IMAGE PICTURE INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM,

Abstract

To provide an imaging information storage device, an imaging information storage method, and a program that can increase the amount of imaging information if a vehicle suffers malicious tailgating, while appropriately controlling the storage capacity for imaging information.SOLUTION: An imaging information storage device 1 comprises: an imaging information generating unit 31; and a second storage unit 8. The imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information in which an image of the periphery of a subject vehicle is picked up at a predetermined frame rate. The second storage unit 8 stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit 31. The imaging information storage device 1 further comprises: a driving situation detection unit 4; and a frame rate control unit 33. The driving situation detection unit 4 detects malicious tailgating of another vehicle that drives around the subject vehicle. When malicious tailgating is detected by the driving situation detection unit 4, the frame rate control unit 33 generates imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging information storage device, an imaging information storage method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a driving support device. This driving support device determines whether tailgating is occurring and whether tailgating is continuing based on an image of another vehicle captured by a camera of the vehicle. When the driving support device determines that tailgating is occurring and that tailgating is continuing, it provides information about the other vehicle to the driver of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle is provided with information about the other vehicle, enabling self-defense. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-112892 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above driving assistance device, the driving situation is always recorded, so the storage capacity of the recorded data is limited, and the driving situation is recorded at a low frame rate. Therefore, when tailgating by another vehicle occurs, the frame rate interval of the recorded data becomes rough, and the detailed situation of the tailgating cannot be recorded, so there is room for improvement. This is one example of the problem that the invention is intended to solve.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an imaging information storage device, an imaging information storage method, and a program that can appropriately suppress the storage capacity of imaging information while increasing the amount of imaging information when the vehicle is subjected to tailgating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an imaging information storage device comprising an imaging information generation unit that generates imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, a memory unit that stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit, a driving condition detection unit that detects tailgating by other vehicles traveling around the host vehicle, and a frame rate control unit that generates imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when tailgating is detected by the driving condition detection unit, wherein the driving condition detection unit detects the tailgating by the other vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle exceeds an allowable range according to the speed of the host vehicle and this situation exceeds an allowable time, and the allowable time is a braking time according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

[0007] The invention described in claim 4 is an image information storage device comprising: an image information generation unit that generates image information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; a memory unit that stores the image information generated by the image information generation unit; a driving condition detection unit that detects tailgating by other vehicles traveling around the host vehicle; a frame rate control unit that generates the image information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when tailgating is detected by the driving condition detection unit; and an image information analysis unit that analyzes the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle by image analysis based on the image information, wherein the driving condition detection unit detects the tailgating by the other vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle analyzed by the image information analysis unit exceeds an allowable range according to the speed of the host vehicle and exceeds an allowable time, and the allowable time is a braking time according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

[0008] The invention described in claim 6 is an imaging information storage device comprising: an imaging information generation unit that generates imaging information of the surroundings of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; an imaging information processing unit that converts the imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit to a low frame rate compared to the predetermined frame rate; a memory unit that stores the imaging information converted by the imaging information processing unit; a driving condition detection unit that detects tailgating by other vehicles traveling around the vehicle; and a frame rate control unit that generates imaging information at a predetermined frame rate in the imaging information processing unit and records the imaging information in the memory unit when tailgating is detected by the driving condition detection unit, wherein the driving condition detection unit detects the tailgating by the other vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle exceeds an allowable range according to the speed of the vehicle and this situation exceeds an allowable time, and the allowable time is a braking time according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

[0009] The invention described in claim 7 is an imaging information storage method executed in an imaging information storage device for generating imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, the method comprising the steps of generating imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, storing the imaging information, detecting tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the host vehicle, and generating imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when tailgating is detected, wherein the step of detecting tailgating detects the tailgating by the other vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle exceeds an allowable range according to the speed of the host vehicle and this situation exceeds an allowable time, and the allowable time is a braking time according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

[0010] The invention described in claim 8 is a program for causing a computer to execute an imaging information storage method in an imaging information storage device equipped with an imaging information generation unit, a memory unit, a driving condition detection unit, and a frame rate control unit, comprising a step in which the imaging information generation unit generates imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, a step in which the memory unit stores the imaging information, a step in which the driving condition detection unit detects tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the host vehicle, and a step in which the frame rate control unit generates imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when tailgating is detected, wherein the driving condition detection unit detects the tailgating by the other vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle exceeds an allowable range according to the speed of the host vehicle and this situation exceeds an allowable time, and the allowable time is a braking time according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging information storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a road seen from the side for explaining a method of measuring a vehicle distance in the imaging information storage method of the imaging information storage device shown in FIG. 1 and a program for executing the method. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the standard of safe following distance relative to vehicle speed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a guideline for a safe braking time with respect to the vehicle speed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for storing image information in the image information storage device shown in FIG. 1 and a program for executing the method. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging information storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The imaging information storage device of the first embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging information generation unit that generates imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, a memory unit that stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit, a driving condition detection unit that detects aggressive driving of other vehicles traveling around the host vehicle, and a frame rate control unit that generates imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when aggressive driving is detected by the driving condition detection unit.

[0013] The imaging information storage device according to the first embodiment includes an imaging information generating section and a storage section. The imaging information generating unit generates imaging information of an area around the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate. The storage unit stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit. The imaging information storage device further includes a driving condition detection unit and a frame rate control unit. The driving condition detection unit detects tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle. When tailgating is detected by the driving condition detection unit, the frame rate control unit generates imaging information at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate. Therefore, when tailgating is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of the imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when tailgating is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the imaging information in the tailgating situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage device that can increase the amount of imaging information when tailgating is detected while appropriately suppressing the storage capacity of the imaging information.

[0014] In the imaging information storage device of the second embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging information storage device of the first embodiment, the imaging information generation unit generates multiple types of imaging information that are each captured at a predetermined frame rate, the memory unit stores the multiple types of imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit, and the frame rate control unit generates the multiple types of imaging information at a high frame rate when tailgating is detected.

[0015] In the imaging information storage device according to the second embodiment, the imaging information generating unit generates a plurality of types of imaging information at a predetermined frame rate. The storage unit stores the plurality of types of imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit. Then, the frame rate control unit generates the plurality of types of imaging information at a high frame rate when tailgating is detected. For this reason, the multiple types of image information are generated at the same high frame rate when tailgating is detected, and are generated at the same predetermined frame rate when tailgating is not detected. Therefore, when the multiple types of image information are played back simultaneously, no playback lag occurs, and the discomfort felt by the user when watching the video of the played back image information can be reduced.

[0016] In an imaging information storage device of a third embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging information storage device of the first or second embodiment, a driving condition detection unit detects aggressive driving by another vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and another vehicle according to the speed of the vehicle exceeds an acceptable range and this situation exceeds an acceptable time.

[0017] According to the imaging information storage device of the third embodiment, the driving situation detection unit detects tailgating by other vehicles based on the speed of the vehicle, the allowable range of the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicles, and the allowable time. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly determine the criteria for tailgating according to the speed of the vehicle.

[0018] In the imaging information storage device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging information storage device of the third embodiment, the driving condition detection unit acquires the speed from a speed measurement unit of the host vehicle and the distance between the vehicles from a distance measurement unit of the host vehicle to detect aggressive driving.

[0019] According to the imaging information storage device of the fourth embodiment, the driving situation detection unit detects tailgating based on the speed acquired from the speed measurement unit of the vehicle and the following distance acquired from the following distance measurement unit of the vehicle. Therefore, the driving situation detection unit can detect tailgating using the information acquired from the speed measurement unit and the following distance measurement unit mounted on the vehicle, so that the configuration of the imaging information storage device can be simplified and the imaging information storage device can be made smaller.

[0020] In the imaging information storage device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging information storage device of the first or second embodiment, an imaging information analysis unit is further provided that analyzes the inter-vehicle distance between the subject vehicle and another vehicle by image analysis based on the imaging information, and the driving condition detection unit detects aggressive driving by the other vehicle based on the analysis results of the imaging information analysis unit when the inter-vehicle distance between the subject vehicle and another vehicle according to the speed of the subject vehicle exceeds an acceptable range and this situation exceeds an acceptable time.

[0021] The imaging information storage device according to the fifth embodiment further includes an imaging information analysis unit. The imaging information analysis unit can analyze the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle by image analysis based on the imaging information. The driving situation detection unit detects tailgating by the other vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle according to the speed of the vehicle exceeds an allowable range and this situation continues for an allowable time based on the analysis result of the imaging information analysis unit. Therefore, the driving condition detection unit can detect tailgating by other vehicles based on the speed of the own vehicle, the allowable range of the distance between the own vehicle and other vehicles, and the allowable time, making it possible to uniformly set criteria for judging tailgating based on the speed of the own vehicle. Furthermore, the image information analysis unit can calculate the distance between vehicles based on the image information, so that the distance between vehicles information of the distance measuring unit as an external device can be supplemented. Also, in a host vehicle that is not equipped with a distance measuring unit, the image information analysis unit can be used to obtain distance between vehicles information, so that tailgating can be detected using the image information storage device.

[0022] In the imaging information storage device of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging information storage device of the second embodiment, the imaging information generation unit generates imaging information of the area in front of the vehicle and imaging information of the area behind the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, and the frame rate control unit, when tailgating is detected in front of the vehicle by the driving condition detection unit, generates imaging images of the detected direction at a high frame rate, and when tailgating is detected behind the vehicle, generates imaging images of the detected direction at the high frame rate.

[0023] According to the imaging information storage device of the sixth embodiment, the imaging information generating unit generates imaging information of the front of the vehicle and imaging information of the rear of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate. When the driving situation detecting unit detects tailgating in front of the vehicle, the frame rate controlling unit generates an imaging image of the detected direction at a high frame rate. When the driving situation detecting unit detects tailgating in the rear of the vehicle, the frame rate controlling unit generates an imaging image of the detected direction at a high frame rate. Therefore, in the direction where tailgating is not detected, image information is generated at a predetermined frame rate, so that the storage capacity of the image information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, in the direction where tailgating is detected, image information is generated at a high frame rate, so that the image information in the tailgating situation can be increased.

[0024] An imaging information storage device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging information generation unit that generates imaging information of the surroundings of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, an imaging information processing unit that converts the imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit to a low frame rate lower than the predetermined frame rate, a memory unit that stores the imaging information converted by the imaging information processing unit, a driving condition detection unit that detects aggressive driving by other vehicles traveling around the vehicle, and a frame rate control unit that generates imaging information at the predetermined frame rate in the imaging information processing unit and records the imaging information in the memory unit when aggressive driving is detected by the driving condition detection unit.

[0025] The imaging information storage device according to the seventh embodiment includes an imaging information generating section, an imaging information processing section, and a storage section. The imaging information generating unit generates imaging information of an area around the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging information processing unit converts the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit into a low frame rate that is lower than the predetermined frame rate. The storage unit stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit. Here, the imaging information storage device further includes a driving condition detection unit and a frame rate control unit. The driving condition detection unit detects tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle. When tailgating is detected by the driving condition detection unit, the frame rate control unit generates imaging information at a predetermined frame rate in the imaging information processing unit and records the imaging information in the storage unit. Therefore, when tailgating is not detected, imaging information is generated at a low frame rate and stored, so that the storage capacity of imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when tailgating is detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate higher than the low frame rate and stored, so that imaging information in the tailgating situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage device that can increase the amount of imaging information when tailgating is detected while appropriately suppressing the storage capacity of imaging information. Furthermore, in the imaging information generating section, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate higher than the low frame rate until the imaging information is converted to the low frame rate in the imaging information processing section, so that the imaging information storage device can utilize imaging information with a large amount of imaging information before it is converted to the low frame rate.

[0026] An imaging information storage method according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of generating imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, storing the imaging information, detecting tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the host vehicle, and, when tailgating is detected, generating imaging information at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate.

[0027] In the imaging information storage method according to the eighth embodiment, imaging information is generated by imaging the surroundings of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, and the imaging information is stored. Meanwhile, tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle is detected. When tailgating is detected, imaging information is generated at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate. Therefore, when tailgating is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of the imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when tailgating is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the imaging information in the tailgating situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage method that can increase the amount of imaging information when tailgating is detected while appropriately suppressing the storage capacity of the imaging information.

[0028] A program according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute an imaging information storage method in an imaging information storage device equipped with an imaging information generation unit, a memory unit, a driving condition detection unit and a frame rate control unit, and includes a step in which the imaging information generation unit generates imaging information of the surroundings of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, a step in which the memory unit stores the imaging information, a step in which the driving condition detection unit detects tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle, and a step in which the frame rate control unit generates imaging information at a high frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate when tailgating is detected.

[0029] In the program according to the ninth embodiment, an image information generating unit generates image information of the surroundings of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate, and a storage unit stores the image information. Meanwhile, a driving condition detecting unit detects tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle. Then, when tailgating is detected, a frame rate control unit generates image information at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate. Therefore, when tailgating is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of the imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when tailgating is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and the imaging information is stored, so that the imaging information in the tailgating situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide a program that can increase the amount of imaging information when tailgating is detected while appropriately suppressing the storage capacity of the imaging information. EXAMPLES

[0030] [First Example] Hereinafter, an imaging information storage device 1 according to a first embodiment, an imaging information storage method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, which is an example of a standard automobile, and the arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle. These directions are used for convenience in explaining the embodiment, and do not limit the directions in the present invention.

[0031] (Configuration of the imaging information storage device 1 and imaging information storage system 100) 1, the imaging information storage device 1 includes a drive recorder unit 3 as a main component, and is configured to store imaging information obtained by capturing images of the outside and inside of the vehicle cabin while the vehicle is stopped or traveling. In other words, the imaging information storage device 1 is configured to record images captured of the outside and inside of the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the vehicle is an ordinary automobile, but the vehicle may be at least a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, or a bicycle. The imaging information storage device 1 further includes an interface section 2, a driving condition detection section 4, a timer 5, a central processing unit (CPU) 6 as a computer, a first storage section 7, and a second storage section 8. The interface section 2 and other components constituting the imaging information storage device 1 are electrically connected to each other via a common bus 9. Furthermore, an imaging device 10 is incorporated as an external device in the imaging information storage device 1, and the imaging information storage device 1 and the imaging device 10 constitute an imaging information storage system 100. The imaging information storage device 1 is connected to a speed measurement unit 15 and an inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16. The imaging information storage device 1 can obtain speed information from the speed measurement unit 15 and inter-vehicle distance information from the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16. Each component of the imaging information storage system 100 will now be described.

[0032] (Configuration of imaging device 10) As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 includes two cameras, an exterior camera 11 and an exterior camera 12, and an interior camera (an inner camera) 13. The exterior camera 11 and the interior camera 12 are used for imaging the vehicle interior. The exterior camera 11 is used as a front camera. The exterior camera 11 is mounted, for example, in a position close to the front windshield inside the vehicle, facing the front of the vehicle, captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle, and generates exterior image information based on the captured image. The exterior camera 12 is used as a rear camera (back camera). The exterior camera 12 is mounted, for example, in a position close to the rear windshield inside the vehicle or in a position close to the rear bumper, facing the rear of the vehicle, captures an image of the area behind the vehicle, and generates exterior image information based on the captured image. On the other hand, the interior camera 13 is mounted, for example, at a position facing the rear of the vehicle similar to that of the exterior camera 11, captures images of the interior of the vehicle and generates interior image information from the captured images. In the embodiments, the exterior image information and the interior image information may be collectively referred to simply as "image information". Each of the exterior camera 11, the exterior camera 12, and the interior camera 13 is configured with, for example, a two-dimensional image sensor as a main imaging device. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor is practically used as the two-dimensional image sensor. Furthermore, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor can be used as the two-dimensional image sensor. In this embodiment, three cameras, an exterior camera 11, an exterior camera 12, and an interior camera 13, are attached to the vehicle, but only the exterior camera 11 and the exterior camera 12 may be attached to the vehicle. Also, in this embodiment, in addition to the exterior camera 11, the exterior camera 12, and the interior camera 13, a side rear camera may be provided as an exterior camera for capturing images of the lateral rear side of the vehicle.

[0033] (Configuration of speed measurement unit 15 and vehicle distance measurement unit 16) The speed measurement unit 15 and the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16 are each mounted on the host vehicle Vm, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. The speed measurement unit 15 detects, for example, the axle rotation speed of the host vehicle Vm and converts the axle rotation speed into a numerical value representing the speed of the host vehicle Vm. Generally, the speed measurement unit 15 is equipped as standard on the host vehicle Vm, and the measurement result by the speed measurement unit 15 is displayed on a speedometer (not shown) of the host vehicle Vm. The speed may also be calculated based on the value of an acceleration sensor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the speed measurement unit 15 is connected to the interface unit 2 of the image information storage device 1 , and the speed information measured by the speed measurement unit 15 is transmitted to the image information storage device 1 through the interface unit 2 .

[0034] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, the inter-vehicle distance measuring unit 16 is disposed at the front of the host vehicle Vm. The inter-vehicle distance measuring unit 16 transmits a measurement signal Lm toward another vehicle Vo traveling in front of the host vehicle Vm, and receives the measurement signal Lm reflected by the other vehicle Vo. Based on the time required from transmission to reception of the measurement signal Lm, a distance L1 from the host vehicle Vm to the other vehicle Vo is measured. The distance L1 is the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo. Laser light, infrared light, microwaves (including millimeter waves), ultrasonic waves, etc. can be used as the measurement signal Lm. The inter-vehicle distance measuring unit 16 tends to be standard equipment as a safety device for collision detection, etc. As shown in Figure 1, the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16 is connected to the interface unit 2 of the image capture information storage device 1, and similar to the speed information, the inter-vehicle distance information measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16 is transmitted to the image capture information storage device 1 through the interface unit 2. 2, the vehicle distance measuring unit 16 is provided at the front of the host vehicle Vm, but a similar vehicle distance measuring unit is also provided at the rear of the host vehicle Vm. The vehicle distance measuring unit 16 measures the distance between the host vehicle Vm and another vehicle (not shown) traveling behind the host vehicle Vm.

[0035] (Configuration of imaging information storage device 1) (1) Interface section 2 configuration Returning to Fig. 1, the interface unit 2 is connected to the imaging device 10 including the vehicle exterior camera 11, the vehicle exterior camera 12, and the vehicle interior camera 13, the speed measurement unit 15, and the following distance measurement unit 16, and is further connected to a common bus 9 of the imaging information storage device 1. The interface unit 2 can input into the imaging information storage device 1 each of the imaging information generated in the imaging device 10, the speed information measured by the speed measurement unit 15, and the following distance information measured by the following distance measurement unit 16.

[0036] (2) Configuration of Drive Recorder Unit 3 The drive recorder unit 3 includes an imaging information generating unit 31 and a recording unit 32. The drive recorder unit 3 further includes a frame rate control unit 33, which will be described in detail later. The imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information at a predetermined frame rate based on imaging information transmitted from each of the exterior camera 11, the exterior camera 12, and the interior camera 13 through the interface unit 2 and the common bus 9. Here, the predetermined frame rate is set to, for example, 1 FPS (Frames Per Second), and the storage capacity of the imaging information is appropriately suppressed. The recording unit 32 sequentially transmits the imaging information generated in the imaging information generation unit 31 to the second storage unit 8 through the common bus 9. In the second storage unit 8, the imaging information transmitted from the recording unit 32 is stored in the imaging information storage unit 81.

[0037] (3) Configuration of driving condition detection unit 4 The driving condition detection unit 4 is composed of an image capture information analysis unit 41 and an aggressive driving judgment unit 42, and is configured to detect ``aggressive driving'' by another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm shown in Figure 2. The image information analysis unit 41 performs image analysis to determine whether or not the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating" based on the image information of the front side of the vehicle and the image information of the rear side of the vehicle transmitted from the exterior camera 11 and the exterior camera 12, respectively, through the interface unit 2 and the common bus 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the image information analysis unit 41 can calculate the distance L1, which is the inter-vehicle distance, by image analysis based on the image information of the front side of the vehicle. To explain in more detail, the image information captured by the vehicle exterior camera 11 captures the position BP of the rear lower part of the vehicle of the other vehicle Vo traveling in front of the host vehicle Vm. Based on this position BP and the height dimension h of the mounting position P1 of the vehicle exterior camera 11 of the host vehicle Vm, the angle α of the line (broken line) connecting the position BP and the mounting position P1 with respect to the horizontal plane is calculated. Based on the height dimension h and the angle α, a trigonometric function can be used to calculate the distance L2 from the position BP of the other vehicle Vo to the mounting position P2 obtained by projecting the mounting position P1 of the host vehicle Vm onto the horizontal plane. The distance L1 can be obtained by subtracting the distance between the front end of the host vehicle Vm and the mounting position P2 from this distance L2. Similarly, the image information analysis unit 41 can obtain the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle Vm and another vehicle (not shown) traveling behind the host vehicle Vm by image analysis based on the image information of the rear side of the vehicle.

[0038] The tailgating determination unit 42 determines whether or not the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating" based on the speed information obtained from the speed measurement unit 15 and the following distance information obtained from the following distance measurement unit 16 or the following distance information obtained from the imaging information analysis unit 41. Here, a brief description will be given of a method for determining whether or not a vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating" by the tailgating determination unit 42. 3 shows a general relationship between the traveling speed [km / hour] of the host vehicle Vm (or another vehicle Vo) and the safe guideline of the following distance [m]. For example, when the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 40 km / h, a following distance of 22 m is considered to be safe. Also, when the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 60 km / h, a following distance of 44 m is considered to be safe. Therefore, in the tailgating determination unit 42, the vehicle distance between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm shown in FIG. 3 is set as the maximum value of the "tolerable range", and the determination of whether or not "tailgating" has occurred is performed using this "tolerable range" as a reference (threshold value). For example, when the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 50 km / h, the "tolerable range" of the vehicle distance is "32 m". The tailgating determination unit 42 determines that "tailgating" has not occurred if the vehicle distance is a long vehicle distance of "32 m" or more, for example, "40 m". On the other hand, the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that "tailgating" has occurred if the vehicle distance is a short vehicle distance of more than "32 m", for example, "15 m".

[0039] Also, Fig. 4 shows a general relationship between the traveling speed [km / hour] of the host vehicle Vm and the braking time [sec]. For example, when the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 30 km / h to 50 km / h, a safe braking time of 2 seconds is required. Also, when the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 80 km / h to 110 km / h, a safe braking time of 4 seconds is required. Therefore, in the tailgating determination unit 42, the braking time of the host vehicle Vm according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm shown in Figure 4 is set as the maximum value of the "allowable time", and a determination is made as to whether or not the vehicle has been subjected to "tailgating" using this "allowable time" as a standard (threshold value). For example, when the vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 60 km / h, the braking time is "3 seconds", so the "allowable time" is set to "3 seconds". If the state (time) in which the inter-vehicle distance exceeds the "allowable range" is within "3 seconds", the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is not being tailgated. On the other hand, if the state in which the inter-vehicle distance exceeds the "allowable range" exceeds "3 seconds", for example, if it continues for "20 seconds", the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is being tailgated.

[0040] 1, when the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is being tailgated, it outputs a frame rate control signal FCS to the frame rate control unit 33 through the common bus 9. The frame rate control unit 33 controls the frame rate at which imaging information is generated based on the frame rate control signal FCS.

[0041] (4) Configurations of the Timer 5, the Central Processing Unit 6, the First Storage Unit 7, and the Second Storage Unit 8 1, the timer 5 is connected to the common bus 9. Here, the timer 5 is used to count the “allowable time” in the road rage determination unit 42 of the driving situation detection unit 4. A central processing unit (computer) 6 is connected to a common bus 9, and controls the operation of each component of the imaging information storage device 1, such as the drive recorder section 3, the driving situation detection section 4, and the timer 5, via the common bus 9.

[0042] The first storage unit 7 includes, for example, a read-only storage circuit (e.g., ROM: Read Only Memory) and a write / read storage circuit (e.g., RAM: Random Access Memory). The first storage unit 7 is connected to a common bus 9. The first storage unit 7 stores programs necessary for controlling the operation of the imaging information storage device 1, and also temporarily stores information being executed in the central processing unit 6. The second storage unit 8 includes an imaging information storage unit 81 and a map information storage unit 82, and is connected to the common bus 9. The imaging information storage unit 81 stores and preserves imaging information output from the recording unit 32 of the drive recorder unit 3. The map information storage unit 82 stores map information. For the second storage unit 8, a storage device having a large storage capacity, such as a non-volatile storage device or a hard disk, is used. Here, the map information is read out from the map information storage unit 82 to the imaging information generating unit 31 in synchronization with the operation of the frame rate control unit 33. In the imaging information generating unit 31, at least a part of the map information, for example, latitude information and longitude information, is written into the imaging information. This makes it possible to identify the location where the "tailgating" occurred. The map information may be obtained from an external server via the Internet through a communication device (not shown).

[0043] (5) Configuration of frame rate control unit 33 1, the imaging information storage device 1 includes a frame rate control section 33 as a part of the drive recorder section 3. The frame rate control section 33 is connected to the common bus 9. The frame rate control unit 33 starts operation based on a frame rate control signal FCS output from the tailgating determination unit 42 of the driving situation detection unit 4. When the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle Vm is being subjected to "tailgating," the frame rate control unit 33 controls the imaging information generation unit 31 to generate imaging information at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate. The high frame rate is set to, for example, 15.5 FPS. Since the imaging information set to this frame rate is not synchronized with the timing of turning off a traffic light that employs an LED (Light Emitting Diode) system, imaging information can be generated in which the traffic light is on when there is a traffic light at a road intersection.

[0044] The frame rate control unit 33 generates exterior image information captured by the exterior camera 11 and the exterior camera 12 at a high frame rate, and in this embodiment, interior image information captured by the interior camera 13 is also generated at a high frame rate. The interior image information generated at the high frame rate is synchronized with the exterior image information. Furthermore, when the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is being tailgated in front of the vehicle Vm, the frame rate control unit 33 generates, at a high frame rate, an image captured by the exterior camera 11 in the direction in which the tailgating is occurring. Conversely, when the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is being tailgated in the rear of the vehicle Vm, the frame rate control unit 33 generates, at a high frame rate, an image captured by the exterior camera 12 in the direction in which the tailgating is occurring.

[0045] (Method and program for storing image information) 1 to 4, an imaging information storage method using the imaging information storage device 1 will be described using FIG. 5, and a program for executing the imaging information storage method will also be described.

[0046] First, a power unit (not shown) of the host vehicle Vm is started (step S1). When the power unit is started, the speed measurement unit 15 of the host vehicle Vm starts measuring the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm, and generates speed information. In addition, the vehicle distance measurement unit 16 of the host vehicle Vm measures the distance between the host vehicle Vm and another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm, and generates vehicle distance information. Subsequently, the imaging information storage system 100 is started (step S2). When the imaging information storage system 100 is started, the exterior camera 11, the exterior camera 12, and the interior camera 13 of the imaging device 10 are each started. The exterior camera 11 captures an image of the front side of the host vehicle Vm, and the exterior camera 12 captures an image of the rear side of the host vehicle Vm. This imaging information (exterior imaging information) is transmitted to the drive recorder unit 3 through the interface unit 2 and the common bus 9 in the imaging information storage device 1. The interior camera 13 captures an image of the interior of the host vehicle Vm, and this imaging information (interior imaging information) is similarly transmitted to the drive recorder unit 3. The transmitted imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate in the imaging information generating section 31 of the drive recorder section 3. The imaging information generated at the predetermined frame rate is transmitted to the second storage section 8 via the recording section 32, and the imaging information is stored and saved in the imaging information storage section 81 of the second storage section 8 (step S3).

[0047] In the imaging information storage device 1, the driving condition detection unit 4 starts detecting tailgating by another vehicle Vo (see FIG. 2) traveling around the host vehicle Vm (step S4). The driving condition detection unit 4 first acquires speed information of the host vehicle Vm from the speed measurement unit 15 through the interface unit 2 and the common bus 9 (step S5), and similarly acquires inter-vehicle distance information from the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16 (step S6). As shown in FIG. 2, the inter-vehicle distance information is the distance L1 between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo traveling ahead of it. The inter-vehicle distance information also includes the distance between the host vehicle Vm and another vehicle (not shown) traveling behind it.

[0048] The tailgating determination unit 42 of the driving condition detection unit 4 determines whether or not the host vehicle Vm is being subjected to "tailgating" by the other vehicle Vo (step S8). More specifically, the tailgating determination unit 42 first acquires speed information from the speed measurement unit 15 and vehicle distance information from the vehicle distance measurement unit 16. Based on the acquired speed information and vehicle distance information, the tailgating determination unit 42 first determines whether the vehicle distance between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm is within or exceeds the allowable range. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, distance L1 is the inter-vehicle distance, and this inter-vehicle distance is set to the "allowable range", so that if the host vehicle Vm is traveling at a speed of 60 km / h, the "allowable range" is set to "44 m". If a long inter-vehicle distance of "44 m" or more is maintained, it is within the "allowable range", and the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that "tailgating" is not occurring. Conversely, if a short inter-vehicle distance exceeding "44 m" is maintained, it is "exceeding the allowable range", and the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that "tailgating" is occurring.

[0049] Furthermore, in the tailgating determination unit 42, a "permissible time" is added to the determination of whether or not the vehicle is being tailgated. In this embodiment, the braking time of the host vehicle Vm according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm is set as the "permissible time". As shown in FIG. 4, in the above example, the traveling speed of the vehicle Vm is in the range of 50 km / h to 80 km / h, so the braking time as a safety guideline is "3 seconds", and this "3 seconds" is set as the "allowable time". When the situation in which the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating" is within the "allowable time" of "3 seconds", the tailgating determination unit 42 finally determines that the vehicle is not being subjected to "tailgating". Conversely, when the situation in which the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating" exceeds "3 seconds" and "exceeds the allowable time", the tailgating determination unit 42 finally determines that the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating".

[0050] Here, the judgment information shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is stored as a table in a memory unit built into the tailgating driving judgment unit 42 or in the first memory unit 7. In addition, a timer 5 is used to measure the time during which the tailgating driving judgment unit 42 is subjected to "tailgating driving."

[0051] Meanwhile, the driving situation detection unit 4 includes an image capturing information analysis unit 41, which calculates the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo by image analysis based on the image capturing information, as shown in Fig. 2 (step S7). The calculated inter-vehicle distance information is used in the tailgating determination unit 42 to determine whether or not the vehicle is being tailgated. Here, the inter-vehicle distance information is used as supplementary information for the inter-vehicle distance information acquired from the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16, or as independent information for determining whether or not the vehicle is being tailgated.

[0052] When the tailgating determination unit 42 determines that the vehicle is being subjected to "tailgating," it outputs a frame rate control signal FCS to the frame rate control unit 33. The frame rate control unit 33 changes the frame rate of the imaging information generation unit 31 based on the frame rate control signal FCS, and the imaging information generation unit 31 generates imaging information at a high frame rate (step S9). At this time, the imaging information generating unit 31 obtains current position information from the map information stored in the map information storage unit 82, and this current position information is combined with the imaging information (step S10). This allows the current position on the map where the "tailgating" has occurred to be added to the imaging information. The current position information of the vehicle Vm is obtained based on satellite navigation using a Global Positioning System (GPS) (not shown) built into the imaging information storage device 1, or based on autonomous navigation. The imaging information generated at the high frame rate is stored and saved in the imaging information storage section 81 of the second storage section 8 (step S11). If it is determined in step S8 that the vehicle is not subject to aggressive driving, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0053] Next, it is determined whether or not to terminate the operation of the imaging information storage system 100 (step S12). When it is determined not to terminate the operation, the process returns to step S4. When it is determined to terminate the operation, the operation of the imaging information storage system 100 is terminated, and the imaging information storage method according to this embodiment and the program for executing the method are terminated.

[0054] (Action and effect) The imaging information storage device 1 according to this embodiment includes an imaging information generating section 31 and a second storage section 8, as shown in FIG. The imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information of the surroundings of the vehicle Vm (see FIG. 2) at a predetermined frame rate. The second storage unit 8 stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit 31. Here, the imaging information storage device 1 further includes a driving condition detection unit 4 and a frame rate control unit 33. The driving condition detection unit 4 detects "tailgating" of another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm. Then, when the driving condition detection unit 4 detects "tailgating", the frame rate control unit 33 generates imaging information at a frame rate higher than a predetermined frame rate. Therefore, when "tailgating" is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when "tailgating" is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that imaging information in the "tailgating" situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage device 1 that can appropriately suppress the storage capacity of imaging information while increasing the amount of imaging information when "tailgating" is experienced.

[0055] 1, in the imaging information storage device 1, the imaging information generating unit 31 generates multiple types of imaging information at a predetermined frame rate, each of which is captured. The second storage unit 8 stores the multiple types of imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit 31. Then, the frame rate control unit 33 generates multiple types of imaging information at a high frame rate when "tailgating" is detected. Therefore, the multiple types of image information are generated at the same high frame rate when "tailgating" is detected, and are generated at the same predetermined frame rate when "tailgating" is not detected. Therefore, when the multiple types of image information are played back simultaneously, no playback lag occurs, and the discomfort felt by the user when watching the video of the played back image information can be reduced.

[0056] 1 to 4, the driving condition detection unit 4 detects "tailgating" of the other vehicle Vo based on the traveling speed of the vehicle Vm, the allowable range of the inter-vehicle distance (distance L1) between the vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo, and the allowable time. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly determine the judgment criteria for "tailgating" according to the speed of the vehicle Vm.

[0057] 1, in the imaging information storage device 1, the driving situation detection unit 4 detects "tailgating" based on the speed (speed information) acquired from the speed measurement unit 15 of the vehicle Vm and the following distance (vehicle distance information) acquired from the following distance measurement unit 16 of the vehicle Vm. Therefore, the driving situation detection unit 4 can detect "tailgating" by using the speed information and following distance information acquired from the speed measurement unit 15 and following distance measurement unit 16 mounted on the vehicle Vm, and therefore the configuration of the imaging information storage device 1 can be simplified. In addition, the speed measurement unit 15 and following distance measurement unit 16 do not need to be provided in the imaging information storage device 1, and therefore the imaging information storage device 1 can be made smaller.

[0058] Furthermore, the imaging information storage device 1 further includes an imaging information analysis unit 41 as shown in Fig. 1. The imaging information analysis unit 41 can analyze the inter-vehicle distance (distance L1) between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo by image analysis based on imaging information as shown in Fig. 2. Then, based on the analysis result of the imaging information analysis unit 41, the driving situation detection unit 4 detects "tailgating" by the other vehicle Vo when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm exceeds an allowable range and this situation exceeds an allowable time. For this reason, the driving condition detection unit 4 can detect "tailgating" by the other vehicle Vo based on the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm, the allowable range of the distance between the host vehicle Vm and the other vehicle Vo, and the allowable time, so that it is possible to uniformly set criteria for judging "tailgating" according to the traveling speed of the host vehicle Vm. Furthermore, the image information analysis unit 41 can calculate the inter-vehicle distance based on the image information, and therefore can complement the inter-vehicle distance information of the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16 as an external device. In addition, in the host vehicle Vm that is not equipped with the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit 16, the image information analysis unit 41 can be used to obtain inter-vehicle distance information, and therefore the image information storage device 1 can be used to detect "tailgating."

[0059] 1, in the imaging information storage device 1, the imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information of the front of the vehicle Vm and imaging information of the rear of the vehicle Vm at a predetermined frame rate. When the driving situation detecting unit 4 detects tailgating in front of the vehicle Vm, the frame rate controlling unit 33 generates an imaging image of the detected direction at a high frame rate. When the driving situation detecting unit 4 detects tailgating in the rear of the vehicle Vm, the frame rate controlling unit 33 generates an imaging image of the detected direction at a high frame rate. Therefore, in the direction where tailgating is not detected, image information is generated at a predetermined frame rate, so that the storage capacity of the image information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, in the direction where tailgating is detected, image information is generated at a high frame rate, so that the image information in the tailgating situation can be increased.

[0060] 1 to 5, in the imaging information storage method, imaging information is generated by imaging the surroundings of the host vehicle Vm at a predetermined frame rate, and the imaging information is stored (step S3). Meanwhile, "tailgating" of another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm is detected (step S4). When "tailgating" is detected (step S8), imaging information is generated at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate (step S9). Therefore, when "tailgating" is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when "tailgating" is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that imaging information in the "tailgating" situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage method that can appropriately suppress the storage capacity of imaging information while increasing the amount of imaging information when "tailgating" is experienced.

[0061] 1 to 5, in the program for causing a computer to execute the imaging information storage method, the imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information of the surroundings of the host vehicle Vm at a predetermined frame rate, and the second storage unit 8 stores the imaging information. Meanwhile, the driving condition detecting unit 4 detects "tailgating" of another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm. Then, when "tailgating" is detected, the frame rate controlling unit 33 generates imaging information at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate. Therefore, when "tailgating" is not detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when "tailgating" is detected, imaging information is generated at a high frame rate that is higher than the predetermined frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that imaging information in the "tailgating" situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide a program that can appropriately suppress the storage capacity of imaging information while increasing the amount of imaging information when "tailgating" is experienced.

[0062] [Second Example] Second Embodiment An imaging information storage device 1 according to a second embodiment, an imaging information storage method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same components as or substantially the same components as those of the imaging information storage device 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted. The same applies to steps of the imaging information storage method or program.

[0063] (Configuration of the imaging information storage device 1 and imaging information storage system 100) As shown in Fig. 6, the imaging information storage device 1 according to this embodiment includes an imaging information processing section 34 in the drive recorder section 3. Here, the imaging information generating section 31 of the drive recorder section 3 generates imaging information at a predetermined frame rate, and the predetermined frame rate is set to a high frame rate of, for example, 15.5 FPS. The imaging information processing section 34 converts the imaging information generated in the imaging information generating section 31 into a low frame rate that is lower than the predetermined frame rate. The low frame rate is set to, for example, 1 FPS. This converted imaging information is stored and saved in the imaging information storage section 81 of the second storage section 8.

[0064] When the frame rate control signal FCS is output from the tailgating determination unit 42, the frame rate control unit 33 generates imaging information while maintaining a predetermined frame rate. This imaging information is stored and saved in the second storage unit 8.

[0065] (Method and program for storing image information) The imaging information storage method and the program for executing this method according to this embodiment are essentially the same as the imaging information storage method and the program according to the first embodiment described above using FIG. 5, except that the frame rate is set inversely, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] (Action and effect) The imaging information storage device 1, imaging information storage method, and program for executing this method of this embodiment can obtain the same advantageous effects as those obtained by the imaging information storage device 1, imaging information storage method, and program of the first embodiment.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the imaging information storage device 1 further includes an imaging information generating section 31, an imaging information processing section 34, and a second storage section 8. The imaging information generating section 31 generates imaging information based on the imaging information. The imaging information generating unit 31 generates imaging information of the surroundings of the vehicle Vm at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging information processing unit 34 converts the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit 31 into a low frame rate that is lower than the predetermined frame rate. The second storage unit 8 stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit 31. Here, the imaging information storage device 1 further includes a driving condition detection unit 4 and a frame rate control unit 33. The driving condition detection unit 4 detects "tailgating" of another vehicle Vo traveling around the host vehicle Vm (see FIG. 2). Then, when the driving condition detection unit 4 detects "tailgating", the frame rate control unit 33 generates imaging information at a predetermined frame rate in the imaging information processing unit 34 and records the imaging information in the second storage unit 8. Therefore, when "tailgating" is not detected, imaging information is generated at a low frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that the storage capacity of imaging information can be appropriately suppressed. On the other hand, when "tailgating" is detected, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate higher than the low frame rate and this imaging information is stored, so that imaging information in the "tailgating" situation can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide an imaging information storage device 1 that can appropriately suppress the storage capacity of imaging information while increasing the amount of imaging information when "tailgating" is experienced. Furthermore, in the imaging information generating section 31, imaging information is generated at a predetermined frame rate higher than the low frame rate until the imaging information is converted to the low frame rate in the imaging information processing section 34. Therefore, the imaging information storage device 1 can use imaging information with a large amount of imaging information before being converted to the low frame rate. For example, if a circuit for temporarily storing imaging information serially for several to several tens of seconds is provided in the transmission path from the imaging information generating section 31 to the imaging information processing section 34, imaging information at a high frame rate can be obtained by going back in time.

[0068] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the imaging information storage device 1 is constructed with each component such as the drive recorder unit 3, the driving condition detection unit 4, the timer 5, the second storage unit 8, etc. as built-in circuits. In the present invention, the imaging information storage device 1 may be constructed with at least one component attached as an external device. In addition, in the above embodiment, "tailgating" from either the front or rear of the vehicle Vm is detected and image information is stored, but the present invention may also detect "tailgating" from both the front and rear of the vehicle Vm simultaneously and store image information. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case is described in which the vehicle Vm is subject to "tailgating" (victim side), but the present invention is also applicable to a case in which the vehicle Vm is performing "tailgating" (perpetrator side). In addition, since "tailgating" may occur repeatedly, the present invention may be configured to generate image information at a high frame rate until a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination of "tailgating." The "predetermined time" here may be, for example, several tens of seconds to several minutes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Image information storage device 10. Imaging device 11 Exterior camera 12 Exterior camera 13. In-vehicle camera 15 Speed ​​measurement section 16 Vehicle Distance Measurement Unit 100 Imaging information storage system 2 Interface section 3 Drive recorder section 31 Imaging information generation unit 32 Recording Section 33 Frame rate control section 34 Imaging information processing section 4. Driving condition detection unit 41 Imaging information analysis section 42 Tailgating Driving Judgment Unit 5 Timer 6 Central Processing Unit (Computer) 7 1st memory section 8 2nd memory section 81 Imaging information storage unit 82 Map information storage unit 9. Common Bus Vm Vehicle Vo Other vehicles

Claims

1. An imaging information generating unit that generates imaging information of a front and rear of a vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; A storage unit that stores the imaging information generated by the imaging information generation unit; A driving situation detection unit that detects tailgating by other vehicles traveling around the vehicle; a frame rate control unit capable of generating the imaging information at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate; Equipped with The image information storage device is characterized in that the frame rate control unit generates the image information of both the front and rear of the vehicle at the high frame rate when the driving condition detection unit detects tailgating in at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle.

2. An imaging information generating unit that generates imaging information of an area around a host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; an imaging information processing unit that converts the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating unit into a low frame rate that is lower than the predetermined frame rate; a storage unit that stores the imaging information converted by the imaging information processing unit; A driving situation detection unit that detects tailgating by other vehicles traveling around the vehicle; A frame rate control unit that stores the imaging information generated at the predetermined frame rate in the storage unit when tailgating is detected by the driving situation detection unit; Equipped with The frame rate control unit of this image information storage device is characterized in that, when tailgating is detected, the image information generated at the predetermined frame rate is stored in the memory unit as an image captured a predetermined period before the tailgating is detected.

3. The imaging information generating unit, a forward image capturing information generating means for generating the image capturing information of a forward area of ​​the host vehicle at the predetermined frame rate; a rear image capturing information generating means for generating the image capturing information of the rear of the host vehicle at the predetermined frame rate; having The image information storage device of claim 2, characterized in that when tailgating is detected in at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle, the frame rate control unit stores in the memory unit both the image information of the front of the vehicle generated at the predetermined frame rate and the image information of the rear of the vehicle generated at the predetermined frame rate.

4. An information processing method, comprising: an imaging information generating step of generating imaging information of a front and a rear of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; a storage step of storing the imaging information generated by the imaging information generating step in a storage unit; A driving situation detection step of detecting tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle; a frame rate control step of generating the imaging information at a frame rate higher than the predetermined frame rate; Equipped with An information processing method characterized in that, in the frame rate control process, when tailgating is detected in at least one of the front and rear of the vehicle, the imaging information of both the front and rear of the vehicle is generated at the high frame rate.

5. An information processing method, comprising: an imaging information generating step of generating imaging information of an image of the surroundings of the host vehicle at a predetermined frame rate; an imaging information processing step of converting the imaging information into an imaging information having a frame rate lower than the predetermined frame rate; a storage step of storing the imaging information converted by the imaging information processing step in a storage unit; A driving situation detection step of detecting tailgating by another vehicle traveling around the vehicle; A frame rate control process for storing the imaging information generated at the predetermined frame rate in the storage unit when the tailgating is detected; Equipped with This information processing method is characterized in that, in the frame rate control process, when tailgating is detected, the imaging information, which is an image captured during a predetermined period prior to the detection of the tailgating, and which is generated at the predetermined frame rate, is stored in the memory unit.

6. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method described in claim 4 or claim 5.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program described in claim 6.

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