JP7653677B2 - systems, video recording systems and programs, etc. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a system, a video recording system, and a program.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses in paragraph [0011] "a drive recorder having an image data generation unit that generates image data and a recording unit that records the image data, and a data transmission system having a transceiver unit that wirelessly transmits the image data recorded in the recording unit from the drive recorder to a center terminal." Furthermore, in paragraph [0027], citing FIG. 4, the following technology is disclosed: "The base station side center terminal 400, which manages the vehicle dispatch system, manages multiple vehicles simultaneously. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a drive recorder 2, which temporarily records captured image data in a second RAM 15. The drive recorder 2 is also configured to be accessible to the base station side wireless communication device 211 and the center terminal 400 connected to the signal processor 210 via a wireless communication device 201 connected to the signal processor 200. Therefore, the signal processor 200 and/or drive recorder 2 of vehicle 1 and the signal processor 210 and/or center terminal 400 of the base station are configured to be able to mutually transmit and receive image data and information data including pick-up and drop-off instructions, responses, and acknowledgement signals used in the vehicle dispatch system."

Patent No. 5230279

In the data transmission system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the drive recorder uploads data directly to a center terminal at the base station. In Patent Document 1, wireless communication is performed between the drive recorder installed in the vehicle traveling on the road and the center terminal at the base station, so the distance between the two is often long and the communication system used is limited to wireless communication such as LTE, with few options. In addition, wireless communication such as LTE requires a paid contract for each drive recorder. Video data recorded by the drive recorder cannot be easily downloaded and viewed.

The problem of the invention of this application is not limited to this. The applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations that aim to obtain the effects of the configurations disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, the phrases "cannot be used" and "there is a problem" explicitly indicate the problem. This specification also discloses a problem in which the phrase "can be used" is read as "the problem is". Each problem is described as an independent problem, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to the configurations that solve these problems by filing a divisional application, amendments, etc. alone. Even if the problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include part of the configurations described in this specification in the scope of the patent claim through amendments or divisional applications. Problems that combine these independent problems are also disclosed.

(1) The system has a function of wirelessly transmitting data captured and recorded in a video recording system that travels with a mobile object to a storage device installed at a predetermined location where the mobile object stops, without directly transmitting the data to a storage system accessible from the Internet, and the storage device has a function of recording the wirelessly transmitted data and transmitting the recorded data to the storage system via the Internet.

Normally, data recorded in a video recording system is uploaded directly to a storage system, but in this invention, a storage device is interposed between the video recording system and the storage system, and data wirelessly transmitted from the video recording system is received, acquired, and recorded on the storage device side, and the data is then transmitted from the storage device to the storage system via the Internet, where it is stored and aggregated in the storage system. As the data recorded in the video recording system is aggregated in the storage system, anyone who wants to check the contents of the data can view the recorded data by accessing the storage system via the Internet, without having to go to the designated location where the storage device is installed.

Since the storage device is installed at a specified location where the mobile body stops, for example, when the mobile body stops at the specified location, the video recording system transmits the recorded data, and the transmitted data is temporarily recorded by the storage device. By recording when the mobile body stops at the location, the video recording system can transmit data while the video recording system and the mobile body are present near the storage device, and when transmitting using wireless communication, for example, a system with a short communication distance can be used, which increases the number of types of communication systems that can be used and provides a wider range of options. For example, it is good to select a wireless communication system such as the wireless LAN used in the embodiment.

The storage system may be, for example, a server, but is preferably a cloud. The storage system may consist of one device, but is preferably composed of multiple devices. The storage system is connected to multiple storage devices and accumulates data uploaded from each of them. The storage device may have a function to store data from multiple storage devices installed in different locations, for example, and a function to enable information based on the stored data to be viewed from a storage device other than the storage device that received the data. The information based on the data may be, for example, the data itself, but is preferably information that identifies the contents of the data.

The storage device may be configured to be accessible from the Internet, but it is preferable that it cannot be accessed from the Internet. If configured to be inaccessible from the Internet, it is preferable that the storage device can be accessed from other computers installed in specified locations, such as an intranet or company LAN, and that the recorded data can be viewed. It is preferable that the storage device can be accessed from within the business premises. Transmission via the Internet incurs a fee, but by using the intranet, data can be viewed free of charge and at high speed.

A short communication distance may be, for example, the extent of the premises of the place where the vehicle stops. For example, if the place where the mobile body stops by in a vehicle is a parking lot, the length of the area that covers the parking lot may be appropriate. It is preferable to set the short communication distance so as not to include the distance to the base station, as in the case of LTE (carrier). A short communication distance and limited communication range is also preferable from the standpoint of security.

The moving object can be anything that moves, such as a person, but it can also be, for example, a car or other vehicle.

The predetermined location where the mobile body stops may be, for example, a location on the fixed travel route of the mobile body that the mobile body is to stop at. For example, it may be a location where the mobile body is left or stored when it is not moving, and if the mobile body is a vehicle, it may be a location where the vehicle is parked. The location may be a location where the mobile body stops during travel, but may be the last location to stop at, for example, in the evening. The last location to stop at is preferable because it is expected that the mobile body will remain there for a long time, and wireless transmission of data can be carried out more reliably and with ample time.

The specified location has a certain size, for example, and may be the site area of a business establishment. Within the site area, the storage device may be installed inside a building. The location where the mobile entity stops may be inside a building, but if the mobile entity is a vehicle, it is better to stop outside the building, and if it is especially outside the building, it is better to stop in a parking lot. If the mobile entity is a person, the location where the mobile entity stops may be outside the building, but it is better to stop inside the building.

The storage system may function as a server, for example, but is preferably a cloud computer. The storage system may be configured with a single computer, but is preferably configured with multiple computers.

As a configuration for access from the Internet, it is preferable to configure the storage system to be accessible via the Internet using, for example, a web browser or dedicated application software installed on a computer or the like. For example, the computer may be a personal computer installed at the stopover location or a mobile terminal of an administrator at the stopover location, and particularly when there are multiple stopover locations, it may be a personal computer installed at another stopover location or a mobile terminal of an administrator at another stopover location. It is preferable to configure the data so that it can be viewed after it is temporarily stored in a storage device installed at another stopover location and then uploaded to the storage system. It is preferable to have a system in which information transmitted from the storage device via the Internet can be viewed via the Internet.

The video recording system may have a function for capturing images and a function for recording, and may move with the moving object. For example, if the moving object is a vehicle, the video recording system may be a drive recorder. The video recording system may be composed of a single device, but may also be composed of multiple devices. When composed of multiple devices, the system may be composed of, for example, a drive recorder main body and a power adapter. In the embodiment, the drive recorder main body is equipped with a function for recording captured data and a communication function, but, for example, the part that implements the capture function and communication function may be configured separately from a recording device that records captured data, and the recording device may be, for example, a smartphone.

The data transmitted by the video recording system may be, for example, video data captured by the video recording system, or various types of event information detected and recorded while the mobile object is moving.

(2) The predetermined location may be a location where multiple moving objects stop. For example, in a parking lot where multiple vehicles are parked, each vehicle may have a video recording system, and the storage device may have a many-to-one system configuration (video recording system to storage device) that acquires data from the video recording systems of the multiple vehicles.

(3) The specified location is a location where the mobile object stops and stays for a specified period of time or more, and the specified period of time may be the time required for the video recording system to transmit the data.

Since the mobile object stays at a specific location for a specific period of time or more, the data recorded by the video recording system can be transmitted during that time. The time required to transmit the data may be, for example, the time required to transmit the data recorded between the previous transmission and the current transmission, or the time required for the video recording system to transmit the data recorded between the previous stopover and the current stopover. In particular, it is advisable to place the storage device in a location where the mobile object is expected to stay for a long period of time and not move during that long period of time.

(4) The storage device installed at a predetermined location where the mobile object stops may have a function for transmitting commands regarding the power supply to the video recording system during communication with the video recording system.

It is preferable that the video recording system is configured to perform processing related to power supply based on the received command by sending a command related to power supply from the storage device to the video recording system. The command related to power supply may be, for example, a command tower that controls the state of power supply on the video recording system side, such as a command to turn the power supply ON/OFF, a command to wait in power saving mode, a command to cancel power saving mode, a command to wait in power saving mode and return after a certain period of time, etc. If the storage device is configured to send a command related to power supply, it is preferable that the storage device side can perform appropriate power management according to, for example, the communication situation and communication environment. For example, when a mobile object stops at a specified location and stays there, the video recording system may perform processing to transmit data. Since the video recording system moves with the mobile object, it usually operates by receiving power supply from an internal power source or an external power source such as a battery of the mobile object, and both power sources have a finite capacity. In order to perform the processing, it is preferable that the video recording system has a function to keep the power ON state even while the mobile object is staying there. This is particularly useful for mobile bodies that are configured to generate power as they move, and that use the generated power to power the video recording system while moving, and that stop generating power when the mobile body stops at a location where the mobile body stops.

For example, if the video recording system cannot communicate data and the video recording system remains powered on, or if the video recording system remains powered on even after data has been recorded in the storage device, the capacity of the finite power supply will be wasted, which is undesirable. For example, after the storage device records the data sent from the video recording system, it can send a power-off command to the video recording system, and the video recording system can turn off the power based on that command. In addition, if it takes time to record data in the storage device, for example, because multiple video recording systems are communicating at the same time, it is preferable for the storage device to send a command to some of the video recording systems to enter a power-saving state and wait, and for the video recording systems to enter a power-saving state for a certain period of time accordingly. This can prevent the capacity of the power supply from decreasing. In addition, it is preferable for the video recording system to communicate with the storage device and transmit the recorded data by continuing the power-on state until a power-off command is received.

The power supply to the video recording system that performs wireless communication when the mobile body is stationary at a specified location may be the same as the power supply to the video recording system while the mobile body is moving, but it is preferable to make them different. If they are the same, the power supply can continue even if the mobile body stops at a specified location, for example, which is good because it simplifies power control. If they are different, it is preferable to supply power to fewer targets than the power supply while the mobile body is moving, and to supply power to only part of the video recording system. If only part of the system is supplied, it is preferable that the power supply is provided to at least the readout unit of the recording medium on which the data is recorded, and the communication unit that wirelessly transmits the data read out by the readout unit.

The power saving state when the mobile object is stationary at a specified location should be a power saving state compared to the power supply to the video recording system that performs wireless communication, and the power may be turned off entirely, or power may be supplied only to part of the system.

(5) When the communication state with the video recording system during communication exceeds a predetermined communication enable condition, the storage device sends a standby command to the video recording system that is not performing data acquisition processing, and the video recording system that receives the standby command has a function of switching the power supply to a power saving state and executing processing to switch the power supply to a normal state after a set standby time has elapsed.

A video recording system that cannot communicate data will temporarily switch to a power-saving state, reducing power consumption while waiting for communication. When the system returns from standby, it will return to its original power supply state and be able to carry out wireless communication. If the power supply to the video recording system is provided by a battery, battery consumption can be reduced.

Power saving states include, for example, reducing power consumption or turning the power off, and turning the power off is preferable as it has a greater power saving effect.

The set waiting time may be, for example, an instruction from a storage device, or may be set in the video recording system. If an instruction is from a storage device, it may be, for example, a fixed value, but it is preferable to change the time depending on, for example, the communication conditions, etc.

The communication condition may be, for example, the number of video recording systems from which the storage device can simultaneously acquire and process data. This is advantageous because the determination process is simple and the target video recording device can be quickly determined and data acquisition can begin.

(6) When the communication state with the video recording system during communication exceeds a predetermined communication enable condition, the storage device may prioritize the video recording system that completes the data communication first as the target for data acquisition processing, and may issue the standby command to the video recording system that is not the target.

By prioritizing processing of video recording systems that complete communication of video data quickly, the number of unprocessed/waiting video recording systems can be reduced, and the occurrence of situations in which the communication state subsequently exceeds a specified communication possible condition can be reduced. If the communication possible condition is, for example, the number of video recording systems, the occurrence of situations in which the number that can be acquired and processed is exceeded can be reduced.

For example, a video data communication is completed quickly when the response time from the video recording system to a response from the storage device is short. Such a video recording system is assumed to be located nearby or in a good communication environment. Also, the priority information sent from the video recording system should be high. The priority information may be, for example, the received electric field strength on the video recording system side or the number of files to be transmitted. For example, in the case of received electric field strength, the stronger the electric field strength, the higher the priority should be, and the fewer the number of files to be transmitted, the higher the priority should be. For example, a video recording system that is currently transmitting video data should have a high priority because it is expected that communication will be completed sooner if it continues transmitting.

(7) When the communication state with the video recording system that is in a wireless communication state exceeds a predetermined communication enablement condition, the storage device may prioritize the video recording system of the moving body that is expected to stay for a period of time close to the predetermined period of time as a target for data acquisition processing, and may issue the standby command to the video recording system that is not the target.

If the mobile object is expected to stay at a specific location for a short time, it is highly likely that the storage device will need to quickly obtain data from the video recording system. By prioritizing the processing of the video recording system installed in such a mobile object, data can be reliably obtained while the mobile object is there, which is advantageous. If the mobile object is expected to stay for a long time, a wait command can be sent and data acquisition can be postponed, which is advantageous because data can still be obtained while the mobile object is there.

For example, the correspondence between stopover times by time period and by mobile unit may be stored, and the stopover time may be determined based on the correspondence with the time of stopover. Alternatively, information identifying the mobile unit may be calculated from the mobile unit's past stopover history, the time period of the stopover, and statistics such as the average and median stay time in each time period may be calculated and stored, and the stopover time may be determined based on the statistics for the time period corresponding to the time the mobile unit stopped over.

The storage device may determine whether the stay time is close to the specified time by, for example, judging whether the stay time is expected to be a short temporary stop based on the time and time period of the stop, or whether the stay time is expected to be a long final stop. For example, if the mobile object is a business vehicle or an employee, and the specified location where the mobile object stops is a business office, it may be assumed that the stop time is likely to be a temporary stop during business hours, such as during the lunch break. For example, if the stop time is near the end of the working day, such as in the evening, or after the end of the working day, such as at night, it may be assumed that the mobile object will stay for a relatively long time at night. Also, for example, if there are multiple specified locations and a specified location to which the mobile object belongs is set, it may be assumed that the stay time is short at a specified location to which the mobile object does not belong. Information regarding the expected stay time may be notified from the video recording system, and the storage device may make a judgment based on that information.

(8) The storage device may acquire data recorded by the video recording system that is in a wireless communication state and that has not yet been stored in the storage system, and upload the data to the storage system.

For example, a storage device only needs to obtain unstored data from the video recording system, which is advantageous because it can shorten communication time. This configuration is advantageous when multiple storage devices are connected to the same storage system. With such a configuration, when a storage device is moved to a different specified location and the storage device at the new specified location obtains data from the video recording system, for example, even when the storage device at the new specified location is obtaining data recorded by the video recording system for the first time, it does not need to obtain all of the data recorded in the video recording system, but only needs to obtain a portion of the data that is not stored in the storage system, which is advantageous because data acquisition and upload can be processed in a short time. If another storage device is uploading, the storage device communicating with the video recording system should not obtain the uploaded data.

(9) The video recording system has first identification information that distinguishes it from other video recording systems, there are a plurality of the predetermined locations, the storage system has second identification information that identifies the video recording system that is the target of data storage in the storage system, and when it is determined that the video recording system communicating with the storage device is genuine based on the relationship between the first identification information and the second identification information, the storage device acquires the data from the video recording system and uploads the acquired data to the storage system.

Because the storage system is provided with second identification information that identifies the video recording systems that move with all mobile objects that stop at multiple specified locations, for example, even if a storage device installed at each specified location does not store identification information that identifies the video recording system, the storage system can obtain data from the video recording system that the storage system is to store data in and store it in the storage system. For example, the storage device can obtain data from the video recording system of a mobile object that happens to stop by, and store it in the storage system. This is advantageous because data recorded by a video recording system can be uploaded to the storage system from a storage device installed at any specified location.

The first identification information and the second identification information may be the same or different as long as the correspondence can be identified, but it is preferable that they are the same. The determination of whether or not the information is authentic may be performed by the storage system, storage device, or video recording system, but it is preferable that the determination be performed by the storage system.

When the storage system makes the judgment, the storage device does not need to hold information identifying the video recording system. For example, even if the storage device does not have identifying information for a newly added video recording system, data can be acquired and uploaded, and data acquisition from unregistered video recording systems is not required. In addition, for example, in a case where there are multiple specified locations, the storage system is provided with second identifying information identifying the video recording systems that move with all mobile objects that stop at the multiple specified locations. Therefore, even if the storage device installed at each specified location does not store identifying information identifying the video recording system, the storage system can acquire data from the video recording system that the storage system should store data from and store it in the storage system. For example, the storage device can acquire data from the video recording device of a mobile object that happens to stop by and store it in the storage system, and data can be uploaded to the storage system from any specified location such as a business office. For example, if the storage system recognizes that the system is legitimate, by sending information identifying the stored data together with the judgment result, the storage device can acquire and upload only unstored data based on that information.

As an example of a method for making such a judgment in the storage system, the storage device may acquire first identification information of the video recording system from the video recording system, send the acquired first identification information to the storage system, and the storage system may determine whether the acquired first identification information has a predetermined correspondence with the second identification information registered in the storage system and is legitimate, and if so, request an upload via the storage device.

As a system for determining whether or not information is legitimate on the storage system side, for example, it is preferable that both the video recording system and the storage system each have first identification information and second identification information, and the storage system sends the second identification information of all video recording systems to the storage device periodically or at an appropriate timing, and the storage device makes a judgment on the storage device side. It is also preferable that the storage system sends the registered camera ID (first identification information) to the video recording system via the storage device, and if there is any that matches its own first identification information held by the video recording system, it will send it.

(10) The video recording system may have a function of starting communication with the storage device when it detects that the moving object has reached a predetermined stopover location and has stopped moving.

Even if the mobile object reaches a specified stopover location, the video recording system will start communication with the storage device and will not transmit data unless the mobile object stops. For example, if the video recording system records captured data while moving, and if the mobile object is a vehicle and the process of recording the captured data stops when the mobile object is parked or otherwise unable to move, data will not be transmitted while the image is being captured and recorded, and transmission will start after the process stops, allowing the captured and recorded data to be transmitted. Since communication is not initiated while the mobile object is moving, for example, the processing burden on the CPU of the video recording system can be reduced.

Arrival at a predetermined location may be detected, for example, by recognizing a wireless communication point or by the video recording system and the storage device being able to communicate. In an embodiment, the communication point corresponds to an access point, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN router. The communication point is located within the predetermined location, and the communication point may be recognized, for example, when authentication (SSID, password, etc.) for communication with the communication point is passed.

(11) It is preferable that the video recording system is used in the systems described in (1) to (10).

(12) The video recording system is a video recording system that moves with a moving object and has a function of storing captured data, operates by receiving power from the moving object, continues to be powered on even when the moving object stops moving, communicates with a storage device installed at a predetermined location where the moving object stops, and has a function of transmitting the stored data.

Even if the moving object stops at a specified location and stops moving, the video recording system and the storage device can communicate, and the data stored in the video recording system can be sent to the storage device. In cases where the moving object is moved by the operation of a driver of a vehicle or the like, and the driver is disabled from driving when getting off the vehicle, for example by turning off the engine, the driver can get off the vehicle without waiting for communication to be completed.

(13) It is preferable to provide a function for executing a process to turn off the power supply when the mobile body is in a stopped state and the communication partner cannot be detected. In this way, it is possible to prevent the power supply from being turned on while the communication partner cannot be detected. For example, if the mobile body is stopped in a place other than a business parking lot, which is not a place where the mobile body stops, the power supply of the video recording device is turned off, so that it is possible to prevent the power supply from remaining on and causing the battery to run out. If the communication partner cannot be detected, it is preferable to, for example, treat it as a case where multiple attempts have failed.

(14) It is preferable to provide a detection function for detecting the received electric field strength of radio waves emitted by a device for wirelessly communicating with the storage device, and a notification function for notifying information based on the detected received electric field strength.

In this way, the user can know information based on the received electric field strength of radio waves emitted by a device for wirelessly communicating with the storage device. For example, the information based on the detected received electric field strength can be notified by the received electric field strength being strong or weak. With this configuration, a place with a strong received electric field strength and a good communication environment can be found, and the user can move to and stay at such a place, thereby shortening the data transmission time. The information based on the received electric field strength can be notified by simply notifying the magnitude of the electric field strength, but it can also be a notification that encourages movement when the electric field strength is lower than a predetermined value. The notification that encourages movement can be, for example, an icon, but it can also be a message that particularly encourages movement. In this way, it is possible to encourage movement. The message that encourages movement can be a notification that informs the direction of movement to a place with a strong received electric field strength and a good communication environment. The direction of movement can be determined based on the history of the received electric field strength, for example.

(15) It is preferable to have a video recording unit having a function of capturing and recording video and a communication function, and a power supply unit that controls the power supply to the video recording unit, and the power supply unit has a function of continuing to supply power even when the moving object is in a stopped state, entering a power saving state upon receiving a standby command from the video recording unit, and starting normal power supply after the standby time has elapsed.

The power supply unit controls the power supply to the video recording unit, and when a standby command is received it switches to a power saving state, reducing overall power consumption. After the standby time has elapsed, normal power supply is resumed, so the video recording unit returns to the power supply state before standby and can perform wireless communication.

The power supply unit and video recording unit may be integrated, but it is better to configure them as separate units. The power supply unit controls the ON/OFF of the entire video recording unit, but it would be fine if it had a power-saving standby function.

(16) The program according to the present invention may be a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the storage device used in the system described in any one of (1) to (10).

The inventions (1) to (10) described above can be combined in any way. For example, the invention shown in (1) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (2) and after. In particular, the invention shown in (1) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (2) and after. The inventions (12) to (15) described above can be combined in any way. For example, the invention shown in (12) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (13) and after. In particular, the invention shown in (12) may be combined with at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (13) and after. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights, design rights, etc. for those including these configurations by filing amendments, divisional applications, application for conversion to design registration applications, etc.

In addition, any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (16) and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain rights to inventions including these configurations. Furthermore, even if there is a statement such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe the configuration as being limited to that case or time. These are merely examples of better configurations, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations other than these cases or times. Furthermore, the parts that are described in order are not limited to this order. Configurations in which some parts have been deleted or the order has been changed are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to them.

For example, data recorded by a video recording system can be easily uploaded to a storage system and the downloaded data can be checked.

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system. FIG. 4A shows an example of a NAS, FIG. 4B shows an example of a server, and FIG. 4C is a diagram explaining data stored in a data storage unit of the server. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a drive recorder main body 16 and a power adapter 19. FIG. FIG. 11 is a time chart for uploading video data and the like. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an on-board device configuration. FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of a power adapter 19. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation while the vehicle is running. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing an operation (part 1) while the vehicle is stopped. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing an operation (part 2) while the vehicle is stopped.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configurations and shapes of the devices described are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements may be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a data capture system that automatically captures video data recorded by a drive recorder, including one embodiment of the system of the present invention, and accumulates it in a server. In this embodiment of the data capture system, when video data captured and recorded by a drive recorder 2 mounted on a vehicle 1 is stored and accumulated in a server 3, the drive recorder 2 has the function of wirelessly transmitting the data to a NAS 3 installed at a predetermined location where the vehicle 1 stops, without directly transmitting the data to the server 3. The NAS 4 that constitutes the data capture system has the function of recording the wirelessly transmitted data and transmitting the recorded data to the server 3 via the Internet. The server 3 is configured to be accessible from the Internet 15.

The NAS 4 used in this embodiment has a storage function for storing data, a control function for executing programs, and a communication function for connecting to a network and communicating. In this embodiment, the communication function has a function for connecting to a local network 11. As will be described later, a router 14 is connected to the local network 11, and the NAS 4 is connected to the Internet 15 via the router 14, and is configured to be able to access a server 3 connected to the Internet 15.

The NAS4 may be, for example, a number of business establishments 5 located throughout the country. In this embodiment, the NAS4 is installed in a building 6 of the business establishment 5. Each business establishment 5 often has a parking lot 7 attached thereto, and the parking lot 7 is located near the building 6.

The vehicle 1 equipped with the drive recorder 2 is, for example, an automobile or the like, and is a business vehicle registered and managed by a business establishment 5. During daytime business hours, for example, this business vehicle drives outside the business establishment 5 on an outside route, returns to the establishment in the evening, for example, and is parked in the parking lot 7 during non-business hours, such as at night. The business establishment 5 where the vehicle 1 is registered is a predetermined location where the vehicle 1 stops. In addition, the vehicle 1 may travel to a business establishment 5 other than the registered business establishment 5, and the other business establishment 5 is also a predetermined location where the vehicle stops.

A wireless LAN access point 10 is installed in the building 6 of the business 5, and the NAS 4 is network-connected to the access point 10 via a local network 11. The access point 10 may be configured, for example, as a Wi-Fi router. The access point 10 converts between the wireless LAN and the local network 11 in the building 6, and has the function of connecting a terminal connected to the wireless LAN with devices and terminals on the local network 11 for intercommunication. The communication area of the access point 10 is set to cover the installation area of the parking lot 7. In this way, the access point 10, which is a wireless LAN communication system device, is installed in the business 5, and configured to transmit wireless LAN radio waves from the access point 10 to the parking lot 7. As a result, the drive recorder 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 parked in the parking lot 7 is located within the communication area of the access point 10.

The drive recorder 2 has a wireless communication function. The drive recorder 2 has a function of activating the wireless communication function at a predetermined timing, such as when the vehicle 1 is parked in the parking lot 7, connecting to the access point 10 via wireless communication when the drive recorder 2 is located in a communication area of the access point 10, and transmitting recorded video data, etc. to the NAS 4 via the access point 10.

A PoE switch 12 is connected to the local network 11 and supplies power to the access point 10. A personal computer 13 and a router 14 are connected to the PoE switch 12 via the local network 11. It is preferable to configure the NAS 4 so that it can be accessed from the personal computer 13.

The NAS 4 has a function of uploading the video data etc. transmitted by the drive recorder 2 to the server 3 via the Internet 15. The video data etc. wirelessly communicated by the drive recorder 2 is temporarily recorded on the NAS 4 and then uploaded from the NAS 4 to the server 3. The server 3 is configured to be accessible from the Internet 15, so that, for example, a personal computer 13 located at the business premises 5 or another personal computer 17 connected to the Internet 15 can access the server 3 via the Internet 15, and for example, the video data etc. stored and held in the server 3 while being accessed can be played back and displayed on the display unit of the personal computer 13, 17 using a web browser or the like.

If the vehicle 1 is a business vehicle belonging to the business office 5, the vehicle 1 leaves the business office 5, travels to a specified area or location outside, returns to the business office 5 at an appropriate time, and then parks in the parking lot 7 for a specified time. Since the business vehicle always stops at the business office 5 and is parked there for a specified time or more, the driver can naturally position the drive recorder 2 in an area where it can communicate with the NAS 4 just by performing normal work, and the driver does not need to go to a specific location unrelated to normal work in order to transmit the video data stored in the drive recorder 2, which is good. In this embodiment, the drive recorder 2 has a function to automatically transmit the video data, etc. stored and held while the vehicle 1 is parked to the NAS 4. When the driver returns to the business office 5, he or she simply turns off the engine, gets off the vehicle, and performs a series of normal work actions, such as returning to the building 6, and the video data, etc. are transmitted at an appropriate time thereafter. The driver does not need to perform any special work to transmit the video data, etc. An example of an appropriate timing would be leaving the depot in the morning, moving around outside during the day, and returning in the evening, for a relatively long period of time until the next morning. In this case of parking for a relatively long period of time, even if many vehicles 1 are parked, it is preferable to use the long time until morning to wirelessly transmit video data recorded by the drive recorder 2 installed in each vehicle 1 to the NAS 4, and then upload it to the server 3.

In this embodiment, a NAS 4 is placed at each business establishment 5, and data is collected there at each business establishment unit, and then aggregated in the server 3. If the NAS 4 of this embodiment is installed at the business establishment 5, the video data captured and stored by the drive recorder 2 of each vehicle 1 is uploaded to the server 3. A system is adopted that combines a distributed type of NAS and a centralized type of server, and can aggregate data in the server. Therefore, for example, the operation manager 18 of all business establishments nationwide can operate a personal computer 17 connected to the Internet 15, access the server 3, read out the video data of a specific drive recorder 2 stored in the server 3, play and display it on the display unit of the personal computer 17, check the played video, and check the operation status of the driver of the vehicle 1 equipped with the specific drive recorder 2. This is preferable because the operation manager 18 can perform operation management by accessing the server 3 from a place that can connect to the Internet 15 without going to each business establishment.

The operation manager 18 does not directly view the data stored in the NAS4, but rather views the data stored in the server 3. For example, a person at the business office 5 may use a personal computer 13 or the like in the business office 5 to directly view the NAS4 via the local network 11, but it is preferable to make it difficult to view a single location where information is aggregated, such as a server, as in this embodiment. If the person directly views the NAS4, he or she must go to the business office 5 where the NAS4 is installed when something happens, but since the information is aggregated in the server 3, the operation manager 18 can check even if the person is in a location away from the server 3 or the business office 5. For example, if the NAS breaks down, the server 3 stores and holds video data, etc., so the broken NAS can be replaced or repaired, and the necessary data can then be stored. If the person directly views the NAS located at each business office, the data cannot be viewed if the NAS breaks down, but this embodiment is preferable because there is no such risk.

Hardware often breaks down and requires repair and maintenance when a breakdown or failure occurs. If the NAS 4 at each business location 5 stores and manages video data and the like, and the video data is configured to be played and checked by directly accessing the NAS 4, the NAS 4 needs to be installed at the business location 5. When repairs and maintenance are performed, workers need to travel to the business location 5 in a remote location, which makes maintenance difficult. In particular, for a company with business locations 5 spread across the country, each business location is far from a maintenance center that performs system maintenance at the head office, for example, and factories are often located in remote locations, making the above problem more pronounced.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the NAS installed at the business office 5 is configured to wirelessly collect video data and the like from the drive recorder 2 of the vehicle 1 that stops at the parking lot and upload it to the server 3. For example, it is preferable to perform maintenance by remotely installing specified software from a remote location and storing the backup data. In addition, the business office 5 removes the broken NAS from the local network 11 and sends it to a maintenance center, etc., and the maintenance center returns a new NAS with the necessary data and software installed. The business office can build the system of this embodiment simply by connecting the new NAS that has been sent to a power source and the local network 11 and starting it up. When it is necessary to send the latest data, etc. to be stored in the NAS 4, the maintenance center can remotely access the new NAS 4 after startup and send and store the necessary data, or download the necessary data from the server 3 using an application installed on the NAS side that is automatically executed at startup.

The server 3 constituting the data import system of this embodiment includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a data storage unit 33, and an ID storage unit 34, as shown in FIG. 3(b), for example. The communication unit 31 is an interface that connects to the Internet 15.

The ID storage unit 34 stores specific information that identifies the drive recorder 2 that is the target for recording and managing video data, etc. The specific information is an ID (hereinafter referred to as a "drive recorder ID") set for each individual drive recorder. All drive recorder IDs of drive recorders 2 installed in vehicles 1 that stop at any business establishment 5 nationwide are registered.

The data storage unit 33 stores the video data etc. transmitted by the drive recorder 2. In this embodiment, in order to store and hold the video data etc. transmitted by multiple drive recorders 2, for example, the video data etc. are stored in association with each individual drive recorder 2 (see FIG. 3(c)). Storing in association means, for example, creating a folder for each drive recorder ID and storing the uploaded video data etc. file in the folder for the corresponding drive recorder ID. Creating a folder for each drive recorder 2 is advantageous because the operations manager 18 etc. who accesses the server 3 can easily find the video data etc. of the drive recorder 2 that he/she wants to check. In particular, the effect becomes greater the more drive recorders 2 are managed.

If the video data etc. sent from the drive recorder 2 is limited to, for example, event recorded video data etc., the file size per event is, for example, 20 megabytes, and if 10 event recordings occur, the total size of the files sent from one drive recorder main body 16 will be 200 megabytes. The memory capacity of the data storage unit 33 of the server 3 may be set, for example, assuming the number of drive recorders 2 to be managed and the number of days to be stored.

In addition to the dashcam ID, server 3 may also store information necessary for authentication as a legitimate party when communicating, such as information identifying the NAS installed at each business, and driver information stored about the driver in association with the dashcam ID, and the business may be registered as one item in the driver information. This information is stored, for example, in a specified memory area of the server. For example, by accessing server 3, a fleet manager can view uploaded video data and easily identify whose driving the video data is associated with, which business the driver belongs to, and so on. By accessing server 3 in this way, various types of information can be collected.

The NAS4 constituting the data import system of the present embodiment described above includes, for example, a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a communicating IP address storage unit 24, and a communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, as shown in FIG. 3(a). The communication unit 21 is an interface that connects to the local network 11. The control unit 22 communicates with devices on the local network 11 via the communication unit 21. For example, the control unit 22 has a function of communicating with an access point 10 on the local network 11 and transmitting and receiving data to and from a drive recorder 2 wirelessly connected to the access point 10. The control unit 22 also has a function of communicating with a router 14 on the local network 11 and transmitting and receiving data to and from a server 3 via the Internet 15 connected to the router 14. The control unit 22 has a function of executing a predetermined process described later while communicating with other devices using the above-mentioned transmitting and receiving functions.

The data storage unit 23 stores the video data transmitted by the drive recorder 2. In this embodiment, in order to store and hold the video data transmitted by multiple drive recorders 2, the video data is stored in association with each drive recorder 2, for example. The communicating IP address storage unit 24 stores the IP address of a wireless terminal such as the drive recorder 2 that has established communication with the access point 10. The control unit 22 accesses the communicating IP address storage unit 24, and if the IP address stored in the communicating IP address storage unit 24 is that of a legitimate drive recorder 2, the control unit 22 performs control to continue communication, and if it is not legitimate, not to continue communication. The determination of whether the IP address is that of a legitimate drive recorder 2 may be performed on the NAS 4 side, but in this embodiment, it is preferable to perform the determination on the server 3 side. In the case where there are multiple business offices 5 as in this embodiment, for example, a certain vehicle 1 may be a place where one specific business office 5 stops, and another vehicle 1 may be a place where multiple different business offices 5 stop, and the place where the vehicle stops may change to another business office over time. If the NAS 4 makes the determination, it is necessary to register the IP address of the regular drive recorder 2 in the NAS 4, and it is necessary to store the IP address of the same drive recorder 2 in the NAS 4 of the multiple business offices 5, and to modify the IP address registered in each business office according to the situation, which is cumbersome. In contrast, in the case where the server 3 makes the determination as in this embodiment, the drive recorder ID of the drive recorder that is a stopover at any of the business offices 5 nationwide can be registered in the ID storage unit 34 of the server 3 and managed collectively. In addition, when registering the drive recorder ID, there is no need to determine which business office is the stopover, and there is no need to update it even if the stopover place is changed, and even if the vehicle goes to another business office that is not a regular stopover place, it can be authenticated as a regular drive recorder at the destination, and video data can be uploaded.

The communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25 stores the drive recorder ID of the drive recorder 2 currently communicating. The wireless LAN access point 10 is configured to be connected to multiple wireless terminals at the same time and to be capable of wireless communication. Since the bandwidth available for wireless LAN is limited, it is not possible to wirelessly transmit a large amount of data at once. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, a limit is set on the number of drive recorders 2 that are connected at the same time and wirelessly transmit video data, etc., and when a number of drive recorders 2 exceeding the limit are wirelessly connected to the access point 10 at the same time, communication is performed with the drive recorders 2 up to the limit, and the drive recorders 2 of the remaining vehicles are placed on standby. Since the transmission of video data, etc. is performed while the vehicle 1 is parked, the standby drive recorder 2 is placed in power saving mode and attempts communication after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 22 of the NAS 4 manages the transmission of video data and the like from the drive recorder 2. The control unit 22 determines whether the number of simultaneously connected drive recorders 2 is equal to or less than the limit based on the number of drive recorder IDs stored in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, and if the number exceeds the limit, determines which drive recorder 2 will wait and sends a wait command to the determined drive recorder 2. Details will be described later.

Figure 4 shows an example of a drive recorder 2 mounted on a vehicle 1. The drive recorder 2 of this embodiment includes a drive recorder main body 16 and a power adapter 19 that supplies power to the drive recorder main body 16. The drive recorder main body 16 includes a control unit 40, a CCD camera 41 as a means for capturing images, a microphone 42 for collecting audio, an acceleration sensor 43, a GPS receiver 44, a speaker 45, a memory card slot 46, an AP information storage unit 47, a wireless communication unit 48, an interface 49, and an operation switch 50.

The drive recorder main body 16 is attached to a predetermined position of the vehicle 1 using a mounting means such as a predetermined bracket. The predetermined position may be the windshield or the dashboard, and is preferably the windshield, and particularly preferably above the windshield. The CCD camera 41 may be arranged so that its shooting range faces, for example, forward of the vehicle when the drive recorder main body 16 is fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle 1. For example, if the CCD camera 41 is a camera that shoots a hemisphere or a range wider than a hemisphere, and the CCD camera 41 is set to shoot the hemisphere below the drive recorder main body 16 or a range wider than the hemisphere with the drive recorder main body 16 fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle via a bracket or the like, it will shoot the front of the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle.

The acceleration sensor 43 detects, for example, shocks applied to the vehicle 1, sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, and sharp turns. The GPS receiver 44 receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites in satellite orbit, measures the latitude and longitude of the current position, and sends the obtained current position information, etc. to the control unit 40 as NMEA format data. The speaker 45 issues, for example, operation sounds from the operation switches 50 and various messages (for example, guides, warnings, etc.).

The control unit 40 is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I/O, etc., and executes a predetermined process based on information input from the various input devices (CCD camera 41, microphone 42, acceleration sensor 43, GPS receiver 44, wireless communication unit 48, operation switch 50, etc.) and outputs predetermined information using output devices (speaker 45, memory card slot 46, wireless communication unit 48, etc.). The functions of the drive recorder main body 16 are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 40 as a program executed by the computer in the control unit 40, and are realized by the computer in the control unit 40 executing this program.

A memory card 46a is removably attached to the memory card slot 46. The control unit 40 stores the video data captured by the CCD camera 41 in the memory card 46a. The storage of this video data includes a continuous recording mode in which the CCD camera 41 constantly captures images within the shooting range and records them on the memory card 46a, which serves as a recording means, and an event recording mode in which, when a specified event condition occurs, a recording file is created for a specified time before and after the occurrence and recorded on the memory card 46a. The control unit 40 also stores audio data acquired by the microphone 42 together with the video data on the memory card 46a. The video data and audio data are associated with each other, and when playing back the video data stored on the memory card 46a, the audio data is also played back at the same time.

The specified event conditions include when a sudden start, sudden deceleration, sharp turn, or impact is detected based on the acceleration sensor 43, when the operation switch 50 is pressed, or when a notification is received from an optional device (described later). In addition, if a specified event condition occurs while recording in the continuous recording mode, event recording based on the event is also performed. The recording area based on the continuous recording mode and the recording area based on the event recording are separated. For example, when overwriting recording, the recording area of the same mode is overwritten.

In addition to the video data described above, the control unit 40 also stores GPS information, such as position information received by the GPS receiver 44, and acceleration sensor information detected by the acceleration sensor 43 in the memory card 46a. The GPS information is a GPS log that shows the history of position information, and can be used, for example, to determine a movement trajectory. The acceleration sensor information can be recorded in association with position information, for example, when acceleration exceeding a threshold value is detected. This is advantageous because it makes it possible to store shocks that occur due to accidents, sudden starts and braking, sharp turns, and other dangerous driving that is undesirable from the perspective of safe driving. The stored acceleration information can be linked, for example, to a map app, so that the locations of dangerous driving can be displayed and confirmed on a map.

The AP information storage unit 47 stores AP identification information for identifying and communicating with the access point 10. The AP identification information is, for example, the SSID and password of the installed access point 10. The AP identification information for the access points 10 installed at the business premises 5 where the vehicle 1 stops is registered in advance. When there are multiple access points 10 to which the vehicle 1 is to connect, the AP identification information for all of the multiple access points 10 is stored and retained.

The control unit 40 uses the AP specific information stored in the AP information storage unit 47 to wirelessly connect to the access point 10 within the wireless communication range of the wireless communication unit 48. The timing of the wireless connection may be, for example, when the vehicle 1 stops at the business 5, parks in the parking lot 7, and stops moving, such as by turning off the engine. The drive recorder main body 16 constituting the drive recorder 2 of this embodiment operates by receiving power supply from the battery of the vehicle 1, and continues to be powered on even when the vehicle stops moving. This power on state is continued by power supply from the power adapter 19 to the drive recorder main body 16, which will be described later. The control unit 40 has a function of establishing wireless communication with the access point 10 when the vehicle 1 stops moving, such as by turning off the engine while parked, and transmitting data stored in the memory card 46a to the NAS 4 while driving, etc. The data to be transmitted may be video data recorded in each mode recorded in the memory card 46a, etc., but it is particularly preferable to transmit information other than continuous recording.

For example, if the vehicle 1 returns to the same business once a day and transmits video data while parked, the data volume of the video data transmitted at one time depends on the number of event recordings that occur in a day. The number of event records varies depending on driving trends, but can be expected to be at most about 10 per day. If the file capacity per event is, for example, 20 megabytes, when 10 event recordings occur, the total capacity of the files transmitted by one drive recorder main body 16 will be 200 megabytes. At this level, even if there are a relatively large number of vehicles, for example 30 or more, it is possible to collect a day's worth of video data by using the time while the vehicle is parked, for example, at night. If an attempt is made to transmit video data recorded in the continuous recording mode, the data volume will become very large, and it will take a long time for one mounted drive recorder to complete transmission, and when many vehicles are parked, it is often the case that it is not possible to upload video data from all drive recorder main bodies 16 by morning. Therefore, it is a good idea to upload data other than continuous recording, as in this embodiment. Video data stored in event recording mode is more useful information than continuous recording, for example, when managing operations, so this embodiment, which can collect the necessary data efficiently, is more preferable.

The drive recorder main body 16 remains powered on even when the vehicle is parked after the engine is turned off, and the control unit 40 has the function of reading out video data stored in the memory card 46a and transmitting it wirelessly. The drive recorder main body 16 has a recording function that shoots and records video while driving, and after the engine is turned off, the recording function stops and the communication function operates. The driver does not need to keep the engine running to transmit the video data stored in the drive recorder main body 16 while driving; for example, the driver can simply go about normal business activities, turn off the engine of the vehicle 1, and return to the building 6 of the business 5, and the video data etc. will be uploaded to the NAS 4. The driver can get off the vehicle without waiting for the communication to be completed, which is advantageous as it eliminates the hassle of waiting in the vehicle until the communication is completed.

The control unit 40 may be configured not to search for the access point 10 and attempt to establish communication while the engine is ON from when the engine is started to when it is stopped. Normally, the access point 10 is not in the communication area while the vehicle is traveling after leaving the business premises 5, so even if the process is performed, there is no possibility of wirelessly connecting to the access point 10, and not performing the process reduces the load on the control unit 40. In addition, for example, when the vehicle 1 enters the business premises 5 and is traveling within the business premises 5/parking lot 7, if the drive recorder 2 is present within the communication area of the access point 10 with the engine ON, it is possible to wirelessly connect to the access point 10 and transmit video data, etc., and such a configuration may be adopted, but in this embodiment, the condition for starting communication is that the engine is OFF, so that the communication function is not activated and wireless communication is not performed even if the engine is ON within the communication area of the access point 10. In this way, since the communication function is not activated during the driving and the recording function is activated as a normal drive recorder, the accident is also recorded as an event and stored in the memory card 46a, and communication is started when the engine is turned off after that, so that the video data of the accident can also be transmitted. On the other hand, for example, if an accident occurs while driving after entering the business 5, there is a problem that the video data caused by the accident cannot be transmitted if the accident occurs after communication is started, so it is preferable to activate the communication function after the engine is turned off and transmit it as in this embodiment. In addition, the state in which the engine is turned off and the vehicle is parked has the advantage that communication can be performed stably. For example, when the position of the vehicle 1 moves while driving, the communication environment changes and communication may become unstable, but when the engine is turned off and the vehicle is parked, such a situation does not occur, which is preferable. In addition, when the engine is on and the speed is 0 km/h, the distance between the drive recorder 2 and the access point 10 does not change, so communication is more stable than when moving, but it is even better to turn the engine off. In particular, since large volumes of data such as video data are transmitted, it is best to transmit the data in a stable communication environment, and it is best to configure the communication to take place after the engine is turned off, as in this embodiment.

The wireless communication unit 48 has a wireless transmission/reception function that uses a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, wireless communication is performed with the access point 10. The wireless communication used by the wireless communication unit 48 should have a communication distance that is short enough to cover the parking lot 7 and does not include the distance to a base station, such as LTE (carrier). Since a short communication distance and limited communication range is used, it is preferable in terms of security. In addition, it is preferable to use a wireless LAN method in which multiple wireless terminals connect to the access point 10 simultaneously and communicate wirelessly, rather than peer-to-peer like Bluetooth (registered trademark), such as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi does not require a wireless license, can be used free of charge, has a band that can transmit video data, and has a communication speed that allows video data to be sent without stress, so it is preferable to use Wi-Fi in consideration of this point. Bluetooth (registered trademark) has a shorter communication distance than wireless LAN using Wi-Fi, and it may not be possible to make the entire parking lot 7 a communication area, so it is preferable to use Wi-Fi in consideration of this point.

The interface 49 is for attaching one end of a connection cable 63 that connects to the power adapter 19. In this embodiment, the connection cable 63 is configured as a single harness that includes a communication cable for communicating data and a power line for supplying power. The interface 49 has UART, NTSC, power, and ground, and a socket portion for connecting the connector terminal of the connection cable 63 of the interface 49 is located on the side of the case of the drive recorder main body 16.

The power adapter 19 includes a power circuit 51, a control unit 52, a timer 53, an interface 54, etc. The power circuit 51 is connected to the battery of the vehicle 1, receives power from the battery, and has the function of supplying power to externally connected devices such as the drive recorder main body 16.

The control unit 52 has functions such as communicating with the drive recorder main body 16 and controlling the ON/OFF of the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16. The interface 54 has a configuration similar to that of the interface 49, and the other end of the connection cable 63 is attached to it. The power output from the power output circuit of the power supply circuit 51 is supplied to the drive recorder main body 16 via the connection cable 63. The control unit 52 communicates with the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 via the connection cable 63.

The control units implemented in the above-mentioned NAS 4, server 3, drive recorder main body 16, and power adapter 19 cooperate with the control units of other devices and equipment, and have the function of uploading and consolidating video data, etc. captured and recorded by the drive recorder 2 mounted on each vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is traveling to the data storage unit 33 of the server 3. Figure 5 shows an example of a communication procedure between the drive recorder 2, NAS 4, and server 3, and the control unit of each device has the function of executing the communication procedure.

The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 periodically broadcasts an ARP scan wirelessly via the access point 10 (process a). Periodically may be, for example, about once per minute.

As described above, for example, when the engine of the vehicle 1 is turned off in the parking lot 7, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 constituting the drive recorder 2 establishes wireless communication with the access point 10. When the drive recorder 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 that is parked with the engine turned off receives an ARP scan via the wireless communication unit 48, the control unit 40 transmits its own IP address in response to the received ARP scan (process b).

The control unit 22 of the NAS4 stores the returned IP address in the communicating IP address storage unit 24. As a result, the IP address of the wireless device that currently has wireless communication established with the access point 10, in this example the drive recorder, is listed in the communicating IP address storage unit 24. The control unit 22 of the NAS4 accesses the communicating IP address storage unit 24, obtains a specific IP address, and sends an ID inquiry command via Telnet to the wireless terminal with that IP address (process c).

The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 constituting the drive recorder 2 that receives the ID inquiry command determines whether the received command is addressed to its own IP address, and if so, the control unit 40 transmits its own drive recorder ID together with the IP address (process d).

The control unit 52 of the NAS 4 recognizes that the received drive recorder ID is a drive recorder, and stores it in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25. The control unit 52 deletes the IP address corresponding to the received drive recorder ID from the communicating IP address storage unit 24. The control unit 52 acquires the drive recorder IDs from the list of drive recorder IDs currently connected to the network stored in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, starting from the top, and sends an upload permission request for the acquired drive recorder ID to the server 3 (process e).

When the control unit 32 of the server 3 receives the request, it accesses the ID storage unit 34 to determine whether the received drive recorder ID is registered. If it is a registered and legitimate one, the control unit 32 accesses the data storage unit 33 and creates an uploaded file list that includes specific information that identifies files such as video data stored in the data storage unit 23 and associated with the drive recorder ID. The specific information may be, for example, a file name. If the drive recorder ID is registered in the ID storage unit 34, the control unit 32 replies with the uploaded file list as a response, and if the drive recorder ID is not registered in the ID storage unit 34, it returns an error response indicating that it is not on the list (process f).

When the control unit 22 of the NAS4 receives a response of the uploaded file list from the server 3, it requests the corresponding drive recorder ID to send the uploaded file list and any files that have not been uploaded (process g). If an error response is received in process f, the control unit 22 of the NAS4 deletes the drive recorder ID in question from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25 and ends the process for that drive recorder ID.

The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 constituting the drive recorder 2 that has received the request to send the unuploaded files accesses the memory card 46a and extracts the video data files, etc. that are not listed in the uploaded file list. The control unit 40 wirelessly transmits the extracted video data, etc. to the NAS 4 (process h).

The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 temporarily stores the video data, etc., wirelessly transmitted by the drive recorder 2 in the data storage unit 23. The control unit 22 uploads the stored video data, etc., together with the drive recorder ID to the server 3 at an appropriate timing (process i).

The control unit 32 of the server 3 receives the video data, etc. uploaded together with the dashcam ID, and stores the received video data, etc. in a storage area/holder for that dashcam ID in the data storage unit 33. After storage is complete, the control unit 32 sends a response to the NAS 4 notifying the completion of the upload of the dashcam ID performed in process i (process j).

When the control unit 22 of the NAS4 receives the completion response, it sends a power OFF command to the drive recorder 2 of that drive recorder ID (process k). The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 constituting the drive recorder 2 that received this power OFF command executes a process to turn off the power. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 sends a power OFF command to the power adapter 19, and the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 that received the power OFF command executes a process to turn off the power supply from the power circuit 51.

By turning off the power supply, it is advantageous to prevent the battery from running out. The power supply is turned off based on a response from the server 3 that the upload is complete, and in this state, it is advantageous because it is guaranteed that the video data stored in the drive recorder 2, or more specifically, the drive recorder main body 16, has been uploaded without fail.

The control unit 22 of the NAS4 also deletes the drive recorder ID of the drive recorder 2 to which the power OFF command was sent from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25. This deletion frees up one communication slot, so when a drive recorder ID is added in the next ARP scan process (processes a to d), the control unit 22 of the NAS4 performs a process (processes e to j) to upload the video data stored in the drive recorder 2 of the added drive recorder ID. The drive recorder main unit 16 of the drive recorder 2 that was not placed in the top five in the previous process and was waiting restarts and sends its drive recorder ID, and when it becomes within the top five in the camera list upon receiving the drive recorder ID, the video data is sucked up from that drive recorder main unit 16.

[Control when the number of simultaneous connections exceeds the limit]
The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 executes a series of processes from the above process e in order from the top of the list of the network-connected drive recorder IDs stored in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, and communicates with the drive recorders up to the limited number (for example, five in this embodiment) for video data, etc., and uploads the data to the server 3. Then, when the number of drive recorder IDs stored in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25 exceeds the limited number, a standby command is sent to the excess drive recorders 2. For example, if the limited number is five, a standby command is sent to the sixth and subsequent drive recorders 2 in the list of drive recorder IDs stored in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25. The standby command is notified together with a standby time, for example, "restart in N minutes." The control unit 22 deletes the drive recorder ID to which the standby command was sent from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25.

When the drive recorder 2 receives the standby command, it controls the drive recorder main body 16 to be powered OFF, and after the specified standby time has elapsed, it turns the drive recorder main body 16 ON. When the power is turned ON, the engine of the vehicle 1 is turned OFF and the drive recorder 2 is turned ON, and the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 starts up the communication function, executes processing to establish a wireless connection with the access point 10, and executes the transmission processing flow for video data, etc. shown in Figure 5 described above. By turning the power OFF during standby, it is advantageous to prevent the battery from running out.

In this embodiment, the power supply of the drive recorder main body 16 of the drive recorder 2 is controlled by the power adapter 19, so the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 that has received a standby command transmits a pause command to the power adapter 19 along with the standby time. This transmission is performed using wired communication via the connection cable 63. When the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 receives the pause command, it sets the received standby time in the timer 53 and cuts off the power to the drive recorder main body 16 via the connection cable 63. It also operates the timer 53, and when the timer expires, notifies the control unit 52 of this fact. When the timer expires, the control unit 52 resumes the power supply. With this resumption of power supply, the drive recorder main body 16 is powered on, the communication function is activated, and processing is performed for transmitting video data, etc. from a wireless connection to the access point 10.

As described above, in this embodiment, the power adapter 19 has a function of switching the power ON/OFF for the drive recorder main body 16, and the drive recorder main body 16 is turned ON/OFF as a whole. As a mechanism for suppressing power consumption during standby, for example, a power control function may be provided such as stopping some unused parts of the drive recorder main body 16, such as video recording related parts, and intermittently driving the communication module, etc., but it is better not to provide a power control function on the drive recorder main body 16 as in this embodiment, and to turn the entire drive recorder ON/OFF on the power adapter 19 side. The control process performed by the power adapter 19 is simpler than the control performed by the drive recorder main body 16, and the CPU constituting the control unit 52 on the power adapter 19 side is preferable because it consumes less power than the CPU constituting the control unit 40 on the drive recorder main body 16 side. When the CPU on the drive recorder main unit 16 performs detailed power control, the power adapter 19 operates normally to supply power to the drive recorder main unit 16, so controlling it on the power adapter 19 side is preferable because it reduces the overall power consumption of the drive recorder 2. As in this embodiment, to prevent the battery of the vehicle 1 from running out, it is recommended that the entire drive recorder main unit 16 be turned off during standby.

For example, some drive recorders are equipped with a parking monitoring mode that receives power from the vehicle's battery or a power box with a built-in battery even while the vehicle is parked, and records images of the surroundings. When the parking monitoring mode is activated, it operates for a set period of time, so a certain amount of power is always consumed while the vehicle is parked. In contrast, in this embodiment, if the video data recorded while driving is transmitted, the power of the drive recorder main body 16 is turned off, for example, which is advantageous in that it is possible to reduce power consumption while the vehicle is parked. For example, if there is only one event recording, the power can be turned off after transmitting that one event. In particular, it is more preferable to configure the power adapter 19 to be turned off when transmission of the video data is completed.

In this embodiment, when deleting the drive recorder ID of a drive recorder that is waiting from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, a waiting list is not created or stored, and the deleted drive recorder ID is not assigned a waiting order. Therefore, for example, if drive recorder A is instructed to wait for 5 minutes as a waiting time, and the communication of video data by another drive recorder that is currently communicating ends in 3 minutes, a 2-minute gap will be created. During those 2 minutes, another drive recorder B returns to the warehouse, transmits its IP address and drive recorder ID in response to an ARP scan, and when it is registered within the 5th place in the list of the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, drive recorder B starts communicating video data, etc. After that, if drive recorder A accesses after canceling standby and the limited number of 5 drive recorders are communicating, NAS4 notifies drive recorder A to "restart in M minutes" (M = N or M ≠ N). In this way, depending on the timing of each vehicle 1's return to the depot, the drive recorder 2 of the vehicle 1 that returns later may complete transmission of video data, etc. first, and if unlucky, it may have to wait multiple times even if it returns early.

For example, if there is a drive recorder on standby, it may be given priority and the process of the drive recorder 2 of another vehicle 1 that returns later may be carried out after that. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the drive recorder ID of the standby drive recorder 2 is deleted from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25, and there is no standby list. As a result, no process is carried out to give priority to such a standby drive recorder. Instead, each drive recorder 2 connects to the access point 10 at an appropriate time, and the drive recorder 2 selected within the limited number transmits video data, etc.

In this way, if a later arriving drive recorder 2 attempts communication while the drive recorder 2 is waiting and is capable of transmitting video data, etc., it is preferable to process the later arriving drive recorder 2 first as in this embodiment, since the overall processing for all vehicles parked at the business establishment 5 is completed quickly. Also, even if the waiting drive recorder 2 is not processed preferentially, the driver of the vehicle equipped with the waiting drive recorder 2 can get off the vehicle regardless of whether the upload of the video data, etc. is complete or not, so there is no problem, which is good. If the waiting drive recorder 2 is processed preferentially, it is necessary to manage it in a waiting list, which makes the processing complicated, and if the waiting drive recorder 2 waits until the waiting time has elapsed, the drive recorder that is less than the limited number of vehicles will transmit the video data, etc., during that time, which further delays the processing of the other drive recorder 2 that can actually process it, and the time when the upload of the drive recorder 2 installed in all vehicles parked at the business establishment 5 is completed will be delayed, but according to this embodiment, such a problem does not occur, which is good.

The standby time may be determined by, for example, predicting the time when the currently communicating drive recorder 2 will complete transmission from the number of files to be uploaded, and determining an optimal value that allows video data, etc. to be sent immediately after the standby time has elapsed, but it is better to set it to a fixed value set in advance. A fixed value is preferable because it is not necessary to determine the standby time each time, and control can be easily performed. By setting it to a fixed value, even if, for example, the timing is bad and the number of drive recorders 2 connected to the access point 10 exceeds the limit when returning from standby and attempting communication, and the vehicle goes back into standby state multiple times, for example, if the vehicle returns to the garage after business hours and is parked for a relatively long time overnight, video data, etc. can be uploaded by the time the vehicle leaves the garage the next day, so the above-mentioned disadvantages of a fixed value are minimal.

If the standby time is calculated each time, it is difficult to calculate accurately due to changes in the communication environment and transmission status of the drive recorder itself and the drive recorders communicating at the same time, and the time required to complete uploading to the server 3, and it is difficult to calculate an appropriate standby time itself. If the standby time is determined with a margin, it will result in wasted time without transmission, which is not preferable. If another vehicle 1 returns to the garage during standby and turns off the engine in the parking lot 7, the drive recorder 2 of the other vehicle 1 establishes a connection with the access point 10, and if the number of drive recorders 2 communicating at that time is less than the limit, the drive recorder 2 of the other vehicle 1 starts transmitting video data, etc. In this way, when the drive recorder 2 installed in the vehicle 1 that returns to the garage during standby is turned on after the standby time has elapsed, there is a risk that the number of vehicles will exceed the limit, and in such a case, the vehicle will receive a standby command again and wait. Coupled with the fact that the time when each vehicle 1 stops at the business establishment and parks is not fixed, there is no guarantee that the drive recorder 2 that has received a standby command will be able to transmit video data after being restarted. Since the optimal standby time is not very effective, it is better to set the standby time to a fixed value as in this embodiment, and further to have a function to change the fixed value by setting. For example, if there is a tendency for many drive recorders 2 to record events and transmit a large amount of video data, etc., it is better to set the standby time longer, and set the time at which the processing of the drive recorder 2 of the limited number of vehicles 1 that stop at the business establishment 5 is completed. The standby time after setting is performed at the set fixed value. If the standby time is fixed, the standby time is set on the power adapter 19 side, only a standby command is received from the NAS 4, and when a standby command is received, the power may be turned off for the set standby time and then restarted, but it is preferable to configure the NAS 4 to notify the standby time as in this embodiment, since it can be applied to a system in which the standby time can be flexibly changed.

[Priority for listing dashcam IDs]
In this embodiment, when a number of drive recorders 2 exceeding the limit are connected, the control unit 22 of the NAS 4 transmits and receives video data, etc. from the upper limit number of drive recorders 2 registered in the list, and controls the sending of standby commands to the lower limit number of drive recorders 2 that exceed the limit.

The control unit 22 may assign higher priority to drive recorder units that are likely to complete processing quickly when listing them on this list. For example, the response time from when each IP address is inquired via Telnet until a response is returned for the drive recorder ID, which is likely to complete processing quickly, may be calculated, and the faster the response time, the higher the priority and the higher the list may be listed. The shorter the response time, the more likely it is that the transmission process for video data, etc. will be completed quickly, so by prioritizing processing of drive recorders that complete processing quickly, the number of drive recorders 2 on standby can be reduced. Drive recorders 2 that have long response times and are likely to take a long time to process may be processed more slowly at a later time.

The shorter the communication distance, the faster the response time, and the better the communication environment, and the response processing of each control unit is also affected. Within the parking lot 7, there is not much difference in response time depending on the distance, and in reality, there are effects from the communication environment and the response processing system of the control unit and CPU, and the effect of the communication environment is particularly large. The priority should not be determined based on the response time, but should be determined based on information that changes depending on the communication environment. For example, the information that changes depending on the communication environment can be the electric field strength of the received signal in wireless communication between the drive recorder 2 and the access point 10. For example, within the limited range of the parking lot 7, the effect on the response time based on the difference in distance is low, and the higher the electric field strength, the better the communication environment. Therefore, the higher the electric field strength, the higher the priority should be set.

The electric field strength may be determined, for example, by the access point 10, but it is preferable that the wireless communication unit 48 of the drive recorder 2 detects the electric field strength of the signal sent from the access point 10, and the control unit 40 transmits electric field strength information related to the detected electric field strength when sending the drive recorder ID. The electric field strength information may be divided into multiple levels such as level 1, level 2, level 3, etc., and the level to which the electric field strength belongs may be used, but it is preferable to use the numerical value of the electric field strength itself. Using the numerical value itself is preferable, as it allows for more accurate determination of the quality of the communication environment in which each drive recorder 2 is placed.

As described above, the higher the priority of the drive recorder ID obtained, the higher it is registered in the list, and video data, etc. is received from the drive recorder 2 up to the limit number from the top. Even if the drive recorder 2 has a low priority, the connection continues and video data, etc. are transmitted if the number of drive recorders 2 connected simultaneously is equal to or less than the limit number. It is preferable that the drive recorder 2 with a low priority is not postponed, and if communication is possible with a connection of less than the limit number at that time, the process for uploading video data, etc. is performed. In addition, even if a drive recorder with a high priority returns when the limit number of vehicles, including a drive recorder with a low priority, the drive recorder in communication is disconnected and the transmission of video data from the drive recorder 2 with a high priority is not accepted. If communication has started even if the priority is low, it is preferable to continue communication as it is, complete uploading of video data, etc., disconnect, and then upload video data, etc. from the next drive recorder 2, because the total process for all vehicles 1 parked at the business establishment 5 is completed quickly.

For example, in cases where vehicles 1 stop at the business 5 at different times and park, the uploading of video data etc. is performed in the order in which they stopped and parked. As described above, a standby command to the drive recorder 2 that exceeds the limit using priority is issued when multiple vehicles 1 turn off their engines within a certain period of time and the drive recorder 2 starts communication. The certain period of time is, for example, the interval between ARP scans, and is, for example, about one minute. For example, near the closing time of the business 5, it is possible that more than the limit of five vehicles, for example, will return within one minute. The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 performs allocation control to determine whether or not to send a standby command in such cases.

Traffic management requires a roll call and on-the-spot guidance once the call is over. If the data is uploaded in the order that the vehicles returned to the depot and were parked, as in this embodiment, the upload of video data, etc. will be completed by the time the driver returns to building 6 of business 5, for example, after the driver returns to the depot, and the traffic manager can check the data before the driver goes home.

In this embodiment, the drive recorder main body 16 transmits video data etc. that has not been uploaded to the server 3, stores it temporarily on the NAS 4, and then uploads it to the server 3. As a result, for example, if there is data on the NAS 4 but for some reason it has not been uploaded to the server 3, the drive recorder main body 16 will also transmit the data that has been recorded on the NAS 4, but the NAS 4 only needs to process uploading the data sent from the drive recorder main body 16 to the server 3, and does not need to determine whether the data stored on the NAS 4 side has been uploaded or not, which is preferable because the desired video data etc. stored in the drive recorder main body 16 can be reliably uploaded to the server 3 and stored and held.

[In-vehicle configuration]
6 shows an example of the configuration of the on-board device mounted on the vehicle 1. As described above, the drive recorder main body 16 and the power adapter 19 constituting the drive recorder 2 are connected via a connection cable 63. The drive recorder main body 16 has a lens 41a of the CCD camera 41 disposed below the case main body 16a, and when the viewing direction of the lens 41a is directed downward, the CCD camera 41 is preferably configured to include the lower hemisphere, have a range wider than the hemisphere, and be capable of capturing images diagonally upward. In this way, even when the viewing direction of the CCD camera 41 is directly downward, the capturing range also includes, for example, an area diagonally above the front of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor 43 and other devices shown in FIG. 4 are mounted inside the case main body 16a of the drive recorder main body 16, and the drive recorder main body 16 determines whether to start recording an event based on acceleration.

The power adapter 19 in this embodiment has the function of supplying power to and communicating with other devices in addition to the drive recorder main body 16. As shown in FIG. 7, the power adapter 19 has a flat, rectangular case main body 19a, and the devices shown in FIG. 4 are housed within the case main body 19a. This power adapter 19 may be installed, for example, in the space below the seat of the vehicle 1 or behind the dashboard. Since no rechargeable battery is installed, the case main body 19a is thin and does not get in the way when installed, which is advantageous. Firmware updates for the control unit 52 may also be performed via Wi-Fi.

One longitudinal side of the case body 19a is provided with a first socket portion 19c, a second socket portion 19d, a third socket portion 19e, a fourth socket portion 19f, and a fifth socket portion 19g. A connector terminal of a connection cable 63 that connects to the drive recorder body 16 is detachably attached to the first socket portion 19c. The socket portion is also referred to as, for example, a female connector. This first socket portion 19c corresponds to a socket portion that constitutes part of the interface 54.

A connector terminal at one end of a connection cable 64 is attached to the second socket portion 19d, and the connector terminal at the other end of the connection cable 64 is connected to, for example, the first optional device 61. The power supply circuit 51 of the power adapter 19 supplies power to the first optional device 61 via the connection cable 64. The control unit 52 has a function of communicating with the first optional device 61 via the connection cable 64. The first optional device 61 may be, for example, a collision warning system that measures distance with a laser and warns of the approach of a vehicle ahead. When the first optional device 61 is a collision warning system, the control unit 52 has a function of notifying the drive recorder main body 16 of the collision warning system when the collision warning system detects the approach of a vehicle ahead by communicating with the collision warning system. The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 may record the approach event based on the detection of the approach of the vehicle ahead. This recorded information may be transmitted to the NAS 4 when the vehicle is parked in the parking lot 7 of the business establishment 5, and uploaded to the server 3. In addition, if the collision warning system or another first optional device 61 has, for example, a white line departure detection function, the control unit 52 may have a function of learning that the first optional device 61 has detected a white line departure through communication with the first optional device 61 and notifying the drive recorder main body 16 of the white line departure. The drive recorder main body 16 may record the event based on such a notification.

A connector terminal at one end of a connection cable 65 is attached to the third socket portion 19e, and the connector terminal at the other end of the connection cable 65 is connected to, for example, the second option device 62. The power supply circuit 51 of the power adapter 19 supplies power to the second option device 62 via the connection cable 65. The control unit 52 has a function of communicating with the second option device 62 via the connection cable 65. The second option device 62 may be, for example, an IC card reader. For example, the driver sets an ID card that identifies the driver in the IC card reader when driving. The control unit 52 notifies the drive recorder main body 16 of the driver's ID information recorded on the ID card read by, for example, the IC card reader, and the drive recorder main body 16 records the acquired ID information together with the video data, etc., and may transmit the ID information together with the video data, etc., when transmitting the video data, etc. This is preferable because it makes it possible to link the video data stored in the NAS 4 and thus the server 3 with the driver who was driving when the data was taken, and for example, when an operations manager or the like views the video data, he or she can easily confirm and understand who was driving when the video data was taken.

The connector terminal at one end of the vehicle signal connection cable 66 is attached to the fourth socket portion 19f, and the connector terminal at the other end of the vehicle signal connection cable 66 is attached to a socket portion or the like to which vehicle information of the vehicle 1 is output. The vehicle information includes turn signal information, foot brake status, vehicle speed pulse, and trigger input to an external device such as a digital tachograph. The control unit 52 has a function of notifying the acquired vehicle information to the drive recorder main body 16 as serial information via the connection cable 63. The control unit 52 also has a function of outputting a trigger signal to an external device such as a digital tachograph via the vehicle signal connection cable 66 when it receives an event notification from the drive recorder main body 16 sent via the connection cable 63. The power adapter 19 also functions as an interface for sending and receiving such information.

The connector terminal at one end of the power cable is connected to the fifth socket 19g. The power cable includes a battery connection line 67a, an ACC connection line 67b, and an earth line 67c, and the ends of these lines 67a, 67b, and 67c are connected to predetermined positions such as the power line of the vehicle 1. The fifth socket 19g is electrically connected to the power circuit 51 inside the case body 19a. As described above, power is supplied from the battery of the vehicle 1 to the drive recorder main body 16, the first optional device 61, and the second optional device 62 via the power circuit 51.

As shown in FIG. 7, an opening is provided on the top surface of the case body 19a at a position one step lower than the top surface, and a monitoring voltage setting dip switch 19b is placed in the opening in an exposed state. This monitoring voltage setting dip switch 19b is a 4-bit dip switch that is operated by the user to set the cutoff voltage of the battery for 12V or 24V.

The control unit 52 detects two ACC states: ON and OFF. The control unit 52 reads out and stores the dip switch setting when the ACC of the vehicle 1 is ON. The control unit 52 monitors the battery voltage of the vehicle 1, and when the battery voltage falls below the set cut-off voltage, cuts off the power supply and stops the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16. This prevents the battery of the vehicle 1 from running down. Note that if the monitoring voltage setting dip switch 19b is operated when the vehicle's ACC is OFF, the control unit 52 reads out the dip switch setting the next time the ACC is turned ON.

Figures 8 and onwards show an example of the process flow between the devices constituting the data capture system using the in-vehicle devices shown in Figures 6 and 7. The process flow for devices other than the optional devices may be similarly applied to the process flow of the embodiment described above using Figure 5 etc.

Figure 8 shows the processing flow when the engine is turned off while the vehicle 1 is running and at a location other than the business premises 5. In the figure, "main body" refers to the drive recorder main body 16, "adapter" refers to the power adapter 19, and "vehicle" refers to the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 starts its engine and turns on. At this time, ACC turns on (a1). In response to ACCON, the power adapter 19 is turned on. When the power adapter 19 is first started, the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 unconditionally starts supplying power to the drive recorder main body 16 and optional devices via the power circuit 51 (a2). The drive recorder main body 16 turns on as the power supply starts, and executes a specified initialization process (s1). It then operates in the set mode, and stores video data, etc. if the recording conditions are met.

The control unit 52 determines the power source type of the battery of the vehicle 1 (s2). The power source type is determined to be 12V or 24V, for example, based on the battery voltage supplied with power. This determination is performed during the waiting time Tad_init until the first periodic transmission begins after the power adapter 19 is turned on. This Tad_init may be, for example, 1 second. The control unit 52 notifies the drive recorder main body 16 of the determination result of the power source type (a3). The drive recorder main body 16 executes a predetermined initialization process based on the notification. The control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 performs periodic transmission to the drive recorder main body 16 at a predetermined cycle (Tad_tr) (a4). The predetermined cycle (Tad_tr) may be, for example, 0.02 seconds.

When an event occurs, such as an acceleration sensor or button operation, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 performs event recording (S3). The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 notifies the power adapter 19 that an event recording has been performed (a4).

The engine of the vehicle 1 is turned off, and the ACC is turned off (a5). The control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 has a function of detecting two states of the ACC, ON and OFF, and when the control unit 52 detects that the ACC is turned off, it turns off the power supply to the optional devices (S4). In this embodiment, the power supply to the first optional device 61 and the second optional device 62 is turned off. The time (Top_off) from when it is detected that the ACC is turned off to when the power supply to the optional devices is turned off should be set to 0 seconds. By turning it off immediately, it is preferable to prevent the battery of the vehicle 1 from being wasted while it is parked. The control unit 52 continues to supply power to the drive recorder main unit 16 using the power supply circuit 51.

The control unit 52 notifies the driver that ACC is OFF, i.e., that the engine is OFF, during regular transmission performed after the power supply to the optional device is turned OFF (a6). When the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main unit 16 receives the ACC OFF/engine OFF notification, it stops recording functions such as continuous recording and event recording, and activates the wireless communication function (wireless LAN: WLAN) (S5). With the activation of this wireless communication function, it executes a process to search for an access point 10 with a preset SSID.

If there is no response from the access point 10 with the specified SSID and it cannot be found, a timeout occurs (S6). The timeout may be set to, for example, about three minutes. When the control unit 40 times out, it sends a power cutoff request to the power adapter 19 (a7).

When the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 receives a power-off request from the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16, it immediately performs a full power-off process (S7). The full power-off process stops the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16 (a8), and also turns off the power of the power adapter 19 itself. The power supply to the optional equipment has already been turned off in the process of S4, and this state will continue. By "immediately," it is preferable that the time from receiving the power-off request to turning off the power (OFFpwr_off) is 0 seconds.

Vehicle 1 may be parked at a location other than the designated location where vehicle 1 stops, such as the parking lot of a convenience store, business office, or other facility. In such a case, when the engine is turned off during parking, the vehicle searches for access point 10, but since the access point 10 is not present, the vehicle continues to attempt communication to search for access point 10. Continuing such attempts may result in the battery of vehicle 1 running out. By turning off all power in response to a power cut request, battery consumption can be reduced, which is advantageous.

Figure 9 shows the processing flow for transmitting video data etc. when vehicle 1 is stopped and the engine is turned off within business premises 5. In the figure, "NAS" indicates NAS 4, "main body" indicates drive recorder main body 16, "adapter" indicates power adapter 19, "vehicle" indicates vehicle 1, and "FCW-L1" indicates first optional device 61. When vehicle 1 is traveling, for example, processing similar to the processing in the engine ON state shown in Figure 8 is executed.

When the engine of the vehicle 1 is turned off and the ACC is turned off (a5), the control unit 52 executes the option power OFF process (S4). Accordingly, the power supply to the option device is stopped (a9).

The control unit 52 notifies the driver that the ACC is OFF, i.e., that the engine is OFF, during regular transmission performed after the option power OFF process (a6). Upon receiving this notification, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 stops recording functions such as continuous recording and event recording, and activates the wireless communication function (here, for example, a wireless LAN: WLAN) (S5).

Meanwhile, the NAS 4 periodically performs alive monitoring to check whether the drive recorder 2 and drive recorder main body 16 are turned off in the parking lot 7 (a10). This alive monitoring corresponds to a process such as the ARP scan (process a) shown in FIG. 5. When the engine is on, such as when the vehicle is running, the drive recorder main body 16 is performing normal operations such as recording, so the server 3 periodically repeats alive monitoring.

After stopping the recording function in process S5 and activating the wireless communication function (WLAN), the NAS 4 performs alive monitoring, for example, by executing processes a to g shown in FIG. 5 and making a file transmission request for files that have not been uploaded. The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 that receives this file transmission request notifies the number of files that have not been uploaded that will be transmitted this time (a11).

The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 requests the drive recorder main body 16 to send a file list (a13). The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 that has received the request wirelessly transmits a file list of video data and the like to be sent (a14). The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 that has received the file list requests file transmission (a15). The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 that has received the request transfers the files in order as listed in the file list wirelessly transmitted in a14 (a16). The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 stores the transferred files in the data storage unit 23. The control unit 22 of the NAS 4 checks the file names of the transferred files and the file names listed in the previously received file list, and if all files have been received, wirelessly transmits an end command to the drive recorder main body 16 (a16). By receiving this end command, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 knows that the transfer of all files listed in the file list has been successful.

After sending the end command, the control unit 22 of the NAS 4 sends an SD format command (a18). When the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 receives the SD format command, it executes formatting of the memory card (S8). After completing the format, the control unit 40 wirelessly transmits a completion response to the NAS 4 (a19), cuts off the connection with the access point 10, and ends communication with the NAS 4. The control unit 40 notifies the power adapter 19 of a power cutoff request via the connection cable 63 (a7).

When the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 receives a power-off request from the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16, it immediately performs a full power-off process (S7). The full power-off process stops the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16 (a8) and also turns off the power of the power adapter 19 itself.

Figure 10 shows the processing flow when waiting for data transfer from another vehicle when vehicle 1 is stopped and the engine is turned off at a location within business premises 5. In the figure, "other vehicle main body" refers to the drive recorder main body installed in the vehicle during communication of video data, etc., "NAS" refers to NAS 4, "main body" refers to the drive recorder main body 16, "adapter" refers to the power adapter 19, "vehicle" refers to vehicle 1, and "FCW-L1" refers to the first optional device 61. When vehicle 1 is traveling, for example, processing similar to that in the engine ON state shown in Figure 8 is executed.

When the engine of the vehicle 1 is turned off and the ACC is turned off (a5), the control unit 52 executes the option power OFF process (S4). Accordingly, the power supply to the option device is stopped (a9).

The control unit 52 notifies the driver 16 that the ACC is OFF, i.e., that the engine is OFF, during regular transmission performed after the option power OFF process (a6). Upon receiving this notification, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main unit 16 stops recording functions such as continuous recording and event recording, and activates the wireless communication function (e.g., wireless LAN: WLAN) (S5).

On the other hand, the NAS 4 periodically performs alive monitoring to check whether the drive recorder 2 and the drive recorder main body 16 are in the parking lot 7 with their engines turned off (a10). In this example, in response to previous alive monitoring, the NAS 4 transfers files such as video data between the drive recorder of another vehicle (a16).

The drive recorder main body 16, which has started up the wireless communication function (e.g., wireless LAN: WLAN), receives alive monitoring (a10) from the NAS 4 after the start-up and sends the number of files (a11). The process up to this point is the same as that shown in FIG. 9.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 10, since the drive recorder main body 16 of another vehicle is already transferring files such as video data to the NAS 4 and is in a state where it cannot accept a file transfer from a new drive recorder main body 16, the control unit 22 of the NAS 4 calculates the standby time (S10) and sends the calculated standby time to the drive recorder main body 16 (a20). The control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 that has received the standby time issues a timer set command for the standby time to the power adapter 19 via the connection cable 63 (a21).

The control unit 52 of the power adapter 19, which has received this reservation timer set command, sets the received standby time in the timer 53, which then starts. In addition, at an appropriate timing, the drive recorder main unit 16 notifies the power adapter 19 via the connection cable 63 of a request to shut off the power supply to the drive recorder main unit 16 (a22).

The control unit 52 of the power adapter 19, which receives this power cut-off request, turns off the power supply from the power circuit 51 to the drive recorder main body 16 (S22). This stops the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16 (a23), and the drive recorder main body 16 is powered off. The power of the power adapter 19 remains ON, and the timer 53 continues to operate. When the standby time has elapsed and the timer 53 has finished (S23), the control unit 52 resumes the power supply from the power circuit 51 to the drive recorder main body 16 (a24).

As a result, the drive recorder main body 16 is powered on and executes a predetermined initialization process (s1). The control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 notifies the drive recorder main body 16 that the ACC is OFF, i.e., that the engine is OFF, during the regular transmission performed after the timer expires (a25). When the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 receives the ACC OFF/engine OFF notification, it starts up the wireless communication function (e.g., wireless LAN: WLAN) (S25). With the start of this wireless communication function, it executes a process to search for an access point 10 with a preset SSID.

When the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 receives the ACCOFF/engine OFF notification, it stops recording functions such as continuous recording and event recording, and activates the wireless communication function (e.g., wireless LAN: WLAN) (S5). With the activation of this wireless communication function, it executes a process to search for an access point 10 with a pre-set SSID, and connects to the access point 10.

When the file transfer by the drive recorder main body 16 of the other vehicle is completed before the timer ends and the wireless communication function of S25 is started, the drive recorder main body 16 of the other vehicle executes a predetermined process after the file transfer ends as shown in FIG. 9 and ends communication with the NAS4. As a result, when the number of drive recorders connected to and communicating with the NAS4 falls below the limit, the drive recorder main body 16 that has returned from the standby state becomes available to transfer files such as video data to the NAS4. In this state, the NAS4 performs alive monitoring (a10), and in response to this, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 notifies the number of files to be sent this time (a11). After that, for example, the process shown in FIG. 9 is executed to transfer the desired video data, etc., and after the transfer is completed, the power supply of the drive recorder main body 16 is turned off.

As specifically explained above, the basic functions while parked are that the power adapter 19 continues to supply power to the drive recorder main body 16 even when the engine is turned off, and if the drive recorder main body 16 cannot find the SSID, it turns off the power completely and ends normally (see Figure 9, etc.). When it receives a standby command from the drive recorder main body 16, the power adapter 19 has the function of turning off the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16, setting a timer for the standby time, and starting the power supply to the drive recorder main body 16 when the timer is up. When the drive recorder main body 16 has completed transmitting video data, etc., the power adapter 19 has the function of shutting down and turning off the power completely upon receiving a notification from the drive recorder main body 16 (see Figures 9 + 8, etc.).

This embodiment is characterized by having a function to turn off the power of the drive recorder main body 16 during standby and turn the power back on after the standby time has elapsed. For example, even if a wireless connection to the access point 10 can be established, it is not necessarily possible to transmit video data, etc. to the NAS 4. In this case, the drive recorder main body 16 may be set to wait in the ON state, but there is a problem that it is uncertain how long the ON state should continue, and the risk of the battery running out increases if the standby time is long. If the power is turned OFF and the drive recorder waits as in this embodiment, such problems do not occur, making it preferable.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device is characterized by having a function that transitions to a standby state upon receiving a command from NAS4 to stop the ON state, such as "turn OFF and wait for a while," and continues to be in the ON state until a command to stop is received. For example, if multiple vehicles return to the warehouse at the same time and start communicating all at once, NAS4 communicates with each drive recorder in sequence, acquires the drive recorder ID, requests the specified drive recorder ID to transmit video data, etc., and accepts file transfer. For example, if a transfer request for video data, etc. does not come from NAS4 even after a certain amount of time has passed since the desired SSID was found and communication with the access point 10 was established, it is unclear on the drive recorder main unit 16 side whether, for example, "the number of drive recorder main units currently communicating is below the limit and video data, etc. can be transmitted, but a transfer request does not come due to the processing timing on the NAS4 side" (situation 1) or "the number of drive recorder main units currently communicating exceeds the limit and video data, etc. cannot be transmitted" (situation 2). In situation 1, if you wait a little while, you will be able to connect to the NAS 4 and wirelessly transmit video data, etc., but in situation 2, you will need to wait for a while without being able to transmit video data, etc. In this embodiment, by continuing to stay ON until a command to stop is received, in situation 1 the drive recorder 2 will wait in the ON state, which is advantageous because it will be able to transmit video data, etc. quickly. In situation 2, the standby command will be received at an appropriate time, so the drive recorder main body 16 will wait with the power OFF, which is advantageous because it will reduce consumption of the vehicle's battery.

When a certain time has elapsed since connecting to an access point, the drive recorder main unit 16 may automatically turn off the power and enter a standby state, but if a certain time has elapsed in situation 1, if the drive recorder continues to wait even though it could have transmitted if it had waited a little longer, a situation may arise in which the video data cannot be uploaded early, which is undesirable as it does not meet the demand for early operation management. When restarting after standby, the search for an access point must be started again, which is undesirable as it consumes battery power, and there is a risk that communication from the drive recorder main units of multiple other vehicles will be concentrated when restarting after standby, causing a standby state without communication again, and there is a risk that communication efficiency for video data of all vehicles parked at the business premises will be poor and it will take time, so it is preferable to configure it as in this embodiment.

[Wait time adjustment]
The feature is that it has a function of notifying the standby time together with the standby command. In this embodiment, the standby time can be changed by setting, but the standby time notified during operation is a fixed value rather than fluctuating depending on the situation, but it is better to have a mechanism that allows the standby time to be adjusted according to congestion, priority, the number of files of video data to be transferred, etc. For example, it is good to obtain an expected time when the file transfer is completed from the number of files from the drive recorder main body 16 currently communicating video data, etc., obtain the time until the number of drive recorder main bodies 16 in communication falls below the limited number, and set the value according to the obtained time as the standby time. In this way, it is good because the transfer of video data, etc. can be efficiently accepted from the drive recorder 2 of each vehicle 1 without waiting time. The corresponding value may be the obtained time as it is, but it is good to take a certain margin. If the transmission of video data, etc. takes longer than expected, when the drive recorder main body returns from the standby state and attempts communication, it may not be able to transmit more than the limited number, and may enter the standby state again. Therefore, by providing a small margin, it is good to increase the probability that the drive recorder body that has returned from standby will be able to transmit video data, etc. However, if the margin is too long, there will be idle time during which no video data is being transmitted, and there will be a probability that another vehicle that has returned during standby will start communication. The margin should be determined taking these factors into consideration.

The standby time may be set to, for example, about 5 minutes if there is only one event recording currently being transmitted. In this embodiment, continuous recordings are set not to be transmitted, but if they are to be transmitted, the standby time may be set to, for example, about 1 hour for continuous recordings.

[Prioritization based on vehicle usage]
In the above embodiment, the order of transmission of the drive recorders that transmit the video data, etc., when the number of vehicles exceeds the limit is set so that the priority of the drive recorder that is likely to complete the process quickly is set higher. Rather than focusing on the speed in this way, or in addition to that, it is preferable to determine the priority according to the usage status of the vehicle. For example, the higher the usage frequency of the drive recorder installed in the vehicle, the higher the priority. For example, if there are vehicles that are used frequently and vehicles that are not used often, the priority of the vehicle that is used frequently is set higher. For example, there are wagons, one-boxes, and light cars, and it is preferable to change the priority according to the vehicle model, such as light cars being used frequently, but since the usage frequency of each vehicle model varies depending on the business type, it is preferable to set according to the actual usage frequency. For example, the priority information is stored and held in the drive recorder main body 16, and the priority information is also sent when the drive recorder ID is transmitted.

It is preferable that the priority information set in the drive recorder main body 16 can be changed by setting. For example, there are cases where the parking time after returning varies depending on the situation at the time, not on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis, such as when the vehicle is parked for a relatively short time, such as when the vehicle returns to the business premises and parks there for a short time before being taken out again, or when the vehicle is parked for a long time after returning and not used until the next morning. In such cases, it is preferable to change the priority information according to the situation at the time, for example, when getting out of the vehicle, so that more appropriate prioritization can be performed.

[Vehicle stopovers]
In the above-described embodiment, even if multiple business offices 5 are located, each vehicle stops at one of the business offices. For example, in the case where a vehicle leaves the vehicle in the morning, goes around the road all day, returns to the vehicle in the evening, and parks in a parking lot at night. In this case, the vehicle returns to the parking lot as described above, detects the SSID, wirelessly connects to the access point 10, transmits video data, etc. in the order of connection to the NAS 4, and completes uploading of video data, etc. for all vehicles 1 by morning, which is the basic routine. In the case where a vehicle returns once in the day and parks in the parking lot 7 for a predetermined time (for example, one hour) during the lunch break, and then goes out for half a day in the afternoon, it is preferable to upload the morning data while the vehicle is parked during the lunch break, and upload the afternoon data when the vehicle returns in the evening. Note that if video data, etc. cannot be uploaded during the lunch break due to the relationship between the number of vehicles that return during the lunch break, the parking time, and the time required for transfer, it is preferable to upload the data for one day at once while the vehicle is parked at night. Also, if the data cannot be uploaded at night, the data for two days is uploaded at once the next day.

As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle stops at one business office, but the system of the above embodiment can also be applied to a system in which the vehicle stops at multiple different business offices. For example, video data captured during the previous day's driving at business office A is uploaded to server 3 while the vehicle is parked at the parking lot of business office A overnight. For example, assume a case in which the vehicle makes a route business from business office A to business office B the next morning, parks at the parking lot of business office B for a specified time, and then makes a route business and returns to business office A. In this embodiment, the dashcam ID is stored in server 3, so NAS 4 of business office B queries server 3 about the dashcam ID acquired through an ARP scan, and if the ID is registered in server 3, it is recognized as a genuine dashcam body. Server 3 responds with a list of files that have been uploaded, and NAS 4 of business office B acquires the difference video data that has not been uploaded, and uploads the acquired difference video data to the server. Although the NAS at Office B has not acquired the video data taken during the previous day's drive, the video data taken during the previous day's drive has already been uploaded to the server 3, so the drive recorder main body 16 transmits the video data taken during the current day's drive between Office A and Office B. If the upload to the server is completed while the vehicle is parked at Office B, the video data taken during the current day's drive between Office B and Office A will be transmitted when the vehicle returns to Office A and parks thereafter. Also, if uploading to the server is not possible while the vehicle is parked at Office B, when the vehicle returns to Office A and parks there, the video data taken during the drive from Office A to Office B and the drive from Office B to Office A will be uploaded to the server 3 via Office A's NAS 4.

To take such measures, the dashcam ID can be stored and judged as to whether it is legitimate or not by the server as in this embodiment, and this embodiment is characterized in that the video data etc. from the dashcam ID registered on the server is collected by the server via the NAS of any business establishment.

Although the case of going from business office A to business office B and returning to business office A has been described, for example, if the vehicle does not return to business office A but goes to another business office C, the NAS of each business office can upload the data to the server using the same mechanism. The video data taken during the drive from business office A to business office B can be acquired by the NAS of business office B when the vehicle is parked at business office B and uploaded to the server 3. In this case, the NAS 4 of business office C uploads the video data from business office B to business office C. By having the NAS 4 of business office B upload the video data up to that point to the server once, it is possible to respond to requests to view the video data up to business office B and perform operation management, etc., for example, even if the data stored in the drive recorder main body 16 is lost due to a major accident on the way from business office B to business office C, the video data up to business office B can be uploaded at least. If the stay time at business office B is short, the NAS of business office B can upload the video data with the highest priority. If uploading is not possible at Office B, the NAS at Office C will upload all video data, etc. from the drive from Office A to Office B and from Office B to Office C all at once at the final destination, Office C.

[Parking monitoring function]
The drive recorder 2 is preferably provided with a parking monitoring mode that receives power from the vehicle's battery or a power box with a built-in battery even while the vehicle is parked, and records images of the surroundings. This parking monitoring mode is preferably not activated when the vehicle is parked at the business establishment 5/parking lot 7, which is a place where the vehicle is to stop by, but is activated when the vehicle is parked at a place other than the business establishment 5/parking lot 7. Business establishments are safe because they are equipped with security systems and have security personnel present, so by configuring the drive recorder not to monitor parking, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out, etc.

For example, the control unit 40 of the drive recorder main body 16 switches to parking monitoring mode when the engine is turned off and searches for an SSID. If the SSID cannot be found, the parking monitoring mode continues as is. If the SSID is found, the parking monitoring mode is stopped. After completing transmission of video data, etc. to the NAS 4, or during standby, the power is turned off without switching to parking monitoring.

In this embodiment, when the SSID is found and a connection is made to the access point 10, the parking monitoring mode is stopped, so that when the video data, etc. is subsequently transmitted to the NAS 4, the parking monitoring mode is stopped. Also, while the parking monitoring mode is active, the video data, etc. is not transmitted to the NAS 4. Therefore, the parking monitoring, which involves writing to the memory card 46a, and the transfer process of the video data, etc. read from the memory card 46a are not performed simultaneously, so the CPU load does not increase and the processing speed does not decrease. This is advantageous because it allows for concentrated processing of reading and transferring, thereby shortening the time required to transmit the video data, etc.

In order to prevent parallel processing of writing and reading from the memory card 46a, recording may be stopped when communication with the NAS 4 is established and a transfer request for video data, etc. is received. However, doing so would result in parking monitoring even during standby, and the power of the drive recorder main body 16 being ON. Therefore, since the business premises 5 is safe as described above, it is more preferable to end the parking monitoring mode when the SSID is found. Also, instead of finding the SSID, a different detection method may be used to detect entry into the business premises, and the parking monitoring mode may not be started if the engine is turned off inside the business premises. However, it is preferable to use the detection of the SSID and connection to the access point 10 as described above as a trigger, since this can be done without using a special detection method.

[Parking location guidance function]
If the electric field strength is weak, communication takes time. Therefore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the received electric field strength is used to prioritize the list of drive recorder IDs, and stronger electric field strengths are listed higher. This list works when there is simultaneous access from drive recorder main bodies 16 exceeding the limit. Drive recorder main bodies 16 with low received electric field strength are put on hold, but video data, etc. are transmitted in the low communication environment, so it takes time.

In this embodiment, if the vehicle is parked in a location with a poor communication environment where the receiving electric field strength is low, the drive recorder main body 16 should have a function to prompt the driver to move to a location with a good communication environment. Although the ARP scan is transmitted at regular intervals, Wi-Fi radio waves are constantly flying, so the drive recorder main body 16 has a function to detect the radio waves with the wireless communication unit 48 and guide the driver to move to a location with a good communication environment where the receiving electric field strength is high.

In this system, the Wi-Fi communication function will not start unless the engine is turned off, so after starting the communication function, it determines whether the received electric field strength is above a threshold, and if it is below the threshold, a "message encouraging movement" is displayed, and if it is above the threshold, communication will begin without any action. The message encouraging movement can be, for example, a warning or notification such as "The signal is weak, so please move."

[Competition when there are multiple NAS in one business establishment]
The NAS 4 of this system, for example, sucks up the video data of the unuploaded file from the drive recorder main body 16 of the vehicle 1 parked at night, and uploads it to the server 3. In this embodiment, the limit number of vehicles that can be connected simultaneously is limited to 5, and for example, if 10 vehicles return at the same time, 5 of them will be processed and the other 5 will be in a standby state. When the processing of the first 5 vehicles is finished, the next 5 vehicles can be processed, but if another vehicle returns while waiting, there will be a waiting vehicle. If the number of vehicles to be processed increases, there is a risk that even if they wait overnight, their turn will not come. Considering the number of vehicles that can suck up the video of the event record in one night from the processing capacity and resources of the NAS and the data capacity of the video data to be processed, the drive recorder 2 is set to, for example, 35 for one NAS 4. If the capacity and specifications of the NAS 4 are improved, the maximum number will also increase.

When the number of vehicles that can be processed is exceeded, the drive recorder main unit 16 turns off the power supply from the power adapter 19, and after a standby time has elapsed, the drive recorder main unit 16 is restarted and begins communication. If there are a large number of vehicles to be processed, and another vehicle returns when the drive recorder main unit 16 is restarted and begins communication at an inopportune time, the drive recorder will enter standby mode again and wait with the power turned OFF for the notified standby time. Therefore, if the maximum number of vehicles to be processed increases slightly, the drive recorder will repeatedly turn on and off, which will consume battery power and result in more unnecessary communication processing because video cannot be sent. Taking into account the balance of these points, it is recommended that the limit be set at 35 vehicles.

If the number of vehicles parked in the parking lot 7 of the business 5 exceeds the maximum number, it is advisable to provide multiple NAS4. As in the above embodiment, if the communication area of one access point 10 can cover the entire parking lot 7, multiple access points 10 are installed and the access points 10 and NAS4 are connected one-to-one. The drive recorder to be managed for each NAS4 is uniquely identified. For example, if there are 40 vehicles, which exceeds the maximum number of 35, the first NAS is stored and uploaded by the drive recorder bodies 1 to 20, and the second NAS is stored and uploaded by the drive recorder bodies 21 to 40. The server 3 then stores and holds the information on the correspondence between each drive recorder ID and the NAS. When the NAS sends the drive recorder ID to the server in process e of FIG. 5, it sends specific information that identifies itself. The server determines whether the drive recorder ID is genuine or not, and also determines whether it is a processing target for that NAS, and returns a response (process f). For example, when the first NAS communicates with the drive recorder main unit 16 numbered 10 and acquires the drive recorder ID (10), a file list is sent from the server. Therefore, processing g and subsequent steps are executed to upload the unuploaded files sent from the drive recorder main unit 16 numbered 10 to the server. On the other hand, when the first NAS communicates with the drive recorder main unit 16 numbered 30 and acquires the drive recorder ID (30), the first NAS receives a NO response from the server and deletes the drive recorder ID (30) from the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25. In addition, the drive recorder ID (30) is registered in the communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 25 of the second NAS, and the server returns a file list in response to a request from the second NAS. As a result, the unuploaded files of the drive recorder main unit numbered 30 are uploaded to the server by the second NAS. In this way, one of the multiple NASes uploads, and video data, etc. are collected on the server.

Regardless of the maximum number of vehicles, if the communication area of an access point can only cover a part of the parking lot 7, the communication area of the multiple access points is arranged to cover the entire parking lot 7. Then, each access point and NAS are associated one-to-one. As described above, in the case of a system in which the server 3 determines whether the drive recorder ID is genuine or not, the server determines whether it is genuine or not through any access point/NAS, and if it is genuine, the server notifies the NAS of the file list. For example, the drive recorder of a vehicle parked in the communication area of the first access point communicates with the first NAS connected to the first access point via the first access point, and the first NAS uploads the unuploaded files to the server. The drive recorder of a vehicle parked in the communication area of the second access point communicates with the second NAS connected to the second access point via the second access point, and the second NAS uploads the unuploaded files to the server. If there are vehicles parked in the communication areas of both the first access point and the second access point, it is advisable to allocate which access point/NAS corresponds depending on the congestion status of the NAS processing, etc.

[Users suitable for using this system]
The vehicle using this system may be, for example, a business vehicle or a vehicle carrying passengers such as a taxi, and is preferably applied to a business vehicle with a white license plate. In particular, when the business office is in a rural area, the parking lot 7 is often provided adjacent to the building 6, so the system is easy to apply. For example, when the driver is an MR (medical representative), the vehicle generally works on a route basis, leaving the business office 5 in the morning, traveling from one medical institution to another along a fixed route, and returning to the business office in the evening.

In the case of commercial vehicles, information identifying the company, such as the company name, company logo, etc., is often displayed on the surface. As a result, for example, if a driver is driving dangerously or inappropriately, members of the public who notice this may complain to the company. Examples of inappropriate driving include driving while eating and drinking, littering with cigarette butts, rough driving such as driving close to the side of the vehicle or driving close to the vehicle gap, and driving while operating a mobile phone or smartphone. There is a demand from operation managers to check whether the driver is driving in a way that is likely to attract complaints, and to confirm the true meaning of the complaint if a complaint is received. In order to meet such demands, continuous recording data may be added to the video data uploaded to the server, but if there are many vehicles to be managed, uploading continuous recording data is not practical.

Therefore, a function is provided for recording events based on behavior that is likely to result in a complaint, and the video data of the event recording is uploaded. For example, this event recording is performed by an optional device connected to the power adapter 19, which photographs the driver while driving, processes and recognizes the images, detects any abnormal behavior by the person that is likely to result in a complaint, and notifies the drive recorder main unit 16 of the event via the power adapter 19. When the drive recorder main unit 16 receives the event notification, it records the event for a certain period before and after the event.

This is good because it allows the operations manager to efficiently spot any driving that is likely to lead to complaints and give the driver warnings and guidance. For example, MRs are particularly exposed to stress in their work, so there is a risk that they will exhibit more abnormal behavior than regular drivers, but by extracting and recording such behavior, it is good because it allows them to take appropriate action early, including relieving stress.

When the number of drive recorders to be processed by one NAS is small or the communication speed is fast, it is advisable to send continuously recorded video data to the NAS as well. For example, depending on the communication capacity and storage capacity, it is possible to send all of the video data recorded that day. However, it is difficult to upload all of the video data from the NAS of each business location to the server. For example, all video data, including continuously recorded data, can be sent from the drive recorder main body 16 to the NAS 4, and video data other than the continuously recorded data can be uploaded to the server as in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the continuously recorded data can be stored and held by the NAS.

In this way, it is preferable to have a function for sorting the video data acquired by the NAS from what should be uploaded to the server and what should not. The sorting function may be by dividing the file type into continuous recording data and other data as described above, but it is also preferable to select and upload specific files from the continuous recording data. For example, the specific file may be a file that contains video data that is likely to cause a complaint as described above. The extraction of such files may be performed, for example, by performing image recognition on the video of the continuous recording data using AI edge computing, detecting driver actions and behaviors that are likely to cause a complaint, and extracting the files. Continuous recording data is made up of files divided at predetermined time intervals, so when the relevant file is extracted and uploaded, the files that contain the actions that are likely to cause a complaint are collected on the server, which is preferable.

In the above embodiment, data aggregation is performed on a server, but it is better to use the cloud. The cloud may consist of one device, but it is better to configure it with multiple devices.

[Modification 1]
In the embodiment described above, once connected, the drive recorder main body 16 transfers all unuploaded files to the NAS 4. For example, if there is congestion, it is advisable to end the transfer once one file has been sent.

[Modification 2]
The NAS may have a mode for uploading to the server as described above and a mode for using the NAS alone without uploading to the server, and may have a function for switching between these two modes. The switching may be configured to be performed upon receiving an instruction to the NAS. For example, the NAS may be first set to a mode for using the NAS alone, and the video data captured and stored by a drive recorder mounted on a vehicle parked in a parking lot at a business office may be transferred to a NAS operating independently and stored in the NAS. The stored video data may be accessed from a personal computer or the like in the business office via a local network, and output and played on the display unit of the personal computer for confirmation. After that, for example, an instruction to switch to a mode for connecting to the server and uploading to the NAS is sent from the personal computer, and the NAS that receives this instruction goes into a mode for uploading to the server, and operates as a system that aggregates data to the server via the NAS, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. This is preferable because it makes it easier to introduce the present system. This switching is not limited to an instruction from the personal computer, but may be performed on the NAS side, for example, by providing a switch or the like on the NAS. It may also be configured so that the switching can be performed from the server side.

[Modification 3]
In the systems of the above-mentioned embodiments, the drive recorder side is a slave and the NAS side is a master, but it is preferable to provide the NAS side with a smartphone emulation function. In the conventional Wi-Fi-compatible drive recorder, the drive recorder side is the master and the smartphone side is the slave, and the drive recorder and the smartphone are wirelessly connected, and the video data captured and stored by the drive recorder can be played and confirmed on the smartphone. Therefore, it is preferable to have the function of the conventional smartphone app performed on the NAS side. In this way, it is preferable that event recording data and the like can be sucked up from the existing Wi-Fi-compatible drive recorder to the NAS using the existing mechanism. In addition to the above-mentioned function, it is preferable that the NAS has the function of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and has a function to switch between the two functions. This switching can be performed, for example, at regular intervals. In this way, it is preferable that data can be sucked up to the NAS from both the existing drive recorder and the drive recorder corresponding to each of the above-mentioned embodiments. In addition, for example, in order to upload video from a conventional drive recorder that connects a drive recorder to a smartphone in ad hoc mode and displays the video from the drive recorder to the NAS, it is preferable to have a function that allows the NAS to control the switching of the access point from infrastructure mode to ad hoc mode.

[Modification 4]
For example, for leased vehicles, it is important to be able to move the vehicle, but dead batteries and flat tires are major factors that make it impossible to lease. Flat tires can be detected by regular checkups, but dead batteries occur suddenly. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the power adapter 19 is provided with a function to monitor the battery voltage of the vehicle 1, so that the leased vehicle is equipped with a drive recorder 2, and the control unit 52 of the power adapter 19 notifies the drive recorder main body 16 of the detected battery voltage, and the battery voltage is collected to the NAS via the drive recorder main body 16. It is preferable to provide a function to predict and notify a dead battery from the history of the collected battery voltage. It is difficult to detect signs when the engine is on, but in this system, the power adapter 19 can know the battery voltage when the engine is off, which is preferable.

A dedicated tester is needed to accurately measure and determine battery deterioration, and although it is difficult to judge simply from the battery voltage alone, it would be good to be able to notify the battery as a guide. Furthermore, when it detects that the battery has actually run out, the power adapter 19 notifies the drive recorder main body 16 of this, which then sends the information from the drive recorder main body 16 to the NAS 4. The NAS then records the history of the battery just before it ran out (for example, the voltage drop when the engine was started, the voltage when it was started, the voltage when it was stopped, etc.), so that the trends just before the battery ran out can be known. Therefore, it would be good to notify the battery if such trends occur thereafter.

It is advisable to detect a dead battery not when the battery actually runs out, but when it reaches the cutoff voltage set by the dip switch for setting the monitoring voltage. It is also possible to determine that the battery is dead when there is no response, for example when the SSID is obtained and communication is established, but then there is no response. In this case, there are other reasons for the lack of response besides the battery running out, and when the power adapter 19 is used, the cutoff voltage is reached and the power is turned off before the battery actually runs out, so it is preferable to determine that the battery is dead when the cutoff voltage is reached as described above.

[Modification 5]
For example, for a general vehicle, there may be one or two recorded events per day, but for taxis, there are many. Taxi drivers often step on the accelerator, stepping hard once to accelerate, and then driving steadily at a specified speed. This action may be counted as a sudden acceleration, resulting in a large number of events. Trucks are special, and if a drive recorder set up based on a normal vehicle is applied as is, the number of events recorded tends to be large. It is a good idea to differentiate between taxis and other general commercial vehicles in how events are recorded. For example, in the case of a taxi, it is a good idea to not count a sudden acceleration as an event even if the accelerator is pressed hard.

[Other Modifications]
1. It is recommended that the NAS has a function to transcode video data when a "predetermined condition" is met, reduce the size of the file before saving it, and automatically delete the original file. It is also recommended that the GPS log is not deleted.

1-1. The "predetermined condition" for transcoding may be, for example, at least one of a predetermined number of days having passed since uploading or a predetermined number of days having passed since recording. It may also be desirable to provide a function for deleting only the parts where no events have occurred. It may be desirable to provide a function for setting which of these conditions is to be implemented.

1-2. The NAS should have the functionality to perform real-time transcoding (on the fly) or batch transcoding (background) of the video data described above. For example, real-time transcoding can be performed and sent to a smartphone or the like for display on the smartphone, while the real-time transcoded stream can be copied and stored on the NAS, and when performing batch transcoding, the copied and stored real-time transcoded stream can be removed from the target of transcoding. In this way, duplicate encoding can be avoided and the load on the NAS can be reduced.

2. In the above 1. and following sections, "NAS" can be replaced with "cloud."

3. Cloud storage has different prices depending on the service level, access frequency, rewrite frequency, retrieval time, etc. For example, AWS has standard storage, infrequent access storage, and Glacier storage. Glacier storage is inexpensive but takes several hours to retrieve. It would be good to have a function to select which storage to use as the upload destination from the NAS. When Glacier storage is selected, it would be good to display a confirmation screen informing users of the time it will take, such as "It's cheap, but it will take several hours to retrieve. Is that OK?"

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modified examples, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are provided to aid in the understanding of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification. The configurations of the present invention for which a patent is sought are specified in the claims attached to the application, but it is noted for the sake of clarity that even if a configuration is not currently specified in the claims, the configurations disclosed in this specification may be claimed in the future. The applicant intends to obtain rights for such parts and combinations by amending, filing a divisional application, or filing a conversion application to a design registration application. In addition, even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe the configuration as being limited to that case or time. Configurations other than these cases or times are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights. In addition, the parts described in order are not limited to this order. Configurations in which some parts have been deleted or the order has been changed are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights.

In addition, we intend to obtain rights to the overall design or partial design by filing a conversion application for a design application. The drawings show the entire device in solid lines, but they include not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for some parts of the device. For example, not only can some components of the device be made into partial designs, but the drawings also include some parts of the device as partial designs regardless of the components. A part of the device may be a component of the device, or it may be part of that component. We intend to obtain rights to not only the overall design, but also partial designs in which any part of the solid line parts of the drawings are made into dashed lines.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any of the components of each of the embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily combined with any of the components described in the means for solving the invention or any of the components that embody any of the components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to inventions with these configurations through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

1: Vehicle 2: Drive recorder 3: Server 5: Business establishment 6: Building 7: Parking lot 10: Access point 11: Local network 15: Internet 16: Drive recorder main body 17: Personal computer 18: Operation manager 19: Power adapter 21: Communication unit 22: Control unit 23: Data storage unit 24: Communicating IP address storage unit 25: Communicating drive recorder ID storage unit 31: Communication unit 32: Control unit 33: Data storage unit 34: ID storage unit 40: Control unit 41: CCD camera 43: Acceleration sensor 46a: Memory card 47: AP information storage unit 48: Wireless communication unit 50: Operation switch 51: Power supply circuit 52: Control unit 53: Timer

Claims (9)

A storage device installed at a predetermined location where the mobile object stops;
a storage system accessible from the storage device via the Internet;
A system comprising:
the storage device has a function of acquiring specific information sent from the video recording system to distinguish it from other video recording systems, and transmitting to the storage device a request to upload data captured by the video recording system together with the acquired specific information, and a function of acquiring by wireless transmission data captured by the video recording system moving together with the mobile body, and transmitting the data to the storage device;
the storage system has a function of storing the data transmitted by the storage device in association with the specific information;
The storage system that has received the upload request transmits to the storage device storage information that identifies the accumulated data that has been stored in association with the identification information acquired from the storage device;
The storage device sends the accumulated information to the video recording system identified by the identification information, and makes a request to send data captured by the video recording system that is not stored in the storage system, and based on the request to send, obtains the data captured by the video recording system sent from the video recording system and sends it to the storage system. The video recording system moves together with the moving object,
There are a plurality of the predetermined locations,
the storage devices are installed in the plurality of predetermined locations,
the video recording system is capable of transmitting the specific information and the captured data to the storage device installed in the predetermined location that the visitor visited among the plurality of predetermined locations;
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said storage system transmits said stored information to said storage device which has transmitted said specific information. The storage device is installed in a plurality of locations in the same predetermined location,
the video recording system is capable of transmitting the specific information and the captured data to any of the plurality of storage devices;
The storage device that has established communication with the video recording system among the plurality of storage devices transmits the acquired specific information to the storage system;
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said storage system transmits said stored information to said storage device which has transmitted said specific information. The video recording system moves together with the moving object,
The video recording system stores the data that it has captured,
The system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the video recording system has a function of extracting data from the stored data that is not stored in the storage system based on the accumulated information acquired along with the transmission request, and wirelessly transmitting the extracted data to the storage device. A video recording system that moves with the moving object;
A storage device installed at a predetermined location where the mobile object stops;
A system comprising:
The video recording system has a function of storing data captured by itself and a function of transmitting specific information for distinguishing the video recording system from other video recording systems to the storage device;
the storage device has a function of acquiring the specific information sent from the video recording system, and transmitting to a storage system a request to upload data captured by the video recording system together with the acquired specific information; a function of acquiring the data captured by the video recording system by wireless transmission and transmitting the data to the storage system; and a function of acquiring accumulated information sent from the storage system, the accumulated information identifying the data already accumulated and stored in the storage system in association with the specific information, and transmitting the acquired accumulated information to the video recording system identified by the specific information;
The video recording system is a system that has the function of extracting data that is not stored in the storage system from the stored data based on the accumulated information obtained from the storage device, and wirelessly transmitting the extracted data to the storage device. A storage device used in a system in which a storage device installed at a location where a moving object stops acquires data captured by a video recording system that travels with the moving object, transmits the data to a storage system, and stores the data acquired by the storage system,
a function of acquiring, from the video recording system, specific information for distinguishing the video recording system from other video recording systems, and sending, together with the acquired specific information, a request to upload data captured by the video recording system to the storage system;
a function of acquiring accumulated information that identifies the accumulated data stored in the storage system in association with the identification information, the accumulated information being sent from the storage system, sending the acquired accumulated information to the video recording system identified by the identification information, and making a request to transmit data captured by the video recording system that is not stored in the storage system;
a storage device having a function of acquiring the data captured by the video recording system and sent from the video recording system based on the transmission request, and transmitting the data to the storage system; A video recording system used in a system in which data captured by a video recording system traveling with a moving object is acquired by a storage device installed at a location where the moving object stops, and transmitted to a storage system, and the storage system stores the acquired data,
A function to store the data that you have taken,
transmitting to said storage device;
A video recording system having a function of acquiring accumulation information sent from the storage device, which identifies accumulated data that has been stored in the storage system from among the data that the system has photographed itself and created , extracting data that has not been stored in the storage system from among the data stored by the system based on the acquired accumulation information, and wirelessly transmitting the extracted data to the storage device. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the storage device used in the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the storage device according to claim 6. A program for causing a computer to realize functions of the video recording system used in the system according to claim 5 or the video recording system according to claim 7 .

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