Electronic equipment and programs

Abstract

The present invention provides electronic devices and programs that allow users to record and view video data without having to perform tasks such as transferring video data, thereby minimizing the hassle of transferring video data. [Solution] The drive recorder 1 performs continuous recording, which records video data continuously, and intermittent recording, which records video data intermittently each time a predetermined event occurs, using the same recording area. The drive recorder 1 has a recording control means that, according to the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording in the recording area, erases at least a portion of the video data that has been intermittently recorded in the recording area to secure the capacity of the recordable area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a program for recording video data.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices such as drive recorders that constantly record and event-record video data are known. Constant recording is to record video data continuously without interruption when power is supplied to the electronic device from the outside, such as while the accessory switch is on. The accessory switch is a switch that switches between supplying power to accessories such as audio provided in the vehicle from the in-vehicle battery and cutting off the power supply. Event recording is to record video data when an event such as a dangerous state or an accident during the operation of the vehicle occurs, such as when the detection value of an acceleration sensor provided in the electronic device exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0003] As such electronic devices, mainly two methods exist due to differences in recording methods.

[0004] One of these two methods is to manage and record the recording area for constant recording and the recording area for event recording separately (for example, Patent Document 1). According to this method, the number of files that can be recorded in the recording area for constant recording and the number of files that can be recorded in the recording area for event recording are set in advance. Then, in each recording area, when the set number of files is reached, the oldest file is overwritten to perform constant recording or event recording. This method has a problem that when the frequency of event recording is extremely low, the recording area cannot be used efficiently.

[0005] The other of the two methods described above manages and records the recording area for continuous recording and the recording area for event recording as a single unit. With this method, video data is continuously recorded in the same recording area, and video data is also recorded as an event each time an event occurs. In this case, if the recording area becomes full with continuously recorded video data and event recorded video data, the oldest continuously recorded video data is overwritten without overwriting the event recorded video data, and new continuous recording and event recording are performed. When the recording area becomes full with video data from event recording, recording stops. With this method, the recording capacity can be used efficiently even if the frequency of event recording is low. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-74291 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in conventional electronic devices that manage and record both a recording area for continuous recording and a recording area for event recording as a single unit, recording stops when the recording area is full with event-recorded video data. Therefore, if the user does not notice that the recording area has run out, they will not be able to record video data and thus will not be able to view the video. Furthermore, in order to start recording again, it is necessary to manually transfer the video data to another medium, such as by removing the recording medium from the electronic device and moving it to the hard drive of a personal computer, which is inconvenient.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and program that allows video data to be recorded and viewed without having to perform tasks such as transferring video data, thereby minimizing the hassle of performing such tasks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) An electronic device that performs continuous recording, which records video data continuously, and intermittent recording, which records the video data intermittently each time a predetermined event occurs, using the same recording area, and is characterized by having a recording control means that erases at least a portion of the video data that has been intermittently recorded in the recording area in accordance with the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording in the recording area, thereby securing the capacity of the recordable area.

[0010] In this way, video data can be recorded and viewed without having to perform tasks such as transferring video data, thus minimizing the hassle of transferring video data. For continuous recording of video data, it is good to record video data without interruption over a predetermined period of time. For example, it is good to continuously record video data when power is supplied to the electronic device from an external source such as the vehicle, such as when the vehicle's accessory switch is turned ON. In this way, video data for a predetermined period of time can be recorded and viewed without any omissions. The occurrence of a predetermined event can be an event that occurs in accordance with the state of the vehicle or the situation outside the vehicle. For example, it could be when the vehicle's acceleration value exceeds a threshold, when the distance between the current position and a pre-set viewpoint with a good view falls within a predetermined distance, or when the distance between the current position and a pre-set intersection or accident-prone area that requires attention falls within a predetermined distance. Furthermore, the vehicle's condition and external conditions can be determined by the distance between the vehicle's current position (determined by positioning using a positioning system) and locations that require attention, such as intersections and accident-prone areas; the distance between the vehicle's current position (determined by positioning using a positioning system) and a viewpoint; or by comparing the detected value of a sensor installed in an electronic device with a threshold value. For example, this can be determined by checking whether the distance between the vehicle's current position (determined by positioning using GPS) and locations that require attention, such as intersections and accident-prone areas, is within a predetermined distance; whether the distance between the vehicle's current position (determined by positioning using GPS) and a viewpoint is within a predetermined distance; or whether the detected acceleration value of an acceleration sensor is above a threshold value. In this way, video data can be recorded intermittently, separate from continuous recording, according to the vehicle's current position (determined by positioning using a positioning system) or the detected value of a sensor.

[0011] Intermittent recording, which records video data intermittently each time a predetermined event occurs, is best done by recording the video data at the time of the event for a shorter duration than continuous recording and including the time the event occurred. For example, when the acceleration value detected by an accelerometer exceeds a threshold, the video data is best recorded for a shorter duration than continuous recording and including the time the acceleration value exceeded the threshold. In this way, the video data at the time of the event can be efficiently viewed separately from the continuously recorded video data. The recording area is best set to a predetermined area on a memory card formatted with a predetermined file system. For example, it is best set to the data area on a memory card formatted with a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system, which is the area where video data is recorded. In this way, the video data of the continuous recording file created by continuous recording and the video data of the intermittent recording file created by intermittent recording can be recorded in a predetermined area on the memory card and managed as files. For sharing the same recording area, it is best to allow both continuous and intermittent recording of video data in the same recording area. For example, it is best to allow both continuous and intermittent recording of video data in each cluster of the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a predetermined file system. By doing this, the area in the recording area allows for intermittent recording of video data. By changing the ratio of the area for continuous recording of video data to the area for recording according to the frequency of recording, the recording area can be used efficiently when no work such as transferring video data is performed.

[0012] The capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording in the recording area should be determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area. For example, when recording video data to the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, it should be determined by the number of clusters in the data area where the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be determined as part of the management of video data recorded in the recording area. When erasing at least a portion of the video data that has been intermittently recorded in the recording area, it is appropriate to select at least a portion of the video data that has been intermittently recorded, starting with the video data recorded in the past. Alternatively, when erasing at least a portion, it is appropriate to erase all or part of the video data that has been intermittently recorded in the recording area. In this way, it is possible to prioritize the retention of recently intermittently recorded video data that is likely to be viewed.

[0013] To ensure sufficient recording capacity, it is advisable to ensure that the recording capacity for continuous recording is not immediately depleted by subsequent intermittent recordings when new continuous and intermittent recordings are made by overwriting continuously recorded video data without overwriting intermittently recorded video data. For example, in a data area managed using a file system, it is advisable to ensure sufficient recording capacity by deleting a number of intermittently recorded files corresponding to the frequency of intermittent recordings in a predetermined period of time in the past. In this way, the process of deleting intermittently recorded video data can be avoided as frequently.

[0014] (2) The recording control means is characterized in that, when the capacity of the recording area is full due to the continuous recording and the intermittent recording, it overwrites the video data that has been continuously recorded in the recording area and performs the continuous recording and the intermittent recording again, while performing the erasure so that the capacity of the recordable area does not fall below a predetermined value.

[0015] This ensures that the recording area capacity used for continuous recording is always available, allowing for continuous recording of video data without any omissions. The situation where the recording area capacity is full due to continuous and intermittent recording should be defined as a state where continuous and intermittent recording is not possible without overwriting the video data already recorded in the recording area. This allows for continuous and intermittent recording of video data until it is no longer possible without overwriting the video data already recorded in the recording area, thus enabling efficient use of the recording area. Overwriting video data that has been continuously recorded in the recording area for continuous and intermittent recording should be done by overwriting the already continuously recorded video data to record video data continuously, and also by overwriting the already continuously recorded video data when an event occurs to record video data intermittently. This allows for continuous and intermittent recording of video data even without performing any operations such as transferring video data. The capacity of the recordable area can be determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area. For example, when recording video data to the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, the capacity can be determined by multiplying the number of clusters in the data area where the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded by the capacity of the clusters. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be determined as part of the management of the video data to be recorded in the recording area. The process of erasing data to prevent the capacity of the recordable area from falling below a predetermined value can be a process that always ensures a capacity sufficient to avoid a situation where continuous recording is not possible due to insufficient capacity. For example, when recording video data to a recording area formatted with a file system, the capacity can be determined by erasing 10 intermittently recorded files. By doing so, it is possible to avoid situations where continuous recording is not possible due to insufficient capacity, allowing you to continuously record and view video data without interruption.

[0016] (3) The recording control means is characterized in that, when the capacity of the recording area is full due to the continuous recording and the intermittent recording, it overwrites the video data that has been continuously recorded on the recording area and performs the continuous recording and the intermittent recording again, and when the capacity of the recordable area is depleted, it performs the erasure.

[0017] In this way, if the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording runs out, the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording can be secured. The situation in which the capacity of the recordable area becomes full due to continuous and intermittent recording can be defined as the point at which continuous and intermittent recording cannot be performed without overwriting the video data already recorded in the recordable area. In this way, video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded until it is no longer possible to continue continuous and intermittently recording without overwriting the video data already recorded in the recordable area, thereby enabling efficient use of the recordable area. The process of overwriting video data that has been continuously recorded in the recordable area to perform continuous and intermittent recording can be performed by overwriting the video data that has already been continuously recorded to perform continuous recording, and also by overwriting the video data that has already been continuously recorded to perform intermittent recording when an event occurs. In this way, video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded even without performing any work such as transferring video data. The capacity of the recordable area can be determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area. For example, when recording video data in the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, it can be the number of clusters in the data area used to record the video data of the continuous recording file. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be determined as part of the management of the video data to be recorded in the recording area. The case where the capacity of the recordable area is exhausted can be determined by the case where, when recording video data of a continuous recording file for each minimum management area of ​​the recording area managed by the file system, there are no more minimum management areas available to record the video data of the continuous recording file. For example, in the data area managed by the file system, there are no more clusters available to record the video data of the continuous recording file. In this way, it is possible to realize electronic devices with high processing speeds that only require a simple process of determining whether or not there are no more minimum management areas available to record the video data of the continuous recording file. Furthermore, since the processing load is small, electronic devices can be constructed with inexpensive processing units.Furthermore, by reducing factors such as the number of detection circuits and deletion cycles, the possibility of interrupted video recording can be minimized. Consequently, users can purchase equipment at a lower cost and obtain uninterrupted video more reliably than before.

[0018] (4) The recording control means is characterized in that it records the video data for each minimum management area of ​​the recording area using a file system, creates a continuous recording file by continuous recording, and creates an intermittent recording file by intermittent recording, and calculates the capacity of the recordable area based on the minimum management area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded.

[0019] In this way, continuous and intermittent recording files can be recorded using the file system. It is recommended to use FAT (File Allocation Table) as the file system. This allows for the separate management of continuous and intermittent recording files, and makes it easy to read and play back files recorded on a PC or other device. Continuous recording files are files containing video data recorded continuously using the file system; for example, files containing video data recorded continuously using the file system, and are assigned file names that allow them to be distinguished from other files. Intermittent recording files are, A file is created by intermittently recording video data over a predetermined period of time using a file system. For example, it could be a file created by intermittently recording video data for one minute, including the time of the event, using a file system, and it is assigned a file name that can be distinguished from other files. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between continuous recording files and intermittent recording files by looking at the file name, making identification easy. The minimum management area of ​​the recording area should be a cluster. In this way, the video data recorded in the recording area can be managed for each cluster. As a process for calculating the capacity of the recordable area based on the minimum management area, when creating and recording a continuous recording file, it is good to calculate the capacity from the minimum management area of ​​the recordable area used to record the video data of the continuous recording file. For example, when recording video data for each cluster of the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, it is good to calculate the capacity of the recordable area from the number of clusters used to record the continuous recording file. In this way, as part of the management of video data when creating and recording a continuous recording file, the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording can be calculated.

[0020] (5) The system is further characterized by having a notification means for notifying when the erasure is performed.

[0021] By doing so, it is possible to know that the intermittently recorded video data is erased. As notification, it is preferable to notify the erasure of the intermittently recorded video data by an image or voice. As for the time of performing the erasure, it may be before the erasure, during the erasure, but it is particularly preferable to configure the notification in a manner that allows the user to recognize that the erasure has been performed or has been carried out. By doing so, it is possible to be notified by an image or voice before, during, or after the erasure that the intermittently recorded video data is erased in order not to transfer the recorded video data. As a configuration for notifying the user in a recognizable manner that the erasure has been performed, for example, it is preferable to configure to display "The old event file has been deleted". By doing so, it is possible to recognize that the capacity for recording the continuous recording file has been secured by erasing the old event file, and it is possible to obtain a sense of security that the continuous recording is performed without interruption.

[0022] (6) The recording control means is characterized in that the erasure is performed in order from the old video data among the video data recorded in the recording area by the intermittent recording.

[0023] By doing so, it is possible to leave video data that needs to be recorded. As old video data, when the video data is managed as a file using a file system, it is preferable to use the video data of the intermittent recording file with an old file creation time. For example, when the video data is managed as a file using a file system, it is preferable to use the video data of the intermittent recording file with an old file creation time indicated by the time information recorded in the file management area of a memory card. By doing so, it is possible to perform batch erasure in file units in order from the intermittent recording files with an old file creation time.

[0024] The functions of the electronic device are preferably configured as a program for realization by a computer.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, video data can be recorded and viewed without performing operations such as transferring the video data, and the trouble of performing operations such as transferring the video data can be avoided as much as possible.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing the change in the usage capacity state of areas in the data area of the area where video data of the always-recorded file and the area where video data of the event-recorded file are recorded in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing the change in the usage capacity state of areas in the data area of the area where video data of the always-recorded file and the area where video data of the event-recorded file are recorded in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[0028] (First Embodiment) <Configuration of Drive Recorder> The configuration of the drive recorder 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the drive recorder 1 in the present embodiment.

[0029] A drive recorder 1, which is an example of an electronic device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a GPS receiver 9, a microwave receiver 10, a wireless receiver 11, an input unit 12, an acceleration sensor 13, a display unit 14, a lamp 15, a speaker 16, a memory card reader 17, a camera 19, a database 20, and a control unit 21.

[0030] The GPS receiver 9 receives GPS signals transmitted by radio waves from GPS satellites and determines the current position (longitude and latitude) based on the received GPS signals. The GPS receiver 9 outputs the determined current position as current position information to the control unit 21. The GPS receiver 9 also receives time information transmitted by radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs the received time information to the control unit 21.

[0031] The microwave receiver 10 receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency emitted from an external speed measuring device. The microwave receiver 10 detects the signal level of the received microwaves and outputs the detection result to the control unit 21.

[0032] When the wireless receiver 11 detects the reception of incoming radio waves in a predetermined frequency band, it outputs the detection result to the control unit 21.

[0033] The input unit 12 is a switch. The input unit 12 detects external operations and outputs the detection result to the control unit 21.

[0034] The acceleration sensor 13 detects the acceleration applied to the drive recorder 1, and consequently the acceleration applied to the vehicle on which the drive recorder 1 is installed, and outputs the detected value to the control unit 21.

[0035] The display unit 14 is located on the front of the main body of the drive recorder 1 (not shown) (the side facing the rear of the vehicle (driver side)). The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display and performs the display described later under the control of the control unit 21.

[0036] The lamp 15 lights up or flashes according to the control of the control unit 21 to provide an alarm or notification.

[0037] The speaker 16 provides alarms and notifications by sound or voice, in accordance with the control of the control unit 21.

[0038] The memory card reader 17 is built into the card slot inside the main body (not shown) of the drive recorder 1 and has reader and writer functions. The memory card 18 is inserted into the memory card reader 17 through the card slot and is detachably attached. When the memory card 18 is attached, the memory card reader 17 is controlled by the control unit 21 and the memory card The control unit 21 reads the video data recorded on memory card 18 and outputs it to the control unit 21, which then records the video data input from the control unit 21 onto memory card 18.

[0039] The memory card 18 is formatted in FAT (File Allocation Table) 32 format and stores files containing video data. The memory card 18 has a data area, which is the area for recording video data, and a file management area, which is the area for managing that video data as files. The data area of ​​the memory card 18 is managed using FAT32 in clusters of predetermined capacity. Here, a cluster is the minimum management area when managing using FAT32. The capacity of one cluster is, for example, 16KB.

[0040] Camera 19 is mounted on the drive recorder 1 in a orientation that allows it to capture the area in front of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the dashboard inside the vehicle. Camera 19 is equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device) and a lens, and detects the image of the area in front of the vehicle that enters through the lens using the image sensor, and outputs the image as video data to the control unit 21.

[0041] Database 20 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) externally connected to the control unit 21. Map data is registered in Database 20 at the time of shipment. Database 20 also records location information such as pre-set warning locations. These warning locations include intersections and accident-prone areas.

[0042] The control unit 21 is a microcontroller and includes a computer, an EEPROM for storing programs, RAM (Random Access Memory), and interfaces, etc. The control unit 21 is activated when an accessory switch (not shown) provided in the vehicle is turned on, and the computer executes the program stored in the EEPROM to perform the following operations.

[0043] The control unit 21 records video data for both continuous recording files and event recording files in the same data area of ​​the memory card 18. The control unit 21 records video data for both continuous recording files and event recording files by sharing the same data area. Here, sharing the data area means that each cluster of the data area where video data is recorded using the file system can be used to record video data for both continuous recording files and video data for event recording files.

[0044] The control unit 21 acquires video data from the camera 19 and records the acquired video data on the memory card 18 as files, for example, every minute. Once the recording of a one-minute file is complete, the control unit 21 closes that file, opens the next file, and starts recording. In this way, the control unit 21 continuously records video data in the data area of ​​the memory card 18 (hereinafter referred to as "continuous recording") and creates a continuous recording file. The control unit 21 records the following in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18: the file name of the continuous recording file, which is formed by adding the date and time the continuous recording file was created to the alphabet, for example, "NOR" to indicate the continuous recording file; time information indicating the time the continuous recording file was created; and information regarding the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded. Here, the information regarding the data area is the cluster number of the data area in which the video data is recorded.

[0045] If the acceleration detection value input from the acceleration sensor 13 is above a threshold, the control unit 21 will, if the distance between the current location indicated by the current location information input from the GPS receiver 9 and the location indicated by the location information of the place to alert read from the database 20 is below a predetermined distance, An event is determined to have occurred when a detection result indicating the reception of a radio wave of a predetermined frequency is input from the wireless receiver 11, or when a detection result indicating the reception of a microwave with a predetermined signal level is input from the microwave receiver 10.

[0046] The control unit 21 performs a process to change the continuous recording file, which records video data at the time an event occurs, into an event recording file that intermittently records one minute of video data including the time of the event each time an event occurs. Specifically, the control unit 21 changes the letters "NOR" in the filename of the continuous recording file that records video data at the time of the event to letters such as "EVT" to indicate an event recording file, thereby creating an event recording file. As a result, the control unit 21 intermittently records video data to the data area of ​​the memory card 18 each time an event occurs. The time information and data area information of the event recording file are those of the continuous recording file before the filename change.

[0047] The control unit 21 performs an alarm process by flashing or lighting the lamp 15 to sound an alarm, or by sounding an audible alarm through the speaker 16, when approaching the location information of a place to warn that is recorded in the database 20. Normally, the control unit 21 performs a display process to display the video acquired from the camera 19 on the display unit 14, and when it detects that the playback switch provided on the input unit 12 has been pressed, it performs a display process to display the video data read from the memory card 18 via the memory card reader 17 on the display unit 14.

[0048] <How the dashcam works> The operation of the drive recorder 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 1 operates to always ensure a certain amount of capacity in the recordable area used for recording video data of continuously recorded files in the data area 50.

[0050] Figure 2 schematically shows the changes in the used capacity state of the data area 50 in this embodiment, specifically the area where video data for the continuously recorded file and the area where video data for the event recorded file are recorded. In Figure 2, Figure 2(a) shows the memory card 18 in an initialized state. Figure 2(b) shows the state in which video data for the continuously recorded file and the event recorded file has started to be recorded in the data area 50. Figure 2(c) shows the state in which the capacity of the data area 50 has become full due to the recording of video data for the continuously recorded file and the event recorded file. Figure 2(d) shows the state in which, when the capacity of the data area 50 is full, the recordable area used for recording video data for the continuously recorded file has been encroached upon by the area where video data for the event recorded file is recorded. Figure 2(e) shows the state in which the capacity of the recordable area used for recording video data for the continuously recorded file has been secured.

[0051] The data area 50 of the memory card 18 has a capacity capable of recording, for example, 120 continuous recording files (2 hours worth). The data area 50 is shared as the recording destination for video data of both continuous recording files and event recording files. When the drive recorder 1 is shipped, the memory card 18 is initialized, so as shown in Figure 2(a), the entire area of ​​the data area 50 is an empty area A1 in which no video data is recorded. In this case, the recordable area K1 used for recording video data of continuous recording files is the entire area of ​​the data area 50.

[0052] After the shipped drive recorder 1 is installed in the vehicle, the control unit 21 performs the following actions on the vehicle (not shown): When the accessory switch is turned ON and the detection result of the overwrite ON mode operation is received from the input unit 12, the following processing is performed.

[0053] In the initialized state shown in Figure 2(a), the control unit 21 continuously records video data in the data area 50 to create the first minute of continuous recording. The control unit 21 also records the file name of the continuous recording file, time information indicating the time the continuous recording file was created, and information regarding the data area where the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18. This is repeated every minute, resulting in the creation of an area J1 in the data area 50 containing video data from multiple continuous recording files.

[0054] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred, it changes the filename of the continuously recorded file containing the video data at the time of the event to a filename that indicates the event recording file, thereby creating an event recording file. As a result, an area E1 containing video data from multiple event recording files is created in the data area 50.

[0055] Next, the video data of the continuous recording file and event recording file is recorded in the data area 50 as the above process is repeated. As a result, areas J1 and E1 in the data area 50 expand as shown in Figure 2(b). At this time, the recordable area K1 in the data area 50 is the area consisting of area J1 and the empty area A1.

[0056] Next, the capacity of the data area 50 becomes full as the above process is repeated. Here, the state in which the data area 50 is full means that video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file cannot be recorded in the data area 50 unless the video data files recorded in the data area 50 are overwritten. To illustrate, in this state, the data area 50 is filled with areas J1 and E1, as shown in Figure 2(c). At this time, the recordable area K1 in the data area 50 coincides with area J1.

[0057] Next, the control unit 21 looks at the data area information and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and overwrites the video data of the oldest continuously recorded file among the continuously recorded files, performing a process to continuously record new video data and create a continuously recorded file.

[0058] Furthermore, if the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred, it changes the continuously recorded file containing the video data at the time of the event to an event recording file. By repeating these processes, in the data area 50, as shown in Figure 2(d), the area J1 that coincides with the recordable area K1 is encroached upon by area E1.

[0059] In the process described above, the control unit 21 calculates the capacity of the recordable area K1 based on the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and determines whether or not the capacity of the recordable area K1 is secured based on the calculation result.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 21 looks at the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18 and calculates, for example, 435,445 as the total number of clusters in free area A1 and area J1, and for example, 8000 as the number of clusters required to record one continuous recording file next time. Then, the control unit 21 subtracts 8000, the number of clusters required to record one continuous recording file next time, from the total number of clusters in free area A1 and area J1, 435,445, to obtain a subtracted value of 427,445, and the number of clusters required for one cluster is calculated from this subtracted value of 427,445. For example, 32KB is multiplied to obtain a multiplicative value of 13,678,240KB, which represents the capacity of the recordable area K1. The control unit 21 determines that the capacity of the recordable area K1 is not secured if this multiplicative value is less than or equal to 512,000KB, which is the size of the cluster required to record, for example, two continuously recording files. If there is no free area A1, the total number of clusters in area J1 is used to determine the capacity of the recordable area K1.

[0061] If the control unit 21 determines that the capacity of the recordable area K1 is not secured, it looks at the file name and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18 and deletes, for example, five event record files selected in order from the oldest to the newest from among the event record files recorded in the data area 50. As a result, as shown in Figure 2(e), an area J2 for recording video data of the continuously recorded files is secured in the data area 50. At this time, the display unit 14, under the control of the control unit 21, displays a message such as "Old event files have been deleted" to notify the user. Then, through the above process, areas J1 and J2 are secured in the data area 50 as the recordable area K1.

[0062] Next, the control unit 21 performs a process to continuously record video data for region J2 and creates a continuous recording file.

[0063] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred while continuously recording video data in region J2, it changes the filename of the continuously recorded file containing the video data at the time of the event to a filename that indicates the event recording file, thereby creating an event recording file. As a result, region E1 expands.

[0064] Then, if the control unit 21 determines again that the capacity of the recordable area K1 has not been secured, it repeats the same process as above in order to secure the capacity of the recordable area K1.

[0065] Furthermore, if the control unit 21 is turned ON by an accessory switch (not shown) and also receives a detection result from the input unit 12 indicating an operation in overwrite OFF mode, and the state shown in Figure 2(c) is reached, the control unit 21 stops the process of recording video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file to the data area 50. At this time, the display unit 14 displays a POPUP message indicating that recording has stopped, under the control of the control unit 21. In addition, the speaker 16 notifies the user of the recording stoppage with an audible alert, under the control of the control unit 21. This allows the user of the drive recorder 1 to recognize that the process of recording video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file to the data area 50 of the memory card 18 has stopped.

[0066] (Second embodiment) The configuration of a drive recorder, which is an example of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, is the same as that shown in Figure 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0067] <How the dashcam works> The operation of the drive recorder 1 in this embodiment will be explained using Figure 3. The operation of the drive recorder in this embodiment will be explained using the reference numerals from Figure 1.

[0068] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 1 operates to secure a certain amount of capacity in the recordable area used for recording video data of continuously recorded files in the data area 60 when that capacity runs out.

[0069] Figure 3 schematically shows the change in the used capacity state of the data area in the area where video data of the continuously recording file is recorded and the area where video data of the event recording file is recorded in this embodiment. In Figure 3, Figure 3(a) shows the initialization of the memory card 18. Figure 3(b) shows the state in which video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file has started to be recorded in the data area 60. Figure 3(c) shows the state in which the capacity of the data area 60 has become full due to the recording of video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file. Figure 3(d) shows the state in which the data area 60 is filled with the area in which video data for the event recording file has been recorded. Figure 3(e) shows the state in which the capacity of the recordable area used for recording video data for the continuous recording file has been secured.

[0070] The memory card 18 has a recording capacity that allows for the recording of, for example, 120 continuous recording files (2 hours worth) in the data area 60. The data area 60 is shared as the recording destination for video data of continuous recording files and event recording files. When the drive recorder 1 is shipped, the memory card 18 is initialized, so as shown in Figure 3(a), the entire area of ​​the data area 60 is an empty area A11 where no video data is recorded. In this case, the recordable area K11 used for recording video data of continuous recording files is the entire area of ​​the data area 60.

[0071] When an accessory switch (not shown) is turned ON, and the input unit 12 detects an operation in the overwrite ON mode, the control unit 21 performs the following processing.

[0072] The control unit 21 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment up to Figure 3(c). As a result, the data area 60 is filled with the area J11 which records video data from the continuously recorded file and the area E11 which records video data from the event recording file, resulting in the state shown in Figure 3(c). At this time, the recordable area K11 coincides with the area J11 which records video data from the continuously recorded file.

[0073] Next, the control unit 21 looks at the data area information and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and overwrites the video data of the oldest continuously recorded file among the continuously recorded files, thereby creating a new continuously recorded video file. The control unit 21 also records the file name of the continuously recorded file, time information indicating the time the continuously recorded file was created, and information regarding the data area where the video data of the continuously recorded file will be recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18.

[0074] Furthermore, if the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred, it changes the filename of the continuously recorded file containing the video data at the time of the event to a filename indicating the event record file, thereby creating an event record file. The control unit 21 also records the filename of the event record file, time information indicating the time the event record file was created, and information regarding the data area where the video data of the event record file is recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18. By repeating this process, the data area 60 is gradually encroached upon by the area E11 containing the video data of the event record file, where the area J11, which matches the recordable area K11, is located, until it is finally filled with area E11, as shown in Figure 3(d).

[0075] In the process described above, the control unit 21 calculates the capacity of the recordable area K11 based on the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and determines whether or not the capacity of the recordable area K11 has been exhausted based on the calculation result.

[0076] Specifically, the control unit 21 looks at the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18 and calculates the number of clusters in area J11 which indicates the capacity of the recordable area K11. If this calculated value is "0", the control unit 21 determines that the recordable area We determine that the capacity of region K11 has been depleted.

[0077] When the control unit 21 determines that the recordable area K11 has run out of capacity, it looks at the file name and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18 and deletes a predetermined number of event record files selected from the event record files recorded in the data area 60, starting with the oldest created files. As a result, as shown in Figure 3(e), an area J12 is reserved in the data area 60 for recording new video data for continuously recorded files. At this time, the display unit 14, under the control of the control unit 21, displays a message such as "Old event files have been deleted" to notify the user. After the above process, area J12 is reserved in the data area 60 as the recordable area K11.

[0078] Area J12 is preferably configured such that the time when the area for recording video data of continuously recorded files in the data area 60 runs out does not occur too soon. For example, it may be configured as an area created by deleting 10 event recording files.

[0079] Then, if the control unit 21 determines again that the capacity of the recordable area K11 has run out, it repeats the same process as above in order to secure the capacity of the recordable area K11.

[0080] Furthermore, if the control unit 21 is turned ON by an accessory switch (not shown) and also receives a detection result from the input unit 12 indicating an operation in overwrite OFF mode, and the state shown in Figure 3(c) is reached, the control unit 21 stops the process of recording video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file to the data area 60. At this time, the display unit 14 displays a POPUP message indicating that recording has stopped, under the control of the control unit 21. In addition, the speaker 16 notifies the user of the recording stoppage with an audible alert, also under the control of the control unit 21. This allows the user of the drive recorder 1 to recognize that the process of recording video data for the continuous recording file and event recording file to the data area 60 of the memory card 18 has stopped.

[0081] According to this embodiment, when determining whether or not to secure a predetermined amount of capacity in the recordable area K11, the number of clusters in the area J11, which is constantly recording video data of the recording file, is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the calculated value is "0". This simplifies the process, and users of the drive recorder 1 can use a drive recorder 1 with a high processing speed.

[0082] <Other Embodiments> The functions of the drive recorder 1 in the first embodiment and the functions of the drive recorder 1 in the second embodiment may be switched using a switch provided on the drive recorder 1.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments described above, if the capacity of the recordable area K1 is not secured or the recordable area K11 is depleted, a predetermined number of event recording files are deleted. However, the number of event recording files may be deleted in proportion to the frequency with which event recording files were recorded in the past predetermined time. In this case, the control unit 21 stores in advance in its EEPROM a table that associates the proportion of time spent recording video data of event recording files within a predetermined time with the number of files to be deleted. The control unit 21 measures the predetermined time and the time spent recording video data of event recording files using the real-time clock function of the control unit 21 or time information input from the GPS receiver 9, and calculates the above proportion from the measurement results. Then, the control unit 21 deletes the number of event recording files corresponding to the calculated above proportion in the table. This allows for the deletion of a number of event recording files corresponding to the recording time of the event recording files, thus deleting the event recording files. This makes it possible to avoid frequently occurring processes.

[0084] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the camera 19 is mounted on the drive recorder 1 in a orientation that allows it to capture the front of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the dashboard inside the vehicle. However, the camera 19 may also be mounted on the drive recorder 1 in a orientation that allows it to capture the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the camera 19 may be mounted on the drive recorder 1 in a orientation that allows it to capture the side of the vehicle. Moreover, the camera 19 may be mounted on the drive recorder 1 in a orientation that allows it to capture the interior of the vehicle.

[0085] Furthermore, although FAT was used as the file system in the first and second embodiments described above, other file systems such as NTFS (NTFile System) may also be used.

[0086] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, video data for continuous recording files and event recording files were recorded by a drive recorder 1 having the functions of a navigation device and a radar detector. However, video data for continuous recording files and event recording files may also be recorded by a drive recorder having only the functions of a drive recorder without the functions of a navigation device and a radar detector, a drive recorder having the functions of a navigation device, or a drive recorder having the functions of a radar detector, etc.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an event log file was created when the distance between the vehicle's current location and the location to prompt attention fell below a predetermined distance. However, an event log file may also be created when the distance between the vehicle's current location and a scenic viewpoint that has been pre-set and stored in the database 20 falls below a predetermined distance.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, when allocating the recordable area, a portion of the recorded event log files was deleted, but all of the recorded event log files may also be deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Dashcam 9 GPS receiver 10 Microwave receiver 11 Wireless receiver 12 Input section 13. Accelerometer 14 Display section 15 lamps 16 speakers 17. Memory card reader 18 memory cards 19 Cameras 20 Databases 21 Control Unit 50 data areas 60 data areas

Claims

1. A drive recorder having an input unit, a display unit, a speaker, a memory card reader, and a control unit, The input unit detects an operation from the outside and outputs the detection result to the control unit. A memory card is detachably mounted in the memory card reader. The control unit records video data for both the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the same data area of ​​the memory card. The control unit processes video data acquired from the camera and records it onto the memory card to create a continuous recording file. When it determines that an event has occurred, it processes the continuous recording file containing the video data from that time to change it to an event recording file that intermittently records video data including the time of the event each time an event occurs. When the accessory switch is turned ON and the input unit detects the operation of the overwrite OFF mode, if the data area becomes full due to recording video data of the continuously recorded file and event recorded file in the data area, the control unit stops the process of recording video data of the continuously recorded file and event recorded file in the data area. The display unit, under the control of the control unit, displays a pop-up message indicating that recording will be stopped. The speaker is a drive recorder that, under the control of the control unit, notifies the user with a sound when recording is to stop.

2. When the accessory switch is turned ON and the input unit detects that an overwrite ON mode operation has been detected, the control unit determines that there is insufficient capacity in the recordable area used for recording video data of the continuously recorded files in the data area, and examines the file name and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card, and deletes event recording files selected from the event recording files recorded in the data area in order from the oldest to the newest. The drive recorder according to claim 1, wherein the display unit, under the control of the control unit, displays text indicating that an old event file has been deleted to provide notification.

3. The memory card is formatted in FAT32 format and has a data area for recording video data and a file management area for managing that video data as files. The data area of ​​the memory card is managed using FAT32 for each cluster having a predetermined capacity. The drive recorder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit calculates the capacity of the recordable area used for recording video data of the continuously recorded file based on the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card.

4. The drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit has a function to always ensure a certain amount of capacity in the recordable area used for recording video data of the continuously recorded file in the data area, and a function to ensure a certain amount of capacity in the recordable area when the capacity of the recordable area used for recording video data of the continuously recorded file in the data area is depleted, and the control unit has a function to switch between these functions using a switch provided in the drive recorder.

5. A program for a computer to implement the functions of a drive recorder as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images