Vehicle recording control device, vehicle recording device, and recording and control method

The detachable vehicle recording device links image capture with vehicle identification, addressing the need for multi-vehicle use by enabling clear recording and simplified attachment.

JP2025185857APending Publication Date: 2025-12-23JVC KENWOOD CORP
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024094309
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-11
Publication Date
2025-12-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle recording devices are not designed to be detachable and require one device per vehicle, leading to a heavy burden on users, and there is a need for a device that can record video clearly identifying the vehicle it was taken from.

Method used

A vehicle recording device with a detachable design that includes an image acquisition unit, identification information acquisition unit, and recording control unit to link images with vehicle identification information, using a power receiving unit and bracket for attachment to multiple vehicles.

Benefits of technology

Enables clear recording of video with associated vehicle identification, allowing the device to be used across multiple vehicles without the need for individual installations and simplifying attachment and power supply.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025185857000001_ABST
    Figure 2025185857000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To ensure proper recording of an image.SOLUTION: A vehicle recording control device 100 includes: an image acquisition unit 120 that acquires images obtained by imaging surroundings of a vehicle by an exterior camera 211; an identification information acquisition unit 121 that acquires identification information for identifying the vehicle; and a recording control unit 123 that records the images acquired by the image acquisition unit 120 by associating them with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition Unit 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted recording control device, a vehicle-mounted recording device, and a recording control method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when using a company car rented for personal use, an information processing device is known that changes the usage settings of options installed in the vehicle depending on the purpose of use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-189491 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] So-called drive recorders (vehicle recording devices) are fixed to the vehicle and are not intended to be detachable. This means that one vehicle recording device is required for each vehicle, which places a heavy burden on the user. Therefore, a vehicle recording device that is intended for use in multiple vehicles is desired. However, a vehicle recording device intended for use in multiple vehicles needs to record video appropriately so that it is clear which vehicle the video was taken and recorded in by the camera.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to appropriately record video. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the vehicle recording control device of the present disclosure includes an image acquisition unit that acquires imagery of the area around the vehicle captured by an exterior image capture unit, an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information that identifies the vehicle, and a recording control unit that links the image acquired by the image acquisition unit to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and records it.

[0007] The vehicle recording device according to the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned vehicle recording control device, an exterior imaging unit that captures images of the area around the vehicle, a recording unit that records the images captured by the exterior imaging unit, a power receiving unit that receives power supplied from the vehicle, and a bracket that can be attached and detached to the vehicle.

[0008] The recording control method of the present disclosure includes an image acquisition step of acquiring imagery captured by an exterior imaging unit around the vehicle, an identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information that identifies the vehicle, and a recording control step of linking the image acquired by the image acquisition step to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition step and recording the image, and is executed by a vehicle recording control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an effect is achieved in that video can be appropriately recorded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a vehicle-mounted recording device is attached to a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a recording device for a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle recording device having a vehicle recording control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle recording control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle recording control device, a vehicle recording device, and a recording control method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0012] [Embodiment] <Vehicle Recording Device> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a vehicle recording device is attached to a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle recording device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle recording device having a vehicle recording control device according to an embodiment. The vehicle recording device 10 is a so-called drive recorder that is expected to be used in multiple vehicles. The vehicle recording device 10 is detachable from the vehicle and can be attached to multiple vehicles. "Detachable" means that the user can easily attach and detach it themselves without having to manage vehicle wiring.

[0013] The vehicle recording device 10 is detachably attached to the vehicle, for example, via a magnet or adhesive tape. In this embodiment, the vehicle recording device 10 is attached to the windshield S. There are no limitations on the method for detachably attaching the vehicle recording device 10 to the vehicle.

[0014] A power supply unit P that supplies power to the vehicle recording device 10 is arranged in the vehicle. The power supply unit P is arranged on a windshield S that is suitable for mounting the vehicle recording device 10. The power supply unit P can supply power to the power receiving unit 250 of the vehicle recording device 10. The power supply unit P is, for example, a wireless power feeder or a power supply terminal. The power supply unit P may supply power to the power receiving unit 250 of the vehicle recording device 10 using any method as long as it can supply power to the power receiving unit 250 of the vehicle recording device 10.

[0015] The vehicle recording device 10 is a so-called drive recorder, and may be a device installed in a vehicle or may be a portable device that can be used in a vehicle. The vehicle recording device 10 includes a main body 11, a bracket 12, and a connection wire 14 that electrically connects the main body 11 and the bracket 12. The connection wire 14 may be connected to the main body 11 through the inside of the bracket 12. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 is fixed to the windshield S via the bracket 12.

[0016] The vehicle recording device 10 has an exterior camera (exterior imaging unit) 211, a reading camera 212, a recording unit 220, an operation unit 230, a display unit 240, a power receiving unit 250, a battery 251, and a vehicle recording control device 100. The exterior camera 211, the recording unit 220, the operation unit 230, the display unit 240, the battery 251, and the vehicle recording control device 100 are arranged in a main body 11. The reading camera 212 and the power receiving unit 250 are arranged on a bracket 12.

[0017] The exterior camera 211 is a camera that captures images of the area around the vehicle. The exterior camera 211 is located in the main body 11 of the vehicle recording device 10. The exterior camera 211 is located, for example, at the front of the vehicle interior. The exterior camera 211 constantly captures images from the time the engine starts until it stops, that is, while the vehicle is operating. The exterior camera 211 outputs the captured images to the image acquisition unit 120 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

[0018] The reading camera 212 is a camera that reads the two-dimensional code Q placed on the windshield S of the vehicle. The reading camera 212 is placed on the bracket 12 of the vehicle recording device 10. The reading camera 212 captures images manually when the vehicle recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle. The reading camera 212 outputs the captured images to the image acquisition unit 120 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

[0019] The recording unit 220 is used for temporary storage of data in the vehicle recording device 10. The recording unit 220 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a recording unit such as a memory card. Alternatively, the recording unit 220 may be an external recording unit wirelessly connected via a communication device (not shown). The recording unit 220 records video based on a control signal output from the recording control unit 123 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

[0020] The operation unit 230 can accept various operations for the vehicular recording device 10. For example, the operation unit 230 can accept an operation to manually save captured video in the recording unit 220. For example, the operation unit 230 can accept an operation to play back video recorded in the recording unit 220. For example, the operation unit 230 can accept an operation to end so-called loop recording. The operation unit 230 outputs operation information to the operation control unit 125 of the vehicular recording control device 100.

[0021] The display unit 240 is, for example, a display device specific to the vehicle recording device 10, or a display device shared with other systems including a navigation system. The display unit 240 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 240 displays video based on a video signal output from the display control unit 126 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The display unit 240 displays video captured by the outside camera 211, video captured by the reader camera 212, video recorded in the recording unit 220, etc.

[0022] The power receiving unit 250 receives power supplied from a power supply unit P arranged in the vehicle. The power receiving unit 250 is, for example, a non-contact type power receiving unit or a contact type terminal type power receiving unit. The power receiving unit 250 is controlled by the power supply control unit 129 of the vehicular recording control device 100.

[0023] The battery 251 supplies power for operating the vehicular recording device 10 under the control of the power supply control unit 129. The battery 251 is connected to the power receiving unit 250 via the power supply control unit 129. The battery 251 is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The battery 251 is, for example, a lithium ion rechargeable battery, a lithium polymer rechargeable battery, or a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery. Under the control of the power supply control unit 129, the battery 251 is charged with power from the vehicle that is received by the power receiving unit 250.

[0024] <Vehicle recording control device> The vehicular recording control device 100 is an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The vehicular recording control device 100 loads stored programs into memory and executes the instructions contained in the programs. The vehicular recording control device 100 includes an internal memory (not shown) that is used for temporary storage of data in the vehicular recording control device 100. The vehicular recording control device 100 includes a video acquisition unit 120, an identification information acquisition unit 121, a recording control unit 123, a playback control unit 124, an operation control unit 125, a display control unit 126, a setting processing unit 128, and a power control unit 129, all of which are connected to a bus 100X.

[0025] The image acquisition unit 120 acquires an image of the surroundings of the vehicle. More specifically, the image acquisition unit 120 acquires an image output by the outside camera 211.

[0026] The identification information acquisition unit 121 acquires identification information that identifies the vehicle. For example, the identification information acquisition unit 121 may read a two-dimensional code Q from an image acquired by the image acquisition unit 120 from the reading camera 212, and acquire the included identification information. For example, the identification information acquisition unit 121 may acquire the identification information read from an IC chip arranged around the windshield S of the vehicle. For example, the identification information acquisition unit 121 may acquire the identification information included in the power information acquired by the power receiving unit 250 from the power supply unit P.

[0027] The identification information is information that can uniquely identify a vehicle, such as an identification number that identifies the vehicle. The identification information may include, for example, information indicating at least one of the vehicle model and the shape and size of the windshield S. The identification information may also include field-of-view information that indicates an appropriate field-of-view for the image captured by the exterior camera 211.

[0028] The recording control unit 123 controls the recording unit 220 to record the video acquired by the video acquisition unit 120. The recording control unit 123 records overwritable video in the recording unit 220 while a so-called loop recording process is being performed, such as when the vehicle's accessory power is ON. More specifically, the recording control unit 123 continues to record filed video in the recording unit 220 every few tens of seconds while the loop recording process is being performed, and when the capacity of the recording unit 220 becomes full, it overwrites the oldest video with new video.

[0029] The recording control unit 123 links the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 121 to the video acquired by the video acquisition unit 120 and records the linked video in the recording unit 220. The recording control unit 123 may record the video linked with the identification information for each file in the recording unit 220. The recording control unit 123 may record the video linked with the identification information for each frame in the recording unit 220.

[0030] The playback control unit 124 plays back the selected video. The playback control unit 124 controls the playback of the video recorded in the recording unit 220 based on the control signals of the selection operation and playback operation output from the operation control unit 125.

[0031] The operation control unit 125 acquires operation information of an operation accepted by the operation unit 230. For example, the operation control unit 125 acquires save operation information indicating a manual save operation of a video, selection operation information indicating a video selection operation, or playback operation information indicating a video playback operation, and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation control unit 125 acquires end operation information indicating an operation to end loop recording, and outputs a control signal.

[0032] The display control unit 126 controls the display of the video on the display unit 240. The display control unit 126 outputs a video signal that causes the video to be output to the display unit 240. More specifically, the display control unit 126 causes the display unit 240 to display the video captured by the outside camera 211, the video captured by the reading camera 212, or the video recorded in the recording unit 220 that has been played back by the playback control unit 124.

[0033] The setting processing unit 128 performs various setting processes before starting to capture and record video around the vehicle by the vehicular recording device 10. More specifically, the setting processing unit 128 performs various setting processes when the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, or before starting to capture and record video around the vehicle after the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle.

[0034] When the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 may perform a positioning process for the vehicular recording device 10. The setting processing unit 128 superimposes the image captured by the reading camera 212 and a guide image indicating the position where the two-dimensional code Q will be displayed when the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to an appropriate position on the display unit 240. The user adjusts the attachment position of the vehicular recording device 10 so that the position of the image of the two-dimensional code Q captured by the reading camera 212 matches the guide image on the display unit 240.

[0035] When the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 may perform processing to adjust the attachment angle of the vehicular recording device 10. The setting processing unit 128 may output a warning sound when it determines that the attachment angle is deviated from the appropriate angle based on sensor data from a gyro sensor (not shown) of the vehicular recording device 10. The user adjusts the attachment angle of the vehicular recording device 10 so that the warning sound is no longer output.

[0036] After the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 may, for example, perform a process of adjusting the angle of view of the image captured by the exterior camera 211 according to the vehicle to which the vehicular recording device 10 is attached. The setting processing unit 128 may, for example, adjust the angle of view captured by the exterior camera 211 to an appropriate angle of view based on the angle of view information included in the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 121.

[0037] After the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 may, for example, compare a reference image captured by the outside camera 211 when the vehicular recording device 10 was last started up in the same vehicle with an image captured by the outside camera 211 when the vehicular recording device 10 was currently started up, and adjust the deviation of the angle of view when the outside camera 211 captures an image. The reference image is stored in a storage unit (not shown) every time the vehicular recording device 10 is started up.

[0038] The start-up time refers to the period from when the vehicle recording device 10 is started to when it is stopped, and the start-up time refers to the period from when the vehicle recording device 10 starts to when it finishes photographing and recording.

[0039] Power supply control unit 129 controls the reception of power from power supply unit P arranged in the vehicle by power receiving unit 250. Power supply control unit 129 charges battery 251 with the power received by power receiving unit 250.

[0040] <Method of using a vehicle recording device (recording control method)> Next, the flow of recording processing in the vehicle recording control device 100 will be described using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle recording control device according to the embodiment. When the vehicle recording device 10 is attached to the windshield S of the vehicle, if a user's operation to start initial setup is accepted, the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 4 is executed. When the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 4 starts, imaging by the reading camera 212 begins. The user aligns the vehicle recording device 10 with a position where the two-dimensional code Q on the vehicle windshield S can be read, in other words, with the attachment position.

[0041] The vehicle record control device 100 acquires identification information (step S101). More specifically, the vehicle record control device 100 acquires the video captured by the reader camera 212 using the video acquisition unit 120. The vehicle record control device 100 then reads the two-dimensional code Q from the video acquired by the video acquisition unit 120 from the reader camera 212 using the identification information acquisition unit 121, and acquires the included identification information. The vehicle record control device 100 proceeds to step S102.

[0042] The vehicular recording control device 100 executes a setting process (step S102). More specifically, the vehicular recording control device 100 executes various setting processes using the setting processing unit 128. The vehicular recording control device 100 proceeds to step S103.

[0043] When the vehicle recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the vehicle recording control device 100 causes the setting processing unit 128 to superimpose the image captured by the reading camera 212 and a guide image indicating the position where the two-dimensional code Q will be displayed when the vehicle recording device 10 is attached in an appropriate position on the display unit 240. The user adjusts the attachment position of the vehicle recording device 10 so that the position of the image of the two-dimensional code Q captured by the reading camera 212 aligns with the guide image on the display unit 240.

[0044] When the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the vehicular recording control device 100 outputs a warning sound from a speaker (not shown) if it determines that the attachment angle is deviated from the appropriate angle based on sensor data from the gyro sensor of the vehicular recording device 10 using the setting processor 128. The user adjusts the attachment angle of the vehicular recording device 10 so that the warning sound is no longer output.

[0045] After the vehicle recording device 10 is installed in the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 of the vehicle recording control device 100 adjusts the angle of view captured by the exterior camera 211 to an appropriate angle of view based on the angle of view information contained in the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 121.

[0046] After the vehicle recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle, the setting processing unit 128 of the vehicle recording control device 100 compares the reference image captured by the outside-vehicle camera 211 when the vehicle recording device 10 was last started up in the same vehicle with the image captured by the outside-vehicle camera 211 after the current start-up, and adjusts the deviation in the angle of view when the outside-vehicle camera 211 captures the image.

[0047] The vehicle recording control device 100 starts the image capturing and recording process (step S103). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 acquires the video captured by the exterior camera 211 using the video acquisition unit 120. The vehicle recording control device 100 then causes the recording control unit 123 to associate the video acquired by the video acquisition unit 120 with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 121 and record the associated video in the recording unit 220.

[0048] <Effects> As described above, in this embodiment, the video captured by the outside-vehicle camera 211 can be recorded in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 121. According to this embodiment, when the vehicular recording device 10 is used in multiple vehicles, it is possible to appropriately record which vehicle captured the captured video.

[0049] In this embodiment, a reference image captured at the previous startup of the same vehicle is compared with an image captured at the current startup, and a deviation in the angle of view when capturing images by the exterior camera 211 can be adjusted. This embodiment saves the user the trouble of adjusting the angle of view every time the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle.

[0050] In this embodiment, the angle of view of the video captured by the outside vehicle camera 211 can be adjusted based on the angle of view information included in the identification information. This embodiment can reduce the time and effort required for the user to adjust the angle of view every time the vehicular recording device 10 is attached to the vehicle.

[0051] In this embodiment, the identification information can be obtained from the two-dimensional code Q placed on the vehicle. According to this embodiment, the identification information can be obtained with a simple configuration.

[0052] In this embodiment, the vehicle recording device 10 is mounted so that the power receiving unit 250 can receive power from the vehicle power supply unit P, thereby limiting the mounting position of the vehicle recording device 10. This embodiment reduces the need for the user to adjust the mounting position.

[0053] The vehicle recording device according to the present disclosure has been described above, but the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms other than the above-described embodiment.

[0054] The components of the illustrated vehicle recording device are conceptual and functionally conceptual, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the drawings. In other words, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the devices may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0055] The configuration of the vehicle recording device is realized, for example, as software, by a program loaded into a memory. In the above embodiment, the functional blocks are described as being realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0056] The above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the above-described configurations can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0057] In the above description, the vehicle recording device 10 is described as being equipped with the reading camera 212, but the reading camera 212 is not an essential component. If the identification information is acquired from something other than the two-dimensional code Q, the reading camera 212 is not necessary. For example, a bracket with a power supply terminal may be provided on the vehicle side, and a power receiving terminal may be provided on the bracket 12 of the vehicle recording device 10, and the two brackets may be connected to connect the terminals and supply power. Furthermore, in this case, the identification information may be sent to the vehicle recording device 10 using a terminal other than the power supply terminal.

[0058] The present embodiment of acquiring identification information from a vehicle and recording the information associated with the information held by the on-board device can also be applied to on-board devices other than the vehicle recording device. In this case, the other on-board device is a device intended for use in multiple vehicles. For example, in an ETC on-board device, the vehicle identification information can be recorded associated with information recorded on the ETC card. For example, in an IC-type driver's license reader, the vehicle identification information can be recorded associated with driver information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Vehicle recording device 11 Main body 12 Bracket 14 connecting wires 100 Vehicle recording control device 100X Bus 120 Video acquisition unit 121 Identification information acquisition unit 123 Recording control section 124 Playback control section 125 Operation control section 126 Display control unit 128 Setting processing section 129 Power supply control unit 211 Outside camera (outside image capture unit) 212 Reading camera 220 Recording Department 230 Operation section 240 Display section 250 Power receiving unit P Power supply unit Q 2D code S Windshield

Claims

1. an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by an outside image capture unit; an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information that identifies a vehicle; a recording control unit that records the video acquired by the video acquisition unit in association with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit; A recording control device for a vehicle comprising:

2. the identification information includes field of view information indicating a field of view corresponding to the vehicle, a setting processing unit that adjusts the angle of view of the image captured by the vehicle outside image capturing unit based on the angle of view information; The recording control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. A recording control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2; an outside image capturing unit that captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle; a recording unit that records the video captured by the vehicle exterior imaging unit; a power receiving unit that receives power supplied from the vehicle; a bracket including the power receiving unit and detachable from the vehicle; A vehicle recording device comprising:

4. a reading camera that reads the two-dimensional code placed in the vehicle; Equipped with an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information from the two-dimensional code read by the reading camera; The recording device for a vehicle according to claim 3.

5. an image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by an outside image capturing unit; an identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information for identifying a vehicle; a recording control step of recording the video acquired in the video acquisition step in association with the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition step; A recording control method executed by a vehicle recording control device, comprising:

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Information processing device and method

    JP2021189491A