Information recording device, information recording method and information recording program

Abstract

To provide an information recording device that can record desired video data and voice data, and that can leave necessary voice data while paying attention to privacy protection.SOLUTION: Video data and voice data are acquired from a camera C and a microphone MC provided in a vehicle, event information indicating that an event such as rapid steering occurs in the vehicle is acquired, and after the acquired video data and voice data are recorded, the voice data recorded being associated with the event information for the recorded voice data is left in a recording unit R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the technical fields of an information recording device, an information recording method, and an information recording program. More specifically, the present application relates to the technical fields of an information recording device and an information recording method for recording video data and the like from a camera and a microphone provided on a moving object such as a vehicle, and a program for the information recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, so-called drive recorders have become commonplace, capturing and cyclically recording images of the area in front of a moving vehicle for purposes such as later verification of situations such as accidents, sudden acceleration or deceleration, or sudden steering while the vehicle is traveling. Here, the impact of an accident, sudden acceleration or deceleration, or sudden steering is referred to as an "event" that occurs to the vehicle. For this purpose, video and audio data captured and collected for a certain period of time before and after the event is required. Examples of prior art that meets this requirement include Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to acquire and non-volatilely record video and audio data for a predetermined period of time before and after the occurrence of an event when the event occurs. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured to use video data stored in an onboard camera to record video data of locations where the vehicle's direction of travel changes significantly within the entire driving route, specific characters, road signs, etc., in association with map data, as a video summary (album). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5856470 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-246503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, conventional drive recorders record video data and audio data around the time an event occurs. However, for other uses, such as an album as described in Patent Document 2, there are cases where it is necessary to record video data regardless of the occurrence of an event.

[0005] Here, with regard to the audio data recorded together with the video data, the audio collected inside the vehicle may contain private content, and therefore, from the perspective of protecting privacy, it may not be desirable to record audio data over a long period of time.

[0006] Therefore, the present application has been made in consideration of the above problems and demands, and one example of its objective is to provide an information recording device and information recording method, as well as a program for the information recording device, that can record desired video data and audio data and retain necessary audio data while paying attention to protecting privacy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 comprises a video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on an image taken by a camera inside a moving body, a sound information acquisition means for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone inside the moving body, an impact detection means for detecting an impact of a predetermined value or more that has occurred on the moving body, an operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and a recording processing means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body, wherein the recording processing means is configured so that if an impact of a predetermined value or more is detected after starting the process, it leaves the sound information corresponding to a period related to the impact of the predetermined value or more on the recording medium together with the video information, and if the predetermined operation is detected after starting the process, it leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation on the recording medium together with the video information.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 4 is an information recording method executed by an information recording device, and includes a video information acquisition process for acquiring video information based on an image taken by a camera inside a moving body, a sound information acquisition process for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone inside the moving body, an impact detection process for detecting an impact of a predetermined value or more that has occurred on the moving body, an operation detection process for detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and a recording process process for starting a process for recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body, wherein the recording process process is configured so that if an impact of a predetermined value or more is detected after the process is started, the sound information corresponding to a period related to the impact of the predetermined value or more is left on the recording medium together with the video information, and if the predetermined operation is detected after the process is started, the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation is left on the recording medium together with the video information.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 5 causes a computer to function as a video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on images taken by a camera inside a moving body, a sound information acquisition means for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone inside the moving body, an impact detection means for detecting an impact of a predetermined value or greater that has occurred on the moving body, an operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by the user, and a recording processing means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body, and causes the computer functioning as the recording processing means to, when an impact of a predetermined value or greater is detected, leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the impact of the predetermined value or greater on the recording medium together with the video information, and, when the predetermined operation is detected, leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the predetermined operation on the recording medium together with the video information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the appearance of a drive recorder according to an embodiment, in which (a) is an external perspective view of a rearview mirror to which the drive recorder is attached, (b) is an external perspective view of the drive recorder viewed from an oblique front side, (c) is an external perspective view of the drive recorder viewed from an oblique rear side, and (d) is an external perspective view showing the state after the drive recorder has been attached to the rearview mirror. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the installation state of a drive recorder according to an embodiment, in which (a) is an external perspective view of the drive recorder before it is attached to the rearview mirror, seen from an oblique angle from the rear; (b) is an external perspective view of the state of each part of the drive recorder when it is attached to the rearview mirror, seen from an oblique angle from the rear; and (c) is an external perspective view showing the state of the drive recorder after it has been attached to the rearview mirror. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the drive recorder according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a recording process in the drive recorder according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of recording patterns as a result of executing a recording process in the drive recorder according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a recording system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the information recording device S according to the embodiment is configured to include a first acquisition means 1 connected to an imaging means C and a sound collection means MC provided on a moving body, a second acquisition means 2, and a recording control means 3 connected to a recording means R.

[0013] In this configuration, the first acquisition means 1 acquires video information and sound information from the imaging means C and sound collection means MC, and the second acquisition means 2 acquires event information indicating that an event has occurred in the moving object.

[0014] As a result, the recording control means 3 records the video information and sound information acquired from the imaging means C and sound collection means MC, respectively, and then leaves a portion of the recorded sound information in the recording means R, which includes at least related sound information, which is sound information recorded in relation to the event information acquired by the second acquisition means 2.

[0015] As described above, according to the operation of the information recording operating device S of the embodiment, after recording the video information and sound information from the imaging means C and the sound collection means MC, respectively, a portion of the recorded sound information, including at least related sound information related to the event information, is left in the recording means R. Therefore, it is possible to record the desired video information and sound information, and to leave the necessary related sound information in the recording means R while taking into consideration the protection of privacy. [Example]

[0016] Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The examples described below are examples in which the embodiments are applied to the recording process of video data, etc. in a drive recorder that is attached to an interior rearview mirror of a vehicle, which is an example of a moving body, and also serves as an interior rearview mirror. In the following description, the interior rearview mirror will be simply referred to as a "room mirror."

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a drive recorder according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an installation state of the drive recorder, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the drive recorder according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process in the drive recorder according to an embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording mode as a result of executing the recording process. In Fig. 5, the same component numbers as those of the information recording device S according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are used for components of the embodiment corresponding to the components of the information recording device S.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment is a drive recorder that is attached to a rearview mirror RM, the exterior of which is illustrated in FIG. 2(a). The drive recorder DR according to the embodiment has, on its front surface, a mirror surface ML that includes, as a part thereof, an operation unit TP such as a touch panel and a display unit DP capable of displaying various information, as shown in FIG. 2(b). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the drive recorder DR includes two fixed arms FH and two movable arms MH for attaching the drive recorder DR to the rearview mirror RM by placing it over the mirror surface of the rearview mirror RM, as well as a wide-angle camera C and a microphone MC built into the main body of the drive recorder DR. The camera C corresponds to an example of an imaging unit C according to the embodiment, and the microphone MC corresponds to an example of a sound collection unit MC according to the embodiment. In the above configuration, each movable arm MH is biased downward in FIG. 2 by a spring or the like (not shown). When the entire drive recorder DR is pulled downward with the lower surface of the eaves portion at the upper end of the movable arm MH hooked onto the upper edge (outside of the upper end) of the mirror surface of the rearview mirror RM, each movable arm MH moves upward in FIG. 2. In this state, the entire drive recorder DR is rotated downward to fit the upper surface of the eaves portion of each fixed arm FH into the lower edge (outside of the lower end) of the rearview mirror RM, thereby attaching the drive recorder DR to the rearview mirror RM, as shown in FIG. 2(d). This attachment operation is performed manually by a user such as a driver. The attachment operation to the rearview mirror RM will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 3. Before attachment to the rearview mirror RM, as shown in FIG. 3(a), each movable arm MH is biased downward and in its initial position. As described above, when the entire drive recorder DR is pulled downward with the lower surface of the eaves portion at the upper end of the movable arm MH hooked onto the upper edge of the mirror surface of the rearview mirror RM, each movable arm MH moves upward in FIG. 3(b). In this state, the entire drive recorder DR is rotated downward and the upper surfaces of the visors of the fixed arms FH are fitted into the lower side of the rearview mirror RM, thereby attaching the drive recorder DR to the rearview mirror RM as shown in FIG. 3(c).

[0019] Next, a detailed configuration of the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment and a recording process according to the embodiment executed by the drive recorder DR will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment is configured with, in addition to the camera C, microphone MC, display unit DP, and operation unit TP described above, a control unit 1 including a CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., a measurement unit 11, an event detection unit 12, a recording unit R, and a power supply unit (not shown). In this case, the control unit 1 corresponds to an example of the first acquisition unit 1, second acquisition unit 2, and recording control unit 3 according to the embodiment, respectively, and the recording unit R corresponds to an example of the recording unit R according to the embodiment. As indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 4, the control unit 1 configures an example of an information recording device S according to the embodiment.

[0021] In the above configuration, the operation unit TP is configured with a touch panel or the like on the front (front face) of the drive recorder DR as described above, accepts operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 1. The display unit DP, under the control of the control unit 1, displays information to be presented to the user as a function of the drive recorder DR, for example, using images or icons. The measurement unit 11 then detects the current position, speed, and traveling direction of the vehicle in which the drive recorder DR is installed, for example, using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or autonomously, and outputs each detection result to the control unit 1. The microphone MC, under the control of the control unit 1, collects, for example, sounds or voices inside the vehicle in which the drive recorder DR is installed, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 1. The microphone MC may also be capable of collecting sounds or voices outside the vehicle. Meanwhile, the event detection unit 12 uses an acceleration sensor (not shown) to detect the occurrence and state of events such as an impact of a preset value or more on the drive recorder DR (and thus the vehicle to which it is attached), sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, or sudden steering of the vehicle, and outputs the detection results to the control unit. Finally, the recording unit R is configured with a non-volatile memory, such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). In addition to controlling the operation of the drive recorder DR described above, the control unit 1 executes a recording process according to an embodiment described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and controls the recording of video data captured by the camera C and audio data collected by the microphone MC to the recording unit R when any of the events is detected by the event detection unit 12. The captured image data and the like recorded in the recording unit R are used, for example, for post-accident investigations and the like.

[0022] Next, the recording process according to the embodiment, which is executed in the drive recorder DR having the above-described configuration, will be summarized with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

[0023] The recording process according to the embodiment starts when the drive recorder DR is attached to the rearview mirror RM in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive recorder's power switch (not shown) is turned on, and power is supplied from the power supply unit. Instead of providing a power switch and power supply unit for the drive recorder DR itself, the recording process according to the embodiment may be started by turning on an ACC (Accessory) switch of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached and starting power supply from the vehicle's battery or the like. As shown in Figure 5, when the recording process according to the embodiment starts, the control unit 1 acquires video data and audio data continuously output from the camera C and microphone MC, respectively (step S1). In parallel with the process of step S1, the control unit 1 also turns on an acceleration sensor (not shown) in the event detection unit 12. The control unit 1 then starts counting a preset recording time, using a timer (not shown), corresponding to one file, which is the unit of recording management (i.e., recording unit) for recording the continuously acquired video data and audio data in chronological order on the recording unit R. The control unit 1 then defines the name of the file containing the video data and audio data acquired at that time (see step S1) and starts recording the video data and audio data on the recording unit R (step S2). In the following description, the preset recording time corresponding to one file is referred to as the "file recording time." An example of this file recording time is one minute. In step S2, the control unit 1 also records information such as the time, the position of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, the driving speed, and the direction of travel of the vehicle, along with the video data and audio data, in the recording unit R, corresponding to the time.

[0024] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether the occurrence of an event has been detected by the event detection unit 12 (step S3). If the occurrence of any event has not been detected in the determination of step S3 (step S3: NO), the control unit 1 proceeds to the determination of step S5, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the occurrence of any event has been detected in the determination of step S3 (step S3: YES), the control unit 1 next acquires event information corresponding to the detected event from the event detection unit 12, associates it with the video data and the audio data recorded at the time of the event, and records it in the recording unit R in parallel with the video data and the audio data (step S4). At this time, the event information includes type information indicating the type of the event (i.e., one of the impact, sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, and abrupt steering), time information indicating the time the event occurred, and acceleration information indicating the magnitude and direction of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor as the event.

[0025] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether the ACC switch has been turned off (step S5). If the determination in step S5 is that the ACC switch is turned off (step S5: YES), the control unit 1 then determines whether the occurrence of the event was detected between the start of timing in step S2 and the turning off of the ACC switch (step S12). If the determination in step S12 is that an event occurred between the start of timing in step S2 and the turning off of the ACC switch (step S12: YES), the control unit 1 generates a file by pairing the video data and audio data recorded before the ACC switch was turned off, regardless of whether the file recording time has elapsed at that point, and records the file name indicating the file (see step S2 above) and the event information corresponding to the event that occurred (see step S4 above) in the recording unit R (step S14). Then, the control unit 1 performs an off process preset in the recording process according to the embodiment, and integrates the video data and audio data for each file recorded up to that point into a single file for each of the video data and audio data (step S15). Thereafter, the control unit 1 ends the recording process according to the embodiment.

[0026] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that no event has occurred until the ACC switch is turned off (step S12: NO), the control unit 1 erases from the recording unit R (step S13) the audio data that was recorded from the start of counting the file recording time (see step S2) until the ACC switch was turned off. Thereafter, the control unit 1 proceeds to step S14, and executes the above-mentioned processing using the video data and the like other than the erased audio data.

[0027] On the other hand, if the ACC switch is not turned off in the determination in step S5 (step S5: NO), the control unit 1 then determines whether or not the file recording time has elapsed since the start of clocking in step S2 (step S6).If the file recording time has not elapsed in the determination in step S6 (step S6: NO), the control unit 1 returns to step S3 and repeats the processes of steps S3 to S5 described above.

[0028] Next, if it is determined in step S6 that the file recording time has elapsed (step S6: YES), the control unit 1 generates a file by pairing the video data and audio data recorded during that file recording time.The control unit 1 then records the generated file in the recording unit R together with a file name indicating the file (see step S2 above) and, only if the determination in step S3 is "YES," the event information corresponding to the event that occurred (see step S4 above) (step S7).

[0029] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether any event occurred during the file recording time determined to have elapsed in step S6 (step S8). If any event occurred in the determination in step S8 (step S8: YES), the control unit 1 sets (for example, sets a flag indicating that the audio data included in the first file recorded after step S7 (i.e., the file recorded immediately after) will not be erased (step S10). Thereafter, the control unit 1 returns to step S2 and performs recording processing of video data, etc. corresponding to the next file recording time.

[0030] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that no event has occurred (step S8: NO), the control unit 1 then determines whether or not there is a file recorded immediately before the latest file recorded in step S7 (step S9). In the following description, the file recorded immediately before the latest file recorded in step S7 will be referred to as the "immediately preceding file." If it is determined in step S9 that there is an immediately preceding file (step S9: YES), the control unit 1 erases from the recording unit R the audio data that was recorded together with the corresponding video data in the immediately preceding file (step S11). Thereafter, the control unit 1 returns to step S2 and performs recording processing of video data, etc. corresponding to the next file recording time. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that there is no immediately preceding file (step S9: NO), the file recorded in the immediately preceding step S7 is the first file since the start of acquisition of video data, etc. (see step S1 above). Therefore, the control unit 1 returns to step S2 and performs recording processing of video data, etc. corresponding to the next file recording time.

[0031] Next, the recording mode of each file etc. obtained as a result of executing the recording process according to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that Fig. 6 illustrates a case where the file recording time according to the embodiment is 1 minute (60 seconds), the vehicle is started at 10:01:00 AM, and the vehicle is stopped at 10:05:30 AM. In Fig. 6, the range of video data and audio data corresponding to one file is indicated by a dashed line.

[0032] In the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment, when the power switch is turned on or the ACC switch is turned on as described above, the video data and audio data acquired from the camera C and microphone MC, as well as information such as the time, the position of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, the driving speed, and the traveling direction are recorded in the recording unit R in correspondence with the time (i.e., synchronized in real time) (see step S2 in FIG. 5). At this time, the video data, audio data, and the like are recorded as separate files each time the file recording time elapses (see steps S7 and S14 in FIG. 5). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the file names of the files corresponding to one minute of file recording time are "201610191001" → "201610191002" → "201610191003" ..., with the intention of indicating the start timing of the measurement of the corresponding file recording time (see the upper diagram in FIG. 6). The video data included in each file is designated as video data VD1, etc., and the audio data is designated as audio data AD2, etc.

[0033] For example, if no events are detected by the event detection unit 12 before recording of a file with the file name "201610191002" (including video data VD2 and audio data AD2) into the recording unit R is completed (see step S8: NO in Figure 5), after recording of the file with the file name "201610191002" is completed (see step S7 in Figure 7), the audio data contained in the file with the file name "201610191001", which is the file immediately before it (see step S11 in Figure 5).

[0034] Furthermore, for example, if any event is detected by the event detection unit 12 before the recording of a file (including video data VD3 and audio data AD3) with a file name of "201610191003" into the recording unit R is completed (see step S3: YES in FIG. 5), an index or the like indicating the type of the event that occurred is added to the image data VD3, etc. that is being recorded and included in the file "201610191003" at the timing when the occurrence of the event is detected (10:03:20 AM in the example shown in FIG. 6). The event information is recorded in the recording unit R (see step S4 in Figure 5), and control is performed so that the corresponding audio data AD2, audio data AD3, and audio data AD4 are not erased from the file with the file name "201610191003" corresponding to the timing at which the occurrence of the event was detected, and from the file with the file name "201610191004" and the file with the file name "201610191002" that are recorded (recorded) in the recording unit R before and after that (see step S9: NO and step S10 in Figure 5).

[0035] On the other hand, if the power supply to the drive recorder DR is stopped before the recording of a file with the file name "201610191005" is completed in the recording unit R (see step S5: YES in FIG. 5), the recording in the recording unit R is stopped at that timing. However, if no event is detected during the recording of the file before the recording is stopped (see step S12: NO in FIG. 5), the audio data included in the file name "201610191005" is erased (step S13 in FIG. 5). Then, together with the subsequent power-off process, the video data VD2, etc. and audio data AD2, etc., for each file recorded up to that point are integrated into one piece of video data VDa and audio data ADa (see the downward white arrow in FIG. 6), and the video data VDa and audio data ADa are recorded in the recording unit R as one file (see the lower diagram in FIG. 6 and step S15 in FIG. 5). In this case, the new file name after the integration will be, for example, "201610191001-201610191005", as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6.

[0036] As described above, according to the recording process of the embodiment, after recording the video data and audio data from the camera C and microphone MC, a portion of the recorded audio data, including at least audio data related to the event, is left in the recording unit R. This makes it possible to record desired video data and audio data, and to leave necessary audio data in the recording unit R while paying attention to protecting privacy. In this case, it may be configured so that only audio data related to the event is left in the recording unit R to further ensure privacy protection.

[0037] Furthermore, the audio data related to an event is considered to be audio data equivalent to the sound collected within a predetermined time period including the time the event occurred (in the example shown in Figure 6, this is three minutes including the files before and after), so it is possible to ensure that the audio data necessary in relation to the event that occurred is saved.

[0038] Furthermore, when recording video data and audio data, the consecutive video data and audio data are recorded separately in files that follow the chronological order of the recording (see Figure 6), so that the necessary video data and audio data can be reliably recorded.

[0039] Furthermore, multiple files containing audio data related to an event are integrated, and the audio data corresponding to the integrated files is stored in the recording unit R (see the lower diagram of Figure 6), thereby simplifying the recording management configuration while ensuring that the necessary audio data is stored in the recording unit R.

[0040] The recording unit R according to the embodiment may be built into the drive recorder DR as described above, or may be configured to be removable from the drive recorder DR as a card-type recording medium, for example.

[0041] [Variations] Next, a modified example corresponding to the embodiment described above will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a recording system according to the modified example. In Fig. 7, the same component numbers as those in the information recording device S according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are used for the components of the example corresponding to the components in the information recording device S.

[0042] In the above-described example, a case has been described in which the drive recorder DR relating to the information recording device S of the embodiment is installed inside a vehicle, but the information recording device S of the embodiment can also be applied to a recording system in which a vehicle and a fixedly installed server device are connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0043] That is, as shown in Figure 7, the recording system SS according to the modified example is configured by wirelessly connecting a drive recorder DR1 according to the modified example attached to a vehicle and a fixedly installed server device SV via a network NW such as the Internet.

[0044] The drive recorder DR1 is configured with a measuring unit 11, an event detection unit 12, a camera C, a microphone MC, an operation unit TP, and a display unit DP similar to those of the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment, as well as a transmitting unit 20 and a control unit 21 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. On the other hand, the server device SV is configured with a recording unit R similar to the recording unit R according to the embodiment, a map database 20 including an SSD or HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or the like and storing map data, a display unit 21 including an LCD display or the like, a receiving unit 22, and a control unit 1 similar to the control unit 1 according to the embodiment. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 7, the control unit 1 of the server device SV constitutes an example of an information recording device S according to the embodiment.

[0045] In the above configuration, when the power switch or the ACC switch is turned on, the control unit 21 of the drive recorder DR1 according to the modified example transmits the video data and audio data acquired from the camera C and microphone MC, the time, the position of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR1 is attached, the traveling speed, the traveling direction, and other information in real time to the server device SV via the transmission unit 20 and the network NW. Furthermore, when the event detection unit 12 detects an event, the control unit 21 transmits an index indicating the type of the event that has occurred as the event information to the server device SV via the transmission unit 20 and the network NW.

[0046] Meanwhile, the control unit 1 of the server device SV receives, via the network NW and the receiving unit 22, information such as the vehicle's location, which is sequentially transmitted from the drive recorder DR1 attached to the vehicle, and the event information, which is transmitted when an event occurs. Based on the received information such as the location and the event information, the control unit 1 then executes a recording process similar to the recording process according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, and records each file in the recording unit R. The control unit 1 then reads map data corresponding to the location indicated by the received location information from the map database 20 and controls the data to be recorded in the recording unit R in association with the file to be recorded. As a result, the recording unit R of the server device SV records the integrated video data VDa and audio data ADa for each drive recorder DR1 (i.e., for each vehicle) in the recording format described with reference to FIG. 6. The recorded video data VDa, audio data ADa, etc. are then used for processing, such as displaying on the display unit 21.

[0047] As described above, according to the recording process of the modified example, in addition to the effects of the recording process of the embodiment, in addition to the audio data related to the event, video data corresponding to the audio data is stored in the recording unit R of the server device SV, and since the recording unit R is provided outside the vehicle, for example, even if an accident or the like occurs in the vehicle itself, the desired video data VDa and audio data ADa can be recorded and stored in the recording unit R.

[0048] In addition, the server device SV including the recording unit R is fixedly installed outside the vehicle, and acquires (receives) the video data, audio data, and event information from the vehicle, so that the desired video data VDa and related audio data ADa in relation to the event information can be reliably recorded and preserved.

[0049] As another variation, for example, after recording the video data and audio data acquired from the camera C and microphone MC, respectively, on a recording unit R built into the drive recorder DR, a portion of the audio data recorded on the recording unit R, including audio data related to an event, or only the audio data related to the event, may be copied or moved from the recording unit R to another recording medium, such as a card-type recording medium. In this case, all of the video data recorded on the recording unit R may be copied or moved to the other recording medium. In the above-described variation, the recording unit R corresponds to an example of a "second recording means" according to the present application, and the other recording medium corresponds to an example of the recording means R according to the embodiment. In these cases, for example, by making the other recording medium removable from the drive recorder DR, the desired video data VDa and audio data ADa related to the event can be utilized in, for example, an external device.

[0050] In addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment may be used so that the user can intentionally record and save the audio for the purpose of so-called "voice memos" etc. In this case, it is preferable that the drive recorder DR be configured so that, when the user performs a predetermined operation such as pressing a recording button (not shown) provided at an arbitrary position visible from the outside of the housing of the drive recorder DR (for example, a position beside the camera C), the audio within a preset recording time (for example, 30 seconds) from the operation is saved without being deleted from the recording unit R.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described example, the embodiment is applied to a case where the drive recorder DR is attached to the mirror surface of the rearview mirror RM, but the embodiment can also be applied to a case where the drive recorder DR is attached to, for example, a dashboard and the drive recorder DR records necessary video data VDa, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 can be recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk, or obtained via a network such as the Internet, and then read and executed by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like, thereby causing the microcomputer or the like to function as the control unit 1 according to the embodiment or modified example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 First acquisition means (control unit) 2 Second acquisition method 3 Recording control means 12 Event detection unit C. Imaging means (camera) MC Sound collection means (microphone) R Recording means (recording unit) S Information recording device SS Recording System SV server device DR, DR1 Drive Recorder VD1, VD2, VD3, VD4, VD5, VDa video data AD2, AD3, AD4, ADa audio data

Claims

[Claim 1] a first acquisition means for acquiring video information and sound information from an imaging means and a sound collection means provided in the moving object; a second acquisition means for acquiring event information indicating that an event has occurred in the moving object; a recording control means for recording the acquired video information and sound information, and then leaving a part of the recorded sound information, including at least related sound information, which is the sound information recorded in relation to the event information, in a recording means; An information recording device comprising:

Images