JP7097631B2 - Systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system, a program, and the like.

There are known electronic devices that share the same recording area for continuous recording that continuously records video data and intermittent recording that intermittently records video data 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 vehicle accessory switch is on.

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-92464

In the conventional method, when the capacity of the recording area is full, the continuously recorded video data is overwritten. If the continuously recorded video data includes video data that the user does not want to erase, there is a concern that the video data will be erased without the user noticing.

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

(1) A system that repeats the cycle of recording video data in the recording area.
When the predetermined cycle end condition is satisfied, the currently in-progress cycle is terminated, and a new cycle is started in which the video data recorded in the completed cycle is overwritten with the new video data in the oldest order, and the current cycle is currently in progress. Information about the overwritten position based on at least one of the capacity of the video data recorded in the cycle and the capacity of the video data not overwritten among the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle (hereinafter, overwritten position information). It is good to have a system that outputs) to the output means.

From the start to the end of one cycle, the user who stores the information about the position where the video data that does not want to be erased is recorded can use the overwrite position information output to the output means to make the video that does not want to be erased. It is easy to notice the situation where the data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which video data that is likely to be overwritten is likely to be overwritten before the video data that is not desired to be erased is overwritten. This provides a user-friendly system.

As the video data, it is preferable to use video data captured by an image pickup device such as a camera. The video data may be moving image data. For example, when the video data is moving image data, the video data is composed of data of a plurality of frames. The frame rate of this video data may be, for example, 30 fps, 24 fps, or the like. Further, as the video data, for example, a plurality of still image data acquired in time series at regular time intervals may be adopted.

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

As a predetermined cycle end condition, for example, it is preferable that a predetermined time has elapsed from the start time of the cycle, and more preferably, the video data is recorded in a free area in the recording area where video data can be recorded, or in the immediately preceding cycle. It is advisable that there is no area in which the video data can be overwritten. For example, when the capacity of the free area or the area in which the video data was recorded in the previous cycle that the video data can be overwritten is less than the lower limit of the capacity required for recording the video data, the cycle end condition It is good to judge that is satisfied. The capacity in the recording area occupied by the video data recorded in one cycle may correspond to the capacity of the entire recording area.

As the recording position in the recording area at the start time and the end time of one cycle, for example, the position specified by the physical address at the beginning and the physical address at the end in the recording area may be adopted. In this case, for example, it is advisable to record video data from the first physical address to the tail physical address with the passage of time. Alternatively, the recording area may be divided into a plurality of sectors, and one sector may be specified by the sector number. In this case, for example, as the recording position in the recording area at the start time and the end time of one cycle, the sector specified by the first sector number and the tail sector number in the recording area may be adopted.

The information to be output to the output means may be output, for example, by voice, and more preferably by an image. For example, when outputting by voice, a numerical value indicating the above information may be output by voice. For example, it is advisable to output a voice saying "Now, the position of 30% of the whole is overwritten." For example, when outputting as an image, the information may be displayed as a numerical value, and more preferably as a graphic. When displaying in numbers, for example, the ratio of the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle to the capacity of the entire recording area may be displayed as a fraction or a percentage. When displaying as a figure, it is preferable to display as a graph, and more preferably as a pie chart or a band graph. For example, when displaying in a pie chart, the capacity of the entire recording area may correspond to the region having a central angle of 360 °, and the capacity of the region occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle may be indicated by a fan shape. For example, when displaying in 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 is the length from one end of the band graph. It is good to correspond.

For example, when the overwrite position information is displayed as an image, the latest video included in the acquired video data may be displayed on the same screen as the screen displaying the information. For example, the overwrite position information may be displayed as a graphic on the edge of the screen by superimposing it on the image displayed on the screen.

(2) The cycle end condition may include a condition that the recording area does not have a free space for recording video data to be newly recorded or a capacity that can be overwritten in 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 the old video data is overwritten becomes long.
For example, the video data may be recorded in the recording area for each recording unit. For example, the video data may be temporarily stored in the buffer memory, and 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 associated with one recording unit. For example, in determining the cycle end condition, it is advisable 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 the video data recorded in one cycle may correspond to the capacity of the entire recording area.

Video data can be recorded in an area corresponding to the entire recording area in one cycle. This makes it possible to increase the capacity of video data to be recorded in one cycle.

(4) The output means may be a system that outputs to a screen for displaying an image and displays the overwrite position information on the screen as a graphic.

The user can visually recognize the overwrite position information by looking at the displayed figure. 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) The start position and the end position corresponding to the start time point and the end time point of the cycle are defined on the figure.
The overwrite position information may be a system including a mark displayed between the start position and the end position on the figure.

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

(6) The first position and the second position on the figure correspond to the start position and the end position, respectively, and the distance from the start position to the mark was recorded in the cycle currently in progress. It is preferable to use a system corresponding to the capacity in the recording area occupied by the 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, the end position, and the distance from the start position to the mark on the graphic. As the video data is recorded in the recording area, the mark may be moved from the start position to the end position.

For example, the latest video included in the acquired video data may be displayed in a part of the screen (hereinafter referred to as a video display area) excluding at least one of the upper end region and the lower end region of the screen on which the graphic is displayed. .. For example, it is preferable to superimpose the image displayed on the screen and display a figure showing the overwrite position information in the image display area. For example, it is preferable to display a strip-shaped figure vertically as a 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, it is preferable to display the upper end and the lower end of the band-shaped figure so as not to protrude from the image display area. It is advisable to display the acquired video data in the video display area in real time. In this case, the video display area functions as a finder of the camera.

(7) A system in which the figure is displayed by coloring the portion from the start position to the mark and the portion from the mark to the end position in different colors, and the boundary of the different color portions serves as the mark. It is good to say.

The user can recognize the position of the mark in the displayed figure by intuitively grasping the size of the portion with the same color. The user can see the situation where the mark is approaching the position where the video data that does not want to be erased is recorded, and can immediately recognize the state in which the video data that does not want to be erased is likely to be overwritten.

A graph may be used as a figure showing the overwrite position information. The user can intuitively grasp the numerical information by looking at the displayed graph. For example, a pie chart, a band graph, or the like may be adopted as the graph. For example, when a pie chart is adopted, one radius may be associated with the start position and the end position, and the radius at a position separated by a certain central angle from the start position may be associated with the mark. For example, when a band graph is adopted, 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 color of each part of the figure may be invariant 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 he / she wants to keep without overwriting is recorded. By overwriting the color area stored by the user and making it smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which the video data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is overwritten. In addition, the disappearance of the color area stored by the user allows the user to recognize that the video data to be retained has been overwritten.

(9) The entire recording area is made free by initialization.
Information on the recording position (hereinafter referred to as recording position information) based on the amount of video data recorded during the progress of the first cycle after initialization is output to the output means.
It is assumed that the system outputs the recording position information when the first cycle after initialization is in progress and the overwrite position information when the second and subsequent cycles are in progress to the output means in different modes. good.

The user can easily recognize whether the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle after initialization or the second and subsequent cycles. The user does not have to worry that the old video data will be overwritten when the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle. In addition, the user is likely to notice that a second and subsequent cycles have begun that may overwrite the old video data.

For example, the recording position information and the overwrite position information are displayed as a graphic.
The part of the figure corresponding to the free area after initialization is colored with the first color.
During the progress of the first cycle, a second color different from the first color is applied to the part in the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the recorded position information.
During the progress of the second cycle, the part in the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the overwrite position information is given a third color different from the first color and the second color. May be good.
During the progress of the second and subsequent cycles, the color to be attached to the part in the figure from the start position of the figure to the mark based on the overwrite position information may be selected from a plurality of color candidates not including the first color. good. The color to be selected may be such that a plurality of color candidates circulate as the number of cycles increases. For example, when there are two color candidates, a second color and a third color, the second color and the third color are alternately selected for each cycle.

By visually recognizing the color of the shape, the user can easily recognize whether the cycle currently in progress is the first cycle in which there is no need to worry about overwriting, or the second and subsequent cycles in which overwriting is possible. can do.

The first color, the second color, and the third color may be distinguished by different attributes of any one of the three attributes of color, hue, saturation, and lightness, and more preferably, if the hues are different. It is good to distinguish them. Distinguishing the first color, the second color, and the third color by hue allows the user to memorize the color in terms of the color.

(10) Further, the overwrite mode indicating whether or not the overwrite is permitted can be turned on / off by the user's operation.
When the overwrite mode is on, the output means displays the figure indicating the recording position information, and when one cycle ends, a new cycle is started.
When the overwrite mode is off, the output means does not display the graphic indicating the recording position information, and when the recording of the video data in the mode of not overwriting the old video data is completed, the video data is recorded in the recording area. It is good to have a system to stop.

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 turned on, the user can easily notice the situation where the video data that does not want to be erased is likely to be overwritten by looking at the displayed figure.

(11) When the overwrite mode is off, the remaining time that can be recorded is calculated based on the capacity that can record video data in the recording area in the cycle currently in progress, and the information indicating the calculated remaining time is described. The system should be displayed on the screen.

The user can easily recognize the remaining recordable time when the overwrite mode is off. When the recording area is reserved in the removable media, for example, the remaining recordable time is a useful factor for the user to decide whether or not to prepare for the removable media replacement. Further, since the remaining time is not displayed when the overwrite mode is on and the remaining time is displayed when the overwrite mode is off, it is easy to understand whether the overwrite mode is on or off.

(12) Further, it has an event detection means for detecting that a predetermined event has occurred.
It is preferable to use a system in which an event occurrence mark for notifying the occurrence of an event is displayed in association with the figure based on the position in the recording area where the video data at the time when the occurrence of the event is detected by the event detection means is recorded.

The user is likely to notice a situation in which the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is likely to be overwritten with new video data. For example, before the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is overwritten, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which the video data is likely to be overwritten. As a result, the user can perform an operation for avoiding overwriting the video data to be retained when a predetermined event occurs. When the recording area is reserved in the removable media, as an operation for avoiding overwriting, for example, an operation in which the user removes the removable media from the system can be mentioned.

For example, the event occurrence mark may have a different color for each event. By doing so, the user can easily recognize the position where the video data of the event to be kept is recorded. From the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten to the position where the video data of the event to be kept is recorded, it is possible to know the spare time until the overwriting avoidance operation is performed.

(13) The video data to be recorded in the recording area is acquired in the vehicle.
One unit is the video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply is stopped.
It is preferable to use a system for displaying the graphic in such a manner that the division of the video data for each unit can be recognized in the graphic.

The user can easily recognize the division of the unit of the video data by looking at the figure displayed on the screen. Further, if the position of the current video data in the graphic of the unit is memorized, the position where the current video data is recorded can be easily specified in the future.

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

When the figure displayed on the screen includes a part corresponding to a plurality of units of video data, it is preferable to add a different color to the corresponding part of the figure for each of these units. The user can store in which unit the video data that he / she does not want to erase is contained in the color attached to the portion corresponding to the unit. The user knows that the overwriting may be performed until the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten reaches the area in the figure of the stored color. The time when the overwrite avoidance operation should be performed can be known from the distance from the mark indicating the position currently being overwritten to the area in the figure of the stored color. It is advisable to prepare more color types than the number of units of video data assumed to be included in one figure as color candidates to be attached to the portion corresponding to these units.

(14) The video data to be recorded in the recording area is acquired in the vehicle.
One unit is the video data recorded from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply is stopped.
The grace time from the present time until the overwriting of the video data at the start of the unit recorded in the recording area starts is calculated.
When the grace time becomes shorter than a predetermined time, the system may have a function of notifying that the overwriting of the unit next to the unit currently being overwritten is started.

The user may remember in which unit the video data that he / she does not want to erase is contained. When the notification that the overwriting of the unit containing the video data that does not want to be erased is started is noticed, it becomes possible to take measures to prevent the video data that does not want to be erased from being erased. The predetermined time to be compared with the grace time may be, for example, a time sufficient (for example, 3 minutes) for the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe place and perform an operation for avoiding overwriting. For example, when the recording area is reserved in the removable media, the user may replace the removable media as an operation for avoiding overwriting.

As a method of notifying that the overwriting of the unit following the unit currently being overwritten is started, a method of outputting by voice may be adopted. The driver can notice the notification without distracting his eyes. At the time of notification, it is preferable to notify the date and time when the video data at the beginning of the unit in which the overwrite is started next is acquired, or the date and time when the video data at the end of the unit is acquired. For example, the voice "Overwriting to the video data from XX days XX hours XX minutes will start soon" or "The video data recorded during the driving period ending at XX hours XX minutes on XX days" It is advisable to output the voice "Overwriting will start soon" from the output means.

Instead of notifying that it is overwritten, the grace time until it is overwritten may be notified. The grace time may be notified in a certain time step. The user can recognize that the grace period until the overwriting of the unit including the video data that does not want to be erased is started is getting shorter every moment.

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

When the power supply to the system is started, the user can recognize the time until the overwrite on the oldest unit that has not been overwritten 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 should perform an operation to avoid overwriting this video data at the start of power supply to the system. Can be done.

(16) Furthermore
In addition to the function of recording video data in the recording area in the cycle, a function of recording video data in another recording area secured in the same recording medium as the recording area.
It has a function to change the capacity of the recording area and the capacity of the other recording area by the operation of the user.
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 so that no video data is recorded.

When the capacities of the recording area and other recording areas are changed, it is possible to easily make a system in which contradiction is unlikely to occur. For example, the recording area and other recording areas may be initialized 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 media in which the recording area is secured, and
A function to initialize the removable media connected to the connection means, and
At least one of the total number of cycles performed on the recording area in the removable media connected to the connection means, the number of cycles performed after initialization, and the number of times of initialization is used as the connection means. The function to store in the connected removable media,
A system having a function of outputting at least one number of times to the output means may be used.

The user can infer the degree of deterioration of the removable media 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 media should be replaced.

The content to be output to the output means may be, for example, "total overwriting 10 times / overwriting after formatting 2 times / formatting 2 times" or the like. This output makes it easy for the user to know when the removable media should be replaced or initialized (formatted). The user may decide whether or not to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization. Information that changes according to the degree of deterioration may be displayed on the output means. For example, an icon indicating removable media may be displayed and the icon may be changed, or a figure indicating overwrite position information may be changed.

On average, the user can see how many cycles the initialization took place. For example, it is advisable to describe in the instruction manual or the like how many cycles it is preferable to perform initialization. The user can know whether the initialization was too frequent or too infrequent.

When displaying an icon indicating removable media, for example, the icon may be gradually broken as the deterioration progresses. In addition, as the deterioration progresses, the icon may be displayed so as to gradually decay, or the shape of the icon may be changed 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 light color (for example, white) to a dark color (for example, black).

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

(18) It is preferable to use a system in which the video data recorded in the recording area is divided into a plurality of processing units based on predetermined classification conditions, and the processing for each processing unit is executed.

After recording the video data 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.

As a predetermined classification condition, it is preferable that the video data is classified at regular time intervals. The time point triggered by the start of power supply to the system and the time point triggered by the stop may be set as the classification condition. Further, the classification condition may be set based on the information acquired by various sensors. You may use both the classification condition of classifying at the time when the power supply to the system is started and the time when the power supply is stopped, and the classification condition of classifying at a fixed time interval.

The predetermined classification condition may be input to the system by a user operation, for example. In addition, for example, the system may read out the classification condition stored in the area other than the recording area of the medium in which the recording area is secured. As the processing for each processing unit, for example, a processing for assigning an attribute to each processing unit, a processing for cueing and playing back video data from the beginning of the processing unit, a processing for displaying a plurality of processing units as a list, and the like may be performed.

(19) The processing for each processing unit may be a system including a processing for outputting the attributes of the processing unit to the output means for each processing unit.

The user can easily confirm the attribute for 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, the thumbnail of the first video data, and the like may be displayed on the display means. The user can easily find the video data to be played back and confirmed or the video data to be deleted by looking at the date and time information or the thumbnail.

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

(20) Further, it has a function of allowing the user to select a part of the processing units among the processing units.
A system may be used in which the processing for each processing unit is executed for the processing unit selected by the user.

The user can select a part of the processing units to be processed from all the processing units and perform the processing on the selected processing unit. It is advisable to assign a specific attribute to the processing unit selected by the user. For example, as a process for each process unit, it is preferable to perform a process of adding the attribute "exclude from the reproduction target". When playing back the video data, it is preferable to remove the video data in the processing unit to which the attribute "exclude from the playback target" is given and play the video data. By adding the attribute "exclude from playback target" to some processing units, the user can skip and play the video data that he / she does not want to play. The attributes of a plurality of processing units may be output to the output means in a list format. At this time, the processing unit to which the attribute "exclude from the reproduction target" is given may not be output to the display means.

(21) Further, it is preferable to have a system having a function of causing the user to input the classification condition and classifying the video data recorded in the recording area based on the input classification condition.

By inputting a desired classification condition by the user, the video data can be classified according to the desired classification condition. A user who wants to give a specific attribute to a part of video data may input a classification condition such that the part is classified with respect to another part.

(22) The recording area is secured in the removable media, and the recording area is secured in the removable media.
It is preferable to use a system in which the classification condition input by the user is stored in an area different from the recording area of the removable media.

By moving the removable media between the first and second devices of the system, the video data and classification conditions recorded in the recording area can be moved from the first device to the second device and vice versa. Can be handed over to. For example, when video data is recorded by the first device, a classification condition for classifying video data is input by a second device different from the first device, and the input classification condition is passed to the first device. be able to. On the contrary, the second device may have a function of classifying video data based on the classification conditions set in 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 the second device such as a personal computer is larger than the screen of the first device mounted on the vehicle. The user can easily confirm the date and time and the thumbnail at which the first video data of each processing unit was acquired by the second device. As a result, the user can easily perform an operation for each processing unit on the video data.

(23) Further, after the video data recorded in the recording area is divided into a plurality of the processing units based on the classification condition, when the user inputs a classification condition different from the current classification condition, the input is made. It is preferable to use a system for re-classifying video data based on the above-mentioned classification conditions.

When it is difficult for the user to perform the desired processing on the video data in the current classification of the video data, the user can classify the video data so that the desired processing can be easily performed by changing the classification conditions. ..

When the FAT file system is used for recording video data, it is difficult to classify the video data into file units and then reclassify them under different classification conditions. In this system, the video data can be re-classified according to the user's desired classification conditions, which is convenient for the user.

(24) Further, it is preferable to use a system that stores information for specifying a position in the recording area in which the video data of each of the plurality of processing units is recorded.

The place for storing the information for specifying the position in the recording area where the video data of each of the plurality of processing units is recorded may be, for example, the 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 the information for specifying the position in the recording area. For the user, the operability is improved. This information may be information that identifies a position in the recording area where the first video data in the processing unit is recorded. For example, if this information is used during cueing reproduction, the cueing time of the video data at the beginning of the processing unit can be shortened.

(25) The video data to be recorded in the recording area is acquired in the vehicle.
The recording of the video data in the recording area is started when the power supply to the system is started, and the recording of the video data in the recording area is stopped when the power supply to the system is stopped.
The classification condition is that the recording of the video data to the recording area is started when the power supply to the system is started, and the video data to the recording area is stopped when the power supply to the system is stopped. It is preferable to use a system that includes a power supply condition that is a condition that recording is stopped.

The video data acquired during the period from the time when the power supply to the system is started to the time when the power supply to the system is stopped can be recorded in the recording area, and these video data can be recorded. It can be processed as one unit. The video data may be, for example, a moving image captured by a camera mounted on a vehicle or the like. As a trigger for starting and stopping the power supply to the system, for example, turning on and off the accessory power supply of the vehicle may be used.

(26) The classification condition includes other classification conditions in addition to the power supply condition, and the portion from the beginning to the tail of the video data classified based on the power supply condition is set to the other classification condition. It is preferable to use a system that classifies based on.

It is possible to prevent the processing units obtained by being classified by other classification conditions from being spread over the processing units obtained by being classified based on the power supply conditions. When the processing unit obtained by classifying based on the power supply condition is further classified by another classification condition, when the video data of a length that cannot be classified by the other classification conditions remains, the entire remaining video data is used. It is preferable to use one processing unit.

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

A user who remembers the elapsed time from the start time of the 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 the desired video data.

By classifying the video data 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 is turned on, for example. By classifying the video data using only the condition of a fixed time interval without using the power supply condition as the classification condition, the elapsed time from the head video data to the tail video data of all the processing units can be made constant. .. By dividing in this way, the user can equalize the burden required for confirming the video data for each processing unit.

As described in (26) above, the power supply condition and the classification condition of classifying at regular time intervals may be used in combination as the classification condition. When one division is performed according to the power supply condition, it is preferable to newly divide at regular time intervals from that point. As a result, for example, the processing unit (referred to as the first processing unit) obtained by dividing based on the power supply condition is smaller than the processing unit (referred to as the second processing unit) based on the division condition of dividing at regular time intervals. .). The user who remembers the elapsed time from the beginning of the first processing unit to the desired video data can see how many second processing units from the beginning of the first processing unit contain the desired video data. Can be easily calculated. Thereby, the user can easily access the second processing unit containing the desired video data within the first processing unit.

(28) The processing for each processing unit includes a processing for excluding the video data included in the processing unit from the reproduction target.
When reproducing the video data recorded in the recording area, it is preferable to use a system having a function of removing the video data excluded from the reproduction target and reproducing the video data.

It is possible to prevent the video data excluded from the playback target from being played back. The user can exclude, for example, video data that he / she does not want to be seen by a third party from the playback target. It is advisable 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 "do not exclude from the reproduction target". When playing back video data, it is better to stop playback when the video data excluded from the playback target is reached, and more preferably, the video data excluded from the playback target is omitted and the video is not excluded from the playback target. It is good 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 use a system in which new video data is overwritten in the oldest order from the video data immediately after the last processing unit that is not excluded from the reproduction target among all the processing units obtained by dividing the data.

It takes a long time to start overwriting the oldest video data recorded in the cycle currently in progress. When video data that does not want to be erased is recorded in the cycle currently in progress, for example, there is a time margin until the user performs the overwrite avoidance process. After overwriting the video data recorded in the current cycle and excluded from the playback target, for example, the video data recorded in the previous cycle is overwritten with new video data in the oldest order. You should go.

(30) It is preferable to configure it as a program for realizing the function of the system according to any one of (1) to (29) above in a computer.

(31) Of the functions of any of the systems (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 may be configured as a program for realizing the function of executing the processing for each processing unit in the computer.

The video data recorded in the recording area can be divided into a plurality of processing units based on predetermined classification conditions, and a computer can be made to execute a function of executing processing for each processing unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that is easy for the user to use.

1A, 1B, and 1C are a perspective view of the drive recorder included in the system according to the first embodiment as seen diagonally from the front, a perspective view as seen from the oblique rear, and a bottom view, respectively. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a windshield, a dashboard, and the like in a vehicle in which a drive recorder is mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of video data recorded on an SD card by a drive recorder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a usage status of a recording area in which video data is recorded. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the usage state of the memory space of the recording area when recording video data in the recording area of the SD card, and FIG. 6B is a diagram of the memory space of the recording area after the new video data is overwritten. It is a figure which shows the use state. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of a block that is a transfer unit of video data. 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 on the liquid crystal display when the overwrite mode is set to off. It is a figure which shows an example of the image which is displayed on the liquid crystal display when it is. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an indicator of a period after initializing the recording area and before recording video data, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an indicator of 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 of the period during which the second cycle is in progress, and FIG. 9E is a diagram showing an indicator. FIG. 9F is a diagram showing an indicator at the end of the second cycle, and FIG. 9F is a diagram showing an indicator of the period during which the third cycle is in progress. 10A to 10D are diagrams showing an indicator according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10E is a diagram showing an example of displaying numerical values instead of the indicator of the graph of the first embodiment, FIG. 10F. Is a diagram showing an example of outputting by voice. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an indicator displayed by the drive recorder according to the second embodiment. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing an example of an indicator and an event occurrence mark displayed on a liquid crystal display by a drive recorder according to a third embodiment and a modification thereof. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of an indicator displayed on the 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 showing an example of an indicator displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the fifth embodiment and a mark indicating a position during overwriting. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing usage classification of the memory space of the SD card used in the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 16B is an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the seventh embodiment. It is a figure which shows. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the modified example of the seventh embodiment, and FIGS. 17B to 17D show changes according to the degree of deterioration of the SD card icon. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment as viewed diagonally from the rear, and FIG. 18B shows the drive recorder on the liquid crystal display when the double mode is selected in the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the displayed image. 19A to 19G are diagrams showing changes in the indicator displayed by the drive recorder according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an indicator displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the ninth embodiment. 21A is a schematic diagram of the system according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 21B is a block diagram of a personal computer. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing a screen for inputting the classification conditions displayed on the liquid crystal display by the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 22C is a list of the attributes on the liquid crystal display for each processing unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed in a format. FIG. 23 is a timing chart during constant recording in the drive recorder according to the tenth embodiment. FIG. 24A is a diagram showing an image for inputting a classification condition displayed on the monitor by a personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 24B is an image in which the attributes are displayed on the monitor in a list format for each processing unit. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 25A is a diagram showing an image for inputting a classification condition displayed on a monitor by a personal computer according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 25B is an image in which the attributes are displayed on the monitor in a list format for each processing unit. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a method of classification (listing) when "1 minute", "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "power on / off" are selected as the classification conditions. FIG. 27A is a diagram showing an image of a monitor in a state where the user selects one processing unit starting from 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016 and clicks the "Delete 1 item" button. FIG. 27B. Is an example of an image in which the attributes of the processing unit are displayed on the monitor after the delisting flag is set. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an arrangement of frames of video data recorded in the recording area. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing how to overwrite a block or frame located at the end of the latest cycle when the delisting flag is not set. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing how to overwrite a block or frame located at the end of the latest cycle when the delisting flag is set. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an indicator displayed on a liquid crystal display of a drive recorder or a monitor of a personal computer by the system according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the allocation of the memory space of the SD card used in the system according to the twelfth embodiment.

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

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

The camera including the lens 2 captures, for example, an image in front of the vehicle. The DC jack 3 is a jack for connecting to a DC power supply via a power cable. The SD card insertion slot 4 is an insertion slot for inserting an SD card. The speaker 5 outputs sound or voice. The HD output terminal 6 is a terminal for connecting to another information device via a cable. The joint rail 7 is for attaching a joint for mounting the drive recorder 1 on the vehicle. The liquid crystal display 8 displays various images. The operation button 9 is for inputting various commands to the drive recorder 1 by being operated by the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a windshield, a dashboard, and the like in a vehicle in which the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the vehicle. The drive recorder 1 is located above the windshield 15 of the vehicle and at a position on the passenger side adjacent to the rear-view mirror 16 near the center in the left-right direction. The drive recorder 1 is attached and fixed to the windshield 15 by a mounting member such as double-sided tape. The DC jack 3 (FIG. 1A) of the drive recorder 1 is connected to the cigar socket 18 via the power cable 17. When the vehicle accessory power is turned on, power is supplied to the drive recorder 1 from the cigar 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. Strictly speaking, the SD card reader 24 should be referred to as an "SD card reader / writer", but in the present specification, it is simply referred to as an "SD card reader".

The speaker 5 and the liquid crystal display 8 function as output means for notifying the user of various information. The speaker 5 issues an alarm or various information by sound or voice based on the control of the controller 20. The liquid crystal display 8 displays various information as an image based on 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 image pickup device for capturing a moving image within the angle of view. The camera 21 outputs the captured moving image as video data to the controller 20. The controller 20 records video on an SD card connected to the SD card reader 24 based on the video data input from the camera 21.

The database 22 is stored in, for example, a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) externally attached to the controller 20. The database 22 contains, for example, map data.

The GPS receiver 23 detects the position information of the own vehicle at the current time based on the instruction of the controller 20. The position information includes the time obtained based on the signal from the GPS satellite, the speed of the own vehicle, the mildness, the latitude, the altitude, and the like. The controller 20 performs a process of recording the history of these position information.

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

As the acceleration sensor 25, a 3-axis type sensor that detects acceleration and inclination in each of the 3-axis (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) directions is used. The acceleration sensor 25 constantly outputs the detected value to the controller 20. The controller 20 acquires acceleration information of three axes every 10 ms, for example.

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

By executing the GPS information processing program, 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 video processing program, the controller 20 constantly records video data in which the video captured by the camera 21 and the time are associated with each other 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 moving image data.

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of video data recorded on the SD card by the drive recorder 1. The drive recorder 1 records video data in the recording area 31 of the SD card 30 in chronological order in frame units. The memory space of the SD card 30 is divided into, for example, 512-byte sectors, and the position in the memory space can be specified by the sector number. Frames have a variable length, and one frame is stored in, for example, several sectors. The plurality of frames are composed of a frame encoded without using inter-frame prediction (referred to as an I frame) and a frame compressed and encoded using only forward prediction (referred to as a P frame). 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 an empty area. When the power of the vehicle is turned on and the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is started, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) records the video data captured by the camera 21 on the SD card 30 when the power supply is started. Recording is performed in the area 31 in the order of sector numbers (sector order). In the frame field for storing one frame of the video data, in addition to the field for storing the video data itself, a frame header portion for storing the attribute data of the video data is provided. As attribute data, the frame number and the traveling unit number are stored in the frame header part. When the power of the vehicle is turned off and the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is stopped, the drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) stops recording the video data when the power supply is stopped. Recording of video data performed during the period from when the power is turned on to when the power is turned off is called "power on-off recording".

One travel unit includes a frame of video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from when the vehicle is turned on to when the vehicle is turned off. The drive recorder 1 assigns the same travel unit number to the frame in one travel unit, and increments the travel unit number by 1 each time a new travel unit is started. The vehicle is not always running while the vehicle is powered on, but it is usually considered to be mostly driven, so here the vehicle is powered on. A collection of video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period from when it is turned off is defined as one running unit.

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

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

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

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 the new video data in the order of oldest. At this time, as shown in the right figure of FIG. 5, the recording area 31 is recorded in the area where the video data was recorded in the currently ongoing cycle C (n + 1) and the immediately preceding cycle C (n), and is recorded at the present time. There is a mixture of areas where unoverwritten video data remains.

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

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

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

Next, a method of continuous recording when the overwrite mode is set to off will be described. When the overwrite mode is off, in the first cycle after initialization of the recording area 31, when there is no free area in the recording area 31 shown in FIG. 4, that is, recording of video data in a mode in which old video data is not overwritten. Is completed, the continuous recording of video data to the recording area 31 is stopped.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of a block 26 which is a transfer unit of video data. A frame field 27 for storing video data to be transferred is sandwiched between area information fields 28. Video data of a predetermined number, for example, 60 frames is 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 moving image data of 30 fps, the time length of the video data of 60 frames corresponds to 2 seconds. The area information field 28 stores the attributes of the video data in the frame field 27, the 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, the cycle end condition for ending one cycle and starting a new cycle will be described.

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

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 by the cycle currently in progress with the capacity of one block 26 (FIG. 7), it is determined whether or not the cycle end condition is satisfied. can do. When this cycle end condition is adopted, the capacity in the recording area 31 occupied by the video data recorded in one cycle corresponds to the capacity of the entire recording area 31.

Next, an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIG. 1B) by the drive recorder 1 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 a mode display area) 41 located at the upper end, a lower end area (hereinafter referred to as a time display area) 42 located at the lower end, and an image display area sandwiched between the two. It is divided into 40. In the mode display area 41, icons indicating various modes are displayed. The current image captured by the camera 21 is displayed in real time in the image display area 40. The image 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 the 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 elongated 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 the upper ends and the lower ends thereof do not protrude from the image display area 40. The function of the indicator 50 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9A to 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, the difference from the image when the overwrite mode shown in FIG. 8A is set to ON will be described.

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 the time display area 42 in addition to the current time. The remaining recordable time is the capacity of the free area in the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) (capacity for recording video data in the recording area 31 in the cycle currently in progress), and the block 26 which is a transfer unit of the video data (FIG. 4). The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) calculates based on the capacity of 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-9F, green, light blue, and pink are represented by the lowest density dot pattern, the medium density dot pattern, and the high density dot pattern, respectively. The drive recorder 1 comprises the indicator 50 as a vertically long strip-shaped figure.

The position of the indicator 50 with respect to the length direction corresponds to the position in 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 tail 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 the 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 an 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 from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 in green. That is, the portion corresponding to the empty area in the recording area 31 is painted in green.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an indicator 50 of the period during which the first cycle after initialization is in progress. When the continuous recording of the video data progresses in the first cycle, the drive recorder 1 fills the green portion of the indicator 50 with light blue according to the area in the recording area 31 of the constantly recorded video data. The boundary between the green portion and the light blue portion serves as a mark 53 indicating the current position where the video data is recorded. As the 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 start position 51 to the mark 53 corresponds to the capacity of the video data recorded in the currently ongoing cycle, more precisely 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 capacity of the entire recording area 31.

FIG. 9C is a diagram showing an indicator 50 at the end of the first cycle after initialization. The drive recorder 1 fills the entire area from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 with light blue. When the overwrite mode is set to on, the drive recorder 1 fills the entire indicator 50 with light blue (when recording video data over the entire recording area 31 for continuous recording), 2 Start the second cycle. When the overwrite mode is set to off, recording is always stopped when the green area of the indicator 50 is completely filled with light blue.

FIG. 9D is a diagram showing an indicator 50 of the period during which the 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 painted in pink to match the area overwritten by continuous recording. The boundary between the light blue portion and the pink portion serves as a mark 54 indicating the current position overwriting the video data. The indicator 50 on which the mark 54 is shown serves as a figure indicating overwrite position information. As the video data is overwritten on the recording area 31, the mark 54 moves from the start position 51 toward the end position 52. The distance from the start position 51 to the mark 54 corresponds to the capacity of the video data overwritten in the currently ongoing cycle, more precisely the capacity in the recording area 31 occupied by the video data. The distance from the end position 52 to the mark 54 corresponds to the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle and not overwritten so far.

FIG. 9E is a diagram showing an indicator 50 at the end of the second cycle. The drive recorder 1 fills the entire area from the start position 51 to the end position 52 of the indicator 50 with pink. When the indicator 50 is filled with the pink area, the third cycle is started.

FIG. 9F is a diagram showing an indicator 50 of the period during which the third cycle is in progress. In the third cycle, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the immediately preceding second cycle with new video data. The drive recorder 1 fills the pink part with light blue according to the area overwritten by the continuous recording in the third cycle currently in progress. After that, the drive recorder 1 alternately selects light blue and pink as the color to fill the indicator 50 every time a new cycle is started.

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

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

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

The user does not want to erase based on the distance from the position of the marker 54 (FIGS. 9D, 9F) shown on the indicator 50 to the position where the video data that does not want to be erased is recorded after the new cycle starts. It is easy to notice the situation where the video data is likely to be overwritten with new video data. Before the video data that you do not want to be erased is overwritten, you can notice the situation where it is likely to be overwritten, so you can perform operations to avoid overwriting. Examples of operations for avoiding overwriting include 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, the information indicating the current overwrite position is graphically displayed as an indicator 50 (FIG. 9D, FIG. 9F) including the mark 54. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the overwrite position information by looking at the displayed figure. 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.

By intuitively grasping the size of the same colored portion in the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9A to 9F), the user can intuitively grasp the marks 53, 54 (FIGS. 9B, 9D, FIGS. 9B) in the indicator 50. The position of 9F) can be recognized. The user can see the situation where the mark is approaching the position where the video data that does not want to be erased is recorded, and can immediately recognize the state in which the video data that does not want to be erased is likely to be overwritten.

Since the color of each part in the indicator 50 does not change until it is overwritten in a new cycle, the image data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is the area of which color in the entire recording area 31. It is possible to memorize what was recorded in. By overwriting the color area stored by the user and making it smaller, the user can foresee the occurrence of a situation in which the video data that the user wants to keep without overwriting is overwritten. In addition, the disappearance of the color area stored by the user allows the user to recognize that the video data to be retained has been overwritten.

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

In the first embodiment, the indicator 50 displayed during the progress of the first cycle after initialization (FIGS. 9B and 9C) and the indicator 50 displayed during the progress of the second and subsequent cycles (FIGS. 9D to 9C). It is displayed in a manner different from that of FIG. 9F). Specifically, the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9B and 9C) displayed during the progress of the first cycle is colored in green and light blue, and is displayed during the progress of the second and subsequent cycles. 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9F) is painted 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 and subsequent cycles. The user does not have to worry that the old video data will be overwritten when the currently ongoing cycle is the first cycle. In addition, the user is likely to notice that a second and subsequent cycles have begun that may overwrite the old video data.

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

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

Further, when the overwrite mode is off, the remaining recordable time is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B. By looking at the displayed information, the user can easily recognize the remaining time that can be recorded. For example, the recordable remaining time is a useful factor for the user to decide whether or not to prepare for SD card replacement. Further, since the remaining time is not displayed when the overwrite mode is on and the remaining time is displayed when the overwrite mode is off, it is easy to understand whether the overwrite mode is on or off.

Furthermore, it is easy to notice the setting error of 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 erroneously set to on. Then, the light blue part of the indicator 50 begins to be eroded by the pink part. This makes it easy for the user to notice that the overwrite mode was accidentally set to on. If the SD card is taken out when the pink part starts to erode the light blue part, the damage that the recorded video data is accidentally overwritten can be minimized.

[Modified example 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 and a mark 54 (FIG. 9D and FIG. 9F) indicating the current overwrite position in the indicator 50. Boundary was used. In addition, horizontal lines extending in the width direction of the indicator 50 may be used as the marks 53 and 54 as shown in FIG. 10A, a triangular symbol may be used as shown in FIG. 10B, or a triangle symbol may be used as shown in FIG. 10C. You may use the arrow symbol.

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 the central angle of 360 °. The capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 in the current cycle may be indicated by a fan shape. For example, one radius 55 corresponds 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 central angle from the radius 55 corresponding to the start position is marked 53, 54 ( It may be associated with FIGS. 9B, 9D, and 9F).

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

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

Instead of the configuration in which the indicator 50 is displayed on the screen, the speaker 5 (FIGS. 1C and 3) may output by voice. For example, a numerical value indicating the ratio of the capacity of the area occupied by the video data recorded in the current cycle to the capacity of the entire recording area 31 may be output by audio. For example, it is advisable to output a voice saying "Now, the position of 30% of the whole is 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 progress of the second and subsequent cycles, the color applied to the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 of the indicator 50 (FIGS. 9D to 9F) is a plurality of colors excluding the color attached to the empty area after initialization. You may choose from the candidates. The color to be selected may be such that a plurality of color candidates circulate as the number of cycles increases.

The plurality of colors for which the indicator 50 is painted may be distinguished by different attributes of any one of the three attributes of the color, hue, saturation, and lightness, and more preferably, the hues may be different from each other. Distinguishing a plurality of colors by hue allows the user to memorize the colors in terms of the colors.

As the cycle end condition for ending one cycle, an end condition different from the end condition used in the first embodiment may be used. For example, as a cycle end condition, a predetermined time may have elapsed from the start time 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 another removable medium. When using removable media other than the SD card, a connection means corresponding to the removable media to be used may be provided instead 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 media is used as the recording area 31, but a part of the memory space may be secured as the recording area 31 for continuous recording. In this case, for example, other areas of memory space in removable media can be used for other purposes.

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

In the first embodiment, the sectors specified by the first sector number and the trailing sector number are adopted as the recording positions in the recording area 31 at the start time and the end time of one cycle, respectively, but the start is started by another method. The position and the end position may be specified. For example, as the recording position in the recording area 31 at the start time and the end time of one cycle, the position specified by the physical address at the beginning and the physical address at the end in the recording area may be adopted, respectively. In this case, it is advisable to record the video data from the first physical address to the tail physical address with the passage of time.

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

[Second Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted.

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

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an indicator 50 displayed by the drive recorder 1 according to the second embodiment. The video data of the immediately preceding cycle C (n) is overwritten by the cycle C (n + 1) currently in progress. The indicator 50 includes a portion corresponding to a plurality of traveling units 32. For each of these traveling units 32, the corresponding portion of the indicator 50 is colored differently.

In FIG. 11, as an example, the video data of the i-th traveling unit 32 is recorded over the cycle C (n) immediately before and the cycle C (n + 1) currently in progress. The video data of the (i-2) th traveling unit 32 is overwritten with the video data of the (i + 1) th traveling unit 32 currently in progress. As the 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 colored differently.

The user can easily recognize the division of the traveling unit 32 of the video data by looking at the indicator 50. Further, if the position in the figure of the traveling unit 32 of the current video data is memorized, the position where the current video data is recorded can be easily specified in the future. For example, it may be remembered that the (i + 1) th travel unit 32, which is the current travel unit 32, is the second travel unit 32 from the top of the indicator 50. Based on the information "second from the top", it is possible to identify the position in the indicator 50 of the traveling unit 32 in which the current video data is recorded in the future.

In the second embodiment, since the traveling unit 32 is colored differently, the user can remember the current (i + 1) th traveling unit 32 in that color. That is, the user can store the portion corresponding to the traveling unit 32 including the video data that the user does not want to erase in the color attached to the portion corresponding to the traveling unit 32. For example, when a case occurs in which the user wants to keep the video data, the user can remember the color of the portion corresponding to the traveling unit 32 at that time. The user can use the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten until the mark 54 reaches the color portion of the traveling unit 32 in which the video data that the user does not want to erase is recorded (for example, until just before the color portion starts to be erased). ), It turns out that overwriting may be performed. It can be seen that the SD card should be replaced when the mark 54 indicating the overwriting position reaches just before the color portion. It is possible to know the time when the overwriting avoidance operation is performed by the distance from the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten to the color portion of the traveling unit 32 in which the 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 assumed to be included in one indicator 50 as color candidates to be attached to the portions corresponding to these traveling units 32.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the same color portion from appearing in two or more places in the indicator 50. When a number of traveling units 32 that is larger than the number of prepared color candidates appears in the indicator 50, it is preferable to use the colors in order from the color corresponding to the oldest traveling unit 32.

In the second embodiment, the indicator 50 is colored differently for each traveling unit 32 in the indicator 50, but in addition, the indicator 50 may be displayed in a manner in which the division for each traveling unit 32 can be recognized. For example, a mark such as a horizontal line may be added to the delimited portion of the traveling unit 32, and more preferably, the traveling unit 32 may be color-coded as in the second embodiment.

[Third Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted.

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

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

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of an indicator 50 and an 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 the portion 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 serves as a mark 54 indicating an overwrite position.

The drive recorder 1 displays the event occurrence mark 57 at the place where the event has occurred in the indicator 50. As the event occurrence mark 57, a horizontal line extending in the width direction of the indicator 50 is displayed in the indicator 50. The horizontal line that becomes the event occurrence mark 57 is colored differently for each event.

The user can easily notice a situation in which the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is likely to be overwritten with new video data due to the distance from the mark 54 indicating the current overwrite position to the event occurrence mark 57. For example, before the video data at the time when a predetermined event occurs is overwritten, it becomes possible to notice a situation in which the video data is likely to be overwritten. As a result, the user can perform an operation for avoiding overwriting the video data to be retained when a predetermined event occurs. When the recording area 31 is reserved in the SD card, the user may remove the SD card from the drive recorder 1 in order to avoid overwriting.

Even if the drive recorder according to the third embodiment is a dedicated machine for continuous recording without an event recording function, the user may know the position where the event occurs and overwrite the area before the position with new video data. Recognize. The SD card may be replaced until the overwrite position is reached at that position.

Since the color of the event occurrence mark 57 is different for each event, the user can easily recognize the position where the video data of the event to be kept is recorded. From the distance from the mark 54 indicating the position currently being overwritten to the position where the video data of the event to be kept is recorded, it is possible to know the margin time until the overwriting avoidance operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the icon 59 corresponding to the event type may be displayed in the vicinity of the horizontal line that becomes the event occurrence mark 57. The event type includes a G sensor event and a one-touch event. It becomes easier for the user to memorize the position where the event for which the video data is desired occurs.

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

[Fourth Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted.

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

The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) compares a predetermined notification threshold value T0 with a grace time T1. As shown in FIG. 13B, when the grace time T1 becomes equal to or less than the notification threshold value T0, the drive recorder 1 voicely notifies that the overwriting of the next traveling unit 32 of the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten is started. When notifying by voice, the date and time when the video data at the beginning of the traveling unit 32, which is to be overwritten next, is acquired, or the date and time when the video data at the tail of the traveling unit 32 is acquired is notified. For example, the voice "Overwriting to the video data from XX days XX hours XX minutes will start soon" or "The video data recorded during the driving period ending at XX hours XX minutes on XX days" The voice "Overwriting will start soon." Is produced from the speaker 5 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The user may memorize which traveling unit 32 contains important video data that he / she does not want to erase. When the notification that the overwriting of the traveling unit 32 containing the important video data that does not want to be erased is started is noticed, it is possible to take measures to prevent the video data that does not want to be erased from being erased. It will be possible. The notification threshold value 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 for avoiding overwriting. For example, the user may perform an operation of removing the SD card from the drive recorder 1 and an operation of exchanging the SD card as an operation of avoiding overwriting.

Since the notification is performed by voice output, the driver can notice the notification without distracting his / her line of sight.

Instead of notifying that it is overwritten, the grace time until it is overwritten may be notified. The grace time may be notified in a certain time step. The user can recognize that the grace time until the overwriting of the traveling unit 32 including the video data that does not want to be erased is started is getting shorter every moment.

[Fifth Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the differences from the fourth embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the notification performed in the fourth embodiment is performed at the time of starting the engine (for example, at the start of constant recording).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an indicator 50 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by the drive recorder 1 according to the fifth embodiment and a mark 54 indicating a position during overwriting. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the grace time from the present time until the overwriting of the video data at the start time of the next traveling unit 32 of the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten starts at regular time intervals. Calculate T1. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, at the time when the power supply to the drive recorder 1 is started, the scheduled time T2 until the start of overwriting of the next traveling unit 32 of the traveling unit 32 currently being overwritten is started. Is calculated. 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 the sound "15 minutes later, overwriting of the video data from XX days, XX hours, and XX minutes starts." From the speaker 5.

The user plans to start overwriting the oldest non-overwritten travel unit 32 when the power supply to the system is started (for example, when the accessory power of the vehicle is turned on or when the engine is started). The time T2 can be recognized. For example, if the oldest running unit 32 that has not been overwritten contains video data that does not want to be erased, the user can avoid overwriting this video data at the start of power supply to the system. For example, the SD card can be exchanged.

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

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

The recording area 31 for continuous recording includes an area in which video data is recorded in the latest cycle C (n + 1) and an area in which video data is recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C (n).

By the operation of the user, the allocation amount of the storage capacity to the recording area 31 for continuous recording, the parking monitoring recording area 38, and the event recording area 39 can be changed. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the allocation amount to the recording area 31 for continuous recording and the event recording area 39 is reduced and the allocation amount to the parking monitoring recording area 38 is increased.

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

Since all areas are initialized when the capacities of the recording area and other recording areas are changed, contradictions are unlikely to occur. For example, when the recording area 31 for constant recording is expanded, it is not always necessary to initialize the expanded area. In the sixth embodiment, since the initialization is performed even when the recording area 31 for continuous recording is expanded, the contradiction that may occur due to the capacity allocation change can be easily avoided.

[7th Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 17D. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing 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 the recording area 31 for continuous recording, a management area 35 for storing the number of times of writing and the like is secured. The drive recorder 1 (FIG. 3) counts the total number of cycles in which video data is recorded in the recording area 31, the number of cycles in which video data is recorded after the recording area 31 is initialized (formatted), and the number of initializations. 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 in which the video data was recorded in the recording area 31 (total number of overwrites), and after the recording area 31 is initialized. The number of cycles (number of overwrites after initialization) and the count result of the number of initializations are displayed.

The user can infer 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 the file fragmentation progresses as the number of overwrites after initialization increases, the number of cycles in which video data is recorded after initialization is initialized. It will be useful information for deciding when to do. The user can determine whether or not to perform initialization based on the number of cycles performed after initialization.

The user can know, on average, at what cycle the initialization was performed, based on the total number of cycles and the number of initializations. For example, it is advisable to describe in the instruction manual or the like of the drive recorder 1 how many cycles it is preferable to perform initialization. From the number of cycles per initialization and the recommended number of times described in the instruction manual, the user can know whether the initialization is too frequent or too infrequent.

[Modified example of the seventh embodiment]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the modified example 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 as a number 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 the modified example of the seventh embodiment. The drive recorder 1 displays, for example, the icon 44 of the SD card 30 (FIG. 16A) in the mode display area 41. The total number of overwrites of 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 such a manner that the user can easily recognize the degree of deterioration according to the degree of deterioration of the SD card 30.

17B to 17D are diagrams showing an example of changes in the SD card icon 44 according to the degree of deterioration. In the example shown in FIG. 17B, the icon 44 is displayed so as to be gradually broken as the deterioration progresses. More specifically, as the deterioration progresses, the icon 44 changes from a normal state (new state) to a cracked state or a shattered state. In the example shown in FIG. 17C, the icon 44 is displayed so as to gradually decay 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 according to 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 that fills 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 advisable to change from a light color to a dark color as the number of cycles increases.

By changing the icon 44 or the 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, the drive recorder 1 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 19A to 19G. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted. In the first embodiment, one SD card is used for constantly recording 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 as viewed diagonally from the rear. Two SD card insertion slots 4 are provided side by side on the side surface of the drive recorder 1. The drive recorder 1 provided with the two SD card insertion slots 4 is called a double slot type. SD cards are inserted into the two SD card insertion slots 4, respectively. A mode in which a recording area 31 (FIG. 4) for continuous recording is secured across two SD cards (hereinafter referred to as a double mode) and a recording area 31 for continuous recording are secured only in one SD card. However, other SD cards are prepared with a mode for recording other video data (hereinafter referred to as a single mode). Either mode can be selected by the user's operation. When the double mode is selected, the drive recorder 1 continuously records video data from the SD card inserted in one SD card insertion slot 4 to the SD card inserted in 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) vertically arranges two vertically long indicators 50 in the vicinity of the right end of the image display area 40 and displays them in a straight line. The upper and lower indicators 50 represent the recording area 31 reserved for the SD card inserted into the upper and lower SD card insertion slots 4 (FIG. 18A), respectively. The upper end of the upper indicator 50 is the recording start position 51 of the recording area 31 for continuous recording, and the lower end of the lower indicator 50 is 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 constant recording, as shown in FIG. 19B, the mark 53 indicating the currently recorded position moves downward from the start position 51. 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 painted in light blue.

When the drive recorder 1 starts the second cycle, the mark 54 starts to move downward from the start position 51 of the indicator 50 above, and the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 is painted in pink. As shown in FIG. 19F, the second cycle ends when the entire area of the two indicators 50 is painted in pink. After that, when the third cycle is started, the mark 54 starts to move downward from the start position 51 of the indicator 50 above as shown in FIG. 19G. At this time, the portion from the start position 51 to the mark 54 is painted in light blue. In this way, the two indicators 50 are combined and changed in the same manner as the one indicator 50 of 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 grasp whether the double mode is currently selected or the single mode is selected only by looking at the display of the indicator 50.

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

In the eighth embodiment, the recording area 31 for continuous recording is secured in two SD cards, but the recording area 31 for continuous recording may be secured in three or more SD cards. In this case, the indicators 50 for the number of SD cards may be displayed vertically side by side.

[9th Example]
Next, the drive recorder 1 according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the differences from the eighth embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted. In the eighth embodiment, the two indicators 50 are painted in two different colors, but in the ninth embodiment, they are painted in different colors for each traveling unit 32 as in the second embodiment (FIG. 11).

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an 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 overwrite position is displayed at the position at the tail of the cycle C (n + 1) currently in progress.

When the video data of one traveling unit 32 is recorded across two SD cards, the portion corresponding to one traveling unit 32 straddles the upper indicator 50 and the lower indicator 50. The portion corresponding to one traveling unit 32 straddling the two indicators 50 is painted with the same color.

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

[10th Example]
Next, the system according to the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A to 30. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration 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 format (called a YP format) is adopted as the format format of the recording area 31 (FIG. 4) for continuous recording of the SD card. The SD card initialized in the YP format format does not have a reserved area such as a boot sector and a file allocation table area used in the FAT file system.

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram of the system according to the 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 recording video data and the like by the drive recorder 1 is removed from the drive recorder 1 and attached to the SD card reader 61 connected to the personal computer 60. As a result, the personal computer 60 can process the video data. On the contrary, the information stored in the SD card 30 in 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 micro-processing unit (MPU) 62. ROM 63 and RAM 64 are connected to the MPU 62. Further, a hard disk drive 65, a keyboard 66, and a monitor 67 are connected to the MPU 62 via a corresponding interface or the like. Further, the SD card reader 61, the mouse 68, and the printer 69 are connected to the MPU 62 via the USB port of the personal computer 60. The hard disk drive 65 stores the operating system (OS) of the personal computer 60, application programs running on the OS, various data, and the like.

The user can start a desired application program by using the function of the OS, such as operating the mouse 68 and double-clicking the start icon of the application program. When the MPU 62 executes the started application program, the personal computer 60 realizes the function desired by the user.

The system according to the tenth embodiment can classify the video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 into smaller video data (hereinafter referred to as a processing unit) based on a predetermined classification condition during the continuous recording. .. Further, the video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 can be classified into processing units based on predetermined classification conditions by the 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 classifying video data based on a predetermined classification condition during constant recording by the drive recorder 1 will be described.

FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a screen for inputting the 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 / off". do. A check box 71 is displayed for each of these classification conditions. Further, a "back" button and an "OK" button are displayed.

The classification condition of "1 minute", "2 minutes", and "3 minutes" means that the video data is classified at a fixed time interval, that is, at 1-minute intervals, 2-minute intervals, and 3-minute intervals, respectively. Since the time interval corresponds to the number of frames of the moving image, when the time interval is divided into fixed time intervals, it may be divided into units of a fixed number of frames. When the video data is divided, the video data is not divided between the frames included in one block 26 (FIG. 7) which is a transfer unit of the video data, and the video data is divided by using the block 26 as one indivisible block. The classification condition of "power on to off" means that the video data is classified when the power of the vehicle is turned on and when the power is turned off. The classification condition of "power on to off" is referred to as "power condition".

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

FIG. 23 is a timing chart during continuous recording. When the power of the vehicle is turned on, the drive recorder 1 always starts recording, and when the power of the vehicle is turned off, the drive recorder 1 always stops recording. In FIG. 23, the period during which continuous recording is executed is represented by a thick solid line, and the period during which continuous recording is stopped is represented by a broken line. The video data recorded by the drive recorder 1 during the period when the power of the vehicle is turned on constitutes one traveling unit 32.

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

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

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

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

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

Next, with reference to FIGS. 24A to 26, a process of classifying the video data constantly recorded by the drive recorder 1 by the personal computer 60 (FIGS. 21A and 21B) based on a predetermined classification condition 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 the classification condition displayed on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) by the personal computer 60. Similar to the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 by the drive recorder 1 shown in FIG. 22A, the personal computer 60 displays the symbol mark 75 and the check box 76 indicating the classification conditions 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 at 1-minute intervals.

The first stage 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 1-minute intervals for each traveling unit 32. As a result, each video data of the traveling unit 32 is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 (file list units) having a recording time of one minute. At the tail of each of the traveling units 32, a processing unit 36 having a recording time of less than 1 minute is generated. One traveling unit 32 can be said to be a collection of video data classified based on the power supply condition. That is, dividing the video data according to the classification condition of 1 minute time interval means that the time interval is 1 minute for the portion from the beginning to the tail of the video data (corresponding to the traveling unit 32) classified based on the power supply condition. It is equivalent to classifying based on the classification conditions of.

The second and third stages of FIG. 26 show how to classify the video data when "2 minutes" and "3 minutes" are selected as the classification conditions, respectively. They are divided into processing units 36 composed of video data corresponding to recording times of 2 minutes and 3 minutes, respectively. In this way, when creating a file list, the period from power on to off (for example, from the start of recording to the stop of recording) is divided into the set number of frames (for example, 1 minute unit, 2 minute unit, 3 minute unit, etc.). Create a file list.

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

The personal computer 60 stores information (file list) that identifies the divided processing unit 36 in the RAM 64 (FIG. 21B). The information for 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 on the monitor 67 (FIG. 21B) in a list format.

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 on the monitor 67 in a list format. FIG. 24B shows an example in which "1 minute" is selected as the classification condition. The personal computer 60 displays, for example, the date and time information 77 from which the video data at the head of the processing unit 36 is acquired, and the thumbnail 78 of the video data at the head, as attributes for each processing unit 36. Further, the personal computer 60 displays a scroll bar, an "erase one" button, and a "erase all" button. The date and time information 77 of the processing unit 36 is increased in 1-minute increments.

FIG. 25B shows an example of an image displayed on the monitor 67 by the personal computer 60 when "power on / 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 is turned on.

When the user inputs a classification condition different from the current classification condition for the video data already classified based on a certain classification condition, the personal computer 60 performs the video data based on the input new classification condition. Is reclassified.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 27A to 28, a process of making the image invisible will be described as an example of the process of each process unit 36. This process can be executed by either the drive recorder 1 or the personal computer 60. Hereinafter, the processing of the personal computer 60 will be described. The process executed by the drive recorder 1 is the same as the process of the personal computer 60.

As shown in FIG. 27A, for example, a case where the user selects one processing unit 36 starting from 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016 and clicks the "Delete 1 item" button will be specifically described. ..

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an arrangement of frames of video data recorded in the recording area 31. Video data of a plurality of traveling units 32 are recorded in the recording area 31. The video data is divided into a plurality of processing units 36 for each traveling unit 32. A serial number is assigned to a plurality of frames in order from 1 for each traveling unit 32. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the number of frames of one processing unit 36 is set to n. For example, the first frame Fa of the first traveling unit 32 in the recording area 31 corresponds to the video data recorded at 12: 2: 0 on January 1, 2016. The frames from the first frame Fa to the trailing frame Fb of the 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 traveling unit 32 in the recording area 31. In the erasing process, the personal computer 60 sets a non-listing flag (hereinafter referred to as a non-listing flag) defined in the frame header portion in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) of the block 26 and the area information field 28. Stand up. The area where the frame Fb is recorded from the block 26 and the frame Fa that are the targets of the erasure process by the erasure process does not become an empty area.

FIG. 27B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the attributes of the processing unit 36 are displayed on the monitor 67 in a list format after the delisting flag is built. Personal computer 60 (FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B)
) Excludes the processing unit 36 starting from 12:02:00 on January 1, 2016, and displays the attributes of the other plurality of processing units 36. The personal computer 60 does not display the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set in the list. Further, when the video data is reproduced, the personal computer 60 removes the video data included in the processing unit 36 in which the non-listing flag is set and reproduces the video data. That is, the video data (part of the video data) included in the processing unit 36 for which the non-listing flag is set cannot be reproduced. Therefore, the erasing process can be referred to as "a process of excluding from the reproduction target". Further, since the processing unit 36 for which the delisting flag is set is not displayed in the list and is not reproduced, the erasing process can be referred to as "invisible processing".

In the example shown in FIG. 28, a dot pattern is attached to the frames from the frame Fa to the frame Fb excluded from the reproduction target. Further, it is possible to exclude a plurality of processing units 36 from the reproduction target by repeating the process of erasing one case. When the user clicks the "Erase All" button shown in FIG. 24B, the personal computer 60 excludes all the processing units 36 in the recording area 31 from the reproduction target.

When subdividing the video data for which the non-listing flag is set for some processing units 36, the block 26 (FIG. 7) or the frame for which the non-listing flag is set is not listed and is listed. Is skipped to classify the video data consisting of blocks 26 or frames for which the non-listing flag is not set.

Next, a process for resuming continuous recording for an SD card recording video data in which a non-listing flag is set in a part of the block 26 (FIG. 7) or a frame will be described. This process depends on whether the unlisting 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 unlisting flag is not set in the block 26 or the frame Fc located at the tail of the latest cycle C (n + 1). In FIG. 29, a dot pattern is attached to the frame in which the non-listing flag is set. When the drive recorder 1 newly starts continuous recording, the drive recorder 1 overwrites the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C (n) with the new video data in the oldest order. When the recording area 31 becomes full and one cycle ends, the old processing unit 36 (frame recorded at the beginning of the recording area 31) earlier than the processing unit 36 for which the delisting flag is set is newer. 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 that. This overwriting process is the same as the process of overwriting the recording area 31 in which the non-listing flag is not set in any of the blocks 26 and the frames.

FIG. 30 shows how to overwrite the block 26 or the frame Fd (for example, the video data last recorded on the SD card) located at the tail of the latest cycle C (n + 1) when the delisting flag is set. It is a figure which shows. The frame Fd corresponds to the final frame of the video data recorded in the latest cycle C (n + 1). In FIG. 30, a dot pattern is attached to the frame in which the non-listing flag is set. The unlisted flagged block 26 or frame is located at the end of the video data recorded in the latest cycle C (n + 1). When the drive recorder 1 newly starts continuous recording, the trailing processing unit in 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 set. The video data (video data that has been made invisible) immediately after the 36 or the trailing frame Fe is deleted in the order of oldest, and the data is overwritten with new video data. That is, the overwrite position goes back from the position of the frame Fd to the position immediately after the frame Fe.

The drive recorder 1 overwrites the trailing video data recorded in the latest cycle C (n + 1), and then overwrites the video data recorded in the immediately preceding cycle C (n) with new video data in the oldest order.

[Effect of the 10th Example]
Next, the excellent effect of the tenth embodiment will be described.
In order to maximize the writing speed of the SD card and to enable DMA access for all writing, it is desirable to perform SD card access with consecutive sector numbers (sector addresses) as much as possible. In the tenth embodiment, by adopting a unique format format (YP format), continuous frames of video data can be recorded in the area of continuous sector numbers in 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 one camera can be used and only one of continuous recording and event recording can be left on the SD card at a resolution of 1080 PHD. 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 the file name and the cluster position are collectively recorded in the management area. The drive recorder 1 is used in a situation where a sudden event such as power on / off, SD card insertion / removal, or an accident may occur. If data is accidentally written to the management area when such an event occurs, there is a risk that all the files in the SD card cannot be read.

In the tenth embodiment, a unique format format that does not have such a management area is adopted. In the original format, a part comparable to the management area of the FAT file system is included in the frame header part for each frame in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) and the area information field 28 (FIG. 7). .. Therefore, even if a sudden event occurs while writing data to any part of the SD card, the time-series link will not be broken. Even if the SD card is pulled out while writing data to the SD card, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the data in the entire area of the SD card cannot be read due to the 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 and 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, the credibility of the video can be enhanced and the security performance can be improved.

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 an attribute to each processing unit 36, processing for cueing and playing back video data from the beginning of the processing unit 36, processing for displaying a plurality of processing units 36 in a list, and the like are realized. can do. This makes the system more user-friendly for the user.

The time point triggered by the start of power supply to the drive recorder 1 and the time point triggered by the stoppage can be set as the classification conditions for classifying the video data. In addition, at regular time intervals,
For example, it can be divided into smaller processing units 36 under the classification condition of dividing at intervals of 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. This classification condition can be input to the drive recorder 1 or the personal computer 60 by the user's operation, for example.

By inputting a desired classification condition by the user, the video data can be classified according to the desired classification condition. A user who wants to give a specific attribute to a part of video data may input a classification condition such that the part is classified with respect to another part.

The user can easily confirm 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. When, 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, and the like are displayed as attributes for each processing unit 36, the user sees and plays back the date and time information or the thumbnail. You can easily find the video data you want to check and the video data you want to delete.

Based on the attributes of the plurality of processing units 36 displayed on the liquid crystal display 8 of the drive recorder 1 and the monitor 67 of the personal computer 60, the user can select a part of the processing units 36 to be processed. As a result, processing can be performed on a part of the processing units 36 selected by the user. The user can give a specific attribute to the selected processing unit 36. For example, as a process for each process unit 36, a process of adding an attribute of "exclude from the reproduction target" can be performed.

In the original format of the SD card adopted in the tenth embodiment, since the sectors in the memory space are used sequentially, it is difficult to erase only the video data of a part of the intermediate sectors. In the tenth embodiment, instead of erasing the video data, by assigning the attribute "exclude from the reproduction target" to the processing unit 36, the video data in the processing unit can be omitted and reproduced. When displaying the attributes of a plurality of processing units 36 in a list format, the processing units 36 to which the attribute "exclude from reproduction target" is added are not displayed as a list. Therefore, it is possible to realize a function substantially equivalent to erasing the video data. The user can exclude, for example, video data that he / she does not want to be seen by a third party from the playback target.

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 for the user to perform the desired processing on the video data in the current classification of the video data, the user may re-classify the video data so that the desired processing can be easily performed by changing the classification conditions. can.

When the FAT file system is used for recording video data, it is difficult to classify the video data into file units and then reclassify them under different classification conditions. In the system according to the tenth embodiment, the video data can be re-classified according to the user's desired classification conditions, which is convenient for the user. Further, even if the reclassification is performed, the video data itself in the frame field 27 (FIG. 7) is not changed at all. Therefore, it is not necessary to decode and encode the video data when reclassifying the video data. That is, the video data can be reclassified without being tampered with. 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 specific processing unit 36, the system can access the video data of the selected processing unit 36 in a short time by using the information for specifying the position in the recording area 31. For the user, the operability is improved. This information may be information that identifies a position in the recording area 31 in which the first video data in the processing unit 36 is recorded. For example, if this information is used during cueing reproduction, the cueing time of the video data at the beginning of the processing unit 36 can be shortened.

When the video data is divided at regular time intervals, the user who remembers the elapsed time from the start time of the video data in the recording area 31 to the desired video data can use the desired video data in the number of processing units 36 from the beginning. Can be easily calculated if is included. This allows the user to easily access the processing unit containing the desired video data.

The user often wants to process the video data for each traveling unit 32. In the classification method according to the tenth embodiment, the processing unit 36 obtained by dividing under the classification condition of dividing at regular time intervals is divided into two processing units (running) obtained by dividing based on the power supply condition. It is prevented from straddling the unit). Therefore, it can be divided into the processing units 36 in a form according to the user's request. 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. Can be done. As a result, the user can easily access the processing unit 36 containing the desired video data within the traveling unit 32.

By classifying the video data 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 is turned on, for example.

As shown in FIG. 30, by overwriting the video data excluded from the playback target located at the tail of the latest cycle C (n + 1) with the new video data, the most recorded in the currently ongoing cycle C (n + 1). It takes a long time to start overwriting old video data. When the video data that does not want to be erased is recorded in the cycle C (n + 1) currently in progress, for example, a time margin until the user performs the overwrite avoidance process can be obtained.

[Modified example of the tenth embodiment]
Next, a modified example of the tenth embodiment will be described.
In the tenth embodiment, a fixed time interval and a power supply condition are used as the classification condition of the video data, but in addition, the classification condition may be set based on the information acquired by various sensors.

In the tenth embodiment, when the video data is reproduced, the video data excluded from the reproduction target is removed and the reproduction of the video data not excluded from the reproduction target is continued, but the video data is excluded from the reproduction target. Playback may be stopped when the recorded video data is reached.

In the tenth embodiment, when the video data is divided into the processing units 36 at regular time intervals, the processing units 36 are divided so as not to straddle the two traveling units 32, but the traveling units 32 are not considered. , The entire video data may be divided at regular time intervals. As a result, the elapsed time from the head video data of all the processing units 36 in the recording area 31 to the tail video data can be made constant. When classified in this way, the user can equalize the burden required for confirming the video data for each processing unit 36.

[Eleventh Example]
Next, the system according to the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 31. Hereinafter, the differences from the tenth embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted. In the eleventh embodiment, the indicators 50 (FIGS. 8A, 9A to 9F, FIG. 11, etc.) shown in the first to ninth embodiments are mounted 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 an 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. At the end of the latest cycle C (n + 1), a mark 54 indicating the position being overwritten is displayed. The indicator 50 is filled with a different color for each traveling unit 32. The video data is divided into processing units 36, and a mark 58 indicating the dividing position, for example, a horizontal line, is displayed at a position corresponding to the boundary of the processing unit 36.

The user can easily grasp the separated positions by the function of dividing the video data. Instead of the horizontal line as the mark 58 indicating the dividing position, a different color may be attached to each processing unit 36, and the boundary of the portion of the different color may be used as the mark 58.

[12th Example]
Next, the system according to the twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 32. Hereinafter, the differences from the tenth embodiment will be described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted. In the twelfth embodiment, the drive recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 store the delimiter condition for dividing the video data in the SD card.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the allocation of the memory space of the SD card 30 used in the system according to the twelfth embodiment. In addition to the recording area 31 for continuous recording, the division condition storage area 37 is secured in the memory space of the SD card 30. The recording area 31 includes an area in which video data is recorded in the latest cycle C (n + 1) and an area in which video data is recorded in the immediately preceding 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) of the system according to the twelfth embodiment and the personal computer 60 (second device), the video data and classification recorded in the recording area 31 Conditions can be passed from the drive recorder 1 to the personal computer 60 and vice versa. For example, it is possible to input a classification condition for classifying video data on a personal computer 60, which is a device different from the drive recorder 1 that records video data, and pass the input classification condition to the drive recorder 1. On the contrary, the personal computer 60 may have a function of classifying video data based on the classification conditions set by 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 mounted on the vehicle. The user can easily confirm the date and time and the thumbnail at which the video data at the beginning of each processing unit 36 is acquired on the personal computer 60. As a result, the user can easily perform an operation for each processing unit on the video data.

It goes without saying that each of the above embodiments is exemplary and the configurations shown in different examples can be partially replaced or combined. Each component described in each embodiment may be arbitrarily combined. Further, the invention described in the means for solving the problem and each component may be further applied to the combination of each component of each embodiment. Similar actions and effects due to the same configuration of a plurality of examples will not be mentioned sequentially for each example. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples. 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 insertion slot 5 Speaker 6 HD output terminal 7 Joint rail 8 Liquid crystal display 9 Operation button 15 Windshield 16 Room mirror 17 Power cable 18 Cigar 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 Accelerometer 26 Block that is the transfer unit 27 Frame field 28 Area information field 30 SD card 31 Recording area for continuous recording 32 Travel unit 33 Transfer destination Area 35 Management area 36 Processing unit 37 Division 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 (start position)
52 Lower end (end position)
53 Mark indicating the currently recorded position 54 Mark indicating the currently overwritten position 55, 56 Radius 57 Event occurrence mark 58 Mark indicating the boundary of the processing unit 59 Icon corresponding to event occurrence 60 Personal computer 61 SD card reader 62 Micro processing unit (MPU)
63 ROM
64 RAM
65 Hard disk drive (HDD)
66 Keyboard 67 Monitor 68 Mouse 69 Printer 70 Symbol mark 71 indicating the division condition 71 Check box 72 Date and time information 73 Thumbnail 75 Symbol mark indicating the division condition 76 Check box 77 Date and time information 78 Thumbnail C (n + 1) Currently in progress (latest) cycle C (n) Immediately preceding cycle T0 Notification threshold T1 Grace time T2 Scheduled time

Claims (6)

A system that divides video data recorded in a recording area into a plurality of processing units based on predetermined classification conditions and executes processing for each processing unit.
It has a function to allow the user to select a part of the processing units.
A function to execute the processing for each processing unit for the processing unit selected by the user, and
As a process for each process unit, a function to add an attribute to be excluded from the playback target, and
A system characterized by having a function to remove and play back video data in a processing unit to which an attribute to be excluded from the playback target is given when playing back video data. It is characterized by having a function to output the attributes of a plurality of processing units to the output means in a list format, and to prevent the processing units to which the attributes excluded from the reproduction target are output to the display means. The system according to claim 1. 2. The system described. The recording area is secured in the removable media, and the recording area is secured in the removable media.
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a function of storing the classification condition input by the user in an area different from the recording area of the removable media. Any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first device mounted on the vehicle for acquiring the video data and the second device for classifying the video data collected in the vehicle are provided. The system described in Crab. A program for realizing the function of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in a computer.

Images