Electronic apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus which can view video data by recording it without performing work to transfer the video data and can avoid troublesomeness to perform work to transfer the video data as much as possible and to provide a program.SOLUTION: A drive recorder 1 performs continuous recording for continuously recording video data and intermittent recording for intermittently recording the video data whenever a prescribed event occurs by sharing the same recording region. The drive recorder 1 includes recording control means for deleting at least a part of the video data obtained by intermittently recording the recording region and securing capacity of a recordable region in accordance with the capacity of the recordable region used for continuous recording in the recording region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

[0003] There are two main types of electronic devices that use different recording methods.

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

[0005] The other of the two methods described above is a method for managing and recording a recording area for continuous recording and a recording area for event recording as an integrated unit. According to this method, video data is recorded continuously in the same recording area, and the video data is event-recorded each time an event occurs. In this case, when the recording area becomes full with the continuous recording video data and the event recording video data, the oldest video data of the continuous recording video data is overwritten without overwriting the event-recorded video data, and new continuous recording and event recording are performed. Then, when the recording area becomes full with the video data from the event recording, recording is stopped. According to this method, even if the frequency of event recording is low, the recording capacity can be used efficiently. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-74291 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in conventional electronic devices that use a method of managing and recording a recording area for continuous recording and a recording area for event recording as an integrated whole, recording stops when the recording area becomes full with event-recorded video data. Therefore, if the user does not notice that the recording area has run out, the video data cannot be recorded and the user cannot view the video. Furthermore, in order to record again, the user must manually transfer the video data to another medium, for example by removing the recording medium from the electronic device and moving it to the hard disk of a personal computer or the like, which is a hassle.

[0008] To provide an electronic device and a program that can record and view video data without performing operations such as transferring the video data, thereby minimizing the hassle of performing operations such as transferring the video data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) An electronic device that shares the same recording area for continuous recording, in which video data is recorded continuously, and intermittent recording, in which the video data is recorded intermittently each time a specified event occurs, and is characterized by having a recording control means that, depending on the capacity of the recordable area in the recording area used for the continuous recording, erases at least a portion of the video data that has been intermittently recorded in the recording area to secure the capacity of the recordable area.

[0010] In this way, the video data can be recorded and viewed without performing an operation such as transferring the video data, and the trouble of performing an operation such as transferring the video data can be avoided as much as possible. Continuous recording of video data can be performed by recording video data without interruption for a predetermined time, for example, by constantly recording video data when power is supplied to the electronic device from an external source such as the vehicle while the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on. In this way, the video data for the predetermined time can be recorded and viewed without omission. The occurrence of a predetermined event can be an occurrence that occurs depending on the state of the vehicle or the situation outside the vehicle, for example, when the acceleration value of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value, when the distance between the current position and a preset viewpoint with a good view falls within a predetermined distance, or when the distance between the current position and a preset location that calls for attention, such as an intersection or an accident-prone area, falls within a predetermined distance. The state of the vehicle and the situation outside the vehicle may be determined based on the distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by positioning using a positioning system and a place where caution is required such as an intersection or an accident-prone area, the distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by positioning using a positioning system and a viewpoint, or a comparison result between a detection value and a threshold value in a sensor provided in an electronic device, for example, whether the distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by positioning using a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a place where caution is required such as an intersection or an accident-prone area is within a predetermined distance, whether the distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by positioning using a GPS and a viewpoint is within a predetermined distance, or whether the acceleration detection value of an acceleration sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this way, the video data can be recorded intermittently, separately from the continuous recording, and viewed according to the current position of the vehicle determined by positioning using a positioning system or the detection value of the sensor.

[0011] As for the intermittent recording in which the video data is intermittently recorded every time a predetermined event occurs, the video data when the event occurs may be recorded for a time shorter than the recording time of the continuous recording and including the time when the event occurred. For example, the video data when the acceleration detection value detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a threshold may be recorded for a time shorter than the recording time of the continuous recording and including the time when the acceleration detection value exceeds the threshold. In this way, the video data when the event occurs can be efficiently viewed separately from the continuously recorded video data. The recording area may be a predetermined area of ​​a memory card formatted with a predetermined file system, for example, a data area in which video data is recorded in a memory card formatted with a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system. In this way, the video data of the continuous recording file created by the continuous recording and the video data of the intermittent recording file created by the intermittent recording can be recorded in a predetermined area of ​​the memory card and managed as files. As for the sharing of the same recording area, it is preferable that the video data can be recorded continuously and intermittently in the same recording area. For example, it is preferable that the video data can be recorded continuously and intermittently in each cluster of the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a predetermined file system. In this way, the area in the recording area where the video data is recorded intermittently is By changing the ratio between the area for continuously recording the video data and the area for continuously recording the video data according to the frequency of recording, the recording area can be used efficiently when work such as transferring the video data is not being performed.

[0012] The capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording in the recording area may be an amount determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area. For example, when video data is recorded in the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, the capacity may be an amount determined by the number of clusters in the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be grasped as part of the management of the video data recorded in the recording area. As for erasing at least a part of the video data intermittently recorded in the recording area, it is preferable to select at least a part of the video data from the intermittently recorded video data in order from the oldest video data. Furthermore, as for erasing at least a part, it is preferable to erase all or a part of the video data intermittently recorded in the recording area. In this way, it is possible to preferentially leave the most recently intermittently recorded video data that is likely to be viewed.

[0013] In order to secure the capacity of the recordable area, when new continuous and intermittent recording is performed by overwriting continuously recorded video data without overwriting the intermittently recorded video data, it is preferable to secure a capacity that is sufficient to prevent the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording from being immediately used up by the subsequent intermittent recording, for example, in a data area managed using a file system, it is preferable to secure the capacity of the recordable area by deleting the number of intermittent recording files according to the frequency of intermittent recording in a specified time in the past. In this way, it is possible to prevent the process of erasing intermittently recorded video data from occurring frequently.

[0014] (2) When the capacity of the recording area becomes full due to the continuous recording and the intermittent recording, the recording control means overwrites the video data that has been continuously recorded in the recording area and performs the new continuous recording and intermittent recording, while performing the erasure so that the capacity of the recordable area does not become equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0015] In this way, the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording can always be secured, and video data can be continuously recorded without omission. When the capacity of the recording area becomes full due to continuous recording and intermittent recording, it is preferable to consider a state in which continuous recording and intermittent recording are not possible unless the video data recorded in the recording area is overwritten. In this way, video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded until the video data recorded in the recording area is not possible unless the video data is overwritten, and the recording area can be used efficiently. When continuously and intermittently recording video data that has been continuously recorded in the recordable area by overwriting the continuously recorded video data, it is preferable to continuously record the video data, and when an event occurs, to overwrite the continuously recorded video data and intermittently record the video data. In this way, even when an operation such as transferring the video data is not performed, video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded. The capacity of the recordable area may be an amount determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area, and may be, for example, an amount obtained by multiplying the number of clusters in the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded by the capacity of the cluster when video data is recorded in the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be grasped as part of the management of the video data recorded in the recording area. The process of erasing the recordable area so that the capacity does not fall below a predetermined value may be a process of always securing a capacity that can avoid a state in which continuous recording is not possible due to insufficient capacity, and may be, for example, a capacity secured by erasing 10 intermittently recorded files when video data is recorded in a recording area formatted with a file system. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a state in which continuous recording is not possible due to insufficient capacity, and video data can be recorded and viewed continuously without interruption.

[0016] (3) When the capacity of the recording area becomes full due to the continuous recording and the intermittent recording, the recording control means overwrites the video data that was continuously recorded in the recording area and performs the continuous recording and the intermittent recording again, while performing the erasure when the capacity of the recordable area becomes full.

[0017] In this way, when the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording is exhausted, the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording can be secured. When the capacity of the recording area becomes full due to continuous recording and intermittent recording, it is preferable to consider a state in which continuous recording and intermittent recording are not possible unless the video data recorded in the recording area is overwritten. In this way, the video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded until the video data recorded in the recording area is not possible unless the video data is overwritten, and the recording area can be used efficiently. As a process of continuously and intermittently recording by overwriting the video data that has been continuously recorded in the recording area, it is preferable to overwrite the continuously recorded video data to continuously record the video data, and when an event occurs, to overwrite the continuously recorded video data to intermittently record the video data. In this way, even when an operation such as transferring the video data is not performed, the video data can be continuously and intermittently recorded. The capacity of the recordable area may be an amount determined by the minimum management area used for continuous recording in the recording area, for example, in the case of recording video data in the data area of ​​a recording medium formatted with a file system, the capacity may be the number of clusters in the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area for continuous recording can be grasped as part of the management of the video data recorded in the recording area. When the capacity of the recordable area is exhausted, when the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded for each minimum management area of ​​the recording area managed by the file system, the minimum management area available for recording the video data of the continuous recording file is exhausted, for example, when the cluster available for recording the video data of the continuous recording file is exhausted in the data area managed by the file system. In this way, a high-speed electronic device can be realized by performing a simple process of determining whether or not the minimum management area for recording the video data of the continuous recording file is exhausted. In addition, since the processing load is small, the electronic device can be configured with an inexpensive processing device.Furthermore, for example, the number of judgment circuits and deletions can be reduced, so the possibility of video recording being interrupted can be reduced. Therefore, users can purchase equipment at a low cost and can obtain uninterrupted video more reliably than before.

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

[0019] In this way, continuous recording files and intermittent recording files can be recorded using a file system. As the file system, FAT (File Allocation Table) can be used. In this way, continuous recording files and intermittent recording files can be managed separately, and files recorded on a personal computer or the like can be easily read and played back. A continuous recording file is a file of video data that is continuously recorded using a file system, for example, a file of video data that is constantly recorded using a file system, and is given a file name that can be distinguished from other files. An intermittent recording file is, A file in which video data is intermittently recorded for a predetermined period of time using a file system, for example, a file in which video data is intermittently recorded for one minute including the time of event occurrence each time an event occurs using a file system, and a file name that can be distinguished from other files is given. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between a continuous recording file and an intermittent recording file by looking at the file name, and they can be easily distinguished. A cluster is preferably used as the minimum management area of ​​the recording area. In this way, the video data recorded in the recording area can be managed for each cluster. In the process of calculating the capacity of the recordable area based on the minimum management area, the capacity can be calculated from the minimum management area in the recordable area used to record the video data of the continuous recording file when creating and recording the continuous recording file, and for example, the capacity of the recordable area can be calculated from the number of clusters used to record the continuous recording file when recording video data for each cluster of the data area of ​​the recording medium formatted with the file system. In this way, the capacity of the recordable area used for continuous recording can be calculated as part of the management of video data when creating and recording the continuous recording file.

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

[0021] In this way, the user can know that the intermittently recorded video data will be erased. The notification may be made by an image or sound to inform the user that the intermittently recorded video data will be erased. The erasure may be made before the erasure or during the erasure, but it is particularly preferable to configure the notification to inform the user that the erasure will be performed or that the erasure has been performed in a manner that the user can recognize. In this way, the user can be informed by an image or sound before, during, or after the erasure that the intermittently recorded video data will be erased in order to prevent the recorded video data from being transferred. In order to notify the user that the erasure has been performed in a manner that the user can recognize, for example, a display that reads "old event files have been erased." In this way, the user can recognize that the capacity for recording the continuous recording files has been secured by erasing the old event files, and can feel reassured that continuous recording will be performed without interruption.

[0022] (6) The recording control means is characterized in that it erases the video data recorded in the recording area by the intermittent recording in order starting from the oldest video data.

[0023] In this way, it is possible to keep video data that is highly necessary to be recorded. When managing video data as files using a file system, the old video data may be video data of intermittent recording files with old file creation times. For example, when managing video data as files using a file system, it may be video data of intermittent recording files with old file creation times indicated by time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card. In this way, intermittent recording files with the oldest file creation times can be erased in bulk on a file-by-file basis.

[0024] The functions of the electronic device may be configured as a program for realizing the functions on a computer. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, video data can be recorded and viewed without performing the work of transferring the video data, thereby making it possible to avoid the trouble of performing the work of transferring the video data as much as possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing schematic changes in the state of used capacity in the data area of ​​an area in which video data of a continuous recording file is recorded and an area in which video data of an event recording file is recorded in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing schematic changes in the state of used capacity in the data area of ​​an area in which video data of a continuous recording file is recorded and an area in which video data of an event recording file is recorded in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0028] (First embodiment) <Configuration of Drive Recorder> The configuration of a drive recorder 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the drive recorder 1 in this embodiment.

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

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

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

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

[0033] The input unit 12 is a switch. The input unit 12 detects an operation from the outside and outputs the detection result to the control unit 21.

[0034] The acceleration sensor 13 detects the acceleration applied to the drive recorder 1, and therefore the acceleration applied to the vehicle in which the drive recorder 1 is mounted, and outputs the detected value to the control unit .

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

[0036] The lamp 15 issues an alarm or a notification by lighting up or blinking under the control of the control unit 21.

[0037] The speaker 16 issues warnings and notifications by sound or voice under the control of the control unit 21 .

[0038] The memory card reader 17 is built inside a card insertion slot in the main body (not shown) of the drive recorder 1, and has a reader and writer function. A memory card 18 is inserted into the memory card reader 17 from the card insertion slot so that it can be freely attached and detached. When the memory card 18 is attached, the memory card reader 17 reads the memory card 18 from the memory card 18 under the control of the control unit 21. The image data recorded in the memory card 18 is read and output to the control unit 21, and the image data input from the control unit 21 is recorded in the memory card 18.

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

[0040] The camera 19 is provided on the drive recorder 1 in such a direction that it can capture an image of the front of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is attached to the dashboard inside the vehicle. The camera 19 includes an imaging element such as a CCD (charge coupled device) and a lens, and detects an image of the front of the vehicle incident from the lens using the imaging element, and outputs the image to the control unit 21 as image data.

[0041] The database 20 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) externally attached to the control unit 21. Map data is registered in the database 20 at the time of shipment. The database 20 records position information such as places where attention should be given in advance. Here, the places where attention should be given are intersections, accident-prone areas, etc.

[0042] The control unit 21 is a microcomputer, and has a computer, an EEPROM for storing programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an interface, etc. The control unit 21 is started when an accessory switch (not shown) provided in the vehicle is turned on, and the computer executes the programs stored in the EEPROM, thereby realizing the following operations.

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

[0044] The control unit 21 performs a process of acquiring video data from the camera 19 and recording the acquired video data in the memory card 18 as a file for each minute, for example. When the recording of a file for one minute is completed, the control unit 21 closes that file, and opens the next file to start recording. In this way, the control unit 21 performs a process of continuously recording video data in the data area of ​​the memory card 18 (hereinafter, referred to as "continuous recording"), and creates a continuous recording file. The control unit 21 performs a process of recording a file name of the continuous recording file, for example, the alphabet "NOR" indicating a continuous recording file, with the date and time of creating the continuous recording file added, time information indicating the time of creating the continuous recording file, and information regarding the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded, in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18. Here, the information regarding the data area is the cluster number of the data area in which the video data is recorded, etc.

[0045] When the detected acceleration value input from the acceleration sensor 13 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, or when the distance between the current position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 9 and the position indicated by the position information of the place where attention is to be given read from the database 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the control unit 21: When a detection result of receiving radio waves of a specified frequency is input from wireless receiver 11, or when a detection result of receiving microwaves of a specified signal level is input from microwave receiver 10, it is determined that an event has occurred.

[0046] The control unit 21 performs a process of changing the continuous recording file in which video data is recorded when it is determined that an event has occurred, to an event recording file in which one minute's worth of video data including the event occurrence time is intermittently recorded each time an event occurs. Specifically, the control unit 21 changes the alphabet "NOR" in the file name of the continuous recording file in which video data is recorded when an event occurs to, for example, the alphabet "EVT" indicating an event recording file, to create an event recording file. As a result, the control unit 21 intermittently records the video data in the data area of ​​the memory card 18 each time an event occurs. Note that the time information and information regarding the data area of ​​the event recording file are those of the continuous recording file before the file name was changed.

[0047] When approaching a location corresponding to location information of a place requiring attention recorded in database 20, control unit 21 performs warning processing to warn by flashing or lighting lamp 15, or to warn by voice through speaker 16. Control unit 21 normally performs display processing to display images acquired from camera 19 on display unit 14, and when it detects pressing of a playback switch provided in input unit 12, performs display processing to display image data read from memory card 18 via memory card reader 17 on display unit 14.

[0048] <Drive recorder operation> The operation of the drive recorder 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] The drive recorder 1 in this embodiment operates so as to always ensure a constant amount of recordable area capacity in the data area 50 for use in recording video data of a continuous recording file.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a change in the state of the used capacity of the area in the data area 50 in which the video data of the continuous recording file and the video data of the event recording file are recorded in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the memory card 18 is initialized. FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file are started to be recorded in the data area 50. FIG. 2(c) shows a state in which the capacity of the data area 50 is full by recording the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 50. FIG. 2(d) shows a state in which the recordable area used for recording the video data of the continuous recording file is eroded by the area in which the video data of the event recording file is recorded when the capacity of the data area 50 is full. FIG. 2(e) shows a state in which the capacity of the recordable area used for recording the video data of the continuous recording file is secured.

[0051] The data area 50 of the memory card 18 has a capacity capable of recording, for example, 120 continuous recording files (2 hours' worth). The data area 50 is used in common as a recording destination for the video data of the continuous recording files and the event recording files. When the drive recorder 1 is shipped, the memory card 18 is initialized, so that the entire area of ​​the data area 50 is a free area A1 in which no video data is recorded, as shown in FIG. 2(a). At this time, the recordable area K1 used to record the video data of the continuous recording files is the entire area of ​​the data area 50.

[0052] After the shipped drive recorder 1 is installed in the vehicle, the control unit 21 When the accessory switch is turned on and the detection result of the operation of the overwrite ON mode is input from the input unit 12, the following process is performed.

[0053] 2(a), the control unit 21 constantly records video data in the data area 50 to create a continuous recording file for the first minute. The control unit 21 also performs a process of recording the file name of the continuous recording file, time information indicating the time when the continuous recording file was created, and information regarding the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18. This is repeated every minute, and as a result, an area J1 in which video data of multiple continuous recording files is recorded is created in the data area 50.

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

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

[0056] Next, the capacity of the data area 50 becomes full as the above process is further repeated. Here, the capacity of the data area 50 becomes full refers to a state in which the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file cannot be recorded in the data area 50 unless the video data file recorded in the data area 50 is overwritten. Illustrated, the data area 50 in this state is filled with areas J1 and E1, as shown in FIG. 2(c). At this time, the recordable area K1 in the data area 50 coincides with area J1.

[0057] Next, the control unit 21 looks at the information and time information relating to the data area recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and overwrites the video data of the continuous recording file that was created at the oldest time among the continuous recording files, and performs a process of continuously recording new video data, thereby creating a continuous recording file.

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

[0059] In the above process, the control unit 21 calculates the capacity of the recordable area K1 based on the file name and information regarding the data area recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and determines from the calculation result whether the capacity of the recordable area K1 has been secured.

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

[0061] When the control unit 21 determines that the capacity of the recordable area K1 is not secured, it checks the file names and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and deletes, for example, five event record files selected in order of oldest creation from among the event record files recorded in the data area 50. As a result, an area J2 for newly recording video data of the continuous recording file is secured in the data area 50, as shown in FIG. 2(e). At this time, the display unit 14, under the control of the control unit 21, notifies the user by displaying text such as "Old event files have been deleted." Then, through the above process, areas J1 and J2 are secured in the data area 50 as the recordable area K1.

[0062] Next, the control unit 21 performs a process of constantly recording the video data in the area J2, and creates a constantly recorded file.

[0063] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred while the video data is being continuously recorded in the area J2, it changes the file name indicating the continuous recording file in which the video data at the time of the event has been recorded to a file name indicating an event recording file, thereby making the area E1 larger.

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

[0065] When an accessory switch (not shown) is turned on and a detection result of an operation of the overwrite OFF mode is input from the input unit 12, the control unit 21 stops the process of recording the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 50 when the state shown in FIG. 2(c) is reached. At this time, the display unit 14, under the control of the control unit 21, displays a POPUP message indicating that recording is to be stopped. Also, under the control of the control unit 21, the speaker 16 notifies the user of the recording to be stopped by an alarm sound. This allows the user of the drive recorder 1 to recognize that the process of recording the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 50 of the memory card 18 is to be stopped.

[0066] Second Embodiment The configuration of a drive recorder, which is an example of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, is the same as that in FIG. 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] <Dashcam operation> The operation of the drive recorder 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that the operation of the drive recorder in this embodiment will be described using the reference numerals in Fig. 1.

[0068] The drive recorder 1 in this embodiment operates to secure a certain amount of capacity for the recordable area when the capacity of the recordable area used for recording the video data of the continuous recording file in the data area 60 runs out.

[0069] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a typical change in the state of the used capacity of the area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded and the data area in which the video data of the event recording file is recorded in this embodiment. FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which recording of video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file has begun in the data area 60. FIG. 3(c) shows a state in which the capacity of the data area 60 has become full as a result of recording video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 60. FIG. 3(d) shows a state in which the data area 60 has become full with the area in which the video data of the event recording file has been recorded. FIG. 3(e) shows a state in which the capacity of the recordable area used for recording video data of the continuous recording file has been secured.

[0070] The memory card 18 has a recording capacity capable of recording, for example, 120 continuous recording files (2 hours' worth) in the data area 60. The data area 60 is used in common as a recording destination for the video data of the continuous recording files and the event recording files. When the drive recorder 1 is shipped, the memory card 18 is initialized, so that the entire area of ​​the data area 60 is a free area A11 in which no video data is recorded, as shown in FIG. 3(a). At this time, the recordable area K11 used to record the video data of the continuous recording files is the entire area of ​​the data area 60.

[0071] When an accessory switch (not shown) is turned on and the detection result of an operation in the overwrite ON mode is input from the input unit 12, the control unit 21 performs the following process.

[0072] The control unit 21 performs the same process as in the first embodiment up to Fig. 3(c). As a result, the data area 60 becomes the state shown in Fig. 3(c) where it is filled with an area J11 in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded and an area E11 in which the video data of the event recording file is recorded. At this time, the recordable area K11 coincides with the area J11 in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded.

[0073] Next, the control unit 21 checks the information and time information related to the data area recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and creates a continuous recording file by overwriting the video data of the continuous recording file created at the oldest time among the continuous recording files and performing a process of continuously recording new video data. The control unit 21 also performs a process of recording in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18 the file name of the continuous recording file, time information indicating the time when the continuous recording file was created, and information related to the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded.

[0074] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 determines that an event has occurred, it performs a process of changing the file name indicating the continuous recording file in which the video data at the time of the event occurrence has been recorded to a file name indicating an event recording file, and creates an event recording file. Furthermore, the control unit 21 performs a process of recording the file name of the event recording file, time information indicating the time when the event recording file was created, and information regarding the data area in which the video data of the event recording file is recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18. By repeating this process, the data area 60 gradually becomes filled with the area E11 in which the area J11, which coincides with the recordable area K11, is eroded by the area E11 in which the video data of the event recording file is recorded, as shown in FIG. 3(d).

[0075] In the above process, the control unit 21 calculates the capacity of the recordable area K11 based on the file name and information regarding the data area recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and determines from the calculation result whether the capacity of the recordable area K11 has been exhausted.

[0076] Specifically, the control unit 21 looks at the file name and data area information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and calculates the number of clusters in the area J11 indicating the capacity of the recordable area K11. It is determined that the capacity of area K11 has run out.

[0077] When the control unit 21 determines that the capacity of the recordable area K11 has run out, it checks the file names and time information recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card 18, and deletes a predetermined number of event recording files selected in order of oldest created event recording files from among the event recording files recorded in the data area 60. As a result, an area J12 for recording new video data of continuous recording files is secured in the data area 60, as shown in FIG. 3(e). At this time, the display unit 14, under the control of the control unit 21, notifies the user by displaying text such as "Old event files have been deleted." Then, through the above process, an area J12 is secured in the data area 60 as the recordable area K11.

[0078] It is preferable to set the area J12 so that the data area 60 does not run out of space to record video data of continuous recording files too soon, and for example, the area is secured by deleting 10 event recording files.

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

[0080] When an accessory switch (not shown) is turned on and a detection result of an operation of the overwrite OFF mode is input from the input unit 12, the control unit 21 stops the process of recording the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 60 when the state shown in FIG. 3(c) is reached. At this time, the display unit 14 displays a POPUP message indicating that recording is to be stopped under the control of the control unit 21. Also, the speaker 16 notifies the user of the recording to be stopped by an alarm sound under the control of the control unit 21. This allows the user of the drive recorder 1 to recognize that the process of recording the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file in the data area 60 of the memory card 18 is to be stopped.

[0081] According to this embodiment, when determining whether or not to secure a specified amount of capacity for the recordable area K11, it is only necessary to calculate the number of clusters in the area J11 in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded, and determine whether the calculated value is "0", thereby simplifying the processing and allowing the user of the drive recorder 1 to use a drive recorder 1 with a high processing speed.

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

[0083] In the first and second embodiments, when the capacity of the recordable area K1 is not secured or the recordable area K11 is exhausted, a predetermined number of event recording files are erased. However, a number of event recording files corresponding to the frequency of recording the event recording files in a predetermined time in the past may be erased. In this case, the control unit 21 stores in advance in the EEPROM of the control unit 21 a table in which the ratio of the time during which the video data of the event recording files is recorded in a predetermined time is associated with the number of files to be erased. The control unit 21 measures the predetermined time and the time during which the video data of the event recording files is recorded using the real-time clock function of the control unit 21 or time information input from the GPS receiver 9, and calculates the above ratio from the measurement result. Then, the control unit 21 erases the event recording files by the number of files to be erased that are associated with the calculated ratio in the table. This allows the event recording files to be erased in a number corresponding to the recording time of the event recording files, so that it is possible to erase the event recording files. This can prevent the process of performing the above operation from occurring frequently.

[0084] In the first and second embodiments, the camera 19 is provided in the drive recorder 1 in a direction that allows the camera to capture an image of the front of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the dashboard inside the vehicle cabin, but the camera 19 may be provided in the drive recorder 1 in a direction that allows the camera to capture an image of the rear of the vehicle. The camera 19 may be provided in the drive recorder 1 in a direction that allows the camera to capture an image of the side of the vehicle. Furthermore, the camera 19 may be provided in the drive recorder 1 in a direction that allows the camera to capture an image of the inside of the vehicle cabin.

[0085] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, FAT is used as the file system, but a file system other than FAT, such as NTFS (NT File System), may also be used.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file is recorded by the drive recorder 1 having the functions of a navigation device and a radar detector, but the video data of the continuous recording file and the event recording file may be recorded by a drive recorder having only the functions of a drive recorder without the functions of a navigation device and a radar detector, a drive recorder having the functions of a navigation device, or a drive recorder having the functions of a radar detector.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an event record file is created when the distance between the current vehicle position and the location where attention is drawn becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, but an event record file may also be created when the distance between the current vehicle position and a viewpoint with a good view that has been preset and stored in database 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, when reserving a recordable area, some of the recorded event record files are erased, but it is also possible to erase all of the recorded event record files. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Drive recorder 9 GPS receiver 10 Microwave Receiver 11 Radio receiver 12 Input section 13 Accelerometer 14 Display section 15 Lamp 16 Speakers 17 Memory card reader 18 Memory Cards 19 Camera 20 Database 21 Control section 50 Data Area 60 Data Area

Claims

1. An apparatus including a control unit that acquires video data from a camera and records the acquired video data on a memory card as a file for a predetermined period of time, the control unit has a function of performing a process of continuously recording video data in a data area of ​​the memory card (hereinafter referred to as "constant recording") by closing the file when recording of the file for the predetermined time is completed, and opening and starting recording of the next file, thereby creating a constant recording file; The control unit determines that an event has occurred when the detection value of acceleration input from the acceleration sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value, when the distance between the current location indicated by the current location information input from the GPS receiver and the location indicated by the location information of the location where a warning is to be given read from the memory unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, when a detection result of receiving radio waves of a predetermined frequency is input from the wireless receiver, or when a detection result of receiving microwaves of a predetermined signal level is input from the microwave receiver, A drive recorder that performs a process of changing a constant recording file that records video data when it is determined that the event has occurred into an event recording file, the video data for the specified period of time including the time of the event occurrence each time the event occurs.

2. The drive recorder according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs a process of changing alphabets in the file name of a continuous recording file that records video data at the time of an event occurrence to alphabets that indicate an event recording file, thereby making the file an event recording file.

3. The control unit performs a process of changing a continuous recording file that records video data when it is determined that the event has occurred into an event recording file, by converting the video data for the specified period of time including the time of the event occurrence into an event recording file each time an event occurs, and performs a process of recording time information indicating the time when the continuous recording file was created and information regarding the data area in which the video data of the continuous recording file is recorded in the file management area of ​​the memory card, and the time information and information regarding the data area of ​​the event recording file are used from the continuous recording file before the file name was changed.

4. A drive recorder as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit performs an alarm process to warn by flashing or lighting a lamp, or to warn by audio through a speaker, when the control unit approaches a location corresponding to location information recorded in the memory unit that calls for attention.

5. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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