Video recording system, and video recording method

Abstract

To fully receive surrounding video of a mobile object in an external device even when a period of communication interruption may occur between the mobile object and the external device.SOLUTION: A video recording system comprises: a recording unit which stores video files around a mobile object; a transmission control unit which transmits the video files to an external device; and a management unit which performs transmission management of the video files. The recording unit associates file numbers in ascending order with the video files in chronological order of photographing time to store the video files and the file numbers in a storage device. The transmission control unit assigns the file numbers to the video files and transmits it to an external device. The management unit instructs the transmission control unit to transmit unreceived video files in the external device on the basis of the file number associated with the video file transmitted at last by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file received at last by the external device in predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a video recording system and a video recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development into vehicle safety has been conducted to further improve road safety and contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a broadcast data storage system that includes a server that receives and stores broadcast data from each vehicle that receives and records the broadcast data. In this system, in response to a request from a vehicle that has moved outside the broadcasting area and lost part of its broadcast data recording, the server transmits the lost part of the broadcast data to the vehicle.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an information providing device in which, when a vehicle is about to enter outside the communication range of a network, a map distribution server transmits to the vehicle suggested information extracted according to predetermined extraction conditions. Patent Document 3 discloses a vehicle theft detection device. When an on-board sensor detects theft, this device notifies a monitoring center via a mobile phone system using a reporting means. When the vehicle is parked, if the parking position is outside the range of the mobile phone system and the reporting means cannot be used, this device outputs a notification sound to the user using an on-board siren. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-77038 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-224242 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2003-34236 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Meanwhile, in improving vehicle safety, it is important to reliably provide the user with an image of the surroundings of the vehicle in an abnormal situation such as vehicle theft.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present application aims to enable an external device to receive all surrounding images of a moving object even when communication between the moving object and the external device is interrupted during a period of time when the surrounding images are transmitted from the moving object to the external device, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a video recording system comprising a recording unit that saves a video file including an image of the surroundings of a moving body in a storage device mounted on the moving body, a transmission control unit that transmits the video file to an external device provided outside the moving body, and a management unit that manages the transmission of the video file, wherein the recording unit associates ascending file numbers with the video files in order of oldest to newest shooting time and stores the video files and the file numbers in the storage device, the transmission control unit assigns the file number associated with the video file to the video file and transmits the video file with the file number assigned to the external device, and the management unit, at a predetermined specified timing, identifies the video files that have not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device and instructs the transmission control unit to transmit the unreceived video files. According to another aspect of the present invention, the recording unit and the management unit are provided in the mobile object. According to another aspect of the present invention, the transmission control unit communicates with the external device via a communication network provided outside the mobile body, and the specified timing is when the power supply of the mobile body is switched from an on state to an off state and the transmission control unit and the communication network are in a state in which they can communicate with each other. According to another aspect of the present invention, the storage device is a memory that is detachably connected to a device mounted on the mobile object. According to another aspect of the present invention, the management unit receives the file number assigned to the video file received by the external device, which is returned by the external device when the transmission control unit transmits the video file to the external device, and the management unit identifies the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number last returned from the external device. According to another aspect of the present invention, the management unit obtains information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device from the external device at the specified timing, and identifies the video files that have not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device obtained from the external device. Another aspect of the present invention is a video recording method executed by a computer of a video recording system, the video recording method having a first step of saving a video file including a video of the surroundings of a moving body in a storage device mounted on the moving body, a second step of transmitting the video file to an external device installed outside the moving body, and a third step of managing the transmission of the video file, wherein in the first step, the video files are associated with ascending file numbers in order of oldest shooting time, and the video files and the file numbers are stored in the storage device, in the second step, the video files are assigned the file numbers associated with the video files, and the video files with the file numbers assigned are transmitted to the external device, and in the third step, at a predetermined timing, the external device identifies the video files that have not been received yet based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted in the second step and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, and transmits the unreceived video files to the external device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when transmitting surrounding images of a moving body from the moving body to an external device, even if there is a period of communication interruption between the moving body and the external device, the surrounding images can be received by the external device without omission. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a video recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image capturing device provided in a moving object, which constitutes the image recording system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording server which is an external device constituting the video recording system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device constituting the video recording system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of the operation of the video recording system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [1. Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [1.1 Video recording system configuration] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a video recording system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The video recording system 1 includes a video capture device 3 provided in a mobile object 2, and a recording server 4. The video capture device 3 is communicably connected to the recording server 4 via a communication network 6 by, for example, a first communication device 5 provided in the mobile object 2. Here, the recording server 4 corresponds to an external device provided outside the mobile object in this embodiment.

[0012] In this embodiment, the moving body 2 is, for example, a vehicle. However, the moving body 2 is not limited to a vehicle and may be any moving body. The moving body 2 may be, for example, a land moving body such as a passenger car, a bus, a taxi, etc., a marine moving body such as a ship or a submarine, an air moving body such as an aircraft including an eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft) or an air moving body such as an airship, or a space moving body such as a spaceship or an artificial satellite.

[0013] The image acquisition device 3 acquires an image of the surroundings of the moving object 2 (hereinafter also referred to as a surrounding image). In this embodiment, the image acquisition device 3 includes a front left camera 7a, a front right camera 7b, a rear left camera 7c, and a rear right camera 7d provided on the moving object 2. The front left camera 7a, the front right camera 7b, the rear left camera 7c, and the rear right camera 7d are respectively arranged on the body of the moving object 2 and capture surrounding areas on the front left side, the front right side, the rear left side, and the rear right side of the moving object 2. Hereinafter, the front left camera 7a, the front right camera 7b, the rear left camera 7c, and the rear right camera 7d will be collectively referred to as the cameras 7.

[0014] The image capture device 3 also stores the captured surrounding image as an image file in a storage device when a predetermined event occurs. In this embodiment, the storage device is, for example, a storage device 9 detachably attached to an audio-visual device 8 provided in the moving object 2. The audio-visual device 8 is, for example, a so-called display audio, and the storage device 9 is, for example, a USB memory.

[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined event is, for example, the theft of the moving body 2. More specifically, the predetermined event is the output of a security alarm from the security device 10 provided in the moving body 2. For example, the security device 10 has an immobilizer function and / or a vehicle body impact detection function, and outputs a security alarm when it detects the use of an illegal vehicle key or impact and / or vibration to the vehicle body associated with the theft of the moving body 2 according to the conventional technology.

[0016] The image capture device 3 stores the image files in chronological order in the storage device 9 every time the predetermined event occurs. The video acquisition device 3 transmits the video file to the recording server 4 in parallel with storing the video file in the storage device 9. The recording server 4 saves the received video file in a storage device (described later) included in the recording server 4.

[0017] When the recording server 4 receives the video file from the video acquisition device 3 of the mobile object 2, it transmits a notification to the terminal device 11 of the user U of the mobile object 2. The notification may be an alarm notification notifying the possibility of theft of the mobile object 2. The terminal device 11 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0018] In response to receiving an alarm notification from the recording server 4 by the terminal device 11, the user U transmits a request for transmitting a surrounding image of the moving object 2 from the terminal device 11 to the recording server 4. In response to receiving the transmission request, the recording server 4 transmits the video file received from the video acquisition device 3 of the moving object 2 and stored to the terminal device 11. The user U can play the video file received from the recording server 4 by the terminal device 11 to view the surrounding image of the moving object 2. Here, communication between the recording server 4 and the terminal device 11 can be performed via the communication network 6.

[0019] [1.2 Configuration of image acquisition device] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image capturing device 3 mounted on the moving object 2. As shown in FIG. The image acquisition device 3 includes a first processor 20 and a first memory 21. The first memory 21 is, for example, a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory. The first processor 20 is, for example, a computer including a CPU or the like. The first processor 20 may include a ROM in which a program is written, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and the like. The first processor 20 includes, as functional elements or functional units, a recording unit 23, a transmission control unit 24, and a management unit 25.

[0020] These functional elements of the first processor 20 are realized, for example, by the first processor 20, which is a computer, executing a first program 22 stored in a first memory 21. The first program 22 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the above-mentioned functional elements of the first processor 20 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0021] The recording unit 23 stores the video file including the video of the surroundings of the moving object 2 in a storage device mounted on the moving object 2. In this embodiment, the storage device is a storage device 9, which is a memory detachably connected to the audio-visual device 8. This makes it possible to always ensure sufficient storage capacity for saving video files by replacing the removable storage device 9.

[0022] Specifically, the recording unit 23 receives surrounding images, which are images of the surroundings of the mobile object 2, from the camera 7 mounted on the mobile object 2. Then, when a predetermined event occurs, the recording unit 23 stores the surrounding images received from the camera 7 in chronological order as an image file in the storage device 9. As described above, in this embodiment, the predetermined event is, for example, the theft of the mobile object 2, and specifically, when a security alarm is received from the security device 10 provided in the mobile object 2. The audio-visual device 8 can store the image file in the storage device 9 in accordance with an instruction from the recording unit 23.

[0023] Here, the surrounding image stored in the storage device 9 as an image file may be, for example, an image of a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) after receiving a security arm from the security device 10.

[0024] In this embodiment, in particular, the recording unit 23 associates the video files with file numbers in ascending order starting from the oldest captured time, and stores the video files and the file numbers in the storage device 9. For example, when saving a new video file in the storage device 9, the recording unit 23 generates a new file number by adding 1 to the file number of the video file saved immediately before, and associates the new file number with the new video file. Then, the recording unit 23 saves the new video file and the new file number in the storage device 9.

[0025] The transmission control unit 24 transmits the video file stored in the storage device 9 by the recording unit 23 to the recording server 4 via the first communication device 5 provided in the mobile object 2. For example, when the recording unit 23 stores the video file in the storage device 9, the transmission control unit 24 transmits the stored video file to the recording server 4.

[0026] In particular, in this embodiment, the transmission control unit 24 assigns to the video file a file number that is associated with the video file and stored in the storage device 9, and transmits the video file with the assigned file number to the recording server 4.

[0027] As described above, the video acquisition device 3 equipped with the transmission control unit 24 and the recording server 4 are communicatively connected via the communication network 6. That is, the transmission control unit 24 transmits a video file to the recording server 4 via the communication network 6.

[0028] On the other hand, the mobile object 2 equipped with the image capturing device 3 may move to a place where good communication with the communication network 6 cannot be performed (for example, inside a building where radio waves have difficulty reaching or a place far from a radio tower). As a result, depending on the location of the mobile object 2, it may happen that the video file cannot be transmitted from the transmission control unit 24 or the recording server 4 cannot properly receive the video file transmitted by the transmission control unit 24.

[0029] For this reason, in this embodiment, in particular, the management unit 25 manages the transmission of video files so that all video files transmitted by the transmission control unit 24 are received and stored by the recording server 4. Specifically, at a predetermined timing, the management unit 25 identifies video files that have not been received by the recording server 4 based on the file number assigned to the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit 24 and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4. Then, the management unit 25 instructs the transmission control unit 24 to transmit the unreceived video files.

[0030] Here, the above-mentioned predetermined timing is, for example, when the power supply of the mobile unit 2 is switched from an on state to an off state, and when the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 are in a communicable state. "When the power supply of the mobile unit 2 is switched from an on state to an off state" specifically means when the power switch 12 (FIG. 2) of the mobile unit 2 is switched from an on state to an off state. Furthermore, "when the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 are in a communicable state" specifically means when the mobile unit 2 equipped with the transmission control unit 24 is within the communication range of the communication network 6. Here, "within the communication range" refers to a geographical area in which the strength of the communication radio wave of the communication network 6 is strong enough to perform normal or good communication. For example, the transmission control unit 24 measures the radio wave strength of the radio wave received from the communication network 6, and the management unit 25 can determine that the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 are in a communicable state when the radio wave strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0031] This makes it possible, even if there is a period of communication interruption between the mobile body 2 and the recording server 4, to easily identify unreceived video files at the recording server at a specified timing, so that the recording server 4 can receive all video images of the surroundings of the mobile body 2 without any omissions.

[0032] Specifically, the management unit 25 can identify video files that have not been received in the recording server 4 as follows.

[0033] For example, the management unit 25 receives information on the file number assigned to the video file received by the recording server 4, which is returned by the recording server 4 when the transmission control unit 24 transmits a video file to the recording server 4. Then, the management unit 25 identifies video files that have not been received by the recording server 4, based on the file number assigned to the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit 24 and the file number last returned from the recording server 4. More specifically, the management unit 25 identifies, among the video files stored in the storage device 9, those video files associated with a file number greater than the file number last returned from the recording server 4 as video files that have not been received by the recording server 4. As a result, when a predetermined timing arrives, it is possible to identify video files that have not yet been received by the recording server 4 without communicating with the recording server 4 again.

[0034] Alternatively, the management unit 25 may obtain information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4 from the recording server 4 at the above-mentioned predetermined timing. For example, the management unit 25 transmits a file number information request to the recording server 4 when the above-mentioned predetermined timing arrives, and the recording server 4, in response to receiving the file number information request, returns information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4 to the video acquisition device 3.

[0035] Then, based on the file number assigned to the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit 24 and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4, obtained from the recording server 4, the management unit 25 identifies video files that have not been received by the recording server 4 in the same manner as described above. This makes it possible to more reliably identify video files that have not yet been received by the recording server 4 through communication with the recording server 4.

[0036] It should be noted that the transmission control unit 24 stores the file number assigned to the last transmitted video file in the first memory, and the management unit 25 can read out and use the file number as necessary.

[0037] [1.3 Recording Server Configuration] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording server 4. As shown in FIG. The recording server 4 includes a second processor 30, a second memory 31, a storage device 32, and a second communication device 33. The second memory 31 is, for example, configured with a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory. The storage device 32 is, for example, configured with a hard disk device (HDD) and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The second communication device 33 is a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with the image capturing device 3 of the mobile object 2 and the terminal device 11 via the communication network 6.

[0038] The second processor 30 is, for example, a computer equipped with a CPU, etc. The second processor 30 may have a configuration including a ROM in which a program is written, a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc. The second processor 30 has a reception control unit 35 and a video providing unit 36 ​​as functional elements or functional units.

[0039] These functional elements of the second processor 30 are realized, for example, by the second processor 30, which is a computer, executing a second program 34 stored in the second memory 31. The second program 34 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the above-mentioned functional elements of the second processor 30 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0040] The reception control unit 35 receives a video file and a file number assigned to the video file from the video acquisition device 3 of the mobile object 2, and stores the received video file and the file number in the storage device 32 in association with each other. When the reception control unit 35 receives a video file from the video acquisition device 3 of the mobile object 2, the reception control unit 35 may return information on the file number assigned to the received video file to the video acquisition device 3 that is the sender of the video file.

[0041] Furthermore, when the reception control unit 35 receives a video file from the video acquisition device 3 of the mobile object 2, it transmits a notification to the terminal device 11 of the user U of the mobile object 2. As described above, the notification may be an alarm notification notifying the possibility of theft of the mobile object 2.

[0042] The receiving control unit 35 may also, when receiving a file number information request from the video acquisition device 3 of the mobile object 2, transmit to the video acquisition device 3 information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4.

[0043] When the video providing unit 36 ​​receives a request to send video of the surroundings of the moving body 2 from the terminal device 11 of the user U, it reads out the video file last received from the video acquisition device 3 of the moving body 2 from the storage device 32 and transmits it to the terminal device 11.

[0044] [1.4 Terminal Device Configuration] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 11. As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal device 11 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The terminal device 11 includes a third processor 40, a third memory 41, a touch panel 42, and a third communication device 43. The third memory 41 is, for example, a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory. The third communication device 43 is a transceiver for the terminal device 11 to communicate with other devices via the communication network 6.

[0045] The third processor 40 is, for example, a computer equipped with a CPU, etc. The third processor 40 may have a configuration including a ROM in which a program is written, a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc. The third processor 40 has a video receiving unit 45 and a video reproducing unit 46 as functional elements or functional units.

[0046] These functional elements of the third processor 40 are realized, for example, by the third processor 40, which is a computer, executing a third program 44 stored in the third memory 41. The third program 44 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, the third program 44 can be downloaded from a server device (not shown) connected to the communication network 6.

[0047] The third program 44 is, for example, an application program for playing video information. Hereinafter, an application started by executing the third program 44 is referred to as a video playback application. According to the conventional technology, the terminal device 11 displays a start-up icon of the video playback application on the touch panel 42, and when the corresponding start-up icon is operated, executes the third program 44 to realize a video receiving unit 45 and a video playback unit 46 in the third processor 40.

[0048] The terminal device 11 receives a notification (e.g., an alarm notification) transmitted when the recording server 4 receives a video file. For example, the terminal device 11, which is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, receives the notification before the third program 44 is started, and displays the notification as a push notification on the touch panel 42. This push notification can be executed as a process of a resident program executed in the terminal device 11, for example, according to conventional technology.

[0049] In response to the display of the push notification, the user U operates the start-up icon displayed on the touch panel 42 to start up the video playback application, and causes the terminal device 11 to execute the third program 44.

[0050] In accordance with the reception instruction input by the user U via the touch panel 42, the video receiving unit 45 requests the recording server 4 to transmit the latest video file (i.e., the video file last received by the recording server 4 from the video acquisition device 3) and receives the latest video file.

[0051] The video playback unit 46, in accordance with a playback instruction input by the user U via the touch panel 42, displays on the touch panel 42 the video of the surroundings of the moving object 2 contained in the latest video file received.

[0052] [1.5 Operation of the video recording system] Next, the procedure of the operation in the video recording system 1 will be described. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of the video recording method executed by the first processor 20 of the video acquisition device 3, which is the computer of the video recording system 1, and the second processor 30 of the recording server 4 in cooperation with each other. The process shown in Fig. 5 starts when the power of the video acquisition device 3 of the moving object 2 and the recording server 4 are turned on, and is executed repeatedly. It is assumed that the power of the video acquisition device 3 is turned on when the moving object 2 is shipped, and that the video acquisition device 3 continues to operate even while the power switch 12 of the moving object 2 is turned off. It is also assumed that the video acquisition device 3 constantly receives the surrounding video of the moving object 2 from the camera 7 in parallel with the process shown in Fig. 5.

[0053] When the process starts, first, the recording unit 23 of the image capturing device 3 determines whether or not a predetermined event has occurred (S100). In this embodiment, specifically, the recording unit 23 determines whether or not a security alarm has been received from the security device 10.

[0054] Then, when a predetermined event occurs (S100, NO), the recording unit 23 returns to step S100 to repeat the process and waits for the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0055] On the other hand, when a predetermined event occurs (S100, YES), the recording unit 23 starts recording the surrounding video of the moving object 2 acquired from the camera 7, and generates a video file including the surrounding video for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes) from the occurrence of the predetermined event (in this embodiment, reception of a security alarm from the security device 10) (S102). Note that the recording unit 23 may transmit a notification to the terminal device 11 of the user U when the predetermined event occurs.

[0056] Next, the recording unit 23 generates a file number for the video file generated in step S102, associates the video file with the generated file number, and stores the video file in the storage device 9 (S104). As described above, the recording unit 23 generates and associates file numbers in ascending order with the video files in ascending order of shooting time.

[0057] The recording unit 23 may also store the generated file number in the first memory 21. When the recording unit 23 subsequently stores a new video file in the storage device 9, the recording unit 23 may read the stored file number from the first memory 21, and generate a number obtained by adding 1 to the read file number as the file number of the new video file.

[0058] Next, the transmission control unit 24 judges whether the communication connection with the communication network 6 is normal or not (i.e., whether the communication connection has been cut off or not) (S106). Then, when the communication connection is not cut off, that is, when the communication connection is normal (S106, YES), the transmission control unit 24 reads out the video file and file number saved by the recording unit 23 in step S104 from the storage device 9, assigns the read file number to the read video file, and transmits it to the recording server 4 (S108). The reception control unit 35 of the recording server 4 receives the video file and file number, and saves the received video file and file number in the storage device 32 (S110). The reception control unit 35 also returns the file number assigned to the received video file to the video acquisition device 3 of the moving object 2 (S112).

[0059] Next, the reception control unit 35 transmits an alarm notification to the terminal device 11 of the user U (S114). Next, in response to a transmission request from the terminal device 11, the reception control unit 35 transmits the saved video file to the terminal device 11 (S116), and ends the process.

[0060] On the other hand, when the transmission control unit 24 determines in step S106 that the communication connection with the communication network 6 has been cut off (S106, NO), the management unit 25 determines whether or not a predetermined timing has arrived (S118). As described above, the predetermined timing can be when the power switch 12 of the mobile object 2 is switched from the on state to the off state and the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 are in a communicable state.

[0061] Then, when the predetermined timing has not arrived (S118, NO), the management unit 25 repeats step S118 and waits for the predetermined timing to arrive.

[0062] On the other hand, when the predetermined timing arrives (S118, YES), the management unit 25 identifies, among the video files stored in the storage device 9, a video file that has not been received by the recording server 4 (S120). As described above, this unreceived video file is identified based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit 24 and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the recording server 4.

[0063] Next, the management unit 25 instructs the transmission control unit 24 to transmit the specified unreceived video file, and the transmission control unit 24 transmits the instructed unreceived video file to the recording server 4 (S122). Thereafter, the recording server 4 executes the above-mentioned steps S110, S112, S114, and S116, and ends this process.

[0064] 5, steps S102 and S108 correspond to the first and second steps in this disclosure, respectively, and steps S118 to S122 correspond to the third step in this disclosure.

[0065] 2. Other embodiments In this embodiment, the "predetermined event" that triggers the recording unit 23 to store the surrounding image as a video file is the theft of the moving body 2, but the predetermined event is not limited to theft. The predetermined event may be any event that may have some effect on the moving body 2 within the shooting range of the camera mounted on the moving body 2. In addition to the theft, such events may be contact or collision with an object that may damage a structure such as the body of the moving body 2, being exposed to liquid that may contaminate the structure, unexpected movement of the moving body 2, and the like. The recording unit 23 may detect the occurrence of the predetermined event by signals from various sensors according to the type of the predetermined event, or information from a device that processes the signals from those sensors.

[0066] Furthermore, the predetermined timing at which the management unit 25 identifies an unreceived video file in the recording server 4 may be when the communication connection between the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 is lost and then restored, regardless of whether the power switch 12 of the mobile object 2 is on or off. Whether the communication connection between the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 is lost or restored can be determined based on whether the radio wave intensity of the radio waves emitted by the wireless communication devices constituting the communication network 6 has fallen below a predetermined threshold and whether the radio wave intensity has exceeded a predetermined threshold, respectively.

[0067] However, as in the above-described embodiment, by setting the specified timing to when the power supply of the mobile body 2 is switched from an on state to an off state and when the transmission control unit 24 and the communication network 6 are in a state in which communication is possible, for example, if the mobile body 2 is stolen and moved, when the mobile body 2 stops in a place with a good communication environment, the unreceived video file can be immediately identified and the identified video file can be transmitted to an external device.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the management unit 25 is provided in the image acquisition device 3 mounted on the mobile object 2, but may be provided in the recording server 4. However, when the management unit 25 is provided in the mobile object 2 as in the above embodiment, the transmission management of the image file can be performed in the mobile object 2, which is the sender of the image file of the surrounding image, so that it is possible to quickly identify the image file that has not been received by the recording server 4 according to the state of the communication environment of the mobile object 2, and to transmit the identified image file to the recording server 4.

[0069] When the management unit 25 is provided in the recording server 4, the management unit 25 receives a notification from the video acquisition device 3 that the power switch 12 of the mobile object 2 has been switched from an on state to an off state, and can determine that the above-mentioned predetermined timing has arrived when the notification is received. In this case, when the above-mentioned predetermined timing arrives, the management unit 25 can acquire from the video acquisition device 3 a file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit 24, and identify an unreceived video file. Thereafter, the management unit 25 can instruct the video acquisition device 3 to transmit the identified unreceived video file.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0071] [3. Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above-described embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0072] (Configuration 1) A video recording system comprising: a recording unit that saves a video file including an image of the surroundings of a moving body in a storage device mounted on the moving body; a transmission control unit that transmits the video file to an external device provided outside the moving body; and a management unit that manages the transmission of the video file, wherein the recording unit associates file numbers in ascending order with the video files in order of oldest to newest shooting time, and stores the video files and the file numbers in the storage device, the transmission control unit assigns the file number associated with the video file to the video file and transmits the video file with the file number assigned to the external device, and the management unit identifies, at a predetermined specified timing, the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, and instructs the transmission control unit to transmit the unreceived video file. According to the video recording system of configuration 1, even if there is a period of communication interruption between the moving body and the external device, it is possible to easily identify unreceived video files at the external device at a predetermined timing, so that the external device can receive surrounding images without omission.

[0073] (Configuration 2) The video recording system according to configuration 1, wherein the recording unit and the management unit are provided in the moving body. According to the video recording system of configuration 2, the transmission management of the video files is performed in the mobile body that is the sender of the video files of the surrounding video, so that the external device can quickly identify video files that have not been received depending on the state of the communication environment of the mobile body, and transmit the identified video files to the external device.

[0074] (Configuration 3) A video recording system as described in configuration 1 or 2, wherein the transmission control unit communicates with the external device via a communication network provided outside the mobile body, and the specified timing is when the power supply of the mobile body is switched from an on state to an off state and the transmission control unit and the communication network are in a state where they can communicate with each other. According to the video recording system of configuration 3, when a moving object stops in a place with a good communication environment, the unreceived video files can be immediately identified and the identified video files can be transmitted to an external device.

[0075] (Configuration 4) The video recording system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the storage device is a memory detachably connected to a device mounted on the moving body. According to the video recording system of configuration 4, by replacing the removable memory, it is possible to always ensure sufficient storage capacity for saving video files.

[0076] (Configuration 5) A video recording system as described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the management unit receives the file number assigned to the video file received by the external device, which is returned by the external device when the transmission control unit transmits the video file to the external device, and the management unit identifies the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number last returned from the external device. According to the video recording system of configuration 5, it is possible to identify video files that have not been received in an external device without communicating with the external device.

[0077] (Configuration 6) A video recording system as described in any of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the management unit obtains information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device from the external device at the predetermined timing, and identifies the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device obtained from the external device. According to the video recording system of configuration 6, it is possible to more reliably identify video files that have not been received by an external device through communication with the external device.

[0078] (Configuration 7) A video recording method executed by a computer of a video recording system, comprising: a first step of saving a video file including a video of the surroundings of a moving body in a storage device mounted on the moving body; a second step of transmitting the video file to an external device installed outside the moving body; and a third step of managing the transmission of the video file, wherein in the first step, the video files are associated with ascending file numbers in order of oldest shooting time, and the video files and the file numbers are stored in the storage device; in the second step, the video files are assigned the file numbers associated with the video files, and the video files with the assigned file numbers are transmitted to the external device; and in the third step, at a predetermined timing, the external device identifies video files that have not been received yet based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted in the second step and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, and transmits the unreceived video files to the external device. According to the video recording method of configuration 7, even if there is a period of communication interruption between the moving body and the external device, it is possible to easily identify unreceived video files at the external device at a predetermined timing, so that the external device can receive surrounding video without omission. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...video recording system, 2...mobile body, 3...video acquisition device, 4...recording server (external device), 5...first communication device, 6...communication network, 7...camera, 7a...front left camera, 7b...front right camera, 7c...rear left camera, 7d...rear right camera, 8...audio-visual device, 9...storage device, 10...security device, 11...terminal device, 12...power switch, 20...first processor, 21...first memory, 22...first program, 23...recording unit, 24...transmission control unit, 25...management unit, 30...second processor, 31...second memory, 32...storage device, 33...second communication device, 34...second program, 35...reception control unit, 36...video providing unit, 40...third processor, 41...third memory, 42...touch panel, 43...third communication device, 44...third program, 45...video receiving unit, 46...video playback unit, U...user.

Claims

1. a recording unit that stores an image file including an image of the surroundings of the moving object in a storage device mounted on the moving object; a transmission control unit that transmits the video file to an external device provided outside the mobile object; a management unit that manages the transmission of the video file; Equipped with the recording unit associates the video files with file numbers in ascending order of their shooting times, and stores the video files and the file numbers in the storage device; the transmission control unit assigns the file number associated with the video file to the video file, and transmits the video file with the file number assigned to the external device; The management unit at a predetermined timing, based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, identify the video file that has not been received by the external device and instruct the transmission control unit to transmit the video file that has not been received. Video recording system.

2. The recording unit and the management unit are provided in the mobile object. The video recording system according to claim 1 .

3. The transmission control unit communicates with the external device via a communication network provided outside the mobile object; the predetermined timing is when the power supply of the mobile object is switched from an on state to an off state and the transmission control unit and the communication network are in a communicable state. The video recording system according to claim 1 .

4. The storage device is a memory that is detachably connected to a device mounted on the moving body. The video recording system according to claim 1 .

5. the management unit receives the file number assigned to the video file received by the external device, which is returned by the external device when the transmission control unit transmits the video file to the external device; the management unit identifies the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number last returned from the external device; 5. A video recording system according to claim 1.

6. the management unit acquires, at the predetermined timing, from the external device, information on the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, and identifies the video file that has not been received by the external device based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted by the transmission control unit and the file number acquired from the external device and assigned to the video file last received by the external device; 5. A video recording system according to claim 1.

7. A video recording method executed by a computer of a video recording system, comprising: A first step of storing an image file including an image of the surroundings of a moving object in a storage device mounted on the moving object; a second step of transmitting the video file to an external device provided outside the mobile object; A third step of managing the transmission of the video file; having In the first step, the video files are associated with file numbers in ascending order of their shooting times, and the video files and the file numbers are stored in the storage device; In the second step, the file number associated with the video file is assigned to the video file, and the video file with the assigned file number is transmitted to the external device; In the third step, at a predetermined timing, the video file that has not been received by the external device is identified based on the file number associated with the video file last transmitted in the second step and the file number assigned to the video file last received by the external device, and the video file that has not been received is transmitted to the external device. Video recording method.

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