JP7071746B2 - In-vehicle electronic devices and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device such as a drive recorder or a monitoring device that can continuously record captured images.

Conventionally, for example, an image recording device such as a drive recorder that captures and continuously records the scenery in front of a vehicle and a monitoring device that captures and continuously records a predetermined monitoring area has been known (for example, a patent). See Document 1). For example, an image recording device such as a drive recorder erases an image taken at an old recording point and secures a free area as long as the energized state continues after the ignition of the vehicle is switched on to obtain a new image. Some are recorded sequentially. According to a drive recorder or the like that performs such a recording operation, it is possible to constantly update and hold a captured image over a predetermined period in the past up to the present.

As described above, the purpose of recording the captured image over a predetermined period in the past is to identify the cause of a traffic accident or the like, or to manage the driving of a driver who is an employee by the employer. In recent years, when inexpensive drive recorders have been sold at mass retailers of car supplies, some users have personally enjoyed using them for the purpose of recording drive scenes and the scenery of the city. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-64126

An image recording device such as a drive recorder that continuously records captured images has a point that the usage of a storage area is significantly different from that of a camera, a video camera, or the like. That is, an image recording device such as a drive recorder can perform an operation of endlessly repeating erasing of an old captured image and recording of a new captured image as long as it is energized.

In such an image recording device such as a drive recorder, when the operation of repeating erasing and writing endlessly in order to continuously record the captured image, in addition to the continuous recording of the captured image, other data When writing or erasing is attempted, the frequency of data access to the storage medium may become excessive or the processing may not be in time. Therefore, the processes that can be executed at the same time are limited or cannot be executed at the same time when the operation of repeating erasing and writing endlessly in order to continuously record the captured image is performed. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is used in an image recording apparatus capable of continuously recording captured images, even during an operation of continuously recording captured images, other data. It is an invention which aims at providing the image recording apparatus which can perform the process about this relatively easily.
In addition, conventional drive recorders such as drive recorders that have only one memory card installed in the drive recorder that records to the memory card have the following problems and problems.
(A) If the memory card is damaged or defective, recording will not be possible. In particular, when continuous recording is performed, there is a high probability that the video will be damaged because the recording is constantly overwritten (repeated erasing and storage) while driving. Also, if you remove the memory card during operation, it is likely to be damaged. Most drive recorders turn the power on and off in conjunction with the engine key, but depending on the vehicle, voltage fluctuations, disruptions, surges, etc. may occur, especially when the engine is started, which adversely affects memory card control. In some cases, an abnormality may occur and the memory card may be damaged or malfunction.
(B) The main purpose of the drive recorder is to record the accident, and it is necessary to save the accident record so that it will not be erased. In general, when an accident is detected by a G sensor or the like, it is regarded as an accident, and the images before and after the accident are often overwritten and saved. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts are detected depending on the steps and unevenness of the road surface, the way the driver drives, etc., and in reality, recording / recording by impact detection other than accidents, etc. Most of the recordings do not need to be saved, and there are many. If the sensitivity of the sensor is lowered, the accident cannot be detected. In addition, witnessing dangerous driving / reckless driving, dangerous experiences that are likely to cause an accident, recording of scenic places, etc. are manual operations, and images before and after that are often overwritten and saved, depending on the user. Record a lot with overwrite protection. When the memory card is full with such overwrite-protected recording, it is not possible to record any more. It is necessary to take measures such as exchanging the memory card, taking out / deleting images, and initializing, but there are cases where it is not possible to take immediate measures due to some circumstances such as driving or traveling, in which case no more can be stored and the drive It will not function as a recorder.
(C) It is common to store continuous recordings and recordings of events that are prohibited from overwriting on the same memory card, but recordings that are prohibited from overwriting will increase if no action is taken. Maintenance / treatment can be done on a daily basis, but it is difficult to do. In some cases, the continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated in the memory card, but in many cases, the overwrite-protected recording is preferentially stored without dividing the area, and the continuous recording area increases as the overwrite recording increases. In many cases, we try to reduce the number. In this case, even if the memory card is not full due to overwriting-prohibited recording as in (b) above, the continuous recording area is reduced, the continuous recording time is shortened, and the time for retroactively checking the image is shortened. At the same time, there is a problem that the time for one cycle of overwriting is shortened, the frequency of erasing and recording is increased, and the probability that the memory card is damaged or malfunctions is further increased. If the continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated, of course, when the overwrite-protected recording area is full, no more recording can be performed, and there is a high possibility that the recording area will be full compared to the method without area division.
(D) The memory card may be removed from the drive recorder in order to check or retrieve the recorded image with a PC viewer or the like. If you forget to remove it, or you cannot use the removed memory card for some reason, and you drive without installing the memory card, you will not be able to record or store it and it will not function as a drive recorder.
(E) With a multifunctional drive recorder, the amount of data and information stored in the memory card becomes extremely large, and the processing speed may slow down or some parts may not be processed. In addition, the frequency of use of the memory card increases, and the probability that the memory card is damaged or malfunctions increases. In many cases, all functions cannot be used if the memory card is damaged or malfunctions.
The present invention is, for example, an invention for providing an image recording device or the like that can more continuously exhibit a function as a drive recorder and can solve such conventional problems.

(1) In an image recording apparatus provided with a control means having a function of recording an image captured by the image pickup means on a detachable storage medium.
Equipped with multiple media storage units that hold the storage medium detachably,
The control means refers to a storage medium mounted on any other medium storage unit while recording a captured image on a storage medium mounted on at least one of the plurality of medium storage units. It is preferable to use an image recording device having a function of executing a predetermined writing process.

This image recording device includes a plurality of the medium accommodating portions, and a plurality of storage media can be attached. The control means refers to a storage medium mounted on any other medium storage unit while recording a captured image on a storage medium mounted on at least one of the plurality of medium storage units. It has a function to execute a predetermined writing process. Therefore, this image recording device can execute a predetermined writing process on another storage medium in parallel with the recording process of the captured image.

If a predetermined writing process is executed for a storage medium different from the storage medium on which the captured image is recorded, the captured image can be obtained even if the predetermined writing process is executed during the recording of the captured image. With respect to the storage medium to be recorded and the storage medium that executes a predetermined writing process, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the frequency of data access such as writing and reading data becomes excessive. As a result, it is possible to suppress the possibility that a problem will occur in the recording of the captured image by executing the predetermined writing process.

In this image recording device, a process having 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 executed while recording the captured image, the image recording device can be used not only for recording the captured image but also for recording vehicle data such as engine speed and speed, which is convenient. Can be improved.

As a configuration for executing other writing processes during recording or recording of the captured image, for example, a plurality of arithmetic units such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) are provided to record the captured image. Processing for executing other writing processing may be executed at the same time, but even one arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) records an captured image. The process for executing the process and the process for executing another write process may be executed at the same time in a time division. For example, it is preferable to perform the writing process to another file without closing the file for recording the captured image. For example, after the recording operation of the captured image by the image recording device is started and before the recording operation is completed, for example, the CPU may execute another writing process by an interrupt.

For example, in an image recording device provided with a control means having a function of recording an image captured by an image pickup means on a detachable storage medium, the control means includes a plurality of medium accommodating portions for holding the storage medium detachably. A predetermined writing process is executed mainly on the storage medium mounted on at least one of the plurality of medium housing units and on the storage medium mounted on any other medium storage unit as a sub. It is preferable to use an image recording device characterized by having a function.

(2) 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 predetermined period in the past by using the storage medium.
It is preferable that at least two media accommodating portions are provided.

Control that can execute control to record an image captured by the image pickup means on an image pickup means for acquiring image information, a medium accommodating portion for accommodating a storage medium in a removable manner, and a storage medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion. In an image recording device equipped with means and
The control means erases the captured images in order from the one with the oldest imaged timing, and sequentially stores the new captured image in the free area while securing the free area of the storage area of the storage medium, thereby storing the new captured image in the free area in the past. It is possible to execute a control mode for recording a series of captured images over a period using the storage medium.
An image recording device provided with at least two media accommodating portions may be used.

As described above, an image recording device such as a drive recorder that continuously records captured images has a point that the usage of a storage area is significantly different from that of a camera, a video camera, or the like. That is, an image recording device such as a drive recorder endlessly repeats, for example, erasing an old captured image and recording a new captured image as long as it is energized. In the case of a camera or a video camera, the old captured image is not automatically erased by overwriting the new captured image. For example, the captured image is erased after being read by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

In an image recording device such as a drive recorder that repeats erasing and writing endlessly in order to continuously record a captured image in this way, a data writing error or erasing error occurs while recording and erasing the captured image are repeated. There is a problem that the recorded data in the storage area may be defective.

On the other hand, since the image recording device includes at least two media accommodating portions, a plurality of storage media can be attached. By using a plurality of storage media, it is possible to reduce the number of times of rewriting or erasing the data of each storage medium and reduce the burden as compared with the case where only one storage medium is used. As a result, the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing error and erasing error when recording the captured image can be reduced, and the operation reliability can be improved.

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

The number of media accommodating portions in the image recording device may be two, but it is particularly preferable that the number of the medium accommodating portions is three or more.
The image pickup means may be an image pickup means equipped with an image pickup device such as a CCD or CMOS, or an image pickup means using an area sensor such as a laser radar, a millimeter wave sensor, or an infrared sensor.
The image recording device is useful in application to a drive recorder, a monitoring device, and 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 consisting of a first predetermined period before the event occurs and a second predetermined period after the event occurs). However, in particular, it is preferable to record regardless of the event, and in particular, it is preferable to record so-called constant recording.

The control means erases the captured images in order from the one with the oldest imaging timing, and sequentially stores the new captured images in the free area while securing the free area of the storage area of the storage medium, thereby storing the captured images in the free area. It is possible to execute a control mode for recording the image using the storage medium and a control mode for not erasing the captured image, and it is preferable to use an image recording device provided with at least two media accommodating portions.

(3) The control means uses each storage medium housed in any two or more medium storage units for recording the series of captured images, and stores any one of the storage media. It is preferable to enable a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a new captured image on the medium.
The control means uses each storage medium housed in any two or more medium storage units for recording a captured image, and a new captured image is stored in any one of the storage media. It is preferable to use an image recording device capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording.

According to the above (3), when the captured image is started to be recorded on any storage medium, the recording can always be started from the initialized state. If recording is started from the initialized state, the probability of occurrence of a write error or the like can be extremely low. Since the captured image may be recorded on the other storage medium during the initialization work of one of the storage media, it is not necessary to interrupt the recording operation of the captured image for the initialization work, and the processing efficiency of the recording operation is improved. It will not be damaged.
It is also possible to write the same data to two or more storage media. If the same data is recorded on physically independent storage media, even if a problem occurs in one storage medium, the data can be read from the other storage medium, and reliability can be improved.

(4) In the image recording device, 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 to enable a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a new captured image 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 one of the storage media. It is preferable to use an image recording device capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium during the process.
According to the above (4), by initializing the two storage media alternately, when the captured image is started to be recorded on either storage medium, the recording can always be started from the initialized state.

(5) In the image recording device, when there are three or more storage media used for recording the series of captured images, the two storage media selected from the respective storage media are sequentially replaced. 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 the storage medium of any one of the two selected storage media.
When there are three or more storage media used to record captured images, the two storage media selected from each of the storage media are interchanged in order, and one of the two selected storage media is used. It is preferable to use an image recording device capable of executing a control mode for initializing the storage area of any other storage medium while recording a new captured image on one storage medium.

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

(6) File management information for managing the recording position of data in the storage area is recorded in the storage medium.
When initializing any other storage medium while recording a new captured image on any one storage medium, the operation of recording the new captured image is linked to the other storage medium. It is preferable to delete the recorded captured images from the oldest one at the time of recording, delete all the captured images, and then delete the file management information to complete the initialization.

The file management information is information for managing which data is recorded in which position in the storage area of the storage medium, and is management information required when reading the recorded data such as a captured image. It is good to say. For example, after erasing such file management information, even the data before erasing becomes unreadable. If the file management information is erased at the start of the initialization work, it becomes difficult to read the captured image recorded on the storage medium at the same time as the start of the initialization work. On the other hand, if the file management information is deleted at the end of the initialization work, it is possible to read the recorded captured image even after the initialization work 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 on any one storage medium, for example, the time length of the captured image newly recorded on any one storage medium. There is an embodiment in which the time length of the captured image erased from any other storage medium is substantially matched with the time length of the captured image. In this case, it is possible to suppress the degree to which the time length of the captured image that can be read from the storage medium fluctuates according to the progress of the initialization work. If the file management information is erased at the same time as the initialization work is started, the captured image recorded on the storage medium becomes unreadable in an instant, so that the storage at the same time as the initialization work is started. The time length of the captured image that can be read from the medium is shortened at once.

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

In this case, by accommodating the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded in the medium accommodating unit, control according to the setting information can be immediately started. By rewriting the setting information recorded on the storage medium, the operation of the image recording device can be changed, which is very convenient. If the control mode of the image recording device can be changed by the setting information recorded on the storage medium, it is not necessary to provide, for example, an operation means for changing the control mode in the image recording device main body. In this case, the hardware configuration can be simplified, the cost can be suppressed, and the trouble of the operation means, which is prone to failure, can be avoided and the operation reliability can be improved. Further, if it is difficult to change the setting information by the operation on the user side, for example, it is possible to prevent a driver or the like hired by a transportation company, a taxi company, or the like from changing the setting information without permission. Such a configuration is advantageous in the application for employers such as transportation companies and taxi companies to manage the driving of drivers who are employees.

(8) The image recording device includes a change operation means for accepting an operation for changing the setting information recorded in the storage medium, and a change operation means.
When an operation for changing the setting information is accepted via the change operation means, the warning means for warning that the data recorded in the storage medium may be erased due to the change in the setting information is provided. It is good to have a configuration that exists.
In this case, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the recorded captured image or the like is inadvertently erased by the operation of changing the setting information. The risk of erasing important captured images is reduced, making the image recording device easy to use.

(9) The image recording device 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 the setting information in the storage means when the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is stored in the medium storage unit.
In this case, for example, even when the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is taken out, control according to the setting information can be realized. For example, when the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded is taken out, the setting information of the storage means may be recorded in another storage medium. In this case, the setting information is recorded in two physically independent locations, so that safety can be improved. As the storage means, a means using an electronic device such as a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM can be considered.

(10) When the control means initializes the storage area of the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded, the control means is configured to record the setting information stored in the storage means again in the storage medium after the initialization. good.
In this case, even for the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded, initialization is possible to temporarily erase the entire storage area. If the setting information is recorded again after the initialization work is completed, the original state in which the setting information is recorded can be reproduced.

(11) The control means records the series of captured images on a storage medium of a part of each storage medium housed in any two or more medium storage units, while the control means records the series of captured images on a storage medium.
It is assumed that any of the remaining storage media is configured to be capable of executing a control mode for recording a specific image that is an image captured in a specific time interval or an image captured in a specific time interval in the series of captured images. good.

If the series of captured images and the specific image are recorded on 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 on the one storage medium at any time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting, but for the other storage medium, the captured images are captured in the overwrite prohibition mode. It is also good to record. In this case, the captured image recorded on 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 file units, for example. With such a configuration, it may be difficult to create a file only for a specific time interval. In this case, it is preferable to duplicate or move each file including the captured image in a specific time interval.
The control means records a series of captured images over a predetermined period in the past on a storage medium of a part of each storage medium housed in any two or more medium storage units, while the remaining storage medium. Any of them may be an image recording device capable of executing a control mode for recording a specific image which is an image captured in a specific time section or a captured image including a specific time section in the series of captured images.

(12) The specific image may be a duplicate of a part of the series of captured images recorded in the part of the storage medium, or a part thereof may be moved.
When duplicating a part of the series of captured images, the corresponding portion of the series of captured images may be deleted or may be left as it is. For example, if a part of the captured images is recorded after being recorded as the series of captured images, a specific image can be recorded by a post-processing after recording the series of captured images. Since it is not necessary to record both the series of captured images and the captured images in the specific time interval in parallel at the same time, the processing load can be dispersed in time and the occurrence of an excessive load can be avoided in advance.

(13) The image recording device is an image recording device mounted on a vehicle, and is provided with a data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting the situation of the vehicle.
While the control means records the series of captured images on a storage medium of a part of each storage medium housed in any two or more medium storage units, the control means records the series of captured images.
Any of the remaining storage media may be configured to be capable of executing a control mode for recording vehicle data acquired by the data acquisition means.

In this case, the storage medium for recording the captured image and the storage medium for recording the vehicle data are physically made independent so that the captured image and the vehicle data can be efficiently recorded. For example, it is also good to record vehicle data in the overwrite prohibition mode. In this case, it is possible to suppress the possibility that important vehicle data will be inadvertently deleted.

For example, it may be possible to record a signal for synchronizing the temporal timing of the series of captured images and the vehicle data. If such a signal is recorded, the captured image and the vehicle data can be reproduced in synchronization with time.
The vehicle data includes, for example, information flowing on an 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 seconds speed, average 5 seconds speed, maximum 5 seconds 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, in-mani pressure, maximum in-mani pressure, MAF, INJ, cooling water temperature, maximum cooling water temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside temperature, maximum outside temperature, residual 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 flow, average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, highway average fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, maximum moving average fuel consumption, Driving time, running time, idle time, idle ratio, mileage, lifetime mileage, 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 running time, 20-40km / h running time, 40-60km / h running time, 60-80km / h running time, 80km / h Above, there is vehicle data such as running time, lifetime engine mileage, and lifetime engine running 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 at any time regardless of the occurrence of an event. The specific image may be configured to be recorded when the predetermined event occurs. Further, for example, it is preferable to prohibit overwriting of the storage medium on which the specific image is recorded. In this case, the recording state of the specific image, which is the captured image when the predetermined event occurs, can be maintained with high certainty, and the captured image can be reliably referred to after the fact.

(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 of the storage medium in which the vehicle data is recorded. In this case, the vehicle data when the predetermined event occurs can be stored with high certainty, and the vehicle data can be reliably referred to after the fact.

(16) The image recording device has a built-in storage means for storing various data.
It is preferable that the control means can execute a control mode for recording a specific image, which is a captured image in a specific time section of the series of captured images, in the storage area of the storage means when a predetermined event occurs. ..

(17) An image recording device mounted on a vehicle, which is provided with data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting the situation of the vehicle and also has a built-in storage means for storing various data. And
It is preferable that the control means can execute a control mode for recording the vehicle data in the storage area of the storage means when a predetermined event occurs.

In these cases, the 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 accommodated in the medium accommodating portion.

(18) The specific image or vehicle data recorded in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event is assumed to be a captured image or vehicle data of a specific time section including the time 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 starting from a time point before the moment including the moment when the predetermined event occurs. An image taken from a time point before the moment when the predetermined event occurs is, for example, useful material for ex post facto analysis of the cause and course of the event. For example, if the event is a traffic accident, it is useful for identifying the cause of the accident. For example, if it is an event that specific vehicle data indicates a specific situation, it is useful to identify the behavior of the vehicle at that time and what kind of vehicle movement the situation occurred through. ..

(19) A storage operation means for receiving an operation requesting recording of the specific image or vehicle data is provided, and the predetermined event may include at least the operation of the storage operation means.
In this case, the captured image in a specific time interval can be recorded by the operation on the user side. When a scene or the like to be recorded appears, a user or the like of an image recording device can record an image captured by capturing the scene by operating the storage operation means.

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

(20) The image recording device is provided with a data acquisition means for acquiring a measured value of a predetermined physical quantity, and at least the measured value of the predetermined physical quantity indicates a predetermined state at the predetermined event. It is good to include.
In this case, the captured image or vehicle data can be recorded when the measured value indicates a predetermined state. The recorded captured images and the like are useful for ex post facto analysis of the cause and course of the occurrence of the condition.

In addition, as an embodiment showing the state in which the measured value is predetermined, for example, the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the measured value shows a predetermined change, and a predetermined combination condition / pattern is satisfied. There are various aspects such as. The measured values include, for example, acceleration in the triaxial direction, velocity, and the like. In addition, as the predetermined event, it is also possible to set approach detection or the like to a position stored in advance. The approach to a specific position can be detected by using, for example, the position information by GPS.

(21) The image recording device is an image recording device mounted on a vehicle, and is provided with a data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting the situation of the vehicle.
The predetermined physical quantity may be a physical quantity acquired as the vehicle data.
In this case, it is possible to record a captured image or vehicle data when the vehicle data indicates a predetermined state. The cause and progress of the state can be identified by using the captured image or the vehicle data.

(22) In the image recording apparatus, the medium accommodating unit is 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. It is good to provide it corresponding to.
In this case, the storage medium being accessed by the data can be specified, thereby suppressing the possibility that the storage medium is inadvertently removed during the data access. As a configuration in which the display unit is provided corresponding to the medium storage unit, for example, the display unit may be individually provided for a plurality of medium storage units, but the display unit is shared by the plurality of medium storage units. It is particularly preferable to provide a display unit.

(23) The image recording device has a built-in storage means for storing various data.
The storage area of the storage medium housed in one of the medium storage units and the storage area of the storage means are alternately used for recording the series of captured images, and the image pickup is performed in one of the storage areas. It is preferable to configure the control mode in which the other storage area is initialized while the image is being recorded.
The storage area of the storage medium housed in one of the medium storage units and the storage area of the storage means are alternately used for recording the captured image, and the captured image is recorded in one of the storage areas. It is preferable to use an image recording device capable of executing a control mode for initializing the other storage area during the process. In this case, even if only one storage medium is attached, by alternately utilizing the storage medium and the storage means, the captured image is recorded on the other while initializing one. You will be able to execute the control of going.

(24) It is preferable that the control means can execute 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-like function is enhanced.
Each control mode may be configured as a unique mode that is distinguished from other modes, for example, such as taking such a state, performing such processing, and having such a function. It is good to do.

(25) In the image recording apparatus, at least one of the media accommodating portions may have a configuration in which the operation of inserting and removing the storage medium is different from that of the other media accommodating portions.
In this case, the storage medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion, which is easier to operate, can be preferentially removed. For example, the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded may be configured to be accommodated in the medium accommodating portion having a higher degree of difficulty in operation. In this case, careless extraction of the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded can be suppressed.

(26) The control means has a function of individually executing data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization control for each storage medium mounted in each of a plurality of medium accommodating units. Is also good.
If each control of writing, reading, erasing, and initializing data can be individually executed for each storage medium, it is possible to obtain 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 device are diversified and the convenience is improved. For example, it is possible to record vehicle data such as engine speed and vehicle speed on another storage medium while recording a captured image on a specific storage medium. Further, for example, when a captured image is recorded using two or more storage media, during the recording of the latest captured image, the storage area of another storage medium whose imaging time of the recorded image is old is stored. It is good to initialize. In this case, when the storage area of the storage medium recording the latest captured image is full, the subsequent recording of the captured image can be continued by using another storage medium in the initialized state. If the initialized storage medium is used, the captured image can be efficiently recorded with less risk of writing errors and the like.

(27) The control means controls the storage medium mounted in any of the medium accommodating portions as a first storage medium for overwriting the recorded captured image and recording a new captured image.
It is preferable to have a function of controlling the storage medium mounted in any of the other media accommodating units as a second storage medium that does not erase the recorded captured image by prohibiting overwriting.
As described above, if the first storage medium is used as a storage medium for overwriting recording and the second storage medium is prohibited from being overwritten by overwriting prohibition, for example, the first storage medium is used. While continuous recording for continuously recording captured images is executed, the second storage medium can be used for recording captured images that are particularly desired to be stored. The control means controls the storage medium mounted in any of the media accommodating units as a first storage medium for overwriting the recorded captured image and recording a new captured image, while any other. It is preferable that the image recording device is characterized in that it has a function of controlling the storage medium mounted in the medium accommodating portion as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded captured image is not erased by prohibiting overwriting. ..
For example, the second storage medium may be configured to store data that does not prohibit overwriting. For example, in one of the event recordings, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact and records before and after it, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, the road surface condition such as a step on the road or It may be detected as an impact depending on the driving operation of the driver, and if overwrite-protected, unnecessary overwrite-protected data will be accumulated more and more. In order to prevent this, it is advisable to set a predetermined capacity in particular and to have a function of overwriting and recording within that range.

In particular, when multiple storage media (for example, a memory card) can be installed, one of them is the main and the other is the sub, and the main storage medium is removed or the above problem or problem occurs. , It is preferable to have a configuration having a function of supplementing it with a secondary storage medium.
By doing so, it is possible to function as a drive recorder more continuously than in the past.
In particular, the main storage medium may be configured to store an image to be saved, such as an accident record or a scenic place, with a low probability of being overwritten or erased. In addition, it is advisable to record the secondary storage medium at all times while driving. For example, the secondary storage medium may be equipped with a function for later searching for images that could not be recorded on the main storage medium for some reason. It is preferable to have a function of moving or copying at least one of the storage media.
As mentioned above, continuous recording is more likely to cause damage or malfunction of storage media such as memory cards, but if you do this, the images you want to save are in the main side and are damaged as a secondary. Even if a problem occurs, the damage is small.
For example, the storage medium having the first storage medium as a secondary and the storage medium having the second storage medium as the main in (27) to (38) may be used.
The main storage medium is not fixed, and multiple storage media are used in order as the main and sub, and it has a function to initialize the secondary storage medium while recording on the main storage medium. It is good to have a configuration. By doing so, the probability of occurrence of damage or malfunction can be further reduced.
In this case, it is preferable to have a function of recording both the overwrite continuous recording and the overwrite prohibition event recording on the same main storage medium.
In particular, the recording data that is the basis of the drive recorder may be stored in the main storage medium, and the data that is not the basis of the drive recorder may be stored in the secondary storage medium and separated. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the processing speed from becoming slow or the part that cannot be processed from occurring, especially in a multifunctional drive recorder.
Further, by separating the storage medium, the frequency of use of one storage medium can be reduced, and the probability that the storage medium is damaged or malfunctions can be further reduced.

(28) The control means has a function of sequentially recording an old captured image at the time of imaging among the captured images recorded in the first storage medium by overwriting and recording a new captured image. It is good to have.
It is possible to continuously record captured images by continuous recording, and it is possible to record captured images in a predetermined time range in the past based on the current time. 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.

In the second storage medium for which overwriting is prohibited, for example, an image captured by event recording when some event occurs, an image captured by manual operation recording according to manual operation, still recording, etc. are constantly recorded. It is good to record captured images other than.
When the number of attached storage media is too small to be sorted into the first storage medium and the second storage medium, the attached storage medium is treated as the first storage medium and constantly recorded by continuous recording of captured images. It is also good to perform recording.

(29) The control means may have a function of recording an 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 saved with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. In particular, if an captured image corresponding to the satisfaction of a specific recording condition is recorded on a second storage medium different from the first storage medium for continuous recording, continuous recording of the captured image on the first storage medium is being processed. Even if some trouble occurs, there is little possibility that problems such as unreadable will occur.
For specific recording conditions, for example, some event, manual operation by the driver, or the like may be set. The event should be the occurrence of an accident such as the deployment of an airbag, the occurrence of sudden braking or sudden steering, or the occurrence of large acceleration.

(30) When the control means shifts to a state in which the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is attached while the first and second storage media are attached. It is preferable to have a function of setting an overwritable 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 of continuously recording the captured image becomes possible, and the deterioration of the function or convenience of the image recording device is suppressed. can.

In a configuration including a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means is said to be in a state where the first and second storage media are attached. When the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is attached to the state, the first storage medium is used as a part of the free area in the storage area of the second storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording device having a function of setting an overwriteable storage area for storing data corresponding to the storage of the image.

(31) When the control means is equipped with only one storage medium, the control means provides a storage area that can be overwritten in the storage area and a storage area that is prohibited from overwriting for the storage medium of only one. It may also have a function of controlling as the storage medium of 3.
Even if there is only one storage medium, for example, it becomes possible to record data such as an overwrite-prohibited captured image in addition to the constantly recorded captured image. The overwriting prohibited image may be an image captured by event recording, an image captured by manual operation recording, an image captured by still recording, or the like. After that, for example, when a storage medium that can be used as the first or second storage medium is newly attached, the storage medium may be treated as the first or second storage medium. When it is handled as the first storage medium, for example, all or part of the constantly recorded captured image recorded overwritably may be transferred to the first storage medium for recording. When handling as a second storage medium, all or part of the data such as overwrite-prohibited captured images recorded in the third storage medium shall be transferred to the second storage medium for recording. Is also good.

In a configuration including a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means is said to be the case where only one of the storage media is attached. It is preferable to use an image recording device 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.

(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. Is also good.
When the newly mounted storage medium is handled as the second storage medium, data such as a captured image can be stored with high certainty by recording on the second storage medium in which overwriting is prohibited. When there is a large amount of data such as a captured image to be stored, it becomes possible to use it by attaching a storage medium as a second storage medium. Further, when the saved data is taken out to an external personal computer or the like, it is sufficient to take out the second storage medium.
When there is no storage medium controlled as the second storage medium and only the storage medium controlled as the first storage medium, an area for prohibiting overwriting a part of the storage area of the first storage medium. After that, when a storage medium controlled as a second storage medium is newly attached, all or part of the data recorded by prohibiting overwriting on the first storage medium is stored in the second storage medium. It is also good to transfer to a medium and record.

(33) When a storage medium is newly mounted while only one storage medium is mounted, the control means controls the storage medium as the second storage medium and the third storage medium. It is also possible to have a function of recording the data recorded in the storage area of the storage medium, which is prohibited from overwriting, in the second storage medium.
In this case, by transferring the data recorded in the overwrite-protected storage area of the third storage medium to the second storage medium and recording the data, the data can be stored with high certainty. ..

Even if a plurality of storage media are mounted and the first storage medium and the second storage medium can be sorted, a mode is provided in which all the storage media are controlled as the first storage medium. That is also good. In this case, since the storage area of the first storage medium becomes large, the recording time when continuously recording the captured image can be lengthened. In this way, when there are a plurality of first storage media, when the amount of data recorded in any of the storage media is full, the storage medium for which the captured image is continuously recorded is the other first storage medium. It is good to switch to. In this case, any one of the plurality of first storage media can be alternately used to efficiently continuously record the captured image. The storage medium should be configured so that the recorded data can be erased and initialized individually.

In a configuration including a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means is such that the storage medium is mounted with only one storage medium attached. When newly attached, the storage medium is controlled as the second storage medium, and the recorded data corresponding to the storage of the second storage medium in the storage area of the third storage medium is used. An image recording device having a function of recording on a second storage medium may be used.

(34) A display means for displaying a reproduced image of a captured image recorded on a storage medium, and recording by prohibiting overwriting of at least a part of the captured image that is the source of the reproduced image on the second storage medium. It may be an image recording device provided with a storage operation means for accepting an operation for performing the operation.
In this case, after confirming the reproduced image in the image recording device and determining whether or not the reproduced image should be saved, the original captured image of the reproduced image determined to be saved can be prohibited from being overwritten and recorded. If it can be confirmed by the reproduced image, the captured image to be saved can be recorded with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. For example, it is also possible to transfer a part of the captured image to the second storage medium and record it while reproducing the captured image recorded on the first storage medium by continuous recording. Alternatively, it is also possible to transfer the captured images before and after the marked portion during reproduction to a second storage medium for recording.

(35) When the storage operation means is operated while the reproduced image is being displayed, the control means overwrites a portion of the corresponding captured image corresponding to a time section based on the operated time. It may also have a function of recording on a storage medium in a prohibited state.
In this case, by operating the save operation means when the reproduced image to be saved is displayed, the original captured image can be recorded with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. By operating while displaying the reproduced image, there is less possibility that an image different from the captured image to be saved will be mistakenly recorded. The time interval of the captured image recorded in the overwrite-prohibited state is a time interval that goes back to a predetermined time based on the time of operation, a time period until the predetermined time elapses based on the time of operation, or It is recommended that the section spans before and after the time when the operation is performed.

It is also possible to equip the image recording device with a sensor such as a G sensor that detects an impact or an external input function. When controlling one of the mounted storage media as the first storage medium and controlling any of them as the second storage medium, the signal input triggered by the sensor or the externally input signal is used as a trigger. The second image is an image taken in a time section up to a point in time that goes back to a predetermined time based on a certain point in time, an image taken in a time section until a predetermined time elapses based on that point in time, and both of these captured images. It is also good to record in a state where overwriting is prohibited on the storage medium.

In a configuration including a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means is operated when the storage operation means is operated while the reproduced image is being displayed. , A function to record the part of the corresponding captured image corresponding to the time section based on the manipulated time point, or the part corresponding to the time section on the storage medium in an overwrite-protected state. It is preferable to use an image recording device provided. Data is often moved or copied on a file-by-file basis, and the file often includes not only the "part corresponding to the time interval based on the time of operation" but also other parts.

(36) The second storage medium has a communication function for transmitting data to the outside in addition to a function for storing data, and the control means is a captured image recorded on the second storage medium. It is also good to have a function to send data to an external device.
In this case, the captured image recorded on 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 in the event of an accident or the like. For example, when a driving situation such as dozing driving occurs in a taxi, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted to the taxi company, the administrator can grasp the dangerous situation before the accident occurs. .. Further, for example, when an accident occurs thereafter, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and take prompt measures after the fact.

When a storage medium with a communication function and a storage medium without a communication function are attached, the storage medium with a communication function is controlled as the second storage medium, and the storage medium without the communication function is used as the first storage medium. It is good to control. Then, it is preferable to give priority to all or part of the data recorded in the second storage medium. Here, the priority transmission should be automatic transmission.

(37) With the image recording device
An image recording system including a setting changing means for changing the setting information recorded on the storage medium and a terminal device provided with a changing operation means for accepting an operation for changing the setting information may be preferable.

(38) The terminal device constituting the image recording system warns that the recorded data of the storage medium may be erased when the operation of changing the setting information is received via the change operation means. The configuration should be equipped with warning means.
In this case, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the recorded data recorded on the storage medium will be erased due to a careless operation. 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. It is also possible to compare the original setting information with the changed setting information to determine the risk of erasing the recorded data, and to provide a determination means for deciding whether or not to give a warning according to the possibility. good.

(A) The description of the "first storage medium" and the "second storage medium" described in the above-mentioned (27) to (38) are exchanged, 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 used. Regarding (27), it is particularly preferable to have the following configuration (B).
(B) While the control means controls the storage medium mounted in any of the media accommodating portions as the main first storage medium having an area in which the recorded captured image is not erased due to overwrite prohibition. The storage medium mounted in any of the other media accommodating portions is characterized in that it is controlled as a secondary storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting the recorded captured image. It is preferable to use an image recording device.
The first storage medium may also be configured to store data that does not prohibit overwriting. It is preferable that the first storage medium is the main and the second storage medium is the sub. For example, in one of the event recordings, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact and records before and after it, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, the road surface condition such as a step on the road or It may be detected as an impact depending on the driving operation of the driver, and if overwrite-protected, unnecessary overwrite-protected data will be accumulated more and more. To prevent this, it is better to determine a predetermined capacity and overwrite and record within that range.
For example, regarding (30), it is particularly preferable to have the following configuration (C).
(C) When the second storage medium is removed and only the first storage medium is attached, the control means shifts to the state in which the first and second storage media are attached. An image recording device having a function of setting an overwriteable storage area for storing data corresponding to the storage of the second storage medium in a part of an empty area in the storage area of the first storage medium. good.
For example, regarding (31), it is particularly preferable to have the following configuration (D).
(D) When the control means is equipped with only one storage medium, the control means has the data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium and the second storage medium for the only storage medium. An image recording device having a function of controlling as a third storage medium having a storage area may be used.
For example, regarding (32), it is particularly preferable to have the following configuration (E).
(E) The control means controls the storage medium as the first storage medium and controls the storage medium as the first storage medium when the storage medium is newly attached while only one storage medium is attached. It is preferable to use an image recording apparatus having a function of recording the recorded data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium in the storage area of the storage medium on the first storage medium.
For example, regarding (35), it is particularly preferable to have the following configuration (F).
When the storage operation means is operated while the reproduced image is being displayed, the control means means a portion of the corresponding captured image corresponding to a temporal section based on the operated time point, or temporally. It is preferable to use an image recording device having a function of recording on a storage medium in a state where overwriting is prohibited, including a portion corresponding to a section.
Data is often moved or copied on a file-by-file basis, and the file often includes not only the "part corresponding to the time interval based on the time of operation" but also other parts.
(39) It is preferable to use a program for realizing the function as the image recording device in the computer.

(A) An image recording device provided with a plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data, which is data of captured images to be recorded, and recording by distinguishing the recording method and the type of recorded data in each media accommodating unit. Then it is good.
When distinguishing the recording method and the type of recorded data for each medium accommodating unit, it is preferable that the functions can be different for each medium accommodating unit. When the storage medium is attached, the medium accommodating portion may be selected according to the recorded data or the like, which makes it easier to use. For example, it becomes easier for the user to grasp a recording method that differs for each medium accommodating unit, and mistakes such as removing the storage medium during writing can be suppressed. For example, it is advisable to use different recording methods such as overwriting permission for one medium storage unit and overwriting prohibition for the other. Further, it is also possible to record different recording data such that one medium accommodating portion is constantly recorded and the other is event recording.

(B) It is preferable to use an image recording device in which a plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data are provided, and the probability that the recorded data is erased is controlled differently in each media accommodating unit.
For example, one of the media accommodating units has a high probability that the recorded data will be erased by overwriting, and the other has a sufficient storage capacity for the amount of recorded data so that the probability of being overwritten or erased by overwriting is low. It is good to keep it. Also, even if both are overwritten, one will record data with a large amount of data such as constantly recorded data, and the other will store data with a small amount of data such as event recording, and the probability that the recorded data will be erased will be different. It is good to set it to.

(C) It is preferable to use an image recording device in which the plurality of medium accommodating portions are not arranged side by side in the vertical or horizontal direction, are made different in conspicuity, or are arranged so that the order can be 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 accommodating portion having a high attachment / detachment frequency may be arranged in an easy-to-understand place, and the storage medium / medium accommodating portion having an infrequent attachment / detachment frequency may be arranged in a relatively difficult place. For the storage medium / medium accommodating portion that is frequently attached and detached, it is advisable to enclose the edge of the medium accommodating portion with a line or color it so that it can be easily understood. Those who do not put on and take off frequently should cover it so that it is relatively difficult to understand. Alternatively, printing or engraving is performed near the medium storage unit so that the order can be understood, such as 1, 2, ..., A, B ..., etc., and the storage medium / medium storage unit that is frequently attached / detached is taken out as 1 or A. It is also good to make it difficult to make a mistake in the storage medium.

(D) It is preferable that at least one of the plurality of storage media is an image recording device having a shape or size different from the others.
In this case, it is possible to obtain the effect that it is possible to suppress mix-ups for a plurality of storage media. For example, the storage medium / medium storage unit that is frequently attached / detached is taken out by using a standard type storage medium such as an SD card, and the lower one is a storage medium such as a micro SD card. It is good to make it difficult to mistake the storage medium.

(E) In the control of having a plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data and initializing another storage medium while recording on one storage medium, the initialization is a predetermined condition. It is preferable to use an image recording device that controls to automatically or semi-automatically underneath.
If initialization is performed automatically or semi-automatically, troubles such as the data recorded on the storage medium becoming unreadable can be avoided, and the data that can be recorded while maintaining high recording efficiency of the data on the storage medium can be avoided. The amount can be maintained close to the maximum.
It is desirable to initialize the storage medium periodically, and when the storage medium has been rewritten a predetermined number of times since the previous initialization, or when overwriting storage has been performed for a predetermined time, or overwriting recording of a predetermined capacity has been performed. Initialization is semi-automatically performed under certain conditions such as time, or by displaying that the initialization time has come, or by notifying by alarm or voice and performing a confirmation operation to start initialization. It is good to carry out.

(F) At least one medium in the control of having a plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data and automatically initializing another storage medium while recording on one storage medium. The storage medium attached to the accommodating portion may be an image recording device that is not automatically initialized.
If you set a medium storage unit that does not initialize automatically, you can reliably retain the data you want to store for a long period of time. For example, it is advisable not to automatically initialize the storage medium that stores the event recording. Event recordings are stored because event recordings are considered to be rewritten less frequently due to overwriting than continuous recordings, and event recordings are likely to have recordings that you want to keep for a relatively long time. It is preferable to set the storage medium so that it is not automatically initialized.

(G) When two media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data are provided, one storage medium is set to constantly record, and the other is set to perform event recording, the storage medium for continuous recording. It is advisable to use an image recording device that temporarily controls the storage of continuous recording in a part of the storage medium for event recording while initializing.
In this case, it becomes possible to initialize the storage medium for continuous recording, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of troubles 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 media storage units, one is used for event recording and automatic initialization is performed as described above. If prohibited, it is preferable to control the recording to the event recording at least while the storage medium for continuous recording is initialized.

(H) When a plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data are provided, event recording is stored in at least one storage medium, and continuous recording is recorded in another storage medium. When the remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing the event recording becomes less than a predetermined value, it is preferable to use an image recording device that controls the storage of the event recording in the storage medium for continuous recording.
In this case, for example, when event recording is overwritten, it is possible to avoid a situation in which storage cannot be performed when the storage medium is full.
It is preferable to notify, for example, that the remaining capacity of the storage medium has become less than a predetermined value and that event recording is being performed on the storage medium for continuous recording by an alarm, voice, display, or the like.

(I) A plurality of media accommodating units for mounting storage media for recording recorded data are provided, and at least both continuous recording for overwriting and event recording for overwriting are stored in one main storage medium. For other storage media, other than the storage medium mainly for storage, when the storage capacity exceeds a predetermined value due to overwrite prohibition of the main storage medium, or when there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit. It is preferable to use an image recording device that controls storage in another storage medium.

When the storage medium is taken out and the recorded data is viewed by an external device such as a PC, it is convenient to see all the stored data, both the continuous recording and the event recording. In addition, in the event of an accident or the like, 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 one storage medium contains all the data for both constant recording and event recording. However, a single storage medium does not function as an image recording device when the capacity is full due to overwrite prohibition or when the storage medium is not attached. If multiple storage media are attached, it will function even in such a case. The main storage medium may have a large capacity, and the others may have a small capacity. A part or all of the data stored in another storage medium when a part or all of the data recorded in the main storage medium is erased and a capacity is available, or when a new storage medium is installed. You may move everything to the main storage medium.

(J) A medium storage unit to which the main storage medium is mounted is determined, and a lamp is arranged near the medium storage unit, and when the capacity is full due to the overwrite prohibition, or when the storage medium is mounted. It is preferable to use an image recording device that blinks or lights up when it is not.
In this case, the medium accommodating portion that cannot handle data recording can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner, and the user can be made aware of that fact. For example, when storing in a storage medium other than the main storage medium, it is easy to understand by blinking the lamp of the medium accommodating portion in which the main storage medium is mounted. Further, for example, the lamp may be configured to be notified by a display on a display, an alarm, a voice, or the like at the same time as the lamp blinks and lights up.

(K) A plurality of media accommodating units for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data are provided, and at least both continuous recording for overwriting and event recording for overwriting are stored in one main storage medium. When initializing the main storage medium, at least the overwrite-protected data stored in the main storage medium is configured to initialize the main storage medium after copying or moving to another storage medium. It is also good to use an image recording device.
With this configuration, for example, a storage medium containing overwrite-protected data can be initialized.

(L) A medium accommodating unit for mounting a storage medium for recording recorded data and a non-reducible memory for recording recorded data are built in so that the recorded data is always stored in the storage medium, and the built-in memory is a storage medium. When the data capacity stored in the overwrite prohibition exceeds a predetermined value, or when there is no storage medium in the main medium storage unit, or when the storage medium is initialized, the data is stored and recorded in the storage medium. When some or all of the existing data is erased and there is enough capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, a part or all of the data stored in the built-in memory is transferred to the storage medium as an image recording device. good.
In this case, only one medium accommodating unit is required, and the product cost can be reduced.

(M) When the storage medium is initialized, 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 storage of a predetermined capacity is performed on the other storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording device that initializes the storage medium after it has been damaged.
Since we want to prevent new data from being erased as much as possible, it is desirable to initialize it after the storage on a storage medium other than the storage medium to be initialized has progressed. It is desirable to initialize the memory when the memory in other places reaches the full capacity and the overwrite is started.

(N) It is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions, one of which is a dummy image recording device.
If a dummy medium accommodating portion is provided, the effect that it can be used as a storage place for a spare storage medium can be obtained. It is advisable to attach a spare storage medium to the dummy medium storage section, and when the main storage medium is removed, replace it with the spare storage medium in the dummy medium storage section.

(O) It is preferable that a car navigation function is provided, a plurality of medium accommodating units are provided in the same housing, and at least one of them is dedicated to recorded data and information and data incidental to the recording.
Car navigation systems, commonly referred to as PNDs, are equipped with a medium storage unit such as a memory card slot for updating maps and software, providing music and video sources, recording TV, and storing travel routes. In many cases. When the car navigation function and the drive recorder function are combined, there is a method to use both functions properly in one medium storage unit, but if the drive recorder function has a function to constantly record the image while driving, it is during driving. It is necessary to always store image data in the storage medium, and if data related to the car navigation function is also stored in the storage medium, processing may be inconvenient. Therefore, it is better to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.

(P) It is preferable that a radar detector function is provided, a plurality of medium accommodating units are provided in the same housing, and at least one of them is dedicated to recorded data and information and data incidental to the recording.
Radar detectors are often used by storing data such as the location of alarms in a memory card. For the same reason as in (o) above, it is better to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.

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

The perspective view of the drive recorder in Example 1 ((a) is the back side, (b) is the front side). The perspective view of the holder which mounted the acceleration sensor in Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the image pickup unit housed inside in Example 1 ((a) is the back side, (b) is the front side). The block diagram explaining the electric structure of the drive recorder in Example 1. FIG. A graph explaining the correlation between acceleration and time when a sudden brake is applied at 100 km / h. A graph explaining the correlation between acceleration and time when a sudden brake is applied at 80 km / h. A graph illustrating an image of a threshold set by the magnitude and time of acceleration. An explanatory diagram of sequential recording in the first embodiment. The flowchart explaining the event occurrence determination routine in Example 1. FIG. An explanatory diagram illustrating the transfer of an SD card between a drive recorder and a personal computer in the first embodiment. The block diagram explaining the electric structure of the personal computer in Example 1. FIG. An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a viewer screen displayed by a personal computer in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the event file string in Example 1. An explanatory diagram of a dialog box displayed on a monitor of a personal computer in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of other sequential recordings in Example 1. Explanatory drawing of dual recording in Example 2. Explanatory drawing of mirror recording in Example 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front side of the drive recorder in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear side of the drive recorder in the fifth embodiment. The explanatory view of the mounting state of the drive recorder in Example 5. The perspective view of the back side of the other drive recorder in Example 5. The perspective view of the back side of the other drive recorder in Example 5.

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

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

An access hole 171 to the DC jack 16 and a USB port 172 to which a USB cable extended from a personal computer or the like can be connected are provided on the side end surface of the main body case 2 which is substantially flush with the end of the screwed cap 4. It is perforated. Insertions 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 is provided with two insertion ports. LEDs (display units) 181A and 182A are arranged on both sides of the insertion openings 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 in the insertion slot 181. The LED 182A lights up during data access to the SD card inserted in 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 in which a substantially cylindrical shape is vertically divided into two, are combined. On the surface of the back cover 2a, there is a holder 7 (FIG. 2) that rotatably holds the holder body 7a, first and second push buttons 8 and 9 as operating means, and first and second pilot lamps. Illumination blocks 10, 11 and the like are arranged. 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 a data acquisition means. In the holder 7, the acceleration sensor 15 can be arranged in the horizontal direction as a reference position according to the rotation of the holder main body 7a. Accelerometer 15, which is a measured value of a physical quantity reflecting the situation of the vehicle, is measured by the acceleration sensor 15.

The image pickup unit 21 is housed inside the main body case 2. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image pickup unit 21 is a unit having a substrate structure in which a main substrate 22 and a sub substrate 25 are overlapped. A CCD camera 13, a GPS receiver 24, a DC jack 16, a power supply circuit (not shown), and the like are mounted on the main board 22.

Switches 27 and 28 corresponding to the first and second push buttons 8 and 9 are arranged on the sub-board 25, and LEDs 291 and 292 corresponding to the first and second pilot lamp illumination blocks 10 and 11 are arranged. Has been done. 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 accommodating unit for reading and writing data by mounting an SD card, are mounted on the front surface and the back surface of the sub-board 25. Of the two SD card readers 311 and 312, the SD card reader 311 is the master and the SD card reader 312 is the slave. In the following description, the SD card loaded in the master SD card reader 311 is referred to as a master, and the SD card loaded in the slave SD card reader 312 is referred to as a slave.

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

The ROM of the control controller 30 is detected by a GPS information processing program that processes GPS information received by the GPS receiver 24, an image processing program that saves the image captured by the CCD camera 13 in the main body memory or an SD card, and an acceleration sensor 15. Accelerometer change calculation program that records the calculated acceleration information over time and calculates the acceleration change pattern, judges the correlation between the calculated acceleration change pattern and the existing acceleration change pattern, and based on the result Various programs such as a correlation function program for determining whether the calculated acceleration change pattern exceeds the threshold value and an OS (Operation System) are stored.

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

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

The database 32 is a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM in the control controller 30 or externally attached to the control controller 30. A plurality of event occurrence determination function patterns are stored in the database 32 according to the speed.
The event occurrence determination pattern is a pattern in which an event occurrence determination function pattern and an event occurrence determination threshold value pattern are combined. The event occurrence determination function pattern is a multidimensional function shown by the relationship between the magnitude of acceleration and the elapsed time when an event (impact, sudden start / sudden braking, sudden steering) occurs, and is made into a two-dimensional graph (curve). It is possible. As the event occurrence determination function pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared corresponding to the unique speed band for each event.

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

In the database 32, the threshold value as the event occurrence determination threshold value pattern is associated and stored for all the event occurrence determination function patterns. The threshold value is set according to the tendency of each event occurrence determination function pattern, with the magnitude, direction, and time of acceleration as parameters. For example, in the case of the event occurrence determination function pattern in which the sudden braking in FIG. 5 is an event, a large acceleration is generated in a relatively short time, then a large acceleration is sustained, and then the reverse in a relatively short time. A large acceleration in the direction is occurring. It is good to set as a threshold value whether or not to deviate from such a tendency of acceleration and time. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the thresholds are a continuous state A1 of a positive acceleration of 0.3 G that continues in the time of L1 and a negative acceleration A2 of 0.15 G that continues in the time of L2 (this does not require continuation). It is good to make it. When such a threshold is set, a positive acceleration larger than 0.3 G continues in the time of L1 and a negative acceleration larger than 0.15 G continues in the time of L2 thereafter (this continues). Is unnecessary), it is judged that the threshold value of the event at that speed has been exceeded.

The number of threshold values may be the same as the number of event occurrence determination function patterns, and a common threshold value can be used when an approximate event occurrence determination function pattern is shown. For example, in the case of the same event, in a certain range of speed bands, it is possible to associate a common threshold value because there is not much difference in the patterns.

The control controller 30 samples the detected value of the acceleration sensor 15 at a constant timing based on the acceleration change calculation program, calculates a function of the acceleration change pattern defined by the magnitude and time of the acceleration, and is based on the correlation function program. To determine the correlation between the function of the existing acceleration change pattern and the calculated function. Then, when it is determined that there is correlation similarity, it is determined whether or not the calculated acceleration change pattern exceeds the threshold value.

In this example, when the event is "impact", only the magnitude of the threshold acceleration is changed in sensitivity depending on the level. For example, assuming that the magnitude of acceleration at level 3 is 100%, level 4 is 120%, level 5 is 140%, and so on, and the ratio is increased or decreased based on the default. On the other hand, when the event is "sudden start / sudden braking, sudden steering", in addition to changing the ratio of the magnitude of acceleration, the duration of acceleration is also changed.

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

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

(1) Recording operation of imaging data (sequential recording)
The operation of recording the image pickup data on the SD card is an operation that is continuously executed in a power-on state in which an event such as an impact does not occur. Under the control of the control controller 30, a series of imaging data is recorded as shown in FIG. 8 using two SD cards. As described above, the recorded imaging data includes velocity 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. The squares of each SD card in the figure schematically represent this block.

If the two SD cards are in the initialized state, the control controller 30 starts recording (recording of imaging data) from the master SD card as shown in FIG. A. When the storage area of the master SD card is full, recording to the slave SD card is started as shown in FIG. B. After that, when the storage area of the SD card of the slave becomes full, the storage area of the SD card of the master is erased as shown in the upper part of FIG. C to generate an empty area. At this time, the order of erasing is from the oldest recorded imaging data (oldest imaging timing) in the storage area of the SD card, and in the order of 1, 2, 3, ... As shown in the figure. Erase the imaged data. The control controller 30 records new imaging data as shown in the lower part of FIG. C while erasing the old imaging data in this way. After that, when all the imaging data of the master SD card is rewritten, the imaging data recorded on the slave SD card is erased as shown in FIG. D, as in the case of the master SD card described with reference to FIG. While recording new imaging data.

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 SD card of the slave as shown in FIG. After that, when the vehicle ignition is switched on, the recording of the imaging data is continued from the 41st block of the SD card of the slave.

(2) Event determination operation, (3) Event data recording operation The event determination operation is an operation realized by the control controller 30 executing a predetermined event determination routine. The event data recording operation is executed in the event determination routine when the occurrence of an event such as an impact, sudden start / sudden braking, or sudden steering wheel 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 ms.
By sampling the acceleration each time step S1 is executed, the control controller 30 acquires the acceleration pattern for the most recent 1 second (the past 1 second with respect to the current time), and at the same time, the vehicle at that time (current time). The event occurrence judgment function pattern is corrected according to the speed of. For example, when the speed of the vehicle is 75 km / h, it is necessary to compare the event occurrence determination function pattern with the pattern of 75 km / h. The control controller 30 weights 75 km / h based on a plurality of event occurrence determination function patterns prepared in advance, for example, 80 km / h and 60 km / h event occurrence determination function patterns. Calculate the event occurrence judgment function pattern.

In step S2, the control controller 30 determines whether or not the acceleration pattern and the corrected event generation determination function pattern match, 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 the two functions can be determined by the correlation function.

If it is determined that the pattern does not resemble any of the event occurrence determination function patterns (S2: NO), it is assumed that the acceleration pattern should not be saved, and the process temporarily proceeds to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined to be similar to the event occurrence determination function pattern (S2: YES), it is determined in step S3 whether or not the inherent threshold value at the speed of the event occurrence determination threshold pattern is exceeded. As the threshold value here, the 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 control controller 30 determines that the event should be saved. The control 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 is selected from a series of imaging data recorded on the SD card. Copy (specific image) to the main memory (flash ROM). The image pickup data copied to the main body memory (flash ROM) is composed of event data for 15 seconds including the time when the event occurs (information regarding the occurrence of the event. Position data, speed data, and acceleration data synchronized with the image pickup data are included. It is treated as.). When an event occurs, the acceleration pattern acquisition operation is canceled for 5 seconds and the routine ends (S4). Cancellation of this acquisition operation is a process for preventing the acquisition of duplicate event data. On the other hand, if the threshold value is not exceeded and it is determined that the event has not occurred (S3: NO), the process proceeds to step S1 assuming that the threshold value to be saved is not exceeded.

Next, (1) viewing of imaging data, (2) viewing of event data, (3) threshold setting for event determination, and (4) by a personal computer 35, which is a terminal device in which an application program compatible with drive recorder 1 is installed. ) The operation mode setting will be explained in this order.
(1) Browsing of imaging data The imaging data recorded on the SD card can be imported into a personal computer 35 and viewed as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a general electrical configuration of a personal computer 35. The personal computer 35 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 37 which is a control device. The personal computer 35 includes a user interface such as a data input means such as a keyboard 42 and a mouse 43, and a data output means (or display means) such as a printer 44 and a monitor 45.

A ROM 38 and a RAM 39 are connected to the MPU 37, and SD card reader / writers 361 and 362 as data interface means, a hard disk drive 40, and the like are connected to the MPU 37. The hard disk housed in the hard disk drive 40 stores a general program of the personal computer 35 and a viewer program for displaying an image of the acceleration pattern on the monitor 45 together with the data. The 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 starts a viewer program to prompt the insertion of an SD card and displays a viewer screen on the monitor 45. FIG. 12 is an example of the viewer screen 51 displayed on the monitor 45. A menu bar 52 for executing various operations is arranged at the upper part of the viewer screen 51. The lower area of the menu bar 52 is divided into left and right areas by vertical lines arranged on the right side. In the area on the left side, which occupies about 2/3 of the screen width, the image display area 53 for displaying the image pickup data, the display switching button 54, the traveling speed display area 55, the acceleration display area 56, and the latitude / longitude display area are displayed 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, which is about 1/3 of the screen width, the playlist 60 and the 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 displays the file numbers of the series of imaging data in a focused state. The file number is a list of numbers of the shooting date, start time, and end time.

The personal computer 35 displays an image based on the captured data in response to the operation of the image drive / stop button 58 on the viewer screen 51. While the image is being displayed, 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 according to the displayed image. The image can be subjected to various operations such as reverse playback in the reverse direction and pause. Further, by operating the display switching button 54, one of a pattern for displaying one screen on the entire surface of the image display area 53 and a pattern for displaying a continuous frame image (for example, 16 screens) can be selected.

(2) Viewing event data The event data recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) of the drive recorder 1 can be communicated via the USB cable by a predetermined writing operation using the operation buttons of the drive recorder 1. It can be written to the connected personal computer 35. The main body case 2 may be removed from the bracket 3 and connected to the personal computer 35 or the like, or a portable notebook personal computer or the like may be brought into the vehicle and connected to the drive recorder 1. At the time of connection with the personal computer 35, even if the ignition of the vehicle is off, power is supplied via the USB cable and the drive recorder 1 can operate.

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 according to the writing of the event data. When an SD card is used for writing event data, it is preferable to remove the SD card in which a series of imaging data is recorded, insert another SD card, and then perform a predetermined writing operation. When a predetermined writing operation is performed, a voice is output to warn that the data on the SD card will be overwritten before the event data is actually written.

The personal computer 35 that reads the event data via the USB cable or the SD card displays the file number of each event data in the playlist 60 in the viewer screen 51 (FIG. 12) (the file number is the number of the date and time when the image was taken). List). The playlist 60 is a list read from the event file column 63 of FIG. In the playlist 60, each event data is displayed in a list in chronological order. 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 threshold value of the data in the file is determined at level 3 (that is, the default state).

When any file number is specified by operating the menu bar 52, the personal computer 35 causes the image display area 53 to display the captured data of the corresponding event data. The image displayed at this time is a still image at the time when it is determined that the event has occurred. Along with the display of this image, the 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 point where the image was taken is displayed in the map area 61. A map of the surrounding area is displayed. In the acceleration history display area 59, the acceleration history over the time (total 15 seconds) in which the imaging data of the event data is saved is displayed, and the acceleration position of the time displayed in the image display area 53 is plotted. The image operation by operating the image drive / stop button 58 or the like is the same as when viewing a series of image pickup data.

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

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

(4) Operation mode setting A method of setting an operation mode constituting setting information in a personal computer 35 having a function as a setting changing means will be described. This operation is executed on the mode selection screen (not shown) that is switched between the viewer screen and the display. 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 Example 2), and mirror recording (similar) on the screen. In addition to the select button, a confirmation button is arranged. By operating the confirm button after selecting any of the selection buttons, the desired operation mode can be selectively set. 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 in the operation mode (function by warning means), and rewrites the setting information. Switch to the confirmation screen that asks the user if it is okay. When an operation to the effect that the confirmation screen may be changed is performed, new setting information is stored in the SD card.

The drive recorder 1 of this example having the above configuration can record a series of imaging data over a long period of time by using two SD cards, for example, in the operation mode of sequential recording. After the storage capacity of the two SD cards is full, the image data recorded on one SD card is erased in order from the oldest one at the time of recording, and a new free area is created by the erasing. Record the imaging data. By recording new imaging data while erasing old imaging data in this way, it is possible to effectively utilize the storage capacity of the two SD cards and record imaging data for a long period of time. Further, in the case of recording a series of imaging data on two SD cards, the frequency of data erasure and rewriting can be reduced as compared with the case of recording on one SD card, and the burden on the SD card can be reduced. If the load on the SD card can be reduced, the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing errors and erasing errors when recording imaging data can be reduced, and operation reliability can be improved.

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

The drive recorder 1 that continuously records image pickup data has a point that the usage of the storage area of a memory card such as an SD card is significantly different from that of a camera, a video camera, or the like. That is, an image recording device such as a drive recorder 1 endlessly repeats erasing old imaged data and recording new imaged data as long as it is energized. In the case of a camera or a video camera, the old imaged data is not arbitrarily erased by overwriting the new imaged data. For example, the imaged data is erased after being read by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

In an image recording device such as a drive recorder 1 that repeats erasing and writing endlessly in order to continuously record the imaging data, a data writing error or erasing error occurs while the recording and erasing of the imaging data are repeated. This may result in defects in the recorded data in the storage area. On the other hand, since the drive recorder 1 of this example includes two medium accommodating portions, a plurality of memory cards can be mounted. If a plurality of memory cards are used, the number of times of rewriting or erasing the data of each memory card can be reduced and the burden can be reduced as compared with the case where only one memory card is installed. As a result, the probability of occurrence of troubles such as writing error and erasing error when recording the imaging data can be reduced, and the operation reliability can be improved. The drive recorder 1 is a device having excellent characteristics in which the stability of recording operation of imaging data is improved.

It is also possible to change the recording operation of the imaging data of this example described with reference to FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. The operation when starting recording to the SD card of the master of FIG. 15A is the same as that of FIG. 8A. The difference lies in the control after the storage area of the master SD card is full. As shown in FIG. 15B, the imaging data recorded on the master SD card is erased in conjunction with the recording of the imaging data on the slave SD card. Here, interlocking means that the amount of imaging data recorded on the slave SD card and the amount of imaging data erased from the master SD card are substantially the same, or a certain difference is maintained. In this state, it means that the recording and erasing of the imaging data are performed in parallel while synchronizing.

After that, when the storage area of the SD card of the slave becomes full, all the imaging data recorded on the SD card of the master is erased as shown in the upper part of FIG. 15C. 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. If such control is performed, it is possible to read the image pickup data that remains unerased until the SD card is initialized. After erasing all the imaging data, it is better to execute the initialization format of the storage area to erase the file management information. After that, as shown in the lower part of FIG. C, the imaging data recorded on the slave SD card is erased in synchronization with the recording operation of the imaging data on the master SD card. In addition, when initializing the SD card that stores the setting information, after initializing, first, by copying the setting information stored in the main body memory (RAM), the state of storing the setting information is restored. good.

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

It is also possible to provide three or more SD card readers. For example, it is also possible to divide the set three or more SD cards into two groups and apply the same recording operation as the two SD cards of this example 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 even if some recording error occurs on one of the SD cards.

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

In this example, acceleration or the like is adopted as a physical quantity that reflects the situation of the vehicle in order to determine the occurrence of an event. In addition to acceleration and the like, the physical quantity includes, for example, information flowing on an in-vehicle network that transmits vehicle control information and information obtained based on the information. For example, speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5 seconds speed, average 5 seconds speed, maximum 5 seconds 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, in-mani pressure, maximum in-mani pressure, MAF, INJ, cooling water temperature, maximum cooling water temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside temperature, maximum outside temperature, residual 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 flow, average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, highway average fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, maximum moving average fuel consumption, Driving time, running time, idle time, idle ratio, mileage, lifetime mileage, 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 running time, 20-40km / h running time, 40-60km / h running time, 60-80km / h running time, 80km / h It is also good to adopt any of the vehicle data such as the running time, the lifetime engine mileage, and the lifetime engine running ratio. These vehicle data are provided on the vehicle side in accordance with, for example, the OBD (On-board Diagnostics) -II (II is a Roman numeral "2"; hereinafter referred to as "OBD") standard, which is a vehicle inspection standard. It can be obtained via the OBD connector (fault diagnosis connector). In this case, the configuration for acquiring vehicle data from the OBD connector is the data acquisition means.

For example, it is also possible to provide a recording button (save operation means) for recording the imaging data in a specific time interval by manually operating the user. In this case, the operation of the record button becomes an event. By operating the record button, the imaging data before and after that can be recorded in the main memory (flash ROM) or SD card. By operating the record button after the fact, for example, when the user passes a point of interest or encounters a traffic condition to be recorded, the user can use the imaged data including the point or the traffic condition as event data. It is convenient to be able to record. Regarding the event of user operation, there is a high possibility that there will be a time lag between the appearance of the object to be recorded and the actual occurrence of the event. Therefore, when recording event data in response to an event called user operation, it is also good to set a long time interval corresponding to the event data. In particular, if the time interval on the past side is set long, even if the operation of the record button is delayed, the desired landscape can be recorded with high certainty as event data.
For example, it may be a drive recorder provided with a liquid crystal display capable of reproducing and displaying the image pickup data recorded on the SD card. In this case, the event data can be recorded by operating the record button during the reproduction of the captured 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. are doing. For example, the insertion slot 181 corresponding to the master SD card may be provided with a lid, while the insertion slot 182 corresponding to the slave SD card may have no lid. In this case, the procedure for removing the SD card of the master is more complicated than the procedure for removing the SD card of the slave, so that the SD card of the slave is preferentially removed. Can be directed to. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the master SD card in which important data such as setting information is recorded is removed, and it is possible to avoid troubles caused by the unexpected removal of the master SD card.

It is also possible to provide the drive recorder 1 with an operation button that serves as a change operation means for changing setting information (operation mode, threshold value correction data, etc.). In this case, the setting information can be changed by the drive recorder 1 alone. A function for displaying the set operation mode, the operation mode to be changed, or the like may be provided, or a reading function may be provided. Further, when the drive recorder 1 is configured to be able to change the setting information, it is preferable to add a warning means for warning that the recorded data of the SD card may be erased by changing the setting information. As a warning means, it is advisable to adopt a text-to-speech function or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to add a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and the cost increase due to the setting of the 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. This content will be described with reference to FIG. As described in the first embodiment, as the operation mode of the drive recorder 1, in addition to the (1) sequential recording of the first embodiment, there are (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording operation modes. This example is an operation example under (2) dual recording operation mode.

(2) Dual recording Dual recording is an operation mode in which event data is recorded on the master SD card and a series of imaging data is recorded on the slave SD card, as shown in FIG. A series of temporally continuous imaging data is recorded on the SD card of the slave, and when the storage area is full, the imaging data with the oldest imaging timing is sequentially rewritten with new imaging data. On the other hand, when an event such as an impact occurs on the master SD card, the imaging data of a specific time section (10 seconds before the event occurs, 5 seconds after the event occurs) including the moment of occurrence is transmitted from the slave SD card. It is duplicated (data copy) and recorded. As in the first embodiment, the recorded imaging data includes velocity data, position data, acceleration data, and the like recorded synchronously in addition to the imaging data.

In the case of FIG. 16, as shown at the bottom, after the recorded data (event data) of the master SD card is full, the old recorded data is erased and a free area for recording new event data is reserved. I have secured it. Instead of this, event data may be recorded with overwrite prohibition. When the storage area of the master SD card is full due to the event data, it is also possible to notify the user to load the SD card having a free storage area. For example, an overwrite-prohibited SD card may be set to an allow mode in which overwriting is permitted. In this case, when an important landscape that needs to be recorded appears after the storage area of the SD card that is write-protected is full, the image data of the important landscape can be recorded by setting the permission mode. ..
In normal times, the imaging data is recorded on the SD card of the slave, and when passing through the place you want to save, the imaging data is recorded on the SD card of the master that prohibits overwriting, so that it can be switched by 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 keeps the changeover state for a predetermined time after the operation and returns to the original state with the lapse of a predetermined time.

When operating in the dual recording mode, it is also good to record event data in the main body memory (flash ROM) as in the first embodiment. In this case, the data can be backed up by recording the event data in both the SD card and the main memory (flash ROM), and troubles such as not being able to read the data when the event occurs can be avoided. can.

This example is an example in which dual recording is executed using two SD cards. Instead of this, it is also possible to execute dual recording using either SD card and the main body memory (flash ROM). Further, dual recording can be executed by using a plurality of SD cards of two or more and the main body memory (flash ROM).
The other configurations and effects are the same as in Example 1.

If a series of imaging data is recorded on the memory card of the secondary slave and the imaging data of a specific time interval corresponding to the occurrence of an event is recorded on the memory card of the main master, the series of imaging data and the imaging of a specific time interval can be 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 it is necessary to update a series of imaging data recorded on the slave memory card at any time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting. On the other hand, for the master memory card, it is also good to record the imaging data in the overwrite prohibition mode, and in this case, the imaging data in a specific time section recorded when the event occurs can be stored with high certainty.

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

In the dual recording operation mode, the control controller of the drive recorder 1 controls the memory card of the secondary slave as the first storage medium that is allowed to be overwritten, while prohibiting overwriting of the memory card of the main master. It is controlled as a storage medium of 2. Here, the first and second numbers of the storage medium do not represent the priority or the master-slave and are completely irrelevant, and the numbers may be interchanged. If the secondary slave memory card is used as a storage medium for overwriting recording and the main master memory card is prohibited from overwriting, imaging data is continuously recorded on the slave memory card in the same manner as above. While performing continuous recording, the master memory card can be used to record image data that you want to save.

In the dual recording operation mode, the control controller of the drive recorder 1 sequentially records new imaging data by overwriting the old imaging data at the time of imaging among the imaging data recorded in the memory card of the secondary slave. Perform continuous recording. As a result, continuous recording of captured data becomes possible, and captured images in a predetermined time range in the past 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.

In addition, the memory card of the main master that prohibits overwriting, for example, image data by event recording when some event occurs, image data by manual operation recording according to manual operation, still recording, etc. other than continuous recording It is good to record the captured image of. If the number of memory cards installed in the drive recorder 1 is too small to distribute to master / slave, the installed memory card may be treated as a secondary slave memory card and continuous recording of imaging data may be performed. good.

In the dual recording operation mode, the image pickup data is recorded on the master memory card with overwrite prohibition when a specific recording condition is satisfied, such as the detection acceleration by the G sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the imaging data when a specific recording condition is satisfied can be saved with high certainty in an overwrite-protected state. In particular, in the drive recorder 1, imaging data corresponding to the satisfaction of a specific recording condition is recorded on an independent master memory card different from the slave memory card for continuous recording. Therefore, even if some trouble occurs during the process of continuous recording of the imaging data on the slave memory card, there is little possibility that the master memory card will be in trouble such as unreadable.

It should be noted that, for example, some event, manual operation by the driver, or the like may be set as a specific recording condition for recording the imaging data on the master memory card without overwriting. The event may be, for example, an accident such as an airbag deploying, a sudden braking or a sudden steering wheel, or a large acceleration.

When the amount of data recorded on the overwrite-prohibited storage medium exceeds a predetermined value, or when it becomes necessary to initialize the storage medium, it is also possible to record a captured image or the like in the main body memory provided in the drive recorder. .. After that, when the data capacity of the storage medium is increased by erasing the data, or when a new storage medium is attached, 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 configured by one, and a low-priced drive recorder can be realized.
The other configurations and effects are the same as in Example 1.

(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. This content will be described with reference to FIG. As described in the first embodiment, as the operation mode of the drive recorder 1, in addition to the (1) sequential recording of the first embodiment, there are (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording operation modes. 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 imaging 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 operation mode of sequential recording of the first embodiment. If the same data is recorded on both the master SD card and the slave SD card, a series of imaging data can be read from the other SD card even if a recording error occurs in one of the SD cards, and the recording operation is performed. High reliability can be ensured.

This example is an example in which mirror recording is executed using two SD cards. Instead of this, it is also possible to execute mirror recording using either SD card and the main body memory (flash ROM). Further, mirror recording can be executed by using a plurality of SD cards of two or more and a main body memory (flash ROM).
The other configurations and effects are the same as in Example 1.

The drive recorder 1 of the first to third embodiments includes a plurality of medium accommodating portions for detachably holding a memory card such as an SD card. The control controller 30 of the drive recorder 1 is a memory mounted in another medium storage unit while recording imaging data for a memory card mounted in at least one of the plurality of medium storage units. Various processes such as writing process and initialization process for the card can be executed in parallel.

For example, in the case where another writing process is executed for a memory card other than the memory card for recording the imaging data, even if the other writing processing is executed during the recording of the imaging data, the writing process may be executed. With respect to a memory card for recording image pickup data and a memory card for executing other writing processes, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the frequency of data access such as writing and reading data becomes excessive. Therefore, even if another writing process is executed in parallel with the recording of the imaging data, there is less possibility that the recording of the imaging data will have a problem in recording the image.

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

The control 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 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 by the drive recorder 1 are increased. As a result, the functions of the drive recorder 1 become various and the 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 on a specific memory card. Further, for example, when recording imaging data using two or more memory cards, during the recording of the latest imaging data, the storage area of another memory card whose imaging time of the recorded imaging data is old is stored. It is good to initialize. In this case, when the memory card recording the latest image pickup data becomes full, the subsequent image capture data can be continuously recorded by using another memory card in the initialized state. If an initialized memory card is used, imaging data can be recorded with high reliability with little risk of writing errors.

(Example 4)
This example is an example of a drive recorder that executes more sophisticated dual recording based on the dual recording of the second embodiment.

(1) A configuration example for recording data that does not prohibit overwriting on the master memory card.
For example, in one of the event recordings, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact and records before and after it, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, the road surface condition such as a step on the road or It may be detected as an impact depending on the driving operation of the driver, and if overwrite-protected, unnecessary overwrite-protected data will be accumulated more and more. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary overwrite-prohibited data, it is advisable to set a predetermined capacity in particular and to have a function of overwriting and recording within that range.

It is also possible to perform control for prohibiting overwriting of a part of the storage area of the master memory card, while controlling for allowing overwriting of the remaining part or all of the storage area. For example, in one of the event recordings, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact and records before and after it, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, the road surface condition such as a step on the road or It may be detected as an impact depending on the driving operation of the driver, and if overwrite-protected, unnecessary overwrite-protected data will be accumulated more and more. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary overwrite prohibition data, when the overwrite prohibition data is generated, it is once recorded in the area where overwriting is allowed, and there is a high possibility of an accident due to, for example, the vehicle being stopped after an impact occurs. It is also good to control to move the data to the overwrite prohibited area when it becomes.

(2) A configuration example that enables mutual backup of master / slave memory cards.
In the drive recorder, it is possible to install a plurality of memory cards, and control is performed such that one of them is the main master and the other is the secondary slave. If either the master or slave memory card is removed or any problem or malfunction occurs, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that has a function to supplement the function of the memory card on the other memory card side. With this configuration, even if one of the master and slave memory cards is removed or a problem or problem occurs, the same function as before the problem occurred can be maintained. ..

In particular, it is advisable to record the image to be saved, such as an accident record or a scenic place, on the memory card of the main master with a low probability of being overwritten or erased. In addition, it is good to keep recording on the memory card of the secondary slave at all times while driving, especially for example, it has a function to search for images that could not be recorded on the master memory card for some reason later. It is preferable to have a function of moving or copying at least one of the storage media. In general, continuous recording has a higher probability of causing damage or malfunction of a storage medium such as a memory card. In 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 malfunctions, the damage is small.

When the control controller of the drive recorder 1 shifts to a state in which the memory card of the slave that allows overwriting is removed with the memory cards of the master and slave installed and only the memory card of the master that prohibits overwriting is installed. It is also possible to set a storage area that can be overwritten in a part of the free space in the storage area of the master memory card. With this configuration, even after the slave memory card is removed and only the master memory card is used, continuous recording of continuous recording of imaging data becomes possible, and the convenience is reduced due to the deterioration of the drive recorder 1 function. Can be suppressed.

In a configuration including a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means is said to be in a state where the first and second storage media are attached. When the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is attached to the state, the first storage medium is used as a part of the free area in the storage area of the second storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording device having a function of setting an overwriteable storage area for storing data corresponding to the storage of the image.

When the control controller of the drive recorder 1 has only one installed memory card, the control controller treats the memory card as a third storage medium, and the storage area can be overwritten and the storage area cannot be overwritten. It is also good to execute the control to provide and. In this case, even if only one memory card is attached, for example, data such as overwrite-prohibited image pickup data can be recorded separately from the image pickup data of continuous recording. The overwriting prohibited image data may be an image captured by event recording, an image captured by manual operation recording, an image captured by still recording, or the like. After that, for example, when a memory card that can be used as a master or a slave is newly installed, the memory card may be treated as a master or slave memory card. When handling as an overwriteable slave memory card, all or part of, for example, constantly recorded imaging data recorded overwritably on the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium is newly used. It is also good to transfer to the memory card of the slave and record. When handling as an overwrite-protected master memory card, all or part of the imaging data, etc. recorded with overwrite-protected on the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium is stored in the new master memory. It is also good to transfer it to a card and record it.

Even if a plurality of storage media are mounted and the first storage medium and the second storage medium can be sorted, a mode is provided in which all the storage media are controlled as the first storage medium. That is also good. In this case, since the storage area of the first storage medium becomes large, the recording time when continuously recording the captured image can be lengthened. In this way, when there are a plurality of first storage media, when the amount of data recorded in any of the storage media is full, the storage medium for which the captured image is continuously recorded is the other first storage medium. It is good to switch to. In this case, any one of the plurality of first storage media can be alternately used to efficiently continuously record the captured image. The storage medium should be configured so that the recorded data can be erased and initialized individually.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the recorded image as a second storage medium having an area in which the recorded image is not erased due to overwrite prohibition, the control means is newly mounted with the storage medium in a state where only one storage medium is mounted. When this is done, the storage medium may be controlled as the second storage medium, and the data recorded in the storage area of the third storage medium with overwrite prohibition may be recorded on the newly mounted storage medium. ..

(3) A configuration example that enables replacement of master / slave memory cards.
Instead of fixing the memory card as the main master, multiple storage media including the main memory of the drive recorder 1 are used in order as the main and sub, and while recording on the main storage medium, the sub This is an example of a configuration having a function of initializing a storage medium. If such a configuration is adopted, the load on each storage medium can be made evenly, and the probability of occurrence of damage or malfunction can be reduced.
In this case, it is preferable to have a function of recording both the overwrite continuous recording and the overwrite prohibition event recording on the same main storage medium.

In particular, the basic recorded data (imaging data) as a drive recorder is recorded on the main storage medium, and the non-basic data as a drive recorder is recorded on the secondary storage medium, depending on the type of recording data. The storage area) may be separated. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the processing speed from becoming slow or the part that cannot be processed from occurring, especially in a multifunctional drive recorder. Further, by separating as described above, the frequency of use of one storage medium can be reduced, and the probability that the storage medium is damaged or malfunctions can be further reduced.

The drive recorder may be controlled so as to perform initialization automatically or semi-automatically under a predetermined condition in the control of initializing another storage medium while recording on one storage medium. If initialization is performed automatically or semi-automatically, troubles such as the data recorded on the storage medium becoming unreadable can be avoided, and the data that can be recorded while maintaining high recording efficiency of the data on the storage medium can be avoided. The amount can be maintained close to the maximum. It is desirable to initialize the storage medium periodically, and when the storage medium has been rewritten a predetermined number of times since the previous initialization, or when overwriting is performed for a predetermined time, or overwriting recording of a predetermined capacity is performed. Initially semi-automatically, such as automatically by a predetermined condition such as when it is done, or by displaying that the initialization time has come or by notifying with an alarm or voice and performing a confirmation operation to start initialization. It is good to carry out the conversion.

It is advisable not to automatically initialize the overwrite-protected storage medium. If you set a medium storage unit that does not initialize automatically, you can reliably retain the data you want to store for a long period of time. For example, it is advisable not to automatically initialize the storage medium that stores the event recording. Event recordings are stored because event recordings are considered to be rewritten less frequently due to overwriting than continuous recordings, and event recordings are likely to have recordings that you want to keep for a relatively long time. It is preferable to set the storage medium so that it is not automatically initialized.

It is preferable to use an image recording device that controls to temporarily store the continuous recording in a part of the capacity of the storage medium for event recording while the storage medium for continuous recording that can be overwritten is initialized.
In this case, it becomes possible to initialize the storage medium for continuous recording, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of troubles 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 media storage units and one is used for event recording and automatic initialization is prohibited. At least while the storage medium for continuous recording is being initialized, it is preferable to control the recording to the event recording side.

When the remaining capacity of the overwrite-prohibited storage medium for storing the event recording becomes a predetermined value or less, it is preferable to control the event recording to be stored in the overwriteable storage medium for continuous recording. In this case, for example, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the overwrite-prohibited storage medium for event recording becomes full and the captured image at the time of the event cannot be recorded. It should be noted that, for example, an alarm, voice, display, etc. are used to notify an external device such as a PC that the remaining capacity of the storage medium has become less than a predetermined value or that event recording is being performed on the storage medium for continuous recording. It is possible to encourage data copy, exchange of storage media, and the like.
The other configurations and effects are the same as in Example 2.

(Example 5)
This example is an example of a drive recorder 5 provided with a storage operation means for recording a part of image pickup data in an overwrite-protected manner based on another embodiment. This content will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

The drive recorder 5 of FIGS. 18 and 19 is an electronic device in which an electronic substrate (not shown) is housed inside a housing 50 having a substantially rectangular shape on the front surface. The lens 611 of the camera unit 61 is arranged on the front surface of the housing 50, and the liquid crystal screen 630 of the liquid crystal display which is an example of the display means and various operation buttons 505 are arranged on the back surface. A recording button 521 and a power button 523, which are examples of saving operation means for starting and stopping the recording operation, are arranged on the upper surface of the housing 50, and a screw for attaching the bracket 7 (see FIG. 20). A hole 501 is drilled. On the side surface of the housing 50, there are two power supply terminals 57 for supplying power and two card slots 55 as an example of a medium storage unit 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 or the like of a vehicle, for example, as shown in FIG. 20 via the attachment bracket 7. The bracket 7 has a sticking stay 73 attached to the windshield 80 via a double-sided tape 700 or the like, a pedestal 71 including a screw 711 corresponding to the screw hole 501 of the drive record 5.

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 from the back surface of a circular sticking plate 730 to be stuck to the glass surface of the windshield 80. It is a member that has been removed. The pedestal 41 is a member provided with an inner peripheral spherical recess 417 on the opposite side of the pedestal surface 410 on which the screw 411 is erected. On the outer peripheral side of the recess 417, an outer peripheral screw 415 for screwing the outer peripheral nut 45 is provided. If the outer peripheral nut 45 is tightened while the sliding ball 435 is housed in the recess 417, the sliding ball 435 can be tightened and fixed, whereby the angle of the sticking stay 43 with respect to the pedestal 41 can be fixed.

When installing the drive recorder 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, first, as shown in FIG. 20, prepare a bracket 7 for connecting the sticking stay 73 and the pedestal 71 by lightly tightening the outer peripheral nut 75, and use the double-sided tape 700 to attach the sticking plate 730. Attach it 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 in by rotating the drive recorder 5 itself. The screw 711 is screwed into the pedestal surface 710 until the housing 50 is pressed against the pedestal surface 710, whereby the drive recorder 5 is fixed 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. As a result, 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 serves as a medium storage unit for accommodating the overwriteable microSD card, and the card slot on the back side accommodates the overwrite-protected microSD card. It is a medium storage unit for accommodating. By fixing the positions of the memory card for continuous recording and the memory card for which overwrite is prohibited in this way, 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 as a memory card that has been recorded with overwrite prohibition 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 overwriteable 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 and records the captured image including a predetermined front and back including the operation time point to the overwrite-prohibited microSD card. In order to suppress the concentration of the processing load, it is also possible to mark the operation time point and configure the transfer recording to be executed later.

The drive recorder 5 can confirm the reproduced image, determine whether or not to save it, and then prohibit overwriting of the original captured image of the reproduced image determined to be saved and record it. If it can be confirmed by the reproduced image, the captured image to be saved can be recorded with high certainty in a state where overwriting is prohibited. While playing back the captured image recorded on the microSD card that can be overwritten by continuous recording, a part of the captured image can be transferred to the overwrite-prohibited microSD card and recorded. By operating the record button 521 while displaying the reproduced image, there is little possibility that an image different from the captured image to be saved is mistakenly recorded. The time interval of the captured image recorded in the overwrite-prohibited state is a time interval that goes back to a predetermined time based on the time of operation, a time period until the predetermined time elapses based on the time of operation, or It is recommended that the section spans before and after the time when the operation is performed.

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 one of the mounted storage media as an overwriteable storage medium and controlling one of them as a storage medium for continuous recording in which overwrite is prohibited, a sensor or an externally input signal is used as an opportunity. Both of the captured image of the time section up to the time period before the predetermined time based on the time when the signal input is received, the captured image of the time section until the predetermined time elapses based on that time point, and these captured images. It is also good to record on a storage medium that is write-protected.

In addition, when recording a part of a captured image without overwriting, in general, data is often moved or copied in file units. Therefore, it is also good to transfer or copy not only the portion corresponding to the time interval based on the time when the record button 521 is operated but also the file including that portion. In this case, a part other than the part 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 is also good to control so that the reproduction of the portion other than the portion corresponding to the temporal section can be omitted.

In the drive recorder 5, the recording method and the type of recorded data are distinguished for each card slot 55, which is an example of the medium accommodating unit, and the functions are different. When a memory card, which is an example of a storage medium, is installed, the card slot 55 may be selected according to the recorded data or the like, which makes it easier to use. For example, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the recording method and recording timing that are different for each card slot 55, and mistakes such as removing the memory card during writing can be suppressed. As in this example, one card slot 55 may be overwritten, and the other card slot 55 may be overwritten. Further, it is also possible to record different recording data such that one card slot 55 is constantly recorded and the other card slot 55 is event recording.

It is also possible to control the probability that the recorded data is erased differently for each card slot 55 of the drive recorder 5. For example, one card slot 55 has a high probability that the recorded data will be erased by overwriting, and the other card slot 55 has a sufficient storage capacity for the amount of recorded data so that the probability of being erased by overwriting is low. It is good to keep it. Also, even if both are overwritten, one will record data with a large amount of data such as constantly recorded data, and the other will store data with a small amount of data such as event recording, and the probability that the recorded data will be erased will be different. It can also be.

In the drive recorder 5, two card slots 55 are arranged side by side. Instead of this, one of the medium accommodating parts is arranged on the side surface visible from the driver side, and the other is arranged on the side surface on the side invisible to the driver. , Or it is also good to know 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 accommodating portion having a high attachment / detachment frequency may be arranged in an easy-to-understand place, and the storage medium / medium accommodating portion having an infrequent attachment / detachment frequency may be arranged in a relatively difficult place. For the storage medium / medium accommodating portion that is frequently attached and detached, it is advisable to surround the edge of the medium accommodating portion with a line, color it, or provide internal lighting for easy understanding. For example, in the case where 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 which is an example of a lid so that it is relatively difficult to understand the one with low attachment / detachment frequency as shown in FIG. .. Alternatively, printing or engraving is performed near the medium storage unit so that the order can be understood, such as 1, 2, ..., A, B ..., etc., and the storage medium / medium storage unit that is frequently attached / detached is taken out as 1 or A. It is also preferable to make the storage medium difficult to mistake.

At least one of the plurality of storage media may have a different shape or size from the others. By making the size of the storage medium different, it is possible to obtain the effect that it is possible to suppress the mix-up of a plurality of storage media. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the medium storage unit 55 having a high attachment / detachment frequency is a standard type storage medium such as an SD card 555, and the lower medium storage unit 55A is a storage medium such as a micro SD card 555A. By using different types of SD cards, it is good to make sure that the storage medium to be taken out is not mistaken.

It may be a drive recorder having a car navigation function. It is preferable that at least one of the plurality of media accommodating units provided in the drive recorder is dedicated to the recorded data and the information and data incidental to the recording. Car navigation systems, commonly referred to as PNDs, are equipped with a medium storage unit such as a memory card slot for updating maps and software, providing music and video sources, recording TV, and storing travel routes. In many cases. When the car navigation function and the drive recorder function are combined, there is a method to use both functions properly in one medium storage unit, but if the drive recorder function has a function to constantly record the image while driving, it is during driving. It is necessary to always store image data in the storage medium, and if data related to the car navigation function is also stored in the storage medium, processing may be inconvenient. Therefore, it is better to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.

It may be a drive recorder having a radar detector function. It is preferable that at least one of the plurality of media accommodating units provided in the drive recorder is dedicated to the recorded data and the information and data incidental to the recording. Radar detectors are often used by storing data such as the location of alarms in a memory card. For the same reason as in the case of the drive recorder having the car navigation function described above, it is preferable to provide a plurality of medium accommodating portions and at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples.

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

At least both overwriteable continuous recording and event recording stored with overwrite protection are recorded on the main storage medium. The drive recorder controls to record the captured image on another storage medium when the capacity stored in the main storage medium by overwrite 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, it is very convenient because all the stored data can be browsed both in constant recording and event recording. In addition, in the event of an accident or the like, 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 one storage medium contains all the data for both constant recording and event recording.

For example, when only one storage medium can be attached, the capacity as a drive recorder becomes insufficient when the capacity is full due to overwrite prohibition or when the storage medium is not attached. If another storage medium is installed in addition to the main storage medium like the drive recorder in this example, the function as a drive recorder is realized even if the capacity of the main storage medium is full or not installed. can. The main storage medium may have a large capacity, and the others may have a small capacity. A part or all of the data stored in another storage medium when a part or all of the data recorded in the main storage medium is erased and a capacity is available, or when a new storage medium is installed. You may move everything to the main storage medium.

A medium storage unit to which the main storage medium is mounted is decided, a lamp is placed near the medium storage unit, and the lamp blinks when the capacity is full due to overwrite prohibition or when the storage medium is not mounted. Or it may be turned on. In this case, the medium accommodating portion that cannot handle data recording can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner, and the user can be made aware of that fact. For example, when storing in a storage medium other than the main, it is easy to understand by blinking the lamp of the main medium accommodating portion. Further, for example, the lamp may be configured to be notified by a display on a display, an alarm, a voice, or the like at the same time as the lamp blinks and lights up.

When the drive recorder initializes the main storage medium, the drive recorder executes the initialization after copying or moving at least the overwrite-protected data stored in the main storage medium to another storage medium. By executing such initialization control, for example, a storage medium containing overwrite-protected 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, it is also possible to record an captured image or the like in the main body memory built in the drive recorder. After that, when the data on the main storage medium is erased to allow room for data capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, part or all of the data stored in the main memory can be used as the main storage medium. It is also good to move to another storage medium. In this case, only one medium accommodating unit is required, and the product cost can be reduced.

When the storage medium is initialized, after switching the storage from the initialization storage medium to another storage medium such as another storage medium, storage for a predetermined time or storage of a predetermined capacity is performed on the other storage medium. It is preferable to use an image recording device that initializes the storage medium later.
Since we want to prevent new data from being erased as much as possible, it is desirable to initialize it after the storage on a storage medium other than the storage medium to be initialized has progressed. It is desirable to initialize the memory when the memory in other places reaches the full capacity and the overwrite is started.

Instead of this example, one of a plurality of medium accommodating portions may be used as a dummy medium accommodating portion. If a dummy medium accommodating portion is provided, the effect that it can be used as a storage place for a spare storage medium can be obtained. A spare storage medium can be attached to the dummy medium storage section, and when the main storage medium is removed, it can be conveniently replaced with the spare storage medium in the dummy medium storage section. The risk of loss during storage can be suppressed.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples.

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

The drive recorder will be able to externally transmit the captured image recorded on the memory card in a state where overwriting is prohibited, and the captured image can be viewed at the transmission destination. If such a configuration is adopted, it is particularly effective in the event of an accident or the like. For example, when a driving situation such as dozing driving occurs in a taxi, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted to the taxi company, the administrator can grasp the dangerous situation before the accident occurs. .. Further, for example, when an accident occurs thereafter, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and take prompt measures after the fact.

When a memory card with a communication function and a memory card without a communication function are attached to a drive recorder, the storage medium with a communication function can be controlled as an overwrite-protected memory card, and the storage medium without a communication function can be overwritten. It is good to control it as a good memory card. Then, it is advisable to give priority to all or part of the data recorded on the overwrite-protected memory card. Here, the priority transmission should be automatic transmission.

For example, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact, it is preferable to record the captured image before and after that time on a memory card that prohibits overwriting. It is possible to immediately transmit this captured image to the outside, but in reality, the impact may be detected depending on the road surface condition such as a step on the road or the driving operation of the driver. In order not to transmit the captured image within the normal range to the outside indiscriminately, for example, after recording the captured image on a memory card that prohibits overwriting in response to the detection of impact, the vehicle stopped and the stopped state continued for a predetermined time. It is also possible to control the captured image recorded with overwrite prohibition to be transmitted to the outside when the vehicle is stopped and the hazard lamp is turned on.

It is also possible to perform control for prohibiting overwriting of a part of the storage area of the memory card having a communication function, while controlling for allowing overwriting of the remaining part or all of the storage area. For example, in one of the event recordings, when the G sensor detects a predetermined impact and records before and after it, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, the road surface condition such as a step on the road or It may be detected as an impact depending on the driving operation of the driver, and if overwrite-protected, unnecessary overwrite-protected data will be accumulated more and more. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary overwrite-protected data, when the overwrite-protected data is generated, record it in the area where overwriting is allowed, for example, the vehicle is stopped after an impact occurs, or the hazard lamp is lit. It is also good to move the data to the overwrite-prohibited area when the situation shifts to a situation where it can be estimated that the possibility of an accident is high due to an operation or the like.
The other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those of the other examples.

The drive recorder of each embodiment includes a plurality of medium accommodating portions, and a plurality of memory cards can be mounted. This drive recorder has an advantage over a drive recorder having only one medium accommodating unit 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 performed, the probability of damage is high because the recording is constantly overwritten (repeated erasing and storage) while driving. Also, if you remove the memory card during operation, it is likely to be damaged. Most drive recorders turn the power on and off in conjunction with the engine key, but depending on the vehicle, voltage fluctuations, disruptions, surges, etc. may occur, especially when the engine is started, which adversely affects memory card control. In some cases, an abnormality may occur and the memory card may be damaged or malfunction. On the other hand, in the drive recorder of each embodiment, since a plurality of memory cards can be mounted, it is possible to control the backup by another memory card even if one of the memory cards is damaged. Therefore, with the drive recorder of each ten-year-old example, there is less risk of falling into a situation where recording cannot be performed at all.

(B) The main purpose of the drive recorder is to record the accident, and it is necessary to save the accident record so that it will not be erased. In general, when an accident is detected by a G sensor or the like, it is regarded as an accident, and the images before and after the accident are often overwritten and saved. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts are detected depending on the steps and unevenness of the road surface, the way the driver drives, etc., and in reality, recording / recording by impact detection other than accidents, etc. Most of the recordings do not need to be saved, and there are many. If the sensitivity of the sensor is lowered, the accident cannot be detected. In addition, witnessing dangerous driving / reckless driving, dangerous experiences that are likely to cause an accident, recording of scenic places, etc. are manual operations, and images before and after that are often overwritten and saved, depending on the user. Record a lot with overwrite protection. When the memory card is full with such overwrite-protected recording, it is not possible to record any more. It is necessary to take measures such as replacing the memory card, taking out / deleting images, and initializing. 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 the capacity of the overwrite-protected memory card is full, the overwrite-protected area is set in the storage area of the memory card for continuous continuous recording (constant recording) that allows overwriting, and the captured image to be saved, etc. It is also possible to temporarily place. By executing such control, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the overwrite-protected storage area becomes full and the captured image to be saved cannot be recorded. As a storage medium such as a memory card, a storage medium having a small capacity is naturally cheaper, and a storage medium having a large capacity is expensive. There is a technical limit to the capacity, and among the memory cards on the market, those with 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, but may be three times, four times, or five times the price. If a plurality of memory cards can be installed as in each embodiment, for example, by installing two memory cards with a capacity that is affordable, a state similar to that of installing a memory card with twice the capacity. Can be realized. Compared to a drive recorder that can only install one memory card, the purchase price of the memory card to secure the same storage capacity is significantly smaller.

(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 recordings such as events for which overwriting is prohibited on the same memory card, but what is the recording for which overwriting is prohibited? It will increase if you do not take any measures. Maintenance / treatment can be done on a daily basis, but it is difficult to do. In some cases, the continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated in the memory card, but in many cases, the overwrite-protected recording is preferentially stored without dividing the area, and the continuous recording area increases as the overwrite recording increases. In many cases, we try to reduce the number. In this case, before the capacity of the memory card is filled with overwrite-protected recording, the continuous recording area is reduced, the continuous recording time is shortened, and the time for retroactively checking the image is shortened. At the same time, the time required for overwriting to complete is shortened, the frequency of erasing and recording is increased, and the probability that the memory card is damaged or malfunctions is further increased. On the other hand, if the continuous continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated, of course, when the overwrite-protected recording area is full, no more recording can be performed, and overwriting is prohibited compared to the above method in which the area is not divided. The timing at which recording in the recording area becomes impossible is accelerated. On the other hand, in the drive recorder of each embodiment, since a plurality of memory cards can be attached, for example, an overwrite-prohibited memory card and a memory card for continuous 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 prohibition recording area by installing multiple inexpensive memory cards. Since it is possible to record captured images and the like to be stored with high certainty without the need to purchase an expensive large-capacity memory card, running costs are suppressed and it is economical.

(D) In order to check and retrieve the recorded image with a PC viewer or the like, the memory card may be removed from the drive recorder and forgotten as it is. Or the memory card may be removed for some reason. In such a case, if the drive recorder can only be equipped with one memory card, it must be driven without the memory card installed, recording and storage cannot be performed, and the drive recorder does not function. On the other hand, since the drive recorder of each embodiment can be equipped 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 overwrite-protected memory card is removed, backup control such as providing an overwrite-protected area in a part of the storage area of the overwriteable memory card can be considered. By executing such backup control, even when driving with a specific memory card removed, the situation 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. can.

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

1 Drive recorder 2 Main body case 8, 9 Push button 13 CCD camera 15 Accelerometer 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 (3)

A control means for storing an image captured before and after a time when a sensor detects a predetermined impact in a recording medium and controlling the image recorded on the recording medium to be transmitted externally when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It is an image recording device equipped with
The control means is characterized in that when the stopped state of the vehicle continues for a predetermined time, the image captured on the recording medium is controlled to be externally transmitted on the assumption that the predetermined condition is satisfied. Recording device. When the control means stores the captured image in the recording medium before and after the time when the sensor detects a predetermined impact, the control means controls to store the captured image in a state where overwriting is permitted, and then there is a possibility of an accident. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device is controlled to store the image in a state where overwriting is prohibited when the situation shifts to a situation that can be estimated to be high. A program for realizing the function of the control means of the image recording device according to claim 1 or 2 in a computer.

Images