JP2008108245A - Information collection system, operation information recording device, and information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information collection system, an operation information recording device and an information management facility for shortening the collection time of image information, and for saving the labor of the confirmation of image information by an operation manager. <P>SOLUTION: On the basis of state information transmitted from a drive recorder 11, a center side processing part 36 of center equipment 12 decides whether or not image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for the analysis of operating circumstances. In response to transmission request information showing the transmission request of image information decided to be necessary for the analysis of the operating circumstances by the center side processing part 36 of the center equipment 12, the drive recorder 11 transmits only the image information whose transmission has been requested among the image information recorded in a CF card 19 to the center equipment 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information collection system, a driving information recording device, and information management equipment for collecting driving information related to driving of a vehicle.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a drive recorder 1 and a center device 2 according to the first prior art. The drive recorder 1 of the first prior art circulates and stores, for example, image information representing an image obtained by capturing the front of the vehicle with a camera as driving information relating to driving of the vehicle. The stored image information is configured to be recorded on the recording medium 3. The image information recorded on the recording medium 3 is read by a center device 2 such as a personal computer (abbreviation: PC) provided in a dispatch center that performs dispatch instructions and vehicle operation management for each vehicle. The image information read into the center device 2 is analyzed by an operation manager who manages the operation of the vehicle at the dispatch center, and is used, for example, for driving guidance and evaluation of the crew.

  In the first prior art, the operation manager of the dispatch center attaches the recording medium 3 on which the image information is recorded by each drive recorder to a reader such as a card reader, and inputs the image information to the PC of the center device 2 Therefore, as the number of vehicles on which the drive recorder is mounted increases, the time required for the operation manager and the time required for the input work increase. Therefore, the first prior art has a problem that it takes a long time to collect all the image information recorded on the recording medium 3 by each drive recorder.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, a technique for collecting image information using wireless communication without using the recording medium 3 has been proposed. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a drive recorder 5 and a center device 6 according to the second prior art. The second conventional drive recorder 5 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the center device 6 via a base station of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).
The image information stored in the drive recorder 5 is recorded on a recording medium, and if it is determined that the drive recorder 5 is in the wireless LAN area 7, it is transmitted to the center device 6 via the antenna 8 of the wireless LAN base station. Sent.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transmitting information stored in a drive recorder to an external device. The drive recorder device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects an image data storage memory that records image data representing an image captured by a CCD camera that captures the surrounding environment when the host vehicle is traveling, and an object that approaches the host vehicle There is an object that is abnormally approached with a CPU that determines whether there is an abnormal state based on the presence or absence of an object that is abnormally approached from the detection result, and a communication unit that is connected to an external network and can communicate with an external database When the CPU determines that the state is abnormal, the image data recorded in the image data storage memory is transmitted to the external database by the communication unit.

JP 2005-205930 A

  In the second conventional technique, when the number of vehicles on which the drive recorders 5 are mounted increases, the timing at which image information is transmitted to the center device 6 may be the same time for the plurality of drive recorders 5. In this case, the center device 6 receives image information from the plurality of drive recorders 5 at approximately the same time, and so-called interference occurs. Therefore, the center device 6 may not receive image information transmitted from each drive recorder 5 accurately and immediately. As a result, the second prior art has a problem that it may take a long time for the center device 6 to collect all image information from each drive recorder 5.

  In addition, the operation manager of the dispatch center confirms all the image information collected by the center device 6 and determines whether or not the image information is necessary for the driver's driving guidance and driving evaluation. There is a problem that it takes time and effort.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information collection system, an operation information recording device, and an information management facility that can shorten the collection time of image information and save the trouble of confirming image information by an operation manager. That is.

  According to the present invention (1), the state detection means detects state information representing the state of the vehicle. The imaging means captures an image. In the recording medium, driving information in which state information detected by the state detecting unit and image information representing an image captured by the imaging unit are associated is recorded. The recording device side communication means capable of wirelessly communicating with the information management facility is controlled by the recording device side control means so as to transmit the state information detected by the state detection means and recorded on the recording medium to the information management facility. . The recording device side communication means transmits image information corresponding to transmission request information representing a transmission request for the image information transmitted from the information management facility to the information management facility, out of the image information recorded on the recording medium. As described above, it is controlled by the recording apparatus side control means.

  The facility-side storage means stores state information and image information transmitted from the operation information recording device. Based on the state information transmitted from the driving information recording device, the determining unit determines whether image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for analyzing the driving state. The facility-side communication means capable of wirelessly communicating with the operation information recording device is configured to control the facility-side control so as to transmit transmission request information indicating the transmission request for the image information determined to be necessary by the determination means to the operation information recording device Controlled by means.

  According to the present invention (1), the image information recorded on the recording medium in accordance with the transmission request information representing the transmission request for the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation by the determination means of the information management facility Among them, since only the image information requested to be transmitted is configured to be transmitted to the information management facility, the total amount of image information transmitted from the operation information recording device to the information management facility is recorded on the recording medium. Less than the prior art that transmits all image information to the information management facility. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the transmission time of the image information from the driving information recording apparatus to the information management facility, in other words, shorten the collection time of the image information of the information management facility.

  In addition, the information management facility determination means determines whether the image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for the analysis of the driving state based on the state information transmitted from the driving information recording device. The manager of the management facility does not need to check the image information transmitted and received from the driving information recording device one by one and determine whether the received image information is necessary for the analysis of the driving situation. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of confirming the image information by the manager of the information management facility.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described. In the following description, portions corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described in the preceding section. The following description includes a description of the information collection method.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the information collection system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the detection direction of the G sensor output value by the G sensor 21. The information collection system 10 includes an operation information recording device 11 and a center device 12 that is an information management facility. The center device 12 is provided, for example, in a vehicle allocation center that performs vehicle allocation instructions and vehicle operation management for each vehicle. The information collection system 10 is configured such that the driving information recording device 11 and the center device 12 are connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and can communicate with each other via a wireless LAN base station. A wireless LAN base station has a communication area. When the operation information recording device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “drive recorder”) 11 is within the communication area of the wireless LAN base station, in other words, within the communication area, the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 are: Wireless connection is possible via wireless LAN base stations, and wireless communication is possible.

  The drive recorder 11 constituting the information collecting system 10 is preferably mounted on a transportation truck and a bus having a battery voltage of 24 volts, for example. However, the applicable vehicles are not limited to transportation trucks and buses, and may be mounted on a taxi with a battery voltage of 12 volts, for example.

  The drive recorder 11 circulates and stores driving information related to driving of the vehicle, and when predetermined conditions are satisfied, the drive recorder 11 associates the driving information and the like with the image and sound information on the recording medium 19, specifically, the compact. A flash (registered trademark) card (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “CF card”) 19 is configured to be recordable. The CF card 19 is an electrical connection between a flash memory that does not lose its memory even when it is not energized, and a controller circuit that is responsible for input / output with the outside.

The drive recorder 11 includes a drive recorder main body 15, a camera 16 that is an imaging unit, a microphone (hereinafter referred to as “microphone”) 17, and a speaker 18. The camera 16 and the microphone 17 are electrically connected to the recorder-side processing unit 27 of the drive recorder main body 15 and provided separately. The vehicle is provided with at least one camera 16. The camera 16 is realized by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. The camera 16 is fixed to the vehicle so as to image the front of the vehicle. In addition to the front of the vehicle, for example, an additional camera can be fixed to the vehicle so as to capture the rear of the vehicle.

  For example, the voice in the passenger compartment is input to the microphone 17. Audio information representing the audio input to the microphone 17 is given to the recorder-side processing unit 27. The speaker 18 is electrically connected to a recorder-side processing unit 27 (to be described later) of the drive recorder main body 15, and outputs an audio by sonicating an electric signal given from the recorder-side processing unit 27. The speaker 18 outputs a predetermined sound stored in the ROM 24, for example, a beep sound and a synthesized sound.

  The drive recorder main body 15 is formed with an insertion port (not shown) into which the CF card 19 can be inserted and removed. The recording medium that can be inserted into and removed from the insertion slot is not limited to the CF card 19 described above, and may be, for example, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, a memory stick, and smart media.

  The drive recorder main body 15 includes an acceleration sensor (hereinafter also referred to as “G sensor”) 21, a vehicle speed sensor 22, a vehicle state sensor 23, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25, and a recorder-side communication unit. 26 and a recorder-side processing unit 27.

  The G sensor 21 detects a gravitational acceleration acting in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle, so-called G sensor output value. The traveling direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, one of which is the front and the other is the rear. Further, the left and right direction in the direction of travel of the vehicle is the left and right direction. The direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the left-right direction is defined as the X-axis direction. “Y” shown in FIG. 4 is a traveling direction, and “−Y” is a direction opposite to the traveling direction. “X” shown in FIG. 4 is the right direction toward the traveling direction of the vehicle, and “−X” is the left direction toward the traveling direction of the vehicle. The G sensor output value in the X-axis direction and the G sensor output value in the Y-axis direction are detected and recorded independently. The G sensor 21 gives the detected G sensor output value to the recorder-side processing unit 27.

  The vehicle speed sensor 22 detects a vehicle speed pulse generated corresponding to the rotational speed of the vehicle wheel, and supplies the detected vehicle speed pulse to the recorder-side processing unit 27. The recorder-side processing unit 27 calculates the traveling speed of the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as “vehicle speed”) based on the vehicle speed pulse given from the vehicle speed sensor 22.

  The vehicle state sensor 23 includes a steering angle sensor that detects information indicating the steering angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle operated by the driver, and a sensor that detects information indicating the operation state of the operation unit such as a direction indicator switch. . The vehicle state sensor 23 provides the recorder-side processing unit 27 with information indicating the detected steering angle and information indicating the operation state of the operation unit.

  The ROM 24 is realized by a flash ROM, for example. The ROM 24 stores a control program for comprehensively controlling hardware resources constituting the drive recorder main body 15.

The RAM 25 is realized by, for example, an SD-RAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). The RAM 25 is detected by the time information indicating the time measured by an RTC (Real Time Clock) built in the later-described recorder-side processing unit 27, the G sensor output value detected by the G sensor 21, and the vehicle speed sensor 22, and the recorder 25 State information representing the state of the vehicle including vehicle speed information representing the vehicle speed calculated by the side processing unit 27, and image information representing an image captured by the camera 16 and converted into a JPEG (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group) format. The associated driving information is temporarily stored. The file format of the image captured by the camera 16 is not limited to the JPEG format, and may be, for example, a bitmap format or a uniquely developed format.

  The recorder-side communication unit 26 transmits time information stored in the RAM 25, state information including the G sensor output value and vehicle speed information, and image information to the center device 12 via a wireless LAN base station (not shown). In addition, information transmitted from the center device 12 is received. Information received by the recorder-side communication unit 26 is stored in the RAM 25.

The recorder-side processing unit 27 is a central processing unit (abbreviation: CP).
U) or the like. The recorder side processing unit 27 controls the RAM 25 and the recorder side communication unit 26 that constitute the drive recorder 11 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 24. The recorder-side processing unit 27 has a built-in RTC and keeps time. The recorder side processing unit 27 is detected by the time information indicating the time measured by the RTC built in the recorder side processing unit 27, the G sensor output value detected by the G sensor 21, and the vehicle speed sensor 22, and the recorder side processing unit The RAM 25 stores driving information in which the state information indicating the vehicle state including the vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed 27 and the image information indicating the image captured by the camera 16 and converted into the JPEG format are associated with each other. . The recorder-side processing unit 27 controls the operation information stored in the RAM 25 to be recorded in the CF card 19 based on a predetermined recording start condition.
Table 1 shows the operation information recorded on the CF card 19.

  In the present embodiment, driving information of a plurality of events (events) is recorded on the CF card 19. More specifically, as shown in Table 1, the CF card 19 has an identification number for identifying a plurality of events (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “event No.”), and an event occurrence time (t ) Representing the time information and event No. Vehicle speed information representing the vehicle speed corresponding to, the G sensor output value in the X-axis direction, the G sensor output value in the Y-axis direction, and image information representing the image captured by the camera 16 are recorded. Hereinafter, the “G sensor output value in the X-axis direction” and the “G sensor output value in the Y-axis direction” may be collectively referred to as “G sensor output value”.

  The recorder-side processing unit 27 determines whether or not the drive recorder 11 is within the communication area of the wireless LAN base station, and when determining that the drive recorder 11 is within the predetermined communication area, in other words, determines that the drive recorder 11 is within the communication range. Image information corresponding to the transmission request information indicating the time information recorded on the CF card 19, the state information including the G sensor output value and the vehicle speed information, or the transmission request of the image information transmitted from the center device 12. The recorder-side communication unit 26 is controlled to transmit to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station.

  The G sensor 21, the vehicle speed sensor 22, and the vehicle state sensor 23 of the present embodiment correspond to state detection means. The recorder-side communication unit 26 corresponds to a recording device-side communication unit. The recorder side processing unit 27 and the ROM 24 correspond to a recording device side control means.

  The center device 12 is configured to be able to analyze and output information recorded on the CF card 19. The center device 12 includes an operation unit 31, a display unit 32, a center side communication unit 33, a card reader 34, a center side storage unit 35, and a center side processing unit 36.

  The operation unit 31 includes a plurality of operation pieces such as input operation keys for a user to operate and input predetermined information, and is realized by, for example, a keyboard. By operating each operation piece, the operation unit 31 generates a signal representing information according to the operation, such as predetermined information such as numeric information, character information, and instruction information to the center device 12, and performs processing on the center side. Part 36 is given. Therefore, the user can give information to the center device 12 by operating each operation piece of the operation unit 31.

  The display unit 32 displays an image including a still image and a moving image representing the driving information recorded on the CF card 19. The image may be an image representing characters such as letters and numbers, or an image representing photographs and illustrations. The display unit 32 may be realized by using at least one of a transmissive liquid crystal display element, a reflective liquid crystal display element, an electroluminescence (abbreviation: EL) element, and a transflective liquid crystal display element. Good. The display unit 32 may be capable of color display or monochrome display.

  The center-side communication unit 33 transmits transmission request information representing a transmission request for image information to the drive recorder 11 via a wireless LAN base station (not shown) and from the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station. The transmitted time information, vehicle speed information, G sensor output value, and image information are received. The card reader 34 reads the operation information recorded on the CF card 19.

  The center side storage unit 35 stores time information, vehicle speed information, G sensor output value, and image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 and received by the center side communication unit 33. The center-side storage unit 35 stores a control program for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the center device 12.

  The center processing unit 36 is realized by a processing circuit such as a CPU. The center side processing unit 36 controls the display unit 32, the center side communication unit 33, the center side storage unit 35, and the card reader 34 constituting the center device 12 according to a control program stored in the center side storage unit 35.

  The center side processing unit 36 responds to these information based on the state information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 and stored in the center side storage unit 35, specifically, time information, vehicle speed information, and G sensor output value. It is determined whether the image information is necessary for analyzing the driving situation. The center side processing unit 36 controls the center side communication unit 33 so as to transmit to the drive recorder 11 transmission request information indicating a transmission request for image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation.

  The determination as to whether analysis of the driving situation is necessary may be performed automatically or manually.

  When automatically determining whether or not analysis of the driving situation is necessary, a threshold for determining whether or not to analyze the vehicle speed information or the G sensor output value is set in advance. This threshold value is a value indicating dangerous driving such as an accident, sudden acceleration, and sudden deceleration, but may be other than this. Then, the center processing unit 36 compares the state information received from the drive recorder 11 with the threshold value, and determines that analysis is necessary when the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  In addition, a plurality of comparative behavior patterns such as dangerous driving that require analysis, not threshold values, are created in advance based on the vehicle speed information and the G sensor output value, and the center-side processing unit 36 receives from the drive recorder 11 It may be determined that the analysis is necessary when the information pattern and the comparative behavior pattern match or are similar.

  When manually determining whether or not an analysis of the driving situation is necessary, the sensor device 12 displays the status information received from the drive recorder 11 on the display unit 32, and the operation manager of the dispatch center is displayed. Whether or not the analysis of the driving information is necessary is determined from the state information, and if it is determined that it is necessary, a transmission request for the necessary state information may be input to the operation unit 31. That is, when a transmission request for state information is input to the operation unit 31, the center side processing unit 36 determines that an analysis of the driving situation is necessary.

  The center side processing unit 36 stores the time information, vehicle speed information, G sensor output value, and image information received by the center side communication unit 33 in the center side storage unit 35. The center side processing unit 36 causes the display unit 32 to display time information, vehicle speed information, G sensor output value, and image information stored in the center side storage unit 35. The center-side processing unit 36 controls the center-side communication unit 33 so that the information input by the operation unit 31 is transmitted to the drive recorder 11 via a wireless LAN base station (not shown).

  The center side processing unit 36 controls the center side communication unit 33 so as to transmit a reception completion signal indicating that the reception of the image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 is completed to the drive recorder 11.

  By installing an application program such as a predetermined image analysis program in the center-side storage unit 35, the center-side processing unit 36 is configured to be able to analyze information. However, the application program is not limited to the image analysis program.

  The center side communication part 33 of this Embodiment is corresponded to an installation side communication means. The center-side storage unit 35 corresponds to equipment-side storage means. The center side processing unit 36 and the center side storage unit 35 correspond to determination means and equipment side control means.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mode in which still image information is recorded on the CF card 19 at regular intervals δ based on the G sensor output value. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between part of image information and position information. The recorder-side processing unit 27 converts an input image captured by the camera 16 and input to the drive recorder main body 15 into JPEG format image information, and sequentially records the image information converted into the JPEG format in the RAM 25. At this time, one still image is stored in the RAM 25 under the file name “image * .jpg”, for example (see FIG. 6). The “*” is an integer.

  As described above, the recorder-side processing unit 27 sequentially stores the time information, the G sensor output value of the vehicle, and the vehicle speed information in the RAM 25 as additional information of the still image. When a predetermined recording condition is satisfied, the recorder-side processing unit 27 causes the CF card 19 to record the JPEG converted image, time information, G sensor output value, and vehicle speed information stored in the RAM 25.

  In the present embodiment, for example, 10 still images are recorded on the CF card 19 per second, and 200 still images can be recorded on the CF card 19 for one event at a maximum of 20 seconds. One event is synonymous with one state that satisfies a predetermined recording condition. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the CF card 19 has an image information group composed of 200 still images “image 1.jpg”,..., “Image 200.jpg” in a maximum of 20 seconds. The still image file names “image 1”,..., “Image 200” that are recorded and included in the image information group are associated with time information, the G sensor output value of the vehicle, and vehicle speed information, respectively. Information is recorded on the CF card 19 as additional information of the image information group.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the G sensor output value 40 that exceeds the threshold and the recording range Rh of the image information recorded on the CF card 19. The relationship between the G sensor output value 40 exceeding the threshold and the recording range Rh of the image information recorded on the CF card 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the G sensor output value 40 exceeds the threshold value Gmax or Gmin as the recording condition, the JPEG converted image recorded endlessly in the RAM 25 over the recording range Rh for a maximum of 20 seconds with reference to the threshold excess time Tg, the G sensor output value, Time information and vehicle speed information are recorded on the CF card 19. In the following description, it may be referred to when trigger threshold excess time T _g. The time obtained by adding the recording time T _aft seconds after the trigger occurrence to the recording time T _bef seconds before the trigger occurrence corresponds to the total time of the recording range Rh in one event.

The recording time T _bef before the trigger occurrence can be set in the range of 8 seconds to 12 seconds, and the recording time T _aft after the trigger occurrence can be set in the range of 8 seconds to 12 seconds. In other words, the recording range Rh in one event can be set to a maximum of 20 seconds in a range of 8 seconds to 12 seconds before the trigger occurrence and 8 seconds to 12 seconds after the trigger occurrence.

In this embodiment, the total time of the recording range Rh in one event is set to a maximum of 20 seconds, but the total time of the recording range Rh is not limited to 20 seconds, and the total time of the recording range Rh is For example, it may be set to a maximum of 30 seconds. In this case, the recording time T _bef before the trigger occurrence is set in a range of, for example, 5 seconds to 25 seconds, and the recording time T _aft after the trigger occurrence is set in a range of, for example, 5 seconds to 25 seconds. It may be set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a threshold determination method for the G sensor output value. Recorder side processing unit 27 obtains the output of the G sensor 21, determines whether or not exceeding the threshold value G _abe. The G sensor 21 is a two-axis type that detects the gravitational acceleration in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as described above, and is configured to be able to detect the gravitational acceleration in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect not only the collision accident in the front-rear direction of the vehicle but also the collision accident in the left-right direction, and analyze the cause. The threshold determination is performed by the vector sum of the gravitational acceleration in the front-rear direction and the gravitational acceleration in the left-right direction. This threshold value can be changed to an arbitrary value by setting.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the recorder-side processing unit 27 when the information recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted to the center device 12. This process starts under the condition that the operation information is recorded on the CF card 19 by the recorder-side processing unit 27 of the drive recorder main body 15. This process is executed by the recorder side processing unit 27. After the start of this process, the process proceeds to step a1.

  In step a1, it is determined whether or not the drive recorder 11 is in the communication area of the wireless LAN base station. If the drive recorder 11 is in the communication area, the process proceeds to step a2. The process of step a1 is repeated until the drive recorder 11 is located within the communication area within the area.

  In step a2, the status information recorded on the CF card 19, specifically, the time information, the G sensor output value, and the vehicle speed information are sent to the center device 12 by the recorder-side communication unit 26 via the wireless LAN base station. And transmit to step a3.

  In step a2, when the status information recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted to the center device 12, the status information of all the events recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted at once. For example, when the state information of four events is recorded on the CF card 19, the drive recorder 11 transmits the state information of the four events to the center device 12 at once. Thereafter, a reception completion signal indicating that the reception of the state information of the four events has been completed is transmitted from the center device 12 to the drive recorder 11.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the state information of all the events recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted to the center device 12 at once. However, in the other embodiments of the present invention, the CF You may make it transmit the status information of all the events currently recorded on the card | curd 19 to the center apparatus 12 for every event. Each time the status information of one event is transmitted to the center device 12, a reception completion signal is transmitted from the center device 12 to the drive recorder 11.

  As described above, by transmitting the status information of a plurality of events from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 for each event, the status information of the plurality of events is transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 in a lump. Further, it is possible to suppress the state information from the plurality of drive recorders 11 as much as possible and to reduce the error processing of the wireless communication. As a result, smooth communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 can be ensured.

  In step a3, it is determined whether or not the transmission request information that is the information transmitted from the center device 12 and represents a transmission request for image information has been received by the recorder-side communication unit 26. If not received, the process of step a3 is repeated until received.

  In step a4, the image information corresponding to the transmission request information received in step a3 is transmitted to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station by the recorder-side communication unit 26, and the process proceeds to step a5.

  In step a4, when image information corresponding to the transmission request information is transmitted to the center device 12, the image information of all the events requested from the center device 12 is transmitted in a batch. For example, when there is a transmission request for image information of three events from the center device 12, the drive recorder 11 transmits the image information of the three events requested from the center device 12 to the center device 12 at once. Thereafter, a reception completion signal indicating that the reception of the image information of the three events has been completed is transmitted from the center device 12 to the drive recorder 11.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the image information of all the events requested from the center device 12 is transmitted to the center device 12 at once. However, in the other embodiments of the present invention, the center device is used. The image information of all events requested from 12 may be transmitted to the center device 12 for each event. Each time image information of one event is transmitted to the center device 12, a reception completion signal is transmitted from the center device 12 to the drive recorder 11.

  Thus, by transmitting image information of a plurality of events from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 for each event, the image information of a plurality of events is transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 in a lump compared to the case of transmitting the image information of the plurality of events from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 in a lump. Further, it is possible to suppress the image information from the plurality of drive recorders 11 as much as possible and to reduce the error processing of the wireless communication. As a result, smooth communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 can be ensured.

  In step a5, an image transmitted from the drive recorder 11 is a signal transmitted from the center device 12 in order to sequentially delete the image information of the events received by the center side communication unit 33 from the CF card 19. It is determined whether or not a reception completion signal indicating that the reception of information has been received is received by the recorder-side communication unit 26. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step a6, and if not received, the process returns to step a4.

  In step a6, among the plurality of event image information recorded in the CF card 19, the event image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 and received by the center side communication unit 33 is converted into CF information. Erasing is performed sequentially from the card 19. The image information of the event transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 and received by the center side communication unit 33 can be grasped based on the reception completion signal received in step a5. After step a6, this process ends.

  In step a6, the image information of the event transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 and received by the center side communication unit 33 is sequentially deleted from the CF card 19, thereby securing the free space of the CF card 19. can do. As a result, the newly obtained image information can be recorded on the CF card 19 in which free space is secured.

  In the present embodiment, after the image information corresponding to the transmission request information is transmitted to the center device 12 in step a4, the estimated time to transmit the image information to the center device 12 (hereinafter referred to as “transmission completion estimated time”). Is calculated by the recorder-side processing unit 27 based on the communication speed and the information amount of the image information, and the estimated transmission completion time is output from, for example, the speaker 18 to notify the crew member of the estimated transmission completion time. It may be configured.

  By notifying the crew member of the estimated transmission completion time in this way, when the image information is being sent to the center device 12, the crew member is powered off (OFF), in other words, the power to the drive recorder 11 It is possible to prevent the supply from being stopped, and to prevent the image information from being transmitted to the center device 12.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the center side processing unit 36 when transmitting the transmission request information and the reception completion signal to the drive recorder 11. This processing starts under the condition that the center device 12 is powered on. This processing is executed by the center processing unit 36. After the start of this process, the process proceeds to step b1.

  In step b1, whether or not the center side communication unit 33 has received status information, specifically time information, G sensor output value, and vehicle speed information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station. If it is received, the process proceeds to step b2, and if it is not received, the process of step b1 is repeated until it is received.

  In step b2, based on the state information received in step b1, it is determined whether image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for analysis of the driving situation, and the process proceeds to step b3. In step b3, as a result of the determination in step b2, transmission request information indicating a transmission request for image information determined to be necessary for analysis of the driving situation is transmitted by the recorder-side communication unit 26 via a wireless LAN base station. The program is transmitted to the drive recorder 11, and the process proceeds to step b4.

  More specifically, in step b3, an event No. corresponding to the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation. Are transmitted to the drive recorder 11 as transmission request information. For example, when it is determined that the image information corresponding to the state information of three of the four events is necessary, the center device 12 determines the event number of the three events. Are collectively transmitted to the drive recorder 11.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the event No. corresponding to the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation. Are transmitted to the drive recorder 11 as transmission request information in a lump. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, an event No. corresponding to the image information determined to be necessary is transmitted. May be transmitted to the drive recorder 11 for each event. For example, when it is determined that the image information corresponding to the state information of three of the four events is necessary, the center device 12 determines the event number of the three events. Are individually transmitted to the drive recorder 11.

  In step b4, it is determined whether or not the image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station has been received by the center side communication unit 33. If received, the process proceeds to step b5. If not, the process of step b4 is repeated until reception.

  In step b5, a reception completion signal indicating that the reception of the image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station by the center side communication unit 33 is completed by the center side communication unit 33. The program is transmitted to the drive recorder 11 via the base station, and the process proceeds to step b6.

  In step b6, the image information received in step b4 is stored in the center storage unit 35. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the information collection system 10 of the present embodiment, the drive recorder 11 sends a transmission request for image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation by the center side processing unit 36 of the center device 12. Since only the image information requested to be transmitted among the image information recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted to the center device 12 in accordance with the transmission request information to be expressed, the drive recorder 11 sends it to the center device 12. The total amount of image information to be transmitted can be made smaller than that of the conventional technique in which all image information recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted to the center device 12. As a result, the transmission time of the image information from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 can be shortened, in other words, the collection time of the image information of the center device 12 can be shortened.

  Further, according to the information collection system 10 of the present embodiment, based on the state information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 by the center side processing unit 36 of the center device 12, the image information corresponding to this state information is the driving state. Since it is determined whether or not it is necessary for the analysis, the operator of the center device 12 checks the image information transmitted and received from the drive recorder 11 one by one, and the received image information is necessary for the analysis of the driving situation. There is no need to determine whether or not. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of confirming the image information by the operator of the center device 12.

  In the center device 12 of the present embodiment, the state information received from the drive recorder 11 is information stored in the center-side storage unit 35 and is determined to determine whether the image information is necessary for analysis of the driving situation. Among them, the state information based on the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation is not erased but is stored. As a result, it becomes possible for the center device 12 to analyze the driving situation using the state information corresponding to the image information.

  In the center device 12 of the present embodiment, information indicating the collection state of image information from each drive recorder 11 connected to the wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as “collection state information”) is displayed on the display unit 32. It may be configured to notify the operation manager of the dispatch center. The collection status information is information representing any one of the collection statuses of image information from the drive recorder 11 being uncollected, being collected, and being collected.

  By displaying the collection state information on the display unit 32 of the center device 12 in this way, for example, the operation manager of the dispatch center can easily grasp the collection state of the image information from each drive recorder 11.

  In the center device 12 of the present embodiment, when it is determined in step b2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 whether or not the image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for the analysis of the driving situation, the image information is the driving information. Information indicating the reason for determining that it is necessary to analyze the situation (hereinafter referred to as “determination reason information”) and information indicating the degree of necessity of the image information (hereinafter referred to as “necessity information”) are associated with the image information. Keep it. When the image information stored in the center-side storage unit 35 is displayed on the display unit 32, the determination reason information and the necessity level information associated with the image information may also be displayed on the display unit 32. The determination reason information may be text information such as “the G sensor 21 has detected a G sensor output value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold”. The necessary degree information may be a numerical value defined according to the high degree of necessity, for example.

  Accordingly, when checking the image information stored in the center-side storage unit 35, the operation manager of the dispatch center can also check the determination reason information and the necessity information associated with the image information. Therefore, the operation manager of the dispatch center can preferentially confirm, for example, image information having a high degree of necessity based on the determination reason information and the necessity level information, and the operator of the center device 12 such as the operation manager can Convenience can be improved.

  According to the drive recorder 11 of the present embodiment, the information transmitted from the center device 12 is image information recorded on the CF card 19 according to transmission request information indicating a transmission request for image information. Since only the image information for which transmission is requested is configured to be transmitted to the center device 12, the total amount of image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 is the total amount of information recorded on the CF card 19. It is possible to reduce the amount of image information compared to the conventional technique in which image information is transmitted to the center device 12. As a result, the transmission time of the image information from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 can be shortened, in other words, the collection time of the image information of the center device 12 can be shortened.

  According to the center device 12 of the present embodiment, based on the state information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 by the center side processing unit 36, is image information corresponding to this state information necessary for analysis of the driving situation? Therefore, the operator of the center device 12 checks the image information transmitted and received from the drive recorder 11 one by one, and determines whether or not the received image information is necessary for the analysis of the driving situation. There is no need to judge. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of confirming the image information by the operator of the center device 12.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the recorder-side processing unit 27 regarding notification of information to bring the CF card 19 to the dispatch center. This process starts under the condition that the drive recorder main body 15 is powered on. This process is executed by the recorder side processing unit 27. After the start of this process, the process proceeds to step c1.

  In step c1, it is determined whether or not the number of occurrences of an event corresponding to the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The process proceeds to step c2, and if it is not the predetermined number of times or in other words, if it is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step a1 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step c2, information indicating that the CF card 19 on which the driving information is recorded is brought to the dispatch center (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “card bringing information”) is notified to the vehicle crew. The card bringing information is notified to the crew by, for example, outputting a predetermined beep sound or a synthesized voice such as “Please bring the CF card 19 to the dispatch center” from the speaker 18. After step c2, this process ends.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the number of events (events) corresponding to the image information determined to be necessary for analysis of the driving situation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the card is given to the vehicle crew. It is configured to notify the bring-in information and bring the CF card 19 to the dispatch center. As a result, the amount of image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station can be reduced as much as possible.

  As a result, the amount of image information to be transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 is unnecessarily large, and troubles such as inability to transmit image information due to a communication failure occur, or a relatively long time is required for image information transmission. Therefore, wireless communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 can be performed relatively smoothly.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the recorder-side processing unit 27 regarding notification of card bringing information. This process starts under the condition that the drive recorder main body 15 is powered on. This process is executed by the recorder side processing unit 27. After the start of this process, the process proceeds to step d1.

  In step d1, it is determined whether or not the amount of image information determined to be necessary for analyzing the driving situation is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of information. If the amount of information is not greater than the predetermined amount of information, in other words, if the amount of information is smaller than the predetermined amount of information, the process proceeds to step a1 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step d2, by outputting a predetermined beep sound or a synthesized voice such as “Please bring the CF card 19 to the dispatch center” from the speaker 18, the card bringing information is notified to the crew of the vehicle, and thereafter The process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the information amount of the image information determined to be necessary for the analysis of the driving situation is equal to or larger than the predetermined information amount, the card crew information is notified to the vehicle crew. Thus, it is configured to have the CF card 19 brought to the dispatch center. As a result, it is possible to limit the amount of image information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station.

  As a result, the amount of image information to be transmitted from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 is unnecessarily large, and troubles such as inability to transmit image information due to a communication failure occur, or a relatively long time is required for image information transmission. Therefore, wireless communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 can be performed relatively smoothly.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the center-side processing unit 36 regarding the card bringing information transmission processing. This processing starts under the condition that the center device 12 is powered on. This processing is executed by the center processing unit 36. After the start of this process, the process proceeds to step e1.

  In step e1, it is determined whether or not the number of drive recorders 11 connected to the wireless LAN is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. If the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step e2 and must be greater than or equal to the predetermined number. In other words, if the number is less than the predetermined number, the process of step e1 is repeated.

Whether or not the number of drive recorders 11 connected to the wireless LAN is equal to or greater than a predetermined number is determined by an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned in advance to the drive recorder 11 configured to be connectable to the wireless LAN. By confirming the above, the center side processing unit 36 determines.

  In step e2, the card bringing information is transmitted to the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station, and then this process is terminated.

  In the drive recorder 11, after receiving the card bringing information transmitted from the center device 12, a predetermined beep sound or “CF card 19 is sent to the dispatch center in the same manner as in step c 2 in FIG. 11 and step d 2 in FIG. 12. Please bring the synthesized voice such as “Please bring it to” from the speaker 18 to notify the vehicle crew of the card bringing information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the number of drive recorders 11 connected to the wireless LAN is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the card crew information is notified to the vehicle crew, and the CF is sent to the dispatch center. It is comprised so that card 19 may be brought. By limiting the number of drive recorders 11 connected to the wireless LAN in this way, the amount of image information transmitted from each drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station is made as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the image information transmitted from each drive recorder 11 from interfering as much as possible.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent problems such as inability to transmit image information from the drive recorder 11 to the center device 12 due to communication failure or the like, or taking a relatively long time to transmit image information. Wireless communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 can be performed relatively smoothly.

  In the center device 12 of the present embodiment, if the operation information collected from the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station and the operation information recorded on the CF card 19 are exactly the same, the base of the wireless LAN Since the operation information collected from the drive recorder 11 via the station is likely to be damaged, the operation information recorded on the CF card 19 is stored in the center-side storage unit 35 of the center device 12.

  In the center device 12 of the present embodiment, when the operation manager of the dispatch center confirms the image information stored in the center-side storage unit 35, the image information is transmitted via a wireless LAN base station. 11 may be configured to display information indicating whether the image information is collected from the image data 11 or image information directly read from the CF card 19 by the card reader 34 on the display unit 32.

  As a result, the operation manager of the dispatch center determines whether the image information stored in the center storage unit 35 is image information collected from the drive recorder 11 via the base station of the wireless LAN, or the card reader 34 It is possible to easily and immediately grasp whether the image information is directly read from the card 19.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the configuration can be changed within the scope of the invention. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined that the drive recorder 11 is within the communication area of the wireless LAN base station, the status information recorded on the CF card 19 is transmitted via the wireless LAN base station. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, an operation key that is operated when transmitting the state information recorded on the CF card 19 to the center device 12 is provided in advance in the drive recorder main body 15, and the operation key is operated by a crew member. When operated, the status information recorded in the CF card 19 may be configured to be transmitted to the center device 12 via a wireless LAN base station. With this configuration, the crew can transmit the status information recorded on the CF card 19 to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station at a timing suitable for itself.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, an operation manager of a dispatch center provided with the center device 12 transmits information indicating a transmission request for status information to the drive recorder 11, and the drive recorder 11 transmits from the center device 12. The status information recorded on the CF card 19 may be transmitted to the center device 12 via a wireless LAN base station based on the information indicating the status information transmission request. With this configuration, the operation manager of the dispatch center can collect the state information recorded on the CF card 19 at a desired timing.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, the center side processing unit 36 of the center device 12 includes the drive recorder 11 in the communication area of the wireless LAN base station, and the drive recorder 11 via the wireless LAN base station. And the wireless communication between the center device 12 and the center device 12 are determined, and the determination result is transmitted to the drive recorder 11. The drive recorder 11 transmits the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 transmitted from the center device 12 to each other. Even when information indicating that wireless communication is established is received, the status information recorded on the CF card 19 may be transmitted to the center device 12 via the wireless LAN base station. Good. With this configuration, the drive recorder 11 can transmit the state information to the center device 12 when the wireless communication between the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 is established. The state information transmitted from the drive recorder 11 can be reliably collected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information collection system 10 when the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 are connected to a wireless LAN and configured to be able to perform wireless communication with each other via a wireless LAN base station has been described. The information collection system 10 is not limited to such a configuration.

  The information collection system according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 are connected to a communication line of a mobile phone and can communicate with each other via a base station of the mobile phone. Also good. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as the information collecting system 10 in the case where the above-described drive recorder 11 and the center device 12 are configured to be capable of wireless communication via a wireless LAN base station can be obtained. Can do.

It is a figure which shows the drive recorder 1 and center apparatus 2 of the 1st prior art. It is a figure which shows the drive recorder 5 and center apparatus 6 of the 2nd prior art. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an information collection system 10 that is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection direction of the G sensor output value by G sensor. It is a figure which shows the aspect by which still image information is recorded on the CF card | curd 19 at fixed intervals (delta) based on G sensor output value. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a part of image information, position information, etc. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a G sensor output value 40 exceeding a threshold value and a recording range Rh of image information recorded on the CF card 19. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the threshold value determination method of G sensor output value. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a recorder-side processing unit 27 when transmitting information recorded on a CF card 19 to the center device 12. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a center side processing unit when transmitting transmission request information and a reception completion signal to the drive recorder. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the recorder side process part 27 regarding the alerting | reporting of the information to bring the CF card 19 to a dispatch center. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the recorder side process part 27 regarding alerting | reporting of card bringing information. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the center side process part 36 regarding the transmission process of card bringing information.

Explanation of symbols

10 Information Collection System 11 Operation Information Recording Device (Drive Recorder)
12 Center equipment 15 Drive recorder body 16 Camera 18 Recording medium 21 Acceleration (G) sensor 22 Vehicle speed sensor 23 Vehicle state sensor 24 ROM
25 RAM
26 recorder-side communication unit 27 recorder-side processing unit 31 operation unit 32 display unit 33 center-side communication unit 35 center-side storage unit 36 center-side processing unit

Claims (6)

An information collection system including a driving information recording device that records driving information related to driving of a vehicle, and an information management facility that collects driving information from the driving information recording device by wireless communication,
The driving information recording device
State detection means for detecting state information representing the state of the vehicle;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
A recording device side communication means capable of wireless communication with the information management facility;
A recording device-side control unit that records operation information associated with state information detected by the state detection unit and image information representing an image captured by the imaging unit on a recording medium,
The recording device side control means
The image transmitted from the information management facility among the image information recorded in the recording medium is controlled by controlling the recording device side communication means so as to transmit the state information recorded on the recording medium to the information management facility. Control the recording device side communication means so as to transmit the image information corresponding to the transmission request information representing the information transmission request to the information management facility,
Information management equipment
Facility side communication means capable of wireless communication with the operation information recording device;
Facility-side storage means for storing state information and image information transmitted from the operation information recording device;
Based on the state information transmitted from the driving information recording device, a determination means for determining whether image information corresponding to the state information is necessary for analysis of the driving state;
A facility-side control unit that controls the facility-side communication unit so as to transmit the transmission request information indicating the transmission request of the image information determined to be necessary by the determination unit to the operation information recording device. Information collection system.   The facility-side control means controls the facility-side communication means so as to transmit a reception completion signal indicating completion of reception of image information transmitted from the operation information recording device to the operation information recording device. The information collection system according to claim 1. In the recording medium, image information of a plurality of events is recorded,
2. The recording apparatus-side control means controls the recording apparatus-side communication means so that image information of a plurality of events recorded on a recording medium is transmitted to the information management facility for each event. Or the information collection system of 2 description.   When the reception completion signal transmitted from the information management facility is received by the recording device side communication means, the recording device side control means transmits information from the driving information recording device among the image information of a plurality of events recorded on the recording medium. 4. The information collecting system according to claim 2, wherein the information is sequentially deleted from the image information of the event transmitted to the management facility and received by the facility side communication means. The driving information recording apparatus for constructing an information collecting system including a driving information recording apparatus that records driving information related to driving of a vehicle and an information management facility that collects driving information from the driving information recording apparatus by wireless communication. ,
State detection means for detecting state information representing the state of the vehicle;
An imaging means for capturing an image;
A recording device side communication means capable of wireless communication with the information management facility;
A recording device-side control unit that records operation information associated with state information detected by the state detection unit and image information representing an image captured by the imaging unit on a recording medium,
The recording device side control means
The image transmitted from the information management facility among the image information recorded in the recording medium is controlled by controlling the recording device side communication means so as to transmit the state information recorded on the recording medium to the information management facility. An operation information recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus side communication means is controlled to transmit image information corresponding to transmission request information representing an information transmission request to an information management facility. The information management facility for constructing an information collection system including a driving information recording device that records driving information related to driving of a vehicle, and an information management facility that collects driving information from the driving information recording device by wireless communication,
Facility side communication means capable of wireless communication with the operation information recording device;
Facility-side storage means for storing state information and image information transmitted from the operation information recording device;
Based on the status information transmitted from the driving information recording device, a determination means for determining whether image information corresponding to the status information is necessary for analysis of the driving status;
A facility-side control unit that controls the facility-side communication unit so as to transmit the transmission request information indicating the transmission request of the image information determined to be necessary by the determination unit to the operation information recording device. Information management equipment.

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