JP2008158987A - Drive recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive recorder which can be used effectively for safety management, by saving the circumstances before and after the occurrence of an accident, and by saving the status of caution-requiring driving which does not lead to an accident, using a simple composition. <P>SOLUTION: The drive recorder, which is installed in a vehicle, and which saves images photographed for a predetermined time period, before and after sudden deceleration exceeding a threshold occurs in the vehicle (at the occurrence of the sudden deceleration) in the recording means, comprises a looking-aside detection means for detecting looking-aside of the driver during driving from photographic images photographed with a camera, and a threshold change means. In the drive recorder, when the looking-aside detection means detects the looking aside of a driver, the threshold change means decreases the threshold of the deceleration determining means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive recorder that stores images such as accidents.

  Drive recorders that save the situation before and after an accident are known. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-119965 discloses an alarm system that captures a driving situation and issues a warning to a driver based on the photographed driving situation.

There is also known a detecting means for photographing a driver and sensing that the driver is looking aside from a photographed image. 2. Description of the Related Art A management system that manages a traveling vehicle by transmitting a driving state of the vehicle, that is, a current position of the vehicle and a traveling speed of the vehicle to a management host computer is known. There is an example that is used for safe driving management and education by recording a dangerous state that does not lead to an accident.
JP 2006-119965 A

  A drive recorder for investigating the cause of an accident is a system that operates based on the impact of an accident, and an example in which such a system is combined with the driving situation of the driver is not known. Furthermore, the method of notifying an accident but transmitting attention to the manager and using it for safety management records the driving situation based on sudden braking only, and other cautions are required. The driving situation has not been fully utilized in the past.

  The present invention solves the above problems, saves the situation before and after the accident, saves the state of cautionary driving that does not lead to an accident, and provides a drive recorder that can be used effectively for safety management with a simple configuration The purpose is to do.

  In the present invention, the drive recorder is configured as follows in order to solve the above problems.

  1. A camera that is installed in a vehicle and shoots a situation around the vehicle and a driver of the vehicle, deceleration detection means that detects a deceleration generated in the vehicle, and records an image captured by the camera A recording means and a deceleration judging means for judging deceleration, and when the deceleration judging means judges that a deceleration greater than a threshold has occurred in the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a sudden deceleration occurrence). A drive recorder for storing in the recording means images taken within a predetermined time before and after the occurrence of the sudden deceleration, and a side-arm detection means for detecting a driver's side-arm while driving from the captured images taken by the camera; The drive recorder is configured to include a threshold change means, and the threshold change means reduces the threshold value of the deceleration determination means when the side look detection means detects the driver's side look.

  2. A storage time changing means is provided, and when the aside detection means detects the driver's side aside, the storage time changing means extends the predetermined time before and after the sudden deceleration occurs.

  3. The camera is a camera provided in a camera-equipped mobile phone, the deceleration detection means is an acceleration / deceleration sensor provided in the mobile phone, and the recording means is provided in the mobile phone. It was decided to be memory.

  4. An optical member is attached to the front surface of the camera so that the front of the vehicle and the driver can be photographed simultaneously by the optical member.

  5. The optical member is a V-shaped reflecting mirror, and the top side of the reflecting mirror is arranged toward the lens of the camera.

  6. The mobile phone is provided with a main camera and a sub camera on the front and rear surfaces, respectively, a camera for photographing the front of the vehicle is the main camera, and a camera for photographing the driver is the sub camera.

  7. The captured image is appropriately transmitted by the telephone function of the mobile phone.

  8. A recording means is provided, and the photographed image stored by the recording means includes voice information recorded by the recording means.

The drive recorder according to the present invention has the following effects.
When an accident occurs, the situation before and after the accident can be stored in the recording means based on the impact of the accident. Similarly, when the driver makes a sudden deceleration, the situation can be saved and used for safety management. Furthermore, when looking aside, it is preserved even if a small deceleration is performed. Also, after looking aside, the storage time becomes longer, so the situation before and after can be saved reliably and used for grasping the driving state requiring attention.

  The driver's condition and the surroundings of the vehicle can be photographed with a single camera. As the deceleration detection means, a sensor provided in the mobile phone can be used, and it is not necessary to connect to a device installed in the vehicle. With a device with a simple configuration, it is possible to take pictures of the front of the vehicle and the driver, and record and store sensitive driving by looking aside.

An embodiment of a drive recorder according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a driver's seat 12 of a vehicle provided with a drive recorder 10. In the driver's seat 12, an installation stand 17 is provided in front of the ceiling 32, that is, near the upper end of the windshield 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive recorder 10 includes a camera-equipped mobile phone 14 provided with a camera 13, a control device 16 built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14, an installation stand 17, and the like.

  The camera 13 is a photographing device having a photographing lens 15 on the front surface or the back surface of the camera-equipped mobile phone 14. The camera-equipped mobile phone 14 has a moving image shooting function using at least the camera 13. The taking lens 15 is composed of a wide-angle lens.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the installation base 17 includes a lower plate 19 and side plates 21 on both sides of the lower plate 19 and attached to the ceiling 32. As shown in FIG. It is structured to be fixed. The method for fixing the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 is not particularly limited, as long as the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 is securely held at a predetermined position during driving of the vehicle.

  A photographing window 23 is formed on the lower plate 19. When the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 is fixed to the installation base 17 with the camera 13 facing downward, the photographing lens 15 of the camera 13 matches the photographing window 23. To do.

  On the front surface of the photographing window 23, that is, below the lower plate 19, a triangular prism-like reflecting mirror 24 is installed with the tip of the reflecting mirror 24 facing the photographing window 23. That is, the reflecting mirror 24 is attached to the lower plate 19 so that the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 24 extends downward. Therefore, the reflecting mirror 24 reflects the scenery image in front of the vehicle through the windshield 33 and the driver 50 toward the photographing lens 15 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 14. FIG. 5 shows a state where the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 is fixed to the installation base 17.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 16 is connected to a camera 13, a recording device 18 as a recording means for recording an image, and a deceleration sensor 20 as a deceleration detection means. As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 16 includes an image processing means 22 for processing an image, a determination means 26 for determining whether or not to save an image, a changing means 27 as a threshold changing means, and the like. .

  The recording device 18 records (saves) an image taken by the camera 13. The recording device 18 is a storage device built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14, and preferably includes an external memory removable from the camera-equipped mobile phone 14. The recording means is not particularly limited.

  The recording device 18 always records an image taken by the camera 13 and holds the recorded information for a predetermined time. The holding time is longer than at least the storage time described later. Further, it is preferable to use a memory for sequentially recording images and a memory for storing the situation such as an accident. The recording device 18 preferably records the audio signal together with the image signal. The sound signal is collected using a microphone (not shown) provided in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14.

  The deceleration sensor 20 is an acceleration sensor built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14. The deceleration detection means 28 detects the acceleration and deceleration acting on the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 and sends them to the control device 16.

  The image processing unit 22 separates the image captured by the camera 13 into an image in front of the driver seat 12 and an image captured of the driver. Then, an image of the driver's face is selected from the image of the driver, and the direction in which the driver is looking is detected. Information representing the direction in which the driver is looking (hereinafter referred to as line-of-sight information) is sent from the image processing means 22 to the determination means 26. Further, the image processing means 22 may correct a forward landscape image curved by the reflecting mirror 24.

  When determining that the deceleration detected by the deceleration sensor 20 has exceeded the threshold value, the determination unit 26 sends a signal to the recording device 18 that the image should be stored. The deceleration threshold includes the deceleration (impact) that occurs when an accident occurs, and the deceleration that occurs when the driver depresses the brake at a strength that would be assumed when the driver avoids the accident. The speed value.

  The signal indicating that the image should be stored includes information on the storage time. The storage time is the time before and after the time when the deceleration exceeding the threshold value occurs (when sudden deceleration occurs). The normal storage time is in the range of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

  Further, the determination unit 26 serves as a side-by-side detection unit based on the line-of-sight information sent from the image processing unit 22, when the driver is not gazing forward, whether the driver is looking aside, or a normal line of sight accompanying driving Determine if it is a move. The normal line-of-sight movement associated with driving includes an operation of viewing a signal during driving, a left-right confirmation operation at an intersection, and a line-of-sight movement at a curve point.

  Specifically, first, the image processing means 22 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling based on the image in front of the driver's seat taken by the camera 13, and transmits the determination result to the determination means 26. Then, when the information that the vehicle is traveling is transmitted from the image processing unit 22, the determination unit 26 drives when the driver's line of sight does not face forward for a predetermined time or longer. The person is looking aside.

  Note that the method of determining a side look is not limited to the above example. For example, the image processing means 22 determines the traveling speed or turning situation of the vehicle, the orientation or position of the driver's face or upper body, and the like. You may make it use.

  When the determination unit 26 determines that the driver is looking aside based on the line-of-sight information, the determination unit 26 sends a signal to the change unit 27. The changing unit 27 changes the deceleration threshold to the second threshold. The second threshold is a deceleration that is not as strong as the brake that is depressed to avoid an accident, but that occurs when the driver consciously depresses the brake. The changing unit 27 changes the storage time to the second storage time. The second storage time is longer than the above storage time.

  The control device 16 may be incorporated in advance when the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 is manufactured, or dedicated software may be incorporated in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 and the control device 16 may be configured in the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 later.

  Note that the control device 16 is configured separately from the camera-equipped mobile phone 14, and includes a speed sensor that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle, an acceleration / deceleration sensor that detects the acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, and a brake sensor that detects the depression of the brake (not shown). Etc.) may be separately connected to the camera-equipped mobile phone 14.

  Next, the operation of the drive recorder 10 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the operation of the drive recorder 10.

  The driver 50 attaches the camera-equipped mobile phone 14 to the installation base 17 as described above prior to operation. The deceleration threshold value and the storage time of the determination unit 26 are set to initial values, that is, normal values (F-1). The camera 13 coincides with the photographing window 23 and photographs the front and rear images from the driver's seat 12 obtained through the reflecting mirror 24 (F-2).

  With the start of operation, the captured image is sent to the recording device 18 at any time and held in the recording device 18 (F-3). Images that have been stored for a predetermined time after being held in the recording device 18 are sequentially erased from the recording device 18 in accordance with the storage capacity of the recording device 18.

  Moreover, it is judged by the judgment means 26 whether the driver | operator 50 is looking aside (F-4). If there is no look aside, the process proceeds to F-6, where it is determined whether or not the threshold is exceeded, and if not, the process returns to F-1.

  If an accident occurs and the deceleration sensor 20 senses a deceleration exceeding a threshold value due to the impact (F-6), the control device 16 generates a signal to store an image in the recording device 18 based on the information. Send it out. When the recording device 18 receives a signal to store the image, the recording device 18 stores the captured image according to the storage time corresponding to the initial value before and after the sudden deceleration occurrence (F-7).

  Images past from the time of sudden deceleration occurrence are stored using the image information held in the recording device 18. The images after the occurrence of sudden deceleration are stored using images continuously captured after the accident by the camera 13. The camera 13 is set to continue photographing even after an accident occurs and to send the photographed image to the recording device 18. Also, when an excessive deceleration occurs, the images before and after the sudden deceleration are stored according to the initial values as in the case of an accident.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in F-4 that the driver 50 has looked aside during traveling, the deceleration threshold becomes the second threshold in F-5, and the storage time becomes the second storage time. Proceed to F-6 with the value. In this state, the deceleration threshold is set to a value that is not so great as to be directly linked to the accident. The storage time is longer than the storage time in the case of the accident.

  In F-6, it is determined whether or not there is a deceleration exceeding the threshold using the changed threshold. If not, the process returns to F-1.

  Here, if the driver 50 notices danger and steps on the brake, the image is stored when the second threshold value is exceeded even if the deceleration is small. The image is stored according to the second storage time (F-7). Therefore, when the person is looking aside even before an accident occurs, the situation is stored in the recording device 18 as occasion demands.

  In this case, since the storage time is longer than that in the case of an accident, the images from the driver's 50 looking aside to the subsequent situation can be reliably stored in the recording device 18.

  Also, if an accident is caused by looking aside, the storage time is long, so the accident situation and the state of the aside before the occurrence can be reliably preserved. In addition, when braking suddenly before the accident occurs, the threshold for deceleration is small, so an early decision is made to save the image. The entire image up to the situation can be reliably stored. When the image is stored in the recording device 18, the process returns, the threshold value and the like are set to initial values, and the image storing operation is repeated.

  In the above example, a mobile phone is used. However, in the present invention, a camera may be mounted on the vehicle instead of the mobile phone to photograph the front of the vehicle and the driver. Moreover, you may image | photograph the front of a vehicle and a driver | operator using two cameras, without performing with one camera.

  Alternatively, the front of the vehicle and the driver may be photographed by two cameras provided on the front and back surfaces of the mobile phone without using the reflecting mirror 24. In addition to storing the captured image in the recording device 18, the image may be transmitted to a predetermined location using a communication device or a communication function of a mobile phone. Moreover, you may transmit the information which is looking aside to an administrator etc. at any time.

  Further, when the driver 50 is looking aside for a predetermined time or longer, the deceleration threshold is set to almost zero, and the captured image is stored as a dangerous driving state regardless of the deceleration. Good.

  Further, the changed threshold value may not be returned to the normal value (initial value) until the predetermined time has elapsed after the look-ahead state is resolved. In other words, sudden braking is not performed while looking aside, and when you look forward, you will notice an obstacle and step on the brake.In this way, deceleration exceeding the threshold occurs before that. It is determined that it is related to the sidewalk, and the cause of dangerous driving and accidents (sidewalk driving) can be recorded and saved.

  Further, although the reflecting mirror 24 has a triangular prism shape shown in FIG. 9, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reflecting surface may be curved or may have a conical shape as shown in FIG. Thus, if the reflecting mirror 24 is conical, an image of 360 degrees in the circumferential direction can be taken. Further, instead of using a reflecting mirror as an optical member, a separate wide-angle lens may be attached to the camera 13 so that the front of the vehicle and the driver can be photographed simultaneously.

The figure which shows one Embodiment of the drive recorder concerning this invention. The perspective view which shows a mobile telephone. The perspective view which shows an installation stand. The perspective view which shows the state which installed the mobile telephone in the installation stand. The side view which shows the state which installed the mobile telephone in the installation stand. The figure which shows the structural example of a drive recorder. The figure which shows the structural example of a control apparatus. The figure which shows a flowchart. The perspective view which shows a reflective mirror. The perspective view which shows the other example of a reflective mirror.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Drive recorder 12 ... Driver's seat 13 ... Camera 14 ... Cell-phone with camera 15 ... Shooting lens 16 ... Control device 17 ... Installation stand 18 ... Recording device 20 ... Deceleration sensor 22 ... Image processing means 24 ... Reflector 26 ... Judgment Means 27 ... Change means

Claims (8)

A camera installed in a vehicle for photographing a situation around the vehicle and a driver of the vehicle; a deceleration detecting means for detecting a deceleration generated in the vehicle; and a recording means for recording an image photographed by the camera. And a deceleration determining means for determining deceleration, and when the deceleration determining means determines that a deceleration greater than a threshold value has occurred in the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a sudden deceleration occurrence). In the drive recorder that stores the captured images within a predetermined time before and after the sudden deceleration occurrence in the recording means,
A side look detection means for detecting a driver's side aside while driving from a captured image taken by the camera, and a threshold change means, and when the side look detection means detects a driver's side look, the threshold change means, A drive recorder characterized by reducing a threshold value of the deceleration determination means.   A storage time changing means is provided, and when the aside detection means detects a driver's side look, the storage time changing means extends the predetermined time before and after the sudden deceleration occurs. Item 2. The drive recorder according to Item 1.   The camera is a camera provided in a camera-equipped mobile phone, the deceleration detection means is an acceleration / deceleration sensor provided in the mobile phone, and the recording means is a memory provided in the mobile phone. The drive recorder according to claim 1, wherein the drive recorder is a drive recorder.   The drive recorder according to claim 3, wherein an optical member is attached to a front surface of the camera, and the front of the vehicle and the driver can be photographed simultaneously by the optical member.   5. The drive recorder according to claim 4, wherein the optical member is a V-shaped reflecting mirror, and the top side of the reflecting mirror is arranged toward the lens of the camera.   The mobile phone includes a main camera and a sub camera on the front and rear surfaces, respectively, the camera for photographing the front of the vehicle is the main camera, and the camera for photographing the driver is the sub camera. 3. The drive recorder according to 3.   The drive recorder according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the photographed image is appropriately transmitted by a telephone function of the mobile phone.   The drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a recording unit, wherein the captured image stored by the recording unit includes voice information recorded by the recording unit.

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