JP2002127948A - On-vehicle image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording system for recognizing a relation between a part of an own car and the road surface that monitors a driving method of the own car by recording the movement of the own car that most clearly controls locus related to the running road surface of a wheel, reduces accidents by improving consciousness for safe driving of a driver himself/herself, and proves the movement of the own car for proving that driving of the driver himself/herself is correct even if he/she would meet with an accident. SOLUTION: This image recording system comprises a camera 2a for picking up images of a part of the body of the own car and a road surface of the proximity B1 of the wheel as a road surface related to the body, and an image recording means 4 for accumulating images of the camera 2a. The image recording means comprises a date recording signal means 5a for providing date information, a running speed signal means 5b for providing running speed information, a stopping signal means 5c for providing stop information, direction commanding signal means 5d for providing direction command information, and a microphone 5e for recording sounds in and out of the car.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle mounted on a vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "vehicle") which is driven by a driver himself, so as to show a part of the vehicle and a related road surface. The image is captured by the imaging means, and the movement of the own vehicle is recorded as image information, and the driver is aware that all of his / her own driving situation is recorded. Even in the case of encounter, by recording the image information, it is possible to prove the movement of the vehicle at the moment of the accident and immediately before the accident, and to greatly assist 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 and storing the status from a certain 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, for example, in JP-A-5-205.
Nos. 92, 5-29418 and 137144
And JP-A-5-34547.

That is, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-20592 (hereinafter referred to as a first known example) has an image input device at a front position of a vehicle for inputting the outside scene of the vehicle in front of the vehicle as image information. Image input device,
It is configured to operate when the engine is started, and to stop the operation according to the engine stop signal.
A control device configured to receive at least one data of vehicle speed and acceleration / deceleration data of the vehicle,
A recording device for recording 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 for recording 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. Signal switching means for outputting, and rapid braking detection means for detecting a rapid braking amount per predetermined time of the vehicle,
Only when the detection result of the sudden braking detection means exceeds a preset braking amount, the signal switching means is switched to the on-vehicle image recording device, and at the same time, the video signal recording operation is performed on the on-vehicle image recording device. And control means for controlling the operation to be performed.

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]

By the way, modern automobiles are absolutely indispensable tools in human life, but on the other hand, they are also murderous weapons, and more than tens of thousands of people die from automobile accidents worldwide every year. It is estimated that those who are injured in connection with it are estimated to be dozens of times. As described above, since driving a car has a terrible danger, the driving of the car is restricted by giving a license stipulated by law.However, once a driver has a license, Regarding whether or not to drive a car under the circumstance, there are only laws and regulations, and it is not possible to prove that you are driving safely just by observing the laws and regulations. It is no exaggeration to say that there is an increase.

The inventor of the present application considers this problem from experience based on the following. In other words, automobiles are now in an era where they are indispensable to human daily life. 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. This is because it is said that the driver is in a mentally closed place because the inside of the car is sealed with a single door and communication with the outside is cut off, In the classroom, no matter how many times you repeat the course on road traffic regulations,
Although a car can be driven, car accidents are not easily reduced because the manner of driving and the quality of driving depend on the manners of the driver.

[0010] If a car encounters an accident, the cause of the accident is investigated after the accident. Therefore, when a person who is unfamiliar with or suffers from an accident dies, it is felt 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 side, 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 by the situation evidence such as the last stopped position, the orientation of the relevant vehicles, the scars of each car or the marks of tires left on the road. Above, 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 that is completely unknown. Therefore, even if you are driving safely without any imperfections at the time of the accident, it is assumed that if you can not prove it, you can only get away with it, and as a result, you will be the 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. To cause a contact accident, or to enter the main line from a branch line, cause a contact accident with another vehicle traveling on the main line while stopped at the branch point, or when the vehicle is traveling straight When a collision accident occurs when another vehicle approaches from the side, it is extremely important for the investigation of the cause of the accident to determine whether the vehicle has been temporarily stopped or the vehicle is traveling straight ahead at the time of the accident.

Therefore, what is most important when an accident is encountered is the movement of the vehicle at the moment of the accident and immediately before the accident. In other words, 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 obtained by recording the relationship between a part of the vehicle and the road surface related thereto. Secured.

[0015] In particular, since the front side of the vehicle or the rear side of the vehicle body is a portion closest to the wheels, the movement of the front side of the vehicle body or the rear side of the vehicle follows the locus of the wheels with respect to the traveling road surface. Can be proved. That is, these movements of the vehicle body govern the trajectory of the wheels.

However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, the image input device according to the first known example is provided near a dashboard portion, near a radiator grill outside the vehicle, or the like, and exclusively captures an external view 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, even in the case of any of the above-mentioned known examples, even if the imaging means can capture a part of the traveling road surface, the relationship between the subject and the own vehicle can be roughly grasped by changing the situation of the outside scene of the vehicle. It is not an idea to constantly monitor the movement of the vehicle while driving, nor to control the driving method of the driver who drives the 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 material to prove was 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 a sudden brake is actuated. Therefore, 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.

Therefore, in view of the above, the vehicle-mounted image recording system of the present application uses the camera mounted so as to capture a part of the vehicle and the road surface related to the vehicle. The purpose of this is to monitor the own vehicle by recording the vehicle, and to control the driving method of the driver who drives the own vehicle. Therefore, by equipping the vehicle with the system of the present invention and operating the system of the present invention at all times during normal driving, the driver can describe the relationship between a part of the vehicle and the related road surface by using the camera. Since the driver's own driving situation is very small and constantly monitored, the driver himself drives under the monitoring of the system of the present invention, and the driver himself is aware of this and there is no mistake You will always try to drive safely.

[0020] Therefore, while driving the vehicle, the law and the safe driving are always started and stopped, which is the most important for reducing the number of car accidents. Also, in the unlikely event of an accident, all parts of the movement of the vehicle are recorded by copying a part of the vehicle and the related road surface. Since the legitimacy of one's own driving can be proved, it is possible to drive with a sense of security by providing the system of the present invention.

[0021] Therefore, even if a large amount of cost is incurred, it is difficult to replace human life, so by installing the system of the present invention, it becomes a true declaration of safe driving, and by normalizing it, thorough safe driving is ensured. We are hoping for something that will lead to a significant reduction in car accidents.

It is not an exaggeration to say that if the system of the present application is mounted on all the vehicles, the automobile accident will disappear from the world at all, and this is the final purpose of the system of the present invention.

[0023]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image pickup means for picking up an image of a part of a vehicle and a road surface related thereto, and stores an image of the image pickup means. Image recording means, wherein at least one information of each signal of a traveling speed, a stop, and a direction instruction related to the operation is added to the image recording means.

The image recording means further comprises a microphone for adding date and time information of the image pickup and for recording sounds inside and outside the vehicle.

In the above description, it is extremely effective that the road surface related to a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle includes a road surface immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle to clearly prove the movement of the own vehicle.

Also, since the road surface immediately below the vehicle body includes the road surface immediately below the vehicle body, it is the location closest to the wheels, so that the trajectory of the wheels on the road surface becomes clear. Therefore, the movement of the own vehicle is extremely important. .

The image pickup means is, specifically, a camera provided on the front side of the vehicle body in a rearward downward direction or on a rear side portion of the camera in a frontward downward direction, and further includes front and rear and / or left and right positions of the vehicle body. Consisting of a camera.

The movement of the front side or the rear side of the vehicle body governs the trajectory of the wheels. A part of the front view camera including the front outside view or the rear view camera including the part of the own vehicle and the rear view or the side view camera including the part of the own vehicle and the side view, preferably the front view camera or the rear A viewing camera or a side view camera is provided at the left and right positions of the vehicle body.

In order to confirm the driving safety of the vehicle and to check whether the operation of the system according to the present invention is normal, a monitor means for displaying an image of the image pickup means is provided in the vehicle.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present application, types of automobiles include large automobiles, ordinary automobiles, small automobiles, light automobiles, special automobiles, and the like. All of these automobiles, and these automobiles driven by the driver themselves, are hereinafter referred to as own cars P.

In FIG. 1, a horizontal rectangular outline 1 shows an outline of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P (in this example, a normal automobile) projected by a parallel ray from directly above.
A cross-hatched area A surrounded by a circle corresponds to the area directly below the own vehicle P, and a one-way diagonal area B outside the contour 1 indicates the vicinity of the own vehicle P directly below the vehicle body.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a case where a single CCD camera 2a used for a video camera, a digital electronic camera or the like as the image pickup means 2 is attached to the front left upper portion of the front upper surface of the vehicle P, facing downward. FIG. 2 shows a plan view and a side view in one embodiment.

According to this configuration, since the camera 2a is mounted rearward and downward, the camera 2a is mounted on the left front wheel 3a of the wheel together with a wide area (indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow) in the vicinity of the road where the vehicle P runs. The road surface in the vicinity area B1 (indicated by solid arrows and diagonal lines) can be imaged, and a part of the vehicle body in the vicinity of the front wheels 3a can also be captured, thereby imaging the relationship between the vehicle P and the road surface. it can. That is, the movement of a part of the vehicle body in the vicinity of the wheel most governs the trajectory of the wheel on the traveling road surface.

In the above description, the wide area indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow shows the case where the camera angle of view is about 60 °. However, the present invention is not limited to about 60 °. Considering the range of visibility, the easiness of adjustment at the time of mounting, and the time-dependent deviation due to vehicle vibration, preferably 50
The range of ° to 85 ° is effective. If the camera has a wide angle of view, nearby objects will appear wide, and if the angle of view is narrow,
Since a distant object can be enlarged, an object having a required angle of view is selected depending on a mounting position of the camera.

As another method for imaging the relationship between the own vehicle P and the road surface near the vehicle body, a camera 2a may be provided on a side mirror projecting from the side of the main body of the own vehicle P. It is also possible to include the front wheel 3a.

Although not shown, preferably, the camera 2a is provided with a function of cleaning the lens surface when it becomes dirty, is housed in a waterproof protective case, and adjusts the imaging direction of the protective case. It can be adjusted arbitrarily from inside or outside.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an image recording system, in which images taken by the camera 2a are stored in image recording means (film, video tape, optical, magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, etc.) built in, for example, the lower part of the rear seat. The image is stored in the recording unit 4a of a device 4 using a recording medium such as a recording medium. The image recording means 4 has a date and time recording means 5a for simultaneously recording the imaged date and time on the image taken by the camera 2a.
And a traveling speed signal means 5b, a stop (brake) signal means 5c, and a direction instruction signal means 5d.
In addition to the impact sound, the sound of the crash, the sound of the brake,
A microphone 5e is also provided for recording sounds inside and outside the vehicle, such as the sound of a pedestrian crossing chime and horn.
Furthermore, the image captured by the camera 2a is
It is configured to be able to simultaneously display on the display 7a of the monitor means 7 installed on the dashboard via the switch 6, for example.

The image recording means 4 is preferably composed of a structure that is relatively easy to handle, such as taking out and replacing the recording medium and transporting the apparatus, and is housed in a protective box having excellent mechanical strength. , And a structure composed of a structure in a slightly decompressed state that blocks the outside air, and is installed at different places in the vehicle.

When the image recording means 4 is actuated by, for example, the automatic actuating means 9 which is activated when the engine is started, the image picked up by the camera 2a includes date and time information, traveling speed information, operation stop information, and direction. The image is stored in the image recording unit 4 together with the instruction information, and the image is displayed on the display 7a of the monitor unit 7 by conducting the switch 6 if necessary. This makes it possible to check the operation of the imaging means or adjust the imaging direction before driving. You can also check the safety of the left and right,
It is always possible to check and check the image quality of this device and whether there is any failure.

FIG. 5 shows an image displayed on the display 7a. In this example, a part of the vehicle body of the host vehicle P including a part of the road surface 10 and a part of the fender 11 covering the front wheel 3a is imaged. In addition, “01: 01: 0” is used as the imaging date and time information.
5 "," 14:00:01 "(January 5, 2001, 1
4: 00: 1) 12a, "20" as the traveling speed information
K ”(meaning 20 km / h) 12b, and“ O ”mark (brake 12d) indicates a case where 12d is displayed.

In this manner, the camera 2a continues to capture images at least during the operation of the engine, and the image date and time information and the operation-related information 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, it is a matter of course that the operation of image pickup and image storage can be arbitrarily controlled by manual operation means 8 shown in FIG.

Normally, when the engine is restarted, image recording is continued from the previous stopped state. Also, for example, in the image recording method using a magnetic tape, a plurality of magnetic tapes are used, and when approaching the vicinity of the end of one magnetic tape being stored, the next magnetic tape is started and the same magnetic tape is applied to both magnetic tapes for a certain section. A method of storing an image and storing the image information without interruption is adopted.

In the event that the vehicle P encounters an accident, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the recording section 4a of the image recording and recording means 4 and reproduced for use as material for elucidating the cause of the accident.

In the above, even if the own vehicle P is severely damaged or burned up by an accident, the image recording means 4 can
By being housed in a protective box having excellent mechanical strength, the cause of the accident can be clarified without any trouble.

When the image storage is stopped during a stop or the like,
By reproducing and displaying the image information already stored on the display 7a mounted on the vehicle, it is of course possible to confirm the operation of the present apparatus, such as whether the image is stored normally.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a first example in which the camera 2a is mounted on the left side of the rear upper surface of the vehicle P in a forward and downward direction so that the road surface in the area B2 near the left rear wheel 3b of the vehicle can be imaged. FIG. 9 shows a plan view and a side view of a second embodiment corresponding to the embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, the camera 2a
Is mounted at a position where not only the road surface but also a part of the own vehicle P, in particular, a part of the vehicle body near the left rear wheel 3b can be imaged at the same time. In the present application system, all cameras are
It is characterized in that it always attaches so as to show a part of the body of the vehicle, regardless of the attachment place.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which the camera 2a is mounted downward at the front side of the ceiling outer surface of the vehicle P, and the road surface of the side area B3 immediately below the front of the vehicle body of the vehicle P and the vehicle P
3rd when imaging is possible so that a part of the side of
FIG. 3 shows a top view and a side view of the embodiment.

10 and 11 show that the camera 2a is mounted downward at the rear side position of the roof of the own vehicle P, and the road surface of the side area B4 immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the own vehicle P
3rd when imaging is possible so that a part of the side of
FIG. 11 shows a top view and a side view of a fourth embodiment corresponding to the embodiment.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a case where the vehicle is mounted rearward and downward on the left side of the front bumper 14a so as to image the road surface in the area B5 near the left wheel of the front wheel 3a, particularly immediately below the vehicle body of the host vehicle P. FIGS. 14 and 15 show front and side views in the fifth embodiment, and FIGS. 14 and 15 particularly show a rear bumper so as to image a road surface in a region B6 including immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and near the left wheel of the rear wheel 3b. The rear view and the side view of the sixth embodiment corresponding to the fifth embodiment when attached to the left side of 14b with the front downward are shown, respectively.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to image the trajectory of the wheel on the road surface.

FIG. 16 shows a screen on which information related to the operation and date and time information are displayed on the image taken in the fifth embodiment.
It is possible to reliably image the relationship between the vehicle and the front wheel 3a, and also image the relationship between the vehicle and the lane 13, which is a road sign, for example.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the camera 2a is mounted on the left side of the own vehicle P is exemplified. However, the camera 2a is preferably mounted symmetrically also on the right side of the own vehicle P. Actually, four cameras 2a are symmetrically attached to the left and right and front and rear positions of the vehicle P, respectively.

By the way, in order to objectively clarify the relationship between the own vehicle P and the road surface, that is, the movement of the own vehicle with respect to the road surface,
In addition to simultaneously capturing a part of the body of the vehicle P including the wheels,
By using a camera having a wide-angle lens as the camera 2a, it is possible to simultaneously capture an external scene near the own vehicle P, such as an oncoming lane, a road shoulder, a guardrail, and a landscape.

Thus, it is possible to capture not only the side surface of the vehicle body and the road surface area immediately below, but also a wide range of outside scenery.

Further, FIGS. 17 and 18 show a wide area that can be captured by the host vehicle P as well as a part of the body of the host vehicle P and a nearby area directly below the host vehicle using a camera having a wide-angle lens as the camera 2a. FIGS. 17A and 17B are a top view and a side view of a seventh embodiment having a configuration for simultaneously capturing an outside scene of a range. FIGS. That is, the figure shows a case where the camera 2a is attached to the front side position on the outer surface of the ceiling of the own vehicle P so as to be directed rearward in the running direction of the own vehicle P and downward. ,
Not only the relationship between the host vehicle P and the traveling road surface including the vicinity area (hatched portion) immediately below the vehicle body, but also the outside scenery behind the host vehicle P traveling in the wide range (solid arrow) can be simultaneously imaged.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a case where a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens is attached to a rear side position on the outer surface of the ceiling of the host vehicle P so as to be directed forward in the traveling direction of the host vehicle P. FIGS. 17 and 18 show a top view and a side view of the ninth embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively. According to this configuration, not only the relationship between the host vehicle P and the running road surface including the vicinity area immediately below the vehicle body, but also It is also possible to capture an image of the outside scene ahead of the vehicle P in a wide range.

FIG. 21 shows a case where a camera having a wide-angle lens is used as the camera 2a in FIG. Shows a screen displaying the operation information and the date and time information in the image of (a), and P ′ in the figure indicates the succeeding vehicle in the adjacent lane.

As described above, when an image of the outside scenery of the vehicle P is taken together with the road surface in the vicinity area immediately below the vehicle body of the vehicle P,
It can capture not only the movement of the own vehicle but also the operation status of other vehicles caused by a collision accident, and when the camera 2a is a color camera, the color of the lane and the color of the traffic light can be identified. Can be recorded as a strong proof of the image.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show the image pickup means 2 including the road surface in the area B1 near the front wheel 3a, preferably a part of the main body of the own vehicle P, at the left and right positions in front of the front upper surface of the own vehicle P. Rear view camera 2b pointing the outside scene behind
In addition, the left and right positions behind the rear upper surface of the own vehicle P include a road surface in a region B2 near the rear wheel 3b, preferably a part of the main body of the own vehicle P,
Further, a forward-looking camera 2c pointing at the outside scene ahead of the own vehicle P
14 shows a top view and a left side view in the tenth embodiment when a total of four units are mounted.

According to this configuration, not only the relationship between the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P and the road surface in the vicinity area immediately below the vehicle body P, but also the front and rear external views in which the own vehicle P runs are captured in a wide range. It is possible to capture and record all situations related to the driving of the own vehicle P, and the side area of the own vehicle P includes a rear-view camera 2b and a front-view camera 2c attached to the front and rear positions of the own vehicle P.
Therefore, even if one of the cameras becomes difficult to image due to a failure or a dirty camera lens, the side area of the own vehicle P is imaged by the other camera. In addition, even when the camera lens does not have a cleaning function, the reliability of imaging and recording can be ensured.

FIG. 24 shows the configuration of an image recording system when a plurality of cameras are used as the imaging means 2. That is, the imaging means 2 is composed of four cameras 21 to 24 attached to the front and rear left and right positions of the vehicle P, respectively, and the images taken by the four cameras 21 to 24 are stored in the recording section of the image recording means 4. The images are stored in 4a to 4d, respectively.

Further, signals 5b, 5c, 5d of a traveling speed, a stop, and a direction indicating the operation common to the images captured by the cameras 21 to 24, date and time recording means 5a for recording the imaged date and time, and a vehicle A microphone 5e for recording inside and outside sounds is provided.

Further, a monitor means 16 for displaying images picked up by the cameras 21 to 24 is provided, for example, on a dashboard of the vehicle P. The monitor unit 16 includes a selection unit 17 that can select a television image and a navigation image in addition to the images captured by the cameras 21 to 24, respectively, and a display 18 that displays the image selected by the selection unit 17. Consisting of

For example, when the image recording means 4 is operated by the manual operation means 8 or by the automatic operation means 9 which operates when the engine is started, the images picked up by the cameras 21 to 24 are recorded by the recording sections 4a to 4a, respectively. 4
d.

By operating the selection means 17, any one of the images captured by the cameras 21 to 24, the television image, and the navigation image is displayed on the display 18, and then after a certain time after the engine is stopped. The release of the operation state of the manual operation means 8 stops all operations.

Then, for example, the camera 2b shown in FIG.
2b, 2c, and 2c are cameras 21 to 24 in FIG.
When the vehicle is traveling, the image captured at the left or right of the rear view camera 2b attached to the front position of the vehicle body of the own vehicle P at the junction of the traveling lanes is displayed by the selection operation of the selection means 17. If you display on 18,
This function is extremely effective because it is possible to check the safety of the left and right sides, and it is possible to always check and confirm the reflection of the system of the present invention and the presence or absence of a failure.

Further, the images from the cameras are stored in the image recording means, and the date and time information, the traveling speed information relating to the operation, the stop information and the direction instruction information are commonly recorded in each image recording means. As a result, the vehicle P including the identification of the date and time in verification after an accident is encountered
Not only is it easy to operate the car, but it can also reproduce sounds inside and outside the vehicle, such as the sound of an accident, the sound of a brake, the sound of a pedestrian crossing chime, and the sound of a horn, recorded through the microphone 5e. When a plurality of images are selected and reproduced, even if a time lag occurs in each image, it can be easily adjusted according to the date and time information so that there is no time lag.

In the above-described embodiment, four cameras are provided as the image pickup means. However, the number of cameras is not limited to this. Even if a range of overlapping imaging occurs, there may be provided such a number that blind spots do not exist,
Needless to say, the mounting conditions and the number of units may change depending on the shape of the vehicle body.

Further, not only the number of cameras to be mounted is increased, but also cameras arranged in different directions at the same position, cameras with different viewing angles are juxtaposed, or night-vision cameras and day-time cameras are juxtaposed. Alternatively, the case where a spare camera is provided side by side is also included in the system of the present application.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the relationship between a part of the host vehicle which is most important in an accident and the road surface immediately below the vehicle body of the host vehicle is imaged, recorded, and traveled. Since the information related to the operation of the speed, the stop, and the direction indication is added, by reproducing the recorded information, it is possible to accurately verify the movement of the own vehicle that most clearly governs the trajectory of the wheels on the traveling road surface. This also proves whether or not the vehicle is driving safely, and therefore has the advantage that the driving manners of the driver are secured and the number of traffic accidents is greatly reduced.

Further, by installing the system of the present invention in the own vehicle, the driver can control the safe driving by himself / herself and prove that he / she has declared safe driving. It can be proved that the vehicle was correct, which gives a sense of security and is extremely effective in reducing car accidents. As described above, since the present system is indispensable for safe driving, it is common for all vehicles to be equipped with the system, thereby accelerating the reduction of car accidents not only in Japan but also around the world. I can.

In particular, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and the road surface related thereto are included in the imaging screen, so that the running condition of the own vehicle can be clearly grasped. . That is, taking an image of a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle and the road surface related thereto can prove the movement of the own vehicle that most clearly governs the trajectory of the wheels on the running road surface.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the date and time of imaging can be specified, which is effective for elucidating the cause of an accident.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sound of the inside and outside of the vehicle, such as the sound of an impact at the time of an accident, the sound of a brake, the sound of a pedestrian crossing chime, and the horn, is recorded via a microphone. This has the advantage that the situation at the time of the accident can be grasped more accurately.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention,
In the unlikely event of an accident, it is possible to record in detail the most important evidence of the part of the vehicle body and the condition of the road surface directly below the vehicle body, that is, changes in the trajectory of the vehicle's wheels on the road surface. You can prove the movement of the car.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, there is an advantage that the situation of an accident that frequently occurs at the side position of the own vehicle can be grasped.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is an advantage that it is possible to simultaneously capture an image of a part of the vehicle body and a road surface on a nearby side immediately below the vehicle body in a wide area.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is an advantage that images can be taken at the front and rear and / or right and left positions of the own vehicle.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, not only the traveling road surface in the vicinity area immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle but also the outside scene can be captured in a wide range, so that the driving situation of the own vehicle can be clearly understood in relation to the outside scene. This has the advantage that it can be recorded in

Further, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is an advantage that the region at the left and right positions on the road surface immediately below the vehicle can be symmetrically captured.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the captured image can be displayed on the monitor as needed during traveling, whereby the driver himself can confirm the safety and the imaging means of the present system. This has the advantage that the operating state of the device can be checked.

[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.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image recording system.

FIG. 5 shows an image.

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 rear view of the own vehicle in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the own vehicle in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image captured in a fifth 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 top view of the host vehicle in the eighth embodiment.

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

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another image captured in the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the own vehicle in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the own vehicle in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of an image system in a plurality of imaging units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 contour line 2 imaging means 2a, 2B, 2c, 21, 22, 23, 24 camera 3a front wheel 3b rear wheel 4 image recording means 4a recording unit 5a date and time recording means 5b running speed signal means 5c stop signal means 5d direction indication signal means 5e Microphone 6 Switch 7, 16 Monitoring means 7a, 18 Display 10 Road surface 11 Part of own vehicle 13 Lane 17 Selection means P Area directly under own vehicle A Area near B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a part of a vehicle body of a host vehicle and a road surface related thereto, and an image recording means for storing an image of the image pickup means. An in-vehicle image recording system to which at least one information of a related signal of a traveling speed, a stop, and a direction instruction is added. 2. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein date and time information of imaging is added to said image recording means. 3. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone for recording sounds inside and outside the vehicle. 4. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the road surface associated with a part of the vehicle body of the own vehicle includes a road surface immediately below the vehicle body of the own vehicle. 5. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 4, wherein the road surface immediately below the vehicle body includes a road surface immediately below the vehicle body. 6. The on-vehicle image recording system according to claim 4, wherein the road surface immediately below the vehicle body is a road surface on a side of the vehicle body. 7. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging means comprises a camera provided rearwardly downward on a front side of the vehicle body or forwardly downward on a rear side of the vehicle body. 8. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging means comprises a camera provided at each of front and rear and / or left and right positions of the vehicle body. 9. The image pickup means comprises a front view camera including a front outside view of the own vehicle, a rear view camera including a rear outside view of the own vehicle, or a side view camera including a side outside view of the own vehicle.
7. The on-vehicle image recording system according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein 10. A front-view camera, a rear-view camera or a side-view camera is provided at left and right positions of a vehicle body.
The vehicle-mounted image recording system according to the above. 11. The in-vehicle image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising monitor means for displaying an image of the image pickup means.