JP7617678B2 - In-vehicle electronic devices and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device capable of continuously recording captured images, such as a drive recorder or surveillance device.

Image recording devices such as drive recorders that capture and continuously record the scenery ahead of a vehicle and monitoring devices that capture and continuously record a specified monitoring area have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, some image recording devices such as drive recorders erase older captured images and record new captured images sequentially while freeing up space as long as the vehicle ignition is switched on and the power is still on. Drive recorders that perform such recording operations can constantly update and hold captured images from a specified period of time up to the present.

The purpose of recording captured images over a specified period of time in this way is to identify the cause of a traffic accident, etc., or for an employer to manage the driving of an employee driver. In recent years, as inexpensive drive recorders have become available at mass retailers of car supplies, some users have begun to use them for personal enjoyment, such as recording driving scenes or cityscapes.

JP 2012-64126 A

Image recording devices such as drive recorders that continuously record captured images use memory space in a significantly different way than cameras and video cameras. As long as an image recording device such as a drive recorder is powered on, it can erase old captured images and record new captured images in an endless cycle.

In such image recording devices such as drive recorders, when an operation of endlessly repeating erasing and writing is being performed to continuously record captured images, if an attempt is made to write or erase other data in addition to the continuous recording of captured images, the frequency of data access to the storage medium may become excessive, or processing may not be able to keep up. Therefore, when an operation of endlessly repeating erasing and writing is being performed to continuously record captured images, there is a problem that the processes that can be executed simultaneously are limited, or certain processes may become impossible to execute.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and aims to provide an image recording device capable of continuously recording captured images, which is capable of relatively easily performing processing related to other data even during the operation of continuously recording captured images.
Furthermore, conventional drive recorders that record onto a memory card, such as those equipped with only one memory card, have the following problems and issues:
(a) If the memory card is damaged or malfunctioning, it will no longer be able to record. In particular, when recording continuously, the probability of damage is high because the recording is constantly overwritten while driving (deleting and storing is repeated). Also, there is a high probability of damage if the memory card is removed while in operation. Most drive recorders are turned on and off in conjunction with the engine key, but depending on the vehicle, there may be voltage fluctuations, interruptions, or surges, especially when the engine is started, which may have a negative effect and cause abnormalities in the control of the memory card, resulting in damage or malfunction of the memory card.
(b) The main purpose of a drive recorder is to record accidents, and the accident record must be saved so that it will not be erased. In general, when an impact of a certain level or more is detected by a G sensor or the like, it is considered to be an accident, and the images before and after the accident are often saved with overwrite protection. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts can also be detected due to bumps or unevenness in the road surface, the driver's driving style, etc., and in reality, most recordings that do not require recording or saving due to impact detection other than accidents are very common. If the sensitivity of the sensor is reduced, accidents cannot be detected. In addition, recordings of dangerous or reckless driving, dangerous experiences that could lead to accidents, places with good scenery, etc. are often recorded manually, and the images before and after the accident are often saved with overwrite protection, and some users record a lot with overwrite protection. If the memory card becomes full with such overwrite protection recording, it is naturally not possible to record any more. It is necessary to take steps such as replacing the memory card, removing or deleting images, and initializing the device, but there may be cases where these steps cannot be taken immediately due to circumstances such as while driving or traveling. In such cases, the device will not be able to store any more data and will no longer function as a drive recorder.
(c) It is common to store continuous continuous recording and recording of events that are prohibited from being overwritten on the same memory card, but the number of overwrite-prohibited recordings will increase if no measures are taken. Daily maintenance/measures can be performed, but this is difficult to do. In some cases, the continuous continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated in the memory card, but in many cases, overwrite-prohibited recordings are given priority without being separated into areas, and the continuous recording area is reduced in proportion to the increase in overwrite recordings. In this case, even if the memory card does not become full with overwrite-prohibited recordings as in (b) above, the continuous recording area is reduced, the continuous recording time is shortened, and the time that images can be checked by looking back is shortened. At the same time, the time it takes for one round of overwrites to be completed is shortened, and the frequency of repeated erasure and recording increases, which increases the probability of damage to the memory card or malfunctions. If the continuous continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated, it is natural that when the overwrite-prohibited recording area becomes full, no more recording can be performed, and it is more likely to become full than in a method that does not separate the areas.
(d) The memory card may be removed from the drive recorder in order to view or retrieve the recorded images using a PC viewer, etc. If the memory card is removed and forgotten, or if for some reason the removed memory card cannot be used and the vehicle is driven without the memory card installed, the drive recorder will not be able to record or store any images and will not function as a drive recorder.
(e) In multi-function drive recorders, the amount of data and information stored on the memory card becomes very large, which may slow down the processing speed or cause some parts to be unable to be processed. In addition, the memory card is used more frequently, which increases the probability of damage or malfunction of the memory card. When the memory card is damaged or malfunctions, all functions may become unusable in many cases.
The present invention is an invention that aims to provide an image recording device or the like that can more continuously function as a drive recorder and solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.

(1) An image recording device including a control means having a function of recording an image captured by an imaging means in a removable storage medium,
The storage device includes a plurality of medium storage units each of which removably holds a storage medium;
The control means may be an image recording device having a function of executing a predetermined write process on a storage medium attached to at least one of the multiple media storage sections while recording an imaged image on a storage medium attached to any other media storage section.

This image recording device has a plurality of the medium storage units, and can accommodate a plurality of storage media. The control means has a function of executing a predetermined write process on a storage medium loaded in at least one of the plurality of media storage units while recording a captured image on a storage medium loaded in any other media storage unit. Therefore, this image recording device can execute a predetermined write process on the other storage media in parallel with the recording process of the captured image.

When a specified write process is executed on a storage medium other than the storage medium on which the captured image is recorded, even if the specified write process is executed while the captured image is being recorded, the risk of excessive frequency of data access, such as data writing and reading, can be reduced for the storage medium on which the captured image is recorded and the storage medium on which the specified write process is executed. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of problems occurring in recording the captured image by executing the specified write process.

In this image recording device, a process that involves relatively frequent data access to the storage medium can be executed as the specified write process, within a range that limits the impact on the recording operation of the captured image. If various write processes can be executed while recording the captured image, the image recording device can be used not only to record the captured image, but also to record vehicle data such as engine speed and speed, improving convenience.

As a configuration for executing other write processes during or while recording captured images, for example, a plurality of arithmetic devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) may be provided to simultaneously execute the process for recording captured images and the process for executing other write processes. However, even with a single arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the process for recording captured images and the process for executing other write processes may be simultaneously executed in a time-division manner. For example, it is preferable to perform write processes to other files without closing the file in which the captured images are recorded. For example, after the image recording device starts recording the captured images, the CPU may execute other write processes by interruption until the recording operation is completed.

For example, an image recording device having a control means having a function of recording an image captured by an imaging means on a removable storage medium may be provided with a plurality of media storage units that detachably hold storage media, and the control means may have a function of executing a predetermined write process using a storage medium attached to at least one of the plurality of media storage units as a primary storage medium and a storage medium attached to any other media storage unit as a secondary storage medium.

(2) The control means is capable of executing a control mode in which a series of captured images over a predetermined period of time in the past is recorded using the storage medium by deleting captured images in chronological order from the oldest captured image and sequentially storing new captured images in the free space while securing free space in the storage area of the storage medium,
It is preferable that at least two medium containers are provided.

An image recording device comprising: an imaging means for acquiring image information; a medium housing section for housing a storage medium in an insertable and removable manner; and a control means for controlling recording of an image captured by the imaging means on the storage medium housed in the medium housing section,
the control means is capable of executing a control mode in which a series of captured images spanning a predetermined period of time in the past is recorded using the storage medium by deleting the captured images in order from the oldest captured images and sequentially storing new captured images in the free space while securing free space in the storage area of the storage medium;
It is preferable that the image recording apparatus is provided with at least two medium containers.

As mentioned above, image recording devices such as drive recorders that continuously record captured images use memory space in a significantly different way than cameras, video cameras, etc. This is because image recording devices such as drive recorders, for example, will endlessly erase old captured images and record new captured images as long as they are powered on. With cameras and video cameras, old captured images are not automatically erased by being overwritten with new captured images; instead, captured images are erased after being read out to a terminal device such as a personal computer, for example.

In image recording devices such as drive recorders that endlessly repeat erasing and writing in order to continuously record captured images, there is a problem that data write errors, erasing errors, etc. may occur as the captured images are repeatedly recorded and erased, which may cause defects in the recorded data in the memory area.

In contrast, the image recording device has at least two media storage units, so multiple storage media can be attached. By using multiple storage media, the number of times data is rewritten or erased from each storage medium can be reduced compared to when only one storage medium is used, reducing the burden. This reduces the probability of problems such as write errors and erase errors occurring when recording the captured images, improving operational reliability.

In this way, the image recording device is a device for continuously recording captured images, and is a useful device for improving the stability of the recording operation of captured images.

The number of medium containers provided in the image recording device may be two, but it is particularly preferable to provide three or more medium containers.
The imaging means may be an imaging camera equipped with an imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS, or an imaging means utilizing an area sensor such as a laser radar, a millimeter wave sensor, or an infrared sensor.
The image recording device is useful in applications such as drive recorders and monitoring devices.
The series of captured images may be, for example, a predetermined period including the time point at which an event occurs (for example, a predetermined period consisting of a first predetermined period before the event occurs and a second predetermined period after the event occurs), as in so-called event recording, but it is particularly preferable to record the images regardless of the event, and in particular to record the images continuously.

The control means can execute a control mode in which the captured images are recorded using the storage medium, by deleting the captured images in order from the oldest captured images and storing new captured images in the free space while securing free space in the storage area of the storage medium, and a control mode in which the captured images are not erased, and it is preferable that the image recording device is provided with at least two media storage units.

(3) The control means may be capable of executing a control mode in which each of the storage media contained in any two or more of the media storage sections is utilized to record the series of captured images, and while a new captured image is being recorded in any one of the storage media, the storage area of any of the other storage media is initialized.
The control means may be an image recording device capable of executing a control mode in which each storage medium contained in any two or more media storage sections is utilized to record captured images, and while a new captured image is being recorded in any one of the storage media, the storage area of any of the other storage media is initialized.

By adopting the above (3), when recording captured images on either storage medium, recording can always start from an initialized state. By starting recording from an initialized state, the probability of occurrence of write errors and the like can be made extremely low. During the initialization of one storage medium, captured images can be recorded on the other storage medium, so there is no need to interrupt the recording operation of captured images for the initialization operation, and the processing efficiency of the recording operation is not impaired.
It is also possible to write the same data to two or more storage media. By recording the same data on physically independent storage media, even if a problem occurs with one storage medium, the data can be read from the other storage medium, improving reliability.

(4) In the image recording device, when two storage media are used to record the series of captured images, it is preferable to be able to execute a control mode in which the two storage media are alternately used to record the series of captured images and, while a new captured image is being recorded in one of the storage media, the storage area of one of the storage media is initialized.
When two storage media are used to record captured images, it is preferable that the image recording device be capable of executing a control mode in which the two storage media are alternately used to record captured images and the storage area of one of the storage media is initialized while a new captured image is being recorded in the other storage medium.
By adopting the above-mentioned (4), the two storage media are initialized alternately, so that when recording of captured images is started on either storage medium, recording can always start from the initialized state.

(5) In the image recording device, when three or more storage media are used to record the series of captured images, it is preferable to be able to execute a control mode in which two storage media are selected from the storage media in sequence, and while a new captured image is being recorded in one of the two selected storage media, the storage area of one of the other storage media is initialized.
When three or more storage media are used to record captured images, the image recording device can execute a control mode in which two storage media are selected from the storage media in sequence, and while a new captured image is being recorded in one of the two selected storage media, the storage area of one of the other storage media is initialized.

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

(6) The storage medium has file management information recorded thereon for managing the recording position of data within the storage area,
When any one of the storage media is initialized while a new captured image is being recorded in the other storage medium, the captured images already recorded in the other storage medium are erased beginning with the oldest one at the time of recording in conjunction with the operation of recording the new captured image, and after all the captured images have been erased, the file management information is erased to complete the initialization.

The file management information is information that manages which data is recorded at which location in the storage area of the storage medium, and is preferably management information required when reading data such as recorded captured images. For example, after such file management information is erased, even data that existed before the erasure becomes unreadable. If the file management information is erased at the start of the initialization process, it becomes difficult to read the captured images recorded on the storage medium as soon as the initialization process begins. On the other hand, if the file management information is erased at the end of the initialization process, it becomes possible to read the recorded captured images, etc., even after the initialization process has begun.

As an example of a manner in which the captured image on one of the storage media is erased in conjunction with the recording operation of the captured image on the other storage media, the duration of the captured image newly recorded on one of the storage media is made to approximately match the duration of the captured image erased from one of the other storage media. In this case, the degree to which the duration of the captured image readable from the storage medium varies depending on the progress of the initialization work can be suppressed. If the file management information is erased at the same time as the initialization work begins, the captured image recorded on the storage medium becomes instantly unreadable, and the duration of the captured image readable from the storage medium is suddenly shortened at the same time as the initialization work begins.

(7) The control means is capable of executing a plurality of types of control modes for recording data on the storage medium,
At least one of the storage media stores setting information corresponding to one of the plurality of control modes,
The control means may be configured to execute control corresponding to the setting information read from the storage medium when the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is accommodated in the medium accommodation section.

In this case, by storing the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded in the medium storage unit, control according to the setting information can be immediately started. The operation of the image recording device can be changed by rewriting the setting information recorded in the storage medium, which is very convenient. If the control mode of the image recording device can be changed using the setting information recorded in the storage medium, for example, there is no need to provide an operating means for changing the control mode in the image recording device body. In this case, the hardware configuration can be simplified, costs can be reduced, and problems with the operating means, which are prone to malfunction, can be avoided in advance, improving operational reliability. In addition, if it is made difficult for the user to change the setting information through operations, it is possible to prevent, for example, drivers employed by a transportation company, taxi company, etc. from changing the setting information without permission. Such a configuration is advantageous in applications where employers of transportation companies, taxi companies, etc. manage the driving of their employees, drivers.

(8) The image recording device includes: a change operation unit that receives an operation for changing the setting information recorded in the storage medium;
It is preferable that the configuration further includes a warning means for warning, when an operation to change the setting information is accepted via the change operation means, that the data recorded on the storage medium may be erased due to the change in the setting information.
In this case, it is possible to prevent the recorded captured images and the like from being erased due to carelessness or the like caused by changing the setting information, thereby reducing the risk of important captured images being erased and making the image recording device easier to use.

(9) The image recording device has built-in storage means for storing various data,
The control means may be configured to, when a storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is accommodated in the medium accommodation section, read the setting information from the storage medium and store the setting information in the storage means.
In this case, even if the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is removed, control according to the setting information can be realized. For example, when the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded is removed, the setting information of the storage means can be recorded on another storage medium. In this case, the setting information is recorded in two physically independent locations, so that security can be improved. As the storage means, a means using an electronic device such as a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM can be considered.

(10) When initializing the storage area of the storage medium in which the setting information is recorded, the control means may be configured to record the setting information stored in the storage means again in the storage medium after initialization.
In this case, it is possible to initialize the storage medium on which the setting information is recorded by erasing the entire storage area of the medium. If the setting information is recorded again after the initialization process is completed, the original state in which the setting information was recorded can be reproduced.

(11) The control means records the series of captured images in some of the storage media contained in any two or more medium containers, while
It is preferable that any of the remaining storage media is configured to be capable of executing a control mode for recording a specific image, which is an image captured in a specific time interval or a specific image including a specific time interval, of the series of captured images.

By recording the series of captured images and the specific image on separate storage media, the captured images and the specific image can be recorded efficiently. As the specific time period, for example, a time period during which storage is required may be set. Since the series of captured images recorded on one of the storage media needs to be updated from time to time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting. However, it is also possible to record the captured images on the other storage medium in overwrite-prohibited mode. In this case, the captured images recorded on the other storage medium can be saved with high reliability.

Generally, when recording on a storage medium, the series of captured images is often managed, for example, in file units. In such a configuration, it may be difficult to create a file only for a specific time period. In this case, it is advisable to copy or move the captured images in file units that include the captured images in the specific time period.
The control means may be an image recording device capable of executing a control mode in which a series of captured images spanning a predetermined past period is recorded on some of the storage media contained in any two or more media storage sections, while a specific image, which is an image captured during a specific time period from the series of captured images or an image captured including a specific time period, is recorded on one of the remaining storage media.

(12) The specific image may be a copy or a moved version of a portion of the series of captured images recorded on one of the storage media.
When duplicating a part of the series of captured images, the corresponding part of the series of captured images may be erased or left as it is. For example, if a part of the series of captured images is duplicated after recording the series of captured images, a specific image can be recorded by a post-event process after the series of captured images is recorded. Since it is not necessary to simultaneously record both the series of captured images and the captured images in the specific time period in parallel, the processing load can be distributed over time and the occurrence of an excessive load can be avoided.

(13) The image recording device is an image recording device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting a status of the vehicle,
The control means records the series of captured images in some of the storage media contained in any two or more medium containers, while
It is preferable that any of the remaining storage media is configured to be capable of executing a control mode for recording the vehicle data acquired by the data acquisition means.

In this case, the storage medium for recording captured images and the storage medium for recording vehicle data are physically separate, making it possible to efficiently record captured images and vehicle data. For example, it is also possible to record vehicle data in overwrite-prohibited mode. In this case, the risk of important vehicle data being inadvertently erased can be prevented.

For example, a signal for synchronizing the timing of the series of captured images with the vehicle data may be recorded, so that the captured images and the vehicle data can be played back in a synchronized manner.
The vehicle data includes, for example, information flowing on an in-vehicle network that transmits vehicle control information, and information obtained based on the information. For example, speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5 second speed, average 5 second speed, maximum 5 second speed, RPM, average RPM, maximum RPM, engine load, average load, maximum load, throttle opening, average throttle opening, maximum throttle opening, ignition timing, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, maximum intake manifold pressure, MAF, INJ, coolant temperature, maximum coolant temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside temperature, maximum outside temperature, remaining fuel, fuel flow rate, maximum fuel flow rate, fuel consumed, lifetime fuel consumed, instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, maximum current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption on ordinary roads, average fuel consumption on expressways, moving average fuel consumption, maximum moving average fuel consumption, driving time, driving time, idle time, idle ratio, mileage, lifetime mileage, 0-20km/h acceleration time, 0-20km/h average acceleration, 0-20km/h minimum acceleration, 0-40km/h acceleration time, 0-40km/h average acceleration, 0-40km/h Vehicle data includes minimum acceleration, 0-60km/h acceleration time, 0-60km/h average acceleration, minimum acceleration, 0-60km/h acceleration time, 0-80km/h average acceleration, minimum acceleration, 0-80km/h driving time, 0-20km/h driving time, 20-40km/h driving time, 40-60km/h driving time, 60-80km/h driving time, driving time over 80km/h, lifetime engine mileage, lifetime engine mileage ratio, etc.

(14) The control means may be configured to record the specific image when a predetermined event occurs.
For example, the series of captured images is recorded while being updated at any time, regardless of the occurrence of an event. The specific image may be recorded when the predetermined event occurs. Also, for example, the storage medium on which the specific image is recorded may be made overwrite-protected. In this case, the recording state of the specific image, which is the captured image when the predetermined event occurs, can be maintained with high reliability, and the captured image can be reliably referenced after the fact.

(15) The control means may be configured to record the vehicle data when a predetermined event occurs.
For example, the series of captured images may be updated and recorded at any time regardless of the occurrence of an event. Also, for example, the storage medium in which the vehicle data is recorded may be made overwrite-protected. In this case, the vehicle data at the time the predetermined event occurs can be stored with high reliability, and the vehicle data can be reliably referenced after the event.

(16) The image recording device has built-in storage means for storing various data,
The control means may be capable of executing a control mode in which, when a predetermined event occurs, a specific image, which is an image captured in a specific time interval among the series of captured images, is recorded in a memory area of the memory means.

(17) An image recording device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting the vehicle's status; and a storage means for storing various data.
The control means may be capable of executing a control mode in which, when a predetermined event occurs, the vehicle data is recorded in a storage area of the storage means.

In these cases, it becomes possible to record in the storage means the specific image or vehicle data at the time the specified event occurs. Unlike a storage medium, the storage means is built-in, so it becomes possible to record the specific image or vehicle data even if a storage medium is not housed in the media housing section.

(18) The specific image or vehicle data recorded in response to the occurrence of the specified event may be captured images or vehicle data for a specific time period including both before and after the moment the specified event occurred.
In this case, captured images or vehicle data for a specific time period including the moment when the specified event occurred and starting from a point before that moment can be recorded. Captured images, etc. from a point before the moment when the specified event occurred are useful materials that are useful for, for example, analyzing the cause and progress of the event after the fact. For example, if the event is a traffic accident, it is useful for identifying the cause of the accident. For example, if the event is that specific vehicle data indicates a specific situation, it is useful for identifying the behavior of the vehicle at that time and the vehicle operation through which the situation occurred.

(19) It is preferable that a storage operation means is provided for receiving an operation requesting recording of the specific image or vehicle data, and that the predetermined event includes at least an operation of the storage operation means.
In this case, the user can operate the image recording device to record a specific time period. When a scene that the user wants to record appears, the user of the image recording device can operate the save operation means to record the captured image of that scene.

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

(20) The image recording device is provided with a data acquisition means for acquiring a measured value of a specified physical quantity, and the specified event may include at least the measured value of the specified physical quantity indicating a predetermined state.
In this case, when the measured value indicates a predetermined state, the captured image or vehicle data can be recorded. The recorded captured image or vehicle data can be used to analyze the cause and process of the occurrence of the state after the fact.

There are various ways in which a measured value indicates a predetermined state, such as when the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold, when the measured value shows a predetermined change, when a predetermined combination condition or pattern is satisfied, etc. Measured values include, for example, acceleration and speed in three axial directions. It is also possible to set the detection of approach to a pre-stored position as the predetermined event. Approach to a specific position can be detected, for example, by using position information from a GPS.

(21) An image recording device is an image recording device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a data acquisition means for acquiring vehicle data reflecting a status of the vehicle,
The predetermined physical quantity may be a physical quantity acquired as the vehicle data.
In this case, the captured image or vehicle data can be recorded when the vehicle data indicates a predetermined state. The captured image or vehicle data can be used to identify the cause and process of the occurrence of the predetermined state.

(22) In the image recording device, a display unit that indicates whether data recorded in the memory area of the storage medium is being read or data is being written to the memory area may be provided corresponding to the medium storage unit.
In this case, the storage medium during data access can be clearly indicated, thereby reducing the risk of the storage medium being inadvertently removed during data access. As for the configuration in which the display unit is provided corresponding to the medium storage unit, for example, a display unit may be provided individually for each of the plurality of medium storage units, but it is particularly preferable to provide a display unit shared by the plurality of medium storage units.

(23) The image recording device has built-in storage means for storing various data,
It is preferable that the configuration be capable of executing a control mode in which the memory area of a storage medium accommodated in one of the media accommodation sections and the memory area of the storage means are alternately used to record the series of captured images, and the other memory area is initialized while the captured images are being recorded in either memory area.
It is preferable that the image recording device is capable of executing a control mode in which the storage area of a storage medium accommodated in any one of the medium accommodation sections and the storage area of the storage means are alternately used to record captured images, and while the captured images are being recorded in one of the storage areas, the other storage area is initialized. In this case, even if only one storage medium is installed, it is possible to execute a control in which the storage medium and the storage means are alternately used to initialize one while recording captured images in the other.

(24) The control means may be capable of executing two or more control modes in parallel.
In this case, data from multiple systems can be recorded in parallel, enhancing data logger-like functionality.
Each control mode may be configured as a unique mode that is distinguished from other modes, for example, and may be configured to adopt a certain state, perform a certain process, or have a certain function.

(25) In the image recording device, it is preferable that at least one of the medium housing units is configured such that an operation for inserting and removing a storage medium is different from that of the other medium housing units.
In this case, the storage medium stored in the medium storage section that is easier to operate can be preferentially removed. For example, it is also possible to configure the storage medium that records the setting information to be stored in the medium storage section that is more difficult to operate. In this case, it is possible to prevent the storage medium that records the setting information from being accidentally removed.

(26) The control means may have a function of individually controlling writing, reading, erasing, and initialization of data for each storage medium attached to each of the plurality of medium housing sections.
If each control of writing, reading, erasing, and initializing data can be individually performed for each storage medium, the effect is that the number of types of recording operations that can be performed in parallel in the image recording device increases. This diversifies the functions of the image recording device and improves convenience. For example, while recording captured images on a specific storage medium, vehicle data such as engine speed and vehicle speed can be recorded on other storage media. In addition, for example, when recording captured images using two or more storage media, it is recommended to initialize the storage area of the other storage media that was recorded at an earlier time while recording the latest captured image. In this case, when the storage area of the storage medium in which the latest captured image is being recorded becomes full, the other storage media in the initialized state can be used to continue recording the subsequent captured images. By using the initialized storage medium, captured images can be recorded efficiently with less risk of writing errors.

(27) The control means controls a storage medium attached to any one of the medium housings as a first storage medium for recording a new captured image by overwriting a recorded captured image, while
It is preferable to provide a function for controlling a storage medium attached to any of the other medium housing sections as a second storage medium that is overwrite-protected so that recorded captured images are not erased.
In this way, if the first storage medium is used as a storage medium for overwrite recording and the second storage medium is prohibited from being overwritten by overwrite prohibition, for example, the first storage medium can be used for continuous recording in which captured images are continuously recorded, while the second storage medium can be used for recording captured images that one particularly wants to keep. The control means may be configured as an image recording device having a function of controlling a storage medium mounted in any one of the medium housing sections as a first storage medium for overwriting recorded captured images and recording new captured images, while controlling a storage medium mounted in any of the other medium housing sections as a second storage medium having an area in which recorded captured images are not erased by overwrite prohibition.
For example, the second storage medium may be configured to store data that is not prohibited from being overwritten. For example, in the case of recording an event, when the G-sensor detects a certain impact and then records the time before and after the impact, if the impact is an accident, it is better to prohibit overwriting. However, in reality, the impact may be detected due to road conditions such as bumps on the road or the driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary data that is prohibited from being overwritten will accumulate. To prevent this, it is recommended to determine a specific capacity and provide a function to overwrite within that range.

In particular, it is preferable to configure the device so that multiple storage media (e.g., memory cards) can be attached, one of which can be controlled as the main storage medium and the others as the secondary storage medium, and so that if the main storage medium is removed or the above-mentioned problems or malfunctions occur, the secondary storage medium can be used to compensate.
In this way, the drive recorder can function more continuously than before.
In particular, the main storage medium should be configured to store images that one wishes to keep, such as records of accidents or scenic spots, with a low probability of being overwritten or erased. The secondary storage medium should record images continuously while driving, and should have a function for later searching for images that could not be recorded on the main storage medium for some reason, and a function for at least one of moving or copying images to the main storage medium.
As mentioned above, continuous recording has a higher probability of causing damage or malfunction to storage media such as memory cards, but if you record in this way, any images you particularly want to save will be stored on the main device, so even if the secondary device is damaged or malfunctions, the damage will be minimal.
For example, the first storage medium in (27) to (38) may be a secondary storage medium, and the second storage medium may be a primary storage medium.
It is advisable to use multiple storage media in rotation as main and secondary, rather than fixing the main storage medium, and to have a function for initializing the secondary storage medium while recording is being performed on the main storage medium. In this way, the probability of damage or malfunction occurring can be further reduced.
In this case, it is advisable to provide a function for recording both the constant overwrite recording and the non-overwrite event recording to the same main storage medium.
In particular, it is preferable to store the recording data that is the basis of the drive recorder in a main storage medium, and store the non-basic data in a secondary storage medium, and to separate them. In this way, it is possible to prevent the processing speed from slowing down and the occurrence of parts that cannot be processed, particularly in a multi-function drive recorder.
Furthermore, by separating the storage media, the frequency of use of one storage medium is reduced, and the probability of damage or malfunction of the storage medium can be reduced.

(28) The control means may preferably have a function of executing continuous recording for recording new captured images by overwriting older captured images in sequence at the time of capture among the captured images recorded on the first storage medium.
This allows continuous recording of captured images, and allows recording of captured images from a specified time range in the past based on the current time. For example, it allows recording of captured images at the moment an accident occurs, providing evidence that will be useful in identifying the cause of the accident.

In addition, in the second storage medium which prohibits overwriting, it is preferable to record images other than images recorded during continuous recording, such as images recorded by event recording when some event occurs, images recorded by manual operation in response to manual operation, and still recording.
When there are few storage media installed and they cannot be allocated to the first storage medium and the second storage medium, it is also possible to treat the installed storage medium as the first storage medium and perform continuous recording by continuously recording captured images.

(29) The control means may preferably have a function of recording a captured image onto the second storage medium when a specific recording condition is met.
In this case, the captured image when the specific recording condition is satisfied can be stored with high reliability in a state where overwriting is prohibited. In particular, if the captured image corresponding to the satisfaction of the specific recording condition is recorded in a second storage medium different from the first storage medium for continuous recording, even if some trouble occurs during the process of continuously recording the captured image in the first storage medium, there is little risk of problems such as being unable to read the captured image.
The specific recording condition may be, for example, some kind of event, a manual operation by a driver, etc. The event may be the occurrence of an accident in which an airbag is deployed, the occurrence of sudden braking or steering, the occurrence of large acceleration, etc.

(30) The control means may have a function of setting an overwritable storage area in a portion of the free space in the storage area of the second storage medium when the first storage medium is removed from the first and second storage media while the first storage medium is still attached, resulting in a state in which only the second storage medium is attached.
In this case, even after the first storage medium is removed and only the second storage medium is used, continuous recording of captured images is possible, and deterioration of the functionality or convenience of the image recording device can be suppressed.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the second storage medium as having an area in which recorded captured images are not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means may be an image recording device having a function of setting an overwritable storage area in part of the free area of the storage area of the second storage medium to store data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium when the first storage medium is removed and a transition is made to a state in which only the second storage medium is installed while the first and second storage media are installed.

(31) The control means may have a function of controlling, when only one storage medium is inserted, the one storage medium as a third storage medium having a storage area which is overwritable and a storage area which is not overwritable.
Even if there is only one storage medium, data such as overwrite-prohibited captured images can be recorded separately from captured images recorded continuously. The overwrite-prohibited captured images may be captured images recorded by event recording, captured images recorded by manual operation recording, captured images recorded by still recording, etc. After that, for example, when a storage medium usable as the first or second storage medium is newly attached, the storage medium may be treated as the first or second storage medium. When the storage medium is treated as the first storage medium, all or a part of the captured images recorded in an overwriteable manner, for example, captured images recorded continuously, may be transferred to the first storage medium and recorded therein. When the storage medium is treated as the second storage medium, all or a part of the data such as overwrite-prohibited captured images recorded in the third storage medium may be transferred to the second storage medium and recorded therein.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the storage medium as a second storage medium having an area where recorded captured images are not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means may be an image recording device having a function of controlling, when only one storage medium is attached, the one storage medium as a third storage medium having a storage area that combines data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium and the second storage medium.

(32) The control means may have a function of controlling a new storage medium as the second storage medium when a new storage medium is installed when only one storage medium is installed.
If the newly installed storage medium is treated as a second storage medium, the captured image data and other data can be stored with high reliability by recording the captured image data in the second storage medium, which is prohibited from being overwritten. If there is a large amount of captured image data and other data to be stored, it is convenient to install a storage medium that serves as the second storage medium. Furthermore, when the stored data is to be taken to an external computer or the like, it is sufficient to simply remove the second storage medium.
In addition, if there is no storage medium controlled as a second storage medium and there is only a storage medium controlled as a first storage medium, a part of the storage area of this first storage medium can be treated as an area where overwriting is prohibited, and then, when a storage medium controlled as a second storage medium is newly installed, all or a part of the data recorded on the first storage medium with overwriting prohibited can be transferred and recorded on the second storage medium.

(33) The control means may have a function of, when a new storage medium is installed when only one storage medium is installed, controlling the new storage medium as the second storage medium, and recording data recorded in a storage area of the third storage medium that is prohibited from being overwritten, onto the second storage medium.
In this case, the data recorded in the overwrite-prohibited storage area of the third storage medium can be transferred to and recorded in the second storage medium, thereby making it possible to store the data with a high degree of reliability.

It is also possible to provide a mode in which all storage media are controlled as first storage media, even when multiple storage media are installed and can be allocated between the first storage medium and the second storage medium. In this case, the storage area of the first storage medium becomes larger, so that the recording time when continuously recording captured images can be extended. In this way, when there are multiple first storage media, when the amount of data recorded on one of the storage media becomes full, the storage medium for continuously recording captured images can be switched to another first storage medium. In this case, captured images can be efficiently continuously recorded by alternately using any of the multiple first storage media. It is also preferable to configure the storage media so that recorded data can be erased or initialized individually.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the third storage medium as a second storage medium having an area in which recorded captured images are not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means may be configured to control the third storage medium as the second storage medium when a new storage medium is attached while only one storage medium is attached, and to record recorded data in the storage area of the third storage medium that corresponds to the storage of the second storage medium onto the second storage medium.

(34) The image recording device may also include a display means for displaying a reproduced image of a captured image recorded on a storage medium, and a save operation means for accepting an operation to record at least a portion of the captured image that is the source of the reproduced image on the second storage medium while prohibiting overwriting.
In this case, the image recording device can check the playback image to determine whether it should be saved or not, and then record the original captured image of the playback image that is determined to be saved with overwriting prohibited. If the playback image can be confirmed, the captured image to be saved can be recorded with high reliability in a state where overwriting is prohibited. For example, while playing back the captured image recorded in the first storage medium by continuous recording, a part of the captured image can be transferred and recorded in the second storage medium. Alternatively, captured images before and after the part marked during playback can be transferred and recorded in the second storage medium.

(35) The control means may also have a function of recording, when the saving operation means is operated while the playback image is being displayed, a portion of the corresponding captured image that corresponds to a time period based on the point at which the operation is performed, in a state in which it is prohibited from being overwritten, on a storage medium.
In this case, by operating the save operation means when the playback image to be saved is displayed, the original captured image can be recorded in a highly reliable overwrite-prohibited state. By operating the save operation means while the playback image is displayed, there is little risk of an image other than the captured image to be saved being erroneously recorded. The time period of the captured image to be recorded in an overwrite-prohibited state may be a time period going back a predetermined time from the time of operation as a criterion, a time period until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of operation as a criterion, or a time period extending before and after the time of operation as a criterion.

It is also possible to provide the image recording device with a sensor such as a G sensor that detects impacts, or an external input function. When controlling one of the attached multiple storage media as a first storage medium and the other as a second storage medium, it is also possible to record captured images for a time period up to a point going back a predetermined time from the point in time when the triggering signal was input using the sensor or an externally input signal as a trigger, captured images for a time period up to a point in time when the predetermined time has passed using that point as a trigger, or both of these captured images in a state where they are not overwritten, on the second storage medium.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the second storage medium having an area where the recorded captured image is not erased by the overwrite prohibition, the control means may be an image recording device having a function of recording, when the save operation means is operated while the playback image is being displayed, a portion of the corresponding captured image that corresponds to a time interval based on the time point at which the operation was performed, or a portion including the time interval in an overwrite-prohibited state, on the storage medium. Data is often moved or copied on a file-by-file basis, and files often contain not only "the portion that corresponds to the time interval based on the time point at which the operation was performed" but also other portions.

(36) The second storage medium may have a communication function for transmitting data to an external device in addition to the function of storing data, and the control means may have a function for transmitting the captured image recorded on the second storage medium to an external device.
In this case, the captured image recorded in the second storage medium in a state where overwriting is prohibited can be transmitted externally, and the captured image can be viewed at the transmission destination. Such a configuration is particularly effective in the event of an accident. For example, when a driving situation such as dozing while driving occurs in a taxi, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted to the taxi company, the manager can grasp the dangerous situation before an accident occurs. Also, for example, if the captured image at that time is immediately transmitted when an accident occurs thereafter, the manager can immediately grasp the situation and can quickly take measures after the accident.

When a storage medium with a communication function and a storage medium without a communication function are inserted, it is preferable to control the storage medium with the communication function as a second storage medium and control the storage medium without the communication function as a first storage medium. Then, it is preferable to transmit all or part of the data recorded on the second storage medium with priority. Here, it is preferable that the priority transmission is automatic.

(37) The image recording device;
It is preferable that the image recording system includes a terminal device having a setting change means for changing the setting information recorded in the storage medium, and a change operation means for accepting an operation for changing the setting information.

(38) It is preferable that the terminal device constituting the image recording system is configured to include a warning means for warning the user that the recorded data on the storage medium may be erased when an operation to change the setting information is received via the change operation means.
In this case, the possibility that the recorded data recorded in the storage medium will be erased due to an inadvertent operation can be prevented. Depending on the relationship between the original setting information and the changed setting information, the recorded data recorded in the storage medium may not be erased. It is also possible to provide a judgment means for comparing the original setting information with the changed setting information to judge the risk of the recorded data being erased and for deciding whether to issue a warning depending on the possibility.

(A) It is preferable to switch the descriptions of "first storage medium" and "second storage medium" described in (27) to (38) above, and configure the first storage medium as the main medium and the second storage medium as the secondary medium. For example, it is preferable to configure as follows (B) to (E). For (27), it is particularly preferable to configure as follows (B).
(B) The control means may be configured to control a storage medium attached to any one of the media storage sections as a first storage medium, which has an area in which recorded captured images are not erased due to overwrite prohibition, while controlling a storage medium attached to any other media storage section as a second storage medium, which is used as a secondary storage medium for overwriting recorded captured images and recording new captured images.
It is preferable to configure the first storage medium to store data that is not prohibited from being overwritten. It is preferable to use the first storage medium as the main storage medium and the second storage medium as the secondary storage medium. For example, in the case of recording an event before and after a G-sensor detects a certain impact, if the impact detection is an accident, it is better to prohibit overwriting. However, in reality, there are cases where an impact is detected due to road conditions such as road bumps or the driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary data that is prohibited from being overwritten will accumulate. To prevent this, it is better to determine a specified capacity and overwrite within that range.
For example, with respect to (30), it is particularly preferable to adopt the following configuration (C).
(C) The control means may be an image recording device having a function for setting up an overwritable memory area in a portion of the free space in the memory area of the first storage medium when the first and second storage media are attached and the second storage medium is removed, transitioning to a state in which only the first storage medium is attached, for storing data corresponding to the storage of the second storage medium.
For example, with respect to (31), it is particularly preferable to adopt the following configuration (D).
(D) The control means may be an image recording device that has a function of controlling, when only one storage medium is installed, the one storage medium as a third storage medium that combines storage areas for data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium and the second storage medium.
For example, with respect to (32), it is particularly preferable to adopt the following configuration (E).
(E) The control means may be an image recording device having a function of, when a new storage medium is installed when only one storage medium is installed, controlling the new storage medium as the first storage medium, and recording data recorded in the memory area of the third storage medium that corresponds to the storage of the first storage medium onto the first storage medium.
For example, with respect to (35), it is particularly preferable to adopt the following configuration (F).
The control means may be an image recording device having a function of recording, when the save operation means is operated while the playback image is being displayed, a portion of the corresponding captured image that corresponds to a time period based on the time point at which the operation is performed, or including the portion that corresponds to the time period, on a storage medium in a state in which it is prohibited from being overwritten.
Data is often moved or copied on a file-by-file basis, and files often contain more than just the "part that corresponds to the time period based on the time of the operation."
(39) It is preferable that the functions of the image recording device be realized by a computer as a program.

(a) It is preferable that the image recording device has a plurality of media storage sections for mounting storage media for recording recording data, which is data of captured images to be recorded, and that each media storage section records data by a different recording method and type of recorded data.
When differentiating the recording method and type of recorded data for each media storage unit, it is preferable to be able to differentiate functions for each media storage unit. When mounting a storage medium, it is only necessary to select a media storage unit according to the recorded data, etc., which makes it easier to use. For example, it becomes easier for the user to understand the different recording methods for each media storage unit, and mistakes such as removing a storage medium while writing can be prevented. For example, it is preferable to have different recording methods, such as one media storage unit allowing overwriting and the other not allowing overwriting. It is also preferable to have different recorded data, such as one media storage unit for continuous recording and the other for event recording.

(b) It is preferable that the image recording device has a plurality of medium housing sections in which storage media for recording recorded data is attached, and the probability that recorded data will be erased in each medium housing section is controlled to be different.
For example, it is preferable to provide one medium storage unit with a high probability of the recorded data being erased by overwriting, and the other with sufficient storage capacity for the amount of recorded data so that overwriting is prohibited or the probability of data being erased by overwriting is low. Even if both are overwritten, it is preferable to have one store a large amount of data such as continuous recording data and the other store a small amount of data such as event recording, so that the probability of the recorded data being erased is different.

(c) It is preferable that the image recording device is configured such that the multiple medium containers are not arranged vertically or horizontally, or are arranged so that their visibility differs, or their ranking is clear.
In this case, the ease of access from the user side can be differentiated for each media storage section. For example, storage media/media storage sections that are frequently attached/detached can be placed in an easy-to-find location, while those that are less frequently attached/detached can be placed in a less obvious location. Storage media/media storage sections that are frequently attached/detached can be easily identified by surrounding the edges with a line or coloring them. Those that are less frequently attached/detached can be covered so that they are less obvious. Alternatively, the media storage sections can be printed or engraved near the media storage sections so that the order can be made clear, such as 1, 2, etc., or A, B, etc., and the storage media/media storage sections that are frequently attached/detached can be numbered 1 or A to make it difficult to make a mistake when removing the storage media.

(d) Of the multiple storage media, at least one may be an image recording device having a different shape or size from the others.
In this case, it is possible to prevent the mistaking of multiple storage media. For example, by using different types of SD cards, such as a standard type storage medium such as an SD card for a storage medium/medium container that is frequently inserted and removed, and a micro SD card for a storage medium/medium container that is not frequently inserted and removed, it is possible to prevent the mistaking of the storage medium to be removed.

(e) It is preferable that the image recording device has a plurality of media storage sections for mounting storage media for recording video data, and in the control of initializing one storage medium while recording is being performed on another storage medium, the initialization is controlled so as to be performed automatically or semi-automatically under specified conditions.
By performing initialization automatically or semi-automatically, problems such as the inability to read data recorded on the storage medium can be avoided, and the data recording efficiency on the storage medium can be maintained high, thereby maintaining the amount of recordable data close to its maximum.
It is desirable to initialize storage media on a regular basis. Initialization can be performed automatically when a specified number of rewrites have been made since the last initialization, or when a specified amount of overwrite recording has been made, or when a specified condition has been met; or semi-automatically, by informing the user that the time for initialization has come with a display, alarm or sound, and/or by the user performing a confirmation operation to start initialization.

(f) It is preferable that the image recording device has a plurality of media storage sections for storing recording data, and in a control for automatically initializing one storage medium while recording is being performed on another storage medium, the image recording device is not automatically initialized when the storage medium is stored in at least one of the media storage sections.
By setting the medium storage unit not to be automatically initialized, data that is to be stored for a long period of time can be retained with a high degree of certainty. For example, it is advisable to set the storage medium storing event recordings not to be automatically initialized. Event recordings are considered to be overwritten less frequently than continuous recordings, and it is considered that there is a high possibility that event recordings include recordings that are to be stored for a relatively long period of time, so it is preferable to set the storage medium storing event recordings not to be automatically initialized.

(g) If the image recording device is provided with two media storage sections for mounting storage media for recording recording data, and is set up so that one storage medium is used for continuous recording and the other for event recording, it is preferable that the image recording device be controlled so that the continuous recording is temporarily stored in a portion of the capacity of the storage medium used for event recording while the storage medium used for continuous recording is being initialized.
In this case, it becomes possible to initialize the storage medium for continuous recording as well, and the occurrence of problems related to that storage medium can be suppressed. For example, if there are multiple storage media for continuous recording, they can be initialized in order, but if there are two media storage units, for example, one is used for event recording, and automatic initialization is prohibited as described above, it is preferable to control so that recording is made to the storage medium for event recording at least while the storage medium for continuous recording is being initialized.

(h) If the image recording device is provided with a plurality of media storage sections for mounting storage media for recording recording data, and is set to store event recordings in at least one storage medium and record continuous recordings in the other storage media, it is preferable that when the remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing event recordings falls below a predetermined level, the image recording device controls so that the event recordings are stored in the storage medium for continuous recording.
In this case, for example, if event recording is prohibited from being overwritten, it is possible to prevent a situation in which recording becomes impossible when the storage medium becomes full.
It is advisable to inform the user, for example, by an alarm, voice, display, etc., that the remaining capacity of the storage medium has fallen below a predetermined level, or that event recording is being performed on the storage medium for continuous recording.

(i) It is preferable that the image recording device has a plurality of media storage units in which storage media for recording recorded data is attached, and stores at least both continuous recordings stored with overwrite and event recordings stored with overwrite-prohibited in one main storage medium, and controls the other storage media to store data in storage media other than the main storage medium when the capacity of the main storage medium stored with overwrite-prohibited reaches a predetermined value or more, or when there is no storage medium in the main media storage unit.

When removing the storage medium and viewing the recorded data on an external device such as a PC, it is convenient to be able to view all the data stored, both continuous recording and event recording. Also, if an accident occurs, the storage medium on which the images from the accident are recorded may be removed and stored. In such cases, it is better for all data, both continuous recording and event recording, to be stored on a single storage medium. However, a single storage medium will not function as an image recording device if it is full due to overwrite protection or if no storage medium is attached. If multiple storage media are attached, it will function even in such cases. The main storage medium may be large capacity, and the others small capacity. It may be possible to erase some or all of the data recorded on the main storage medium, and when there is free capacity or when a new storage medium is attached, some or all of the data stored on the other storage media may be transferred to the main storage medium.

(j) It is advisable to designate a media storage section in which the main storage medium is to be loaded, and to place a lamp near the media storage section so that the lamp flashes or lights up when the capacity is full due to the overwrite prohibition or when no storage medium is loaded.
In this case, the media storage section that cannot record data can be clearly displayed, so that the user can recognize the fact. For example, when data is stored in a storage medium other than the main storage medium, it is easy to know by making the lamp of the media storage section in which the main storage medium is attached blink. Also, for example, it is good to configure it so that the user is notified by a display on the display unit, an alarm, a sound, etc. at the same time as the lamp blinks or lights up.

(k) It is also possible for the image recording device to be configured to have a plurality of media storage sections for mounting storage media for recording recording data, with one main storage medium storing at least both continuous recording that is stored by overwriting and event recording that is stored without overwriting, and when initializing the main storage medium, at least the data that is not overwritable stored in the main storage medium is copied or moved to another storage medium, and then the main storage medium is initialized.
With this configuration, it becomes possible to initialize a storage medium that contains overwrite-protected data, for example.

(l) It is preferable that the image recording device has a built-in media storage section for storing recording data and a non-reversible memory for storing recording data, and that the recorded data is always stored in the storage medium, and that the built-in memory stores the recorded data when the data capacity stored in the storage medium is greater than a predetermined amount due to overwriting protection, or when there is no storage medium in the main media storage section, or when the storage medium is initialized, and that when some or all of the data recorded in the storage medium is erased and there is free capacity or when a new storage medium is installed, some or all of the data stored in the built-in memory is transferred to the storage medium.
In this case, only one medium container is required, which reduces production costs.

(m) When initializing the storage medium, it is preferable for the image recording device to switch storage from the storage medium to be initialized to another storage medium, and then initialize the storage medium after a predetermined period of storage or a predetermined capacity of storage has been performed in the other storage medium.
To avoid erasing new data as much as possible, it is recommended to initialize the storage medium after the storage progresses on other media. It is recommended to initialize the storage medium only when the storage capacity of other media has been reached and overwriting has begun.

(n) It is preferable to provide a plurality of medium storage units, one of which is a dummy image recording device.
By providing a dummy media storage section, it is possible to obtain the effect of using it as a storage location for spare storage media. A spare storage medium can be attached to the dummy media storage section, and when the main storage medium is removed, it is good to replace it with the spare storage medium in the dummy media storage section.

(o) It is preferable that the device has a car navigation function, and has a plurality of media storage units in the same housing, at least one of which is dedicated to storing recorded data and information and data associated with the recorded data.
Car navigation systems, generally known as PNDs, often have media storage units such as memory card slots for updating maps and software, providing music and video sources, recording TV, storing driving routes, etc. When combining car navigation functions and drive recorder functions, there is a method of using one media storage unit to properly use both functions, but if the drive recorder function is given the function of constantly recording images while driving, image data must be constantly stored in the storage medium while driving, and if data related to the car navigation function is also stored in the storage medium, processing problems may occur. Therefore, it is better to provide multiple media storage units, with at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.

(p) It is preferable that the device has a radar detector function and has multiple media storage sections in the same housing, at least one of which is dedicated to storing recorded data and information and data associated with the recorded data.
Radar detectors are often used by storing data such as the location of an alarm on a memory card. For the same reason as (o) above, it is advisable to provide multiple media storage units, with at least one dedicated to the drive recorder function.

(q) In the above (o) and (p), one of the multiple medium storage sections may be the main medium storage section for the above (c) and (d) and the above (i), (j), and (k). This is particularly applicable to a memory card dedicated to recorded data and information and data associated with recorded data.
The above-mentioned configurations can be implemented in any combination within the scope of the present invention without causing any contradiction in the configuration.

1A and 1B are perspective views of a drive recorder according to a first embodiment (FIG. 1A is a rear side, and FIG. 1B is a front side). FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a holder on which an acceleration sensor is mounted in the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an imaging unit housed inside the camera according to the first embodiment (FIG. 4A is a rear view, and FIG. 4B is a front view). FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the drive recorder according to the first embodiment. 1 is a graph illustrating the correlation between acceleration and time when braking suddenly at 100 km/h. 1 is a graph illustrating the correlation between acceleration and time when braking suddenly at 80 km/h. 11 is a graph illustrating an image of a threshold value set based on the magnitude of acceleration and time. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of sequential recording in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an event occurrence determination routine in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transfer of an SD card between a drive recorder and a personal computer in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the personal computer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a viewer screen displayed by a personal computer in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an event file sequence in the first embodiment. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a dialog box displayed on a monitor of a personal computer in the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams of another sequential recording in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of dual recording in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of mirror recording in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the front side of a drive recorder in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear side of the drive recorder in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an installation state of a drive recorder in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear side of another drive recorder in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear side of another drive recorder in the fifth embodiment.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples.
Example 1
1 of this embodiment, a drive recorder 1 as an example of an image recording device includes a substantially cylindrical main body case 2 that houses an imaging unit, etc. The main body case 2 can be attached to, for example, the windshield of a vehicle via an attachment bracket 3.

The bracket 3 includes a retaining ring that is fitted onto the substantially cylindrical main body case 2, and a substantially flat mounting plate 5 that circumscribes the retaining ring. An end of the main body case 2 that is fitted onto the retaining ring of the bracket 3 is configured so that a substantially doughnut-shaped cap 4 can be screwed into it. If the cap 4 is screwed into the main body case 2 with the rotation angle of the main body case 2 adjusted, the main body case 2 can be fixed to the bracket 3. If the rotation angle of the main body case 2 relative to the bracket 3 is adjusted, the depression angle of the drive recorder 1 can be changed to adjust the shooting range.
The drive recorder 1 can be attached to, for example, a windshield via a mounting plate 5 so that the lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 faces a predetermined direction (generally the front direction).

The side end face of the main body case 2, which is approximately flush with the end of the screwed cap 4, is perforated with an access hole 171 to the DC jack 16 and a USB port 172 to which a USB cable extending from a personal computer or the like can be connected. The opposite side end face of the main body case 2 is provided with insertion ports 181 and 182 for inserting an SD card. In particular, the drive recorder 1 of this example has two insertion ports. LEDs (display units) 181A and 182A are arranged on both sides of the insertion ports 181 and 182. The LED 181A lights up during data access to the SD card, which is a memory card as an example of a storage medium inserted into the insertion port 181. The LED 182A lights up during data access to the SD card inserted into the insertion port 182.

The main body case 2 is a hollow case that combines a camera cover 2b and a back cover 2a, which are roughly cylindrical parts divided vertically in two. On the surface of the back cover 2a, a holder 7 (Fig. 2) that rotatably holds the holder main body 7a, first and second push buttons 8, 9 that serve as operating means, and illumination blocks 10, 11 for the first and second pilot lamps are arranged. The lens 14 of the CCD camera 13 is exposed on the surface of the camera cover 2b.

The holder body 7a in FIG. 2 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 15 as a data acquisition means. In the holder 7, the acceleration sensor 15 can be positioned in a horizontal direction that serves as a reference position in response to the rotation of the holder body 7a. The acceleration sensor 15 measures acceleration, which is a measurement value of a physical quantity that reflects the vehicle's situation.

The main body case 2 contains an imaging unit 21. As shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b), the imaging unit 21 is a unit having a board structure in which a main board 22 and a sub-board 25 are stacked on top of each other. The main board 22 is equipped with a CCD camera 13, a GPS receiver 24, a DC jack 16, a power supply circuit (not shown), etc.

Switches 27, 28 corresponding to the first and second push buttons 8, 9 are arranged on the sub-substrate 25, and LEDs 291, 292 corresponding to the first and second pilot lamp illumination blocks 10, 11 are arranged. In addition, a connector (not shown) is provided on the sub-substrate 25 for connecting a signal line extended from the acceleration sensor 15. SD card readers 311, 312, which are an example of a media storage section for mounting an SD card and reading and writing data, are mounted on the front and back surfaces of the sub-substrate 25. Of the two SD card readers 311, 312, the SD card reader 311 is the master and the SD card reader 312 is the slave. In the following description, the SD card loaded in the master SD card reader 311 is referred to as the master, and the SD card loaded in the slave SD card reader 312 is referred to as the slave.

4, the drive recorder 1 is electrically configured with a controller 30, which is an example of a control means, as a central component. The controller 30 is connected to the CCD camera 13, the acceleration sensor 15, the GPS receiver 24, the SD card readers 311 and 312, and the database 32.
The controller 30 includes a CPU (not shown), a main memory such as a flash ROM, a ROM, or a RAM, which is an example of a storage means, a timer, and the like.

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

The GPS receiver 24 is a receiver that detects the current position information of the vehicle in accordance with an instruction from the control controller 30. In this example, the detection timing by the GPS receiver 24 is set to every second. The detected position information includes the position, speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The GPS receiver 24 inputs the detected position information to the control controller 30.
The CCD camera 13 is an imaging means that captures an image of a scene ahead via a lens 14 and acquires image data. The CCD camera 13 inputs the image data to the controller 30 via an interface unit 33 that is capable of performing data compression and digital conversion.
The acceleration sensor 15 is a three-axis type sensor that detects acceleration and tilt in each of three axial directions (X, Y, Z), and inputs the detected values to the controller 30 .
The SD card readers 311 and 312 read and write data from and to an SD card under the control of the controller 30 .

The data recorded on the SD card under the control of the controller 30 includes imaging data (captured images) from the CCD camera 13, position data and speed data from the GPS receiver 24, acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 15, and the like. Each of these data is recorded in association with the time of recording. This association makes it possible to obtain position data, speed data, and acceleration data at each point in time in synchronization with the playback of the imaging data. In the following explanation, recording of imaging data means synchronously recording imaging data together with speed data, position data, acceleration data, and the like. Similarly, recording of event data (specific images) means synchronously recording imaging data together with speed data, position data, acceleration data, and the like.

The database 32 is a non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM, that is provided within the controller 30 or externally attached to the controller 30. In the database 32, a plurality of event occurrence determination function patterns are stored according to speed.
The event occurrence determination pattern is a pattern that combines an event occurrence determination function pattern and an event occurrence determination threshold pattern. The event occurrence determination function pattern is a multidimensional function that is expressed by the relationship between the magnitude of acceleration at the time of the occurrence of an event (shock, sudden start/break, sudden steering) and the elapsed time, and can be graphed (curved) two-dimensionally. As the event occurrence determination function pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared corresponding to the specific speed range for each event.

In a drive recorder 1 equipped with an acceleration sensor 15 capable of detecting acceleration in three axial directions, three types of event occurrence determination function patterns are stored in association with one another. Ideal patterns for the event occurrence determination function pattern include, for example, the waveforms shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 illustrates the event occurrence determination function pattern in the X-axis direction (the direction of travel of the vehicle) during sudden braking while cruising at a speed of 100 km/h. Figure 6 also illustrates the same case at a speed of 80 km/h. From these patterns, we can see a tendency that the slower the speed, the quicker the acceleration converges.

In the database 32, thresholds are stored in association with all event occurrence judgment function patterns as event occurrence judgment threshold patterns. The thresholds are set according to the tendency of each event occurrence judgment function pattern, with the magnitude, direction, and time of acceleration as parameters. For example, in the case of the event occurrence judgment function pattern in which sudden braking is an event in FIG. 5, a large acceleration occurs in a relatively short time, and then a state in which the large acceleration continues, and then a large acceleration in the opposite direction occurs in a relatively short time. It is good to set the threshold value based on whether or not there is a deviation from such a tendency of acceleration and time. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is good to set the threshold value as a sustained state A1 of positive acceleration of 0.3 G that continues for a time L1, and a negative acceleration A2 of 0.15 G for a time L2 (which does not need to continue). When such threshold values are set, if there is a continuation of positive acceleration of more than 0.3 G for a time L1, and then a negative acceleration of more than 0.15 G for a time L2 (which does not need to continue), it is determined that the threshold value of that event at that speed has been exceeded.

The number of thresholds may be the same as the number of event occurrence determination function patterns, and it is also possible to use a common threshold when similar event occurrence determination function patterns are shown. For example, in the case of the same event, within a certain range of speeds, there is not much difference in the patterns, so it is possible to associate a common threshold.

The controller 30 samples the detection value of the acceleration sensor 15 at a constant timing based on the acceleration change calculation program, calculates a function of the acceleration change pattern defined by the magnitude of acceleration and time, and judges the correlation between the existing acceleration change pattern function and the calculated function based on the correlation function program. If it judges that there is a correlation similarity, it then judges whether the calculated acceleration change pattern exceeds a threshold value.

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

Next, the operations of the drive recorder 1 configured as above will be described in the following order: (1) an operation for recording image data onto an SD card, (2) an event determination operation, and (3) an operation for recording event data.
When the vehicle ignition is switched on and the drive recorder 1 is energized, the setting information stored in the SD card is read out and copied to the main memory (RAM), and operation according to the setting information is started. If no setting information is stored in the SD card, the default (initial setting) setting information stored in the main memory (ROM) is stored in the master SD card, and then copied to the main memory (RAM).

Although details will be described later, the setting information for the SD card can be generated using the personal computer 35. In the following explanation, the operation of the drive recorder 1 according to the default setting information will be described. In the default setting, a sequential recording operation mode (control mode) is set in which a series of image data over a long period of time is recorded using the master and slave SD cards. As the operation mode of the drive recorder 1, as will be described later in Example 2, in addition to sequential recording, there are also dual recording and mirror recording operation modes.

(1) Recording operation of image data (sequential recording)
The operation of recording image data to the SD cards is an operation that is continuously performed when the power is on and no events such as shocks are occurring. Under the control of the controller 30, a series of image data is recorded using two SD cards as shown in FIG. 8. The recorded image data includes speed data, position data (latitude and longitude), acceleration data, etc., which are recorded in a time-synchronized manner as described above. The storage area of each SD card is managed by block, such as a sector. The squares of each SD card in the figure represent these blocks in a schematic manner.

If the two SD cards are in the initialized state, the control controller 30 starts recording (recording of image data) from the master SD card as shown in A of the figure. If the memory area of the master SD card becomes full, it starts recording to the slave SD card as shown in B of the figure. After that, when the memory area of the slave SD card also becomes full, it erases the memory area of the master SD card to create free space as shown in the upper part of C of the figure. The order of erasure at this time is from the oldest (oldest image capture timing) recorded image data in the memory area of the SD card, and the image data is erased in the order of 1, 2, 3, ... as shown in the figure. While erasing the old image data in this way, the control controller 30 records new image data as shown in the lower part of C of the figure. After that, when all the image data on the master SD card has been rewritten, it records new image data while erasing the image data recorded on the slave SD card as shown in D of the figure, in the same way as in the case of the master SD card described with reference to C of the figure.

For example, if the vehicle ignition is turned off and the power supply is cut off when image data has been recorded up to block 40 on the slave SD card as shown in FIG. E, the controller 30 will continue recording image data from block 41 on the slave SD card when the vehicle ignition is subsequently turned on.

(2) Event Determination Operation, (3) Event Data Recording Operation The event determination operation is an operation that is realized by executing a predetermined event determination routine by the controller 30. The event data recording operation is executed in the event determination routine when the occurrence of an event such as an impact, a sudden start/break, or a sudden turn is determined.

An example of an event occurrence determination routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. In the drive recorder 1 of this embodiment, this routine is executed at intervals of about 10 ms.
The controller 30 samples the acceleration every time step S1 is executed, thereby acquiring the pattern of the acceleration for the most recent second (the past second based on the current time), and at the same time corrects the event occurrence determination function pattern according to the vehicle speed at that time (the current time). For example, if the vehicle speed is 75 km/h, the event occurrence determination function pattern must also be compared with the pattern for 75 km/h. The controller 30 calculates the event occurrence determination function pattern for 75 km/h by weighting a plurality of patterns close to the vehicle speed, for example, the event occurrence determination function patterns for 80 km/h and 60 km/h, among the event occurrence determination function patterns prepared in advance.

In step S2, the controller 30 determines whether the acceleration pattern matches the corrected event occurrence determination function pattern, that is, the similarity between the patterns. Because both the acceleration pattern and the event occurrence determination function pattern are functions in the same dimension, the similarity between the two functions can be determined by a correlation function.

If it is determined that the pattern is not similar to any of the event occurrence determination function patterns (S2: NO), it is determined that the acceleration pattern is not one to be saved and the process moves to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that the pattern is similar to the event occurrence determination function pattern (S2: YES), then in step S3 it is determined whether the speed exceeds the specific threshold value of the event occurrence determination threshold pattern. The threshold value used here is the one that has already been corrected based on the threshold correction data.

When the threshold value is exceeded in step S3 (S3: YES), the control controller 30 determines that the event should be saved. The control controller 30 specifies a specific time period from 10 seconds before to 5 seconds after the event occurrence, and copies the image data (specific image) for that time period from the series of image data recorded on the SD card to the main memory (flash ROM). The image data copied to the main memory (flash ROM) is treated as event data (information regarding the occurrence of the event, including position data, speed data, and acceleration data synchronized with the image data) for 15 seconds including the time when the event occurred. When an event occurs, the operation of acquiring the acceleration pattern is canceled for 5 seconds and the routine ends (S4). This cancellation of the acquisition operation is a process to prevent the acquisition of duplicated event data. On the other hand, if the threshold value is not exceeded and it is determined that the event has not occurred (S3: NO), it is determined that the threshold value to be saved has not been exceeded and the routine proceeds to step S1.

Next, we will explain in this order: (1) viewing of image data, (2) viewing of event data, (3) setting of thresholds for event determination, and (4) setting of operating modes using a personal computer 35, which is a terminal device on which an application program compatible with the drive recorder 1 is installed.
(1) Viewing of image data The image data recorded on the SD card can be downloaded to a personal computer 35 and viewed as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a block diagram explaining the general electrical configuration of the personal computer 35. The personal computer 35 is equipped with an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 37 which is a control device. The personal computer 35 is equipped with user interfaces such as data input means, such as a keyboard 42 and a mouse 43, and data output means (or display means), such as a printer 44 and a monitor 45.

The MPU 37 is connected to a ROM 38 and a RAM 39, as well as SD card readers/writers 361, 362 as data interface means, a hard disk drive 40, etc. The hard disk housed in the hard disk drive 40 stores general programs for the personal computer 35, data, and a viewer program that displays an image of an acceleration pattern on the monitor 45. This personal computer 35 constitutes a drive recorder system (image recording system) in combination with the drive recorder 1.

When a predetermined operation is performed by a data input means such as the keyboard 42, the personal computer 35 starts up a viewer program, prompts the user to insert an SD card, and displays a viewer screen on the monitor 45. FIG. 12 shows an example of a viewer screen 51 displayed on the monitor 45. A menu bar 52 for executing various operations is located at the top of the viewer screen 51. The area below the menu bar 52 is divided into left and right areas by a vertical line located on the right side. In the left area, which occupies about 2/3 of the screen width, an image display area 53 for displaying captured data, a display switching button 54, a driving speed display area 55, an acceleration display area 56, a latitude and longitude display area 57, an image drive and stop button 58, and an acceleration history display area 59 are arranged from the top. In the right area, which occupies about 1/3 of the screen width, a playlist 60 and a map area 61 are arranged from the top.

When two SD cards containing a series of captured image data are inserted, the file numbers of the series of captured image data are displayed in focus in the playlist 60. The file numbers are a series of numbers indicating the date, start time, and end time when the image was captured.

The PC 35 displays an image based on the captured image data in response to the operation of the image drive/stop button 58 on the viewer screen 51. While the image is being displayed, the displays of the driving speed display area 55, acceleration display area 56, latitude/longitude display area 57, acceleration history display area 59, and map area 61 change according to the displayed image. Various operations can be performed on the image, such as reverse playback to go backwards, pausing, etc. In addition, by operating the display switch button 54, it is possible to select either a pattern in which one screen is displayed across the entire image display area 53, or a pattern in which consecutive frame images (e.g. 16 screens) are displayed.

(2) Viewing of Event Data Event data recorded in the main memory (flash ROM) of the drive recorder 1 can be written to the PC 35 connected in a communicable state via a USB cable by a predetermined write operation using the operation buttons of the drive recorder 1. The main body case 2 may be removed from the bracket 3 and connected to the PC 35, or an easily portable notebook computer may be brought into the vehicle and connected to the drive recorder 1. When connected to the PC 35, the drive recorder 1 can be operated by being supplied with power via the USB cable even if the vehicle ignition is off.

It is also possible to write the event data to an SD card, USB memory, etc. In this case, the data recorded on the SD card is overwritten as the event data is written. When using an SD card to write the event data, it is recommended to remove the SD card on which the series of image data is recorded and insert another SD card before carrying out the specified write operation. When the specified write operation is carried out, a voice warning is output before the event data is actually written out, informing the user that the data on the SD card will be overwritten.

After reading the event data via a USB cable or SD card, the PC 35 displays a list of the file numbers of each event data (the file number is a series of numbers representing the year, month, date and time when the data was taken) in a playlist 60 on the viewer screen 51 (Fig. 12). The playlist 60 is a list read from the event file column 63 in Fig. 13. In the playlist 60, each event data is displayed in order from oldest to newest. For each event data, the file name, the event name indicating the type of event that triggered it, and the sensitivity level of the event are displayed. For example, L3 means that the threshold for the data in that file is determined at level 3 (i.e. the default state).

When a file number is specified by operating the menu bar 52, the PC 35 displays the image data of the corresponding event data in the image display area 53. The image displayed at this time is a still image at the time when it is determined that the event has occurred. As this image is displayed, the driving speed display area 55, acceleration display area 56, and latitude/longitude display area 57 each display data corresponding to that image, and the map area 61 displays a surrounding map including the location where the image was taken. The acceleration history display area 59 displays the acceleration history over the time (15 seconds in total) that the image data of this event data was saved, and the acceleration position at the time displayed in the image display area 53 is plotted. Image operations using the image drive/stop button 58 and the like are the same as when viewing a series of image data.

(3) Setting the Threshold for Event Judgment A method for setting the sensitivity level of the threshold correction data constituting the setting information in the personal computer 35 having the function of the setting change means will be described below. This operation is performed in a state where an application program is launched and the viewer screen 51 is displayed, as described above. When the data input means of the personal computer 35 detects that the setting button 52G (the part with the gear icon) on the menu bar 52 is pressed, the personal computer 35 displays a dialog box 65 shown in FIG. 14 on the monitor 45.

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

(4) Operation Mode Setting A method for setting an operation mode constituting setting information in the PC 35 having a function as a setting change means will be described. This operation is performed on a mode selection screen (not shown) that is switched to and displayed with the viewer screen. This mode selection screen constitutes a change operation means for changing the operation mode, and on this screen, selection buttons corresponding to each operation mode of sequential recording, dual recording (described later in Example 2), and mirror recording (similar) as well as a confirmation button are arranged. By operating the confirmation button after selecting one of the selection buttons, the desired operation mode can be selectively set. When the confirmation button is operated, the PC 35 displays a message (function of the warning means) indicating that the imaging data recorded on the SD card may be erased by changing the operation mode, and switches to the display of a confirmation screen that confirms with the user whether or not it is OK to rewrite the setting information. When an operation is performed on this confirmation screen indicating that it is OK to change, new setting information is stored in the SD card.

The drive recorder 1 of this example configured as described above can record a series of image data over a long period of time using two SD cards, for example, in the sequential recording operation mode. After the storage capacity of the two SD cards becomes full, the image data recorded on one of the SD cards is erased in order from the oldest at the time of recording, and new image data is recorded in the free space created by the erasure. By recording new image data while erasing old image data in this way, it is possible to effectively use the storage capacity of the two SD cards and record image data over a long period of time. In addition, when a series of image data is recorded on two SD cards, the frequency of erasing and rewriting data can be reduced compared to when recording on one SD card, and the burden on the SD cards can be reduced. If the burden on the SD cards can be reduced, the probability of occurrence of problems such as write errors and erase errors when recording image data can be reduced, and operational reliability can be improved.

Furthermore, in this drive recorder 1, when an event such as an impact exceeding a threshold occurs, image data (specific images as event data) for a specific time period (15 seconds in this example) before and after the moment the event occurs is copied from the SD card to the main memory (flash ROM) and recorded. When an event occurs, information specifying the timing of the occurrence can be temporarily stored, and then, once there is sufficient leeway in the CPU's calculation load, etc., the image data for the specific time period can be copied to the main memory (flash ROM). In this case, the CPU's processing load can be distributed over time, thereby reducing load concentration.

The drive recorder 1, which continuously records image data, uses the storage area of memory cards such as SD cards in a way that is significantly different from cameras and video cameras. That is, as long as an image recording device such as the drive recorder 1 is powered on, it will endlessly erase old image data and record new image data. With a camera or video camera, old image data is not automatically erased by being overwritten with new image data; for example, the image data is erased after it has been read out by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

In an image recording device such as the drive recorder 1 that endlessly repeats erasing and writing to continuously record image data, data write errors and erasing errors may occur as the image data is repeatedly recorded and erased, and there is a risk of defects occurring in the recorded data in the storage area. In contrast, the drive recorder 1 of this example has two media storage units, so multiple memory cards can be installed. By using multiple memory cards, the number of times data is rewritten and erased from each memory card can be reduced compared to when only one memory card is installed, reducing the burden. This reduces the probability of problems such as write errors and erase errors occurring when recording image data, and improves operational reliability. The drive recorder 1 is a device with excellent characteristics that improves the stability of the image data recording operation.

The imaging data recording operation of this example described with reference to FIG. 8 may be modified as shown in FIG. 15. The operation when starting recording to the master SD card in FIG. 15A is the same as that in FIG. 8A. The difference lies in the control after the memory area of the master SD card becomes full. As shown in FIG. 15B, the imaging data recorded on the master SD card is erased in conjunction with the recording of imaging data to the slave SD card. Here, "in conjunction" means that the recording and erasure of imaging data proceed in parallel and in sync, with the amount of imaging data recorded on the slave SD card and the amount of imaging data erased from the master SD card roughly matching or maintaining a certain difference.

After that, when the memory area of the slave SD card becomes full, all the imaging data recorded on the master SD card is erased, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 15C. It is preferable to leave the file management information that manages the data addresses (recording positions) of the data files stored in the memory area of the SD card valid and not erased until all the imaging data is erased. By performing such control, it becomes possible to read the imaging data that remains undeleted until the SD card is initialized. It is preferable to execute an initialization format of the memory area after erasing all the imaging data and erase the file management information. Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. C, the imaging data recorded on the slave SD card is erased in synchronization with the recording operation of the imaging data on the master SD card. In addition, when initializing an SD card that stores setting information, it is preferable to restore the setting information storage state by first copying the setting information stored in the main memory (RAM) after initialization.

When the memory area of the master SD card becomes full again, the slave SD card will be in an initialized state with all image data erased, as shown in FIG. 15D, and will be able to start recording image data.
Also, for example, when the vehicle ignition is turned off with image data recorded up to block 40 on the slave SD card as shown in FIG. 13E, and then turned back on, recording is resumed using the slave SD card on which the latest image data has been recorded.

It is also possible to provide three or more SD card readers. For example, the three or more SD cards set can be divided into two groups, and the same recording operation as for the two SD cards in this example can be applied to the SD cards in each group. In this case, by recording the same image data on two or more SD cards belonging to the same group, it becomes possible to read the image data even if a recording error occurs on one of the SD cards.

In this example, two SD cards are used to enable recording of a series of image data over a long period of time. Alternatively, a series of image data may be recorded using a combination of one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). In this configuration, event data may be recorded on one of the SD cards, the remaining SD card, or the main body memory (flash ROM).

In this example, acceleration and the like are used as physical quantities that reflect the vehicle's condition in order to determine the occurrence of an event. In addition to acceleration and the like, examples of such physical quantities include information flowing on an in-vehicle network that transmits vehicle control information and information obtained based on that information. For example, speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5 second speed, average 5 second speed, maximum 5 second speed, RPM, average RPM, maximum RPM, engine load, average load, maximum load, throttle opening, average throttle opening, maximum throttle opening, ignition timing, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, maximum intake manifold pressure, MAF, INJ, coolant temperature, maximum coolant temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside temperature, maximum outside temperature, remaining fuel, fuel flow rate, maximum fuel flow rate, fuel consumed, lifetime fuel consumed, instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, maximum current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption on ordinary roads, average fuel consumption on expressways, moving average fuel consumption, maximum moving average fuel consumption, driving time, driving time, idle time, idle ratio, mileage, lifetime mileage, 0-20km/h acceleration time, 0-20km/h average acceleration, 0-20km/h minimum acceleration, 0-40km/h acceleration time, 0-40km/h average acceleration, 0-40km/h It is also possible to adopt any of the vehicle data such as shortest acceleration, 0-60km/h acceleration time, 0-60km/h average acceleration, 0-60km/h shortest acceleration, 0-80km/h acceleration time, 0-80km/h average acceleration, 0-80km/h shortest acceleration, 0-20km/h driving time, 20-40km/h driving time, 40-60km/h driving time, 60-80km/h driving time, 80km/h or more driving time, lifetime engine driving distance, lifetime engine driving ratio, etc. These vehicle data can be acquired, for example, via an OBD connector (fault diagnosis connector) provided on the vehicle side in accordance with the OBD (On-board Diagnostics)-II (II is the Roman numeral "2"; hereinafter referred to as "OBD") standard, which is a vehicle inspection standard. In this case, the configuration for acquiring vehicle data from the OBD connector becomes the data acquisition means.

For example, a recording button (save operation means) for recording imaging data for a specific time interval by manual operation on the user side may be provided. In this case, the operation of the recording button becomes an event. By operating the recording button, imaging data before and after the operation can be recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) or SD card. For example, when a user passes a point of interest or encounters a traffic situation that the user wants to record, the user can conveniently record imaging data including the point or the traffic situation as event data by operating the recording button after the fact. Note that, for an event of a user's operation, there is a high possibility that a time lag occurs between the appearance of an object to be recorded and the actual occurrence of the event. Therefore, when recording event data in response to an event of a user's operation, it is also good to set the time interval corresponding to the event data to be long. In particular, if the time interval on the past side is set to be long, the desired scenery can be recorded as event data with high reliability even if the operation of the recording button is delayed.
For example, the drive recorder may be equipped with a liquid crystal display that can play back and display the image data recorded on the SD card. In this case, the event data can be recorded by operating the record button while the image data is being played back by the drive recorder.

In this example, the insertion port 181 of the SD card reader 311 corresponding to the master SD card and the insertion port 182 of the SD card reader 312 corresponding to the slave SD card are opened in parallel on the side of the main body of the drive recorder 1. For example, the insertion port 181 corresponding to the master SD card may be provided with a cover, while the insertion port 182 corresponding to the slave SD card may be left without a cover. In this case, the operation procedure for removing the master SD card can be made more complicated than the operation procedure for removing the slave SD card, and this makes it possible to induce the slave SD card to be removed preferentially. This makes it possible to suppress the risk of the master SD card, on which important data such as setting information is recorded, being removed, and to prevent problems caused by the master SD card being removed unexpectedly.

The drive recorder 1 may be provided with an operation button that serves as a change operation means for changing the setting information (operation mode, threshold correction data, etc.). In this case, the setting information can be changed by the drive recorder 1 alone. A function for displaying the set operation mode and the operation mode to which the setting is changed may be provided, or a reading function may be provided. Furthermore, if the drive recorder 1 is configured to be able to change the setting information, it is preferable to add a warning means for warning that changing the setting information may erase the recorded data on the SD card. As the warning means, a text reading function or the like may be adopted. In this case, there is no need to add a display screen such as an LCD display, and the increase in costs due to setting the warning means can be suppressed.

Example 2
This example is an operation example of the drive recorder 1 in an operation mode other than the sequential recording described in the first embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to Fig. 16. As described in the first embodiment, the operation modes of the drive recorder 1 include (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording in addition to (1) sequential recording in the first embodiment. This example is an operation example in the (2) dual recording operation mode.

(2) Dual Recording Dual recording is an operation mode in which event data is recorded in the master SD card and a series of imaging data is recorded in the slave SD card as shown in Fig. 16. A series of imaging data that is continuous in time is recorded in the slave SD card, and when the memory area is full, imaging data with the oldest imaging timing is overwritten with new imaging data in order. On the other hand, when an event such as an impact occurs, imaging data for a specific time period (10 seconds before the event occurs and 5 seconds after the event occurs) including the moment of occurrence is copied (data copied) from the slave SD card and recorded in the master SD card. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the recorded imaging data includes not only the imaging data but also speed data, position data, acceleration data, etc., which are recorded in synchronization with each other.

In the case of Fig. 16, as shown in the bottom row, after the master SD card becomes full of recorded data (event data), the old recorded data is erased to secure free space for recording new event data. Alternatively, the event data may be recorded with overwrite-prohibited. When the memory area of the master SD card becomes full with event data, a notification may be issued to prompt the user to insert an SD card with free memory area. For example, an overwrite-prohibited SD card may be set to an allowable mode in which overwriting is permitted. In this case, when an important scene that needs to be recorded appears after the memory area of the overwrite-prohibited SD card becomes full, the allowable mode can be set to record the image data of the important scene.
Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the imaging data is normally recorded in the slave SD card, and when passing a location where the imaging data is to be stored, the imaging data is recorded in the master SD card that is not overwritable, by a switch operation. This switch operation may be a changeover switch operation, or a switch operation that holds the switched state for a predetermined time after operation and returns to the original state after the predetermined time has elapsed.

When operating in dual recording mode, it is also possible to record event data in the main memory (flash ROM) as in Example 1. In this case, by recording event data in both the SD card and the main memory (flash ROM), data can be backed up, and problems such as being unable to read data when an event occurs can be avoided.

This example is an example of dual recording using two SD cards. Alternatively, dual recording may be performed using one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). Furthermore, dual recording may be performed using two or more SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM).
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

By recording a series of imaging data on the secondary slave memory card and recording imaging data for a specific time interval in response to the occurrence of an event on the primary master memory card, it is possible to efficiently record the series of imaging data and the imaging data for the specific time interval. Note that the specific time interval may be, for example, a time interval when storage is required. Since the series of imaging data recorded on the slave memory card needs to be updated from time to time, it is not appropriate to prohibit overwriting. On the other hand, imaging data may be recorded on the master memory card in overwrite-prohibited mode, in which case imaging data for a specific time interval recorded in response to the occurrence of an event can be stored with a high degree of certainty.

Generally, when recording on a memory card, a series of imaging data is managed, for example, on a file-by-file basis. In such a configuration, it may be difficult to create a file that contains only imaging data from a specific time period. In this case, it is a good idea to copy or move data on a file-by-file basis that contains imaging data from a specific time period.

In the dual recording operation mode, the controller of the drive recorder 1 controls the secondary slave memory card as a first storage medium that allows overwriting, while controlling the primary master memory card as a second storage medium that prohibits overwriting. Here, the first and second numbers of the storage media do not indicate priority or master-slave relationship, but are completely unrelated, and the numbers may be interchanged. If the secondary slave memory card is used as a storage medium for overwriting recording and the primary master memory card is prohibited from overwriting, as described above, it becomes possible to perform continuous recording, which continuously records image data on the slave memory card, while recording image data that you particularly want to keep on the master memory card.

In the dual recording operation mode, the controller of the drive recorder 1 executes continuous recording, sequentially overwriting the oldest image data at the time of capture among the image data recorded on the secondary slave memory card, to record new image data. This enables continuous recording of image data at all times, and makes it possible to record image data from a specified time range in the past based on the current time. For example, it becomes possible to record image data at the moment an accident occurs, providing evidence that will be useful in identifying the cause of the accident.

In addition, the main master memory card that prohibits overwriting may record captured images other than those recorded continuously, such as image data recorded during event recording when some event occurs, image data recorded during manual operation in response to manual operations, and still images. If there are not enough memory cards installed in the drive recorder 1 to be able to be allocated to master/slave, the installed memory cards may be treated as secondary slave memory cards, and continuous recording may be performed by continuously recording image data.

In the dual recording operation mode, when a specific recording condition is met, such as when the acceleration detected by the G sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, imaging data is recorded in the master memory card with overwrite protection. This allows imaging data to be saved in an overwrite-protected state with high reliability when the specific recording condition is met. In particular, in the drive recorder 1, imaging data corresponding to the meeting of specific recording conditions is recorded in an independent master memory card that is different from the slave memory card used for continuous recording. Therefore, even if some kind of trouble occurs during the process of continuous recording of imaging data to the slave memory card, there is little risk of the master memory card becoming unable to read or other problems.

The specific recording condition for recording the image data on the master memory card without overwriting can be, for example, some kind of event, manual operation by the driver, etc. The event can be, for example, the occurrence of an accident in which an airbag is deployed, the occurrence of sudden braking or steering, the occurrence of large acceleration, etc.

When the amount of data recorded in the overwrite-protected storage medium exceeds a predetermined amount, or when it becomes necessary to initialize the storage medium, captured images and the like may be recorded in the main memory of the drive recorder. After that, when the data capacity of the storage medium becomes free due to data erasure, or when a new storage medium is installed, some or all of the data stored in the main memory may be moved to the storage medium. In this case, it may be possible to configure the drive recorder with only one media storage unit, making it possible to realize a low-cost drive recorder.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Example 3
This example is an operation example of the drive recorder 1 in an operation mode other than the sequential recording described in the first embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to Fig. 17. As described in the first embodiment, the operation modes of the drive recorder 1 include (2) dual recording and (3) mirror recording in addition to (1) sequential recording in the first embodiment. This example is an operation example in the (3) mirror recording operation mode.

(3) Mirror recording Mirror recording is an operation mode in which the same image data is recorded on the master and slave SD cards as shown in Fig. 17. Event data is recorded in the main body memory (flash ROM) as in the sequential recording operation mode of the first embodiment. If the same data is recorded on both the master SD card and the slave SD card, even if a recording error occurs on one of the SD cards, a series of image data can be read from the other SD card, ensuring high reliability of the recording operation.

This example is an example of mirror recording using two SD cards. Alternatively, mirror recording may be performed using one of the SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM). Furthermore, mirror recording may be performed using two or more SD cards and the main body memory (flash ROM).
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The drive recorder 1 of Examples 1 to 3 has multiple media storage units that removably hold memory cards such as SD cards. The controller 30 of this drive recorder 1 can execute various processes, such as writing and initializing processes, in parallel with the memory cards installed in the other media storage units while recording image data to a memory card installed in at least one of the multiple media storage units.

For example, when performing another write process on a memory card other than the memory card on which the imaging data is recorded, even if the other write process is performed while the imaging data is being recorded, the risk of excessive frequency of data access, such as data writing and reading, on the memory card on which the imaging data is recorded and the memory card on which the other write process is being performed can be reduced. Therefore, even if the other write process is performed in parallel with the recording of the imaging data, there is less risk of problems occurring in the recording of the imaging data and the recording of images.

In the drive recorder 1, other processes that require relatively frequent data access to the memory card can be executed within a range that limits the impact on the recording operation of the imaging data. If various write processes can be executed while recording imaging data, the drive recorder 1 can be used not only to record imaging data, but also to record various data, thereby improving convenience.

The controller 30 of the drive recorder 1 has a function of individually controlling data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization for each memory card attached to each of the multiple media storage units. If data writing, reading, erasing, and initialization can be individually controlled for each memory card, the drive recorder 1 can perform a greater number of recording operations in parallel. This provides a greater variety of functions for the drive recorder 1, improving convenience. For example, while recording image data on a specific memory card, it is possible to record vehicle data such as engine speed and vehicle speed on another memory card. In addition, for example, when recording image data using two or more memory cards, it is recommended to initialize the storage area of the other memory cards that have image data recorded earlier during the recording of the latest image data. In this case, when the memory card recording the latest image data becomes full, the other initialized memory cards can be used to continue recording subsequent image data. By using initialized memory cards, image data can be recorded with high reliability with little risk of write errors.

Example 4
This example is based on the dual recording of the second embodiment and is an example of a drive recorder that executes dual recording with higher functionality.

(1) A configuration example in which data that is not prohibited from being overwritten is recorded on the master memory card.
For example, in the case of recording an event before and after a G-sensor detects a certain impact, if the impact detection is an accident, it is better to prohibit overwriting, but in reality, impacts may also be detected due to road conditions such as bumps in the road or driving operations by the driver, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary prohibited data will accumulate. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary prohibited data, it is recommended to determine a specific capacity and provide a function to overwrite within that range.

It is also possible to control the master memory card so that part of its storage area is prohibited from being overwritten, while allowing overwriting of part or all of the remaining area. For example, in the case of recording an event before and after a G-sensor detects a specific impact, if the impact is an accident, it is better to prohibit overwriting. However, in reality, an impact may also be detected due to road conditions such as bumps in the road or the driver's driving operation, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary prohibited data will accumulate. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary prohibited data, it is also possible to control the data so that when prohibited data is generated, it is temporarily recorded in an area that allows overwriting, and then when the possibility of an accident increases, for example because the vehicle is stopped after the impact, the data is moved to the prohibited area.

(2) A configuration example that enables mutual backup of master/slave memory cards.
In a drive recorder, multiple memory cards can be installed, and one of them is controlled as a main master and the others as secondary slaves. If either the master or slave memory card is removed or some problem or malfunction occurs, a configuration can be adopted in which the other memory card compensates for the function of the memory card. With this configuration, even if either the master or slave memory card is removed or some problem or malfunction occurs, the same function as before the malfunction can be maintained.

In particular, the main master memory card should be configured to record images that one wishes to keep, such as records of accidents or scenic places, in a way that prevents them from being overwritten or reduces the probability of them being erased. The secondary slave memory card should record continuously while driving, and should have a function for later searching for images that could not be recorded on the master memory card for some reason, and a function for at least one of moving or copying the images to the main storage medium. In general, continuous recording increases the probability of damage or malfunction of storage media such as memory cards. In the case of the dual recording mode described above, images that one wishes to keep in particular are recorded on the master memory card, so that even if the slave memory card is damaged or malfunctions, the damage is minimal.

When the master and slave memory cards are installed and the slave memory card that allows overwriting is removed, leaving only the master memory card that does not allow overwriting, the controller of the drive recorder 1 may set an overwritable memory area in a portion of the free space in the memory area of the master memory card. With this configuration, even after the slave memory card is removed and only the master memory card remains, continuous recording that continuously records image data is possible, and the decrease in convenience due to the decrease in functionality of the drive recorder 1 can be suppressed.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the second storage medium as having an area in which recorded captured images are not erased due to the overwrite prohibition, the control means may be an image recording device having a function of setting an overwritable storage area in part of the free area of the storage area of the second storage medium to store data corresponding to the storage of the first storage medium when the first storage medium is removed and a transition is made to a state in which only the second storage medium is installed while the first and second storage media are installed.

In addition, when only one memory card is installed, the controller of the drive recorder 1 may treat the memory card as a third storage medium and execute control to provide an overwritable storage area and an overwrite-prohibited storage area in the storage area. In this case, even if only one memory card is installed, it is possible to record data such as overwrite-prohibited imaging data in addition to the imaging data of continuous recording. The overwrite-prohibited imaging data may be images captured by event recording, images captured by manual operation recording, images captured by still recording, etc. After that, for example, when a memory card that can be used as a master or slave is newly installed, the memory card may be treated as a master or slave memory card. When the memory card is treated as an overwritable slave memory card, all or part of the imaging data, for example, of continuous recording, which was recorded in an overwritable manner in the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium, may be transferred to and recorded in the new slave memory card. If it is treated as a master memory card with overwrite protection, all or part of the image data etc. recorded with overwrite protection on the original memory card controlled as the third storage medium can be transferred and recorded on the new master memory card.

It is also possible to provide a mode in which all storage media are controlled as first storage media, even when multiple storage media are installed and can be allocated between the first storage medium and the second storage medium. In this case, the storage area of the first storage medium becomes larger, so that the recording time when continuously recording captured images can be extended. In this way, when there are multiple first storage media, when the amount of data recorded on one of the storage media becomes full, the storage medium for continuously recording captured images can be switched to another first storage medium. In this case, captured images can be efficiently continuously recorded by alternately using any of the multiple first storage media. It is also preferable to configure the storage media so that recorded data can be erased or initialized individually.

In a configuration having a function of controlling the third storage medium as a second storage medium having an area in which recorded captured images are not erased by overwriting prohibition, when a new storage medium is attached in a state in which only one storage medium is attached, the control means may control the new storage medium as a second storage medium and may also record data recorded in the storage area of the third storage medium with overwriting prohibition on the newly attached storage medium.

(3) A configuration example that enables switching of master/slave memory cards.
This is an example of a configuration in which a main master memory card is not fixed, multiple storage media including the main memory of the drive recorder 1 are used in turn as main and secondary, and the secondary storage medium is initialized while recording is being performed on the main storage medium. By adopting such a configuration, the load on each storage medium can be made closer to uniform, thereby reducing the probability of damage or malfunction.
In this case, it is advisable to provide a function for recording both the constant overwrite recording and the non-overwrite event recording to the same main storage medium.

In particular, it is advisable to record the recording data (image data) that is the basis of the drive recorder on the main storage medium, and record data that is not the basis of the drive recorder on a secondary storage medium, with the storage media (storage areas) separated according to the type of recorded data. In this way, it is possible to prevent slow processing speeds and the occurrence of parts that cannot be processed, particularly in multi-function drive recorders. Furthermore, by separating them as described above, the frequency with which one storage medium is used is reduced, further lowering the probability of damage or malfunction of the storage medium.

In controlling the initialization of one storage medium while recording on another storage medium, the drive recorder may be controlled to perform the initialization automatically or semi-automatically under specified conditions. By performing the initialization automatically or semi-automatically, it is possible to prevent problems such as the inability to read data recorded on the storage medium, and to maintain high data recording efficiency on the storage medium and maintain the recordable data volume close to the maximum. It is desirable to initialize the storage medium periodically, and initialization may be performed automatically under specified conditions, such as when a specified number of rewrites have been performed since the last initialization, when a specified amount of overwrite recording has been performed, or when a specified amount of overwrite recording has been performed, or initialization may be started semi-automatically by notifying the user by a display, alarm, or voice that the time for initialization has come and a confirmation operation to start initialization.

It is advisable not to automatically initialize overwrite-protected storage media. By setting the media storage unit to not automatically initialize, data that you wish to store for a long period of time can be retained with a high degree of certainty. For example, it is advisable not to automatically initialize storage media that store event recordings. Event recordings are thought to be overwritten less frequently than continuous recordings, and there is a high possibility that event recordings will be recorded and will be stored for a relatively long period of time, so it is preferable to set storage media that store event recordings not to be automatically initialized.

It is preferable that the image recording device performs control so that continuous recording is temporarily stored in a portion of the capacity of the storage medium for event recording while the overwritable storage medium for continuous recording is being initialized.
In this case, it becomes possible to initialize the storage medium for continuous recording as well, and the occurrence of problems related to that storage medium can be suppressed. For example, if there are multiple storage media for continuous recording, they can be initialized in order, but if there are two media storage units and one is used for event recording and automatic initialization is prohibited, it is preferable to control so that recording is made to the storage medium for event recording at least while the storage medium for continuous recording is being initialized.

When the remaining capacity of the overwrite-protected storage medium that stores the event recording falls below a predetermined level, it is preferable to control the storage of the event recording to be stored in an overwrite-protected storage medium for continuous recording. In this case, it is possible to prevent the overwrite-protected storage medium for event recording from becoming full, which may result in the inability to record captured images at the time of an event. The fact that the remaining capacity of the storage medium falls below a predetermined level or that an event recording is being performed on the storage medium for continuous recording may be notified, for example, by an alarm, voice, display, etc., and the user may be prompted to copy data to an external device such as a PC or to replace the storage medium.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the second embodiment.

Example 5
This embodiment is an example of a drive recorder 5 based on the other embodiments and provided with a storage operation means for recording a part of the captured image data in a manner that prohibits overwriting. The contents of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 18 to 20.

The drive recorder 5 in Figs. 18 and 19 is an electronic device that houses an electronic board (not shown) inside a housing 50 that is substantially rectangular on the front side. A lens 611 of a camera unit 61 is arranged on the front side of the housing 50, and an LCD screen 630 of an LCD display, which is an example of a display means, and various operation buttons 505 are arranged on the back side. On the top side of the housing 50, a record button 521, which is an example of a save operation means for starting and stopping a recording operation, and a power button 523 are arranged, and a screw hole 501 is drilled for attaching a bracket 7 (see Fig. 20). On the side of the housing 50, a power terminal 57 for supplying power and two card slots 55, which are an example of a media storage section for inserting a microSD card (an example of a memory card, which is an example of a storage medium), are arranged in parallel.

The drive recorder 5 can be attached to the windshield 80 of the vehicle, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, via an attachment bracket 7. The bracket 7 has an attachment stay 73 that is attached to the windshield 80 via double-sided tape 700, etc., and a base 71 that includes a screw 711 that corresponds to the screw hole 501 of the drive recorder 5.

As shown in FIG. 20, the attachment stay 73 is a member in which a spherical sliding ball 435 is provided at the tip of a curved arm 433 that extends from the back surface of a circular attachment plate 730 that is attached to the glass surface of the windshield 80. The base 41 is a member in which an inner spherical recess 417 is provided on the opposite side of the base surface 410 on which the screw 411 is provided. On the outer periphery of the recess 417, an outer periphery screw 415 is provided for screwing in the outer periphery nut 45. If the outer periphery nut 45 is tightened with the sliding ball 435 housed in the recess 417, the sliding ball 435 can be tightened and fixed, and the angle of the attachment stay 43 relative to the base 41 can be fixed.

When installing the drive recorder 5, for example, first prepare the bracket 7 in which the attachment stay 73 and the base 71 are connected by lightly tightening the outer periphery nut 75 as shown in FIG. 20, and attach the attachment plate 730 to the windshield 80 using the double-sided tape 700. Next, the drive recorder 5 is grasped so that the screw 711 of the bracket 7 can be inserted into the screw hole 501, and the screw 711 is screwed in by rotating the drive recorder 5 itself. The screw 711 is screwed in until the housing 50 is pressed against the base surface 710, thereby fixing the drive recorder 5 to the base 71 of the bracket 7. After adjusting the imaging range of the drive recorder 5 to the desired range, the sliding ball 435 of the attachment stay 73 can be fixed by tightening the outer periphery nut 75. This fixes the mounting posture of the drive recorder 2, sets the imaging range to a predetermined range, and completes the installation of the drive recorder 2.

Of the two card slots 55, the card slot located on the front side of the housing 50 is a media storage section that stores overwritable microSD cards, and the card slot on the rear side is a media storage section that stores overwritable microSD cards. By fixing the positions of the memory card for continuous recording and the memory card for overwrite protection in this way, the risk of the user mixing up the memory cards can be reduced. For example, this can reduce the occurrence of problems such as inserting a memory card with recorded data that is overwritable into the card slot for continuous recording, causing data that should have been saved to be overwritten and erased.

The drive recorder 5 plays back and displays the captured images recorded on the overwritable microSD card on the LCD screen 630 by appropriately operating the operation button 505. When the record button 521 is operated while the playback image is being displayed on the LCD screen 630, the drive recorder 5 transfers and records the captured images including a predetermined period before and after the time of the operation to the overwrite-prohibited microSD card. Note that in order to prevent concentration of processing load, it is also possible to configure the system to mark the time of the operation and execute the transfer and recording later.

In the drive recorder 5, after checking the playback image and judging whether it should be saved or not, the original captured image of the playback image judged to be saved can be recorded with overwriting prohibited. If the playback image can be confirmed, the captured image to be saved can be recorded with high reliability in an overwrite prohibited state. While playing back the captured image recorded on the overwritable microSD card by continuous recording, a part of the captured image can be transferred to the overwrite prohibited microSD card and recorded. By operating the record button 521 while displaying the playback image, there is little risk of accidentally recording an image other than the one to be saved. The time period of the captured image to be recorded in an overwrite prohibited state may be a time period going back a predetermined time from the time of operation as a criterion, a time period until a predetermined time has passed from the time of operation as a criterion, or a time period extending before and after the time of operation as a criterion.

It is also possible to provide the drive recorder 5 with a sensor such as a G sensor that detects an impact, or an external input function. When one of the multiple attached storage media is an overwritable storage medium and one is controlled as a storage medium for continuous recording that does not allow overwriting, it is also possible to record captured images for a time period up to a predetermined time before the time point when the triggering signal was input, using the sensor or an externally input signal as a trigger, or captured images for a time period up to a predetermined time before the time point as a trigger, or both of these captured images, in the overwritable storage medium.

When recording a portion of a captured image with overwrite protection, data is generally moved or copied on a file-by-file basis. Therefore, it is also possible to transfer or copy not only the portion that corresponds to the time interval based on the time point when the record button 521 is operated, but also the file that includes that portion. In this case, the portion other than the portion that corresponds to the time interval will be included in the data to be transferred, etc. In this case, when playing back a portion of a captured image that has been recorded with overwrite protection, it is also possible to perform control so that playback of the portion other than the portion that corresponds to the time interval can be omitted.

In the drive recorder 5, the recording method and type of recorded data are differentiated for each card slot 55, which is an example of a medium storage section, and the functions are different. When inserting a memory card, which is an example of a storage medium, it is easy to use because the card slot 55 can be selected according to the recorded data, etc. For example, it becomes easier for the user to understand the different recording methods and recording timing for each card slot 55, and mistakes such as removing a memory card while writing can be prevented. As in this example, it is good to have different recording methods, such as one card slot 55 allowing overwriting and the other card slot 55 prohibiting overwriting. It is also good to have different recorded data, such as one card slot 55 for continuous recording and the other card slot 55 for event recording.

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

In the drive recorder 5, two card slots 55 are arranged side by side. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange one media storage unit on a side that is visible from the driver's side and the other on a side that is not visible from the driver, so that the visibility of the multiple media storage units is different, or to make the order clear. In this case, it is possible to provide a difference in the ease of access from the user side for each media storage unit. For example, it is recommended to arrange the storage medium/media storage unit that is frequently attached/detached in an easy-to-see location, and the one that is less frequently attached/detached in a relatively difficult-to-see location. It is recommended to surround the edge of the media storage unit with a line or color it, or provide internal lighting so that the storage medium/media storage unit that is frequently attached/detached is easy to see. For example, in the case where the card slots 55 are arranged side by side as in the drive recorder 5, it is also possible to cover the one that is less frequently attached/detached with an opening/closing cover 558, which is an example of a lid, so that it is relatively difficult to see, as shown in FIG. 21. Alternatively, it is preferable to print or engrave the area near the media storage section so that the order can be made clear, such as 1, 2, etc., and to make it difficult to make a mistake when removing a storage medium/media storage section that is frequently attached and detached as 1 or A.

At least one of the multiple storage media should be a different shape or size from the others. By making the storage media different sizes, it is possible to prevent mixing up the multiple storage media. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, by using different types of SD cards, such as a standard type storage medium such as SD card 555 in the medium storage section 55 that is frequently attached and detached, and a storage medium such as micro SD card 555A in the lower medium storage section 55A, it is possible to make it difficult to remove the wrong storage medium.

It may be a drive recorder with a car navigation function. At least one of the multiple media storage units equipped in this drive recorder should be dedicated to recording data and information and data associated with the recording. Car navigation, generally called PND, often has a media storage unit such as a memory card slot for updating maps and software, providing sources of music and video, recording TV, storing driving routes, etc. When the car navigation function and the drive recorder function are combined, there is a method of using both functions with one media storage unit, but if the drive recorder function has a function to constantly record images while driving, it is necessary to constantly store image data in the storage medium while driving, and if data related to the car navigation function is also stored in the storage medium, processing may be inconvenient. Therefore, it is better to provide multiple media storage units and to dedicate at least one to the drive recorder function.

It may be a drive recorder with a radar detector function. At least one of the multiple media storage units of this drive recorder should be dedicated to the recording data and information and data associated with the recording. Radar detectors are often used by storing data such as the location of an alarm on a memory card. For the same reason as in the case of the drive recorder with the car navigation function described above, multiple media storage units should be provided and at least one should be dedicated to the drive recorder function.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the other embodiments.

Example 6
This example is based on the other embodiments and is an example of setting a main storage medium. The contents of this example will be described.
The drive recorder of this example, like the other embodiments, has a plurality of media storage units in which storage media for recording video data based on captured images are mounted. The drive recorder controls the storage medium mounted in the main media storage unit, which is one of the plurality of media storage units, as the main storage medium.

The main storage medium records at least both continuous recordings that can be overwritten and event recordings that are stored with overwrite protection. When the capacity of the main storage medium that is stored with overwrite protection reaches a predetermined amount or more, or when there is no storage medium in the main media storage section, the drive recorder executes control to record captured images on another storage medium.

When removing the main storage medium and viewing the recorded data on an external device such as a PC, all stored data, both continuous recording and event recording, can be viewed, which is extremely convenient. Also, if you encounter an accident, you may want to remove the storage medium containing recorded images from the time of the accident and store it away. In such cases, too, it is better to have all data, both continuous recording and event recording, stored on a single storage medium.

For example, if only one storage medium can be attached, the drive recorder will not function properly if the capacity becomes full due to overwriting prohibition or if no storage medium is attached. If other storage media are attached in addition to the main storage medium as in the drive recorder of this example, the drive recorder can function as a drive recorder even if the main storage medium becomes full or is not attached. Note that the main storage medium may be large capacity and the others small capacity. When some or all of the data recorded on the main storage medium is erased and there is free capacity or when a new storage medium is attached, some or all of the data stored on the other storage media may be transferred to the main storage medium.

It is also a good idea to determine which media storage unit will hold the main storage medium, and place a lamp near that media storage unit to flash or light when the capacity is full due to overwriting prohibition, or when no storage medium is installed. In this case, media storage units that cannot record data can be clearly displayed, allowing the user to recognize this. For example, when data is being stored on a storage medium other than the main one, it is easy to tell by having the lamp on the main media storage unit flash. It is also a good idea to configure it so that, for example, a display, alarm, or sound is given at the same time as the lamp flashes or lights up.

When the drive recorder initializes the main storage medium, it copies or moves at least the overwrite-prohibited data stored in the main storage medium to another storage medium before performing the initialization. By performing this type of initialization control, it is possible to safely initialize storage media that contain, for example, overwrite-prohibited data without damaging that data.

If there is no storage medium in the main media storage section, or if the main storage medium is initialized, captured images and the like can be recorded in the main memory built into the drive recorder. After that, when the data on the main storage medium is erased and there is free data capacity, or when a new storage medium is installed, some or all of the data stored in the main memory can be moved to the main storage medium or another storage medium. In this case, only one media storage section is required, reducing product costs.

In addition, when initializing a storage medium, it is preferable for the image recording device to switch storage from the storage medium to be initialized to another storage medium, and then initialize the storage medium after a predetermined period of storage or a predetermined capacity of storage has been performed in the other storage medium.
To avoid erasing new data as much as possible, it is recommended to initialize the storage medium after the storage progresses on other media. It is recommended to initialize the storage medium only when the storage capacity of other media has been reached and overwriting has begun.

Alternatively, one of the multiple media storage units may be a dummy media storage unit. Providing a dummy media storage unit has the effect of allowing it to be used as a storage location for spare storage media. By mounting a spare storage medium in the dummy media storage unit, when the main storage medium is removed, the spare storage medium in the dummy media storage unit can be conveniently inserted into the main storage medium, reducing the risk of losing the spare storage medium during storage.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the other embodiments.

(Example 7)
This example is based on the other embodiments and is an example in which a storage medium has a communication function.
A memory card controlled with overwrite protection has a communication function for transmitting data to an external device in addition to storing data. A drive recorder can execute control to transmit captured images recorded with overwrite protection to an external device.

The drive recorder can transmit captured images recorded on the memory card in an overwrite-protected state to an external device, allowing the captured images to be viewed at the destination. Adopting such a configuration is particularly effective in the event of an accident. For example, if a driving situation such as dozing off while driving occurs in a taxi, the captured images at that time can be immediately sent to the taxi company, allowing the administrator to grasp the dangerous situation before an accident occurs. Also, for example, if the captured images at that time are immediately sent when an accident occurs later, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and take swift action after the fact.

When a memory card with a communication function and a memory card without a communication function are inserted into a drive recorder, it is preferable to control the storage medium with the communication function as an overwrite-protected memory card, and control the storage medium without the communication function as an overwrite-protected memory card. Then, it is preferable to transmit all or part of the data recorded in the overwrite-protected memory card with priority. Here, it is preferable that the priority transmission is set to automatic transmission.

For example, when the G sensor detects a specific impact, it is advisable to record the captured images taken before and after the impact on a memory card that does not allow overwriting. These captured images can be immediately transmitted to the outside, but in reality, an impact may also be detected due to road conditions such as road bumps or the driver's driving operation. In order to prevent captured images within the normal range from being transmitted to the outside indiscriminately, it is also advisable to control the transmission of captured images recorded with overwriting protection to the outside when, for example, the vehicle stops and the stopped state continues for a specific period of time, or when the vehicle stops and the hazard lights are turned on.

It is also possible to control a part of the storage area of a memory card with a communication function to prohibit overwriting, while controlling the remaining part or all to allow overwriting. For example, in the case of recording before and after a G sensor detects a certain impact in one event recording, if the impact detection is an accident detection, it is better to prohibit overwriting. However, in reality, impacts may also be detected due to road conditions such as road bumps or driving operations by the driver, and if overwriting is prohibited, unnecessary overwriting prohibited data will accumulate. In order to prevent the overflow of unnecessary overwriting prohibited data, when overwriting prohibited data is generated, it is also possible to record the data in an area where overwriting is permitted, and then move the data to the overwriting prohibited area when, for example, the vehicle is stopped after the occurrence of an impact, or when the vehicle moves to a situation where it is estimated that an accident is likely to occur due to the operation of turning on the hazard lights, etc.
The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the other embodiments.

The drive recorder of each embodiment has a plurality of medium storage units and can store a plurality of memory cards. This drive recorder has the following advantages over a drive recorder that has only one medium storage unit:
(a) For example, if the memory card is damaged or defective, it will not be possible to record. In particular, when continuous recording is performed, the recording is constantly overwritten while driving (deletion and storage are repeated), so the probability of damage is high. In addition, if the memory card is removed during operation, it is likely to be damaged. In most cases, the power of the drive recorder is turned on and off in conjunction with the engine key, but in some vehicles, there are voltage fluctuations, cuts, surges, etc., especially when the engine is started, which may have a negative effect and cause abnormalities in the control of the memory card, resulting in damage or malfunction of the memory card. In contrast, the drive recorders of each embodiment can be equipped with multiple memory cards, so that even if one of the memory cards is damaged, it is possible to control it so that it can be backed up by another memory card. Therefore, with the drive recorders of each of the ten examples, there is less of a risk of falling into a situation where recording is completely impossible.

(b) The main purpose of a drive recorder is to record accidents, and the accident records must be saved so that they do not disappear. Accident detection is generally based on a G sensor or other device that detects an impact of a certain magnitude or more, and the images before and after the accident are often saved with overwrite protection. However, it is difficult to reliably detect only accidents, and impacts can also be detected due to bumps or unevenness in the road surface, or the driver's driving style, so in reality, most recordings that do not require recording or saving due to impact detection other than accidents are very common. If the sensitivity of the sensor is reduced, accidents cannot be detected. In addition, recordings of dangerous or reckless driving, dangerous experiences that could lead to accidents, and scenic places are often recorded manually, and the images before and after the accident are often saved with overwrite protection, and some users record a lot with overwrite protection. If the memory card becomes full with such overwrite protection recording, it is natural that no more recording can be made. It is necessary to replace the memory card, take out/delete images, initialize, etc., but there are cases where the steps cannot be taken immediately due to some circumstances such as while driving or traveling, in which case the drive recorder cannot store any more data and does not function as a drive recorder. In contrast, the drive recorder of each embodiment can be equipped with multiple memory cards. For example, when the capacity of an overwrite-prohibited memory card becomes full, it is possible to set an overwrite-prohibited area in the memory area of a memory card for continuous recording (continuous recording) that allows overwriting, and temporarily store the captured images that you want to save. By executing such control, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the overwrite-prohibited memory area becomes full and the captured images that you want to save cannot be recorded. Note that, of course, the smaller the capacity of a storage medium such as a memory card, the cheaper it is, and the larger the capacity, the more expensive it is. There is a technical limit to capacity, and among memory cards available on the market, those with large capacities that are close to this limit tend to be very expensive. For example, the price of this large-capacity memory card is not twice the price of a memory card with half the capacity, but may be three, four, or five times the price. If multiple memory cards can be installed as in each embodiment, then for example, by installing two memory cards with reasonably priced capacity, it is possible to achieve the same state as installing a memory card with twice the capacity. Compared to a drive recorder that can only install one memory card, the purchase price of memory cards to secure the same storage capacity is significantly less.

(c) In the case of a drive recorder that can only accommodate one memory card, it is common to store continuous continuous recording and recordings of events that are prohibited from being overwritten on the same memory card, but the number of overwrite-prohibited recordings will increase if no measures are taken. Daily maintenance/measures can be performed, but this is not easy to do. In some cases, the memory card is divided into a continuous continuous recording area and an overwrite-prohibited recording area, but in many cases, the overwrite-prohibited recordings are given priority without being separated into areas, and the continuous recording area is often reduced to compensate for the increase in overwrite recordings. In this case, the continuous recording area is reduced and the continuous recording time is shortened before the memory card capacity is filled with overwrite-prohibited recordings, and the time available to look back and check images is shortened. At the same time, the time it takes for one round of overwrites to be completed is shortened, increasing the frequency of repeated erasure and recording, and the probability of damage to or malfunction of the memory card increases. On the other hand, if the continuous recording area and the overwrite-prohibited recording area are separated, naturally, when the overwrite-prohibited recording area becomes full, further recording is not possible, and the timing at which recording to the overwrite-prohibited recording area becomes impossible is earlier than in the above method in which the areas are not separated. In contrast, the drive recorder of each embodiment can be equipped with multiple memory cards, so that, for example, it is possible to separate the overwrite-prohibited memory card from the memory card for continuous recording. The capacity of the overwrite-prohibited recording area can be secured by installing multiple inexpensive memory cards without having to prepare expensive large-capacity memory cards. Since the captured images and the like that are to be saved can be recorded with high reliability without the need to purchase expensive large-capacity memory cards, running costs are suppressed and it is economical.

(d) In order to check or extract the recorded images using a PC viewer, the memory card may be removed from the drive recorder and forgotten. Or the memory card may be removed for some reason. In such a case, if the drive recorder can only accommodate one memory card, the vehicle must be driven without the memory card, and recording and storage will not be possible, resulting in the drive recorder not functioning. In contrast, the drive recorders of the embodiments can accommodate multiple memory cards, so that even if one of the memory cards is removed, control is possible to back up the data using another memory card. For example, if a memory card that is not overwrite-protected is removed, backup control such as providing a non-overwriteable area in part of the storage area of the overwriteable memory card can be considered. By executing such backup control, even if the vehicle is driven with a specific memory card removed, a situation in which a specific function cannot be realized will not occur, and the degree to which the function of the drive recorder is impaired can be suppressed.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as examples above, these specific examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the scope of the claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner based on the configuration or numerical values of the specific examples. The scope of the claims encompasses technology that is a variety of modifications, changes, or appropriate combinations of the specific examples using publicly known technology or the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Drive recorder 2 Body case 8, 9 Push button 13 CCD camera 15 Acceleration sensor 181, 182 Insertion port 181A, 182A LED
24 GPS receiver 30 Controller 311, 312 SD card reader 32 Database 35 Personal computer 361, 362 SD card reader/writer 45 Monitor

Claims (6)

A drive recorder having two card slots that can be attached to a front window so that a camera lens faces a predetermined direction,
This drive recorder is characterized in that one card slot is arranged on a side surface visible from the driver's side, and the other card slot is arranged on a side surface not visible from the driver's side. 2. The drive recorder according to claim 1, wherein the two card slots have different shapes or sizes. 3. The drive recorder according to claim 1, wherein an edge of only one of the two card slots is surrounded by a line. 4. The drive recorder according to claim 1, wherein only one of the two card slots has a colored edge. 5. The drive recorder according to claim 1, further comprising: a car navigation function; and one of the two card slots is dedicated to the drive recorder function. 6. The drive recorder according to claim 1, further comprising a radar detector function, and one of the two card slots is dedicated to the drive recorder function.

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