JP2009020877A - Data transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data transmission system which sends image data recorded in a drive recorder installed on a vehicle, to a base station without interfering with use of other data transmission systems. <P>SOLUTION: The data transmission system (1) includes: the drive recorder (2) equipped with an image data generation unit (13) which generates the image data, and a recording unit (15) which records the image data; and a transmission/reception unit (201) which transmits the image data recorded in the recording unit of the drive recorder to a terminal located the center station by radio. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data transmission system, and more particularly to a data transmission system for transmitting image data recorded by a drive recorder.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called drive recorder has been proposed that records an image around a vehicle with a camera installed in the vehicle and records the surrounding image and vehicle speed when an impact is applied to the vehicle, such as a collision or sudden braking. ing. By providing the drive recorder in the vehicle, it is possible to verify the cause of the accident by analyzing the recorded information when an accident occurs. In addition, the driver's awareness of safe driving can be improved, and a video recording the daily driving situation can be used for safety driving guidance and the like.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a drive recorder that cyclically stores video captured by an in-vehicle camera and records the video stored at the time of an accident on another recording medium. In such a drive recorder, when the recorded video is viewed, the recording medium is extracted from the drive recorder main body, and is inserted into a personal computer in which dedicated viewer software is installed for reproduction.

  A vehicle allocation system such as an AVM (Automatic Vehicle Monitoring) system is known. Taxi companies, etc. that use a dispatch system have multiple vehicles equipped with wireless transmitters, etc., and exchange various data with the wireless transmitters installed in the center PC, and there are customers who have appropriate vehicles. We manage so that we can pick you up at the place.

  In a taxi company adopting such a vehicle allocation system, in order to collect the image data recorded in the drive recorder, the recording medium is removed from the drive recorder of the vehicle that has returned to the garage after the work of the day has ended. It was necessary to carry out the work of extracting and transferring the image data recorded on the personal computer of the base for all the vehicles.

  Also, if you try to view the image data recorded on the drive recorder at the time of the accident, you must insert the recording medium into the base personal computer, either deliver the recording medium to the base or move the accident vehicle to the base Was necessary. That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to view image data recorded in a short time after the accident.

JP-A 63-16785 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-237463

  Therefore, the present invention provides a data transmission system that enables image data recorded in a drive recorder mounted on a vehicle to be transmitted to a base side when a business operator determines that it is necessary. For the purpose.

  In addition, the present invention makes it possible to transmit image data recorded in a drive recorder mounted on a vehicle to the base side without disturbing the use of other data transmission / reception systems such as a vehicle allocation system. An object is to provide a data transmission system.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a data transmission system that can use high-resolution image data while shortening the transfer time of the image data.

  A data transmission system according to the present invention includes a drive recorder having an image data generation unit for generating image data and a recording unit for recording image data, and image data recorded in the recording unit from the drive recorder to a center terminal wirelessly. It has the transmission / reception part to perform.

  A data transmission system according to the present invention includes an image data generating unit that generates image data and a drive recorder having a recording unit that records the image data, and image data and information data recorded from the drive recorder to the recording unit. A transmission / reception unit for wirelessly transmitting to the center terminal, and a frame and information data for transmitting the image data when the transmission / reception unit receives the image transmission signal from the center terminal and transmits the image data corresponding to the image transmission signal And a control unit for controlling the transmission / reception unit so as to perform data transmission by dividing the frame into frames for transmitting the data.

  Furthermore, the data transmission system according to the present invention records a first image generation unit that generates first image data, a second image generation unit that generates second image data different from the first image data, and the first image data. A drive recorder having a first recording unit and a second recording unit for recording second image data, a transmission / reception unit, and transmission / reception so as to wirelessly transmit the second image data recorded in the second recording unit to the center terminal It has the control part which controls a part.

  In the data transmission system according to the present invention, the image data recorded by the drive recorder can be collected wirelessly at an arbitrary time, so that after each day of work, the recording medium is stored in the drive recorder. This makes it possible to save the trouble of capturing images at the center terminal.

  Further, in the data transmission system according to the present invention, even when a vehicle equipped with a drive recorder causes an accident or the like, the accidental vehicle itself or a portable recording medium attached to the drive recorder of the accident vehicle is carried to the center terminal. Since it is not necessary, the recorded image can be verified immediately.

  Furthermore, in the data transmission system according to the present invention, the image data can be efficiently sent to the center terminal without interfering with the transmission / reception of information data used in the conventional vehicle allocation system by using the transmission / reception equipment used in the conventional vehicle allocation system. It became possible to send to.

  Furthermore, in the data transmission system according to the present invention, high-resolution image data is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card while reducing transfer time by transmitting low-resolution image data. It became possible to guarantee the use of image data.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Moreover, it is also possible to implement with the form which added the various change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  First, recording of information in the drive recorder 2 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which a drive recorder 2 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

  A drive recorder 2 is installed in the vehicle 1 and is connected to a video first camera 3 that captures the front of the vehicle 1 and a video second camera 4 that captures the rear of the vehicle 1. Video information from the video first camera 3 or the like is cyclically stored in a semiconductor storage unit in the drive recorder 2. When a predetermined recording condition is satisfied, the video information stored in the semiconductor storage unit is recorded in the memory card 6. The predetermined recording condition means a case where an impact is applied to the vehicle 1 due to the occurrence of an accident or the like, and details will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the drive recorder 2 is installed in the vehicle 1.

  The drive recorder 2 is electrically connected to the first camera 3, the microphone 7, and the photographing switch 8. The first camera 3 is attached to the front glass surface on the back side of the vehicle interior mirror, images the front of the vehicle, and transmits video information to the drive recorder 2. The microphone 7 is installed in the vicinity of the feet on the passenger seat side and collects sound in the vehicle 1. The photographing switch 8 is installed in the vicinity of the handle, and can be recorded in the drive recorder 2 by the user operating the video information captured by the first camera 3 (or the second camera 4).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the main body of the drive recorder 2 is installed in the vehicle 1.

  The main body of the drive recorder 2 can be installed in the lower space of the passenger seat side seat 300. In order to record and control video information and the like when an impact or the like is applied to the vehicle 1, the main body is fixedly installed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire system.

  Although only one vehicle is illustrated in FIG. 4, the base-side center terminal 400 that manages the vehicle allocation system manages a plurality of vehicles at the same time. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a drive recorder 2 connected to the first camera 3, the second camera 4, the GPS receiver 9, etc., and images captured by the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 as will be described later. Data is temporarily recorded in the second RAM 15. Further, the drive recorder 2 is configured to be able to access the center terminal 400 connected to the base-side wireless communication device 211 and the signal processing device 210 via the wireless communication device 201 connected to the signal processing device 200. . Therefore, the signal processing device 200 and / or the drive recorder 2 of the vehicle 1 and the signal processing device 210 and / or the center terminal 400 on the base side mutually receive a pick-up instruction, a response, and an understanding that are used for the image data and the dispatch system. Information data including signals and the like can be transmitted and received. The signal processing devices 200 and 210 include a CPU, a ROM, an RMA, and the like, and perform signal processing such as data conversion and data compression, and processing such as transmission and reception of image data and information data between the drive recorder 2 and the center terminal 400. I do.

  Since the drive recorder 2 of each vehicle transmits the current position information acquired by the GPS receiver 9 to the center terminal 400 as a part of information data at a predetermined time interval, the center terminal 400 side sequentially The current position can be grasped. Therefore, when there is a vehicle dispatch request from the customer to the base side by telephone or the like, the operator uses the center terminal 400 to give a pick-up instruction to an appropriate vehicle from the customer position and each vehicle position. be able to.

  Further, when the center terminal 400 side specifies a vehicle and requests image transmission, the image data recorded in the drive recorder 2 of the corresponding vehicle can be transmitted to the center terminal 400. Further, when the vehicle encounters an accident or the like, the image data recorded in the drive recorder 2 of the corresponding vehicle can be automatically transmitted to the center terminal 400. The transmission of image data and the like will be described in detail later.

  The drive recorder 2, the signal processing device 200, and the wireless communication device 201 illustrated in FIG. 4 function as a data transmission system on the vehicle side. In the present embodiment, the drive recorder 2, the signal processing device 200, and the wireless communication device 201 are described as separate bodies, but may be integrally configured as the drive recorder 2.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the drive recorder 2.

  The drive recorder 2 can be configured separately from the first camera 3 or the second camera 4 as a device dedicated to video recording, but in the same housing as the first camera 3, the second camera 4, and the microphone 7. It may be housed and configured integrally. Moreover, it can also be comprised as one function of a vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus.

  The first camera 3 is controlled to photograph the front of the vehicle 1 and output an analog video signal as video information 600. For example, a CCD image sensor (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) or a CMOS image sensor (two-dimensional image sensor) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor).

  The second camera 4 is installed in the vehicle 1 as the second camera, and is controlled so as to shoot a different direction from the first camera 3 such as the rear of the vehicle or the passenger compartment and output an analog video signal as the video information 601. The The second camera 4 is also composed of a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor (as a two-dimensional image sensor. If only one camera is required, the second camera 4 does not need to be connected.

  The acceleration sensor 5 is configured by a so-called G sensor (Gravity Accelerative Sensor) that detects the magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle 1 as a gravitational acceleration. It is made of a semiconductor that generates an electric current based on the gravitational acceleration when it receives an impact, detects the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle, and outputs gravitational acceleration information 602 to the CPU 24.

  The memory card 6 is a recording medium that can be removed from the drive recorder 2 and includes a programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory card such as a CF card (Compact Flash Card), an SD card (Secure Digital Memory Card), and a memory stick. The

  In this embodiment, a memory card is used as a removable storage medium. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and other removable memory cards, hard disks, and the like can be used. Moreover, the navigation apparatus mounted in the same vehicle as a reproducing | regenerating apparatus can be utilized. In that case, the image data recorded in the memory card 6 or the like may be transmitted to the navigation device via the harness.

  The microphone 7 is electrically connected to the CPU 24, and is configured to collect sound inside or outside the vehicle 1 and transmit it to the CPU 24 as sound information 603. The audio information 603 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital converter in the CPU 24. Note that a unidirectional microphone with high sensitivity on the front side of the microphone may be used so as not to unnecessarily collect noise on the road.

  The imaging switch (imaging SW) 8 transmits a signal to the electrically connected CPU 24 when operated by the user. As a result, the CPU 24 controls the image data stored in the second RAM 15 to be recorded in the memory card 6. That is, the operation of the photographing SW 8 acts as the establishment of the recording condition. Only the video information at the moment when the photographing SW 8 is operated may be recorded on the memory card 6.

  A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 9 receives radio signals including satellite orbits from a plurality of GPS satellites and time data from atomic clocks mounted on the satellites, and the time difference between the received radio waves By calculating the relative distance difference with each satellite, current location information is obtained. By capturing the radio waves of the three satellites, the position on the plane on the earth can be determined. When the GPS receiver 9 detects the current location information, the GPS receiver 9 transmits GPS information 604 including position information and time information to the CPU 24.

  The vehicle speed sensor 10 outputs the rotation of a rotor provided on the wheel shaft of the vehicle 1 as a rotation pulse signal 605, and is configured by a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. Note that the CPU 24 calculates speed information of the vehicle 1 by calculating the number of wheel rotations per unit time from the pulse signal received from the vehicle speed sensor 10.

  The interface (I / F) 11 constitutes a so-called slot portion of a memory card 6 provided in the drive recorder 2. The I / F 11 functions as a data recording unit that records recording information 606 including image data and the like transmitted from the drive recorder 2 to the inserted memory card 6.

  The video switch (hereinafter “video SW”) 12 is a switch for switching a camera to be photographed when a plurality of cameras are provided. In the present embodiment, the first camera 3 and the second camera 3 are connected, and one camera is selected by a selection signal 607 from the CPU 24. Video information from the selected camera is output as selected video information 608. Note that the video SW 12 may be configured to have a clocking function so that switching is performed at regular time intervals.

  The image processing circuit 13 converts the selected video information 608 input from the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 via the video SW 12 into a digital signal, and creates and outputs image data 609. The image processing circuit 13 is composed of, for example, JPEG-IC (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group-Integrated Circuit), and creates JPEG format data.

  The first RAM 14 temporarily stores the image data 609 converted by the image processing circuit 13. The first RAM 14 is connected to a DMA (Direct Memory Access) circuit in the CPU 24, that is, 10 still image data per second is transmitted to the second RAM 15 by the DMA function and stored cyclically.

  For example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used for the first RAM 14 and the second RAM 15. Since SDRAM is designed to operate in synchronization with the CPU clock, it has a short I / O waiting time, and can be accessed faster than conventional DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). This is because it is suitable for the control for processing the video data at a high speed.

  The nonvolatile ROM 16 stores a control program 17 and the like for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the drive recorder 2. A mask ROM may be used as the nonvolatile ROM 16, but a program can be written and erased by using a flash memory which is a programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, an EEPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ferroelectric memory, or the like. It becomes possible.

  The control program 17 is stored in the non-volatile ROM 16 and is read by the CPU 24 when the drive recorder 2 is activated, and functions as a program for controlling each part and for data calculation processing.

  The indicator lamp 18 is made up of a light emitting diode or the like, and is lit while the drive recorder 2 is activated when power is supplied from the CPU 24 to notify the user that it is being activated. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the drive recorder 2, the CPU 24 notifies the user of the occurrence of the abnormality by blinking the indicator lamp 18.

  The accessory switch (ACC switch) 19 is electrically integrated with an engine start key cylinder provided in the vehicle 1. When the switch is turned on by the user's key operation, an accessory on signal 610 is transmitted to the drive recorder 2. The drive recorder 2 receives the accessory on signal 610 of the ACC switch 19 and starts control. Note that an ignition key output signal can be used instead of the output signal of the ACC switch 19.

  The power switch (power SW) 20 transmits a power-on signal to the drive recorder 2 when the user performs a switch operation. This can be used when it is desired to operate the drive recorder 2 without turning on the ACC switch 17.

  The battery 21 is provided in the vehicle 1 and supplies power to the main body of the drive recorder 2. The battery supplies power to the power control circuit 22 and the backup battery 23. The battery 21 may be any battery that can be installed in a vehicle and can generate an electromotive force of 12V.

  The power supply control circuit 22 is connected to the CPU 24 and receives an ON signal from the ACC switch 19, thereby supplying power from the battery 21 to each part of the CPU 24 and the drive recorder 2. When it is detected that the power SW 20 has been operated, the power supply is started regardless of the state of the ACC switch 19. Furthermore, the power supply control circuit 22 transmits an end signal to the CPU 24 by detecting that the ACC switch 19 or the power supply SW 20 is turned off. The CPU 24 that has received the end signal transmits an off signal to the power supply control circuit 22 as a control end process. As a result, the power supply control circuit 22 stops supplying power.

  The backup battery (B / U battery) 23 is composed of a capacitor or the like, and is connected to supply power from the battery 21 to the CPU 24 and each part of the drive recorder 2. If an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision accident or the like, the battery 21 may be damaged, or the battery 19, the power control circuit 22, and the connection line may be disconnected. In this case, the B / U battery 23 backs up the power of the drive recorder 2 by supplying the stored power to the CPU 24 and the like.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24 operates as a control device of the drive recorder 2 and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. Based on the control program 17, the CPU 24 executes control of each part of the drive recorder 2 and data calculation processing.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the center terminal 400.

  As described above, the center terminal 400 is also used as a management PC for a vehicle allocation service. However, the center terminal 400 verifies the image data received from the drive recorder 2 mounted on each vehicle, and checks the running state or accident of each vehicle. It is also used to investigate the cause.

  The interface (I / F) 411 constitutes an insertion port of the memory card 6 provided in the center terminal 400, that is, a so-called slot portion. The I / F 411 transmits image information and the like recorded on the memory card 6 to the center terminal 400 side.

  The RAM 414 is used to temporarily store data when the CPU 424 performs image processing or the like of image data transmitted from the memory card 6. For example, an SDRAM is used as the RAM 414.

  The nonvolatile ROM 416 stores a control program 417 and the like for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the center terminal 400. As the nonvolatile ROM 16, for example, an EEPROM, a ferroelectric memory, or the like is used.

  The control program 417 is stored in the non-volatile ROM 416 and is read by the CPU 424 when the center terminal 400 is activated, and functions as a program for controlling each unit and for data calculation processing.

  The CPU 424 operates as a control device for the center terminal 400 and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. The CPU 424 executes control of each part of the center terminal 400, data calculation processing, and the like based on the control program 417.

  The operation unit 430 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used as a means for performing an operation input to the CPU 424 when the operator operates the center terminal 400.

  The display unit 440 includes a liquid crystal display device and the like, and is used to appropriately display video information, operation information, and the like recorded on the memory card 6.

  The map information recording unit 450 is composed of a recording medium such as a hard disk or a DVD, and records map information including road information and speed limit information.

  The card information recording unit 460 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk and is used for recording video information, operation information, and the like recorded on the memory card 6. The reception information storage unit 470 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk and is used for recording the image data received from the drive recorder 2.

  Next, a procedure for recording image data in the drive recorder 2 will be described.

  The following image data recording procedure is executed by the CPU 24 in accordance with the control program 17 in cooperation with the components of the drive recorder 2. At the time when the following image data recording procedure is executed, the memory card 6 is inserted into the drive recorder 2 and power is supplied to the first and second cameras 3 and 4 through the battery 22. Assume that the operable state is maintained.

  The CPU 24 controls the video SW 12 so that the video information 600 and 601 from the first camera 3 or the second camera 4 are alternately input to the image processing circuit 13. Then, still image data captured by the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 are alternately obtained at a rate of 10 images per second (that is, still images from the first camera 3 are acquired every 0.2 seconds, (Still images from the second camera 3 are alternately obtained every 0.2 seconds) and are cyclically recorded in the second RAM 15 via the first RAM 14. The time interval and the number of still image data acquired by the CPU 24 described above are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next, when the CPU 24 detects that a recording condition to be described later is satisfied, the image data for a total of 30 seconds for 15 seconds before the recording condition is satisfied and 15 seconds after the recording condition is satisfied (300 still images for each recording condition satisfied). Is transmitted from the second RAM 15 to the memory card 6 and recorded. Since the image data and the like recorded on the memory card 6 can be displayed on the center terminal 400, the user of the drive recorder 2 can verify the traveling state and accident situation of the vehicle 1. It should be noted that the above-described period (15 seconds before the recording condition is satisfied and 15 seconds after the recording condition is satisfied) that the CPU 24 records on the memory card 6 when the recording condition is satisfied is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The case where the recording condition is satisfied means the following three cases.

1. G detection: When the acceleration sensor 5 detects gravitational acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, if the gravitational acceleration in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 is Gy and the gravitational acceleration in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 is Gx, the CPU 24 outputs the absolute value (Gx ² + Gy ²⁾ of the combined gravitational acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 5. ) ^{0 · 5} is detected every 10 milliseconds, and it is determined that the recording condition is satisfied when a value equal to or higher than the threshold acceleration is detected continuously for the threshold duration or longer. For example, the threshold acceleration can be set to 0.40 G, and the threshold duration can be set to 100 milliseconds. The reason why the recording condition is satisfied is that it can be recognized that a collision accident of the vehicle 1 has occurred.

    2. Speed trigger: When the speed difference within a predetermined period of the vehicle 1 detected from the vehicle speed sensor 10 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle is traveling at 60 km / h or more and the deceleration for one second becomes 14 km / h or more, it is determined that the recording condition is satisfied. The reason why the recording condition is satisfied is that when the vehicle 1 undergoes such a speed change, it can be recognized that an accident has occurred or that the accident is imminent.

    3. Shooting SW: When shooting SW8 is operated.

  When any one of the above recording conditions is satisfied, the CPU 24 transmits video information and operation information for a total of 30 seconds, 15 seconds before and 15 seconds after the recording conditions are satisfied, to the memory card 6 for recording. It becomes. If the recording condition is satisfied, event data indicating the satisfied recording condition (data indicating one of the above three), GPS data when the recording condition is satisfied, 15 seconds before the recording condition is satisfied, and You may comprise so that it may record on the memory card 6 together with other useful data, such as audio | voice information acquired from the microphone 7 in the total 30 seconds for 15 seconds later. Further, it is assumed that the recording conditions, the unique ID of the memory card 6, the ID of the user (for example, taxi crew member) or the name data using the memory card 6 are separately recorded on the memory card 6.

  Next, an image data transmission procedure from the drive recorder 2 in response to an image transmission request from the center terminal 400 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for transmitting image data.

  In the vehicle side, the following image data transmission procedure shown below is stored in advance in the CPU 24 of the drive recorder 2 and the CPU in the signal processing device 200 in the control program 17 stored in the nonvolatile ROM 16 and in the ROM of the signal processing device 200 in advance. The control program is executed in cooperation with the components of the drive recorder 2, the wireless communication device 201, and the like according to the control program. On the base side, the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 and the CPU in the signal processing device 210 follow the control program 417 stored in advance in the nonvolatile ROM 416 and the control program stored in advance in the ROM of the signal processing device 210 in accordance with the center terminal. It is executed in cooperation with 400 components, the wireless communication device 211 and the like. At the time when the following image data transmission procedure is executed, the memory card 6 is inserted into the drive recorder 2, and the drive recorder 2, the center terminal 400, the signal processing devices 200 and 210, and the wireless communication devices 201 and 211. In this case, it is assumed that power is supplied and an operable state is maintained.

  First, when it is desired to acquire image data or the like recorded in each vehicle at the center terminal 400, an “image transmission request” signal for the corresponding vehicle is sent from the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 according to the operation of the operation unit 430 by the operator or the like. Is output to the signal processing device 210 (S1). The signal processing device 210 that has received the “image transmission request” signal from the center terminal 400 transmits the “image transmission request signal” to the corresponding vehicle using the wireless communication device 211, and the signal processing device 200 of the corresponding vehicle. However, the “image transmission request” signal is received via the wireless communication device 201 (S2). The signal processing apparatus 200 that has received the “image transmission request” signal for its own vehicle transmits an image transmission request signal to the CPU 24 of the drive recorder 2 (S3).

  The CPU 24 of the drive recorder 2 receives the “image transmission request” signal, and when the image data can be transmitted, transmits the “transmission request response” signal to the signal processing device 200 (S4). A “transmission request response” signal is transmitted from the signal processing device 200 to the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 via the wireless communication devices 201 and 211 and the signal processing device 210 (S5, S6). Thus, the center terminal 400 recognizes that the corresponding vehicle has entered preparation for image data transmission.

  The CPU 24 of the drive recorder 2 that has transmitted the “transmission request response” signal in S4 performs signal processing on the N still image data to be transmitted among the image data recorded in the memory card 6 for each sheet. The signal processing apparatus 200 transmits a “response” signal indicating completion of reception to the CPU 24 every time one piece of still image data is received (S7 to S12). The image data transmitted from the drive recorder 2 to the signal processing device 200 is, for example, 300 still image data groups recorded on the memory card 6 when one recording condition is satisfied.

  The signal processing apparatus 200 on the vehicle side that has received all the image data to be transmitted transmits an “image transmission start” signal to the signal processing apparatus 210 on the base side (S13).

  The base-side signal processing device 210 that has received the “image transmission start” signal transmits a “response” signal to the corresponding vehicle-side signal processing device 200 (S14), and sends it to all the vehicles managed by the center terminal 400. Then, the “other station data stop” signal is transmitted (S15). The drive recorder of the vehicle other than the corresponding vehicle that has received the “other station data stop” signal can recognize that image data is currently being transmitted to the center terminal 400 from the drive recorder of the other vehicle. The processing change by the “other station data stop” signal will be described later. Thereafter, the signal processing device 210 on the base side transmits an “image request” signal to the signal processing device 200 on the vehicle side (S16).

  The signal processing apparatus 200 on the vehicle side that has received the “image request” signal transmits one piece of still image data to the signal processing apparatus 210 on the base side (S17 to 19). One piece of still image data is recorded on the memory card 6 with, for example, a resolution of QVGA (320 × 240 pixels), but is compressed by the signal processing device 200 and 160 pieces of still image data compressed are compressed. The data is divided into byte units, and further divided into 20 times every 8 bytes. Note that the data capacity and the number of divisions of still image data per sheet are examples, and are not limited to the above.

  When reception of one still image data divided into 20 pieces is completed in the signal processing device 210 on the base side, the signal processing device 210 requests the next 160 bytes (S22). Also, 160 bytes of data are transmitted to the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 (S20). The center terminal 400 stores the received image data in the reception information storage unit 470. A case where the image data divided into 20 pieces cannot be received well will be described later.

  When reception of one still image data is completed, the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 transmits a “response” signal indicating the completion of reception to the signal processing device 210 (S21). Upon receiving the “response” signal from the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400, the signal processing device 210 transmits an “image request” signal to the signal processing device 200 of the corresponding vehicle (S22).

  The signal processing apparatus 200 on the vehicle side that has received the “image request” signal starts transmission of the second still image data (S23).

  Thereafter, when transmission of N still image data is completed, the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400 transmits a “response” signal indicating completion of reception to the signal processing device 210 (S24). Upon receiving the “response” signal from the CPU 424 of the center terminal 400, the signal processing device 210 transmits an “other station data stop release” signal (S25), and the transmission procedure of the image data from the corresponding vehicle ends. The drive recorder of each vehicle that has received the “other station data stop release” signal can recognize that the transmission of the image data to the center terminal 400 has been completed.

  As described above, according to the transmission procedure as shown in FIG. 7, the predetermined image data can be transmitted from the drive recorder 2 of the vehicle to the center terminal 400. As described above, the image data can be collected by being transmitted to the center terminal 400 according to the instruction on the center terminal 400 side, so that the image data can be collected at an arbitrary timing other than when the vehicle operation ends. became. Therefore, even when the vehicle has an accident, the recorded image data can be verified at the center terminal 400 without carrying the accident vehicle itself or the memory card 6 to the center terminal 400.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating communication timings on the base side and the vehicle side.

  8A shows the frame 100 transmitted from the base-side wireless communication device 211, and FIG. 8B shows the frame 110 transmitted from the vehicle-side wireless communication device 210.

  As shown in FIG. 8, data is transmitted from the base side in units of 40 ms (milliseconds) with 4 frames (160 ms) as a delimiter, and from all vehicles, one frame is 20 ms (milliseconds). It is agreed that data transmission is performed with 8 frames (160 ms) as a delimiter in units of seconds. Further, the base point is set so that the start time of the first frame (“0” frame) on the base side and the start point of the first frame (“0” frame) on each vehicle side are shifted by 60 ms (milliseconds). Is set by the signal processing device 210 on the side. That is, the transmission frames in all the vehicles are all synchronized by using the transmission frame from the base as a reference.

  Normally, in the frame 110 of FIG. 8B, all the frames (frames “0” to “7”) are allocated for the vehicle allocation system, and the signal processing device of each vehicle can freely use this frame. Is used to transmit a response to a vehicle allocation request from the center terminal 400 and information data including its own location information.

  However, when the above-described image data transmission procedure is started, that is, when the “other station data stop” signal is received, in all vehicles other than the corresponding vehicle, the signal processing device of each vehicle In the frame 110 of FIG. 8B, only the frames “0” to “2” are assigned to the vehicle allocation system, and control is performed so that the frames “3” to “7” are not used. Such control continues until each vehicle receives a “other station data stop release” signal. On the contrary, the corresponding vehicle that transmits the image data is transmitted by the communication processing device 200 of the corresponding vehicle using only the frames “3” to “7” in the frame 110 of FIG. 8B. Control to do.

  Such control is performed when image data is transmitted using all transmission frames or random transmission frames, and the image data collides with the information data for the vehicle allocation system, and both of them appropriately This is because transmission cannot be performed. Further, while the image data is being transmitted, it is possible not to transmit all the data for the vehicle allocation system, but the vehicle allocation system cannot be used between the transmissions of the image data, which also causes a problem.

  The above-described setting of the frame frame for image data transmission and the frame frame for the vehicle allocation system at the time of image data transmission is merely an example, and is not limited to the above-described setting of the number of frames and the frame frame. Absent. Also, once determined frame allocation (8 frames in total, 3 frames for the dispatch system and 5 frames for image data transmission), the operator of the center terminal 400 uses the operation unit 430 according to the situation. You may comprise so that it can change. For example, the vehicle allocation system is frequently used in the daytime but not so much in the night. Therefore, when image data is transmitted at night, the number of frames used for the vehicle allocation system is reduced (“0” and “0”). 1 ”frame only) and the like.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a retransmission transmission procedure of image data.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the image data from the vehicle side is ideally transmitted to the base side. However, in actuality, an error or omission occurs in the transmitted image data depending on the radio wave condition or the like. There is. In such a case, it is very inefficient to retransmit all of one piece of still image data. Therefore, in this embodiment, only data in which an error or omission has occurred is retransmitted to transmit data. We are trying to improve efficiency.

  That is, in FIG. 9, when image data divided into 160 bytes is transmitted 20 times (S17 to S19), the 10th (10/20) image data is missing (S30). It is shown. As described above, the signal processing device 210 may retransmit only such data when there is an error or omission in the transmitted image data after the reception of the 20 divided image data is completed. In order to make a request to the signal processing apparatus 200, a “retransmission image request” signal is transmitted (S31).

  The signal processing apparatus 200 on the vehicle side that has received the “retransmission image request” signal transmits only the image data (in this case, 10/20 data) that has received the retransmission instruction to the signal processing apparatus 210 on the base side again. (S32).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image request signal.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of an “image request” signal when an image transmission of the first still image data is requested (S16), and FIG. 10B shows an “image request” signal when a retransmission is requested (S31). 4 shows an example of a “retransmission image request” signal. As shown in the figure, the “image request” signal and the “retransmission image request” signal have at least a 20-bit control signal, and from the MSB side to the LSB side, 1/20 to 20/20 of the image data, respectively. It is set to correspond to. When requesting image transmission for the first time (S16), since all data is required, all control bits are “1”, whereas when requesting retransmission (S31), it is necessary. The control bit corresponding only to the image data 10/20 is “1”, and the other control bits are “0”.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, only data in which an error or omission has occurred is retransmitted to improve data transmission efficiency.

  In the embodiment described above, the drive recorder 2 is configured to record predetermined image data on the memory card 6 when the recording condition is satisfied. However, when it is not necessary to transmit the image data directly to the center terminal 400 using the memory card 6, the drive recorder 2 such as a hard disk is used without using a portable recording medium such as the memory card 6. The image data may be recorded on the attached recording medium.

  In the embodiment described above, when there is an image transmission request from the center terminal 400, the recorded image data is efficiently transmitted to the center terminal 400. However, the image data may be automatically transmitted from the vehicle side to the center terminal 400 when the recording condition is satisfied. Further, the recording conditions are distinguished from those with high importance (for example, “detection G” and “speed trigger”) and those with low importance (for example, “shooting SW”), and only those with high importance are memory cards. 6 may be configured to be transmitted to the center terminal 400.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another schematic configuration of the entire system.

  The difference between the system shown in FIG. 11 and the system shown in FIG. 4 is that, in the system shown in FIG. 11, the vehicle 1 is mounted with another drive recorder 100 different from the drive recorder 2 shown in FIG. It is a point. The same components as those shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In particular, the configuration and functions of the base-side system are the same as the system described in FIG.

  The drive recorder 100 includes a first image processing circuit 101 that generates high-resolution image data of VGA (640 × 480 pixels) and a second image processing circuit 102 that generates low-resolution image data of QVGA (320 × 240 pixels). The VGA image data is cyclically recorded in the first memory 103, and the QVGA image data is cyclically recorded in the second memory 104. When the recording condition described above is satisfied, the VGA image data recorded in the first memory 103 is recorded in the memory card 6 via the I / F 11 and the QVGA image recorded in the second memory 104. Data is transferred from the wireless communication device 201 to the wireless communication device 211 on the base side by the signal processing device 200. The transferred QVGA image data is recorded in the reception information recording unit 470 by the signal processing device 210 and can be viewed on the center terminal 400 side. The image data transfer method in FIG. 11 is the same as the method described above with reference to FIGS.

  Also in the drive recorder 100 shown in FIG. 11, the signal processing device 200 and the wireless communication device 201 function as a data transmission system on the vehicle side. Further, although the drive recorder 100, the signal processing device 200, and the wireless communication device 201 are described as separate bodies, they may be integrally configured as the drive recorder 100.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of drive recorder 100 shown in FIG.

  The difference between the drive recorder 100 shown in FIG. 12 and the drive recorder 2 shown in FIG. 5 is that the drive recorder 100 shown in FIG. 12 has a first image processing circuit 101, a second image processing circuit 102, and a first memory 103. And a point having the second memory 104. The same components as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  A first camera 3 and a second camera 3 are connected to the video SW 12. The video SW 12 is configured to select one of the cameras in response to a selection signal 607 from the CPU 24, and the first image processing circuit 101 and the second image processing circuit 102 use the video information from the selected camera as the selected video information 608. Output to.

  The first image processing circuit 101 converts selected video information 608 input from the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 via the video SW 12 into a digital signal, and generates and outputs VGA resolution image data 621. The second image processing circuit 102 converts the selected video information 608 input from the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 via the video SW 12 into a digital signal, and generates and outputs image data 622 with QVGA resolution. The first and second image processing circuits 101 and 102 are composed of, for example, JPEG-IC (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group-Integrated Circuit), and create data in JPEG format. The image data 621 and 622 are data based on the same image picked up by the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 and differ only in resolution.

  The first memory 103 is composed of SDRAM, and records the VGA resolution image data 621 generated by the first image processing circuit 101. That is, 10 pieces of still image data with VGA resolution per second are cyclically recorded in the first memory 103. The second memory 104 is composed of SDRAM, and records the QVGA resolution image data 621 generated by the second image processing circuit 102. That is, 10 pieces of QVGA resolution still image data per second are cyclically recorded in the second memory 104.

  The drive recorder 100 can also be configured separately from the first camera 3 or the second camera 4 as a device dedicated to video recording, but in the same housing as the first camera 3, the second camera 4 and the microphone 7. And may be configured integrally. The drive recorder 100 can also be configured as a function of the in-vehicle navigation device.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the drive recorder 100.

  As described above, when the drive recorder 100 starts operating, the VGA resolution image data 621 generated by the first image processing circuit 101 is constantly recorded in the first memory 103 in a cyclic manner, and is stored in the second memory 104. The image data 622 of the QVGA resolution generated by the second image processing circuit 102 is always recorded cyclically. For example, 400 still image data are recorded in the first and second memories 103 and 104 for a maximum of 40 seconds, respectively. That is, high resolution image data corresponding to the same captured image is recorded in the first memory 103, and low resolution image data is recorded in the second memory 104.

  In this state, when the CPU 24 determines that the above-described recording conditions (G detection, speed trigger, shooting SW) are satisfied based on the detection signals from the acceleration sensor 5, the shooting SW 8, and the speed sensor 10, the CPU 24 From the image data recorded in one memory 103, still image data for 12 seconds before the recording condition is satisfied and 8 seconds after the recording condition is satisfied, that is, a total of 20 frames for 200 seconds is stored as one event. Record on card 6. At the same time, the CPU 24 explained, from the image data recorded in the second memory 104, still image data for 12 seconds before the recording condition is established and for 8 seconds after the recording condition is established with reference to FIG. Using the method, the data is transmitted from the drive recorder 100 side to the center terminal 400.

  That is, high-resolution image data recorded in the first memory 103 is recorded in the memory card 6, and low-resolution image data recorded in the second memory 104 is centered using the wireless communication device 201. It is transmitted to the terminal 400. Although both images are the same, the image data transmitted to the center terminal 400 has a low resolution to reduce the transfer time, whereas the image data recorded on the memory card 6 has a high resolution. Therefore, it can be effectively used when detailed image examination is necessary in the future.

  In the embodiment described in FIGS. 11 to 13, the amount of image data (20 seconds, 200 images) recorded on the memory card 6 and transmitted to the center terminal 400 when the recording condition is satisfied is an example. Other amounts can be selected. Further, although VGA is selected as the high resolution and QVGA is selected as the low resolution, these are also examples, and various types of high resolution and low resolution can be selected.

  Further, in the embodiment described in FIGS. 11 to 13, when the recording condition is satisfied, low resolution image data is transmitted to the center terminal 400. However, when the recording condition is satisfied, the low-resolution image data is temporarily recorded in a memory other than the first memory 103, the second memory 104, and the memory card 6, as shown in FIG. When there is an image transmission request from the center terminal 400 side, it may be configured to transfer for the first time.

It is a figure which shows the example which mounted the drive recorder in the vehicle. It is a figure which shows the example which installed the drive recorder in the vehicle. It is a figure which shows the example which installed the main body of the drive recorder in the vehicle. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the whole system. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a drive recorder. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a center terminal. It is a figure which shows the transmission procedure of image data. It is a figure which shows the communication timing in the base side and the vehicle side. It is a figure which shows the resending transmission procedure of image data. It is a figure which shows an example of an image request signal. It is a figure which shows the other schematic structure of the whole system. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a drive recorder 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the drive recorder 100. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2, 100 Drive recorder 3, 4 Camera 5 Acceleration sensor 6 Memory card 7 Microphone 8 Shooting switch 9 GPS receiver 10 Vehicle speed sensor 11 Interface 12 Video switch 13 Image processing circuit 14 1st RAM
15 Second RAM
16 Nonvolatile ROM
17 Control program 24 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 1st image processing circuit 102 2nd image processing circuit 103 1st memory 104 2nd memory 200, 210 Signal processing circuit 201, 211 Wireless communication apparatus 400 Center terminal 424 CPU
430 Operation unit 440 Display unit 450 Map information storage unit 460 Card information storage unit 470 Reception information storage unit

Claims (11)

A drive recorder having an image data generation unit for generating image data and a recording unit for recording the image data;
A transmission / reception unit that wirelessly transmits the image data recorded in the recording unit to the center terminal from the drive recorder;
A data transmission system comprising: The transmission / reception unit performs transmission of the image data and transmission / reception of information data,
When the transmission / reception unit receives an image transmission signal from a center terminal and transmits the image data corresponding to the image transmission signal, a frame for transmitting the image data and the information data are transmitted. The data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the transmission / reception unit to perform data transmission by dividing the frame into frames.   When the transmission / reception unit receives control data indicating that another data communication system is transmitting image data from the center terminal, the control unit includes a frame for transmitting the image data; The data transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission / reception unit is divided into frames for transmitting information data, and the transmission / reception unit is controlled to perform data transmission using only the frame for transmitting the information data.   4. The data transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the frame for transmitting the image data and the frame for transmitting the information data are synchronized with a transmission frame for transmitting data from a center terminal.   The data transmission system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit controls the transmission / reception unit to divide the image data and transmit the divided image data to a center terminal.   When the transmission / reception unit receives control data indicating that transmission of a part of the image data transmitted in a divided manner is not completed from the center terminal, the control unit does not complete transmission The data transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the transmission / reception unit is controlled so that only a part of the divided image data is transmitted to the center terminal again.   The data transmission system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the information data is data used in a dispatch system. The image generation unit includes a first image generation unit that generates first image data, and a second image generation unit that generates second image data different from the first image data,
The recording unit includes a first recording unit that records the first image data, and a second recording unit that records the second image data,
The data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the transmission / reception unit so that the second image data recorded in the second recording unit is wirelessly transmitted to a center terminal.   9. The data transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit records the first image data recorded in the first recording unit on a recording medium. A detection unit for detecting whether or not the recording condition is satisfied;
The control unit records the first image data recorded in the first recording unit on a recording medium when the recording condition is satisfied, and wirelessly transmits the second image data recorded in the second recording unit. The data transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the transmission / reception unit is controlled to transmit to the center terminal.   The data transmission system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first image data is image data having a higher resolution than the second image data.

Images