JP6355234B2 - Image recording apparatus, image recording system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus capable of continuously recording captured images, such as a drive recorder and a monitoring device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there are known image recording apparatuses such as a drive recorder that captures and continuously records a front landscape of a vehicle and a monitoring apparatus that captures and continuously records a predetermined monitoring area (for example, patents). Reference 1). For example, an image recording device such as a drive recorder can record a new captured image while erasing the captured image at the old recording time and securing a free space as long as the energized state continues after the vehicle ignition is switched on. There are things that record sequentially. According to a drive recorder or the like that performs such a recording operation, captured images over a predetermined period in the past up to the present can be constantly updated and held.

  As described above, the purpose of recording a captured image over a predetermined period in the past includes the purpose of identifying the cause of a traffic accident or the like, and the purpose of the employer managing the driving of a driver who is an employee. In recent years, when inexpensive drive recorders are sold at mass merchandise stores for car supplies, there are also users who enjoy themselves for the purpose of recording drive scenes and recording cityscapes. .

JP 2012-64126 A

  An image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder that continuously records captured images is significantly different from a camera, a video camera, or the like in how to use a storage area. That is, as long as an image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder is in an energized state, the operation of erasing an old captured image and recording a new captured image can be repeated indefinitely.

  In such an image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder, in order to continuously record captured images, when erasing and writing are repeated indefinitely, in addition to continuous recording of captured images, other data If an attempt is made to execute writing or erasing, the frequency of data access to the storage medium may become excessive or the processing may not be in time. Therefore, the process that can be executed at the same time is limited or the specific process cannot be executed when the erasing and writing operations are repeated indefinitely in order to continuously record the captured images. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and in an image recording apparatus capable of continuously recording captured images, other data can be obtained even during the operation of continuously recording captured images. The present invention is intended to provide an image recording apparatus capable of relatively easily executing the process.
In addition, a drive recorder for recording on a memory card has the following problems and problems in a conventional drive recorder such as a drive recorder equipped with only one memory card.
(A) Recording is not possible if the memory card is damaged or defective. In particular, when continuous recording is being performed, there is a high probability of breakage because the recording is always repeated with overwriting (repeating erasure and storage) during traveling. Also, if the memory card is removed during operation, there is a high possibility of damage. Most drive recorders turn the power on and off in conjunction with the engine key. However, depending on the vehicle, there are voltage fluctuations, interruptions, surges, etc., especially when starting the engine. May cause memory card damage or malfunction.
(B) The drive recorder has a primary purpose of accident recording, and it is necessary to store the accident recording so that it will not disappear. In general, an accident is detected when an impact of a predetermined level or more is detected by a G sensor or the like, and an accident is often detected. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts are also detected due to road steps and bumps, how the driver is driving, etc., and in reality, recording / recording with impact detection other than accidents, etc. Most recordings do not need to be saved. If the sensor sensitivity is lowered, accidents cannot be detected. In addition, recordings such as dangerous driving and reckless driving, dangerous experiences that are likely to cause accidents, places with good scenery, etc. are often manual operations, and the images before and after are often overwritten and saved, depending on the user Record many with overwriting prohibited. If the memory card becomes full with such overwriting-protected recording, naturally no further recording is possible. It is necessary to take measures such as exchanging the memory card, taking out / deleting images, and initializing, but there are cases where it cannot be done immediately for some reason such as while driving or traveling, in which case the drive cannot be stored any more. It will not function as a recorder.
(C) Generally, continuous recording and recording such as events for which overwriting is prohibited are generally stored in the same memory card. However, recording for which overwriting is prohibited increases if no action is taken. Maintenance / treatment on a daily basis is sufficient, but it is difficult. There are cases where the memory card always has a continuous recording area and an overwrite-protected recording area. However, there are many cases where the overwrite-protected recording is preferentially stored without dividing the area. In many cases, we are trying to reduce this. In this case, as shown in (b) above, even if the memory card does not become full due to overwriting-prohibited recording, the constant recording area is reduced, the continuous recording time is shortened, and the time during which images can be confirmed retroactively is shortened. At the same time, there is a problem that the time required for one cycle of overwriting is shortened, the frequency of repetition of erasing and recording is increased, and the probability of occurrence of damage or malfunction of the memory card is increased. If the continuous recording area is always separated from the overwrite-inhibited recording area, naturally, when the overwrite-inhibited recording area is full, no further recording is possible, and there is a high possibility that the area will be fuller than the method without dividing the area.
(D) The memory card may be removed from the drive recorder in order to confirm or take out the recorded image with a PC viewer or the like. If you forget to remove the memory card or remove it for some reason, you can't use it, and if you run without a memory card, you won't be able to record or store, and you won't function as a drive recorder.
(E) When a multi-function drive recorder is used, the amount of data and information stored in the memory card becomes very large, and the processing speed may be slowed down or portions that cannot be processed may occur. In addition, the frequency of use of the memory card increases, and the probability that the memory card will be damaged or malfunctioned increases. In many cases, all functions cannot be used if a memory card is damaged or malfunctioned.
The present invention, for example, is an invention that can provide an image recording apparatus or the like that can exhibit the function as a drive recorder more continuously and can solve such conventional problems.

(1) In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit on a removable storage medium.
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. The image recording apparatus may have a function of executing a predetermined writing process.

  The image recording apparatus includes a plurality of the medium storage units and can be loaded with a plurality of storage media. The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. And a function of executing a predetermined writing process. Therefore, the image recording apparatus can execute a predetermined writing process on another storage medium in parallel with the captured image recording process.

  If the predetermined writing process is executed for another storage medium that is different from the storage medium that records the captured image, the captured image is not displayed even if the predetermined writing process is performed during recording of the captured image. With respect to a recording medium to be recorded and a storage medium that executes a predetermined writing process, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the frequency of data access such as data writing or reading becomes excessive. As a result, it is possible to suppress the possibility of problems in recording the captured image by executing the predetermined writing process.

  In this image recording apparatus, a process with a relatively high frequency of data access to the storage medium can be executed as the predetermined writing process within a range in which the influence on the recording operation of the captured image is suppressed. If various writing processes can be performed during recording of captured images, the image recording apparatus can be used not only for recording captured images but also for recording vehicle data such as engine speed and speed, for example. Can be improved.

  In addition, as a configuration for executing another writing process during recording of a captured image or during recording, for example, a plurality of arithmetic devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) are provided to record the captured image. For example, the processing for performing the writing process and the processing for executing another writing process may be performed simultaneously. However, even in an arithmetic device such as one CPU (Central Processing Unit), the captured image is recorded. The process for performing the process and the process for executing another writing process may be executed simultaneously in a time-sharing manner. For example, the writing process to another file may be performed without closing the file for recording the captured image. For example, after the recording operation of the captured image by the image recording apparatus is started and before the recording operation is ended, for example, the CPU may execute another writing process by interruption.

  For example, in an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by the imaging unit in a removable storage medium, the image recording apparatus includes a plurality of medium storage units that hold the storage medium in a removable manner. A predetermined writing process is executed mainly using a storage medium mounted in at least one medium storage unit among a plurality of medium storage units and using a storage medium mounted in any other medium storage unit as a sub. The image recording apparatus is preferably provided with a function.

(2) The control means deletes the captured images in order from the oldest when the image was captured, and sequentially stores a new captured image in the empty area while securing a free area in the storage area of the storage medium. A control mode for recording a series of captured images over a predetermined period in the past using the storage medium;
It is preferable that at least two medium accommodating portions are provided.

Image pickup means for acquiring image information, medium storage section for storing a storage medium so as to be insertable / removable, and control capable of executing control for recording a captured image by the image pickup means in the storage medium stored in the medium storage section And an image recording apparatus comprising:
The control means erases the captured images in order from the oldest imaged timing, and sequentially stores a new captured image in the free area while securing a free area in the storage area of the storage medium. It is possible to execute a control mode for recording a series of captured images over a period using the storage medium,
It is preferable that the image recording apparatus is provided with at least two medium accommodating portions.

  As described above, an image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder that continuously records captured images has a significant difference in usage of a storage area from a camera, a video camera, or the like. That is, as long as an image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder is in an energized state, for example, erasure of an old captured image and recording of a new captured image are repeated indefinitely. In the case of a camera or a video camera, an old captured image is not arbitrarily erased by overwriting a new captured image. For example, the captured image is erased after being read by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  In this way, in an image recording apparatus such as a drive recorder that repeats erasure and writing indefinitely to continuously record captured images, data writing errors and erasure errors while recording and erasing captured images are repeated. May occur, and there is a problem that a defect may occur in the recording data in the storage area.

  On the other hand, since the image recording apparatus includes at least two medium storage units, a plurality of storage media can be mounted. If a plurality of storage media are used, the load can be reduced by reducing the number of times data is rewritten or erased from each storage medium, compared to the case where only one storage medium is used. As a result, the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing errors and erasing errors when recording the captured image can be reduced, and the operation reliability can be improved.

  As described above, the image recording apparatus is an apparatus for continuously recording captured images, and is useful for improving the stability of the recording operation of captured images.

The number of the medium storage units in the image recording apparatus may be two, but is particularly preferably three or more.
The imaging means may be an imaging camera equipped with an imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS, or an imaging means using an area sensor such as a laser radar, a millimeter wave sensor, or an infrared sensor.
The image recording apparatus is useful for application to a drive recorder, a monitoring apparatus, or the like.
As a series of captured images, for example, as in so-called event recording, a predetermined period including an event occurrence time point (for example, a predetermined period including a first predetermined period before the event occurrence and a second predetermined period after the event occurrence). However, it is particularly preferable to record regardless of the event, and it is particularly preferable to perform so-called constant recording.

  The control means erases the captured images in order from the oldest when the image was captured, and sequentially stores a new captured image in the free area while securing a free area in the storage area of the storage medium. The image recording apparatus may be capable of executing a control mode in which recording is performed using the storage medium and a control mode in which the captured image is not erased, and at least two medium accommodating portions are provided.

(3) The control means uses each storage medium accommodated in any two or more medium accommodation units to record the series of captured images, and stores any one of the storage media. It is preferable that the control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium can be executed while a new captured image is being recorded on the medium.
The control means uses each storage medium accommodated in any two or more medium accommodation units to record a captured image, and a new captured image is stored in any one of the storage media. The image recording apparatus may be capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium during recording.

According to the above (3), when recording a captured image on any storage medium, recording can always be started from an initialized state. If recording is started from the initialized state, the probability of occurrence of a write error or the like can be extremely lowered. During initialization of one of the storage media, it is only necessary to record the captured image on the other storage medium, so there is no need to interrupt the recording operation of the captured image for the initialization operation, and the processing efficiency of the recording operation is improved. It will not be damaged.
Note that the same data may be written to two or more storage media. If the same data is recorded on a physically independent storage medium, even if a trouble occurs in one storage medium, the data can be read from the other storage medium, and the reliability can be improved.

(4) In the image recording apparatus, when there are two storage media used for recording the series of captured images, the two storage media are alternately used for recording the series of captured images. It is preferable that the control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium can be executed while a new captured image is being recorded on any one storage medium.
When there are two storage media used to record the captured image, the two storage media are alternately used to record the captured image, and a new captured image is recorded on any one of the storage media. It is preferable that the image recording apparatus be capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium.
As described in (4) above, by alternately initializing the two storage media, recording can always be started from the initialization state when the captured image starts to be recorded on one of the storage media.

(5) In the image recording apparatus, when there are three or more storage media used for recording the series of captured images, two storage media selected from the respective storage media are sequentially switched, It is preferable that a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium can be executed while a new captured image is being recorded on any one of the two selected storage media.
When there are three or more storage media to be used for recording the captured image, the two storage media selected from the storage media are switched in order, and one of the two selected storage media The image recording apparatus may be capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while a new captured image is being recorded on one storage medium.

  For example, when there are first to third storage media in an initialized state, first, the captured images are recorded in order on the first and second storage media, and then a new image is recorded on the third storage medium. When the image is recorded, the first and third storage media are selected, and the first storage medium is initialized while the captured image is recorded on the third storage medium. After the captured image is recorded on the third storage medium, the first and second storage media are selected, and the second storage medium is initialized while the captured image is recorded on the first storage medium. After the captured image is recorded on the first storage medium, the second and third storage media are selected, and the third storage medium is initialized while the captured image is recorded on the second storage medium. By switching the two storage media to be selected in this way, it becomes possible to record a captured image over a long period of time using three or more storage media.

(6) File management information for managing the recording position of data in the storage area is recorded on the storage medium,
When any other storage medium is initialized while a new captured image is being recorded on any one storage medium, any other storage medium is linked with the operation of recording a new captured image. A configuration may be adopted in which the recorded captured image is erased from the oldest recording point, the file management information is erased after the entire captured image is erased, and initialization is completed.

  The file management information is information for managing which data is recorded at which position in the storage area of the storage medium, and management information required when reading data such as a recorded captured image It is good to do. For example, after erasing such file management information, even data before erasure cannot be read. If the file management information is erased at the start of the initialization operation, it becomes difficult to read the captured image recorded on the storage medium simultaneously with the start of the initialization operation. On the other hand, if the file management information is to be erased at the end of the initialization operation, the recorded captured image can be read even after the initialization operation is started.

  As a mode of erasing the captured image of any other storage medium in conjunction with the recording operation of the captured image to any one storage medium, for example, the time length of the captured image newly recorded on any one storage medium There is a mode in which the time length of the captured image erased from any other storage medium is substantially matched. In this case, the degree to which the time length of the captured image that can be read from the storage medium varies depending on the progress of the initialization work can be suppressed. If the file management information is erased simultaneously with the start of the initialization operation, the captured image recorded in the storage medium cannot be read instantaneously. The time length of the captured image that can be read from the medium is shortened at a stretch.

(7) The control means can execute a plurality of types of control modes for recording data on the storage medium,
Setting information corresponding to any of the plurality of types of control modes is recorded in at least one of the storage media,
The control unit may be configured to execute control corresponding to the setting information read from the storage medium when the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is stored in the medium storage unit.

  In this case, the storage according to the setting information can be started immediately by accommodating the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded in the medium accommodating unit. Since the operation of the image recording apparatus can be changed by rewriting the setting information recorded on the storage medium, it is very convenient. If the control mode of the image recording apparatus can be changed based on the setting information recorded on the storage medium, for example, it is not necessary to provide an operation means for changing the control mode in the image recording apparatus main body. In this case, the hardware configuration can be simplified and the cost can be suppressed, and troubles of the operating means that are likely to cause failure can be avoided in advance, and the operation reliability can be improved. Further, if it is difficult to change the setting information by the user's operation, for example, a driver hired by a transportation company, a taxi company, or the like can be prevented from changing the setting information without permission. Such a configuration is advantageous in applications for managing the driving of drivers whose employees are employees such as transportation companies and taxi companies.

(8) The image recording apparatus includes a change operation unit that receives an operation for changing the setting information recorded in the storage medium;
Warning means for warning that there is a possibility that data recorded in the storage medium may be erased due to a change in the setting information when an operation for changing the setting information is accepted via the change operation means. It is good to have a configuration.
In this case, it is possible to suppress in advance the risk that the recorded captured image or the like will be inadvertently erased by the setting information changing operation. The risk of erasing important captured images is reduced, and the image recording apparatus is easy to use.

(9) The image recording apparatus has a built-in storage means for storing various data,
The control means may be configured to read the setting information from the storage medium and store it in the storage means when the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion.
In this case, for example, even if the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is removed, control according to the setting information can be realized. For example, when the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is extracted, the setting information of the storage unit may be recorded on another storage medium. In this case, since the setting information is recorded in two physically independent locations, safety can be improved. As the storage means, means using an electronic device such as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM can be considered.

(10) When the storage unit of the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is initialized, the control unit is configured to record the setting information stored in the storage unit again in the storage medium that has been initialized. good.
In this case, even for the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded, initialization for temporarily erasing all the storage areas becomes possible. If the setting information is recorded again after the initialization operation is completed, the original state where the setting information was recorded can be reproduced.

(11) While the control means records the series of captured images on a part of the storage media stored in any two or more medium storage units,
Any one of the remaining storage media has a configuration capable of executing a control mode for recording a captured image of a specific time interval in the series of captured images or a specific image that is a captured image including the specific time interval. good.

  If the series of captured images and the specific image are recorded in independent storage media, the captured image and the specific image can be efficiently recorded. As the specific time interval, for example, a time interval that needs to be saved may be set. Since it is necessary to update the series of captured images recorded in the one storage medium at any time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting, but for the other storage medium, captured images are not recorded in the overwrite prohibition mode. It is also good to record. In this case, the captured image recorded in the other storage medium can be stored with high certainty.

Generally, when recording on a storage medium, the series of captured images are often managed in units of files, for example. In such a configuration, it may be difficult to create a file only in a specific time interval. In this case, it is preferable to copy or move in units of files including captured images in a specific time interval.
The control unit records a series of captured images over a predetermined period in the past on a part of the storage media stored in any two or more medium storage units, while the remaining storage media In any case, the image recording apparatus may be capable of executing a control mode for recording a captured image in a specific time interval or a captured image including a specific time interval in the series of captured images.

(12) The specific image may be a part of the series of captured images recorded on the part of the storage medium, or a part of the series of captured images that has been moved.
When a part of the series of captured images is duplicated, the corresponding part of the series of captured images may be deleted or left as it is. For example, if a part of the captured image is recorded after being recorded as the series of captured images, the specific image can be recorded by subsequent processing after the series of captured images is recorded. Since it is not necessary to record both the series of captured images and the captured images in the specific time interval simultaneously in parallel, the processing load can be distributed in time and the occurrence of an excessive load can be avoided.

(13) The image recording device is an image recording device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a data acquisition unit that acquires vehicle data in which a situation of the vehicle is reflected,
While the control means records the series of captured images on some of the storage media stored in any two or more medium storage units,
Any one of the remaining storage media may be configured to execute a control mode for recording the vehicle data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

  In this case, the storage medium for recording the captured image and the storage medium for recording the vehicle data are physically independent, and the captured image and the vehicle data can be efficiently recorded. For example, the vehicle data may be recorded in the overwrite prohibition mode. In this case, the risk that important vehicle data will be inadvertently deleted can be suppressed in advance.

For example, a signal for synchronizing the timing of the series of captured images and the vehicle data may be recorded. If such a signal is recorded, the captured image and the vehicle data can be reproduced in time synchronization.
Examples of the vehicle data include information flowing on the in-vehicle network that transmits vehicle control information, information obtained based on the information, and the like. For example, speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5-second speed, average 5-second speed, maximum 5-second speed, rotation speed, average rotation speed, maximum rotation speed, engine load, average load, maximum load, throttle opening, average throttle Opening, maximum throttle opening, ignition timing, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, maximum intake manifold pressure, MAF, INJ, cooling water temperature, maximum cooling water temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside air temperature, maximum outside air temperature, remaining fuel , Fuel flow rate, maximum fuel flow rate, fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, maximum current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, expressway average fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, Driving time, travel time, idle time, idle ratio, travel distance, lifetime travel distance, 0-20km / h acceleration time, 0-20km / h average acceleration, 0-20km / h shortest acceleration, 0-40km / h acceleration time , 0-40km / h average acceleration, 0-40km / h shortest acceleration, 0-60km / h acceleration time, 0-60km / h average acceleration, 0-60km / h shortest acceleration, 0-80km / h acceleration time, 0-80km / h average acceleration, 0-80km / h shortest acceleration, 0-20km / h There are vehicle data such as travel time, 20-40km / h travel time, 40-60km / h travel time, 60-80km / h travel time, more than 80km / h travel time, lifetime engine travel distance, lifetime engine travel ratio.

(14) The control means may be configured to record the specific image when a predetermined event occurs.
For example, the series of captured images are recorded while being updated as needed regardless of the occurrence of an event. The specific image may be recorded when the predetermined event occurs. Further, for example, it is preferable to prohibit overwriting a storage medium on which the specific image is recorded. In this case, the recording state of the specific image that is the captured image when the predetermined event occurs can be maintained with high certainty, and the captured image can be reliably referred to afterwards.

(15) The control means may be configured to record the vehicle data when a predetermined event occurs.
For example, the series of captured images may be recorded while being updated as needed regardless of the occurrence of an event. Further, for example, it is also possible to prohibit overwriting a storage medium on which the vehicle data is recorded. In this case, the vehicle data when the predetermined event occurs can be stored with a high degree of certainty, and the vehicle data can be reliably referenced after the fact.

(16) The image recording apparatus has a built-in storage means for storing various data,
When the predetermined event occurs, the control unit may execute a control mode in which a specific image that is a captured image in a specific time section in the series of captured images is recorded in a storage area of the storage unit. .

(17) An image recording apparatus mounted on a vehicle, including a data acquisition unit that acquires vehicle data in which a vehicle situation is reflected, and a storage unit for storing various data And
The control means may be capable of executing a control mode for recording the vehicle data in a storage area of the storage means when a predetermined event occurs.

  In these cases, a specific image or vehicle data when the predetermined event occurs can be recorded in the storage means. Since the storage means is built in unlike the storage medium, it is possible to record a specific image or vehicle data even when the storage medium is not stored in the medium storage section.

(18) When the specific image or vehicle data recorded in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event is a captured image or vehicle data of a specific time interval including before and after the moment when the predetermined event occurs good.
In this case, it is possible to record a captured image or vehicle data in a specific time section including the moment when the predetermined event occurs and starting from a time point before that moment. A captured image or the like from a point in time before the moment when the predetermined event occurs is useful data useful for subsequent analysis of the cause or progress of the event, for example. For example, if the event is a traffic accident or the like, it is useful for identifying the cause of the accident. For example, if an event is that specific vehicle data indicates a specific situation, it is useful for identifying the behavior of the vehicle at that time and what kind of vehicle operation the situation occurred through .

(19) It is preferable that a storage operation unit that receives an operation for requesting recording of the specific image or the vehicle data is provided, and the predetermined event includes at least an operation of the storage operation unit.
In this case, it becomes possible to record a captured image in a specific time interval triggered by an operation on the user side. When a scene or the like to be recorded appears, a user or the like of the image recording apparatus can record a captured image obtained by capturing the scene by operating the storage operation unit.

  The storage operation means may be a real-time operation when recording the captured image, or may be an operation in the middle of reproducing the series of captured images later. For example, in order to record a captured image by an operation during reproduction, display means such as a liquid crystal display for reproducing and displaying the series of captured images may be provided.

(20) The image recording apparatus includes data acquisition means for acquiring a measurement value of a predetermined physical quantity, and at least the measurement value of the predetermined physical quantity indicates a predetermined state in the predetermined event. It is good to include.
In this case, a captured image or vehicle data can be recorded when the measured value indicates a predetermined state. The recorded captured image or the like is useful for analyzing the cause and progress of the occurrence afterwards.

  In addition, as an aspect which shows the state where the measured value is determined in advance, for example, the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the measured value indicates a predetermined change, or a predetermined combination condition / pattern is satisfied There are various modes. As the measured value, for example, there are acceleration in three axis directions, speed, and the like. Note that, as the predetermined event, detection of approach to a previously stored position or the like may be set. The approach to the specific position can be detected using position information by GPS, for example.

(21) The image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus mounted on a vehicle, and includes a data acquisition unit that acquires vehicle data in which a situation of the vehicle is reflected;
The predetermined physical quantity may be a physical quantity acquired as the vehicle data.
In this case, a captured image or vehicle data when the vehicle data shows a predetermined state can be recorded. The cause or progress of the occurrence of the state can be specified using captured images or vehicle data.

(22) In the image recording apparatus, a display unit indicating that the data recorded in the storage area of the storage medium is being read or the data is being written to the storage area is the medium storage unit It is good to provide corresponding to.
In this case, it is possible to clearly indicate the storage medium that is accessing the data, thereby suppressing the possibility that the storage medium is inadvertently removed during the data access. In addition, as a structure which provides the said display part corresponding to the said medium accommodating part, for example, although a display part may be provided separately with respect to several medium accommodating part, it is shared with respect to several medium accommodating part. It is particularly preferable to provide a display portion.

(23) The image recording apparatus has a built-in storage means for storing various data,
The storage area of the storage medium stored in one of the medium storage units and the storage area of the storage unit are alternately used for recording the series of captured images, and the imaging is performed in one of the storage areas. It is preferable that the control mode in which the other storage area is initialized during image recording can be executed.
The storage area of the storage medium stored in one of the medium storage units and the storage area of the storage unit are alternately used for recording the captured image, and the captured image is recorded in either storage area. It is preferable that the image recording apparatus be capable of executing a control mode for initializing the other storage area during the operation. In this case, even when only one storage medium is mounted, by alternately using the storage medium and the storage means, the captured image is recorded on the other while initializing one. It becomes possible to execute control to go.

(24) The control means may be capable of executing two or more types of control modes in parallel.
In this case, data of a plurality of systems can be recorded in parallel, and the data logger function is enhanced.
For example, each control mode may be configured as a unique mode that is distinguished from other modes. Good.

(25) In the image recording apparatus, it is preferable that at least one of the medium accommodating units has a configuration in which an operation for inserting and removing a storage medium is different from other medium accommodating units.
In this case, the storage medium accommodated in the medium accommodating section that is easier to operate can be preferentially extracted. For example, the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded may be configured to be stored in the medium storage unit having a higher degree of operation difficulty. In this case, inadvertent removal of the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded can be suppressed in advance.

(26) The control means has a function of individually executing each control of data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization with respect to each storage medium mounted in each of the plurality of medium accommodating units. Also good.
If each control of data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization can be individually executed for each storage medium, there is an effect that the types of recording operations that can be executed in parallel in the image recording apparatus are increased. As a result, the functions of the image recording apparatus are diversified and the convenience is improved. For example, it is possible to record vehicle data such as engine speed and vehicle speed in another storage medium while recording a captured image for a specific storage medium. For example, when recording a captured image using two or more storage media, during recording of the latest captured image, a storage area of another storage medium in which the captured image of the captured image is old is stored. It is good to initialize. In this case, when the storage area of the storage medium in which the latest captured image is being recorded becomes full, recording of the subsequent captured image can be continued using another storage medium in the initialized state. If an initialized storage medium is used, a captured image can be recorded efficiently with little risk of writing errors and the like.

(27) The control unit controls the storage medium mounted in any of the medium storage units as a first storage medium for overwriting the recorded captured image and recording a new captured image,
It is preferable to provide a function of controlling a storage medium mounted in any other medium storage unit as a second storage medium that does not erase a recorded image that has been recorded due to prohibition of overwriting.
Thus, if the first storage medium is a storage medium for overwriting and the second storage medium is overwritten by prohibiting overwriting, for example, for the first storage medium, While the continuous recording for continuously recording the captured images is performed, the second storage medium can be used for recording the captured images that are particularly desired to be stored. The control unit controls a storage medium mounted in any one of the medium storage units as a first storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting a recorded captured image. An image recording apparatus having a function of controlling a storage medium mounted in the medium storage unit as a second storage medium having a region in which a recorded image that has been recorded due to overwriting prohibition is not erased may be provided. .
For example, data that does not prohibit overwriting may be stored in the second storage medium. For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact in one of the event recordings, it is better to prohibit overwriting if the impact detection is an accident detection. An impact may be detected by a driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting-inhibited data is accumulated more and more. In order to prevent this, it is particularly preferable to have a configuration in which a predetermined capacity is determined and an overwriting recording function is provided within that range.

In particular, when multiple storage media (for example, memory cards) can be installed and one of them is the main and the other is the secondary control, the main storage media is removed or the above problems or problems occur The secondary storage medium may have a function of supplementing it.
In this way, it can function as a drive recorder more continuously than in the past.
In particular, the main storage medium may be configured to store a low probability of overwriting prohibition or deletion of an image desired to be saved, such as an accident record or a place with a good scenery. In addition, the secondary storage medium should be recorded constantly during travel, and in particular, for example, it has a function for searching for an image that could not be recorded on the main storage medium for some reason. It is preferable to have a function of performing at least one of movement and copying to the storage medium.
As described above, continuous recording is more likely to cause damage or malfunction of a storage medium such as a memory card. However, if you do this, the image you want to save is in the main, and it is damaged in the secondary. Even if a problem occurs, the damage can be reduced.
For example, the first storage medium in (27) to (38) may be a storage medium that is a secondary storage medium, and the second storage medium may be a primary storage medium.
The main storage medium is not fixed, and a plurality of storage media are used as the main and sub in order, and the sub storage medium is initialized while recording on the main number storage medium. It may be configured. In this way, it is possible to further reduce the probability of occurrence of damage or malfunction.
In this case, it is preferable to provide a function of recording both overwriting always recording and overwriting prohibition event recording in the same main storage medium.
In particular, it is preferable that recording data as a basic drive recorder is stored in a main storage medium, and data that is not basic as a drive recorder is stored in a secondary storage medium and separated. In this way, particularly in a multi-function drive recorder, it is possible to prevent the processing speed from slowing down or a portion that cannot be processed from occurring.
Further, by separating, the frequency of use of one storage medium is reduced, and the probability that the storage medium is damaged or malfunctioned can be further reduced.

(28) The control means executes a continuous recording for sequentially recording a new captured image by overwriting with respect to an old captured image at the time of capturing among the captured images recorded in the first storage medium. It is good to have.
Continuous recording by continuous recording of captured images is possible, and captured images in a past predetermined time range can be recorded with the current time as a reference. For example, it becomes possible to record a captured image at the moment when an accident or the like occurs, and it is possible to secure evidence useful for investigating the cause of the accident.

The second storage medium for which overwriting is prohibited is always recorded, for example, a captured image by event recording when an event occurs, a captured image by manual operation recording according to a manual operation, or still recording. It is preferable to record a captured image other than.
When the attached storage medium is small and cannot be distributed to the first storage medium and the second storage medium, the attached storage medium is handled as the first storage medium, and the captured image is continuously recorded. It is also possible to perform recording.

(29) The control means may have a function of recording a captured image on the second storage medium when a specific recording condition is satisfied.
In this case, the captured image when a specific recording condition is satisfied can be stored with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. In particular, if a captured image corresponding to the establishment of a specific recording condition is recorded on a second storage medium different from the first storage medium for continuous recording, the continuous recording of the captured image on the first storage medium is in progress. Even if some trouble occurs, there is little risk of problems such as inability to read.
The specific recording condition may be set, for example, as an event, a manual operation by a driver, or the like. The event may be an occurrence of an accident in which an airbag is deployed, an occurrence of a sudden brake or a sudden handle, an occurrence of a large acceleration, or the like.

(30) When the control unit shifts to a state in which only the second storage medium is mounted after the first storage medium is removed while the first and second storage media are mounted, It is preferable to provide a function for setting a rewritable storage area in a part of the free area in the storage area of the second storage medium.
In this case, even after the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is used, continuous recording for continuously recording captured images is possible, and deterioration of the function or convenience of the image recording apparatus is suppressed. it can.

  In a configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having an area where a recorded image that has already been recorded is not erased due to the overwriting prohibition, the control means is configured to mount the first and second storage media in a state where When the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is loaded, the first storage medium is included in a part of the free area of the storage area of the second storage medium. It is preferable that the image recording apparatus has a function of setting an overwritable storage area for storing data corresponding to this storage.

(31) In the case where only one storage medium is mounted, the control means provides a storage area in which the storage area can be overwritten and a storage area in which overwriting is prohibited for only one storage medium. It is also possible to have a function of controlling as the third storage medium.
Even if there is only one storage medium, for example, data such as a captured image for which overwriting is prohibited can be recorded separately from a captured image that is always recorded. The overwritten-prohibited captured image may be a captured image by event recording, a captured image by manual operation recording, a captured image by still recording, or the like. Thereafter, for example, when a storage medium that can be used as the first or second storage medium is newly installed, the storage medium may be handled as the first or second storage medium. In the case of handling as the first storage medium, for example, a continuously recorded captured image recorded in an overwritable manner may be transferred to the first storage medium for recording all or a part thereof. In the case of handling as the second storage medium, all or part of the data such as overwritten-prohibited captured images recorded in the third storage medium is transferred to the second storage medium and recorded. Also good.

  In the configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having an area where a recorded image that has already been recorded due to the overwriting prohibition is not erased, the control means includes the first storage medium when only one storage medium is mounted. An image recording apparatus having a function of controlling only one storage medium as a third storage medium having a storage area for data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium and the second storage medium may be used.

(32) The control means has a function of controlling the storage medium as the second storage medium when a storage medium is newly attached while only one storage medium is attached. Also good.
In the case of handling a newly mounted storage medium as the second storage medium, data such as a captured image can be stored with high certainty by recording in the second storage medium where overwriting is prohibited. When there is a large amount of data such as captured images to be stored, it is possible to use the storage medium as the second storage medium. Further, when taking the stored data to an external personal computer or the like, it is only necessary to take out the second storage medium.
If there is no storage medium controlled as the second storage medium and only the storage medium controlled as the first storage medium, a part of the storage area of the first storage medium is prohibited from being overwritten. On the other hand, when a storage medium to be controlled as the second storage medium is newly installed, all or part of the data recorded with the overwriting prohibited on the first storage medium is stored in the second storage medium. It may be transferred to a medium and recorded.

(33) When a storage medium is newly attached while only one storage medium is attached, the control means controls the storage medium as the second storage medium, and It is also possible to provide a function of recording data recorded in the storage area of the storage medium that is prohibited from being overwritten in the second storage medium.
In this case, by transferring the data recorded in the storage area of the third storage medium that is prohibited from being overwritten to the second storage medium, the data can be stored with high reliability. .

  Note that a mode is provided in which all storage media are controlled as the first storage medium even when a plurality of storage media are loaded and the first storage medium and the second storage medium can be distributed. It is also good. In this case, since the storage area of the first storage medium becomes large, it is possible to lengthen the recording time when continuously recording captured images. As described above, when there are a plurality of first storage media, when the amount of data recorded in any one of the storage media is full, the storage media to be used for continuously recording captured images is changed to the other first storage media. Switch to. In this case, captured images can be continuously recorded efficiently by alternately using any one of the plurality of first storage media. The storage medium is preferably configured so that the recorded data can be individually erased and initialized.

  In the configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having an area where a recorded image that has already been recorded is not erased due to the overwriting prohibition, the control means is configured so that only one storage medium is mounted. When newly installed, the storage medium is controlled as the second storage medium, and recorded data corresponding to the storage of the second storage medium is stored in the storage area of the third storage medium. An image recording apparatus having a function of recording in the second storage medium may be used.

(34) Display means for displaying a reproduced image of the captured image recorded on the storage medium, and recording at least a part of the captured image that is the basis of the reproduced image on the second storage medium while prohibiting overwriting The image recording apparatus may include a storage operation unit that receives an operation for performing the operation.
In this case, after confirming the reproduction image by the image recording apparatus and determining whether or not it should be stored, the original captured image of the reproduction image determined to be stored can be recorded with prohibition of overwriting. If it can be confirmed by the reproduced image, the captured image to be stored can be recorded with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. For example, a part of the captured image may be transferred to the second storage medium and recorded while reproducing the captured image recorded on the first storage medium by continuous recording. Alternatively, the captured images before and after the marked portion at the time of reproduction may be transferred to the second storage medium and recorded.

(35) When the storage operation unit is operated while the reproduced image is being displayed, the control unit overwrites a portion of the corresponding captured image corresponding to a time interval based on the operated time point. It is also possible to have a function of recording in a storage medium in a prohibited state.
In this case, the original captured image can be recorded with high certainty and overwriting prohibited by operating the save operation means when the reproduced image to be saved is displayed. By operating while displaying the reproduced image, there is little possibility that an image different from the captured image to be saved will be recorded by mistake. The time interval of the captured image to be recorded in a state where overwriting is prohibited is a time interval that goes back to a predetermined time before the time point when the operation was performed, a time interval until a predetermined time passes after the operation time point, or It is good to set it as the section before and behind in time with the operation time as a standard.

  The image recording apparatus may be provided with a sensor such as a G sensor for detecting an impact or an external input function. In the case of controlling any one of a plurality of attached storage media as a first storage medium and any of the storage media as a second storage medium, a signal input is triggered by a sensor or an externally input signal. The captured image of the time interval up to a time point that has been traced back to a predetermined time before the point in time, the captured image of the time interval until the predetermined time has passed with reference to that point, and both of these captured images It is also possible to record in a state in which overwriting is prohibited on the storage medium.

  In the configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having a region where the recorded captured image is not erased due to the overwriting prohibition, the control unit is operated when the save operation unit is operated while the reproduced image is displayed. A function of recording a portion of a corresponding captured image corresponding to a time interval on the basis of an operated time point or a recording medium in a state in which overwriting is prohibited including a portion corresponding to a time interval. The image recording apparatus may be provided. In many cases, data is moved or copied in units of files. In addition to the “part corresponding to the time interval based on the point of operation”, the file often includes other parts.

(36) The second storage medium has a communication function of transmitting data to the outside in addition to a function of storing data, and the control means is a captured image recorded in the second storage medium. It is also possible to have a function of transmitting the message to an external device.
In this case, the captured image recorded in the second storage medium can be externally transmitted in a state where overwriting is prohibited, and the captured image can be viewed at the transmission destination. Such a configuration is particularly effective when an accident occurs. For example, when a driving situation such as a snooze driving occurs in a taxi or the like, if the captured image at that time is immediately sent to the taxi company, the manager can grasp the dangerous situation before the accident occurs . Also, for example, when an accident occurs after that, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and promptly deal with the situation.

  When a storage medium with a communication function and a storage medium without a communication function are loaded, the storage medium with a communication function is controlled as the second storage medium, and the storage medium without a communication function is used as the first storage medium. It is good to control. Then, all or part of the data recorded in the second storage medium may be transmitted with priority. Here, the transmission with priority is preferably performed automatically.

(37) the image recording apparatus;
The image recording system may include a setting change unit that changes the setting information recorded in the storage medium, and a terminal device that includes a change operation unit that receives an operation for changing the setting information.

(38) The terminal device constituting the image recording system warns that the recorded data in the storage medium may be erased when an operation for changing the setting information is received via the change operation unit. A configuration provided with a warning means is preferable.
In this case, the possibility that the recorded data recorded on the storage medium will be erased by an inadvertent operation can be suppressed. Depending on the relationship between the original setting information and the changed setting information, the recorded data recorded on the storage medium may not be erased. The original setting information and the changed setting information are compared to determine the risk of erasing the recorded data, and a determination means may be provided for determining whether or not to warn according to the possibility. good.

(A) The description of “first storage medium” and “second storage medium” described in (27) to (38) above is replaced, and the first storage medium is mainly used, and the second storage medium is used. It is good to have a secondary configuration. For example, the following (B) to (E) may be performed. With regard to (27), it is particularly preferable to adopt a configuration such as the following (B).
(B) The control means controls the storage medium mounted in any one of the medium storage units as the main first storage medium having an area in which the recorded captured image is not erased due to prohibition of overwriting. The storage medium mounted in any other medium storage unit is controlled as the second storage medium as the sub for recording a new captured image by overwriting the recorded captured image. The image recording apparatus may be used.
The first storage medium may be configured to store data that does not prohibit overwriting. The first storage medium may be the main and the second storage medium may be the sub. For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact in one of the event recordings, it is better to prohibit overwriting if the impact detection is an accident detection. An impact may be detected by a driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting-inhibited data is accumulated more and more. In order to prevent this, it is better to determine a predetermined capacity and perform overwrite recording within that range.
For example, (30) is particularly preferably configured as shown in (C) below.
(C) When the control unit shifts to a state in which only the first storage medium is mounted after the second storage medium is removed while the first and second storage media are mounted, An image recording apparatus having a function of setting an overwritable storage area for storing data corresponding to the storage of the second storage medium in a part of the free area of the storage area of the first storage medium. Good.
For example, (31) is particularly preferably configured as in the following (D).
(D) In the case where only one storage medium is mounted, the control means stores data corresponding to storage in the first storage medium and the second storage medium for only one storage medium. An image recording apparatus having a function of controlling as a third storage medium having a storage area may be used.
For example, (32) is particularly preferably configured as in the following (E).
(E) When a storage medium is newly attached in a state where only one storage medium is attached, the control means controls the storage medium as the first storage medium and the third storage medium. An image recording apparatus having a function of recording recorded data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium in the storage area of the storage medium to the first storage medium may be used.
For example, (35) is particularly preferably configured as in the following (F).
When the storage operation unit is operated during display of the reproduced image, the control unit selects a portion of the corresponding captured image corresponding to a time interval based on the operated time point, or temporally It is preferable that the image recording apparatus has a function of recording on a storage medium in a state where overwriting is prohibited including a portion corresponding to a long section.
In many cases, data is moved or copied in units of files. In addition to the “part corresponding to the time interval based on the point of operation”, the file often includes other parts.
(39) The program may be a program for causing a computer to realize the function as the image recording apparatus.

(A) an image recording apparatus that includes a plurality of medium accommodating units to which recording media that record recorded data that is captured image data to be recorded are mounted, and that records the recording method and the type of the recording data in each medium accommodating unit. Good.
When the recording method and the type of recording data are distinguished for each medium container, it is preferable that the functions can be made different for each medium container. When a storage medium is mounted, it is only necessary to select a medium storage unit according to the recording data and the like, which makes it easy to use. For example, it becomes easy for the user to grasp a recording method that is different for each medium storage unit, and errors such as removal of the storage medium being written can be suppressed in advance. For example, different recording methods may be used, such that one medium storage unit is overwritten and the other is overwritten. Also, different recording data may be used, such that one medium storage unit is always recording and the other is event recording.

(B) It is preferable to provide an image recording apparatus that includes a plurality of medium storage units in which storage media for recording recording data are mounted, and that controls the probability that recorded data is erased in each medium storage unit.
For example, one medium storage unit has a high probability of recording data being erased by overwriting, and the other medium has a sufficient storage capacity for the amount of recording data so that overwriting is prohibited or the probability of erasing by overwriting is low. It is good to keep. In addition, even if both are overwritten, one side always records a large amount of data such as recorded data, and the other side stores a small amount of data such as event recording, so that the probability of erasing the recorded data differs. It is good to make it.

(C) The plurality of medium storage units may be image recording apparatuses that are not arranged side by side in the vertical or left-right direction, have different conspicuousness, or have their ranks understood.
In this case, it is possible to make a difference in the ease of access from the user side for each medium accommodating portion. For example, the storage medium / medium container having a high frequency of attachment / detachment may be placed in an easily understandable place, and the one with a low attachment / detachment frequency may be placed in a relatively difficult place. For the storage medium / medium container having a high frequency of attachment / detachment, the edge of the medium container may be surrounded by a line or colored for easy understanding. It is better to cover the one with a low frequency of attachment / detachment so that it is relatively difficult to understand. Or, print or engrave near the medium container so that the order can be understood as 1, 2,..., A, B, etc., and the storage medium / medium container that is frequently attached and detached is taken out as 1 or A. It is also possible to make it difficult to mistake the storage medium.

(D) At least one of the plurality of storage media may be an image recording apparatus having a shape or size different from the others.
In this case, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to suppress the mix-up between a plurality of storage media. For example, a storage medium / medium container having a high frequency of attachment / detachment is taken out by using a different type of SD card, such as a standard type storage medium such as an SD card, and a lower storage medium such as a micro SD card. It is better to make a mistake in the storage medium.

(E) In the control of initializing another storage medium while recording on one storage medium, the initialization is performed under a predetermined condition. The image recording apparatus may be controlled to perform automatically or semi-automatically underneath.
If initialization is performed automatically or semi-automatically, troubles such as the inability to read data recorded on the storage medium can be avoided, and data that can be recorded while maintaining high recording efficiency of data on the storage medium The amount can be kept close to the maximum.
It is desirable to initialize the storage medium periodically. When a predetermined number of rewrites have been performed since the previous initialization, or when overwriting has been performed for a predetermined time, or overwriting has been performed for a predetermined capacity. Initialization can be performed semi-automatically, for example, automatically by a predetermined condition such as the time, or when initialization is started by performing a confirmation operation to indicate that the initialization time has arrived or to notify by alarm or voice. It is good to carry out.

(F) At least one medium in the control for automatically initializing another storage medium during recording on one storage medium, provided with a plurality of medium storage units to which the storage medium for recording the recording data is mounted. The storage medium mounted in the storage unit is preferably an image recording device that does not automatically initialize.
If a medium container that is not automatically initialized is set, data that should be stored for a long period of time can be held with high reliability. For example, it is preferable not to automatically initialize a storage medium storing event recordings. Event recording is considered to be less frequently rewritten by overwriting than regular recording, and event recording is stored because event recording is likely to be recorded for a relatively long time. It is preferable to set the storage medium so that it is not automatically initialized.

(G) a storage medium for continuous recording, provided with two medium storage units to which recording media for recording recording data are mounted, and set to always record on one storage medium and to record events on the other; It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus that performs control to always store recording in a partial capacity of a storage medium for event recording temporarily during initialization.
In this case, it is possible to initialize the recording medium for continuous recording, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of trouble related to the storage medium. For example, if there are multiple storage media for continuous recording, initialization may be performed in order. For example, when there are two medium storage units, one is used for event recording, and automatic initialization is performed as described above. In the case of prohibition, it is preferable to control to record in the event recording direction at least while the storage medium for constant recording is initialized.

(H) In the case where a plurality of medium accommodating units to which recording media for recording recording data are mounted are provided, event recording is stored in at least one storage medium, and recording is always recorded in another storage medium. When the remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing the event recording becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the image recording apparatus may be configured to perform control for storing the event recording in the recording medium for continuous recording.
In this case, for example, when event recording is prohibited from being overwritten, it is possible to avoid a situation in which storage becomes impossible when the storage medium is full.
It should be noted that, for example, an alarm, sound, display, or the like may be notified that the remaining capacity of the storage medium has become a predetermined value or less and that event recording is being performed on the recording medium for continuous recording.

(I) A plurality of medium accommodating portions to which a recording medium for recording recording data is mounted are stored, and at least one of the normal recording stored by overwriting and the event recording stored by overwriting prohibition are stored in one main storage medium, Other storage media other than the main storage medium when the main storage medium is overwritten and the stored capacity exceeds a predetermined value, or when there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus that performs control to be stored in another storage medium.

  When the recording medium is taken out and the recorded data is browsed by an external device such as a PC, it is more convenient to see all the data stored in both the constant recording and the event recording. Further, when an accident or the like is encountered, the storage medium on which the image at the time of the accident is recorded may be removed and stored. Even in such a case, it is better that all data is stored in one storage medium for both continuous recording and event recording. However, a single storage medium does not function as an image recording apparatus when the capacity is full due to overwriting prohibition or when no storage medium is loaded. If a plurality of storage media are loaded, it will function even in such a case. The main storage medium may have a large capacity, and the other may have a small capacity. When some or all of the data recorded in the main storage medium is erased and there is enough capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, some of the data stored in another storage medium or All may be transferred to the main storage medium.

(J) A medium storage unit in which the main storage medium is to be mounted is determined, and a lamp is disposed near the medium storage unit. It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus that blinks or lights up when it is not.
In this case, it is possible to display the medium accommodating portion that cannot handle data recording in an easy-to-understand manner, and to allow the user to recognize that fact. For example, when the data is stored in a storage medium other than the main storage medium, it is easy to understand by blinking the lamp of the medium storage unit in which the main storage medium is mounted. Further, for example, it may be configured to notify by a display on a display device, an alarm, a voice or the like simultaneously with blinking and lighting of a lamp.

(K) It is provided with a plurality of medium accommodating portions to which recording media for recording the recording data are mounted, and stores at least both the constant recording stored by overwriting and the event recording stored by prohibiting overwriting in at least one main storage medium, When initializing the main storage medium, it is configured to initialize the main storage medium after copying or moving at least overwrite-protected data stored in the main storage medium to another storage medium. An image recording apparatus may be used.
With this configuration, for example, it is possible to initialize a storage medium containing overwriting prohibition data.

(L) A built-in medium accommodating portion for mounting a recording medium for recording the recorded data and a non-recursive memory for recording the recorded data so that the recorded data is always stored in the storage medium. When the data capacity stored by prohibiting overwriting exceeds a predetermined value, or when there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit, or when the storage medium is initialized, it is stored and recorded on the storage medium. If the image recording device moves part or all of the data stored in the built-in memory to the storage medium when some or all of the data is deleted and the capacity is sufficient or a new storage medium is installed good.
In this case, only one medium container is required, and the product cost can be reduced.

(M) When initializing the storage medium, after the storage is switched from the storage medium to be initialized to another storage medium such as another storage medium, storage for a predetermined time or a predetermined capacity is performed on the other storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus that initializes the storage medium after being released.
Since it is desired to prevent new data from being erased as much as possible, it is desirable to initialize after storage on a storage medium other than the storage medium to be initialized proceeds. It is desirable that the other memory is initialized when the capacity is full and overwriting starts.

(N) It is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating units, one of which is a dummy image recording apparatus.
Providing a dummy medium accommodating portion provides an effect that it can be used as a storage place for a spare storage medium. A spare storage medium is attached to the dummy medium accommodating portion, and when the main storage medium is removed, the spare storage medium in the dummy medium accommodating portion may be replaced.

(O) A car navigation function is provided, and a plurality of medium storage units are provided in the same housing, and at least one of them is dedicated to recording data and information attached to recording or data.
A car navigation system commonly called PND is equipped with a media compartment such as a memory card slot for updating maps and software, providing music and video sources, recording TV, and storing travel routes. There are many cases. When the car navigation function and the drive recorder function are combined, there is also a method to use both functions properly in one medium container, but if the drive recorder function has a function to always record the running image, It is necessary to always store the image data in the storage medium, and when data related to the car navigation function is also included in the storage medium, inconvenience may occur in processing. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating units and at least one of them is dedicated to the drive recorder function.

(P) A radar detector function may be provided, and a plurality of medium storage units may be provided in the same housing, and at least one of them may be dedicated to recording data and information attached to recording or data.
Radar detectors are also often used with data such as the location of alarms in memory cards. For the same reason as the above (o), it is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one of them is dedicated to the drive recorder function.

(Q) In the above (o) and (p), in particular, one of the plurality of medium accommodating units applies the above (c) and (d), and the above (i), (j), and (k) It is preferable that the main medium storage unit. In particular, it may be applied to recording data and a memory card dedicated to information and data incidental to recording.
The above-described configurations can be implemented in any combination as long as no contradiction occurs in the configuration.

The perspective view of the drive recorder in Example 1 ((a) is a back side, (b) is a front side). The perspective view of the holder which mounts the acceleration sensor in Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the imaging unit accommodated in the inside in Example 1 ((a) is a back side, (b) is a front side). FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the drive recorder in the first embodiment. The graph explaining the correlation with the acceleration at the time of applying a sudden brake at 100 km / h. The graph explaining the correlation with the acceleration at the time of applying a sudden brake at 80 km / h. The graph explaining the image of the threshold set with the magnitude | size of acceleration, and time. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of sequential recording in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an event occurrence determination routine according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining delivery of the SD card between a drive recorder and a personal computer in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a personal computer according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the viewer screen which a personal computer displays in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an event file sequence in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a dialog box displayed on a personal computer monitor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of other sequential recording in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of dual recording in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of mirror recording in the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front side of a drive recorder according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back side of the drive recorder in the fifth embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the attachment state of the drive recorder in Example 5. FIG. The perspective view of the back side of the other drive recorder in Example 5. FIG. The perspective view of the back side of the other drive recorder in Example 5. FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
A drive recorder 1 as an example of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of this example includes a substantially cylindrical main body case 2 in which an imaging unit and the like are accommodated. The main body case 2 can be attached to a windshield of a vehicle, for example, via a mounting bracket 3.

The bracket 3 includes a holding ring that is externally attached to the substantially cylindrical main body case 2 and a substantially flat mounting plate 5 that circumscribes the holding ring. An end portion of the main body case 2 inserted and disposed in the holding ring of the bracket 3 is configured so that a substantially donut-shaped cap 4 can be screwed therein. If the cap 4 is screwed in with the rotation angle of the main body case 2 adjusted, the main body case 2 can be fixed to the bracket 3. If the rotation angle of the main body case 2 with respect to the bracket 3 is adjusted, the shooting range can be adjusted by changing the depression angle of the drive recorder 1.
The drive recorder 1 can be attached to, for example, a front window or the like via the attachment plate 5 so that the lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 faces a predetermined direction (generally, the front direction).

  An access hole 171 to the DC jack 16 and a USB port 172 to which a USB cable extended from a personal computer or the like can be connected to the side end surface of the main body case 2 that is substantially flush with the end of the screwed cap 4. Perforated. Insertion ports 181 and 182 for inserting an SD card are provided on the side end surface on the opposite side of the main body case 2. In particular, the drive recorder 1 of this example includes two insertion ports. LEDs (display units) 181A and 182A are arranged on both sides of the insertion ports 181 and 182. The LED 181A lights up during data access to an SD card which is a memory card as an example of a storage medium inserted into the insertion slot 181. The LED 182A lights up during data access to the SD card inserted into the insertion slot 182.

  The main body case 2 is a hollow case in which a camera cover 2b and a back cover 2a, which are parts obtained by dividing a substantially cylindrical shape into two vertically, are combined. On the surface of the back cover 2a, a holder 7 (FIG. 2) for holding the holder body 7a in a rotatable manner, first and second push buttons 8 and 9 as operating means, and first and second pilot lamps Illumination blocks 10 and 11 for use are disposed. The lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 is exposed on the surface of the camera cover 2b.

  The holder body 7a of FIG. 2 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 15 as data acquisition means. In the holder 7, the acceleration sensor 15 can be arranged in the horizontal direction as the reference position in accordance with the rotation of the holder body 7 a. Acceleration, which is a measured value of a physical quantity that reflects the state of the vehicle, is measured by the acceleration sensor 15.

  An imaging unit 21 is accommodated in the main body case 2. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the imaging unit 21 is a unit having a board structure in which a main board 22 and a sub board 25 are stacked. On the main board 22, a CCD camera 13, a GPS receiver 24, a DC jack 16, a power supply circuit (not shown), and the like are mounted.

  On the sub board 25, switches 27 and 28 corresponding to the first and second push buttons 8 and 9 are arranged, and LEDs 291 and 292 corresponding to the first and second pilot lamp illumination blocks 10 and 11 are arranged. Has been. Further, the sub-board 25 is provided with a connector (not shown) for connecting a signal line extending from the acceleration sensor 15. SD card readers 311 and 312, which are examples of a medium storage unit for loading and reading data by mounting an SD card, are mounted on the front and back surfaces of the sub-board 25. Of the two SD card readers 311, 312, the SD card reader 311 is a master and the SD card reader 312 is a slave. In the following description, the SD card loaded in the master SD card reader 311 is called a master, and the SD card loaded in the slave SD card reader 312 is called a slave.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive recorder 1 is electrically configured with a controller 30 as an example of a control unit as a center. Connected to the controller 30 are a CCD camera 13, an acceleration sensor 15, a GPS receiver 24, SD card readers 311 and 312, and a database 32.
The control controller 30 includes a CPU (not shown), a main body memory such as a flash ROM, ROM, and RAM, which is an example of a storage unit, a timer, and the like.

  In the ROM of the control controller 30, a GPS information processing program for processing GPS information received by the GPS receiver 24, an image processing program for storing an image captured by the CCD camera 13 in the main body memory or an SD card, and detection by the acceleration sensor 15 Acceleration change calculation program that records acceleration information recorded over time and calculates acceleration change pattern, and determines the correlation between calculated acceleration change pattern and existing acceleration change pattern, and based on the result A correlation function program for determining whether or not the calculated acceleration change pattern exceeds a threshold value and various programs such as an OS (Operation System) are stored.

The GPS receiver 24 is a receiver that detects the position information of the host vehicle at the current time in accordance with an instruction from the controller 30. The detection timing by the GPS receiver 24 is set every second in this example. The position information to be detected is the position, speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The GPS receiver 24 inputs the detected position information to the control controller 30.
The CCD camera 13 is an imaging unit that captures a front landscape through the lens 14 and acquires imaging data. The CCD camera 13 inputs imaging data to the controller 30 via an interface unit 33 that can execute data compression and digital conversion.
The acceleration sensor 15 is a three-axis type sensor that detects acceleration and inclination in the directions of the three axes (X, Y, and Z), and inputs the detected values to the controller 30.
The SD card readers 311 and 312 read and write data on the SD card based on the control of the controller 30.

  The data recorded on the SD card by the control of the controller 30 includes imaging data (captured image) by the CCD camera 13, position data and velocity data by the GPS receiver 24, acceleration data by the acceleration sensor 15, and the like. . Each of these data is recorded in association with the recorded time. By such mutual association, it is possible to acquire position data, velocity data, and acceleration data from time to time in synchronization with reproduction of imaging data. In the following description, recording of imaging data means recording imaging data in synchronization with speed data, position data, acceleration data, and the like. Similarly, recording of event data (specific image) means that image data is recorded in synchronization with velocity data, position data, acceleration data, and the like.

The database 32 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, for example, in the controller 30 or externally attached to the controller 30. A plurality of event occurrence determination function patterns are stored in the database 32 according to speed.
The event occurrence determination pattern is a pattern obtained by combining an event occurrence determination function pattern and an event occurrence determination threshold pattern. The event occurrence determination function pattern is a multidimensional function indicated by the relationship between the magnitude of acceleration and the elapsed time when an event (shock, sudden start / brake, sudden handle) occurs, and is two-dimensionally graphed (curved) Is possible. As an event occurrence determination function pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared corresponding to a unique speed band for each event.

  In the drive recorder 1 including the acceleration sensor 15 capable of detecting the acceleration in the triaxial direction, the event occurrence determination function pattern is stored in association with three types of patterns as one set. If an ideal pattern of the event occurrence determination function pattern is shown, for example, waveforms as shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 illustrates an event occurrence determination function pattern in the X-axis direction (vehicle traveling direction) in a sudden braking at a speed of 100 km / h. FIG. 6 shows the case where the speed is 80 km / h. From these patterns, it can be seen that the slower the speed, the faster the acceleration converges.

  In the database 32, threshold values as event occurrence determination threshold patterns are associated and stored for all event occurrence determination function patterns. The threshold value is set according to the tendency of each event occurrence determination function pattern using the magnitude, direction, and time of acceleration as parameters. For example, in the case of the event occurrence determination function pattern with the sudden braking in FIG. 5 as an event, a large acceleration is generated in a relatively short time, and then the large acceleration continues, and then the reverse in a relatively short time. There is a large acceleration in the direction. It is preferable to set whether or not to deviate from such a tendency of acceleration and time as a threshold value. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the threshold value is set to a continuous state A1 of positive acceleration of 0.3 G that lasts for L1 time and a negative acceleration A2 of 0.15 G for L2 time (this does not need to be continued). It is good to be. When such a threshold is set, a positive acceleration of greater than 0.3G continues for L1 time, and a negative acceleration of greater than 0.15G within the subsequent L2 time (this is continued) Is unnecessary), it is determined that the threshold of the event at that speed has been exceeded.

  Note that the number of thresholds may be the same as the number of event occurrence determination function patterns, and a common threshold may be used in the case of showing an approximate event occurrence determination function pattern. For example, in the case of the same event, in a certain range of speed bands, a common threshold can be associated because there is not much difference in the pattern.

  The control controller 30 samples the detection value of the acceleration sensor 15 at a constant timing based on the acceleration change calculation program, calculates a function of an acceleration change pattern defined by the magnitude and time of the acceleration, and based on the correlation function program. Then, the correlation between the existing acceleration change pattern function and the calculated function is determined. When it is determined that there is correlation similarity, it is determined whether the calculated acceleration change pattern exceeds a threshold value.

  In this example, when the event is “impact”, the sensitivity is simply changed depending on the level of the threshold acceleration. For example, the level 3 acceleration is 100%, the level 4 is 120%, the level 5 is 140%, and the ratio is increased or decreased based on the default. On the other hand, when the event is “sudden start / sudden braking, sudden handle”, the acceleration duration is changed in addition to the change in the ratio of the magnitude of acceleration.

Next, as operations of the drive recorder 1 having the above-described configuration, (1) an imaging data recording operation to the SD card, (2) an event determination operation, and (3) an event data recording operation will be described in this order. To do.
When the drive recorder 1 is energized in response to the on / off switching of the vehicle ignition, the setting information stored in the SD card is read and copied to the main body memory (RAM), and an operation according to the setting information is started. If the setting information is not stored in the SD card, the default (initial setting) setting information stored in the main body memory (ROM) is stored in the master SD card and then stored in the main body memory (RAM). Data is copied.

  As will be described in detail later, the SD card setting information can be generated using the personal computer 35. In the following description, the operation of the drive recorder 1 according to default setting information will be described. In the default setting, an operation mode (control mode) of sequential recording that records a series of imaging data for a long time using the master and slave SD cards is set. As the operation mode of the drive recorder 1, as will be described later in the second embodiment, there are an operation mode of dual recording, mirror recording and the like in addition to sequential recording.

(1) Imaging data recording operation (sequential recording)
The recording operation of imaging data to the SD card is an operation that is continuously executed in a power-on state in which an event such as an impact has not occurred. Under the control of the controller 30, a series of imaging data is recorded as shown in FIG. 8 using two SD cards. As described above, the recorded image data includes speed data, position data (latitude / longitude), acceleration data, and the like recorded in synchronization with time. The storage area of each SD card is managed for each block such as a sector, for example. The squares of each SD card in the figure schematically represent this block.

  If the two SD cards are in the initialized state, the controller 30 starts recording (recording of imaging data) from the master SD card as shown in FIG. When the storage area of the master SD card becomes full, recording on the slave SD card is started as shown in FIG. After that, when the storage area of the slave SD card becomes full, the storage area of the master SD card is erased as shown in the upper part of FIG. The order of erasing at this time is from the storage area of the SD card in which the recorded image data is old (the image capturing timing is old), and the order is 1, 2, 3,... Delete the image data. The controller 30 records new image data as shown in the lower part of FIG. C while erasing the old image data. After that, when all the imaging data of the master SD card is rewritten, the imaging data recorded on the slave SD card is deleted as shown in FIG. D, as in the case of the master SD card described with reference to FIG. Meanwhile, new imaging data is recorded.

  For example, when the vehicle ignition is switched off and the power supply is cut off in a state where the imaging data is recorded up to the 40th block on the slave SD card as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the vehicle ignition is switched on, the recording of the imaging data is continued from the 41st block of the slave SD card.

(2) Event determination operation, (3) Event data recording operation The event determination operation is realized by the controller 30 executing a predetermined event determination routine. The event data recording operation is executed in an event determination routine when the occurrence of an event such as an impact, sudden start / brake, or sudden handle is determined.

An example of the event occurrence determination routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the drive recorder 1 of this example, this routine is executed at a cycle of about 10 milliseconds.
The controller 30 samples the acceleration every time step S1 is executed, thereby obtaining the acceleration pattern for the most recent 1 second (the past 1 second with reference to the current time), and at the same time (the current vehicle). The event occurrence determination function pattern is corrected according to the speed of the event. For example, when the vehicle speed is 75 km / h, it is necessary to compare the event occurrence determination function pattern with a pattern of 75 km / h. The controller 30 is weighted on the basis of a plurality of patterns that are close to the speed of the vehicle, for example, 80 km / h and 60 km / h event occurrence determination function patterns, prepared in advance, and is 75 km / h. An event occurrence determination function pattern is calculated.

  In step S2, the controller 30 determines whether or not the acceleration pattern matches the corrected event occurrence determination function pattern, that is, the similarity between the patterns. Since both the acceleration pattern and the event occurrence determination function pattern are functions in the same dimension, the similarity between both functions can be determined by a correlation function.

  If it is determined that it is not similar to any event occurrence determination function pattern (S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S1 temporarily because it is not an acceleration pattern to be stored. On the other hand, when it is determined that the event occurrence determination function pattern is similar (S2: YES), in step S3, it is determined whether or not a specific threshold value at the speed of the event occurrence determination threshold pattern is exceeded. As the threshold value here, a threshold value that has already been corrected based on the threshold value correction data is used.

  When the threshold value is exceeded in step S3 (S3: YES), the controller 30 determines that the event is to be saved. The controller 30 designates a specific time interval from 10 seconds before to 5 seconds after the time when the event occurs, and the imaging data of that time interval from among a series of imaging data recorded on the SD card. (Specific image) is copied to the main memory (flash ROM). The imaging data copied to the main memory (flash ROM) is composed of 15-second event data (information related to the occurrence of the event, including position data, velocity data, and acceleration data synchronized with the imaging data, including the time of occurrence of the event. ). When an event occurs, the acceleration pattern acquisition operation is canceled for 5 seconds, and the routine ends (S4). Canceling this acquisition operation is a process for preventing the capture of duplicate event data. On the other hand, when it is determined that the threshold has not been exceeded and no event has occurred (S3: NO), it is determined that the threshold to be stored has not been exceeded, and the process proceeds to step S1.

Next, (1) browsing of image data, (2) browsing of event data, (3) threshold setting for event determination, (4) by the personal computer 35 which is a terminal device installed with an application program corresponding to the drive recorder 1 ) Operation mode setting will be described in this order.
(1) Browsing of Imaging Data Imaging data recorded on the SD card can be browsed by being taken into the personal computer 35 as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a general electrical configuration of the personal computer 35. The personal computer 35 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 37 that is a control device. The personal computer 35 includes user interfaces such as data input means such as a keyboard 42 and a mouse 43, and data output means (or display means) such as a printer 44 and a monitor 45.

  In addition to the ROM 38 and RAM 39, the MPU 37 is connected to SD card reader / writers 361 and 362 as data interface means, a hard disk drive 40, and the like. A hard disk accommodated in the hard disk drive 40 stores a general program and data of the personal computer 35 and a viewer program for displaying an image of an acceleration pattern on the monitor 45. This personal computer 35 constitutes a drive recorder system (image recording system) in combination with the drive recorder 1.

  When a predetermined operation is performed by a data input means such as a keyboard 42, the personal computer 35 activates a viewer program to prompt the user to insert an SD card, and displays a viewer screen on the monitor 45. FIG. 12 shows an example of the viewer screen 51 displayed on the monitor 45. A menu bar 52 for executing various operations is arranged at the top of the viewer screen 51. The lower region of the menu bar 52 is divided into left and right regions by vertical lines arranged on the right side. In the left area occupying about 2/3 of the screen width, the image display area 53 for displaying the imaging data, the display switching button 54, the traveling speed display area 55, the acceleration display area 56, the latitude / longitude display area in order from the top. 57, an image drive / stop button 58, and an acceleration history display area 59 are arranged. In the area on the right side of about 程度 of the screen width, a playlist 60 and a map area 61 are arranged in order from the top.

  When two SD cards recording a series of imaging data are inserted, the playlist 60 is displayed with the file numbers of the series of imaging data being focused. The file number is an enumeration of numbers of the shooting date, start time, and end time.

  The personal computer 35 displays an image based on the imaging data in accordance with the operation of the image drive / stop button 58 on the viewer screen 51. During the display of the image, each display of the traveling speed display area 55, the acceleration display area 56, the latitude / longitude display area 57, the acceleration history display area 59, and the map area 61 changes in accordance with the displayed image. The image can be subjected to various operations such as reverse playback returning in the reverse direction and pause. When the display switching button 54 is operated, one of a pattern for displaying one screen on the entire surface of the image display area 53 and a pattern for displaying continuous frame images (for example, 16 screens) can be selected.

(2) Viewing event data Event data recorded in the main memory (flash ROM) of the drive recorder 1 can be communicated via a USB cable by a predetermined write operation using the operation buttons of the drive recorder 1. It is possible to write to the connected personal computer 35. The main body case 2 may be detached from the bracket 3 and connected to the personal computer 35 or the like, or a notebook personal computer or the like that is easy to carry may be brought into the vehicle and connected to the drive recorder 1. Note that when connected to the personal computer 35, the drive recorder 1 can operate by being supplied with power via a USB cable even if the ignition of the vehicle is off.

  It is also possible to write event data to an SD card, USB memory or the like. In this case, the data recorded on the SD card is overwritten in accordance with the writing of the event data. When an SD card is used for writing event data, it is preferable to perform a predetermined writing operation after removing the SD card on which a series of imaging data is recorded and setting another SD card. When a predetermined writing operation is performed, a warning that the data on the SD card is overwritten is output by voice before the event data is actually written.

  The personal computer 35 that has read the event data via the USB cable or the SD card stores the file number of each event data in the playlist 60 in the viewer screen 51 (FIG. 12). List). The playlist 60 is a list read from the event file sequence 63 of FIG. In the play list 60, each event data is displayed in a list from the oldest. For each event data, the file name, the event name indicating the type of event that triggered the event, and the sensitivity level of the event are displayed. For example, L3 means that the data threshold of the file is determined at level 3 (that is, the default state).

  When any file number is designated by the operation of the menu bar 52, the personal computer 35 displays the image data of the corresponding event data in the image display area 53. Note that the image displayed at this time is a still image when it is determined that an event has occurred. Along with the display of this image, data corresponding to the image is displayed in the traveling speed display area 55, the acceleration display area 56, and the latitude / longitude display area 57, respectively, and the map area 61 indicates the point where the image was taken. The surrounding map is displayed. In the acceleration history display area 59, the acceleration history over the time (15 seconds in total) when the imaging data of this event data is stored is displayed, and the acceleration position of the time displayed in the image display area 53 is plotted. The image operation by the operation of the image drive / stop button 58 or the like is the same as when browsing a series of imaging data.

(3) Threshold setting for event determination A method for setting the sensitivity level of the threshold correction data constituting the setting information in the personal computer 35 having a function as a setting changing means will be described. This operation is executed in a state where the application program is started up and the viewer screen 51 is displayed as described above. The personal computer 35 displays a dialog box 65 shown in FIG. 14 on the monitor 45 when the pressing operation of the setting button 52G (the position of the gear icon) on the menu bar 52 is detected by the data input means.

  In the impact sensitivity setting area 66 of the dialog box 65, sliders 67a to 67c for each event of impact, sudden start / brake, and sudden handle are displayed. On the user side, a desired sensitivity level can be set for each item by appropriately operating these sliders 67a to 67c using the data input means. Note that, by default, all the sliders 67a-c and 68 are set to level 3, and this state is set to the threshold value stored in the database 32 (that is, the coefficient is “1”). . When the OK button icon 69 is operated, threshold correction data (sensitivity level) indicating the threshold set by the sliders 67a to 67c is written to the SD card as setting information. On the drive recorder 1 side, when an SD card storing setting information is set, each event (impact, sudden start / brake, sudden handle) based on threshold correction data (sensitivity level) included in the setting information Change the threshold value.

(4) Operation Mode Setting A method for setting the operation mode constituting the setting information in the personal computer 35 having the function as setting change means will be described. This operation is executed on a mode selection screen (not shown) that is switched to the viewer screen. This mode selection screen constitutes a change operation means for changing the operation mode, and corresponds to each operation mode of sequential recording, dual recording (described later in the second embodiment), and mirror recording (similar) on the screen. In addition to the selection button, a confirmation button is arranged. A desired operation mode can be selectively set by operating the confirmation button after selecting any of the selection buttons. When the confirm button is operated, the personal computer 35 displays that the imaging data recorded on the SD card may be erased due to the change of the operation mode (function by warning means) and rewrites the setting information. Switch to the confirmation screen that asks the user if it is OK. When an operation to change the confirmation screen is performed, new setting information is stored in the SD card.

  The drive recorder 1 of the present example configured as described above can record a series of imaging data over a long period of time using two SD cards in, for example, an operation mode of sequential recording. After the storage capacity of the two SD cards is full, erasing in order from the oldest recording data of the image data recorded on one of the SD cards, a new area is created in the free space generated by the erasure. Record imaging data. If new imaging data is recorded while erasing old imaging data in this way, it is possible to record imaging data over a long period of time by effectively using the storage capacity of two SD cards. In addition, when a series of imaging data is recorded on two SD cards, the frequency of data erasing and rewriting can be reduced and the burden on the SD card can be reduced as compared with the case of recording on one SD card. If the burden on the SD card can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing errors and erasing errors when recording imaging data, and to improve operational reliability.

  Further, in this drive recorder 1, when an event such as an impact exceeding a threshold value occurs, imaging data (specification as event data) in a specific time section (15 seconds in this example) before and after the moment when the event occurs is specified. Image) is copied from the SD card to the main memory (flash ROM) and recorded. When an event occurs, information for specifying the occurrence timing is temporarily stored, and then the imaging data for a specific time interval is copied to the main body memory (flash ROM) after a margin is generated in the calculation load of the CPU. It is also good. In this case, load concentration can be suppressed by temporally distributing the processing load of the CPU.

  The drive recorder 1 that continuously records image data has a point that the usage of a storage area of a memory card such as an SD card is greatly different from that of a camera or a video camera. That is, as long as the image recording apparatus such as the drive recorder 1 is in an energized state, erasure of old imaging data and recording of new imaging data are repeated indefinitely. In the case of a camera or video camera, old image data is not erased without permission by overwriting with new image data, but for example, image data is erased after being read out to a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  In an image recording apparatus such as the drive recorder 1 that repeats erasing and writing indefinitely to continuously record imaging data, a data writing error or erasing error occurs while imaging data is repeatedly recorded and erased. There is a possibility that defects occur in the recording data in the storage area. On the other hand, since the drive recorder 1 of the present example includes two medium accommodating units, a plurality of memory cards can be mounted. If a plurality of memory cards are used, it is possible to reduce the burden by reducing the number of times data is rewritten or erased from each memory card as compared to the case where only one memory card is mounted. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing errors and erasing errors when recording imaging data, and to improve operation reliability. The drive recorder 1 is an apparatus having excellent characteristics in which the stability of the recording operation of the imaging data is improved.

  The imaging data recording operation of this example described with reference to FIG. 8 may be changed as shown in FIG. The operation when starting recording on the master SD card in FIG. 15A is the same as in FIG. 8A. The difference is in the control after the storage area of the master SD card is full. As shown in FIG. 15B, in conjunction with the recording of the imaging data on the slave SD card, the imaging data recorded on the master SD card is erased. Here, the interlock means that the data amount of the image data recorded on the slave SD card and the data amount of the image data deleted from the master SD card substantially match or maintain a certain difference. In this state, the recording and erasure of the imaging data are proceeded while being synchronized in parallel.

  After that, when the storage area of the slave SD card becomes full, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 15C, all of the imaging data recorded on the master SD card is erased. Note that it is preferable that the file management information for managing the data address (recording position) of the data file stored in the storage area of the SD card is effectively left without being erased until all the imaging data is erased. By performing such control, it becomes possible to read out the remaining image data without being erased until the SD card is initialized. It is preferable to delete the file management information by executing the initialization format of the storage area after deleting all the imaging data. Thereafter, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3C, the image data recorded on the slave SD card is erased in synchronization with the image data recording operation on the master SD card. In addition, when initializing an SD card that stores setting information, after the initialization, the setting information stored in the main body memory (RAM) is first copied to return to the state in which the setting information is stored. good.

When the storage area of the master SD card becomes full again, as shown in FIG. 15D, the slave SD card is in a state where all of the imaging data is erased and initialized, and recording of the imaging data is started. it can.
Also, for example, as shown in Fig. E, when the imaging data is recorded up to the 40th block of the slave SD card and the vehicle ignition is switched off and then turned on, the latest imaging data is stored. Recording is resumed using the recorded slave SD card.

  Note that three or more SD card readers may be provided. For example, the set three or more SD cards may be divided into two groups, and the recording operation similar to the two SD cards of this example may be applied to the SD cards of each group. In this case, by recording the same imaging data on two or more SD cards belonging to the same group, the imaging data can be read out even if any recording error occurs in one of the SD cards.

  In this example, a series of imaging data can be recorded over a long period of time using two SD cards. Instead of this configuration, a series of imaging data may be recorded using a combination of either one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). In the case of this configuration, event data may be recorded on one of the SD cards, event data may be recorded on the remaining SD card, or may be recorded on the main body memory (flash ROM). .

  In this example, in order to determine the occurrence of an event, acceleration or the like is adopted as a physical quantity that reflects the situation of the vehicle. The physical quantity includes, for example, information flowing on an in-vehicle network that transmits vehicle control information, information obtained based on the information, and the like in addition to acceleration and the like. For example, speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5-second speed, average 5-second speed, maximum 5-second speed, rotation speed, average rotation speed, maximum rotation speed, engine load, average load, maximum load, throttle opening, average throttle Opening, maximum throttle opening, ignition timing, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, maximum intake manifold pressure, MAF, INJ, cooling water temperature, maximum cooling water temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside air temperature, maximum outside air temperature, remaining fuel , Fuel flow rate, maximum fuel flow rate, fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel efficiency, current fuel efficiency, maximum current fuel efficiency, lifetime fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency, general road average fuel efficiency, highway average fuel efficiency, moving average fuel efficiency, maximum moving average fuel efficiency, Driving time, travel time, idle time, idle ratio, travel distance, lifetime travel distance, 0-20km / h acceleration time, 0-20km / h average acceleration, 0-20km / h shortest acceleration, 0-40km / h acceleration time , 0-40km / h average acceleration, 0-40km / h shortest acceleration, 0-60km / h acceleration time, 0-60km / h average acceleration, 0-60km / h shortest acceleration, 0-80km / h acceleration time, 0-80km / h average acceleration, 0-80km / h shortest acceleration, 0-20km / h Vehicle data such as travel time, 20-40km / h travel time, 40-60km / h travel time, 60-80km / h travel time, 80km / h or more travel time, lifetime engine travel distance, lifetime engine travel ratio, etc. It is also good to adopt. These vehicle data are provided on the vehicle side in accordance with, for example, OBD (On-board Diagnostics) -II (II is the Roman numeral “2”, hereinafter referred to as “OBD”). It is possible to obtain via the OBD connector (fault diagnosis connector). In this case, the structure which acquires vehicle data from an OBD connector becomes a data acquisition means.

For example, it is also possible to provide a recording button (storing operation means) for recording imaging data in a specific time interval by a user's manual operation. In this case, the operation of the recording button is an event. By operating the record button, the image data before and after that can be recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) or SD card. For example, when the user passes a point of interest or encounters a traffic situation that he / she wants to record, he / she operates the recording button afterwards to capture the image data including that point or the traffic situation as event data. It is convenient to be able to record. Note that there is a high possibility that a time lag will occur between the user's operation event and the actual occurrence of the event after the object to be recorded appears. Therefore, when event data is recorded in response to an event called user operation, a time interval corresponding to the event data may be set longer. In particular, if the time section on the past side is set to be long, a desired landscape can be recorded as event data with high reliability even when the operation of the recording button is delayed.
For example, it may be a drive recorder including a liquid crystal display capable of reproducing and displaying image data recorded on an SD card. In this case, event data can be recorded by operating the record button during reproduction of the image data by the drive recorder.

  In this example, the insertion slot 181 of the SD card reader 311 corresponding to the master SD card and the insertion slot 182 of the SD card reader 312 corresponding to the slave SD card are opened in parallel with the side surface of the main body of the drive recorder 1. doing. For example, a cover may be provided on the insertion slot 181 corresponding to the master SD card, while the insertion slot 182 corresponding to the slave SD card may have no lid. In this case, the procedure for removing the master SD card is more complicated than the procedure for removing the slave SD card, and thus the slave SD card is preferentially removed. Can be directed. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the master SD card in which important data such as setting information is recorded will be extracted, and to avoid troubles caused by the unexpected removal of the master SD card.

  The drive recorder 1 may be provided with an operation button serving as a change operation means for changing setting information (such as an operation mode and threshold correction data). In this case, the setting information can be changed by the drive recorder 1 alone. A function for displaying a set operation mode, a change-destination operation mode, or the like may be provided, or a reading function may be provided. Furthermore, when the setting information can be changed on the drive recorder 1 side, it is preferable to add warning means for warning that there is a possibility that the recorded data of the SD card may be erased due to the change of the setting information. A text-to-speech function or the like may be employed as the warning means. In this case, there is no need to add a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and an increase in cost due to the setting of warning means can be suppressed.

(Example 2)
This example is an operation example of the drive recorder 1 in an operation mode other than the sequential recording described in the first embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to FIG. As described in the first embodiment, the operation mode of the drive recorder 1 includes (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording operation modes in addition to (1) sequential recording in the first embodiment. This example is an operation example under the operation mode of (2) dual recording.

(2) Dual Recording As shown in FIG. 16, dual recording is an operation mode in which event data is recorded on a master SD card and a series of imaging data is recorded on a slave SD card. A series of time-sequential imaging data is recorded on the slave SD card, and when the storage area is full, the imaging data with the oldest imaging timing is rewritten to new imaging data in order. On the other hand, when an event such as an impact occurs in the master SD card, the image data of a specific time interval (10 seconds before the event occurrence and 5 seconds after the event occurrence) including the moment when the event occurs is received from the slave SD card. Duplicated (data copied) and recorded. As in the first embodiment, the recorded imaging data includes velocity data, position data, acceleration data, and the like recorded in synchronization with the imaging data.

In the case of FIG. 16, as shown at the bottom, after the recording data (event data) of the master SD card is full, the old recording data is erased and a free area for recording new event data is provided. Secured. Alternatively, event data may be recorded with overwriting prohibited. When the storage area of the master SD card is full due to the event data, a notification that prompts the user to load an SD card having a vacant storage area may be given. For example, a permission mode in which overwriting is permitted may be set for an SD card that is not overwritten. In this case, when an important landscape that needs to be recorded appears after the storage area of the overwrite-protected SD card is full, image data of the important landscape can be recorded by setting a permission mode. .
Normally, the imaging data is recorded on the slave SD card, and when passing through the location to be stored, the imaging data is recorded on the master SD card that is not overwritten so that it can be switched by a switch operation. It may be configured. This switch operation may be an operation of a changeover switch, or may be an operation of a switch that maintains the switching state for a predetermined time after the operation and returns to the original state as the predetermined time elapses.

  When operating in the dual recording mode, event data may be recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) as in the first embodiment. In this case, it is possible to backup the data by recording the event data in both the SD card and the main unit memory (flash ROM), and avoid troubles such as inability to read the data when the event occurs. it can.

In this example, dual recording is performed using two SD cards. Alternatively, dual recording may be performed using either one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). Further, dual recording can be executed by using two or more SD cards and a main body memory (flash ROM).
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  If a series of imaging data is recorded on the subordinate slave memory card, and imaging data for a specific time interval according to the event occurrence is recorded on the main master memory card, a series of imaging data and imaging for a specific time interval are recorded. Data can be recorded efficiently. As the specific time interval, for example, a time interval that needs to be saved may be set. Since a series of imaging data recorded on the slave memory card needs to be updated at any time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting. On the other hand, for the master memory card, the imaging data may be recorded in the overwrite prohibition mode, and in this case, the imaging data of a specific time section recorded when an event occurs can be stored with high certainty.

  In general, when recording on a memory card, a series of image data is managed in units of files, for example. In such a configuration, it may be difficult to create only the imaging data of a specific time interval as a file. In this case, it is preferable to copy or move data in units of files including imaging data in a specific time interval.

  In the dual recording operation mode, the controller of the drive recorder 1 controls the secondary slave memory card as a first storage medium that is allowed to be overwritten, while prohibiting overwriting of the main master memory card. 2 as a storage medium. Here, the first and second numbers of the storage medium do not represent the priority order or the master-slave, and are completely irrelevant, and the numbers may be exchanged. If the secondary slave memory card is used as the storage medium for overwrite recording, and the primary master memory card is prohibited from being overwritten, the image data is continuously recorded on the slave memory card as described above. On the other hand, the master memory card can be used for recording imaging data that is particularly desired to be stored, while performing continuous recording.

  In the dual recording operation mode, the controller of the drive recorder 1 records new imaging data by overwriting sequentially on the old imaging data at the time of imaging among the imaging data recorded on the secondary slave memory card. Perform continuous recording. Thereby, continuous recording by continuous recording of imaging data becomes possible, and a captured image in a past predetermined time range can be recorded with the current time as a reference. For example, it becomes possible to record a captured image at the moment when an accident or the like occurs, and it is possible to secure evidence useful for investigating the cause of the accident.

  Note that the main master memory card for which overwriting is prohibited includes, for example, imaging data by event recording when an event occurs, imaging data by manual operation recording in response to manual operation, still recording, etc. It is preferable to record the captured image. If the memory card installed in the drive recorder 1 is few and cannot be assigned to the master / slave, the installed memory card can be handled as a subordinate slave memory card and continuous recording by continuous recording of image data can be performed. good.

  In the dual recording operation mode, the imaging data is recorded on the master memory card with overwriting prohibited when a specific recording condition is satisfied, for example, the acceleration detected by the G sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. Thereby, it is possible to store the imaged data when a specific recording condition is satisfied with high certainty in an overwrite-inhibited state. In particular, in the drive recorder 1, imaging data corresponding to the establishment of a specific recording condition is recorded on an independent master memory card that is different from a slave memory card for continuous recording. For this reason, even if some trouble occurs during the process of continuously recording the imaging data to the slave memory card, there is little possibility that problems such as inability to read will affect the master memory card.

  Note that the specific recording conditions for recording the imaging data in the master memory card with prohibition of overwriting may be set to some event, manual operation by the driver, or the like. The event may be, for example, the occurrence of an accident in which an airbag is deployed, the occurrence of a sudden brake or a sudden handle, the occurrence of a large acceleration, or the like.

It should be noted that when the amount of data recorded in the overwriting-prohibited storage medium exceeds a predetermined value, it becomes possible to record a captured image or the like in the main body memory of the drive recorder when it becomes necessary to initialize the storage medium. . After that, when the data capacity of the storage medium is sufficient due to the data erasure, or when a new storage medium is loaded, a part or all of the data stored in the main body memory may be moved to the storage medium. In this case, there is a possibility that the medium accommodating portion can be constituted by one, and an inexpensive drive recorder can be realized.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
This example is an operation example of the drive recorder 1 in an operation mode other than the sequential recording described in the first embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to FIG. As described in the first embodiment, the operation mode of the drive recorder 1 includes (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording operation modes in addition to (1) sequential recording in the first embodiment. This example is an operation example under the operation mode of (3) mirror recording.

(3) Mirror recording Mirror recording is an operation mode in which the same image data is recorded on the master and slave SD cards as shown in FIG. The event data is recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) as in the case of the sequential recording operation mode of the first embodiment. If the same data is recorded on both the master SD card and the slave SD card, even if a recording error occurs in one of the SD cards, a series of image data can be read from the other SD card, and the recording operation High reliability can be secured.

In this example, mirror recording is performed using two SD cards. Instead, mirror recording may be executed using either one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). Furthermore, mirror recording can be performed using two or more SD cards and a main body memory (flash ROM).
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The drive recorders 1 according to the first to third embodiments include a plurality of medium accommodating units that detachably hold a memory card such as an SD card. The controller 30 of the drive recorder 1 includes a memory mounted in another medium storage unit during recording of image data to a memory card mounted in at least one of the plurality of medium storage units. Various processes such as a card writing process and an initialization process can be executed in parallel.

  For example, if another writing process is executed for another memory card different from the memory card that records the imaging data, even if another writing process is executed during the recording of the imaging data, With respect to a memory card for recording imaging data and a memory card for executing other writing processes, it is possible to suppress the possibility of excessive frequency of data access such as data writing and reading. Therefore, even if another writing process is executed in parallel with the recording of the imaging data, there is less possibility of problems in recording the image in recording the imaging data.

  The drive recorder 1 can execute other processes with a relatively high frequency of data access to the memory card within a range in which the influence on the recording operation of the imaging data is suppressed. If various writing processes can be executed during recording of imaging data, the drive recorder 1 can be used not only for recording imaging data but also for recording various data, and the convenience can be improved.

  The controller 30 of the drive recorder 1 has a function of individually executing data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization control for each memory card mounted in each of a plurality of medium storage units. . If each control of data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization can be individually executed for each memory card, there is an advantage that the types of recording operations that can be executed in parallel in the drive recorder 1 are increased. As a result, the functions of the drive recorder 1 become diverse and convenience is improved. For example, it is possible to record vehicle data such as engine speed and vehicle speed on another memory card while recording imaging data for a specific memory card. Also, for example, when recording imaging data using two or more memory cards, the storage area of another memory card in which the imaging time of the recorded imaging data is old is recorded during the recording of the latest imaging data. It is good to initialize. In this case, when the memory card that is recording the latest image data becomes full, the subsequent recording of the image data can be continued using another memory card in the initialized state. If an initialized memory card is used, imaging data can be recorded with a high degree of certainty without causing a writing error or the like.

Example 4
This example is an example of a drive recorder that executes dual recording with higher functionality based on the dual recording of the second embodiment.

(1) A configuration example in which data that is not overwritten is recorded on a master memory card.
For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact in one of the event recordings, it is better to prohibit overwriting if the impact detection is an accident detection. An impact may be detected by a driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting-inhibited data is accumulated more and more. In order to prevent an unnecessary overflow of the overwrite-inhibited data, it is preferable to determine a predetermined capacity and to have a function of overwriting recording within that range.

  It is also possible to perform control for prohibiting overwriting for a part of the storage area of the master memory card and for allowing overwriting for the remaining part or all of the memory area. For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact in one of the event recordings, it is better to prohibit overwriting if the impact detection is an accident detection. An impact may be detected by a driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting-inhibited data is accumulated more and more. In order to prevent overflow of unnecessary overwrite prohibition data, when overwrite prohibition data is generated, it is recorded in an area where overwrite is allowed once, and the possibility of an accident is high due to, for example, the vehicle being stopped after the occurrence of an impact. It is also possible to perform control to move data to the overwrite-inhibited area when it becomes.

(2) Configuration example that enables mutual backup of master / slave memory cards.
In the drive recorder, a plurality of memory cards can be mounted, and one of them is controlled as a main master and the other as a secondary slave. It is also possible to adopt a configuration having a function of supplementing the function of the memory card on the other memory card side when the memory card of either the master or slave is removed or some problem or malfunction occurs. With this configuration, even if either the master or slave memory card is removed or some problem or malfunction occurs, the same function as before the malfunction can be maintained. .

  In particular, the main master memory card may be configured to record a low probability of overwriting prohibition or deletion of an image to be saved, such as a record of an accident or a place with good scenery. Also, the secondary slave memory card should be recorded at all times during travel, especially with a function to search later for images that could not be recorded on the master memory card for some reason, It is preferable to have a function of performing at least one of movement and copying to the storage medium. In general, continuous recording has a higher probability of causing damage or malfunction of a storage medium such as a memory card. In the case of the dual recording mode as described above, the image to be saved is recorded on the master memory card, and even if the slave memory card is damaged or malfunctioned, the damage can be reduced.

  The controller of the drive recorder 1 moves to a state where a slave memory card that allows overwriting is removed in a state where the master and slave memory cards are mounted, and only a master memory card that is not overwritten is mounted. It is also possible to set a rewritable storage area in a part of the free area in the storage area of the master memory card. According to this configuration, even after the slave memory card is removed and only the master memory card is used, continuous recording that continuously records the imaging data is possible, and the convenience of the drive recorder 1 is reduced due to the reduced function. Can be suppressed.

  In a configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having an area where a recorded image that has already been recorded is not erased due to the overwriting prohibition, the control means is configured to mount the first and second storage media in a state where the first and second storage media are mounted. When the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is loaded, the first storage medium is included in a part of the free area of the storage area of the second storage medium. It is preferable that the image recording apparatus has a function of setting an overwritable storage area for storing data corresponding to this storage.

  The control controller of the drive recorder 1 treats the memory card as a third storage medium when only one memory card is mounted, and a storage area that can be overwritten and a storage area that cannot be overwritten. It is also possible to execute control for providing In this case, even if a single memory card is installed, for example, data such as overwriting-prohibited imaging data can be recorded separately from the always-recorded imaging data. The overwriting-prohibited imaging data may be a captured image by event recording, a captured image by manual operation recording, an imaging by still recording, or the like. Thereafter, for example, when a memory card that can be used as a master or a slave is newly installed, the memory card may be handled as a master or slave memory card. In the case of handling as an overwritable slave memory card, for example, all or part of the always-recorded imaging data recorded in an overwritable manner on the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium is newly stored. It is also possible to transfer to a slave memory card for recording. In the case of handling as an overwritable master memory card, all or part of the image data recorded in the overwritable prohibition on the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium is transferred to the new master memory card. It is also possible to transfer to a card for recording.

  Note that a mode is provided in which all storage media are controlled as the first storage medium even when a plurality of storage media are loaded and the first storage medium and the second storage medium can be distributed. It is also good. In this case, since the storage area of the first storage medium becomes large, it is possible to lengthen the recording time when continuously recording captured images. As described above, when there are a plurality of first storage media, when the amount of data recorded in any one of the storage media is full, the storage media to be used for continuously recording captured images is changed to the other first storage media. Switch to. In this case, captured images can be continuously recorded efficiently by alternately using any one of the plurality of first storage media. The storage medium is preferably configured so that the recorded data can be individually erased and initialized.

  In a configuration having a function of controlling as a second storage medium having a region in which a recorded image that has been recorded is not erased due to prohibition of overwriting, the control means newly installs a storage medium with only one storage medium installed When this is done, the storage medium is controlled as the second storage medium, and the data recorded in the storage area of the third storage medium with the overwrite prohibited may be recorded in the newly mounted storage medium. .

(3) Configuration example that enables replacement of a master / slave memory card.
While the memory card as the main master is not fixed, a plurality of storage media including the main memory of the drive recorder 1 are used as the main and secondary in order, It is an example of a structure provided with the function to initialize the storage medium to perform. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of damage or malfunction by making the burden on each storage medium close to uniform.
In this case, it is preferable to provide a function of recording both the overwriting regular recording and the overwriting prohibition event recording in the same main storage medium.

  In particular, recording data (imaging data) that is basic as a drive recorder is recorded in a main storage medium, and data that is not basic as a drive recorder is recorded in a secondary storage medium. The storage area may be separated. In this way, particularly in a multi-function drive recorder, it is possible to prevent the processing speed from slowing down or a portion that cannot be processed from occurring. Further, by separating as described above, the frequency of use of one storage medium is reduced, and the probability that the storage medium is damaged or malfunctioned can be further reduced.

  The drive recorder may perform control so that initialization is performed automatically or semi-automatically under a predetermined condition in the control of initializing another storage medium during recording on one storage medium. If initialization is performed automatically or semi-automatically, troubles such as the inability to read data recorded on the storage medium can be avoided, and data that can be recorded while maintaining high recording efficiency of data on the storage medium The amount can be kept close to the maximum. Note that it is desirable to initialize the storage medium periodically, when a predetermined number of rewrites have been performed since the previous initialization, or when a predetermined amount of overwriting has been performed, or overwriting recording of a predetermined capacity has occurred. The initialization is started semi-automatically, such as when the initialization is started automatically by a predetermined condition such as when the initialization is started, or when the confirmation operation for starting the initialization is performed by displaying the alarm or voice notification that the initialization time has come It is good to implement.

  It is preferable not to automatically initialize the overwriting-prohibited storage medium. If a medium accommodating portion that is not automatically initialized is set, data that is desired to be stored for a long period of time can be retained with high certainty. For example, it is preferable not to automatically initialize a storage medium storing event recordings. Event recording is considered to be less frequently rewritten by overwriting than regular recording, and event recording is stored because event recording is likely to be recorded for a relatively long time. It is preferable to set the storage medium so that it is not automatically initialized.

It is preferable that the image recording apparatus performs control for temporarily storing the recording in a partial capacity of the event recording storage medium while the overwritable recording medium is initialized.
In this case, it is possible to initialize the recording medium for continuous recording, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of trouble related to the storage medium. For example, if there are multiple storage media for continuous recording, initialization may be performed in order. For example, when there are two medium storage units, one is used for event recording and automatic initialization is prohibited It is preferable to control to record in the event recording direction at least while the storage medium for constant recording is initialized.

In addition, when the remaining capacity of the overwriting-prohibited storage medium for storing the event recording becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is preferable to perform control for storing the event recording in the overwritable storage medium for continuous recording. In this case, for example, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the overwriting-prohibited storage medium for event recording becomes full and the captured image cannot be recorded when the event occurs. It should be noted that the remaining capacity of the storage medium has become less than a predetermined value, or that event recording is being performed on the recording medium for continuous recording, for example, by alarm, voice, display, etc. Data copy, exchange of storage media, etc. can be prompted.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as in the second embodiment.

(Example 5)
This example is an example of the drive recorder 5 provided with a save operation means for recording a part of imaged data with overwrite prohibition based on another embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The drive recorder 5 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is an electronic device in which an electronic board (not shown) is accommodated inside a substantially rectangular casing 50 in front. A lens 611 of the camera unit 61 is disposed on the front surface of the housing 50, and a liquid crystal screen 630 of a liquid crystal display as an example of a display unit and various operation buttons 505 are disposed on the back surface. On the upper surface of the housing 50, a recording button 521 and a power button 523, which are examples of storage operation means for starting and stopping the recording operation, are arranged, and screws for attaching the bracket 7 (see FIG. 20). A hole 501 is formed. On the side surface of the housing 50, there are two power supply terminals 57 for supplying power, and two card slots 55 which are examples of a medium accommodating portion for inserting a microSD card (an example of a memory card which is an example of a storage medium). They are arranged in parallel.

  The drive recorder 5 can be attached to the windshield 80 of the vehicle, for example, as shown in FIG. The bracket 7 includes a sticking stay 73 attached to the windshield 80 via a double-sided tape 700 and the like, a base 71 including a screw 711 corresponding to the screw hole 501 of the drive record 5 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the sticking stay 73 is provided with a spherical sliding ball 435 at the tip of a curved arm portion 433 extending on the back surface of a circular sticking plate 730 attached to the glass surface of the windshield 80. It is a member. The pedestal 41 is a member in which a concave portion 417 having an inner spherical surface is provided on the opposite side of the pedestal surface 410 on which the screw 411 is erected. An outer peripheral screw 415 into which the outer peripheral nut 45 is screwed is provided on the outer peripheral side of the recess 417. If the outer peripheral nut 45 is tightened in a state where the sliding ball 435 is accommodated in the recess 417, the sliding ball 435 can be fastened and fixed, whereby the angle of the sticking stay 43 with respect to the base 41 can be fixed.

  In installing the drive recorder 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, first, a bracket 7 in which the outer peripheral nut 75 is lightly tightened to connect the attaching stay 73 and the pedestal 71 is prepared, and the attaching plate 730 is attached using the double-sided tape 700. Affix to the windshield 80. Next, the drive recorder 5 is gripped so that the screw 711 of the bracket 7 can be inserted into the screw hole 501, and the screw 711 is screwed by rotating the drive recorder 5 itself. Screws 711 are screwed in until the housing 50 is pressed against the pedestal surface 710, thereby fixing the drive recorder 5 to the pedestal 71 of the bracket 7. After adjusting the imaging range of the drive recorder 5 to a desired range, the sliding ball 435 of the sticking stay 73 can be fixed by tightening the outer peripheral nut 75. Thereby, the mounting posture of the drive recorder 2 can be fixed and the imaging range can be set to a predetermined range, and the installation of the drive recorder 2 can be completed.

  Of the two card slots 55, the card slot located on the front side of the housing 50 is a medium accommodating portion for accommodating an overwritable microSD card, and the back side card slot is for an overwritable microSD card. It is a medium accommodating part for accommodating. In this way, by fixing the positions of the memory card for continuous recording and the memory card for which overwriting is prohibited, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the user mistakes the memory card. For example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of troubles such that a memory card that has been recorded with overwriting prohibited is inserted into a card slot for continuous recording, and data that needs to be saved is erased by overwriting.

  The drive recorder 5 reproduces and displays the captured image recorded on the rewritable microSD card on the liquid crystal screen 630 by appropriately operating the operation button 505. When the record button 521 is operated while the reproduced image is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 630, the drive recorder 5 transfers the captured image including a predetermined front and back including the operation time point to the microSD card prohibited from overwriting and records it. In order to suppress the concentration of processing load, it is also possible to mark the operation time point and execute transfer recording later.

  The drive recorder 5 can record the original captured image of the reproduction image that is determined to be stored after prohibiting overwriting after determining whether or not to store the reproduction image. If it can be confirmed by the reproduced image, the captured image to be stored can be recorded with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. While reproducing a captured image recorded on a microSD card that can be overwritten by continuous recording, a part of the captured image can be transferred to and recorded on a microSD card that cannot be overwritten. By operating the recording button 521 while displaying the reproduced image, there is little possibility that an image different from the captured image to be stored will be erroneously recorded. The time interval of the captured image to be recorded in a state where overwriting is prohibited is a time interval that goes back to a predetermined time before the time point when the operation was performed, a time interval until a predetermined time passes after the operation time point, or It is good to set it as the section before and behind in time with the operation time as a standard.

  The drive recorder 5 may be provided with a sensor such as a G sensor for detecting an impact or an external input function. When controlling any one of a plurality of mounted storage media as a rewritable storage medium and controlling any of them as a recording medium for continuous recording with no overwriting, triggered by a sensor or an externally input signal, Both the captured image of the time interval up to the time point that went back to a predetermined time before the time point when the signal input becomes the reference, the captured image of the time interval until the predetermined time has passed with that time point, and both of these captured images May be recorded on a storage medium that cannot be overwritten.

  Note that when recording a part of a captured image with overwriting prohibition, data movement and copying are generally performed in units of files. Therefore, it is also possible to transfer or copy not only the portion corresponding to the time interval based on the point in time when the recording button 521 is operated, but also a file including that portion. In this case, a portion other than the portion corresponding to the time interval is included in the transferred data. At this time, when reproducing a part of the captured image recorded with overwrite prohibition, it may be controlled so that reproduction of a part other than the part corresponding to the time interval can be omitted.

  In the drive recorder 5, the recording method and the type of recording data are distinguished for each card slot 55, which is an example of a medium storage unit, and the functions are different. When a memory card, which is an example of a storage medium, is mounted, the card slot 55 can be selected according to the recording data and the like, so that it is easy to use. For example, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the recording method and recording timing which differ for each card slot 55, and errors such as removal of the memory card being written can be suppressed in advance. As in this example, it is preferable to use different recording methods such that one card slot 55 is overwritten and the other card slot 55 is overwritten. Further, different recording data may be used such that one card slot 55 is always recorded and the other card slot 55 is event recording.

  Note that it is also possible to control each card slot 55 of the drive recorder 5 so that the probability of the recorded data being erased is different. For example, one card slot 55 has a high probability of recording data being erased by overwriting, and the other card slot 55 has a sufficient storage capacity for the amount of recording data so that the probability of being erased by overwriting is low. It is good to keep. In addition, even if both are overwritten, one side always records a large amount of data such as recorded data, and the other side stores a small amount of data such as event recording, so that the probability of erasing the recorded data differs. It can also be.

  In the drive recorder 5, two card slots 55 are arranged side by side. Instead of this, one medium accommodating portion is arranged on the side surface visible from the driver side, and the other is arranged on the side surface invisible from the driver side, etc. Or you can make it easy to understand the ranking. In this case, it is possible to make a difference in the ease of access from the user side for each medium accommodating portion. For example, the storage medium / medium container having a high frequency of attachment / detachment may be placed in an easily understandable place, and the one with a low attachment / detachment frequency may be placed in a relatively difficult place. In order to make the storage medium / medium container frequently attached and detached easy to understand, it is preferable to surround the edge of the medium container with a line, color it, or provide internal illumination. For example, if the card slots 55 are arranged side by side as in the drive recorder 5, it may be covered with an opening / closing cover 558 that is an example of a lid so that the one with a low frequency of attachment / detachment is relatively difficult to understand as shown in FIG. . Or, print or engrave near the medium container so that the order can be understood as 1, 2,..., A, B, etc., and the storage medium / medium container that is frequently attached and detached is taken out as 1 or A. It is also preferable to make it difficult to mistake the storage medium.

  At least one of the plurality of storage media may have a different shape or size from the others. If the sizes of the storage media are made different, the effect of suppressing the mix-up between a plurality of storage media can be obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the medium accommodating part 55 with high attachment / detachment frequency is a standard type storage medium such as an SD card 555, and the lower medium accommodating part 55A is different such as a storage medium such as a micro SD card 555A. By using a different type of SD card, it is desirable to make it difficult to mistake the storage medium to be taken out.

  A drive recorder having a car navigation function may be used. At least one of the plurality of medium storage units included in the drive recorder may be dedicated to recording data and information or data attached to the recording. A car navigation system commonly called PND is equipped with a media compartment such as a memory card slot for updating maps and software, providing music and video sources, recording TV, and storing travel routes. There are many cases. When the car navigation function and the drive recorder function are combined, there is also a method to use both functions properly in one medium container, but if the drive recorder function has a function to always record the running image, It is necessary to always store the image data in the storage medium, and when data related to the car navigation function is also included in the storage medium, inconvenience may occur in processing. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating units and at least one of them is dedicated to the drive recorder function.

It may be a drive recorder having a radar detector function. At least one of the plurality of medium storage units included in the drive recorder may be dedicated to recording data and information or data attached to the recording. Radar detectors are also often used with data such as the location of alarms in memory cards. For the same reason as in the case of the drive recorder having the car navigation function, it is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one of them is dedicated to the drive recorder function.
In addition, about another structure and an effect, it is the same as that of another Example.

(Example 6)
This example is an example of setting a main storage medium based on another embodiment. This will be described.
As in the other embodiments, the drive recorder of this example includes a plurality of medium accommodating units in which a storage medium for recording recorded data based on a captured image is mounted. The drive recorder controls, as a main storage medium, a storage medium attached to a main medium storage unit that is one of a plurality of medium storage units.

  In the main storage medium, at least both continuous recording capable of overwriting and event recording stored with prohibition of overwriting are recorded. The drive recorder controls the recording of the captured image on another storage medium when the capacity stored in the main storage medium with overwriting prohibition exceeds a predetermined value or when there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit. Run.

  When the main storage medium is taken out and the recorded data is browsed by an external device such as a PC, for example, it is very convenient that all data stored in both the regular recording and the event recording can be browsed. Further, when an accident or the like is encountered, the storage medium on which the image at the time of the accident is recorded may be removed and stored. Even in such a case, it is better that all data is stored in one storage medium for both continuous recording and event recording.

  For example, when there is only one storage medium that can be mounted, when the capacity is full due to overwriting prohibition, or when no storage medium is mounted, the function as a drive recorder becomes insufficient. If the other storage medium is installed in addition to the main storage medium like the drive recorder of this example, the function as a drive recorder is realized even if the capacity of the main storage medium is full or not. it can. The main storage medium may have a large capacity, and the other may have a small capacity. When some or all of the data recorded in the main storage medium is erased and there is enough capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, some of the data stored in another storage medium or All may be transferred to the main storage medium.

  Decide the media storage unit to which the main storage medium is to be installed, place a lamp near the medium storage unit, and blink when the capacity is full due to overwriting prohibition or when the storage medium is not installed Alternatively, it may be lit. In this case, it is possible to display the medium accommodating portion that cannot handle data recording in an easy-to-understand manner, and to allow the user to recognize that fact. For example, when the data is stored in a storage medium other than the main, it is easy to understand by blinking the lamp of the main medium storage unit. Further, for example, it may be configured to notify by a display on a display device, an alarm, a voice or the like simultaneously with blinking and lighting of a lamp.

  When initializing the main storage medium, the drive recorder executes initialization after copying or moving at least overwrite-protected data stored in the main storage medium to another storage medium. By executing such initialization control, for example, a storage medium containing overwriting-prohibited data can be safely initialized without damaging the data.

  When there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit or when the main storage medium is initialized, a captured image or the like may be recorded in a main body memory built in the drive recorder. After that, when the data in the main storage medium is erased and there is enough data capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, some or all of the data stored in the main memory is transferred to the main storage medium or It is also possible to move to another storage medium. In this case, only one medium container is required, and the product cost can be reduced.

When initializing a storage medium, after switching the storage from the storage medium to be initialized to another storage medium such as another storage medium, storage for a predetermined time or a predetermined capacity was performed on the other storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus that initializes the storage medium later.
Since it is desired to prevent new data from being erased as much as possible, it is desirable to initialize after storage on a storage medium other than the storage medium to be initialized proceeds. It is desirable that the other memory is initialized when the capacity is full and overwriting starts.

Instead of this example, one of the plurality of medium accommodating portions may be a dummy medium accommodating portion. Providing a dummy medium accommodating portion provides an effect that it can be used as a storage place for a spare storage medium. A spare storage medium is installed in the dummy medium storage unit, and when the main storage medium is removed, it can be conveniently replaced with a spare storage medium in the dummy medium storage unit. The risk of being lost during storage can be suppressed.
In addition, about another structure and an effect, it is the same as that of another Example.

(Example 7)
This example is an example in which a storage medium has a communication function based on another embodiment.
The memory card controlled by overwriting prohibition has a communication function for transmitting data to the outside in addition to a function for storing data. The drive recorder can execute control to transmit a captured image recorded with overwrite prohibition to an external device.

  The drive recorder can externally transmit the captured image recorded on the memory card in a state where overwriting is prohibited, and can browse the captured image at the transmission destination. Employing such a configuration is particularly effective when an accident occurs. For example, when a driving situation such as a snooze driving occurs in a taxi or the like, if the captured image at that time is immediately sent to the taxi company, the manager can grasp the dangerous situation before the accident occurs . Also, for example, when an accident occurs after that, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and promptly deal with the situation.

  When a memory card with communication function and a memory card without communication function are installed in the drive recorder, the storage medium with communication function can be controlled as an overwritable memory card, and the storage medium without communication function can be overwritten. It is good to control as a simple memory card. Then, it is preferable that all or a part of the data recorded on the overwrite-protected memory card is transmitted with priority. Here, the transmission with priority is preferably performed automatically.

  For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact, it is preferable to record captured images over the time period on a memory card that is not overwritten. The captured image may be immediately transmitted to the outside, but in reality, an impact may be detected depending on a road surface state such as a road step or a driving operation of the driver. In order not to transmit the captured image in the normal range to the outside without any darkness, for example, after recording the captured image on the memory card that is not overwritten in response to the detection of the impact, the vehicle stops and the stopped state continues for a predetermined time. It is also possible to perform control so that a captured image recorded with overwriting prohibition is externally transmitted, for example, when the vehicle is stopped and a hazard lamp is turned on.

It is also possible to perform control for prohibiting overwriting on a part of the storage area of the memory card having the communication function, and performing control for permitting overwriting on the remaining part or all of the memory card. For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact in one of the event recordings, it is better to prohibit overwriting if the impact detection is an accident detection. An impact may be detected by a driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting-inhibited data is accumulated more and more. To prevent unnecessary overwrite protection data overflow, when overwrite protection data is generated, record it in the area where overwriting is allowed once. For example, the vehicle is stopped after an impact occurs, or the hazard lamp is turned on. It is also possible to move the data to the area where overwrite is prohibited when the operation shifts to a situation where the possibility of an accident can be estimated to be high.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as in the other embodiments.

The drive recorder of each embodiment includes a plurality of medium accommodating units, and a plurality of memory cards can be mounted. This drive recorder has an advantage over a drive recorder having only one medium accommodating portion in the following points.
(A) For example, if the memory card is damaged or defective, recording cannot be performed. In particular, when continuous recording is being performed, the recording is always repeated with overwriting during driving (repeating erasure and storage), so the probability of breakage increases. Also, if the memory card is removed during operation, there is a high possibility of damage. Most drive recorders turn the power on and off in conjunction with the engine key. However, depending on the vehicle, there are voltage fluctuations, interruptions, surges, etc., especially when starting the engine. May cause memory card damage or malfunction. On the other hand, in the drive recorder of each embodiment, since a plurality of memory cards can be mounted, even if any one of the memory cards is damaged, it is possible to control to back up with another memory card. Therefore, in each tenth-year drive recorder, there is less risk of falling into a situation where recording cannot be performed at all.

(B) The drive recorder has a primary purpose of accident recording, and it is necessary to store the accident recording so that it will not disappear. In general, an accident is detected when an impact of a predetermined level or more is detected by a G sensor or the like, and an accident is often detected. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts are also detected due to road steps and bumps, how the driver is driving, etc., and in reality, recording / recording with impact detection other than accidents, etc. Most recordings do not need to be saved. If the sensor sensitivity is lowered, accidents cannot be detected. In addition, recordings such as dangerous driving and reckless driving, dangerous experiences that are likely to cause accidents, places with good scenery, etc. are often manual operations, and the images before and after are often overwritten and saved, depending on the user Record many with overwriting prohibited. If the memory card becomes full with such overwriting-protected recording, naturally no further recording is possible. It is necessary to take measures such as exchanging the memory card, taking out / deleting images, and initializing, but there are cases where it cannot be done immediately for some reason such as while driving or traveling, in which case the drive cannot be stored any more. It will not function as a recorder. On the other hand, the drive recorder of each embodiment can be equipped with a plurality of memory cards. For example, when an overwritable memory card is full, an overwritable area is set in the memory card storage area for continuous recording (always recording) that allows overwriting, etc. Can be temporarily placed. By executing such control, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the overwriting-prohibited storage area becomes full and the captured image desired to be stored cannot be recorded. Of course, the smaller the capacity of a storage medium such as a memory card, the lower the price, and the larger the capacity, the higher the price. There is a technical limit on the capacity, and among the commercially available memory cards, those having a large capacity close to this limit tend to be very expensive. For example, the price of this large-capacity memory card may not be twice the price of a half-capacity memory card, and may be three times, four times, or five times the price. If multiple memory cards can be installed as in each of the embodiments, for example, by installing two memory cards with different capacities, the same state as installing a memory card with twice the capacity Can be realized. Compared to a drive recorder in which only one memory card can be installed, the purchase price of the memory card for securing the same storage capacity has been remarkably reduced.

(C) In the case of a drive recorder in which only one memory card can be installed, it is common to store continuous recording and recording such as events for which overwriting is prohibited on the same memory card. If you don't take any action, it will increase. Maintenance / treatment on a daily basis is sufficient, but it is difficult. There are cases where the memory card always has a continuous recording area and an overwrite-protected recording area. However, there are many cases where the overwrite-protected recording is preferentially stored without dividing the area. In many cases, we are trying to reduce this. In this case, before the memory card becomes full with overwriting-prohibited recording, the continuous recording area is reduced, the continuous recording time is shortened, and the time for checking the image retroactively is shortened. At the same time, the time required for one cycle of overwriting is shortened, the frequency of repetition of erasing and recording is increased, and the probability that a memory card is damaged or malfunctions is increased. On the other hand, if the continuous continuous recording area and the overwrite-protected recording area are separated, naturally, when the overwrite-protected recording area is full, no more recording is possible, and overwriting is prohibited compared to the above-mentioned method that does not divide the area. The timing at which recording in the recording area becomes impossible becomes earlier. On the other hand, in the drive recorder of each embodiment, since a plurality of memory cards can be mounted, for example, a memory card for which overwriting is prohibited and a memory card for continuous recording can be separated. Even if you do not prepare an expensive large-capacity memory card, you can secure the capacity of the overwrite-protected recording area by installing multiple inexpensive memory cards. Since it is possible to record a captured image or the like to be stored with high reliability without the need to purchase an expensive large-capacity memory card, the running cost is suppressed and it is economical.

(D) Since the recorded image is confirmed or taken out by a PC viewer or the like, the memory card may be removed from the drive recorder and forgotten. Or the memory card may be removed for some reason. In such a case, if the drive recorder can have only one memory card, it must run without the memory card, and recording / storage cannot be performed, so that it does not function as a drive recorder. On the other hand, since the drive recorder of each embodiment can be mounted with a plurality of memory cards, it is possible to control backup with another memory card even when one of the memory cards is removed. For example, if the overwritable memory card is removed, backup control such as providing an overwritable area in a part of the memory area of the overwritable memory card can be considered. By performing such backup control, even when the vehicle is running with a specific memory card removed, it does not fall into a situation where a specific function cannot be realized, and the degree to which the function of the drive recorder is impaired is suppressed. it can.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the embodiments. However, these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the scope of claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques in which the specific examples are variously modified, changed, or appropriately combined using known techniques and knowledge of those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drive recorder 2 Main body case 8, 9 Push button 13 CCD camera 15 Acceleration sensor 181, 182 Insertion port 181A, 182A LED
24 GPS receiver 30 Control controller 311, 312 SD card reader 32 Database 35 Personal computer 361, 362 SD card reader / writer 45 Monitor

Claims (11)

In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
Said control means, either the respective storage media housed in the medium housing portion of the two or more groups utilized to record a captured image of a series, new to any of the storage medium in the respective storage media A function of initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a captured image, and when there are two storage media used to record the series of captured images, Two storage media are alternately used to record the series of captured images, and while a new captured image is recorded on any one of the storage media, the storage area of any other storage medium is initialized. An image recording apparatus having a function of converting to an image. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
Said control means, either the respective storage media housed in the medium housing portion of the two or more groups utilized to record a captured image of a series, new to any of the storage medium in the respective storage media Having a function of initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a captured image, and there are three or more storage media used to record the series of captured images At this time, the two storage media selected from the respective storage media are switched in order, and one of the two selected storage media is being recorded with a new captured image. An image recording apparatus having a function of initializing a storage area of another storage medium. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
Said control means, either the respective storage media housed in the medium housing portion of the two or more groups utilized to record a captured image of a series, new to any of the storage medium in the respective storage media A function to initialize the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a captured image,
In the storage medium, file management information for managing the recording position of data in the storage area is recorded,
When any other storage medium is initialized while a new captured image is being recorded on any one storage medium, any other storage medium is linked with the operation of recording a new captured image. An image recording apparatus having a function of erasing a recorded captured image from an old one at a recording time, erasing all captured images, and erasing the file management information to complete initialization. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
The control means can execute a plurality of types of control modes for recording data on the storage medium,
Setting information corresponding to any of the plurality of types of control modes is recorded in at least one of the storage media,
The control means has a function of executing control corresponding to the setting information read from the storage medium when the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is stored in the medium storage unit.
Change operation means for accepting an operation for changing the setting information recorded in the storage medium;
Warning means for warning that there is a possibility that the data recorded in the storage medium may be erased due to the change of the setting information when an operation for changing the setting information is accepted via the change operation means; Image recording device. In Claim 4, the memory | storage means for memorize | storing various data is built in,
The control means has a function of reading the setting information from the storage medium and storing it in the storage means when the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion, and the setting information is recorded. An image recording apparatus comprising a function of recording setting information stored in the storage unit again in a storage medium that has been initialized when the storage area of the storage medium is initialized. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
The control unit controls a storage medium mounted in any one of the medium storage units as a first storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting a recorded captured image. The storage medium mounted in the medium storage unit has a function of controlling as a second storage medium that does not erase the recorded image recorded by prohibiting overwriting,
When the control unit shifts to a state in which only the second storage medium is mounted after the first storage medium is removed while the first and second storage media are mounted, An image recording apparatus having a function of setting a storage area that can be overwritten in a part of a free area of the storage area of the storage medium. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
The control unit controls a storage medium mounted in any one of the medium storage units as a first storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting a recorded captured image. The storage medium mounted in the medium storage unit has a function of controlling as a second storage medium that does not erase the recorded image recorded by prohibiting overwriting,
In the case where only one storage medium is mounted, the control means provides a third storage that provides a storage area that can be overwritten and a storage area that cannot be overwritten in the storage area for only one storage medium. It has a function to control as a medium,
The image recording apparatus having a function of controlling the storage medium as the second storage medium when a new storage medium is mounted while only one storage medium is mounted.   8. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit has a function of controlling the storage medium as the second storage medium when a storage medium is newly mounted while only one storage medium is mounted. Image recording device. In an image recording apparatus including a control unit having a function of recording a captured image acquired by an imaging unit in a removable storage medium,
A plurality of medium accommodating units for holding the storage medium in a detachable manner,
The control unit is configured to record a captured image on a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of medium storage units while recording a captured image on any other medium storage unit. With a function to execute a predetermined writing process,
The control unit controls a storage medium mounted in any one of the medium storage units as a first storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting a recorded captured image. The storage medium mounted in the medium storage unit has a function of controlling as a second storage medium that does not erase the recorded image recorded by prohibiting overwriting,
In addition to the function of storing data, the second storage medium has a communication function of transmitting data to the outside, and the control means transmits the captured image recorded in the second storage medium to an external device. An image recording apparatus having a function of transmitting to the camera. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image recording system including: a setting change unit that changes setting information recorded in a storage medium; and a terminal device that includes a change operation unit that receives an operation for changing the setting information.
When the terminal device receives an operation for changing the setting information via the change operation unit, the terminal device includes an alarm unit that warns that the recording data of the storage medium may be erased. system.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the function as an image recording device of any one of Claims 1-9.