JP2000016352A - Image recording device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record the situation of an accident of an automobile as an image with a relatively simple constitution. SOLUTION: A forward image is picked up by a CCD 8 over a windshied glass of an automobile, and converted into the digital signal by an A/D converter 21, data-compressed by a microprocessor 22, and stored in a RAM 25. When an impact noise, etc., is detected by a sensor 3, the memory in the RAM 25 is stopped, the image data and the clock data stored in the RAM 25 are transferred to a non-volatile memory 26, the stored image data is converted into the analog signal by a D/A converter 24, and displayed on an external monitor or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to capturing and recording a scene in front of a vehicle running inside the vehicle, and immediately stopping the recording when an accident occurs to clarify the accident. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for a vehicle which is useful for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional video recording apparatus, a video deck using an analog tape is used for general image recording. Also,
Digital cameras capable of recording images in a short time in a semiconductor memory have also been put to practical use. However, in video decks using tape and digital cameras mainly for home use,
Vibration and impact were frequently applied, such as automobiles, and could not be used in applications where the temperature range used was wide.

[0003] In addition, in conventional video decks and digital cameras, start and stop of image recording are performed manually or by a timer.
In a sudden emergency such as an accident, there was no function to automatically stop the driver when the driver was not in a state to stop. In addition, tapes and disks with mechanical parts are always used for recording, and recordings such as tapes and disks, heads, motors, etc. are used in applications where recording must be continued, such as confirmation after an accident. The service life was too short to use. For this reason, the in-vehicle image recording device cannot be realized at low cost by the conventional technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus for a vehicle capable of recording the situation as an image when a vehicle accident occurs with a relatively simple configuration.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image recording apparatus for an automobile, which is mounted in an automobile and records an image at the time of an accident, comprising: an imaging unit provided on a front glass portion of the automobile; a conversion unit for digitizing image data captured; A digital memory for recording the image data, a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an accident in the vehicle, and control means for stopping the recording of the image data in the digital memory in response to the detection of the occurrence of the accident by the sensor. It is composed.

In the invention according to claim 2, the sensor according to claim 1 detects any of shock, sound, and vibration at the time of occurrence of an accident.

[0007] The invention according to claim 3 includes image processing means for compressing digitized image data, storing the compressed image data in a digital memory, and expanding image data read from the digital memory.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image recording apparatus 1 for a vehicle has a camera unit 2 provided on the front surface thereof, and a sensor unit 3 and a recording device unit 4 provided therein. Such an image recording apparatus 1 for a vehicle is mounted on a front glass portion of a vehicle, and an image of a front surface is always captured by a camera unit 2 during driving, and an output of the captured image is recorded by a recording unit 4.

That is, the recording device section 4 converts an image signal provided from the camera section 2 into digital data, compresses the data, and records the data in a digital memory. Then, when the sensor unit 3 detects an impact due to an accident or the like, the recording is stopped. Thereby, if necessary, the recorded data can be taken out and the situation immediately before and during the accident can be confirmed on the video.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the vehicle image recording apparatus 1 is provided with a camera section 2 separately from the main body, and the camera section 2 and the vehicle image recording apparatus 1 are connected by a cable 5. In this case, only the camera unit 2 is mounted on the glass part on the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle image recording apparatus 1 is stored under the seat or in the trunk, so that the mounting space for the glass part can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, only the lens 6 from the main body of the image recording apparatus 1 for a vehicle is attached to the glass portion on the front of the vehicle, and the optical recording medium 7
It is configured to guide an image to the CCD 8 inside.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views showing still another embodiment of the present invention, in which an image recording apparatus for a vehicle is integrated with a rearview mirror. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a state seen as a rearview mirror from inside the vehicle, and FIG. 5 shows a state on the front side seen through a windshield.

As shown in FIG. 4, a mirror 9 is provided on the front surface of a rearview mirror 10, and is mounted inside a vehicle by a mounting portion 11. As shown in FIG. 5, a lens 6 is attached to the rear side of the rearview mirror 10 so as to face the front. Note that a wide-angle lens is used as the lens 6 in order to widen an image in front even when the angle of the rearview mirror 10 is adjusted. Further, a switch 12 and a buzzer 13 are provided at a lower portion on the back side.

As described above, by forming the image recording apparatus 1 for a vehicle integrally with the rearview mirror 10, it is possible to form a small shape that does not obstruct the visual field in accordance with the shape of the rearview mirror in the vehicle, thereby ensuring safety. . When the lens 6 is disposed behind the rearview mirror 10 when viewed from the driver's seat, the wiper on the front glass of a general car constantly wipes the vicinity of the front portion of the rearview mirror when it operates, so that raindrops and dirt may not be displayed. There is an advantage that input is not easily hindered.

[0015] Even if it is not integral with the rearview mirror, it can be easily mounted as long as it is hidden behind the rearview mirror. The mounting portion 11 of the rearview mirror 10 can be fitted into the rearview mirror main body at a rare place having a protrusion in the front portion of the vehicle or can be mounted together with the rearview mirror mounting portion, so that it is easy to mount. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, an image passing through a lens 6 is input to a CCD 8 and converted into an analog video signal. This video signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 21 and the microprocessor 2
2 given. The microprocessor 22 performs image processing and data compression of the input image data.

The microprocessor 3, the sensor 3, the clock circuit 23, the D / A converter 24, the RAM 25, the nonvolatile memory 26, and the alarm 27 are connected to the microprocessor 22. RAM
Numeral 25 stores the compressed image data and the time data measured by the clock circuit 23. The nonvolatile memory 26 stores the image data and the time data transferred from the RAM 25. The sensor 3 detects any of shock, sound, and vibration when a car accident occurs. Alarm 27
Notifies the occurrence of an accident when the detection output of the sensor 3 is detected. When reading the image data from the non-volatile memory 26, the microprocessor 22 decompresses the original image data and stores it in the RAM 25, and gives the data from the RAM 25 to the D / A converter 24 to convert it into an analog signal. Output a video signal. Each component has a power supply 2
8 supplies power.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a specific operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Next, a specific operation of the present invention will be described. The CCD 8 captures an image captured through the windshield through the lens 6 and supplies a video signal to the A / D converter 21. The A / D converter 21 converts an analog video signal into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the microprocessor 22. The microprocessor 22 performs image processing and data compression. In other words, the image processing is to perform conversion processing such as noise elimination and correction on the image data, and the data compression is to find out the characteristics of the data by calculation in order to reduce the memory capacity of the image data, and to substitute for the data itself. The parameters that represent the characteristics are recorded by the run-length method, JPEG method, MPE
A method such as the G method is used.

The compressed data is recorded in the RAM 25. Here, the RAM 25 is not recorded indefinitely due to the capacity, but is erased in order from the oldest data and replaced with new data. Clock circuit 2
3 is clocking the current time, and the microprocessor 22
Causes the time data measured by the clock circuit 23 to be recorded in the RAM 25 as well. By recording the time data together with the image data, the video and the time are displayed at the same time when reproduced later, so that the situation can be easily determined. In the case where video is intermittently recorded automatically or manually, the progress can be accurately recognized by the presence of time data. Further, the time recording method is as follows.
Time data may be input from the clock circuit 23 every second and characters may be directly inserted into the video data, or may be recorded in a memory address independent of the image data in correspondence with the image data.

Then, the microprocessor 22 determines whether or not there is an output from the sensor 3, repeats the above operation until there is a sensor output, and sequentially stores the image data in the RAM 25.

Next, an impact sound or the like when an accident occurs is detected by the sensor 3.
Is detected, the microprocessor 22 stores the image data and the time data stored in the RAM 25 in the nonvolatile memory 2.
6 and an alarm is notified from the alarm 27, and waits until the reproduction switch is turned on. When the playback switch is pressed, the microprocessor 22
, And the image data is expanded into the original data and stored in the RAM 25. Then, the microprocessor 22 gives the original image data and time data stored in the RAM 25 to the D / A converter 24 to convert them into analog signals, and outputs them as video signals to a television or a video deck. Further, the microprocessor 22 can output the image data also as a digital signal. In this case, the microprocessor 22 outputs the digital data as it is in accordance with the timing of the external circuit, and converts the digital data to a display signal or stores the data externally. can do.

The RAM 25 shown in FIG.
When a MOS type SRAM is used, long-term memory retention can be performed in a battery. However, a CMOS type SRAM is expensive, has a low degree of integration, requires a large IC mounting area, and has a low operating temperature, high temperature, and vibration. In this case, there is a possibility that the life and performance of the battery may deteriorate. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a dynamic RAM is used as the RAM 25, and when the storage must be fixed, the nonvolatile memory 26 is used.
To be stored.

The nonvolatile memory 26 is a memory that does not lose data even when the power is turned off, and may be an EEPROM or a flash memory. In this embodiment, a flash memory is used as the nonvolatile memory 26, and a method of transferring data from the dynamic RAM to the flash memory and storing the data in the flash memory is used. With this, even if the car battery is not supplied after the collision, if the circuit can be operated for a few seconds with the built-in small battery, the transfer is completed, and the data can be retained without limitation for many days thereafter .

When recording is stopped by a strong shock, vibration, or a stop switch, it is necessary to indicate that the recording is stopped. For this purpose, for example, the state can be represented by a buzzer sound and a lamp. For example, immediately after the sensor 3 is activated and stopped, the alarm 27 displays an intermittent buzzer and a flashing lamp. After confirming the stop and operating the alarm-off switch, the alarm is displayed only by flashing the lamp. May be represented by lighting the lamp continuously.

Further, when the image recording apparatus for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is combined with a car navigation apparatus, there is an advantage that setting and confirmation of an image can be easily performed. The car navigation device is provided with a display device suitable for displaying an image, and inputs and displays a video signal on the display device, and performs operations and settings such as input, recording, and reproduction of image digital data. A microprocessor suitable for this purpose can also be used in common.

Further, in the case of this device alone, a large device cannot be used for the operation switches and the display because of its small size.
A large touch switch that can be easily operated from the driver's seat can be operated in the same manner as the original operation of car navigation, so that it is convenient and safe. Also, even if it is not integrated with the car navigation device, by connecting it with a connector, the image can be displayed on the car navigation display, the setting can use the setting display function of the car navigation device, or it can be used in combination Can be more convenient.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image in front of the vehicle is taken by the front glass, digitized and stored in the memory, and stored in the memory when the occurrence of an accident is detected by the sensor. Since the recording of the image data is stopped, the state immediately before the accident can be easily reproduced later. Moreover, by using a digital memory, a reliable image can be recorded without being adversely affected by vibration and temperature characteristics.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing still another embodiment of the present invention, which is an example of being integrated with a rearview mirror and showing a state of being viewed as a rearview mirror from inside a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state on the front side similarly seen through the windshield.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a specific operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus for vehicles 2 Camera part 3 Sensor part 4 Recording device part 5 Cable 6 Lens 7 Optical fiber 8 CCD 21 A / D converter 22 Microprocessor 23 Clock 24 D / A converter 25 RAM 26 Nonvolatile memory 27 Alarm

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/91 G06F 15/62 380 5/92 H04N 5/91 N 7/18 5/92 HF term (reference) 5B057 AA16 BA02 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE08 CG01 CH11 5C022 AA04 AC00 AC69 AC72 5C052 GA01 GA06 GB06 GC05 GD03 GE03 GE04 5C053 FA11 GA10 GB36 GB37 HA33 KA03 LA01 5C054 AA01 CE04 CH10 EB05 HA30

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for an automobile, which is mounted in an automobile and records an image at the time of an accident, comprising: imaging means provided on a front glass portion of the automobile; and digitally converting image data captured by the imaging means. Conversion means for converting the image data digitized by the conversion means, a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an accident in the vehicle, and the digital memory in response to detection of the occurrence of the accident by the sensor An image recording apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a control unit for stopping recording of image data in a vehicle. 2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects an impact, a sound,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the vibrations is detected.
4. The image recording device for an automobile according to claim 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image processing means for compressing the image data digitized by said conversion means, storing the compressed image data in said digital memory, and expanding image data read from said digital memory. The image recording apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1.