.

  The drive recorder steadily records the image memory information in the buffer memory by adding vehicle position information and time information. Then, by inputting a signal equal to or greater than a predetermined value of the impact detection sensor, the recording information is transferred to the storage memory and stored. Thereby, for example, when an accident such as a escaping accident is encountered, the escaping vehicle can be specified (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2004-224105 A

  However, according to the above-described prior art, the user has to separately purchase an in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder, so that the merit of introducing the drive recorder, for example, a fact-related verification document can be obtained when an accident is encountered. An example is the problem of recognizing that there are cases where hesitation is hesitant. Moreover, since the space in a vehicle is limited, the problem that the space for installing the vehicle-mounted apparatus only for a drive recorder may not be ensured as an example is mentioned. Furthermore, when various in-vehicle devices such as a car stereo are mixed in a narrow space such as the dashboard of a vehicle, an example of the problem is that an operation error or a display mistake is likely to occur.

  In addition, if the in-vehicle device having other functions is provided with the drive recorder function instead of the in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder, the processing load amount of the in-vehicle device increases and other functions and the drive recorder function are executed simultaneously. It may not be possible. In such a case, the in-vehicle device switches and executes another function and the drive recorder function, but the recording of the drive recorder becomes fragmented. For this reason, the situation at the time of a traffic accident occurrence etc. cannot necessarily be recorded, but the problem that a drive recorder original purpose cannot be achieved is mentioned as an example.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an information recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is an information recording apparatus that performs a recording process of information relating to a traveling state of a moving body. Receiving means for receiving the execution instruction, acquisition means for acquiring the current location information of the mobile object, and acquiring by the acquiring means when an execution instruction for the other process is received by the receiving means during the recording process Determination means for determining whether to permit execution of the other process together with the recording process or interrupting the recording process based on the current location information, and a determination determined by the determination means An execution means for executing the other process based on the result, and the determination means is configured to determine a current location related to the current location information acquired by the acquisition means. From the late occurrence point or accident occurrence point is within the predetermined range does not permit the execution of the other processing, characterized in that to continue the recording process.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording method for recording information relating to a traveling state of a moving body, wherein an accepting step of accepting an execution instruction for processing other than the recording processing; When an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving step during the process, based on the current location information of the mobile object, the recording process is interrupted together with the recording process or the other process. It includes a determination step for determining whether or not to permit execution, and an execution step for executing the other process based on the determination result determined by the determination step.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an information recording program causes a computer to execute the information recording method according to the seventh aspect.

A recording medium according to a ninth aspect of the invention is readable by a computer that records the information recording program according to the eighth aspect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process switching procedure of the information recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle in which the navigation device is installed. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a priority table for the drive recorder function. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the priority table of the drive recorder function. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the function switching process of the navigation device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the function switching process of the navigation device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information recording apparatus 101 Reception part 102 Acquisition part 103 Judgment part 104 Execution part

  Exemplary embodiments of an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, the functional configuration of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information recording apparatus 100 includes a reception unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 103, and an execution unit 104.

  The information recording apparatus 100 is installed in a moving body such as a vehicle, for example, and records information related to the traveling state of the moving body. The information related to the running state includes the moving path, moving speed, video / audio around the moving object, and the like. For example, the information recording apparatus 100 may record information on the running state from the start of movement of the moving body to the completion of movement, or record information on the running state only in a specified section or at a predetermined interval. May be.

  The accepting unit 101 accepts execution instructions for processes other than the recording process. Processes other than the recording process include, for example, photographing of a passenger on a moving body, editing of a photographed image, reproduction processing of video information, and the like. In this case, for example, hardware resources such as a camera and a microphone that are used to record information related to the traveling state of the moving body are used for other processes.

  The acquisition unit 102 acquires current point information of the moving object. The current location information is information that identifies the current location of the moving object as one point, such as latitude and longitude. For example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the current location information of the mobile object using a GPS signal received from a GPS satellite. Moreover, it is good also as acquiring the present location information of a moving body using the output value from sensors provided in the moving body.

  When the receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to execute another process during the recording process of information related to the driving state, the determination unit 103 records the information related to the driving state based on the current location information acquired by the acquiring unit 102. It is determined whether or not the execution of another process is permitted together with the process or by interrupting the recording process.

  The determination unit 103 determines, for example, whether or not to permit execution of other processing based on map information at or near the current location of the mobile object. The map information is at least one of road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information, for example. The road type information is information related to road attributes (types) such as whether the road is a general road, a highway, a priority road, or a one-way road.

  Whether or not to permit the execution of other processes is determined based on, for example, whether or not there is a high possibility that a traffic accident will occur at the current location of the mobile object. This is because the information on the running state recorded by the recording process can be used for investigation of traffic accidents. In this case, the determination unit 103 continues the recording process without permitting the execution of other processes when the possibility of a traffic accident is high, and permits the execution of other processes when the possibility is low. .

  For example, when the current location of the moving body is a specific type of road (for example, a highway), the determination unit 103 permits execution of other processing. Further, for example, road types may be divided according to road width, and when the road width is less than a predetermined width, execution of other processing may not be permitted.

  The merge point information is latitude / longitude information of a point where a merge point where a plurality of roads merge is located. Examples of the merge point include an intersection and a merge point between a main line of an expressway and an acceleration lane. For example, when the current position of the moving body is within the predetermined range from the joining point or the joining point, the determination unit 103 does not allow the execution of other processes and continues the recording process.

  The accident occurrence point information is point information of a point where an accident has occurred in the past. Even if the accident location information includes detailed information about the accident (for example, whether it is an object or a person, the time when the accident occurred, the weather, the degree of congestion on the road, the moving speed of the moving body that caused the accident, etc.) Good. For example, when the current location of the moving object is within the predetermined range from the accident occurrence location or the accident occurrence location, the determination unit 103 does not permit execution of other processes and continues the recording process.

  In addition, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process when the processing load amount related to other processing is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, and permits the execution of other processing. When the processing load amount is less than the predetermined amount, It is also possible to allow other processes to be executed together with the recording process. Specifically, for example, if the determination unit 103 executes the recording process and other processes at the same time and exceeds the processing load that can be processed by the execution unit 104, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and performs only other processes. Let it run. On the other hand, even if the recording process and other processes are executed simultaneously, if the processing load amount that can be processed by the execution unit 104 does not exceed, the recording process and other processes are executed simultaneously.

  In addition, for example, the determination unit 103 may determine whether to permit the execution of another process in consideration of the time required to execute the other process. In this case, a route along which the moving body moves is calculated by using the current speed, map information, and the like until the completion of the other processing. Then, the above-mentioned determination is made with reference to road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information on the route.

  The execution unit 104 executes other processing based on the determination result determined by the determination unit 103. For example, when the determination unit 103 determines that the execution of another process is permitted, the execution unit 104 executes another permitted process. Further, for example, whether the recording process is interrupted and another process is performed, or whether the recording process and the other process are performed at the same time is determined by the determination unit 103.

  In addition, when the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and permits other processing, the acquisition unit 102 obtains the new current location information of the moving object after interrupting the recording process and allowing execution of the other processing. It is good also as acquiring. In this case, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not to execute the recording process again based on the new current location information acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Then, the execution unit 104 executes the recording process again based on the determination result determined by the determination unit 103.

  For example, when recording processing is performed without permitting other processing in the vicinity of a confluence (within a predetermined range from the confluence), the current state of the moving object at the time when an execution instruction for other processing is received by the receiving unit 101 If the point is not a joining point, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and allows the execution unit 104 to execute another process. Then, the determination unit 103 tracks the current position of the subsequent moving body, and when the determination unit 103 reaches the predetermined range from the junction, the execution unit 104 restarts the recording process. At this time, it is also possible to interrupt the execution of other processes that have been performed immediately before and execute the recording process again. Thereby, the processing load of the execution part 104 can be reduced and a recording process can be performed efficiently.

  Further, the execution unit 104 may execute the recording process again, for example, when the recording process is interrupted and another permitted process ends. As a result, even if there is no user instruction or the like, it is possible to resume the recording process that has been interrupted in order to execute another process.

  Next, a process switching procedure from the recording process to another process by the information recording apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process switching procedure of the information recording apparatus. First, the information recording device 100 records information related to the traveling state of the moving body (step S201). Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to execute another process has been received by the receiving unit 101 (step S202).

  When an instruction to execute another process is received (step S202: Yes), the acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the current location information of the moving object has been acquired (step S203). On the other hand, when the execution instruction of another process is not received (step S202: No), it returns to step S201 and continues recording the information regarding the traveling state of the moving body.

  In step S203, when the current location information is acquired (step S203: Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, when the current location information is not acquired (step S203: No), the acquisition unit 102 acquires the current location information of the moving object (step S204).

  Then, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not to permit execution of another process that has received the execution instruction, based on the current location information of the moving object (step S205). At this time, when permitting execution of another process, the determination unit 103 determines whether to perform the other process together with the recording process or to interrupt the recording process.

  If it is determined in step S205 that execution of another process is permitted (step S205: Yes), the execution unit 104 executes another process (step S206), and the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the execution of other processes is not permitted (step S205: No), the process returns to step S201, and the recording of the information on the traveling state of the moving body is continued.

  When the recording process is interrupted and another process is permitted, the determination unit 103 restarts the recording process based on the current location information after the execution unit 104 starts executing another process in step S206. It may be determined whether or not. Moreover, the execution part 104 is good also as performing a recording process again, when the recording process is interrupted and the other process permitted was complete | finished.

  Furthermore, although not shown, the information related to the running state recorded by the information recording apparatus 100 may be transmitted to a database server or the like via a network. Thereby, even if it is persons other than the mobile body which mounts the information recording device 100, the information regarding a driving | running | working state can be utilized.

  As described above, according to the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, when an instruction to execute another process is received while performing a process of recording information related to the traveling state of the moving object, Based on the information, it is determined whether to permit execution of another process. As a result, the recording process by the information recording apparatus 100 and other processes can be appropriately switched and executed. In particular, it is possible to prevent the recording process of information relating to the traveling state from being interrupted at an inappropriate point.

  In addition, it is recorded at points where there are many traffic accidents by making judgments based on at least one of the map information of the current location of the mobile body or its vicinity, especially road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information. It is possible to prevent the processing from being interrupted. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the information on the running state recorded by the recording process can be used for the investigation of the traffic accident.

  Further, when permitting the execution of another process, it is determined whether or not to interrupt the recording process in accordance with the processing load related to the other process. Thereby, when it is not necessary to interrupt the recording process, for example, when the processing load relating to the other process is light, the recording process and the other process can be performed simultaneously.

  Furthermore, by determining whether to resume the sequential recording process based on the current location information of the moving object, even if the moving object moves, the recording process and other processes are appropriately performed according to the moved point. Can be executed. Further, when the recording process once interrupted is executed again, by interrupting other processes, the hardware resources of the information recording apparatus 100 can be used for the recording process, and the process can be performed reliably.

  Next, an example of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In the following embodiments, a case where the information recording device 100 is applied to a navigation device 300 mounted on a vehicle will be described.

(Configuration of peripheral devices of navigation device 300)
First, the peripheral device configuration of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle in which the navigation device is installed. The navigation device 300 is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The navigation device 300 includes a main body M and a display unit (display) D. The display unit D displays the current location of the vehicle, map information, the current time, and the like.

  The navigation device 300 is connected to an in-vehicle camera 311 installed on the dashboard and an in-vehicle microphone 312 installed in the sun visor. The in-vehicle camera 311 can change the direction of the lens, and can capture images inside and outside the vehicle. The in-vehicle microphone 312 is used when recording an operation by voice input of the navigation device 300 or a state in the vehicle.

  Although not shown, the in-vehicle camera 311 may be attached to the rear part of the vehicle. When the vehicle-mounted camera 311 is attached to the rear part of the vehicle, the safety at the rear of the vehicle can be confirmed, and the situation at the time of rear-end collision can be recorded when the rear-end collision occurs from another vehicle. In addition, the vehicle-mounted camera 311 may be an infrared camera that records in a dark place. A plurality of in-vehicle cameras 311 and in-vehicle microphones 312 may be installed in the vehicle, or may be a movable camera.

  The navigation device 300 has a drive recorder function for recording the traveling state of the vehicle, in addition to searching for a route to the destination and recording information. The drive recorder function is a navigation device that displays video and audio obtained by the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312, current vehicle position information obtained by a GPS unit 415 and various sensors 416 described later, changes in traveling speed, and the like. Recording is performed on 300 recording media (a magnetic disk 405 and an optical disk 407 described later).

  By using such a drive recorder function to constantly record the driving conditions, when the vehicle is involved in an accident or when an accident occurs around the vehicle, the material used to investigate the facts is obtained. be able to. Information to be recorded using the drive recorder function may be stored and stored as long as the storage capacity of the recording medium is not exceeded, or may be sequentially erased while leaving a record for a predetermined time.

  In addition, the navigation device 300 has various functions such as reproduction of DVDs, CDs, reception / recording of television broadcasts, connection to the Internet, and the like. These functions are performed using the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 as in the drive recorder function. For this reason, if another function is to be executed while the drive recorder function is operating, hardware resources may be insufficient. In such a case, the drive recorder function must be stopped. On the other hand, it is desirable that the drive recorder function continue to operate as much as possible in order to record accidents that are unknown when they occur.

  In such a case, the navigation device 300 determines which of the drive recorder function and the other function has priority and allocates hardware resources. This makes it possible to execute other functions of the navigation device 300 while continuing the operation of the drive recorder as much as possible.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device 300)
Next, the hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. In FIG. 4, the navigation apparatus 300 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, an optical disk drive 406, an optical disk 407, an audio I / F (interface) 408, and a microphone 409. A speaker 410, an input device 411, a video I / F 412, a display 413, a communication I / F 414, a GPS unit 415, and various sensors 416. Each component 401 to 416 is connected by a bus 420.

  First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 402 records programs such as a boot program, a communication program, a database creation program, and a data analysis program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disc drive 406 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disc 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  As an example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407, images and sounds inside and outside the vehicle obtained by the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312 shown in FIG. 3, and a vehicle detected by a GPS unit 415 described later. Current position information, output values from various sensors 416 described later, and the like. These pieces of information are recorded by the drive recorder function of the navigation device 300 and used as verification materials when a traffic accident occurs.

  Other examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 include map information used for route search and route guidance. The map information includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is displayed in two or three dimensions on the display screen of the display 413. Drawn. When the navigation device 300 is guiding a route, the map information and the current location of the vehicle acquired by the GPS unit 415 described later are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The traffic condition data stores past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and time. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the traffic jam that is currently occurring based on road traffic information received by the communication I / F 414 described later, but can predict the traffic jam situation at a specified time by using the past traffic jam information. Become.

  In this embodiment, the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not recorded only on the one provided integrally with the hardware of the navigation device 300, and may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In that case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map information via a network through communication I / F414, for example. The acquired map information is stored in the RAM 403 or the like.

  The audio I / F 408 is connected to an audio input microphone 409 (for example, the in-vehicle microphone 312 in FIG. 3) and an audio output speaker 410. The sound received by the microphone 409 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 408. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 410. Note that the voice input from the microphone 409 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 as voice data.

  Examples of the input device 411 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. Furthermore, the input device 411 can connect other information processing terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as devices) such as a digital camera and a mobile phone terminal to input / output data.

  The video I / F 412 is connected to the display 413. Specifically, the video I / F 412 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 413, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 413 is configured by a control IC that controls display. The video I / F 412 is connected to a vehicle-mounted camera 311 (see FIG. 3), and captured images inside and outside the vehicle are input.

  The display 413 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 413, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted. The display 413 is installed in a manner like the display unit D in FIG. 3, for example.

  In addition, the communication I / F 414 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 414 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 414 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  Further, the GPS unit 415 calculates information indicating the current position of the vehicle (the current position of the navigation device 300) using received waves from GPS satellites and output values from various sensors 416 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude. In addition, the GPS unit 415 outputs an odometer, a speed change amount, and an azimuth change amount using output values from the various sensors 416. This makes it possible to analyze dynamics such as sudden braking and sudden steering.

  Here, a method of specifying the current location using the GPS unit 415 will be described. First, in GPS, a total of 24 GPS satellites are arranged, four each in six orbital planes around the earth. These satellites are adjusted in orbit so that the same satellites are located at the same time every day, and 5-6 satellites are always visible from any point on the earth (but need to be in a clear line of sight) .

  The GPS satellites are equipped with cesium (Cs) atomic clocks (oscillators), and keep accurate time in synchronization with the time of each satellite. Furthermore, each satellite is equipped with one cesium oscillator and two rubidium (Rb) oscillators as backups. This is because accurate time is indispensable for position measurement by GPS.

  A GPS satellite transmits radio waves (hereinafter referred to as GPS signals) having two frequencies of 1575.42 MHz (L1) and 1227.60 MHz (L2). This radio wave is modulated by a random number code called a pseudo random code (Pseudo Random Noise Code). When the radio wave is received by the GPS unit 415 or the like, the signal content is decoded with reference to a code corresponding to the random number table.

  The GPS unit 415 measures the time difference between the time when the GPS signal is emitted from the GPS satellite and the time when the own device receives the GPS signal from the decoded code and the clock in the own device. Then, the time difference is multiplied by the propagation speed of the radio wave to calculate the distance from the GPS satellite to its own device (distance = speed × time). This time is synchronized with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

  Since the GPS satellites send accurate information on the orbit, the current location of the GPS satellites can be accurately known. Therefore, if the distance from the GPS satellite is known, the current location of the device is any point on the sphere centered on the GPS satellite and having the calculated distance as a radius. The GPS signal code string is repeatedly sent at intervals of about 1 ms. Since the propagation speed of the GPS signal is 400,000 km / s, the maximum measurement distance is 400,000 × 0.001 = 400 km. Therefore, it is necessary to know the current location of the device in advance with an accuracy of about 100 km.

  Thus, if the distance from three satellites among the GPS satellites is calculated, the current position of the own device is one of two points where three spherical surfaces intersect. In addition, one of the two points is far away from the point that can be predicted, and thus one point is determined in principle. However, in reality, the calculated candidate points for the current location (intersections of the three surfaces) are not two points. This is mainly because the accuracy of the clock mounted on the GPS unit 415 is lower than that of the atomic clock mounted on the GPS satellite, resulting in an error in the calculation result.

  For this reason, the GPS unit 415 receives GPS signals from a total of four GPS satellites. It can be considered that a solution is obtained by introducing new information (equation) with the error of the clock on the GPS unit 415 side as another unknown. As described above, the GPS unit 415 can obtain a substantially accurate current point that converges to one point by receiving GPS signals from four GPS satellites.

  The various sensors 416 are a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and the like, and their output values are used for calculation of the current point by the GPS unit 415 and measurement of changes in speed and direction. Further, the output values of the various sensors 416 may be data recorded by the drive recorder function.

  Of the functional configuration of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the receiving unit 101 is input device 411, the acquisition unit 102 is GPS unit 415 and various sensors 416, and the determination unit 103 and execution unit 104 are CPU 401. Each of these functions is realized.

(Function switching process of the navigation device 300)
Next, the function switching process of the navigation device 300 will be described. As described above, the navigation device 300 has various functions such as route search and information recording, reproduction of DVDs, CDs, reception / recording of television broadcasts, connection to the Internet, and the like. Since the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 are limited, it is necessary to appropriately switch between the drive recorder function and other functions and execute them.

  Here, the navigation device 300 has a table (hereinafter referred to as a priority table) for determining the priority between the drive recorder function and other processing on the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a priority table for the drive recorder function.

  In FIG. 5, the priority table 500 shows points where priority is given to the drive recorder function in the priority point area 510. At the priority points shown in the priority point area 510 (for example, intersections, highways, roads with a road width less than 5 m, etc.), the drive recorder function operates with priority over other functions. That is, when both functions (drive recorder function and other functions) cannot be executed simultaneously with the hardware resources of the navigation device 300, the drive recorder function is preferentially operated.

  The priority points shown in the priority point area 510 are generally points where traffic accidents are likely to occur. In addition to those shown in FIG. 5, for example, a curve with a high curvature or a poor-looking curve with a building in the direction of bending, For example, the junction of the main highway and the confluence lane. Moreover, it is good also as a priority point by extracting the accident frequent occurrence point from which the accident occurs frequently from the information of the traffic accident which occurred in the past.

  Further, a condition for giving priority to the drive recorder function may be set at the priority point. In FIG. 5, the priority table 500 shows conditions in the priority condition area 521 that prioritize the drive recorder function at the priority points. The conditions shown in the priority condition area 521 are conditions that are likely to cause traffic accidents in general, such as a school commuting time zone, an evening to night time zone, and a precipitation amount of 10 mm or more. Thus, the drive recorder function may be prioritized at the priority point only when certain conditions are met. On the other hand, like the always-priority area 522, the drive recorder function may be prioritized under any conditions at the priority point.

  Furthermore, the priority point may be different for each function designated as another function. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the priority table of the drive recorder function. In FIG. 6, functions designated as other functions are shown in the function area 610 in the priority table 600. The functions shown in the function area 610 are functions that cannot be executed simultaneously with the drive recorder function with the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 (for example, a passenger analysis function, a ripping process, etc.).

  On the other hand, the point area 620 shows the attribute of the point where the vehicle travels. The attribute to which each point belongs is distinguished by, for example, a road type such as a highway and a general road, a road width such as a road width of 5 m or more and less than 5 m. In addition, it is good also considering the feature installed in the point, such as an accident frequent occurrence point, an intersection, a crosswalk, etc. as an attribute.

  The priority table 600 indicates whether each function indicated in the function area 610 is prioritized over the drive recorder function at each point indicated in the point area 620. For example, the passenger analysis process is prioritized on an expressway and a general road having a road width of 5 m or more (indicated by a circle in the figure), but is not prioritized on a general road having a road width of less than 5 m and an accident occurrence point. In addition, the ripping process is prioritized on an expressway, but is not prioritized on a general road regardless of the width of the road, and is not prioritized even at points where accidents frequently occur.

  In accordance with the priority table as described above, the navigation device 300 determines whether or not to prioritize the drive recorder function. In addition, the determination may be made in consideration of the time taken to execute the designated function. The time required to execute the function can be roughly estimated, and the route traveled during that time can be predicted by using the route search function or the route guidance function of the navigation device 300. For this reason, for example, when passing the priority point until the specified function is completed, priority is given to the drive recorder function and other functions are not executed. The function may be executed.

  Next, the procedure of function switching processing by the navigation device 300 will be described. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the function switching process of the navigation device. Note that the navigation device 300 uses the GPS unit 415 to continuously calculate the current location information of the vehicle for use in route guidance and the like. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the navigation device 300 basically operates the drive recorder function during traveling (step S701). When an operation instruction for another function is given by the user or the like (step S702: Yes), it is determined whether or not the function is operable simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S703).

  Functions that can be operated simultaneously with the drive recorder function are functions that lighten the burden on the hardware resources of the navigation device 300, such as radio broadcast reception and music playback. On the other hand, when the operation instruction of the other function is not given (step S702: No), the process returns to step S701 to continue the operation of the drive recorder function.

  In step S703, when it is determined that the function can be operated simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S703: Yes), other functions are operated simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S704), and the processing according to this flowchart is ended. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the function is not operable simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S703: No), it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high. (Step S705).

  If it is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high (step S705: Yes), the operation of the drive recorder function is continued (step S706), and the process proceeds to step S708 in FIG. On the other hand, when the priority is not high in the drive recorder function (step S705: No), the operation is switched to the other function instructed in step S702 (step S707), and the process proceeds to step S710 in FIG. . Specifically, whether or not the drive recorder function has a high priority is determined by extracting the attribute of the current location of the vehicle calculated by the GPS unit 415 from the map information and referring to the priority table. It is determined by checking whether or not.

  Turning to the description of FIG. 8, when the operation of the drive recorder function is continued in step S706 of FIG. 7, the navigation apparatus 300 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high (step S708). . If the drive recorder function exits the place where the priority is high (step S708: Yes), the operation is switched to the other function instructed in step S702 (step S709), and the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, if the place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high is not passed (step S708: No), the process returns to step S706 of FIG. 7 and the operation of the drive recorder function is continued.

  When the operation is switched to another function instructed in step S709 and step S707 in FIG. 7, the navigation apparatus 300 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high. Judgment is made (step S710). Specifically, the attribute of the current location is extracted from the map information, and whether or not it is a priority location is checked with reference to the priority table. If it is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high (step S710: Yes), the operation is switched to the drive recorder function (step S711), the process proceeds to step S708, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is not a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high (step S710: No), the operation of the other function is continued (step S712), and it is determined whether the operation of the other function is finished (step S712). Step S713).

  When the operation of the other function is finished (step S713: Yes), the operation is switched to the drive recorder function (step S714), and the processing according to this flowchart is finished. On the other hand, when the operation of other functions does not end (step S713: No), the process returns to step S710 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  Note that the data recorded by the drive recorder function of the navigation device 300 as described above may be transmitted to a database server on the network via the communication I / F 414. Thereby, the recorded data can be used even by a user other than the user of the navigation device 300. For example, when a traffic accident occurred around the vehicle is accidentally captured by the drive recorder function, the party of the accident can use the data for solving the accident.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 300, the drive device function and other functions can be appropriately switched and executed in the navigation device 300 without separately installing an in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder. In particular, the drive recorder function can be prevented from being interrupted at an inappropriate point.

  In addition, since there is no need to install a separate on-board device dedicated to the drive recorder, it is possible to utilize the limited space in the car, and various operations are mixed in a narrow space, resulting in operational errors and mis-displays. Can be reduced.

  In addition, a drive recorder at a point where traffic accidents frequently occur by making a determination based on at least one of the map information of the current point of the vehicle or the vicinity thereof, in particular, road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information. It is possible to prevent the function from being interrupted. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the information recorded by the drive recorder function can be used for a traffic accident investigation.

  Further, when permitting the execution of another function, it is determined whether or not to interrupt the drive recorder function according to the processing load amount when executing the other function. Thereby, when it is not necessary to interrupt a drive recorder function, for example, when the processing load amount regarding another function is light, a drive recorder function and another function can be performed simultaneously.

  Further, by determining whether or not to sequentially resume the drive recorder function based on the current position information of the vehicle, even if the vehicle moves, the drive recorder function and other functions are appropriately performed according to the moved position. Can be switched. Further, when the interrupted drive recorder function is executed again, by interrupting other functions, the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 can be allocated to the drive recorder function, and the processing can be performed reliably.

  The information recording method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Claims (9)

In an information recording apparatus for recording information on the traveling state of a moving object,
Accepting means for accepting execution instructions for processes other than the recording process;
Obtaining means for obtaining current location information of the mobile;
When an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving unit during the recording process, based on the current location information acquired by the acquiring unit, with the recording process or by interrupting the recording process, Determination means for determining whether to permit execution of the other processing;
Execution means for executing the other processing based on the determination result determined by the determination means;
With
The determination unit does not allow the execution of the other process when the current point according to the current point information acquired by the acquisition unit is within the predetermined range from the accident occurrence point or the accident occurrence point. An information recording apparatus characterized by continuing the process.   2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not to permit the execution of the other process based on map information at or near the current location of the mobile object. . The information recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the map information is at least one of road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information. The acquisition means acquires new current point information of the moving body after interrupting the recording process and permitting execution of the other process,
The determination unit determines whether to execute the recording process again based on the new current location information acquired by the acquisition unit,
The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit performs the recording process again based on a determination result determined by the determination unit. The information recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the execution unit interrupts execution of the other process and executes the recording process again.   The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the recording process again when the other process ends. In an information recording method for recording information on the traveling state of a moving object,
A receiving step for receiving an execution instruction for processing other than the recording processing;
When an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving step during the recording process, based on the current location information of the mobile object, the recording process is interrupted, or the recording process is interrupted. A determination step for determining whether or not to permit execution of the process;
An execution step of executing the other process based on the determination result determined by the determination step;
Including
In the determination step, when the current point according to the current point information of the mobile body is within the predetermined range from the accident occurrence point or the accident occurrence point, the execution of the other process is not permitted and the recording process is continued. An information recording method characterized by the above. An information recording program for causing a computer to execute the information recording method according to claim 7 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the information recording program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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