JP2012070217A - Data processing device, data processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a drive recorder device that allows an external recording device to record image data at an optimum frame rate.SOLUTION: When acceleration of a certain value or more is detected by an impact detection device 400, a recording control unit 102 outputs image data in a temporary storage unit 101 to an external recording device 300 at a predetermined frame rate. When power supply from a main power source device is stopped, an operation time determination unit 105 calculates an operation time in which power can be supplied from an auxiliary power source device 600, a remaining recording time determination unit 107 determines a time in which the image data is not output to the external recording device 300 as a remaining recording time, a recording method determination unit 108 calculates the maximum frame rate among frame rates at which the image data for the remaining recording time can be output within the operation time, and the recording control unit 102 outputs the image data to the external recording device 300 at the frame rate calculated by the recording method determination unit 108.

Description

The present invention relates to a data processing technique for image data photographed by a photographing apparatus.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a data processing technique for image data in a drive recorder device installed in a vehicle such as an automobile.

Drive recorder device detects camera (CCD: Charge Coupled Device, etc.) that captures video, memory (RAM: Random Access Memory), which temporarily stores video as image data, and detects impacts such as accidents, sudden brakes, and sudden handles Acceleration sensor (hereinafter described as an acceleration sensor that detects triaxial directions), non-volatile memory (such as a memory card (registered trademark)) that records data for a predetermined time before and after the impact, and power supply from the main power supply It is composed of an auxiliary power source (such as an electric double layer capacitor) that is used by switching it when it is stopped (hereinafter described as a power cut).
In the drive recorder device, the video from the camera is always written in the memory, and the latest short time (for example, 30 seconds) video is stored as image data in the memory.
In addition, using the impact detected by the acceleration sensor as a trigger, image data of a specified section (for example, 12 seconds before the time when the trigger is detected and 8 seconds after the time for a total of 20 seconds) is recorded in the nonvolatile memory. .
When the power interruption occurs, the recording is continued by switching to the power supply from the auxiliary power source.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional process in the case where a power interruption occurs.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-268531, after the power interruption occurs, image data to be recorded from the memory to the nonvolatile memory is changed to a preset fixed frame rate and recorded, and the file closing process is performed after the recording is completed.

JP 2009-89018 A

As an example of recording the image data for the longest time with the auxiliary power supply in the operation of the prior art, an operation in which the power interruption occurs simultaneously with the trigger detection will be described with reference to FIG.
At time ttri, a trigger is detected and the recording process is started.
At this time, the past time from the trigger detection time (12 seconds as an example below) is set to the start time of the specified section, and the time preset from the trigger detection time (8 seconds below). It is the end time of the specified section, which is the later time.
That is, image data for 20 seconds from a time 12 seconds before the trigger detection time to a time 8 seconds after the trigger detection time is recorded in the nonvolatile memory.
The power is cut off simultaneously with the trigger detection, and the image data to be recorded in the nonvolatile memory is changed to a preset low frame rate (for example, 5 fps).
In order to record image data taken at the end time of the specified section, the drive recorder needs to operate until the end time of the specified section. Therefore, the operation time by the auxiliary power supply is specified at least from the time when the trigger is detected. It is designed to be the time until the end time of the section (8 seconds after the trigger detection time).
Then, the image data up to the end time of the specified section at time tend is recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and the recording process is terminated.
At the same time, the voltage of the auxiliary power supply decreases and the drive recorder device stops.
At this time, the image data of the entire specified section is recorded at a low frame rate in the nonvolatile memory.

In the prior art, an example of an operation in which the amount of electricity remains in the auxiliary power source because the power interruption occurred during the recording process will be described with reference to FIG.
Trigger detection is performed at time ttri, recording processing is started, and image data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory at a high frame rate (for example, 30 fps).
A power failure occurs at time tpower, and the frame rate is changed to a low frame rate (for example, 5 fps).
When the capacity of the auxiliary power source is designed so that image data in a specified section (for example, 20 seconds) can be recorded after the power is turned off, the drive recorder device can be used until the time tstop even after the recording process is finished at the time tend. A sufficient amount of electricity remains to operate.
At this time, image data is recorded in the non-volatile memory at a high frame rate in the first half of the specified section and at a low frame rate in the second half.
In the prior art, since the frame rate is changed to a fixed low frame rate, the remaining recording time is shortened at the power-off timing, so that the amount of electricity of the auxiliary power source remains.

In addition, an example of an operation in which the operation time becomes longer due to a high temperature will be described with reference to FIG.
A trigger is detected at time ttri, recording processing is started, and image data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory at a high frame rate (for example, 30 fps).
At the same time, the power is cut off, and the frame rate is changed to a fixed low frame rate (for example, 5 fps).
Recording of all the image data in the specified section at time tend is completed in the nonvolatile memory at a low frame rate.
Since the operation time of the auxiliary power source becomes longer than usual when the temperature is high, the operation time of the auxiliary power source remains when the recording process is finished, and the drive recorder device stops at a time tstop after tend.
At this time, the image data of the entire specified section is recorded at a low frame rate in the nonvolatile memory.

When the writing speed to the nonvolatile memory is lower than the design value, the time for recording in the nonvolatile memory becomes longer than the design value.
If the power interruption occurs immediately after the trigger is detected, the voltage of the auxiliary power source is lowered before the image data in the specified section is recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and the file closing process is started.
As a result, image data having a shorter time than the prescribed interval remains in the nonvolatile memory.

In order to prevent missed recording, it is necessary to record image data of a specified section in the nonvolatile memory at a frame rate as high as possible.
However, according to the conventional technology, the remaining recording time is shortened due to the timing of power-off, and recording is performed at a fixed low frame rate even when the amount of electricity of the auxiliary power supply is excessive, so there is a possibility that recording may be missed. is there.
Even if the temperature rises and the operation possible time by the auxiliary power source becomes long, the recording is performed at a fixed low frame rate, so there is a possibility that the recording may be missed.
When an external storage device having a low writing speed is used, the time for recording in the nonvolatile memory becomes longer than the design value.
For this reason, at a fixed low frame rate, the writing process in the specified section may not be completed, and only image data shorter than the specified section may be recorded.

  The main object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems. Based on the operation time of the auxiliary power supply and the remaining recording time, the optimum data output amount when outputting image data to the recording device is obtained. A main object is to realize a data processing apparatus that determines and outputs image data to a recording apparatus with the determined data output amount.

The data processing apparatus according to the present invention
An imaging device that performs imaging at a predetermined frame rate, an image data recording device that records image data captured by the imaging device, and power supply for a predetermined time when main power supply from the main power supply is stopped A data processing device connected to an auxiliary power supply for
A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the image data captured by the imaging device together with the imaging time;
When a trigger event occurs, the time range of the shooting time included in the target time range window is specified as the target time range, and the image of the temporary storage unit is output at a predetermined data output amount for each shooting time within the target time range. An image data output unit for outputting data to the image data recording device;
A power supply time calculation unit for calculating an auxiliary power supply time for maintaining the auxiliary power supply from the auxiliary power supply when the trigger event occurs and the main power supply is stopped;
When the trigger event occurs and main power supply is stopped, the time width of the photographing time when image data is not output to the image data recording device at the time when main power supply is stopped in the target time range is set. A remaining recording time calculation unit for calculating the remaining recording time;
According to the auxiliary power supply time calculated by the power supply time calculation unit, the remaining recording time calculated by the remaining recording time calculation unit, and the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording apparatus And a data output management unit for designating a data output amount for each photographing time after the main power supply is stopped,
The image data output unit includes:
When the main power supply is stopped, non-output non-output image data is output to the image data recording device at each photographing time in a data output amount designated by the data output management unit.

  According to the present invention, since the data output amount is determined based on the auxiliary power supply time and the remaining recording time, the event is missed because the data is output with a data output amount that is too small with respect to the auxiliary power supply time. It is possible to reduce the possibility, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the recording of the image data is ended halfway because the data is output with an excessive data output amount with respect to the auxiliary power supply time.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive recorder device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive recorder device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive recorder device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a drive recorder device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example according to the fourth embodiment. The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the drive recorder apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1-4. The figure which shows background art. The figure which shows background art. The figure which shows background art.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
In the first to fourth embodiments, a drive recorder apparatus that is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile and switches to an auxiliary power source and continues recording processing when a stop of power supply from a main power source is detected will be described.
More specifically, a drive recorder that variably sets the frame rate (or resolution) to be recorded after the power is turned off according to the operation time of the auxiliary power supply or the remaining recording time, and records at the highest possible frame rate (or resolution). The apparatus will be described.

  In the first embodiment, an example of a drive recorder apparatus that has an auxiliary power supply device and changes the frame rate according to the operation time and the remaining recording time of image data when a power interruption is detected will be described.

In the description of the embodiments described below, what is described as “to part” may be “to circuit” and “to device”, and “to step”, “to procedure”, and “to processing”. It may be.
That is, what is described as “to part” may be realized by software. Alternatively, it may be implemented only by software, only by hardware such as elements, devices, substrates, wiring, etc., by a combination of software and hardware, or by a combination of software.
In addition, what will be described as an imaging device 200, an impact detection device 400, and an external recording device 300, which will be described later, are hardware (components) attached on the substrate of the drive recorder, or hardware that communicates data via a cable or the like. Suppose that it is a wear (part).

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a drive recorder apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
As described above, when the power supply from the main power supply is stopped, the drive recorder device 10 according to the present embodiment switches to the power supply from the auxiliary power supply device 600 and responds to the operation time and the remaining recording time. The frame rate is determined, and the recording process is performed at the determined frame rate.
The drive recorder device 10 includes a drive recorder main body 100, an imaging device 200, an external recording device 300, an impact detection device 400, and an auxiliary power supply device 600.
Although not shown, the drive recorder device 10 is connected to the main power supply device and normally receives power supply from the main power supply device.
The drive recorder main body 100 is an example of a data processing device.

The imaging device 200 performs imaging at a predetermined frame rate.
The external recording device 300 inputs the image data photographed by the photographing device 200 from the drive recorder main body 100 and records it.
The external recording device 300 is an example of an image data recording device.
The impact detection device 400 is an acceleration sensor, for example, and detects an acceleration acting on the drive recorder device 10.
The auxiliary power supply device 600 detects the amount of electricity when the power is turned on, and supplies power to the drive recorder main body 100 and devices connected to the drive recorder main body 100 when the power supply from the main power supply device is stopped.
In detecting the amount of electricity, an apparatus disclosed in JP 2009-31219 A may be used.
As described above, since the auxiliary power supply device 600 is an electric double layer capacitor or the like, the power supply time is limited.

  In the drive recorder main body 100, the temporary storage unit 101 is a buffer that temporarily stores the image data received from the photographing apparatus 200 together with the photographing time when the image was photographed.

The recording control unit 102 generates a trigger event that serves as a trigger for outputting the image data in the temporary storage unit 101 to the external recording device 300 when acceleration equal to or greater than a certain value is detected by the impact detection device 400.
Then, when the trigger event occurs, the recording control unit 102 reads the image data of the specified section from the temporary storage unit 101, outputs the image data to the external recording device 300, and causes the external recording device 300 to record the image data.
That is, when the trigger event occurs, the recording control unit 102 sets the time range of the photographing time corresponding to a predetermined target time range window (for example, a range from 12 seconds before the trigger event occurs to 8 seconds after the trigger event occurs). Specify the target time range.
For example, when the trigger event occurs at 10:00:12, the target time range is specified from 10: 00: 1 to 10: 0: 20.
Further, the recording control unit 102 outputs the image data in the temporary storage unit 101 to the external recording device 300 at a predetermined frame rate for each shooting time within the target time range.
In addition, when the recording control unit 102 receives a power-off detection signal from the power-off detection unit 104, the recording control unit 102 outputs image data to the external recording device 300 according to the frame rate determined by the recording method determination unit 108.
That is, after the trigger event occurs, the recording control unit 102 outputs image data at a predetermined frame rate until the power supply from the main power supply stops and after the power supply from the main power supply stops. Outputs image data at the frame rate determined by the recording method determination unit 108.
The recording control unit 102 is an example of an image data output unit.

  The power-off detection unit 104 is a means for detecting that a power-off has occurred when an input signal from the main power supply device has been stopped for a certain period of time.

The operation time determination unit 105 holds a table in which the amount of electricity, temperature, and operation time are associated, and the amount of electricity received from the auxiliary power supply device 600 through the signal line 506 and the temperature received from the temperature measurement unit 106 through the signal line 509. Is a means for calculating the operation time of the drive recorder device 10 by the auxiliary power supply device 600, that is, the time during which the power supply from the auxiliary power supply device 600 is maintained (auxiliary power supply time).
The operation time determination unit 105 is an example of a power supply time calculation unit.

The temperature measurement unit 106 is a means for measuring the temperature in the drive recorder device 10 as a factor affecting the power supply performance of the auxiliary power supply device 600.
The temperature measurement unit 106 is an example of a monitoring unit.

The remaining recording time determination unit 107 compares the time at which the image recorded at the reading position in the temporary storage unit 101 is captured with the end time of the specified section when the power is cut off, and the remaining recording time is recorded in the external recording device 300 This is means for determining the time of the image data.
More specifically, the remaining recording time determination unit 107 is configured so that when a trigger event occurs and power supply from the main power supply device is stopped, the external recording device at the time when power supply from the main power supply device is stopped in the target time range. The time width of the photographing time when no image data is output in 300 is calculated as the remaining recording time.
For example, the specified section (target time range) is from 10:00 to 10:00 to 10:00:20, and the image data from 10:00:10 is mainly output at the stage when the image data is output to the external recording device 300. When the power supply is cut off, 10 seconds from 10:00:11 to 10: 0: 20 is the remaining recording time.
The remaining recording time determination unit 107 is an example of a remaining recording time calculation unit.

The recording method determining unit 108 records the image data based on the operation time of the auxiliary power supply device, the remaining recording time of the image data to be recorded after the power failure occurs, and the number of frames per unit time that the external recording device 300 can record. Means for determining the frame rate.
More specifically, the recording method determination unit 108 maintains the resolution of the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 101 up to the image data at the last shooting time in the target time range within the operation time of the auxiliary power supply device. Specifies the maximum frame rate that can be output.
The recording method determination unit 108 is an example of a data output management unit.

Next, details of the operation will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the drive recorder apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

After the power is turned on, the image capturing apparatus 200 captures image data at a high frame rate (for example, 30 fps), and cyclically stores the image data in the temporary storage unit 101 through the signal line 500 (temporary storage step).
The latest image data is recorded by overwriting the oldest image data, and the writing position is updated to the position of the oldest image data.
The impact detection device 400 detects acceleration and starts periodic transmission to the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 502 as an acceleration value.
The auxiliary power supply 600 detects the amount of electricity charged.
The power-off detection unit 104 starts a power-off detection operation (S101).
When the recording control unit 102 reads the power-off detection unit 104 through the signal line 505 and detects the power-off, the operation of the drive recorder device 10 is stopped as it is (S102).
If no power-off is detected, S103 is performed.
As a method for detecting the power interruption, the power interruption detection unit 104 may rewrite the register of the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 505 and the recording control unit 102 may read the register.
Alternatively, the power interruption detection unit 104 may interrupt the processing performed by the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 505.

The recording control unit 102 reads the acceleration value input from the impact detection device 400 through the signal line 502, and when it is determined to be equal to or greater than a certain value (YES in S103), detects it as a trigger (generates a trigger event), and performs recording processing. To start.
If no trigger is detected, the process returns to S102.
As a recording process, the recording control unit 102 sets a start time and an end time of a specified section (target time range) in the image data stored in the buffer in the temporary storage unit 101 through the signal line 501.
As described above, the target time range window is a window for specifying the time range to be output to the external recording device 300 of the image data. For example, the target time range window is 12 of the trigger detection time (trigger event occurrence time). This is a range from a second before to 8 seconds after the trigger detection time (trigger event occurrence time).
Then, the recording control unit 102 sets the time 12 seconds before the trigger occurrence time as the start time of the target time range with reference to the actual trigger occurrence time, and sets the time 8 seconds after the trigger occurrence time as the target time. Set as the end time of the range.
The target time range is also called a specified section.
Further, the recording control unit 102 sets a position where image data captured at the start time of the target time range is recorded as a reading position, and sets a frame rate (for example, a preset frame rate from the temporary storage unit 101 through the signal line 501. 30 fps), image data of a preset data size or number of frames (for example, 30 frames) is read, output to the external recording device 300 through the signal line 503, and recorded on the external recording device 300 (S104) (image data) Output step).

When the recording control unit 102 reads the detection result of the power-off detection unit 104 through the signal line 505 and detects that the power-off has been detected before the recording of the image data in the specified section is completed (in S105). YES), the recording method determining unit 108 is notified of the start of the power-off countermeasure process through the signal line 504.
The recording control unit 102 compares the time at which the image data at the reading position was shot with the end time of the specified section, and the image data at the reading position was shot without detecting a power interruption (NO in S105). If the time has passed the end time of the specified section (YES in S106), it is determined that the recording of the image data to the external recording device 300 is completed, the file closing process is performed, and the process returns to S102.
On the other hand, if the recording has not been completed (NO in S106), the recording process (S104) is continuously performed (image data output step).

When power-off is detected in S105, the recording method determination unit 108 notifies the operation time determination unit 105 of the start of operation through the signal line 507 as power-off countermeasure processing.
The operation time determination unit 105 is a table in which the amount of electricity, the temperature, and the operation time are associated from the amount of electricity received from the auxiliary power supply device 600 through the signal line 506 and the value of the temperature received from the temperature measurement unit 106 through the signal line 509. , The operation time is determined, and the recording method determination unit 108 is notified through the signal line 507 (S107) (power supply time calculation step).

Next, the recording method determination unit 108 notifies the remaining recording time determination unit 508 of the operation start (required recording time calculation request) through the signal line 508.
The remaining recording time determining unit 107 captures the time at which the image data at the reading position in the temporary storage unit 101 read out through the signal line 510 was captured and the end time of the specified section read out from the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 517. Subtraction is performed to determine the remaining recording time (the time width of the shooting time when no image data is stored in the external recording device 300) and notify the recording method determination unit 108 through the signal line 508 (S108) (remaining recording time calculation) Step).

The recording method determination unit 108 receives the operation time received from the operation time determination unit 105 through the signal line 507, the remaining recording time received from the remaining recording time determination unit 107 through the signal line 508, and the external recording apparatus 300 that holds in advance. The frame rate for the remaining recording time is determined from the writing speed (the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the external recording device 300), and transmitted to the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 504.
For example, when the operation time is 6 seconds, the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, the writing speed is 30 frames per second (30 fps), and the file close processing time is 1 second, the frame rate is determined to be 15 fps by the following calculation. .
(6 seconds-1 second) ÷ 10 seconds x 30 fps = 15 fps
When the remaining recording time is 20 seconds, the frame rate is determined to be 7.5 fps by the following calculation (S109) (data output management step).
(6 seconds-1 second) ÷ 20 seconds x 30 fps = 7.5 fps

The recording control unit 102 changes the frame rate read from the temporary storage unit 101 to the frame rate received from the recording method determination unit 108, and outputs image data at the frame rate received from the recording method determination unit 108 to output the external recording device Recording processing to 300 is performed (S110) (image data output step).
It is desirable to add a file to be recorded to a file that has been recorded before the power interruption.
When the recording control unit 102 completes recording the image data of the specified section in the external recording device 300, the recording control unit 102 performs a file closing process (S111).

A specific example of performing the recording process after power-off according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation from when the trigger is detected and the recording process is started to when the power-off occurs and the drive recorder apparatus 10 is stopped.
Image data in FIG. 3 indicates image data stored in the temporary storage unit 101.
The recording process indicates the frame rate of the image data output from the recording control unit 102.

At time ttri, an acceleration value equal to or greater than a certain value is detected by the impact detection device 400, a trigger is detected (a trigger event occurs), and a recording process is started.
At this time, if a target time range window is set from 12 seconds before the trigger detection to 8 seconds after the trigger detection, the recording control unit 102 sets the time 12 seconds before the time ttri to the start time of the target time range. The time 8 seconds after the time ttri is set as the end time of the target time range, and 20 seconds before and after the time ttri are set as the target time range.
Then, the image data at the start time of the target time range is output to the external recording device 300 at a high frame rate (for example, 30 fps), and the external recording device 300 records the image data.
When the power interruption occurs at time tpower, the recording control unit 102 changes the frame rate and continues the recording process.
More specifically, the remaining recording time determination unit 107 determines the remaining recording time (10 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) from the time when the image data recorded up to the time tpower was taken and the end time of the target time range.
Further, the operation time determination unit 105 detects the operation time (6 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) by the auxiliary power supply device.
The recording method determination unit 108 holds in advance the writing speed (for example, 30 frames per second) of the external recording device 300 and the time for file closing processing (for example, 1 second), and the remaining recording time, operation time, and writing speed. The frame rate (15 fps in the example of FIG. 3) is determined from the file close processing time.
As a result, the recording control unit 102 outputs the image data to the external recording device 300 at a new frame rate of 15 fps, and causes the external recording device 300 to record the image data.
At time tstop, the recording process of the image data in the target time range ends, and the drive recorder device 10 stops.
As a result, in the external recording device 300, image data recorded in a predetermined section (for example, 20 seconds) remains at a high frame rate (for example, 30 fps) in the first half and a frame rate (for example, 15 fps) in which the second half is changed.

  Next, according to the flowchart of FIG. 2, a specific example in which a power failure occurs immediately after trigger detection and recording processing after the power failure is performed will be described below with reference to FIG.

At time ttri, an acceleration equal to or higher than a certain value is detected by the impact detection device 400, a trigger is detected (a trigger event occurs), and a recording process is started.
At the same time, the power is cut off and the frame rate is changed.
Similar to the example of FIG. 3, by trigger detection, the recording control unit 102 determines the target time range as 20 seconds before and after the time ttri based on the target time range window, and the remaining recording time determination unit 107 determines the remaining recording time. Is determined to be within the target time range (20 seconds).
Then, the operation time determination unit 105 detects the operation time of the auxiliary power supply device 600 (6 seconds in the example of FIG. 4).
The recording method determination unit 108 holds in advance the writing speed (for example, 30 frames per second) of the external recording device 300 and the time for file closing processing (for example, 1 second), and the remaining recording time, operation time, and writing speed. The frame rate (7.5 fps in the example of FIG. 4) is determined from the file close processing time.
The recording process of the image data in the target time range ends, and the drive recorder device 10 stops.
As a result, in the external recording device 300, image data recorded for a specified section (for example, 20 seconds) at the changed frame rate (for example, 7.5 fps) remains.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to record the video in the specified section on the external recording device even when the power is cut off.
Also, video can be recorded at the highest possible frame rate according to the capacity of the auxiliary power supply.
As a result, compared to the conventional case, there is a possibility of missing a momentary event that occurs at the interval between frames to be shot (possibility of missed event recording due to an increase in the interval between recorded frames). Can be lowered.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
When power is cut off, the operation time by the auxiliary power supply is determined from factors that change the discharge characteristics such as the amount of electricity held inside and the ambient temperature, and the remaining recording time is determined based on the operation time and the remaining recording time. A drive recorder apparatus has been described in which an optimal frame rate is calculated and recording is performed at the highest possible frame rate even when the power is cut off.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, an example of a drive recorder that records image data by changing the frame rate in accordance with the level of importance in a predetermined section to be recorded will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the drive recorder apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 5, an importance level determination unit 113 is added as compared to the configuration of FIG.
The function of the recording method determination unit 108 is different from that of the first embodiment.
Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

The importance level determination unit 113 is a means for determining the importance level of the video in the section.
In the present embodiment, a priority time range window is provided in the target time range window.
Image data captured at a time corresponding to the priority time range window is handled with higher priority (higher importance) than image data captured at a time outside the priority time range window.
For example, in the case where the target time range window is 12 seconds before the trigger event occurrence to 8 seconds after the trigger event occurrence, 3 seconds before the trigger event occurrence and 3 seconds after the trigger event occurrence out of these 20 seconds. It is conceivable to provide a priority time range window in the range up to.
Then, when the trigger event actually occurs, the importance level determination unit 113 identifies the time 3 seconds before the trigger event occurrence time and the time 3 seconds after the trigger event occurrence time, The importance of the image data photographed at the included time is made higher than that of the other image data.
For example, when the occurrence time of the trigger event is 10:00:12 and the specified section (target time range) is from 10:00:10 to 10: 0: 20, the importance level determination unit 113 Increase the importance from 10:00:10 to 10:00:15.

Further, in the present embodiment, the recording method determination unit 108 determines the number of frames to be recorded that is determined based on the operation time of the auxiliary power supply device 600 and the remaining recording time of the image data in the specified section to be recorded after the power interruption occurs. From the importance set by the importance determining unit 113, the frame rate is dynamically determined within the specified section.
That is, the recording method determination unit 108 outputs the frame rate when outputting highly important image data (priority non-output image data whose shooting time is within the priority time range window), and image data not important (shooting). Non-priority non-output image data whose time is outside the priority time range window) is determined, and the frame rate when image data with high importance is output is not high. Higher than the frame rate when outputting.

Next, details of the operation will be described.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation flow of the drive recorder apparatus in the second embodiment.
Since the operations other than S116 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the operation of S116 will be described below.

The recording method determination unit 108 receives the operation time received from the operation time determination unit 105 through the signal line 507, the remaining recording time received from the remaining recording time determination unit 107 through the signal line 508, and the writing of the external recording device 300 held in advance. A table showing the speed and the importance set by dividing the specified section by the importance determining unit 113 is referred to through the signal line 517, the frame rate is determined according to the received importance for each section, and the signal line The data is transmitted to the recording control unit 102 through 504.
For example, the operation time is 6 seconds, the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, and the time from 3 seconds before to 3 seconds after the trigger detection time is twice as important as the other times, and 30 frames per second are external. When writing to the recording apparatus 300 and the file closing process takes 1 second, the frame rate for 5 seconds from the occurrence of power interruption is recorded as 20 fps, and the subsequent 5 seconds is recorded as 10 fps.
Since the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, the frame rate for 5 seconds from the occurrence of power interruption is 20 fps, so the image data for 10 seconds from 12 seconds to 3 seconds before the trigger detection time is a high frame. This is because it has been output to the external recording device 300 at a rate (for example, 30 fps) and has not been output to the external recording device 300 since 2 seconds before the trigger detection time (2 seconds before trigger detection + 3 seconds after trigger detection = 5). Seconds).
On the other hand, the operation time is 6 seconds, the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, and the time from 2 seconds before the trigger detection time to 2 seconds later is twice as important as the other times, and 30 frames per second. When writing to the external recording device 300 and the file closing process takes 1 second, the frame rate for 4 seconds from the occurrence of the power interruption is recorded as 21.5 fps, and the subsequent 6 seconds is recorded as 10.7 fps.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, particularly important scenes can be recorded at a high frame rate, and instantaneous events that occur at intervals of frames to be captured can be recorded in a highly important section. Can lower the sex.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
When power is cut off, the frame rate is calculated according to the importance specified for each section, and the video in the high importance section is recorded at a high frame rate, and the low importance section is recorded at a low frame rate. A recorder device has been described.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, an example of a drive recorder apparatus that records after changing the resolution in accordance with the operation time and the remaining recording time after power-off will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the drive recorder apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 7, an image re-encoding unit 110 is added as compared with the configuration of FIG.
In the present embodiment, the functions of the recording control unit 102 and the recording method determining unit 108 are different from those in the first embodiment.
Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the image re-encoding unit 110 is also an example of the image data output unit.

In the present embodiment, when the acceleration detected by the impact detection device 400 is equal to or greater than a certain value, the recording control unit 102 reads image data of a specified section from the temporary storage unit 101, and reads the read image data as an image replay. The data is output to the encoding unit 110.
When the power interruption occurs, the recording method determination unit 108 outputs to the external recording apparatus 300 based on the operation time of the auxiliary power supply device 600 and the remaining recording time of the image data in the specified section to be recorded after the power interruption occurs. This is means for determining the resolution of image data.
More specifically, the recording method determination unit 108 is configured to display image data at the last shooting time in the target time range within the operation time in the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the external recording device 300 when a power failure occurs. The maximum resolution among the resolutions that can be output is determined.
The image re-encoding unit 110 normally does not convert the image data, and changes the resolution of the image data input from the recording control unit 102 according to the resolution determined by the recording method determination unit 108 when a power interruption occurs. It is means to do.
More specifically, the image re-encoding unit 110 records the resolution of the input image data when the resolution of the image data input from the recording control unit 102 after power-off is different from the resolution specified by the recording method determination unit 108. The resolution is converted to the resolution specified by the method determination unit 108, and the image data after the resolution conversion is output to the external recording device 300.

Next, details of the operation will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the drive recorder apparatus in the third embodiment.
Since the steps other than S110 and S112 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and only the operations of S110 and S112 are described below.

The recording method determination unit 108 receives the operation time received from the operation time determination unit 105 through the signal line 507, the remaining recording time received from the remaining recording time determination unit 107 through the signal line 508, and the writing of the external recording device 300 held in advance. The resolution is determined based on the speed, and is transmitted to the image re-encoding unit 110 through the signal line 511.
For example, when the operation time is 6 seconds, the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, and the resolution of the image data is 640 × 481 seconds, 30 frames can be written to the external recording device 300, and the file closing process takes 1 second, the recording resolution is 457 × 340.
On the other hand, when the remaining recording time is 20 seconds, the recording resolution is set to 320 × 480 (S112).
If the image data read by the recording control unit 102 is different from the resolution determined by the recording method determination unit 108, the image re-encoding unit 110 re-images the image data having the resolution determined by the recording method determination unit 108. It is encoded and output to the external recording device 300.
In addition to the resolution, brightness and gradation may be changed (S110).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image quality per image data is lowered, but it is possible to prevent a recording error due to a decrease in the frame rate.

Further, as described in the second embodiment, the resolution of the image data may be changed depending on the level of importance.
That is, when the power is cut off, the image data captured at an important time (for example, 3 seconds before and after the occurrence of the trigger) has a higher resolution than the image data captured at other times. May be output.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
A drive recorder apparatus has been described in which when a power interruption occurs, an appropriate resolution is obtained and the resolution of the image data is changed to complete recording without changing the frame rate.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, an example of a drive recorder apparatus that detects the writing speed (the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the external recording apparatus 300) and determines the frame rate according to the writing speed will be described.
FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the drive recorder apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 9, a writing speed detection unit 111 is added as compared with the configuration of FIG.
In the present embodiment, the function of the recording method determination unit 108 is different from that in the first embodiment.
Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

The writing speed detection unit 111 measures the time required to write image data of a preset size to the external recording device 300 through the signal line 514, and writes the writing speed (per unit time that the external recording device 300 can record). Frame number).
In addition, the writing speed detection unit 111 transmits the detected writing speed to the recording method determination unit 108 through the signal line 515.
The writing speed detection unit 111 is an example of a frame number measurement unit.
In the present embodiment, when the recording method determining unit 108 detects that a power interruption has occurred, the operation time by the auxiliary power supply 600 of the drive recorder device and the image data within a specified section to be recorded after the power interruption has occurred. The frame rate of the image data to be output to the external recording device 300 is determined based on the remaining recording time and the writing speed notified from the writing speed detector 111.

Next, details of the operation will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the drive recorder apparatus in the fourth embodiment.
Since the steps other than S113, S114, and S115 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the operations of S113, S114, and S115 will be described below.

When the trigger is detected (YES in S103), the writing speed detection unit 111 is configured to record the image data having the data size or the number of frames preset by the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 514 on the external recording device 300. The time is acquired as the writing start time (S113).
The writing speed detecting unit 111 acquires the time after the image data having the data size or the number of frames preset by the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 514 is recorded in the external recording device 300 as the writing end time.
The writing speed detection unit 111 acquires the data size recorded by the recording control unit 102 on the external recording device 300.
The writing speed detection unit 111 obtains the writing speed (the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the external recording device 300) from the acquired writing start time, writing end time, and data size.
For example, when the writing start time is 12:00:00, the writing end time is 12:01:00, and the number of recorded frames is 36, the writing speed is detected as 36 frames per second.
If the writing start time is 12:00:00, the writing end time is 12:01:00, and the number of recorded frames is 30, the writing speed is detected as 30 frames per second (S114). .

In addition, when a power interruption occurs (YES in S105), the recording method determination unit 108 receives the operation time received from the operation time determination unit 105 through the signal line 507 and the remaining recording time determination unit 107 through the signal line 508. The frame rate is determined from the remaining recording time and the writing speed detected by the writing speed detecting unit 111 through the signal line 515, and transmitted to the recording control unit 102 through the signal line 504.
For example, when the operation time is 6 seconds, the remaining recording time is 10 seconds, 36 frames can be written in the external recording device 300 for 1 second, and the file closing process takes 1 second, the frame rate is determined to be 18 fps.
Further, when 30 frames can be written in the external recording device 300 per second, the frame rate is determined to be 15 fps (S116).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, recording can be performed at an optimum frame rate even if the recording apparatus is changed to an external recording apparatus having a different writing speed.
That is, when the writing speed of the external storage device is low, the frame rate can be lowered and the recording operation of the image data in the specified section can be completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The drive recorder apparatus that can set the optimum frame rate (resolution) even if the external recording apparatus is changed by calculating the writing speed to the external recording apparatus during the normal recording process has been described.

Finally, a hardware configuration example of the drive recorder device 10 according to the first to fourth embodiments will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of hardware resources of the drive recorder device 10 shown in the first to fourth embodiments.
The configuration of FIG. 11 is merely an example of the hardware configuration of the drive recorder device 10, and the hardware configuration of the drive recorder device 10 is not limited to the configuration described in FIG. Also good.

In FIG. 11, the drive recorder apparatus 10 includes a CPU 911 (also referred to as a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, and a processor) that executes a program in the drive recorder main body 100. .
The CPU 911 receives, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 913, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 914, a display device 901 such as an LCD or LED, a camera 902, an acceleration sensor 903, a main power supply device 904, and an auxiliary power supply via the bus 912. The device 905, HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or memory card (registered trademark) 906, temperature sensor 915, and flash memory 920 are connected to control these hardware devices.
Further, the drive recorder device 10 may include a keyboard, a non-contact IC card, a microphone, a speaker, and the like in addition to these hardware devices.
For example, the camera 902 captures an image as the imaging device 200, and the acceleration sensor 903 measures acceleration as the impact detection device 400.
The temperature sensor 915 measures the temperature as the temperature measurement unit 106.
An HDD or a memory card (registered trademark) 906 records image data as the external recording device 300.

The flash memory 920 can store an operating system 921 (OS), a program group 923, a file group 924, and the like.
The programs in the program group 923 are executed by the CPU 911 and the operating system 921.

The ROM 913 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program, and the flash memory 920 stores a boot program.
When the drive recorder device 10 is activated, the BIOS program in the ROM 913 and the boot program in the magnetic disk device 920 are executed, and the operating system 921 is activated by the BIOS program and the boot program.

  The program group 923 stores a program that executes at least the functions described in the first to fourth embodiments. The program is read and executed by the CPU 911.

In the above description, the file group 924 includes “determination of”, “determination of”, “comparison of”, “detection of”, “calculation of”, “control of”, “ Information, data, signal values, etc. indicating the results of the processing described as “designation”, “determination”, “measurement of”, “setting of”, “registration of”, “selection of”, etc. Variable values and parameters are stored as items of “˜file” and “˜database”.
“˜File” and “˜Database” are stored in a recording medium. Information, data, signal values, variable values, and parameters stored in the storage medium are read out to the main memory and the cache memory by the CPU 911 via a read / write circuit, and extracted, searched, referenced, compared, calculated, calculated, processed, Used for CPU operations such as editing, output, and display.
Information, data, signal values, variable values, and parameters are stored in the main memory, registers, cache memory, buffer memory, etc. during the CPU operations of extraction, search, reference, comparison, calculation, processing, editing, output, and display. Temporarily stored.
In addition, the arrows in the flowchart described above mainly indicate input / output of data and signals, and the data and signal values are recorded on a recording medium. Data and signals are transmitted online via a bus 912, signal lines, cables, or other transmission media.

In addition, what is described as “˜part”, “˜means”, “˜device” in the above description may be “˜circuit”, “˜device”, “˜apparatus”, “means”. It may also be “˜step”, “˜procedure”, “˜processing”.
That is, the data processing method according to the present invention can be realized by the steps, procedures, and processes shown in the flowcharts described in the first to fourth embodiments.
Further, what is described as “˜unit”, “˜means”, and “˜apparatus” may be realized by firmware stored in the ROM 913.
Alternatively, it may be implemented only by software, or only by hardware such as elements, devices, substrates, and wirings, by a combination of software and hardware, or by a combination of firmware.
Firmware and software are stored in the recording medium as programs. The program is read by the CPU 911 and executed by the CPU 911.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drive recorder apparatus, 100 Drive recorder main body, 101 Temporary storage part, 102 Recording control part, 104 Power-off detection part, 105 Operation time determination part, 106 Temperature measurement part, 107 Remaining recording time determination part, 108 Recording method determination part, 110 image re-encoding unit, 111 writing speed detecting unit, 113 importance determining unit, 200 photographing device, 300 external recording device, 400 impact detecting device, 600 auxiliary power supply device.

Claims (12)

An imaging device that performs imaging at a predetermined frame rate, an image data recording device that records image data captured by the imaging device, and power supply for a predetermined time when main power supply from the main power supply is stopped A data processing device connected to an auxiliary power supply for
A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the image data captured by the imaging device together with the imaging time;
When a trigger event occurs, the time range of the shooting time included in the target time range window is specified as the target time range, and the image of the temporary storage unit is output at a predetermined data output amount for each shooting time within the target time range. An image data output unit for outputting data to the image data recording device;
A power supply time calculation unit for calculating an auxiliary power supply time for maintaining the auxiliary power supply from the auxiliary power supply when the trigger event occurs and the main power supply is stopped;
When the trigger event occurs and main power supply is stopped, the time width of the photographing time when image data is not output to the image data recording device at the time when main power supply is stopped in the target time range is set. A remaining recording time calculation unit for calculating the remaining recording time;
According to the auxiliary power supply time calculated by the power supply time calculation unit, the remaining recording time calculated by the remaining recording time calculation unit, and the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording apparatus And a data output management unit for designating a data output amount for each photographing time after the main power supply is stopped,
The image data output unit includes:
Data processing characterized by outputting unoutput non-output image data at the time of photographing time to the image data recording device at a data output amount specified by the data output management unit when main power supply is stopped apparatus. The data processing device further includes:
A monitoring unit that monitors factors affecting the power supply performance of the auxiliary power supply device;
The power supply time calculation unit
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the trigger event occurs and main power supply stops, an auxiliary power supply time is calculated based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit. The data output management unit
3. The maximum data output amount among the data output amounts that can be output up to the image data at the last photographing time in the target time range within the auxiliary power supply time is designated. 3. Data processing equipment. The data output management unit
The maximum frame among the frame rates that can be output up to the image data at the last shooting time in the target time range within the auxiliary power supply time while maintaining the resolution of the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a rate is designated. The data output management unit
Designates the maximum resolution among the resolutions that can be output up to the image data of the last photographing time in the target time range within the auxiliary power supply time in the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording device. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The image data output unit includes:
When the resolution of the non-output image data is different from the resolution specified by the data output management unit, the resolution of the non-output image data is converted to the resolution specified by the data output management unit, and the non-output image after the resolution conversion 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data is output to the image data recording apparatus. The data output management unit
When the priority time range window is provided in the target time range window, the data output amount when the priority non-output image data whose shooting time is in the priority time range window and the shooting time are the priority. Determine the data output amount when outputting non-priority unoutput image data outside the time range window,
7. The data according to claim 1, wherein a data output amount when outputting the priority non-output image data is higher than a data output amount when outputting the non-priority non-output image data. Processing equipment. The data processing device further includes:
A frame number measurement unit that measures the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording device when the trigger event occurs;
The data output management unit
The auxiliary power supply time calculated by the power supply time calculation unit, the remaining recording time calculated by the remaining recording time calculation unit, and the image data recording apparatus measured by the frame number measuring unit can be supported. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a data output amount at each photographing time after the main power supply is stopped is designated based on the frame rate. The monitoring unit
The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the temperature is monitored as a factor affecting the power supply performance of the auxiliary power supply apparatus. The data processing device includes:
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is included in a drive recorder apparatus. An imaging device that performs imaging at a predetermined frame rate, an image data recording device that records image data captured by the imaging device, and power supply for a predetermined time when main power supply from the main power supply is stopped A data processing method performed by a computer connected to an auxiliary power supply device performed during
A temporary storage step in which the computer stores image data captured by the imaging device in a temporary storage device together with the imaging time;
When a trigger event occurs, the computer specifies the time range of the shooting time included in the target time range window as the target time range, and the temporary output is performed at a predetermined data output amount for each shooting time within the target time range. An image data output step of outputting the image data of the storage device to the image data recording device;
A power supply time calculating step in which the computer calculates an auxiliary power supply time during which auxiliary power supply from the auxiliary power supply is maintained when the trigger event occurs and main power supply is stopped;
When the trigger event occurs and the main power supply is stopped, the computer takes a shooting time when image data is not output to the image data recording device when the main power supply is stopped in the target time range. A remaining recording time calculating step for calculating the time width of as a remaining recording time,
The computer supplies auxiliary power supply time calculated by the power supply time calculation step, remaining recording time calculated by the remaining recording time calculation step, and frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording device. And a data output management step for designating a data output amount for each photographing time after the main power supply is stopped according to the number,
In the image data output step,
The computer outputs unoutput non-output image data when the main power supply is stopped to the image data recording device at each photographing time in a data output amount designated by the data output management step. Data processing method. An imaging device that performs imaging at a predetermined frame rate, an image data recording device that records image data captured by the imaging device, and power supply for a predetermined time when main power supply from the main power supply is stopped To the computer connected to the auxiliary power supply
A temporary storage step of storing image data captured by the imaging device in a temporary storage device together with the imaging time;
When a trigger event occurs, the time range of the shooting time included in the target time range window is specified as the target time range, and the image of the temporary storage device is output at a predetermined data output amount for each shooting time within the target time range. An image data output step of outputting data to the image data recording device;
A power supply time calculating step for calculating an auxiliary power supply time for maintaining auxiliary power supply from the auxiliary power supply when the trigger event occurs and main power supply is stopped;
When the trigger event occurs and main power supply is stopped, the time width of the photographing time when image data is not output to the image data recording device at the time when main power supply is stopped in the target time range is set. A remaining recording time calculating step for calculating the remaining recording time;
According to the auxiliary power supply time calculated by the power supply time calculating step, the remaining recording time calculated by the remaining recording time calculating step, and the number of frames per unit time that can be recorded by the image data recording apparatus And a data output management step for specifying a data output amount for each photographing time after the main power supply is stopped,
In the image data output step,
Causing the computer to output unoutput unoutput image data to the image data recording apparatus at each photographing time in a data output amount specified by the data output management step when the main power supply is stopped. Program.

Images