JP2020106874A - System - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system capable of photographing an area outside a vehicle other than the front, with a wide and sufficient range of video recorded.SOLUTION: A system includes a device (a dashboard camera 1) to be retrofitted on a vehicle 2. An example of the device includes a dashboard camera main unit 4 provided with a camera 11. The dashboard camera main unit 4, which is mounted on a rear window 3 of the vehicle using a bracket 5, is set so that the camera can capture an area behind the vehicle. The dashboard camera main unit is provided with a card slot 15 into which a memory card 19 is detachably inserted. An image captured by the camera is recorded on the memory card.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a system or the like.

In Patent Document 1, as an explanation of the drive recorder, for example, in paragraph [0002], "the driver's field of view captures an image of the vehicle and surroundings, and the captured image data is stored in a temporary storage memory." For example, in paragraph [0006], "instead of recording only a predetermined time before and after a vehicle accident occurs, for example, one that constantly captures the surrounding situation and records the captured image data Yes, it is described.

JP, 2013-225179, A

The drive recorder disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a relatively narrow angle of view as shown in FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1 as an example of a video image captured by a front monitoring camera, as shown in FIG. , A certain area in front of the vehicle is photographed. In paragraph [0077] of Patent Document 1, it is indicated that the in-vehicle surveillance camera is composed of a lens having a narrower angle of view than the front surveillance camera. As described above, the conventional drive recorder has various problems such as a narrow image capturing range, which is a front limited range, and an insufficient image recording range. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a product superior to the conventional one.

The object of the invention of the present application is not limited to this, and the intention is to acquire a right through a divisional application, amendment, etc. for a configuration intended to obtain the effect obtained from the configuration disclosed in the present specification and drawings. .. For example, a problem in which a place where "is possible" is read as "is a problem" in the present specification is disclosed in the present specification. The issues are listed as independent ones, and we have the intention to independently acquire the right to the structure for solving this issue by dividing application/amendment. Even if the problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant has the intention to make a part of the configuration described in the specification in the amendment or the divisional application to claim. Moreover, the subject which combined these independent subjects is also disclosed.

(1) A device that is installed afterward in a vehicle, and includes a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a unit that outputs the image captured by the camera to a recording unit that records the image. ..

If the device/system having such a configuration is attached to the vehicle later, even if the vehicle originally does not have such a thing, it is possible to record even if the vehicle or the like is collided from a direction other than the front direction. The recording unit to which the image is output may be configured to be fixedly or detachably mounted in the housing in which the camera is mounted, but it is preferable not to provide the recording unit in the housing in which the camera is mounted. If the recording unit is not mounted in the housing in which the camera is mounted, the size of the housing of the camera can be further reduced, and it does not hinder the driver's view. When the recording unit is not mounted in the housing in which the camera is mounted, the recording unit may be mounted in, for example, a housing different from the housing and arranged in the vehicle, but it is more preferable to use a cloud. Taking an image of the area outside the vehicle also includes taking an image of the area outside the vehicle through the vehicle interior.

“Installed afterwards on the vehicle” may be, for example, after the vehicle manufacturer has shipped the factory, and more preferably after the purchase from a dealer. The "camera for photographing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle" does not mainly photograph the front, for example, the optical axis direction/center axis direction of the camera and the center of the photographing means face the front of the vehicle. It is preferable that the front side is not included in the shooting area, particularly, the front side is not included in the shooting area. The "camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle" may include, for example, a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front including the front. In such a case, the camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front may be a camera that captures a larger area than the front of the vehicle, for example, in the case of a 360-degree camera, for example, a vehicle interior. It is better to install it at a position where the rear side is more photographable, such as in the rear of.

The present system functions as, for example, a drive recorder with a rear photographing function when the camera that photographs the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle photographs the rear of the vehicle. For example, a camera for photographing the rear side may be miniaturized by setting, for example, about 1 to 2 million pixels. Furthermore, it is advisable to widen the angle of view of the camera so that a wider range of images can be taken.

(2) It is preferable to include means for detecting a danger based on a video image captured by a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the area in front of the vehicle, and outputting the danger to the notification unit. In this way, the driver cannot look or check the outside of the vehicle because the driver is looking ahead while driving, but the driver will notify you of the danger that occurs in a direction other than the front, so the driver will be aware of the danger. It becomes easy to take measures to avoid it.

The danger to be detected may be, for example, the approach of surrounding vehicles such as a following vehicle. By doing so, for example, the presence of a vehicle approaching from behind can be detected and an alert can be given. For example, the driver cannot always look backward while driving, so for example, when the driver is informed of the approach of a following vehicle while looking ahead, the alert will be used to turn on the rearview mirror etc. It is good that you can visually check the situation through the back.

The detection of the vehicle approaching from the rear may be performed, for example, based on the distance to the vehicle around the host vehicle such as the rear. For example, a reference distance may be set, and notification may be given, for example, when surrounding vehicles approach the reference distance or less. Further, the alert based on this approach may be conditioned such that the alert is limited to the case where the vehicle is traveling at a certain speed or more. For example, it is necessary to set the reference distance to an appropriate length in order to alert the presence of a vehicle approaching to some extent during traveling. If you do so, for example, when a following vehicle approaches when you are temporarily stopped due to traffic congestion, intersections, waiting for traffic lights, etc., it will be complicated if an alert sounds each time, and it may not be useful, but at a constant speed. If the alert is issued in the above case, the alert may not be generated during the temporary stop, when the vehicle is decelerating due to the stop, or when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed due to congestion.

In addition to the above conditions, for example, a plurality of reference distances may be provided in accordance with the vehicle speed, which is the traveling speed of the vehicle. By doing so, for example, by increasing the reference distance at the speed corresponding to the traveling on the highway from the reference distance at the speed corresponding to the traveling on the general road, for example, the traveling on the general road during the traveling on the highway. It is good that the notification can be made even when the vehicle is approaching with the following vehicle relatively far from the inside. In addition, for example, if the reference distance when the own vehicle speed is 0 or low speed is set to be short, no notification is given when a following vehicle approaches while being temporarily stopped due to, for example, a traffic jam, an intersection, or a signal waiting. The alerts described above, such as giving a lighter notification or light notification, can exert the same effects as those provided only when the vehicle is traveling at a certain speed or higher. The determination as to whether or not the distance is the reference distance may be based on a value obtained by directly measuring, such as XXm, but XXm such as the size of the vehicle in the photographed image can be used. It should be based on what is equivalent to.

Further, the danger to be detected may be, for example, the driving of the surrounding vehicles. The detection of the fanned driving may be made based on, for example, the change situation of the inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle, or based on the image captured by the camera, for example, the traveling pattern such as the movement behavior of the vehicle. The determination based on the change state of the inter-vehicle distance may be determined to be a driving stir when the inter-vehicle distance is suddenly reduced. In addition, for example, if it is possible to recognize a driving pattern that suddenly approaches and a driving pattern that swings to the left and right after approaching, it is advisable to detect the driving pattern as swinging or dangerous driving.

In addition to the function of issuing an alert when the vehicle is driving incline, or in place of the function of issuing the alert, a function of, for example, saving a still image or a moving image in a dedicated folder at the time of a sudden approach may be provided. When stored in the dedicated folder, the user can easily confirm the vehicle number or the like of the car that has been driving by playing the still image or the moving image stored in the dedicated folder later.

The function of detecting and alerting the above-mentioned “drifting” or “approach of a following vehicle or the like” may be performed by using, for example, the same type of function as the front collision prevention alert of active safety.

Further, the danger to be detected may be, for example, a moving object such as a child jumping out or a collision with a fixedly installed object. For example, when the vehicle retreats, it is good to detect when a child jumps out and give a notice/alert.

The notification unit may be one that outputs sound such as a speaker, or may be one that is based on vision such as a display monitor, but it is more preferable to use sound. The notification using sound is good because, for example, the driver can know the notification even in a situation where the driver is looking ahead or the like and not looking at the display monitor or the like. When monitor means such as a display monitor is used as the notification unit, the monitor means may be arranged, for example, at a position where the driver who is driving can see, or may be a dedicated one, but it is more preferable to use the monitor means of another device. .. For example, it is not necessary for a driver to constantly or frequently view an image of a region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle such as the rear of the vehicle. If there is a monitor means for other equipment, and if a dedicated monitor means is installed separately from that, there is a plurality of monitor means, which may not be a hindrance, and which monitor means should be seen instantly. The problem is that it is difficult to understand. Therefore, the problem can be solved by also using the monitor means of another device. The monitor means of another device may be a monitor means of a system such as a drive recorder that captures images in different directions. When a system such as a drive recorder that shoots in different directions shoots the front, for example, when a rear vehicle suddenly approaches the monitor that normally outputs the image while shooting the front, when a rear vehicle suddenly approaches, Should be displayed. The alert displayed in this case may be a notification made up of characters, figures, and other patterns, but it is more preferable to use a video image of a vehicle that is driving in a slant.

(3) It is preferable that a housing that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is not provided with a monitor, but is provided with notifying means for notifying a person in the vehicle that the vehicle is operating. By doing so, the size can be reduced by not providing the monitor. If there is no monitor, it is unclear whether the user is operating or not, which makes the user uneasy. However, the anxiety is eliminated by providing a notifying means for notifying a person in the vehicle that the vehicle is operating. The notification means may be, for example, a light emitting body such as an LED or a speaker that outputs a sound, but if it is a light emitting body such as an LED, confirmation can be performed at an appropriate timing. The notifying means may be provided separately from the case in which the camera is mounted, but it is preferable to provide it in the case. In this way, it is preferable that the casing or another body in which the camera such as the rear camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is mounted is only the operation lamp and no monitor is provided.

(4) The camera for photographing the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is for photographing the rear of the vehicle, and the housing for mounting the camera for photographing the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is It is preferable to include a mounting portion that is mounted on the ceiling in the vehicle compartment on the rear glass side of the vehicle. In this way, when the chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the passenger compartment, it is the case of a model such as a hatchback type that has a back door that opens and closes on the rear side of the vehicle or a glass hatch type that opens and closes the rear glass part. However, even if the back door and rear glass are opened and closed, the housing remains attached and does not move. Therefore, for example, when a predetermined wiring is performed on the housing, it is possible to crawl the interior of the vehicle without slackening the wiring. On the other hand, when the housing is attached to the rear glass or the like, the housing moves together with the opening or closing of the back door or the rear glass. Therefore, for example, if you wire the case, loosen the wire to prevent the wire from being cut when it is opened. And there is no concern about it. The camera for photographing the rear of the vehicle may be a single camera, but it is preferable to install the rear camera in the drive recorder of 2ch or more on the ceiling of the passenger compartment.

The mounting portion may be, for example, a mounting jig having various mechanisms and structures, and in a simple configuration, it may be configured to be attached to the ceiling by using an adhesive member such as double-sided tape on the surface of the housing.

(5) It is preferable that the camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the area in front of the vehicle be capable of capturing an image at night when the light of the vehicle is not illuminated. Areas outside the vehicle other than the area in front of the vehicle are not illuminated by the vehicle lights, but by using a camera capable of photographing at night, it is possible to photograph, for example, brightly even at night. For example, since there is no vehicle light in the rear or side of the vehicle, it is difficult to record at night because the vehicle light is dark without being illuminated, but the problem can be solved. The phrase “capable of photographing at night” means that other vehicles such as a following vehicle and other objects can be photographed at night. In the case of a vehicle that can be specified, for example, in the case of a vehicle, it is preferable that, for example, the number plate can be recognized and the vehicle can be specified with such an accuracy that the vehicle can be specified. Even if the information on the license plate cannot be specified, information that can specify the vehicle such as the vehicle type and color may be captured, but it is more preferable that the information on the license plate can be specified accurately. As for the configuration capable of shooting at night, for example, the brightness of the image quality captured by the camera may be set for nighttime, a high-sensitivity camera capable of shooting even in low illumination may be used, or an infrared camera or a night-vision camera may be used. ..

(6) It is preferable that the housing that mounts the camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle includes a mounting portion that is mounted outside the vehicle. Although privacy glass such as smoked glass may be used as the glass other than the windshield, it is possible to clearly image the outside of the vehicle by installing it outside the vehicle regardless of whether it is the privacy glass or not. A small rear camera that can be mounted outside the vehicle can be installed in various vehicles regardless of whether or not the rear rear glass is privacy glass. If the installation location outside the vehicle is inconspicuous, it is easy to prevent it from being stolen. Further, for example, it is preferable that the camera is downsized and mounted on, for example, the fixing bolt portion of the license plate, and if it is imitated by the fixing bolt, it is less noticeable.

(7) A function of changing the photographing condition according to the type of glass of the vehicle within the photographing range of the camera for photographing the region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle in the state of being mounted in the vehicle interior of the vehicle is provided. Good. The camera shoots the scenery outside the vehicle through the glass, but by shooting under the shooting conditions according to the type of glass at the time of shooting, it is possible to shoot beautifully in any direction. For example, one system can be, for example, a system for forward photography or a system for backward photography, and can be used depending on the application.

It is advisable to set the shooting conditions such that the brightness of the image quality can be adjusted. For example, it is possible to shoot with an appropriate image quality for both the windshield using transparent glass and the rear glass using privacy glass. It should be set to.

(8) A casing that includes monitor means for outputting an image captured by a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, and the monitor means mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle. It is preferable that it is configured separately from the body and installed at a position visible to the driver.

In this way, the image of the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is output to the monitor means installed at a position visible to the driver, so that the driver looks at the outside of the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle by looking at the monitor means. You can see the image. Therefore, for example, when the direction taken by the camera is an area outside the vehicle behind the vehicle, the function of the backview monitor is exerted even if the vehicle is not originally equipped with the backview monitor. In addition, for example, when the direction taken by the camera is an area outside the vehicle diagonally in front of the vehicle, the function of the side view monitor is exerted even if the vehicle is originally not equipped with the side view monitor.

Furthermore, even if the vehicle is originally equipped with the back-view monitor and/or the side-view monitor, if the shooting direction/viewing angle of the in-vehicle camera for these monitors is different, the monitor originally installed in the vehicle Then, since the images of the areas that are partially or wholly different are displayed on the monitor means, it is possible to know the situation outside the vehicle in a wider range.

The monitor means configured as a separate body may be a dedicated monitor means, but it is more preferable to use the monitor means of another device. The monitor means of another device may be a monitor means of a system such as a drive recorder that captures images in different directions. When a system such as a drive recorder that shoots in different directions shoots the front, for example, a video that is normally shooting the front is output to the monitor means, and a video output to the monitor means when the vehicle moves backward is output to the rear camera. It is better to automatically switch to the one shot in. This will replace the back camera.

Further, for example, when a left turn/right turn or a course change is detected from turn signal information, steering angle information of a steering wheel, etc., it is preferable to have a function of automatically switching the image output to the monitor means to that captured by the side camera. , The switching should be linked to the vehicle speed. For example, if the turn signal information indicates a right/left turn during a temporary stop at the vehicle speed of 0, it is highly likely that the turn signal has stopped due to a left/right turn at an intersection, etc. Therefore, when the image in the turning direction is automatically switched and output. Good. In this way, the situation in the traveling direction can be confirmed even at an intersection with poor visibility, for example. Further, for example, in the case where the course is gradually changed from the steering angle information of the steering wheel in a state of slowing down without turning out the turn signal, it is preferable to automatically switch to the image of the camera that captures the area outside the vehicle in the direction of changing the course. .. When the course is gradually changed to the left or right while slowing down, it is likely that the vehicle is being moved to the left for parking or the like. Therefore, the area outside the vehicle in the moving direction is displayed on the monitor means. By doing so, it is possible to move safely. For example, when stopping a car on a narrow road, there is a demand to move it to the left or right as much as possible, but for example, if there is a gutter open at the top, the tire does not fall into the groove, or there is a road There is a possibility that the width of the curb may not be sufficiently adjusted due to concerns such as whether or not the driver may ride on the curb installed on the side edge, but since the situation in the direction of the width adjustment can be confirmed on the image, the width can be properly adjusted. Even if the driver does not have a sense of vehicle width, it is good because the front and rear tires can be checked and the sense of vehicle width can be confirmed. In particular, it is advisable to perform automatic switching when the vehicle is squeezed to the side opposite to the driver's seat (for example, the left side in the case of a vehicle with a right-hand drive). In this way, it is possible to confirm on the monitor without performing a switching operation on the side opposite to the driver's seat which is a blind spot (for example, the vehicle left side of the right steering wheel).

Further, for example, a region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle captured by a camera may be a region including a tire of the vehicle. By doing so, a tire monitoring camera is obtained. Such a system is preferably mounted on a large vehicle. For example, it is possible to visually check whether there is a foreign substance (for example, a person or thing) around the tire at the time of starting, or to visually check whether there is any abnormality in the air pressure. Instead of using equipment such as TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), you can check it visually while you are in the driver's seat.

(9) It is preferable to provide an informing means for informing a person outside the vehicle to know that the vehicle is operating. By doing so, for example, it is possible to notify, for example, a person riding in a following vehicle or a person approaching the own vehicle that the system is operating. For example, it is possible to appeal that a system that records video, such as a drive recorder, is attached to the following vehicle when driving at night. It is possible to prevent the dangerous traveling in advance.

The notification means may be a light emitting means such as an LED. By doing so, it is possible to inform the surroundings that it is operating with a simple configuration. The light emitting means may be provided, for example, separately from the housing in which the camera is mounted, but it is more preferable to provide it in the housing in which the camera is mounted. By providing the camera in the same housing as the camera, it is possible to make a person outside the vehicle intuitively understand that the camera is operating and shooting, so that it can be appealed.

(10) A casing for mounting a camera for photographing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is mounted on the rear side inside the vehicle through a ball joint type bracket, and the bracket is the ball joint. After the positioning using, the fixing unit may be provided so as to fix the orientation of the camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle even when an urging force is applied to the housing. With this configuration, for example, even if luggage is brought into contact with the housing in which the camera is mounted when the back door is closed, the direction of the camera does not change, and the desired direction can be captured.

Since the system not provided with the fixing means holds the posture using the ball joint type friction, if the urging force more than a predetermined amount is applied to the housing after the positioning, the housing, and hence the camera, may be changed in orientation. For users and beginners who are not conscious of systems such as drive recorders, they may not notice it even if the direction of the camera changes due to the urging force applied to the housing due to carelessness etc. However, the vehicle is driven while the direction of the camera is changed, and the system cannot be used because a desired area cannot be photographed.

The fixing means may be physically fixed so that the orientation does not change. For example, a physical lock such as a pin may be used so that the pin or the like cannot be stabbed to rotate and the like so that a simple configuration can be realized. It is advisable to provide a double fixing mechanism such as a ball joint and other fixing means. In particular, by fixing with a ball joint using frictional force, it is possible to align the orientation of the housing and thus the orientation of the camera to a desired state, and the fixing means does not physically change the orientation of the housing. It is better to fix it securely to. If the solid means is made to pass a member such as a fixing pin between male and female parts constituting a ball joint, physical locking can be achieved with a simple structure.

(11) A housing that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is connected to a second housing that mounts a monitor, and in the connected state, an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle. It is advisable to adopt a configuration in which the orientation of the camera that captures can be changed. By doing so, the orientation of the camera can be changed relative to the orientation of the monitor. For example, the monitor may be installed so that the driver can easily see it, and the direction of the camera can be changed to take a desired direction.

The configuration in which the orientation of the camera can be changed is, for example, such that the housing rotates with respect to the second housing and the camera rotates together with the housing, or, for example, the housing is fixed with respect to the second housing. It is preferable that the camera is rotated by partially rotating the case by rotating the camera.

In the case where the housing that mounts the camera rotates with respect to the second housing that mounts the monitor, for example, a mechanism that holds the angle of the contact surface between the housing and the second housing at a predetermined angle It is good to provide. A plurality of cameras, for example, two cameras may be mounted on the housing, and the two cameras may be configured to be rotatable back and forth within a range in which the angle can be adjusted, for example. When two cameras are provided, for example, images taken by the two cameras may be simultaneously recorded in one recording unit.

(12) A housing that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a main body unit are rotatably connected at a rotation center thereof via a connection member, and the connection member is the camera and the camera. It is preferable to configure means for electrically connecting to the device in the main unit. In this way, it can be electrically connected without using an FPC or an electric wire, etc., and even if it is continuously turned, it does not break because it is not broken. The connecting member may have an electrical connecting means and a function for rotating the connecting member. For example, a pin jack or the like may be used because it can be realized with a simple configuration. For example, in the case of using a pin jack, productivity can be improved because it can be electrically connected and rotatably connected by simply inserting it. In addition, for example, when a pin jack/pin plug is used as the connecting member, the configuration is such that the case and the main body unit are integrated by directly connecting the pin plug (male) and the pin jack (female) provided in the housing and the main body unit, respectively. It is possible to connect the pin plug and the pin jack via a connection cable to separate the housing and the main body unit. When another camera is mounted on the main body unit, when it is directly connected using the former pin jack or the like, the system becomes an integrated two-camera system.

(13) An audio signal and a video signal are provided for a housing that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and another housing that includes a unit that outputs the image to the recording unit. It is recommended to connect with a general-purpose cable for transmitting. In this way, by using a general-purpose cable, it is possible to use, for example, a general-purpose product compatible with the general-purpose cable or a back camera made by another company as a housing for mounting a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle. it can. For example, by using a housing in which a camera for 24V such as a truck is mounted, it is possible to cope with a vehicle for 24V such as the truck. The general-purpose cable may be, for example, an RCA cable. Supporting trucks, etc. will be a significant product for corporate customers.

In addition, for example, it is preferable to provide an output terminal for connecting with a general-purpose cable that transmits an audio signal and a video signal, in the other housing. By doing so, by adopting a configuration in which, for example, a monitor means is connected to the output terminal, the image taken by the camera can be externally output to the monitor means and also output to the recording section. Video can be recorded on the department side. Since the general-purpose product can be used as the monitor means used in this case, there is more room for selection of the device used when configuring the system, and even if the device is not prepared as a dedicated product, the desired product can be obtained by using the general-purpose product. It is preferable because the system configuration can be realized.

In addition, for example, in the case of a system having a plurality of cameras that shoot in different directions, it is better to make some of the plurality of cameras additional cameras by using a general-purpose cable. It is good because it can be handled.

(14) A first mode for recording an image taken while the vehicle is in operation and a second mode for recording an image taken while the vehicle is parked, and the first mode and the second mode are different recordings. The recording is performed by setting, and it is preferable to have a function of automatically switching the recording setting when the state of the vehicle is switched between the operating state and the parking state. By doing so, it is possible to record with the recording settings suitable for the respective situations during operation and parking of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is in operation such as running, the image captured by the camera is output to the recording unit based on the predetermined recording setting A, and when the vehicle is switched to the parking state such as the engine OFF, the camera is set based on the appropriate recording setting B during the parking. The video image taken in will be output to the recording unit. Further, when the vehicle is switched to the operating state, for example, starting the engine from parking, the recording setting A is automatically switched, and the image captured by the camera is output to the recording unit based on the recording setting A. The first mode corresponds to the driving mode in the embodiment, and the second mode corresponds to the parking mode/parking monitoring mode in the embodiment.

The recording settings of the first mode and the second mode may be set, for example, from the main body of the system, and the power supply time during parking may be changed/set from the main body of the system.

Further, the system may include a moving body detection function for detecting an object moving around. When the moving body detection function is provided, for example, an object such as a person moving around the vehicle is detected, so that a person approaching the vehicle can be detected, for example. In particular, when the moving body detection function is operated during parking, it is preferable to detect that a person or the like is approaching the vehicle, and use that as a trigger for recording. The ON/OFF setting of the operation detection function may be performed by manual switching, but it is preferable to have a function of automatically switching ON/OFF once setting is made. The switching in the auto mode may be turned off, for example, when a traveling-enabled state is detected while the vehicle is running or the engine is started, and the moving object detection function is turned on when parking such as engine stop is detected. By doing so, for example, there will be no event such as running while the motion detection function is ON and unable to record normally, or parking without operation detection function and recording based on motion detection. It is good, and the complexity of the manual switching setting is eliminated, which is good.

In the case of a system including a camera that captures different directions such as front and rear, this moving object detection function is preferably provided with a moving object detection function for each different direction, and the moving object detection function is operated for each camera. It is more preferable to be able to set whether or not.

(15) A first system including a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, and a first recording unit that records an image captured by the camera; and a device that is installed behind the vehicle. Therefore, it is preferable to include a second system that includes a camera that shoots in a direction different from that of the first system and a second recording unit that records a video image shot by the camera.

By doing so, it is possible to capture images in different directions with the respective cameras and record the captured images in the first recording unit and the second recording unit, respectively.

Unlike the first system, the camera of the second system, which shoots in a direction different from that of the first system, shoots a region other than the “region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle” such as the front of the vehicle or the interior of the vehicle. However, as in the case of the first system, it is more preferable to photograph the “region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle”. By doing so, it is possible to capture images in different directions of the “region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle”. The number of the second system may be one, but it is more preferable to provide a plurality.

The power supply to the first system and the second system may be separately performed, but for example, a power direct connection cord is used so that the power is supplied to the first system and the second system at the same time. It is good to have a structure.

Further, for example, when the installation position of the first system and/or the second system is behind the vehicle and the power is supplied from the battery of the vehicle, since the battery is usually installed in front of the vehicle, Wiring from the front/front to the rear/rear is necessary, and there is a problem that the installation labor becomes very high. In some vehicle models, the trunk section also has a power source and accessories, so it is advisable to supply power to the system located in the rear from the power source installed in the trunk section. In this way, the wiring from the front to the rear can be omitted.

(16) It is preferable to have a function of simultaneously displaying an image captured by the first system and an image captured by the second system on the same monitor. By doing so, images in different directions taken at the same timing can be compared on the same screen.

The simultaneous display is preferably performed when the recorded video is reproduced, and more preferably in real time. For example, when the recorded video is played back, for example, in the case of a pool collision, it is possible to confirm whether it is caused by oneself or whether the accident is caused by a rear-end collision. When performing in real time, it is preferable because it is possible to visually recognize images in different directions and see the surroundings while driving. In particular, for example, even when the vehicle does not have an in-vehicle camera for photographing the surroundings, it is possible to realize a function of photographing the surroundings by retrofitting, for example, moving the vehicle backward, changing the traveling direction, When driving on a bad road, you can drive while checking the surrounding safety.

The monitor may be, for example, a monitor provided in either the first system or the second system, but may be a monitor of another device such as a smartphone. In the case of another device such as a smartphone, for example, a device such as a driver, which can be placed near the user's hand and can be viewed nearby and has a large screen size, may be used. The connection between the first system and/or the second system and the monitor may be a wired connection method, but is preferably a wireless connection method, and in the case of a wireless connection method, Wi-Fi is more preferably used.

(17) The first system and the second system, which are installed in different places of the vehicle, can communicate with each other, and output the video imaged by the other system to the recording unit based on the operation status of the one system. It is good to do. The first system and the second system more reliably output the image to the recording means when a situation requiring recording has occurred.

For example, the operation status of one of the first system and the second system is, for example, an aggressive one such as "one system outputs a trigger" or "one system is shooting. There are negative things like "the image disappears".

For example, it is preferable that the first system and the second system record an event when a shock of a certain amount or more is applied as a trigger and set the trigger sensitivity. For example, if the impact on the vehicle is weak and only one system detects the impact, if each system operates independently, the other system cannot record the event due to the impact, but it receives a trigger from one system. Can be recorded by the other system. In addition, it is preferable to send video signals to each other and monitor them, and record them as a trigger even if the shock is not detected when the video of one system suddenly fails to enter. If the image suddenly disappears, there is a risk of an abnormal situation, so it is advisable to record it with the other system. In this way, by performing the trigger cooperation between the first system and the second system arranged in different places, it is possible to more reliably record in a situation where recording is necessary.

When the first system and the second system are communicatively connected, a wired system may be used, but a wireless system is more preferable. The wireless system, like the above-described power source, does not require wiring and can be easily and inexpensively mounted on a vehicle, and can be fit neatly in the vehicle interior. In the case of the wireless connection method, it is preferable to connect with a wireless LAN.

(18) Based on a trigger from a terminal capable of communicating with each of the first system and the second system, the first system and the second system simultaneously correspond to the first recording unit and the second recording unit. It may be configured to perform a recording process. With this configuration, when a certain event occurs, the first system and the second system each record an image by a trigger from the terminal, so that images in different directions when the event occurs can be recorded.

The terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, and the trigger from the smartphone may be output based on the output of a sensor such as a G sensor, a gyro sensor, or GPS mounted on the smartphone. It is advisable to install an application on the smartphone that can set which sensor is in what state and which system is triggered. The condition for triggering is preferably a combination of a plurality of sensors. In addition, the trigger from the smartphone may be performed based on communication. The trigger from communication is, for example, when a predetermined pattern occurs in IFTTT, when a call is received, when a predetermined condition is satisfied by information on the Web (for example, when the temperature at the current location exceeds 35 degrees). For example, the trigger may be transmitted to a predetermined system. An arbitrary tag (preferably, a plurality of tags can be attached) can be attached to the trigger by the application, and the information of the tag can be associated with the trigger and sent to the system. On the system side, event recording may be started based on a trigger, and the video to be recorded and the tag sent may be associated and recorded.

(19) In the case of a system installed on the rear side of the vehicle such as the rear glass of the vehicle, it is preferable to include a touch panel liquid crystal, for example. In this way, various settings and commands can be performed by touching and operating the touch panel liquid crystal. For example, when the system is installed on the rear side of the vehicle such as the rear glass, the interior light of the vehicle is not installed, and the system may be installed in the dark at night, for example. Even in such a case, since the touch panel liquid crystal is used, a certain degree of brightness can be secured, and a desired place can be touched and set, for example.

When the touch panel liquid crystal is provided, the entire system case becomes large, which may hinder the driver when looking backwards.For example, the owner of a foreign car tends to prefer a relatively large appearance. Therefore, it is particularly suitable to be applied to a system such as a drive recorder intended to be installed in a foreign car. Further, since the touch panel liquid crystal monitor is provided, a certain size is ensured, so that the driver of the following vehicle can easily recognize the presence. Therefore, for example, regardless of the installation of a notification device for people outside the vehicle, such as a lamp indicating that it is in operation, the same effect as sticking a warning sticker such as "drive recorder installed/drive recorder in operation" is exerted. It's good.

A spherical drive recorder such as Q-01, which is one of the applicant's products, has a horizontal range of 360° and a vertical range of 360° in the installed state of 720°. It has a function to shoot the entire circumference. When such a omnidirectional drive recorder is attached to, for example, a windshield, the photographing area of the camera is, for example, the front of the vehicle or the interior of the vehicle, and it is good to check the interior rear, but to record the following vehicle, There is a limit. Therefore, it is advisable to use a rear-view camera compatible omnidirectional drive recorder that can capture images even in the rear of the room. The following camera can be recorded by installing a rear camera on the rear glass or the like and photographing the rear area outside the vehicle, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

Further, it is preferable to have a function of connecting an additional camera to various drive recorders without being limited to the spherical drive recorder. With this configuration, by connecting the additional camera, it is possible to shoot and record a region different from the direction in which the camera provided in the drive recorder body shoots. The drive recorder has a function of recording in two channels or multiple channels, and it is preferable that the drive recorder has a connecting portion for an additional camera.

In the case of a system including a plurality of units each including a camera, the plurality of units may be connected to each other by using a wired system, but it is more preferable to use a wireless communication system, for example, using a wireless LAN. It is more preferable to connect by wiring because wiring is unnecessary. For example, when one of the plurality of units is arranged in the front of the vehicle compartment such as on the windshield or the dashboard, and another unit is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle, the positions of the plurality of units are relatively separated, A wireless LAN or the like may be used. A plurality of units, such as a drive recorder each having an output function to a control unit and a recording unit, a camera unit in which the control unit is mounted in one unit, and the operation is controlled by the control unit in another unit It is preferable that

For example, in a vehicle such as a taxi that runs well in the daytime and is likely to be involved in an accident, by attaching a drive recorder that captures the outside of the vehicle, the recorded image is used as evidence when involved in an accident. be able to. If such a drive recorder is connected to, for example, an additional camera capable of photographing the interior and the rear, it is possible to record the interaction with passengers and the rear of the vehicle. For example, when shooting indoors, the drive recorder/additional camera may be installed near the upper center of the windshield, the front center of the ceiling of the vehicle interior of the vehicle, the room mirror, or the like, and configured to shoot from the side of the room mirror. ..

It is a device to be installed later in the vehicle, and it is preferable to have a function of acquiring/hacking an image captured by an onboard camera mounted in the vehicle. A device equipped with such a function can use an image taken by an in-vehicle camera.

The device may include means for outputting to a recording unit that records the image acquired by the function of acquiring the image captured by the vehicle-mounted camera mounted on the vehicle. By doing so, the device becomes a device for recording an image outside the vehicle, such as a drive recorder, without using a separate camera.

In addition, for example, in a device such as a drive recorder equipped with a camera, which is installed later in a vehicle, it is preferable to have a function of acquiring an image captured by an in-vehicle camera mounted in the vehicle. This is preferable because it is not necessary to separately prepare an optional product such as an additional camera and wire it by acquiring an image from a vehicle-mounted camera that captures an area different from the mounted camera.

The on-vehicle camera to be connected is preferably a back camera such as a back view monitor for photographing the rear of the vehicle. Since the back camera faces downward, it is not possible to shoot from a distance far behind, but it is possible to take a sufficient amount of pictures of vehicles approaching (for example, at the time of leaning or rear-end collision).

For example, in a system such as a drive recorder, when the external shape is a special shape that is not rectangular, it may be a product that collaborates with a character that matches the external shape. For example, with devices and products such as spherical drive recorders, the lens facing the interior of the vehicle is noticeable, and the passengers are aware that they are shooting, and the presence of the spherical shape of the lens part gives a conspicuous impression. There is a problem that there is a fear. For example, as described above, if a system that has an external shape that is not partly or wholly rectangular is a collaboration product with a character that matches the external shape, it will soften the above-mentioned impression and make it easier for users to use and implement. Therefore, the above problems can be solved, which is good. For example, when the character has a spherical outer shape such as a spherical drive recorder, for example, "Eyeball Father (Kitaro)", "Mike Wazowski (Monsters, Inc.)", ball game ball ( (Soccer, basketball, golf, baseball, etc.) may be used, and the spherical portion of the camera portion may be a collaboration product in the form of a character.

When an SD card, for example, is used as a recording unit for recording the image captured by the camera, the system should have an SD alert function. For example, if the SD card format is not executed for a long period of time, there are cases in which a large number of defective sectors exist, and for example, event recording by the G sensor becomes an obstacle and recording cannot be performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the alert is issued when the usage time has passed a certain time. For example, even if the instruction manual states that “formatting the SD card in 1 to 2 weeks” is preferable, the frequency of use differs between the person who uses it for commuting or work and the Sunday driver. Therefore, it is not necessary to uniformly format in the same period, and for example, the timing at which a large number of defective sectors occur is different. Therefore, it is advisable to use an operating time as a reference and give an alert to prompt a format when the operating time reaches a set reference time. If the automatic format is performed, there is a problem in that the recorded video may be erased without the user's knowledge. Therefore, it is preferable to use the alert to prompt the format instead of the automatic format. The usage time may be calculated based on the recording time or the GPS log, for example.

A camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, a system A that outputs the image captured by the camera to the recording unit, and a device that is installed after the vehicle, and that is different from the system A. A viewer for a system having a camera that shoots a direction and a system B that outputs a video shot by the camera to a recording unit, and displays the mounting positions of the systems A and B, for example, the mounting position of the camera in each system. It is good to have a function.

This viewer may have an edit mode and a browse mode, for example. In the edit mode, for example, a figure/shape of a car and a frame of the camera position may be drawn by clicking a position where the camera is installed in the figure of the car. Correspond by which color the drawn frame belongs to which camera. The browsing mode has a function of playing/displaying an image shot by one or more predetermined cameras, and has a function of displaying a frame of the triggered camera in a conspicuous manner such as blinking, for example, at the time of playback by the viewer. good. The frame color should be the same as the frame color of the graph or playback screen.

As for the display of the mounting position, for example, a view of the car viewed from above is displayed on the viewer, and it can be seen that the position of the camera on the graphic of the displayed car corresponds to the camera position where the camera is installed. It is good to display in. By doing this, it is easy to know at which position the camera is installed. For example, from the installation position of the camera, it is possible to understand the approximate area of the image taken by the camera.

In order to display the camera position, for example, a predetermined figure/icon may be displayed at the corresponding position. The viewer may be realized by various things such as a PC viewer, a web viewer, and an application.

The inventions (1) to (19) described above can be arbitrarily combined. For example, all or part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1) may be added with at least part of the configuration of at least one invention from (2). In particular, the invention shown in (1) is preferably an invention obtained by adding at least a part of the configuration of at least one invention after (2). The applicant of the present application has the intention to obtain a patent right, a design right, etc. by amendment, divisional application, application for change to design registration application, etc. even for those including these configurations.

For example, a region outside the vehicle other than the front can be photographed, and the range of the recorded image is wide and sufficient. The effect of the invention of the present application is not limited to this, and the effect obtained from the portion of the configuration disclosed in the present specification and the drawings is also disclosed, and the configuration having the effect is also acquired through divisional application/amendment and the like. Have the intention to For example, in the present specification, a portion described as “-capable” is a description that clearly indicates the effect to be exerted, and there is a portion that exhibits the effect even if the “-capable” is not described. Even if there is no such description, there is an effect that can be grasped by the configuration.

It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder which is an example of the system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure showing one form of a drive recorder provided with a danger warning function. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder provided with the monitoring means. It is a figure which shows another form of the drive recorder provided with the monitoring means. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder of a ceiling stick type. It is a figure showing one form of a general-purpose cable connection type drive recorder. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder which connected the case main body provided with the camera and the case main body provided with the monitor. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the drive recorder. It is a figure which shows another form of the drive recorder which connected the case main body provided with the camera and the case main body provided with the monitor. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder of a camera extension type. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder of a camera extension type. It is a figure which shows one form of the drive recorder of a camera extension type. It is a figure showing one form of a system provided with a plurality of drive recorders. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the smart phone which cooperates with the system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration, shape, etc. of the described device are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto, and is based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. , Various changes, modifications and improvements can be added.

[Basic configuration of drive recorder]
FIG. 1 shows a drive recorder that is a form of an in-vehicle mountable device that is a preferred embodiment of a system that constitutes the system of the present invention. The drive recorder 1 is not a vehicle-mounted device/equipment installed in a vehicle at the time of factory shipment of a vehicle maker or purchase from a vehicle dealer, but is a device installed later on the vehicle 2. .. The drive recorder 1 includes, for example, a drive recorder main body 4 that implements a predetermined function, and the drive recorder main body 4 is attached to a rear glass 3 of the vehicle 2 by using a predetermined bracket 5.

The drive recorder main body 4 has a flat rectangular case main body 10, and the camera main body 10, the first LED 12, the second LED 13, the controller 14, the card slot 15, the microphone 16, the abnormality detection sensor 17, The power supply unit 18 and the like are mounted.

The case main body 10 has a flat rectangular outer shape, and is held in a suspended posture while being erected via the bracket 5. Since the drive recorder main body 4 of the present embodiment does not include a monitor, the case main body 10 should be downsized accordingly.

The bracket 5 has a connecting member that is connected to the top surface of the case body 10 at one end, and has a mounting surface that is attached to the rear glass 3 at the other end. The attachment surface is provided with a fixture such as a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive sheet, and the fixture is used to attach and fix the rear glass 3 at a predetermined position. Further, the bracket 5 has a connecting portion such as a ball joint that can be changed and adjusted at an intermediate portion thereof, and has a function of changing and adjusting the orientation and orientation of the case body 10 and fixing the casing body 10 in a desired orientation.

The photographing range of the camera 11 includes the area behind the vehicle, which is one of the areas outside the vehicle other than the area in front of the vehicle in the state of being attached to the vehicle 2 using the bracket 5. More preferably, the optical axis and the visual field direction of the lens of the camera 11 should be set to face directly behind the vehicle 2. The angle of view/viewing angle of the camera 11 is set to a predetermined angle of 180 degrees or less, and more preferably an obtuse angle so as to photograph in a wide angle range. When the drive recorder body 4 is installed in the desired posture as described above, it is preferable that the front side of the vehicle is not within the photographing range with the camera 11 as a reference.

It is preferable that the camera 11 be capable of shooting at night without the lights of the vehicle 2 being illuminated. The shooting range of the camera 11 is behind the vehicle and is a region where the light mounted on the vehicle is not illuminated. By using the camera 11 capable of shooting at night, it is possible to shoot, for example, brightly and beautifully at night. As the camera 11 capable of shooting at night, for example, a high-sensitivity camera using STARVIS (registered trademark) or the like that can shoot at low illuminance, an infrared camera, or a night-vision camera may be used. For example, a daytime shooting mode and a nighttime shooting mode may be provided with different shooting modes based on ambient brightness and the like, and a function of switching depending on the setting may be provided. The switching function may be performed manually, for example, but it is preferable to have a function of automatically switching based on ambient brightness, time information, and the like.

When using a special camera such as an infrared camera and a night-vision camera as a camera capable of shooting at night, a camera for shooting during bright daytime may be separately prepared and switched, but it is possible to shoot even in low light If you have a camera that can be used for both nighttime and daytime shooting with a high-sensitivity camera and a function that switches the brightness of the image quality captured by the camera between daytime and nighttime, one camera can be used day and night. It is good because it can be used regardless.

As the rear glass 3, privacy glass such as smoked glass is often used. The camera 11 capable of photographing at night is transparent because even if there is the privacy glass, it is possible to photograph neatly.

The number of pixels of the camera 11 may be high precision, but may be, for example, about 1 to 2 million pixels. By limiting the number of pixels to such a size, the camera 11 and hence the drive recorder main body 4 can be downsized.

The first LED 12 is arranged on a predetermined surface of the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is not installed. The surface on which the drive recorder main body 4 is mounted is preferably a surface facing the interior of the vehicle with the drive recorder main body 4 mounted on the vehicle 2, and a surface opposite to the rear surface, that is, the surface on which the camera 11 is installed. The surface on the opposite side is a surface that faces when the driver visually confirms the rear of the vehicle, for example, through the rearview mirror of the vehicle or directly facing the rear, and is a surface that is easy to see in the driver's view and easy to see. Becomes

The first LED 12 constitutes an informing means for informing a person in the vehicle such as a driver that the vehicle is in operation. The first LED 12 operates so as to light up during the operation of the drive recorder body 4. The control of such lighting is performed by the control unit 14. Since the first LED 12 lights up during operation, a user such as a driver in the vehicle compartment can confirm that the user is operating without a monitor. In particular, by using a light emitting body such as an LED, the user can confirm that the user is operating at an appropriate timing.

Although various modes such as continuous lighting and blinking can be used for lighting, continuous lighting is preferable. Blinking makes the driver noticeable and annoying to the driver, but it is good because there is no problem related to continuous lighting without blinking.

The second LED 13 is arranged on the surface (for example, the front surface) of the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is installed. The second LED 13 constitutes a notifying means for notifying a person outside the vehicle that the drive recorder body 4 is operating. The second LED 13 operates so as to light up while the drive recorder main body 4 is operating. The control of such lighting is performed by the control unit 14.

The microphone 16 collects sounds around the drive recorder body 4. When the drive recorder main body 4 is attached to the rear glass 3, the microphone 16 may be, for example, the sound of a person riding in the vehicle or other sounds generated in the vehicle compartment, or the impact when an object collides with the vehicle 2. Collect sounds.

The card slot 15 is a device in which a memory card 19 such as a micro SD card or an SD card is detachably mounted, and data is read from or written to the mounted memory card 19. For example, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14, the image captured by the camera 11 and the sound collected by the microphone 16 are recorded in the memory card 19.

The abnormality detection sensor 17 is, for example, an acceleration sensor or a 6-axis sensor, and detects the state of the vehicle such as the impact applied to the vehicle 2, the acceleration of the vehicle, and the inclination. The abnormality detection sensor 17 is not limited to the above-exemplified one, and may be, for example, an approach sensor that detects the approach of an object or other event that triggers recording of various images.

The power supply unit 18 has a function of supplying a power supply voltage to devices and the like included in the drive recorder main body 4 to operate them. The power supply unit 18 includes, for example, a jack 18a for detachably mounting an adapter terminal of a power supply adapter that can be connected to a battery mounted in a vehicle (not shown) on the case body 10, and the jack 18a has a predetermined power supply circuit. To be electrically connected. The power supply circuit is built in the case body 10 and supplies a power supply voltage of a desired voltage value to each device. As a result, the drive recorder body 4 operates by receiving power supply from the battery of the vehicle 2.

The control unit 14 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, an I/O, etc., and is connected to the above-mentioned units as shown in FIG. The control unit 14 operates the output devices (first LED 12, second LED 13, card slot 15, etc.) based on information input from the above various input devices (camera 11, microphone 16, abnormality detection sensor 17, etc.). And outputs predetermined information and the like.

The functions of the drive recorder main body 4 of the present embodiment are realized by, for example, being stored in the NAND flash memory of the control unit 14 as firmware executed by the CPU of the control unit 14, and being executed by the CPU of the control unit 14. The firmware stored in the NAND flash memory can be updated by the new firmware stored in the memory card 19.

The control unit 14 records, for example, video data captured by the camera 11 and audio data collected by the microphone 16. In this recording, for example, while the engine of the vehicle 2 is in a drivable state, the recording is always performed, and when the event condition is satisfied, the video and the audio for a certain time before and after the event occurrence are recorded as separate data. To do. The constantly recorded data and the different data when the event occurs are both recorded in the memory card 19. When the continuous recording is not performed, the control unit 14 of the drive recorder normally temporarily records the video and audio for a certain time in the buffer memory or the like, and temporarily records the recorded data when the event condition is satisfied. The video and audio for a certain time before and after the occurrence of the event are recorded in the memory card 19 using the above.

While the vehicle 2 is parked with the engine off, the vehicle 2 operates in the parking monitoring mode, and the video data and the like captured by the camera 11 is recorded in the memory card 19 according to the set operating conditions. The set operating condition may be, for example, recording an image taken at a predetermined time interval or recording video data continuously for a predetermined time when the abnormality detection sensor 17 detects an abnormality.

The control unit 14 may control the first LED 12 to be continuously turned on when a predetermined device is operating normally, for example, when the camera 11 starts shooting. Further, the control unit 14 may control the second LED 13 to blink when the predetermined device is operating normally, for example, when the camera 11 starts shooting. The condition for continuously lighting the first LED 12 and the condition for causing the second LED 13 to blink may be the same, but it is better if they are different, and if they are different, the condition for the second LED 13 may be relaxed. The first LED 12 for notifying the driver or the like lights up when the drive recorder main body 4 is operating normally, but the second LED 13 operates even if it is blinking even when it is not operating normally. It's good because you can intimidate regardless of the situation.

According to the above-described embodiment, even in a vehicle that is not originally equipped with an in-vehicle device for photographing/recording the rear side, a scene behind the vehicle, an image of a following vehicle, or the like can be recorded in the memory card 19. The recorded video data can be confirmed by the user, for example, by taking out the memory card 19, setting it in a card reader or the like connected to a personal computer, and displaying it on a monitor using a viewer installed in the personal computer.

Since the drive recorder 1 of the present embodiment is used in a state in which it is attached to the rear glass 3, the driver 11 and passengers in the passenger compartment are not reflected in the shooting area of the camera 11, and the scenery behind the vehicle is large. Reflected. Therefore, even if the resolution or the like of the camera 11 is slightly low, it becomes possible to clearly recognize, for example, a following vehicle or a license plate of the following vehicle in the video data captured by the camera 11. For example, in the case of a collision from a following vehicle, the situation of the collision can be recorded. The resolution of the camera 11 may be set so that the number on the license plate can be read and the vehicle type of the following vehicle can be recognized.

In this embodiment, since the case body 10 is not provided with the monitor means, for example, the driver cannot directly check whether or not the camera 11 is operating by looking at the monitor means. In the present embodiment, the first LED 12 is continuously turned on when a predetermined device is operating normally, for example, when the camera 11 starts shooting, so that the driver can confirm that the first LED 12 is turned on, for example. , It is good because it can be confirmed that the drive recorder main body 4 is operating normally. In particular, in the present embodiment, the first LED 12 is arranged on the surface opposite to the surface on which the camera 11 is installed. Therefore, for example, the driver uses the visual rear of the vehicle through the rearview mirror of the vehicle or directly facing the rear. When confirming, it is easy to see the driver's field of view naturally, and it is possible to easily confirm that the driver is operating. If the monitor is not provided in this way, the user is uncertain as to whether or not it is operating, but the anxiety is eliminated by providing an informing unit for informing a person in the vehicle that the vehicle is operating.

Since the second LED 13 is turned on during operation, it is possible to notify, for example, a person in a following vehicle or a person approaching the own vehicle that the system is operating. In particular, since a light emitting body such as an LED is used, it is preferable that the operation can be easily transmitted to the surroundings with a simple configuration.

Particularly, for example, at night, since the second LED 13 emits light conspicuously, it is possible to appeal to a driver or the like of a following vehicle that a system for recording an image, such as a drive recorder, is mounted during traveling, It is possible to prevent the driver of the following vehicle from having a feeling of trying to drive dangerously, such as incline, and to prevent the dangerous traveling in advance. In the present embodiment, since the camera 11 is provided in the same housing as the case body 10 in which the camera 11 is mounted, it is possible for a person outside the vehicle to intuitively understand that the camera 11 is operating and shooting. It is good because it can be appealed.

The second LED 13 may be provided separately from, for example, the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted, but it is better to be provided on the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted as in the present embodiment. By providing it on the same case body 10 as the camera 11, it is possible to make a person outside the vehicle intuitively understand that the camera 11 is operating and shooting, and to appeal it.

The operation of the first LED 12 and/or the second LED 13 may be configured to be performed in synchronization with power ON/OFF without the control unit 14. However, a configuration in which the control unit 14 controls according to the operation of a predetermined device of the drive recorder main body 4 as in the above-described embodiment is more preferable.

(Modified example of means for notifying people in the car)
In the embodiment described above, the first LED 12 is used as an internal means for a person in the vehicle, but a light-emitting body other than the LED may be used, and a body other than the light-emitting body may be a speaker that outputs sound, for example. If a light-emitting body such as an LED is used as in the embodiment, it can be confirmed at an appropriate timing.

In the above-described embodiment, the notification means may be provided separately from the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted, but it may be provided in the same case body 10 as in the embodiment. Since it is provided in the same case body, it can be intuitively understood that the drive recorder body 4 is operating normally.

(Danger notification function)
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment in which a danger notification function is added to the basic configuration shown in FIG. 1 described above. In this embodiment, the drive recorder main body 4 may include, for example, the notification unit 20, and the control unit 14 may include a function of detecting a danger based on the image captured by the camera 11 and outputting the danger to the notification unit 20. In this way, the driver cannot look or check the outside of the vehicle because the driver is looking ahead while driving, but the driver will notify you of the danger that occurs in a direction other than the front, so the driver will be aware of the danger. It becomes easy to take measures to avoid it.

If the shooting range of the camera 11 is behind the vehicle as in the above-described embodiment, for example, the control unit 14 outputs an alert from the notification unit 20 when detecting the approach of the following vehicle based on the captured video data, for example. To do.

The notification unit 20 may be a speaker, for example. When the speaker is used, for example, the size of the case body 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where a display function such as a monitor is used while being mounted in the same case body 10. When the notification unit 20 is a speaker, for example, when the approaching vehicle is detected, the control unit 14 issues a voice alert such as “the following vehicle is approaching” or an alert using an alerting sound such as a “beep”. The output from the notification unit 20 is controlled.

The detection of the approach of a surrounding vehicle such as a following vehicle performed based on the image captured by the camera 11 performed by the control unit 14 may be performed based on, for example, the size of the following vehicle in the captured image. For example, when the area or size of the following vehicle in the captured video data exceeds a set value, it may be detected that the vehicle is approaching. With this configuration, the approach can be detected without providing a separate sensor for detecting the approach.

In this way, the driver cannot always look backward while driving, but when the driver is informed of the approaching vehicle, for example, while looking ahead, the alert is triggered. It is good that you can visually check the rear through a rearview mirror and check the situation. In particular, sound alerts can be recognized regardless of the direction the driver is looking.

(Modification of approach warning alert function)
The detection of the approaching of the following vehicle performed by the control unit 14 may be performed in place of the above-described case where the size of the following vehicle exceeds the set value, or in addition to the function, for example, the control unit 14 may perform the shooting. It is advisable to provide a function of detecting a sudden approach based on the expansion rate of the following vehicle per unit time in the video data. When used in combination with the size-based approach detection function, when a rapid approach is detected, a highly urgent warning different from the normal approach warning based on the size may be issued.

The drive recorder main body 4 may include, for example, a sensor that measures an inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle, and the control unit 14 may include a function of detecting a vehicle approaching from behind based on the distance to the following vehicle. By doing so, the approach of the following vehicle can be detected more accurately. The approach warning based on the inter-vehicle distance may be set, for example, by setting a reference distance and giving an alarm when the inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle approaches the reference distance or less.

(Approach warning alert function that considers the vehicle speed)
The approach-based alerts in the above-described embodiments and modifications may have a function of controlling an alarm operation based on the vehicle speed. For example, the control unit 14 issues a normal approach warning alert when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the reference speed, and does not issue the approach warning or issues a light approach warning when the vehicle speed does not reach a certain speed. Good to do.

With this configuration, when a following vehicle approaches while the vehicle is temporarily stopped due to a traffic jam, an intersection, a signal waiting, or the like, it may be complicated and annoying if an alert sounds each time. If the speed is less than a certain speed, the approach warning alert will not be issued, or even if it is done, it will be light.Therefore, drive at a low speed due to traffic congestion or during such a temporary stop. It is good because the alert of the usual approach warning does not occur in the case of going around. For example, the setting may be such that an alert is activated when a following vehicle approaches within 20 m while traveling at a vehicle speed of 40 km or more. Further, for example, a highway mode in which an alert sounds only at a vehicle speed of 70 km or more may be further provided, and it may be set to be switched to a general mode in which an alert sounds at an vehicle speed of 40 km or more, for example. In this way, for example, it is possible to deal with a user who wants only on a highway without sounding an alarm on a general road.

When the approach detection has a function of obtaining the inter-vehicle distance and comparing it with the reference distance, it is preferable to provide a plurality of the reference distances according to the vehicle speed. For a plurality of installations, for example, the faster the vehicle speed is, the longer the reference distance may be. In this way, for example, by making the reference speed at the speed corresponding to the traveling on the highway longer than the reference distance at the speed corresponding to the traveling on the general road, for example, the traveling on the general road during the traveling on the highway. It is good that the notification can be made even when the vehicle is approaching with the following vehicle relatively far from the inside.

As another aspect of the plurality of installations, for example, the reference distance when the vehicle speed is 0 or low speed may be set shorter than the reference distance when the vehicle speed is normal. By doing this, for example, when the vehicle is temporarily stopped due to a traffic jam, an intersection, a signal waiting, etc., a collision is given while not giving a notification or giving a light notification even if the following distance between vehicles becomes short. It is good that an approach warning can be given when approaching to such an extent that there is a risk.

(Modified example of the danger to be detected: fanned driving)
Further, the danger to be detected may be, for example, the driving of the surrounding vehicles. For example, the control unit 14 extracts the following vehicle based on the video data captured by the camera 11, analyzes the running pattern such as the behavior of the extracted following vehicle in motion, and matches the set running pattern of the flapping driving. In some cases, a warning alert for driving is output. The set driving pattern of the agitation operation may be, for example, a driving approaching a sudden approach, and a driving motion swinging left and right after approaching. Further, when a sensor for detecting the inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle is provided, the control unit 14 may output a warning alert of a leaning driving when, for example, the change in which the inter-vehicle distance becomes shorter exceeds the set value and is large.

(Function to record vehicles following dangerous driving)
In addition to the above-mentioned function of alerting the danger notification, or in place of the function of alerting, a function of saving a still image or a moving image in a dedicated folder at the time of sudden approach, for example, may be provided. When stored in the dedicated folder, the user may play back the still image or the moving image stored in the dedicated folder so that the user can later confirm the number of the vehicle that has been driving the car.

(Variation example of danger notification)
The control unit 14 may have a function of detecting a moving object such as a child jumping out, or an approach to a fixedly installed object, and notifying the user of a risk of collision. If such a function is provided, for example, when the vehicle retreats, the driver will be notified and alerted when a child jumps out or approaches various installations.For example, the driver will have the opportunity to step on the brake and check the rear side again, and It is possible to avoid contact accidents and the like. For example, even in a vehicle that is not equipped with a sensor such as a corner sensor or a back sensor that detects the approach to obstacles such as people or objects, it is possible to detect or report the approach to those obstacles. it can.

(Modification of the notification unit)
Although the notification unit 20 outputs the sound of the speaker or the like in the above-described embodiments and modifications, it may be based on the visual sense of a monitor, for example. However, it is more preferable to use sound as described above. The notification using sound is good because, for example, the driver can know the notification even in a situation where the driver is looking ahead or the like and not looking at the display monitor or the like.

When a monitor is used, it is preferable that the monitor is formed separately from the case body 10 in which the camera 11 is mounted and is arranged at a position where a driver who is driving can see it. The position where the driver can see is good to be on the dashboard, for example. The case body 10 is provided with a communication unit that is a communication interface for performing wired communication and/or wireless communication, and is connected to a separate monitor so as to be able to perform data communication. Further, in the present embodiment, the case main body 10 on which the camera 11, the control unit 14, the communication unit, and the like are mounted is attached to the rear glass 3 behind the vehicle 2, and the monitor is arranged in front of the vehicle 2. The communication connection between the mounted communication unit and the monitor may be a wired connection method, but it is more preferable to use a wireless connection method, and in the case of a wireless connection method, it is more preferable to use a wireless LAN or Wi-Fi.

The alert for the danger notification using the monitor may be, for example, a notification made up of characters, figures, and other patterns, but it may be displayed as a video being shot. By doing so, the following vehicle that is driving or approaching is displayed on the monitor, so that the situation of the following vehicle that is driving dangerously can be confirmed.

The monitor may be a dedicated monitor, but it is more preferable to use the monitor means of another device. If there is a monitor for other equipment, and if a dedicated monitor is installed in addition to that, there will be multiple monitors, which not only may interfere, but it is difficult to instantly understand which monitor means should be used. Challenges arise. Therefore, the problem can be solved by also using the monitor means of another device.

(Form without recording unit)
It is preferable not to mount the recording unit on the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the case body 10 and not obstruct the driver's view.

When the recording unit is not mounted on the case body 10, the recording unit may be mounted on a vehicle or the like in a housing different from the case body 10 and is preferably a cloud.

(Embodiment with monitor means)
As shown in FIG. 3, the drive recorder of this embodiment includes a monitor device 21 that outputs a video image captured by the camera 11. The monitor device 21 may be configured separately from the drive recorder main body 4, and may be installed at a position visible to the driver, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle 2. The drive recorder body 4 and the monitor device 21 are connected by a predetermined communication method. The predetermined communication method may be a wired communication method or a wireless communication method, and more preferably a wireless communication method.

By doing so, the control unit 14 outputs the image of the area behind the vehicle to the monitor device 21 installed at a position where the driver can visually recognize the image. Can be seen. Therefore, for example, even if the vehicle is originally not equipped with the back view monitor, the function of the back view monitor is exerted. Further, even in a vehicle that is originally equipped with a back view monitor, a region in which the shooting direction/viewing angle of the vehicle-mounted camera for the back view monitor and the shooting direction/viewing angle of the camera 11 of the drive recorder body 4 are different from each other. In this case, the back view monitor and the monitor device 21 originally installed in the vehicle display images of partially or entirely different areas, so that the situation outside the vehicle can be known in a wider range.

Further, the image data of the rear of the vehicle taken by the camera 11 may be constantly output to the monitor device 21, but may be displayed when the display conditions are met. The display condition may be, for example, when the reverse signal of the vehicle is input. In this way, the image of the rear of the vehicle may be displayed on the monitor device 21 when the vehicle is moving backward. In addition, as described above, it is preferable that the alert is required.

The monitor device 21 formed separately from the drive recorder main body 4 may be a dedicated device, but it is more preferable to use a monitor of another device. The monitor of another device may be a monitor of a system such as a drive recorder that captures images in different directions. If the monitor is, for example, a monitor of a drive recorder that captures the front, for example, a video that is normally capturing the front is output to the monitor, and by inputting a reverse signal of the vehicle, an image output to the monitor when the vehicle retreats is output. It is good to have a function to automatically switch to the one shot by the rear camera.

(Another embodiment including monitor means)
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the drive recorder including the monitor device 21 that outputs the image captured by the camera 11. In this embodiment, the monitor device 21 is mounted on the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted. When the monitor device 21 is on the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the camera 11 and the drive recorder main body 4 is attached at a predetermined rear position in the vehicle interior, the monitor device 21 is in a state of facing the front in the vehicle interior.

With this configuration, when the drive recorder main body 4 is attached to a predetermined position such as the rear glass 3 of the vehicle, if the image captured by the camera 11 is output to the monitor device 21, the orientation of the case main body 10 and, by extension, the camera. It is preferable that the photographing range 11 can be confirmed while checking the monitor device 21.

When the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted is provided with the monitor device 21, the case body 10 becomes large. For example, an owner of a foreign car tends to prefer a vehicle having a relatively large external appearance, and thus it is particularly suitable to be applied to a drive recorder intended to be installed in the foreign car. Further, since the case body 10 is secured to a certain size by providing the monitor device 21, it becomes easy for the driver of the following vehicle to recognize its presence. Therefore, the same effect as sticking a warning sticker such as "drive recorder installed/drive recorder in operation" can be exerted regardless of whether the notification means for people outside the vehicle such as the second LED 13 is installed. good.

Further, the monitor device 21 described above may include, for example, a touch panel liquid crystal. In this way, various settings and commands can be performed by touching and operating the touch panel liquid crystal. For example, when the drive recorder 1 is installed on the rear side of the vehicle such as the rear glass 3, the interior light of the vehicle is not installed, and the system may be installed in the dark at night, for example. .. Even in such a case, since the touch panel liquid crystal is used, a certain degree of brightness can be secured, and a desired place can be touched and set, for example.

(Ceiling type)
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment. The drive recorder of this embodiment is for photographing the rear of the vehicle 2, and the case main body 10 on which the camera 11 for photographing the region behind the vehicle is mounted is a bracket 5 having a mounting portion mounted on the ceiling 6 in the vehicle compartment. It is configured to be attached to the ceiling 6 in the vehicle compartment on the rear glass side of the vehicle via the.

The bracket 5 has a connecting member that is connected to the top surface of the case body 10 at one end, and has a mounting surface that is fixed to the ceiling 6 at the other end. The attachment surface is provided with a fixture such as a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive sheet, and the fixture is used to attach and fix the ceiling 6 at a predetermined position. Further, the bracket 5 has a connecting portion such as a ball joint that can be changed and adjusted at an intermediate portion thereof, and has a function of changing and adjusting the orientation and orientation of the case body 10 and fixing the casing body 10 in a desired orientation.

By doing so, for example, in the state where the drive recorder main body 4 is mounted on the ceiling 6 in the vehicle compartment, a hatchback type such as a type having a back door 7 that opens and closes on the rear side of the vehicle or a glass hatch type that opens and closes the rear glass part In the case of a vehicle type, even if the back door 7 and the rear glass are opened and closed, the drive recorder main body 4 maintains the posture in which it is suspended and fixed to the ceiling 6, and does not move together with the back door 7 and the like. Therefore, for example, when a predetermined wiring such as a power cable or a communication cable is connected to the case body 10 of the drive recorder body 4, it is possible to crawl the vehicle interior without slackening the wiring.

The mounting portion may be a mounting jig having various mechanisms and structures such as the bracket 5 of the present embodiment, but with a simple configuration, it is attached to the ceiling by using an adhesive member such as double-sided tape on the upper surface of the case body 10. It may be configured. However, if the mounting member such as the predetermined bracket 5 is used, it is possible to surely fix the member.

The camera for photographing the rear of the vehicle may be a single camera, but it is preferable to install the rear camera in the drive recorder of 2ch or more on the ceiling of the passenger compartment. Further, when a drive recorder for photographing 360 degrees in the horizontal direction, such as a omnidirectional drive recorder, is arranged on the rear side in the passenger compartment, it may be attached to the rear glass 3, but as in this embodiment, the ceiling is used. It is more preferable to attach to.

(External vehicle mounting type)
In the above-described various embodiments and modifications, the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted is mounted in the vehicle interior. However, for example, the drive recorder 1 has a mounting portion for mounting the case body 10 at a predetermined position outside the vehicle 2. Should be provided. The mounting portion may be directly provided in the case body 10, or may be a bracket or another fixing member that is separate from the case body.

For example, privacy glass such as smoked glass is often used as vehicle glass other than the windshield such as the rear glass 3. When the case body 10 having the camera 11 mounted therein is mounted in the vehicle compartment as in the above-described embodiment, the image taken by the camera 11 becomes difficult to see, or the camera 11 can take a beautiful image through the privacy glass. It is preferable to use, but it is preferable to install it outside the vehicle so that the outside of the vehicle can be clearly photographed regardless of whether it is privacy glass or not. Such a small rear camera that is mounted outside the vehicle can be installed in various vehicles regardless of whether the rear rear glass is privacy glass or not.

When the case main body 10 is installed outside the vehicle, it is preferable that the case main body 10 be installed in an inconspicuous place. It is good to install it in an unobtrusive place, as it will not be easily stolen. It is advisable to set the inconspicuous place to 1 which is partially hidden by vehicle parts such as the side or the back of the license plate. Further, for example, it is preferable that the camera is downsized and mounted on, for example, the fixing bolt portion of the license plate, and if it is imitated by the fixing bolt, it is less noticeable.

(Shooting mode change type)
The drive recorder main body 4 may have a function of changing shooting conditions according to the type of glass of the vehicle. When the case body 10 in which the camera 11 is mounted is arranged in the vehicle interior, the camera 11 shoots the scenery outside the vehicle through the glass, but at the time of shooting, the camera 11 shoots under the shooting conditions according to the type of glass. By doing so, you can take beautiful pictures in any direction.

The shooting conditions are, for example, such that the brightness of the image quality can be adjusted. For example, it is possible to shoot with an appropriate image quality for both the windshield using transparent glass and the rear glass using privacy glass. It is good to have a mode setting switching function.

In this way, when the drive recorder main body 4 is mounted at a predetermined position in the vehicle interior, for example, and the camera 11 is used in such a manner as to image the area behind the vehicle through the rear glass 3, an image corresponding to smoked glass or the like is taken. By setting the mode to the condition, you can clearly capture the area behind the vehicle. On the other hand, when the drive recorder main body 4 is mounted at a predetermined position in front of the vehicle, for example, and the camera 11 is used for shooting through a windshield, for example, a mode of shooting conditions corresponding to transparent glass or the like is set. This allows you to take a neat picture of the area in front of the vehicle. In this way, by providing the function of switching the shooting conditions, for example, one drive recorder becomes a drive recorder for front shooting or a drive recorder for rear shooting.

Further, in the above example, the transparent glass and the privacy glass are switched in two stages, but it is more preferable to switch the privacy glass in different concentrations in two stages or in three or more stages.

(Modification of ball joint bracket)
In the case where the ball joint type bracket 5 is used as the bracket 5 for mounting the case main body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted at a predetermined position in the vehicle as in the above-described embodiment and modified example, the drive recorder main body 4 is set in the vehicle interior in a predetermined manner. It is advisable to provide a fixing means for fixing the camera body 11 such that the camera body 11 does not change its orientation even when an urging force is applied to the case body 10 in a state where the camera body 11 is positioned and positioned such that the orientation of the camera.

For example, an ordinary ball joint uses a frictional force generated in a joint portion that serves as a connecting portion to fix the relative angle of rods connected to both sides of the joint portion in a desired state, and exceeds the frictional force. When a biasing force is applied, the relative angle changes. As a result, the position of the case main body 10 and thus the camera 11 can be adjusted in a desired direction so as to face the appropriate photographing area. Then, in the state of being fixed by the fixing means, for example, even if an urging force greater than the frictional force for fixing the joint portion is applied, the joint portion does not move and the orientation of the camera 11 for photographing the region behind the vehicle does not change. Therefore, for example, even if the luggage contacts the case body 10 in which the camera 11 is mounted when the back door is closed, the direction of the camera 11 does not change, and a desired direction can be captured.

A user who is not conscious of the drive recorder, a beginner, or the like may not notice it even if the direction of the camera 11 is changed due to the biasing force applied to the case body due to carelessness or the like. Since the vehicle is driven with the camera orientation changed, there is a possibility that the system cannot be used because the desired area cannot be captured. In particular, with a drive recorder that does not have a monitor and shoots the rear of the vehicle, you cannot check the video being shot on the spot, but the drive recorder of this embodiment in which the camera does not change is If you set it so that you do not need to check after that.

The fixing means may be physically fixed so that the orientation does not change. For example, a physical lock such as a pin may be used so that the pin or the like cannot be stabbed to rotate and the like so that a simple configuration can be realized.

The drive recorder mounted using a ball joint type bracket equipped with another fixing means other than frictional force is not limited to backward shooting as described above, and is applied to drive recorders and other systems that shoot in various directions. You can do it. For example, when applied to a drive recorder or the like for photographing the front of the vehicle, the drive recorder or the like is mounted at a predetermined position above the windshield. In such a case, for example, the awning may be placed on the windshield during parking in the summer, and the orientation of the camera does not change even when the awning hits the drive recorder or the like during installation or removal.

(General-purpose cable connection type)
As shown in FIG. 6, a housing 31 of a camera unit that mounts a camera 11 that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, and means for outputting the image captured by the camera 11 to a recording unit are provided. Another housing 32 may be connected by a general-purpose cable 33 that transmits an audio signal and a video signal.

By doing so, by using the general-purpose cable 33, for example, a camera unit that mounts the camera 11 that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is used as a general-purpose product that can support the general-purpose cable or a back camera manufactured by another company. be able to. For example, by using a camera unit for 24V such as a truck, it is possible to deal with a drive recorder of a vehicle for 24V such as the truck. The general-purpose cable 33 may be an RCA cable, for example.

Further, for example, the housing 31 may be provided with at least the camera 11, and, for example, the first LED 12, the control unit 14, the card slot 15, the notification unit 20 and the like in the above-described various embodiments are mounted in another housing 32. With this configuration, the housing 31 can be further downsized.

Furthermore, for example, another housing 32 may be provided with an output terminal for connecting with a general-purpose cable for transmitting an audio signal and a video signal. By doing so, by adopting a configuration in which, for example, a general-purpose monitor means is connected to the output terminal, the image captured by the camera 11 is output to the monitor means to the monitor means while being output to the recording unit such as the memory card 19. Can also be output, and video can be recorded on the recording unit side. As the monitor means used in this case, a general-purpose product can be used, so that there is more room for selection of equipment used when configuring the system, which is preferable.

Further, for example, in the case of a system including a plurality of cameras that shoot in different directions, it is preferable that some of the plurality of cameras be cameras that are expanded by using a general-purpose cable. It is also good because it will be possible.

(Drive recorder with parking monitoring mode)
The drive recorder may include a first mode for recording a video image taken while the vehicle is in a running state such as an engine start and a second mode for recording a video image taken while the vehicle is parked. The first mode is a mode for recording an image or the like in a normal drive recorder, and has, for example, a constant recording mode for always recording, an event recording mode for recording when a predetermined event occurs, and the like. The second mode is a parking monitoring mode, such as the constant recording mode of the first mode, which records regularly regardless of the occurrence of a predetermined event, approaches or intrudes people, and mischiefs in the vehicle. It is preferable to have a mode of recording when a predetermined event occurs. In such a case, it is preferable that the sampling time in the case of recording periodically is made longer than that in the first mode, and a function of suppressing battery consumption is provided. It is more preferable to prepare a plurality of sampling times and to have a function of switching according to the setting. As described above, the drive recorder of this embodiment has a function of recording with different recording settings in the first mode and the second mode. The drive recorder main body may be provided with this setting switching function so that the drive recorder main body can switch the setting.

Further, the drive recorder acquires the ACC information of the vehicle, and the control unit 14 has a function of determining whether the current state of the vehicle is in operation or parking. It has a function of switching the mode and the second mode, and a function of switching the recording setting to a mode corresponding to each mode at the time of the switching. By doing so, it is possible to record with the recording settings suitable for the respective situations during operation and parking of the vehicle.

The recording settings for the first mode and the second mode may be set from the drive recorder main body 4, for example. Furthermore, it is preferable that the drive recorder main body has a function of changing/setting the power supply time from the battery of the vehicle during parking to the drive recorder. By doing so, various settings can be easily changed by operating the drive recorder main body.

(Drive recorder that can change the orientation of the camera by connecting the case body with the camera and the second case body with the monitor)
FIG. 7 shows a drive recorder in which the case body 10 including the camera 11 that captures an area other than the front of the vehicle is connected to the second case body 42 including the monitor 41. In this example, the second case body 42 has a flat and substantially rectangular outer shape, and the monitor 41 is arranged on one wide surface. The second case body 42 is attached to a predetermined position of the vehicle by a bracket or the like (not shown), and the monitor 41 faces the interior of the vehicle in the attached state, and the monitor 41 is set so that the driver can view it. To do.

The case main body 10 is connected to one of the left and right side surfaces of the second case main body 42 via a predetermined rotation mechanism, and is mounted in the plane along the side surface so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions within a predetermined angle range. .. The case body 10 can be rotated, for example, with the position of the second case body 42 fixed by a rotation mechanism. Then, the drive recorder includes a fixing unit that can fix the relative angular position with respect to the second case body 42 at a desired position. As a result, the orientation of the camera 11 can be changed while the case body 10 and the second case body 42 are connected, and the orientation of the camera 11 can be changed with respect to the orientation of the monitor 41. For example, the monitor 41 may be installed so that it can be easily viewed by the driver, and the direction of the camera 11 can be changed to take a desired direction.

In addition, the device including the monitor 41 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a housing of another device, and the device may be, for example, a drive recorder that captures an image of the front of the vehicle. In such a configuration, the second case main body 42 serves as the main body of the drive recorder for front shooting, and includes the camera 43 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the monitor 41 is provided. The second case main body 42 is provided with a control unit or the like for displaying an image captured by the camera 43 on the monitor 41, recording the captured image or the like on the memory card 44. A card slot 46 and a power jack 47 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the second case body 42 on the side where the case body 10 is not mounted. A connector 49 provided at one end of the power cable 48 may be connected to the power jack 47 so as to receive power supply from a vehicle battery linked to the other end of the power cable 48.

As for the mounting positions of the case body 10, the card slot 46, and the power jack 47 to the second case body 42, the left side is the mounting surface of the case body 10 with the monitor 41 as a reference, and the right side is the card slot 46 and the power jack 47 as shown in the figure. It is good to use as the arrangement surface. This is preferable because it is easy for the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle, which is mainly distributed in Japan, to attach and detach the memory card 44.

A power supply line and a communication line are provided in the connection portion between the case body 10 and the second case body 42, and power is supplied to the devices in the case body 10 from the power circuit side of the second case body 42, or It is advisable to communicate between the device mounted in the main body 10 and the device mounted in the second case main body 42. For example, video data taken by a camera may be sent to the second case body 42 side and displayed on the monitor 41 or recorded in a recording means. Further, the operation control of the equipment in the case body 10 may be performed by mounting a control section in the case body 10, but it is controlled based on a command from the control section in the second case body 42. Good to do.

The first LED 12 is provided on the surface of the case body 10 on which the camera 11 is arranged. When the first LED 12 is turned on during recording, for example, the monitor 41 displays, for example, an image captured by the camera 43 capturing the front, and the image captured by the camera 11 capturing the region other than the front is displayed. Even if it is not, it is possible to know whether the camera 11 is operating, for example, recording.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7( b ), the fixing means has a triangular wave shape continuously or discretely on the opposing surfaces of the case body 10 and the second case body 42 on the circumference of the same center and the same diameter. It is preferable that the unevenness 45 is formed and the angle is fixed at a position where the unevenness meshes with each other so that the structure can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, if a continuous triangular wave shape is arranged as shown in the figure, it is possible to finely position the angle at the pitch interval of the triangular peaks and valleys, but for example, a hemispherical recess or the like is formed on one surface. A relatively large angle unit (for example, 10 degrees, 15 degrees,...) Is formed at a predetermined angle pitch, and a protrusion corresponding to the recess is formed on the other side, and the protrusion matches any one of the recesses. ), the direction may be changed, but it is preferable that the direction can be changed/fixed at a fine pitch as in the embodiment.

The predetermined angle range may be one rotation such as 360 degrees, but it may be a predetermined acute angle, and the range of rotational movement is based on, for example, the center of rotation of the case body 10 and the second case body 42. The angle formed by the imaginary line indicating the vertical direction is 0 degree, and the case body 10 tilts toward the front side from the reference position where both the case body 10 and the second case body 42 are erected, and the view direction of the camera 11 is oblique. It may be configured such that it can be rotated forward and backward within a range of a predetermined angle in the downward direction (see FIG. 7B, etc.), and can be positioned to adjust the angle.

In particular, when the second case main body 42 mounting the case main body 10 on which the camera 11 is mounted is a drive recorder for photographing the front, the mounting position of the second case main body 42 is near the upper side of the windshield of the vehicle 2. There are many. When the case main body 10 is tilted upward while being attached above, the photographing area of the camera 11 includes a large amount of the indoor ceiling. Therefore, the case main body 10 is erected so that the visual field direction of the camera 11 is horizontal with respect to the rear of the vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle outside is photographed through the inside of the vehicle, or the inside of the vehicle is mainly tilted toward the front side. The configuration is suitable for switching the shooting range such as shooting.

Since the camera 11 of the present embodiment captures an image of an area outside the vehicle behind the vehicle through the inside of the vehicle or the inside of the vehicle, the image capturing area is an area where the vehicle light is not illuminated at least during traveling. Therefore, as the camera 11, it is preferable to use an infrared camera or a high-sensitivity camera that uses STARVIS (registered trademark) or the like and is capable of shooting even at low illuminance.

Also, a memory card may be mounted on the case body 10 side so that the image taken by the camera 11 may be recorded on the memory card on the case body 10 side. It is advisable to simultaneously record the image of the area other than the front taken by the camera 11 and the image of the front of the vehicle taken by the camera 43 on a single memory card 44 that is detachably mounted therein. When recording the images taken by both cameras on one memory card 44, it is preferable to record each in a different folder.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the monitor 41 has a function of selecting “one-screen display” and “two-screen display” from the setting menu. In the case of "one screen display", for example, the front image captured by the camera 43 is displayed, and in the case of "two screen display", for example, the front image 36 captured by the camera 43 is displayed as shown in FIG. It is advisable to overlap and display the image 37 taken by the camera 11 other than the front in a small area of the overlap. Some small areas may be switched by setting, and for example, the driver side may be set as the initial position as shown in the upper right as shown in the figure.

In FIG. 9, a first camera unit 51 for photographing a region other than the front and a second camera unit 52 for photographing the front of the vehicle are provided on the left and right below the second case body 42 having the monitor 41. Place them side by side.

The first camera unit 51 attaches the main body 51b including the camera 51a to the second case main body 42 via the first attachment portion 51c. The camera 51a is arranged so as to face the same surface as the monitor 41, that is, the inside of the vehicle. The main body 51b and the first mounting portion 51c may be configured as a detachable detachable body or a non-detachable integral type, but at least the camera 51a rotates within a predetermined angle range and the view direction of the camera 51a is changed and adjusted. It is good to have a configuration that can. The center of rotation when rotating may be, for example, a direction parallel to the left and right direction, and the camera 51a may be allowed to rotate back and forth.

The second camera unit 52 mounts the main body 52b including the camera 52a to the second case main body 42 via the second mounting portion 52c. The camera 52a is arranged so as to face the surface opposite to the monitor 41, that is, the front of the vehicle. The main body 52b and the second mounting portion 52c may be configured as a detachable separate body or a non-detachable integral type, but at least the camera 52a rotates within a predetermined angle range, and the view direction of the camera 52a is changed and adjusted. It is good to have a configuration that can. The center of rotation when rotating may be, for example, a direction parallel to the direction aligned in the left and right, and the camera 52a may be allowed to rotate back and forth.

Also in this embodiment, the camera 51a may be an infrared camera or a high-sensitivity camera that uses STARVIS (registered trademark) or the like and that is capable of photographing even at low illuminance. In addition, it is preferable to have a function of recording images captured by the cameras 51a and 52a on one memory card and displaying two images on a monitor at the same time.

(Camera extension type drive recorder)
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a housing 61 that mounts the camera 11 that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a main body unit 62 are rotatably connected at a rotation center thereof via a connecting member. .. For example, when the housing 61 and the main body unit 62 are both formed into a cylindrical shape having the same diameter, the side surfaces are joined together to form a continuous cylindrical shape as a whole.

In the present embodiment, the camera 63 is also provided on the body unit 62 side. The camera 63 captures an area different from that of the camera 11. For example, the camera 63 mounted on the main body unit 62 captures the front of the vehicle, and the camera 11 mounted on the housing 61 passes through the inside of the vehicle and is located outside the vehicle behind the vehicle. Take a picture of the area.

The body unit 62 is mounted with a bracket 64 on the side surface side opposite to the connection surface of the housing 61, for example, and is mounted on the windshield or other predetermined position of the vehicle via the bracket 64. The main body unit 62 is provided with a mechanism that can change the relative angle with respect to the bracket 64 with the central axis of the main body unit 62 as the center of rotation and fix the bracket 64 at a predetermined angular position. As a result, the orientation of the camera 63 can be changed and adjusted by rotating the camera 63 in the vertical direction in a state where the camera 63 is attached to a predetermined position such as the windshield via the bracket 64.

A card slot 65 is provided on the side surface of the body unit 62 on the side where the bracket 64 is attached. The side surface on the side opposite to the surface provided with the card slot 65 serves as a connecting surface of the housing 61. The connecting surface is formed so that the cylindrical peripheral wall 66 extends in the axial direction along the outer periphery thereof. As a result, the recess 67 is formed inside the peripheral wall 66, and the pin jack 69 is provided at the center position of the back surface 68 of the recess 67. Further, the inner peripheral surface on the tip side of the peripheral wall 66 is provided with triangular wave-shaped irregularities 70 along the circumferential direction.

The housing 61 in which the camera 11 is mounted has a cylindrical outer shape as a whole, and the outer diameter of the side end portion 71 serving as the coupling side is small, and the side end portion 71 having the small outer diameter is the main body unit 62. It is inserted into the recess 67 of the. At the center of the tip surface of the side end portion 71, a pin plug 73 to be inserted into the pin jack 69 is arranged so as to project. As the side end 71 is mounted in the recess 67, the pin plug 73 is inserted into the pin jack 69 and mechanically and electrically connected. The pin jack 69 and the pin plug 73 form a connecting member.

When the main body unit 62 and the housing 61 are urged to relatively rotate about the central axis with the pin plug 73 inserted in the pin jack 69, the main body unit 62 and the housing 61 rotate about the central axis. To do. Thereby, for example, when the angular position on the main body unit 62 side is fixed, the housing 61 rotates and the orientation of the camera 11 provided in the housing 61 changes in the vertical direction.

Further, the device inside the housing 61 and the device inside the main body unit 62 are electrically connected by a connecting member including a pin jack 69 and a pin plug 73, and the relative angle between the housing 61 and the main body unit 62 is temporarily changed to change. Even if you keep turning it, it won't break because it won't break. By arranging the pin jack in the center of the cylinder, it becomes an integrated 2 camera without using FPC/electric wire.

A positioning protrusion 74 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side end portion 71 of the housing 61 on the inner side. The positioning protrusion 74 is fitted in a valley portion of the triangular wave-shaped unevenness 70 provided on the tip side of the peripheral wall 66 of the main body unit 62, and the rotation angle is fixedly positioned.

When a pin jack and a pin plug are used as connecting members like the main body, as described above, the pin plug 73 and the pin jack 69 provided on the housing 61 and the main body unit 62 are directly connected to each other to integrate the housing and the main body unit. 12 and the configuration in which the case 61 and the main body unit 62 are separated by connecting the pin plug 73 and the pin jack 69 via the connection cable 75 as shown in FIG. 12, for example. Separation may increase the degree of freedom in setting the direction of the visual field of the camera 11 of the housing 61.

By lengthening the connection cable 75, for example, the main body unit 62 constitutes a drive recorder for photographing the front of the vehicle, while the housing 61 in which the camera 11 is mounted is arranged, for example, near the rear glass and functions as a camera for rear photographing. ..

Further, the bracket 80 for attaching the housing 61 to the rear glass or the like is assumed to include, for example, a ring-shaped mounting portion 81 and a mounting portion 82 provided on the outer peripheral side of the mounting portion 81 as shown in FIG. good. The mounting portion 81 has, for example, a shape similar to that of the peripheral wall 66 of the main body unit 62, and is provided with triangular wave-shaped irregularities 83 along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of one end edge in the axial direction. When the side end 71 of the housing 61 is inserted into the mounting portion 81, the triangular wave-shaped unevenness 83 fits with the positioning protrusion 74 provided on the side end 71, and the position in the rotational direction is fixed.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the side end portion 71, a guide groove 76 extending in the circumferential direction is provided at a position recessed from the tip end side by one step, and a notch groove 77 connecting the tip end of the side end portion 71 and the guide groove 76 is provided. Further, a guide protrusion 84 protruding toward the center is provided at a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion 81 of the bracket 80. When the mounting portion 81 is mounted on the side end portion 71 of the housing 61, the guide protrusion 84 advances through the cut groove 77 provided in the side end portion 71 and reaches the guide groove 76, and then extends along the guide groove 76. Moving. With the movement of the guide protrusion 84 along the cut groove 77 and the guide groove 76, the mounting portion 81 moves forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the side end portion 71 of the housing 61, or rotates about the central axis as a rotation center. To move. When rotating, the triangular wave-shaped irregularities 83 relatively move in the circumferential direction while overcoming the positioning protrusions 74, and fitting is performed at the valley portion of the triangular wave-shaped irregularities 83 to fix the rotation angle for positioning. It should be noted that, although the description will be changed, as shown in FIG. 12, a guide protrusion 78 is provided at a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 66 similarly to the guide protrusion 84, and connects the housing 61 and the main body unit 62. At this time, the guide protrusion 84 may be positioned and fixed in the guide groove 76 via the cut groove 77.

For example, one surface of an adhesive member such as a double-sided tape is attached to the attachment portion 82 of the bracket 80, and the other surface of the adhesive member is attached to, for example, a rear glass, so that the bracket 80 and thus the housing 60 are attached to a predetermined position of the rear glass 3. .. The mounting position of the bracket 80 is not limited to the rear glass, but may be mounted on the ceiling near the rear glass or any other place on the vehicle.

The bracket 80 and/or the positioning protrusion 74 of the housing 61 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material such as resin. By doing so, for example, with the bracket 80 attached to the side end portion 71 of the housing 60, the bracket 80 is fixed to the rear glass or the like, and the housing 60 is rotated with respect to the bracket 80 in that state to set the angular position. Can be adjusted and fixed at a desired angle.

The connection structure using the pin jack 69 and the pin plug 73 may be applied to, for example, a connection portion when the case main body 10 in which the camera is mounted on the second case main body including the monitor is rotatably connected.

(Embodiment in which multiple drive recorders equipped with cameras record individually)
As shown in FIG. 13, in the present system, a first camera 85 that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a first recording unit 86 that records an image captured by the first camera 85 are provided. A second drive recorder 90 including a drive recorder 87, a second camera 88 for photographing in a direction different from that of the first camera 85, and a second recording unit 89 for recording the image photographed by the second camera 88. Prepare Both the first drive recorder 87 and the second drive recorder 90 are devices that are installed later in the vehicle.

In this embodiment, images in different directions can be captured by the respective cameras, and the captured images can be recorded in the first recording unit 86 and the second recording unit 89, respectively. Both the first recording unit 86 and the second recording unit 89 may be memory cards such as SD cards, and the memory cards may be removable. It is preferable that the first drive recorder 87 does not include a monitor but includes an LED or the like that indicates an operating state.

Unlike the first drive recorder 87, the second camera 88 included in the second drive recorder 90 may be a camera that captures an area other than the “area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle” such as the front of the vehicle or the interior of the vehicle. More preferably, as in the case of the first drive recorder 87, the “region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle” is photographed. By doing so, it is possible to capture images in different directions of the “region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle”. In the illustrated example, the number of the second drive recorder 90 is one, but it is more preferable to provide a plurality of the second drive recorder 90.

Power may be supplied to the first drive recorder 87 and the second drive recorder 90 separately, but for example, the first drive recorder 87 and the second drive recorder may be used by using a power supply direct connection cord 91 having one end branched. It is preferable to be able to supply power to 90 simultaneously.

Further, for example, when the installation position of the first drive recorder 87 and the second drive recorder 90 is at the rear of the vehicle, and when power is supplied from the battery of the vehicle, it is installed in the vehicle in which the trunk part can also receive power (accessory). When doing so, it is advisable to supply power from the power source installed in the trunk.

As shown in FIG. 14, it is preferable to have a function of simultaneously displaying an image shot by the first drive recorder 87 and an image shot by the second drive recorder 90 on the same monitor. By doing so, images in different directions taken at the same timing can be compared on the same screen.

The monitor may be a monitor included in the second drive recorder 90, for example, but a monitor of another device such as the smartphone 92 may be used. In the case of another device such as the smartphone 92, a device such as a driver, which can be placed near the user's hand and can be viewed nearby and has a large screen size, may be used. The connection between the first drive recorder 87 or the second drive recorder 90 and the smartphone is preferably a wireless connection method, and in the wireless connection method, Wi-Fi is more preferably used.

The simultaneous display is preferably performed when the recorded video is reproduced, and more preferably in real time. For example, when the recorded video is played back, for example, in the case of a pool collision, it is possible to confirm whether it is caused by oneself or whether the accident is caused by a rear-end collision. When performing in real time, it is preferable because it is possible to visually recognize images in different directions and see the surroundings while driving. In particular, for example, even when the vehicle does not have an in-vehicle camera for photographing the surroundings, it is possible to realize a function of photographing the surroundings by retrofitting, for example, moving the vehicle backward, changing the traveling direction, When driving on a bad road, you can drive while checking the surrounding safety.

As a display example of the image, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the display screen of the smartphone 92 is used in a portrait orientation, and the first drive recorder 87 and the second drive recorder 90 are divided into upper and lower areas and divided into upper and lower areas. It is good to output and display the captured images respectively.

FIG. 14B shows an example of a setting screen for wirelessly connecting the first drive recorder (eg, rear camera) and the second drive recorder (eg, front camera) to the smartphone 92. In this embodiment, the connection is tried by using the Wi-Fi connection function of the smartphone 92. When the communication is established, the control unit of the smartphone displays the image sent from the corresponding drive recorder in the image display area provided above the display screen.

(Embodiment of system in which a plurality of drive recorders equipped with cameras cooperate with each other)
The first drive recorder and the second drive recorder, which are installed in different places of the vehicle in this system, can communicate with each other. Based on the operation status of one drive recorder, the image captured by the other drive recorder is output to the recording unit.

With such a configuration, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder more reliably output the image to the recording means when a situation requiring recording occurs. The communication between the drive recorders may be wired communication but wireless communication.

For example, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder are provided with an event recording mode in which an event recording is triggered by the impact of a certain amount or more. In such a case, when one of the drive recorders detects an impact, the other drive recorder is notified of that fact. As a result, one of the drive recorders records an event by using the impact detected by itself as a trigger, and the other drive recorder performs an event recording by using the received notification as a trigger. As a result, for example, even when the impact applied to the vehicle is weak and only one of the systems detects the impact, event recording can be performed by both drive recorders.

Also, each drive recorder periodically sends video signals to each other and monitors them, and when the video from the other party becomes innocent, event recording is triggered by it even if no shock is detected. .. In this way, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder, which are arranged in different places, are linked with each other by a trigger, so that the recording can be more surely performed in the situation where the recording is necessary.

(Collaboration between multiple drive recorders and smartphones)
The first drive recorder and the second drive recorder each include a camera and a recording unit that records an image captured by the camera. In the present embodiment, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder are each connected for communication with a terminal such as a smartphone.

When the predetermined conditions are met, the terminal simultaneously sends a recording instruction trigger to the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder that are connected for communication. When the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder receive the trigger, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder perform event recording with the trigger. Thus, when a certain event occurs, the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder each record an image based on the trigger from the terminal, so that images in different directions when the event occurs can be recorded.

For example, when the terminal is a smartphone, it may be configured to output a trigger based on the output of a sensor such as a G sensor, a gyro sensor, or GPS mounted on the smartphone. The condition for triggering is preferably a combination of a plurality of sensors. In addition, it is advisable to install an application on the smartphone in which it is possible to set what kind of sensor and in what state the trigger is sent. The user sets a trigger output condition using the application.

The trigger from the smartphone should be based on communication. The trigger from communication is, for example, when a predetermined pattern occurs in IFTTT, when a call is received, when a predetermined condition is satisfied by information on the Web (for example, when the temperature at the current location exceeds 35 degrees). For example, the trigger may be transmitted to a predetermined drive recorder. An arbitrary tag (preferably, a plurality of tags can be attached) can be attached to the trigger by the application, and the information of the tag can be associated with the trigger and sent to the system. On the system side, event recording may be started based on a trigger, and the video to be recorded and the tag sent may be associated and recorded.

In the system described above, the triggers are sent to the first drive recorder and the second drive recorder at the same time, but they may be sent to a specific drive recorder depending on the conditions. It is preferable to have a function of specifying the previous drive recorder as well.

(Memory card alert function)
In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, an example in which a memory card such as an SD card is used as a recording unit that records a video image captured by the camera has been described. Since a large number of defective sectors are generated in a memory card such as an SD card as it is used, it is necessary to format the memory card. Therefore, the drive recorder of the present embodiment has a function of alerting when the usage time has passed a certain time.

For example, since the frequency of use differs between a person who is used for commuting or work and a Sunday driver, for example, the timing at which a large number of defective sectors occur during use also differs. In this embodiment, the usage time is used as a reference, and when the usage time reaches the set reference time, an alert that prompts the format is issued.For example, when used frequently, an alert occurs in a relatively early cycle, If not used, the interval between alerts will increase. The timing becomes late, and the alert occurs at the timing suitable for each usage situation.

This embodiment is characterized in that an alert is output without automatic formatting. If the automatic format is performed, there is a problem that the recorded video may be erased without the user's knowledge, but such a situation does not occur in the present embodiment, which is good. The usage time may be calculated based on the recording time or the GPS log, for example.

(Embodiment of system including camera for photographing other than rear of vehicle: side camera)
For example, in a system that includes a monitor device 21 separately from the case body 10 including the camera 11 as shown in FIG. 3, the case body 10 is placed in an area outside the vehicle diagonally in front of the vehicle within a photographing range of the camera 11. The monitor device 21 may be installed at a predetermined position of the vehicle so that the driver can visually recognize it on the dashboard of the vehicle 2, for example. In this way, a video image of a region outside the vehicle diagonally ahead of the vehicle is output to the monitor device 21. Therefore, for example, even if the vehicle is originally not equipped with the side view monitor, the function of the side view monitor is exerted by using this system.

The present system has a function of acquiring vehicle information for detecting left turn/right turn, course change, etc., such as turn signal information, steering wheel steering angle information, etc. When a state in which the traveling direction changes to the side where the camera 11 shoots, such as a left turn/right turn or a change of course, is not output based on the acquired vehicle information without outputting the image taken by the camera 11 that shoots the diagonally front of the vehicle. In addition, it is preferable to have a function of automatically switching the image output to the monitor device 21 to the image captured by the camera 11. In particular, when the monitor device 21 uses a monitor of another device, it is preferable to normally output and display an image or the like associated with the operation of the other device, and display a camera image when the above-described condition is satisfied. The display of the camera image may be displayed together with the image normally displayed, but it is preferable to switch to the screen of the camera image for display.

In particular, it is preferable that the switching has a function of coordinating with the vehicle speed. For example, when the turn signal information indicates a right turn or a left turn during a pause when the vehicle speed is 0, the function associated with the vehicle speed may be automatically switched to output the image in the turning direction. In this way, the situation in the traveling direction can be confirmed even at an intersection with poor visibility, for example.

In addition, the function linked to the own vehicle speed is, for example, in the case where the course is gradually changed from the steering angle information of the steering wheel in the state where the driver is not driving the turn signal, the area outside the vehicle in the direction of changing the course is photographed. It is good to automatically switch to the image of the camera to be used. When the course is gradually changed to the left or right while slowing down, it is likely that the vehicle is being moved to the left for parking or the like. Therefore, the area outside the vehicle in the moving direction is displayed on the monitor means. By doing so, it is possible to move safely. For example, when stopping a car on a narrow road, there is a demand to move it to the left or right as much as possible, but for example, if there is a gutter open at the top, the tire does not fall into the groove, or there is a road There is a possibility that the width of the curb may not be sufficiently adjusted due to concerns such as whether or not the driver may ride on the curb installed on the side edge, but since the situation in the direction of the width adjustment can be confirmed on the image, the width can be properly adjusted. Even if the driver does not have a sense of vehicle width, it is good because the front and rear tires can be checked and the sense of vehicle width can be confirmed. In particular, it is advisable to perform automatic switching when the vehicle is squeezed to the side opposite to the driver's seat (for example, the left side in the case of a vehicle with a right-hand drive). In this way, it is possible to confirm on the monitor without performing a switching operation on the side opposite to the driver's seat which is a blind spot (for example, the vehicle left side of the right steering wheel).

This system does not necessarily have the function of recording the image taken by the camera, but it is preferable to have the function of recording. By recording the captured video, for example, when contacting an object when turning right or left, it is possible to verify the situation at that time, for example, whether it collided with the other party or collided with a stationary object Even if a collision or a falling wheel does not occur, the driving condition at that time can be confirmed later, which is good.

(Embodiment of system including camera for photographing other than rear of vehicle: tire monitoring camera)
Further, in a system provided with the monitor device 21 separately from the case body 10 in which the camera 11 is mounted, for example, the case body 10 is provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle so that an area including the tire of the vehicle is within the photographing range of the camera 11. It is preferable to install the monitor device 21 on the dashboard of the vehicle 2 and the like so that the driver can visually recognize it. By doing so, a tire monitoring camera is obtained. It is particularly preferable to mount it on a large vehicle. For example, it is possible to visually check whether there is a foreign substance (for example, a person or thing) around the tire at the time of starting, or to visually check whether there is any abnormality in the air pressure. It can be confirmed by "visual inspection" while staying in the driver's seat instead of using a device such as TPMS. Especially, it becomes a good product for large vehicles.

(Additional rear camera)
For example, in the case where the omnidirectional drive recorder having a function of photographing the entire circumference such as a 360-degree range in the horizontal direction and a 720-degree range in the vertical direction of 360 degrees in the installed state is attached to, for example, the windshield, The photographing area of the camera is, for example, in front of the vehicle or inside the vehicle, and it is good to check the inside of the vehicle, but there is a limit to recording the following vehicle.

Therefore, it is advisable to use a rear-view camera compatible omnidirectional drive recorder that can capture images even in the rear of the room. A rear camera is connected to the spherical drive recorder, and the rear camera is installed on the rear glass or the like. With this rear camera, the rear area outside the vehicle can be photographed and the following vehicle can be recorded, and the above-mentioned problem is solved.

Further, it is preferable to have a function of connecting an additional camera to various drive recorders without being limited to the spherical drive recorder. With this configuration, by connecting the additional camera, it is possible to shoot and record a region different from the direction in which the camera provided in the drive recorder body shoots. The drive recorder has a function of recording in two channels or multiple channels, and it is preferable that the drive recorder has a connecting portion for an additional camera. The additional camera such as the rear camera to be added and the dry recorder may be connected by a wired system using a connection cable, but it is more preferable to use a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN.

For example, in a vehicle such as a taxi that runs well in the daytime and is likely to be involved in an accident, by attaching a drive recorder that captures the outside of the vehicle, the recorded image is used as evidence when involved in an accident. be able to. If such a drive recorder is connected to, for example, an additional camera capable of photographing the interior and the rear, it is possible to record the interaction with passengers and the rear of the vehicle. For example, when shooting indoors, the drive recorder/additional camera may be installed near the upper center of the windshield, the front center of the ceiling of the vehicle interior of the vehicle, the room mirror, or the like, and configured to shoot from the side of the room mirror. .. In particular, it is preferable that the image is taken from the side adjacent to the ream mirror.

(The form which uses the image of the vehicle-mounted camera)
It is a device to be installed later in the vehicle, and it is preferable to have a function of acquiring/hacking an image captured by an onboard camera mounted in the vehicle. A device equipped with such a function can use an image taken by an in-vehicle camera.

The device may include means for outputting to a recording unit that records the image acquired by the function of acquiring the image captured by the vehicle-mounted camera mounted on the vehicle. By doing so, the device becomes a device for recording images outside the vehicle, such as a drive recorder, without using a camera.

In addition, for example, a device such as a drive recorder equipped with a camera, which is installed later in a vehicle, may be provided with a function of acquiring an image captured by an in-vehicle camera mounted in the vehicle. This is preferable because it is not necessary to separately prepare an optional product such as an additional camera and wire it by acquiring an image from a vehicle-mounted camera that captures an area different from the mounted camera.

The on-vehicle camera to be connected is preferably a back camera such as a back view monitor for photographing the rear of the vehicle. Since the back camera is facing downward, it is not sufficient for shooting far away from the rear, but it is possible to sufficiently shoot a vehicle approaching (for example, during a tilt or a rear-end collision).

(Drive recorder with a special external shape, etc.)
For example, in a system such as a drive recorder, when the external shape is a special shape that is not rectangular, it may be a product that collaborates with a character that matches the external shape. For example, in devices and products such as spherical drive recorders, the lens facing the interior of the vehicle has a spherical shape, which makes the passengers aware that they are taking pictures, and the presence of a spherical lens in the lens makes it inconspicuous. There is a problem that it may give an impression. Therefore, for example, if a system that has an external shape that is not partly or wholly rectangular is used as a collaboration product with a character that matches the external shape, it is possible to soften the above-mentioned impression and make the product easy for users to use and implement. It is good because the above problems can be solved.

For example, when the character has a spherical outer shape such as a spherical drive recorder, for example, "Eyeball Father (Kitaro)", "Mike Wazowski (Monsters, Inc.)", ball game ball ( (Soccer, basketball, golf, baseball, etc.) may be used, and the spherical portion of the camera portion may be a collaboration product in the form of a character.

(Viewer)
A camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, a first system such as a drive recorder that outputs the image captured by the camera to the recording unit, and a device that is installed afterwards in the vehicle. A viewer for a system having a camera that shoots in a direction different from that of the one system and a second system that outputs an image shot by the camera to a recording unit, and a mounting position of the first system and the second system, for example, It is preferable to have a function of displaying the mounting position of the camera in each system.

This viewer may have an edit mode and a browse mode, for example. In the edit mode, for example, when the position where the camera is installed is clicked in the figure and shape of the car and the figure of the car, the frame of the camera position may be drawn. Correspond by which color the drawn frame belongs to which camera. The browsing mode has a function of reproducing/displaying an image captured by one or a plurality of predetermined cameras, and at the time of reproduction by a viewer, the frame of the triggered camera may be, for example, blinking. The frame color should be the same as the frame color of the graph or playback screen.

As for the display of the mounting position, for example, a view of the car viewed from above is displayed on the viewer, and it can be seen that the position of the camera on the graphic of the displayed car corresponds to the camera position where the camera is installed. It is good to display in. By doing this, it is easy to know at which position the camera is installed. For example, from the installation position of the camera, it is possible to understand the approximate area of the image taken by the camera.

In order to display the camera position, for example, a predetermined figure/icon may be displayed at the corresponding position. The viewer may be realized by various things such as a PC viewer, a web viewer, and an application.

The above-described embodiments and modified examples and various other forms have been described by exemplifying a drive recorder that mainly captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front, but is not limited to the drive recorder and is applied to various devices and systems. Good to do. In addition, some or all of the components and elements of the above-described embodiments, modifications, and other various forms may be applied to or combined with a drive recorder or other system that mainly photographs the front of the vehicle.

Further, for example, in a two-camera type drive recorder equipped with a camera that captures the front of the vehicle and a camera that captures the rear of the vehicle, the size of the region that can be regarded as the vehicle in the image captured by the camera for the rear of the vehicle is It is advisable to have a function of issuing at least one of an alarm and a recording when the size becomes such that it can be determined to approach. The size of the determination target may be, for example, at least one of width, height, and area.

In addition, it is preferable to have a function of performing at least one of an alarm and a recording when the size of the region in the camera image for the front of the vehicle that can be regarded as the vehicle becomes a size that can be determined to be approaching.

The function of detecting the approach of the following vehicle or the approach of the vehicle in front is not limited to the one based on the image captured by the predetermined camera as described above, but includes the sensor for measuring the inter-vehicle distance, and based on the sensor. It may be performed or both of them may be used together, but it is preferable to perform the shooting based on the image captured by the camera.

It is preferable to have a function of separately setting a standard for detecting the approach of the following vehicle and a standard for detecting the approach of the vehicle in front, and to set different standards. The distance to be detected may be more accurate because it can be determined more accurately, but it is not limited to the one that directly calculates the distance, and it can be changed according to the distance required without adding a simple method or special sensor. More preferably, it is configured to detect the approaching state based on what is done. What changes according to the distance may be, for example, the size of an area that can be regarded as a vehicle in the image captured by the camera described above.

In the case of having a function of issuing an alarm or recording triggered by approach, it is preferable to provide a function of separately setting conditions for issuing an alarm and recording.

In the case of providing a function of giving an alarm or recording upon the approach, it is preferable to have a function of setting whether or not to perform each of the alarm and the recording.

It is advisable to provide a recording function only on the unit side of the camera that captures the front, and to connect the unit of the camera that captures the rear to the unit of the camera that captures the front. In this case, the setting function for setting the unit for the camera that captures the rear and the setting for performing the process based on the image captured by the camera that captures the rear may be provided on the unit side of the camera that captures the front. The camera that shoots backwards operates according to the settings made by the setting function.

The front approach record and the rear approach record should have a function to record them on the same recording medium. When recording on the same record medium, the front approach record and the rear approach record should be recorded in different folders. It is good to set.

It is preferable that the front approach record and the rear approach record are recorded separately so that they can be displayed by a viewer.

It is advisable to provide a function of issuing an alarm when approach is detected while the host vehicle is stopped. When approaching is detected when the host vehicle is not stopped, it is preferable to have a function of suppressing an approaching warning issued during traveling. Suppressing the approach warning may be, for example, to give a warning lighter than usual, but not to give a warning.

It is preferable to have a function of recording an image taken by the camera, which is triggered by detecting that the preceding vehicle ahead has started, but has not started within a predetermined time. Detection that the preceding vehicle has stopped may be performed based on, for example, the size of a region that can be regarded as a vehicle in an image captured by a camera that captures the front.

The image recorded by the camera is triggered, for example, by detecting that the preceding vehicle ahead has started, but the fact that the host vehicle has not started within a predetermined time is a trigger. The image may be taken by a camera, and if a camera for photographing the area other than the front is provided, the image taken by the camera photographing the area other than the front may be recorded. The camera for taking a picture other than the front is, for example, a camera for taking a picture of the inside of the vehicle, and it is particularly preferable to take a picture of the driver. By doing this, it is possible to later confirm the state of the driver who did not notice the start of the preceding vehicle, for example, the cause such as being facing forward but not recognizing, looking away and not recognizing, This is good because it can provide information that will contribute to safe driving thereafter.

It is preferable that the image recorded as a trigger for detecting that the preceding vehicle ahead has started, but has detected that the own vehicle has not started within a predetermined time, is a predetermined period before and after the trigger.

It is preferable to provide a function of issuing an alarm when it is detected that the preceding vehicle ahead has started but the own vehicle has not started within a predetermined time. The function of issuing such an alarm is a function of recording the image taken by the camera, which is triggered by detecting that the preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle has started but has not started within a predetermined time. It is better to have the function, and more preferably, it is preferable to have a function of recording the fact that the alarm is issued and the timing when it is issued.

It is preferable that the front camera and the rear camera have substantially the same number of pixels. Further, it is preferable that the front camera and the rear camera have substantially the same sensitivity characteristics. Desirably, both use the image pickup device of the same model number. It is advisable to provide a function of prohibiting the overwriting of the recorded image, which is triggered by the determination that there is a possibility of dangerous driving. It is advisable not to judge the possibility of dangerous driving when the engine is off. When the engine is off, it is preferable not to perform the detection/judgment processing of whether or not the vehicle is in a flapping operation.

In the configurations of the above-described embodiment, modified examples, and other forms, when some elements of the configuration are used in a device/equipment installed in a vehicle or another device/equipment installed in a vehicle later, etc. good. For example, although it has already been explained that the information of the vehicle-mounted camera provided in the vehicle is used, for example, a sensor mounted on the vehicle for measuring an inter-vehicle distance with a front vehicle, a corner sensor for obtaining a distance with a surrounding object, or the like. Sensor information, an in-vehicle monitor installed in the vehicle as a monitor that outputs the image captured by the camera, or a part or all of another device or device installed later in the vehicle Good to do. This is preferable, for example, because it is possible to reduce the number of devices/equipment installed in a limited space, and for example, the number of objects that the driver visually confirms while driving is reduced.

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above by using the embodiments and the modifications, these embodiments and explanations are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and an understanding of the present invention It is added that it was provided to contribute to. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and limitations explicitly described in the specification, and also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in the specification. Of the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought is specified in the claims attached to the application, but even if the present treatment is not specified in the claims, Please note that the disclosed arrangement may be claimed in the future. The applicant of the present application has the intention to obtain the right for such places/combinations by amendment/divisional application/application for change to design registration application.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments. The constituent elements of each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Further, any constituent element of each embodiment or modification, and any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention or a constituent materializing any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention. And may be combined arbitrarily. With respect to the inventions having these configurations, the intention is to acquire the right in the amendment or divisional application of the present application.

1: Drive recorder 2: Vehicle 3: Rear glass 4: Drive recorder body 5: Bracket 6: Ceiling 7: Back door 10: Case body 11: Camera 12: First LED
13: Second LED
14: control unit 15: card slot 16: microphone 17: abnormality detection sensor 18: power supply unit 19: memory card 20: notification unit 21: monitor device 41: monitor 42: second case body 43: camera 44: memory card 46: Card slot 51: first camera unit 52: second camera unit

Claims (18)

A device that will be installed later on the vehicle,
A system that includes a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a unit that outputs the image captured by the camera to a recording unit that records the image. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that detects a danger based on an image captured by a camera that captures a region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and outputs the detected risk to a notification unit. Without a monitor in the housing that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle,
The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an informing unit for informing a person in the vehicle that the vehicle is in operation. The camera for photographing the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is for photographing the rear of the vehicle,
4. The housing for mounting a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle includes a mounting portion that is mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle interior on the rear glass side of the vehicle. The system according to item 1. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is capable of capturing an image at night when the light of the vehicle is not illuminated. .. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a housing for mounting a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle includes a mounting portion that is mounted outside the vehicle. .. A feature of changing a photographing condition according to a type of glass of the vehicle within a photographing range of a camera for photographing a region outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle in a state where the vehicle is mounted inside the vehicle The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A monitor means for outputting a video image captured by a camera capturing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle,
2. The monitor means is configured separately from a housing in which a camera for capturing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is mounted, and is installed at a position visible to a driver. 7. The system according to any one of 7. 9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an informing unit for informing a person outside the vehicle to know that the vehicle is operating. A housing for mounting a camera for photographing the area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is mounted on the rear side inside the vehicle through a ball joint type bracket,
After the positioning using the ball joint, the bracket includes fixing means for fixing the camera so as not to change the orientation of the camera for photographing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle even when a biasing force is applied to the housing. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that A housing for mounting a camera for capturing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle is connected to a second housing for mounting a monitor,
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a direction of a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle in the connected state is changeable. A housing for mounting a camera for photographing an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and a main body unit are rotatably connected via a connecting member at a rotation center thereof,
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting member constitutes means for electrically connecting the camera and a device in the main body unit. An audio signal and an image signal are transmitted through an enclosure that mounts a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle and another enclosure that includes a unit that outputs the image to the recording unit. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is connected by a general-purpose cable. It has a first mode for recording images taken while the vehicle is in operation, and a second mode for recording images taken while the vehicle is parked.
The first mode and the second mode are recorded with different recording settings, and have a function of automatically switching the recording settings when the vehicle state switches between the operating state and the parked state. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that A first system including a camera that captures an area outside the vehicle other than the front of the vehicle, and a first recording unit that records an image captured by the camera,
A device installed afterwards in the vehicle, comprising a second system having a camera for photographing in a direction different from that of the first system and a second recording unit for recording an image photographed by the camera. 15. The system according to any of claims 1-14, characterized in that The system according to claim 15, further comprising a function of simultaneously displaying an image captured by the first system and an image captured by the second system on the same monitor. The first system and the second system, which are installed in different places of the vehicle, can communicate with each other, and output the image captured by the other system to the recording unit based on the operating condition of the one system. 17. The system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that Based on a trigger from a terminal capable of communicating with the first system and the second system respectively, the first system and the second system simultaneously record in the corresponding first recording unit and second recording unit The system according to claim 15, wherein the system is configured to perform.

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