JP4845481B2 - Information recording apparatus, information recording method, information recording program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus for recording information, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a computer-readable recording medium. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described information recording apparatus, information recording method, information recording program, and computer-readable recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a drive recorder that records the surrounding situation of a running vehicle is known in the same manner as a flight recorder mounted on an airplane. Such a drive recorder includes, for example, a front camera that captures the front of the vehicle, a rear camera that captures the rear, and a divided image forming unit that writes the front and rear images in a predetermined area of the image memory in synchronization with the reference signal.

  The drive recorder steadily records the image memory information in the buffer memory by adding vehicle position information and time information. And it has been proposed to save the video as a trigger when it exceeds the predetermined value of the impact detection sensor, and to use it as a verification material in the accident identification and accident identification when encountering an incident such as an accident For example, see the following Patent Document 1.)

JP 2004-224105 A

  However, according to the above-described prior art, since the video is stored with the impact detection sensor detecting an impact of a predetermined value or more as a trigger, when priority is given to video recording, the sensitivity of the impact detection sensor serving as the trigger is increased. Must be set. When the sensitivity is increased, even a minor accident or attempted accident can be detected and the video can be saved by detecting an impact. On the other hand, there is a problem that storing a large number of videos may cause the storage capacity of the recording medium to overflow, which may prevent the video from being saved when a serious accident is encountered. In particular, when driving continuously from the starting point to the arriving point, there is a problem that if a large number of videos are stored at the beginning of driving, the capacity of the recording medium will be lost at the end.

  On the other hand, when giving priority to the recording capacity of the recording medium, it is necessary to set the sensitivity of the impact detection sensor as a trigger low. If the sensitivity is lowered, the possibility of being unable to save the video when encountering a serious accident is reduced without saving the video for minor accidents or attempted accidents. On the other hand, one example is the problem that it is not possible to analyze the video of minor accidents and accident attempts (near incidents) and use them for accident prevention.

  Further, when the user uses a plurality of replaceable recording media and the user replaces the spare recording medium when the recording medium is full, the user is forced to prepare the spare recording medium. An example is the problem that video cannot be saved if a serious accident is encountered during replacement.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information recording apparatus according to claim 1 is an information recording apparatus for overwriting and storing information on a traveling state of a moving body that is continuously input. A setting means for setting the time, a calculating means for calculating a required time to the destination set by the setting means, and a detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving object according to the required time calculated by the calculating means Determining means for determining the sensitivity; detecting means for detecting the behavior of the moving body based on the detection sensitivity determined by the determining means; and traveling of the moving body when the behavior of the moving body is detected by the detecting means Storage means for storing information on the state in a recording medium.

  An information recording method according to a fourth aspect of the invention is an information recording method used by an information recording apparatus that overwrites and saves information relating to a traveling state of a moving body that is continuously input, and a setting step for setting a destination point; A calculation step of calculating a required time to the destination set by the setting step, and a determination step of determining the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving body as a detection sensitivity corresponding to the required time calculated by the calculation step And a detection step for detecting the behavior of the moving body based on the detection sensitivity determined by the determining step, and information relating to a traveling state of the moving body when the behavior of the moving body is detected by the detection step. And a storage step for storing the data.

  An information recording program according to a fifth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the information recording method according to the fourth aspect.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium records the information recording program according to the fifth aspect.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of information recording device)
The functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an information recording apparatus 100 that overwrites and records information on a traveling state of a moving body that is continuously input includes a setting unit 101, a calculation unit 102, a determination unit 103, a detection unit 104, and a storage unit. 105 and the detection part 106 are comprised.

  The setting unit 101 sets a destination point in the moving body. For example, the destination point may be set by a user operating an input unit (not shown), or may be configured to set a stop point, a break point, or the like.

  The calculation unit 102 calculates the required time to the destination point set by the setting unit 101. The required time may be calculated based on, for example, the moving speed of the moving object and the distance from the starting point or the current point to the destination point, and may be configured with road traffic information such as road information and traffic jam information. It is good. Moreover, you may calculate the arrival time which arrives at the destination point.

  The determination unit 103 determines the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving body as a detection sensitivity corresponding to the required time calculated by the calculation unit 102. The behavior of the moving body is detected by, for example, the detection unit 104 described later, and may include information including the operation and operation of the moving body. The detection sensitivity is a sensitivity for detecting the behavior in the detection unit 104.

  The determination unit 103 may be configured to determine the detection sensitivity so that the storage amount by the storage unit 105 in the recording medium within a predetermined time calculated by the calculation unit 102 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Further, the determination unit 103 may be configured to determine the detection sensitivity according to the remaining amount of the recording medium detected by the detection unit 106 described later.

  The detection unit 104 detects the behavior of the moving object based on the detection sensitivity determined by the determination unit 103. For example, the behavior of the moving body may be detected based on the output of various sensors mounted on the moving body by information including the operation and operation of the moving body. More specifically, a vibration sensor, a G sensor, a contact sensor for a moving body, and a sensor capable of detecting information related to operations such as a handle operation, a direction instruction signal input operation, an accelerator pedal operation, and a brake pedal operation may be used. Further, the behavior may be detected when, for example, a predetermined threshold value or a predetermined pattern is provided for the output of various sensors and the output is equal to or higher than the threshold value or approximate to the predetermined pattern. More specifically, it may be a threshold value when the moving body exhibits a dangerous behavior, and a sudden vibration or G of a predetermined value or more due to a collision or a predetermined pattern or a sudden handle of a predetermined angle or more. It is also possible to employ a configuration that detects an operation for performing the operation, unnecessary or acceleration or deceleration of a predetermined pattern, and the like.

  The storage unit 105 stores information on the traveling state of the moving body when the detection unit 104 detects the behavior of the moving body in a recording medium. The information related to the running state is information including, for example, the moving route of the moving body, the moving speed, the video / audio around the moving body, the time when it is determined, the detection result of the detecting unit 104, and the like.

  The detection unit 106 detects the remaining amount of the recording medium. The remaining amount may be detected based on, for example, the number of times of storage by the storage unit 105 and the stored data capacity. And it is good also as a structure which determines the detection sensitivity of the detection part 104 by the above-mentioned determination part 103 based on the residual amount detected by the detection part 106. FIG.

(Contents of information recording device processing)
Next, the processing contents of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the setting unit 101 accepts setting of a destination point on the moving body (step S201). For example, the destination point may be set by a user operating an input unit (not shown), or may be configured to set a stop point or a rest point.

  Then, the calculation unit 102 calculates the required time to the destination point set in step S201 (step S202). The required time may be calculated based on, for example, the moving speed of the moving object and the distance from the starting point or the current point to the destination point, and may be configured with road traffic information such as road information and traffic jam information. It is good. Moreover, you may calculate the arrival time which arrives at the destination point.

  Subsequently, the determination unit 103 determines the detection sensitivity for detecting the behavior of the moving object according to the required time calculated in step S202 (step S203). The detection sensitivity is, for example, a sensitivity for detecting the behavior of the moving body in the detection unit 104.

  Then, the detection unit 104 detects the behavior of the moving body based on the detection sensitivity determined in step S203 (step S204). For example, the behavior of the moving body may be detected based on the output of various sensors mounted on the moving body by information including the operation and operation of the moving body. The behavior may be detected, for example, when a predetermined threshold value is provided for various sensors and the output exceeds the threshold value.

  Next, the storage unit 105 stores information related to the traveling state of the moving body when the behavior of the moving body is detected in step S204 in a recording medium (not shown) (step S205), and ends the series of processes. The information related to the running state is information including, for example, the moving route of the moving body, the moving speed, the video / audio around the moving body, the time when the behavior is detected, the detection result of the detecting unit 104, and the like.

  Also, in this figure, in step S203, the detection sensitivity is determined according to the time required to reach the destination point, but the storage amount by the storage unit 105 to the recording medium within a predetermined time is less than the predetermined amount. In this way, the detection sensitivity may be determined. Further, the detection sensitivity may be determined according to the remaining amount of the recording medium detected by the detection unit 106.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the behavior of the moving object is detected by determining the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving object according to the required time to the destination point and the capacity of the recording medium. The traveling state of the moving body is stored in a recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to optimally save the running state without using a capacity of a recording medium for saving the running state, and to use the saved running state for accident verification and accident prevention data.

  Example 1 of the present invention will be described below. In the first embodiment, an example in which the information recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented by a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) will be described.

(Peripheral device configuration of navigation device)
First, the peripheral device configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle in which the navigation device according to the first embodiment is installed.

  In FIG. 3, the navigation apparatus 300 is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The navigation device 300 includes a main body M and a display unit (display) D. The display unit D displays the current location of the vehicle, map information, the current time, and the like.

  The navigation device 300 is connected to an in-vehicle camera 311 installed on the dashboard and an in-vehicle microphone 312 installed in the sun visor. The in-vehicle camera 311 includes a fixed camera that captures the front outside the vehicle and a fixed camera that captures the interior of the vehicle. The in-vehicle microphone 312 is used when recording an operation by voice input of the navigation device 300 or a state in the vehicle.

  Although not shown, the in-vehicle camera 311 may be attached to the rear part of the vehicle. When the vehicle-mounted camera 311 is attached to the rear part of the vehicle, the safety at the rear of the vehicle can be confirmed, and the situation at the time of rear-end collision can be recorded when the rear-end collision occurs from another vehicle. In addition, the vehicle-mounted camera 311 may be an infrared camera that records in a dark place. Further, the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312 may be a fixed camera or a movable camera that is installed in the vehicle.

  The navigation device 300 has a drive recorder function for recording the traveling state of the vehicle, in addition to searching for a route to the destination and recording information. The drive recorder function is a navigation device that displays video and audio obtained by the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312, current vehicle position information obtained by a GPS unit 415 and various sensors 416 described later, changes in traveling speed, and the like. Recording is performed on 300 recording media (a magnetic disk 405 and an optical disk 407 described later).

  By using such a drive recorder function to constantly record the driving conditions, when the vehicle is involved in an accident or when an accident occurs around the vehicle, the material used to investigate the facts is obtained. be able to. Information to be recorded using the drive recorder function may be accumulated as long as the recording capacity of the recording medium is not exceeded, or may be sequentially erased while leaving a record for a predetermined time. In addition, the recording medium may have a recording area for overwriting recording that constantly records the traveling state, and a storage area for storing the traveling state when involved in an accident. A plurality of recording media and a plurality of storage media may be provided.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device 300)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, a navigation device 300 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, and includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk drive 404, magnetic disk 405, optical disk drive 406, optical disk 407, and audio. I / F (interface) 408, microphone 409, speaker 410, input device 411, video I / F 412, display 413, communication I / F 414, GPS unit 415, various sensors 416, and camera 417 And. Each component 401 to 417 is connected by a bus 420.

  First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 402 stores programs such as a boot program, a route search program, a route guidance program, a voice generation program, a map information display program, a communication program, a database creation program, and a data analysis program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

  Here, the route search program searches for an optimal route from the departure point to the destination point using map information recorded on the optical disc 407 described later. Here, the optimum route is the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination point or the route that best matches the conditions specified by the user. Further, not only the destination point but also a route to a stop point or a rest point may be searched. The guidance route searched by executing the route search program is output to the audio I / F 408 and the video I / F 412 via the CPU 401.

  The route guidance program is based on the guidance route information searched by executing the route search program, the current location information of the navigation device 300 acquired by the communication I / F 414, and the map information read from the optical disc 407. Real-time route guidance information can be generated. The route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program is output to the audio I / F 408 and the video I / F 412 via the CPU 401.

  The sound generation program generates tone and sound information corresponding to the pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated and output to the voice I / F 408 via the CPU 401.

  Also, the map information display program determines the display format of the map information displayed on the display 413 by the video I / F 412 and displays the map information on the display 413 according to the determined display format.

Further, the CPU 401 sets a threshold value for trigger detection. The trigger is, for example,
It is an opportunity to save an image for a drive recorder, which will be described later, and it may be configured such that various sensors 416 are triggered by an output exceeding a predetermined threshold or an output approximating a predetermined pattern. Further, the trigger detection threshold is, for example, a threshold for detecting a trigger, and may be the sensor detection sensitivity of various sensors 416 or the like.

  Further, the threshold value for trigger detection by the CPU 401 may be configured based on, for example, the time required to reach a destination point or a stop-off point and the capacity of a recording medium such as a magnetic disk 405 or an optical disk 407 described later. The capacity of the recording medium may be configured to detect the remaining amount of the storage area and set a threshold corresponding to the remaining amount.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disc drive 406 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disc 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  As an example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407, images and sounds inside and outside the vehicle obtained by the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312 shown in FIG. 3, and a vehicle detected by a GPS unit 415 described later. Current position information, output values from various sensors 416 described later, and the like. These pieces of information are recorded by the drive recorder function of the navigation device 300 and used as verification materials when a traffic accident occurs.

  Other examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 include map information used for route search and route guidance. The map information includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is displayed in two or three dimensions on the display screen of the display 413. Drawn. When the navigation device 300 is guiding a route, the map information and the current location of the vehicle acquired by the GPS unit 415 described later are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The traffic condition data stores past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and time. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the traffic jam that is currently occurring based on road traffic information received by the communication I / F 414 described later, but can predict the traffic jam situation at a specified time by using the past traffic jam information. Become.

  In the first embodiment, the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not recorded only on the one provided integrally with the hardware of the navigation device 300, and may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In that case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map information via a network through communication I / F414, for example. The acquired map information is stored in the RAM 403 or the like.

  The audio I / F 408 is connected to an audio input microphone 409 (for example, the in-vehicle microphone 312 in FIG. 3) and an audio output speaker 410. The sound received by the microphone 409 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 408. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 410. Note that the voice input from the microphone 409 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 as voice data.

  Examples of the input device 411 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

  The video I / F 412 is connected to the display 413 and the camera 417 (for example, the on-vehicle camera 311 in FIG. 3). Specifically, the video I / F 412 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 413, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 413 is configured by a control IC that controls display.

  The display 413 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 413, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted. The display 413 is installed in a manner like the display unit D in FIG. 3, for example. A plurality of displays 413 may be provided in the vehicle, for example, for the driver and for a passenger seated in the rear seat.

  The camera 417 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, a camera 417 captures the behavior of a passenger inside the vehicle, and the captured image is output to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk 405 or an optical disk 407 via the image I / F 412. To do. In addition, a situation outside the vehicle is photographed by the camera 417, and the photographed video is output to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 via the video I / F 412. The video output to the recording medium is overwritten and stored as a drive recorder image.

  In addition, the communication I / F 414 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 414 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 414 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  Further, the GPS unit 415 uses a received wave from a GPS satellite and output values from various sensors 416 (for example, an angular velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a tire rotation number, etc.) to be described later, and the current position of the vehicle (navigation device 300). Information indicating the current location). The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude. In addition, the GPS unit 415 outputs an odometer, a speed change amount, and an azimuth change amount using output values from the various sensors 416. This makes it possible to analyze dynamics such as sudden braking and sudden steering.

  Here, a method of specifying the current location using the GPS unit 415 will be described. First, in GPS, a total of 24 GPS satellites are arranged, four each in six orbital planes around the earth. These satellites are adjusted in orbit so that the same satellites are located at the same time every day, and 5-6 satellites are always visible from any point on the earth (but need to be in a clear line of sight) .

  The GPS satellites are equipped with cesium (Cs) atomic clocks (oscillators), and keep accurate time in synchronization with the time of each satellite. Furthermore, each satellite is equipped with one cesium oscillator and two rubidium (Rb) oscillators as backups. This is because accurate time is indispensable for position measurement by GPS.

  A GPS satellite transmits radio waves (hereinafter referred to as GPS signals) having two frequencies of 1575.42 MHz (L1) and 1227.60 MHz (L2). This radio wave is modulated by a random number code called a pseudo random code (Pseudo Random Noise Code). When the radio wave is received by the GPS unit 415 or the like, the signal content is decoded with reference to a code corresponding to the random number table.

  The GPS unit 415 measures the time difference between the time when the GPS signal is emitted from the GPS satellite and the time when the own device receives the GPS signal, using the decoded code and the clock in the own device. Then, the time difference is multiplied by the propagation speed of the radio wave to calculate the distance from the GPS satellite to its own device (distance = speed × time). This time is synchronized with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

  Since the GPS satellites send accurate information on the orbit, the current location of the GPS satellites can be accurately known. Therefore, if the distance from the GPS satellite is known, the current location of the device is any point on the sphere centered on the GPS satellite and having the calculated distance as a radius. The GPS signal code string is repeatedly sent at intervals of about 1 ms. Since the propagation speed of the GPS signal is 400,000 km / second, the maximum measurement distance is 400,000 × 0.001 = 400 km. Therefore, it is necessary to know the current location of the device in advance with an accuracy of about 100 km.

  Thus, if the distance from three satellites among the GPS satellites is calculated, the current position of the own device is one of two points where three spherical surfaces intersect. In addition, one of the two points is far away from the point that can be predicted, and thus one point is determined in principle. However, in reality, the calculated candidate points for the current location (intersections of the three surfaces) are not two points. This is mainly because the accuracy of the clock mounted on the GPS unit 415 is lower than that of the atomic clock mounted on the GPS satellite, resulting in an error in the calculation result.

  For this reason, the GPS unit 415 receives GPS signals from a total of four GPS satellites. It can be considered that a solution is obtained by introducing new information (equation) with the error of the clock on the GPS unit 415 side as another unknown. As described above, the GPS unit 415 can obtain a substantially accurate current point that converges to one point by receiving GPS signals from four GPS satellites.

  The various sensors 416 are a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a G sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and the like, and their output values are used for calculation of the current location by the GPS unit 415, measurement of changes in speed and direction, and the like. The various sensors 416 also include sensors that detect each operation of the vehicle by the driver. The detection of each operation of the vehicle may be configured to detect, for example, steering operation, turn signal input, accelerator pedal depression, brake pedal depression, or the like. Further, the output values of the various sensors 416 may be data recorded by the drive recorder function.

  The various sensors 416 may have a configuration in which a trigger for storing the drive recorder image is set in advance and the drive recorder image is stored when the trigger is detected. The trigger in the various sensors 416 may be set, for example, when a vibration exceeding a specified level or a predetermined vibration pattern is detected by the vibration sensor. The predetermined vibration pattern may be a vibration pattern that exhibits an abnormality such as a sudden rise. Further, the trigger may be set when, for example, a G sensor more than a prescribed value or a predetermined G pattern is detected by the G sensor. The predetermined G may be applied as long as the pattern shows an abnormality such as a sudden rise. Or the structure which makes the trigger the presence or absence of contact with others, the action | operation of an airbag, or the stop of a vehicle by the contact sensor of a vehicle body may be sufficient. Furthermore, the above-described triggers may be one or more, and a plurality of triggers may be combined.

  Of the functional configuration of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the setting unit 101 is based on the CPU 401 and the input device 411, the calculation unit 102, the determination unit 103, and the detection unit 106 are based on the CPU 401, and the detection unit 104 is based on various sensors. By 416, the storage unit 105 realizes its function by the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407, respectively.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 300)
Next, the contents of the processing of the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process performed by the navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, the CPU 401 determines whether or not a destination point has been set (step S501). For example, the user may set the destination point by operating the input device 411, or may be configured to set a stop point, a break point, or the like.

  When the destination point is set in step S501 (step S501: Yes), the CPU 401 calculates the required time to the destination point (step S502). The required time may be calculated based on, for example, the traveling speed of the vehicle and the distance from the departure point to the destination point. Road information such as road information and traffic jam information acquired via the communication I / F 414 may be used. It is good also as a structure which considers traffic information. Moreover, the structure updated at predetermined intervals until it reaches the destination point may be used. In other words, if there is a change in the required time due to a change in traffic conditions or the addition of a stop point before reaching the destination point, the required time may be calculated each time. Also, the arrival time for reaching the destination point may be calculated with reference to the current time.

  Next, the CPU 401 sets a trigger detection threshold value according to the required time calculated in step S502 (step S503). The threshold value for trigger detection may be, for example, the sensor detection sensitivity of a sensor serving as a trigger for storing a drive recorder image. The threshold corresponding to the required time may be configured such that, for example, the sensor detection sensitivity is lowered when the required time to the destination point is long. More specifically, when the required time to the destination exceeds 3 hours, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 30%, and when it exceeds 5 hours, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 50%.

  Further, the threshold corresponding to the required time in step S503 may be configured to be set in a plurality of stages for the required time updated at a predetermined interval. More specifically, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 50% when the required time exceeds 5 hours, and the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 30% when the required time exceeds 3 hours and is 5 hours or less. But you can. In addition, in step S503, if there is a change in the required time due to a change in traffic conditions or the addition of a stop-by point before reaching the destination point, depending on the required time calculated each time, The threshold may be reset. Furthermore, the threshold value corresponding to the required time may be set based on a standard threshold value table recorded on a recording medium or the like as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  If the destination point is not set in step S501 (step S501: No), the trigger detection threshold is set to the standard (step S504). The standard trigger detection threshold value may be set to a predetermined value at the standard time, or may be set based on the remaining amount of the storage area, as will be described later in the second embodiment.

  Then, the camera 417 starts capturing a drive recorder image (step S505). The drive recorder image may be, for example, a moving image in a certain time such as an image around the vehicle. The drive recorder image may be overwritten on a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407. Overwrite recording is, for example, recording a moving image over a certain period of time by sequentially overwriting so as not to exceed the recording capacity of the recording medium, and has a recording medium for overwriting recording and a recording medium for overwriting recording To record.

  Next, the CPU 401 determines whether or not a trigger has been detected based on the trigger detection threshold set in step S503 or step S504 (step S506). The trigger may be, for example, an opportunity to save the drive recorder image by the output of the various sensors 416 at the sensor detection sensitivity set in step S503. More specifically, the trigger may be set when a vibration exceeding a specified level or a predetermined vibration pattern is detected by the vibration sensor. The predetermined vibration pattern may be a vibration pattern that shows an abnormality such as a sudden rising vibration. Further, the trigger may be set when, for example, a G sensor more than a prescribed value or a predetermined G pattern is detected by the G sensor. The predetermined G may be applied as long as the pattern shows an abnormality, such as a sudden rising G. Or the structure which makes the trigger the action | operation of the presence or absence of contact with others or an airbag by the contact sensor of a vehicle body may be sufficient.

  In addition, the trigger may be configured to detect a driver's driving operation that causes a dangerous behavior of the vehicle based on the outputs of the various sensors 416 at the sensor detection sensitivity set in step S503 and to use the trigger. More specifically, an unusual handle operation such as a handle operation at a specified angle or a special handle operation when drowsiness is observed without taking out a sudden handle or turn signal exceeding a predetermined angular velocity may be used as a trigger. Also, pedals that are different from normal, such as acceleration / deceleration exceeding the specified acceleration, no deceleration at intersections with no signal, no deceleration due to red signal (yellow signal), and special pedal operation when drowsiness It is good also as a structure which uses operation as a trigger. It should be noted that an abnormality in steering operation or pedal operation may be configured such that an operation pattern is registered in advance and compared with the registered operation pattern. Further, an intersection without a signal and other points that need to be stopped may be acquired based on map information recorded on a recording medium. The color of the signal may be determined from an image captured by the camera 417.

  If a trigger is detected in step S506 (step S506: Yes), the recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 stores the drive recorder image that has been overwritten in step S505 (step S507). For example, the drive recorder image may be configured to store an image at the detection time point when the trigger is detected in step S506 and a certain time before and after the detection time. Moreover, the structure which can set a fixed time by a passenger may be sufficient, and the structure which can extend the time to preserve | save may be sufficient when a specific behavior is detected again within a fixed time from the detection time. In addition, the drive recorder image may be stored in a recording medium having a storage area or a recording area having a storage area.

  In step S507, after the storage of the drive recorder image is completed, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the destination point has been reached (step S508). For example, the storage end instruction may be received via the input device 411. The instruction to end the storage may be, for example, a configuration in which the passenger is notified of the start of the storage and the passenger inputs the operation by operating the input device 411. Alternatively, the storage may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the trigger was detected in step S506.

  If no trigger is detected in step S506 (step S506: No), the process proceeds to step S508, and the CPU 401 determines whether or not the destination point has been reached (step S508).

  Here, when the destination point is reached in step S508 (step S508: Yes), the series of processes is terminated as it is. In step S508, if the destination point has not been reached (step S508: No), the process returns to step S501 and is repeated. In step S508, instead of reaching the destination point, it may be determined that the traveling of the vehicle has ended when the vehicle has stopped, and the series of processes is terminated.

  In the description of this figure, an image around the vehicle is taken and overwritten and recorded as an image for a drive recorder in step S505, but other information related to the running state such as the output of various sensors 416 is also overwritten and recorded. It is good. In that case, at the stage where the trigger is detected in step S506, the detected detection time and the output at a certain time before and after the detection may be stored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the standard threshold value table for setting the threshold value for trigger detection according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a standard threshold table according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the standard threshold table 600 has a sensor detection sensitivity 601 and a standard storage count 602. The sensor detection sensitivity 601 indicates the detection sensitivity of various sensors 416. The standard storage count 602 is associated with the sensor detection sensitivity 601 and is a standard count for storing in the recording area of the recording medium per unit time. More specifically, for example, when trigger detection is performed using a sensor with a sensor detection sensitivity 601 of 100%, the recording area is typically stored 10 times per hour. Similarly, when trigger detection is performed using a sensor having a sensor detection sensitivity 601 of 80%, the recording area is typically stored eight times per hour.

  Here, the threshold for trigger detection in the first embodiment may be configured such that the sensor detection sensitivity 601 is set based on the required time to the destination and the capacity of the recording area. More specifically, for example, when the allowable amount of the recording area is 35 times and the required time to the destination point is 5 hours, the standard storage count 602 does not exceed the allowable amount up to 6 times. . Therefore, the sensor detection sensitivity 601 is set to 60%. In other words, the threshold value for trigger detection in the first embodiment is set based on the standard threshold value table 600. The maximum standard number of preservation times is (standard preservation number) × (required time) <(allowable amount). The sensor detection sensitivity 601 corresponding to 602 may be set.

  Note that a trigger detection threshold value may be set as the storage time instead of setting the allowable amount of the recording area as the storage count. In this case, the standard storage count 602 in the standard threshold value table 600 may be set as the sensor detection sensitivity 601 in substantially the same manner as described above as the time for storing the drive recorder image per unit time.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the sensor detection sensitivity serving as the threshold for trigger detection is set according to the required time to the destination point. Since the trigger is detected based on the set sensor detection sensitivity and the drive recorder image is stored, the drive recorder image can be stored without running out of a recording area even when the required time is long. Therefore, the drive recorder image can be reliably stored, which can be used for accident verification and accident prevention data.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, it is also possible to save information related to the running state such as outputs from the various sensors 416 together with the drive recorder image. Therefore, more detailed accident verification and accident prevention data can be acquired, and accident verification and accident prevention can be reliably performed. Further, it is possible to save without changing the recording medium, and it is possible to save the drive recorder image without forcing the user to prepare a spare recording medium.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to set a trigger detection threshold value in accordance with a change in required time to the destination point. Therefore, it is generally said that accidents are likely to occur at the end of the drive for a long time. However, even at the end of the drive, as the required time decreases, the sensor detection sensitivity 601 is increased so that the image for the drive recorder can be reliably and in detail. You can save.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the case where the threshold value for trigger detection is set based on the remaining amount of the recording area in the recording medium in the navigation device 300 described in the first embodiment will be described. The peripheral device configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. The hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 300)
Here, the contents of the process of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process performed by the navigation device according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, the navigation apparatus 300 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling (step S701). For example, the determination regarding the traveling of the vehicle may be made with reference to the outputs of the various sensors 416. Here, when the vehicle is running after waiting for the vehicle to travel (step S701: Yes), the CPU 401 detects the remaining amount of the storage area in the recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407. (Step S702). Here, the storage area is, for example, a recording medium for storing a drive recorder image in the recording medium, a recording area for storage, or the like. The detection of the remaining amount may be, for example, a ratio at which the drive recorder image can be stored in the storage area. In addition, the storage area may be configured to be updated at a predetermined interval. In other words, after the first remaining amount is detected, the remaining amount may be checked constantly or periodically until the destination point is reached.

  Next, the CPU 401 sets a trigger detection threshold value in accordance with the remaining amount of the storage area detected in step S702 (step S703). The threshold value for trigger detection may be, for example, the sensor detection sensitivity of a sensor serving as a trigger for storing a drive recorder image. The threshold corresponding to the remaining amount may be configured such that, for example, the sensor detection sensitivity is lowered when the remaining amount of the storage area decreases. More specifically, when the remaining amount of the storage area is less than half, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 30%, and when the remaining amount of the storage area is less than 30%, the sensor detection sensitivity is decreased by 50%. % May be down.

  Further, the threshold corresponding to the remaining amount of the storage area in step S703 may be configured to be set in a plurality of stages with respect to the remaining amount updated at a predetermined interval. More specifically, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 30% when the remaining amount of the storage area is less than half and 30% or more, and the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced by 50% when the remaining amount of the storage area is less than 30%. The structure to do may be sufficient. In other words, always or periodically check the remaining amount of the storage area, and if it falls below the specified remaining amount in multiple stages, the threshold can be reset according to the remaining amount detected each time Good.

  Then, the camera 417 starts capturing a drive recorder image (step S704). The drive recorder image may be, for example, a moving image in a certain time such as an image around the vehicle. The drive recorder image may be overwritten on a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407. Overwrite recording is, for example, recording a moving image over a certain period of time by sequentially overwriting so as not to exceed the recording capacity of the recording medium, and has a recording medium for overwriting recording and a recording medium for overwriting recording To record.

  Next, the CPU 401 determines whether or not a trigger is detected based on the trigger detection threshold value set in step S703 (step S705). The trigger may be, for example, an opportunity to save the drive recorder image by the output of the various sensors 416 at the sensor detection sensitivity set in step S703. More specifically, the trigger may be set when a vibration exceeding a specified level or a predetermined vibration pattern is detected by the vibration sensor. The predetermined vibration pattern may be a vibration pattern that shows an abnormality such as a sudden rising vibration. Further, the trigger may be set when, for example, a G sensor more than a prescribed value or a predetermined G pattern is detected by the G sensor. The predetermined G may be applied as long as the pattern shows an abnormality, such as a sudden rising G. Or the structure which makes the trigger the action | operation of the presence or absence of contact with others or an airbag by the contact sensor of a vehicle body may be sufficient.

  In addition, the trigger may be configured to detect a driver's driving operation that causes a dangerous behavior of the vehicle based on the outputs of the various sensors 416 at the sensor detection sensitivity set in step S703 and to use the trigger. More specifically, an unusual handle operation such as a handle operation at a specified angle or a special handle operation when drowsiness is observed without taking out a sudden handle or turn signal exceeding a predetermined angular velocity may be used as a trigger. Also, pedals that are different from normal, such as acceleration / deceleration exceeding the specified acceleration, no deceleration at intersections with no signal, no deceleration due to red signal (yellow signal), and special pedal operation when drowsiness It is good also as a structure which uses operation as a trigger. It should be noted that an abnormality in steering operation or pedal operation may be configured such that an operation pattern is registered in advance and compared with the registered operation pattern. Further, an intersection without a signal and other points that need to be stopped may be acquired based on map information recorded on a recording medium. The color of the signal may be determined from an image captured by the camera 417.

  If a trigger is detected in step S705 (step S705: Yes), the recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 stores the drive recorder image that has been overwritten in step S704 (step S706). For example, the drive recorder image may be configured to store an image at the detection time point when the trigger is detected in step S705 and images before and after the detection time. Moreover, the structure which can set a fixed time by a passenger may be sufficient, and the structure which can extend the time to preserve | save may be sufficient when a specific behavior is detected again within a fixed time from the detection time. In addition, the drive recorder image may be stored in a recording medium having a storage area or a recording area having a storage area.

  In step S706, after the storage of the drive recorder image is finished, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the vehicle has finished running (step S707). For example, the storage end instruction may be received via the input device 411. The instruction to end the storage may be, for example, a configuration in which the passenger is notified of the start of the storage and the passenger inputs the operation by operating the input device 411. Alternatively, the storage may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the trigger was detected in step S705.

  If no trigger is detected in step S705 (step S705: No), the process proceeds to step S707, and the CPU 401 determines whether or not the vehicle has finished traveling (step S707).

  In step S707, when the vehicle does not finish running (step S707: No), the process returns to step S702 and the process is repeated. In step S707, when the vehicle has finished traveling (step S707: Yes), the series of processing ends. For example, the determination regarding the traveling of the vehicle may be made with reference to the outputs of the various sensors 416. More specifically, it may be determined that the vehicle has finished traveling when the output of the various sensors 416 is stopped.

  In the description of this figure, the image around the vehicle is taken as a drive recorder image in step S704, but other information related to the running state of the vehicle may be obtained. The information related to the running state may include, for example, information on the operation of the vehicle detected by various sensors 416 such as the vehicle speed and the movement / speech of the passenger. In this case, in step S706, the drive recorder image may be saved and information related to the running state may be saved. It should be noted that the storage of the drive recorder image and the information related to the running state may be any configuration as long as at least one of them is stored, and the stored information may be used as verification material at the time of an accident or an attempted accident.

  Further, in the second embodiment, instead of detecting the remaining amount of the storage area, the frequency of the number of times of storage per unit time or the ratio of the storage time is detected, and the trigger is detected when the frequency or the ratio exceeds a specified value. The threshold may be changed. In addition, the threshold for trigger detection may be changed so that the frequency of saving times per unit time or the saving time ratio is about a specified value.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the sensor detection sensitivity serving as the threshold for trigger detection is set according to the remaining amount of the storage area in the recording medium. And since the trigger is detected by the set sensor detection sensitivity and the image for the drive recorder is stored, the sensor detection sensitivity is reduced when the storage area is reduced, so that there is no leakage regarding a serious accident even when the storage area is small Drive recorder images can be saved.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, it is generally considered that an accident is likely to occur at the end of the drive for a long time, but the storage area is not used in the early stage of the drive, and the storage area at the end of the drive is used. The drive recorder image can be stored reliably and in detail according to the sensor detection sensitivity.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the movement sensitivity when the behavior of the moving object is detected by determining the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving object according to the required time to the destination point and the capacity of the recording medium. Save the running state of the body to the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to optimally save the running state without using a capacity of a recording medium for saving the running state, and to use the saved running state for accident verification and accident prevention data.

  Further, as described above, according to the present invention, the sensor detection sensitivity serving as the threshold for trigger detection is set according to the required time to the destination point. Since the trigger is detected based on the set sensor detection sensitivity and the drive recorder image is stored, the drive recorder image can be stored without running out of a recording area even when the required time is long. Therefore, the drive recorder image can be reliably stored, which can be used for accident verification and accident prevention data.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also possible to save information related to the running state such as the output of various sensors 416 together with the drive recorder image. Therefore, more detailed accident verification and accident prevention data can be acquired, and accident verification and accident prevention can be reliably performed. Further, it is possible to save without changing the recording medium, and it is possible to save the drive recorder image without forcing the user to prepare a spare recording medium.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to set a trigger detection threshold according to a change in required time to the destination. Therefore, it is generally said that accidents are likely to occur at the end of the drive for a long time, but even at the end of the drive, as the required time decreases, the sensor detection sensitivity is increased, so that the image for the drive recorder can be stored reliably and in detail. Can be done.

  In the first embodiment, the trigger detection threshold value is set according to the required time to the destination. However, instead of calculating the required time to the destination, the required distance to the destination is calculated. The threshold value for trigger detection may be set accordingly. By doing so, it is possible to reliably save the drive recorder image without applying a load for calculating time, which can be used for accident verification and accident prevention data.

  Further, according to the present invention, the sensor detection sensitivity is set as the threshold value for trigger detection. However, instead of setting the sensor detection sensitivity, a sensor for detecting a trigger may be selected. Furthermore, the threshold value itself for detecting an abnormality of the vehicle may be set in the trigger sensor. By carrying out like this, the versatility of this invention can be improved.

  Further, the present invention only needs to have at least one function of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. For example, in the case where the functions of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are provided, the sensor detection sensitivity can be set by the required time and the sensor detection sensitivity can be lowered when the remaining amount is low. Therefore, it is possible to accurately save the drive recorder image.

  In the first embodiment, the drive recorder image and the running state of the vehicle are recorded on the recording medium. However, the image may be transmitted to an external server and managed by the external server. Further, in the present invention, if the data protection function and the data encryption function are provided, the data can be prevented from being falsified, and appropriate data can be used.

  The information recording method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the information recording device concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the information recording device concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the dashboard vicinity of the vehicle by which the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1 was installed. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process in the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the standard threshold value table concerning the present Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the navigation apparatus concerning the present Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information recording apparatus 101 Setting part 102 Calculation part 103 Determination part 104 Detection part 105 Storage part 106 Detection part

Claims (6)

In an information recording apparatus for overwriting and saving information on the traveling state of a moving body that is continuously input,
A setting means for setting a destination point;
Calculating means for calculating a required time to the destination point set by the setting means;
Determining means for determining the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving body to a detection sensitivity corresponding to the required time calculated by the calculating means;
Detecting means for detecting the behavior of the moving body based on the detection sensitivity determined by the determining means;
Storage means for storing, in a recording medium, information related to the traveling state of the moving body when the behavior of the moving body is detected by the detecting means;
An information recording apparatus comprising:   The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the detection sensitivity so that a storage amount in the recording medium within the required time is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium;
The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving body as a detection sensitivity according to the remaining amount detected by the detection unit. In the information recording method used by the information recording apparatus that overwrites and saves information on the traveling state of the moving body that is continuously input,
A setting process for setting a destination point;
A calculation step of calculating a required time to the destination point set by the setting step;
A determination step of determining the detection sensitivity of the behavior of the moving body to a detection sensitivity according to the required time calculated by the calculation step;
A detection step of detecting the behavior of the moving body based on the detection sensitivity determined by the determination step;
A storage step of storing, in a recording medium, information relating to the traveling state of the moving body when the behavior of the moving body is detected by the detection step;
An information recording method comprising:   An information recording program for causing a computer to execute the information recording method according to claim 4.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information recording program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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