JP2010102524A - Vehicle traveling information recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle traveling information recording device, which records a large amount of information. <P>SOLUTION: The device for recording vehicle traveling information is configured to receive signal light information, to acquire the traveling direction information of a vehicle, and to select and record the signal light information in the traveling direction of the vehicle based on the traveling direction information, and to, when detecting that the signal light approaches the traveling direction of the vehicle by a car navigation, increase the receiving sensitivity of the signal light information, and to, when the signal light image is extracted from the traveling direction image, increase the receiving sensitivity of the signal light information, and to continuously record the image information by first-in first-out, and to record the signal light information by units by first-in first-out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle travel information recording apparatus such as a drive recorder.

In recent years, drive recorders that store information immediately before the accident as evidence by storing information outside the vehicle before and after the accident and vehicle status information in memory have begun to become popular as an effective means to prevent car accidents in advance. . Various drive recorders have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a travel recording system capable of grasping a signal light color when a vehicle enters an intersection.
JP 2008-230434 A

 However, the drive recorder has many problems to be studied in practical use.

 In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a travel information recording device for a vehicle that has a large amount of information to be recorded.

 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention receives a signal light information, a receiving unit that acquires vehicle traveling direction information, and the receiving unit that receives the vehicle traveling direction information acquired by the acquiring unit. A traveling information recording apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a sorting unit that sorts signal lamp information in a traveling direction of the vehicle from information such as a signal; and a recording unit that records signal lamp information in the traveling direction of the vehicle selected by the sorting unit. I will provide a.

  Accordingly, it is possible to record information such as signals received by the receiving unit based on the traveling direction information of the vehicle without requiring a complicated configuration of the signal lamp.

  According to a detailed feature of the present invention, the travel information recording apparatus includes a camera unit that acquires image information outside the vehicle, and the recording unit includes the signal lamp information in the travel direction of the vehicle selected by the selection unit. The image information outside the vehicle acquired by the unit is recorded. According to a more detailed feature, the travel information recording apparatus includes a microphone unit that acquires sound information outside the vehicle, and the sound information from the microphone unit is recorded together with the image information.

  According to another detailed feature of the present invention, the travel information recording apparatus includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormal state of the vehicle, and the recording unit includes a time including a time point when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality. The signal light information in the traveling direction of the vehicle in the belt is recorded.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a receiving unit that receives signal light information, a recording unit that records signal light information received by the receiving unit, a position information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle position information on a map, There is provided a vehicle travel information recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes signal light installation position information on a map included in the position information acquisition unit to participate in recording of signal light information by the recording unit.

  As described above, the position information acquisition unit that acquires the position information of the vehicle on the map and the reception unit that receives the signal lamp information can be linked to record the signal lamp information received by the reception unit in the recording unit.

 According to the detailed feature of the present invention, the control unit participates in recording of the signal lamp information by the recording unit with the information of the signal lamp installation position within a predetermined distance from the vehicle position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. Let

  As a result, when the vehicle approaches the signal light that should receive the signal light information, the position information acquisition unit and the reception unit that receives the signal light information can be linked.

 According to another detailed feature of the present invention, the control unit controls the reception of the signal light information by the reception unit based on the information of the signal light installation position on the map of the position information acquisition unit. More specifically, the reception state of the signal light information by the reception unit is controlled based on the information of the signal light installation position on the map which the position information acquisition unit has. More specifically, the control unit controls the reception sensitivity of the signal light information by the reception unit based on the information of the signal light installation position on the map which the position information acquisition unit has.

  By the cooperation with the position information acquisition unit as described above, the reception unit can more reliably receive the signal lamp information and record it in the recording unit.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, a receiving unit that receives signal light information, a recording unit that records signal light information received by the receiving unit, a camera unit that acquires image information outside the vehicle, and the camera unit include: A vehicle running comprising: an extraction unit that extracts a signal lamp image from image information outside the vehicle to be acquired; and a control unit that causes extraction of the signal lamp image by the extraction unit to participate in recording of the signal lamp information by the recording unit An information recording apparatus is provided.

 Thus, the camera unit that acquires image information outside the vehicle and the receiving unit that receives the signal lamp information can be linked to record the signal lamp information received by the receiving unit in the recording unit.

 According to the detailed feature of the invention, the control unit controls reception of the signal lamp information by the receiving unit based on the extraction of the signal lamp image by the extracting unit. More specifically, the control unit controls the reception state of the signal lamp information by the reception unit based on the extraction of the signal lamp image by the extraction unit. More specifically, the control unit controls the reception sensitivity of the signal lamp information by the reception unit based on the extraction of the signal lamp image by the extraction unit.

  By the cooperation with the extraction unit as described above, the reception unit can more reliably receive the signal lamp information and record it in the recording unit.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, an acquisition unit that acquires information that is continuously generated as the vehicle travels, and a detection unit that detects information that is selectively generated under predetermined conditions during the travel of the vehicle, There is provided a travel information recording apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a recording unit that records information acquired by the acquisition unit and information detected by the detection unit in different manners. Thereby, the capacity of the recording unit can be effectively utilized.

 According to the detailed feature of the present invention, the recording unit continuously records the information acquired by the acquisition unit by first-in first-out, and the information detected by the detection unit is first-in first-out in units of detected units. Record. A specific example of information acquired by the acquisition unit is image information outside the vehicle, and a specific example of information detected by the detection unit is signal light information.

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a drive recorder system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drive recorder system of the present embodiment is centered on a vehicle 2 that is either a gasoline engine vehicle or an electric vehicle equipped with a drive recorder that records information before and after an accident, or a so-called hybrid vehicle that uses a gasoline engine and a motor together. However, a system that further cooperates with the traffic light 4 and the fueling / feeding stand 6 is configured.

 The vehicle 2 includes a vehicle control unit 8 including a computer that controls the entire vehicle, and controls the vehicle function unit 12 in accordance with an operation of the operation unit 10 by a driver of the vehicle. The function of the vehicle control unit 8 is executed by software stored in the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 further temporarily stores various data necessary for overall control. In addition, the vehicle control unit 8 controls the display unit 16 to perform GUI display necessary for operation of the operation unit 10 and display a control result. Note that the vehicle control unit 8 includes a clock unit 18, and the time data of the clock unit 8 is used for various functions. Further, as will be described later, the time of the clock unit 18 is automatically corrected to the correct time as appropriate by external time information.

 The GPS unit 20 obtains information on the latitude, longitude, and altitude, which are absolute position information of the vehicle 2, from the satellite and the nearest broadcasting station based on the GPS system, and sends the information to the vehicle control unit 8. The car navigation function unit 22 processes absolute position information from the GPS unit 20 obtained via the vehicle control unit 8 and displays the position of the vehicle 2 on the map on the display unit 16. The vehicle 2 further includes a vehicle short-range communication unit 24. When the vehicle 2 approaches the traffic light 4 and the fuel / power supply stand 6, as described later, information is exchanged between the vehicle 2 and the vehicle by radio waves or light.

 Next, a configuration related to the drive recorder will be described in association with the above configuration as necessary. The camera 26 and the microphone 28 are always inputted with an image of the front of the vehicle and surrounding sounds when the vehicle is in operation. The operation state includes not only the case where the vehicle actually travels but also all the states where a traffic accident may occur as the vehicle travels, such as a state where the vehicle is temporarily stopped while waiting for a signal. In order to check whether or not this situation is present, the presence or absence of a moving object is detected by image processing based on an image taken by the camera 26, and even if the engine is stopped, a state in which no moving object is detected in the image is predetermined. Unless it is confirmed that the time will continue, image and sound input to the camera 26 and the microphone 28 is continued.

 The vehicle control unit 8 includes a nonvolatile buffer memory having a capacity of about 20 seconds, and stores image and sound information input from the camera 26 and the microphone 28 in a first-in first-out (FIFO) manner. That is, the latest 20-second information is always overwritten and stored. Then, when the acceleration detection unit 30 detects a large acceleration change due to a collision or the like, or when there is a manual operation by the operation unit 10, if the camera 26 and the microphone 28 continue to input information without being destroyed, at that time Then, the data is continuously stored in the buffer memory for about 10 seconds. As a result, the buffer memory finally holds image and sound information of about 10 seconds before and after the time of detection of acceleration change or manual operation. The image and sound information of about 10 seconds before and after this is subjected to predetermined processing by the vehicle control unit 8 and then the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34 provided in different parts of the vehicle as digital compressed moving image information. Are configured to be recorded respectively. Each of the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34 has a capacity for 10 pieces of digital compressed moving image information, and is overwritten by the FIFO.

 The first recording unit 32 is provided, for example, at the front part of the vehicle, and the second recording unit 34 is provided, for example, at the rear part of the vehicle. I hope that even if destroyed, the other will survive and be recordable. It is also expected that recorded information will remain in at least one of them. Even if most of the drive recorder function is destroyed, if the non-volatile buffer memory is safe, a recording of about 20 seconds before the accident is left.

 Here, processing performed by the vehicle control unit 8 when recording image and sound information in the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34, respectively, will be described. In addition to the usual process of creating digital compressed video information with audio, this process prevents tampering and replacement of this digital compressed video information with audio to increase evidence and to enrich information as evidence. Processing.

 The traffic light 4 is a configuration for enriching evidence information, and the traffic light control unit 36 controls red, blue and yellow signal lights 38. Then, the traffic light short-range communication unit 40 transmits information on which color of the traffic light on the intersecting road is now in the vicinity of the traffic light 4. The traffic signal short-range communication unit 40 also has a configuration for transmitting traffic jam information and the like from the vehicle information communication system obtained from the traffic signal system communication unit 42 to the vicinity of the traffic signal 4. Therefore, these pieces of information are received by the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 and sent to the vehicle control unit 8 if the vehicle 2 exists in the vicinity of an intersection where the traffic signal 4 is present. As a result, when a change in acceleration or a manual operation is detected while the vehicle 2 is passing an intersection or stopping at a signal, the state of the signal lamp 38 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 can be acquired as information. In this manner, even when the state of the signal lamp 38 cannot be obtained from the image of the camera 26 due to the limit of the angle of view of the camera 26 or the synchronization between the camera 26 and the signal lamp 38, the change in acceleration or the manual operation is detected. It becomes possible to grasp the situation of the signal lamp 38 up to (hereinafter referred to as “occurrence of accident” as a typical case). The direction detection unit 44 detects the direction in which the vehicle is facing immediately before the occurrence of the accident, and provides evidence as to whether or not the signal is ignored in the vehicle 2 when the accident occurs in combination with the information from the traffic light 4 described above. Is.

 The vehicle control unit 8 receives the speed information from the speedometer 46, and sequentially overwrites and records the information on the capacity of about 20 seconds in the nonvolatile buffer memory by using the FIFO. This makes it possible to grasp the relationship between the speed at the time of the accident and the speed limit, the brake operation history for about 20 seconds before the accident, and the like. The speed information and the brake operation history when such an accident occurs are digitally watermarked together with the signal light information of the traveling direction when the accident occurs, the accident time information from the clock 18, and the accident point information from the GPS unit 20. The data is sent to the unit 48 and treated as digital watermark data. In addition, the operation information such as the brake can be grasped indirectly from the speed information as described above, and can also be sent directly from the operation unit 10 to the vehicle operation unit 8, so these operation information histories are also stored in the nonvolatile buffer memory. Overwrite recording can also be performed sequentially by FIFO.

 The digital watermark processing unit 48 receives image and sound information of about 10 seconds before and after the occurrence of the accident temporarily stored in the buffer memory, and includes the speed information, brake operation history, signal light information, time information, and point information. Digital watermark data is embedded. At the time of embedding, digital watermark processing key information held in the storage unit 14 is set and used. The image and sound information in which the electronic watermark data is embedded using the digital watermark processing key information in this way is returned to the vehicle control unit 8 and digitally compressed, and the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34, respectively. Sent to. As described above, since the digital watermark information related to the occurrence of the accident is embedded in the image and sound information about 10 seconds before and after the occurrence of the accident using the digital watermark processing key information, the image information and the sound information are falsified. It becomes difficult. Also, by extracting these digital watermark information itself, the evidence information at the time of the occurrence of the accident becomes rich.

 As described above, the drive recorder function is described as being controlled by the vehicle control unit 8, but instead of having the vehicle control unit 8 bear all functions, a dedicated control unit in charge of the drive recorder function is provided separately. The function may be shared. Also in this case, the drive recorder dedicated control unit cooperates with the vehicle control unit 8 and executes the functions as described above as a whole.

 In addition, in order to prevent information from being recorded on the drive recorder in the event of an accident and to improve the reliability of recording, the components that achieve the drive recorder function described above are It is stored in an inaccessible part and can only be accessed by qualified personnel during vehicle inspections. Further, a cable connecting the camera 26 or the microphone 28 and the vehicle control unit 8 is also stored in a portion that cannot be seen by the owner of the vehicle 2. Even when the drive recorder function is added to the vehicle 2 later, the attachment is limited to qualified persons, and the cable and the like are installed so that the owner of the vehicle 2 cannot be removed without permission. Further, when the drive recorder function is impaired due to accidental disconnection of these cables, the outside display unit 50 displays this outside the vehicle 2, and when this indication is found by the police, it is a traffic violation. Become.

 On the other hand, every time the vehicle 2 is started, an initial check of the drive recorder function is performed, and a display indicating that the drive recorder function is normal is displayed on the display unit 16. Instead, it may be notified that the check result is normal by announcement, or both may be used together. Traffic accidents shouldn't happen in nature, and for safe drivers, it's likely that nothing will actually happen for years. During this time, the drive recorder will never have an opportunity to work, but by configuring as described above, it can be confirmed that the function is normal on a daily basis, and information is not recorded in the unlikely event Can be prevented.

 The refueling / power supply stand 6 includes a stand short-range communication unit 52 for communicating with a vehicle that has stopped at the stand for refueling or power supply. The stand control unit 54 acquires the ID information of the vehicle 2 and the latest digital watermark processing key information to be applied to the vehicle 2 from the stand system communication unit 56. This latest digital watermark processing key information is transmitted to the vehicle 2 by communication between the stand short-range communication unit 52 and the vehicle short-range communication unit 24, and is sent to the storage unit 14 via the vehicle control unit 8 to be old digital watermark processing key information. Update. Such update of digital watermark processing key information is intended to prevent tampering and replacement of image and sound information by the drive recorder, and the update history of digital watermark processing key information for each vehicle is individually stored in the drive recorder management center. Therefore, even if the digital watermark processing key information is leaked, the digital image information created with the expired digital watermark processing key is not recognized as a genuine record. The digital watermark processing key information may be updated frequently from the traffic light 4.

 The oil supply / power supply unit 58 supplies oil / power supply to the oil supply / power supply unit port 62 of the vehicle 2 via the oil supply / power supply unit line 60. At this time, if the vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the digital watermark processing key information is transmitted from the stand control unit 54 to the vehicle control unit 8 by power line communication (PLC) via the oil supply / power supply unit line 60. can do.

 As described above, the drive recorder information in the embodiment of the present invention cannot be changed by the owner of the vehicle 2 itself, but the card slot of the vehicle control unit 8 can be entered by the owner entering the password. It is free to copy and take out the memory card inserted in the card. Therefore, it is possible to view the data extracted in this way on its own mobile phone or personal computer.

 FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the vehicle 2 updates the digital watermark processing key information by short-range communication with the fueling / power supply station 6. This is not the only case. For example, if “refueling / power supply station 6” is read as “automatic road toll collection system (ETC) 6” and “stand” in its internal structures 52, 54 and 56 is read as “ETC”, it passes ETC 6. It can be understood that the present invention can be implemented by updating the digital watermark processing key information every time. In this case, the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 in the vehicle 2 and the ETC short-range communication unit 52 in the ETC 6 are also used for communication of digital watermark processing key information.

 In addition, when it is configured to perform near field communication based on the contractual relationship with the vehicle 2 as in the above ETC 6, and also used as a near field communication unit of a system in which personal information management is firmly performed, In addition, the following information exchange is possible. That is, when any drive recorder information is recorded in the first recording unit 32 or the second recording unit 34, this is automatically automatically transmitted from the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 to the ETC short-range communication unit 52. It can be configured to be transferred from the ETC system communication unit 56 to the management center of the ETC. However, whether or not to perform such transfer automatically is subject to obtaining the driver's consent in advance, and if agreed, an incentive such as discounting the expressway fee is attached. As a result, evidence of escaping or hitting and escaping is accumulated in the ETC management center with the driver's consent, so that the driver's awareness of safe driving can be enhanced.

 FIG. 2 is a basic flowchart showing functions of the vehicle control unit 8 of the vehicle 2. This flow starts when the vehicle 2 is ready to run. Specifically, in the case of a gasoline engine vehicle, the vehicle is ready for traveling when the ignition is turned on, and in the hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, the traveling preparation switch is turned on, and the flow starts. Note that the travelable state includes a state where the vehicle is actually traveling. When the flow starts, first, vehicle functions including a drive recorder function are initially checked in step S2. This processing includes notification of a check result display or announcement.

 Next, in step S4, an image and sound are recorded based on information from the camera 26 and the microphone 28. In step S6, the GPS data from the GPS unit 20, the speed data from the speedometer 46, the traveling direction data from the bearing detection unit 44, the time data from the clock 18, and the operation data from the operation unit 10 are obtained. Each is acquired and it progresses to step S8.

 In step S8, it is checked whether or not the signal light data from the traffic light 4 has arrived at the vehicle short-range communication unit 24. If the vehicle is approaching an intersection and signal light data is received, the process proceeds to step S10, signal light data is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S12. The traffic light 4 transmits information on the state of the signal lamp 38 in both the traveling direction for the vehicle 2 and the direction orthogonal thereto, and in step S10, the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 All the information is obtained as it is. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not approaching the intersection or is approaching the intersection but the traffic light does not have a signal light data transmission function and as a result there is no incoming data such as a signal, the process proceeds directly from step S8 to step S12. To do.

 In step S12, the information obtained in steps S4, S6, and S10 is overwritten and recorded by FIFO in the capacity of about 20 seconds in the nonvolatile buffer memory in the vehicle control unit 8. Details thereof will be described later. When the recording of the information obtained at that time is finished in step S12, the process proceeds to step S14, and a check is performed as to whether the communication partner exists in the communicable distance range and the short-distance communication is possible by the vehicle short-range communication unit 24. Is called. In step S14, it is also checked whether communication is possible by power line communication (PLC). The communication partner in this case is, for example, the fueling / feeding station 6 or the ETC 6, but the communication device 4 corresponds to the communication partner in this case as long as communication other than signal light information reception is possible.

 When it is determined in step S14 that near field communication or power line communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S16, information communication processing by near field communication or power line communication is performed, and the process proceeds to step S18. In this case, the content of the information communication process in step S16 is specifically the reception of the update information of the digital watermark processing key information. In addition, as described above, the first recording unit 32 or the second recording unit The transmission of the drive recorder information recorded in 34 corresponds to the information communication process in step S16. Details of these will be described later. If it is determined in step S14 that neither near field communication nor power line communication is possible, the process directly proceeds to step S18.

 In step S <b> 18, it is checked whether a manual operation by the operation unit 10 or an acceleration change detection by a predetermined amount or more by the acceleration detection unit 30 has been detected. Here, the acceleration change of a predetermined value or more includes a change in acceleration during traveling of the vehicle such as a sudden deceleration in the same direction as in a frontal collision and a change in the traveling direction due to the collision, but the vehicle 2 itself was stopped. However, it also includes an impact in the event of a collision with another vehicle.

 When a manual operation or a change in acceleration exceeding a predetermined value is detected in step S18, the process proceeds to step S20, and the latest digital watermark processing key is read from the storage unit 14 as the vehicle 2. In step S22, digital watermark processing for embedding various digital watermark data in the image / sound information of the moving image based on the digital watermark processing key is performed. In step S24, the image / sound information in which the digital watermark is embedded is compressed and recorded in the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34, and the process proceeds to step 26. When neither manual operation nor a predetermined acceleration change is detected in step S18, the process directly proceeds to step S26. Details of step S22 and step S24 will be described later.

 In step S26, it is checked whether or not the vehicle 2 is in a travelable state, and if applicable, the process returns to step S4. On the other hand, when the vehicle is not ready for traveling due to the ignition being turned off or the traveling preparation switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step S28, and whether or not a moving object is included in the image is detected based on the image acquired by the camera 26. . And if a moving body is detected, it will return to step S4. When a moving object is detected, the power of the vehicle 2 is off, but the vehicle 2 is running due to inertia or hill descent, or the vehicle 2 itself is stopped but the surrounding vehicle This means that the vehicle 2 is on the road and the vehicle 2 is not yet in a safe state.

 On the other hand, if no moving object is detected in step 28, the process proceeds to step 30 to check whether or not a state in which no moving object is detected continues for a predetermined time or more. If the predetermined time has not yet been reached, the process returns to step 4. This is because a moving object may not be detected immediately after the accident or when the vehicle 2 is stopped on the road but the vehicle does not travel around. As described above, when the process returns from any of step 26 to step 4 to step 4, the processing from the image / sound recording in step 4 is performed. Steps S4 to S30 are repeated until 2 is considered to be stopped at a safe place. The acquisition of the image / sound data and the predetermined data and the FIFO recording thereof are continued, and the compressed data of the image / sound information in which the digital watermark is embedded is recorded every time an acceleration higher than the predetermined value is detected. Go. On the other hand, if it is detected in step S30 that the moving object has not been detected for a predetermined time or longer, the process proceeds to step S32, where the moving image / sound recording and various data acquisition are stopped, and the flow ends.

 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the digital watermark processing in step S22 of FIG. When the flow starts, the ID data of the vehicle 2 is read from the storage unit 14 in step S42. As will be described later, this ID is used as digital watermark data and also as data for specifying the version of the digital watermark processing key currently applied to the vehicle 2. In other words, which version of the digital watermark processing key is currently applied to the vehicle 2 is individually registered in the drive recorder management center. Therefore, by adding the ID of the read vehicle 2, the registered authentic electronic It can be proved that the compressed data is image / sound information in which a digital watermark is embedded by a watermark processing key.

 Next, in step S44, the digital watermark processing key read in step S20 of FIG. Next, in step S46, it is checked whether the nonvolatile buffer memory of the vehicle control unit 8 remains safely without being destroyed after the acceleration change is detected. If it is safe, the process proceeds to step S48, and the GPS data and time data at the time of acceleration change detection are extracted from the buffer memory. Furthermore, in step S50, the traveling direction data at the time of acceleration change detection is extracted from the buffer memory, and the process proceeds to step S52.

 In step S52, it is checked whether signal lamp data exists in the buffer memory. The presence of signal light data means that the vehicle 2 was in the vicinity of the intersection in the vicinity of the acceleration change detection time point, so that the process proceeds to step S54, and the signal light data until the acceleration change detection time is extracted. In step S56, the traveling direction signal light data until the acceleration change is detected is determined by referring to the traveling direction data extracted in step S50, and the process proceeds to step S58. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S52 that no signal lamp data exists in the buffer memory, the process directly proceeds to step S58.

 In step S58, the entire speed data history in the buffer memory up to the time of acceleration change detection is taken out. In step S60, the state of the brake operation is analyzed based on these, and the process proceeds to step S62. As described above, the data of 20 seconds before the acceleration detection time can be used as the buffer memory data extracted at the time of step S56 and step S58. On the other hand, for image and sound data, as long as the functions of the camera 26 and the microphone 28 are safe, the FIFO recording is continued even after the acceleration change is detected. Overwritten with 10 seconds of data and disappears.

 In step S62, it is checked whether or not the functions of the camera 26 and the microphone 28 remain safely after the acceleration change is detected. If either one is safe, the process proceeds to step S64. If either one of the functions of the camera 26 and the microphone 28 is safe, information is continuously sent from at least one of them even after the acceleration change is detected, so that FIFO recording to the buffer memory is continued. Therefore, in step S64, it is checked whether or not the recording and recording for a predetermined time (about 10 seconds) set after the acceleration change is detected, and the end is awaited. When the predetermined time has elapsed and recording and recording are completed, the process proceeds to step S66. On the other hand, when it is detected in step S62 that both the functions of the camera 26 and the microphone 28 are destroyed and the information after the acceleration change detection can no longer be sent, the process immediately proceeds to step S66. In this case, for the image and sound data, the information in the buffer memory is data for 20 seconds before the acceleration change is detected.

 In step S66, the data obtained in steps S42, S48, S56, and S60 are converted into digital watermark data to be embedded. In step S68, all image information and sound information in the buffer memory are extracted, and the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, on the basis of the information obtained in steps S66 and S68, the process of embedding the digital watermark data into the image and sound information is performed according to the setting in step S44. If it is detected in step S46 that the buffer memory is destroyed, the flow is immediately terminated.

 FIG. 4 is a time chart of recording by the buffer memory FIFO recording process in step S12 of FIG. The time axis flows from the left to the right in the figure and reaches the present. From the timepiece 18, time information 72 to be pasted as a time stamp is output to each piece of information stored in the nonvolatile buffer memory of the vehicle control unit 8. Also, image information 74 is output from the camera 26 and sound information 76 is output from the microphone 28 every moment. The non-volatile buffer memory has a storage capacity of 20 seconds, and the image / sound FIFO capacity 78 shown on the basis of the present stores images and sounds from 20 seconds before to the present continuously. Further, the image / sound FIFO capacity 80 shown with 15 seconds before as a reference stores images and sounds from 35 seconds before to 15 seconds before.

 In other words, starting from the image / sound FIFO capacity 80 shown with 15 seconds before as a reference, new image information 74 and sound information 76 sequentially input from 15 seconds before to the present are transferred from 35 seconds before to 20 seconds. The previous image information 74 and sound information 76 are sequentially replaced from the oldest one. As a result, in the image / sound FIFO capacity 78 shown based on the present, the image information 74 and sound information 76 from 35 seconds to 20 seconds before stored at the time of the image / sound FIFO capacity 80 are discarded, The image information 74 and sound information 76 from 15 seconds before to the present are replaced.

 As can be seen from the traveling direction information 82 from the azimuth detecting unit 44, the dry precode in FIG. 4 is a vehicle in which the vehicle facing south has turned west at time t4. This situation can be understood in more detail from the GPS information 84, and the vehicle that has moved southward temporarily stops at about 15 seconds, re-starts, rotates, and then moves westbound. As will be described later, this corresponds to temporarily stopping by a signal and waiting for a right turn, then sending and making a right turn. In FIG. 4, the GPS information 84 is schematically shown for simplicity, but actually, the position information of the vehicle is indicated by numerical values such as latitude, lightness, and altitude. When the above vehicle situation is seen from the speed information 86 from the speedometer 46, the vehicle that has been traveling at a constant speed is temporarily decelerated and reaccelerated, then decelerated and stopped, restarted, and accelerated. In FIG. 4, the speed information 86 is schematically shown for simplicity, but in reality, the information is indicated by numerical values such as speed. The traveling direction information 82, the GPS information 84, and the speed information 86 are continuously input to the nonvolatile buffer memory, and the time information is pasted in the same manner as the image information 74 and the sound information 76, and the latest information is stored in the FIFO. The information is sequentially replaced with information for 20 seconds.

 The image information 74 is subjected to image processing by the vehicle control unit 8 every time and checks whether or not a signal lamp image is extracted from the traveling direction image captured by the camera 26. This check is performed as one of the clues that the light intensity of the signal lamp is extremely strong in the image. In the signal image extraction information 88 of FIG. 4, an image signal image extraction signal D indicating that there is a signal lamp in the traveling direction is obtained. When the signal image is extracted in this manner, the sensitivity for receiving radio waves from the signal lamp in the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 is increased.

 On the other hand, the GPS information 84 has signal lamp position information in the map information, and the vehicle position in the map is also known. Therefore, the signal position within a predetermined range in the traveling direction of the vehicle is extracted from both pieces of information. . In the signal position extraction information 90 of FIG. 4, the signal position extraction signals S1 and S2 are obtained in the corresponding time zones. Thus, even when the signal position is extracted from the GPS information 84, the sensitivity for receiving radio waves from the signal lamp in the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 is increased.

 In FIG. 4, 92, 94, 96 and 98 are signal light information that the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 has received, and which is the signal for the east vehicle, the west vehicle, the south vehicle, and the north vehicle, respectively. Indicates whether it is lit in color. For example, in the signal light information that can be received in the time zone between times t1 and t2, the east-west direction is red and the north-south direction is blue. Since the vehicle is moving southward, the traveling direction is blue, and this signal passes at a constant speed. The presence of this signal is detected in advance by the signal position extraction signal S1 extracted from the GPS information 84, and the reception sensitivity is increased before receiving the signal lamp information. In this region, no signal image is extracted from the image information.

 On the other hand, in the signal light information that can be received in the time zone between the times t3 and t5, the east-west direction is red and the north-south direction is blue at the time point t3. However, since the vehicle turns right at the intersection with this signal, the vehicle decelerates and stops, and the northbound signal 98 changes from yellow to red by the time difference signal control, so that the flow of the oncoming lane stops and the southbound Turn right when the traffic light is blue. The presence of the signal lamp is detected in advance by the signal position extraction signal S2 extracted from the GPS information 84, and the presence of the signal lamp is also detected in advance by the signal image extraction signal D extracted from the image information 88. In this case, since the signal image extraction signal D is earlier, the reception sensitivity is increased before receiving the signal lamp information.

 The right turn signal in the turn signal operation information 100 and the brake signals B1 and B2 in the brake operation information 102 indicate operation histories performed when the vehicle is turned to the right. As can be seen from the history of FIG. 4, the vehicle has normally passed the intersection in the time period from t1 to t2, and has made a right turn in the time period from t3 to t5. In addition, since the signal light information is received all from the east, west, north, south, and north, it is not known from this alone whether the traffic is normal or not, but it can be determined by the combination with the traveling direction information 82.

 The above signal image extraction information 88, signal position extraction information 90, signal light information 92, 94, 96 and 98, turn signal operation information 100, and brake investigation information 102 are information that exists only when a certain situation occurs, and are continuous. It does not occur every moment. Therefore, these pieces of information are recorded in the nonvolatile buffer memory generated in the FIFO as the oldest unit is erased when the same type of information is generated as a unit. The time information is also pasted on these pieces of information. More specifically, for example, the signal light information of one unit from t1 to t2 stored in the non-volatile buffer memory is, for example, new in a unit unit when the signal light information of one unit from t3 to t5 is generated. Will be replaced. This prevents meaningless information from being stored in the storage area for these pieces of information.

 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the buffer memory FIFO recording process in step S12 of FIG. When the flow starts, preparation for attaching time information to each information is made in step S82. In steps S84, S86, S88, and S90, image / sound information, speed information, traveling direction information, and GPS information, which are continuously generated information, are stored in the nonvolatile buffer memory in real time FIFO.

 Next, in step S92, the latest GPS data is analyzed, and it is checked whether the signal lamp position is extracted within a predetermined distance in the traveling direction of the vehicle position. If the GPS signal position is not extracted, the process proceeds to step S96, the latest image information is analyzed, and it is checked whether an image of the signal lamp is extracted in the traveling direction of the vehicle position. When the signal lamp image is extracted, the process proceeds to step S100. If the GPS signal position is detected in step S94, the process directly proceeds to step S100. In step S100, it is checked whether the vehicle short-range communication unit 24 is receiving signal light information. If not, the process proceeds to step S102 to increase the reception sensitivity of the short-range communication unit, and the process proceeds to step S104. If no signal lamp image is extracted in step S98, it means that the signal lamp cannot be preliminarily detected in either step S94 or step S98, and the process proceeds to step S104 without increasing the sensitivity. Further, when the signal light information is being received in step S100, it means that the sensitivity has already been increased or that the signal light information has been received without increasing the sensitivity. Without proceeding to step S104.

 In step S104, it is checked whether signal light information is received. If it is received, signal light information in the traveling direction is selected from the signal light information in various directions based on the latest traveling direction obtained in step S88. . And it progresses to step S108, memorize | stores in the non-volatile buffer memory by FIFO of the unit unit of the signal lamp information of advancing direction, and transfers to step S110. In addition, when signal light information is not obtained by step S104, it transfers to step S110 directly.

 In step S110, it is checked whether or not operation information such as a blinker operation and a brake operation is detected. If there is a detection, the detected operation information is stored in the nonvolatile buffer memory by a unit-unit FIFO, and the flow ends. If no operation information is obtained in step S110, the flow is immediately terminated.

 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the compression recording process in step S24 of FIG. When the flow starts, in step S122, it is checked whether the nonvolatile buffer memory of the vehicle control unit is safe without being destroyed. If it is safe, the process proceeds to step S124, and whether or not the first recording unit 32 is safe without being destroyed is checked. If it is safe, the process proceeds to step S126, and information transfer to the first recording unit 32 is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S128. On the other hand, if the first recording unit 32 is not safe in step S124, the process proceeds to step S130, and a signal notifying that there is an abnormal state is output, and the process proceeds to step S128. At this time, of course, information transfer to the first recording unit is not permitted.

 In step S128, it is checked whether the second recording unit 34 is safe without being destroyed. If it is safe, the process proceeds to step S132, the information transfer to the second recording unit 34 is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S134. On the other hand, if the first recording unit 32 is not safe in step S128, the process proceeds to step S136, and a signal notifying that there is an abnormal state is output, and the process proceeds to step S134. Naturally, information transfer to the second recording unit 34 is not permitted at this time.

 In step S134, it is checked whether the transfer to at least one of the first recording unit 32 and the second recording unit 34 is permitted through the above-described process. If the permission state can be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S136, and the digital watermark processed data is compressed. Next, in step S138, it is checked whether transfer to the first recording unit 32 is permitted. If permitted, the process proceeds to step S140. In step S140, the data compressed in step S136 is recorded in the first recording unit 32 by a data unit FIFO, and the process proceeds to step S142. Note that if the transfer permission to the first recording unit 32 cannot be detected in step S138, the process directly proceeds to step S142.

 In step S42, it is checked whether transfer to the second recording unit 34 is permitted. If permitted, the process proceeds to step S144. In step S144, the data compressed in step S136 is recorded in the second recording unit 34 in a data unit FIFO, and the flow ends. Note that when the transfer permission to the second recording unit 34 cannot be detected in step S142, the flow is immediately terminated. If the nonvolatile buffer memory is destroyed and not safe in step S122, the subsequent functions are meaningless and the flow is immediately terminated. Further, when it is detected in step S134 that neither the first recording unit 32 nor the second recording unit 34 is in the transfer permitted state, the processing immediately after the data compression processing is meaningless, and the flow is immediately terminated.

 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the initial function check process in step S2 of FIG. When the flow starts, the normal vehicle function is checked in step S152. Next, the process proceeds to step S154, and it is checked whether or not the information line connecting the drive recorder related parts is disconnected. If there is no disconnection, various checks of each part related to the drive recorder in step S156 and after are entered. That is, the GPS unit check in step S156, the short-range communication unit check in step S158, the operation unit check in step S160, the speedometer check in step S162, the azimuth detection unit check in step S164, the acceleration detection unit check in step S166, step S168 The information acquisition part such as the camera and microphone check is sequentially checked.

 Further, in step S170, the nonvolatile buffer memory is checked to check whether information from the various information acquisition parts can be correctly stored in the FIFO. Further, in step S172, the vehicle outside display unit 172 is checked to confirm whether or not cooperation with the outside of the vehicle can be achieved. In addition, the electronic watermark processing unit check in step S174, the first storage unit check in step S176, and the second storage unit check in step S178 are performed. Transition.

 In step S180, it is checked whether or not the results of the above checks are all normal. If normal, the process proceeds to step S182 to announce and display normality, and the flow ends. As a result, it can be confirmed that the function is normal on a daily basis, and a situation where the drive recorder does not function in the unlikely event can be prevented. On the other hand, if any abnormality is found in step S180, the process proceeds to step S184, where the corresponding abnormal condition is announced and displayed, and the flow is terminated. If a disconnection is found in step S154, there is no guarantee that the subsequent checks will be performed correctly, so the process immediately proceeds to step S184, where the disconnection is announced and displayed, and the flow ends.

 FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the information communication process in step S16 of FIG. When the flow starts, first, in step S192, the vehicle ID is authenticated between the vehicle 2 and the fueling / feeding station 6 or the ETC 6, confirming that it is OK, and the process proceeds to step S194. In step S194, the version of the digital watermark processing key held in the storage unit 14 is checked. In step S196, it is checked whether a new digital watermark key that needs to be updated is on the refueling / power supply station 6 or ETC 6 side.

 When it is confirmed in step S196 that there is a new digital watermark key to be updated, the process proceeds to step S198, and the new digital watermark processing key is received from the fueling / power supply station 6 or the ETC 6. In step S200, the digital watermark processing key in the storage unit 14 is updated to the received new digital watermark processing key. In step S202, the digital watermark processing key updated report is transmitted to the refueling / power supply station 6 or the ETC 6, and the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed in step S196 that there is a new digital watermark key to be updated, the process proceeds directly to step S204.

 In step 204, it is checked whether the information storage contract for transmitting and storing the drive recorder information of the first recording unit 32 or the second recording unit 34 is concluded with an ETC management center or the like. Then, when it is confirmed in step S204 that such contract information is stored in the storage unit 14, the process proceeds to step S206, and whether there is untransmitted compressed data in the first recording unit 32 or the second recording unit 34. Check it out. If there is corresponding data, the process proceeds to step S208, which is transmitted to the ETC 6 or the like, and the flow is terminated. If the information storage contract cannot be confirmed in step S204, or if there is no unsent compressed data in step S206, the flow is immediately terminated. Furthermore, also when the vehicle ID cannot be authenticated in step S192, the flow is immediately terminated.

It is a block diagram which shows the Example of the drive recorder system which concerns on this invention. It is a basic flowchart which shows the function of the vehicle control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S22 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a time chart for recording by the FIFO recording process in step S12 of FIG. 2; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S12 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S24 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S2 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S16 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

24 Receiving Unit 44 Acquisition Unit 44 Direction Detection Unit 8 Sorting Unit 8, 32, 34 Recording Unit 26 Camera Unit 30 Abnormality Detection Unit 28 Microphone Unit 20 Location Information Acquisition Unit 8 Control Unit 8 Extraction Unit 26 Acquisition Unit 24 Detection Unit

Claims (20)

  A receiving unit that receives signal light information, an acquiring unit that acquires vehicle traveling direction information, and a signal lamp in the traveling direction of the vehicle from information such as signals received by the receiving unit based on the traveling direction information of the vehicle acquired by the acquiring unit A traveling information recording apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a sorting unit that sorts information; and a recording unit that records signal light information in the running direction of the vehicle sorted by the sorting unit.   It has a camera part which acquires image information outside the vehicle, and the recording part records image information outside the vehicle which the camera part acquires together with signal light information in the running direction of the vehicle which the selection part selected. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 1.   An extraction unit that extracts a signal lamp image from image information outside the vehicle acquired by the camera unit; and a control unit that causes the extraction of the signal lamp image by the extraction unit to participate in the recording of the signal lamp information by the recording unit. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 2.   An abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormal state of the vehicle, wherein the recording unit records signal lamp information in a traveling direction of the vehicle in a time zone including a time point when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality. Item 4. The vehicle travel information recording device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   5. The vehicle travel information according to claim 2, further comprising: a microphone unit that acquires sound information outside the vehicle, wherein the sound information from the microphone unit is recorded together with the image information. Recording device.   A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a vehicle on a map; and a control unit that causes information on a signal light installation position on the map included in the position information acquisition unit to participate in recording of signal light information by the recording unit. The vehicle travel information recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A reception unit that receives signal light information, a recording unit that records signal light information received by the reception unit, a position information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle position information on a map, and a map that the position information acquisition unit has A travel information recording apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit that causes information on a signal light installation position to participate in recording of signal light information by the recording unit.   8. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein information of a signal lamp installation position within a predetermined distance from vehicle position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit is involved in recording of signal lamp information by the recording unit. Vehicle travel information recording device.   9. The vehicle travel information recording according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls reception of the signal light information by the reception unit based on information on a signal light installation position on a map included in the position information acquisition unit. apparatus.   10. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls a reception state of the signal light information by the reception unit based on information on a signal light installation position on a map included in the position information acquisition unit. .   11. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls reception sensitivity of signal light information by the reception unit based on information on a signal light installation position on a map included in the position information acquisition unit. .   12. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a camera unit that acquires image information outside the vehicle, wherein the recording unit records image information outside the vehicle acquired by the camera unit together with the signal light information. The vehicle travel information recording device described.   A receiving unit that receives signal lamp information, a recording unit that records signal lamp information received by the receiving unit, a camera unit that acquires image information outside the vehicle, and a signal lamp image from image information outside the vehicle acquired by the camera unit And a control unit that causes the recording unit to record signal lamp information by extracting the signal lamp image by the extracting unit.   9. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls reception of signal lamp information by the receiving unit based on extraction of a signal lamp image by the extraction unit.   15. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit controls a reception state of signal light information by the receiving unit based on extraction of a signal lamp image by the extracting unit.   16. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control unit controls the reception sensitivity of the signal lamp information by the receiving unit based on the extraction of the signal lamp image by the extracting unit.   202. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 201, wherein the recording unit records image information outside the vehicle acquired by the camera unit together with the signal light information.   An acquisition unit that acquires information continuously generated as the vehicle travels, a detection unit that detects information that is selectively generated under predetermined conditions during vehicle travel, the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the A vehicle travel information recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records information detected by the detection unit in a different manner.   19. The recording unit records information acquired by the acquisition unit continuously in a first-in first-out manner, and records information detected by the detection unit in a first-in first-out manner for each detected unit. Vehicle travel information recording device.   20. The vehicle travel information recording apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the information acquired by the acquisition unit is image information outside the vehicle, and the information detected by the detection unit is signal light information.

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