JP2000247265A - On-vehicle image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording system recording the motion of an own vehicle to monitor the way of driving the own vehicle, thereby improving a driver's own sense of safe driving to reduce automobile accidents, and grasping the relation between the own vehicle and a road surface so as to prove the motion of the own vehicle which is the evidence of the driver's own safe driving in case of meeting an accident. SOLUTION: A road surface view camera 2a for picking up images of a part of a body of an own vehicle P and a road surface B1 associated with the motion of the own vehicle P is provided backward and downward at the front side part of the own vehicle P, and a forward view camera 2b for picking up images of a part of the body of the own vehicle P and the front road surface and exterior is provided in the front position of the interior roof. An image recording means 4 is provided to constantly store the images picked up by each camera during driving, and a monitoring means is provided to display the images and to inspect operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the movement of a driver's own vehicle (hereinafter referred to simply as "own vehicle") and the surrounding conditions of the vehicle and the road surface associated with the movement of the own vehicle. Images are taken by the imaging means attached to capture the image, the movement of the vehicle is recorded as image information, and the driver is aware that all his driving conditions are recorded, prompting safe driving, and Even in the event of a car accident, the recording of the image information proves the movement of the own vehicle at the moment of the accident and immediately before the accident, and can be greatly useful in investigating the cause of the accident. The present invention relates to an in-vehicle image recording system for the purpose of raising awareness of the importance of execution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an automobile encounters an accident, a method and apparatus for recording an automobile operation status for recording the status from a predetermined time before the occurrence of the accident to the occurrence of the accident and providing the analysis data of the cause of the accident. Is described in, for example,
Nos. 59, 5-29418, 5-1371
No. 44 and No. 5-34547.

[0003] That is, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-20592 (hereinafter referred to as a first known example) includes an image input device at a front position of a vehicle for inputting an outside scene of the vehicle in front of the vehicle as image information. The image input device is configured to operate when the engine is started, and to stop the operation according to the engine stop signal, and at least one of time, vehicle speed, and vehicle acceleration / deceleration data is input. And a recording device that records output data from the control device.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-294188 (hereinafter referred to as "second known example") has an in-vehicle camera for capturing an image outside the vehicle in a vehicle interior, and further displays the image of the in-vehicle camera on a screen. An in-vehicle display, an in-vehicle image recording device housed in a heat-resistant housing that records an image of the in-vehicle display, and selectively switching a signal from the in-vehicle camera to the in-vehicle display or the in-vehicle image recording device. A signal switching means for outputting, a sudden braking detection means for detecting a sudden braking amount per predetermined time of the vehicle, and the signal switching means only when a detection result of the sudden braking detecting means exceeds a preset braking amount. And control means for controlling the vehicle image recording apparatus to perform a video signal recording operation at the same time as switching to the vehicle image recording apparatus. It is those made.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-137144 (hereinafter referred to as a third known example) has a digital electronic camera installed on a ceiling of a vehicle seat, and always photographs the situation in front of the vehicle when driving. The captured image is recorded on a memory card, and after the memory capacity is full, the oldest data is sequentially overwritten with the latest data. An emergency signal is generated, the position where the sudden braking occurs is recorded in the image, and a fixed number of frames are photographed from that position, and the recording operation is stopped.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-34547 (hereinafter referred to as a fourth known example) discloses an electronic inspection apparatus for directing an area in front of a vehicle and / or an area behind the vehicle, for example, for an automobile. The electronic inspection device is provided on the front bumper or inside, and an image storage device is connected to the electronic inspection device.

[0007]

Nowadays, automobiles are indispensable necessities in human life these days, but they are also murderous weapons, and the number of deaths due to automobile accidents annually is over tens of thousands worldwide. It is estimated that those who are injured in connection with it can be estimated several tens of times. Driving a car has such a terrible danger that it is restricted by granting a legal license.However, once a driver has a license, Regarding whether or not you are driving a car, there is an increase in current car accidents where there is only a law and it can not be a proof that you are driving safely just by observing the laws and regulations It is no exaggeration to say.

The inventor of the present application considers this problem from experience based on the following. In other words, the automobile has come to an era where it is indispensable to the daily life of mankind. Therefore, traffic rules that do not cause car accidents are required.However, at present, no matter how strict the rules of driving a car are, even if the driver's mindset is to prioritize safe driving ahead of a car driving accident, There is no hope for a direction to reduce the amount.

It is said that once a person starts driving in a car, everyone changes their personality. It is said that this is a place where the driver himself is mentally closed because one door closes the inside of the car and communication with the outside is cut off, so the classroom outside the car is No matter how many times you repeat the course of road traffic regulations, you will be able to drive a car. However, since the manner of driving and the quality of driving depend on the manners of the driver, the number of car accidents does not easily decrease.

In the event that a car accident occurs, the cause of the accident will be investigated after the accident. If a person is unfamiliar or victim of an accident and dies, it seems that the victim is more likely to be the cause of the accident. Unfortunately, the lack of a clear proof of what you were driving could even create a climate where the perpetrators would be better off avoiding proof of the truth. .

[0011] It is hoped that many people will have no car accidents, and they often say, "This car is driving in compliance with laws and regulations." I see a car with the words `` I'm a lawyer driving car, so please go ahead '' on the part of the car body, but if this kind of car that declares safe driving is related to the accident And even if there is no accidental omission on your part, it is how you can prove that you are actually driving like that without a monitoring device.

The cause of an automobile accident is determined based on situation evidence such as the position where the vehicle stopped last, the orientation of each vehicle involved, the scar marks on each car, and the tire marks left on the road. In practice, this is not enough by itself to elucidate the true cause of the accident, and in some cases it can even take the form of a situation where the cause is completely unknown. Therefore, it is assumed that even if you are driving safely without any imperfections at the time of the accident, if you can not prove it, you will be taken only as an escape, and as a result, you will be a cause of a serious accident Is done. Even if you are a true victim, even if you are killed and you are made an assailant after verification, you will be in dread of having no way of explanation and that the bereaved will be asked for a large amount of damages Is also assumed.

Considering the manner in which an automobile encounters an accident, for example, an automobile that is being driven by another person while the vehicle is temporarily stopped at an intersection (hereinafter referred to as another vehicle) turns right or left. A contact accident has occurred, or a collision has occurred with another vehicle traveling on the main line while the vehicle is stopped at the branch point to enter the main line from the branch line, or the vehicle is traveling straight. In the case where a collision accident occurs when another vehicle approaches from the side, it is evident that it is extremely important for the investigation of the cause of the accident to determine whether the vehicle has been temporarily stopped at the time of the accident or traveling straight. By the way.

The most important thing when an accident is encountered is the movement of the vehicle at the moment of the accident and immediately before the accident. That is, it is the movement of the vehicle relative to the road surface that reveals whether the vehicle has been stopped or traveling straight ahead, and this fact is based on a part of the vehicle body and the road surface related to the movement of the vehicle. And a record of the relationship between a part of the vehicle body of the host vehicle and the front, rear or side road surface and the outside scenery.

However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, the image input device in the first known example is provided near the dashboard portion or near the radiator grill outside the vehicle to exclusively capture the outside scene in front of the vehicle. The on-vehicle camera in the second known example is provided at a front position to capture an image outside the vehicle, and the digital electronic camera in the third known example is provided on a ceiling of a seat. The electronic inspection device in the fourth known example is configured to capture an image of the situation in front of the vehicle so as to include the background reflected in the rearview mirror.
It is configured to be provided on the front bumper and / or the rear bumper to exclusively capture the outside scene in front of the vehicle and / or behind the vehicle.

That is, in any of the above-mentioned known examples, even if the imaging means can capture an image of a part of the traveling road surface, the relationship of the object with respect to the own vehicle can be roughly grasped by a change in the situation of the outside scene of the vehicle. It is an idea to grasp, and it is not possible to always monitor the movement of the own vehicle while driving, or to control the driving method of the driver who drives the own vehicle. In the unlikely event that the vehicle encounters an accident, the movement of the vehicle, which is a very important proof in a direct accident of the vehicle or a secondary accident that occurs subsequent to the accident, should be clarified. The materials to prove to be extremely inadequate and unreliable.

In particular, according to the second known example, it is impossible to image the movement of the own vehicle at the time of encountering an accident unless the sudden braking is actuated. For example, it is apparent that the own vehicle is stopped. However, there is a drawback in that it is not possible to record a captured image.

In view of the above, the vehicle-mounted image recording system according to the present invention includes a road-view camera mounted to capture only a part of the body of the vehicle and a road surface related to the movement of the vehicle, A part of the vehicle body and a directional camera mounted to capture the front, rear or side of the road surface and the outside scenery, to monitor the vehicle by recording at least the movement of the vehicle at all times while driving In addition, the primary purpose is to control the driving method of the driver who drives the own vehicle.

Therefore, the vehicle is equipped with the present system, the operation of the camera is checked at appropriate times, and the system is always operated during driving. By photographing the road surface and part of the body of the vehicle and the road surface in front of, behind, or on the side of the vehicle and the outside scene, the driver's own driving situation is slightly and narrowly monitored, and is constantly monitored. This means that the driver himself drives the vehicle under the monitoring of the present system, and the driver himself is conscious of this and always keeps an eye on safe driving without error.

The present application is a device for constantly monitoring and recording the movement of the vehicle while the vehicle is driving, as described above, and aims to leave the record as important evidence in the event of an accident. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of an unsatisfactory state of the records in the event of an accident in the event of an accident, it is important to check the equipment whenever possible when driving the vehicle. That is.

Therefore, it is the most important task to check whether each camera is operating normally, and it is necessary to repeatedly check the operation. For example, even if it has been decided that this monitoring device should always be checked before starting operation, it is not easy to do so every time, and it is necessary to be able to check the operation easily and easily anytime and anywhere. There is.

Therefore, in the present application, when the direction of the camera is misaligned, the lens of the camera is dirty by mud or rain, the wire is broken, the camera itself is broken, etc., the failure is not known when an accident occurs. In order to ensure that the camera was not operated later, the system was always operated and checked for each camera. It is a system with a display function for performing inspections by looking behind the time.

That is, in the system of the present invention, a monitor means for operation check is provided in the vehicle, and a function is provided for performing an operation test of the camera as appropriate. For example, by simply switching the image of an arbitrary camera and displaying it on the display instantly by simply touching at an intersection or the like, an operation test can be always performed while confirming driving safety. In other words, the inspection is inevitably performed during normal operation without being aware that the inspection will be performed.

As described above, the present application is a system having a function that is very simple and can always perform inspection. Therefore, by equipping the system of the present invention, while driving a car, lawful and safe driving is always started. This is the most important thing in reducing car accidents. Also, in the unlikely event that an accident is encountered, the driver can drive safely by himself and check the part of the vehicle body and the nearby road surface directly below the vehicle body and the part of the vehicle body and the front, rear or side road surface and the outside scenery. By photographing, this system, in which all the movements of the own vehicle are completely recorded, can prove the legitimacy of own driving, so that the driver can drive with a sense of security. Therefore, even if a large amount of cost is paid, it is difficult to replace human life, so by installing this system, it will be a true declaration of safe driving, and normalization of this will ensure thorough safe driving And hopes for something that will significantly reduce car accidents. It is no exaggeration to say that if this system is installed in all vehicles, car accidents will disappear from the world at all. This is the ultimate goal of the system.

[0025]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a road surface camera for imaging a part of a vehicle body of a host vehicle and a road surface related to the movement of the host vehicle, and a vehicle body of the host vehicle. Front view camera that captures a part of the road surface and the outside scene, or a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and a rear view camera that captures the rear road surface and the outside scene, or a part of the vehicle body of the vehicle and the side road surface Image capturing means having at least one side-view camera for capturing an outside scene, and image recording means for storing an image of the image-capturing means. It is characterized by doing.

The combination of the above-mentioned image pickup means is particularly important because the movement of the own vehicle becomes clear due to the relationship between a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle to be imaged by each camera and the nearby road surface and the outside scene immediately below the vehicle body. is there.

In the above description, the road surface immediately below the vehicle body is a road surface on the side of the vehicle body including the road surface immediately below the vehicle body and preferably including the road surface near the wheels.

[0028] The road-view camera is preferably provided rearward and downward on the front side of the vehicle body, or forward and downward on the rear side thereof, and is further provided at each of the front and rear and / or left and right positions of the vehicle body. Further, in order to ensure the clarity of imaging during traveling, a road surface viewing camera is provided downward on the upper side of the vehicle body.

Further, in order to more clearly confirm the running state of the vehicle, the direction camera captures the road surface and the outside scene including a part of the vehicle body, so that the surroundings of the vehicle can be widely viewed. A camera or a rear-view camera is provided at the front and rear and / or right and left positions of the vehicle body.

Further, in order to more surely image the side road surface of the own vehicle, which is often involved in a collision accident, the front-viewing camera is directed to the rear side of the vehicle body, and the rear-viewing camera is mounted. It is provided on the front side of the vehicle body so as to be directed rearward.

Further, in order to ensure the driving safety of the own vehicle and to check and check the image pickup means, a monitor means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means is provided in the own vehicle.

Further, the image recording means comprises a recording section for storing image information obtained from each camera.

An adapter for allocating image information obtained from each camera to a plurality of areas divided corresponding to the number of cameras and synthesizing the information on one screen,
A recording unit that stores the composite image from the composite adapter, wherein the monitor unit includes a selection unit that selects an image captured by each camera, and a display that displays the image selected by the camera. .

Further, there is provided means for adding date and time information of the image pickup to the image picked up by the image pickup means.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. This application, as the type of car,
There are a large car, a normal car, a small car, a mini car, a special car, and the like.

In FIG. 1, a horizontal rectangular outline 1 indicates an outline of the vehicle P (ordinary automobile) projected from above by parallel rays, and a cross-hatched area A surrounded by the outline 1. Corresponds to the area directly below the own vehicle P, and the area indicated by a one-way oblique line outside the outline 1 or B indicates the vicinity of the own vehicle P immediately below the vehicle body.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a road-view camera 2a and a direction-view camera 2b, each of which is composed of a CCD camera used for a video camera, a digital electronic camera or the like as the imaging means 2.
The road surface view camera 2a is attached to the front left upper portion of the front upper surface of the vehicle P in a rearward downward direction, so that the road surface of a part of the vehicle body of the vehicle P and the vicinity of the left front wheel 3a of the vehicle can be imaged. In addition, the directional camera 2b is attached to the front of the own vehicle P, for example, at the center of the left and right width in front of the vehicle interior ceiling so as to be directed forward, so that a part of the front of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the road surface and the outside scene spreading forward, Shoulder, guardrail,
FIG. 3 shows a plan view and a side view of the first embodiment in a case where a road sign, a landscape, and the like can be imaged.

According to this configuration, the road surface camera 2a can capture the road surface in the front area B1 near the vehicle body where the vehicle P is traveling and a part of the vehicle body near the front wheels 3a, and at the same time, With the directional camera 2b, it is possible to capture a part of the front of the vehicle P, a road surface and an outside scene that spreads forward in the traveling direction, and thereby, not only the relationship between the vehicle P and the nearby road surface directly below the vehicle body but also the self-vehicle. It is possible to simultaneously image the car P and its driving environment, and this also provides detailed information at the accident site when the car P encounters an accident and the movement of the car P until the accident is encountered. It can be recorded and provided for a fair understanding of the accident.

The wide area indicated by the arrow in the embodiment shows the case where the camera angle of view is about 60 °. However, the present invention is not limited to about 60 °, and the sharp area near the vehicle body from the location is clear. Considering the sight range, the easiness of adjustment at the time of installation, and the lapse of time due to body vibration,
A range of 50 ° to 85 ° is effective. In addition, when the angle of view of the camera is wide, a nearby object can be photographed widely, and when the angle of view is narrow, a distant object can be photographed in a large size.

The present application is a camera arrangement which captures the relationship between a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and a nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body, and a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and a front, rear or side road surface and an external view. As described above, it is natural that a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P enters regardless of where it is mounted.

As another method for imaging the relationship between a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and a nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body and a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the front, rear or side road surface and the outside scenery, ,
The camera 2a may be provided on a side mirror projecting from the side of the main body of the vehicle P. In this case, the front screen 3
It is also possible to include a.

Although not shown, the camera 2a
A function for cleaning the front surface of the lens when it becomes dirty may be provided, and further includes a case where the lens is housed in a waterproof protective case and the imaging direction can be adjusted from inside or outside the case.

FIG. 4A shows an image pickup means 2 and an image recording means 4.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an image recording system including a monitor unit 5 and a date and time recording unit 6. An image captured by the image capturing unit 2 is stored in an image recording unit (film, video tape, The image is stored in a recording unit of an apparatus 4 using a recording medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory. Further, the image recording means 4 is provided with date and time recording means 6 for simultaneously recording the imaged date and time on the image captured by the image capturing means 2.

The image pickup means 2 comprises a road-view camera 2a and a direction-view camera 2b. The image recording means 4 stores images picked up by the two cameras 2a and 2b constituting the image pickup means 2, respectively. Recording unit 8 for storing images
The image recording means 4 is built in a rigid housing, for example, under a rear seat where there is no fear of being damaged even if an automobile encounters an accident, for example. Further, the monitor means 5 for checking the operation of the image pickup means is provided with the road-view camera 2a, the directional camera 2b and the television image,
The navigation image includes a selection means 9 for selecting one of the navigation images and a display 10, which is installed on a dashboard which is most visible to the driver, for example.
In the present invention, the image recording means 4 is not limited to any means other than the above, and it is natural that a method most suitable for the era is adopted.

Preferably, the image recording means 4 has a structure which is relatively easy to handle such as taking out and replacing the recording medium and transporting the recording portions 8a and 8b, and a protective box having excellent mechanical strength. It is provided at two different places in the vehicle, including two sets, which are housed and have a slightly decompressed structure that blocks the outside air.

When the image pickup means 2 and the image recording means 4 are operated by the automatic operation means 11 which operates when the engine is started, for example, the images picked up by the cameras 2a and 2b are output by the date and time recording means 6. The image is stored in the recording units 8a and 8b of the image recording unit 4 together with the date and time information. By operating the selection means 9 of the monitor means 5, any one of the captured image, the television image and the navigation image is displayed on the display 10 by the cameras 2a and 2b.

The monitor means 5 is designed to operate in the event of an accident due to misalignment of the camera, dirt or rain on the lens of the camera, disconnection, malfunction of the camera, etc. In order to ensure that you did not know or that it was not saved later, the system was always operated. This is a display function for performing inspection by looking at the rear when entering the garage.

That is, in the system of the present invention, a monitor means for operation check is provided in the vehicle, and a function for performing an operation test of the camera at an appropriate time is provided. For example, by simply switching the image of an arbitrary camera and displaying it on the display instantly by simply touching at an intersection or the like, an operation test can be always performed while confirming driving safety. In other words, the inspection can be inevitably performed during normal operation without being aware that the inspection will be performed.

For example, the road-view camera 2a shown in FIG.
4A, the image captured by the road-view camera 2a attached to the front position of the vehicle body of the vehicle P when the vehicle turns left during driving is displayed on the display 10 by the selection operation of the selection means 9. This is an extremely important function because it is possible to always check whether or not there is any reflection or failure of the system by confirming the safety of the nearby road surface directly below the vehicle body by displaying it on the screen.

Further, since the date and time information is commonly stored in each of the independently stored images, not only the date and time can be specified for verification or the like after an accident but also a plurality of images can be selected. Even if there is a time lag between the respective images when the images are reproduced, it is possible to easily adjust this in accordance with the date and time information so that there is no time lag.

In this way, the imaging means 2 continues to capture images at least during the operation of the engine, and the images are stored in the image recording means 4. Note that the image capturing and image storing states automatically stop after a certain time from when the engine stops.

In addition to the automatic operation, for example, the manual operation means 1 by manual operation irrespective of the operation of the engine.
It goes without saying that the operation control of imaging and image storage can be arbitrarily performed by the method 2.

Normally, when the engine is restarted, the image recording is started from the previous image storage stop state, and the image storage is started. For example, in the image storage method using a magnetic tape, the image storage is performed using a plurality of magnetic tapes. Near the end of the magnetic tape in the image, the same image is stored on the next magnetic tape and the same image is stored on both tapes for a certain period of time so that the image information is stored endlessly without interruption.

When the vehicle P encounters an accident, the recording section 8a and / or 8
The magnetic tape is pulled out from b and reproduced for use as material for elucidating the cause of the accident.

In the above description, even if the own vehicle P is severely damaged or burned by an accident, the image recording means 4 can easily clarify the cause of the accident if it is housed in a protective box having excellent mechanical strength. Can be achieved.

It should be noted that when the image storage is stopped, for example, when the vehicle is stopped, the image information already stored is reproduced and displayed on the display 10 on the vehicle, and the operation check of the present system can be performed to check whether the image is normally stored. Of course.

FIG. 5 shows an image displayed on the display 10, and FIG. 5A shows the image obtained by the road-view camera 2a.
FIG. 5B shows an example of an image captured by the front-view camera 2b.

That is, according to the road-view camera 2a, FIG.
As shown by, the road surface R and a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P including a part of the fender 15 covering the front wheel 3a can be simultaneously imaged, and recorded by the date and time recording means 6 together with the imaged image. The date 16 stored in the unit 8a is also displayed. According to the forward-looking camera 2b, as shown in FIG. 5B, a part of the front of the own vehicle P and the road shoulder 1 together with the traveling road surface.
7, the road sign (lane) 18 and the oncoming vehicle P 'can be simultaneously imaged, and the recording unit 8
At the same time as a, the shooting date and time 16 stored in the recording unit 8b is also displayed. The display of the date and time 16 can be hidden if necessary.

FIG. 4B shows the image recording means 4 in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing an embodiment using another method, wherein an image pickup means 2 comprises a road-view camera 2a and a direction-view camera 2b, and an image recording means 4 comprises two units constituting the image pickup means 2 The images respectively captured by the cameras 2a and 2b are divided into two areas corresponding to the number of cameras, that is, are assigned to two areas Ha and Hb, respectively, as shown by H in the figure, and are combined into one screen. The image recording means 4 is built in a rigid housing, for example, under the rear seat where there is no fear of being damaged even if the own vehicle P encounters an accident, for example. You. Furthermore,
The monitor means 5 for checking the operation of the imaging means 2 comprises a selection means 9 and a display 10, which is installed on a dashboard, for example, which is most visible to the driver. Note that, in the present invention, the image recording means 4 is not limited to any means other than the above, and it is natural that the most suitable method in the era is adopted.

When the imaging means 2 and the image recording means 4 are actuated by, for example, the automatic actuation means 11 which operates when the engine is started, each of the images taken by the road-view camera 2a and the forward-looking camera 2b, respectively. The image is
The image is synthesized on one screen by the synthesis adapter 7 and the synthesized image is stored in the recording unit 8 together with the date and time.

By operating the selection means 9,
Any one of images captured by the cameras 2a and 2b, television images, navigation images, and composite images is displayed on the display 10. In the same manner as described above, by checking the operation of the imaging means before traveling, and by confirming the safety of the surroundings at the time of entering and exiting the garage, and by confirming the safety of the surroundings at intersections, etc., it is always checked whether the imaging means is reflected or broken. Inspection and confirmation can be performed.

In this way, during the operation of the engine, the image pickup means 2 continues to pick up an image, and the image is stored in the image recording means 4. Note that the image capturing and image storing states automatically stop after a certain time from when the engine stops. In addition to the automatic operation, it is a matter of course that the operation of imaging and image storage can be arbitrarily controlled by the manual operation means 12, for example, by manual operation regardless of the operation of the engine.

When the own vehicle P encounters an accident, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the recording section 8 of the image recording means 4 and played back in the same manner as described above, and is used as material for elucidating the cause of the accident.

It is to be noted that when the image storage is stopped while the vehicle is stopped or the like, the image information already stored is displayed on the display 1 on the vehicle.
It is the same as described above that the operation of the present system can be inspected, for example, whether the image is normally stored by reproducing and displaying the image at 0.

The solid lines shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 show the case where the front camera 2b is mounted at the center of the left and right width in front of the ceiling in the vehicle so as to point forward. A case is shown in which a rear-view camera 2c is attached to the center of the left and right width behind the ceiling in the vehicle so as to point rearward instead of the front-view camera 2b.

According to this configuration, the road surface viewing camera 2a can capture the road surface in the front area B1 near the position directly below the vehicle body where the vehicle P travels, and a part of the vehicle body near the front wheels 3a, and can move in the rearward direction. With the visual camera 2c, it is possible to capture a part of the rear of the own vehicle P, a road surface extending rearward, and an outside scene together with the traveling road surface.

In the above description, it is needless to say that the forward-looking camera 2b and the backward-looking camera 2c may be respectively attached. According to this configuration, the road surface and the outside scene of the host vehicle P in the front-rear direction are simultaneously captured. be able to.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the side view camera 2d is directed in the front and rear direction of the ceiling of the own vehicle P so as to be directed to the side of the own vehicle P without changing the mounting state of the road surface view camera 2a. FIG. 9 shows a plan view and a side view of the second embodiment when attached to a left portion at an intermediate position.

According to this configuration, the road surface viewing camera 2a can capture an image of the road surface in the vicinity area B1 immediately below the vehicle body and a part of the vehicle body near the front wheels 3a, and the side view camera 2d can capture the image of the own vehicle. It is also possible to simultaneously image a part of the left side of the vehicle body of P and the road surface and the outside scene spreading to the left side while traveling.

The phantom line in FIG. 6 shows the case where the side view camera 2d is attached to the right side of the intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the ceiling of the vehicle P in the second embodiment.

In the above description, the side view camera 2d
May be attached to the left and right sides of the intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the ceiling of the own vehicle P, respectively. The road surface and the outside scene at can be captured at the same time.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the rear view camera 2c can be moved to the own vehicle P without changing the mounting state of the road view camera 2a.
FIG. 9 shows a plan view and a side view of a third embodiment in a case where the camera is attached to the front left side of the front so as to face rearward.

According to this configuration, the rear view camera 2c can capture a wide range of a road surface and an outside scene including a side surface portion extending over substantially the entire length of the vehicle P and a nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body. In this case, the camera 2c can be mounted in the same protective case in addition to being arranged at substantially the same position as the road-view camera 2a. In this case, the size of the imaging device can be reduced.

The phantom lines in FIGS. 8 and 9 indicate the forward-looking camera 2b instead of the backward-looking camera 2c in the third embodiment.
Is attached to the rear left side of the own vehicle P so as to be directed forward.

According to this configuration, the front view camera 2c can capture a wide range of the road surface and the outside scene including the side surface portion of the host vehicle P over substantially the entire length and the nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body.

In the above description, the rear view camera 2c
And the front view camera 2b may be attached to the front left side and the rear left side of the vehicle P, respectively, and of course, may also be mounted to the right side of the vehicle P. The front and rear road surface and the outside scene including the side surface portion of the own vehicle P and the nearby road surface directly below the vehicle body can be captured without any trouble. According to this configuration, the rear-view camera 2d to the front-view camera 2b on the same side portion. Even if one of them becomes difficult to image due to contamination or failure of the lens, the other can capture the side surface of the own vehicle P and a nearby road surface directly below the vehicle body without any trouble. The imaging record can be held without relying on the cleaning function, and the reliability can be improved.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the front view camera 2b to the rear view camera 2b in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
c without changing the mounting state of the
FIG. 14 shows a plan view and a side view of the fourth embodiment in the case where only the mounting state is changed.

That is, the road-view camera 2a is mounted on the left side of the rear side of the vehicle P in a forward and downward direction. According to this configuration, the road-view camera 2a is mounted near the vehicle body where the vehicle P runs. The rear region B2 and a part of the vehicle body near the rear wheel 3b can be captured.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a front view camera 2b and a rear view camera 2b in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
c without changing the mounting state of the
5A and 5B show a plan view and a side view in the fifth embodiment in which is mounted on the left side position of the front bumper 13a.

According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to capture an image of a part of the left wheel of the front wheel 3a and a road surface of the area B2 near the area A including the area A immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P. Thus, the trajectory of the wheel on the road surface can be recorded.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a front view camera 2b and a rear view camera 2b in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
c without changing the mounting state of the
FIG. 12 shows a plan view and a side view of a sixth embodiment in which the front panel is attached to the left side position of the rear bumper 13b.

According to this configuration, it is possible to capture an image of a part of the area A immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P, a part of the left wheel of the rear wheel 3b, and the road surface of the area B4 near the part. Thus, the trajectory of the wheel on the road surface can be recorded.

In each of the above embodiments, a single road-view camera 2a and a single directional camera (front-view camera 2b, rear-view camera 2c, and side-view camera 2d) are also provided.
Is shown, but a plurality of road surface cameras 2
It is needless to say that a may be attached to the front and rear and / or left and right positions of the own vehicle P, and a plurality of directional cameras may also be mounted to the front and rear and / or right and left positions of the own vehicle P so that a blind spot area does not occur. .

17 and 18 show four road surface cameras 2a attached to the front and rear left and right side positions of the vehicle P as the image pickup means 2 in the rearward and downward directions, respectively. When the viewing camera 2b and the rear-viewing camera 2c are attached to the center position of the left and right widths of the front and rear of the ceiling of the own vehicle P so as to be directed forward and backward, and an imaging state in which almost no blind spot occurs is obtained. FIG. 17 shows a plan view and a side view of the seventh embodiment.

According to this configuration, the four road surface cameras 2
With a, it is possible to capture most of the road surface in the vicinity area directly below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P, and also to capture a part of the front and rear of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the front and rear road surfaces and the outside scene in the traveling direction in a wide range. This makes it possible to store imaging information with extremely high reliability.

FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of the image recording system in the seventh embodiment. That is, imaging means 2
Are four road-view cameras 2a and two directional cameras 2b,
2c, the images captured by the six cameras are respectively assigned to six divided areas corresponding to the number of cameras, that is, Ha to Hf indicated by H in the figure, and one screen is synthesized. The image is stored in the recording unit 8 of the image recording unit 4 via the combining adapter 7.

The date and time when the image was captured is simultaneously recorded by the date and time recording means 6 on the image stored in the image recording means 4.

Further, on the dashboard of the vehicle P, for example, a monitor means 5 for displaying an image taken by each camera and checking the operation is provided. The monitor means 5 selects a television image, a navigation image, and a synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing adapter 7 in addition to the images picked up by the cameras, respectively. And a display 10 for displaying an image.

When, for example, the image pickup means 2 and the image recording means 4 are operated by the automatic operation means 11 which is activated when the engine is started, the images picked up by the respective cameras are combined by the synthesizing adapter 7 into one screen. The combined image is stored in the recording unit 8 together with the date and time information by the date and time recording unit 6.

By operating the selection means 9,
Any one of an image, a television image, a navigation image, and a composite image captured by each of the cameras 2a to 2c is displayed on the display 10.

In the same manner as described above, by checking the operation of the imaging means before traveling, and confirming the safety of the surroundings at the time of entering and exiting the garage, and confirming the safety of the surroundings at an intersection or the like, the condition of the imaging means is always good or faulty. You can check if there is any.

In this way, the imaging means 2 continues to capture images at least while the engine is operating, that is, while the own vehicle P is operating, and the images are stored in the image recording means 4. Note that the image capturing and image storing states automatically stop after a certain time from when the engine stops. Also, apart from this automatic operation,
Regardless of the operation of the engine, it is needless to say that the operation control of the imaging and the image storage can be arbitrarily performed by the manual operation means 12, for example, by manual operation.

When the vehicle P encounters an accident, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the recording section 8 of the image recording means 4 and reproduced in the same manner as described above, and is used as material for elucidating the cause of the accident.

[0094] When the image storage is stopped, such as when the vehicle is stopped,
As described above, the image information that has already been stored is reproduced and displayed on the display 10 mounted on the vehicle, and the operation of the present system can be checked whether the image has been stored normally.

According to this embodiment, the images picked up by the six cameras can be stored in the single recording section 8,
The size of the image recording means 4 is reduced, and at the time of reproduction,
It is possible to display all the images by the respective image pickup means on the same screen without time lag. Also, since all are displayed on the same screen, it is possible to immediately check if there is a malfunction in the camera etc. in inspection before traveling or checking the stored image while stopping, so that you can prepare for unexpected accidents it can.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show four road-view cameras 2a attached to the left and right sides of the ceiling of the own vehicle P as the image pickup means 2 symmetrically downward, respectively. An eighth example in which the rear-view camera 2c is mounted so as to be directed forward and backward at the center position of the left and right widths of the front and rear of the ceiling of the own vehicle P in the interior of the vehicle P to provide an imaging range in which almost no blind spot occurs. FIG. 3 shows a plan view and a side view in the embodiment.

According to this configuration, the four road surface cameras 2
According to a, most of the road surface in the vicinity area immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P can be captured, and the front and rear portions of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the front and rear road surfaces in the traveling direction can be captured in a wide range. Thus, the movement of the own vehicle P, which is extremely reliable, can be stored. In addition, by mounting the road-view camera at a high position on the vehicle body, even if there is mud splash etc. on oncoming vehicles, parallel vehicles or running on rough roads,
This is the most effective mounting method because the adverse effect on the image pickup of the camera can be greatly reduced.

Although the seventh and eighth embodiments show the case where six cameras are provided as the imaging means 2, the number of cameras is not limited to this, and the shape and size of the vehicle body are not limited to six. Since the mounting conditions change depending on the conditions, the number of images that does not cause blind spots is of course provided, even if there is a range where the surroundings of the vehicle body are appropriately covered and overlapping imaging is performed. In other words, not only when the number of mounting positions increases due to the increase in the number of cameras to be mounted, but also when cameras with different directional directions are arranged at the same position, cameras with different angles of view are arranged, The case of installing the same camera or the case of arranging the same camera as a spare are all included in the system of the present invention.

In each of the embodiments described above, the information added to the captured image is not limited to the date and time information. In this case, the impact sound in the case of an accident, the sound of a brake, the sound of a pedestrian crossing chime, the horn, the sound inside and outside the vehicle, etc. are also added in parallel. Even if the camera is damaged due to an accident or turns in a direction other than the intended direction with respect to the vehicle body, such information always helps prove the validity of the driving of the own vehicle P at a later date.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention, a road surface view camera for imaging a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and a road surface related to the movement of the own vehicle, A front-view camera for capturing the road surface and the outside scene, or a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and a rear-view camera for capturing the rear road surface and the outside scene, or a part of the own vehicle body and the side for capturing the side road surface and the outside scene An image capturing means having at least one direction-viewing camera of a direction camera and an image recording means for storing an image of the image capturing means, and are always operated and stored while the own vehicle is driving. Because of this configuration, in a collision accident or the like, an image of the relationship between a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle, which is most important, and a nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body on which the vehicle runs, and a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle, To capture and store road and exterior scenes behind or on the side. Since it is, it is possible by reproducing the 蓄画 image, to accurately establish the motion of the vehicle.

This proves whether the vehicle is driving safely or not, and has the advantage that the driving manners of the driver are secured and the traffic accidents are greatly reduced.

[0102] By equipping the vehicle of the present invention with the system of the present invention, it is a proof that the driver has declared safe driving as well as the driving safety of the driver. Even if an accident is encountered, the safety of the vehicle can be maintained. Since driving can be proved, a sense of security is obtained, which is extremely effective in reducing car accidents.
As described above, since this system is indispensable for safe driving, the standardization of all vehicles will accelerate the reduction of car accidents not only in Japan but also around the world.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a part of the body of the own vehicle and a road surface related to the movement of the own vehicle are imaged, the movement of the own vehicle can be clearly grasped. . That is, capturing an image of a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and a road surface related to the movement of the own vehicle can be an important proof that the movement of the own vehicle can be understood in relation to a change in the road surface.

[0104] This means that, as in the prior art, even if an image of an accident is captured by a device that captures an outside scene around the own vehicle in the traveling direction, the vehicle of the accident partner (other vehicle) and its surroundings are taken. Is recorded, but the relationship between the vehicle at the moment of the accident and the road immediately before it and the road surface immediately below the vehicle body are not recorded, so it is not effective for proving the movement of the vehicle, and the driver himself There is no function of monitoring the operating status of the system, and the system of the present invention is extremely effective in this regard.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when an accident is encountered by a road-view camera, a part of the vehicle body and the condition of the road surface immediately below the vehicle body, which are important evidences, that is, the wheels of the own vehicle, The change with the road surface in contact with the (tire) can be finely stored.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the situation of an accident that often occurs at the side position of the vehicle is described as follows.
It can be captured with a part of the body.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the side view of the own vehicle can be simultaneously imaged by the road surface viewing camera together with the wide castle on the side road surface including a part of the vehicle body and immediately below the vehicle body. it can.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the road surface view camera can symmetrically image the front and rear and / or left and right of a nearby road surface immediately below the vehicle body including a part of the vehicle body.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the road surface viewing camera is located at a high mounting position of the vehicle body, an image of a wide area on the road surface including a part of the vehicle body and immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle is taken. can do. Further, even when mud or the like is rolled up by a road having a bad road surface or an oncoming vehicle or a parallel running vehicle, the effect of adhering to the camera is small and is most effective.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to symmetrically image a part of the vehicle body, the road surface, and the outside scenery in the front-rear direction and / or the left-right direction of the vehicle using the directional camera.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the directional camera includes the side portion of the vehicle body of the own vehicle, and can capture the road surface and the outside scene in the lateral direction over substantially the entire length.

According to the tenth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, a captured image can be displayed as necessary during driving, and the driver himself / herself confirms the safety of the driving condition of the own vehicle. Improve the accuracy of the system by checking the operating status of the means if any deterioration, failure, or misalignment of the imaging direction is immediately noticeable. Enables safe driving orientation.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the captured image is stored as it is for each camera arranged on the vehicle body, so that the cable routing for this is simple and the configuration of the whole system is also simple. It can be small and inexpensive.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, images taken by a plurality of cameras at the same time are gathered on one screen, and by displaying all the images, the operation of each camera can be checked instantaneously. The image can be stored in a single recording unit, the system can be made compact, and the arrangement inside the vehicle can be freely set.

Further, according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in a system in which the date and time of imaging can be specified and the image is independently stored, when the cause of the accident is clarified in the event of an accident, each storage is stored. Since a common date and time is added to the image, not only can any desired image be easily synthesized and displayed accurately without a time lag, but also during reproduction, due to a shift in the displayed date and time, etc. Mechanical variations between the recording units can be easily recognized.

[0116]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a portion immediately below a vehicle and its vicinity.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the host vehicle in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the own vehicle in the first embodiment.

4A and 4B are configuration diagrams of an image recording system.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing images.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a host vehicle in a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the own vehicle in a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the own vehicle in a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the own vehicle in a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the own vehicle in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the own vehicle in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the own vehicle in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an image captured by a road-view camera in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the host vehicle in the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the own vehicle in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the own vehicle in a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the own vehicle in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an image system according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the host vehicle in the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the own vehicle in the eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Contour line 2 Image pick-up means 2a Road view camera 2b Front view camera 2c Rear view camera 2d Side view camera 3a Front wheel 3b Rear wheel 4 Image recording means 5 Monitoring means 6 Date and time recording means 7 Synthesizing adapter 8 Recording section 9 Selection Means 10 Display P Area just below own vehicle A Area near B, B1, B2, B3, B4

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // G08G 1/16 G08G 1/16 C

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A road-view camera that captures a part of the vehicle body and a road surface related to the movement of the vehicle, and a front-view camera that captures a part of the vehicle body, a road surface in front, and an outside scene. Or, at least one of a rear-view camera that captures a part of the vehicle body and a rear road surface and an outside view, or a side-view camera that captures a part of the vehicle body and a side road surface and a outside view. And an image recording means for storing an image of the image capturing means, wherein the image capturing means always operates and stores images while the own vehicle is operating. 2. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the road surface related to the movement of the own vehicle is a road surface immediately below the vehicle body. 3. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 2, wherein the road surface immediately below the vehicle body includes a road surface immediately below the vehicle body. 4. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 2, wherein the road surface immediately below the vehicle body is a road surface on a side of the vehicle body. 5. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the road-view camera is provided on the front side of the vehicle body in a rearward downward direction or on the rear side of the vehicle body in a frontward downward direction. 6. The road surface camera is provided symmetrically at each of front and rear and / or left and right positions of the vehicle body.
Or a vehicle-mounted image recording system according to 4. 7. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the road surface viewing camera is provided downward on the upper side of the vehicle body. 8. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein a front-view camera or a rear-view camera is provided at each of front and rear and / or left and right positions of the vehicle body. 9. A front view camera is provided so as to point forward toward a rear side of the vehicle body, and a rear view camera is provided so as to point rearward toward a front side of the vehicle body.
2. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1. 10. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising monitor means for displaying an image of the image pickup means and checking the operation of the image pickup means. 11. The image recording means comprises a recording unit for storing image information obtained from each camera.
10. The vehicle-mounted image recording system according to any one of items 1 to 10. 12. A synthesizing adapter for synthesizing one screen by allocating image information obtained from each camera to a plurality of divided areas corresponding to the number of cameras, and
The vehicle-mounted image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a recording unit that stores the composite image from the composite adapter. 13. The monitor means comprises: selecting means for selecting images picked up by each camera; and a display for displaying each selected image.
The vehicle-mounted image recording system according to 0, 11 or 12. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for adding a date and time of image pickup to an image obtained by the image pickup means.
The vehicle-mounted image recording system according to the above.