JP2008262266A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus whose power consumption is small and its lifetime is long, and capable of acquiring image data needed for accurately analyzing events such as accident etc. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording apparatus 1 includes a compression processing unit 10 for compressing image data 100 acquired in time serial by an imaging unit 2 mounted on a moving object 1000 at a frame image data unit for an image of one frame by sequentially accepting with a predetermined accepting time interval T, and for sequentially producing compressed image data 200, and an accepting time interval control unit 20 for variably controlling the accepting time interval T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

  In order to acquire image data at the time of an accident such as a car, an image recording device (drive recorder) mounted on the moving body is known.

  As a technique of an image recording device, image data acquired in time series by an imaging unit is sequentially stored in a primary storage unit, and when an accident is detected, it is acquired during a predetermined period before the accident. A technique for storing image data stored in a secondary storage unit in a secondary storage unit is known. According to this, since the image data acquired in the predetermined period before the accident can be stored in the secondary storage unit, the image data indicating the progress of the accident can be acquired.

  By the way, in order to store the image data indicating the progress of the accident in the secondary storage unit in the image recording apparatus, the primary storage unit stores the image data acquired in a predetermined period before the accident occurs. It is necessary to keep.

  However, since the capacity of the storage unit is limited, it is impossible to hold all image data acquired in the past in the primary storage unit. Further, an image that has been captured for a predetermined time can be determined as an image that is irrelevant to the course of the accident, and therefore need not be stored in the primary storage unit.

  Therefore, a rewritable storage device is used as the primary storage unit, and an area in which image data has been written for a predetermined period after being written in the primary storage unit (an area in which the oldest data is written) In addition, an image recording apparatus configured to overwrite newly acquired image data is known.

According to this image recording apparatus, the image data written in the primary storage unit is stored in the primary storage unit for a certain period. Therefore, it is possible to store image data indicating the progress of the accident in the secondary storage unit. Further, since the primary storage unit is used while being rewritten (circulation usage), it is possible to use a storage device having a small storage capacity as the primary storage unit.
JP-A-5-197858

  However, even with a rewritable memory element, there is an upper limit to the number of times that it can be rewritten. Further, if the number of times information is written to the storage unit increases, the power consumption of the image recording apparatus increases. For this reason, if the number of times of data writing (number of rewrites) to the primary storage unit can be reduced, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus with a long service life and low power consumption.

  In an image recording apparatus, usually, compressed image data is written in a primary storage unit. If the number of image data to be subjected to compression processing can be reduced by reducing the number of times image data is written to the primary storage unit, the power consumption can be further reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can acquire image data necessary for accurately analyzing an event such as an accident, has low power consumption, and has a long service life.

(1) An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Compressed image data obtained by sequentially receiving image data acquired in time series by an imaging unit mounted on a moving body in units of frame image data indicating an image for one frame with a given reception time interval. A compression processing unit for sequentially generating
An acceptance time interval control unit for variably controlling the acceptance time interval;
including.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to variably control the time interval at which the compression processing unit receives image data. Therefore, according to the present invention, the reception time interval can be controlled and the amount of image data acquired per unit time can be adjusted as necessary (according to the situation of the moving object).

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that can acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident, has low power consumption, and has a long service life. it can.

(2) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on speed information of the moving body.

  The reception time interval control unit controls the reception time interval so that the higher the speed of the moving body, the shorter the reception time interval, that is, the greater the number of image data acquired per unit time. May be. According to this, as the moving body moves at a higher speed, the change in the situation around the moving body can be recorded more finely.

  Generally, the faster the moving speed of the moving body, the faster the speed at which the situation around the moving body changes. Therefore, when the moving body is moving at high speed, it is preferable to sequentially acquire image data at fine time intervals in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body.

  On the contrary, if the speed of the moving body becomes slow, the speed at which the situation around the moving body changes becomes slow. Therefore, when the moving speed of the moving body is slow, even if the acquisition time interval of the image data is set to be long, it is possible to accurately analyze the situation change around the moving body. By increasing the reception time interval, the power consumption of the image processing apparatus can be reduced, and the number of rewrites to the storage unit can be reduced.

  That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that can acquire image data necessary for analysis, has low power consumption, and has a long service life.

(3) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on acceleration information of the moving body.

  The reception time interval control unit receives the time interval so that the reception time interval decreases as the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body increases, that is, the number of image data acquired per unit time increases. May be controlled.

  When the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body is large, it is preferable to sequentially acquire the image data at fine time intervals in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body. On the contrary, when the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body is small, it is possible to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body even if the acquisition time interval of the image data is widened.

  Therefore, by controlling the reception time interval according to the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body, it is possible to obtain image data necessary for analysis, and to provide an image recording apparatus with low power consumption and long service life. be able to.

(4) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on brightness information around the moving body.

  The reception time interval control unit controls the reception time interval so that the darker the surrounding of the moving body is, the shorter the reception time interval is, that is, the more image data is acquired per unit time. May be.

  When the surroundings of the moving body are dark, it is preferable to sequentially acquire the image data at fine time intervals in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body. On the contrary, when the surroundings of the moving body are bright, it is possible to accurately analyze the change in the surroundings of the moving body even if the acquisition time interval of the image data is widened.

  Therefore, by controlling the reception time interval according to the situation around the moving body, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analysis, and to provide an image recording apparatus with low power consumption and long service life Can do.

  Alternatively, in this image recording apparatus, the reception time interval control unit is configured so that the reception time interval becomes shorter as the amount of change in brightness around the moving body is larger, that is, image data acquired per unit time. The reception time interval may be controlled so that the number increases.

  Also in this case, image data necessary for analysis can be acquired, and an image recording apparatus with low power consumption and long service life can be provided.

  The means for acquiring brightness information around the moving body is not particularly limited. For example, brightness information around the moving body may be acquired using a brightness sensor or a luminance sensor.

(5) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on road information on which the moving body is moving.

  The acceptance time interval control unit accepts the acceptance time interval so that the acceptance time interval becomes shorter, that is, the number of image data acquired per unit time increases as the road width of the road on which the moving body is moving increases. The time interval may be controlled.

  When the moving body is moving on a road having a wide road width, it is preferable to sequentially acquire image data at fine time intervals in order to accurately analyze a change in the situation around the moving body. On the contrary, when the moving body is moving on a narrow road, it is possible to accurately analyze a change in the situation around the moving body even if the acquisition time interval of the image data is widened.

  Therefore, by controlling the reception time interval according to the road information (road width information) on which the moving body is moving, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for the analysis, an image with low power consumption and a long service life A recording apparatus can be provided.

  The method for acquiring the road width information of the road on which the moving body is moving is not particularly limited. The road width information may be acquired based on, for example, position information of the moving body and map information. Alternatively, the road width information may be obtained by analyzing the image captured by the imaging unit mounted on the moving body.

  Alternatively, in this image recording apparatus, as the road on which the moving body is moving is a road with more curves, the reception time interval is shortened, that is, the number of image data acquired per unit time is increased. The reception time interval may be controlled.

  Also in this case, image data necessary for analysis can be acquired, and an image recording apparatus with low power consumption and long service life can be provided.

  Note that whether the road on which the moving body is moving is a road with many curves or a road extending linearly may be determined based on the position information of the moving body and the map information. Or you may determine by the steering history of a mobile body.

(6) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on the traveling direction information of the moving body.

  The reception time interval control unit receives the reception time so that the reception time interval is shortened as the moving direction of the moving body is largely changed, that is, the number of image data acquired per unit time is increased. The interval may be controlled.

  When the traveling direction of the moving body changes greatly, it is preferable to sequentially acquire image data at fine time intervals in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body.

  Therefore, by controlling the reception time interval according to the traveling direction information of the moving body, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analysis, and to provide an image recording apparatus with low power consumption and long service life Can do.

(7) In this image recording apparatus,
A distance information acquisition unit that acquires distance information between the moving object and an object existing in a predetermined area around the moving object;
A relative speed information acquisition unit that acquires relative speed information between the moving body and the object;
Further including
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled based on the distance information and the relative speed information.

  If the distance information and relative speed information between the moving body and the object are used, the possibility of the collision between the moving body and the object can be detected. The reception time interval control unit is configured to reduce the reception time interval when the possibility of collision between the moving object and the object increases, that is, to increase the number of image data acquired per unit time. In addition, the reception time interval may be controlled.

  According to this, when there is a high possibility of collision between the moving object and the object, the image data can be acquired at fine time intervals. Therefore, when the moving body and the object collide, it is possible to accurately analyze the progress of the collision.

(8) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled by controlling an operation clock of the imaging unit.

(9) In this image recording apparatus,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
The reception time interval may be controlled by controlling an output time interval of a trigger signal that determines a timing at which the compression processing unit receives the frame image data.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. The present invention includes any combination of the following embodiments and modifications.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. The image recording apparatus is mounted on a moving body 1000 such as an automobile shown in FIG. The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is configured as an apparatus for acquiring image data indicating the progress of event occurrence when a predetermined event occurs, such as when the moving object 1000 collides with the object 2000. .

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the image recording apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus 1 is mounted on a moving body 1000 such as a car as shown in FIG. The image recording apparatus 1 may be referred to as a drive recorder.

1. Configuration The configuration of an image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the image recording apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a compression processing unit 10 that compresses image data. The compression processing unit 10 receives the image data 100 acquired by the imaging unit 2 and performs a compression process. In the present embodiment, the compression processing unit 10 sequentially acquires the image data 100 acquired in time series by the imaging unit 2 in units of frame image data indicating an image for one frame, with a predetermined reception time interval T. Accept. Then, the compression processing unit 10 sequentially compresses each frame image data to generate compressed image data 200. That is, the compressed image data 200 generated by the compression processing unit 10 is data obtained by compressing the image data (frame image data indicating an image for one frame) acquired by the imaging unit 2.

  In the present embodiment, the compression method of the compression processing unit 10 is not particularly limited, and any known compression method can be applied. For example, the compression processing unit 10 may be configured to perform JPEG compression processing or JBIG compression processing. The function of the compression processing unit 10 may be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a predetermined program with a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory.

  In the present embodiment, the compression processing unit 10 may constitute a part of an image processing unit (not shown). For example, the image processing unit may be configured to be able to implement a function for causing the compression processing unit 10 to input the image data 100 in units of frame images.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reception time interval control unit 20 as shown in FIG. The reception time interval control unit 20 performs processing for setting the reception time interval T at which the compression processing unit 10 receives the image data 100 (frame image data) to an arbitrary value. Here, the acceptance time interval T may be a time interval from when the compression processing unit 10 starts accepting one frame image data to when it starts accepting the next frame image data. If the reception time interval T is shortened, the compressed image data 200 generated in a predetermined period increases, and if the reception time interval T increases, the compressed image data 200 generated in the predetermined period decreases.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 2 may be a digital camera. Then, the reception time interval control unit 20 may perform processing for controlling the operation clock of the imaging unit 2. The imaging time interval of the digital camera is controlled by the operation clock of the digital camera. That is, the acquisition time interval of the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2 is determined based on the operation clock of the imaging unit 2. Therefore, when the reception time interval control unit 20 adjusts the operation clock of the imaging unit 2, the imaging time interval (shutter timing) of the imaging unit 2 is adjusted, and the input time interval of image data input to the compression processing unit 10 is adjusted. The reception time interval T at which the compression processing unit 10 receives image data is adjusted.

  The reception time interval control unit 20 may be configured as a clock control device that transmits a clock control signal 120 to the imaging unit 2 via the interface 3 and operates the imaging unit 2 with an arbitrary operation clock.

  The reception time interval control unit 20 may be configured to control the reception time interval T (operation clock of the digital camera) based on the detection signal 130 from the detection unit 30. And in this Embodiment, the detection part 30 may be comprised as a speed information detection apparatus which detects the speed information of the mobile body 1000. FIG. That is, the reception time interval control unit 20 may be configured to control the reception time interval T based on the speed information of the moving body 1000. Note that the configuration of the detection unit 30 applicable to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but the detection unit 30 is configured to receive, for example, a vehicle speed pulse and detect speed information of the moving object 1000. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the reception time interval control unit 20 may control the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 such that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the speed of the moving body 1000 increases. FIG. 3 shows an example of relationship information (relation information A) indicating the relationship between the speed of the moving body 1000, the operation clock of the image capturing unit 2, the frame rate of the image capturing unit 2, and the reception time interval T. If the speed of the moving body 1000 is clarified, the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 can be derived by comparing the value with the relationship information A.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 40 as shown in FIG. The storage unit 40 stores the compressed image data 200 generated by the compression processing unit 10. The storage unit 40 may be realized by any storage element that is already known. The storage unit 40 may be realized by a rewritable storage element. The storage unit 40 may also be realized by a volatile storage element.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may further include an image data recording event occurrence detection unit that detects that an image data recording event has occurred. For example, the image data recording event occurrence detection unit generates an image data recording event (a rear-end collision or sudden braking) based on a signal from a vibration detection sensor (such as a speed sensor or an acceleration sensor) provided in the moving body 1000. You may detect that.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may further include a transfer processing unit that transfers the compressed image data 200 stored in the storage unit 40 to the other storage unit 50 for storage. The transfer processing unit starts a process of transferring the compressed image data 200 stored in the storage unit 40 to the storage unit 50 when the occurrence of the image data recording event is detected by the image data recording event occurrence detection unit. Accordingly, the compressed image data 200 that is highly necessary to be stored can be stored in the storage unit 50 and stored.

  The image data recording event occurrence detection unit and the transfer processing unit may be realized by executing a predetermined program by a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, or may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, the storage unit 50 may be realized by any storage element that is already known. The storage unit 50 may be realized by, for example, a nonvolatile storage element. The storage unit 50 may be a storage device configured to be detachable from the image recording apparatus 1 (the moving body 1000). In the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 40 may be referred to as a primary storage unit, and the storage unit 50 may be referred to as a secondary storage unit.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured as described above. The compression processing unit 10, the reception time interval control unit 20, the storage unit 40, and the interface 3 may be configured as one integrated circuit device 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these may be configured as separate integrated circuit devices. Alternatively, the compression processing unit 10, the reception time interval control unit 20, the storage unit 40, the interface 3, and the detection unit 30 may be configured as one integrated circuit device.

2. Operation of Image Recording Apparatus 1 Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image recording apparatus 1.

  First, the speed of the moving body 1000 is detected (step S10).

  Then, an operation clock of the imaging unit 2 is derived according to the detected speed of the moving body 1000 (step S12).

  Then, the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 is set to the derived operation clock (step S14).

  Then, the image data 100 acquired by the imaging unit 2 is compressed by the compression processing unit 10 to generate compressed image data 200 (step S16), and the generated compressed image data 200 is stored in the storage unit 40 (step S18). ).

3. Effects Hereinafter, functions and effects of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Generally, when the moving speed of the moving body 1000 increases, the relative speed between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 existing around the moving body 1000 increases. Therefore, in order to accurately analyze an accident when the moving speed of the moving body 1000 is high, it is preferable to shorten the reception time interval T and to record changes in the surroundings of the moving body 1000 in detail. However, when the reception time interval T is shortened, the amount of data processed by the compression processing unit 10 per unit time increases, so that the power consumption of the compression processing unit 10 (image recording apparatus 1) increases. In addition, since the number of write processes to the storage unit 40 increases, the power consumption of the image recording apparatus 1 increases. Furthermore, since the number of rewrites of the storage unit 40 is increased, the useful life of the storage unit 40 may be shortened.

  On the other hand, when the moving speed of the moving body 1000 is decreased, the relative speed between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 existing around the moving body 1000 is decreased. Therefore, even if the reception time interval T is increased and the amount of image data acquired per unit time is reduced, it is possible to accurately analyze the accident.

  By the way, according to the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the reception time interval T of the compression processing unit 10 changes according to the speed of the moving body 1000. Specifically, according to the image recording apparatus 1, the faster the moving body 1000 is, the shorter the reception time interval T is, and the image data received by the compression processing unit 10 per unit time increases. Therefore, it is possible to record in detail how the situation around the moving body 1000 changes.

  On the contrary, according to the image recording apparatus 1, since the reception time interval T becomes longer as the moving body 1000 becomes slower, the image data received by the compression processing unit 10 per unit time decreases, and the compression processing unit 10 (image recording apparatus) The power consumption of 1) can be reduced, and the number of rewrites of the storage unit 40 can be reduced. Note that when the moving speed of the moving body 1000 is slow, the surroundings of the moving body 1000 change gradually, so that even when the reception time interval T is increased, image data necessary for accident analysis can be stored. It is.

  That is, according to the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident, and the power consumption is small and the service life is long. An image recording apparatus can be provided.

4). Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same objects and effects). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) First Modification In this modification, the detection unit 30 detects the acceleration of the moving body 1000. For example, the detection unit 30 may derive the acceleration by calculating the change amount of the moving body 1000 based on the speed information of the moving body 1000.

  And in this modification, the reception time interval control part 20 performs the process which controls the reception time interval T based on the acceleration information of the mobile body 1000. FIG. Specifically, the reception time interval control unit 20 may adjust the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body 1000 is larger.

  When the absolute value of the acceleration of the moving body 1000 is large, that is, when the speed change of the moving body 1000 is large, the situation change around the moving body 1000 becomes larger than when the speed change of the moving body 1000 is small. Therefore, when the speed change of the mobile body 1000 is large, in order to accurately analyze the situation change around the mobile body 1000, it is preferable to finely record the change in the situation around the mobile body 1000.

  In this modification, the reception time interval T is adjusted based on the speed change of the moving body 1000. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

(2) Second Modification In this modification, the detection unit 30 detects the brightness around the moving body 1000. The detection unit 30 may be realized by any sensor (luminance sensor or brightness sensor) that is already known.

  In the present modification, the reception time interval control unit 20 performs processing for controlling the reception time interval T based on the brightness information detected by the detection unit 30. Specifically, the reception time interval control unit 20 may adjust the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the environment around the moving body 1000 becomes darker.

  When the surroundings of the moving body 1000 are dark, it is difficult to analyze a change in the surroundings of the moving body 1000 compared to when the surroundings of the moving body 1000 are bright. Therefore, when the surroundings of the moving body 1000 are dark, it is preferable to record the changes in the surroundings of the moving body 1000 in detail in order to accurately analyze the changes in the surroundings of the moving body 1000.

  In this modification, the reception time interval T is adjusted based on the brightness around the moving body 1000. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

  Or in this modification, the detection part 30 may detect the variation | change_quantity of the brightness of the condition around the moving body 1000. FIG. And the reception time interval control part 20 may perform the process which controls the reception time interval T based on the variation | change_quantity of a brightness. Specifically, the reception time interval control unit 20 may adjust the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the brightness around the moving body 1000 changes greatly.

  When the brightness around the moving body 1000 changes greatly, in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the moving body 1000, it is preferable to record the change in the situation around the moving body 1000 in detail.

  In this modification, the reception time interval T is adjusted based on the amount of change (change rate) in the brightness around the moving body 1000. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

(3) Third Modification In this modification, the detection unit 30 detects road information on which the moving body 1000 is moving. The detection unit 30 may acquire road information based on position information indicating the position of the mobile object 1000 and map information. In addition, the positional information on the mobile body 1000 can be acquired using, for example, GPS. Further, the map information may use map information mounted on the car navigation system.

  In the present modification, the detection unit 30 may detect the road width information that the moving body 1000 is moving based on the road information. The reception time interval control unit 20 may perform processing for controlling the reception time interval T based on the road width information detected by the detection unit 30. Specifically, the reception time interval control unit 20 may adjust the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the width of the road on which the moving body 1000 is moving is wider.

  When the moving body 1000 is moving on a road having a wide road width, the events to be analyzed increase around the moving body 1000 compared to when moving on a road having a narrow road width. Therefore, in order to accurately analyze the change in the situation around the mobile body 1000, it is preferable to record the change in the situation around the mobile body 1000 in detail.

  In this modification, the reception time interval T is adjusted based on the road width information that the moving body 1000 is moving. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

  Alternatively, in the present modification, the detection unit 30 may detect whether the road on which the moving body 1000 is moving is a linearly extending road or a road with many curves. At this time, the detection unit 30 may detect road information based on the steering history of the moving body 1000.

  Then, the reception time interval control unit 20 may adjust the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the road on which the moving body 1000 is moving is a road with more curves.

  On roads with many curves, the situation around the moving body 1000 changes more frequently than roads that extend in a straight line. Therefore, in order to accurately analyze the situation change around the mobile body 1000, it is preferable to record the situation change around the mobile body 1000 in detail.

  In the present modification, the acceptance time interval T is adjusted by determining whether the road on which the moving body 1000 is moving is a straight road or a road with many curves. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

(4) Fourth Modification In this modification, the detection unit 30 detects the traveling direction information of the moving body 1000. The detection unit 30 may detect the traveling direction information of the moving body 1000 based on operation information (such as a rotation angle of the steering wheel) of the steering mechanism.

  In this modification, the reception time interval control unit 20 controls the reception time interval T based on the traveling direction information of the moving body 1000. Specifically, the operation clock of the imaging unit 2 may be adjusted so that the reception time interval T becomes shorter as the moving direction of the moving body 1000 changes more (frequently).

  In a situation where the traveling direction of the mobile body 1000 changes greatly (frequently), it is preferable to record the situation changes around the mobile body 1000 in detail in order to accurately analyze the situation changes around the mobile body 1000.

  In the present modification, the reception time interval control unit 20 controls the reception time interval T based on the traveling direction information of the moving body 1000. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident.

(5) Fifth Modification In this modification, the detection unit 30 detects distance information and relative speed information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 existing in a predetermined area around the moving object 1000. The detection unit 30 includes a distance information acquisition unit that acquires distance information between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000, and a relative speed information acquisition unit that acquires relative speed information between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000. May be. Note that the relative speed information acquisition unit may acquire the relative speed information as a vector quantity including a size and a direction.

  If the distance information and relative speed information between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 are used, the possibility of a collision between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 can be determined. Specifically, when the direction of the relative speed of the object 2000 viewed from the moving body 1000 faces the moving body 1000, it can be determined that the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 may collide. Since the time required for the collision can be calculated based on the distance information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 and the relative speed magnitude information, the urgency of the collision can be determined.

  Then, the reception time interval control unit 20 controls the reception time interval T based on the distance information and the relative speed information. As described above, if the distance information and relative speed information between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 are used, the possibility of collision between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 and the urgency thereof can be determined. Then, the reception time interval control unit 20 is configured such that the reception time interval T is shortened when the distance information and the relative speed information satisfy predetermined conditions (when it is determined that the risk of collision is high). The operation clock of the imaging unit 2 may be adjusted.

  According to this, when the mobile body 1000 is in a situation where the possibility of an accident is high, the situation around the mobile body 1000 can be recorded in detail. Therefore, it is possible to acquire image data necessary for analysis when an event such as an accident occurs.

  Note that the method for detecting the distance information and the relative speed information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 is not particularly limited, and any known means may be applied.

  The distance information and the relative speed information may be generated based on positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000, for example. That is, the distance information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 can be acquired by using the positional relationship information. Further, the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 at the time T1 and the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 at the time T2 are compared (the difference value is calculated). By extracting), relative velocity information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 can be generated.

  A method for acquiring positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 is not particularly limited. The positional relationship information between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 may be acquired using, for example, an image processing technique. That is, the positional relationship between the moving object 1000 and the object 2000 is obtained by capturing a predetermined area with a plurality of imaging units, acquiring image data indicating an image with parallax, and applying a predetermined process to the acquired image data. Information may be acquired. Alternatively, the positional relationship information between the moving body 1000 and the object 2000 may be detected by an objective distance sensor. The objective distance sensor applicable to the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, any known sensor such as an objective distance sensor using a so-called millimeter wave may be applied.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus 5 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the image recording apparatus 5.

  The image recording apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment includes a reception time interval control unit 60. The reception time interval control unit 60 controls the output time interval of the trigger signal. Here, the trigger signal is a signal that determines the timing at which the compression processing unit 10 receives the image data 100 (frame image data). Therefore, the reception time interval T can be controlled by controlling the output time interval of the trigger signal by the reception time interval control unit 60.

  The reception time interval control unit 60 may be, for example, a trigger signal output device configured to be able to output a trigger signal at an arbitrary interval. Alternatively, the reception time interval control unit 60 may be configured as a control device that controls the operation clock of the trigger signal output device included in the image processing unit (compression processing unit 10).

  Also in the image recording apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, the reception time interval T at which the compression processing unit 10 receives frame image data is arbitrarily set. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that can acquire image data (compressed image data) necessary for analyzing an event such as an accident, has low power consumption, and has a long service life.

The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of an image recording device. The figure for demonstrating the image recording device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a reception time interval. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of an image recording device. The figure for demonstrating the image recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image recording device, 2 ... Imaging part, 3 ... Interface, 4 ... Integrated circuit device, 5 ... Image recording device, 10 ... Compression processing part, 20 ... Time interval control part, 30 ... Detection part, 40 ... Memory | storage part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Memory | storage part, 60 ... Time interval control part, 100 ... Image data, 120 ... Clock control signal, 130 ... Detection signal, 200 ... Compressed image data, 1000 ... Moving body, 2000 ... Object

Claims (9)

Compressed image data obtained by sequentially receiving image data acquired in time series by an imaging unit mounted on a moving body in units of frame image data indicating an image for one frame with a given reception time interval. A compression processing unit for sequentially generating
An acceptance time interval control unit for variably controlling the acceptance time interval;
An image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus for controlling the reception time interval based on speed information of the moving body. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval based on acceleration information of the moving body. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval based on brightness information around the moving body. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus for controlling the reception time interval based on road information on which the moving body is moving. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval based on traveling direction information of the moving body. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
A distance information acquisition unit that acquires distance information between the moving object and an object existing in a predetermined area around the moving object;
A relative speed information acquisition unit that acquires relative speed information between the moving body and the object;
Further including
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval based on the distance information and the relative speed information. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval by controlling an operation clock of the imaging unit. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The reception time interval control unit includes:
An image recording apparatus that controls the reception time interval by controlling an output time interval of a trigger signal that determines a timing at which the compression processing unit receives the frame image data.

Images