JP7526992B2 - Devices and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, an apparatus and a program.

Dash cams, which store information on the vehicle's condition before and after an automobile accident (forward video, vehicle speed, sudden acceleration/deceleration, etc.), provide useful information for investigating automobile collisions and other accidents, and so are increasingly being installed in transportation vehicles such as trucks, as well as commercial vehicles such as taxis and buses, and are also increasingly being installed in general vehicles.

This drive recorder is configured to store forward video footage for a certain period of time before and after an accident or emergency braking, as well as driving data showing the driver's driving operations (braking, blinker operation, driving route, etc.). To briefly explain how the video data is stored, a CMOS camera or similar device constantly captures images of the vehicle and the surrounding environment from the driver's viewpoint (field of vision), and the captured images are stored in a temporary storage memory such as a ring buffer. The images stored in this temporary storage memory are updated to the latest images one after another, and past video data is retained for a set period of time. On the other hand, a drive recorder is equipped with a sensor such as an acceleration sensor that detects impacts that occur during accidents or sudden braking or steering, and when the output value of the sensor exceeds a threshold value, it reads from the temporary storage memory the video footage for a certain period before the threshold value was exceeded (impact detection) and stores it in a non-volatile memory (such as an SD card), and after the threshold value is exceeded, it stores the video footage captured by a CCD camera or the like directly or via the temporary storage memory in the non-volatile memory, thereby storing the video footage for a certain period before and after the impact and the driving data, etc. in a non-volatile memory (such as an SD card).

When an accident occurs, it is possible to clearly prove the legitimacy of the driver based on the vehicle status information (video, etc.) stored in the non-volatile memory. This type of drive recorder is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

JP 2011-114850 A

However, the conventional system has problems such as difficulty in determining whether the recording means is in a state where it should be replaced, the problem that it is not possible to determine whether the video is properly recorded on the recording means unless the user operates the playback button of the device and periodically checks whether the video recorded on the recording means is properly played back, and the trouble of operating the playback button each time. As a result, there are various problems, such as when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs without the user doing so, and it becomes necessary to play back the video, it is only when it becomes clear that the video is not properly recorded on the recording means.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a program, etc. having superior characteristics to those of the prior art.

The object of the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations that aim to obtain effects from parts of the configurations disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. For example, this specification discloses problems in which the phrases "can" and "is possible" are read as "the problem is". Each problem is described as being independent, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to the configurations for solving each problem separately by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. Even if the problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include part of the configurations described in this specification in the scope of the patent claim by amendment or divisional application. The applicant has also disclosed a configuration that solves a problem that combines these independent problems, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to it.

(1) A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,

It is preferable that the device has an automatic playback function that plays a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means in response to detecting a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

In this way, the user can automatically play back a predetermined range of footage from the camera that has been recorded on the recording means, simply by performing a vehicle operation to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, it is easy to know whether the footage has been properly recorded on the recording means without the user having to operate a playback button or the like on the device to check whether the footage recorded on the recording means is being properly played back. In addition, there is no need for the user to periodically check whether the footage recorded on the recording means is being properly played back by operating a playback button or the like on the device. There is also no need for the user to take the trouble of operating the playback button. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it will be discovered that the footage has not been properly recorded on the recording means only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play back the footage.

Detection of a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state can be performed, for example, by branching and inputting a vehicle signal line that outputs when the vehicle's push start switch is turned off, or when the vehicle key is operated to turn off the engine, etc.

This device is preferably a device that is retrofitted to a vehicle after it is shipped from the vehicle manufacturer's factory. This device may be distributed across multiple housings with some of its components included, but it is particularly preferable to house it in a single housing. Furthermore, it is preferable to house the display means in a single housing as well. The vehicle may be a special vehicle such as a forklift, but it is particularly preferable to use a vehicle with four or more wheels.

"Installation" may refer to a configuration in which the device is installed in the vehicle after it is shipped from the vehicle manufacturer's factory, and may be configured to be fixed in place, for example by attaching the housing of the device or a mounting fixture attached to the housing, particularly to the interior of the vehicle, with double-sided tape or the like.

The camera may be, for example, at least one of a camera that captures the view ahead of the vehicle, a camera that mainly captures areas other than the view ahead, and a camera that captures the driver. There may be only one camera, but it is particularly preferable to have multiple cameras and record the images from the multiple cameras in a reproducible manner by synchronizing the times at which they were captured. For example, the image data from the cameras may be stored in association with time data obtained from a GPS or the like, and the image data corresponding to the same time data stored in association with each image data may be simultaneously played back.

The video of the specified range may include video recorded continuously, but it is particularly preferable to include video recorded for an event. In this way, the user can automatically record video when an event occurs by simply cutting off the power supply from the vehicle to the device.

The recording means is preferably a non-volatile memory, and particularly preferably a non-volatile memory with a shorter life span than DRAM or the like. The recording means is particularly preferably a NAND flash memory. The recording means may be configured to be fixed to a substrate or the like inside the housing of the device, but is particularly preferably a recording medium that is removable from the device. The recording means is particularly preferably a card-shaped recording medium, and particularly preferably an SD card or a micro SD card.

(2) The detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is performed based on a cutoff of the supply of power from the vehicle to the device;
The device has a function of continuing to operate by power supply from a backup power source when the power supply from the vehicle to the device is cut off,

It is preferable that the device has an automatic playback function that plays a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means in response to a power supply cutoff from the backup power source.

In this way, when the power supply from the vehicle to the device is cut off, a specified range of the recorded video recorded on the recording means is automatically played back in the vehicle. Therefore, the user does not need to operate a playback button on the device to check whether the video recorded on the recording means is being played back properly, but can check whether the video is being recorded properly by simply watching the video that is automatically played back when the power supply to the device is cut off.

For example, the "power supply to the device from the vehicle" may be configured to be able to receive power from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket in particular. The device may be configured to operate while there is power being supplied from the vehicle. For example, the device may be configured to receive power from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and from a battery other than the car battery used to control the vehicle itself, such as a mobile battery.

Also, for example, the "power supply from the vehicle to the device" can be supplied from a car battery that supplies each part of the vehicle with the power required to start the vehicle itself, and the device can be connected to a signal line on the vehicle side (e.g., the power line of the cigarette lighter socket) that can determine when the power supply from the vehicle to the device is cut off, and the determination can be made from the signal state of that signal line.

(3) It is preferable that the device has a function of stopping the recording of the video from the camera to the recording means and performing the automatic playback in response to detecting a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

In this way, there is no need to simultaneously record camera footage and play back the recorded footage, reducing the processing load and power consumption, and the recorded footage from the driving state before switching to a non-drivable state can be automatically played back in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

When the device has the configuration of (2), it is particularly preferable to have a function of stopping the recording of the video from the camera to the recording means and performing the automatic playback when the power supply from the vehicle to the device is cut off.

(4) It is preferable that the device is configured to have a function for recording the video from the camera to the recording means in a parking recording mode that performs recording differently from the driving video recording mode that performs recording while the vehicle is in a drivable state after the automatic playback is completed.

In this way, the user can automatically play back a predetermined range of images from the camera recorded in the recording means by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, and after the automatic playback is complete, recording in the parking recording mode can be automatically performed without the user having to perform any operations.

As a "parking recording mode that records differently from the driving video recording mode," it is preferable to use a recording method that reduces the power consumption of the device in the parking recording mode more than in the driving video recording mode. For example, it is preferable to lower the frame rate in the parking recording mode more than in the driving video recording mode, or to record video only when an impact is detected.

When the configuration (2) is provided, it is preferable that the configuration be such that, even after the automatic playback is completed, the operation continues by power supply from the backup power source, and the parking recording mode is entered so that the video from the camera can be recorded to the recording means.

(5) The video of the predetermined range is provided with a function to record video during the period when the vehicle was in a drivable state immediately before a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is detected.

In this way, the user can simply operate the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, and automatically play back the footage recorded in the recording means from the camera during the immediately preceding period when the vehicle was in a drivable state. Therefore, when the user switches the vehicle to a non-drivable state, the user can automatically and easily check the footage of the driving in the most recent driving unit between when the vehicle was switched from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, for example, it is easy to immediately check from the driver's seat using the footage whether the user's current driving was appropriate while the memory of the driving is still fresh.

For example, when the configuration (2) is provided, it is preferable to provide a function for capturing an image of a predetermined period within the vehicle power supply range, from immediately before the power supply from the vehicle to the device is cut off to the point at which the power supply from the vehicle to the device is started again.

(6) If there is no video of the target recorded during the period when the vehicle was in a drivable state immediately before a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is detected, it is preferable to have a function for sequentially searching for and playing back video recorded in the previous vehicle power supply range.

For example, in the case of a configuration (7) described below in which the target video is an event-recorded video, the "predetermined period" may include a function to search for the video if there is an event record in the current driving period, and if there is no event record in the current driving period, to sequentially search back to the previous driving period.

For example, if you use a car to commute from home to work, and you start the engine at work on your way home from work today and then turn it off when you get home, if there is no event recorded as the target video during that time, the system will search the area where you started the engine at home on the way to work today and turned it off when you got to work the previous day. If there is no event recorded in this area either, it is a good idea to search and play back by going back in time, such as when you returned home the previous day, when you left for work the previous day, etc.

For example, when the configuration (2) is provided, if there is no video of a specified period recorded in the recording means within the vehicle power supply range, it is preferable to provide a function of searching for and playing back video recorded in an earlier vehicle power supply range.
(7) The video for the predetermined period may include video recorded during an event.

In this way, the user can automatically play back a predetermined range of event-recorded footage from the recorded camera footage stored in the recording means, simply by performing a vehicle operation to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

Event recording may be configured to record when, for example, a signal from a sensor or switch is detected to have changed to a predetermined state. For example, the video recorded when it is determined that an event has occurred may be video including the time point at which the event occurred, and may be a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 15 seconds) including a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 15 seconds) before the event occurred and a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 20 seconds) after the event occurred.

The user can automatically play back a predetermined range of video from the event recorded video recorded in the recording means by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.
(8) It is preferable to have a function of playing back only a part of the event recorded in the event-recorded video, rather than playing back the entire range of the recording time recorded in response to the event.

In this way, the user can quickly get an overview of the video recorded in the vehicle. In particular, when the user performs a vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, there is a possibility that the user will get off the vehicle in a relatively short time thereafter. The user can easily check the video in a short time before getting off the vehicle.

For example, if an event recording is configured to record a total of 35 seconds of video, including 15 seconds before the event occurs and 20 seconds after the event occurs, it is advisable to play back a partial range of, for example, 10 seconds before the event occurs and 5 seconds after the event occurs, totaling 15 seconds. In particular, if the number of seconds played back before the event occurs is made longer than the number of seconds played back after the event occurs, this is advantageous because it increases the likelihood that the video at the time the event occurs can be confirmed even if the viewer is unable to turn their eyes to the display means immediately after playback begins.

As a general rule, it is a good idea to limit the length of the video to 15 seconds or less. This way, you can easily upload the video to social media sites such as TikTok by taking a picture of the video on your smartphone.

It is preferable to set the number of seconds for a certain range of video. In particular, it is preferable to have a function that stores the number of seconds for each type of SNS in the device in advance, and allows the user to select the type of SNS and set the number of seconds to be played as a certain range.
(9) The function of playing back only a portion of the video may include a function of setting a playback start position of the video recorded as an event.

For example, playback may start from a position a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 5 seconds) after the beginning of the event recording. For example, a function may be provided to set how many seconds before or after the event occurrence position (e.g., trigger position) as a starting point.
(10) It is preferable that the video recording device has a function of continuously playing back a plurality of the event-recorded videos.

In this way, the user can automatically and continuously play back footage of multiple event recordings from the camera that have been recorded in the recording means, simply by performing a vehicle operation to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.
In particular, it would be good to have a function for continuously playing back parts of multiple videos.

(11) It is preferable to have a function for prompting a user to input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played by the automatic playback function, and to have a function for determining whether the recording means is normal or abnormal based on the input result.

In this way, each time a vehicle operation is performed to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, the video recorded from the camera in the recording means during the period immediately preceding the drivable state is automatically played back, and the user can input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played back by this automatic playback function, and the normality or abnormality of the recording means can be determined based on the input result.

In particular, the function that allows the user to input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played by the automatic playback function should be a function that allows the user to input an indication that they have viewed the video, especially if they have simply viewed the automatically played video.

It is advisable to notify the user of the video being played back by the automatic playback function by issuing a notification instructing the user to perform an operation once the video has been played back. It is advisable to provide a function for issuing a notification by at least one of audio output or drawing on a display means, such as "Video of today's driving event will now be played. Press the button above once playback has completed!".

(12) It is preferable to have a function for prompting a user to input whether there are any abnormalities in the image played back by the automatic playback function, and to associate the input result with information for identifying the area of the recording means that was played back and store it as a history, and to have a function for determining whether the recording means is normal or abnormal based on the history.
In this way, it is possible to more reliably determine whether the recording means is normal or abnormal.

The input result and information for identifying the area of the recording means that was reproduced can be associated and recorded as a history, and the normality of the card can be judged based on this history. For example, when it is detected that a button has been pressed, a history indicating that recording was successful (e.g., the date and time and the reproduced sector number) can be recorded, and a judgment can be made based on this history. Conversely, when it is detected that a button has been pressed, a history indicating that recording was not successful (e.g., the date and time and the reproduced sector number) can be recorded, and a judgment can be made based on this history.

If the automatically played back image is distorted or completely black, the user may be prompted to input such a fact. The playback range may be marked as a defective area, and writing to the marked area may not be performed thereafter. Also, a notification may be issued to prompt the user to take a predetermined action, such as to inform the user that the recording means may be defective and that it is necessary to replace the recording means.
(13) It is preferable to have a function of displaying information including a URL of information regarding replacement of the recording means on the display means when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

In this way, the user can immediately obtain information including a URL for information regarding replacement of the recording means in the vehicle. The information including a URL for information regarding replacement of the recording means may display a URL or QR code for a purchasing site for the recording means with the part number recommended by the device, or display a message indicating that it is time to replace the recording means. In this way, it becomes easy to immediately head to a dealer of the recording means while remaining in the vehicle, and the problem of the recording means being abnormal and not recording video from the vehicle camera can be extremely quickly resolved.
(14) It is preferable to have a function of performing test writing on an area surrounding the area in which the image determined to be abnormal is recorded, and determining whether or not there is a high possibility of a malfunction of the recording means.
In this way, it is possible to more reliably determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the recording means.

For example, with a configuration such as (12) above, it is advisable to test-write data to the areas surrounding the area marked as abnormal and determine whether there is an abnormality based on whether there is an abnormality in most of the recording means or whether the area that was just played back happens to be broken.

(15) It is preferable to have a function for prompting a user to input whether or not to erase the video played by the automatic playback function, and to have a function for erasing the automatically played video when an instruction to erase is input.
In this way, unnecessary images among those stored in the storage means can be quickly erased in the vehicle, thereby making it possible to extend the recordable time thereafter.
For example, a notification may be given asking whether to erase the played back image, and when a command to erase is input, the played back image may be erased.

(16) The autoplay function may include a function of automatically playing different ranges of video in succession, a function of prompting a user to input whether or not to erase the video that has been automatically played in succession by the autoplay function, and a function of erasing the range of video that has been automatically played in succession by the autoplay function when an instruction to erase is input.
In this way, different ranges of video that have been automatically played back in succession can be easily and quickly erased with a single operation.

For example, when consecutive images are played back automatically, a function may be provided that asks the user whether to erase all of the consecutively played images at once, and erases the series of images at once.
(17) The automatic playback function may include a function of playing back the images from a plurality of cameras recorded in the recording means so as to display them simultaneously on the display means.
The multiple cameras may include, for example, both a rear camera and a front camera.

(18) It is preferable that the device has an internet connection function and an automatic SNS upload function that automatically uploads to an SNS instead of or in addition to the automatic playback function.

In this way, the user can automatically upload a predetermined range of the video recorded on the recording means from the camera to the SNS simply by operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, the user does not have to go through the trouble of operating a playback button on the device to upload the video recorded on the recording means. Moreover, since the video uploaded to the SNS can be easily checked on a smartphone or the like, the user does not have to periodically check whether the video recorded on the recording means is being played back properly by operating a playback button on the device. In addition, the user does not have to go through the trouble of operating the playback button on the device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it will be discovered that the video has not been properly recorded on the recording means only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play back the video.

For example, this discloses a technology having the configuration of (1), in which "there is an automatic playback function that plays a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means in response to power supply from the backup power source" in (1) is read as "there is an automatic SNS upload function that automatically uploads a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means to an SNS in response to power supply from the backup power source." This discloses a technology in which the "automatic playback function" in any of (1) to (17) is read as the "automatic SNS upload function."

For example, the present disclosure discloses a technology having the configuration of (2), in which "there is an automatic playback function for 'playing' a predetermined range of images from among the recorded images recorded in the recording means in response to power supply from the backup power source" described in (2) is read as "there is an automatic SNS upload function for 'automatically uploading' a predetermined range of images from among the recorded images recorded in the recording means to an SNS in response to power supply from the backup power source." The present disclosure discloses a technology in which the "automatic playback function" described in any of (1) to (17) is read as the "automatic SNS upload function."
For example, in addition to the above conditions, the SNS post may be updated when communication is established, such as when the car is parked in a garage at home and connected to home WiFi.

(19) It is preferable to have a function for connecting to a smartphone, and to have an automatic smartphone upload function that automatically uploads to a smartphone instead of or in addition to the automatic playback function.

In this way, the user can automatically upload a predetermined range of the images from the camera recorded on the recording means to the smartphone simply by operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, the user does not have to go through the trouble of operating a playback button or the like on the device to upload the images recorded on the recording means. Moreover, since the images uploaded to the smartphone can be easily checked on the smartphone or the like, there is no need for the user to periodically check whether the images recorded on the recording means are being properly played back by operating a playback button or the like on the device. In addition, the user does not have to go through the trouble of operating the playback button on the device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it will be discovered that the images have not been properly recorded on the recording means only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play back the images.

For example, this discloses a technology having the configuration of (1), in which "there is an automatic playback function that plays a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means in response to the power supply from the backup power source" in (1) is read as "there is an automatic SNS upload function that automatically uploads a predetermined range of the recorded video recorded in the recording means to a smartphone in response to the power supply from the backup power source." This discloses a technology in which the "automatic playback function" in any of (1) to (18) is read as an "automatic smartphone upload function."

For example, this discloses a technology having the configuration of (2), in which "there is an automatic playback function for 'playing' a predetermined range of images from the recorded images recorded in the recording means in response to the power supply from the backup power source" described in (2) is read as "there is an automatic smartphone upload function for 'automatically uploading' a predetermined range of images from the recorded images recorded in the recording means to a smartphone in response to the power supply from the backup power source." This discloses a technology in which the "automatic playback function" described in any of (1) to (18) is read as the "automatic smartphone upload function."

For example, a function for connecting to a smartphone may be provided, and the function for "play automatically" may be changed to "play automatically", so that the image is automatically uploaded to the smartphone's camera roll under the conditions described in (1).

In addition, the "input" function in (1) to (19) may be configured to be performed on a smartphone rather than on the device, and the "input" may be configured to send the information from the smartphone to this device.
(20) It is preferable that the functions described in any one of (1) to (19) be configured as a program for causing a computer to realize the functions.

The inventions shown in (1) to (20) above can be combined in any way. For example, the invention shown in (1) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards. In particular, the invention shown in (1) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards. Any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (20) and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of this application intends to acquire rights to the inventions including these configurations. Furthermore, even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe the configuration as being limited to that case or time. These are examples of better configurations, and the applicant intends to acquire rights to configurations other than these cases or times. Furthermore, the parts described in order are not limited to this order. Configurations in which some parts have been deleted or the order has been changed are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to acquire rights to them.

The present invention can provide a system that is superior to conventional systems.

Note that the effects of the invention of this application are not limited to these, and effects achieved from the configuration parts disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc. are also disclosed, and it is our intention to obtain rights to the configuration that achieves said effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, statements such as "can do" and "is possible" are statements that clearly indicate the effect that is achieved, and there are also parts that show the effect even without statements such as "can do" and "is possible." Also, there are effects that can be understood from the configuration even without such statements.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a drive recorder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between a main unit of the drive recorder and each part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front and rear of a main unit of the drive recorder. FIG. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a method of inserting a memory card into a main unit and an example of mounting the main unit to a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a front view camera is attached to a vehicle. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of how an additional camera is installed and the configuration of the camera. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a state in which a rear view camera is attached to a vehicle and a capturing range of the rear view camera. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a method of supplying power to a rearview camera. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a remote control and an example of a mounting position of the remote control in a vehicle. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of display content when a camera image is displayed on a display device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of display content displayed on a display device during playback. 13 is a display example of a playback screen.

Below, a description will be given of a mode for carrying out the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is one embodiment of the present invention, and the contents of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited based on the following description.

Figures 1 to 9 show the configuration of a drive recorder, which is a video recording device for a vehicle, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram, and Figure 2 is a diagram of the device configuration.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the device includes a main unit 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the main body) equipped with a control unit 10, and a remote control 11, a GPS unit 12, a rear view camera 13, an additional camera 14, a front view camera 15, a display device 16, a built-in microphone 17, an external microphone 18, a memory card slot 19, an acceleration sensor 20, and a speaker 21, all of which are connected to the control unit 10 of the main unit 1. In this embodiment, the components in Fig. 1 are arranged in each housing as shown in Fig. 2 and connected by cables, but this is not limited to this, and any components can be combined into one housing. For example, all of the components in Fig. 1 may be incorporated into one housing and installed on the windshield, etc.

2, 3(a), etc., the front of the main unit 1 is provided with an AV output terminal 16b, which is a terminal for outputting video and audio signals to the display device 16, a microphone terminal 18b, which is a terminal for inputting audio signals from an external microphone 18, an SD card slot 19b (corresponding to the memory card slot 19 in FIG. 1), and a slide lever 19c for locking and fixing the SD card 2 (see FIG. 4(a)) when inserted into the SD card slot 19b. The slide lever 19c is for locking the SD card 2 when the SD card 2 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the slide lever 19c is moved to the left to insert the SD card 2 into the SD card slot 19b, and when the slide lever 19c is released, the slide lever 19c returns to its original position (FIG. 4(a)) to lock the SD card 2.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the rear surface of the main unit 1 (the surface opposite the front surface) is provided with a vehicle signal connection terminal 40b, a remote control connection terminal 11b, a GPS unit connection terminal 12b, a rear view camera connection terminal 13b, an additional camera connection terminal 14b, and a front view camera connection terminal 15b, each of which is connected to the control unit 10. In addition, an opening is provided on the top surface of the main unit, and a built-in microphone 17 connected to the control unit 10 is provided inside the opening.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of these terminals is connected to a corresponding connector, and is connected to a corresponding device (part) via a cord (cable) connected to each connector. That is, the control unit 10 is connected to the display device 16 via the AV output connector 16a connected to the AV output terminal 16b, and to the external microphone 18 via the microphone connector 18a connected to the microphone terminal 18b. The control unit 10 is also connected to the vehicle brake lamp line 33, the vehicle left turn signal line 32, the vehicle right turn signal line 31, the vehicle speed signal line 30, the vehicle earth line, and the vehicle ACC system power supply (hereinafter referred to as the ACC power supply, or simply ACC) via the vehicle signal connection connector 40a connected to the vehicle signal connection terminal 40b.

The ACC system power supply of the vehicle is supplied with power from the vehicle side when the engine of the vehicle is started (engine on) and the vehicle is in a state where it can run, and is not supplied with power from the vehicle side when the engine is turned off (the key of the vehicle is changed to the engine off position) and the vehicle is in a state where it cannot run. The ACC system power supply of the vehicle and the ground wire of the vehicle are converted to a voltage required for the operation of each part such as the control unit 10, remote control 11, GPS unit 12, additional camera 13, front view camera 15, display device 16, built-in microphone 17, external microphone 18, memory card slot 19, acceleration sensor 20, speaker 21, etc. in FIG. 1 and are connected, and power is supplied to each of these parts. In addition, the main unit 1 is equipped with an internal battery (not shown). The output line of the power supply of this built-in battery is converted to a voltage required for the operation of each of these parts and connected, and functions as a backup power supply that automatically switches to supply power when the state changes from the state where power is supplied from the ACC system power supply of the vehicle to the state where power is not supplied from the ACC system power supply of the vehicle. The power supply from the built-in battery to each of these components has a function to control on/off under the control of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 also has a function to monitor the state of the built-in battery and the on/off of the vehicle's ACC system power supply.

The control unit 10 is connected to the remote control 11 via the remote control connector 11a connected to the remote control connection terminal 11b, to the GPS unit 12 via the GPS unit connector 12a connected to the GPS unit connection terminal 12b, to the rear view camera 13 via the rear view camera connector 13a connected to the rear view camera connection terminal 13b, to the additional camera 14 via the additional camera connector 14a connected to the additional camera connection terminal 14b, and to the front view camera 15 via the front view camera connector 15a connected to the front view camera connection terminal 15b. The front view camera connection terminal 15b and the additional camera connection terminal 14b are mini pin jacks, and the rear view camera connection terminal 13b is an RCA terminal, and the two terminals have different shapes.

The main unit 1 is installed inside the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), it is installed near the driver's seat in a position where the driver can easily remove the SD card 2, and where the cables connected to the above-mentioned terminals do not interfere with driving operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the bottom surface is attached and fixed to the center console located to the left front of the driver's seat or the under cover of the instrument panel using double-sided tape. At this time, the main unit is installed with the front side of the main unit facing to the right side of FIG. 4(b) and the back side of the main unit facing to the left.

The front view camera 15 is a camera for capturing images in front of the vehicle, and outputs an NTSC signal as a video signal for the captured image. As shown in FIG. 5, the front view camera 15 is fixed to the windshield inside the vehicle cabin with double-sided tape so that the lens faces in the direction of travel to capture images in front of the vehicle. The fixed position is within 20% of the entire windshield from the top of the windshield inside the vehicle cabin (the range indicated by the symbol d in the figure). Power for the front view camera 15 is supplied from the control unit 10.

The additional camera 14 is a camera that can be installed at any position to capture images of the vehicle's surroundings, and outputs an NTSC signal as a video signal for the captured image. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the additional camera 14 is fixed to the windshield inside the vehicle with double-sided tape, facing the interior direction (from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle) as the capture direction. The power for the additional camera 14 is supplied from the control unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the additional camera 14 has a normal image mode in which the captured image is output as is, and a mirror image mode in which the captured image is output after being inverted left and right, and is equipped with a setting switch 14s for setting the mode. The additional camera 14 switches between normal image mode and mirror image mode depending on the state of the setting switch 14s, and outputs the corresponding video signal. For example, it is recommended to set the normal image mode when capturing an image in the forward direction of the vehicle, and the mirror image mode when capturing an image in the interior direction or rear direction of the vehicle.

The rear view camera 13 is a camera for photographing the rear of the vehicle, and outputs an NTSC signal as a video signal for the photographed image. The rear view camera 13 is installed near the license plate on the outside of the back door of the vehicle, as shown in Figs. 7(a) and (b), for example. The angle of view photographed by the rear view camera 13 is shown in Figs. 7(c) and (d). Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing the state of the vehicle as viewed from the top side of the vehicle, and shows the angle of view in the left-right direction when displayed on the display device 16, which is 60 degrees left-right (120 degrees overall) with respect to the photographing direction. Fig. 7(d) is a diagram showing the state of the vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle, and shows the angle of view in the up-down direction when displayed on the display device 16, which is 43 degrees left-right (86 degrees overall) with respect to the photographing direction. In this embodiment, the rear view camera 13 is installed on the outside of the vehicle, but it may be installed facing backward from the rear window inside the vehicle cabin and photographed through the rear window.

The wiring of the power supply of the rearview camera 13 and the wiring of the video signal from the rearview camera 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The power supply of the rearview camera 13 is supplied from the positive wiring 93 of the reverse lamp of the vehicle. That is, the positive wiring 93 of the reverse lamp and the power line 81 are connected by an electrotap 80, and are connected to the power line of the rearview camera 13 via the power line 81 and the fuse 82. The positive wiring 93 of the reverse lamp of the vehicle is connected to one end of the reverse lamp and one end of the back position switch 92 of the shift lever, the other end of the reverse lamp 94 is connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery 91, and the other end of the back position switch 92 is connected to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery 91. One end of the ground line 83 is connected to an unpainted existing screw of the vehicle, and the other end is connected to the ground line of the rearview camera 13, and the unpainted screw of the vehicle is connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery 91. The reverse position switch 92 of the vehicle is configured to be on when the shift lever is in the reverse position and off when the shift lever is not in the reverse position. As a result, while the shift lever is in the reverse position, current flows through the positive wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamps, and the reverse lamps 94 are turned on. At this time, power is supplied to the rearview camera 13 from the electrotap 83 via the power line 81 and the fuse 82. The rearview camera 13 outputs a video signal while power is being supplied. This video signal is input to the control unit 10 via the rearview camera connection connector 13a connected to the rearview camera connection terminal 13b. On the other hand, while the shift lever is in a position other than the reverse position, no current flows through the positive wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamps, the reverse lamps 94 are turned off, and power is not supplied to the rearview camera 13. As a result, while the shift lever is in a position other than the reverse position, the rearview camera 13 does not output a video signal, and the control unit 10 does not receive a video signal from the rearview camera 13.

The GPS unit 12 is installed in a front position on the dashboard, receives GPS signals, calculates the current position from the received GPS signals, and sends the position information (longitude, latitude, etc.) of the calculated current position to the control unit 10 in NMEA format data.

As shown in Fig. 9(a), the remote control 11 includes a first button 11p, a second button 11q, a third button 11r, a first lamp 11x, and a second lamp 12y. As shown in Fig. 9(b) for three installation patterns, the remote control is fixed by attaching the back side of the remote control to a position that is easy for the driver to operate, such as the center console or the under cover of the instrument panel, using double-sided tape.

The display device 16 is a car navigation system, a car television, or the like, that is equipped with a video input terminal and a monitor display function that displays video when an NTSC signal is input from the video input terminal. When an NTSC signal is not being input from the video input terminal, the display device 16 displays using the display device's original display function. If the display device 16 is a car navigation system, the display device 16 displays a map by drawing it, and if the display device 16 is a car television, the display device 16 displays a television video by receiving television radio waves. When the display device 16 detects that a transition has been made from a state in which an NTSC signal is not being input from its video input terminal to a state in which an NTSC signal is being input, the display device 16 automatically switches from the original display function to the monitor display function, and when the display device 16 detects that a transition has been made from a state in which an NTSC signal is being input from the video input terminal to a state in which an NTSC signal is not being input, the display device 16 automatically switches from the monitor display function to the original display function.

The acceleration sensor 20 is provided inside the main unit 1 and is connected to the control unit 10. After the main unit 1 is fixed to the vehicle (for example, after fixing as shown in FIG. 4B), the control unit 10 performs an initial setting when it detects that both the first button 11p and the second button 11q of the remote control 11 are pressed simultaneously for 2 seconds or more. This initial setting is a setting process in which the vehicle is moved forward and backward in a straight line, the acceleration sensor 20 detects the direction of acceleration generated when the vehicle is moved forward and backward, and detects the correspondence between the three axes (x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis) of the acceleration sensor 20 and the forward and backward directions of the vehicle, and thereafter, the acceleration sensor 20 outputs values with the forward and backward directions of the vehicle as the X-axis, the left and right directions of the vehicle as the Y-axis, and the up and down directions of the vehicle as the Z-axis. The forward direction is the positive direction of the X-axis, the left direction is the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the upward direction is the positive direction of the Z-axis. A known method can be used for such an initial setting method.
The speaker 21 is provided inside the main unit 1 and is connected to the control unit 10 .

The control unit 10 includes a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, various peripheral circuits, interfaces, etc., and is connected to each unit described in FIG. 1 via interfaces that input or output signals. When the vehicle's ACC is turned on, the control unit 10 starts recording video. The control unit 10 uses a boot loader recorded in the ROM to expand the OS and application programs recorded in the flash memory onto the RAM, and executes the OS and application programs on the RAM to perform the various processes described below and realize various functions. The OS is a multitasking OS, and realizes parallel processing by switching between and executing various application programs.

When ACC is ON, the control unit 10 acquires the NMEA data from the GPS unit 12 and the signal states of the acceleration sensor 20, brake lamp line 33, left turn signal line 32, and right turn signal line 31 as vehicle status information at any time, and performs a data and signal status recording process on the memory card 2 inserted in the memory card slot 19, recording this data and signal status to a file at a predetermined time interval (e.g. 30 times per second).

The control unit 10 also performs a camera image display process to acquire images from the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14 as multiple images of the surroundings of the vehicle, and displays them on the display device 10, as well as a video and audio recording process to record these images of the surroundings of the vehicle in time synchronization with the vehicle state recorded by the data and signal state recording process on the memory card 2 as playable data.

The control unit 10 includes, as peripheral circuits, a video capture circuit that captures NTSC signals from the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14 into RAM as video data. The control unit 10 also includes, as peripheral circuits, a video memory (VRAM) and the like, and an image generation circuit that outputs the drawing data drawn in the video memory as an NTSC signal to the display device 16 via an electronic switch, which will be described later.

When ACC is ON, the control unit 10 transfers each captured image data to the video memory as needed, and performs a camera image display process to display the data on the display device 16. The camera image display process performs a process to output the image from the front view camera 15 to the display device 16 as a default process. Also, when the camera image display process detects that the first button 11p on the remote control 11 is pressed, the process switches the images to be transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 between the images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 13, in that order.

In addition, in the camera image display process, when the video signal from the rearview camera 13 changes from a state in which no video signal is being input to a state in which a video signal is being input, the video transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 is switched to the video from the rearview camera 13, and then, when the video signal from the rearview camera 13 is no longer being input, the video transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 is switched to the video before being switched to the video from the rearview camera 13.

In this way, the driver can simply shift the gear shift into reverse, and the image captured by the rearview camera 13 can be displayed in the display area 16a of the display device 16 as shown in FIG. 10, allowing the driver to check the situation behind the vehicle by looking at the display device 16. In this way, based on the driver's vehicle operation state, the control unit 10 determines and outputs the image to be preferentially output to the display device 16, so the driver does not need to switch images using the remote control 11 while operating the vehicle, and an image of the direction in which the vehicle will be driven is output, and appropriate images that match the driver's intentions are displayed at the appropriate time.

The video/audio recording process is a process in which, after power is turned on, audio acquired from the built-in microphone 17 and audio data acquired from the external microphone 18 are recorded together with the video data captured by the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14. For each of the video data from the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14, the audio data acquired from the built-in microphone 17 is set as the left channel, and the audio data acquired from the external microphone 18 is set as the right channel, and then encoded in MPEG format and recorded into three files. Recording of these files is terminated when the control unit 10 detects that the supply of ACC power to the main unit has been cut off. This point will be described in more detail later.

The file names of the signal state file recorded in the data and signal state recording process and the three MPEG files recorded in the video and audio recording process are recorded using the date and time when recording of each file started in each process from a real-time clock (clock) provided as a peripheral circuit of the microcontroller. Therefore, by reading the date and time of this file name, it is possible to identify the position where the data of each file was recorded on the same date and time. This makes it possible to perform a playback process that plays back these files while maintaining temporal synchronization.

When the control unit 10 detects a long press (continuous press for 2 seconds or more) of the second button 11q on the remote control 11, it starts a playback process to play back the video and audio from the front view camera 15 from the beginning of the currently recorded MPEG file (starting so-called catch-up playback, which plays back while recording). For a certain period of time (5 seconds) after the start of the playback process, as shown in FIG. 11, operation help 82, camera information 85 for the played video, playback status 84, and playback video date and time 83 are displayed superimposed on the playback image 81. These displays are also displayed for a predetermined period of time (3 seconds) if pressing any button on the remote control 11 is detected during the playback process.

The operation help 82 indicates what processing is performed when a button on the remote control 11 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 11, the correspondence between the button positions on the remote control 11 and the processing contents in a state where the remote control 11 in FIG. 9 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise is shown, and when a button shown in black in the figure is pressed, the processing described in letters to the right of it is executed. For example, in FIG. 11, the button shown in black in the schematic diagram of the remote control 11 to the left of the part drawn as "Play/Stop/Slow" corresponds to the second button 11q, and indicates that each time the pressing of only this second button 11q is detected, the screen display processing (i.e., the playback processing contents of the control unit 10) switches in the order of play → stop → slow. The current state of the screen display processing is displayed in the playback status 84 as "playing", "stopped", or "slow". In addition, information indicating which camera recorded the currently played video is displayed as camera information 85. Camera information 85 displays "CAM1" when video of a file recorded by front view camera 15 is displayed, "CAM2" when video of a file recorded by additional camera 14 is displayed, and "REAR" when video of a file recorded by rear view camera 13 is displayed. Playback video date and time 83 is an area that displays the date and time of the video of the file being displayed, and displays the recording date and time of the beginning of the file obtained from the file name and the recording date and time of the currently displayed frame based on the frame information of the file.

If pressing only the first button 11p is detected during playback processing, the file being played is switched, and video is played from the frame with the same date and time as the currently played frame. In this way, even if the file being played is switched, the video is displayed as continuous in time. As a result, the playback video date and time 83 also progresses continuously, even if the file being played is switched.
If pressing of only the third button 11r is detected during the playback process, the playback process is terminated and camera image display process is performed (playback end).

If simultaneous pressing of the second button 11q and the third button 11r is detected during playback processing, the file being played is switched from the currently played file to the file one file older. In other words, the file name is referenced, and the file recorded just before the currently played file is identified from the date and time included in the file name, and the video is played from the beginning of that file. If there is no file older than the currently played file, the currently played file is played from the beginning.

If simultaneous pressing of the first button 11p and the second button 11q is detected during playback processing, the file being played is switched from the currently played file to the newer file. That is, the file name is referenced, and the file recorded one file after the currently played file is identified from the date and time included in the file name, and the video is played from the beginning of that file. If there is no file newer than the currently played file, the currently played file is played from the beginning.

In this way, by operating the remote control 11, the images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 13 can be switched to display the desired current image on the display device 16, or images captured by the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 13 and already recorded on the memory card 2 can be played back, and the playback images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 13 can be switched to display the desired past image on the display device 16. The control unit 10 controls the switching to only the playback image from at least one of the images obtained in this way around the vehicle or at least one of the images recorded on the memory card 2.

Next, the end of file recording mentioned above will be described in detail. File recording is ended when the control unit 10 detects that the supply of ACC power to the main body has been cut off. Specifically, when a cutoff of the ACC power is detected, the OS notifies each recording process, and the process of ending recording of all files is executed. Therefore, each recording file is generated between the time the vehicle's ACCON power is turned on and the power is turned off by ACCORD.

When the ACC power supply is cut off, the control unit 18 performs playback processing when the power supply is cut off after closing all files in this way. In the playback processing when the power supply is cut off, a time when the acceleration changed in a predetermined pattern in a direction going back from the current time to a past time in the history of the values of the acceleration sensor 20 recorded in the memory card 2 in the data/signal state recording processing is searched for. In this embodiment, as the predetermined pattern, a time when the acceleration in the forward/backward direction changed from less than a predetermined value to a predetermined value or more is searched for, and the recorded video data of the front view camera in the memory card 2 for a total of 10 seconds from a point 5 seconds before to a point 5 seconds after the searched time is read, expanded in memory, and output as a video signal to the display device 16. In this embodiment, the predetermined value of the acceleration is the absolute value of the acceleration, and the absolute value is 0.4 G. When playback of the video for a total of 10 seconds is completed, control is performed to turn off the power supply from the built-in battery to each unit, and the power is turned off.

In this way, the user can view the video from the camera recorded on the memory card 2 from 5 seconds before to 5 seconds after the time when the absolute value of the acceleration in the forward and backward directions changed from less than 0.4 G to 0.4 G or more in the most recent past, by simply turning off the engine of the vehicle, which is a vehicle operation to switch from a drivable state to a non-drivable state in this embodiment. Therefore, the user can view the video of the sudden braking or sudden start immediately before turning off the engine without performing any operation, simply by turning off the engine. Therefore, the user can easily become aware of safe driving when it is fresh in his/her mind. In addition, the user can easily know whether the video is properly recorded on the memory card 2 without having to operate the playback button or the like to check whether the video recorded on the memory card 2 is properly played. In addition, the user does not need to operate the playback button or the like periodically to check whether the video recorded on the memory card 2 is properly played. In addition, the user does not need to operate the playback button. As a result, the possibility that the video is not properly recorded on the memory card 2 only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play the video can be reduced. Once playback is complete, the power will automatically turn off, eliminating the need for the user to manually turn the power off, saving time and effort.

In this embodiment, the detection of a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is determined by determining that the user has changed the vehicle key from the engine-on state to the engine-off position when the power supply state to the ACC system power source has changed from on to off. However, this is not limited to this, and it may be detected by, for example, branching a vehicle signal line that outputs that the push start switch of the vehicle has been turned off in a push start vehicle, or that the vehicle key has been operated to turn off the engine, etc.

This device is preferably a device that is retrofitted to a vehicle after it is shipped from the vehicle manufacturer's factory. In this embodiment, this device is distributed across multiple housings and has some of its components, but it is particularly preferable to house it in a single housing as much as possible. Furthermore, it is preferable to house the display device 16 in a single housing. In this embodiment, the vehicle is a four-wheeled vehicle, but it may be a special vehicle such as a forklift, or in particular a vehicle with more than four wheels.

"Installation" refers to a configuration in which the device is installed in the vehicle after it is shipped from the vehicle manufacturer's factory. In this embodiment, the housing is directly attached and fixed to the interior of the vehicle with double-sided tape, but the device may also be configured to be fixed in place by, for example, attaching a mounting fixture attached to the housing of the device or fixing it with screws.

In this embodiment, the cameras are the front view camera 15, the rear view camera 13, and the additional camera 14, but they may be at least one of a camera that captures the front of the vehicle, a camera that mainly captures areas other than the front, and a camera that captures the driver. There may be only one camera, but as in this embodiment, it is preferable to have multiple cameras and record the images of the multiple cameras in a reproducible manner by synchronizing the times at which they were captured. For example, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to store each image data by associating the image data from the camera with time data obtained from the GPS unit 12, etc. In addition, it is possible to have a function of simultaneously playing back the image data corresponding to the same time data stored in association with each image data. In this case, it is preferable to divide the screen into areas for playing back the images of each camera, and play back the recorded images of each camera in each area in a synchronized manner. For example, the screen could be divided into four parts, with the upper left screen area displaying the image recorded from the front view camera 15, the upper right screen area displaying the image recorded from the additional camera 14, the lower left screen area displaying the image recorded from the rear view camera 13, and the lower right screen area displaying the time data of the image being played back that was recorded by the data and signal status recording process.

In this embodiment, the rearview camera 13 is configured to supply power to the brake light wire, but it may be configured to be constantly powered like other cameras and switch images depending on the state of the brake light wire.

In this embodiment, the video is recorded continuously from ACCON to ACCORD. However, the configuration may be such that, instead of recording continuously, or while recording continuously, if the acceleration sensor 20 detects a state equivalent to a vehicle collision, an event recording process is performed in which the vehicle state and the video of the surroundings of the vehicle acquired from the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14 are recorded on the memory card 2, regardless of the video being output to the display device 16.

The video of the specified range may be a constantly recorded video as in this embodiment, but it is particularly preferable to have an event recorded video. In this way, the user can automatically record the video when an event occurs by simply cutting off the power supply from the vehicle to the device.

Events may be recorded for various events other than the occurrence of an impact. In this embodiment, images from the rearview camera 15, which captures the rear of the vehicle, are recorded, but this is not a limitation and any image may be recorded, and any vehicle operating state may be acquired and recorded.

For example, side cameras are provided to capture images of the right side and the left side of the vehicle, and the control unit 10 is connected to the in-vehicle LAN. When the control unit 10 detects that the right turn signal has been turned on at a vehicle speed below a predetermined speed (for example, below 10 km/h) from packets flowing through the in-vehicle LAN as the driver's vehicle operation state, it controls the output of the right side of the vehicle image in preference to other images and records it as a right turn event, while when the control unit 10 detects that the left turn signal has been turned on at a vehicle speed below a predetermined speed (for example, below 10 km/h), it controls the output of the left side of the vehicle image in preference to other images and records it as a left turn event. In this way, for example, when exiting a parking lot in either the left or right direction or when trying to turn at an intersection with poor visibility, the image of the vehicle's surroundings in the direction in which the turn signal was turned on at a vehicle speed below a predetermined speed is displayed on the display unit 16, and the image at that time is recorded on the memory card 2. Therefore, the driver can easily check the image of the previous right turn on the display unit 16 without performing any special operation for playback, simply by performing an operation such as turning off the engine.

In this embodiment, the data is recorded on a memory card 2. The memory card 2 is preferably a non-volatile memory, and is particularly preferably equipped with a non-volatile memory having a shorter life span than DRAM or the like. The memory card 2 is particularly preferably equipped with a NAND flash memory. Instead of the memory card 2, a memory fixed to a board or the like inside the housing of the device may be used, but it is particularly preferably a recording medium that is removable from the device as in this embodiment. In particular, it is preferably a card-shaped recording medium, and is particularly preferably an SD card or a micro SD card as in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the detection of the user's vehicle operation to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is performed based on the interruption of the supply of power from the vehicle to the main unit 1, and the main unit 1 has a function to continue operation by power supply from a backup power source built into the main unit 1 when the supply of power from the vehicle to the main unit 1 is interrupted, and has an automatic playback function to play a predetermined range of images recorded on the memory card 2 in response to the interruption of the supply of power from the vehicle power source. In this way, when the supply of power from the vehicle to the main unit 1 is interrupted, a predetermined range of images recorded on the memory card 2 is automatically played in the vehicle. Therefore, the user does not need to operate the playback button of the device to check whether the images recorded on the recording means are properly played back, and can check whether the recording on the memory card 2 is properly performed simply by watching the images that are automatically played back and displayed on the display device 16 when the supply of power to the main unit 1 is interrupted.

Whether or not the power supply from the vehicle's power source has been cut off is determined based on whether or not power is being supplied to the ACC system power source. The ACC system power source may be obtained by branching off from the wiring of the vehicle itself or the vehicle's fuse box, etc., but it is particularly preferable for it to be configured to receive power from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.

In this embodiment, the main unit 1 is configured to operate even when the ACC system power supply is turned off using a built-in battery, but it may be configured to receive power from a backup power supply, such as an external battery that is different from the car battery used to control the vehicle itself. For example, it may be configured to receive power from a mobile battery.

In this embodiment, the main unit 1 is configured to operate even when the ACC system power supply is turned off using an internal battery built into the main unit 1, but it may also be configured to receive power from a car battery 91 that supplies the power required to start the vehicle itself to each part of the vehicle, and to connect to a signal line on the vehicle side that can determine when the power supply from the vehicle has been cut off, such as the power line of the cigarette lighter socket, and determine the signal state of that signal line.

In this embodiment, the main unit 1 has a function of stopping recording of images from the cameras on the memory card 2 and automatically playing them back when the supply of power from the vehicle to the main unit 1 is cut off. In this embodiment, the main unit 1 has a function of stopping recording of images from the cameras on the memory card 2 and automatically playing back recorded images on the memory card 2 of the front view camera 15 in response to detecting a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, such as operating the vehicle key to turn off the engine. This eliminates the need to simultaneously record images from the cameras and play back the recorded images, reducing the processing load and power consumption, and allowing recorded images during driving before switching to a non-drivable state to be automatically played back in response to detecting a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

In this embodiment, the power is turned off after automatic playback is completed, but instead of turning off the power after automatic playback is completed, the video from each camera may be recorded on the memory card 2 in a parking recording mode that records differently from the driving video recording mode that records when the vehicle is in a drivable state. This recording mode may be a well-known mode called a parking monitoring mode, etc.

In this way, the user can automatically play back a specified range of images from the recorded camera images on memory card 2 simply by operating the vehicle to switch from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, and after the automatic playback is complete, recording in the parking recording mode can be automatically performed without the user having to perform any operations.

The parking recording mode may be configured to use a recording method that reduces the device's power consumption in the parking recording mode compared to the driving video recording mode. For example, the frame rate may be lower in the parking recording mode than in the driving video recording mode, or video may be recorded only when an impact is detected.

For example, it may be configured so that even after automatic playback is complete, the system continues to operate using power supplied from a backup power source and enters a parking recording mode that enables recording of video from the camera to memory card 2.

In this embodiment, the video is played back from 5 seconds before to 5 seconds after the time when the absolute value of the acceleration in the forward/reverse direction changed in a predetermined pattern in the most recent past. However, the video is not limited to the most recent past, and may be video recorded in the period in which the vehicle was in the drivable state immediately before the user's vehicle operation to switch the vehicle from the drivable state to the non-drivable state is detected. In this way, the user can automatically play back and display on the display device 16 the video recorded in the most recent drivable state among the recorded video from the camera recorded on the memory card 2 by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from the drivable state to the non-drivable state. Therefore, when the user switches the vehicle to the non-drivable state, the user can automatically and easily check the video of the driving in the most recent driving unit between the time when the vehicle was switched from the drivable state to the non-drivable state. Therefore, for example, it is easy to immediately check from the driver's seat whether the driving was appropriate this time by the video while the memory of the driving is still fresh. For example, it may have a function to display an image of a predetermined period within the vehicle power supply range, from just before the power supply from the vehicle to the main unit 1 is cut off to the point at which the power supply from the vehicle to the main unit 1 is started again.

If there is no target video recorded during the period when the vehicle is in a drivable state immediately before the detection of the user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, the system may be provided with a function to search and play back the video recorded in the previous vehicle power supply range. For example, if the target video is an event-recorded video, the "predetermined period" may be a function to search back sequentially to the video recorded in the previous driving period if there is an event record during the current driving period, or to search back sequentially to the previous driving period if there is no event record during the current driving period. For example, when using a car to commute from home to work, if the engine is started at work when returning home from work today and the engine is turned off when returning home, if there is no event record as the target video during that time, the system searches for the range where the engine was started at home when going to work today and turned off at work. If there is no event record in this range, the system may search and play back sequentially, such as when returning home the previous day, when going to work the previous day, etc.

For example, if there is no video for a specified period recorded on memory card 2 within the vehicle power supply range, it is advisable to provide a function for searching memory card 2 for video recorded in an earlier vehicle power supply range and playing and displaying the video on display device 16.

In this embodiment, the video for the specified period is continuously recorded video, but it is preferable to have event-recorded video. In this way, the user can automatically play back and display on the display device 16 a specified range of event-recorded video from the recorded video from the camera recorded on the memory card 2, simply by operating the vehicle to switch from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.

Event recording may be configured to record when, for example, a signal from a sensor or switch is detected to have changed to a predetermined state. For example, the video recorded when it is determined that an event has occurred may be video including the time point at which the event occurred, and may be a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 15 seconds) including a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 15 seconds) before the event occurred and a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 20 seconds) after the event occurred.

The user can automatically play back a predetermined range of video from the event recorded video recorded in the recording means by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.
It is preferable to provide a function of playing back only a part of the event recorded video, rather than playing back the entire range of the recording time recorded corresponding to the event.

In this way, the user can quickly get an overview of the video recorded in the vehicle. In particular, when the user performs a vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, there is a possibility that the user will get off the vehicle in a relatively short time thereafter. The user can easily check the video in a short time before getting off the vehicle.

For example, if an event recording is configured to record a total of 35 seconds of video, including 15 seconds before the event occurs and 20 seconds after the event occurs, it is advisable to play back a partial range of, for example, 10 seconds before the event occurs and 5 seconds after the event occurs, totaling 15 seconds. In particular, if the number of seconds played back before the event occurs is made longer than the number of seconds played back after the event occurs, this is advantageous because it increases the likelihood that the video at the time the event occurs can be confirmed even if the viewer is unable to turn their eyes to the display means immediately after playback begins.

As a general rule, it is a good idea to limit the length of the video to 15 seconds or less. This way, you can easily upload the video to social media sites such as TikTok by taking a picture of the video on your smartphone.

It is preferable to set the number of seconds for a certain range of video. In particular, it is preferable to have a function that stores the number of seconds for each type of SNS in the device in advance, and allows the user to select the type of SNS and set the number of seconds to be played as a certain range.
As a function for playing back only a portion of the video, it is preferable to provide a function for setting the playback start position of the video recorded as an event.

For example, it would be good to start playback from a position a certain number of seconds (e.g., 5 seconds) after the beginning of the event recording. For example, it would be good to have a function to set how many seconds before or after the event occurrence position (e.g., the trigger position).

It is preferable to provide a function for continuously playing back the images of a plurality of recorded events, so that the user can automatically continuously play back the images of a plurality of recorded events from the camera that have been recorded in the recording means by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state.
In particular, it would be good to have a function for continuously playing back parts of multiple videos.

Furthermore, in the playback process when the power is cut off, it is preferable to provide a function that allows the user to input whether there is any abnormality in the image played by the automatic playback function, and to provide a function that judges whether the recording means is normal or abnormal based on the input result. For example, if pressing of the first button 11p is detected during playback in the playback process when the power is cut off, the image being played is judged to be normal, and if pressing of the second button 11q is detected, the image being played is judged to be abnormal. In this way, every time a vehicle operation is performed to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state, the recorded image from the recorded camera recorded on the memory card 2 is automatically played back, and the user can input whether there is any abnormality in the image played by this automatic playback function, and the normality or abnormality of the memory card 2 can be judged based on the input result.

In particular, the function of having the user input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played by the automatic playback function may be a function of inputting an indication that the user has viewed the video, particularly in the case of simply viewing the automatically played video. For example, the function of inputting an indication that the user has viewed the video may be assigned to the first button 11p. At least the range in which this indication has been input can be determined to be normal.

Before playing the video using the automatic playback function, it is advisable to issue a notification instructing the user to operate the video once it has been played. For example, the control unit 10 may issue a notification by outputting audio from the speaker 21 and drawing a character string on the display device 16, such as "Video of today's driving event will now be played. If playback is complete, press the button above!", and then start automatic playback.

It is advisable to provide a function that allows the user to input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played back by the automatic playback function, associates the input result with information for identifying the area of the memory card 2 that was played back, and stores the result as history on the memory card 2, and determines whether the memory card 2 is normal or abnormal based on the history. In this way, it is possible to more reliably determine whether the recording means is normal or abnormal.

The control unit 10 may be configured to associate the input result with information for identifying the area of the memory card 2 that was played back and record it as a history on the memory card 2, and to judge whether the card is normal or abnormal based on this history. For example, when it is detected that a button has been pressed, it may record a history indicating that recording was normal (e.g., the date and time and the played sector number, etc.) and make a judgment based on this history. Conversely, when it is detected that a button has been pressed, it may record a history indicating that recording was not normal (e.g., the date and time and the played sector number, etc.) on the memory card 2 and make a judgment based on this history.

If the automatically played image is distorted or completely black, the user may input this fact using the second button 11q or the like. This playback range may be marked as a defective area and stored in the memory card 2, so that no writing will be performed in this marked area in the future. Also, a notification may be issued from the speaker 21, display device 16, etc. to prompt the user to take a specific action, such as to inform the user that the memory card 2 may be defective and needs to be replaced.

If an abnormality is determined, it is preferable to have a function of displaying information including a URL for information regarding replacement of memory card 2 on display device 16. In this way, the user can immediately obtain information including a URL for information regarding replacement of the recording means in the vehicle. As information including a URL for information regarding replacement of the recording means, it is preferable to display a URL or QR code for a purchasing site for memory cards 2 with the product number recommended for the device, or to display a message indicating that it is time to replace memory card 2. In this way, it is easy to immediately head to a store or the like for memory card 2 while remaining in the vehicle, and the problem of video footage from the vehicle camera not being recorded while memory card 2 is abnormal can be extremely quickly resolved.

Also, the memory card 2 may be provided with a function for performing test writing on an area surrounding an area in which an image determined to be abnormal is recorded and determining whether or not there is a high possibility of a failure of the memory card 2. In this way, it is possible to more reliably determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the memory card 2. For example, in this embodiment, the time when the acceleration in the forward and backward direction changed from less than a predetermined value to a predetermined value or more is searched for, and the recorded image data of the front view camera on the memory card 2 for a total of 10 seconds from 5 seconds before the searched time to 5 seconds after the searched time is read and expanded in memory, and output as a video signal to the display device 16. However, if FAT is used as the file system of the memory card 2, for example, a sector that is one sector before and after each sector in which the total of 10 seconds of image is recorded (in FAT, sectors may be recorded at random, and the sector in which it is recorded is recorded in the management area, etc.) and is an empty sector in which no other file is recorded may be searched for, and writing and reading are performed on the searched sector, and if the written data and the read data match, it is determined to be normal, and if they do not match, it is determined to be abnormal.

In addition, for example, data may be test-written in the area surrounding an area marked as abnormal to determine whether there is an abnormality based on whether most of the recording means is abnormal or whether the area that is being played back just happens to be corrupted.

It is preferable to provide a function for allowing a user to input whether or not to erase the video played by the automatic playback function, and to provide a function for erasing the automatically played video when an instruction to erase is input. For example, when the third button 11r is pressed during playback by the automatic playback function or before the power-off process is performed after playback, a process for erasing the video may be performed. The range to be erased may be the range played back, but in particular when the video is recorded in a file in a predetermined time unit, a process for deleting the file including the automatically played range may be performed. When an event record is automatically played back, it is preferable to erase the entire event record including the playback range. In this way, it is possible to quickly erase unnecessary video among the videos stored in the memory card 2 in the vehicle, thereby extending the available recording time thereafter. For example, it is preferable to output a notification asking whether to erase the played back video to the speaker 21 and the display device 16, and to erase the played back video when an instruction to erase it is input from the third button 11r within a predetermined time (within 10 seconds).
The first to third buttons may be assigned different functions for playback processing performed by normal user operation and playback processing when the power is cut off.

The autoplay function may include a function for automatically playing different ranges of video in succession, a function for allowing the user to input whether or not to erase the video that has been automatically played in succession by the autoplay function, and a function for erasing the range of video that has been automatically played in succession by the autoplay function when an instruction to erase is input. In this way, different ranges of video that have been automatically played in succession can be easily and quickly erased with a single operation. For example, when video is played in succession by autoplay, the user is asked by voice output from the speaker 20 and by displaying a character string on the display device 16 whether or not to erase all of the video that has been played in succession at once, and if an instruction to erase the video is input from the third button 11r within a predetermined time (within 10 seconds), the series of videos may be erased at once.

The automatic playback function may include a function for playing back images from multiple cameras recorded on the memory card 2 so that the images are displayed simultaneously on the display device 16. The multiple cameras may include, for example, both a rear camera and a front camera.

A communication module such as LTE or WiFi may be connected to the control unit 10 to provide a function for connecting to the Internet, and instead of or in addition to the automatic playback function, an automatic SNS upload function may be provided that searches for the time when the acceleration in the forward/reverse direction changes from less than a predetermined value to a predetermined value or more, reads out the recorded video data in the memory card 2 of the front view camera for a total of 10 seconds from 5 seconds before the searched time to 5 seconds after the searched time, and uploads it to a predetermined SNS on the Internet. In this way, the user can automatically upload a predetermined range of the recorded video from the camera recorded in the recording means to the SNS by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, the user does not have to take the trouble of operating the playback button of the device to upload the video recorded in the memory card 2. Moreover, since the video uploaded to the SNS can be easily checked on a smartphone or the like, the user does not have to periodically check whether the video recorded in the recording means is being properly played back by operating the playback button of the device. In addition, the user does not have to take the trouble of operating the playback button of the device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it will be discovered that the video has not been properly recorded in the recording means only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play back the video.
For example, in addition to the above conditions, the SNS post may be updated when communication is established, such as when the car is parked in a garage at home and connected to home WiFi.

It is preferable to provide a function for connecting to a smartphone via WiFi, and to provide an automatic smartphone upload function for automatically uploading to a smartphone instead of or in addition to the automatic playback function. In this way, the user can automatically upload a predetermined range of the images from the camera recorded on the memory card 2 to the smartphone by simply operating the vehicle to switch the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state. Therefore, the user does not have to operate the playback button of the device to upload the images recorded in the recording means. Moreover, since the images uploaded to the smartphone can be easily checked on the smartphone, the user does not have to operate the playback button of the device to periodically check whether the images recorded on the memory card 2 are properly played. In addition, the user does not have to operate the playback button of the device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the images are not properly recorded in the recording means only when a vehicle accident or the like actually occurs and it becomes necessary to play the images. For example, the device may be provided with a function for connecting to a smartphone, and the images may be automatically uploaded to the smartphone's camera roll.

The functions of the remote control 11 may be realized by a smartphone app instead of a remote control, and the information may be sent between the smartphone and the device via communication such as WiFi. A smartphone app having the functions of the first button 11p, the second button 11q, the third button 11r, the first lamp 11x, and the second lamp 12y may be provided. Also, instead of or in addition to displaying on the display device 16, data expanded in the memory to be sent to the display device 16 may be sent on the smartphone app to display an image.
Each of the above-mentioned functions and processes may be configured as a program for realizing and executing the functions and processes on a computer.

According to this embodiment, regardless of the image being output to the display device 16, the acquired vehicle state and multiple images of the vehicle's surroundings acquired from the front view camera 15, rear view camera 13, and additional camera 14 are recorded on the memory card 2. In this way, multiple images of the vehicle's surroundings at the time of a collision can be reliably recorded.

When playing back the data of the image of the surroundings of the vehicle recorded on the memory card 2, it is advisable to provide a function for playing back the image by inverting it horizontally or vertically. In this way, even if the camera that captures the image of the surroundings of the vehicle is installed upside down, the image can be played back in the correct orientation. Also, for example, an image captured by a rearview camera that outputs a video signal of a horizontally inverted image can be played back by inverting it horizontally.

It is preferable to configure the vehicle operation state by the driver, the acquired vehicle state, and multiple images of the vehicle's surroundings to be synchronized in time and recorded on the memory card 2 as reproducible data. For example, by recording the shift position as the vehicle operation state by the driver, it is possible to know whether the vehicle collided while backing up, whether the engine brake was applied on a downhill slope, whether the vehicle was stopped, or whether the vehicle was in neutral or parking (ECO driving). It is preferable to perform a process in which information indicating the image preferentially output to the display device 16, the vehicle operation state by the driver, the acquired vehicle state, and multiple images of the vehicle's surroundings are synchronized in time and recorded on the memory card 2 as reproducible data.

The data recorded on the memory card 2 can be played back by removing the memory card 2 from the memory card slot 19, inserting it into a personal computer, and using a program on the personal computer. Processing by the program on the personal computer causes a viewer screen 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 to be displayed. As shown in FIG. 12, the viewer screen 100 includes a menu bar 101, a display area 102, a display switching button 103, a volume knob 104, a speed display 105, a brake blinker display 106, an acceleration display 107, a latitude and longitude display 108, display operation buttons 109, an acceleration sensor graph 110, a date and time display 111, a map 112, and a playlist list 113.

The display area 102 includes a front view camera video playback area 102a, an additional camera video playback area 102b, and a rear view camera video playback area 102c. When playing back data of vehicle surroundings images from the front view camera, additional camera, and rear view camera recorded on the memory card 2, the playback area 102 has the function of flipping the playback images left/right or up/down. Right-clicking the front view camera video playback area 102a, additional camera video playback area 102b, or rear view camera video playback area 102c switches the playback images in the following order: left/right flip, up/down flip, left/right/up/down flip, or no flip.

Also, it is preferable to configure the display device 16 to display a predetermined image that is preferentially output to the display device 16 from among a plurality of images of the surroundings of the vehicle that are being played back, based on the information indicating the image that is preferentially output to the display device 16. In this way, it is easy to know which image was displayed on the display device 16 when the image is later played back on a playback device such as a personal computer. For example, the start and end dates and times when the image from the rear view camera was input may be recorded,
While the video of that date and time is being played back, the outer frame portion of the rear view camera video playback area 102c is displayed in a highlighted manner.

The viewer screen 100 is a screen displayed on a personal computer, but it may also be configured to be output, for example, to the screen of a navigation device installed in a vehicle, to the screen of the smartphone app mentioned above, or to the display device 16.

The present invention has been described above using examples, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. The examples described in the above embodiment may be combined in any combination, and various changes or improvements may be added. In addition, the claims, background art, problems that the invention aims to solve, and means for solving the problems may be appropriately applied to each embodiment, and the technical common sense of a person skilled in the art may be applied to create an embodiment.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. The configurations of the present invention that are sought to be patented are specified in the attached claims, but it is our intention to include configurations disclosed in this specification in the claims in the future, even if they are not currently specified in the claims.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-mentioned embodiment. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any components of each of the embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily combined with any components described in the means for solving the invention or any components that embody any components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to acquire rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe a configuration that is limited to that case or time. We also disclose configurations that are not in these cases or times, and we intend to acquire rights to them. Furthermore, the parts that are described in order are not limited to this order. We also disclose configurations in which some parts are deleted or the order is changed, and we intend to acquire rights to them.

In addition, by converting to a design registration application, we intend to obtain rights to the overall design or partial design. The drawings show the entire device in solid lines, but they include not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for a portion of the device. For example, some components of the device can be included as partial designs, and the drawings include some parts of the device as partial designs regardless of the components. A portion of the device can be a part of the device, or a part of that part. We intend to obtain rights to not only the overall design, but also partial designs in which any part of the solid line part of the drawing is shown as a broken line part. In addition, all of the modules, components, parts, etc. inside the device's casing shown in the drawings are subject to trade independently, and we intend to obtain rights to them by converting to a design registration application in the same way.

2 Memory card 10 Control unit 11 Remote control 12 GPS unit 13 Rear view camera 14 Additional camera 15 Front view camera 16 Display device 17 Built-in microphone 18 External microphone 19 Memory card slot 20 Acceleration sensor 21 Speaker

Claims (8)

A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,
an automatic playback function for playing back a predetermined range of images from among the recorded images recorded in the recording means in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state ;
The device is characterized by having a function of searching back sequentially to images recorded in the previous vehicle power supply range and playing them back if there is no image of the target recorded during the period when the vehicle was in a drivable state immediately before a user's vehicle operation that switches the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state is detected. A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,
an automatic playback function for playing back a predetermined range of images from among the recorded images recorded in the recording means in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state ;
The device is characterized by having a function for prompting a user to input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played back by the automatic playback function, and having a function for determining whether the recording means is normal or abnormal based on the input result. A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,
an automatic playback function for playing back a predetermined range of images from among the images recorded in the recording means in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state ;
The device is characterized by having a function to have the user input whether there are any abnormalities in the video played by the automatic playback function, associate the input result with information for identifying the area of the recording means that was played back, and store it as history, and have a function to determine whether the recording means is normal or abnormal based on the history. 4. The device according to claim 2 , further comprising a function for displaying information including a URL for information relating to replacement of said recording means on said display means when said abnormality is determined. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a function of performing test writing on an area surrounding an area in which the image determined to be abnormal is recorded, to determine whether or not there is a high possibility of failure of the recording means. A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,
an automatic playback function for playing back a predetermined range of images from among the images recorded in the recording means in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state ;
A device characterized by having a function for prompting a user to input whether or not to erase the video played by the automatic playback function, and having a function for erasing the automatically played video when an instruction to erase is input. A device having a function of inputting an image from a camera installed in a vehicle and recording it in a recording means,
A function of detecting a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state,
an automatic playback function for playing back a predetermined range of images from among the recorded images recorded in the recording means in response to detection of a user's vehicle operation for switching the vehicle from a drivable state to a non-drivable state ;
The device is characterized in that the automatic playback function has a function of automatically playing different ranges of video in succession, a function of having a user input whether or not to erase the video that has been automatically played in succession by the automatic playback function, and a function of erasing the range of video that has been automatically played in succession by the automatic playback function when an instruction to erase is input. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.