WO2007049482A1

WO2007049482A1 - Information recorder, information recording method, information recording program and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2007049482A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/320641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroaki Shibasaki
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2006-10-17
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: JP4825810B2; JPWO2007049482A1

Abstract

An information recorder (100) records information about the traveling state of a mobile. A receiving section (101) receives a designation for executing a processing other than recording. An acquiring section (102) acquires information about current location of the mobile. When the receiving section (101) receives a designation for executing other processing during recording, a judging section (103) judges whether execution of other processing is permitted together with recording or by interrupting recording based on the information about current location acquired at the acquiring section (102). An executing section (104) executes other processing based on the judgment results from the judging section (103).

Description

Specification

Information recording apparatus, information recording method, information recording program, and recording medium

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a recording medium for recording information related to a traveling state of a moving object. However, utilization of the present invention is not limited to the information recording apparatus, information recording method, information recording program, and recording medium described above.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, a drive recorder that records the surrounding situation of a running vehicle is known, similar to a flight recorder mounted on an airplane. Such a drive recorder includes, for example, a front camera that captures the front of the vehicle, a rear camera that captures the rear, and a divided video forming unit that writes the front and rear images in a predetermined area of the image memory in synchronization with the reference signal.

[0003] The drive recorder adds vehicle position information and time information to the image memory information and regularly records the information in the buffer memory. Then, by inputting a signal greater than a predetermined value of the impact detection sensor, the recorded information is transferred to the storage memory and stored. Thus, for example, when an accident such as a escaping accident is encountered, the escaping vehicle can be identified (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-224105

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, according to the above-described conventional technology, the user has to separately purchase an in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder, so that the merits of introducing the drive recorder, for example, when there is an accident, is actually related. An example is the problem that there are cases where he / she can hesitate to introduce the materials while recognizing that the verification materials can be obtained. Another problem is that the space in the car is limited, so it may not be possible to secure a space for installing the on-board equipment dedicated to the drive recorder. In addition, the vehicle dashboard An example of this is that if a variety of in-vehicle devices such as car stereos are mixed in a narrow space such as the vicinity of a card, operation mistakes and display errors are likely to occur.

[0006] In addition, when a drive recorder function is provided to an in-vehicle device having other functions instead of the in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder, the processing load amount of the in-vehicle device increases, and the other functions and the drive recorder function May not be executed at the same time. In such a case, the in-vehicle device switches and executes another function and the drive recorder function, but the recording of the drive recorder becomes fragmented. For this reason, the situation at the time of a traffic accident cannot always be recorded, and the original purpose of a drive recorder cannot be achieved!

Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is an information recording apparatus that performs a recording process of information related to a traveling state of a moving body. Receiving means for receiving an execution instruction for other processes other than the above, an acquisition means for acquiring current position information of the moving body, and an execution instruction for the other processes were received by the receiving means during the recording process A determination unit that determines whether to permit the execution of the other process together with the recording process or by interrupting the recording process based on the current location information acquired by the acquiring unit; And executing means for executing the other process based on the determination result determined by the determination means.

[0008] Further, the information recording method according to the invention of claim 8 is an information recording method for recording information relating to a traveling state of a moving body, and includes instructions for executing processing other than the recording processing. And when an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving step during the recording process, based on the current location information of the mobile object

A determination step for determining whether to permit the execution of the other processing together with the recording processing or by interrupting the recording processing, and the determination result determined by the determination step. And an execution step for executing the process.

[0009] An information recording program according to claim 9 is an information recording program according to claim 8. The method is characterized by causing a computer to execute the method.

[0010] Further, a recording medium according to the invention of claim 10 is readable by a computer recording the information recording program of claim 9.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process switching procedure of the information recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the vicinity of a dashboard of a vehicle in which a navigation device is installed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the navigation device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a priority table of drive recorder functions.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the priority table for the drive recorder function.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of function switching processing of the navigation device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of function switching processing of the navigation device.

[0012] 100 information recording apparatus

101 reception

102 Acquisition Department

103 Judgment part

104 execution unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment)

First, the functional configuration of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information recording apparatus according to an embodiment. . In FIG. 1, the information recording apparatus 100 includes a reception unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 103, and an execution unit 104.

[0015] The information recording apparatus 100 is installed in a moving body such as a vehicle, for example, and records information on the running state of the moving body. The information related to the running state includes the moving path, moving speed, video / audio around the moving object, etc. For example, the information recording apparatus 100 may record information on the running state until the movement start force of the moving body is completed.

Information on driving conditions may be recorded only in designated sections or at predetermined intervals.

The accepting unit 101 accepts execution instructions for processes other than the recording process. Processes other than the recording process include, for example, shooting of a passenger on a moving object, editing of a shot image, and playback processing of video information. In this case, for example, hardware resources used for recording information on the traveling state of the moving object, such as a camera and a microphone, are used for other processes.

[0017] The acquiring unit 102 acquires the current point information of the moving object. Current location information is information that identifies the current location of a moving object as one point, such as latitude and longitude. For example, the acquiring unit 102 acquires the current position information of the moving object using the GPS signal received by the GPS satellite force. In addition, using the output value of sensor power provided on the moving body, it is also possible to obtain the current location information of the moving body.

[0018] When the receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to execute another process during the recording process of information related to the driving state, the determination unit 103 relates to the driving state based on the current location information acquired by the acquiring unit 102. Along with the information recording process, or interrupting the recording process, it is determined whether or not it is possible to permit execution of other processes.

[0019] For example, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not to permit execution of another process based on map information at or near the current location of the mobile object. The map information is, for example, at least one of road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information. The road type information is information regarding the attribute (type) of the road, such as whether the road is a general road, a highway, a priority road, or a one-way road.

[0020] Whether or not the force to permit execution of other processing is determined, for example, at the current location of the moving object. Judgment is based on whether or not there is a high possibility that a traffic accident will occur! This is because the information on the driving conditions recorded by the recording process can be used for investigation of traffic accidents. In this case, the determination unit 103 continues the recording process without permitting the execution of other processes when the possibility of a traffic accident is high, and executes the other processes when the possibility is low. to approve.

[0021] For example, when the current location of the mobile body is a specific type of road (for example, a highway), the determination unit 103 permits execution of other processing. Also, for example, the road type is divided according to the road width, and if the road width is less than the predetermined width, execution of other processing is not permitted! /, Etc.

[0022] The merge point information is latitude / longitude information of a point where a merge point where a plurality of roads merge is located. Examples of junctions include intersections and junctions between expressway mains and acceleration lanes. For example, when the current position of the moving body is within the predetermined range of the joining point or the joining point force, the determination unit 103 does not permit execution of other processes and continues the recording process.

[0023] Further, the accident occurrence point information is point information of a point where an accident has occurred in the past. Even if the accident occurrence point information includes detailed information of the accident (for example, whether it is an object or a person, the time when the accident occurred, the weather, the congestion of the road, the moving speed of the moving body that caused the accident, etc.) Good. For example, when the current location of the moving body is within a predetermined range from the accident occurrence point or the accident occurrence point, the determination unit 103 does not permit execution of other processes and continues the recording process.

[0024] When the processing load amount related to other processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and permits execution of the other processing, and the processing load amount is less than the predetermined amount. In this case, it is possible to permit the execution of other processes together with the recording process. Specifically, for example, if the determination unit 103 executes the recording process and other processes at the same time and the execution unit 104 exceeds the processing load that can be processed, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and performs only other processes. Execute. On the other hand, even if the recording process and other processes are executed simultaneously, if the processing load amount that can be processed by the execution unit 104 does not exceed, the recording process and other processes are executed simultaneously.

In addition to this, the determination unit 103 takes into account, for example, the time required to execute another process. It may be determined whether or not the execution of other processes is permitted. In this case, using the current speed, map information, etc., the route along which the moving body moves is calculated before the completion of other processing. Then, refer to the road type information, junction point information, and accident point information on the route and make the above-mentioned determination.

The execution unit 104 executes other processing based on the determination result determined by the determination unit 103. For example, when the determination unit 103 determines that the execution of another process is permitted, the execution unit 104 executes the other permitted process. Further, for example, whether the recording process is interrupted and another process is performed, or whether the recording process and the other process are performed at the same time is determined by the determination unit 103.

[0027] When the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and permits other processing, the acquiring unit 102 cancels the recording process and permits the execution of the other processing, and then obtains the new current state of the moving object. It is good also as acquiring point information. In this case, the determination unit 103 determines whether to execute the recording process again based on the new current location information acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Then, the execution unit 104 executes the recording process again based on the determination result determined by the determination unit 103.

[0028] For example, when recording processing is performed without permitting other processing near the junction (within a predetermined range from the junction), at the time when the receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to execute other processing. If the current point of the moving object is not a joining point, the determination unit 103 interrupts the recording process and allows the execution unit 104 to execute another process. Then, the determination unit 103 tracks the current point of the subsequent moving body, and when it reaches the predetermined range from the junction point, causes the execution unit 104 to resume the recording process. At this time, the recording process may be performed again by interrupting the execution of the other processes that have been performed immediately before. As a result, the processing load on the execution unit 104 can be reduced, and the recording process can be performed efficiently.

[0029] Further, the execution unit 104 may execute the recording process again, for example, when the recording process is interrupted and another permitted process ends. As a result, the recording process interrupted to execute another process can be resumed without any user instruction. [0030] Next, a process switching procedure from the recording process to another process by the information recording apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process switching procedure of the information recording apparatus. First, the information recording device 100 records information related to the traveling state of the moving body (step S201). Then, it is determined whether or not the receiving unit 101 has received an instruction to execute another process (step S202).

[0031] When an instruction to execute another process is received (step S202: Yes), the acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not the current position information of the moving object is acquired (step S203). On the other hand, when an instruction to execute another process is not accepted (step S202: No), the process returns to step S201, and the recording of the information on the traveling state of the moving body is continued.

[0032] If the current location information is acquired in step S203 (step S203:

Yes), go to step S205. On the other hand, if the current location information has not been acquired (step S203: No), the acquisition unit 102 acquires the current location information of the mobile object (step S204).

[0033] Then, based on the current location information of the moving body, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not to permit execution of another process that has accepted the execution instruction (step S205). At this time, when permitting execution of another process, the determination unit 103 determines whether to perform the other process together with the recording process or to interrupt the recording process.

[0034] If it is determined in step S205 that the execution of another process is permitted (step S205: Yes), the execution unit 104 executes another process (step S206), and this flow chart is used. The process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the execution of other processes is not permitted (step S205: No), the process returns to step S201, and the recording of the information on the traveling state of the moving body is continued.

[0035] When the recording process is interrupted and another process is permitted, the determination unit 103 performs the recording process based on the current location information after the execution unit 104 starts executing another process in step S206. It is also possible to determine whether or not it is the power to resume the process. Further, the execution unit 104 may execute the recording process again when the recording process is interrupted and other permitted processes are completed.

[0036] Further, although not shown, information on the running state recorded by the information recording device 100 is stored in the network. It is good also as transmitting to a database server etc. via network. As a result, even a person other than the moving body equipped with the information recording apparatus 100 can use information related to the traveling state for IJ.

[0037] As described above, according to the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, an instruction to execute another process is accepted while the information recording process on the traveling state of the moving object is being performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not execution of other processing is permitted based on the current location information. Thereby, the recording process by the information recording apparatus 100 and other processes can be appropriately switched and executed. In particular, it is possible to prevent the recording process of information relating to the driving state from being interrupted at an inappropriate point.

[0038] In addition, by determining based on at least one of the map information of the current position of the mobile body or its vicinity, in particular, at least one of road type information, merging point information, and accident occurrence point information, It is possible to prevent the recording process from being interrupted at a point where there are many traffic accidents. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the information on the running state recorded by the recording process can be used in the event of a traffic accident.

[0039] When permitting the execution of another process, it is determined whether or not the recording process is interrupted according to the amount of processing load related to the other process. As a result, when it is not necessary to interrupt the recording process, for example, when the processing load relating to other processes is light, the recording process and the other processes can be performed simultaneously.

[0040] Further, even if the moving body moves, it is determined appropriately based on the moving point by determining whether it is the power to restart the sequential recording process based on the current position information of the moving body! Recording processing and other processing can be executed. In addition, when the interrupted recording process is executed again, by interrupting other processes, the hardware resources of the information recording apparatus 100 can be used for the recording process, and the process can be performed reliably.

Example

Next, an example of the information recording apparatus 100 that works on the above-described embodiment will be described. In the following embodiment, a case where the information recording apparatus 100 is applied to a navigation apparatus 300 mounted on a vehicle will be described.

[0042] (Peripheral device configuration of the navigation device 300) First, the peripheral device configuration of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle in which the navigation device is installed. The navigation device 300 is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The navigation device 300 includes a main body M and a display unit (display) D. The display unit D displays the current location of the vehicle, map information, current time, and the like.

In addition, the navigation apparatus 300 is connected to an in-vehicle camera 311 installed on the dashboard and an in-vehicle microphone 312 installed in the sun noise generator. The in-vehicle camera 311 can change the direction of the lens and can capture images inside and outside the vehicle. The in-vehicle microphone 312 is used for operations such as voice input of the navigation device 300 or recording the state in the vehicle.

[0044] Although not shown, the in-vehicle camera 311 may be attached to the rear portion of the vehicle. When the vehicle-mounted camera 311 is attached to the rear part of the vehicle, it is possible to check the safety behind the vehicle and to record the situation at the time of rear-end collision when other vehicle forces are also rear-end. In addition, the in-vehicle camera 311 may be an infrared camera that records in a dark place. Further, a plurality of in-vehicle cameras 311 and in-vehicle microphones 312 may be installed in the vehicle, or may be movable cameras.

[0045] The navigation device 300 has a drive recorder function of recording the traveling state of the vehicle, as well as searching for a route to the destination and recording information. The drive recorder function is a function of the video and audio obtained with the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312 and the current position information and traveling speed of the vehicle obtained with the GPS 415 and various sensors 416 described later. Changes and the like are recorded on a recording medium (a magnetic disk 405 and an optical disk 407 described later) of the navigation device 300.

[0046] By using this drive recorder function to constantly record the running state, it is used to investigate the facts when the vehicle is involved in an accident or when an accident occurs around the vehicle. You can get materials. Information to be recorded using the drive recorder function may be stored and stored as long as the storage capacity of the recording medium is not exceeded, or it may be erased sequentially leaving a record for a predetermined time.

[0047] In addition, the navigation device 300 also plays DVDs, CDs, etc., and receives TV broadcasts. It has various functions such as recording and connecting to the Internet. These functions are performed by using the hardware resources of the navigation device 300, similarly to the drive recorder function. For this reason, if you try to execute other functions while the drive recorder function is operating, there may be a shortage of hardware resources. In such a case, you must stop the drive recorder function. Absent. On the other hand, the drive recorder function should continue to operate as much as possible in order to record accidents that are unknown when they occur.

[0048] In such a case, the navigation device 300 determines which of the drive recorder function and the other function is prioritized and allocates hardware resources. Thus, other functions of the navigation device 300 can be executed while continuing the operation of the drive recorder as much as possible.

[0049] (Hardware configuration of navigation device 300)

Next, the hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the navigation device. In FIG. 4, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, an optical disk drive 406, an optical disk 407, an audio l / F (interface) 408, and a microphone. 409, a speaker 410, an input device 411, a video I ZF 412, a display 413, a communication I / F 414, a GPS unit 415, and various sensors 416. Each component 401 to 416 is connected by a bus 420.

First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 402 records programs such as a boot program, a communication program, a database creation program, and a data analysis program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

[0051] The magnetic disk drive 404 controls reading and writing of data to the magnetic disk 405 according to the control of the CPU 401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, HD (node disk) or FD (flexible disk) can be used.

Further, the optical disk drive 406 is connected to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. Controls reading and writing of data to be written. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. The optical disk 407 can also use a writable recording medium. Further, the removable recording medium may be a power MO of the optical disc 407, a memory card, or the like.

[0053] As an example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407, images and sounds inside and outside the vehicle obtained by the in-vehicle camera 311 and the in-vehicle microphone 312 shown in FIG. Information on the current position of the detected vehicle, output values from various sensors 416 described later, and the like can be given. These pieces of information are recorded by the drive recorder function of the navigation device 300 and are used as verification materials when a traffic accident occurs.

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

[0055] The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, the presence / absence of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, the presence / absence of highway doorways and junctions, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (high speed). Road, toll road, general road, etc.).

[0056] Further, the traffic condition data is stored with past traffic information obtained by statistically processing the past traffic information on the basis of, for example, the season / day of the week of 'Large holidays'. The navigation device 300 obtains information on traffic jams currently occurring based on road traffic information received by communication IZF414, which will be described later, but it is possible to predict traffic jam conditions at specified times based on past traffic jam information. .

In this embodiment, the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not recorded in the navigation device 300 and is not limited to the one that is integrated with the hardware. The apparatus 300 may be provided outside. In that case, the navigation device 300 acquires the map information via the network through the communication IZF 414, for example. The acquired map information is stored in the RAM 403 or the like.

The audio IZF 408 is connected to an audio input microphone 409 (for example, the in-vehicle microphone 312 in FIG. 3) and an audio output speaker 410. Audio received by the microphone 409 is AZD converted in the audio IZF408. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 410. Note that the sound input from the microphone 409 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 as sound data.

[0059] The input device 411 includes a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, each having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. Furthermore, the input device 411 can connect other information processing terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as devices) such as a digital camera and a mobile phone terminal to input / output data.

Further, the video IZF 412 is connected to the display 413. Specifically, the video I / F 412 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 413, a buffer memory such as VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. It is configured by a control IC or the like that controls the display 413 based on the output image data. In addition, the video IZF412 is connected to the in-vehicle camera 311 (see Fig. 3), and the image taken inside and outside the vehicle is input.

[0061] The display 413 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As this display 413, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted. The display 41 3 is installed, for example, in a manner like the display unit D in FIG.

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

[0063] Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks, mobile phone networks, and the like. Specifically, communication IZF414 is, for example, FM tuner, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) Consists of Z-Beacon Resino, wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices, and acquires road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations that are distributed by the VICS Center. VICS is a registered trademark.

[0064] In addition, the GPS unit 415 calculates information indicating the current position of the vehicle (the current position of the navigation device 300) using received waves from GPS satellites and output values from various sensors 416 described later. The information indicating the current location is information specifying one point on the map information, for example, latitude / longitude and altitude. In addition, the GPS unit 415 outputs an odometer, a speed change amount, and an azimuth change amount using output values from the various sensors 416. This makes it possible to analyze dynamics such as sudden braking and sudden handle.

[0065] Here, a method of specifying the current location using the GPS unit 415 will be described. First, in GPS, a total of 24 GPS satellites are arranged, 4 each in 6 orbital planes around the earth. These satellites are always orbited so that the same satellites are located at the same time every day, and are always 5 from any point on the earth (but need to have a good view)! I can see the satellite.

[0066] A cesium (Cs) atomic clock (oscillator) is mounted on the GPS satellite, and the accurate time is recorded in synchronization with the time of each satellite. In addition, each satellite is equipped with two cesium oscillator power units and two rubidium (Rb) oscillators. This is because accurate time is indispensable for GPS position measurement.

[0067] GPS satellite force and others are transmitting radio waves with two frequencies of 1575.42MHz (Ll) and 1227.60MHz (L2) (hereinafter referred to as GPS signals). This radio wave is modulated by a random number code called pseudo random code (Pseudo Random Noise Code). When it is received by GPS 415, etc., the signal content is decoded by referring to the code corresponding to the random number table. To do.

[0068] The GPS unit 415 measures the time difference between the time when the GPS satellite force GPS signal was emitted and the time when the device received the GPS signal from the decoded code and the clock inside the device. . Then, multiply the time difference by the propagation speed of the radio wave to calculate the distance from the GPS satellite to your device (distance = speed X time). This time is synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). [0069] Since the GPS satellites send accurate information on the orbit, the current location of the GPS satellite can be known accurately. Therefore, if the distance of the GPS satellite force is known, the current location of the device will be one of the points on the sphere centered on the GPS satellite and having the calculated distance as the radius. The GPS signal code string is repeatedly sent at intervals of about lms. Since the propagation speed of the GPS signal is 400, OOOkmZs, the maximum measurement distance is 400, OOO X O. 00 l = 400km. Therefore, it is necessary to know the current location of the device in advance for accuracy of about 100km.

[0070] As described above, if the distances from three of the GPS satellites are calculated, the current location of the device is either one of the two points where the three spherical surfaces intersect. Also, one of the two points is also far away from the predicted point force, so in principle one point is determined. In reality, however, the current candidate point calculated (the intersection of the three faces) is not two. This is mainly because the accuracy of the clock mounted on the GPS unit 415 is lower than that of the atomic clock mounted on the GPS satellite, resulting in an error in the calculation results.

[0071] For this reason, the GPS unit 415 receives GPS signals from a total of four GPS satellites.

This can be considered to be obtained by introducing new information (formula) with the error of the clock on the GPS unit 415 side as another unknown. In this way, the GPS unit 415 can obtain a substantially accurate current point that converges to one point by receiving GPS signals from four GPS satellites.

[0072] The various sensors 416 are a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and the like, and their output values are used for calculation of the current point by the GPS unit 415 and measurement of changes in speed and direction. Further, the output values of the various sensors 416 may be used as data to be recorded by the drive recorder function.

[0073] Of the functional configuration of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the receiving unit 101 is based on the input device 411, the acquisition unit 102 is based on the GPS unit 415 and various sensors 416, and the determining unit 103 and the executing unit. Each function of 104 is realized by the CPU 401.

[0074] (Function switching process of navigation device 300)

Next, the function switching process of the navigation device 300 will be described. Like above-mentioned The navigation device 300 has various functions such as route search and information recording, DVD, CD and other playback, television broadcast reception and recording, and connection to the Internet. Since the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 are limited, it is necessary to appropriately switch between the drive recorder function and other functions and execute them.

Here, the navigation apparatus 300 has a table (hereinafter referred to as a priority table) for determining the priority between the drive recorder function and other processing on the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407. ing. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a priority table for the drive recorder function.

In FIG. 5, in the priority table 500, points where priority is given to the drive recorder function are shown in the priority point area 510. At the priority points shown in the priority point area 510 (for example, intersections, expressways, roads with a road width of less than 5m), the drive recorder function takes precedence over other functions. That is, when the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 cannot execute both functions (drive recorder function and other functions) at the same time, the drive recorder function is preferentially operated.

[0077] The priority points shown in the priority point area 510 are generally points where traffic accidents are likely to occur. In addition to the ones shown in Fig. 5, for example, there are high-curvature curves and buildings in the direction of bending. Evil, curves, and junctions of the highway main and merge lanes. In addition, it is also possible to extract points where accidents occur frequently from information on traffic accidents that occurred in the past, and use them as priority points.

[0078] Furthermore, a condition for giving priority to the drive recorder function may be set at the priority point. In FIG. 5, in the priority table 500, conditions for prioritizing the drive recorder function at the priority points are shown in the priority condition area 521. The conditions shown in the priority condition area 521 are generally conditions in which traffic accidents are likely to occur, such as school hours, evening to night hours, and precipitation of 10 mm or more. Thus, the drive recorder function may be prioritized at the priority point only when certain conditions are met. On the other hand, like the always-priority area 522, the drive recorder function may be given priority regardless of the conditions at the priority point.

[0079] Furthermore, the priority point may be different for each function designated as another function. Figure 6 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the priority table of the drive recorder function. In FIG. 6, in the priority table 600, functions designated as other functions are shown in the function area 610. The functions shown in the function area 610 are functions that cannot be executed simultaneously with the drive recorder function using the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 (for example, a passenger analysis function, a ripping process, etc.).

On the other hand, in the point area 620, attributes of points where the vehicle travels are shown. The attribute to which each point belongs is distinguished, for example, by road type such as expressway and general road, road width such as 5m or more and less than 5m. In addition, it is also possible to use the features installed at that point, such as whether it is a point where accidents occur frequently, and intersections and pedestrian crossings.

[0081] The priority table 600 indicates whether or not power is prioritized over the drive recorder function at each point shown in each functional force point area 620 shown in the function area 610. For example, passenger analysis processing is given priority on expressways and general roads with a width of 5 m or more (indicated by circles in the figure), but not on general roads with a width of less than 5 m and locations where accidents occur frequently. In addition, the riveting process is given priority on expressways, but it is not given priority on ordinary roads regardless of the road width, and it is not given priority at accident-prone locations.

[0082] In accordance with the priority table as described above, the navigation device 300 determines whether or not to prioritize the drive recorder function. In addition, the determination may be made in consideration of the time required for executing the designated function. The time it takes to execute the function can be roughly predicted, and if the route search function or the route guidance function of the navigation device 300 is used, the route traveled during that time can also be predicted. For this reason, for example, when passing through the priority point until the specified function is completed, the drive recorder function is given priority and other functions are not executed. This function may be executed.

[0083] Next, a procedure of function switching processing by the navigation device 300 will be described.

7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the function switching process of the navigation device. Note that the navigation device 300 continuously uses the GPS unit 415 to calculate vehicle current point information for use in route guidance and the like. Flow chart of Fig. 7 On the other hand, the navigation device 300 operates the drive recorder function in principle during driving (step S701). Then, when the user or the like is instructed to operate another function (step S702: Yes), it is determined whether or not the function is operable at the same time as the drive recorder function (step S703).

[0084] The function operable simultaneously with the drive recorder function is a function with a light burden on the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 such as reception of radio broadcasts and music playback. On the other hand, if the operation instruction for other functions is not given (step S702: No), the process returns to step S701 to continue the operation of the drive recorder function.

[0085] If it is determined in step S703 that the function can be operated simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S703: Yes), other functions are operated simultaneously with the drive recorder function (step S704), and this flowchart is executed. The process by is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the function is not operable at the same time as the drive recorder function (step S703: No), it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high. Judge (Step S705).

[0086] If the place has a high priority for the drive recorder function (step S705: Yes), the operation of the drive recorder function is continued (step S706), and the process proceeds to step S708 in FIG. On the other hand, if the location of the drive recorder function is not high (Step S705: No), the operation is switched to the other function instructed in Step S702 (Step S707), and the process proceeds to Step S710 in FIG. To do. Specifically, whether the location of the drive recorder function is high or not is determined by extracting the attribute of the current location of the vehicle calculated by the GPS unit 415 from the map information and referring to the priority table. Judgment is made by checking whether or not the location is a point.

[0087] Turning to the description of Fig. 8, when the operation of the drive recorder function is continued in step S706 of Fig. 7, the navigation device 300 determines whether or not the force has exited the place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high. Judgment is made (step S708). If the priority of the drive recorder function is high V and the location is exited (step S708: Yes), the operation is switched to the other function instructed in step S702 (step S709), and the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, if the priority of the drive recorder function is high and you leave the place (step S708: No) Returning to step S706 of FIG. 7, the operation of the drive recorder function is continued.

[0088] In step S709 and step S707 in FIG. 7, when the operation is switched to another function instructed to operate, the navigation device 300 has a high priority for the drive recorder function at the current position of the vehicle. It is determined whether or not it is a place (step S710). Specifically, the map information power attribute of the current location is extracted, and the power of the priority location is checked by referring to the priority table. If it is a place where the priority of the drive recorder function is high (step S710: Yes), the operation is switched to the drive recorder function (step S711), the process proceeds to step S708, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

[0089] On the other hand, if the priority of the drive recorder function is high and not a place! (Step S710: No), the operation of the other function is continued (Step S712), and the operation of the other function is completed. Judgment is made on whether or not there is power (step S713).

[0090] When the operation of the other function is finished (step S713: Yes), the operation is switched to the drive recorder function (step S714), and the processing according to this flowchart is finished. On the other hand, if the operation of other functions is not completed (step S713: No), the process returns to step S710 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

Note that the data recorded by the drive recorder function of the navigation device 300 in this way may be transmitted to a database server or the like on the network via the communication IZF 414. Thereby, the recorded data can be used even by a user other than the navigation device 300 user. For example, when a traffic accident that occurred around a vehicle was accidentally caught by the drive recorder function, the accident party can use the data to resolve the accident.

[0092] As described above, according to the navigation device 300, the drive recorder function and other functions can be appropriately switched in the navigation device 300 without separately installing a dedicated vehicle device for the drive recorder. Can be executed. In particular, the drive recorder function can be prevented from being interrupted at an inappropriate point.

[0093] In addition, since there is no need to install a separate in-vehicle device dedicated to the drive recorder, it is possible to utilize a limited space in the vehicle, and various devices are mixed in a narrow space. And mistakes in display can be reduced. [0094] Further, by determining based on at least one of the map information of the current position of the vehicle or the vicinity thereof, in particular, at least one of road type information, merging point information, and accident occurrence point information, traffic It is possible to prevent the drive recorder function from being interrupted at points where there are many accidents. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the information recorded by the drive recorder function can be used for traffic accidents.

Further, when permitting the execution of another function, it is determined whether or not to interrupt the drive recorder function according to the processing load amount when executing the other function. As a result, when it is not necessary to interrupt the drive recorder function, for example, when the processing load relating to other functions is light, the drive recorder function and other functions can be executed simultaneously.

[0096] Furthermore, even if the vehicle has moved by determining whether to resume the drive recorder function sequentially based on the current position information of the vehicle, the drive recorder function and other functions can be appropriately performed according to the moved point. Can be switched. Further, when the interrupted drive recorder function is executed again, by interrupting other functions, the hardware resources of the navigation device 300 can be allocated to the drive recorder function, and the processing can be performed reliably.

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

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In an information recording apparatus that performs a recording process of information related to a traveling state of a moving object, a receiving unit that receives an execution instruction for a process other than the recording process;

Obtaining means for obtaining current location information of the mobile;

When an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving unit during the recording process, the recording process is interrupted together with the recording process or based on the current location information acquired by the acquiring unit. Determining means for determining whether to permit execution of the other process;

Based on the determination result determined by the determination means! /, The execution means for executing the other processing;

An information recording apparatus comprising:

[2] The determination means may determine whether or not to permit the execution of the other process based on map information at or near the current location of the mobile object. The information recording device described in 1.

[3] The information recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the map information is at least one of road type information, junction point information, and accident occurrence point information.

[4] When the processing load amount related to the other process is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the determination unit interrupts the recording process and permits the execution of the other process, and the processing load amount is less than the predetermined amount. 2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the other process is permitted together with the recording process.

[5] The acquisition means acquires new current location information of the moving body after interrupting the recording process and permitting execution of the other processes,

The determination means is based on the new current location information acquired by the acquisition means.

V. Determine whether to execute the recording process again,

2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit re-executes the recording process based on a determination result determined by the determination unit.

6. The information recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the execution unit interrupts execution of the other process and executes the recording process again.

7. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the recording process again when the other process is completed.

[8] In an information recording method for recording information on a traveling state of a moving object, an accepting step of receiving an execution instruction for processing other than the recording processing;

When an instruction to execute the other process is received by the receiving step during the recording process, based on the current location information of the mobile object, the recording process is interrupted or the recording process is interrupted. A determination process for determining whether or not to permit execution of the process;

An execution step of executing the other process based on the determination result determined by the determination step;

An information recording method comprising:

[9] An information recording program causing a computer to execute the information recording method according to claim 8.

[10] A computer-readable recording medium on which the information recording program according to claim 9 is recorded.