JP7450284B2 - System and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system, a program, etc.

Electronic devices are known that share the same recording area for continuous recording, in which video data is continuously recorded, and intermittent recording, in which video data is intermittently recorded each time a predetermined event occurs. For example, Patent Document 1). For example, this electronic device constantly records video data in a continuous area while the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on.

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

JP2016-92464A

In the conventional method, when the recording area becomes full, continuously recorded video data is overwritten. If the continuously recorded video data includes video data that the user does not want to delete, there is a concern that the video data may be deleted without the user's knowledge.

An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use system.

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

From the start to the end of one cycle, a user who has stored information regarding the location where video data that he/she does not want to erase is recorded can use the overwrite location information output to the output means to record the video data that he/she does not want to erase. It is easy to notice situations where data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, it becomes possible to notice a situation where video data that you do not want to erase is likely to be overwritten before it is overwritten. This provides a user-friendly system.

As the video data, it is preferable to use video data captured by an imaging device such as a camera. The video data may be video data. For example, when the video data is video data, the video data is composed of multiple frames of data. The frame rate of this video data is preferably 30 fps, 24 fps, etc., for example. Further, as the video data, for example, a plurality of still image data acquired chronologically at regular time intervals may be employed.

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

The predetermined cycle end condition may be, for example, that a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the cycle, and more preferably, there is an empty area in the recording area where video data can be recorded, or video data was recorded in the previous cycle. It is preferable to assume that there is no longer any area within the area that can be overwritten with video data. For example, when the capacity of the free area or the area where video data was recorded in the previous cycle that can be overwritten with video data becomes less than the lower limit of the capacity required for recording video data, the cycle end condition is set. It is preferable to determine that the conditions are satisfied. It is preferable that the capacity within the recording area occupied by video data recorded in one cycle corresponds to the capacity of the entire recording area.

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

The information to be outputted by the output means may be outputted, for example, as audio, and more preferably as an image. For example, when outputting by voice, the numerical value indicating the information may be output by voice. For example, it is preferable to output a voice saying, "Currently, 30% of the entire area is being overwritten." For example, when outputting as an image, the information may be displayed in numbers, and more preferably in graphics. When displaying numerically, for example, the ratio between the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle and the capacity of the entire recording area may be displayed as a fraction or a percentage. When displaying graphically, it is preferable to display it as a graph, and more preferably as a pie chart or a band graph. For example, when displaying as a pie chart, it is preferable to make the capacity of the entire recording area correspond to an area with a central angle of 360°, and to show the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle as a sector. For example, when displaying a band graph, the capacity of the entire recording area corresponds to the total length of the band graph, and the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle corresponds to the length from one end of the band graph. It is good to correspond.

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

(2) The cycle end condition may include a condition that there is no free space in the recording area that can record new video data or that there is no space that can be overwritten by the currently ongoing cycle. .

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

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

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

(4) Preferably, the output means outputs an image to a screen, and the overwriting position information is displayed graphically on the screen.

The user can visually recognize the overwriting position information by looking at the displayed graphic. This makes it easier to notice situations where video data that you do not want to erase is likely to be overwritten with new video data.

(5) Define a start position and an end position corresponding to the start and end points of the cycle on the figure, respectively;
The overwriting position information may include a mark displayed between the start position and the end position on the graphic.

The user can visually recognize the position where the latest video data is recorded within the recording area by visually recognizing the relative positional relationship between the start position, end position of the figure, and the mark. For example, a symbol such as a linear symbol, a triangle, or an arrow may be used as the mark. Furthermore, for example, boundaries between regions with different colors may be used as a mark.

(6) A first position and a second position on the figure correspond to the start position and the end position, respectively, and the distance from the start position to the landmark is recorded in the currently ongoing cycle. It is preferable that the system corresponds to the capacity in the recording area occupied by video data.

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

For example, the latest video included in the acquired video data may be displayed in a part of the screen (hereinafter referred to as the video display area) excluding at least one of the top and bottom areas of the screen where figures are displayed. . For example, a graphic indicating overwriting position information may be displayed in the video display area, superimposed on the video displayed on the screen. For example, a strip-shaped figure may be displayed vertically as the figure. At this time, it is preferable that the upper end of the figure corresponds to the start position and the lower end corresponds to the end position. For example, the top and bottom ends of the band-shaped figure may be displayed so as not to protrude from the video display area. It is preferable to display the acquired video data in the video display area in real time. In this case, the video display area functions as a camera finder.

(7) A system in which the figure is displayed with different colors applied to the part from the start position to the mark and the part from the mark to the end position, and the boundary between the different colored parts becomes the mark. It is good to do this.

The user can recognize the position of the mark in the displayed figure by intuitively understanding the size of the portions marked with the same color. The user can immediately recognize that the video data that the user does not want to erase is likely to be overwritten by seeing the mark approaching the position where the video data that the user does not want to erase is recorded.

A graph may be used as the graphic representing the overwriting position information. By looking at the displayed graph, the user can intuitively understand the numerical information. For example, a pie chart, a band chart, etc. may be used as the graph. For example, when using a pie chart, one radius may be associated with a start position and an end position, and a radius at a position separated by a certain central angle from the start position may be associated with a mark. For example, when using a band graph, one end may correspond to the start position, the other end may correspond to the end position, and a mark may be placed at a position separated by a certain length from the start position.

(8) The system may be such that the color of each part of the figure remains unchanged until it is overwritten in a new cycle.

The user can memorize in which color area of the entire recording area the video data that the user wants to keep without being overwritten is recorded. As the color area that the user has memorized is overwritten and becomes smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which video data that the user would like to keep without being overwritten will be overwritten. Further, since the color area that the user has memorized disappears, the user can recognize that the video data that he/she wants to keep has been overwritten.

(9) The entire area of the recording area is made empty by initialization,
outputting information on the recording position (hereinafter referred to as recording position information) to the output means based on the capacity of the video data recorded during the first cycle after initialization;
The system outputs the recording position information when the first cycle after initialization is in progress and the overwriting position information when the second and subsequent cycles are in progress to the output means in different ways. good.

The user can easily recognize whether the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle after initialization or the second or later cycle. The user does not need to worry about old video data being overwritten when the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle. Furthermore, the user is likely to notice that a second or subsequent cycle has started, in which old video data may be overwritten.

For example, displaying recording position information and overwriting position information graphically,
assigning a first color to a portion of the figure corresponding to the free space after initialization;
During the first cycle, a second color different from the first color is applied to a portion of the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the recording position information,
While the second cycle is in progress, a third color different from the first color and the second color is applied to a portion of the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the overwriting position information. Good too.
During the second and subsequent cycles, the color to be applied to the part of the shape from the start position of the shape to the mark based on the overwritten position information may be selected from among multiple color candidates that do not include the first color. good. It is preferable that the selected color is cycled through a plurality of color candidates as the number of cycles increases. For example, if there are two color candidates, a second color and a third color, the second color and the third color are alternately selected in each cycle.

By visually checking the color of the shape, the user can easily recognize whether the current cycle is the first one that does not need to be overwritten, or whether it is the second or subsequent cycle that may be overwritten. can do.

The first color, the second color, and the third color may be distinguished by differenting any one of the three color attributes of hue, saturation, and brightness, and more preferably, by having different hues. It is better to distinguish by By distinguishing the first color, second color, and third color by hue, the user can memorize the color by a word representing the color.

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

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

(11) When the overwrite mode is off, the remaining recordable time is calculated based on the recordable capacity of video data in the recording area in the currently ongoing cycle, and information indicating the calculated remaining time is It would be better to have a system that displays it on the screen.

The user can easily recognize the remaining recordable time when the overwrite mode is off. If the recording area is secured within a removable medium, for example, the remaining recordable time is useful for the user to decide whether or not to prepare for replacing the removable medium. Also, the remaining time is not displayed when overwrite mode is on, and the remaining time is displayed when overwrite mode is off, so it is easy to tell whether overwrite mode is on or off.

(12) Furthermore, it has an event detection means for detecting that a predetermined event has occurred,
The system may display an event occurrence mark that notifies the occurrence of an event in association with the graphic based on a position in the recording area where video data is recorded at the time when the event detection means detects the occurrence of the event.

A user is likely to notice a situation where the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, it becomes possible to notice a situation where the video data at the time when a predetermined event is likely to be overwritten before it is overwritten. Thereby, the user can perform an operation to avoid overwriting the video data that he/she wants to keep when a predetermined event occurs. If the recording area is secured within a removable medium, an example of an operation to avoid overwriting may be an operation in which the user removes the removable medium from the system.

For example, it is recommended to make the event occurrence mark a different color for each event. By doing so, the user can easily recognize the location where the video data of the event that he/she wants to keep is recorded. From the distance between the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten and the position where the video data of the event you want to keep is recorded, it is possible to know the remaining time until an operation to avoid overwriting is performed.

(13) The video data recorded in the recording area is acquired in a vehicle,
The video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started until the time when the power supply is stopped is considered as one unit,
It is preferable that the system displays the graphic in such a manner that divisions between the units of video data can be recognized in the graphic.

The user can easily recognize the unit divisions of the video data by looking at the graphics displayed on the screen. Furthermore, by remembering the position of the current video data in the unit figure, it is possible to easily specify the location where the current video data is recorded in the future.

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

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

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

It is advisable for the user to remember which unit contains the video data that the user does not want to erase. When the user notices the notification that overwriting of a unit that includes video data that is not desired to be erased is to be started, it becomes possible to take measures to avoid erasing the video data that is not desired to be erased. The predetermined time to be compared with the grace period may be, for example, a sufficient time (for example, 3 minutes) for the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe place and perform an operation to avoid overwriting. For example, if the recording area is secured within a removable medium, the user may replace the removable medium as an operation to avoid overwriting.

As a method of notifying that overwriting of the unit next to the unit currently being overwritten is to be started, it is preferable to adopt a method of outputting by voice. The driver can notice the notification without looking away. When notifying, it is preferable to notify the date and time when the first video data of the next unit to be overwritten was acquired, or the date and time when the last video data of the unit was acquired. For example, you might hear a voice that says, "Overwriting of the video data from XX month, XX day, XX hour XX will begin soon." or "Overwriting of video data recorded during a run that ended at XX month, XX day, XX hour, XX minutes." It is preferable that the output means outputs a voice saying, "Overwriting will begin soon."

Instead of notifying that information will be overwritten, a grace period until overwriting may be notified. It is preferable to notify the grace period in certain time increments. The user can recognize that the grace period until overwriting of a unit containing video data that is not desired to be erased is becoming shorter with each passing moment.

(15) The video data recorded in the recording area is acquired in a vehicle,
The video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started until the time when the power supply is stopped is considered as one unit,
A system having a function of calculating the scheduled time until the start of overwriting of the next unit of the currently overwritten unit at the time of starting power supply to the system, and notifying the scheduled time. It is good to do this.

The user can recognize the time until overwriting of the oldest unit that has not been overwritten starts at the time when power supply to the system is started. For example, if the oldest unit that has not been overwritten contains video data that does not want to be erased, the user must perform an operation to avoid overwriting this video data when starting power supply to the system. I can do it.

(16) Furthermore,
In addition to the function of recording video data in the recording area in the cycle, the function of recording video data in another recording area secured in the same recording medium as the recording area;
a function of changing the capacity of the recording area and the capacity of the other recording area according to a user's operation;
When the capacity of the recording area and the capacity of the other recording area are changed, the system may initialize the recording area and the other recording area to a state where no video data is recorded.

It is possible to create a system in which conflicts do not easily occur when the capacity of a recording area and another recording area is changed. For example, it is preferable to initialize the recording area and other recording areas regardless of whether the capacity of the recording area for recording video data is expanded or reduced in the cycle.

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

The user can estimate the degree of deterioration of the removable medium from the total number of cycles performed on the recording area. For example, this degree of deterioration is useful information for determining whether or not the removable medium should be replaced.

The content to be output to the output means may be, for example, "total overwrite 10 times/overwrite 2 times after formatting/format 2 times". Outputting in this way makes it easy for the user to understand when to replace or initialize (format) the removable medium. The user may determine whether to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization. Information that changes depending on the degree of deterioration may be displayed on the output means. For example, an icon indicating a removable medium may be displayed and changed, or a graphic indicating overwriting position information may be changed.

The user can know, on average, how many cycles initialization is performed. For example, it is preferable to write in the instruction manual or the like how many cycles it is preferable to perform initialization. The user can know whether the frequency of initialization is too high or too low.

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

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

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

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

The predetermined partitioning condition may be such that the video data is partitioned at regular time intervals. The classification conditions may be the time when the power supply to the system starts and the time when it stops. Furthermore, classification conditions may be set based on information acquired by various sensors. A classification condition in which the system is classified based on the start and stop of power supply to the system and a classification condition in which the system is classified at fixed time intervals may be used together.

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

(19) The system may include processing for each processing unit that causes the output means to output attributes of the processing unit for each processing unit.

The user can easily check the attributes of each processing unit by looking at the display means. As attributes for each processing unit, for example, the date and time when the first video data included in the processing unit was acquired, a thumbnail of the first video data, etc. may be displayed on the display means. The user can easily find video data that he or she wants to play back and check or delete by looking at the date and time information or thumbnails.

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

(20) Furthermore, it has a function of allowing the user to select some processing units from among the processing units,
Preferably, the system executes the processing for each processing unit on the processing unit selected by the user.

The user can select some processing units that he or she wants to process from among all the processing units, and can process the selected processing units. It is preferable to assign a specific attribute to the processing unit selected by the user. For example, as a process for each processing unit, it is preferable to perform a process of assigning an attribute of "exclude from playback target". When playing back video data, it is preferable to skip the video data in a processing unit to which an attribute of "exclude from playback target" has been added. By assigning an attribute of "exclude from reproduction target" to some processing units, the user can reproduce the video data without wanting to reproduce it. The attributes of a plurality of processing units may be output to the output means in a list format. At this time, it is preferable that the processing unit to which the attribute of "exclude from reproduction target" is given is not output to the display means.

(21) The system may further have a function of allowing the user to input the sorting conditions, and sort the video data recorded in the recording area based on the inputted sorting conditions.

By inputting desired classification conditions by the user, video data can be classified according to the desired classification conditions. A user who wishes to assign a specific attribute to a portion of video data may input classification conditions that allow the portion to be classified with respect to other portions.

(22) The recording area is secured within a removable medium,
It is preferable that the system stores the classification conditions input by the user in an area different from the recording area of the removable medium.

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

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

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

When it is difficult to perform the desired processing on the video data with the current classification of the video data, the user can divide the video data in a way that makes it easier to perform the desired processing by changing the classification conditions. .

When a FAT file system is used to record video data, it is difficult to divide the video data into files and then re-divide them under different classification conditions. This system is user-friendly because video data can be reclassified according to the user's desired classification conditions.

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

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

(25) The video data recorded in the recording area is acquired in a vehicle,
Starting to record video data in the recording area when power supply to the system starts, and stopping recording video data to the recording area when power supply to the system stops;
The classification condition is that the recording of video data to the recording area is triggered by the start of power supply to the system, and that the recording of video data to the recording area is triggered by the stop of power supply to the system. It is preferable that the system includes a power supply condition, which is a condition that recording has been stopped.

Video data acquired during the period from the time when power supply to the system starts until the time when power supply to the system stops can be recorded in the recording area, and these video data can be stored in the recording area. It can be processed as one group. The video data may be, for example, a moving image captured by a camera mounted on a vehicle. For example, turning on and off the accessory power supply of the vehicle may be used as a trigger for starting and stopping power supply to the system.

(26) The classification conditions include other classification conditions in addition to the power supply conditions, and the other classification conditions apply to the portion from the beginning to the end of the video data that has been classified based on the power supply conditions. It would be good to have a system that performs classification based on the following.

Processing units obtained by partitioning based on other partitioning conditions are prevented from spanning processing units obtained by partitioning based on the power supply conditions. When the processing units obtained by dividing based on the power supply conditions are further divided according to other classification conditions, if there remains video data of a length that cannot be divided according to the other classification conditions, the entire remaining video data is It is recommended to use one processing unit.

(27) The system may be such that the classification condition includes a condition that the video data recorded in the recording area is divided at regular time intervals.

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

If the video data is classified using only the power supply condition as the classification condition, the user can easily find the video data at the time when the accessory power of the vehicle was turned on, for example. If video data is divided using only the constant time interval condition without using the power supply condition as a division condition, it is possible to make the elapsed time constant from the first video data to the last video data of all processing units. . By dividing the data in this manner, the user can equalize the burden required to check the video data for each processing unit.

As in (26) above, the classification may be performed using both the power supply condition and the classification condition of dividing at fixed time intervals as the classification condition. Once one classification is performed depending on the power supply condition, it is preferable to perform new classification at regular time intervals from that point on. As a result, for example, a processing unit (referred to as a first processing unit) obtained by partitioning based on the power supply condition becomes a smaller processing unit (referred to as a second processing unit) based on the partitioning condition of partitioning at a fixed time interval. ). A user who remembers the elapsed time from the beginning of the first processing unit to the desired video data can remember how many second processing units from the beginning of the first processing unit include the desired video data. can be easily calculated. This allows the user to easily access the second processing unit that includes desired video data within the first processing unit.

(28) The processing for each processing unit includes processing for excluding video data included in the processing unit from playback targets,
When reproducing the video data recorded in the recording area, the system may have a function of reproducing the video data excluding the video data to be reproduced.

It is possible to prevent video data excluded from being played back from being played back. The user can, for example, exclude from the playback target video data that he or she does not want a third party to see. It is preferable to set the attribute of the processing unit excluded from the reproduction target to "exclude from the reproduction target", and set the other processing units to "not exclude from the reproduction target". When playing video data, it is best to stop the playback when the video data that has been excluded from the playback target is reached, and more preferably, the video data that has been excluded from the playback target is omitted and the video data that has not been excluded from the playback target is stopped. It is best to continue playing the data.

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

(29) When the processing unit excluded from the playback target by the process of excluding from the playback target includes the last video data among the video data recorded in the latest cycle, the video recorded in the recording area It is preferable to adopt a system in which video data is overwritten with new video data in order of oldest video data immediately after the last processing unit that is not excluded from playback among all the processing units obtained by dividing the data.

The time it takes to start overwriting the oldest video data recorded in the currently ongoing cycle increases. If video data that is not desired to be erased is recorded in the cycle that is currently in progress, for example, the user can have time to avoid overwriting. After overwriting progresses to the end of the video data that was recorded in the current cycle and excluded from playback, for example, the video data recorded in the previous cycle is overwritten with new video data in the order of the oldest. It's good to go.

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

(31) Among the functions of the system according to any one of (18) to (26) above, at least the video data recorded in the recording area is divided into a plurality of processing units based on predetermined classification conditions; It is preferable that the present invention is configured as a program for causing a computer to realize the function of executing the processing for each processing unit.

It is possible to cause a computer to perform a function of dividing video data recorded in a recording area into a plurality of processing units based on predetermined classification conditions and executing processing for each processing unit.

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

1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are a perspective view of a drive recorder included in the system according to the first embodiment, respectively, as seen diagonally from the front, a perspective view as seen diagonally from the rear, and a bottom view. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a windshield, a dashboard, etc. inside a vehicle with a drive recorder mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of video data recorded on the SD card by the drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the usage status of the recording area where video data is recorded. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing how the memory space of the recording area is used when video data is recorded in the recording area of the SD card, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing how the memory space of the recording area is used after new video data is overwritten. It is a figure which shows a usage state. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of a block that is a unit of video data transfer. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the first embodiment when the overwrite mode is set to on, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed when the overwrite mode is set to off. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a liquid crystal display when the computer is in use. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing indicators for a period after initializing the recording area and before recording video data, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing indicators for a period during which the first cycle after initialization is in progress. 9C is a diagram showing an indicator at the end of the first cycle after initialization, FIG. 9D is a diagram showing an indicator during a period in which the second cycle is in progress, and FIG. 9E is a diagram showing an indicator at the time when the first cycle is completed after initialization. FIG. 9F is a diagram showing an indicator at the end of the second cycle, and FIG. 9F is a diagram showing an indicator during a period when the third cycle is in progress. 10A to 10D are diagrams showing indicators according to modified examples of the first embodiment, FIG. 10E is a diagram showing an example in which numbers are displayed instead of the graph indicators of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10F is a diagram showing an example of audio output. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing indicators displayed by the drive recorder according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing examples of indicators and event occurrence marks displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the third embodiment and its modification. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of an indicator displayed on a liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the fourth embodiment and a mark indicating a position during overwriting. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an indicator displayed on the liquid crystal display of the drive recorder according to the fifth embodiment and a mark indicating the position during overwriting. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder according to the sixth embodiment is used. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the usage classification of the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a liquid crystal display by a drive recorder according to a modification of the seventh embodiment, and FIGS. 17B to 17D show how the SD card icon changes depending on the degree of deterioration. It is a figure showing an example. FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment viewed diagonally from behind, and FIG. 18B is a diagram showing the drive recorder displaying the liquid crystal display when the double mode is selected in the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed image. 19A to 19G are diagrams showing changes in indicators displayed by the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an indicator displayed on a liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram of a system according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 21B is a block diagram of a personal computer. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing screens for inputting classification conditions displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 22C is a diagram showing a list of attributes for each processing unit on the liquid crystal display. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed in format. FIG. 23 is a timing chart during continuous recording in the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment. FIG. 24A is a diagram showing an image for inputting classification conditions displayed on the monitor by the personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 24B is a diagram showing an image displaying the attributes of each processing unit in a list format on the monitor. It is a figure showing an example. FIG. 25A is a diagram showing an image for inputting classification conditions displayed on a monitor by the personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 25B is a diagram showing an image in which attributes for each processing unit are displayed in a list format on the monitor. It is a figure showing an example. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing how to classify (create a list) when "1 minute", "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "power on-off" are selected as the classification conditions. FIG. 27A is a diagram showing a monitor image in a state where the user has selected one processing unit starting from 12:02:0 on January 1, 2016 and clicked the "Delete one item" button, and FIG. 27B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which attributes of a processing unit are displayed on a monitor after a non-listing flag is set. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the arrangement of frames of video data recorded in the recording area. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing how to overwrite when the block or frame located at the end of the latest cycle is not flagged as non-listed. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing how to overwrite when a block or frame located at the end of the latest cycle has a non-listing flag set. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing indicators displayed on the liquid crystal display of the drive recorder or the monitor of the personal computer by the system according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing memory space allocation of the SD card used in the system according to the twelfth embodiment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The GPS receiver 23 detects position information of the own vehicle at the current time based on instructions from the controller 20. The position information includes the time, speed, altitude, latitude, altitude, etc. of the vehicle determined based on signals from GPS satellites. The controller 20 performs processing to record the history of these positional information.

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of video data that the drive recorder 1 records on the SD card. The drive recorder 1 records video data in the recording area 31 of the SD card 30 in chronological order frame by frame. The memory space of the SD card 30 is divided into sectors of, for example, 512 bytes, and the position within the memory space can be specified by the sector number. Frames have a variable length, and one frame is stored, for example, in several sectors. The plurality of frames are composed of frames encoded without using interframe prediction (referred to as I frames) and frames compressed and encoded using only forward prediction (referred to as P frames). In this embodiment, the entire memory space of the SD card 30 is secured as a recording area 31 for constantly recording video data.

Immediately after the drive recorder 1 is initialized, the entire recording area 31 of the SD card 30 is empty. When the power supply of the vehicle is turned on and power supply starts to the drive recorder 1, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) uses the start of the power supply as a trigger to record the video data captured by the camera 21 on the SD card 30. Data are recorded in the area 31 in the order of sector numbers (sector order). In a frame field that stores one frame of video data, in addition to a field that stores the video data itself, a frame header portion that stores attribute data of the video data is provided. As attribute data, a frame number and running unit number are stored in the frame header part. When the power supply of the vehicle is turned off and the supply of power to the drive recorder 1 is stopped, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) stops recording video data using the stoppage of the power supply as a trigger. Recording of video data performed during the period from when the power is turned on until it is turned off is called "power on-off recording."

One travel unit includes frames of video data that are constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during a period from when the vehicle is powered on until it is powered off. The drive recorder 1 assigns the same running unit number to frames within one running unit, and increments the running unit number by 1 each time a new running unit is started. Although the vehicle is not always running during the period when the vehicle is powered on, it is generally considered that the vehicle is running for the majority of the time, so here we will explain the period when the vehicle is powered on. A collection of video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from when the drive recorder is turned off to when the drive recorder 1 is turned off is referred to as one traveling unit.

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

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

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the usage status of the recording area 31 in which video data is recorded. The left-hand diagram and the right-hand diagram in FIG. 5 each represent the entire area of the recording area 31. The diagram on the left side of FIG. 5 shows a state in which recording of video data starts from the first sector of the recording area 31 and video data is recorded up to the last sector. In the recording area 31, for example, video data of a plurality of traveling units 32 is recorded. When the current recording position reaches the last sector, it returns to the first sector and starts overwriting the video data. In this specification, the process from starting recording of video data from the first sector to recording video data to the last sector is referred to as a "cycle." When the drive recorder 1 finishes one cycle, it repeats this cycle by starting a new cycle. As the recording position in the recording area 31 at the start and end of one cycle, sectors specified by the first sector number and the last sector number in the recording area 31 are respectively used.

When one cycle C(n) ends in the running unit 32 currently in progress, a new cycle C(n+1) is started. In the new cycle C(n+1), the video data recorded in the cycle C(n) immediately before the end is overwritten with new video data in the order of the oldest. At this time, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5, the recording area 31 includes an area in which video data was recorded in the currently ongoing cycle C(n+1) and an area in which video data was recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C(n). There are also areas where video data that has not been overwritten remains.

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

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

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

Next, a method for continuous recording when the overwrite mode is set to off will be described. When the overwrite mode is off, in the first cycle after initializing the recording area 31, if there is no free space in the recording area 31 shown in FIG. 4, video data is recorded in a manner that does not overwrite old video data. When this is completed, the constant recording of video data in the recording area 31 is stopped.

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

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

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

As the capacity required for recording video data, the capacity of one block 26 (FIG. 7) is adopted. By comparing the free space remaining in the recording area or the capacity that can be overwritten in the currently ongoing cycle with the capacity for one block 26 (FIG. 7), it is determined whether the cycle end condition is satisfied. can do. When this cycle end condition is adopted, the capacity within the recording area 31 occupied by the video data recorded in one cycle corresponds to the capacity of the entire area of the recording area 31.

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

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

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

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 when the overwrite mode is set to OFF. Hereinafter, differences from the image shown in FIG. 8A when the overwrite mode is set to on will be explained.

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

Next, the operation and function of the indicator 50 (FIG. 8A) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9F. In FIGS. 9A to 9F, green, light blue, and pink are represented by the lowest density dot pattern, medium density dot pattern, and high density dot pattern, respectively. In the drive recorder 1, the indicator 50 is formed of a vertically long strip-shaped figure.

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

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

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

FIG. 9C is a diagram showing the indicator 50 at the end of the first cycle after initialization. The drive recorder 1 fills the entire area of the indicator 50 from the start position 51 to the end position 52 in light blue. When the overwrite mode is set to on, the drive recorder 1 fills the entire indicator 50 in light blue (after recording video data in the entire recording area 31 for constant recording), and then Start the second cycle. When the overwrite mode is set to OFF, constant recording is stopped when the green area of the indicator 50 is completely filled with light blue.

FIG. 9D is a diagram illustrating indicator 50 during a period in which a second cycle is in progress. In the second cycle, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the first cycle with new video data. In the second cycle, the light blue part is filled in pink to match the area overwritten by continuous recording. The boundary between the light blue part and the pink part becomes a mark 54 indicating the current position where the video data is being overwritten. The indicator 50 on which the mark 54 is shown serves as a graphic indicating overwriting position information. As the recording area 31 is overwritten with video data, the mark 54 moves from the start position 51 toward the end position 52. The distance from the starting position 51 to the landmark 54 corresponds to the capacity of the video data overwritten in the currently ongoing cycle, more precisely to the capacity in the recording area 31 occupied by the video data. The distance from the end position 52 to the landmark 54 corresponds to the capacity of the area occupied by video data recorded in the previous cycle and remaining without being overwritten up to the present time.

FIG. 9E shows the indicator 50 at the end of the second cycle. The drive recorder 1 fills the entire area of the indicator 50 from the start position 51 to the end position 52 in pink. Once the indicator 50 is filled with pink areas, begin the third cycle.

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

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

By visually checking the relative positional relationship between the start position 51, end position 52 of the indicator 50, and the marks 53 and 54 (FIGS. 9B, 9D, and 9F), the user can check the latest video in the recording area 31. The location where data is recorded can be visually recognized.

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

After a new cycle begins, the user does not want to erase based on the distance between the location of the landmark 54 (FIGS. 9D, 9F) shown on the indicator 50 and the location where the video data that he does not want to erase is recorded. It is easy to notice situations where video data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. Since it is possible to notice a situation where overwriting is likely to occur before video data that you do not want to erase is overwritten, it is possible to perform operations to avoid overwriting. Examples of operations to avoid overwriting include operations such as turning off the power of the drive recorder 1 and removing the SD card from the SD card insertion slot 4 (FIG. 1B).

In the first embodiment, information indicating the current overwriting position is graphically displayed as an indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D and 9F) including a mark 54. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the overwriting position information by looking at the displayed graphic. This makes it easier to notice situations in which video data that you do not want to erase is likely to be overwritten with new video data.

By intuitively understanding the size of the portions with the same color in the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9A to 9F), the user can identify the marks 53 and 54 (FIGS. 9B, 9D, and 9F) in the indicator 50. 9F) can be recognized. The user can immediately recognize that the video data that the user does not want to erase is likely to be overwritten by seeing the mark approaching the position where the video data that the user does not want to erase is recorded.

Since the color of each part in the indicator 50 remains unchanged until it is overwritten in a new cycle, the user can determine which color area in the entire recording area 31 contains the video data that he/she wants to keep without overwriting. It is possible to remember what was recorded. As the color area that the user has memorized is overwritten and becomes smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which video data that the user would like to keep without being overwritten will be overwritten. Further, since the color area that the user has memorized disappears, the user can recognize that the video data that he/she wants to keep has been overwritten.

For example, it is easy to see if something recorded in the past is likely to be overwritten. You can see whether the video data recorded yesterday will be overwritten. Since the indicator 50 can be painted in only two colors, it is easy to understand the overwriting status.

In the first embodiment, the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9B and 9C) is displayed during the first cycle after initialization, and the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9C) is displayed during the second and subsequent cycles. FIG. 9F) is displayed in a mutually different manner. Specifically, the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9B and 9C) that is displayed while the first cycle is in progress is colored green and light blue, and the indicator 50 that is displayed while the second and subsequent cycles are in progress. 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9F) are colored differently in light blue and pink.

By visually recognizing the color of the indicator 50, the user can easily recognize whether the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle after initialization or the second or later cycle. The user does not need to worry about old video data being overwritten when the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle. Furthermore, the user is likely to notice that a second or subsequent cycle has started, in which old video data may be overwritten.

In the first embodiment, the condition for ending the first cycle after initializing the recording area 31 is that there is no more free space in the recording area 31 in which video data can be recorded. The end condition for the second and subsequent cycles is that there is no more overwritable area. By adopting such cycle end conditions, video data can be recorded in an area corresponding to the entire recording area 31 in one cycle. Thereby, the capacity of the recording area 31 that can be recorded in one cycle can be maximized. As a result, the grace period until old video data is overwritten becomes longer.

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

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

Furthermore, it is easy to notice incorrect settings in the overwrite mode. For example, when the overwrite mode is set to off and the entire recording area 31 (Fig. 4) for continuous recording is in the recorded state (Fig. 9C), the overwrite mode is accidentally set to on. Then, the light blue part of the indicator 50 begins to be eroded by the pink part. Therefore, it is easy for the user to notice that he or she has mistakenly set the overwrite mode to on. If you remove the SD card as soon as the pink part begins to erode the light blue part, you can minimize the damage caused by accidentally overwriting recorded video data.

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

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

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

By using a graph such as a band graph or a pie chart as the indicator 50, the user can intuitively understand numerical information by viewing the displayed graph.

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

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

In the first embodiment, the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9A to 9F) is painted in green, light blue, and pink, but may be painted in other colors. During the second and subsequent cycles, the color to be applied to the part from the starting position 51 to the landmark 54 of the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9F) is changed to a plurality of colors that do not include the color to be applied to the empty area after initialization. You may choose from candidates. It is preferable that the selected color is cycled through a plurality of color candidates as the number of cycles increases.

The plurality of colors in which the indicator 50 is painted may be distinguished by varying any one of the three color attributes of hue, saturation, and brightness, and more preferably by varying the hue. By distinguishing a plurality of colors by hue, the user can memorize the colors using words that represent the colors.

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

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

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

In the first embodiment, the sectors specified by the first sector number and the last sector number are used as the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start and end points of one cycle, but the starting point may be started using other methods. The position and end position may be specified. For example, the positions specified by the first physical address and the last physical address within the recording area may be used as the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start and end points of one cycle, respectively. In this case, it is preferable to record video data from the first physical address to the last physical address as time passes.

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

[Second example]
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a drive recorder 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted.

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

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an indicator 50 displayed by the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment. The currently ongoing cycle C(n+1) has overwritten the video data of the immediately preceding cycle C(n). The indicator 50 includes portions corresponding to a plurality of traveling units 32. Corresponding parts of the indicator 50 are given different colors for each of these traveling units 32.

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

The user can easily recognize the divisions of the travel unit 32 of the video data by looking at the indicator 50. Furthermore, by remembering the position of the running unit 32 of the current video data in the graphic, it is possible to easily specify the position where the current video data is recorded in the future. For example, it is good to remember that the (i+1)th running unit 32, which is the current running unit 32, is the second running unit 32 from the top of the indicator 50. Based on the information "second from the top", it is possible to specify in the future the position within the indicator 50 of the traveling unit 32 where the current video data is recorded.

In the second embodiment, since each running unit 32 is assigned a different color, the user can remember the current (i+1)th running unit 32 using that color. That is, the user can memorize the portion corresponding to the running unit 32 that includes video data that the user does not want to erase in the color assigned to the portion corresponding to the running unit 32. For example, when a case occurs in which the user wants to keep video data, the user can remember the color of the part corresponding to the traveling unit 32 at that time. The user does not have to wait until the mark 54 indicating the currently overwritten position reaches the colored part of the traveling unit 32 in which the video data that he does not want to erase is recorded (for example, until he is about to start erasing that colored part). ), you can see that it is okay to overwrite. When the mark 54 indicating the position being overwritten reaches just before the colored part, it is known that the SD card should be replaced. It is possible to know when to perform an overwriting avoidance operation based on the distance from the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten to the colored portion of the traveling unit 32 in which video data that is not desired to be erased is recorded.

It is preferable to prepare more color types than the number of traveling units 32 that are assumed to be included in one indicator 50 as color candidates to be applied to the portions corresponding to these traveling units 32.
This prevents parts of the same color from appearing in two or more locations within the indicator 50. If a greater number of traveling units 32 appear in the indicator 50 than the number of prepared color candidates, it is preferable to use the color assigned to the part corresponding to the oldest traveling unit 32 in order of rotation.

In the second embodiment, different colors are assigned to each traveling unit 32 in the indicator 50, but the indicator 50 may be displayed in a manner that allows the division of each traveling unit 32 to be recognized. For example, a mark such as a horizontal line may be attached to the dividing point of the traveling units 32, and more preferably, each traveling unit 32 may be color-coded as in the second embodiment.

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

In the third embodiment, the occurrence of an event is detected during a period in which video data is constantly being recorded in the recording area 31. The event includes, for example, two types: a G-sensor event and a one-touch event. A G sensor event occurs when the acceleration sensor 25 (FIG. 3) detects an impact above a certain level. A one-touch event occurs when the user performs an operation to notify the occurrence of an event using the operation button 9 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The acceleration sensor 25, the operation button 9, and the controller 20 (FIG. 3) function as event detection means.

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

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

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

The user can easily notice that the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is likely to be overwritten with new video data due to the distance between the mark 54 indicating the current overwriting position and the event occurrence mark 57. For example, it becomes possible to notice a situation where the video data at the time when a predetermined event is likely to be overwritten before it is overwritten. Thereby, the user can perform an operation to avoid overwriting the video data that he/she wants to keep when a predetermined event occurs. If the recording area 31 is secured within the SD card, the user may remove the SD card from the drive recorder 1 to avoid overwriting.

Even if the drive recorder according to the third embodiment is a constant recording only device without an event recording function, the user can know the position where an event has occurred and can overwrite data up to just before that position with new video data. Recognize. It is sufficient to replace the SD card before the overwriting position reaches that position.

Since the event occurrence mark 57 has a different color for each event, the user can easily recognize the position where the video data of the event that he/she wants to keep is recorded. From the distance between the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten and the position where the video data of the event to be saved is recorded, it is possible to know the remaining time until an operation to avoid overwriting is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12B, an icon 59 corresponding to the event type may be displayed near the horizontal line serving as the event occurrence mark 57. Event types include G-sensor events and one-touch events. The user can more easily remember the location where an event for which he or she wants to keep video data occurred.

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

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

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 and the mark 54 indicating the position during overwriting, which are displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by the drive recorder 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the indicator 50 is painted in a different color for each traveling unit 32. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) calculates a grace period T1 from the current moment until overwriting of video data at the start point of the next traveling unit 32 (starting point of constant recording) of the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten starts. . The grace period T1 can be determined based on the capacity from the position currently being overwritten to the start time of the traveling unit 32 next to the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten. The grace period T1 is calculated periodically at regular time intervals.

The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) compares a predetermined notification threshold T0 and a grace period T1. As shown in FIG. 13B, when the grace period T1 becomes equal to or less than the notification threshold T0, the drive recorder 1 notifies by voice that overwriting of the next traveling unit 32 of the currently overwriting traveling unit 32 will start. When notifying by voice, the date and time when the first video data of the traveling unit 32 to be overwritten next is acquired or the date and time when the trailing video data of the traveling unit 32 is acquired are notified. For example, you may hear a voice that says, "Overwriting of the video data from XX month, XX day, XX hour XX will begin soon." or a voice that says, ``Overwriting of the video data recorded during a run that ended at XX month, XX day, XX hour, XX minutes.'' "Overwriting will begin soon." is emitted from the speaker 5 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

It is advisable for the user to remember which running unit 32 includes important video data that the user does not want to erase. When the operator notices the notification that overwriting of the traveling unit 32 that includes important video data that does not want to be erased will begin, it is possible to take measures to avoid erasing the video data that does not want to be erased. It becomes possible. The notification threshold T0 may be set to, for example, a sufficient time (for example, about 3 minutes) for the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe place and perform an operation to avoid overwriting. For example, the user may perform an operation to remove the SD card from the drive recorder 1 or replace the SD card as an operation to avoid overwriting.

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

Instead of notifying that information will be overwritten, a grace period until overwriting may be notified. It is preferable to notify the grace period in certain time increments. The user can recognize that the grace period until overwriting of the running unit 32 that includes video data that is not desired to be erased is getting shorter and shorter.

[Fifth example]
Next, a drive recorder 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Hereinafter, differences from the fourth embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the notification performed in the fourth embodiment is performed when the engine is started (for example, when continuous recording is started).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the indicator 50 and the mark 54 indicating the position during overwriting, which are displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by the drive recorder 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, there is a grace period at fixed time intervals from the current time until overwriting of video data at the start point of the next traveling unit 32 of the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten starts. Calculate T1. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the scheduled time T2 until starting to overwrite the next traveling unit 32 of the currently overwritten traveling unit 32 is triggered by the start of power supply to the drive recorder 1. Calculate. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) notifies the calculated scheduled time T2 by voice from the speaker 5. For example, the drive recorder 1 outputs a sound from the speaker 5 saying, "Overwriting of the video data from ○ month ○ day ○ hour ○ will begin in 15 minutes."

The user determines the schedule until the overwriting of the oldest unoverwritten traveling unit 32 starts from the time power is supplied to the system (for example, when the vehicle's accessory power is turned on or when the engine is started). Time T2 can be recognized. For example, if the oldest traveling unit 32 that has not been overwritten includes video data that does not want to be erased, the user may perform an operation to avoid overwriting this video data when starting power supply to the system. For example, it is possible to exchange SD cards.

[Sixth Example]
Next, a drive recorder 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted.

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

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

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

When the amount of storage capacity allocated to the recording area 31 for constant recording, the parking monitoring recording area 38, and the event recording area 39 is changed, the drive recorder 1 can store the recording area 31 for constant recording, the parking monitoring recording area 38, and All event recording areas 39 are initialized. This initialization is performed regardless of whether each area is enlarged or reduced. By initialization, all these areas become free areas. At the same time as or after initializing the recording area 31 for constant recording, the indicator 50 is turned green as shown in FIG. 9A.

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

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

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

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

The user can estimate the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30 from the total number of cycles performed on the recording area 31 for continuous recording. For example, this degree of deterioration is useful information for determining whether or not the SD card 30 should be replaced. For example, if the format of the recording area 31 has a characteristic that file fragmentation progresses as the number of overwrites increases after initialization, the number of cycles in which video data was recorded after initialization is This will be useful information for deciding when to do so. The user can determine whether to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization.

Based on the total number of cycles and the number of initializations, the user can know, on average, how many cycles initialization is performed. For example, it is preferable to write in the instruction manual of the drive recorder 1 how many cycles it is preferable to perform initialization. The user can know whether the frequency of initialization is too high or too low based on the number of cycles per initialization and the recommended number of times described in the instruction manual.

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

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

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

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

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

[Eighth Example]
Next, a drive recorder 1 according to an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 19A to 19G. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. In the first embodiment, one SD card was used to constantly record video data, but in the eighth embodiment, two SD cards are used.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the drive recorder 1 according to the eighth embodiment, viewed diagonally from the rear. Two SD card insertion slots 4 are provided on the side surface of the drive recorder 1, one above the other. The drive recorder 1 provided with two SD card insertion slots 4 is called a double slot type. An SD card is inserted into each of the two SD card insertion slots 4. There is a mode in which the recording area 31 for constant recording (FIG. 4) is secured across two SD cards (hereinafter referred to as double mode), and a mode in which the recording area 31 for constant recording is secured in only one SD card. However, other SD cards are provided with a mode for recording other video data (hereinafter referred to as single mode). Either mode can be selected by user operation. When the double mode is selected, the drive recorder 1 continuously records video data in order from the SD card inserted into one SD card insertion slot 4 to the SD card inserted into the other SD card insertion slot 4. I will record it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the eighth embodiment, the recording area 31 for constant recording is secured in two SD cards, but the recording area 31 for constant recording may be secured in three or more SD cards. In this case, it is preferable to display the indicators 50 corresponding to the number of SD cards arranged vertically.

[Ninth Example]
Next, a drive recorder 1 according to a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 20. Hereinafter, differences from the eighth embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. In the eighth embodiment, the two indicators 50 are filled with two different colors, but in the ninth embodiment, each running unit 32 is filled with a different color, as in the second embodiment (FIG. 11).

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

When video data of one running unit 32 is recorded across two SD cards, a portion corresponding to one running unit 32 spans the upper indicator 50 and the lower indicator 50. A portion corresponding to one traveling unit 32 spanning two indicators 50 is filled in with the same color.

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

[10th Example]
Next, a system according to a tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A to 30. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. Hereinafter, an example in which the system according to the tenth embodiment is realized by an in-vehicle drive recorder or an in-vehicle drive recorder and a personal computer will be described.

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

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

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

The user can activate a desired application program by operating the mouse 68 and double-clicking the application program activation icon, using the functions of the OS. When the MPU 62 executes the activated application program, the personal computer 60 realizes the functions desired by the user.

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

With reference to FIGS. 22A to 23, a process of sorting video data based on predetermined sorting conditions during continuous recording with the drive recorder 1 will be described.

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

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

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

FIG. 23 is a timing chart during continuous recording. When the vehicle is powered on, the drive recorder 1 starts recording at all times, and when the vehicle is powered off, it stops recording at all times. In FIG. 23, a thick solid line represents a period in which constant recording is being performed, and a broken line represents a period in which constant recording is stopped. Video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 while the vehicle is powered on constitutes one traveling unit 32.

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

If the time corresponding to the classification condition has not elapsed since the last time the currently recorded video data was divided at the time the classification condition is changed, a processing unit 36 shorter than the time specified by the classification condition occurs. do. Furthermore, even when the power of the vehicle is turned off, a processing unit 36 that is shorter than the time specified by the classification condition similarly occurs.

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

The drive recorder 1 can perform processing in units of processing 36. An example of the processing for each processing unit 36 is, for example, processing for displaying the attributes of the processing unit 36 in a list format on the liquid crystal display 8 for each processing unit 36.

FIG. 22C is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the drive recorder 1 displays the attributes of each processing unit 36 (FIG. 23) on the liquid crystal display 8 in a list format. The drive recorder 1 displays, as attributes for each processing unit 36, for example, date and time information 72 when the first video data of the processing unit 36 was acquired, and a thumbnail 73 of the first video data. Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 displays a scroll bar, a "delete one" button, and a "delete all" button. The functions of "delete one" and "delete all" will be explained later with reference to FIG. 27.

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

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

The first row of FIG. 26 shows how to classify (list) when "1 minute" is selected as the classification condition. For example, video data of two traveling units 32 are recorded in the recording area 31. The personal computer 60 divides the video data into one-minute intervals for each running unit 32. Thereby, the video data of each running unit 32 is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 (file list units) whose recording time is 1 minute. At the tail end of each traveling unit 32, a processing unit 36 whose recording time is less than one minute is generated. One traveling unit 32 can be said to be a collection of video data classified based on power supply conditions. In other words, dividing the video data with the time interval of 1 minute means that the video data (corresponding to the traveling unit 32) divided based on the power supply condition is divided into sections from the beginning to the end with the time interval of 1 minute. This corresponds to categorizing based on the categorization conditions.

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

FIG. 25A shows an image displayed by the personal computer 60 on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) when "power on to power off" is selected as the classification condition. A check box corresponding to the classification condition "power on to power off" is checked. The fourth row of FIG. 26 shows how to classify when "power on to power off" is selected as the classification condition. In this case, the divided processing unit 36 matches the traveling unit 32.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 27A, for example, a case in which the user selects one processing unit 36 starting from 12:02:0 on January 1, 2016, and clicks the "Delete one item" button will be specifically explained. .

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the arrangement of frames of video data recorded in the recording area 31. Video data of a plurality of traveling units 32 is recorded in the recording area 31. The video data is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 for each running unit 32. For each traveling unit 32, serial numbers are sequentially assigned to a plurality of frames starting from 1. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the number of frames in one processing unit 36 is n. For example, the first frame Fa of the first running unit 32 in the recording area 31 corresponds to video data recorded at 12:02:0 on January 1, 2016. The frames from the first frame Fa to the last frame Fb of this traveling unit 32 are subject to the erasing process.

The personal computer 60 performs erasing processing on the processing unit 36 starting from the frame Fa of the first running unit 32 in the recording area 31 . In the erasing process, the personal computer 60 sets the non-listing flag (hereinafter referred to as the non-listing flag) defined in the frame header part in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) of the block 26 and in the area information field 28. stand up As a result of the erasing process, the block 26 targeted for the erasing process and the area in which the frames Fa to Fb are recorded do not become empty areas.

FIG. 27B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the attributes of the processing unit 36 are displayed in a list format on the monitor 67 after the non-listing flag is set. Personal computer 60 (Fig. 21A, Fig. 21B
) displays the attributes of a plurality of other processing units 36, excluding the processing unit 36 starting at 12:02:0 on January 1, 2016. The personal computer 60 does not display in the list the processing units 36 for which the non-listing flag has been set. Further, when playing back video data, the personal computer 60 skips and plays back the video data included in the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set. In other words, it is made impossible to reproduce the video data (part of the video data) included in the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag has been set. Therefore, the erasing process can be called "processing to exclude from reproduction targets." Furthermore, since the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag has been set is not displayed in the list and is not reproduced, the erasing process can also be called "processing to make it invisible."

In the example shown in FIG. 28, dot patterns are attached to the frames from frame Fa to frame Fb that are excluded from the reproduction target. Furthermore, by repeating the process of deleting one item, it is possible to exclude a plurality of processing units 36 from being reproduced. When the user clicks the "all erase" button shown in FIG. 24B, the personal computer 60 excludes all processing units 36 in the recording area 31 from being reproduced.

When reclassifying video data for which a non-listing flag has been set for some processing units 36, the blocks 26 (FIG. 7) or frames for which the non-listing flag has been set are not targeted for listing and are instead listed. is skipped and the video data consisting of blocks 26 or frames for which the non-listing flag is not set is classified.

Next, a description will be given of a process when continuous recording is resumed for an SD card in which video data with a non-listing flag set in some blocks 26 (FIG. 7) or frames is recorded. This process differs depending on whether a non-listing flag is set on the block 26 or frame located at the end of the video data recorded in the latest cycle.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing how to overwrite when the non-listing flag is not set on the block 26 or frame Fc located at the tail of the latest cycle C(n+1). In FIG. 29, a dot pattern is attached to a frame with a non-listing flag set. When the drive recorder 1 starts a new constant recording, it overwrites the video data recorded in the previous cycle C(n) with new video data in the order of the oldest video data. When the recording area 31 is full and one cycle ends, the old processing unit 36 (the frame recorded at the beginning of the recording area 31) before the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set, and the new Overwrite with video data. The video data (for example, a frame) of the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set is overwritten after overwriting the video data recorded before it. This overwriting process is the same as the process of overwriting the recording area 31 in which no block 26 or frame has a non-listing flag set.

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

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

[Effects of 10th Example]
Next, the excellent effects of the tenth embodiment will be explained.
In order to maximize the writing speed of the SD card and to enable DMA access for all writes, it is desirable to access the SD card using as many consecutive sector numbers (sector addresses) as possible. In the tenth embodiment, by employing a unique format (YP format), consecutive frames of video data can be recorded in areas with consecutive sector numbers within the recording area 31 (FIG. 4). Therefore, the writing speed of the SD card can be maximized. For example, it becomes possible to double record continuous recording and event recording at a resolution of 1080 PHD using two cameras. When a normal FAT file system is adopted, generally only one of constant recording and event recording can be left on the SD card at a resolution of 1080 PHD using one camera. In the drive recorder 1 according to the tenth embodiment, the writing speed can be increased and stabilized.

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

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

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

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

The time when the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is started and the time when it is stopped can be used as classification conditions when classifying the video data. Furthermore, for a certain time interval,
For example, the processing can be divided into smaller processing units 36 under the division condition of dividing at intervals of 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. This classification condition can be input into the drive recorder 1 or the personal computer 60 by a user's operation, for example.

By inputting desired classification conditions by the user, video data can be classified according to the desired classification conditions. A user who wants to assign a specific attribute to a portion of video data may input classification conditions that allow the portion to be classified with respect to other portions.

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

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

In the unique format of the SD card adopted in the tenth embodiment, sectors in the memory space are used sequentially, so it is difficult to erase only the video data in some intermediate sectors. In the tenth embodiment, instead of erasing the video data, by giving the processing unit 36 an attribute of "excluded from playback targets", the video data within the processing unit can be skipped and played back. When displaying the attributes of a plurality of processing units 36 in a list format, processing units 36 to which an attribute of "exclude from playback target" is given are not displayed as a list. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a function almost equivalent to erasing video data. The user can, for example, exclude from the playback target video data that he or she does not want a third party to see.

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

When it is difficult to perform desired processing on video data with the current classification of video data, the user can reclassify the video data to make it easier to perform the desired processing by changing the classification conditions. can.

When a FAT file system is used to record video data, it is difficult to segment the video data into file units and then re-divide the data using different segmentation conditions. In the system according to the tenth embodiment, the video data can be reclassified according to the user's desired classification conditions, so it is convenient for the user. Furthermore, even if the repartitioning is performed, the video data itself within the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) is not changed at all. Therefore, there is no need to decode and encode the video data when reclassifying the video data. That is, reclassification can be performed without tampering with video data. On the other hand, in order to divide and combine video data files in a FAT file system or the like, the video data must be decoded and encoded.

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

When video data is divided into fixed time intervals, a user who remembers the elapsed time from the start of the video data in the recording area 31 to the desired video data can select the desired video data in the processing unit 36 from the beginning. It is easy to calculate what is included. This allows the user to easily access the processing unit containing desired video data.

A user often wants to process video data for each traveling unit 32. In the sorting method according to the tenth embodiment, the processing unit 36 obtained by partitioning under the partitioning condition of partitioning at fixed time intervals is divided into two processing units (running unit). Therefore, the processing can be divided into processing units 36 in accordance with the user's wishes. A user who remembers the elapsed time from the beginning of the traveling unit 32 to the desired video data can easily calculate how many processing units 36 from the beginning of the traveling unit 32 include the desired video data. I can do it. Thereby, the user can easily access the processing unit 36 containing desired video data within the traveling unit 32.

If the video data is classified using only the power supply condition as the classification condition, the user can easily find the video data at the time when the accessory power of the vehicle was turned on, for example.

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

[Modification of 10th embodiment]
Next, a modification of the tenth embodiment will be described.
In the tenth embodiment, certain time intervals and power supply conditions are used as the video data classification conditions, but the classification conditions may also be set based on information acquired by various sensors.

In the tenth embodiment, when playing video data, the video data excluded from the playback target is skipped and the playback of the video data that is not excluded from the playback target is continued. The playback may be stopped when the video data reached is reached.

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

[Eleventh Example]
Next, a system according to an eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 31. Hereinafter, differences from the tenth embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. In the eleventh embodiment, the indicator 50 shown in the first to ninth embodiments (FIG. 8A, FIG. 9A to FIG. 9F, FIG. 11, etc.) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 or the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60. indicate.

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

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

[12th example]
Next, a system according to a twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 32. Hereinafter, differences from the tenth embodiment will be explained, and explanations of common configurations will be omitted. In the twelfth embodiment, the drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 store the delimiter conditions for delimiting video data in the SD card.

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

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

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

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

It goes without saying that each of the above-mentioned embodiments is merely an example, and that parts of the configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined. Each component described in each example may be combined arbitrarily. Moreover, the invention and each component described in the means for solving the problems may be further applied to a combination of each component of each embodiment. Similar effects due to similar configurations in a plurality of embodiments will not be mentioned for each embodiment. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes, improvements, combinations, etc. are possible.

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

Claims (6)

A drive recorder with a function to record images from a camera on removable media,
a function to initialize the removable media;
and a function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium ,
A drive recorder characterized in that the function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of changing and displaying an image showing the removable medium so that the removable medium breaks down as the deterioration of the removable medium progresses. . The function of changing and displaying the image showing the removable medium so that the removable medium becomes damaged as the deterioration of the removable medium progresses is such that the image showing the removable medium changes from an image showing the removable medium when it is new to a new image as the deterioration of the removable medium progresses. The drive recorder according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying a different image of the cracked removable medium . The function of changing and displaying an image showing the removable medium so that the removable medium becomes broken as the deterioration of the removable medium progresses is such that the removable medium changes from the image of the cracked state as the deterioration of the removable medium progresses. 3. The drive recorder according to claim 2, further comprising a function of displaying a different image of the removable medium being shattered . A drive recorder with a function to record images from a camera on removable media,
a function to initialize the removable media;
and a function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium,
A drive recorder characterized in that the function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of notifying the total number of times of overwriting in the removable medium. A drive recorder with a function to record images from a camera on removable media,
a function to initialize the removable media;
and a function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium,
Equipped with a constant recording function,
A drive recorder characterized in that the function of notifying the degree of deterioration of the removable medium includes a function of notifying the total number of recording cycles performed in the recording area of the constant recording function. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the drive recorder according to claims 1 to 5.