JP2022137079A - System and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive recorder and a program that are easy to use.

SOLUTION: A drive recorder repeats a cycle of recording video data in a recording area. When a predetermined cycle termination condition is satisfied, the drive recorder terminates a cycle currently in progress and starts a new cycle of overwriting video data recorded in the terminated cycle with new video data in order from the oldest. The drive recorder makes output means output information on an overwriting position (hereinafter referred to as overwriting position information) based on at least one of capacity of video data recorded in the cycle currently in progress and capacity of video data not overwritten of video data recorded in the immediately previous cycle.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to systems, programs, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic device that performs continuous recording, in which video data is continuously recorded, and intermittent recording, in which video data is intermittently recorded each time a predetermined event occurs, by sharing the same recording area ( For example, Patent Document 1). For example, this electronic device constantly records video data in a continuous area while the accessory switch of the vehicle is on.

When the capacity of the recording area becomes full due to continuous recording and intermittent recording, continuous recording and intermittent recording are newly performed by overwriting the video data that has been continuously recorded in the recording area.

JP 2016-92464 A

In the conventional method, when the capacity of the recording area becomes full, continuously recorded video data is overwritten. If the continuously recorded video data includes video data that the user does not want erased, there is a concern that the video data may be erased without the user noticing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly system and the like.

(1) A system that repeats a cycle of recording video data in a recording area,
When a predetermined cycle end condition is satisfied, the cycle currently in progress is terminated, and a new cycle is started in which the video data recorded in the completed cycle is overwritten with new video data in order of oldest, and the cycle currently in progress is started. Information about the overwritten position based on at least one of the capacity of the video data recorded in the cycle and the capacity of the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle that has not been overwritten (hereinafter referred to as overwrite position information ) to the output means.

During the period from the start to the end of one cycle, the user who stores the information about the position where the video data not desired to be erased can select the video data not desired to be erased according to the overwrite position information output to the output means. It is easy to notice a situation where the data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which overwriting is likely to occur before video data that is not desired to be erased is overwritten. This provides a user-friendly system.

As the video data, it is preferable to adopt video data captured by an imaging device such as a camera. The video data may be video data. For example, when the video data is moving image data, the video data is composed of data of a plurality of frames. The frame rate of this video data may be, for example, 30 fps, 24 fps, or the like. Also, as video data, for example, a plurality of still image data acquired in time series at regular time intervals may be employed.

A recording area for video data should be secured in a removable medium that can be attached to and detached from the system. The entire storage area in the removable medium may be reserved as the recording area for the video data, or more preferably, a part of the storage area in the removable medium may be reserved as the recording area for the video data. In this case, for example, another area of the storage area in the removable medium may be used for other purposes.

The predetermined cycle end condition may be, for example, that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the cycle. It is preferable that there is no longer any area in the area where video data can be overwritten. For example, when the free space or the capacity of the area where video data can be overwritten in the area where video data was recorded in the immediately preceding cycle is less than the lower limit of the capacity required for recording video data, the cycle end condition is satisfied. The capacity in the recording area occupied by the video data recorded in one cycle should preferably correspond to the capacity of the entire recording area.

As the recording positions in the recording area at the start and end of one cycle, for example, positions specified by the leading physical address and the trailing physical address in the recording area may be employed. In this case, for example, the video data may be recorded from the leading physical address to the trailing physical address as time elapses. Alternatively, the recording area may be divided into a plurality of sectors and one sector may be specified by the sector number. In this case, for example, the sectors identified by the leading sector number and the trailing sector number in the recording area may be used as the recording positions in the recording area at the start and end of one cycle.

The information to be output by the output means may be output, for example, as a sound, and more preferably as an image. For example, when outputting by voice, numerical values indicating the information may be output by voice. For example, it is preferable to output a voice saying, "Currently, 30% of the entire data is being overwritten." For example, when outputting as an image, the information may be displayed numerically, more preferably graphically. When displaying numerically, for example, the ratio between the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle and the capacity of the entire recording area may be displayed in fractions or percentages. In the case of graphic display, it is preferable to display by graph, and more preferably by using a pie chart or a band graph. For example, when displaying a pie chart, the capacity of the entire recording area may correspond to the area with a central angle of 360°, and the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle may be indicated in a fan shape. For example, when displaying a bar graph, the capacity of the entire recording area corresponds to the total length of the bar graph, and the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle corresponds to the length from one end of the bar graph. It is better to correspond.

For example, when the overwrite position information is displayed as an image, the latest video included in the acquired video data may be displayed on the same screen that displays the information. For example, the overwrite position information may be displayed graphically at the edge of the screen superimposed on the image displayed on the screen.

(2) The cycle end condition may include a condition that the recording area has no free space for recording video data to be newly recorded or no capacity for overwriting in the cycle currently in progress. .

It is possible to maximize the capacity of the recording area that can be recorded in one cycle. As a result, the grace period until the old video data is overwritten becomes longer.
For example, the video data may be recorded in the recording area for each recording unit. For example, video data may be temporarily stored in a buffer memory, and the video data stored in the buffer memory may be transferred to the recording area. In this case, for example, the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory should correspond to one recording unit. For example, in determining the cycle end condition, it is preferable to compare the remaining free space in the recording area or the overwritable capacity in the cycle currently in progress with the capacity of this recording unit.

(3) The capacity of the recording area occupied by video data recorded in one cycle may correspond to the capacity of the entire recording area.

Video data can be recorded in an area corresponding to the entire recording area in one cycle. As a result, the capacity of video data recorded in one cycle can be increased.

(4) The output means may output to a screen displaying an image, and the system may display the overwrite position information in a graphic form on the screen.

The user can visually recognize the overwrite position information by looking at the displayed figure. This makes it easier to notice situations in which new video data is likely to overwrite video data that is not desired to be erased.

(5) defining a start position and an end position corresponding to the start time and end time of the cycle on the figure, respectively;
The overwrite position information may be a system including a mark displayed between the start position and the end position on the figure.

The user can visually recognize the position where the latest video data is recorded within the recording area by visually recognizing the relative positional relationship between the start position and end position of the figure and the mark. For example, symbols such as linear symbols, triangles, and arrows may be used as marks. Also, for example, the boundaries of regions with different colors may be used as markers.

(6) A first position and a second position on the figure correspond to the start position and the end position, respectively, and the distance from the start position to the landmark was recorded in the current cycle. The system should correspond to the capacity in said recording area occupied by video data.

The user can visually recognize the position where the latest video data is recorded in the entire recording area from the start position, end position, and distance from the start position to the mark on the graphic. It is preferable to move the mark from the start position toward the end position as the video data is recorded in the recording area.

For example, the latest video included in the acquired video data may be displayed in a partial area (hereinafter referred to as video display area) excluding at least one of the upper end region and the lower end region of the screen where the graphics are displayed. . For example, it is preferable to display a graphic indicating the overwriting position information in the video display area superimposed on the video displayed on the screen. For example, it is preferable to vertically display a strip-shaped figure as the figure. At this time, it is preferable to make the upper end of the figure correspond to the starting position and the lower end to correspond to the ending position. For example, it is preferable to display the upper and lower ends of the band-shaped figure so as not to protrude from the image display area. It is preferable to display the acquired video data in the video display area in real time. In this case, the image display area functions as a viewfinder of the camera.

(7) A system in which the part from the start position to the mark and the part from the mark to the end position are displayed in different colors, and the boundary between the different colored parts becomes the mark. should be

The user can recognize the position of the mark in the displayed graphic by intuitively grasping the size of the portions to which the same color is applied. The user can immediately recognize a state in which the video data not desired to be erased is likely to be overwritten by seeing the mark approaching the position where the video data not desired to be erased is recorded.

A graph may be used as the figure indicating the overwrite position information. The user can intuitively grasp the numerical information by looking at the displayed graph. For example, a pie chart, a bar graph, or the like may be used as the graph. For example, if a pie chart is used, one radius may be associated with the start and end positions, and the radius at a position separated by a central angle from the start position may be associated with the mark. For example, if a bar graph is used, one end may correspond to the starting position, the other end may correspond to the ending position, and a mark may be added to the position separated by a certain length from the starting position.

(8) The system should be such that the color of each part of the graphic remains unchanged until overwritten with a new cycle.

The user can memorize in which color area the video data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is recorded in the entire recording area. As the color area memorized by the user is overwritten and becomes smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which video data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is overwritten. In addition, the user can recognize that video data that the user wants to keep has been overwritten due to the disappearance of the color area memorized by the user.

(9) the recording area is entirely vacant by initialization;
outputting, to the output means, information on the recording position (hereinafter referred to as recording position information) based on the capacity of video data recorded during the progress of the first cycle after initialization;
A system in which the recording position information when the first cycle after initialization is in progress and the overwrite position information when the second and subsequent cycles are in progress are output to the output means in different modes. good.

The user can easily recognize whether the cycle currently in progress is the first cycle after initialization or the second and subsequent cycles. The user does not have to worry about overwriting old video data when the current cycle is the first cycle. Additionally, users are more likely to notice that a second or subsequent cycle has started in which old video data may be overwritten.

For example, the recording position information and the overwrite position information are displayed graphically,
giving a first color to the portion of the figure corresponding to the empty area after initialization;
During the progress of the first cycle, a second color different from the first color is applied to a portion of the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the recording position information,
During the second cycle, a third color different from the first color and the second color is added to the portion of the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the overwrite position information. good too.
During the second and subsequent cycles, the color to be added to the portion of the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the overwrite position information may be selected from a plurality of color candidates that do not include the first color. good. The selected color may cycle through multiple color candidates as the number of cycles increases. For example, if there are two color candidates, a second color and a third color, the second color and the third color are alternately selected in each cycle.

By visually recognizing the color of the figure, the user can easily recognize whether the current cycle is the first cycle in which there is no need to worry about overwriting, or the second and subsequent cycles in which there is a possibility of overwriting. can do.

The first color, the second color, and the third color may be differentiated by differentiating any one attribute of hue, saturation, and lightness, which are the three attributes of color, and more preferably by differentiating the hue. It is better to distinguish between them. Distinguishing the first, second, and third colors by hue allows the user to remember colors in words that describe them.

(10) Furthermore, an overwrite mode indicating whether or not overwrite is permitted can be turned on and off by a user operation,
when the overwrite mode is on, causing the output means to display the graphic indicating the recording position information, and starting a new cycle when one cycle ends;
When the overwrite mode is off, the figure indicating the recording position information is not displayed on the output means, and when the recording of the video data in a manner in which the old video data is not overwritten is completed, the video data is recorded in the recording area. should be a system that stops

The user can easily recognize whether the overwrite mode is currently on or off by looking at the information displayed on the screen. When the overwrite mode is turned on, the user can easily notice a situation in which video data that the user does not want to erase is likely to be overwritten by looking at the displayed graphics.

(11) When the overwrite mode is off, the remaining recordable time is calculated based on the recordable capacity of the video data in the recording area in the current cycle, and information indicating the calculated remaining time is sent to the recording area. It is preferable to use a system that displays the information on the screen.

The user can easily recognize the remaining recordable time when the overwrite mode is off. If the recording area is reserved in the removable medium, the remaining recordable time, for example, is useful for the user to determine whether or not to prepare for replacement of the removable medium. Also, when the overwrite mode is on, the remaining time is not displayed, and when the overwrite mode is off, the remaining time is displayed, so it is easy to understand whether the overwrite mode is on or off.

(12) further comprising event detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined event;
The system may display an event occurrence mark for notifying the occurrence of an event in association with the figure based on the position in the recording area where the video data is recorded when the event occurrence is detected by the event detection means.

A user is likely to notice a situation in which new video data is likely to overwrite the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs. For example, before the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is overwritten, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which it is likely to be overwritten. As a result, the user can perform an operation to avoid overwriting of video data that the user wishes to keep when a predetermined event occurs. When the recording area is secured in a removable medium, an operation to avoid overwriting is, for example, an operation in which the user removes the removable medium from the system.

For example, the event occurrence mark may be colored differently for each event. By doing so, the user can easily recognize the position where the video data of the event that the user wants to keep is recorded. From the distance between the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten and the position where the video data of the event desired to be preserved is recorded, it is possible to know the margin time until the overwrite avoidance operation is performed.

(13) the video data recorded in the recording area is obtained in a vehicle;
The video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply is stopped is regarded as one unit,
It is preferable that the system displays the figure in such a manner that the delimiters for each unit of the video data can be recognized in the figure.

The user can easily recognize the division of the video data by looking at the graphic displayed on the screen. Also, by remembering the position of the current video data in the graphic of the unit, it is possible to easily specify the position where the current video data is recorded in the future.

For example, the time when the accessory power source of the vehicle is turned on and the time when it is turned off may be the triggers for starting and stopping power supply to the system, respectively. In this case, for example, video data recorded during the period from when the accessory power source of the vehicle is turned on to when it is turned off may be taken as one unit. Since it is considered that the vehicle is mainly running during the period from when the accessory power supply of the vehicle is turned on until it is turned off, the unit of this video data can be considered to correspond to one unit of driving.

When the graphic displayed on the screen includes portions corresponding to a plurality of units of video data, it is preferable to give different colors to the corresponding portions of the graphic for each of these units. The user can memorize which unit contains the video data that the user does not want to erase by the color attached to the portion corresponding to the unit. The user understands that overwriting may be performed until the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten reaches the area in the figure of the stored color. It is possible to know when to perform an overwrite avoidance operation from the distance between the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten and the area in the graphic of the stored color. More types of colors than the number of units of video data assumed to be included in one graphic should be prepared as candidates for colors to be applied to portions corresponding to these units.

(14) the video data recorded in the recording area is obtained in a vehicle;
The video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply is stopped is regarded as one unit,
calculating the grace time from the current time until overwriting of the video data at the start time of the unit recorded in the recording area starts;
The system may have a function of notifying that overwriting of the unit next to the unit currently being overwritten will start when the grace period becomes shorter than a predetermined time.

The user should memorize which unit contains video data that the user does not want to erase. Upon noticing the start of overwriting of a unit containing video data not desired to be erased, it is possible to take measures to avoid erasing the video data not desired to be erased. The predetermined time to be compared with the grace time may be, for example, a sufficient time (eg, 3 minutes) for the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe place and perform an operation to avoid overwriting. For example, when a recording area is secured in a removable medium, the user may replace the removable medium as an operation to avoid overwriting.

As a method for notifying that overwriting of the unit next to the unit currently being overwritten will start, a method of outputting by voice may be adopted. The driver can notice the notification without looking away. At the time of notification, it is preferable to notify the date and time when the first video data of the unit where overwriting is started next or the date and time when the last video data of the unit is obtained. For example, a voice saying "Overwriting of video data from XX minutes on XX days will begin soon", or "Overwriting of video data recorded during a run that ended on XX minutes on XX days" Overwriting will start soon." should be output from the output means.

Instead of notifying that it will be overwritten, a grace period until overwriting may be notified. It is preferable to notify the grace time in a certain time interval. The user can recognize that the grace period until the start of overwriting of units containing video data that the user does not want to erase is getting shorter and shorter.

(15) the video data to be recorded in the recording area is obtained in a vehicle;
The video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply is stopped is regarded as one unit,
A system having a function of calculating a scheduled time until starting overwriting of the unit next to the currently overwritten unit at the time when power supply to the system is started, and notifying the scheduled time. should be

The user can see how long it will take to start overwriting the oldest unit that has not been overwritten when power is turned on to the system. For example, if the oldest unit that has not been overwritten contains video data that the user does not want to erase, the user must perform an operation to avoid overwriting this video data when starting to supply power to the system. can be done.

(16) Furthermore,
In addition to the function of recording video data in the recording area in the cycle, the function of recording video data in another recording area secured within the same recording medium as the recording area;
a function of changing the capacity of the recording area and the capacity of the other recording area by a user's operation,
When the capacity of the recording area and the capacity of the other recording area are changed, the system may initialize the recording area and the other recording area so that video data is not recorded.

It is possible to easily create a system in which contradiction hardly occurs when the capacity of a recording area and another recording area is changed. For example, regardless of whether the capacity of the recording area for recording video data is expanded or reduced in the cycle, the recording area and other recording areas may be initialized.

(17) Furthermore,
a connection means for connecting the removable medium in which the recording area is secured;
a function to initialize removable media connected to the connection means;
At least one of the total number of cycles performed on the recording area in the removable medium connected to the connection means, the number of cycles performed after initialization, and the number of times of initialization is sent to the connection means. A function to store in the connected removable media,
and a function of outputting at least one of the numbers of times to the output means.

The user can infer the degree of deterioration of the removable media from the total number of cycles performed on the recording area. For example, this degree of deterioration is useful information for determining whether the removable medium should be replaced.

The content to be output to the output means may be, for example, "total overwriting 10 times/overwriting after formatting 2 times/formatting 2 times". By outputting in this way, it is easy for the user to understand when the removable medium should be replaced or when it should be initialized (formatted). The user may decide whether or not to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization. Information that changes according to the degree of deterioration may be displayed on the output means. For example, an icon indicating the removable medium may be displayed and the icon may be changed, or a figure indicating the overwrite position information may be changed.

The user can know how many cycles the initialization is performed on average. For example, it is preferable to describe in an instruction manual or the like how many cycles the initialization should be performed. The user can tell if the initialization has been done too often or too little.

When displaying an icon indicating a removable medium, for example, the icon may gradually break down as deterioration progresses. In addition, as the deterioration progresses, the icon may be displayed as if it is gradually decaying, or the shape of the icon may be changed from a normal state (new state) to a cracked state or a shattered state. Alternatively, the color of the icon may gradually change from a light color (eg white) to a dark color (eg black).

When changing the graphic indicating the overwrite position information, for example, the color of the graphic may be changed as the deterioration progresses, or the shape of the graphic may be changed. When changing the color that fills the figure, it is better to change from light to dark as the number of cycles increases. By changing the icon or graphic in this way, the user can easily know when to replace the removable media.

(18) It is preferable that the system divides the video data recorded in the recording area into a plurality of processing units based on a predetermined division condition, and executes processing for each of the processing units.

After recording the video data in the recording area, the video data can be divided into a plurality of processing units. After dividing into processing units, processing for each processing unit can be performed. This makes the system more user-friendly for users.

The predetermined division condition may be a condition that the video data is divided at regular time intervals. A point of time triggered by the start of power supply to the system and a point of time triggered by the stoppage of power supply to the system may be used as the classification conditions. Furthermore, the classification conditions may be set based on information acquired by various sensors. It is possible to use both a classification condition of dividing by the start and stop of power supply to the system and a division condition of dividing by a certain time interval.

The predetermined sorting condition may be input into the system by, for example, a user's operation. Alternatively, for example, the system may read the classification conditions stored in an area other than the recording area of the medium in which the recording area is reserved. The processing for each processing unit may be, for example, a processing of assigning an attribute to each processing unit, a processing of cueing and reproducing video data from the beginning of the processing unit, a processing of displaying a list of a plurality of processing units, and the like.

(19) It is preferable that the processing for each processing unit includes processing for outputting the attribute of the processing unit to the output means for each processing unit.

The user can easily check the attribute of each processing unit by looking at the display means. As attributes for each processing unit, for example, the date and time when the first video data included in the processing unit was acquired, a thumbnail of the first video data, and the like may be displayed on the display means. The user can easily find video data to be reproduced and confirmed or video data to be deleted by looking at the date and time information or thumbnails.

It is preferable that the user can select some of the processing units based on the attributes of the plurality of processing units output to the output means. Processing can be performed on some processing units selected by the user.

(20) Further, having a function of allowing a user to select a part of the processing units from among the processing units,
It is preferable that the system executes the processing for each processing unit for the processing unit selected by the user.

The user can select a portion of the processing units to be processed from among all the processing units, and process the selected processing units. A specific attribute may be given to the unit of processing selected by the user. For example, as a process for each process unit, a process of adding an attribute of "exclude from reproduction target" may be performed. When reproducing the video data, the video data in the processing unit to which the attribute "excluded from reproduction" is given may be skipped and reproduced. By adding an attribute of "excluded from playback" to some processing units, the user can skip video data that the user does not want to play back. The attributes of a plurality of processing units may be output to the output means in list form. At this time, it is preferable not to output the processing unit to which the attribute "excluded from reproduction" is given to the display means.

(21) Further, the system preferably has a function of allowing the user to input the classification condition, and classifies the video data recorded in the recording area based on the input classification condition.

By inputting a desired partitioning condition by the user, the video data can be partitioned according to the desired partitioning condition. A user who wants to assign a specific attribute to a portion of video data may enter a classification condition that classifies that portion from other portions.

(22) the recording area is secured in a removable medium;
The system may store the classification condition input by the user in an area different from the recording area of the removable medium.

By moving the removable medium between the first device and the second device of the system, video data and classification conditions recorded in the recording area can be transferred from the first device to the second device, or vice versa. can be handed over to For example, when video data is recorded by a first device, a second device different from the first device inputs a segmentation condition for segmenting the video data, and passes the input segmentation condition to the first device. be able to. Conversely, the second device may have the function of sorting the video data based on the sorting condition set by the first device.

For example, a first device that acquires video data may be installed in a vehicle, and video data collected in the vehicle may be sorted by a second device such as an external personal computer. Generally, the screen of the second device, such as a personal computer, is larger than the screen of the first device mounted on the vehicle. The user can easily check the date and time when the video data at the beginning of each processing unit was acquired and the thumbnail on the second device. This allows the user to easily perform operations on video data for each unit of processing.

(23) Further, after the video data recorded in the recording area is divided into the plurality of processing units based on the division condition, when the user inputs a division condition different from the current division condition, the input It is preferable that the system re-divides the video data based on the determined division conditions.

When it is difficult for the user to perform the desired processing on the video data with the current segmentation of the video data, the user can segment the video data so that the desired processing can be easily performed by changing the segmentation condition. .

When the FAT file system is used for recording video data, it is difficult to divide the video data into file units and then re-divide them under different division conditions. In this system, since the video data can be re-divided according to the division conditions desired by the user, it is convenient for the user.

(24) Further, the system may store information specifying a position within the recording area where the video data of each of the plurality of processing units is recorded.

The location for storing the information specifying the position in the recording area where the video data of each of the plurality of processing units is recorded may be, for example, the work area of the system. When the user selects a specific unit of processing, the system can access the video data of the selected unit of processing in a short period of time using the information specifying the position within the recording area. For the user, the operability is improved. This information may be information specifying the position in the recording area where the first video data in the unit of processing is recorded. For example, if this information is used during cue playback, it is possible to shorten the cue time for the video data at the beginning of the processing unit.

(25) the video data to be recorded in the recording area is obtained in a vehicle;
starting to record video data in the recording area when power supply to the system is started, and stopping recording video data in the recording area when power supply to the system is stopped;
The classification condition is that the recording of video data in the recording area is started with the start of power supply to the system, and that the recording of video data in the recording area is started with the stoppage of power supply to the system. The system may include a power condition that the recording is stopped.

Video data acquired during the period from when the power supply to the system is started to when the power supply to the system is stopped can be recorded in the recording area. It can be processed as one unit. The video data may be, for example, moving images captured by a camera or the like mounted on a vehicle. As a trigger for starting and stopping the supply of power to the system, for example, turning on and off the accessory power supply of the vehicle may be used.

(26) The classification condition includes a further classification condition in addition to the power supply condition, and a portion from the beginning to the end of the video data classified based on the power supply condition meets the other classification condition. It is preferable to have a system that classifies based on

It is possible to prevent a processing unit obtained by partitioning under other partitioning conditions from straddling a processing unit obtained by partitioning based on the power supply condition. In the case where the processing unit obtained by dividing based on the power supply condition is further divided under another dividing condition, if video data of a length that cannot be divided under the other dividing condition remains, the entire remaining video data is It is preferable to use one processing unit.

(27) It is preferable that the system includes a condition that the division conditions include dividing the video data recorded in the recording area at regular time intervals.

A user who remembers the elapsed time from the start of the video data in the recording area to the desired video data can easily calculate how many processing units from the beginning contain the desired video data. can. This allows the user to easily access the processing unit containing the desired video data.

If the video data is segmented using only the power condition as the segmentation condition, the user can easily find the video data at the time when the accessory power source of the vehicle is turned on, for example. If the video data is classified using only the constant time interval condition without using the power supply condition as the classification condition, the elapsed time from the first video data to the last video data of all processing units can be made constant. . By dividing in this way, the user can equalize the burden required for checking the video data for each processing unit.

As in (26) above, the power source condition and the classification condition of dividing at fixed time intervals may be used together as the classification condition. If one division is performed according to the power supply conditions, it is preferable to newly perform division at fixed time intervals from that point. As a result, a processing unit (referred to as a first processing unit) obtained by dividing based on power supply conditions, for example, becomes a smaller processing unit (referred to as a second processing unit) based on the division condition of dividing at regular time intervals. ). A user who remembers the elapsed time from the beginning of the first processing unit to the desired video data can determine how many second processing units from the beginning of the first processing unit contain the desired video data. can be easily calculated. This allows the user to easily access the second processing unit containing the desired video data within the first processing unit.

(28) the processing for each processing unit includes processing for excluding video data included in the processing unit from being played;
It is preferable that the system has a function of skipping and reproducing the video data excluded from the reproduction target when reproducing the video data recorded in the recording area.

It is possible to prevent video data excluded from being played back from being played back. For example, the user can exclude video data that the user does not want a third party to see from the reproduction target. It is preferable to set the attribute of the processing unit excluded from the reproduction target to "exclude from the reproduction target" and set the other processing units to "not to be excluded from the reproduction target". When reproducing the video data, it is preferable to stop the reproduction when the video data excluded from the reproduction target is reached. It is better to continue playing the data.

Since the video data in the unit of processing excluded from the object of reproduction is not deleted from the recording area, the attribute of the unit of processing once excluded from the object of reproduction can be returned to "not excluded from object of reproduction".

(29) Video recorded in the recording area when the processing unit excluded from playback by the processing for exclusion from playback includes the last video data among the video data recorded in the latest cycle. It is preferable that the system overwrites the video data immediately after the last processing unit that is not excluded from the reproduction object among all the processing units obtained by dividing the data with new video data in the order of oldest.

It takes longer to start overwriting the oldest video data recorded in the current cycle. If video data that is not desired to be erased is recorded in the cycle that is currently in progress, for example, the user can obtain time to avoid overwriting. After overwriting has progressed to the end of the video data that was recorded in the current cycle and was excluded from playback, for example, the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle is overwritten with new video data in order of oldest. It's good to go.

(30) It may be configured as a program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the system described in any one of (1) to (29) above.

(31) Among the system functions of any one of (18) to (26) above, at least dividing the video data recorded in the recording area into a plurality of processing units based on a predetermined classification condition, It is preferable to construct a program for causing a computer to implement a function of executing the processing for each processing unit.

A computer can be made to execute a function of dividing video data recorded in a recording area into a plurality of processing units based on a predetermined division condition and executing processing for each processing unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a user-friendly system.

1A, 1B, and 1C are a perspective view of a drive recorder included in the system according to the first embodiment, seen obliquely from the front, a perspective view seen from the oblique rear, and a bottom view, respectively. FIG. 2 is a view showing the windshield, dashboard, etc. inside the vehicle with the drive recorder mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of video data recorded on the SD card by the drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing usage of recording areas in which video data is recorded. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the state of usage of the memory space in the recording area when video data is recorded in the recording area of the SD card, and FIG. It is a figure which shows a use condition. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of a block, which is a transfer unit of video data. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the first embodiment when the overwrite mode is set to ON, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed when the overwrite mode is set to OFF FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display when 9A is a diagram showing indicators for a period after initializing the recording area and before recording video data, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing indicators for a period during which the first cycle after initialization is in progress. 9C shows the indicators at the end of the first cycle after initialization, FIG. 9D shows the indicators during the second cycle in progress, and FIG. FIG. 9F shows an indicator when the second cycle has ended, and FIG. 9F shows an indicator while the third cycle is in progress. 10A to 10D are diagrams showing indicators according to a modification of the first embodiment, FIG. 10E is a diagram showing an example of displaying numbers instead of indicators in the graph of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10F FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of audio output; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing indicators displayed by the drive recorder according to the second embodiment. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing examples of indicators and event occurrence marks displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the third embodiment and its modification. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of an indicator and a mark indicating a position during overwriting displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an indicator displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the fifth embodiment and a mark indicating a position during overwriting. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder according to the sixth embodiment is used. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing usage divisions of the memory space of an SD card used in the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 16B shows an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing; FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the modification of the seventh embodiment, and FIGS. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment as seen obliquely from behind, and FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the displayed image. 19A to 19G are diagrams showing changes in indicators displayed by the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of indicators displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram of a system according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 21B is a block diagram of a personal computer. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing screens for inputting classification conditions displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 22C shows a list of attributes for each processing unit on the liquid crystal display. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed in a format; FIG. 23 is a timing chart during continuous recording in the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment. FIG. 24A is a diagram showing an image for inputting classification conditions displayed on the monitor by the personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 25A is a diagram showing an image for inputting classification conditions displayed on the monitor by the personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 25B is an image showing the attributes of each processing unit displayed in list form on the monitor. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing how to classify (list) when "1 minute", "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "power on-off" are selected as classification conditions. FIG. 27A is a view showing an image on the monitor when the user selects one processing unit starting from 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016 and clicks the "delete one" button, and FIG. 27B. [FIG. 12] is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the attribute of the unit of processing is displayed on the monitor after the non-listing flag is set. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a sequence of frames of video data recorded in a recording area. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing how overwriting is performed when the unlisted flag is not set for the block or frame positioned at the end of the latest cycle. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a method of overwriting when a block or frame positioned at the end of the latest cycle has a non-listing flag set. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing indicators displayed on the liquid crystal display of the drive recorder or the monitor of the personal computer by the system according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing memory space allocation of an SD card used in the system according to the twelfth embodiment.

[First embodiment]
An example in which the present system is realized by a vehicle-mounted drive recorder will be described below as a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1A to 9. FIG.

1A, 1B, and 1C are a perspective view of a drive recorder 1 included in the system according to the first embodiment, seen obliquely from the front, a perspective view seen from the oblique rear, and a bottom view, respectively. A drive recorder 1 incorporates a camera including a lens 2 attached to the front. A DC jack 3 is provided on one side surface, and an SD card insertion slot 4 is provided on the other side surface. A speaker 5 and an HD output terminal 6 are provided on the bottom surface. A joint rail 7 is provided on the upper surface. A liquid crystal display 8 and a plurality of operation buttons 9 are provided on the rear surface.

A camera including the lens 2 captures an image in front of the vehicle, for example. DC jack 3 is a jack for connecting to a DC power supply via a power cable. The SD card insertion slot 4 is an insertion slot for inserting an SD card. The speaker 5 outputs sound and voice. The HD output terminal 6 is a terminal for connecting to other information equipment via a cable. The joint rail 7 is for attaching a joint for mounting the drive recorder 1 on the vehicle. The liquid crystal display 8 displays various images. The operation button 9 is for inputting various commands to the drive recorder 1 by being operated by the user.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the windshield, dashboard, etc. inside the vehicle with the drive recorder 1 mounted on the vehicle. The drive recorder 1 is arranged on the passenger seat side adjacent to the room mirror 16 above the windshield 15 of the vehicle and near the center in the left-right direction. The drive recorder 1 is attached and fixed to the windshield 15 with an attachment member such as double-sided tape. A DC jack 3 (FIG. 1A) of the drive recorder 1 is connected to a cigar socket 18 via a power cable 17 . When the accessory power source of the vehicle is turned on, power is supplied from the cigar socket 18 to the drive recorder 1 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the drive recorder 1 according to the first embodiment. The drive recorder 1 includes a controller 20, a camera 21, a database 22, a GPS receiver 23, an SD card reader 24, an acceleration sensor 25, a speaker 5, a liquid crystal display 8, and operation buttons 9. Strictly speaking, the SD card reader 24 should be called "SD card reader/writer", but in this specification, it is simply called "SD card reader".

The speaker 5 and the liquid crystal display 8 function as output means for notifying the user of various information. The speaker 5 issues warnings and various information by sound and voice under the control of the controller 20 . The liquid crystal display 8 displays various information as images under the control of the controller 20 . The operation button 9 functions as input means for the user to give various commands to the drive recorder 1 .

The camera 21 functions as an imaging device that captures moving images within the angle of view. The camera 21 outputs the captured moving image to the controller 20 as video data. The controller 20 records video on an SD card connected to the SD card reader 24 based on video data input from the camera 21 .

The database 22 is stored, for example, in a non-volatile memory (eg EEPROM) externally attached to the controller 20 . The database 22 includes map data, for example.

The GPS receiver 23 detects position information of the vehicle at the current time based on instructions from the controller 20 . The positional information includes the time obtained based on the signal from the GPS satellite, the speed of the own vehicle, the altitude, the latitude, the altitude, and the like. The controller 20 performs processing for recording the history of these positional information.

Under the control of the controller 20, the SD card reader 24 reads data from an SD card inserted into the SD card slot 4 (FIG. 1B) or stores data in the SD card.

As the acceleration sensor 25, a 3-axis type sensor that detects acceleration and tilt in each of 3 axes (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) is used. The acceleration sensor 25 always outputs detected values to the controller 20 . The controller 20 acquires triaxial acceleration information, for example, every 10 ms.

The controller 20 is composed of a personal computer or the like having a known memory such as a CPU 20a, a ROM 20b and a RAM 20c, a timer 20d, and other peripheral circuits. Various programs are stored in the ROM 20 b of the controller 20 . The controller 20 implements various functions by executing these programs. Various programs include an operating system (OS), a GPS information processing program, a video processing program, and the like.

The controller 20 stores the GPS information received by the GPS receiver 23 in the SD card connected to the SD card reader 24 by executing the GPS information processing program. By executing the image processing program, the controller 20 constantly records image data in which the image captured by the camera 21 is associated with the time in a predetermined recording area of the SD card. In this embodiment, the video data that the drive recorder 1 constantly records on the SD card is moving picture data.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the data structure of the video data recorded on the SD card by the drive recorder 1 will be described. As a format format of the SD card shown in FIG. 4, a format unique to this system (called YP format) is adopted instead of a general format such as a FAT file system (for example, FAT32).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of video data recorded on the SD card by the drive recorder 1. As shown in FIG. The drive recorder 1 records the video data frame by frame in the recording area 31 of the SD card 30 in chronological order. The memory space of the SD card 30 is divided into, for example, 512-byte sectors, and the position in the memory space can be identified by sector numbers. A frame has a variable length, and one frame is stored in several sectors, for example. The plurality of frames consists of frames coded without inter-frame prediction (referred to as I frames) and frames compressed and coded using only forward prediction (referred to as P frames). In this embodiment, the entire memory space of the SD card 30 is reserved as a recording area 31 for constantly recording video data.

The entire recording area 31 of the SD card 30 immediately after the drive recorder 1 is initialized is an empty area. When the power supply of the vehicle is turned on and the supply of power to the drive recorder 1 is started, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) records the video data captured by the camera 21 in the SD card 30 with the start of the power supply as a trigger. Recording is performed in the area 31 in the order of sector numbers (sector order). A frame field for storing one frame of video data includes a field for storing the video data itself and a frame header portion for storing attribute data of the video data. As attribute data, the frame number and the running unit number are stored in the frame header portion. When the power supply of the vehicle is turned off and the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is stopped, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) stops recording video data triggered by the stoppage of the power supply. Recording of video data during the period from when the power is turned on to when it is turned off is called "power on-off recording".

One travel unit includes a frame of video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from when the power of the vehicle is turned on until it is turned off. The drive recorder 1 assigns the same running unit number to frames in one running unit, and increases the running unit number by one each time a new running unit is started. While the vehicle is powered on, the vehicle is not always running. A collection of video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from the time the drive recorder 1 is turned off until the time the drive recorder 1 is turned off is called one driving unit.

Next, a method of constantly recording video data in the recording area 31 of the SD card 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. The drive recorder 1 constantly records video data based on an overwrite mode that indicates whether or not overwrite is permitted. Overwrite mode is set to on or off by user operation. The overwrite mode ON setting corresponds to "overwrite setting", and the overwrite mode OFF setting corresponds to "not overwrite setting".

First, referring to FIG. 5, a method of constant recording when the overwrite mode is set to ON will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the recording area 31 in which video data is recorded is used. The left side diagram and the right side diagram of FIG. 5 respectively represent the entire area of the recording area 31 . The diagram on the left side of FIG. 5 shows a state in which recording of video data is started from the leading sector of the recording area 31 and recorded to the trailing sector. In the recording area 31, for example, video data of a plurality of running units 32 are recorded. When the current recording position reaches the trailing sector, it returns to the leading sector and starts overwriting the video data. In this specification, the process from recording video data starting from the leading sector to recording video data to the trailing sector is referred to as a "cycle". The drive recorder 1 repeats this cycle by starting a new cycle when one cycle ends. As the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start time and the end time of one cycle, the sectors specified by the leading sector number and the trailing sector number in the recording area 31 are adopted, respectively.

When one cycle C(n) ends in the current run unit 32, a new cycle C(n+1) is started. In the new cycle C(n+1), the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C(n) is overwritten with the new video data in order of oldest. At this time, in the recording area 31, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. It is mixed with areas where video data that has not been overwritten remains.

Next, a method of recording video data in the recording area 31 and a method of determining that one cycle has ended will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7. FIG.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing how the memory space in the recording area 31 of the SD card is used when video data is recorded in the recording area 31 of the SD card. The drive recorder 1 temporarily stores video data captured by the camera 21 in the buffer memory 20e. The drive recorder 1 secures a buffer memory 20e in, for example, a RAM 20c (FIG. 3). The DMA controller transfers the video data in the buffer memory 20 e to a predetermined transfer destination area 33 in the recording area 31 based on an instruction from the controller 20 . The destination area 33 is positioned immediately after the end of the cycle C(n+1) currently in progress. That is, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the oldest video data remaining at the present time with new video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C(n).

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing how the memory space of the recording area 31 is used after the drive recorder 1 overwrites new video data. The trailing position (currently overwritten position) of the video data recorded in the cycle C(n+1) currently in progress advances to the trailing position of the transfer destination area 33 .

Next, a method of continuous recording when the overwrite mode is set to off will be described. When the overwrite mode is off, in the first cycle after the initialization of the recording area 31, when there is no free space in the recording area 31 shown in FIG. is finished, the constant recording of the video data in the recording area 31 is stopped.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the block 26, which is the transfer unit of video data. A frame field 27 for storing video data to be transferred is sandwiched between area information fields 28 . A frame field 27 stores video data of a predetermined number, for example, 60 frames. The frame field 27 is provided with a field for storing video data and a frame header portion for storing frame attributes for each frame. When video data to be recorded is moving image data of 30 fps, the time length of video data of 60 frames corresponds to 2 seconds. The area information field 28 stores the attribute of the video data in the frame field 27, link information to the position in the recording area 31 of the block 26 transferred to the recording area 31 in the past, and the like.

Next, a cycle end condition for ending one cycle and starting a new cycle will be described.

The condition for ending the first cycle after the recording area 31 is initialized is that there is no free area in the recording area 31 in which video data can be recorded. The end condition for the second and subsequent cycles is that when the old video data is overwritten with the new video data, the video in the area recorded in the immediately preceding cycle (the immediately preceding cycle C(n) shown in FIG. 5) is completed. The condition is that there is no longer an area where data can be overwritten (hereinafter referred to as an overwritable area). That is, when the capacity of the free area or the overwritable area becomes smaller than the lower limit of the capacity required for recording the video data, it is determined that the cycle end condition is satisfied.

A capacity for one block 26 (FIG. 7) is adopted as the capacity required for recording video data. Determine whether the cycle end condition has been met by comparing the free space remaining in the recording area or the space available for overwriting in the cycle currently in progress with the capacity of one block 26 (FIG. 7). can do. When this cycle end condition is adopted, the capacity of the recording area 31 occupied by video data recorded in one cycle corresponds to the capacity of the entire recording area 31 .

Next, images displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIG. 1B) by the drive recorder 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9A to 9F.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 when the overwrite mode is set to ON. The screen of the liquid crystal display 8 consists of an upper end region (hereinafter referred to as a mode display region) 41 positioned at the upper end, a lower end region (hereinafter referred to as a time display region) 42 positioned at the lower end, and an image display region sandwiched between the two. It is divided into 40. Icons indicating various modes are displayed in the mode display area 41 . A current image captured by the camera 21 is displayed in the image display area 40 in real time. The video display area 40 functions as a finder of the camera 21 . The current time is displayed in numbers in the time display area 42 .

The drive recorder 1 displays the indicator 50 inside the video display area 40, for example, in the vicinity of the right end, as a graphic superimposed on the current video imaged by the camera 21. FIG. The indicator 50 has a vertically long strip shape (for example, a bar shape). The drive recorder 1 ( FIG. 3 ) displays the indicator 50 on the liquid crystal display 8 so that the upper and lower ends of the indicator 50 do not protrude from the image display area 40 . The function of indicator 50 is described below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9F.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 when the overwrite mode is set to off. Differences from the image when the overwrite mode is set to ON shown in FIG. 8A will be described below.

When the overwrite mode is off, the drive recorder 1 does not display the indicator 50 (FIG. 8A), and displays the remaining recordable time in numbers in the time display area 42 in addition to the current time. The remaining recordable time is determined by the capacity of the free space in the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) (capacity for recording video data in the recording area 31 in the cycle currently in progress), and the block 26 (FIG. 4), which is the transfer unit of video data. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) calculates based on the capacity of 7) and the number of frames per second.

9A-9F, the operation and function of indicator 50 (FIG. 8A) will now be described. In FIGS. 9A-9F, green, light blue, and pink are represented by the lowest density dot pattern, medium density dot pattern, and high density dot pattern, respectively. The drive recorder 1 configures the indicator 50 as a vertically long belt-like figure.

The position of the indicator 50 in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the position within the recording area 31 (FIG. 4). The upper end 51 of the indicator 50 corresponds to the leading sector of the recording area 31, that is, the position where video data is recorded at the start of one cycle, and the lower end 52 corresponds to the last sector of the recording area 31, that is, the end of one cycle. corresponds to the position where video data is recorded. An upper end 51 and a lower end 52 of the indicator 50 are referred to as a starting position 51 and an ending position 52, respectively.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing indicator 50 after initializing recording area 31 (FIG. 4) and before recording video data. Immediately after initialization, the drive recorder 1 fills the entire area from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 in green. That is, the portion corresponding to the empty area in the recording area 31 is filled with green.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating indicator 50 during the period when the first cycle after initialization is in progress. As the constant recording of the video data progresses in the first cycle, the drive recorder 1 fills the green portion of the indicator 50 with light blue in accordance with the area within the recording area 31 of the constantly recorded video data. A boundary between the green part and the light blue part is a mark 53 representing the current position where the video data is being recorded. The mark 53 moves from the start position 51 toward the end position 52 as the video data is recorded in the recording area 31 . The distance from the starting position 51 to the mark 53 corresponds to the amount of video data recorded in the current cycle, more precisely the amount in the recording area 31 occupied by the video data. The distance from the end position 52 to the mark 53 corresponds to the capacity of the free area in the recording area 31 . The total length of the indicator 50 corresponds to the capacity of the entire recording area 31 .

FIG. 9C shows indicator 50 at the end of the first cycle after initialization. The drive recorder 1 fills the entire area from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 with light blue. When the overwrite mode is set to ON, the drive recorder 1 fills the entire indicator 50 with light blue (when the video data is recorded in the entire recording area 31 for constant recording), 2 Start the second cycle. When the overwrite mode is set to off, continuous recording is stopped when the entire green area of the indicator 50 is filled with light blue.

FIG. 9D shows indicator 50 during the second cycle in progress. In the second cycle, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the first cycle with new video data. In the second cycle, the light blue part is filled with pink according to the area overwritten by the constant recording. A boundary between the light blue portion and the pink portion is a mark 54 representing the current position where the video data is being overwritten. The indicator 50 with the mark 54 serves as a figure indicating overwriting position information. The mark 54 moves from the start position 51 toward the end position 52 as the recording area 31 is overwritten with the video data. The distance from the starting position 51 to the mark 54 corresponds to the amount of video data overwritten in the current cycle, more precisely the amount in the recording area 31 occupied by the video data. The distance from the end position 52 to the mark 54 corresponds to the amount of space occupied by video data recorded in the previous cycle that has not been overwritten to date.

FIG. 9E shows indicator 50 at the end of the second cycle. The drive recorder 1 paints the entire area from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 in pink. When the indicator 50 fills with a pink area, start the third cycle.

FIG. 9F shows indicator 50 during the period when the third cycle is in progress. In the third cycle, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the previous second cycle with new video data. The drive recorder 1 fills the pink portion with light blue in accordance with the area overwritten by constant recording in the third cycle currently in progress. Thereafter, the drive recorder 1 alternately selects light blue and pink as colors for filling the indicator 50 each time a new cycle is started.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
Next, the effect of adopting the configuration of the drive recorder 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

By visually recognizing the relative positional relationship between the start position 51 and the end position 52 of the indicator 50 and the marks 53 and 54 (FIGS. 9B, 9D, and 9F), the user can view the latest image in the recording area 31. You can visually recognize the position where the data is recorded.

When the overwrite mode is set to ON, old video data recorded in the recording area 31 is overwritten with new video data. However, some of the video data recorded in the recording area 31 should be left without being erased. The user should memorize the position of the mark 53 (FIG. 9B) or the mark 54 (FIGS. 9D and 9F) displayed on the indicator 50 when video data that the user does not want to erase is recorded.

After the start of a new cycle, the user does not want erasure based on the distance from the position of mark 54 (FIGS. 9D, 9F) shown on indicator 50 to the position where the video data that he does not want erasure was recorded. It is easy to notice a situation in which video data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. Since it is possible to notice a situation in which overwriting is likely to occur before video data that is not desired to be erased is overwritten, it is possible to perform an operation to avoid overwriting. Operations for avoiding overwriting include, for example, turning off the power of the drive recorder 1 and removing the SD card from the SD card insertion slot 4 (FIG. 1B).

In the first embodiment, the information indicating the current overwrite position is graphically displayed as the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D and 9F) including the mark 54. FIG. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the overwriting position information by looking at the displayed figure. This makes it easier to notice situations in which new video data is likely to overwrite video data that is not desired to be erased.

The user intuitively grasps the size of the portions of the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9A to 9F) that are given the same color, thereby allowing the user to make the marks 53 and 54 in the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9B, 9D, FIG. 9D). 9F) can be recognized. The user can immediately recognize a state in which the video data not desired to be erased is likely to be overwritten by seeing the mark approaching the position where the video data not desired to be erased is recorded.

Since the color of each portion within the indicator 50 remains unchanged until it is overwritten in a new cycle, the user can determine which color region of the entire recording region 31 the video data to be left without being overwritten. can be stored. As the color area memorized by the user is overwritten and becomes smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which video data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is overwritten. In addition, the user can recognize that video data that the user wants to keep has been overwritten due to the disappearance of the color area memorized by the user.

For example, it is easy to understand whether what was recorded in the past is likely to be overwritten. It is possible to know whether the video data recorded yesterday will be overwritten. Since the indicator 50 can be painted in only two colors, the overwrite state is easy to understand.

In the first embodiment, the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9B and 9C) displayed during the first cycle after initialization, and the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9D) displayed during the second and subsequent cycles. 9F) are displayed in mutually different modes. Specifically, the indicators 50 (FIGS. 9B and 9C) displayed during the progress of the first cycle are colored green and light blue, and the indicators displayed during the progress of the second and subsequent cycles 50 (FIGS. 9D-9F) are colored in light blue and pink.

By visually recognizing the color of the indicator 50, the user can easily recognize whether the current cycle is the first cycle after initialization or the second and subsequent cycles. The user does not have to worry about overwriting old video data when the current cycle is the first cycle. Additionally, users are more likely to notice that a second or subsequent cycle has started in which old video data may be overwritten.

In the first embodiment described above, the condition for ending the first cycle after the initialization of the recording area 31 is that there is no longer any empty area in the recording area 31 in which video data can be recorded. The end condition for the second and subsequent cycles is that there is no more overwritable area. By adopting such a cycle end condition, it is possible to record video data in an area corresponding to the entire recording area 31 in one cycle. This maximizes the capacity of the recording area 31 that can be recorded in one cycle. As a result, the grace period until the old video data is overwritten becomes longer.

In the first embodiment, when the overwrite mode is on, the indicator 50 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8A, and when the overwrite mode is off, the indicator 50 is not displayed as shown in FIG. 8B. By doing so, the user can determine whether the overwrite mode is currently on or off by looking at the information displayed on the screen (by confirming the presence or absence of the indicator 50). easily recognizable. When the overwrite mode is on, the user can easily notice a situation in which video data that the user does not want to erase is likely to be overwritten by looking at the displayed indicator 50 .

Furthermore, when the overwrite mode is off, the remaining recordable time is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B. The user can easily recognize the remaining recordable time by viewing the displayed information. For example, the remaining recordable time is useful for the user in determining whether or not to prepare for SD card replacement. Also, when the overwrite mode is on, the remaining time is not displayed, and when the overwrite mode is off, the remaining time is displayed, so it is easy to understand whether the overwrite mode is on or off.

Furthermore, it is easy to notice an overwrite mode setting error. For example, when the overwrite mode is set to off and the entire recording area 31 (FIG. 4) for constant recording is in a recorded state (FIG. 9C), the overwrite mode is set to on by mistake. Then, the light blue portion of the indicator 50 begins to be eroded by the pink portion. Therefore, the user is likely to notice that the overwrite mode has been erroneously set to ON. If the SD card is taken out when the pink portion begins to erode the light blue portion, it is possible to minimize the damage caused by overwriting the recorded video data by mistake.

[Modification of the first embodiment]
Next, various modifications of the first embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, two areas painted in different colors as a mark 53 (FIG. 9B) indicating the current recording position and a mark 54 (FIGS. 9D, 9F) indicating the current overwrite position within the indicator 50. using the bounds of In addition, as the marks 53 and 54, horizontal lines extending in the width direction of the indicator 50 may be used as shown in FIG. 10A, triangular symbols may be used as shown in FIG. Arrow symbols may be used.

In the first embodiment, a band-shaped figure (band graph) is used as the indicator 50, but a circle graph may be used as the indicator 50. FIG.

FIG. 10D shows an example of the indicator 50 displayed as a pie chart. In this case, the capacity of the entire recording area 31 should correspond to the central angle of 360°. It is preferable that the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 in the current cycle is indicated by a sector. For example, one radius 55 corresponds to the start position 51 and the end position 52 (FIGS. 9A to 9F), and a radius 56 at a position separated by a central angle from the radius 55 corresponding to the start position is marked 53, 54 (FIGS. 9A to 9F). 9B, 9D, and 9F).

By using a graph such as a band graph or a circle graph as the indicator 50, the user can intuitively grasp numerical information by looking at the displayed graph.

Instead of displaying the indicator 50 graphically, it may be displayed numerically as shown in FIG. 10E. For example, the ratio between the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle and the capacity of the entire recording area 31 may be displayed as a percentage. Alternatively, this ratio may be expressed as a fraction.

Instead of displaying the indicator 50 on the screen, it may be output by voice from the speaker 5 (FIGS. 1C and 3). For example, a numerical value indicating the ratio between the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle and the capacity of the entire recording area 31 may be output by voice. For example, it is preferable to output a voice saying, "Currently, 30% of the entire data is being overwritten."

In the first embodiment, the indicators 50 (FIGS. 9A to 9F) are painted in green, light blue, and pink, but they may be painted in other colors. During the progress of the second and subsequent cycles, the color applied to the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 of the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9F) is changed from a plurality of colors excluding the color applied to the empty area after initialization. You can choose from the candidates. The selected color may cycle through multiple color candidates as the number of cycles increases.

The plurality of colors used to paint the indicator 50 may be distinguished by changing any one of the three attributes of color, namely, hue, saturation, and lightness, and more preferably by changing the hue. Distinguishing colors by hue allows a user to remember colors in words that describe them.

As a cycle termination condition for terminating one cycle, a termination condition different from the termination condition used in the first embodiment may be used. For example, the cycle end condition may be that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the cycle.

In the first embodiment, the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) for recording video data is secured in the memory space of the SD card, but it may be secured in other removable media. When using a removable medium other than an SD card, connecting means corresponding to the removable medium to be used may be provided in place of the SD card slot 4 (FIG. 1) and SD card reader 24 (FIG. 3). Although the entire memory space in the removable medium is used as the recording area 31 in the first embodiment, part of the memory space may be reserved as the recording area 31 for constant recording. In this case, for example, other areas of memory space within the removable medium can be used for other purposes.

In the first embodiment, moving image data is used as the image data to be recorded in the recording area 31. However, for example, a plurality of still image data obtained in time series at regular time intervals by the camera may be used.

In the first embodiment, the sectors specified by the leading sector number and the trailing sector number are used as the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start and end of one cycle, respectively. A position and an end position may be specified. For example, as the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start and end of one cycle, the positions specified by the leading physical address and the trailing physical address in the recording area may be employed, respectively. In this case, the video data should be recorded from the leading physical address to the trailing physical address as time elapses.

In the first embodiment, a format peculiar to this system (called YP format) was used as the format of the memory space of the SD card, but other formats may be used. For example, a general format such as a FAT file system (for example, FAT32) may be adopted.

[Second embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one travel unit 32 is composed of video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from when the power of the vehicle is turned on until it is turned off. However, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F, the indicator 50 does not display the delimiters of the travel units 32 . In the second embodiment, the indicator 50 displays divisions of the running units 32 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an indicator 50 displayed by the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment. The cycle C(n+1) currently in progress overwrites the video data of the immediately preceding cycle C(n). Included within the indicator 50 is a portion corresponding to a plurality of run units 32 . For each of these travel units 32, the corresponding portion of indicator 50 is colored differently.

In FIG. 11, as an example, the video data of the i-th running unit 32 is recorded from the immediately preceding cycle C(n) to the current cycle C(n+1). The video data of the (i-2)th running unit 32 is overwritten with the video data of the (i+1)th running unit 32 currently in progress. As a mark 54 indicating the position during overwriting, a symbol (for example, a triangular symbol) is used in addition to the boundary lines of the portions with different colors.

By looking at the indicator 50, the user can easily recognize the division of the running unit 32 of the video data. Also, if the position of the current video data in the figure of the running unit 32 is remembered, the position where the current video data is recorded can be easily specified in the future. For example, it is good to remember that the (i+1)th run unit 32 which is the current run unit 32 is the second run unit 32 from the top of the indicator 50 . Based on the information "second from the top", it is possible to identify the position within the indicator 50 of the traveling unit 32 in which the current video data is recorded in the future.

In the second embodiment, each running unit 32 is given a different color, so that the user can remember the current (i+1)th running unit 32 in that color. That is, the user can memorize the portion corresponding to the running unit 32 containing the video data that the user does not want to erase in the color given to the portion corresponding to the running unit 32 . For example, the user can memorize the color of the portion corresponding to the travel unit 32 at that time when a case arises in which the user wants to keep the video data. The user continues until the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten reaches the color portion of the running unit 32 where video data that the user does not want to erase is recorded (for example, until the color portion is about to be erased). ), it can be seen that overwriting can be performed. It can be seen that the SD card should be replaced when the mark 54 indicating the overwriting position reaches just before the portion of that color. From the distance from the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten to the color portion of the running unit 32 where the video data not desired to be erased is recorded, the time to perform the overwrite avoidance operation can be known.

More types of colors than the number of running units 32 assumed to be included in one indicator 50 should be prepared as candidates for colors to be applied to portions corresponding to these running units 32 .
This avoids the appearance of two or more portions of the same color within the indicator 50 . If more running units 32 appear in the indicator 50 than the number of prepared color candidates, the colors assigned to the parts corresponding to the oldest running units 32 should be cycled in order.

In the second embodiment, each running unit 32 in the indicator 50 is given a different color. In addition, the indicator 50 may be displayed in such a manner that the separation between each running unit 32 is recognizable. For example, a mark such as a horizontal line may be attached to the section of the running unit 32. More preferably, each running unit 32 is color-coded as in the second embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, occurrence of an event is detected while video data is constantly being recorded in the recording area 31 . Events include, for example, two types of G-sensor events and one-touch events. A G sensor event occurs when the acceleration sensor 25 (FIG. 3) detects a certain amount of impact or more. A one-touch event occurs when the user operates the operation button 9 (FIGS. 1 and 3) to notify the occurrence of an event. The acceleration sensor 25, the operation button 9, and the controller 20 (FIG. 3) function as event detection means.

When the drive recorder 1 detects the occurrence of an event, the drive recorder 1 displays an event occurrence mark indicating the event occurrence in association with the indicator 50 based on the position in the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) where the video data at that time is recorded. Let Further, the drive recorder 1 gives the attribute "event occurrence" to the video data recorded when an event occurs. This attribute is stored in the area information field 28 (FIG. 7) or in the frame field 27 in the header portion of each frame.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 and the event occurrence mark 57 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 according to the third embodiment. The drive recorder 1 fills in different colors the portions corresponding to the immediately preceding cycle C(n) and the currently ongoing cycle C(n+1). The boundary between these two areas serves as a mark 54 indicating the overwriting position.

The drive recorder 1 displays an event occurrence mark 57 at a location in the indicator 50 where an event has occurred. A horizontal line extending in the width direction of the indicator 50 is displayed in the indicator 50 as the event occurrence mark 57 . The horizontal line serving as the event occurrence mark 57 is given a different color for each event.

Due to the distance from the mark 54 indicating the current overwrite position to the event occurrence mark 57, the user is likely to notice that the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, before the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is overwritten, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which it is likely to be overwritten. As a result, the user can perform an operation to avoid overwriting of video data that the user wishes to keep when a predetermined event occurs. If the recording area 31 is reserved in the SD card, the user can remove the SD card from the drive recorder 1 to avoid overwriting.

Even if the drive recorder according to the third embodiment is a dedicated machine for continuous recording without an event recording function, the user can know the position of the occurrence of the event, and can overwrite the video data up to the point just before the position. Recognize. The SD card can be replaced by the time the overwrite position reaches that position.

Since the event occurrence mark 57 has a different color for each event, the user can easily recognize the position where the video data of the event desired to be preserved is recorded. From the distance from the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten to the position where the video data of the event desired to be preserved is recorded, it is possible to know the margin time until the overwrite avoidance operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12B , an icon 59 corresponding to the event type may be displayed in the vicinity of the horizontal line serving as the event occurrence mark 57 . Event types include G-sensor events and one-touch events. This makes it easier for the user to remember the position where the event occurred for which the user wants to keep the video data.

When the FAT file system is adopted as the format of the recording area 31 of the SD card, it is preferable to store the attribute "event occurrence" to be given to the video data in the area within the file.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted.

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 and the mark 54 indicating the overwriting position displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by the drive recorder 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the indicator 50 is colored differently for each travel unit 32 . The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) calculates a delay time T1 from the current time to the start of overwriting of the video data at the start of the next run unit 32 of the run unit 32 currently being overwritten (start of constant recording). . The grace period T1 can be obtained based on the capacity from the position currently being overwritten to the start time of the next traveling unit 32 of the currently overwritten traveling unit 32 . The calculation of the grace period T1 is performed periodically at regular time intervals.

The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) compares a predetermined notification threshold value T0 with the grace period T1. As shown in FIG. 13B, when the grace period T1 becomes equal to or less than the notification threshold value T0, the drive recorder 1 notifies by voice that overwriting of the next traveling unit 32 after the currently overwritten traveling unit 32 will start. When notifying by voice, the date and time when the first video data of the running unit 32 whose overwriting is started next or the last video data of the running unit 32 is obtained are notified. For example, a voice saying "Overwriting of video data from XX minutes on XX days will begin soon", or "Overwriting of video data recorded during a run that ended on XX minutes on XX days" Overwriting will start soon." is pronounced from the speaker 5 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The user should memorize which running unit 32 contains important video data that the user does not want to erase. Upon noticing the start of overwriting of the running unit 32 containing important video data that the user does not want to erase, it is possible to take measures to avoid erasing the video data that the user does not want to erase. be possible. The notification threshold T0 may be, for example, a sufficient time (for example, about 3 minutes) for the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe place and perform an operation to avoid overwriting. For example, the user may remove the SD card from the drive recorder 1 or replace the SD card to avoid overwriting.

Since the notification is performed by voice output, the driver can notice the notification without looking away.

Instead of notifying that it will be overwritten, a grace period until overwriting may be notified. It is preferable to notify the grace time in a certain time interval. The user can recognize that the grace period until overwriting of the running unit 32 including video data that the user does not want to erase is started is getting shorter and shorter.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the fourth embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the notification performed in the fourth embodiment is performed when the engine is started (for example, when constant recording is started).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 and the mark 54 indicating the overwriting position displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by the drive recorder 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the grace period from the current time to the start of overwriting of the video data at the start of the next running unit 32 of the running unit 32 currently being overwritten at regular time intervals. Calculate T1. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, when the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is started, the estimated time T2 until overwriting of the next running unit 32 of the currently overwritten running unit 32 is started. Calculate The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) notifies the calculated scheduled time T2 from the speaker 5 by voice. For example, the drive recorder 1 outputs from the speaker 5 a voice saying, "In 15 minutes, overwriting of the video data from XX minutes on XX days will start."

The user will be able to determine when power is applied to the system (e.g., when the vehicle's accessory power is turned on, or when the engine is started), and when overwriting begins for the oldest unoverwritten mileage unit 32. Time T2 can be recognized. For example, if the oldest running unit 32 that has not been overwritten contains video data that the user does not want to erase, the user can perform an operation to avoid overwriting this video data when power is supplied to the system. For example, the SD card can be replaced.

[Sixth embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder 1 according to the sixth embodiment is used. In the first embodiment, the entire memory space of the SD card is used as a recording area 31 (FIG. 4) for constant recording. On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, in addition to the recording area 31 for constant recording, a parking monitoring recording area 38 and an event recording area 39 are secured in the memory space of the SD card. The drive recorder 1 records video data in the parking monitor recording area 38 while the vehicle is parked with the accessory power source turned off. In the event recording area 39, video data for a period before and after the occurrence of an event is recorded.

The recording area 31 for constant recording includes an area in which video data is recorded in the latest cycle C(n+1) and an area in which video data is recorded in the immediately previous cycle C(n).

The amount of storage capacity allocated to the recording area 31 for constant recording, the parking monitoring recording area 38, and the event recording area 39 can be changed by the user's operation. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the amount allocated to the recording area 31 for constant recording and the event recording area 39 is reduced and the amount allocated to the parking monitoring recording area 38 is increased.

When the amount of storage capacity allocated to the constant recording recording area 31, the parking surveillance recording area 38, and the event recording area 39 is changed, the drive recorder 1 changes the constant recording recording area 31, the parking surveillance recording area 38, and the All the event recording areas 39 are initialized. This initialization is performed regardless of whether each area is enlarged or reduced. After initialization, all these areas become free areas. Simultaneously with or after initialization of the recording area 31 for continuous recording, the indicator 50 is turned green as shown in FIG. 9A.

Since all areas are initialized when the capacities of the recording areas and other recording areas are changed, contradictions are less likely to occur. For example, when the recording area 31 for constant recording is enlarged, it is not necessary to initialize the enlarged area. In the sixth embodiment, initialization is performed even when the recording area 31 for constant recording is expanded, so that contradictions that may occur due to changes in capacity allocation can be easily avoided.

[Seventh embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 17D. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing usage divisions of the memory space of the SD card 30 used in the drive recorder 1 according to the seventh embodiment. In the memory space of the SD card 30, in addition to the recording area 31 for constant recording, a management area 35 for storing the number of times of writing and the like is secured. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) counts the total number of cycles of recording video data in the recording area 31, the number of cycles of recording video data after formatting the recording area 31, and the number of times of initialization. and stores the count result in the management area 35 .

FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 according to the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, the drive recorder 1 records the total number of cycles (total number of overwrites) in which the video data is recorded in the recording area 31 in the time display area 42, and the video data is recorded after the recording area 31 is initialized. Displays the number of cycles (the number of overwrites after initialization) and the count result of the number of initializations.

The user can estimate the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 from the total number of cycles performed on the recording area 31 for constant recording. For example, this degree of deterioration is useful information for determining whether the SD card 30 should be replaced. For example, if the format of the recording area 31 has characteristics such that file fragmentation progresses as the number of times of overwriting after initialization increases, the number of cycles in which video data is recorded after initialization will increase. useful information for deciding when to The user can decide whether or not to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization.

Based on the total number of cycles and the number of times of initialization, the user can know how many cycles the initialization is performed on average. For example, it is preferable to describe in the instruction manual or the like of the drive recorder 1 how many cycles it is preferable to perform the initialization. From the number of cycles per initialization and the number of times recommended in the instruction manual, the user can know whether the initialization is too frequent or too infrequent.

[Modification of the seventh embodiment]
Next, a drive recorder 1 according to a modification of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17D. In the seventh embodiment, the total number of times of overwriting is displayed numerically in the time display area 42, but in this modified example, the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 is displayed as an image.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 according to the modification of the seventh embodiment. The drive recorder 1 displays an icon 44 of the SD card 30 (FIG. 16A) in the mode display area 41, for example. The total overwrite count of the SD card 30 is an index of the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 . The drive recorder 1 changes the icon 44 of the SD card 30 according to the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 so that the user can easily recognize the degree of deterioration.

17B to 17D are diagrams showing an example of how the icon 44 of the SD card changes according to the degree of deterioration. In the example shown in FIG. 17B, the icon 44 is displayed so as to gradually break down as the deterioration progresses. More specifically, as the deterioration progresses, the icon 44 changes from a normal state (a new state) to a cracked state and a shattered state. In the example shown in FIG. 17C, the icon 44 is displayed so as to gradually decay as deterioration progresses. In the example shown in FIG. 17D, the color of the icon 44 is gradually changed from a bright color (eg, white) to a dark color (eg, black) as the deterioration progresses.

In addition to the icon 44, information that changes according to the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 8. FIG. For example, the shape or color of the indicator 50 may be changed. For example, the color that fills the indicator 50 may be changed, or the shape of the indicator 50 may be changed as the deterioration progresses. When changing the color that fills the indicator 50, it is preferable to change the color from light to dark as the number of cycles increases.

By changing the icon 44 or the indicator 50 according to the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30, the user can easily know when the SD card 30 should be replaced.

[Eighth embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A, 18B and 19A to 19G. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. In the first embodiment, one SD card is used for constant recording of video data, but in the eighth embodiment, two SD cards are used.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the drive recorder 1 according to the eighth embodiment as seen obliquely from behind. Two SD card insertion slots 4 are arranged vertically on the side surface of the drive recorder 1. - 特許庁A drive recorder 1 provided with two SD card insertion slots 4 is called a double slot type. An SD card is inserted into each of two SD card insertion slots 4. - 特許庁A mode in which the recording area 31 for constant recording (FIG. 4) is secured across two SD cards (hereinafter referred to as double mode), and a recording area 31 for constant recording in only one SD card are secured. However, another SD card is provided with a mode for recording other video data (hereinafter referred to as a single mode). Either mode can be selected by a user's operation. When the double mode is selected, the drive recorder 1 sequentially records video data from the SD card inserted into one SD card insertion slot 4 to the SD card inserted into the other SD card insertion slot 4. keep recording.

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 when the double mode is selected in the drive recorder 1 according to the eighth embodiment. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) displays two vertically long indicators 50 arranged vertically in a straight line in the vicinity of the right end of the video display area 40 . The upper and lower indicators 50 represent the recording areas 31 reserved in the SD cards inserted into the upper and lower SD card slots 4 (FIG. 18A), respectively. The upper end of the upper indicator 50 is the recording start position 51 of the recording area 31 for constant recording, and the lower end of the lower indicator 50 is the recording end position 52 of the recording area 31 for constant recording.

When the single mode is selected, the drive recorder 1 displays only one indicator 50 representing the recording area 31 for constant recording.

When the recording areas 31 of the two SD cards are initialized, the drive recorder 1 fills the entire area of the two indicators 50 green as shown in FIG. 19A. During constant recording, the mark 53 indicating the current recording position moves downward from the starting position 51 as shown in FIG. 19B. When the mark 53 reaches the lower end of the upper indicator 50, the mark 53 moves to the upper end of the lower indicator 50 and then starts moving from the upper end toward the end position 52 as shown in FIG. 19C. The first cycle ends when the entire area of the two indicators 50 is painted light blue as shown in FIG. 19D.

When the drive recorder 1 starts the second cycle, the mark 54 begins to move downward from the start position 51 of the upper indicator 50, and the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 is painted pink. The second cycle ends when the entire area of the two indicators 50 is painted pink as shown in FIG. 19F. Thereafter, when the third cycle is started, the mark 54 begins to move downward from the starting position 51 of the upper indicator 50 as shown in FIG. 19G. At this time, the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 is filled with light blue. In this way, the two indicators 50 are combined and change in the same manner as the single indicator 50 of the first embodiment.

When the mark 54 is positioned within the lower indicator 50, the drive recorder 1 fills in the entire area of the upper indicator 50 and the portion from the upper end of the lower indicator 50 to the mark 54 with the same color.

The user can intuitively grasp whether the double mode or the single mode is currently selected just by looking at the display of the indicator 50 .

Although only one indicator 50 is displayed when the single mode is selected in the eighth embodiment, the indicators 50 may be displayed side by side. One indicator 50 corresponds to the recording area 31 for constant recording, and the other indicator 50 corresponds to the area for recording other video data.

In the eighth embodiment, the recording area 31 for constant recording is reserved in two SD cards, but the recording area 31 for constant recording may be reserved in three or more SD cards. In this case, the indicators 50 corresponding to the number of SD cards should be displayed vertically.

[Ninth embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the eighth embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. In the eighth embodiment, the two indicators 50 are painted with two different colors, but in the ninth embodiment, the running units 32 are painted with different colors as in the second embodiment (FIG. 11).

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 according to the ninth embodiment. The drive recorder 1 fills the two indicators 50 with different colors for each travel unit 32. - 特許庁A mark 54 indicating the current overwriting position is displayed at the tail position of the cycle C(n+1) currently in progress.

When the video data of one running unit 32 is recorded over two SD cards, the portion corresponding to one running unit 32 straddles the upper indicator 50 and the lower indicator 50 . A portion corresponding to one running unit 32 straddling two indicators 50 is filled with the same color.

The user can intuitively grasp the running unit 32 in which the video data is recorded across the two SD cards. The user intuitively understands that it is necessary to remove the two SD cards from the drive recorder 1 in order to view the video data of the travel unit 32 across the two SD cards on another information device such as a personal computer. can do.

[Tenth embodiment]
A system according to the tenth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 21A-30. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. An example in which the system according to the tenth embodiment is realized by a vehicle-mounted drive recorder or a vehicle-mounted drive recorder and a personal computer will be described below.

In the tenth embodiment, a unique format (called YP format) is adopted as the format of the constant recording recording area 31 (FIG. 4) of the SD card. An SD card initialized in the YP format does not have a reserved area such as a boot sector or a file allocation table area used in the FAT file system.

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram of a system according to a tenth embodiment; This system includes a drive recorder 1 and a personal computer 60 . The SD card 30 attached to the drive recorder 1 and having video data and the like recorded by the drive recorder 1 is removed from the drive recorder 1 and attached to an SD card reader 61 connected to a personal computer 60 . As a result, the personal computer 60 can process the video data. Conversely, information stored in the SD card 30 by the personal computer 60 can be read by the drive recorder 1 .

FIG. 21B is a block diagram of the personal computer 60. As shown in FIG. The personal computer 60 has a microprocessing unit (MPU) 62 . A ROM 63 and a RAM 64 are connected to the MPU 62 . Furthermore, a hard disk drive 65, a keyboard 66, and a monitor 67 are connected to the MPU 62 via corresponding interfaces and the like. Furthermore, an SD card reader 61 , a mouse 68 and a printer 69 are connected to the MPU 62 via the USB port of the personal computer 60 . The hard disk drive 65 stores an operating system (OS) of the personal computer 60, application programs running on the OS, various data, and the like.

The user can activate a desired application program by operating the mouse 68 and double-clicking an icon for activating the application program, using functions of the OS. The personal computer 60 implements the functions desired by the user by the MPU 62 executing the activated application program.

The system according to the tenth embodiment can divide video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 into smaller video data (hereinafter referred to as processing units) based on predetermined classification conditions during constant recording. . Furthermore, the video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 can be classified into processing units based on predetermined classification conditions by the application program of the personal computer 60 (FIG. 21A) after recording. The drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 execute processing for each further divided processing unit.

22A to 23, processing for classifying video data based on predetermined classifying conditions during continuous recording by the drive recorder 1 will be described.

FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a screen for inputting classification conditions displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1. FIG. The MPU 62 (FIG. 21B) displays on the liquid crystal display 8 symbol marks 70 indicating four kinds of classification conditions, namely, "1 minute", "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "power on-off". do. A check box 71 is displayed for each of these classification conditions. Furthermore, a "return" button and an "OK" button are displayed.

The division conditions of "1 minute", "2 minutes", and "3 minutes" mean that the video data is divided at fixed time intervals, ie, 1-minute intervals, 2-minute intervals, and 3-minute intervals, respectively. Since the time interval corresponds to the number of frames of a moving image, when dividing at fixed time intervals, it is sufficient to divide into units of a fixed number of frames. When the video data is partitioned, it is not partitioned between the frames included in one block 26 (FIG. 7) which is the transfer unit of the video data, and the video data is partitioned with the block 26 as one indivisible mass. The classification condition of "power on-off" means that the video data is classified when the power of the vehicle is turned on and when it is turned off. The classification condition of "power on-off" will be referred to as "power condition".

The user can select one classification condition by operating the operation button 9 (FIGS. 1B and 3) to check the check box 71. FIG. After selecting one classification condition, when the "OK" button is selected, the selected classification condition is input to the drive recorder 1. FIG. FIG. 22A shows an example of selecting a segmentation condition of "1 minute", and FIG. 22B shows an example of selecting a segmentation condition of "2 minutes".

FIG. 23 is a timing chart during normal recording. The drive recorder 1 always starts recording when the power of the vehicle is turned on, and stops recording when the power of the vehicle is turned off. In FIG. 23, a thick solid line indicates a period during which constant recording is performed, and a broken line indicates a period during which constant recording is stopped. Video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 while the power of the vehicle is on constitutes one travel unit 32 .

FIG. 23 shows an example in which the classification condition is set to "1 minute" when the power of the vehicle is turned on, and the user changes the classification condition to "2 minutes" while driving. During the period when the division condition is set to "1 minute", the drive recorder 1 divides the constantly recorded video data at intervals of 1 minute. As a result, the video data is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 each having a recording time of 1 minute. When the division condition is changed to "two minutes", the drive recorder 1 divides the constantly recorded video data into two-minute intervals from that time. As a result, the video data is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 each having a recording time of 2 minutes.

When the classification condition is changed, if the time corresponding to the classification condition has not elapsed since the video data being recorded was last divided, a processing unit 36 shorter than the time specified by the classification condition is generated. do. Furthermore, when the power of the vehicle is turned off, similarly, a processing unit 36 shorter than the time designated by the classification condition is generated.

The drive recorder 1 stores information specifying the divided processing units 36 in the RAM 20c (FIG. 3). The information specifying the processing unit 36 includes information specifying the position in the recording area 31 where each processing unit 36 is recorded, for example, the head sector number. Information specifying the processing units 36 stored in the RAM 20c by the drive recorder 1 is called a file list. Also, the process of classifying into the processing units 36 is called listing. The process of creating information specifying the position in the recording area 31 where each processing unit 36 is recorded is called list creation. The partitioned processing unit 36 can also be called a file list unit.

The drive recorder 1 can perform processing for each processing unit 36 . As an example of processing for each processing unit 36, for example, there is processing for displaying the attributes of each processing unit 36 on the liquid crystal display 8 in the form of a list.

FIG. 22C is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the attributes of each processing unit 36 (FIG. 23) are displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 in a table format. The drive recorder 1 displays, as attributes for each processing unit 36, date/time information 72 when the first video data of the processing unit 36 was obtained, and a thumbnail 73 of the first video data. Further, the drive recorder 1 displays a scroll bar, an "erase one" button, and an "erase all" button. The functions of "erase one" and "erase all" will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 24A to 26, a description will be given of the processing by which the personal computer 60 (FIGS. 21A and 21B) classifies video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 based on predetermined classification conditions. First, the user removes the SD card 30 from the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 21A) and inserts it into the SD card reader 61 of the personal computer 60 .

FIG. 24A is a diagram showing an image for inputting sorting conditions displayed on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) by the personal computer 60. FIG. Similar to the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 shown in FIG. 22A, the personal computer 60 displays symbol marks 75 and check boxes 76 indicating the classification conditions on the monitor 67 . In addition, a "return" button and an "OK" button are displayed. FIG. 24A shows an example in which "1 minute" is selected as the classification condition. When the user selects '1 minute' and clicks the 'OK' button, the computer divides the video data recorded in the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) of the SD card 30 into 1-minute intervals.

The first row in FIG. 26 shows how to classify (list) when "1 minute" is selected as the classifying condition. For example, video data of two running units 32 are recorded in the recording area 31 . The personal computer 60 divides the video data into 1-minute intervals for each running unit 32 . As a result, each video data of the running unit 32 is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 (file list units) each having a recording time of 1 minute. At the end of each run unit 32, a processing unit 36 with a recording time of less than one minute is generated. One run unit 32 can be said to be a collection of video data classified based on power supply conditions. That is, segmenting the video data with the segmentation condition of the time interval of 1 minute means that the portion from the beginning to the end of the segmented video data (corresponding to the run unit 32) based on the power supply condition is processed at the time interval of 1 minute. It is equivalent to classifying based on the classification conditions of

The second and third stages of FIG. 26 show how the video data is divided when "2 minutes" and "3 minutes" are selected as the division conditions, respectively. It is divided into processing units 36 each consisting of video data corresponding to recording times of 2 minutes and 3 minutes, respectively. In this way, when creating a file list, the period between power on and power off (for example, from the start of recording to the stop of recording) is divided into units of the set number of frames (eg, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc.). to create a file list.

FIG. 25A shows an image displayed on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) by the personal computer 60 when "power on-off" is selected as the classification condition. A check is put in the check box corresponding to the classification condition "power on-off". The fourth row in FIG. 26 shows how to classify when "power on-off" is selected as the classifying condition. In this case, the segmented processing units 36 match the running units 32 .

The personal computer 60 stores information (file list) specifying the divided processing units 36 in the RAM 64 (FIG. 21B). The information specifying the processing unit 36 includes link information to each processing unit 36, for example, the leading sector number, as in the case of partitioning by the drive recorder 1. FIG.

The personal computer 60 displays the attributes of each processing unit 36 on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) in list form.

FIG. 24B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the personal computer 60 displays the attributes of each processing unit 36 on the monitor 67 in a table format. FIG. 24B shows an example in which "1 minute" is selected as the classification condition. The personal computer 60 displays, as attributes for each processing unit 36, for example, date/time information 77 when the head video data of the processing unit 36 was acquired and a thumbnail 78 of the head video data. Furthermore, the personal computer 60 displays a scroll bar, a "delete one" button, and a "delete all" button. The date/time information 77 of the processing unit 36 is incremented by one minute.

FIG. 25B shows an example of an image displayed on the monitor 67 by the personal computer 60 when "power on-off" is selected as the classification condition. The date and time information 77 of the processing unit 36 represents the date and time when the power was turned on.

When the user inputs a sorting condition different from the current sorting condition for video data that has already been sorted based on a certain sorting condition, the personal computer 60 sorts the video data based on the input new sorting condition. repartition.

Next, referring to FIGS. 27A to 28, processing for making the image invisible will be described as an example of processing for each processing unit 36. FIG. This process can be executed by both the drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 . The processing of the personal computer 60 will be described below. The processing executed by the drive recorder 1 is also the same as the processing of the personal computer 60 .

As shown in FIG. 27A, for example, a case where the user selects one processing unit 36 starting from 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016 and clicks the "delete one item" button will be described in detail. .

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the arrangement of frames of video data recorded in the recording area 31. As shown in FIG. Video data of a plurality of running units 32 are recorded in the recording area 31 . Video data is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 for each running unit 32 . A plurality of frames are sequentially numbered starting from 1 for each running unit 32 . In the example shown in FIG. 28, the number of frames in one processing unit 36 is n. For example, the first frame Fa of the first running unit 32 in the recording area 31 corresponds to video data recorded at 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016. FIG. The frames from the leading frame Fa to the trailing frame Fb of the running unit 32 are to be erased.

The personal computer 60 erases the processing unit 36 starting from the frame Fa of the first running unit 32 in the recording area 31 . In the erasing process, the personal computer 60 sets a non-listed flag (hereinafter referred to as a non-listed flag) defined in the frame header portion in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) of the block 26 and the area information field 28. stand up The area where the block 26 and the frames Fa to Fb which are the object of the erasing process is recorded does not become an empty area by the erasing process.

FIG. 27B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the attributes of the processing unit 36 are displayed in a table format on the monitor 67 after the unlisted flag is set. Personal computer 60 (FIGS. 21A and 21B
) skips the processing unit 36 starting from 12:02:00 on Jan. 1, 2016, and displays the attributes of a plurality of other processing units 36 . The personal computer 60 does not list the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set. Furthermore, when reproducing the video data, the personal computer 60 skips the video data included in the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set and reproduces the video data. That is, the video data (part of the video data) included in the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set cannot be reproduced. Therefore, the erasing process can be said to be "a process of excluding from the object of reproduction". In addition, since the processing unit 36 with the unlisted flag set is neither displayed in the list nor reproduced, the erasing process can also be called "invisible processing".

In the example shown in FIG. 28, the frames from the frame Fa to the frame Fb excluded from the reproduction object are marked with a dot pattern. Furthermore, it is also possible to exclude a plurality of processing units 36 from the reproduction target by repeating the process of erasing one record. When the user clicks the "delete all" button shown in FIG. 24B, the personal computer 60 excludes all processing units 36 in the recording area 31 from being reproduced.

When repartitioning video data with a non-listing flag set in some processing units 36, the block 26 (FIG. 7) or frame with the non-listing flag set is not listed and listed. are skipped and segmentation is performed on video data consisting of blocks 26 or frames for which the unlisted flag is not set.

Next, a description will be given of the process of resuming constant recording on an SD card in which video data with a non-list flag set in some of the blocks 26 (FIG. 7) or frames is recorded. This processing differs depending on whether or not the block 26 or frame located at the end of the video data recorded in the latest cycle has the unlisted flag set.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing how to overwrite when the block 26 or frame Fc positioned at the end of the latest cycle C(n+1) is not flagged as non-listed. In FIG. 29, the frames flagged as unlisted are marked with a dot pattern. When the drive recorder 1 newly starts constant recording, it overwrites the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C(n) with new video data in order of oldest. When the recording area 31 is full and one cycle ends, the new processing unit 36 (the frame recorded at the top of the recording area 31) before the processing unit 36 with the unlisted flag set is replaced with the new processing unit 36. Overwrite with video data. The video data (eg, frame) of the processing unit 36 with the unlisted flag set is overwritten after overwriting the previously recorded video data. This overwriting process is the same as the process of overwriting the recording area 31 in which the non-listing flag is not set in any of the blocks 26 and frames.

FIG. 30 shows how to overwrite when a non-listing flag is set in block 26 or frame Fd (for example, the video data last recorded on the SD card) positioned at the end of the latest cycle C(n+1). FIG. 10 shows. Frame Fd corresponds to the final frame of video data recorded in the latest cycle C(n+1). In FIG. 30, the frames with the unlisted flag are marked with a dot pattern. The block 26 or frame with the unlisted flag is located at the end of the video data recorded in the latest cycle C(n+1). When the drive recorder 1 newly starts continuous recording, the last processing unit for which the non-listing flag is not set among all the processing units 36 obtained by dividing the video data recorded in the recording area 31. 36 or the video data immediately after the trailing frame Fe (video data made invisible) are erased in order of oldest and overwritten with new video data. That is, the overwriting position traces back from the position of frame Fd to the position immediately after frame Fe.

After overwriting the trailing video data recorded in the latest cycle C(n+1), the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C(n) with new video data in order of oldest.

[Effect of the tenth embodiment]
Next, the excellent effects of the tenth embodiment will be described.
In order to maximize the write speed of the SD card and to enable DMA access for all writes, it is desirable to access the SD card with consecutive sector numbers (sector addresses) as much as possible. In the tenth embodiment, by adopting a unique format (YP format), continuous frames of video data can be recorded in continuous sector number areas in the recording area 31 (FIG. 4). Therefore, the writing speed of the SD card can be maximized. For example, using two cameras, it is possible to doubly record constant recording and event recording at a resolution of 1080 PHD. When a normal FAT file system is adopted, generally only one of constant recording and event recording can be left on the SD card with a resolution of 1080 PHD using one camera. In the drive recorder 1 according to the tenth embodiment, the writing speed can be increased and stabilized.

In a normal FAT file system, a management area such as a directory entry area is provided in the memory space, and file names and cluster positions are collectively recorded in the management area. The drive recorder 1 is used in a situation where sudden events such as power on/off, SD card insertion/removal, and accidents may occur. If data is accidentally written to the management area when such an event occurs, there is a risk that all files in the SD card will become unreadable.

The tenth embodiment employs a unique format format that does not have such a management area. In the unique format, a portion equivalent to the management area of the FAT file system is included in the frame header portion for each frame in the frame field 27 (Fig. 7) and the area information field 28 (Fig. 7). . Therefore, even if a sudden event occurs while data is being written to any part of the SD card, the chronological link will not be destroyed. Even if the SD card is pulled out while data is being written to the SD card, it is possible to prevent the situation where the data in the entire SD card cannot be read due to destruction of the management area. In this way, it is possible to improve the safety performance of recording.

Furthermore, since it uses a unique format, it cannot be easily read and rewritten by a general information terminal. Therefore, the system according to the tenth embodiment has high security and tamper-preventive factors. In this way, it is possible to increase the credibility of the video and improve the security performance.

In the tenth embodiment, after the video data is recorded in the recording area 31, the video data can be divided into a plurality of processing units 36. FIG. After partitioning into processing units 36, processing for each processing unit 36 can be performed. As the processing for each processing unit, for example, a process of assigning an attribute to each processing unit 36, a process of cueing and reproducing video data from the beginning of the processing unit 36, a process of displaying a list of a plurality of processing units 36, etc. are realized. can do. This makes the system more user-friendly for users.

A point of time triggered by the start of power supply to the drive recorder 1 and a point of time triggered by the stop of the power supply can be used as classification conditions for dividing the video data. Furthermore, for a given time interval,
For example, it is possible to divide into smaller processing units 36 under the division condition of dividing at intervals of 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. This classification condition can be input to the drive recorder 1 or the personal computer 60 by the user's operation, for example.

By inputting a desired partitioning condition by the user, the video data can be partitioned according to the desired partitioning condition. A user who wants to assign a specific attribute to a portion of video data may enter a classification condition that classifies that portion from other portions.

The user can easily check the attributes of each processing unit 36 by looking at the list displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 22C) and the list displayed on the monitor 67 by the personal computer 60 (FIGS. 24B and 25B). be able to. For example, if the date and time when the first video data included in the processing unit 36 was obtained and the thumbnail of the first video data are displayed as the attributes of each processing unit 36, the user can see the date and time information or the thumbnail and play it. You can easily find video data you want to check or video data you want to delete.

Based on the attributes of the plurality of processing units 36 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 and the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60, the user can select a portion of the processing units 36 to be processed. As a result, it is possible to process some of the processing units 36 selected by the user. The user can assign specific attributes to the selected unit of processing 36 . For example, as a process for each processing unit 36, a process of giving an attribute of "exclude from reproduction" can be performed.

In the original format of the SD card adopted in the tenth embodiment, sectors in the memory space are used sequentially, so it is difficult to erase only the video data in some intermediate sectors. In the tenth embodiment, instead of erasing the video data, by giving the processing unit 36 an attribute of "excluded from reproduction", the video data in the processing unit can be omitted and reproduced. When the attributes of a plurality of processing units 36 are displayed in a list format, the processing units 36 to which the attribute "excluded from reproduction" is added are not displayed as a list. Therefore, a function substantially equivalent to erasing the video data can be realized. For example, the user can exclude video data that the user does not want a third party to see from the reproduction target.

Since the video data in the processing unit 36 excluded from the reproduction target is not deleted from the recording area, the attribute of the processing unit once excluded from the reproduction target can be returned to "not excluded from the reproduction target". .

When it is difficult to perform the desired processing on the video data with the current division of the video data, the user can re-divide the video data so that the desired processing can be easily performed by changing the division conditions. can.

When the FAT file system is used to record the video data, it is difficult to re-divide the data under different division conditions after dividing the video data into file units. The system according to the tenth embodiment is convenient for the user because the video data can be repartitioned according to the user's desired partitioning condition. Furthermore, the repartitioning does not change the video data itself in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7). Therefore, there is no need to decode and encode the video data when re-segmenting the video data. That is, re-partitioning can be performed without falsifying the video data. On the other hand, in order to divide and combine video data files in the FAT file system or the like, the video data must be decoded and encoded.

When the user selects a particular processing unit 36, the system can use the information identifying the location within the recording area 31 to quickly access the video data of the selected processing unit 36. FIG. For the user, the operability is improved. This information may be information specifying the position in the recording area 31 where the first video data in the processing unit 36 is recorded. For example, if this information is used during cue playback, the cue time of the video data at the beginning of the processing unit 36 can be shortened.

If the video data is divided at fixed time intervals, a user who remembers the elapsed time from the start of the video data in the recording area 31 to the desired video data can store the desired video data in the processing unit 36 at what number from the beginning. can be easily calculated to include This allows the user to easily access the processing unit containing the desired video data.

A user often desires to process video data for each run unit 32 . In the division method according to the tenth embodiment, the processing unit 36 obtained by division under the division condition of division at regular time intervals is divided into two processing units (running unit). For this reason, it is possible to divide the processing units 36 according to the user's request. A user who remembers the elapsed time from the beginning of the running unit 32 to the desired video data can easily calculate how many processing units 36 from the beginning of the running unit 32 contain the desired video data. can be done. This allows the user to easily access the processing unit 36 containing desired video data within the running unit 32 .

If the video data is segmented using only the power condition as the segmentation condition, the user can easily find the video data at the time when the accessory power source of the vehicle is turned on, for example.

As shown in FIG. 30, by overwriting the video data excluded from the reproduction target located at the end of the latest cycle C(n+1) with new video data, the most recorded data in the currently ongoing cycle C(n+1) is It takes longer to start overwriting old video data. If video data that is not desired to be erased is recorded in the cycle C(n+1) that is currently in progress, for example, the user can obtain time to avoid overwriting.

[Modification of the tenth embodiment]
Next, a modification of the tenth embodiment will be described.
In the tenth embodiment, fixed time intervals and power supply conditions are used as classification conditions for video data, but other classification conditions may be set based on information acquired by various sensors.

In the tenth embodiment, when reproducing video data, the video data excluded from the reproduction target is omitted and the video data not excluded from the reproduction target is continued to be reproduced. Playback may be stopped when the video data is reached.

In the tenth embodiment, when the video data is divided into the processing units 36 at constant time intervals, the processing units 36 are divided so as not to straddle two running units 32, but the running units 32 are not considered. , the entire video data may be segmented at regular time intervals. As a result, the elapsed time from the first video data to the last video data of all processing units 36 in the recording area 31 can be made constant. By dividing in this way, the user can equalize the burden required for checking the video data for each processing unit 36 .

[11th embodiment]
Next, the system according to the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The differences from the tenth embodiment will be described below, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. In the eleventh embodiment, the indicator 50 shown in the first to ninth embodiments (FIGS. 8A, 9A to 9F, FIG. 11, etc.) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 or the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60. indicate.

FIG. 31 shows an indicator 50 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 or the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60 by the system according to the eleventh embodiment. At the end of the latest cycle C(n+1), a mark 54 indicating the position during overwriting is displayed. The indicator 50 is filled in with a different color for each travel unit 32 . The video data is divided into processing units 36, and a mark 58, for example, a horizontal line, indicating the division position is displayed at a position corresponding to the boundary of the processing unit 36. FIG.

The user can easily grasp the position where the image data is divided by the function of dividing the image data. Instead of the horizontal line as the mark 58 indicating the division position, a different color may be applied to each processing unit 36 and the boundary between the different colored portions may be used as the mark 58 .

[Twelfth embodiment]
Next, the system according to the twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The differences from the tenth embodiment will be described below, and descriptions of common configurations will be omitted. In the twelfth embodiment, the drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 store the delimiting conditions for delimiting the video data in the SD card.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing memory space allocation of the SD card 30 used in the system according to the twelfth embodiment. In the memory space of the SD card 30, a classification condition storage area 37 is secured in addition to the recording area 31 for constant recording. The recording area 31 includes an area in which video data is recorded in the latest cycle C(n+1) and an area in which video data is recorded in the immediately previous cycle C(n).

The drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 store the classification conditions input by the user in the classification condition storage area 37 of the SD card 30 .

By moving the SD card 30 between the drive recorder 1 (first device) and the personal computer 60 (second device) of the system according to the twelfth embodiment, the video data recorded in the recording area 31 and the division Conditions can be passed from the drive recorder 1 to the personal computer 60 and vice versa. For example, the personal computer 60, which is a device different from the drive recorder 1 that recorded the video data, can input a classification condition for classifying the video data, and pass the input classification condition to the drive recorder 1. FIG. Conversely, the personal computer 60 may be provided with a function of sorting the video data based on the sorting conditions set by the drive recorder 1 .

For example, the video data collected by the drive recorder 1 mounted on the vehicle may be classified by the external personal computer 60 . Generally, the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60 is larger than the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 mounted on the vehicle. The user can easily check the date and time when the video data at the beginning of each processing unit 36 was acquired and the thumbnail on the personal computer 60 . This allows the user to easily perform operations on video data for each unit of processing.

It goes without saying that each of the above-described embodiments is an example, and partial substitutions or combinations of configurations shown in different embodiments are possible. Each component described in each embodiment may be combined arbitrarily. In addition, the invention and each component described in the means for solving the problems may be further applied to the combination of each component of each embodiment. Similar actions and effects due to similar configurations of multiple embodiments will not be sequentially referred to for each embodiment. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes, improvements, combinations, etc. are possible.

1 Drive recorder 2 Lens 3 DC jack 4 SD card slot 5 Speaker 6 HD output terminal 7 Joint rail 8 Liquid crystal display 9 Operation button 15 Windshield 16 Room mirror 17 Power cable 18 Cigarette socket 20 Controller 20a CPU
20b ROM
20c RAM
20d Timer 20e Buffer area 21 Camera 22 Database 23 GPS receiver 24 SD card reader 25 Acceleration sensor 26 Transfer unit block 27 Frame field 28 Area information field 30 SD card 31 Recording area for constant recording 32 Travel unit 33 Transfer destination Area 35 Management area 36 Processing unit 37 Classification condition storage area 38 Parking surveillance recording area 39 Event recording area 40 Video display area 41 Top area (mode display area)
42 Lower end area (time display area)
44 SD card icon 50 Indicator 51 Top end (start position)
52 lower end (end position)
53 Mark indicating the current recording position 54 Marks indicating the current overwriting position 55, 56 Radius 57 Event occurrence mark 58 Mark indicating the boundary of processing unit 59 Icon corresponding to event occurrence 60 Personal computer 61 SD card reader 62 Micro Processing Unit (MPU)
63 ROMs
64 RAM
65 hard disk drive (HDD)
66 Keyboard 67 Monitor 68 Mouse 69 Printer 70 Symbol mark indicating classification condition 71 Check box 72 Date and time information 73 Thumbnail 75 Symbol mark indicating classification condition 76 Check box 77 Date and time information 78 Thumbnail C (n+1) Currently in progress (latest) cycle C(n) immediately preceding cycle T0 notification threshold T1 delay time T2 scheduled time

Claims (7)

A drive recorder having a function of recording video from a camera to a removable medium,
a function to initialize the removable media;
and a function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium.
A drive recorder characterized by The function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of displaying an image showing the removable medium by changing it according to the degree of deterioration of the removable medium.
The drive recorder according to claim 1, characterized by: The function of changing and displaying an image representing the removable medium according to the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of changing a color according to the degree of deterioration of the removable medium.
3. The drive recorder according to claim 2, characterized by: The function of changing and displaying the image representing the removable medium according to the degree of deterioration of the removable medium has a function of changing from a light color to a dark color according to the degree of deterioration of the removable medium.
4. The drive recorder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by: The function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of notifying the total number of overwrites in the removable medium.
5. The drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by: Equipped with constant recording function,
The function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of notifying the total number of recording cycles performed on the recording area of the constant recording function.
6. The drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by: A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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