JP2021089609A - Storage control device, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a storage control device that can appropriately store an image captured from a vehicle.SOLUTION: A control unit 20 of a drive recorder 1 acquires a captured image Im captured by a camera 12 that captures an image of the periphery of a vehicle Ve. Then, the control unit 20 causes a nonvolatile memory 19 to store image data in which only a part of a character string of a license plate of another vehicle included in the acquired captured image Im is made unidentifiable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for storing captured images.

Conventionally, a technique for storing an image taken from a vehicle has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to protect the privacy of the shooting target, when the shooting data is stored in the storage unit due to an event, the first shooting data that does not take privacy measures for the video data is described. When storing in the storage unit and storing the shooting data in the storage unit without causing an event, a drive recorder that stores the second shooting data in which privacy measures are taken for the video data in the storage unit is disclosed. There is.

JP-A-2018-120497

Depending on the laws of each country, from the viewpoint of privacy protection, it may be prohibited in principle to store images taken in publicly accessible places. In such countries, it will be necessary to record at least images taken with a drive recorder after taking privacy measures such as mosaic processing. On the other hand, excessive privacy measures are not preferable because the evidence capacity of the image is completely impaired. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage control device capable of suitably storing an image taken from a vehicle.

The invention according to the claim is a storage control device, which is an image acquisition unit that acquires image data taken by an imaging unit that photographs the surroundings of a vehicle, and characters on a license plate of another vehicle included in the image data. The column is characterized by having a control unit that stores the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in the storage unit.

Further, the invention according to the claim is a control method executed by a storage control device, which includes an image acquisition step of acquiring image data photographed by an imaging unit that photographs the periphery of the vehicle, and the image data. The character string of the license plate of another vehicle is characterized by having a control step of storing the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in a storage unit.

Further, the invention according to the claim is a program executed by a computer, in which an image acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by a photographing unit that photographs the surroundings of a vehicle and another vehicle included in the image data. In the character string of the license plate, the computer functions as a control unit for storing the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in the storage unit.

A configuration example of a memory control system common to each embodiment is shown. An example of the schematic configuration of the drive recorder is shown. It is a figure explaining the necessity determination of privacy processing. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the processing procedure in 1st Example. The schematic configuration of the memory control system in the 3rd example of the modification 1 is shown. The schematic configuration of the server device in the 3rd example of the modification 1 is shown. This is an example of a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the second modification. An example of the photographed image is shown. An example of applying privacy processing to license plates is shown. This is an example of a flowchart showing the procedure of privacy processing for the captured image in the second embodiment.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage control device comprises an image acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by an imaging unit that photographs the periphery of the vehicle, and a license plate of another vehicle included in the image data. The character string includes a control unit that stores the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in the storage unit. According to this aspect, the storage control device can record even in an area where a privacy protection problem may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability.

In one aspect of the storage control device, when the character string includes a plurality of character types, the control unit obtains the image data in which only some types of characters can be identified in the character string. Store in the storage unit. Also in this aspect, the storage control device can record even in an area where a privacy protection problem may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability.

In another aspect of the storage control device, the control unit stores the image data in the storage unit so that only a plurality of characters on the trailing side or the leading side can be identified in the character string. Also in this aspect, the storage control device can record even in an area where a privacy protection problem may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability.

In another aspect of the storage control device, the control unit stores the image data in the storage unit so that only characters existing in a predetermined position or a randomly determined position can be identified in the character string. Remember. Also in this aspect, the storage control device can record even in an area where a privacy protection problem may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability.

In another aspect of the storage control device, the control unit makes only a part of the character string indistinguishable, and at least one of the human face area and the nameplate of the private house included in the image data. The image data that has been made indistinguishable is stored in the storage unit. According to this aspect, the storage control device can suitably continue recording even in an area where privacy protection problems may occur.

In another aspect of the storage control device, the storage control device further includes a position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the vehicle, and the control unit has the position predetermined for an object included in the image data. When the image data belongs to the area to be subjected to the privacy process, the data to which the privacy process is applied is stored in the storage unit, and when the position does not belong to the area, the image data is stored in the storage unit. In the privacy process, when the number plate is included in the image data as the object, the control unit makes only a part of the character string unidentifiable in the character string of the number plate. To do. According to this aspect, the storage control device preferably stores image data that has been subjected to privacy processing so as not to completely impair the ability to prove in areas where privacy protection problems may occur, and performs unnecessary privacy processing in other areas. Image data can be suitably stored without this.

In a preferred example of the storage control device, the storage control device is a server device that receives the image data from the vehicle or an on-board unit of the vehicle. In another preferred example of the memory control device, the memory control device is a drive recorder mounted on the vehicle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, which is a control method executed by the storage control device, image data taken by a photographing unit that photographs the periphery of the vehicle is acquired, and the number of the other vehicle included in the image data is acquired. In the character string of the plate, the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable is stored in the storage unit. By executing this control method, the storage control device can record even in an area where a problem of privacy protection may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is an image acquisition unit that is a program executed by a computer and acquires image data captured by a photographing unit that photographs the periphery of the vehicle, and another vehicle included in the image data. In the character string of the number plate, the computer functions as a control unit for storing the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in the storage unit. By executing this program, the computer can record even in an area where privacy protection problems may occur, and can suitably store an image having a value as evidence ability. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Example>
(1) Schematic configuration FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a storage control system common to each embodiment. The memory control system includes a vehicle Ve and a drive recorder 1. The drive recorder 1 moves together with the vehicle Ve and stores data including an image (also referred to as “photographed image Im”) taken from the vehicle Ve. Further, as will be described later, the drive recorder 1 performs image processing (also referred to as “privacy processing”) for protecting the privacy of the captured image Im to be stored in some areas. The drive recorder 1 may be an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle Ve, or may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In yet another example, the drive recorder 1 may be incorporated in the vehicle Ve.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the drive recorder 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive recorder 1 includes a microphone 11, a camera 12, a buffer memory 13, a positioning unit 14, an impact detection unit 15, an operation unit 16, a RAM 17, a ROM 18, and a non-volatile memory. Has 19 and.

The microphone 11 collects the sound in the vehicle interior of the vehicle Ve, and supplies a sound signal corresponding to the collected sound to the buffer memory 13. The camera 12 is installed so as to capture a peripheral image of the vehicle Ve, and supplies captured images Im generated at predetermined intervals to the buffer memory 13.

The buffer memory 13 is a storage area that functions as a buffer that temporarily stores the sound data supplied from the microphone 11 and the captured image Im supplied from the camera 12 for a predetermined time. The control unit 20 writes the sound data and the captured image Im into the buffer memory 13 in association with the position information of the vehicle Ve based on the output of the positioning unit 14 and the date and time information indicating the shooting date and time. The positioning unit 14 uses GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or the like to generate position information of the vehicle Ve. The positioning unit 14 may be a GPS receiver, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), or any other sensor used for position measurement. When the positioning unit 14 is an external sensor used for position measurement, the control unit 20 performs a known position estimation process based on the detection signal output by the positioning unit 14 to estimate the position of the vehicle Ve. , The position information of the vehicle Ve may be generated.

The impact detection unit 15 is, for example, an acceleration sensor, and supplies a detection signal according to the magnitude of the impact on the vehicle Ve to the control unit 20. The operation unit 16 is an interface that accepts user input instructing writing (so-called recording) of data stored in the buffer memory 13 to the non-volatile memory 19. The operation unit 16 may be various user interfaces such as a button, a touch panel, a gesture recognition camera, and a voice input device. The RAM 17 is a volatile memory that functions as a work area of the control unit 20.

The ROM 18 stores area information IA, which is information for determining whether or not privacy processing is performed for each area (specifically, for each country or region with different laws and regulations). The area information IA is for specifying the position of an area (also referred to as a "recording restricted area") in which the storage of images taken in a publicly passable place is regulated by law from the viewpoint of privacy protection. Information. The area information IA may be information in which information indicating whether or not the recording is restricted area is associated with each area, or map data including information on the recording restricted area. Further, the area information IA may include information indicating the boundary position of the recording restricted area in the absolute coordinate system based on latitude and longitude (for example, the border position when the recording restricted area is a country). The information indicating the boundary position for each area may be stored in the ROM 18 or the like as data separate from the area information IA.

The non-volatile memory 19 is, for example, a storage medium such as a flash memory or an SD card. Under the control of the control unit 20, the non-volatile memory 19 is written with sound and video data for a predetermined time stored in the buffer memory 13. Based on the control of the control unit 20, these data include date and time information indicating the shooting date and time by the camera 12 (that is, the sound collection date and time by the microphone 11) and position information indicating the position of the vehicle Ve at the time of shooting by the camera 12. It is stored in the non-volatile memory 19 in a state of being associated with.

The control unit 20 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like, and controls the entire drive recorder 1. For example, when the control unit 20 detects a predetermined event (also referred to as a “recording event”) that triggers recording, the control unit 20 writes the data stored in the buffer memory 13 to the non-volatile memory 19. For example, when the magnitude of the impact indicated by the detection signal supplied from the impact detection unit 15 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when the control unit 20 receives an input signal instructing recording from the operation unit 16. , Judge that a recording event has occurred. Then, the control unit 20 reads the data of the preset time length before and after the event detection from the buffer memory 13 and writes it in the non-volatile memory 19 in association with the position information and the date and time information of the vehicle Ve based on the positioning unit 14.

Further, when a recording event occurs, the control unit 20 refers to the area information IA, determines the necessity of privacy processing for the captured image Im to be written to the non-volatile memory 19, and moves to the non-volatile memory 19 based on the determination result. Performs privacy processing on the captured image Im to be written. Here, the privacy process refers to image processing on the license plate of another vehicle included in the photographed image Im included in the photographed image Im to protect the privacy, and is an image such as mosaic processing, blurring process, mask superimposition processing, etc. for the area of the license plate. The process is applicable. Further, in addition to the license plates of other vehicles, at least a part of personal information such as a person's face and a nameplate of a private house may be included in the object of privacy processing.

The control unit 20 is an example of a “position acquisition unit”, an “image acquisition unit”, a “control unit”, and a computer that executes a program.

(2) Judgment of Necessity of Privacy Processing First, the determination of necessity of privacy processing by the control unit 20 will be described in detail. When the position of the vehicle Ve belongs to the area to be subjected to the privacy process, the control unit 20 determines that the privacy process is necessary.

In this case, in the first example, the control unit 20 refers to the area information IA and determines that the position of the vehicle Ve specified based on the positioning unit 14 (also referred to as “specific vehicle position”) belongs to the recording restricted area. If so, it is considered that privacy processing is necessary. In the second example, the control unit 20 takes into consideration the measurement (estimation) error of the specific vehicle position based on the output of the positioning unit 14, and the specific vehicle position is within a predetermined distance from the recording restriction area (that is, the recording restriction). Even if it belongs to the area around the area), it is determined that privacy processing is necessary.

FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the necessity determination of the privacy process in the first example. FIG. 3A shows a vehicle Ve traveling on a road 8 that crosses an area A that is not a recording restricted area and an area B that is a recording restricted area adjacent to the area A. Here, in the state shown in FIG. 3A, since the vehicle Ve exists in the area A, when the control unit 20 detects the recording event, the data in the buffer memory 13 is input without performing privacy processing. Write to the non-volatile memory 19.

Further, the control unit 20 recognizes the position of the area B, which is the recording restriction area closest to the position of the vehicle Ve, based on the area information IA, and compares the position of the specific vehicle with the position of the area B. Then, when the vehicle Ve enters the area B, the control unit 20 determines that the specific vehicle position belongs to the recording restricted area based on the output of the positioning unit 14 and the area information IA. Therefore, in this case, when the recording event occurs, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing on the captured image Im to be stored in the non-volatile memory 19. Further, when the vehicle Ve enters the area A from the area B again, the control unit 20 determines that the specific vehicle position belongs to an area other than the recording restricted area, and performs privacy processing when the recording event is detected. Instead, the data in the buffer memory 13 is written to the non-volatile memory 19.

FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the necessity determination of the privacy process in the second example. In FIG. 3 (B), as in FIG. 3 (A), the vehicle Ve traveling on the road 8 crossing the area A which is not the recording restricted area and the area B which is the recording restricted area adjacent to the area A is shown. It is shown. Here, in the state shown in FIG. 3B, since the vehicle Ve exists in the area A, when the control unit 20 detects the recording event, the data in the buffer memory 13 is input without performing privacy processing. Write to the non-volatile memory 19.

Further, the control unit 20 recognizes the position of the area B, which is the recording restriction area closest to the position of the vehicle Ve, based on the area information IA, and compares the position of the specific vehicle with the position of the area B. Then, when the control unit 20 determines that the specific vehicle position exists within a predetermined distance "Lth" from the area B even if the specific vehicle position is outside the area B (that is, it is sandwiched between the broken line frame 9 and the area B). If it exists in the surrounding area), it is determined that the vehicle Ve may have entered the area B. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing when the recording event is detected. Here, the predetermined distance Lth is, for example, a distance corresponding to the maximum error of the specific vehicle position, which may be stored in advance in the ROM 18 or the like, and is determined by the control unit 20 based on the error information or the like output by the positioning unit 14. It may be a value. In addition, the drive recorder 1 may have entered the recording restricted area instead of determining whether or not the vehicle Ve may have entered the recording restricted area using the predetermined distance Lth. Information indicating the position of a certain area (that is, the recording restricted area in the broken line frame 9 and the surrounding area thereof) may be stored in the ROM 18 in advance as area information IA.

Here, the effect of the second example will be supplementarily described. For example, when the specific vehicle position specified based on the output of the positioning unit 14 includes an error due to the influence of GNSS radio wave multipath, etc., the specific vehicle is actually the position of the current vehicle Ve even though it belongs to the recording restriction area. It may be determined that the position does not belong to the recording restricted area. In consideration of the above, in the second example, the control unit 20 records without performing privacy processing in the recording restriction area even when the specific vehicle position specified based on the output of the positioning unit 14 includes an error. Can be reliably suppressed.

Next, in the vicinity of the boundary between the recording restriction area and other areas, when the captured image Im is photographed (that is, when it is stored in the buffer memory 13) and when the necessity of privacy processing is determined (that is, when it is written to the non-volatile memory 19). ) And the case where it exists in a different area will be described supplementarily.

In this case, in the first determination example, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve belongs to the recording restricted area based on the position information of the vehicle Ve at the time of shooting associated with the captured image Im to be recorded. Then, when the position indicated by the position information of the vehicle Ve corresponding to at least one of the captured images Im to be recorded belongs to the recording restricted area, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing for all the captured images Im to be recorded. I do. In another example, in this case, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing only for the captured image Im whose position at the time of photographing belongs to the recording restricted area.

In the second determination example, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve belongs to the recording restriction area based on the specific vehicle position based on the output of the positioning unit 14 at the time of determining the necessity of privacy processing. Then, when the specific vehicle position based on the output of the positioning unit 14 at the time of determining the necessity of privacy processing belongs to the recording restricted area, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing on all the captured images Im to be recorded. In the third determination example, the control unit 20 should record all the images to be recorded when the vehicle Ve belongs to the area B which is the recording restriction area at least at the time of shooting the captured image Im and at the time of determining the necessity of privacy processing. Privacy processing is performed on the captured image Im.

(3) Processing Flow FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control unit 20 in the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows, as an example, the flow of determining the necessity of privacy processing in the second example described above.

First, the control unit 20 acquires the position information of the vehicle Ve indicating the specific vehicle position based on the output of the positioning unit 14, and stores the sound data generated by the microphone 11 and the captured image Im generated by the camera 12 in the buffer memory 13. Store (step S101). At this time, preferably, the control unit 20 associates the date and time information indicating the shooting date and time of the captured image Im and the position information indicating the position of the vehicle Ve that captured the captured image Im with the captured image Im and the sound data and buffers them. It is stored in the memory 13.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a recording event has been detected (step S102). For example, the control unit 20 determines that a recording event has occurred when the impact amount based on the output of the impact detection unit 15 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when a predetermined input signal is detected by the operation unit 16.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the specific vehicle position indicated by the vehicle position information acquired in step S101 is within the recording restriction area (step S103). Then, when the specific vehicle position is within the recording restriction area (step S103; Yes), the control unit 20 executes privacy processing on the captured image Im of the recording target stored in the buffer memory 13 (step S104). .. Then, the control unit 20 stores the captured image Im that has undergone privacy processing in the non-volatile memory 19 (step S105). As a result, the control unit 20 can suitably continue recording even in the recording restricted area while observing the privacy protection stipulated by laws and regulations. In step S105, in addition to the captured image Im, the control unit 20 transmits the sound data generated at the same time as the captured image Im to be recorded, the date and time information corresponding to these, and the position information to the non-volatile memory 19. Remember.

On the other hand, when the specific vehicle position is not within the recording restricted area (step S103; No), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the specific vehicle position is within the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restricted area (step S106). Then, when the specific vehicle position is within the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restricted area (step S106; Yes), the control unit 20 determines that the area may have entered the recording restricted area. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 20 executes steps S104 and S105 in the same manner as when it is determined that the specific vehicle position is within the recording restriction area. As a result, the control unit 20 can surely comply with the laws and regulations regarding privacy protection in the recording restricted area in consideration of the possibility that the specific vehicle position contains an error.

On the other hand, when the specific vehicle position is farther than the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restriction area (step S106; No), the control unit 20 determines that it is not necessary to perform the privacy process. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 20 stores the captured image Im or the like to be recorded stored in the buffer memory 13 in the non-volatile memory 19 without performing privacy processing (step S107). As a result, the control unit 20 can suitably store captured images and the like in an area where the problem of privacy protection does not occur, without performing unnecessary privacy processing. Then, the control unit 20 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S101 to S107 until the timing at which shooting should be completed (for example, the timing when the power is turned off) (step S108).

The control unit 20 may simultaneously execute the necessity determination of the privacy process in step S103 and step S106. For example, when the area information IA indicating the position of the area (recording restricted area and its surrounding area) in which the vehicle Ve may have entered the recording restricted area is stored in the ROM 18, the control unit 20 controls this area. By referring to the information IA, the necessity of privacy processing may be determined.

As described above, the control unit 20 of the drive recorder 1 according to the first embodiment acquires the position of the vehicle Ve. Further, the control unit 20 acquires a captured image Im captured by the camera 12 that captures the periphery of the vehicle Ve. Then, when the position of the acquired vehicle Ve belongs to the area where the object included in the acquired captured image Im should be subjected to the predetermined privacy treatment, the control unit 20 performs the privacy treatment on the captured image Im. When the data is stored in the non-volatile memory 19 and the acquired position of the vehicle Ve does not belong to the area where the object included in the acquired captured image Im should be subjected to the predetermined privacy processing, the captured image Im is made non-volatile. It is stored in the sex memory 19. As a result, the drive recorder 1 can record in an area where the problem of privacy protection does not occur without performing unnecessary privacy processing. In addition to this, the drive recorder 1 can record even in the recording restricted area while surely complying with the laws and regulations regarding privacy protection.

(4) Modification Example A modification suitable for the first embodiment will be described. The following modifications may be applied to the above-mentioned first embodiment in any combination.

(Modification example 1)
A server device capable of data communication with the drive recorder 1 may execute a part of the processing of the drive recorder 1. In the first example, the drive recorder 1 may transmit the data to the server device and store the data in the server device instead of storing the data to be recorded in the non-volatile memory 19. In the second example, the server device may execute the necessity determination of the privacy process. In this case, the server device stores the area information IA, and the drive recorder 1 transmits the position information indicating the position of the vehicle Ve to the server device. Then, the server device determines the necessity of privacy processing based on the area information IA and the location information, and transmits the determination result to the drive recorder 1. Then, the drive recorder 1 determines the necessity of privacy processing for the captured image Im stored in the non-volatile memory 19 based on the determination result received from the server device. In the third example, the above-mentioned server device may execute the privacy processing necessity determination and the recording processing instead of the drive recorder 1.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the storage control system in the third example of the first modification. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage control system in the first modification includes a drive recorder 1A and a server device 2. Further, FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the server device 2 in the third example of the modified example 1. The server device 2 mainly includes a communication unit 41, a buffer memory 43, a RAM 47, a ROM 48 for storing area information IA, and a non-volatile memory 49.

The drive recorder 1A inputs the position information indicating the position of the vehicle Ve based on the output of the positioning unit 14, the captured image Im, the detection signal of the impact detection unit 15, and the operation unit 16 regarding the recording instruction to the server device 2. The upload information "S1" including the signal is transmitted. The server device 2 executes the flowchart of FIG. 6 based on the upload information S1. In this case, the server device 2 receives the upload information S1 from the drive recorder 1A to acquire the position information of the vehicle Ve to be acquired in step S101, the captured image Im to be stored in the buffer memory 13, and the like. Further, the server device 2 determines the recording event detection in step S102 based on the detection signal of the impact detection unit 15 and the input signal of the operation unit 16 included in the upload information S1. Then, in step S103 and step S106, the server device 2 refers to the area information IA (and the predetermined distance Lth) stored in the ROM 48, and determines the necessity of privacy processing.

In this way, even in the mode in which a server device capable of data communication with the drive recorder 1 executes a part of the processing of the drive recorder 1, recording is regulated while observing the privacy protection laws and regulations as in the above-described embodiment. Recording can be continued even in the area.

(Modification 2)
The drive recorder 1 may always store the captured image Im in the non-volatile memory 19 regardless of whether or not a recording event is detected.

FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control unit 20 in the modified example 2. First, the control unit 20 acquires vehicle position information indicating a specific vehicle position based on the output of the positioning unit 14, and acquires the sound data generated by the microphone 11 and the captured image Im generated by the camera 12 (step S201). .. In this case, the control unit 20 may temporarily store the sound data and the captured image Im acquired in step S201 in the buffer memory 13.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the specific vehicle position indicated by the vehicle position information acquired in step S201 is within the recording restriction area (step S202). Then, when the specific vehicle position is within the recording restriction area (step S202; Yes), the control unit 20 executes privacy processing on the captured image Im acquired in step S201 (step S203). Then, the control unit 20 stores the captured image Im after the privacy process in the non-volatile memory 19 (step S204). In addition to the captured image Im that has undergone privacy processing, the control unit 20 stores sound data generated at the same time as the captured image Im and date / time information and position information corresponding to these in the non-volatile memory 19. ..

On the other hand, when the specific vehicle position is not within the recording restricted area (step S202; No), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the specific vehicle position is within the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restricted area (step S205). Then, when the specific vehicle position is within the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restricted area (step S205; Yes), the control unit 20 determines in step S203 and step as in the case of determining that the specific vehicle position is within the recording restricted area. Execute S204. On the other hand, when the specific vehicle position is farther than the predetermined distance Lth from the recording restriction area (step S205; No), the control unit 20 makes the captured image Im or the like acquired in step S201 non-volatile without performing privacy processing. It is stored in the memory 19 (step S206). Then, the control unit 20 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S201 to S206 until the timing at which shooting should be completed (for example, the timing when the power is turned off) (step S207).

In this way, even in the mode in which the generated captured image Im is constantly stored in the non-volatile memory 19, the drive recorder 1 is in the recording restricted area while observing the privacy protection laws and regulations as in the above-described embodiment. Recording can be continued even in.

<Second Example>
In the second embodiment, instead of determining the necessity of privacy processing, the drive recorder 1 makes it impossible to identify an individual or a vehicle, but the photographed image Im processed so as to be able to narrow down the photographed vehicle. It differs from the first embodiment in that privacy processing is performed so as to generate. Since the configuration of the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. The drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment does not have the positioning unit 14 as an indispensable configuration.

Here, the details of the privacy process in the second embodiment will be described. Roughly speaking, the control unit 20 uses a non-volatile memory of the photographed image Im in which only a part of the character string of the license plate of another vehicle included in the photographed image Im cannot be identified at the time of recording. Remember in 19. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the control unit 20 does not determine the necessity of privacy processing based on the position of the vehicle Ve, and privacy processing is performed on all the captured images Im stored in the non-volatile memory 19. I do. In this privacy process, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 20 performs mosaic process, blurring process, and mask superimposition on the area of a predetermined object such as a human face portion, a nameplate of a private house, and a license plate of another vehicle. Perform image processing such as processing. At this time, the control unit 20 performs image processing on the license plate of another vehicle so that only a part of the character string of the license plate cannot be identified. As a result, it is possible to record a photographed image Im that can narrow down the vehicle while making it impossible to identify an individual or a vehicle from the stored photographed image Im. Therefore, the drive recorder 1 can use the recording restricted area and other areas. Works legally in both.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the captured image Im. In the photographed image Im shown in FIG. 8, the pedestrian 25 and the other vehicle 26 are included in the photographing range. When the control unit 20 performs privacy processing on such a captured image Im, an area representing a specific object such as a human face, a nameplate of a private house, or a license plate of another vehicle is used by a known image recognition technology. Is extracted. In the example of FIG. 8, the control unit 20 extracts the area of the face of the pedestrian 25 in the broken line frame 30 and the area of the license plate in the broken line frame 31. Then, the control unit 20 performs image processing such as mosaic processing on the entire face area, and image processing on the license plate area so that only a part of the character strings cannot be identified. Do.

Next, the privacy process of the license plate will be described. The control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing on a part of the character string (vehicle number) on the license plate in which a plurality of alphabets or numbers are connected, and one or more characters, and privacy processing is performed on other characters. To give.

In the first example, the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing on only one of the alphabet and the number in the character string of the license plate. FIG. 9A shows an example of applying privacy processing based on the first example to the license plate included in the photographed image Im shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9A, the control unit 20 performs privacy processing on the numbers included in the target license plate, and does not perform privacy processing on the alphabet. Instead of FIG. 9A, the control unit 20 may perform privacy processing on the alphabet included in the target license plate, and may not perform privacy processing on the numbers.

In the second example, the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing only on a plurality of characters on the last side or the first side of the character string on the license plate. FIG. 9B shows an application example of privacy processing based on the second example to the license plate included in the photographed image Im shown in FIG. In this case, the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing on the last two characters of the character string of the target license plate, and performs privacy processing on the other characters. In the second example, when the number of characters on the license plate is "Nmax" and the number of characters without privacy processing is "N", the control unit 20 performs privacy processing so that "2≤N <Nmax". Determine the number of characters N for which is not applied.

In the third example, the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing only on a plurality of characters existing at predetermined positions counting from the head side, or counts from the head side and randomly determines each time. Do not apply privacy processing only to multiple characters existing at the position. 9 (C) and 9 (D) show an example of application of privacy processing based on the third example to the license plate included in the photographed image Im shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9C, the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing on the characters in a predetermined order (here, the first, third, fifth, and seventh characters), and the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing, and the control unit 20 does not perform privacy processing, and the other order (here) Then, privacy processing is applied to the 2nd, 4th, and 6th) characters. In the example of FIG. 9D, the control unit 20 sets the number N of characters that is not subjected to privacy processing to a predetermined or randomly determined number “N = 4”, and the characters that are not subjected to privacy processing ( Here, the second, third, fifth, and sixth) are randomly determined. In the third example, the control unit 20 defines the number of characters N for which privacy processing is not performed so that “2 ≦ N <Nmax”.

According to these aspects, the control unit 20 suitably processes the license plate of the captured image Im to be recorded so that the photographed vehicle can be narrowed down while making it impossible to identify the individual or the vehicle. can do.

FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing a procedure of privacy processing for the captured image Im to be recorded, which is executed in the second embodiment. For example, when the control unit 20 detects a recording event, the control unit 20 performs the privacy processing shown in FIG. 10 on the captured image Im to be recorded, and then stores the captured image Im and the like after the privacy processing in the non-volatile memory 19. Remember in.

First, the control unit 20 extracts an area requiring image processing from the captured image Im to be recorded (step S301). The control unit 20 may extract a region of a predetermined object (face, license plate, etc.) by template matching, and is a classifier machine-learned to extract a specific region from the input image. By inputting the captured image Im into the image, a predetermined region of the object may be extracted.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not there is a license plate region among the regions extracted in step S301 (step S302). Then, when the license plate region exists (step S302; Yes), the control unit 20 performs image processing so that a part of the character strings on the license plate cannot be identified (step S303). As a result, the license plate of the captured image Im to be recorded can be suitably processed so that the photographed vehicle can be narrowed down while making it impossible to identify the individual or the vehicle.

Then, after image processing that makes a part of the character string of the license plate indistinguishable, or when the license plate region does not exist (step S302; No), the control unit 20 has a region other than the license plate. Whether or not it is determined (step S304). Then, when there is an area other than the license plate (step S304; Yes), the control unit 20 performs image processing so that the area cannot be identified (step S305). On the other hand, when the region other than the license plate does not exist (step S304; No), the control unit 20 ends the processing of the flowchart.

As described above, the control unit 20 of the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment acquires the captured image Im captured by the camera 12 that captures the periphery of the vehicle Ve. Then, the control unit 20 stores in the non-volatile memory 19 the image data in which only a part of the character string of the license plate of the other vehicle included in the acquired photographed image Im cannot be identified. As a result, the license plate of the captured image Im to be recorded can be suitably processed so that the photographed vehicle can be narrowed down while making it impossible to identify the individual or the vehicle. It should be noted that each modification of the first embodiment is suitably applied to the second embodiment.

<Third Example>
In the third embodiment, the drive recorder 1 determines the necessity of privacy processing for the captured image Im to be written to the non-volatile memory 19 based on the position of the vehicle Ve based on the first embodiment, and privacy processing is unnecessary. If it is determined, the privacy process for the captured image Im to be written to the non-volatile memory 19 is not performed. On the other hand, when the drive recorder 1 determines that the privacy process is necessary, the drive recorder 1 performs the privacy process based on the flowchart of FIG. 10 on the captured image Im to be written to the non-volatile memory 19 based on the second embodiment. In this case, the control unit 20 makes only a part of the character string of the license plate of the other vehicle included in the captured image Im unidentifiable. In other words, in the third embodiment, the control unit 20 executes the flowchart of FIG. 4 or FIG. 7, and in step S104 or step S203, performs privacy processing based on the flowchart of FIG.

With this configuration, the drive recorder 1 cannot identify an individual or a vehicle from the recorded image in the recording restricted area where the storage of the photographed image in a publicly passable place is legally prohibited. It is possible to record images that can narrow down the vehicles. Further, the drive recorder 1 can record a photographed image that leads to identification of an individual or a vehicle in an area where storage of the photographed image in a publicly passable place is not legally prohibited.

1, 1A drive recorder 2 server device 11 microphone 12 camera 13 buffer memory 14 positioning unit 15 impact detection unit 16 operation unit 17 RAM
18 ROM
19 Non-volatile memory 20 Control unit

Claims (11)

An image acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by the imaging unit that photographs the surroundings of the vehicle, and an image acquisition unit.
In the character string of the license plate of another vehicle included in the image data, a control unit that stores the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in the storage unit, and a control unit.
A memory control device having. The control unit stores the image data in the storage unit so that only a part of the characters can be identified in the character string when the character string includes a plurality of character types. The memory control device according to. The storage control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the image data in the storage unit so that only a plurality of characters on the trailing side or the leading side can be identified in the character string. The storage control according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the image data in the storage unit so that only characters existing in a predetermined position or a randomly determined position can be identified in the character string. apparatus. The control unit stores the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable and at least one of the human face area and the nameplate of the house included in the image data is indistinguishable. The storage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is stored in a unit. It also has a position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the vehicle,
When the position belongs to an area in which the object included in the image data is to be subjected to a predetermined privacy process, the control unit stores the data in which the image data is subjected to the privacy process in the storage unit. When the position does not belong to the area, the image data is stored in the storage unit.
The control unit claims that when the license plate is included in the image data as the object in the privacy process, only a part of the license plate cannot be identified in the character string of the license plate. The storage control device according to any one of 1 to 5. The storage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a server device that receives the image data from the vehicle or an in-vehicle device of the vehicle. The storage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a drive recorder mounted on the vehicle. It is a control method executed by the memory control device.
An image acquisition process that acquires image data taken by the shooting unit that shoots the surroundings of the vehicle,
In the character string of the license plate of another vehicle included in the image data, a control step of storing the image data in which only a part of the character string is indistinguishable in a storage unit, and
Control method having. An image acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by the imaging unit that photographs the surroundings of the vehicle, and an image acquisition unit.
A program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that stores the image data in a storage unit in which only a part of the character string of the license plate of another vehicle included in the image data is indistinguishable. A storage medium comprising storing the program according to claim 10.

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