JP2022078053A - Recording device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device which records a new video by overwriting a recorded video and suppresses such a risk that a video at a movement when an event such as an accident has occurred is deleted.

SOLUTION: A drive recorder having a continuous recording function which records a video shot in a vehicle by overwriting a recorded video includes an overwriting suppression function which suppresses overwriting when the vehicle is in a prescribed stop state. The overwriting suppression function executes the overwriting suppression function by determining that the vehicle is in the prescribed stop state (YES at S103) when a determination pattern in which the time of retention of the vehicle in the stop state is equal to or greater than a prescribed time matches the current vehicle state, temporarily stops continuous recording by the continuous recording function (S104) during the execution of the overwriting suppression function, performs control of preventing deletion of recorded imaging data by the overwriting of the new imaging data, and continues the recording by the overwriting (S114) if the vehicle is not in the prescribed stop state (No at S103).

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a recording device or the like for recording an image in a vehicle.

Conventionally, a recording device for recording an image in a vehicle has been known. For example, a drive recorder is known as a recording device that captures and records an image of the vicinity of the vehicle inside or outside the vehicle as an image of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The video from the drive recorder is useful for investigating the cause of the accident by playing back and viewing the recorded video, for example, when the vehicle is involved in an accident or causes an accident.

Most conventional drive recorders have an event recording function that records images for several tens of seconds before and after the occurrence of an event such as a predetermined impact, but recently due to the drop in the price of recording media that record images, etc. The number of drive recorders that have a constant recording function is increasing. For example, a drive recorder that constantly records continuously while the vehicle is running is known, and such a drive recorder constantly records images at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs and other images. Therefore, while there is no omission of recording, a large capacity image storage memory is required. Since it is difficult to replace the memory card with a new memory card when the memory capacity is full, continuous recording is recorded until the capacity of the recording medium such as an SD card is almost full, and when it is full, it is old. The video is erased and the current video is overwritten and saved.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-235395

The disadvantage of continuous recording is that it is not the video at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs, but the video that does not need to be recorded is also recorded and saved by overwriting the recorded video, so sometimes the image that needs to be saved disappears by overwriting. There is a possibility that it will end up.
For example, the image at the time of the accident is overwritten while rescuing the other party, injuring the person, talking with the other party, etc. without turning off the engine at the time of the accident, or it is necessary to save the running image of the previous day. If there is, if you forget it and start the engine with the engine starter the next day, the image of the previous day will be overwritten while idling.
The main purpose of the drive recorder is to record the accident, but if you encounter an accident and want to keep the recorded image, the accident record will be erased by overwriting unless you stop continuous recording or save the image separately. ..

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional drive recorder and the like, and the moment when an event such as an accident occurs in a recording device that overwrites the recorded video and records the current video. It is intended to provide a recording device that suppresses the possibility that the video of the above is erased.

(1) A recording device having a function of overwriting and recording an image captured by a vehicle on a recorded image may be provided with a function of suppressing the overwriting when the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state.
By doing so, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased. For example, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased without turning off the power of the recording device.

As the image captured in the vehicle, for example, the image around the vehicle inside or outside the vehicle may be used. In particular, as the image outside the vehicle, it is preferable to use the image around the traveling vehicle. The image may be configured to be acquired from an image pickup means such as a camera installed in a vehicle, for example. In particular, it is preferable to use the image acquired from the image pickup means installed in the vehicle interior.
The recording device may be configured by a control means such as a microcomputer, for example.

The video recording may be performed, for example, on a recording means, and particularly on a storage means for digitizing and recording. As the storage means, for example, a recording medium such as a memory card may be used.
The recorded video may be, for example, a video recorded by event recording, and the video to be overwritten may be a video recorded by an event, but in particular, a video recorded by continuous recording that continuously records video. It has a remarkable effect in the configuration of overwriting and recording the video by continuous recording. In particular, it is most remarkable in a configuration in which a video recorded by continuous recording is overwritten with a video recorded by continuous recording, which is continuously recorded when power is supplied to the recording device.

The predetermined stopped state may be a state in which the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time, for example, as described in (4) described later. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased when the vehicle is stopped for more than the predetermined time.
As the suppression of overwriting, for example, (7) to (9) and (13) described later may be used. In particular, to suppress overwriting, it is advisable to stop overwriting.

Further, when the vehicle is not in the predetermined stopped state, the overwriting suppression may not be executed, and particularly when the vehicle is not in the predetermined stopped state, the overwriting suppression may not be executed. .. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably record the image at the moment when the event such as an accident occurs, and it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when the event such as an accident occurs is erased. , Both can be compatible in a better balance.

(2) It is preferable that the continuous recording function is provided, the overwrite recording is performed on the recorded video of the continuous recording, and the function of suppressing the overwrite is configured by suppressing the continuous recording.
By doing so, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the recorded continuously recorded video at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs due to continuous recording is erased.

As continuous recording, it is preferable to record video continuously over a certain period of time, but in particular, it is preferable to record without having a causal relationship with the occurrence of an event, and in particular, it is recorded regardless of the occurrence of an event. It is good to do. In particular, continuous recording should be continuous recording in principle when power is being supplied to the recording device. In this way, continuous recording has already recorded the moment when an event such as an accident occurs. It has a remarkable effect that the risk of the constantly recorded video being erased can be suppressed.

As the continuous recording, for example, when the recording device has an event recording function, it may be continuously recorded for a longer time than the recording time by the event recording function. By doing so, overwriting of the recorded video by continuous recording can be suppressed, and the possibility that the recorded continuous recorded video will be erased at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs can be suppressed, and the event recording function can be suppressed. It is possible to increase the possibility that the video at the moment of an event such as an accident can be confirmed by the continuous recording video when the video recording by is not recorded due to an impact that is not regarded as an event, and the event recording function is used. Even if the video is recorded, it is a remarkable effect that the situation before and after the event such as an accident can be confirmed for a longer time by the continuously recorded video recorded for a longer time than the video recorded by the event. Play.

(3) It is preferable to have an event recording function so that recording by the event recording function can be performed while the overwriting is suppressed.
By doing so, even if an event such as an accident occurs while the overwriting is suppressed, the recording is performed by the event recording function, and the event such as an accident occurs more reliably. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the momentary image will be erased. In particular, since overwriting is suppressed when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment of the accident or the like will be erased when an accident occurs when the vehicle is stopped. Since accidents may occur while the vehicle is stopped, it is desirable to record using the event recording function.

In particular, if the video recorded by the event recording function is configured so as not to be overwritten, it is possible to more reliably prevent the video at the moment of an accident or the like from being erased.
As a configuration that enables recording by the event recording function while suppressing overwriting, for example, a signal from a sensor or a switch that detects an event such as various accidents is acquired, and the signal is, for example, the occurrence of a predetermined event. When indicating a state in which it can be determined, it is preferable to record the video for a predetermined time before and after the judgment is made as the video by event recording. For example, it is advisable to set a trigger when the value of the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value or when a switch press is detected, and record for the time before and after that trigger only when the trigger is issued.

(4) The predetermined stopped state may be a state in which the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time or longer.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent the image in the stopped state from being overwritten on the recorded image recorded during traveling and being continuously recorded. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased by the image while the vehicle is stopped.

(5) It is preferable to have a function of determining whether the vehicle may have had an accident and, if there is a possibility of having an accident, suppressing overwriting.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased.

To determine whether the vehicle may have had an accident, for example, when an impact exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected, the failure diagnosis information of the ECU or the like provided in the vehicle acquired from the diagnosis system such as OBD indicates the failure. In the case of information, it may be the case where it is detected that the airbag or the like has operated, the case where the image is recognized and the image corresponding to the accident is detected, and the like. Further, as a judgment as to whether or not the vehicle may have had an accident, for example, the following (6) may be used.

(6) The predetermined stopped state may be such that the vehicle has stopped within a predetermined time after the impact is detected.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when the accident occurs will be erased. In the case of an accident, we have found that, in general, after detecting an impact, the behavior of stopping within a predetermined time is taken. In particular, it is preferable that the predetermined time is stopped within several tens of seconds after the impact is detected.

(7) To suppress the overwriting, stop recording, change the recording method so as to lengthen the time until the overwriting, and reduce the capacity required for recording per hour by recording the video. It is preferable to have a function of at least one of the following: reducing the frame rate of the video to be recorded, and reducing the number of pixels of the video to be recorded.
By doing so, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the video at the moment when an event such as an accident included in the recorded video is erased by overwriting.

In particular, in case of emergency, it is advisable to save the memory used for recording the video and continue recording, or to change the time until it is overwritten.
As a configuration for reducing the frame rate, in particular, when not suppressing, the video is recorded at several tens of frames / second, while when suppressing, it is about several frames / second (for example, 1 fps). It is advisable to change the number of frames per second by changing the digit. It is advisable to change the capacity required for recording per hour by recording the video, the number of pixels of the video to be recorded, and the like to the extent that the digits of the number change.

(8) As a suppression of the overwriting, it is preferable to prevent the overwriting from disappearing.
By doing so, the image at the moment when the event such as an accident, which is included in the recorded image, will not be erased by overwriting, and the image at the moment when the event such as an accident occurs will be erased more reliably. The fear can be eliminated.
As a configuration for preventing the image from being erased by overwriting, for example, the following (9) may be used.

(9) As the suppression of overwriting, at least one of prohibition of overwriting, copying to an area other than the overwriting area, and moving to an area not overwriting area may be performed.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased.

As a configuration for overwriting prohibition, for example, it is preferable to record the video to be recorded as one file in a predetermined time unit and add an overwrite prohibition attribute as an attribute of the file when the generation of the file is completed. As a configuration for copying to an area other than the overwrite area, for example, an overwriteable area and an overwrite prohibited area may be separated, and the video data recorded in the overwriteable area may be copied to the overwrite prohibited area. As a configuration for moving to an area other than the overwrite prohibited area, for example, it is preferable to separate the overwriteable area and the overwrite prohibited area and move the video data recorded in the overwriteable area to the overwrite prohibited area. The overwriteable area and the overwrite-protected area may be, for example, different folders, different drives, or different file systems.

In particular, it is advisable to prevent overwriting in the folder to which it is moved or copied and stored.
For example, it may be configured to have a continuous recording function and, as the suppression of overwriting, at least one of copying to an area not overwritten by continuous recording or moving to an area not overwritten by continuous recording.

(10) When the vehicle is in a predetermined running state, the suppression of overwriting may be terminated.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably record the image of the situation where an event such as an accident such as a vehicle is running is likely to occur, and the image at the moment when the event such as an accident occurs is erased. The fear can be suppressed.

In particular, when the vehicle is in a predetermined running state, it is preferable to return to the recording state of the image before starting the suppression of overwriting.
The predetermined traveling state may be a state other than the predetermined stopped state, and particularly preferably a state in which the vehicle has started traveling.

(11) The predetermined stopped state is that the vibration state acquired from the vibration detecting means is a predetermined state, the speed information acquired from the vehicle is a predetermined state, and the speed is based on the position information acquired from the positioning means. The configuration may be such that the determination is made based on at least one of the information being in a predetermined state and the speed information acquired from the GPS receiving means being in a predetermined state. For example, any predetermined state may be in a state where it can be taken in an actual stopped state, and particularly in a state where it cannot be taken in a running state. Further, for example, it is preferable to store the actually measured state in the stopped state and determine whether or not the state is in a predetermined state based on whether or not it matches the stored pattern. As a predetermined state of the vibration state acquired from the vibration detecting means, for example, the vibration characteristic at the time of stopping, which is different from the vibration characteristic at the time of traveling, is stored, and when the vibration characteristic at the time of stopping matches, the vibration state at the time of stopping is regarded as the stopped state. It is good to judge.
In particular, it is preferable to configure the determination based on at least one of these two. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state.

(12) It has a function to suppress overwriting of the video in a predetermined range including the video currently being recorded based on the operation from the user, and even if the power is cut off, the video in the predetermined range before the power is cut off is also provided. It is good to have a function to suppress overwriting including it.
By doing so, even if the power of the recording device is turned off due to an accident or the engine is turned off without performing an operation to suppress overwriting of the image of the accident at the time of an accident, the power is supplied again. At that time, it is possible to suppress overwriting of the image within a predetermined range before the power is cut off at that time.

(13) It is preferable to have a function of suppressing the overwriting when at least one of rescue of the other party, injury of the person, and talking with the other party is detected.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased.

If at least one of rescue of the other party, injury of the person, and talking with the other party is detected, for example, rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc. are performed. It may be immediately after detecting at least one of these things, but it may be after a predetermined time has passed. For example, at least one of rescue of the other person, injury of the person, talking with the other person, etc. It is good to do after detecting these, and after not detecting these. By doing this, while the rescue and discussions are recorded without restraint, these times are relatively short, so the recorded video at the time of the accident is overwritten and erased. Can be suppressed. The determination that the person is injured or talking with the other party has a function of recognizing the person in the image captured in the vehicle by image recognition processing such as face recognition, and recognizes the person. It may be performed based on whether or not the time is a predetermined pattern stored in advance. For example, when two or more people are recognized for more than a predetermined time, or when the same person is repeatedly recognized or not recognized within a predetermined time, overwriting may be suppressed.

(14) When it is detected that the engine has been started by the engine starter, it is preferable to have a configuration having a function of suppressing the overwriting.
By doing so, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased by the image while the engine is started by the engine starter and idling.

For example, the following (15) to (23) may be particularly performed for the purpose of more reliably storing and storing the recorded data at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. These focus on stopping the vehicle immediately, especially when the vehicle causes an accident or when the accident is witnessed and rescue is performed. For example, continuous recording can solve the problem that the recorded video is erased by overwriting, and event recording can solve the problem that the recorded video is not stored and saved, for example, when the sensor does not detect it or when the button operation is not performed.

(15) It is preferable to have a function of suppressing the overwriting when it is determined whether or not it is immediately after the accident and it is determined that it is immediately after the accident.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably store and save the images at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. As a more specific configuration, for example, (17) and (18) may be used.

(16) It is preferable to have a function of suppressing overwriting when it is determined whether or not the vehicle has been moved to a safe place after the accident and when it is determined that the vehicle has been moved to a safe place after the accident.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably store and save the images at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. As a more specific configuration, for example, (19) may be used. In this case, the suppression of overwriting may be particularly performed on the video including the time points before and after the accident. Whether or not it is a safe place may be determined based on whether or not the detected current position is included in the stored area range by storing the area information of the safe place in advance. Alternatively, it is preferable to store the area information of an unsafe place in advance and make a determination based on whether or not the current position is outside this area. Especially on the road, it is good to make it an area of unsafe place.

(17) With regard to the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the vehicle is provided with a continuous recording function, the vehicle is in a stopped state as the predetermined stopped state, and the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state. The configuration may be such that the overwriting is suppressed.
As mentioned above, when an accident occurs, the vehicle will stop immediately after that. Therefore, if overwriting is suppressed by storing the images before and after the vehicle is stopped in a dedicated folder, etc., there is a high possibility that the recording of the accident etc. is recorded, so the recorded data at the time of the accident and before and after the accident is more reliably stored and saved. be able to.

The same can be said for (1) to (14) described above, but especially after (15), as a suppression of overwriting, for example, the recorded data (captured data) of the recorded video or the recorded data file containing the recorded data is stored in a specific folder. , It may be moved to a specific storage area, a specific storage medium, or copied and stored. And, as the suppression of overwriting, it may be moved to a folder or the like where overwriting is prohibited, or it may be copied. .. By suppressing overwriting by moving or copying to a dedicated folder etc. with overwrite permission in this way, the amount of data in the dedicated folder etc. can be made smaller than the amount of data in continuous recording, so continuous If the same storage capacity as the recording is used, the probability of being erased by overwriting is low, which is beneficial.

For example, when the event recording function and the continuous recording function are provided, the predetermined time before and after is longer than the recording time by the event recording and shorter than the recording time by the continuous recording function. For example, it is preferable to suppress overwriting in a range starting from several tens of seconds to several minutes before the stop and ending from several tens of seconds to several minutes after the stop. In particular, it is better to lengthen the overwrite suppression time before stopping than after stopping, and it is better to take about 1 to 3 minutes before and about several tens of seconds to 1 minute after that. If it is made too long, the memory capacity will increase and the possibility of being erased by overwriting will increase, but in this way, it will not be necessary to increase the memory capacity, the possibility of being erased will decrease, and an accident will occur. It is possible to reliably record the contents at the time of the accident, including the process up to the encounter with the accident and the process after the accident.

The continuous recording may be configured to store the continuously recorded video in file units at predetermined time intervals. In this configuration, the recorded video is created in file units at predetermined time intervals and is overwritten. In particular, when the configuration of (17) is provided, the predetermined time may be about 1 minute. In this way, if the file unit is, for example, about 1 minute, it can be easily processed as a file at the time of stopping, a file 1 to 2 before, and a file one after.

(18) A function having a continuous recording function, recording continuous recording in another storage area according to whether or not the vehicle is stopped, and performing the overwrite recording in each storage area as suppression of overwriting. It is good to have.
By doing so, even if the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state for a long time, the image in a state where the vehicle is not stopped (for example, a moving image) is overwritten with the image in the predetermined stopped state. It can be suppressed from being stored. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording when the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

As another storage area, a storage area managed separately may be used, and for example, a different folder or a different drive may be used.
As "depending on whether the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state", it may be "in the case where the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state and in the case where the vehicle is not in a predetermined stop state". As another storage area, for example, a storage area for a predetermined stopped state and a storage area for a non-predetermined stopped state may be provided. "Depending on whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state" may be "immediately when whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state", but "whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state has changed". You don't have to say "when soon". In particular, in the case of a configuration in which the continuous recording function is configured to generate a file in file units every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), when the state is changed from a state in which the vehicle is not stopped to a state in which the vehicle is stopped. Alternatively, when the state changes from the predetermined stopped state to the non-predetermined stopped state, the processing of switching the storage area of the file storage destination may be performed immediately, but the file of the file unit currently being recorded may be performed. Until the recording of the recording unit time (for example, 1 minute) is completed, the storage area of the file storage destination is not switched, and when the recording of the file of the file unit being recorded is completed, the vehicle is stopped in a predetermined state. It is preferable to determine whether or not there is a file, determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state, and determine the storage area of the file storage destination.

The continuous recording may be divided into, for example, running and stopped, and the continuous recording may be recorded in different folders while running and stopped, and may be overwritten and stored in each folder. By doing so, even if the engine is stopped without stopping for a long time, it is possible to prevent the recording during running from being erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to record an accident while the vehicle is stopped. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

(19) With a continuous recording function, the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time as the predetermined stop state, and when the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state, the time at which the stop is started. It is preferable to have a configuration in which the overwriting is suppressed for the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to reduce the probability of erasing even when the recording capacity of the video is small, such as a small memory capacity.

Further, in particular, the time for "continuing to stop for a predetermined time" in the "state in which the vehicle has stopped and has continued to stop for a predetermined time" may be a time that exceeds the stop time for waiting for a general signal. It is preferable not to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a general signal waiting time, but to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a relatively long time. By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time a signal is waited, reduce the frequency of overwriting suppression, and reduce the probability of erasing even with a small memory capacity.

In particular, it is good to set it to about 3 to 5 minutes. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the recording at the time of the accident will be overwritten by the continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped because the engine is forgotten to be turned off. In addition, if normal driving is resumed in a shorter time than this, it is considered that it is not an accident or a serious accident, so the suppression of overwriting works excessively, and the storage area is filled with the image in which the overwriting is suppressed. It is possible to prevent it from going away, and it is possible to reduce the risk of squeezing the recordable area of continuous recording. In particular, it is even better to combine the configuration (26) described later.

Further, if the vehicle is stopped but the stop is not continued for a predetermined time, the overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop is not suppressed. good. Further, it is preferable to use the configuration of (19) which does not include the configuration of (17).

(20) With a continuous recording function, when the power of the device is cut off, the vehicle is stopped immediately before the power is turned off, when the vehicle is stopped before the power is cut off, or when the vehicle is stopped before the power is cut off. It is preferable to have a function of suppressing overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording including at least any one of the time points.

It is important to take measures to reduce the possibility that the recording in the event of an accident will be erased by overwriting the continuous recording by stopping the engine for a long time without stopping the engine in the event of an accident, but in reality, the engine is stopped even in the event of an accident. It seems that there are more cases of stopping / parking. In this case, the event may be recorded before the engine is stopped, but if the configuration does not have the event recording function, or if the event is not determined as an event even if it has the event recording function, the event is not recorded. There is a possibility that the video at the time of the accident of continuous recording may be erased by overwriting in the running after processing, but by doing so, such a situation can be prevented and the video at the time of the accident etc. can be recorded more reliably. Can be recorded. In particular, if the power of this device is supplied from the vehicle and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, the recording before the engine is stopped is stored every time. Become. In particular, as a means of suppressing overwriting, for example, a dedicated folder may be provided for overwriting recording. Further, "including the time point 1" may be, for example, a predetermined time before and after the time point 1.
As a configuration example of (20) above, for example, when the power of the recording device is cut off after the vehicle has stopped, it is advisable to perform overwriting suppression processing on the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop.

(21) A backup power source capable of supplying power when the power supply is cut off may be provided, and when the power supply is cut off, the overwriting may be suppressed by the backup power supply.
By doing so, overwriting can be suppressed more reliably. If the configuration does not have a backup power supply, or if the backup power supply is provided but the capacity of the backup power supply is low, it is advisable to suppress the overwriting after the next power-on startup. ..

In particular, for example, the process of (20) may be performed in this way. For example, if there is a backup power supply, the power is turned off after the backup power supply suppresses overwriting, and if the backup power supply is not installed or the capacity of the backup power supply is low, then the power supply is turned on. It is advisable to perform the overwrite suppression process after the backup is started. This is good because it needs to be processed after the power is cut off.

(22) It is preferable to have a positioning function and to suppress the overwriting when the positioned place is a preset place, the function of not suppressing the overwriting is provided.
For example, it is often unnecessary to record accidents in places where people often park on a daily basis, such as parking lots at home or at work. It is better not to do so. By that amount, the probability that necessary images such as records at the time of an accident will be overwritten can be reduced. As for the setting of the place where the overwriting suppression process is not performed, for example, when an instruction such as a button operation is input at that place, the position may be stored and set. In particular, for example, in the configuration of (20), the configuration of (22) may be provided.

(23) The vehicle is provided with a continuous recording function, and as the predetermined stop state, the vehicle is stopped and then traveled and re-stopped, and the re-stop time is longer than a predetermined time, and the vehicle is stopped at the predetermined stop. When the state is reached, it is advisable to suppress overwriting of the continuously recorded video before and after the stop and the continuously recorded video before and after the re-stop.
By doing so, when the car is moved to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image at the time of moving to the safe place can be more reliably stored and stored.

More specifically, for example, in continuous recording, when the vehicle stops, the recorded data of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after that or the recorded data file including the temporary storage is temporarily stored, and then the vehicle runs and stops again. If the stop time is longer than the specified time, the recorded data for the specified time before and after the re-stop or the recorded data file containing it, and the temporarily stored recording data or the recorded data file including it are stored in a specific folder or a specific file. It may be configured to be moved to a storage area or a specific storage medium, or copied and stored. The temporary memory may be erased when the running is resumed at a predetermined speed or higher.
Not only the processing may be performed until the stop immediately before the stop for a predetermined time or more, but also the same overwriting may be suppressed up to two or three times before.

(24) It is equipped with a continuous recording function, and as the predetermined stop state, the vehicle is provided with a stop time of a predetermined time or more, the time is memorized each time the vehicle is stopped, and the stop is the predetermined time or more. After that, it is advisable to suppress the overwriting of the stored continuously recorded video for a predetermined time before and after the time and the stored stop time before the predetermined time.
By doing so, for example, even if the vehicle is stopped multiple times when moving the vehicle to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image when the vehicle is stopped multiple times are more reliable. Can be stored in. In addition, since the time is stored, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than that of the structure in which the video data is temporarily stored for each stop, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed.

The predetermined number may be the number of times or the time. For example, it may be 4 times, or 5 minutes, for example. It is advisable to set conditions for both time and number of times. For example, it may be 4 times and 5 minutes.
The time may be the end time of the stop or the time during the stop, but it may be the start time of the stop. It is advisable to memorize the stop time each time, and if there is a stop that continues for a predetermined time or longer, save the recording before and after the start of the stop at the time of the stop before the predetermined time.
More specifically, for example, when a vehicle stops, the time when the stop is started is memorized every time the vehicle stops, and when the stop continues for a predetermined time or longer, the start time of the stop and the start time of the stop before the predetermined time are set. It is preferable to move or copy and store the continuous recording data in which the recording for a predetermined time before and after is stored, or the continuous recording data file containing the recording, to any of a specific folder, a specific storage area, and a specific storage medium.

(25) It has a continuous recording function, and when it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, the plurality of different time points are determined as targets for suppression of overwriting, and the time including the determined time point and before and after the determined time point is recorded. It is advisable to suppress the overwriting of the video.
In this way, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than that of the configuration in which the video data at each time point and before and after the time point is temporarily stored in RAM or the like, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed. , The image at the time of the accident and the image at the time related to it can be more reliably stored and saved.

(26) The configuration is such that the stop time is a predetermined time or longer in the determination of whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state, and the vehicle is supplied from the vehicle before the vehicle has stopped and the stop has continued for the predetermined time or longer. When the power is cut off, it is advisable to consider that the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or longer.
If the engine is stopped immediately after the vehicle is stopped, continuous recording will not proceed anymore, so it will not be erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, but if you start the engine again and start running, continuous recording will start, so overwrite It is better to save it because it may be erased by.
For example, in the configurations (18) to (25), if the vehicle is stopped and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off before the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time or longer, it is considered that the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or longer and the storage process is performed. It is good to have a configuration.

Further, by making it as shown in (26), it is possible to easily configure the vehicle so that the stop time does not include the time when the engine is stopped. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to perform a process for obtaining a stop time at the end of power supply or at the start of power supply. For example, in order to determine the stop time, for example, when the power is supplied, it is not necessary to perform a process of obtaining the stop time from the final recording time before the engine is stopped and the time when the engine is started.

(27) When the power supply from the vehicle is cut off, it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, and when the overwriting is suppressed, the backup power supply is used or the power is turned on next. It should be processed when the circuit starts.
If the recording device (for example, a drive recorder) is equipped with a battery, the recording device (for example, a drive recorder) may be stopped after the storage process is performed with the battery. In some cases, it is better to process it the next time the power is turned on.
For example, as in (27), when the power supply from the vehicle is cut off, it is considered that the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time or longer, and for example, in any of the configurations (18) to (27), the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time. As a result of the determination, it is particularly preferable to include the configuration (23) in the configuration for suppressing overwriting.

(28) The stop may have a function of assuming that the stop is continued until the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher after the vehicle has stopped.
By doing so, when the speed is lower than a predetermined speed, it is regarded as a stop and the above-mentioned configuration can be realized. In particular, the predetermined speed may be, for example, a speed of several kilometers per hour, which corresponds to a traffic jam. For example, when the vehicle repeatedly stops after moving a little, such as during a traffic jam, it is possible to prevent a large number of overwrites from being suppressed. It is even better to allow the user to set the predetermined speed.

(29) The overwriting suppression is performed by storing the video in any one of a predetermined folder, a predetermined storage area, and a predetermined storage medium, and the storage is preset with overwrite prohibition and overwrite permission, or is set in advance. In the case of overwriting permission, it is preferable to make the setting change possible and to make the probability that the memory is erased by overwriting lower than the overwriting of continuous recording.
If it is clear in advance which is the most suitable, overwrite prohibition or permission, set it from the beginning (for example, at the time of shipment), and if it is better to set it according to the user's usage, it is better to be able to change the setting. Even in the case of overwriting permission, by making the probability that the memory is erased by overwriting lower than that of overwriting of continuous recording, it is possible to more reliably record the image at the time of an accident or the like.
The video should be a recorded video.

(30) A configuration in which a constant recording function is provided, and storage in the predetermined folder, the predetermined storage area, or the predetermined storage medium is stored in a different folder, storage area, or storage medium from the continuous recording and event recording. It is good to do it.
By doing so, the influence from continuous recording and event recording can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence on continuous recording and event recording. And the search becomes easy.

(31) It is preferable to have a continuous recording function and an event recording function, and to continuously execute the continuous recording and the event recording even while the vehicle is stopped.
By doing so, for example, it becomes a complement when it disappears due to omission or overwriting. In addition, when used in combination with continuous recording and event recording, the reliability of recording and saving in the event of an accident will increase.
The configurations described in the above-mentioned items (1) to (31) can be basically arbitrarily combined, and a plurality of items may be combined as long as no contradiction occurs. At the time of combination, each item can be combined by demonstrating the normal creative ability of a person skilled in the art based on the idea of each item. When the components described in each section have the same name, the components having the same name may be configured as different elements, but may be configured as the same element. For example, the "continuous recording function" is configured as n continuous recording functions such as "first continuous recording function" ... "nth continuous recording function" as continuous recording functions different for each item. However, it is preferable that some or all of them have the same continuous recording function. Further, for example, as for the "predetermined stopped state", for example, the items described in each item may be determined separately, and overwriting may be suppressed for different recording targets, for example, but the items described in each item may be suppressed. It is advisable to determine at least a part or a combination of all of them to suppress overwriting for the same recording target.

Regarding (1) to (31), for example, even in a configuration having a continuous recording function and an event recording function, it is possible to more reliably verify an image such as an accident. In particular, the recorded video by the event recording function is recorded by the continuous recording function, such as the configuration that overwrites the recorded video by the event recording function with the recorded video by the continuous recording function. It has a more remarkable effect when it is provided with a configuration for recording with priority over.
(32) The above-mentioned function of the recording device may be configured as a program to be realized by a computer.

A perspective view of the drive recorder ((a) is the rear side, (b) is the front side). A perspective view of a holder equipped with an accelerometer. A perspective view of the image pickup unit housed inside ((a) is the rear side, (b) is the front side). A block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of a drive recorder. A flow diagram showing the flow of control. Explanatory drawing of recording operation by continuous recording. An explanatory diagram illustrating data transfer between a drive recorder and a personal computer. A front view showing an example of an operation setting screen displayed on a personal computer. Perspective view of other drive recorders. Perspective view of other drive recorders.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
(Example 1)
The drive recorder 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 as an example of a recording device includes a substantially columnar main body case 2 in which an image pickup unit and the like are housed. The main body case 2 can be attached to, for example, the windshield of a vehicle via the attachment bracket 3.

The bracket 3 includes a holding ring that is externally attached to the substantially cylindrical main body case 2, and a substantially flat plate-shaped mounting plate 5 that circumscribes the holding ring. The end portion of the main body case 2 interpolated into the holding ring of the bracket 3 is configured so that a substantially donut-shaped cap 4 can be screwed in. If the cap 4 is screwed in with the rotation angle of the main body case 2 adjusted, the main body case 2 can be fixed to the bracket 3. By adjusting the rotation angle of the main body case 2 with respect to the bracket 3, the depression angle of the drive recorder 1 can be changed to adjust the shooting range.
The drive recorder 1 can mount the lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 to, for example, a front window via the mounting plate 5 so as to face a predetermined direction (generally, the front direction).

An access hole 171 to the DC jack 16 and a USB port 172 to which a USB cable extended from a personal computer or the like can be connected are provided on the side end surface of the main body case 2 which is substantially flush with the end of the screwed cap 4. It is perforated. An insertion port 181 for inserting an SD card is provided on the side end surface on the opposite side of the main body case 2. An LED (display unit) 181A is arranged at a position adjacent to the insertion slot 181. The LED 181A lights up during data access to an SD card, which is a memory card as an example of a storage medium inserted in the insertion slot 181.

The main body case 2 is a hollow case in which a camera cover 2b and a back cover 2a, which are parts in which a substantially cylindrical shape is vertically divided into two, are combined. On the surface of the back cover 2a, a holder 7 (FIG. 2) that rotatably holds the holder body 7a, push buttons 8 and 9 as operating means, illumination blocks 10 and 11 for pilot lamps, and the like are arranged. There is. The lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 is exposed on the surface of the camera cover 2b.

The holder body 7a of FIG. 2 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 15 which is an example of vibration detecting means. In the holder 7, the acceleration sensor 15 can be arranged in the horizontal direction as a reference position according to the rotation of the holder main body 7a. The acceleration sensor 15 measures the acceleration, which is a measured value of a physical quantity that reflects the condition of the vehicle such as an applied impact.

The image pickup unit 21 is housed inside the main body case 2. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image pickup unit 21 is a unit having a substrate structure in which a main substrate 22 and a sub substrate 25 are overlapped. A CCD camera 13, which is an example of an imaging means, a GPS receiver 24, which is an example of a GPS receiving means, a DC jack 16, a power supply circuit (not shown), and the like are mounted on the main board 22. Further, a one-chip microcomputer (not shown) forming a control controller 30 (see FIG. 4), which is an example of the control means, is mounted on the mounting surface of the main board 22 facing the sub board 25.

Switches 27 and 28 corresponding to push buttons 8 and 9 are arranged on the sub-board 25, and LEDs 291 and 292 corresponding to the illumination blocks 10 and 11 for pilot lamps are arranged. Further, the sub-board 25 is provided with a connector (not shown) for connecting a signal line extending from the acceleration sensor 15. An SD card reader 311 which is an example of a medium accommodating unit for mounting an SD card and reading / writing data is mounted on the mounting surface of the sub board 25 facing the main board 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive recorder 1 is electrically configured around a control controller 30, which is an example of control means. A CCD camera 13, an acceleration sensor 15, a GPS receiver 24, an SD card reader 311 and a database 32 are connected to the control controller 30, respectively.
The control controller 30 is mainly composed of a CPU (not shown), a memory such as a flash ROM, a ROM, a RAM, etc., which is an example of a storage means, and a microcomputer in which a timer and the like are incorporated in one chip.

The ROM of the control controller 30 contains a GPS information processing program that processes GPS information received by the GPS receiver 24, an image processing program that saves an image captured by the CCD camera 13 in the main memory or an SD card, and an OS (Operation System). ) And other programs are stored.

The GPS receiver 24 is a receiver that detects the position information of the own vehicle at the current time according to the instruction of the control controller 30. The detection timing by the GPS receiver 24 is set every second in this example. The position information to be detected is the position, speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the own vehicle. The GPS receiver 24 inputs the detected position information to the control controller 30.
The CCD camera 13 is an imaging means that captures a front landscape through a lens 14 and acquires imaging data. The CCD camera 13 inputs image pickup data to the control controller 30 via an interface unit 33 capable of performing data compression and digital conversion.
The acceleration sensor 15 is a three-axis type sensor that detects acceleration and inclination in each of the three axes (X, Y, Z), and inputs the detected value to the control controller 30.
The SD card reader 311 reads and writes data on the SD card based on the control of the control controller 30.

The data recorded on the SD card under the control of the control controller 30 includes image pickup data (captured image) by the CCD camera 13, position data and velocity data by the GPS receiver 24, acceleration data by the acceleration sensor 15, and the like. .. Each of these data is recorded by associating the recorded times with each other. By such mutual association, it is possible to acquire the position data, the velocity data, and the acceleration data at each time in synchronization with the reproduction of the imaging data. Imaging data can be recorded synchronously with velocity data, position data, acceleration data, and the like.

The database 32 is a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM in the control controller 30 or externally attached to the control controller 30. A determination pattern for determining that the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state is stored in the database 32. An example of the determination pattern of the vehicle stop information is, for example, a pattern in which the time during which the vehicle is held in the stopped state is a predetermined time or longer.

When energization of the drive recorder 1 is started in response to the on switching of the vehicle ignition, the setting information stored in the SD card is read out and data is copied to the main body memory (RAM), and the operation according to the setting information is started. To. If the SD card does not store the setting information, the default (initial setting) setting information stored in the main memory (ROM) is copied to the main memory (RAM).

The setting information is information related to settings such as recording size, frame rate, and image quality. For individual settings for each user, it is necessary to generate the individual settings using the personal computer 35, store the SD card in the SD card, and then set the SD card in the drive recorder 1. Since the default setting is stored in the ROM of the drive recorder 1 in advance as described above, it can be set without using the personal computer 35 or the like.

The operation of the drive recorder 1 having the above configuration will be described with a focus on the flow of control by the control controller 30 illustrated in FIG.
When the drive recorder 1 is switched to the power-on state, the control controller 30 reads the setting information copied to the main body memory (RAM) and also reads the stop state determination pattern stored in the database 32. The control controller 30 takes an image according to the read setting information and acquires an image, and as an example of a continuous recording function, an example of a continuous recording operation in which the captured image is continuously recorded in the recording area of the SD card. Continuous recording is executed (S101). The drive recorder 1 always executes continuous recording in the power supply state, except when the overwriting suppression function is enabled. Therefore, this continuous recording is a continuous recording.

The control controller 30 during continuous recording records a series of imaging data on the SD card as shown in FIG. The squares of each SD card in the figure schematically represent blocks such as sectors when the storage area is divided and managed.

If the SD card is in the initialized state, the control controller 30 executes recording (recording of imaging data) as shown in FIG. 6A. When the storage area of the SD card is full, the storage area of the master SD card is erased to generate a free area as shown in FIG. B. At this time, the order of erasing is from the oldest recorded imaging data (oldest imaging timing) in the storage area of the SD card, and in the order of 1, 2, 3, ... As shown in the figure. Erase the imaging data. The control controller 30 records new imaging data as shown in FIG. C while erasing the old imaging data in this way. By repeatedly executing such a recording operation, the captured video is continuously recorded.

For example, when the vehicle ignition is switched off and the power supply is cut off in a state where the imaging data is recorded up to the 14th block on the SD card as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the control controller 30 is subsequently used. , When the vehicle ignition is switched on, the recording of the imaging data is continued from the 15th block of the SD card.

While continuous recording is being executed (S102: YES in FIG. 5), the control controller 30 repeatedly determines whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state by using the stop state determination pattern read from the database 32. Execute (S103). The control controller 30 uses the speed information acquired by the GPS receiver 24 to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state. Specifically, when the state in which the speed represented by the speed information is less than 1 km / h is held for 3 minutes, which is an example of a predetermined time, it is determined that the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state.

The control controller 30 determines that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state when, for example, the determination pattern that the time the vehicle is held in the stopped state is 3 minutes or more, which is an example of the predetermined time, matches the current vehicle state. The overwriting suppression function is executed (S103: YES). In the following description, the state in which the vehicle is held in the stopped state for 3 minutes or more is referred to as a predetermined stopped state. While the overwriting suppression function is being executed, the control controller 30 temporarily stops continuous recording by the continuous recording function (S104), thereby preventing the recorded image recording data from being erased by overwriting the new image recording data. Take control. On the other hand, if it is not in a predetermined stop state (S103: NO), recording by overwriting is continued (S114).

The control controller 30 uses the speed information acquired by the GPS receiver 24 during the suspension of continuous recording by the overwriting suppression function (S102: NO), and determines whether or not the vehicle has transitioned to a predetermined running state. (S123). When the state shifts to a predetermined running state (S123: YES), the stop of continuous recording by the overwriting suppression function is released, and continuous recording is restarted (S124). In this example, as an example of a predetermined traveling state, a state is set in which the speed information acquired by the GPS receiver 24 when the vehicle starts traveling exceeds, for example, 5 km / h, so that the predetermined stopped state is no longer present. In the following description, this state will be referred to as a predetermined running state. By resuming continuous recording in response to the start of driving of the vehicle in this way, it is possible to more reliably record a moving image in which an event such as an accident is likely to occur. On the other hand, if it is not in a predetermined running state (S123: NO), the state of recording stop by the overwriting suppression function is maintained (S134).

The above control is repeatedly executed until the power supply is stopped (S105: NO), and ends when the power is turned off (S105: YES). For example, it is advisable to provide a capacitor for storing electric power, and when the power supply is cut off, control so as to stop all operations after executing the recording end processing using the electric power stored in the capacitor. ..

In determining a predetermined stop state or a predetermined traveling state, the control controller 30 considers that the vehicle has been stopped until it travels at a predetermined speed such as 5 km / h or more after the vehicle has stopped. By doing so, when the speed is less than 5 km / h, which is an example of a predetermined speed, it can be regarded as a stop and a predetermined stop state or a predetermined running state can be determined. The predetermined speed may be, for example, a speed of several kilometers per hour, which corresponds to a traffic jam. For example, when the vehicle repeatedly stops after moving a little, such as during a traffic jam, it is possible to prevent a large number of overwrites from being suppressed. It is even better to allow the user to set the predetermined speed.

The image pickup data recorded on the SD card can be viewed using a tablet computer or a stationary personal computer in which application software for the drive recorder 1 is installed. If the personal computer or the like is equipped with a card slot, the recorded imaging data can be viewed by setting the SD card removed from the drive recorder 1 in the card slot (see FIG. 7). It is also possible to take out the drive recorder 1 with the SD card set from the vehicle, connect it to a personal computer or the like via a USB cable, and view the image pickup data recorded on the SD card.

The operation setting of the drive recorder 1 can be changed on a personal computer or the like in which the image pickup data can be viewed. As long as the operation setting screen (FIG. 8) is displayed on a personal computer or the like, various operation setting items such as screen resolution and frame rate can be changed. The setting information set by using the personal computer is stored in the SD card, and then read out when the energization is started and set on the main body side of the drive recorder 1.

The drive recorder 1 configured as described above has a function of suppressing overwriting when the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state. In this drive recorder 1, it is possible to prevent the image in a stopped state from being overwritten on the recorded image (imaging data) recorded while driving and continuing to be recorded, so that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs can be displayed. There is little risk of being erased. If continuous recording is to be continued, for example, it is necessary to turn off the power of the drive recorder 1 to stop continuous recording with overwriting, but if the overwriting suppression function is executed, an accident or the like will occur even if the power is not turned off. It is possible to avoid the situation where the image at the moment when the event of is erased.

On the other hand, even if the vehicle stops, if the stop time is less than a predetermined time such as 3 minutes and the predetermined stop state is not determined, the overwriting suppression function is not enabled and continuous recording is continued. If such a setting is adopted for the overwriting suppression function, the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs can be recorded with higher certainty by continuous recording, and the event such as an accident occurs by the overwriting suppression function. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment of the event will be erased. In this way, according to the overwriting suppression function, it is possible to achieve both recording and storage of video in a better balance.

Like the drive recorder 1 of this example, the overwriting suppression function has a particularly remarkable effect in a configuration in which a newly acquired video is recorded by overwriting a recorded video by continuous recording. In particular, in the drive recorder 1 of this example in which recording is continuously performed while the power is on and the recorded video is overwritten and erased to record the video at all times, the overwriting suppression function exerts the most remarkable effect.

In the drive recorder 1, as a predetermined stop state that triggers the execution of the overwriting suppression function, a state in which the vehicle is stopped for 3 minutes, which is an example of a predetermined time, is set. According to the drive recorder 1, it is possible to highly reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased when the vehicle is stopped for more than a predetermined time.

Further, the drive recorder 1 is configured not to execute the overwriting suppression function when the vehicle is not in the predetermined stopped state. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably record the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs, and it is possible to suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased. It is possible to achieve both in a better balance.

The drive recorder 1 determines a predetermined stop state by using the speed information acquired from the GPS receiver 24. For example, the vibration state specified based on the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 15, which is an example of the vibration detecting means, is a predetermined state such as an acceleration of 0.05 G or less, and the speed information acquired from the vehicle is, for example. It is in a predetermined state such as 1 km / h or less, the speed information based on the position information acquired from the positioning means is in a predetermined state such as 1 km / h or less, and the speed information acquired from the GPS receiver 24 is, for example, 1 km / h. It may be configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state based on at least one of the following predetermined states. In particular, it is preferable to configure the determination based on at least two of these. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state.
For example, any of the above-mentioned predetermined states may be in a state where it can be taken in an actual stopped state, and particularly in a state where it cannot be taken in a running state. Further, for example, it is preferable to store the actually measured state in the stopped state and determine whether or not the state is in a predetermined state based on whether or not it matches the stored pattern. As a predetermined state of the vibration state acquired from the vibration detecting means, for example, the vibration characteristic at the time of stopping, which is different from the vibration characteristic at the time of traveling, is stored, and when the vibration characteristic at the time of stopping matches, the vibration state at the time of stopping is regarded as the stopped state. It is good to judge.

The continuous recording may be configured to store the continuously recorded video in file units at predetermined time intervals. In this configuration, the recorded video is created in file units at predetermined time intervals and is overwritten. In particular, in the case of a configuration in which overwriting of the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the vehicle is stopped when the vehicle is stopped, the predetermined time may be about 1 minute. In this way, if the file unit is, for example, about 1 minute, it can be easily processed as a file at the time of stopping, a file one or two before, and a file one after.

Further, as a suppression of overwriting, it is preferable to have a function of recording continuous recording in different storage areas depending on whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, and performing the overwriting recording in each storage area. By doing so, even if the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state for a long period of time, an image of a state in which the vehicle is not in a predetermined stopped state (for example, a moving image) is displayed as an image of a state in which the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state. It is possible to prevent overwriting. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording when the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

As another storage area, a storage area managed separately may be used, and for example, a different folder or a different drive may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a drive recorder 1 provided with SD card insertion slots 181 and 182 is adopted, and when the vehicle is stopped in a predetermined state, continuous recording is executed in the storage area of the SD card of the insertion slot 181. When the vehicle is not stopped, it is preferable to record continuous recording in the storage area of the SD card of the insertion slot 182.

As "depending on whether the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state", it may be "in the case where the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state and in the case where the vehicle is not in a predetermined stop state". As another storage area, for example, a storage area for a predetermined stopped state and a storage area for a non-predetermined stopped state may be provided. "Depending on whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state" may be "immediately when whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state", but "whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state has changed". You don't have to say "when soon". In particular, in the case of a configuration in which the continuous recording function is configured to generate a file in file units every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), when the state is changed from a state in which the vehicle is not stopped to a state in which the vehicle is stopped. Alternatively, when the state changes from the predetermined stopped state to the non-predetermined stopped state, the processing of switching the storage area of the file storage destination may be performed immediately, but the file of the file unit currently being recorded may be performed. Until the recording of the recording unit time (for example, 1 minute) is completed, the storage area of the file storage destination is not switched, and when the recording of the file of the file unit being recorded is completed, the vehicle is stopped in a predetermined state. It is preferable to determine whether or not there is a file, determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state, and determine the storage area of the file storage destination.

For example, continuous recording may be distinguished between running and stopped, and the recording of continuous recording may be recorded in different folders while running and stopped, and may be overwritten and stored in each folder. By doing so, even if the engine is stopped without stopping for a long time, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the recording during running is erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to record the accident while the vehicle is stopped. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

Further, in particular, the time for "continuing to stop for a predetermined time" in the "state in which the vehicle has stopped and has continued to stop for a predetermined time" may be a time that exceeds the stop time for waiting for a general signal. It is preferable not to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a general signal waiting time, but to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a relatively long time. By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time a signal is waited, reduce the frequency of overwriting suppression, and reduce the probability of erasing even with a small memory capacity.

In particular, it is good to set it to about 3 to 5 minutes. By doing this, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the record at the time of the accident will be overwritten by continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped by forgetting to turn off the engine, and it is not an accident if normal driving is resumed in a shorter time. Or, since it is considered that it is not a serious accident, the suppression of overwriting works excessively, it is possible to prevent the storage area from being filled with the video with the suppression of overwriting, and there is less risk of squeezing the recordable area of continuous recording. can.

Further, if the vehicle is stopped but the stop is not continued for a predetermined time, the overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop is not suppressed. good.

When the vehicle has stopped and then re-stopped, and the re-stop time is longer than a predetermined time such as 2 minutes, and the vehicle has reached the predetermined stop state. In addition, it is advisable to suppress overwriting of the continuously recorded video before and after the stop and the continuously recorded video before and after the re-stop. By doing so, when the car is moved to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image at the time of moving to the safe place can be more reliably stored and stored.

More specifically, for example, in continuous recording, when the vehicle is stopped, the recorded data (imaging data) of the continuous recording for a predetermined time such as 1 minute before and after the vehicle is temporarily stored or the recorded data file including the recorded data is temporarily stored. After that, when the vehicle runs and stops again, if the stop time is longer than a predetermined time such as 2 minutes, the recorded data for a predetermined time such as 1 minute before and after the re-stop or the recorded data including it. The file and the temporarily stored recorded data or the recorded data file including the file may be moved to a specific folder, a specific storage area, or a specific storage medium, or copied and stored. The temporary memory may be erased when the vehicle resumes traveling at a predetermined speed such as 5 km / h.
Not only the processing may be performed until the stop immediately before the stop for a predetermined time or more, but also the same overwriting may be suppressed up to two or three times before.

As the predetermined stop state, a state in which the stop time of the vehicle is longer than a predetermined time such as 3 minutes is provided, the time is memorized each time the vehicle is stopped, and the time is reached when the stop continues for the predetermined time or longer. It is preferable to suppress overwriting of the stored continuously recorded video for a predetermined time before and after the stop time stored before the predetermined time, which will be described later.
By doing so, for example, even if the vehicle is stopped multiple times when moving the vehicle to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image when the vehicle is stopped multiple times are more reliable. Can be stored in. In addition, since the time is stored, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than that of the structure in which the video data is temporarily stored for each stop, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed.

The predetermined number may be the number of times or the time. For example, it may be 4 times, or 5 minutes, for example. It is advisable to set conditions for both time and number of times. For example, it may be 4 times and 5 minutes.
The time may be the end time of the stop or the time during the stop, but it may be the start time of the stop. It is advisable to memorize the stop time each time, and if there is a stop that continues for a predetermined time or longer, save the recording before and after the start of the stop at the time of the stop before the predetermined time.
More specifically, for example, when a vehicle stops, the time when the stop is started is memorized every time the vehicle stops, and when the stop continues for a predetermined time or longer, the start time of the stop and the start time of the stop before the predetermined time are set. It is preferable to move or copy and store the continuous recording data in which the recording for a predetermined time before and after is stored, or the continuous recording data file containing the recording, to any of a specific folder, a specific storage area, and a specific storage medium.

When it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, the plurality of different time points are determined as targets for suppression of overwriting, and the overwriting is suppressed for the recorded video of the time including the determined time point and before and after the determined time point. good.
In this way, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than the configuration in which the video data at each time point and before and after it is temporarily stored in the main body memory such as RAM at each time point, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to more reliably store and save the image at the time of the accident and the image at the time related to the accident.

The configuration is such that the stop time is a predetermined time or longer in the determination of whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state, and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off before the vehicle stops and the stop continues for the predetermined time or longer. If this is the case, it is advisable to consider that the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or longer.
If the engine is stopped immediately after the vehicle is stopped, continuous recording will not proceed anymore, so it will not be erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, but if you start the engine again and start running, continuous recording will start, so overwrite It is better to save it because it may be erased by.
Further, if the above-mentioned configuration in which the vehicle is considered to be continuously stopped is adopted, it is possible to easily configure the vehicle so that the stop time does not include the time when the engine is stopped. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to perform a process for obtaining a stop time at the end of power supply or at the start of power supply. For example, in order to determine the stop time, for example, when the power is supplied, it is not necessary to perform a process of obtaining the stop time from the final recording time before the engine is stopped and the time when the engine is started.

When the power supply from the vehicle is cut off, it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, and when the overwriting is suppressed, the backup power supply is used, or the power is turned on and the circuit is started. It is good to process at the time when.
If it is a drive recorder equipped with a battery, you can stop the operation after saving it with the battery, but there are cases where the battery is not installed or the battery is exhausted, so turn on the power next. It is better to process it when you put it in.

Overwriting suppression is performed by storing the video in any one of a predetermined folder, a predetermined storage area, and a predetermined storage medium, and the storage can be preset or changed to overwrite prohibition and overwrite permission. , In the case of overwrite permission, it is preferable to configure the configuration so that the probability that the memory is erased by overwriting is lower than the overwriting of continuous recording.
If it is clear in advance which is the most suitable, overwrite prohibition or permission, set it from the beginning (for example, at the time of shipment), and if it is better to set it according to the user's usage, it is better to be able to change the setting. Even in the case of overwriting permission, by making the probability that the memory is erased by overwriting lower than that of overwriting of continuous recording, it is possible to more reliably record the image at the time of an accident or the like.

It has a continuous recording function that constantly records continuously while the power is supplied, and the storage in the predetermined folder, the predetermined storage area, or the predetermined storage medium is a folder different from the continuous recording and the event recording. , It may be configured to be stored in a storage area or a storage medium.
By doing so, the influence from continuous recording and event recording can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence on continuous recording and event recording. And the search becomes easy.

(Example 2)
This example is an example in which an overwriting suppression button 80 (see FIG. 10), which is an example of an operation means operated by the user to suppress overwriting, is added based on the above drive recorder 1.
When the overwriting suppression button 80 is operated during continuous recording, the control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) overwrites a predetermined range of video including the video currently being recorded, for example, a recording range over one minute. Suppress. Even when the power is cut off, the control controller 30 suppresses overwriting including a video in a predetermined range such as a recording range for one minute before the power is cut off.

This drive recorder 1 is very effective when the power of the drive recorder 1 is turned off due to an accident or by turning off the engine without operating the overwriting suppression button 80 at the time of an accident. When the power is supplied again, it is possible to suppress overwriting of the image within a predetermined range before the power is cut off at that time.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 3)
This example is an example of a drive recorder in which a function of detecting an engine start by an engine starter is added based on any of the above drive recorders.
The drive recorder is equipped with a communication port that captures vehicle signals including a signal representing the engine speed.

The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) detects the start of the engine when the engine speed that does not meet the threshold value, such as 300 rpm, exceeds the threshold value. Then, when the engine start is detected, overwriting of the recorded imaging data is controlled to be suppressed.

With the drive recorder of this example, there is less possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs will be erased by the image while the engine is started by the engine starter and idling.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 4)
This example is an example in which the target for suppressing overwriting when the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state is expanded in time based on any of the above drive recorders.
The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) of the drive recorder executes a control for suppressing overwriting of the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped.

For example, when an accident occurs, many drivers stop immediately after that, so if you suppress overwriting by storing the images before and after the stop in a dedicated folder etc., there is a high possibility that the recording of the accident etc. is recorded. .. Therefore, according to the drive recorder of this example that suppresses overwriting of the imaging data for a predetermined time before and after the time when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to more reliably store and save the recorded data at the time of the accident and before and after the accident.

For example, in the case of a drive recorder having an event recording function and a continuous recording function, which will be described later in Example 10, the predetermined time before and after the above is longer than the recording time by the event recording and longer than the recording time by the continuous recording function. It is good to have a short time. For example, it is preferable to suppress overwriting in the range starting from several tens of seconds to several minutes before the stop and ending from several tens of seconds to several minutes after the stop. In particular, it is better to lengthen the overwrite suppression time before stopping than after stopping, and it is better to take about 1 to 3 minutes before and about several tens of seconds to 1 minute after that. If it is made too long, the memory capacity will increase and the possibility of being erased by overwriting will increase, but in this way, it will not be necessary to increase the memory capacity, the possibility of being erased will decrease, and an accident will occur. It is possible to reliably record the contents at the time of the accident, including the process up to the encounter with the accident and the process after the accident.

In addition, when the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state, it is preferable that the overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the time when the stop is started is suppressed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to reduce the probability of erasing even when the recording capacity of the video is small, such as a small memory capacity.
Other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 5)
This example is an example in which the control when the power is cut off is changed based on any one of the above drive recorders 1.
When the power of the drive recorder 1 is turned off, the control controller 30 of the drive recorder (see FIG. 4) has the predetermined value immediately before the power is cut off, when the vehicle starts to stop before the power is cut off, or before the power is cut off. Control is performed to suppress overwriting of the recorded video of continuous recording including at least one of the time points when the vehicle is stopped.

It is important to take measures to reduce the possibility that the recording in the event of an accident will be erased by overwriting the continuous recording by stopping the engine for a long time without stopping the engine in the event of an accident, but in reality, the engine is stopped even in the event of an accident. It seems that there are more cases of stopping / parking. In this case, the event may be recorded before the engine is stopped, but if the configuration does not have the event recording function or if the event is not determined as an event even if it has the event recording function, the event is not recorded. There is a possibility that the video at the time of the accident of continuous recording will be erased by overwriting in the running after processing, but if you do this, you can prevent such itself and record the video at the time of the accident more reliably. Can be done. In particular, if the power supply of the drive recorder 1 is supplied from the vehicle and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, the recording before the engine is stopped is stored every time. become. In particular, as a means of suppressing overwriting, for example, a dedicated folder may be provided for overwriting recording. Further, "including the time point 1" may be, for example, a predetermined time before and after the time point 1. For example, when the power of the drive recorder 1 is cut off after the vehicle has stopped, it is advisable to perform an overwrite suppression process on the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop.

Further, it is preferable to provide a backup power supply capable of supplying power when the power is cut off, and to suppress overwriting when the power is cut off by using the backup power supply. With the drive recorder configured in this way, overwriting can be suppressed more reliably. If the configuration does not have a backup power supply, or if the backup power supply is provided but the capacity of the backup power supply is low, it is advisable to suppress overwriting after the next power-on startup.

In particular, for example, with respect to the recorded video of continuous recording including at least one of the time immediately before the power is cut off, the time when the vehicle is started to stop before the power is cut off, or the time when the predetermined stop state is reached before the power is cut off. The following processing should be performed to suppress overwriting. For example, if there is a backup power supply, the power is turned off after the backup power supply suppresses overwriting, and if the backup power supply is not installed or the capacity of the backup power supply is low, then the power supply is turned on. It is advisable to perform the overwrite suppression process after the backup is started. This is good because it needs to be processed after the power is cut off.
Other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 6)
This example is an example in which a configuration for switching the control for suppressing overwriting according to the vehicle position is added based on any of the above drive recorders.
The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) of the drive recorder executes, for example, a process of determining whether or not the location determined by the GPS receiver 24 is a preset location. The control controller 30 does not suppress overwriting when the location of the vehicle is a preset location.

For example, it is often unnecessary to record accidents in places where people often park on a daily basis, such as parking lots at home or at work. It is better not to do so. By that amount, the probability that necessary images such as records at the time of an accident will be overwritten can be reduced. As for the setting of the place where the overwriting suppression process is not performed, for example, when an instruction such as a button operation is input at that place, the position may be stored and set.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples as long as there is no contradiction.

(Example 7)
This example is an example in which a predetermined stop state determination pattern is changed based on any of the above drive recorders 1.
The drive recorder 1 includes vibration detecting means (not shown) for detecting vibration. The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) detects the magnitude of the impact according to the magnitude and pattern of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means, and when the magnitude of the impact is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, an accident occurs. It is judged that there is a high possibility of.

In the drive recorder 1 of this example, as a determination pattern for determining a predetermined stop state, the database 32 is a pattern in which the vehicle stops within several tens of seconds, which is an example of a predetermined time, after an impact equal to or higher than the threshold value is detected. It is remembered in. When the vehicle stops within a predetermined time after the impact is generated, the control controller 30 determines whether or not the determination pattern of the stopped state matches the actual vehicle state, and if they match, the predetermined stopped state. Is determined. Similar to the first embodiment, if it is in a predetermined stop state, continuous recording is stopped and the overwriting suppression function is executed to prevent the recorded image data from being erased.

The determination pattern of the stopped state of this example is a determination pattern based on the finding that when a general driver encounters an accident, the behavior of stopping within a predetermined time after an impact is generated is often taken. By adopting such a determination pattern, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the captured image data of the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased.

In this example, it is determined that there is a possibility of an accident when an impact of a magnitude larger than a predetermined threshold is detected, but instead of or in addition to this, when the possibility of an accident is determined. When the failure diagnosis information of the vehicle ECU etc. acquired from the diagnosis system such as OBD is the information indicating the failure, when it is detected that the airbag etc. has operated, the image is recognized and the situation corresponding to the accident. It is also possible to set the case where a scene in which is reflected is detected. The situation corresponding to an accident is, for example, a situation in which a deformed vehicle or an injured person occurs.

The drive recorder is equipped with a function to detect at least one of rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc., and effectively controls the overwriting suppression function when any one is detected. It is also good to do. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is erased. Rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc. may be detected by, for example, image recognition of the captured image.

If at least one of rescue of the other party, injury of the person, and talking with the other party is detected, for example, rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc. are performed. It may be immediately after detecting at least one of the above, but it may be after a predetermined time such as 2 minutes, for example, rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc. It is preferable to detect at least one of them and then stop detecting them. In this way, while the rescue and discussions are recorded in the video, these times are relatively short, so the recorded data of the video at the time of the accident is overwritten and erased. The situation can be suppressed. As a method of detecting rescue of the other party, injury of the person, talking with the other party, etc., for example, it is preferable to detect by image recognition related to the captured image. The determination that the person is injured or talking with the other party has a function of recognizing the person in the image captured in the vehicle by image recognition processing such as face recognition, and recognizes the person. It may be performed based on whether or not the time is a predetermined pattern stored in advance. For example, when two or more people are recognized for more than a predetermined time such as 2 minutes, or when the same person is repeatedly recognized or not recognized within a predetermined time such as 3 minutes. It is good to suppress overwriting.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 8)
This example is an example in which the control content of the overwriting suppression function is changed based on one of the above drive recorders.
With the overwriting suppression function of this example, continuous recording is not completely stopped even in a predetermined stop state. The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) of the drive recorder 1 of this example changes the recording method of video by continuous recording so that a long time until overwriting and erasing can be secured when a predetermined stop state is determined. And reduce the possibility that the recorded video will be erased.

The control controller 30 executes continuous recording for recording video at, for example, 30 frames per second when it is not in a predetermined stop state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined stop state is determined, the overwriting suppression function switches to continuous recording in which the number of frames is reduced, for example, 1 frame per second.

According to this drive recorder 1, continuous recording can be continued while saving the capacity of the memory required for recording video when it is determined that the drive recorder 1 is in a predetermined stop state. During the continuation of the predetermined stop state, it becomes possible to deal with an emergency such as an argument with the other party of the accident, and it is possible to secure video evidence useful for proof of the circumstances. On the other hand, when it is determined that the state is stopped, the overwriting suppression function saves the memory resources required for recording the video, so the recorded video at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs may be erased by overwriting. Less.

As a configuration to reduce the frame rate, while normal continuous recording records video at several tens of frames per second, the frame rate is set to a human digit such as several frames per second (for example, 1 fps) while the overwriting suppression function is being executed. It is advisable to make changes to make it smaller.

It is also possible to change the number of pixels of the image to be recorded in place of or in addition to changing the frame rate. Regarding the number of pixels, for example, it is preferable to change the number of pixels from 640 × 480 dots to 320 × 240 dots, or to reduce the number of pixels by a human digit.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 9)
This example is an example in which the content of control by the overwriting suppression function is changed based on any one of the above drive recorders 1.
In the overwriting suppression function of the drive recorder 1 of this example, the control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) controls so that the recorded imaging data is not erased by overwriting. At least one of the following methods is adopted as a configuration for controlling not to be erased by overwriting.
(1) Overwrite of the recorded imaging data is prohibited.
(2) Copy the imaging data to an area other than the overwrite area, which is the writing area for continuous recording.
(3) The imaging data is moved to an area other than the overwrite area.

If these methods (1) to (3) are adopted, the video at the moment when the event such as an accident included in the recorded video occurs will not be erased by overwriting, and the event such as an accident will occur more reliably. It is possible to eliminate the risk that the image at the moment of the event will be erased. Each method may be configured as follows, for example.

(1) As a configuration for prohibiting overwriting, for example, it is preferable to record the video to be recorded as one file in a predetermined time unit and add an overwrite attribute as an attribute of the file.
(2) As a configuration for copying to an area other than the overwrite-protected area, for example, it is preferable to separate the overwrite-enabled area and the overwrite-protected area and copy the video data recorded in the overwrite-protected area to the overwrite-protected area.
(3) As a configuration for moving to an area other than the overwrite prohibited area, for example, it is preferable to separate the overwriteable area and the overwrite prohibited area and move the video data recorded in the overwriteable area to the overwrite prohibited area. The overwriteable area and the overwrite-protected area may be, for example, different folders, different drives, or different file systems.

For example, the captured data of the recorded video or the captured data file including the captured data may be moved to, copied to, or stored in a specific folder, a specific storage area, or a specific storage medium. And, as the suppression of overwriting, it may be moved to a folder or the like where overwriting is prohibited, or it may be copied. .. By suppressing overwriting by moving or copying to a dedicated folder etc. with overwrite permission in this way, the amount of data in the dedicated folder etc. will be less than the amount of data in continuous recording, so continuous If the same storage capacity as the recording is used, the probability of being erased by overwriting is low, which is beneficial.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 10)
This example is an example in which an event recording function for executing recording in the wake of an event such as an accident is added based on any of the above drive recorders.

The control controller 30 (see FIG. 4) of the drive recorder of this example executes a comparison between the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 15 and the threshold value. The control controller 30 executes event recording for recording an image before and after the occurrence time, triggered by an event that an acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold value is generated.

When the above event occurs during the execution of continuous recording, the control controller 30 executes event recording in which the video for a predetermined period before and after the occurrence of the event is recorded with overwrite prohibition in parallel with the continuous recording. When an event occurs while the overwriting suppression function is being effectively controlled, the free area of the storage area of the SD card is used, and the images before and after the event occurrence are recorded with overwrite prohibition. If the storage area of the SD card is not sufficiently free, the images before and after the event occurrence are recorded in the storage area of the main body memory with overwrite prohibition. The captured data of the video before and after the event occurrence is recorded in synchronization with the velocity data, the position data, the acceleration data, and the like.

By doing so, even if an event such as an accident occurs while the overwriting is suppressed, the recording will be performed by the event recording function, and the image at the moment when the event such as an accident occurs will be recorded. Can be more reliably suppressed from being erased. In particular, since overwriting is suppressed when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility that the image at the moment of the accident or the like will be erased when an accident occurs when the vehicle is stopped. Since accidents may occur while the vehicle is stopped, it is desirable to record using the event recording function.

In the drive recorder 1 of this example, since the image capture data of the video recorded by the event is recorded with overwrite prohibition, it is possible to surely prevent the video at the moment of an accident or the like from being erased.
In this example, the output signal of the acceleration sensor 15 is used to detect the occurrence of the event, but the output signal of another sensor may be used, and the signal from the switch or the like is used to generate the event. It is also good to detect the occurrence.

In a drive recorder equipped with an event recording function, it is preferable to set the recording time by the continuous recording function to be longer than the recording time by the event recording function. In this way, overwriting of the recorded video by continuous recording is suppressed, and the possibility that the recorded continuously recorded video at the moment when an event such as an accident occurs is suppressed can be suppressed. When event recording is not executed due to a small impact or the like that is not regarded as an event, it is possible to increase the possibility that the image at the moment of an event such as an accident can be confirmed by the continuously recorded image. In addition, even if the video is recorded by the event recording function, the situation before and after the event such as an accident can be recorded for a longer time by the continuously recorded video recorded for a longer time than the video recorded by the event. It has a remarkable effect of being able to be confirmed.

It is preferable that the continuous recording and the event recording are continuously executed even while the vehicle is stopped. By doing so, for example, it becomes a complement when it disappears due to omission or overwriting. In addition, when used in combination with continuous recording and event recording, the reliability of recording and saving in the event of an accident will increase.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

(Example 11)
It is an example of a preferable configuration for any one of the above drive recorders 1.
For example, the following (a) to (i) may be configured for the purpose of more reliably storing and storing the recorded data at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. These focus on stopping the vehicle immediately, especially when the vehicle causes an accident or when the accident is witnessed and rescue is performed. For example, continuous recording can solve the problem that the recorded video is erased by overwriting, and event recording can solve the problem that the recorded video is not stored and saved, for example, when the sensor does not detect it or when the button operation is not performed.

(A) It is preferable to have a function of determining whether or not it is immediately after the accident and suppressing overwriting when it is determined that it is immediately after the accident.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably store and save the images at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. As a more specific configuration, for example, the following (c) and (d) may be used.

(B) If it is determined whether or not the vehicle has been moved to a safe place after the accident, and if it is determined that the vehicle has been moved to a safe place after the accident, it is provided with an overwriting suppression function that suppresses overwriting. good.
By doing so, it is possible to more reliably store and save the images at the time of the accident and before and after the accident. As a more specific configuration, for example, the following (e) may be used. In this case, the suppression of overwriting may be particularly performed on the video including the time points before and after the accident.
Whether or not it is a safe place may be determined based on whether or not the detected current position is included in the stored area range by storing the area information of the safe place in advance. Alternatively, it is preferable to store the area information of an unsafe place in advance and make a determination based on whether or not the current position is outside this area. Especially on the road, it is good to make it an area of unsafe place.

(C) With regard to the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the vehicle is provided with a continuous recording function, the vehicle is in a stopped state as the predetermined stopped state, and the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state. It is preferable to configure it to suppress overwriting.
When an accident occurs, many drivers stop immediately after that, so if you suppress overwriting by storing the images before and after the stop in a dedicated folder etc., there is a high possibility that the recording of the accident etc. is recorded. , It is possible to more reliably store and save the recorded data at the time of the accident and before and after the accident.

For example, when the event recording function and the continuous recording function are provided, the predetermined time before and after is longer than the recording time by the event recording and shorter than the recording time by the continuous recording function. For example, it is preferable to suppress overwriting in the range starting from several tens of seconds to several minutes before the stop and ending from several tens of seconds to several minutes after the stop. In particular, it is better to lengthen the overwrite suppression time before stopping than after stopping, and it is better to take about 1 to 3 minutes before and about several tens of seconds to 1 minute after that. If it is made too long, the memory capacity will increase and the possibility of being erased by overwriting will increase, but in this way, it will not be necessary to increase the memory capacity, the possibility of being erased will decrease, and an accident will occur. It is possible to reliably record the contents at the time of the accident, including the process up to the encounter with the accident and the process after the accident.

The continuous recording may be configured to store the continuously recorded video in file units at predetermined time intervals. In this configuration, the recorded video is created in file units at predetermined time intervals and is overwritten. In particular, when the configuration of (c) is provided, the predetermined time may be about 1 minute. In this way, if the file unit is, for example, about 1 minute, it can be easily processed as a file at the time of stopping, a file 1 to 2 before, and a file one after.

(D) As a suppression of overwriting, it is preferable to have a function of recording continuous recording in different storage areas depending on whether or not the vehicle is stopped, and performing the overwriting recording in each storage area.
By doing so, even if the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state for a long period of time, an image of a state in which the vehicle is not in a predetermined stopped state (for example, a moving image) is displayed as an image of a state in which the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state. It is possible to prevent overwriting. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording when the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

As another storage area, a storage area managed separately may be used, and for example, a different folder or a different drive may be used.
As "depending on whether the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state", it may be "in the case where the vehicle is in a predetermined stop state and in the case where the vehicle is not in a predetermined stop state". As another storage area, for example, a storage area for a predetermined stopped state and a storage area for a non-predetermined stopped state may be provided. "Depending on whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state" may be "immediately when whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state", but "whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state has changed". You don't have to say "when soon". In particular, in the case of a configuration in which the continuous recording function is configured to generate a file in file units every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), when the state is changed from a state in which the vehicle is not stopped to a state in which the vehicle is stopped. Alternatively, when the state changes from the predetermined stopped state to the non-predetermined stopped state, the processing of switching the storage area of the file storage destination may be performed immediately, but the file of the file unit currently being recorded may be performed. Until the recording of the recording unit time (for example, 1 minute) is completed, the storage area of the file storage destination is not switched, and when the recording of the file of the file unit being recorded is completed, the vehicle is stopped in a predetermined state. It is preferable to determine whether or not there is a file, determine whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined stopped state, and determine the storage area of the file storage destination.

The continuous recording may be divided into, for example, running and stopped, and the continuous recording may be recorded in different folders while running and stopped, and may be overwritten and stored in each folder. By doing so, even if the engine is stopped without stopping for a long time, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the recording during running is erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to record the accident while the vehicle is stopped. It is better to overwrite the continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped due to the limitation of the memory capacity.

(E) As the predetermined stop state, the vehicle is stopped and the stop is continued for a predetermined time, and when the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state, the predetermined time before and after the time when the stop is started. It is preferable to have a configuration in which the overwriting is suppressed for the recorded video of the continuous recording of.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time the vehicle is stopped, and it is possible to reduce the probability of erasing even when the recording capacity of the video is small, such as a small memory capacity.

Further, in particular, the time for "continuing to stop for a predetermined time" in the "state in which the vehicle has stopped and has continued to stop for a predetermined time" may be a time that exceeds the stop time for waiting for a general signal. It is preferable not to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a general signal waiting time, but to suppress overwriting when the vehicle is stopped for a relatively long time. By doing so, it is possible to prevent overwriting from being suppressed each time a signal is waited, reduce the frequency of overwriting suppression, and reduce the probability of erasing even with a small memory capacity.

In particular, it is good to set it to about 3 to 5 minutes. By doing this, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the record at the time of the accident will be overwritten by continuous recording while the vehicle is stopped by forgetting to turn off the engine, and it is not an accident if normal driving is resumed in a shorter time. Or, since it is considered that it is not a serious accident, the suppression of overwriting works excessively, it is possible to prevent the storage area from being filled with the video with the suppression of overwriting, and there is less risk of squeezing the recordable area of continuous recording. can. In particular, it is even better to combine the configuration of (l) described later.

Further, if the vehicle is stopped but the stop is not continued for a predetermined time, the overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop is not suppressed. good. Further, it is preferable to use the configuration of (e) which does not include the configuration of (c).

(F) When the power of the drive recorder 1 is cut off, at least immediately before the power is cut off, when the vehicle is started to stop before the power is cut off, or when the predetermined stop state is reached before the power is cut off. It is preferable to have a function of suppressing overwriting of the recorded video of the continuous recording including any one time point.

It is important to take measures to reduce the possibility that the recording in the event of an accident will be erased by overwriting the continuous recording by stopping the engine for a long time without stopping the engine in the event of an accident, but in reality, the engine is stopped even in the event of an accident. It seems that there are more cases of stopping / parking. In this case, the event may be recorded before the engine is stopped, but if the configuration does not have the event recording function, or if the event is not determined as an event even if it has the event recording function, the event is not recorded. There is a possibility that the video at the time of the accident of continuous recording will be erased by overwriting in the running after processing, but if you do this, you can prevent such itself and record the video at the time of the accident more reliably. Can be done. In particular, if the power supply of the drive recorder 1 is supplied from the vehicle and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, the recording before the engine is stopped is stored every time. become. In particular, as a means of suppressing overwriting, for example, a dedicated folder may be provided for overwriting recording. Further, "including the time point 1" may be, for example, a predetermined time before and after the time point 1.
As a configuration example of the above (f), for example, when the power of the drive recorder 1 is cut off after the vehicle is stopped, it is preferable to perform an overwrite suppression process on the recorded video of continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after the stop.

(G) It is preferable to provide a backup power supply capable of supplying power when the power supply is cut off, and to suppress overwriting when the power supply is cut off by using the backup power supply.
By doing so, overwriting can be suppressed more reliably. If the configuration does not have a backup power supply, or if the backup power supply is provided but the capacity of the backup power supply is low, it is advisable to suppress overwriting after the next power-on startup.

In particular, for example, the process (f) may be performed in this way. For example, if there is a backup power supply, the power is turned off after the backup power supply suppresses overwriting, and if the backup power supply is not installed or the capacity of the backup power supply is low, the power supply is next. It is advisable to perform the overwrite suppression process after the backup is started. This is good because it needs to be processed after the power is cut off.

(H) When the location determined by the GPS receiver 24 (FIG. 4) is a preset location, it is preferable to have a function of not suppressing the overwriting.
For example, it is often unnecessary to record accidents in places where people often park on a daily basis, such as parking lots at home or at work. It is better not to do so. By that amount, the probability that necessary images such as records at the time of an accident will be overwritten can be reduced. As for the setting of the place where the overwriting suppression process is not performed, for example, when an instruction such as a button operation is input at that place, the position may be stored and set. In particular, for example, in the configuration of (f), the configuration of (h) may be provided.

(I) As a predetermined stop state, when the vehicle has stopped and then traveled and re-stopped, the re-stop time has exceeded a predetermined time, and the vehicle has reached the predetermined stop state. It is advisable to suppress overwriting of the continuously recorded video before and after the stop and the continuously recorded video before and after the re-stop.
By doing so, when the car is moved to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image at the time of moving to the safe place can be more reliably stored and stored.

More specifically, for example, in continuous recording, when the vehicle stops, the recorded data of the continuous recording for a predetermined time before and after that or the recorded data file including the temporary storage is temporarily stored, and then the vehicle runs and stops again. If the stop time is longer than the specified time, the recorded data for the specified time before and after the re-stop or the recorded data file containing it, and the temporarily stored recording data or the recorded data file including it are stored in a specific folder or a specific file. It may be configured to be moved to a storage area or a specific storage medium, or copied and stored. The temporary memory may be erased when the running is resumed at a predetermined speed or higher.
Not only the processing may be performed until the stop immediately before the stop for a predetermined time or more, but also the same overwriting may be suppressed up to two or three times before.

(J) As the predetermined stop state, a state in which the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time or longer is provided, the time is memorized each time the vehicle stops, and if the stop continues for the predetermined time or longer, the time and the time thereof. It is preferable to suppress overwriting of the stored continuously recorded video for a predetermined time before and after the stored stop time before the predetermined time.
By doing so, for example, even if the vehicle is stopped multiple times when moving the vehicle to a safe place after the accident, the image at the time of the accident and the image when the vehicle is stopped multiple times are more reliable. Can be stored in. In addition, since the time is stored, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than that of the structure in which the video data is temporarily stored for each stop, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed.

The predetermined number may be the number of times or the time. For example, it may be 4 times, or 5 minutes, for example. It is advisable to set conditions for both time and number of times. For example, it may be 4 times and 5 minutes.
The time may be the end time of the stop or the time during the stop, but it may be the start time of the stop. It is advisable to memorize the stop time each time, and if there is a stop that continues for a predetermined time or longer, save the recording before and after the start of the stop at the time of the stop before the predetermined time.
More specifically, for example, when a vehicle stops, the time when the stop is started is memorized every time the vehicle stops, and when the stop continues for a predetermined time or longer, the start time of the stop and the start time of the stop before the predetermined time are set. It is preferable to move or copy and store the continuous recording data in which the recording for a predetermined time before and after is stored, or the continuous recording data file containing the recording, to any of a specific folder, a specific storage area, and a specific storage medium.

(K) When it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, the plurality of different time points are determined as targets for suppression of overwriting, and the overwriting suppression is performed for the recorded video of the time including the determined time point and before and after the determined time point. It is good to do.
In this way, the required temporary storage capacity is smaller than the configuration in which the video data at each time point and before and after it is temporarily stored in the main body memory such as RAM at each time point, and the cost increase can be easily suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to more reliably store and save the image at the time of the accident and the image at the time related to the accident.

(L) The configuration is such that the stop time is a predetermined time or longer in the determination of whether or not the vehicle is in the predetermined stop state, and the vehicle is supplied from the vehicle before the vehicle has stopped and the stop has continued for the predetermined time or longer. When the power is cut off, it is advisable to consider that the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or longer.
If the engine is stopped immediately after the vehicle is stopped, continuous recording will not proceed anymore, so it will not be erased by overwriting while the vehicle is stopped, but if you start the engine again and start running, continuous recording will start, so overwrite It is better to save it because it may be erased by.
For example, in the configurations (d) to (k), if the vehicle is stopped and the power supply from the vehicle is cut off before the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time or longer, it is considered that the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or longer and the storage process is performed. It is good to have a configuration.

Further, if the configuration is as shown in (l), it is possible to easily configure the vehicle so that the stop time does not include the time when the engine is stopped. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to perform a process for obtaining a stop time at the end of power supply or at the start of power supply. For example, in order to determine the stop time, for example, when the power is supplied, it is not necessary to perform a process of obtaining the stop time from the final recording time before the engine is stopped and the time when the engine is started.

(M) When the power supply from the vehicle is cut off, it is determined that the vehicle is in the predetermined stopped state, and when the overwriting is suppressed, the backup power supply is used or the power is turned on next. It should be processed when the circuit starts.
If it is a drive recorder equipped with a battery, you can stop the operation after saving it with the battery, but there are cases where the battery is not installed or the battery is exhausted, so turn on the power next. It is better to process it when you put it in.
For example, when the power supply from the vehicle is cut off as in (m), it is considered that the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time or longer, and for example, in any of the configurations (d) to (m), the vehicle has stopped for a predetermined time. As a result of the determination, it is particularly preferable to include the configuration (i) in the configuration for suppressing overwriting.

(N) The stop may have a function of assuming that the stop is continued until the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher after the vehicle has stopped.
By doing so, when the speed is lower than a predetermined speed, it is regarded as a stop and the above-mentioned configuration can be realized. In particular, the predetermined speed may be, for example, a speed of several kilometers per hour, which corresponds to a traffic jam. For example, when the vehicle repeatedly stops after moving a little, such as during a traffic jam, it is possible to prevent a large number of overwrites from being suppressed. It is even better to allow the user to set the predetermined speed.

(O) Overwriting is suppressed by storing the video in any one of a predetermined folder, a predetermined storage area, and a predetermined storage medium, and the storage is preset or changed to overwrite prohibition or overwrite permission. In the case of overwriting permission, the probability that the memory will be erased by overwriting should be lower than that of continuous recording overwriting.
If it is clear in advance which is the most suitable, overwrite prohibition or permission, set it from the beginning (for example, at the time of shipment), and if it is better to set it according to the user's usage, it is better to be able to change the setting. Even in the case of overwriting permission, by making the probability that the memory is erased by overwriting lower than that of overwriting of continuous recording, it is possible to more reliably record the image at the time of an accident or the like.

(P) A configuration in which a constant recording function is provided, and storage in the predetermined folder, the predetermined storage area, or the predetermined storage medium is stored in a different folder, storage area, or storage medium from the continuous recording and event recording. It is good to do it.
By doing so, the influence from continuous recording and event recording can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence on continuous recording and event recording. And the search becomes easy.

(Q) It is preferable to have a continuous recording function and an event recording function, and to continuously execute the continuous recording and the event recording even while the vehicle is stopped.
By doing so, for example, it becomes a complement when it disappears due to omission or overwriting. In addition, when used in combination with continuous recording and event recording, the reliability of recording and saving in the event of an accident will increase.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

Although the specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the examples, these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technique included in the claims. Needless to say, the scope of claims should not be construed in a limited manner by the composition and numerical values of specific examples. The scope of claims includes techniques that are variously modified, modified, or appropriately combined with the above-mentioned specific examples by utilizing known techniques, knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the like.

Each of the illustrated configurations can be basically arbitrarily combined, and it is preferable to combine a plurality of configurations within a range in which no contradiction occurs. At the time of combination, each item can be combined by demonstrating the normal creative ability of a person skilled in the art based on the idea of each composition. When the components described in each configuration have the same name, the components having the same name may be configured as different elements, but may be configured as the same element. For example, the "continuous recording function" is configured as n continuous recording functions such as "first continuous recording function" ... "nth continuous recording function" as a continuous recording function different for each configuration. However, it is preferable that some or all of them have the same continuous recording function. Further, for example, as for the "predetermined stopped state", for example, the ones described in each configuration may be separately determined, and for example, overwriting may be suppressed for different recording targets, but the ones described in each configuration may be suppressed. It is advisable to determine at least a part or a combination of all of them to suppress overwriting for the same recording target.
The components described in each embodiment, the components described in the means for solving the problem, and the elements to which the idea is applied may be arbitrarily combined to form an example within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

1 Drive recorder 2 Main body case 8, 9 Push button 13 CCD camera 15 Accelerometer 181 Insertion port 181A LED
24 GPS receiver 30 Control controller 311 SD card reader 32 Database 35 Personal computer 361 SD card reader / writer 45 Monitor

Claims (7)

A function to overwrite and record the image captured in the vehicle using a predetermined storage medium, and
When the vehicle is in a predetermined state, a function of changing to a recording method that saves memory resources required for recording video and recording using the predetermined storage medium is provided.
System with. A function to overwrite and record the image captured in the vehicle using a predetermined storage medium, and
When the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the frame rate is reduced or the number of pixels of the image is reduced to perform recording using the predetermined storage medium.
System with. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined state includes at least one of the fact that the traveling vehicle is stopped and the stopped state when the vehicle is stopped is the predetermined stopped state. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined state includes the condition that the magnitude or pattern of vibration of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the overwriting recording function and the recording function when the vehicle is in a predetermined state are continuous recording functions. Has an overwriting suppression button,
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which suppresses overwriting of a predetermined range of video including the video currently being recorded when the overwrite suppression button is operated. A program for realizing the function of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 on a computer.

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