JP2010181280A - Image storage device for moving object, navigation apparatus, image storage method and program for moving object - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image storage device for moving objects, capable of saving a storage capacity of images taken by an imaging section and storing the images required for a user so as to facilitate identification thereof, and to provide a navigation apparatus, an image storage method for moving objects and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The image storage device for moving objects includes an internal memory 42 storing images from a camera 2 installed in an own vehicle, a current location calculating section 411 calculating a current location of the own vehicle, a switch 3 for input of instructions for starting storage of part of the images to be stored in the internal memory 42 separately from the internal memory 42, and an external memory 5 storing an image at a predetermined time earlier than when the instruction has been input by the switch 3 by associating the image with the location of the own vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moving body image storage device, a navigation apparatus, a moving body image storage method, and a program, for example, in which storage processing of an image captured by an imaging unit installed in a mobile body is improved.

  In recent years, with the generalization of automobiles and the development of information processing technology, in-vehicle electronic devices are rapidly spreading. For example, the navigation device displays a map including the current position of the vehicle on the screen of the display device by a navigation ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which is a computer for navigation control, and from the current position based on the route data. An optimum guidance route to a specified destination is calculated, and guidance is provided by specific display or voice synthesis.

  There is also an image storage device that is equipped with a camera that captures images outside or inside the vehicle and that stores images captured by the camera. This image storage device stores an image of the vehicle traveling in a storage medium such as a memory, and uses the stored image for proof of the situation when an accident occurs. In addition, by utilizing such an image storage device, it is possible to review later on the navigation device or the display of a computer at home, the scenery and events that were missed during driving, the state in the car, and the like.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique in which a wide-angle lens or a fish-eye lens is used to capture an image of a wide range outside the vehicle, store the image in a memory for a predetermined continuous storage time, and overwrite and store when exceeding that time. Has been.

JP 2006-313139 A

  By the way, the images required at the time of an accident are only a short time before and after the accident. For this reason, it is wasteful to use a storage medium such as a memory to continue storing for a long time only for an accident. On the other hand, in order to review the scenery that was missed during the drive later, it is more likely that the corresponding image remains if the memory has been stored for a long time.

  However, even if a desired image is stored, it is necessary for the user to perform operations such as playback, fast forward, and rewind in order to check which image was stored in the long-time stored image. , Takes time and effort. Furthermore, if the user does not remember the landscape itself, it may not be possible to specify which image. Furthermore, even if the image can be specified, it is also unclear which position the host vehicle has traveled.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to save the storage capacity of the image captured by the imaging unit and to easily identify the image necessary for the user. Thus, it is possible to provide a moving body image storage device, a navigation device, a moving body image storage method, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 calculates the current position of the moving body in the moving body image storage device having the image storage section that stores the image from the imaging section installed in the moving body. Based on the current position, a position storage unit that stores the position of the moving body, and a part of an image stored in the image storage unit is started to be stored separately from the image storage unit based on the current position A start instruction input unit that inputs an instruction for the input, and a specific image storage unit that stores an image before the time when the input by the start instruction input unit is input and the position of the moving body in association with each other. And

  The moving body image storage method according to an eighth aspect captures the invention according to the first aspect from the viewpoint of the method, and the moving body image storage program according to the ninth aspect includes the computer program according to the first and eighth aspects of the invention. It is taken from the viewpoint of.

  In the first, eighth, and ninth inventions described above, when the user who is moving by the moving body thinks that he / she missed a certain scenery, the start instruction input unit is used to input an instruction. Then, the previous image is stored in the specific image storage unit different from the image storage unit together with the position information of the moving body. For this reason, since only the images necessary for the user can be distinguished and saved, the storage capacity can be saved and the desired image can be easily identified and confirmed.

  Further, since the position of the moving body is also stored in the specific image storage unit in association with the image, the location corresponding to the image can be easily specified. Furthermore, since an image at the time of an accident or the like is stored in the image storage unit, it can be used for proof of the situation. Images required by the user are separately stored in the specific image storage unit, so that the capacity of the image storage unit for an accident can be small.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the moving body image storage device according to the first aspect, the apparatus has a time length setting unit for setting a time length of an image stored in the specific image storage unit.
In the invention of claim 2 as described above, the user can set a desired time length so that the necessary capacity does not become excessively large while ensuring a sufficient length for looking back on the missed scenery and the like. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the moving body image storage device according to the second aspect, a plurality of the time lengths are set, and the start instruction input unit is provided so that a plurality of the time lengths can be selected. Features.
In the invention of claim 3 as described above, when the user notices that he / she has missed the scenery or the like, he / she can select one of a plurality of preset time lengths and input a start instruction. Accordingly, a desired image can be reliably stored.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the moving body image storage device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a stop instruction input unit that inputs an instruction for stopping the image storage in the specific image storage unit is provided. It is characterized by having.
In the invention of claim 4 as described above, when the scenery or the like that the user wants to see continues for a long distance, the user inputs a stop instruction at the time when the scenery or the like is finished. The image can be saved reliably.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the moving body image storage device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the specific image storage unit stores the date and time when the image capturing unit captured the image in association with the image. It is characterized by being set to.
In the invention of claim 5 as described above, since the image is stored together with the date and time when the imaging unit took an image, it becomes easier to specify and confirm the image.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the moving body image storage device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the speed calculation unit that calculates the speed of the moving body and the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit are A speed determination unit that determines whether or not the speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, and a stop instruction unit that stops storing the image by the image storage unit when the speed determination unit determines that the speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed. It is characterized by having.
In the invention of claim 6 as described above, storage of images in the image storage unit is stopped when there is no need for continuous imaging due to a decrease in the speed of the moving body such as when the vehicle is stopped or in a traffic jam. This saves storage capacity.

Invention of Claim 7 is a navigation apparatus which displays the path | route which a mobile body moves based on the road map data prepared beforehand using a computer or an electronic circuit, In any one of Claims 1-6 A moving object image storage device is provided.
In the invention of claim 7 as described above, the image stored together with the position can be used as an interface in the navigation device, or the position associated with the image can be used for location registration or search.

  According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the image captured by the imaging unit and to store the image necessary for the user so that the user can easily specify the image, the navigation device A moving body image storage method and program can be provided.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory which memorize | stores the image in embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of an input screen of the recording start in embodiment of this invention, and recording stop. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a selection screen of the memory | storage time in embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example icon display of the specific image in embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a search of the surrounding facility corresponding to the specific image in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although this embodiment is realizable by controlling the computer provided with the peripheral device by the program, the implementation | achievement aspect of the hardware and program in this case can be variously changed. Therefore, in the following description, virtual circuit blocks that implement the functions of the present invention and this embodiment are used. In addition to the image storage apparatus and method, the present invention can be grasped as a program as described above and a computer-readable storage medium storing such a program.

[1. Constitution〕
[1-1. overall structure〕
First, the image storage device in the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “the present device”) generally stores an image captured by a camera in an internal memory, and at the same time, a specific image immediately before a point designated by a user is By separately storing in an external memory, an image that can be used at the time of an accident is secured while suppressing storage capacity, and a specific image such as a landscape that the user missed can be easily specified. The following elements shown in the block diagram are provided.

  That is, the GPS tuner 1 is a means for receiving a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite via an antenna for the current position of the automobile (referred to as the own vehicle) on which the apparatus is mounted, that is, the own vehicle position. The camera 2 is an imaging unit installed on the vehicle body of the host vehicle so that the outside of the vehicle can be imaged. The switch is an input unit for inputting a start instruction and a stop instruction to the control unit 4. This switch may be provided on the casing of the present apparatus, may be remotely arranged via a cord, or may be incorporated in a remote control.

  The control unit 4 is a CPU that controls the entire apparatus and its peripheral circuits, and details thereof will be described later. The external memory 5 is a specific image storage unit that stores an image created when a user designates it. For example, a flash memory can be used as the external memory 5.

  The navigation device 6 calculates a route from the departure point to the destination, and displays a map around the vehicle position, the vehicle position on the map, a travel route, and the like based on the vehicle position and road map data. It is a means for guiding and guiding to the destination while displaying it. About this navigation apparatus 6, since all the well-known techniques are applicable, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The display unit 7 is a means for displaying various information such as a map, an operation menu, and a stored image on the screen. The input unit 8 is a means for inputting various information to the navigation device 6 and the image storage device 4. The input unit 8 can be configured by a switch or touch sensor provided on the front panel of the navigation device 6, a remote control unit that can be remotely operated, and the like. It is also possible to configure the input unit 8 integrally with the display unit 7 as a touch panel. The input unit 8 can have the same function as the switch 3 for inputting a start instruction, a stop instruction, and the like to the control unit 4. The acceleration sensor 9 is means for detecting acceleration by processing vehicle speed pulses obtained from the automobile.

[1-2. Configuration of control unit]
The control unit 4 includes a locator 41, an internal memory 42, a specific image creation unit 43, a determination unit 44, an instruction unit 45, and the like. The locator 41 has a current position calculation unit 411 and a vehicle speed calculation unit 412. The current position calculation unit 411 is means for calculating the current position of the own vehicle (own vehicle position) by GPS positioning based on the signal received by the GPS tuner 1.

  The current position calculation unit 411 corrects the calculated current position based on detection data from the acceleration sensor 9 and the gyroscope (not shown) of the navigation device 6 and further performs map matching with road map data. Thus, it is possible to estimate the vehicle position more accurately. Further, the current position can also be obtained from the navigation device 6.

  The vehicle speed calculation unit 412 is a means for calculating the speed of the host vehicle based on detection data from the acceleration sensor 9. The vehicle speed can also be obtained from the navigation device 6. That is, the function of the locator 41 may be substituted by using the locator in the navigation device 6.

  The internal memory 42 is an image storage unit that stores an image captured by the camera 2. It is conceivable that the internal memory 42 is constituted by an SRAM or the like that is backed up by a battery even when the main power is turned off and provides the memory contents when the main power is turned on.

  The time length of the image to be stored is preset in the internal memory 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, there are a memory that always stores an image for the past 30 seconds (-30S) and a memory that stores an image for 14 minutes 30 seconds (+ 14M30S) from the moment the start instruction is input. If it is set, an image of 5 minutes (5M) in total including the past can be stored. When no start instruction is input, the past memory is overwritten with new data in order from the old data after 30 seconds. However, as will be described later, this setting is free. For example, the total capacity may be 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or the past capacity may be 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, but is not limited thereto.

  In addition, the internal memory 42 displays the vehicle position information obtained from the locator 41 as an image every preset time (for example, 5 seconds) after the device is first activated (or after storage is started). It has a function of storing in association (location stamp function), a function of storing the date and time obtained from a built-in timer at that time in association with an image (time stamp function), and the like. For this reason, the internal memory 42 also corresponds to the position storage unit in the claims.

  Further, the internal memory 42 has a function of storing various settings necessary for the apparatus. As the setting, for example, the following can be considered, but it is not limited to this. Specific values are not limited to those exemplified in this embodiment. These may be set by default, or the user may be able to input and change desired values via the input unit 8 or the like.

・ Time length or storage capacity of the image stored in the internal memory 42 ・ Start the device, start the storage or start running, then the time interval to store the vehicle position in the internal memory 42 ・ Start the device and start storing Alternatively, the time interval for storing the date and time in the internal memory 42 after the start of traveling

A predetermined retroactive time of how long to start creating or storing a specific image after the user's start instruction input, or the storage capacity of the image corresponding to that time, creating a specific image, or Predetermined length of time or how long to continue creating or storing after starting storage or storage capacity corresponding to that time (time length setting section)
・ Predetermined speed to start or stop the creation or storage of specific images

  In addition, as a memory | storage part in this apparatus, such as the external memory 5 and the internal memory 42, all the storage media which can be used now or in the future can be used, and it is not limited to what was illustrated above. For this reason, the memory, the hard disk, and the like of the navigation device 6 can also be used as the storage unit of the present device.

  In addition, an independent storage medium is used for each information storage area, such as an area for storing an image from the camera 2 in the internal memory 42, an area for storing various settings, and an area for storing a specific image in the external memory 5. It is also possible to do. As described above, the time length and the retroactive time for storing the image from the camera 2 may be determined by the storage capacity set as the storage area, or the storage capacity of the storage medium itself used. It may be determined by.

  The specific image creation unit 43 is based on images stored in the internal memory 42 based on images before a predetermined retroactive time and after a predetermined length of time from when a user's start instruction is input. Is a means of creating. The created moving image is stored in the external memory 5. At this time, information regarding the date and time when the image was captured and the position are also stored in association with the moving image.

  The determination unit 44 includes a time length determination unit that determines whether or not a time length previously set in the internal memory 42 has elapsed since the user's start instruction is input, and a vehicle speed calculation unit 412 that calculates the time length. The vehicle has a function as a speed determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a speed set in the internal memory 42 in advance.

  The instruction unit 45 responds to a start instruction input or stop instruction input from the switch 3 or the input unit 8 by the user, or according to a determination result in the determination unit 44, the internal memory 42, the specific image creation unit 43, and the external memory 5. Is a means for instructing the start or stop of processing.

[2. Action)
An example of processing according to the present embodiment as described above will be described. As an outline, normal navigation display is performed on the display unit 7 while the vehicle is traveling, and imaging by the camera 2 is performed. The captured image is stored in the internal memory 42, and a desired image traced back from the user's instruction input is stored in the external memory 5.

  Details of the processing will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The location stamp function and the time stamp function described above are omitted from the flowchart, assuming that they are always operating after the apparatus is started, after the start of image recording, or after the start of traveling of the vehicle.

  That is, when the determination unit 44 determines that the vehicle starts running after the power of the apparatus is turned on and the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit 412 exceeds a preset speed. (Step 201), the internal memory 42 starts storing an image captured by the camera 2 (Step 202).

  During such traveling, the user feels that he has missed a certain landscape, and operates the switch 3 to input a start instruction (step 203). Then, since the instruction unit 45 outputs a start instruction, the specific image creation unit 43 has a predetermined time length from the image stored in the internal memory 42 before a predetermined retroactive time from when the start instruction is input. Creation of a moving image is started based on the images up to the elapse of time (step 204). The created moving image is stored in the external memory 5 in association with the date and position information (step 205). In the example of FIG. 3, a moving image is created and stored by combining an image for 30 seconds past and an image after 14 minutes 30 seconds.

  When the user operates the switch 3 and inputs a stop instruction (step 206), the instruction unit 45 outputs a stop instruction, so that the specific image creation unit 43 creates the moving image, and the external memory 5 The storage of the moving image is stopped (step 208).

  In addition, even when the determination unit 44 determines that a preset time length has elapsed since the start instruction is given (or after the creation and storage of the moving image is started) (step 207), In response to the stop instruction from the unit 45, the image creation by the specific image creating unit 43 and the storage in the external memory 5 are stopped (step 208).

  In addition, when it is determined by the determination unit 44 that the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit 412 is equal to or lower than a preset speed, such as when the vehicle is stopped or in a traffic jam (step 209), Assuming that there is no need to capture the same image, the image is not stored in the internal memory 42 (step 21). The above processing is continued until the power of the apparatus is turned off (step 211).

  In the event of an accident or the like, the power of the vehicle is turned off by turning off the engine of the host vehicle, and the storage of the image in the internal memory 42 is stopped. Therefore, the image at the time of the accident is retained in the internal memory 42. At this time, an image at the time of the accident may be stored in the external memory 5 automatically or by operating the switch 3 or the input unit 8. Even if the power is turned on, it may be set so that the storage of the image in the internal memory 42 is stopped according to the operation of the switch 3 or the input unit 8 by the user. It may be set to be stored in the external memory 5.

[3. effect〕
According to the present embodiment as described above, when the user inputs a start instruction by using the switch 3 when he / she thinks that he / she misses a certain landscape during driving, a moving image is based on the past images that have been traced back to that point. Is created and stored in the external memory 5 as a specific image together with information on date and position. For this reason, only a user's desired image can be distinguished and preserve | saved and a storage capacity can be saved. In particular, since information on the position and date / time of the vehicle is stored together with the specific image, the location corresponding to the image can be easily specified.

  Furthermore, since an image at the time of an accident or the like is stored in the internal memory 42, it can be used as evidence. Since the specific image required by the user can be stored in the external memory 5 separately, it is not necessary to continue recording for a long time, and the capacity of the internal memory 42 can be small.

  In addition, the user can set a desired time length so that the necessary capacity does not become excessively large while ensuring a sufficient length to look back on a missed landscape or the like. Furthermore, when there is no need for continuous imaging, such as immediately after the start of traveling, when the vehicle is stopped, or when there is traffic, the image storage is stopped, so that the storage capacity can be saved.

[4. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment. The input unit is not limited to a switch. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, buttons corresponding to start and stop are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 7 so that the user can select one of them. Good. A voice recognition unit may be provided so that the same operation can be performed in response to voice input from a microphone.

  A plurality of time lengths for creating and recording a specific image after the start instruction is input can be set in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a button corresponding to the set time is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 7 and the user selects one according to the situation, a start instruction and its setting are displayed. It is conceivable to perform recording by time. Similarly, a plurality of retroactive times can be set.

  As for the time length stored in the specific image storage unit, the specific time is not set in advance or a relatively long time is set, and the input unit is operated at the timing determined by the user to stop the storage. It is also possible. As a result, even when the landscape that the user wants to see continues for a long distance, it can be recorded without interruption.

  Further, the image stored in the specific image storage unit is not limited to simply calling and displaying. For example, by registering a point corresponding to a specific image in a point registration unit (memory, hard disk, etc.) in the navigation device, the point is searched by the search unit of the navigation device, a destination is set by the destination setting unit, and is displayed. It can also be used for processing such as map display and image display by the unit.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the specific image can be used as a small image (icon or the like) that serves as a guide when selecting the point. When the registered point is selected by the input unit, a corresponding image may be displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, the facility information on the periphery is searched based on the position information. May be listed. The search may be performed from the database (memory, hard disk) of the navigation device, or the facility information around the site may be searched from a site that provides various information by connecting to the Internet.

  The images stored in the image storage unit and the specific image storage unit may be still images or moving images. For example, both the image storage unit and the specific image storage unit may be set to store a moving image, or both the image storage unit and the specific image storage unit may be set to store a still image.

  The specific image creation unit may create a moving image based on the still images (frame images at predetermined time intervals) stored in the image storage unit, and store them in the specific image storage unit. The specific image creation unit may create a still image based on the moving image stored in the image storage unit and store the still image in the specific image storage unit.

  The image captured by the imaging unit may be outside the vehicle, inside the vehicle, or both. The imaging unit of the present invention may also be used as a camera for driving assistance during parking or the like. The function of stopping image storage by the image storage unit when the speed is lower than a predetermined speed may be configured to be cancelled. Thereby, the image at the time of an accident is memorize | stored also in the case of an accident collided with another vehicle at the time of speed reduction or a stop. In addition, each function of the image storage device can be combined with the function of the navigation device. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to in-vehicle use, and can be applied to other mobile objects.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... GPS tuner 2 ... Camera 3 ... Switch 4 ... Control part 5 ... External memory 6 ... Navigation apparatus 7 ... Display part 8 ... Input part 41 ... Locator 42 ... Internal memory 43 ... Specific image creation part 44 ... Determination part 45 ... Instruction Unit 411 ... current position calculation unit 412 ... vehicle speed calculation unit

Claims (9)

In an image storage device for a moving body having an image storage unit for storing an image from an imaging unit installed in the moving body,
A current position calculation unit for calculating the current position of the moving object;
A position storage unit that stores the position of the moving body based on the current position;
A start instruction input unit that inputs an instruction to start storing a part of the image stored in the image storage unit separately from the image storage unit;
A specific image storage unit that associates and stores an image and a position of the moving body before the time when there is an input by the start instruction input unit;
A moving body image storage device comprising:   The mobile image storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a time length setting unit that sets a time length of an image stored in the specific image storage unit. A plurality of the time lengths are set,
3. The moving body image storage device according to claim 2, wherein the start instruction input unit is provided so that a plurality of the time lengths can be selected.   The mobile image storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stop instruction input unit that inputs an instruction to stop storing an image in the specific image storage unit.   5. The mobile object according to claim 1, wherein the specific image storage unit is set to store the date and time when the imaging unit captures an image in association with the image. 6. Image storage device. A speed calculator for calculating the speed of the moving object;
A speed determination unit that determines whether the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed;
A stop instruction unit for stopping image storage by the image storage unit when it is determined by the speed determination unit to be a predetermined speed or less;
6. The moving body image storage device according to claim 1, comprising: In a navigation device that displays a route traveled by a moving body based on road map data prepared in advance using a computer or an electronic circuit,
A navigation device comprising the moving body image storage device according to claim 1. In the moving body image storage method in which the image storage section stores an image from the imaging section installed in the moving body.
The current position calculation unit calculates the current position of the moving object,
A position storage unit stores the position of the moving body based on the current position,
A start instruction input unit inputs an instruction to start storing a part of the image stored in the image storage unit separately from the image storage unit,
An image storage method for a moving body, wherein the specific image storage unit stores an image before the time when there is an input from the start instruction input unit and the position of the moving body in association with each other. In a moving body image storage program for executing processing for storing an image from an imaging unit installed in a moving body using a computer,
In the computer,
Processing to calculate the current position of the moving object;
Processing for storing the position of the moving body based on the current position;
A process of inputting a start instruction for starting storage separately for a part of the stored image;
A process of associating and storing an image before the time when the start instruction is input and the position of the moving object;
A moving body image storage program characterized by executing the above.

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