Systems and programs

Abstract

To provide a system and a program having improved characteristics.SOLUTION: In a system including a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, a branch device 500 includes a connection line for branching video signals input from a rear-view camera (400) video signal input terminal 510 to a signal output terminal 520 for display device and a signal output terminal 530 for recording device. When signals for turning on a back lamp of the vehicle are input from a back lamp signal input terminal 560, the video signals input from the rear-view camera video signal input terminal are output from the signal output terminal 520 for display device to a display device 16. When there is no signal input for turning on the back lamp, the video signals input from the rear-view camera video signal input terminal are not output from the signal output terminal 520 for display device to the display device 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, systems and programs.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, when a video signal is input to the video signal from the rearview camera, the video to be displayed on the display device is switched to the video from the rearview camera. When the video signal from the rearview camera is no longer input, the video to be displayed on the display device is switched to the video before switching to the video from the rearview camera. By performing this process, the driver can display the video captured by the rearview camera on the display device only by shifting the shift position back, and can check the situation behind the vehicle by looking at the display device. A device is shown.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional system had various problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system, a program, etc. having characteristics superior to the conventional ones.

[0005] The object of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that aim to obtain the effects derived from the components of the configuration disclosed in this specification and the drawings, etc. For example, problems that can be described in this specification as "~is possible" or "~is feasible" are disclosed in this specification. Each problem is described independently, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to each configuration for solving each problem independently through divisional applications, amendments, etc. Even if a problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include a part of the configuration described in this specification in the claims through amendment or divisional application. Furthermore, configurations that solve problems by combining these independent problems are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) Equipped with a rear camera video signal input section that receives the video signal from the rear camera,

[0007] A signal output unit for a display device that outputs a signal to a display device that displays the image captured by the rear camera based on the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit,

[0008] A signal output unit for a recording device that outputs a signal to a recording device that records video captured by a rear camera based on the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit, A device equipped with, A power connection section that receives power from an external source, A reverse lamp signal input unit that receives signals that control the illumination of the vehicle's reverse lamps, A power line connection port for the backup camera, which connects to the power line on the backup camera side to supply power to the backup camera, Equipped with,

[0009] When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the signal output unit for the display device outputs the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit to the display device,

[0010] When no signal to illuminate the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the signal output unit for the display device does not output the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input unit to the display device.

[0011] The system should have a function that supplies power to the backup camera power line connection section by supplying power from an external power source connected to the power connection section, regardless of the state of the signal input from the backup lamp signal input section.

[0012] In this way, regardless of the state of the signal input from the reverse lamp signal input, power is supplied to the backup camera power line connection by an external power supply connected to the power connection. As a result, even when the vehicle's shift lever is not in reverse, the video signal from the backup camera can be output to the recording device, and the recording device can record the backup camera image even when the vehicle's shift lever is not in reverse. Furthermore, the backup camera image is output to the display device when the shift lever is in reverse, and not output when the shift lever is not in reverse. Therefore, the backup camera image is not displayed on the display device except when reversing, which prevents distractions such as looking at the backup camera image on the display device while driving, and contributes to safe driving.

[0013] This system is suitable for installation. This system is suitable for installation on a vehicle. This system is suitable for retrofitting to a vehicle after it has left the vehicle manufacturer's factory. This system may be distributed across multiple enclosures, with some of its components being included, but it is particularly suitable to house it within a single enclosure. The vehicle may be a special vehicle such as a forklift, but it is particularly suitable to have a vehicle with four or more wheels.

[0014] A rearview camera is best used to capture areas other than the front, and can capture either the left or right side, but it is especially best to have a camera that captures the area behind the vehicle.

[0015] The rearview camera video signal input section may be, for example, wires drawn into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to the connector on the rearview camera video signal line. The video signal can be a digital signal, but it is preferable to use an analog signal, and especially an NTSC signal.

[0016] The display device may be a simple monitor, but it is preferable to have a display means equipped with a drawing function that allows a computer to draw based on a program, and in particular, it is preferable to have a display means equipped with a function to draw necessary information for the vehicle driver, and especially a navigation device equipped with a map drawing function. The display device is particularly preferable to have the configuration described in (2) below.

[0017] The signal output section for the recording device may, for example, be wiring drawn into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to the connector on the video signal line that connects to the recording device. A dashcam is a particularly good recording device for capturing video footage from a rearview camera.

[0018] As the "power connection part that receives power supply from the outside", the outside may be the side of a mobile battery or the like, but it is particularly preferable to use the battery that is pre-installed in the vehicle at the time of shipment from the vehicle manufacturer, and it is preferable to use the battery side that is necessary for the operation of the vehicle itself for starting the vehicle and accessory products. The power connection part may be, for example, a wiring drawn from the outside into the housing, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector provided on the power supply line from the outside. As the signal for the vehicle to control the lighting of the vehicle's back lamp, it is particularly preferable to use the power line to the vehicle's pack lamp.

[0019] The back lamp signal input part may be, for example, a wiring drawn from the outside into the housing, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector provided on the back lamp signal line.

[0020] The back lamp signal input part may be, for example, a wiring drawn from the outside into the housing, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector provided on the back lamp signal line.

[0021] The back camera power line connection part may be, for example, a wiring drawn from the outside into the housing, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector provided on the wiring connecting to the power line of the pack camera.

[0022] The wiring connected to the back camera video signal input part and the wiring connected to the back camera power line connection part are preferably provided in the same sheath. When connecting with a connector, it is particularly preferable to use one connector that connects the wiring connected to the back camera video signal input part and the wiring connected to the back camera power line connection part.

[0023] "When a signal for lighting the vehicle's back lamp is input from the back lamp signal input section, while outputting the video signal input from the back camera video signal input section to the display device from the display device-oriented signal output section, when a signal for lighting the vehicle's back lamp is not input from the back lamp signal input section, a configuration where the video signal input from the back camera video signal input section is not output to the display device from the display device-oriented signal output section" is preferably a configuration using an electronic switch in particular.

[0024] "Regardless of the state of the signal input from the back lamp signal input section, a configuration where power is supplied to the back camera power line connection section by the power supply from the external connected to the power connection section" is preferably a configuration where the power supplied from the vehicle's battery is supplied to the power line of the back camera via a fuse in particular.

[0025] This system may be configured as a video branching device, for example. For example, it is advisable to cut the existing wiring between the existing back lamp that takes the power of the back camera from the vehicle's wiring to the back lamp and the back camera, and connect both wirings to the video branching device which is this system. Then, use a drive recorder having a front camera or the like as a recording device, and constantly supply power to the drive recorder from this system and send the video signal of the back camera. Use a car navigation as a display device, and the car navigation has a function of automatically switching the navigation screen to the screen of the video signal when a video signal is input. The video branching device is preferably configured to output the video of the back camera to the navigation side when the vehicle's gear is in reverse and there is a power supply from the vehicle to the vehicle's back lamp, and not output the video of the back camera to the navigation side when the vehicle's gear is not in reverse and there is no power supply from the vehicle to the vehicle's back lamp.

[0026] (2) The display device is configured to display an image based on a video signal when there is a video signal from the signal output unit for the display device, and not to display an image based on a video signal when there is no video signal from the signal output unit for the display device.

[0027] This configuration allows the recording device to record the rearview camera image even when the vehicle's gear shift is not in reverse, and the display device will show the rearview camera image when the gear shift is in reverse, and will not output the rearview camera image when the gear shift is not in reverse. Therefore, it is possible to prevent distractions such as looking at the rearview camera image on the display device while driving, contributing to safer driving. It is particularly preferable to use a display device that is equipped with a rear camera video signal input connector for connecting the wiring from the signal output unit for the display device of this system. (3) The device is equipped with a back lamp signal output unit for a display device that outputs the back lamp signal to the display device,

[0028] When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the reverse light signal output unit for the display device outputs a signal to the display device to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights.

[0029] When no signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the reverse light signal output unit for the display device does not output a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights to the display device.

[0030] The display device is configured to display an image based on the video signal when a signal to turn on the reverse lamp signal is input from the reverse lamp signal output unit for the display device, and not to display an image based on the video signal when no signal to turn on the reverse lamp signal is input from the reverse lamp signal output unit for the display device.

[0031] In this way, the display device receives a reverse light signal, and depending on the state of the reverse light signal, it can control whether or not the image from the rearview camera is displayed on the display device's display means.

[0032] The backup lamp signal output section for the display device may, for example, be a wire drawn out from the housing to the backup lamp signal input section of the display device, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector on the wire connected to the backup lamp signal input section of the display device. The display device should be equipped with a connector as the backup lamp signal input section. (4) The recording device is equipped with a power line connection section for connecting the power line of the recording device,

[0033] It is preferable to configure the system so that the external power supply connected to the power supply connection section is supplied to the recording device from the recording device power line connection section, regardless of the state of the signal input from the backup lamp signal input section.

[0034] In this way, the recording device connected to this system is supplied with power regardless of the state of the signal input from the reverse lamp signal input section. Therefore, the recording device does not need to receive power directly from the vehicle and can perform recording.

[0035] The wiring connected to the signal output section for the recording device and the wiring connected to the power line connection section for the recording device should be housed within the same insulation. When connecting with a connector, it is particularly preferable to use a single connector that connects the wiring connected to the signal output section for the recording device and the wiring connected to the power line connection section for the recording device. (5) The recording device comprises a forward-facing camera that photographs the front of the vehicle and a forward-facing camera video signal output unit that outputs the video signal captured by the forward-facing camera, The system includes a forward-facing camera video signal input unit that receives the video signal captured by the forward-facing camera output from the forward-facing camera video signal output unit, The system includes a function to output the video signal input from the forward-facing camera video signal input unit from the signal output unit for the display device,

[0036] When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit is output to the display device, rather than the video signal input from the front camera video signal input unit.

[0037] When no signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, it is preferable to configure the system to output the video signal input from the front camera video signal input unit to the display device, rather than the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit.

[0038] In this way, the user can simply operate the shift lever to display the image from the front camera when the shift lever is not in reverse, and easily display the image from the rearview camera when the shift lever is in reverse. Switching between the two cameras can be done centrally within this system without the need for additional complex wiring.

[0039] The front-facing camera video signal input section may, for example, be a wire brought into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to a connector on the signal line that sends the video signal from the front-facing camera.

[0040] For example, a navigation system could be used as a display device, equipped with a function to output video signals from the navigation system's backup camera input. When the backup light signal is input, the video from the backup camera is output to the navigation system, and when the backup light signal is not input, the video from the dashcam used as a recording device is output to the navigation system.

[0041] (6) The recording device may be provided with setting means for setting whether to always output the video signal captured by the front camera from the front camera video signal output unit, or not to always output the video signal but to output the video signal when playing back the video recorded in the recording device.

[0042] In this way, the user can select a mode in which the video is displayed on the display device when it is playing, but is not displayed when it is not playing, thus contributing to safer driving. For a configuration that does not output video signals, it is particularly good to have a configuration that does not output black or blue screen images, and thus has no video signal at all.

[0043] Alternatively, without providing a setting mechanism, the recording device may simply be configured not to output the video signal captured by the front-facing camera from the front-facing camera video signal output unit at all times, but to output the video signal when the video recorded in the recording device is played back.

[0044] For example, you could use a navigation system as the display device and a dashcam as the recording device, and configure the navigation screen to automatically display the rearview camera when reversing, the dashcam's playback video when playing back footage from the dashcam, and the navigation screen otherwise.

[0045] (7) The display device is equipped with a drawing function that allows a computer to draw on the display means based on a program, and a drawing video signal output unit that outputs a video signal drawn by the drawing function, The system includes a display device video signal input unit that receives the video signal drawn by the drawing function output from the drawing video signal output unit, The device has a function to output a video signal input from the video signal input unit of the display device from the signal output unit for the recording device,

[0046] When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, it is preferable to have a configuration that outputs the video signal input from the rear camera video signal input unit to the display device, rather than the video signal input from the display device video signal input unit.

[0047] In this way, the computer of the display device can record the video signal drawn on the display means according to the program using the recording device. Furthermore, when a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input unit, the computer of the display device can record the image from the rearview camera instead of the image drawn on the display means according to the program.

[0048] The display video signal output section may be, for example, wiring drawn out from the display device's casing, but it is preferable to have a connector provided on the display device. The display device video signal input section may be, for example, wiring drawn in from the outside into the system's casing, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to the connector provided on the video signal line from the display device's display video signal output section.

[0049] For example, a dashcam could be used as the recording device, and the dashcam could be configured to record the navigation screen in sync with the front view by inputting video from a rear camera or a third camera. (8) The program should be designed to enable a computer to implement the functions of any of the systems described in (1) through (7).

[0050] The inventions described in (1) to (8) above can be combined in any way. For example, one may combine all or part of the configuration of the invention described in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions described in (2) and onward. In particular, it is preferable to combine the invention described in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions described in (2) and onward. Alternatively, one may extract any configuration from the inventions described in (1) to (8) and combine the extracted configurations. The applicant of this application intends to obtain rights to inventions that include these configurations. Furthermore, even if there are descriptions such as "in the case of..." or "when...", these are not meant to be descriptions that limit the configuration to that case or time. These are merely examples of better configurations, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations that do not fall under these cases or times. Also, even if there is a sequence of descriptions, it is not limited to that order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order rearranged are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to them as well. [Effects of the Invention]

[0051] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that is superior to conventional systems.

[0052] Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described herein. Effects derived from the components disclosed in this specification and the drawings are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to such components through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, phrases such as "can do" or "is possible" in this specification are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects to be achieved, and there are components that demonstrate effects even without such descriptions. Moreover, there are effects that can be grasped by the component even without such descriptions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drive recorder, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the connection relationship between the main unit and various parts of the dashcam. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the front and back of the main unit of the dashcam. [Figure 4] This diagram shows how to insert a memory card into the main unit and an example of how to install the main unit in a vehicle. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the installation of the front view camera on the vehicle. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of installing an additional camera and the camera configuration. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the mounting status of the rearview camera on the vehicle and its field of view. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the method of supplying power to the rearview camera. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the remote control configuration and its mounting location on the vehicle. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of what is displayed on a display device when the camera's image is shown. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of what is displayed on the display device during playback. [Figure 12] This is an example of the playback screen display. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are just one example of the present invention, and the content of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited based on the following description.

[0055] Figures 1 to 12 show the configuration of a system as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of the drive recorder as a recording device, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the drive recorder, Figure 3 is an external configuration diagram of the drive recorder's main unit, Figure 4 shows how to attach and detach the recording medium to the main unit and an example of the installation location of the main unit, Figure 5 is an example of the front view camera being mounted on a vehicle, Figure 6 is an example of mounting an additional camera and the configuration of the camera, Figure 7 is a rear view camera as a backup camera, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the branching device as this system, the drive recorder as a recording device, the car navigation system as a display device, an example of mounting an additional camera and the configuration of the camera and the connection relationships between them, Figure 9 is the configuration of the drive recorder's remote control and its mounting location on a vehicle, Figure 10 is an example of displaying the rear view camera image on the car navigation screen, Figure 11 is an example of the car navigation screen display during drive recorder playback, and Figure 12 is a screen that displays the video recorded by the drive recorder.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drive recorder as a recording device comprises a main unit 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the main body) equipped with a control unit 10, a remote control 11 connected to the control unit 10 of the main unit 1, a GPS unit 12, a branching device side video input terminal 13b which is a connection terminal for connecting a signal line to the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device of the branching device 500 shown in Figure 8, an additional camera 14, a front view camera 15, a display device 16, a built-in microphone 17, an external microphone 18, a memory card slot 19, an acceleration sensor 20, and a speaker 21. In this embodiment, the display device 16 is a car navigation system (hereinafter also referred to as "navigation") and is equipped with two video input terminals: a rear-view camera video input terminal and an external video input terminal. Switching between the video signal input to the external video input terminal and the navigation screen is performed by a toggle operation by detecting the user pressing a screen switching button located on the side of the navigation unit. In contrast, when a video signal is input to the rear-view camera video input terminal, the display automatically switches to the screen of the video signal input from the rear-view camera video input terminal, regardless of whether the navigation screen is displaying a map drawn by a computer or a video signal input to the external video input terminal. The rear-view camera video input terminal is connected by a cable to the display device signal output terminal 520 of the branching device 500 shown in Figure 8, which will be described later. As described later, the branching device 500 is configured to output the video from the rearview camera 400 to the navigation system when the vehicle's gear is in reverse and power is supplied from the vehicle to the vehicle's backup lights, and not output the video from the rearview camera 400 to the navigation system when the vehicle's gear is not in reverse and power is not supplied from the vehicle to the vehicle's backup lights. In this way, by pressing the screen switching button on the side of the navigation system, the user can switch between the state of displaying video output from the drive recorder, such as playback video from the drive recorder as a recording device, and the state of the navigation screen. Furthermore, the user can view the video from the rearview camera 400 output from the branching device 500 simply by putting the vehicle's shift lever in reverse, regardless of the screen display state, and can return to the original screen display state by shifting the shift lever to a state other than reverse.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which functions as a recording device, has an AV output terminal 16b on its front that is connected to the external video input terminal of the car navigation system (display device 16) and outputs video and audio signals to the car navigation system (display device 16), a microphone terminal 18b for inputting audio signals from an external microphone 18, an SD card slot 19b (corresponding to the memory card slot 19 in Figure 1), and a slide lever 19c for locking and securing the SD card 2 (see Figure 4(a)) when it is inserted into the SD card slot 19b. The slide lever 19c is for locking the SD card 2 when it is inserted, and as shown in Figure 4(a), the slide lever 19c is moved to the left to insert the SD card 2 into the SD card slot 19b, and when the hand is released from the slide lever 19c, the slide lever 19c returns to its original position (Figure 4(a)) and locks the SD card 2.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3(b), the rear side of the main unit 1 (the side facing the front) is equipped with a vehicle signal connection terminal 40b, a remote control connection terminal 11b, a GPS unit connection terminal 12b, a branching device side video input terminal 13b, an additional camera connection terminal 14b, and a front view camera connection terminal 15b, all of which are connected to the control unit 10. In addition, the top surface of the main unit has an opening, and a built-in microphone 17 connected to the control unit 10 is located inside the opening.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2, each of these terminals is connected to its corresponding connector, and each connector is connected to its corresponding device (part) via a cord (cable). Specifically, the control unit 10 is connected to the display device 16 via the AV output connector 16a connected to the AV output terminal 16b, and to the external microphone 18 via the microphone connector 18a connected to the microphone terminal 18b. The control unit 10 is also connected to the vehicle's brake lamp wire 33, the vehicle's left turn signal wire 32, the vehicle's right turn signal wire 31, the vehicle's vehicle speed signal wire 30, the vehicle's ground wire, and the vehicle's ACC power supply via the vehicle signal connection connector 40a connected to the vehicle signal connection terminal 40b. Furthermore, the control unit 10 is connected to the remote control 11 via a remote control connection connector 11a connected to the remote control connection terminal 11b, to the GPS unit 12 via a GPS unit connection connector 12a connected to the GPS unit connection terminal 12b, to the signal output terminal 520 for the display device of the branching device via a branching device connection connector 13a connected to the branching device side video input terminal 13b, to the additional camera 14 via an additional camera connection connector 14a connected to the additional camera connection terminal 14b, and to the front view camera 15 via a front view camera connection connector 15a connected to the front view camera connection terminal 15b. The front view camera connection terminal 15b and the additional camera connection terminal 14b are mini-pin jacks, and the branching device side video input terminal 13b is an RCA terminal, so the two are terminals of different shapes.

[0060] The main unit 1 is installed inside the vehicle. For example, as shown in Figure 4(b), it is installed near the driver's seat in a location where the driver can easily remove the SD card 2, and where the cables connected to the aforementioned terminals do not interfere with driving operations. For example, as shown in Figure 4(b), the bottom surface is attached and secured to the center console or the under cover of the instrument panel located to the left front of the driver's seat using double-sided tape. In this case, the front of the unit should face to the right in Figure 4(b), and the rear of the unit should face to the left.

[0061] The front view camera 15 is a camera for capturing images of the area in front of the vehicle and outputs an NTSC signal as the video signal of the captured image. As shown in Figure 5, the front view camera 15 is fixed to the windshield inside the vehicle using double-sided tape so that the lens faces the direction of travel when capturing images of the area in front of the vehicle. The fixing position is within 20% of the entire windshield from the top of the windshield inside the vehicle (the range indicated by the symbol d in the figure). The power for the front view camera 15 is supplied from the control unit 10.

[0062] The additional camera 14 is a camera that can be mounted at any position to capture images of the area around the vehicle, and outputs an NTSC signal as the video signal of the captured images. For example, as shown in Figure 6(a), it is fixed to the windshield inside the vehicle with double-sided tape, with the camera facing in the direction of the interior (from the windshield towards the rear of the vehicle). The power for the additional camera 14 is supplied from the control unit 10.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6(b), the additional camera 14 has a normal image mode that outputs the captured image as is, and a mirror image mode that outputs the captured image inverted horizontally, and is equipped with a setting switch 14s for setting the mode. The additional camera 14 switches between normal image mode and mirror image mode depending on the state of the setting switch 14s and outputs the corresponding video signal. For example, it is good to set it to normal image mode when shooting in the direction of the front of the vehicle, and to mirror image mode when shooting in the direction of the interior or the rear of the vehicle.

[0064] The rearview camera 400 is an example of a backup camera, and is a camera for photographing the rear of the vehicle. It outputs an NTSC signal as the video signal of the captured image. The rearview camera 400 is installed, for example, near the license plate on the outside of the vehicle's back door, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b). The field of view captured by the rearview camera 400 is shown in Figures 7(c) and 7(d). Figure 7(c) shows the vehicle as viewed from the top side, and shows the field of view in the left-right direction when displayed on the display device 16. This field of view is 60 degrees to the left and right (120 degrees in total) with respect to the shooting direction. Figure 7(d) shows the vehicle as viewed from the side, and shows the field of view in the up-down direction when displayed on the display device 16. This field of view is 43 degrees to the left and right (86 degrees in total) with respect to the shooting direction.

[0065] The wiring for the power supply of the rearview camera 400 and the wiring for the video signal from the rearview camera 400 will be explained with reference to Figure 8. The rearview camera 400 is connected to a branching device 500, which is an example of this system. The positive side wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamp is connected to the branching device 500. Specifically, the positive side wiring 93 of the reverse lamp and the signal wire 81 are connected by an electrical tap 80, and the signal wire 81 and fuse 82 are connected to the backup lamp signal input terminal 560. The positive side wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamp is connected to one end of the reverse lamp and to one end of the back position switch 92 of the shift lever. The other end of the reverse lamp 94 is connected to the negative terminal of the battery, and the other end of the back position switch 92 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The ground wire 83 has one end connected to an existing unpainted screw on the vehicle, and the other end connected to the ground lines of each part in Figure 2. The unpainted screw on the vehicle is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 91. The vehicle's reverse position switch 92 is configured to turn on when the shift lever is in the reverse position and turn off when the shift lever is not in the reverse position. As a result, while the shift lever is in the reverse position, current flows through the positive wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamp, and the reverse lamp 94 lights up. At this time, a voltage signal is supplied from the electrical tap 83 to the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560 via the power line 81 and fuse 82. On the other hand, while the shift lever is not in the reverse position, no current flows through the positive wiring 93 of the vehicle's reverse lamp, the reverse lamp 94 turns off, and no voltage signal is supplied.

[0066] The branching device 500 is a device that includes a rearview camera connection terminal 510 which has a rearview camera video signal input terminal for inputting the video signal from the rearview camera 400 and a rearview camera power line connection terminal for connecting the power line on the rearview camera 400 side for supplying power to the rearview camera 400, a display device signal output terminal 520 which outputs a signal to a display device that displays the video captured by the rearview camera 400 based on the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal, and a recording device signal output terminal 530 which outputs a signal to the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is the recording device in this embodiment, that records the video captured by the rearview camera 400 based on the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal.

[0067] The branching device 500 has an opening in its rectangular housing that includes a power connection terminal 550 for receiving power from outside the branching device 500, and a reverse lamp signal input terminal 560 for receiving a signal that controls the illumination of the vehicle's reverse lamps.

[0068] The housing of the branching device 500 is equipped with a rearview camera connection terminal 510, a signal output terminal 520 for a display device, and a signal output terminal 530 for a recording device in an opening. Inside the housing, there is a connection wire that branches the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal to the signal output terminal 520 for the display device and the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device. An input terminal of an electronic switch is connected to one end of the connection wire branched to the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device, and the other end of the electronic switch is connected to the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device. This electronic switch is located inside the housing of the branching device 500. When a voltage signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, it outputs the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal to the display device 16 via the display device signal output terminal 520. However, when no voltage signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, it switches the output of the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal to the display device 16 via the display device signal output terminal 520.

[0069] In contrast, the power supply to the rearview camera power line connection terminal is supplied by converting the voltage of an externally supplied power source connected to the power connection terminal 550, regardless of the state of the signal input from the backup lamp signal input terminal 560.

[0070] This configuration ensures that power to the rearview camera power line connection terminal is supplied by an external power source connected to the power connection terminal 550, regardless of the signal status input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560. As a result, even when the vehicle's shift lever is not in reverse, the video signal from the rearview camera 400 can be output to the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is the recording device. This allows the main unit 1 of the drive recorder to record the video from the rearview camera 400 even when the vehicle's shift lever is not in reverse. Furthermore, the video from the rearview camera 400 is output to the display device only when the shift lever is in reverse, and not when the shift lever is not in reverse. Therefore, the video from the rearview camera 400 is not displayed on the display device except when reversing, preventing distractions such as looking at the rearview camera 400's video on the display device while driving, thus contributing to safer driving.

[0071] Furthermore, it is advisable to include a video signal amplification circuit in the path of this connection line to amplify the video signal.

[0072] The GPS unit 12 is installed in a forward position on the dashboard, receives GPS signals, determines the current location from the received GPS signals, and sends the determined location information (longitude, latitude, etc.) to the control unit 10 in NMEA format data.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9(a), the remote control 11 is equipped with a first button 11p, a second button 11q, a third button 11r, and a first lamp 11x and a second lamp 12y. As shown in Figure 9(b) with three installation patterns, the remote control is fixed by attaching the back side with double-sided tape to a location easily accessible to the driver, such as the center console or the under cover of the instrument panel. The display device 16 is a liquid crystal monitor that receives and displays NTSC signals from devices such as car navigation systems and car televisions.

[0074] The acceleration sensor 20 is located inside the main unit 1 and connected to the control unit 10. After the main unit 1 is fixed to the vehicle (for example, as shown in Figure 4(b)), the control unit 10 performs an initial setup if it detects that both the first button 11p and the second button 11q of the remote control 11 are pressed simultaneously for 2 seconds or more. This initial setup involves moving the vehicle straight back and forth, detecting the direction of acceleration generated during this movement with the acceleration sensor 20, detecting the correspondence between the three axes (x, y, and z axes) of the acceleration sensor 20 and the vehicle's forward and backward direction, and then setting the acceleration sensor 20 to output values ​​where the vehicle's forward and backward direction is the X-axis, the vehicle's left and right direction is the Y-axis, and the vehicle's up and down direction is the Z-axis. The forward direction is the positive direction of the X-axis, the left direction is the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the up direction is the positive direction of the Z-axis. A known method can be used for such an initial setup. The speaker 21 is located inside the main unit 1 and is connected to the control unit 10.

[0075] The control unit 10 is equipped with a microcontroller that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, various peripheral circuits, and interfaces, and is connected to each part shown in Figure 1 via interfaces that input or output signals to each part. When the vehicle's ACC is turned ON, power is supplied to the control unit 10 and it starts operating. The control unit 10 uses a boot loader recorded in ROM to load the OS and application programs recorded in flash memory onto RAM, and then executes the OS and application programs on RAM to perform the various processes described below and realize various functions. The OS is a multitasking OS, and parallel processing is achieved by switching and executing various application programs.

[0076] After power is turned on, the control unit 10 acquires NMEA data from the GPS unit 12, the signal status of the acceleration sensor 20, the brake light wire 33, the left turn signal wire 32, and the right turn signal wire 31 as vehicle status, and performs data and signal status recording processing to record this data and signal status to a file on the memory card 2 installed in the memory card slot 19 at predetermined time intervals (for example, 30 times per second).

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 10 acquires images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500 as multiple images of the area around the vehicle, and performs camera image display processing to display them on the display device 10, and performs video and audio recording processing to record the vehicle status recorded by data and signal status recording processing and these images of the area around the vehicle in a time-synchronized manner and record them on the memory card 2 as playable data.

[0078] The control unit 10 includes a video capture circuit as a peripheral circuit that captures NTSC signals from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500 as video data onto RAM. The control unit 10 also includes a video memory (VRAM) as a peripheral circuit, and a video generation circuit that outputs the drawing data drawn on the video memory as an NTSC signal to the display device 16 via an electronic switch, which will be described later.

[0079] After power-on, the control unit 10 periodically transfers each captured video data to the video memory and performs camera video display processing to display it on the display device 16.

[0080] The camera image display processing, as a default process, outputs the image from the front view camera 15 to the display device 16. In addition, when the first button 11p of the remote control 11 is detected to be pressed, the camera image display processing switches the image transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 in the following order: the image from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the image from the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500. For example, when the navigation system is in a state where it is displaying an image from an external video input terminal on the screen, if the shift position is in reverse, the image captured by the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500 will be displayed in the display area 16a of the display device 16, as shown in Figure 10. Furthermore, in the camera image display processing, when a video signal is input to the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500, the image to be transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 is switched to the image from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500. When the video signal is no longer input to the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500, the image to be transferred to the video memory and displayed on the display device 16 is switched back to the image from before the switch to the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500.

[0081] In this way, when the navigation system is set to display video from an external video input terminal, the driver can simply shift the gear position to reverse, and as shown in Figure 10, the video captured by the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 will be displayed in the display area 16a of the display device 16, allowing the driver to check the situation behind the vehicle by looking at the display device 16. In this manner, the control unit 10 determines and outputs the video to be prioritized for output to the display device 16 based on the driver's vehicle operation status, so the driver does not need to switch the video with the remote control 11 along with driving operations, and the video of the direction the driver is about to drive will be output, ensuring that the appropriate video that matches the driver's intentions is displayed at the appropriate time.

[0082] The video and audio recording process involves recording, after power-on, audio data acquired from the built-in microphone 17 and audio data acquired from the external microphone 18 together with the video data captured from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500. For each of the video data from the front view camera 15, the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500, and the additional camera 14, the audio data acquired from the built-in microphone 17 is used as the left channel, and the audio data acquired from the external microphone 18 is used as the right channel, and these are encoded in MPEG format and recorded into three files.

[0083] The filenames of the signal state files recorded during the data / signal state recording process and the filenames of the three MPEG files recorded during the video / audio recording process are recorded using the date and time when each file was recorded in each process, based on the real-time clock (clock) provided as a peripheral circuit of the microcontroller. Therefore, by reading the date and time of this filename, the position of the data recorded at the same date and time for each file can be identified. Thus, playback processing that plays these files while maintaining temporal synchronization is possible. The recording of these files is terminated when the ACC power supply to the main unit is cut off. The control unit 18 is equipped with a backup power supply with a battery that operates the control unit 18 and each connected part for the time required to terminate file recording (5 seconds) when the ACC power is cut off. When the ACC power cut-off is detected, the OS notifies the recording process, and the termination process for recording all files is executed. Therefore, each recording file is generated between the time the vehicle is powered on by ACCON and the time it is powered off by ACCOFF.

[0084] When the control unit 10 detects that the second button 11q of the remote control 11 has been pressed and held (continuously pressed for 2 seconds or more), it starts playback processing to play the video and audio from the front view camera 15 from the beginning of the MPEG file currently being recorded (starting so-called chase playback, which plays back while recording). For a certain period of time (5 seconds) from the start of playback processing, as shown in Figure 11, the control unit 10 displays operation help 82, camera information 85 of the playback video, playback status 84, and playback video date and time 83 superimposed on the playback video 81. These displays are also shown for a predetermined period of time (3 seconds) if any button on the remote control 11 is detected to be pressed during playback processing.

[0085] The operation help 82 indicates what action is performed when a button on the remote control 11 is pressed. As shown in Figure 11, it shows the correspondence between the button positions and the actions performed on the remote control 11 when the remote control 11 in Figure 9 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise. Pressing a button shown in black in the figure will execute the action described in text to its right. For example, in the schematic diagram of the remote control 11 to the left of the area labeled "Play / Stop / Slow" in Figure 11, the button shown in black corresponds to the second button 11q. Each time only the press of this second button 11q is detected, the screen display process (i.e., the playback process of the control unit 10) switches in the order of Play → Stop → Slow. The current state of the screen display process is displayed in Playback State 84 as "Playing," "Stopped," or "Slow." Information indicating which camera recorded the currently playing video is displayed as camera information 85. The camera information 85 displays "CAM1" when displaying video from a file recorded by the front view camera 15, "CAM2" when displaying video from a file recorded by the additional camera 14, and "REAR" when displaying video from a file recorded by the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500. The playback video date and time 83 is an area that displays the date and time of the video from the currently displayed file. It obtains the recording date and time of the beginning of the file from the file name and displays the recording date and time of the currently displayed frame based on the file's frame information.

[0086] If only the first button 11p is pressed during playback, the system switches the playback file and resumes playback from the same frame at the same time as the currently playing frame. This ensures that even if the playback file is switched, the video displayed will be chronologically continuous. As a result, the playback video date and time 83 will also progress continuously even if the playback file is switched. If only the third button 11r is detected to be pressed during playback, playback will be terminated and the camera image display process will be performed (playback terminated).

[0087] If the second button 11q and the third button 11r are pressed simultaneously during playback, the playback file itself will be switched from the currently playing file to the previous file. That is, the file name is referenced, and the date and time contained in the file name is used to identify the file recorded immediately before the currently playing file, and the video will be played from the beginning of that file. If there is no file older than the currently playing file, the currently playing file will be played from the beginning.

[0088] If the first button 11p and the second button 11q are pressed simultaneously during playback, the playback file itself will be switched from the currently playing file to the next new file. In other words, the file name is referenced, and the date and time contained in the file name is used to identify the file recorded immediately after the currently playing file, and the video of that file is played from the beginning. If there is no file newer than the currently playing file, the currently playing file will be played from the beginning.

[0089] In this way, by operating the remote control 11, the system can switch between the images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500 to display the desired current image on the display device 16, or it can play back images already recorded on the memory card 2 that have been captured by the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500, and by operating the remote control 11, it can switch between the played-back images from the front view camera 15, the additional camera 14, and the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500 to display the desired past image on the display device 16. The control unit 10 performs control to switch to only images played back from at least one of the images of the vehicle surroundings acquired in this way, or at least one image recorded on the memory card 2.

[0090] In this embodiment, the control unit 10 performs control to switch to only the video that is a playback of at least one of the acquired vehicle surrounding video images or at least one of the videos recorded on the memory card 2. However, the control unit 10 may also display a video showing setting items related to the control of determining and outputting the video to be prioritized to the display device 16, and a video showing the vehicle status recorded on the memory card 2. Furthermore, the control of determining and outputting the video to be prioritized to the display device 16 is a control to switch to only that video, but it may also be at least one of the following: a control to switch to a video in which a predetermined video is superimposed on that video, a control to display that video as a larger video than other videos, or a control to display that video closer to the center of the display device 16 than other videos.

[0091] According to the processing of this embodiment, regardless of the video output to the display device 16, the acquired vehicle status and multiple vehicle surrounding images acquired from the front view camera 15, the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500, and the additional camera 14 are recorded to the memory card 2. In this way, multiple vehicle surrounding images at the time of collision can be reliably recorded.

[0092] In this embodiment, video is recorded continuously from ACCON to ACOFF. However, it is also possible to configure the system so that continuous recording is not performed, or, while continuous recording is performed, when the acceleration sensor 20 detects a condition equivalent to a vehicle collision, the system records the vehicle state and the video of the vehicle's surroundings acquired from the front view camera 15, the rear view camera 400 via the branching device 500, and the additional camera 14 to the memory card 2, regardless of the video being output to the display device 16. In this way, multiple videos of the vehicle's surroundings at the time of collision can be reliably recorded. Alternatively, when a collision is detected, the system may prioritize recording the video being output to the display device 16 to the memory card 2. In this way, it is possible to reliably record video that is likely to capture the moment of the collision.

[0093] In this embodiment, the system records video from a rear-view camera 15 that captures the area behind the vehicle, but it is not limited to this and any video may be recorded. Furthermore, any operating state of the vehicle may be acquired and recorded. For example, side cameras are provided to acquire video from the right side and left side of the vehicle. The control unit 10 is connected to the in-vehicle LAN and, based on packets flowing through the in-vehicle LAN, if it detects that the right turn signal has been activated while the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed (e.g., 10 km / h or less), it controls the output of the right-side vehicle video with priority over other video. Conversely, if it detects that the left turn signal has been activated while the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed (e.g., 10 km / h or less), it controls the output of the left-side vehicle video with priority over other video. In this way, for example, when exiting a parking lot in either direction or when turning at an intersection with poor visibility, the display device 16 will display video of the area around the vehicle in the direction in which the turn signal was activated while the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed. Therefore, in situations requiring such attention, the driver can easily check the vehicle's surroundings in that direction by looking at the display device 16 without having to perform any special operation for display. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, even if the turn signal is activated, the vehicle's surroundings in the direction the turn signal was activated will not be displayed on the display device 16. Therefore, the driver will not feel bothered or distracted by the vehicle's surroundings being displayed on the display device 16 when driving above a predetermined speed. Furthermore, the control unit 10 may be configured to record data on the memory card 2 as playable data when it determines which video to prioritize output to the display device 16 from among multiple vehicle surroundings videos based on the driver's vehicle operation status. For example, when the car's speed is slower than a predetermined value and the turn signal is activated, the side camera video may be displayed on the in-cabin monitor, and recording may be performed at the moment the turn signal is activated.

[0094] It would be beneficial to include a function to reverse the playback of vehicle surroundings video data recorded on memory card 2, either horizontally or vertically. This would allow the video to be played back in the correct orientation even if the camera capturing the vehicle surroundings is installed upside down. Furthermore, it would also be possible to reverse the video captured by a rearview camera, for example, which outputs a horizontally reversed video signal, and play it back horizontally.

[0095] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the system to record the driver's vehicle operation status, acquired vehicle status, and multiple vehicle surrounding video images as playable data synchronized in time to the memory card 2. For example, by recording the shift position as part of the driver's vehicle operation status, it is possible to determine whether a collision occurred while backing up, whether engine braking was applied on a downhill slope, whether the vehicle was stopped, in neutral, or in park (ECO driving). It is preferable to then perform a process to record the information indicating the video output to the display device 16 with priority, the driver's vehicle operation status, the acquired vehicle status, and multiple vehicle surrounding video images as playable data synchronized in time to the memory card 2.

[0096] In this embodiment, the drive recorder's control unit 10 is configured to perform camera image display processing and generate output video by executing a computer program. However, even when it is not possible to generate video by executing a computer program, it is preferable to have hardware that controls the output of video that should be given priority over other videos when a signal for video to be output preferentially to the display device 16 is detected. Specifically, the control unit 10 may also be equipped with an electronic switch (video signal selector), which is hardware that detects when the shift position is in reverse and controls the output of the rear-view camera 400 via the branching device 500, giving priority over the video from the front-view camera 15 and the video from the additional camera 14. This electronic switch is connected to the video signal line from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 and the output line from the video generation circuit of the control unit 10. When a video signal is input to the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500, the electronic switch outputs the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 to the display device 16. When no video signal is input to the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500, the electronic switch outputs the output from the video generation circuit to the display device 16. In addition, a signal indicating whether or not a video signal is input from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 is output to the microcontroller in the control unit 18. If the microcontroller detects that a video signal is input to the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 during the playback process described above, the playback process is temporarily paused. As shown and explained in Figure 8, when the shift lever is in a position other than the reverse position, the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 is not input to the electronic switch of the control unit 10. When the shift lever is in the reverse position, the video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 is input to the electronic switch of the control unit 10.

[0097] In this way, with the navigation system displaying video from the external video input terminal, the driver can immediately check the situation behind the vehicle by simply shifting the gear position to reverse, and viewing the display device 16. In this manner, the control unit 10 determines and outputs the video to the display device 16 with priority based on the driver's vehicle operation status, so the driver does not need to switch the video with the remote control 11 as they operate the vehicle, and the video of the direction they are about to drive will be output, ensuring that the appropriate video that matches the driver's intentions is displayed at the appropriate time. Since the camera video display processing is realized by the execution of a program by the microcontroller, there may be cases where it is not possible to generate video by the camera video display processing, for example, when the microcontroller is in the process of starting up the OS or when the processing load on the microcontroller is high. In such cases, it is difficult to immediately reflect the driver's vehicle operation status by the camera video display processing and output the video from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500. However, when an electronic switch (hardware) detects a video signal from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500, the video from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 is output with priority over other videos. This allows the driver's vehicle operation status to be immediately reflected, and the video from the rearview camera 400 via the branching device 500 can be displayed on the display device 16.

[0098] Furthermore, the control unit 10 can determine whether or not a person is visible in the video data acquired from the rear-view camera 400 via the branching device 500, which is output preferentially to the display device 16, by pattern matching processing of the video data acquired from the rear-view camera 400 via the branching device 500. If a pattern corresponding to a person is matched, the speaker 21 can emit an alarm sound. In this way, evasive action, such as stopping the vehicle, can be easily and immediately taken when the alarm sound is heard. Also, the driver can easily confirm whether the object being warned about is something to be avoided simply by looking at the display device 16 when the alarm sound is heard, without performing any special operation. For example, if a person is visible in the side camera video when the turn signal is on, an alarm sound can be emitted, or if a person is visible in the rear camera video when the reverse position is on, an alarm sound can be emitted.

[0099] In this embodiment, the video input terminal 13b on the branching device side, which is the input terminal for the rear-view video that is prioritized for output to the display device 16, is an RCA terminal, while the front-view camera connection terminal 15b and the additional camera connection terminal 14b, which are the video input terminals for other video, are mini-pin jacks, thus having different shapes. This makes it easy to determine which video input terminal to connect the camera for the video that is prioritized for output (rear-view camera 400 via branching device 500). The branching device side video input terminal 13b, the front-view camera connection terminal 15b, and the additional camera connection terminal 14b are located on the back of the main unit 1, and the memory card slot 19, which is the insertion point for the memory card 2, is located on the front of the main unit 1, opposite to the side where these video input terminals are located. This way, when inserting or removing the memory card 2 from the memory card slot 19, the cables connected to the video input terminals do not get in the way. Furthermore, when inserting or removing memory card 2 from memory card slot 19, it becomes less likely that cables connected to the video input terminal will be accidentally snagged and pulled out.

[0100] Data recorded on memory card 2 can be played back by removing memory card 2 from memory card slot 19, inserting it into a personal computer, and using a program on the computer. Processing by the program on the computer can, for example, display a viewer screen 100 as shown in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 12, the viewer screen 100 includes a menu bar 101, a display area 102, a display switching button 103, a volume knob 104, a speed display 105, a brake / turn signal display 106, an acceleration display 107, a latitude / longitude display 108, display operation buttons 109, an acceleration sensor graph 110, a date and time display 111, a map 112, and a playlist list 113.

[0101] Display area 102 includes a front view camera video playback area 102a, an additional camera video playback area 102b, and a rear view camera video playback area 102c. When playing back vehicle surrounding video data from the front view camera, additional camera, and rear view camera recorded on memory card 2, it has a function to invert the playback video horizontally or vertically. Right-clicking on the front view camera video playback area 102a, additional camera video playback area 102b, or rear view camera video playback area 102c switches the playback video in the following order: horizontal inversion, vertical inversion, horizontal / vertical inversion, and no inversion.

[0102] Furthermore, based on the information indicating the video output to the display device 16 as described above, it is preferable to configure the system to display a predetermined image indicating the video output to the display device 16 as preferential from among multiple vehicle surrounding video images being played back. In this way, it is easy to determine which video was displayed on the display device 16 when playing it back later on a playback device such as a PC. For example, the start date and end date and time when the video from the rearview camera was input are recorded, While playing the video from that date and time, the outer frame of the rearview camera video playback area 102c will be highlighted.

[0103] Although the viewer screen 100 is shown as a screen displayed on a personal computer, it may also be configured to output to a screen of a navigation system installed in the vehicle, or to a display device 16.

[0104] Although the present invention has been described above using examples, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. The examples described in the above embodiments may be combined in any combination, or various modifications or improvements may be made. Furthermore, the contents of the claims, background art, problem to be solved by the invention, and means for solving the problem may be appropriately applied to each embodiment, and the embodiments may be created by applying the common technical knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0105] This system may be installed as in this embodiment. This system may be mounted on a vehicle as in the embodiment. This system may be retrofitted to a vehicle after it has left the vehicle manufacturer's factory. This system may be distributed across multiple housings, with some of its components comprising them, but it is particularly preferable to house it within a single housing. The vehicle may be, for example, a special vehicle such as a forklift, but it is particularly preferable to have a vehicle with four or more wheels.

[0106] The rearview camera 400 is best used as a camera that primarily captures areas other than the front, and can capture either the left or right side, but is particularly well-suited as a camera that captures the rear of the vehicle.

[0107] The rearview camera video signal input terminal 510 may be, for example, a terminal provided on a circuit board that connects wiring brought into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to provide a connector in an opening in the housing that connects to the connector on the rearview camera 400 video signal line. The terminals described below should be configured similarly. The video signal can be a digital signal, but it is preferable to use an analog signal, and especially an NTSC signal.

[0108] The display device 16 may be a simple monitor, but it is preferable to have a device that has a drawing function that allows a computer to draw on the display screen based on a program, and in particular, it is preferable to have a device that has a function to draw necessary information for the vehicle driver on the display means, and in particular, it is preferable to have a navigation device that has a function to draw maps. The display device is especially preferable to have the configuration described later.

[0109] The signal output terminal 530 for the recording device may be, for example, a terminal provided on a circuit board that connects wiring brought out from the outside to the housing, but it is preferable to provide a connector in an opening in the housing that connects to the connector on the video signal line that connects to the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is the recording device. A drive recorder, as in this embodiment, is particularly suitable as a recording device for recording the video footage captured by the rearview camera 400.

[0110] The "external power connection terminal 550 that receives power from an external source" may be a battery 91 that is pre-installed in the vehicle when it is shipped from the vehicle manufacturer, as in this embodiment. It may be the battery side necessary for the vehicle's operation, such as for starting the vehicle and for the operation of accessory products, but it may also be a mobile battery side, etc. The power connection terminal 550 may be, for example, a terminal provided on a circuit board that connects wiring brought into the enclosure from the outside, but it is preferable to provide a connector in an opening in the enclosure that connects to a connector on the external power supply line. A particularly good signal for controlling the illumination of a vehicle's reverse lights is the power line to the vehicle's reverse lights.

[0111] The backup lamp signal input terminal 560 may be, for example, a terminal provided on a circuit board that connects wiring brought into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to provide a connector that connects to the connector provided on the backup lamp signal line in an opening in the housing.

[0112] The rearview camera power line connection terminal may be, for example, a terminal provided on a circuit board that connects wiring brought into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to provide a connector for the wiring that connects to the power line of the rearview camera in an opening in the housing.

[0113] The wiring connected to the rearview camera video signal input terminal and the wiring connected to the rearview camera power line connection should be housed within the same insulation. When connecting with a connector, it is particularly preferable to use a single connector that connects the wiring connected to the rearview camera video signal input terminal and the wiring connected to the rearview camera power line connection.

[0114] When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, the display device signal output terminal 520 outputs the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal 510 to the display device 16. However, when no signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, the display device signal output terminal 520 does not output the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal to the display device. In particular, a configuration using an electronic switch is preferable for this configuration.

[0115] Regardless of the state of the signal input from the backup lamp signal input terminal 560, a configuration in which power is supplied to the rearview camera power line connection terminal by an external power supply connected to the power connection terminal 550 is particularly preferable, in which power supplied from the vehicle's battery 91 is supplied to the power line of the rearview camera 400 via a fuse.

[0116] This system may be configured as a branching device as in this embodiment, or as a video branching device. For example, the existing wiring between the rearview camera 400 and the existing reverse lamp, which is powered by the vehicle's wiring to the reverse lamp, may be cut, and both wires may be connected to the video branching device of this system. A drive recorder with a front camera or the like may be used as the recording device, and the drive recorder may be supplied with constant power from this branching device 500, and the video signal from the rearview camera 400 may be sent to it. A car navigation system may be used as the display device 16, and the car navigation system may have a function to automatically switch the navigation screen to the video signal screen when a video signal is input. The video branching device may be configured to output the video from the rearview camera 400 to the navigation system when the vehicle's gear is in reverse and power is supplied from the vehicle to the vehicle's reverse lamp, and not output the video from the rearview camera 400 to the navigation system when the vehicle's gear is not in reverse and power is not supplied from the vehicle to the vehicle's reverse lamp.

[0117] The display device 16 is configured to display an image based on a video signal when there is a video signal from the display device signal output terminal 520, and not to display an image based on a video signal when there is no video signal from the display device signal output terminal 520.

[0118] Therefore, the drive recorder, which is the recording device, can record the image from the rearview camera 400 even when the vehicle's shift lever is not in reverse. On the display device, the image from the rearview camera 400 is displayed when the shift lever is in reverse, and the image from the rearview camera 400 is not output when the shift lever is not in reverse. Thus, it is possible to prevent distractions or excessive attention, such as looking at the image from the rearview camera 400 on the display device while driving, and contribute to safe driving.

[0119] It is particularly preferable to use a display device 16 that is equipped with a rear-view camera video signal input connector to which wiring from the signal output terminal 520 for the display device of the branching device 500 is connected.

[0120] Furthermore, the branching device 500 is equipped with a reverse lamp signal output terminal for the display device 16 that outputs a reverse lamp signal to the display device 16. When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lamps is input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560, the branching device 500 outputs a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lamps from the reverse lamp signal output terminal for the display device to the display device. When no signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lamps is input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560, the branching device 500 does not output a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lamps from the reverse lamp signal output terminal for the display device to the display device. The display device 16 may be configured to display an image based on the video signal when a signal to turn on the reverse lamps is input from the reverse lamp signal output terminal for the display device, and not display an image based on the video signal when no signal to turn on the reverse lamps is input from the reverse lamp signal output terminal for the display device.

[0121] In this way, the display device 16 receives a reverse lamp signal and can control whether or not the image from the rearview camera 400 is displayed on the display means of the display device 16, depending on the state of the reverse lamp signal.

[0122] The backup lamp signal output terminal for the display device may be, for example, a terminal on a circuit board to which wiring is drawn out from the housing to the backup lamp signal input terminal 560 of the display device is connected. Alternatively, a connector that connects to a connector on the wiring connected to the backup lamp signal input terminal 560 of the display device may be provided in an opening in the housing of the branching device 500. The display device may be provided with a connector as the backup lamp signal input terminal 560.

[0123] Furthermore, the device is equipped with a power line connection section for connecting the power line of the recording device. In this embodiment, the external power connected to the power connection terminal 550 is supplied from the power line connection terminal to the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is the recording device, regardless of the state of the signal input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560. In this way, the main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is the recording device connected to this branching device 500, is supplied with power regardless of the state of the signal input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560. Therefore, the drive recorder does not need to receive power directly from the vehicle and can perform recording.

[0124] The wiring connected to the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device and the wiring connected to the power line connection terminal for the recording device should be housed within the same enclosure. When connecting with a connector, it is particularly preferable to use a single connector that connects the wiring connected to the signal output terminal 530 for the recording device and the wiring connected to the power line connection terminal for the recording device.

[0125] The main unit 1 of the drive recorder, which is a recording device, is equipped with a front-facing camera that takes pictures of the front of the vehicle and a front-facing camera video signal output terminal that outputs the video signal taken by the front-facing camera. The branching device 500 is equipped with a front-facing camera video signal input terminal that takes in the video signal taken by the front-facing camera output from the front-facing camera video signal output terminal and a function to output the video signal input from the front-facing camera video signal input terminal from the signal output terminal 520 for the display device. When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, the branching device 500 outputs the video signal input from the rear-view camera video signal input terminal 510 to the display device instead of the video signal input from the front-facing camera video signal input terminal 510.

[0126] In this way, the user can simply operate the shift lever to display the image from the front-facing camera when the shift lever is not in reverse, and to easily display the image from the rear-view camera 400 when the shift lever is in reverse. Switching can be done centrally with this branching device 500 without the need for separate, complex wiring.

[0127] The front-facing camera video signal input terminal may be, for example, a wire brought into the housing from the outside, but it is preferable to have a connector that connects to the connector on the signal line that sends the video signal from the front-facing camera.

[0128] For example, a navigation system may be used as the display device 16, and it may have a function to output to the rearview camera video input terminal of the navigation system. When the reverse lamp signal is input, the video from the rearview camera 400 is output to the navigation system, and when the reverse lamp signal is not input, the video from the dashcam used as a recording device is output to the navigation system.

[0129] A drive recorder, as a recording device, should have a setting function that allows the user to either continuously output the video signal captured by the front camera from the front camera video signal output terminal, or not output the video signal normally, but only when playing back the video recorded on the recording device. In this way, the user can select a mode in which the playback video is displayed on the display device when playback is in progress, but not displayed when playback is not in progress, thereby contributing to safe driving. For a configuration that does not output video signals, it is particularly good to have a configuration that does not output black or blue screen images, and thus has no video signal at all.

[0130] Alternatively, without providing a setting function, the recording device may simply be configured not to output the video signal captured by the front camera from the front camera video signal output terminal at all times, but to output the video signal when playing back the video recorded on the recording device. For example, a navigation system could be used as the display device and a drive recorder as the recording device, and the navigation screen could be configured to automatically display the rearview camera 400 when reversing, the drive recorder's playback video when playing back on the drive recorder, and the navigation screen otherwise.

[0131] The display device 16 has a drawing function that allows a computer to draw on a display screen based on a program, such as the map display function of a car navigation system, and has a drawing video signal output terminal that outputs a video signal drawn by the drawing function. The branching device 500 has a display device video signal input terminal that receives the video signal drawn by the drawing function output from the drawing video signal output terminal, and a function that outputs the video signal input from the display device video signal input terminal from the recording device signal output terminal 530. When a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lamps is input from the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560, the branching device 500 has a function that outputs the video signal input from the rearview camera video signal input terminal 510 to the display device instead of the video signal input from the display device video signal input terminal.

[0132] In this way, the computer of the display device can record the video signal drawn on the display screen according to the program using the recording device. Furthermore, when a signal to turn on the vehicle's reverse lights is input from the reverse light signal input terminal 560, the computer of the display device can record the image from the rearview camera 400 instead of the image drawn on the display screen according to the program.

[0133] The display video signal output terminal may be, for example, a wire drawn out from the display device's casing, but it is preferable to provide a connector on the display device. The display device video signal input terminal may be, for example, a terminal on a circuit board that connects to wires drawn in from the outside to the display device's casing, but it is preferable to provide a connector in an opening in the display device's casing that connects to a connector on the video signal line from the display device's display video signal output terminal side.

[0134] For example, a drive recorder could be used as the recording device, and the drive recorder could be configured to record the navigation screen in sync with the front view video, using the rear camera or a third camera as video input. The video switching function of the branching device 500 may be achieved using a chip with an electronic switch function, such as a video selector that switches based on the voltage state of the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560, or it may be configured as a program that enables the microcontroller's computer to monitor the voltage state of the reverse lamp signal input terminal 560 and switch accordingly.

[0135] Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. While the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, we intend to include configurations disclosed herein that are not currently specified in the claims in the future.

[0136] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. The components of each embodiment and modification described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modification can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. The present application intends to obtain rights to these as well through amendments or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of..." or "when...", it is not meant to be a configuration that is limited to that case or time. Configurations that do not fall under these cases or times are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them. Also, even if there is a sequence of descriptions, it is not limited to that order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order rearranged are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them.

[0137] Furthermore, by converting to a design registration application, we intend to acquire rights to the overall design or a partial design. The drawing depicts the entire device with solid lines, but it is a drawing that includes not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for parts of the device. For example, it is a drawing that includes not only a partial design for a part of the device's components, but also a partial design for a part of the device regardless of its components. A part of the device may be a component of the device, or a part of a component. We intend to acquire rights not only to the overall design, but also to a partial design where any part of the solid lines in the drawing is represented by dashed lines. In addition, all modules, components, and parts inside the device's casing that are shown in the drawing are independently tradable, and similarly, we intend to acquire rights to them by converting to a design registration application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0138] 2 Memory Cards 10 Control Unit 11 Remote control 12 GPS units 14 Additional cameras 15 Front view camera 16 Display device 17. Built-in microphone 18. External microphone 19 memory card slots 20 Accelerometer 21 speakers 400 Rearview Camera 500 Branching device 510 Rearview camera connection terminal 520 Signal output terminals for display devices 530 Signal output terminal for recording device 550 Power connection terminal 560 Backup lamp signal input terminal

Claims

1. A rear camera image signal input unit is provided for inputting an image signal from a rear camera, a display device signal output unit that outputs a signal to a display device that displays an image captured by the rear camera based on the image signal input from the rear camera image signal input unit; a recording device signal output unit that outputs a signal to a recording device that records the video captured by the backup camera based on the video signal input from the backup camera video signal input unit; An apparatus comprising: a power supply connection portion for receiving power from an external source; a back lamp signal input unit that inputs a signal for controlling the lighting of the vehicle's back lamps; a rear camera power line connection portion for connecting a power line on the rear camera side to supply power to the rear camera; Equipped with When a signal for turning on a vehicle's backup lamps is input from the backup lamp signal input unit, the display device signal output unit outputs the video signal input from the backup camera video signal input unit to the display device, When a signal for turning on a backup lamp of a vehicle is not input from the backup lamp signal input unit, the display device signal output unit does not output the video signal input from the backup camera video signal input unit to the display device, The power supply to the backup camera power supply line connection unit is provided with a function of supplying power from an external power source connected to the power supply connection unit, regardless of the state of the signal input from the backup lamp signal input unit. A system characterized by:

2. The display device is configured to display an image based on a video signal when there is a video signal from the signal output unit for the display device, and not to display an image based on the video signal when there is no video signal from the signal output unit for the display device. The system of claim 1 .

3. a display device back lamp signal output unit that outputs the back lamp signal to the display device, When a signal for turning on a backup lamp of the vehicle is input from the backup lamp signal input unit, a signal for turning on a backup lamp of the vehicle is output from the backup lamp signal output unit for the display device to the display device, When a signal for turning on a backup lamp of a vehicle is not input from the backup lamp signal input unit, the backup lamp signal output unit for the display device does not output a signal for turning on a backup lamp of the vehicle to the display device, The display device is configured to display an image based on the video signal when a signal for turning on a back lamp is input from the back lamp signal output unit for the display device, and not to display an image based on the video signal when a signal for turning on a back lamp is not input from the back lamp signal output unit for the display device.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. a recording device power line connection unit for connecting a power line of the recording device; The power supply from the external source connected to the power supply connection section is supplied to the recording device from the recording device power supply line connection section regardless of the state of the signal input from the back lamp signal input section.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The recording device includes a front camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle, and a front camera image signal output unit that outputs an image signal captured by the front camera, The system includes a front camera image signal input unit that inputs the image signal captured by the front camera output from the front camera image signal output unit; a function of outputting a video signal input from the front-view camera video signal input unit from the display device signal output unit; When a signal for turning on a vehicle's backup lamps is input from the backup lamp signal input unit, the video signal input from the backup camera video signal input unit is output to the display device, instead of the video signal input from the front camera video signal input unit; When a signal for turning on a vehicle's back lamp is not input from the back lamp signal input unit, the video signal input from the front camera video signal input unit is output to the display device, instead of the video signal input from the back camera video signal input unit.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The recording device is provided with a setting means for setting whether the video signal captured by the front camera is always output from the front camera video signal output unit, or whether the video signal is not always output but is instead output when the video recorded in the recording device is played back. The system of claim 5 .

7. the display device has a drawing function that causes a computer to draw on the display means based on a program, and a drawing video signal output unit that outputs a video signal drawn by the drawing function, The system includes a display device video signal input unit that inputs a video signal drawn by the drawing function output from the drawing video signal output unit; a function of outputting a video signal input from the display device video signal input unit from the recording device signal output unit; When a signal for turning on a vehicle's back lamps is input from the back lamp signal input unit, the video signal input from the back camera video signal input unit is output to the display device, instead of the video signal input from the display device video signal input unit.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

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