Systems and programs, etc.

Abstract

Take measures to prevent children from being left unattended in vehicles and to prevent heatstroke among children inside vehicles. [Solution] The drive recorder 10 is mounted in a predetermined position above the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1. A child seat 4 is installed in the rear seat 3 of the vehicle, and the drive recorder's camera captures the area including the child seat. When the ACC is OFF and the vehicle is in parking mode, the drive recorder's control unit analyzes the image captured by the camera to determine whether or not a child is present in the child seat. If a child is present, the drive recorder outputs an alarm or communicates the analysis results externally to notify the driver's smartphone or other device. This allows the driver to confirm the presence of a child when getting out of the vehicle, and also receives a notification if a child is left inside the vehicle, thus preventing the child from being forgotten and allowing the driver to return to the vehicle early, thus preventing heatstroke and other related incidents.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1 and the like, there is a drive recorder that suppresses the discharge of an in-vehicle battery and enhances the security function during parking. This Patent Document 1 discloses that even during parking, by continuing to capture images at a frame rate lower than the frame rate during driving, it is possible to take measures not only against accidents during driving but also against vandalism to the vehicle, mischief to the vehicle, and incidents around the vehicle that are not uncommon when leaving the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives is to provide a technology different from the conventional vehicle monitoring. For example, the conventional monitoring during parking aims to suppress mischief to the vehicle, theft, etc. For example, it cannot solve problems such as preventing children from being left in the vehicle and suppressing the occurrence of accidents where children confined in the vehicle suffer from heatstroke, etc.

[0005] The problems described above are presented as independent issues, and the present invention is not necessarily required to solve all of them. The purpose of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that aim to achieve the effects derived from the components disclosed in this specification and the drawings. For example, problems that can be described as "can be done" in this specification are disclosed here if they are reinterpreted as "the problem is...". The problems are presented as independent issues, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that solve these problems individually. Even if a problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include a part of the configuration described in this specification in the claims through amendment or a divisional application. Problems that combine these independent problems are also disclosed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following is an example of a method to solve the challenges of conventional vehicle monitoring.

[0007] (1) The system should have a detection function that detects the state of the interior of a parked and / or stopped vehicle, and an output function that outputs predetermined information based on the detection result. In this way, predetermined information based on the state of the interior of the vehicle is output, so the state of the interior of the vehicle can be known. The output function should be, for example, notified directly by the system or sent via communication to an external party. The predetermined information should be, for example, the detection result itself, the information used when detecting, and other information.

[0008] (2) The state of the vehicle interior detected by the detection function may be whether or not there is a person in the rear seat of the vehicle. In this case, for example, if there is a person in the rear seat a predetermined output is made, so the driver can know that there is a person in the rear seat and prevent incidents such as forgetting a child behind. Also, even if a child is left in the vehicle, it can be confirmed that they are inside the vehicle, so it is possible to prevent accidents by, for example, returning to the vehicle quickly.

[0009] (3) The state of the vehicle interior detected by the detection function may be whether or not a person is present in the child seat installed in the vehicle. In this way, for example, if a child is present in the child seat, a predetermined output is made, so the driver can know that a child is in the child seat and prevent, for example, the child from being left behind. Also, even if a child is left in the vehicle, it can be confirmed that they are inside the vehicle, so the driver can, for example, return to the vehicle quickly and prevent an accident from occurring.

[0010] (4) The system should be equipped with a function to perform image analysis on images acquired from means for photographing the rear seat side of the vehicle or the child seat, and to determine whether or not there is a person in the image. This is advantageous because the presence of a person can be reliably determined by image analysis. Performing the image analysis on an image processing circuit (edge ​​side) installed in the vehicle is advantageous because it reduces the amount of data transmitted after the analysis.

[0011] (5) If the image analysis is performed and the presence of a person is detected in the image, the output function may send the detection result without sending the image. In this way, when a person is detected, the detection result is sent, but the image data is not transmitted, so notification can be made quickly and the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced.

[0012] (6) The state of the vehicle interior that the detection function detects may be the presence or absence of an object moving inside the vehicle interior. The object moving inside the vehicle interior may be, for example, a person or an animal, so that the driver or others can be aware of the presence of such an object and prevent them from leaving it behind in the vehicle.

[0013] (7) The detection function shall acquire sounds heard inside the vehicle and detect a dangerous condition from the acquired sounds, and the output function shall communicate to the outside to notify when the dangerous condition is detected. In this way, for example, a driver who is away from the vehicle can know that the vehicle is in a dangerous condition. This allows the driver to return to the vehicle quickly. Sounds heard inside the vehicle include sounds generated inside the vehicle, such as the voices of people remaining inside the vehicle, sounds generated from the vehicle, and sounds generated around the vehicle that can be heard inside the vehicle.

[0014] (8) The detection function should detect a dangerous condition based on the temperature inside the vehicle, and the output function should communicate to an external party to notify them when the dangerous condition is detected. In this way, for example, a driver or other person who is away from the vehicle can know that the vehicle is in a dangerous condition. This allows the driver or other person to return to the vehicle quickly.

[0015] (9) The detection function shall detect a dangerous condition based on the temperature inside the vehicle, The output function should be configured not to communicate the predetermined information externally if no dangerous condition is detected. This way, for example, if a driver intentionally leaves a child in the vehicle, and the temperature inside the vehicle is not dangerous, no notification will be sent. This eliminates the annoyance of receiving unnecessary notifications and prevents the driver from becoming accustomed to them. Therefore, necessary information can be provided at the necessary time.

[0016] (10) The predetermined information may be the detection result. In this way, the driver, etc., can know the state of the vehicle interior based on the detection result.

[0017] (11) The detection function may detect the state of the vehicle interior based on the output of a seating sensor installed in the child seat installed in the vehicle. In this way, the presence or absence of a child can be reliably detected, and an appropriate output can be made based on that.

[0018] (12) The vehicle is equipped with means for detecting the driver's movements, and the output function should output an alarm when the driver exits the vehicle while a person is in the child seat. In this way, the driver can confirm that a person (e.g., a child) is in the child seat when exiting the vehicle, thereby preventing unintentional forgetting of the child, and if the driver is aware that a child is still in the vehicle when exiting, they can return in a short time, thereby preventing an accident.

[0019] (13) It is preferable to have a function that prevents the vehicle doors from being locked when a person is in the child seat. This will help prevent situations in which children are left trapped inside the vehicle.

[0020] (14) When a person is in the child seat, if the vehicle door is locked, the system should notify the driver that a person is present and prevent the door from locking, and if the lock operation is performed after the notification has been made, the door should lock. In this way, the presence of a person in the child seat is notified when the lock operation is performed, so the accidental leaving of a child in the vehicle can be prevented, and if a child is left in the vehicle intentionally, the vehicle door can be locked.

[0021] (15) The detection function detects the temperature inside the vehicle, and the output function transmits to a predetermined communication destination when the temperature inside the vehicle meets the conditions. The terminal of the predetermined communication destination may have a function to remotely control the vehicle and change the state inside the vehicle.

[0022] By doing so, by appropriately setting the conditions, it is possible to know, for example, whether the inside of the vehicle is at a high temperature where there is a risk of heatstroke or the like, whether it is at a low temperature where there is a risk of hypothermia or the like, or a state just before reaching such dangerous states. Then, the driver can, for example, return to the vehicle and quickly take measures to avoid those dangerous states. Furthermore, from the terminal of the communication destination, the state inside the vehicle can be changed by remote operation on the vehicle, and for example, the avoidance of the inside of the vehicle becoming a dangerous state can be carried out more quickly.

[0023] (16) The detection function preferably has a function of photographing the inside of the vehicle, and the output function preferably transmits the photographed image to a predetermined communication destination. By doing so, a user such as a driver who is at a location away from the vehicle can know the state inside the vehicle, appropriately judge whether it is necessary to return to the vehicle, etc., and act.

[0024] (17) Each of the above functions is preferably configured by a drive recorder.

[0025] (18) It is provided with a smart band worn on a child's foot or arm for detecting the ecological information of the child, the state inside the vehicle detected by the detection function is the ecological information of the child in the vehicle, and the output function is preferably realized by a communication function for sending the ecological information provided by the smart band. By doing so, a user such as a driver who is at a location away from the vehicle can know the state of the child in the vehicle, appropriately judge whether it is necessary to return to the vehicle, etc., and act.

[0026] (19) A program for realizing the functions of the system according to any one of (1) to (18) by a computer is preferably provided.

[0027] The above-described system may be composed of one device or a plurality of devices.

[0028] The inventions described in (1) to (18) above can be combined in any way. For example, one may combine all or part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onward. In particular, it is preferable to combine the invention shown in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onward. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights, design rights, etc., for those including these configurations through amendment, divisional application, change application to design registration application, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the present invention, the driver and other personnel can check the conditions inside the vehicle. Furthermore, depending on the timing of the output, the driver can check when exiting the vehicle or after leaving the vehicle. The driver can then take measures to prevent dangerous situations.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and the effects produced by the components of the structure disclosed in this specification and drawings are also disclosed. The present invention intends to obtain rights to the components that produce such effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, the phrases "can do..." in this specification are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects produced, and there are components that produce effects even without such descriptions. Furthermore, there are effects that can be grasped by the component even without such descriptions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This figure shows a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A different embodiment of the block view. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows another embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows another embodiment. [Figure 6]This figure shows another embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that the present invention may adopt. The configuration and shape of the described apparatus are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention. In the following description, the numerical labels such as "1st" and "2nd" are for identifying each element and do not indicate the number of elements.

[0033] [The circumstances that led to the conception of the present invention] The use of child safety seats is mandatory when driving a vehicle with children under the age of six. Even for children over six, the use of child safety seats appropriate to their growth is recommended until they reach 140cm, the minimum height required to wear a vehicle's seat belt. These child safety seats include types that are installed in the rear seats of the vehicle. For example, accidents involving children left unattended in vehicles while seated in child safety seats, resulting in heatstroke and other health problems, have become a social issue. Factors contributing to these accidents include the driver forgetting about the child in the safety seat and getting out of the vehicle, or the driver noticing the child but seeing them asleep and feeling sorry to wake them, thinking, "It'll be fine since I'm just going shopping," or "It'll be fine because I'll be back soon," and getting out of the vehicle without waking them. Furthermore, if a driver leaves the engine running and the air conditioning on while getting out of the vehicle, the engine might shut off for some reason, causing the air conditioning to stop. In such cases, the temperature inside the vehicle rises, putting the child inside at risk of heatstroke or other health problems. Regardless of whether a child safety seat is used, a similar situation can occur, for example, if the driver intends to return soon but leaves a child in the car and takes longer than expected to return to the vehicle. Furthermore, accidents that occur when a child is left unattended in a parked car are not limited to heatstroke due to the rise in temperature inside the car, as described above; for example, hypothermia due to a drop in temperature inside the car during winter can also occur. The following embodiment is an example of an embodiment that solves these problems.

[0034] [Basic configuration of one embodiment of the system] Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the system. The system of this embodiment includes a drive recorder 10, which is an electronic device and an in-vehicle device, and a power supply device 30 that supplies power to the drive recorder 10. The drive recorder 10 can operate for a predetermined period of time even when the engine is off and the vehicle is parked, for example, by receiving power from the power supply device 30. Furthermore, the drive recorder 10 alone constitutes one embodiment of the system of this application.

[0035] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 10 is a device that is installed on the vehicle 1 afterwards. The drive recorder 10 is mounted, for example, in a predetermined position above the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1, or in an appropriate position such as on the dashboard. In the illustrated example, the vehicle 1 has a child seat 4 installed in the rear seat 3. The child seat 4 is, for example, an infant restraint device, and includes, for example, an infant child seat (also called a baby seat), a toddler child seat, or a school-aged child seat (also called a junior seat).

[0036] The power supply unit 30 is a device that interposes itself between the vehicle and the drive recorder 10 and supplies power to the drive recorder 10. The power supply unit 30 is housed in a separate enclosure from the drive recorder 10. The power supply unit 30 includes a charge / discharge control unit 30a, a DC-DC converter 30b, a CPU 30c, and an internal battery 30d. The charge / discharge control unit 30a controls the charging of the internal battery 30d and the supply of power to the drive recorder 10. The internal battery 30d is a secondary battery, for example, a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery. The DC-DC converter 30b converts the 12V or 24V voltage supplied from the vehicle's battery via the charge / discharge control unit 30a to a 5V voltage and outputs it. The CPU 30c uses a memory (e.g., RAM) not shown as a work area and controls various parts of the power supply unit 30, such as the charge / discharge control unit 30a. The CPU 30c also communicates with the drive recorder 10, which is connected via cable 5. Cable 5 includes a power line and a communication line.

[0037] The charge / discharge control unit 30a receives power from the internal battery 30d. While power is being supplied from the vehicle's battery, the charge / discharge control unit 30a controls the power supply path so that power is supplied from the vehicle's battery to the internal battery 30d and the DC-DC converter 30b. As a result, the internal battery 30d is charged, and the DC-DC converter 30b supplies the voltage-converted power to the drive recorder 10. The charge / discharge control unit 30a determines whether the vehicle's ACC is ON or OFF and switches between charging or discharging the internal battery 30d. When the charge / discharge control unit 30a determines that the ACC is ON, it controls the supply of power from the vehicle's battery to the internal battery 30d and the DC-DC converter 30b. When the charge / discharge control unit 30a determines that the ACC is OFF, it discharges the internal battery 30d and controls the supply of power from the internal battery 30d to the DC-DC converter 30b.

[0038] As described above, the power supply unit 30 receives power from the vehicle's battery and outputs power to the drive recorder 10 while the ACC is ON. When the power supply from the vehicle's battery is interrupted, the power supply unit 30 uses the internal battery 30d to output power to the drive recorder 10 for a specified time after the interruption. After the specified time has elapsed, the power output is turned OFF. When the power supply from the vehicle's battery is restored, the power supply unit 30 uses the vehicle's battery again to output power to the drive recorder 10.

[0039] This allows the drive recorder 10 to continue operating for a specified time after the ACC is turned OFF and the power supply from the vehicle's battery is cut off. The specified time can be set, for example, by serial communication from the drive recorder 10. When the drive recorder 10 receives a battery switching signal from the power supply unit 30, it sends a signal commanding the specified time. The CPU 30c can set the value of the specified time included in the received signal commanding the specified time as the specified time.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the power supply unit 30 with a DIP switch or other operating unit to enable the setting of a specified time. In this way, for example, even a drive recorder without communication capabilities can be supplied with power until a specified time has elapsed after the power supply from the vehicle's battery is cut off.

[0041] When the power supply from the vehicle's battery is interrupted, the power supply unit 30 switches the power source to the internal battery 30d and supplies power to the drive recorder 10. Before and after the switch, the drive recorder 10 continues to receive power, so it cannot determine whether the power source is the vehicle's battery or the internal battery 30d. For this reason, when the CPU 30c switches the power source to the internal battery 30d, it sends a battery switching signal to the drive recorder 10. After a specified time has elapsed and the power supply unit 30 turns off its output, if the ACC is turned ON, the drive recorder 10 can determine that the ACC is ON because the power supply that had been stopped is resumed. On the other hand, if the ACC is turned ON within the specified time, the drive recorder 10 continues to receive power, so it cannot determine whether the power source is the vehicle's battery or the internal battery 30d. Therefore, if the ACC is turned ON within the specified time, the CPU 30c transmits a vehicle switching signal to notify that the power source has switched to the vehicle's battery. This allows the drive recorder 10 to recognize that the ACC has been turned ON and the power source has switched to the vehicle's battery. The drive recorder 10 may switch its operating mode in response to the input of the battery switching signal and the vehicle switching signal.

[0042] The drive recorder 10 has the function of capturing an image of a predetermined area using a camera, the function of generating the captured image and other data, and the function of outputting the generated data. Data output includes output for recording the data in the memory area, output of the data by communication (i.e., transmission), and output to an external device via a data output terminal. Furthermore, the predetermined area captured by the drive recorder 10 in this form may be, for example, the area in front of the vehicle and the interior area including the child seat 4 inside the vehicle. The camera for capturing the front area and the interior area may be, for example, multiple cameras with the field of view of each camera facing the direction of the respective area, or a single camera with a 360° camera or a wider field of view may be used to capture both the front and the interior of the vehicle. In particular, using multiple cameras is good because it is possible to capture the area including the child seat with high accuracy.

[0043] The drive recorder 10 includes a camera 11, a microphone 12, an anomaly detection sensor 13, a GPS module 14, an operation unit 15, a control unit 16, a temporary memory 17, a monitor 18, a speaker 19, a memory card slot 20, a microwave sensor 22, a temperature and humidity sensor 23, a communication unit 24, etc. The camera 11 may consist of one or more units and may capture a predetermined area, such as the front of the vehicle, and a predetermined area inside the vehicle. The microphone 12 may collect ambient sounds, such as the voices of people inside the vehicle and other sounds generated inside the vehicle, as well as impact sounds when an object collides with the vehicle. The anomaly detection sensor 13 may be an acceleration sensor or a 6-axis sensor (integrated 3-axis acceleration and 3-axis angular velocity) and may detect the state of the vehicle, such as impacts applied to the vehicle, vehicle acceleration, and tilt.

[0044] The control unit 16 estimates that an accident (collision) has occurred when the detected value of the abnormality detection sensor 13 exceeds a threshold or shows a predetermined temporal change indicating, for example, an impact has occurred. In addition to detecting accidents, the control unit 16 may also be used to detect driving conditions such as sudden braking, sudden steering, sudden acceleration, and sudden braking, and to record their history.

[0045] The GPS module 14 receives GPS signals based on positioning. GPS is a satellite positioning system, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This is an example of a Satellite System (GNSS). Positioning using GNSS is commonly referred to as GPS positioning. GPS signals are signals that can be received from GPS satellites. The GPS module 14 uses its own algorithm to determine the current location information (longitude, latitude) from the received GPS signals. The control unit 16 may, for example, periodically (for example, every second) acquire the location information output from the GPS module 14.

[0046] The operation unit 15 is a button that gives various instructions to the control unit 16, and for example, it has a function to give a recording start instruction. When this operation unit 15 is pressed, the control unit 16 may start recording an event, such as the video captured by the camera 11 and the sound collected by the microphone 12. The operation unit 15 may also have a function to give a recording stop instruction. The recording start instruction and the recording stop instruction may be given by different buttons, for example, but it is preferable to perform different operations on the same button. This reduces the number of buttons and allows for a smaller drive recorder 10.

[0047] The temporary storage memory 17 is, for example, RAM, which temporarily stores video data captured by the camera 11. The control unit 16 constantly stores video data captured from at least the present to a certain period of time in the past. Since the storage capacity is finite, the control unit 16 deletes old video data based on certain criteria. These criteria may include, for example, video data stored more than a certain period of time ago, or when the memory capacity to be stored exceeds a certain level. In this embodiment, the temporary storage memory 17 may be configured as, for example, a ring buffer.

[0048] The monitor 18 is a display unit that displays images. The control unit 16 displays, for example, video data captured by the camera 11 on the monitor 18 in real time. The speaker 19 outputs sound. The control unit 16 outputs predetermined sounds from the speaker 19 during predetermined recording, alarm, and operation times. The control unit 16 uses the speaker 19 to announce, for example, operation sounds from the operation unit 15 and various messages (guides, alarms, etc.).

[0049] The memory card slot 20 allows for the insertion and removal of, for example, a microSD card 21. When a microSD card 21 is inserted, the control unit 16 reads and writes data to the microSD card 21. The microSD card 21 is a storage medium on which data such as video and location information is recorded by the drive recorder 10. The microSD card 21 is an external storage means that can be inserted and removed from the memory card slot 20, but instead of or in combination with it, the drive recorder 10's internal storage means (e.g., a hard disk or EEPROM) or other storage means may be used. However, it is desirable for the drive recorder 10 to be able to access a system on which data can be recorded without using an environment accessible to an unspecified number of people (e.g., a cloud computing environment) in order to protect the data stored in the storage means.

[0050] The microwave sensor 22 detects, for example, the movement of objects inside the vehicle, and it is preferable to detect the movement of objects (e.g., people) on the rear seat 3 or child seat 4. The temperature and humidity sensor 23 detects the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle. The communication unit 24 may use, for example, an LTE-M module capable of LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication.

[0051] The control unit 16 is a microcontroller equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I / O, etc. It performs predetermined processing based on information input from the various input devices (camera 11, microphone 12, anomaly detection sensor 13, GPS module 14, operation unit 15, temporary memory 17, memory card slot 20, microwave sensor 22, temperature and humidity sensor 23, etc.) and outputs predetermined information using output devices (temporary memory 17, monitor 18, speaker 19, memory card slot 20, communication unit 24, etc.). The functions of the drive recorder 10 are stored on the EEPROM of the control unit 16 as a program to be executed by the computer in the control unit 16, and are realized by the computer in the control unit 16 executing this program. The functions realized by the computer through the program in the control unit 16 include functions to perform various controls on the drive recorder 10. For example, the control unit 16 has functions to record data such as video and location information, functions to output data, and functions to display images (video).

[0052] The control unit 16 is a circuit for realizing the basic functions of the drive recorder 10. It stores video data captured by the camera 11 as a video file in the temporary memory 17, and stores the captured video file in the non-volatile memory based on detection signals from the anomaly detection sensor 13 or pressing the operation unit 15. In this embodiment, a microSD card 21 inserted in the memory card slot 20 is used as the non-volatile memory. By removing this microSD card 21 and inserting it into a memory card reader connected to a PC, the data can be imported into the PC, and the video file can be played back using a viewer installed on the PC. Furthermore, the recorded video and other data can be accessed not only by inserting and removing the microSD card 21 as described above, but also by data transmission via wired communication or wireless communication. In order to perform wired communication, the drive recorder 10 should be equipped with a connector or USB for connecting a communication cable.

[0053] Let's explain the function for recording this video data (recording function) in more detail. For example, when the engine is started and the ACC is ON, the camera 11 continuously captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle, for example. The control unit 16 then stores the video data captured by the camera 11 in a temporary memory 17 such as a ring buffer. The video stored in this temporary memory 17 is continuously updated with the latest data, and past video data is retained for a set amount of time.

[0054] For example, if the output value of the abnormality detection sensor 13 exceeds a threshold or shows a predetermined temporal change in the impact that occurs during an accident or sudden braking / steering, the control unit 16 reads video data for a certain period prior to the impact detection from the temporary storage memory 17 and stores it in non-volatile memory, such as a microSD card 21. After the threshold is exceeded, it records the video captured by the camera 11 directly to the microSD card 21 or via the temporary storage memory 17. As a result, video for a predetermined period before and after the impact is stored in the non-volatile memory, the microSD card 21. At this time, the control unit 16 also records ambient sounds collected by the microphone 12, associating them with the video data. The control unit 16 also temporarily stores this recording in the temporary storage memory 17, and when storing the video data in the microSD card 21, it also stores the recorded audio data in the microSD card 21.

[0055] The storage of data to the microSD card 21 in the drive recorder 10 is not limited to being triggered by the detection signal from the abnormality detection sensor 13, as described above. The control unit 16 may, for example, be equipped with a function to trigger data storage when the operation unit 15 is pressed. In this way, video recording can be performed when a situation that the user wants to record occurs.

[0056] Furthermore, recording to the microSD card 21 is not limited to event recording mode, which is performed when recording start conditions are met, such as when an accident occurs based on the output of the abnormality detection sensor 13 or when the operation unit 15 is pressed. It is also preferable to have a continuous recording mode, for example, which records to the microSD card 21 from the time the drive recorder 10 is powered on until it is powered off. The continuous recording mode is a mode that performs continuous recording, which is an example of recording other than event recording. If a continuous recording mode is provided, it is preferable for the control unit 16 to record the video data output from the camera 11 and the sound data output from the microphone 12 directly to the microSD card 21 instead of to the temporary memory 17. Recording directly to the microSD card 21 in this way eliminates the need to write to the temporary memory 17 once, which is advantageous.

[0057] Furthermore, when video data etc. is written directly to the microSD card 21, and the system has both a continuous recording mode and an event recording mode, the control unit 16 should use the data recorded as continuous recording for the period prior to the time when the event recording start conditions are met. The control unit 16 should then record the event recording as a separate file from the continuous recording file, for example. The event recording mode is a mode for performing event recording. Event recording is recording that is performed when a predetermined event (an example of an event) occurs. Event recording is performed when a predetermined event occurs, even if the user does not explicitly instruct the user to start recording.

[0058] When the vehicle is parked with the engine off (ACC turned OFF), it is preferable to operate in parking surveillance mode and record video data captured by the camera 11 to the microSD card 21 according to the set operating conditions. Recording in parking surveillance mode should include, for example, continuous recording that always records images captured for a predetermined recording time (e.g., 30 minutes), or event recording that continuously records video data for a predetermined time when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection sensor 13, similar to when ACC is ON. Event recording is performed when event conditions such as "detection of approaching person or vehicle," "detection of impact above a certain level," "detection of vehicle tilt above a certain level (e.g., jacking up)," or "detection of vehicle door opening" are met. The abnormality detection sensor 13 comprises one or more sensors for performing these detections.

[0059] [Notification and avoidance function for dangerous situations inside the vehicle] The drive recorder 10 has a function to notify the driver or others, or to perform predetermined hazard avoidance actions, if a dangerous situation occurs inside the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped or parked. Dangerous situations include, for example, leaving children unattended inside the vehicle, or situations where children left inside the vehicle may be at risk of life-threatening conditions such as heatstroke. When the drive recorder 10 receives a battery switching signal from the power supply unit 30 (ACC is OFF), it switches to a monitoring mode to monitor for the presence of dangerous situations inside the vehicle, and the control unit 16 performs the following processing.

[0060] *Image-based detection The control unit 16 is equipped with an image analysis function that analyzes whether or not a person is present in the image to be processed. When switched to monitoring mode, it acquires an image taken by the camera 11 that photographs the area including the child seat 4, performs image analysis, and determines whether or not a person is present. If a person is detected in the image, the control unit 16 sends predetermined information to a registered recipient using the communication unit 24. The predetermined information may include a notification that a child is present, the acquired image, temperature and humidity information inside the vehicle acquired from the temperature and humidity sensor 23, and location information acquired from the GPS module 14. However, sending only the recognition result without sending the image reduces the amount of communication and allows for quicker notification. Image analysis may also be processed by software, but for example, a chip with an image recognition function that sends only the recognition result to the server without sending the image may be used.

[0061] The registered recipient can be, for example, a server 32 such as a cloud server, or the driver's smartphone 33. The server 32 stores the information of the drive recorder 10 and the user's recipient, and when predetermined information is sent from the drive recorder 10, it stores the received information and sends all or part of the acquired information to the associated user's recipient. As a result, for example, when the ACC is turned OFF to park, if a child is sitting in the child seat 4, the driver's smartphone 33 will be notified directly or via the server 32. This makes the driver aware of the child's presence, minimizing the risk of the driver forgetting about the child in the child seat 4 and getting out of the car. Also, even if the child is left in the car for some reason, being aware of the child's presence allows the driver to take action, such as restarting the engine and turning on the air conditioner, or returning to the vehicle as quickly as possible, minimizing the risk of the child suffering from heatstroke or other problems.

[0062] If the destination of the drive recorder 10 is set to server 32, access information to server 32 can be registered in advance, for example, when the drive recorder 10 is shipped. This eliminates the need for users who purchase the drive recorder 10 to register their phone number, address, or other destination information with the drive recorder 10. The drive recorder 10 is small, and when installed, it may be hidden behind the rearview mirror, for example, in a predetermined position above the windshield, making it difficult to perform operations such as mode settings. However, this eliminates the need for any processing on the drive recorder 10 to register the destination. The user can then access server 32 and register information on a smartphone or other device that should receive notifications, thereby receiving notifications via the server. Accessing and registering information with server 32 is relatively easy.

[0063] Furthermore, even after transmitting the above information, the control unit 16 acquires images captured by the camera 11 at appropriate intervals, performs image analysis, and determines whether or not there are people present. If a person is detected in the image, the control unit 16 transmits predetermined information to the registered recipient using the communication unit 24. The predetermined timing should be on the order of minutes, such as a few minutes to a dozen minutes. Receiving periodic notifications that there are children in the vehicle is beneficial because it reminds the driver of the children's presence and encourages them to return to the vehicle quickly.

[0064] Furthermore, the designated information should not only include the recognition result, but also images captured by the camera, and temperature and humidity information detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 23. In this way, if a child is left in the vehicle and the driver gets out, the conditions inside the vehicle will be periodically sent to the driver's smartphone 33 or other mobile device, allowing the driver to return to the vehicle if something happens, thus preventing accidents. For example, if images captured by the camera 11 are sent as designated information, for instance, if the child was asleep when the driver got out of the vehicle and was left in the vehicle, the driver can know when the child has woken up, which can serve as a trigger to return to the vehicle immediately. Also, if temperature and humidity information are included as designated information, the driver or others who are away from the vehicle can be notified early of temperature changes, such as temperature increases or decreases, and humidity changes, allowing them to return to the vehicle and take action before the environment becomes dangerous enough to cause heatstroke or hypothermia.

[0065] On the other hand, if the control unit 16 determines from the image analysis that no person is present, it does not transmit the image to the server 32 or smartphone 33. By communicating only when there is an anomaly, the number of communications is reduced, and the amount of data transmitted is reduced. In other words, it is also possible to send the captured image to the server and have the server perform the image analysis, but as in this embodiment, it is better to make the judgment on the edge device, such as the drive recorder 10, and communicate only when there is an anomaly. Since the image is not transmitted when there is no anomaly, the amount of data transmitted is reduced. Furthermore, by processing on the edge device, it is possible to exclude images from the predetermined information transmitted when an anomaly occurs, which further reduces the amount of data transmitted.

[0066] Furthermore, the information transmitted can be the same each time or it can be varied. For example, when switching to monitoring mode, the first notification could be that a person is present, without sending other information such as images. After a predetermined number of notifications or a predetermined time has elapsed, images and other information could be sent. The initial notification is often given when the driver is inside or near the vehicle, allowing the driver to directly confirm the child's presence visually. Also, even after a predetermined number of notifications or a predetermined time has elapsed, information with a large amount of data, such as images, could be sent only occasionally. This reduces the communication load, allows for efficient and rapid notification of the child's presence, and provides a more realistic feel by occasionally notifying the driver of the actual situation with images, encouraging them to return to the vehicle sooner.

[0067] If the image analysis results indicate that no person is present, it is best to stop further analysis. If no person is present, it may be because a child was left behind or taken away, and subsequent image analysis will continue to show "no person present." Therefore, stopping the analysis process altogether reduces the load on the dashcam 10, which is beneficial. Also, even if the analysis result is "no person present" once, there is a risk of misjudgment, so if the analysis result is "no person present" multiple times, it is best to stop further analysis.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of a person is determined by image analysis, and notification is given if a person is present. However, it is preferable to acquire second information, take it into consideration when making a decision, and then provide notification. The second information may be, for example, the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 23. For example, when switching to monitoring mode, if a person is detected based solely on image analysis, a notification is sent. After a predetermined number of times or a predetermined time has elapsed, if a person is detected and the temperature or humidity, which is the second information, exceeds a set threshold, or if there is a large change in temperature or humidity, a notification is sent. If a person is detected but the temperature, etc., is within a predetermined range, no notification is sent. If a child is intentionally left in the car, receiving continuous alarms can become annoying, and there is a risk of becoming accustomed to the alarms. In contrast, in this embodiment, a notification is not sent if the temperature inside the car is not at risk of causing heatstroke, etc., but only when a dangerous condition such as a rise in temperature is likely to occur. This is preferable because it informs the driver of an emergency and prompts them to return to the vehicle immediately.

[0069] Furthermore, it would be beneficial to modify the system to monitor the temperature inside the vehicle while people are inside, and if the temperature exceeds a certain level (high or low), send a predetermined message to notify the driver, or, in addition to such a function, automatically activate the air conditioning. This would ensure that the temperature inside the vehicle is within a safe range before the driver returns, thus ensuring the safety of those remaining inside. Such a function would also be useful, for example, as an insurance product utilizing connected cars.

[0070] Furthermore, image analysis should not only recognize the presence or absence of people, but also their state. Ideally, it should be able to recognize, for example, whether a person is sleeping, awake, or crying. The recognition results should then be transmitted.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ACC being turned OFF is detected based on a signal from the power supply unit 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ACC being turned OFF may be obtained, for example, directly from the vehicle, or detected by various methods.

[0072] On the other hand, when the vehicle is parked without turning off the engine, the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) does not turn off. Therefore, it is advisable to provide a means to detect when the driver has left the vehicle and to perform the above-mentioned processing when the driver has left the vehicle. For example, a seat sensor installed in the driver's seat can be used to detect when the driver has left the vehicle. The seat sensor turns ON when a person sits in the driver's seat and OFF when the person stands up from the driver's seat. When the seat sensor installed in the driver's seat turns OFF from ON, it can be determined that the driver has left the vehicle. Alternatively, a sensor can be installed to detect when the driver's side door is opened or closed, or information on the opening and closing of the door can be obtained from the vehicle. For example, when the driver's side door is opened from a closed position, it can be determined that the driver has left the vehicle. Furthermore, various methods can be used, such as setting the camera's imaging range to include the driver's seat and using image analysis to determine whether or not there is a person in the driver's seat.

[0073] *Sound-based detection The control unit 16, for example, when switched to monitoring mode, acquires the sound detected by the microphone 12 and performs sound analysis. The sound analysis may be performed using a deep learning (neural network) or other machine learning method. If the control unit 16 detects an abnormal sound through sound analysis, it transmits predetermined information to a registered destination using the communication unit 24. The predetermined information may be the analysis result, or in addition to the analysis result, location information, room temperature, humidity, etc. may be sent. Examples of abnormal sounds include the sound of glass breaking, collisions, screams, and cries. Screams may include, for example, a child's cry such as "Help me." Cries may include, for example, an infant's cry. The analysis result to be transmitted may be the presence or absence of an abnormal sound, but it is also good practice to send the analysis content.

[0074] For example, if a driver leaves a sleeping child in the vehicle after getting out, they can be alerted by a scream or crying sound that the child has woken up, prompting them to return to the vehicle sooner. Also, by the sound of breaking glass or a collision, they can be alerted to an abnormality in the vehicle and go to check on it, which is especially beneficial if they have left a child in the vehicle, as it allows them to understand the need to return more quickly.

[0075] The voice analysis may be performed to identify the type of sound using various analyses, such as those utilizing a database. Furthermore, the voice analysis is not limited to sounds generated inside the vehicle; it may also be performed based on ambient sounds outside the vehicle. For example, if someone who has found a child left behind in the vehicle is making a fuss outside, the control unit 16 may recognize the child being left behind and the child's condition inside the vehicle based on the content of the recognized voice, and then transmit the information.

[0076] Furthermore, the timing of operations and the information transmitted in this sound-based detection can be the same as in the embodiments and modifications described above for image-based detection. For example, the information transmitted can include temperature and humidity, or images of the room taken by a camera, similar to the analysis results. In addition, various other elements can be applied, such as providing a means to detect the driver's exit and starting the operation after detecting the driver's exit.

[0077] *Detection based on microwave sensors When the control unit 16 switches to monitoring mode, for example, it acquires the output of the microwave sensor 22 and determines whether or not there is an object moving inside the vehicle. If there is a moving object, it is possible that a child or other person is in the rear seat 3 or child seat 4, so it transmits predetermined information to the registered destination using the communication unit 24. Furthermore, even after the initial transmission, the detection based on the microwave sensor 22 should be periodically detected and the judgment results should be output, as in the examples described above.

[0078] Furthermore, the moving objects detected by the microwave sensor 22 are not limited to people; for example, animals inside a vehicle should also be able to be detected. This would make it possible to detect pets that have been left behind.

[0079] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the drive recorder 10 is used to transmit predetermined information to a registered destination when an abnormality is detected. However, it is not necessary to transmit the information externally. In situations where the driver is inside or near the vehicle, such as immediately after switching to monitoring mode, an alarm may be issued from the speaker 19 of the drive recorder 10, for example.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiments and modifications described above, power is supplied from the power supply unit 30. However, power may also be supplied directly from the vehicle's battery so that power can be supplied even after the ACC is turned off, or an internal battery may be provided so that power is supplied from the internal battery after the ACC is turned off. In such cases, the internal battery may be a rechargeable secondary battery.

[0081] Furthermore, although the embodiments and modifications described above were implemented as part of the functions of a drive recorder, the implementation is not limited to drive recorders. It may also be implemented as part of the functions of various in-vehicle devices, electronic devices, etc., or as an independent device or equipment.

[0082] For example, in a system that utilizes image analysis, it would be good to use a camera that supports LTE communication and is capable of edge AI processing. This camera integrates a communication module, SIM card, camera, and power supply, and is an AI camera capable of edge processing. Furthermore, device management such as changing AI algorithms and monitoring communication connection status can be performed remotely via the cellular network. Human detection using image analysis can be implemented relatively easily by deep learning using, for example, NNC (Neural Network Console). With this AI-processing camera, for example, the rear seat including a child seat can be photographed, and the obtained image can be processed with AI to analyze whether or not a person is present. Then, for example, if a person is detected in the image, the communication module can be activated to send the detection results to a designated destination.

[0083] [Alarm based on a seating sensor installed in the child car seat] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a system in another embodiment. This system is another embodiment for preventing infants and other small children from being left behind in a vehicle, and as shown in the figure, it comprises a main unit 40 and a seat sensor 41, etc. In this embodiment, it is configured as a dedicated device, but it may also be implemented as a function of a drive recorder or other in-vehicle equipment, or it may be realized as an independent device. Furthermore, the main unit 40 may be composed of the same housing or multiple housings.

[0084] In this embodiment, for example, a seat sensor 41 is installed in the child seat. Multiple seat sensors 41 may be provided and placed at appropriate positions on the seat and backrest of the child seat. The seat sensor 41 turns ON when an infant or toddler is in the child seat and OFF when there is no one in it. The main unit 40 includes an interface unit 43 that receives input signals from the seat sensor 41, a control unit 42, a speaker 45, and an interface unit 46 that outputs control signals to the vehicle.

[0085] The interface unit 43 for the seat sensor 41 includes, for example, a pin jack or connector into which the output terminal of the seat sensor 41 is inserted, and transmits the output signal of the seat sensor 41 to the control unit 42. The control unit 42 has a function to output an alarm from the speaker 45 if the driver leaves the driver's seat or stands up when an infant or the like is in the child seat. The control unit 42 also has a function to output a signal to the vehicle via the interface unit 46 to prevent the doors from locking when predetermined conditions are met.

[0086] To implement this function, the control unit 42 determines whether the seat sensor is ON or OFF (S1), for example, as shown in Figure 4. If the seat sensor is OFF, there are no infants or toddlers, so the process of S1 is repeated.

[0087] When an infant or young child is in a child seat, the control unit 42 determines whether the driver has left the vehicle. Leaving the vehicle may include, for example, moving away from the driver's seat or standing up from the driver's seat in preparation for doing so. The determination of whether the driver has left the vehicle may be based on, for example, the output of a seating sensor installed in the driver's seat turning OFF, or the ACC turning OFF. Based on this means that the determination of whether the driver has left the vehicle (branching decision is Yes) may be made immediately when these conditions occur, or the branching decision may be made Yes after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. It is better to determine whether the driver has left the vehicle immediately so that an alarm sounds reliably before the driver leaves the vehicle. Alternatively, for example, the driver may carry a slave unit that can communicate wirelessly with a master unit installed in the vehicle, and the determination of whether the driver has left the vehicle may be made when the distance between the master unit and the slave unit exceeds a certain distance. Alternatively, for example, a camera that photographs the driver's seat may be installed, and the driver's departure may be determined by image analysis of the image taken by the camera.

[0088] If the driver is not away from the car seat (No in S2), the system returns to S1 to determine whether to turn the seat sensor ON or OFF. If the driver is away from the car seat (Yes in S2), the control unit 42 emits an alarm from the speaker (S3). The alarm can be a buzzer sound or an audible alarm message. In this way, the driver will be alerted by the alarm to the presence of an infant or other child in the child seat, thus minimizing the chances of forgetting about the child and getting out of the car, thus preventing the child from being left behind.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 42 prevents the vehicle doors from being locked after an alarm is generated (S4). For example, the control unit 42 outputs a door unlock signal to the vehicle via the interface unit 46. As a result, the vehicle doors remain unlocked and are not locked, so that even if a child is left inside the vehicle, a third party (the person who finds the child) can open the vehicle doors and rescue the child.

[0090] Then, when the seat sensor turns OFF (Yes in S5), the control unit 42 releases the lock-disabled state and makes it lockable (S6). As a result, the child can be removed from the child seat and the lock can be activated, allowing the driver to lock the car and leave the vehicle with peace of mind.

[0091] Furthermore, by attaching a seating sensor to the child seat itself, it is possible to detect which seat the child seat is installed in. In addition, it is advisable to connect this system to a dashcam and use the above-mentioned unlocked state as an external trigger to send a notification from the dashcam to a smartphone or server. Such notifications should include predetermined information, including video, as in the embodiments described above.

[0092] As mentioned above, by making the decision to leave the vehicle conditional on the ACC being turned OFF, a warning can be issued when the engine is turned off while a child is in a child seat inside the vehicle. Furthermore, by making the alarm sound when the engine is turned off, if the driver removes the child from the child seat themselves, for example, they can do so while the engine is running, thus preventing unnecessary alarms from being triggered.

[0093] Figure 5 shows another embodiment using a seat sensor. In this embodiment, for example, the function of the control unit 42 in the system shown in Figure 3 for determining whether the driver has left the seat is changed to use the opening and closing of the driver's side door to determine whether the driver has left the seat. As described above, the control unit 42 determines whether the seat sensor is ON or OFF (S11). If the seat sensor is OFF, there are no infants or toddlers, so the system loops back to S1.

[0094] When the seat occupancy sensor is ON, the control unit 42 determines whether the driver's side door is open or closed (S12). If the door is closed, the process returns to S11. If the door is open, the control unit 42 waits for the door to close (S13). When the door closes (Yes in S13), the control unit 42 emits an alarm from the speaker (S14). The alarm can be a buzzer sound or an audible alarm message. In this way, the driver will be alerted by the alarm to the presence of an infant or other child in the child seat, thus minimizing the chances of forgetting about the child and getting out of the car, thus preventing the child from being left behind.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, after an alarm is generated, the control unit 42 prevents the vehicle doors from being locked (S15). This makes it possible for a third party (the person who finds the child) to open the vehicle doors and rescue the child even if a child is left inside the vehicle.

[0096] Then, when the seat sensor turns OFF (Yes in S16), the control unit 42 releases the lock-disabled state and makes it lockable (S17). As a result, the child can be removed from the child seat and the lock can be activated, allowing the driver to leave the vehicle with peace of mind.

[0097] In the embodiment described above, the alarm is sounded after the door has opened and has closed, but it is also possible to sound the alarm when the door is opened without providing the processing step S13. However, in order for the driver to take the child out of the child seat themselves, they often have to open the driver's side door, move outside the vehicle to the rear seat, and if the alarm sounds when the driver's side door is opened to take the child out, it may be annoying for the driver. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by making the closing of the door a condition for the alarm, for example, if the child is taken out of the child seat with the door open and then the driver's side door is closed, the alarm will not sound, which is good.

[0098] In the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, instead of disabling the lock in S4 and S15 to prevent locking even when an attempt is made to lock the device, an alarm may be issued when an attempt is made to lock the device. In this case, the alarms in S3 and S14 do not need to be issued, but issuing them would provide a double alarm, which is preferable.

[0099] Furthermore, instead of disabling locking in S4 or S15, it would be better to allow locking after an alarm, or to allow locking again if the locking operation is performed again after an alarm. This would allow the driver to leave children or other persons inside the vehicle at their own discretion and lock the vehicle, thereby preventing intruders from entering.

[0100] [Communication-type temperature measuring device] Figure 6 shows an example of a system that prevents heatstroke and other illnesses in children left inside a vehicle based on the temperature inside the vehicle. The system 50 of this embodiment includes a function to measure the temperature inside the vehicle (e.g., a temperature and humidity sensor 51), a communication function (e.g., a communication unit 52), and a control unit 53 that controls them. When the temperature inside the vehicle exceeds a set temperature, the control unit 53 uses the communication function to notify a registered recipient. The communication function may use, for example, an LTE-M module capable of LTE communication, and can notify, for example, a server 32 or a driver's smartphone 33 that has been registered in advance. When sending to the server 32, it is preferable to have the notification sent to the driver's smartphone 33 via the server.

[0101] This system is installed in a vehicle, and when the temperature inside the vehicle approaches a level that could cause heatstroke after the engine is turned off, it sends a notification to the driver's smartphone or other device warning of the approaching danger. In this way, the driver can receive the notification, go to the vehicle, and take appropriate measures to prevent the temperature inside the vehicle from rising too high. In addition, this embodiment may include a function to determine whether a child is inside the vehicle, as in the embodiments described above, but it is acceptable to omit this function as it simplifies the configuration.

[0102] Alternatively, the system could detect when the ACC is OFF or the engine has stopped, then monitor the cabin temperature and notify if the conditions are met, although an engine stop detection function is not necessarily required. Generally, when a driver is in the vehicle, the engine is running, and the vehicle is drivable, the likelihood of the cabin temperature rising to a dangerous level that could cause heatstroke is low, for example, by using the air conditioner or opening the windows. Therefore, the cabin temperature is most likely to exceed the set temperature when the vehicle is parked with the engine off. Thus, by not including an engine stop detection function, the system can be installed independently of the vehicle, and a simple configuration can be used to effectively prevent heatstroke.

[0103] In this configuration, a notification is sent to a smartphone when high temperatures are detected, enabling responses not only to children being left behind but also to situations where the vehicle is left unattended for a short time. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the temperature at which notifications are triggered, it is possible to receive advance warnings from the warning stage, allowing for a response before dangerous temperatures are reached. The initial temperature for these notifications should be set to an appropriate value that takes into account the temperature at which heatstroke becomes a risk, and this should be changeable by the user in the settings.

[0104] Furthermore, while temperature is a crucial factor in heatstroke, humidity also plays a role. Therefore, it would be beneficial to implement a function to measure both temperature and humidity, and to send a notification when the relationship between temperature and humidity meets predetermined conditions. By taking humidity into account, it would be possible to send a notification even if the temperature is relatively low, as the humidity may create an environment where heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses are likely to occur.

[0105] [Communication-type temperature measurement device + remote operation] In addition to the functions of the communication-type temperature measurement device embodiment described above, it would be beneficial to include functions such as connecting to the OBD to remotely open windows or start the engine. In this case, for example, when a notification of high temperature is received on the driver's smartphone, instructions such as "Do you want to fully open the windows?" or "Do you want to start the engine?" would be displayed on the smartphone screen. When the "YES" button displayed on the screen is touched, remote operation becomes possible. This allows the driver to open the windows to let in outside air or turn on the air conditioner in advance to cool the interior of the car by starting the engine, thus preventing heatstroke in children before they can reach the vehicle.

[0106] In this embodiment, this function is effective when it is not possible to rush to the scene immediately after receiving a notification. Furthermore, even when it is possible to return to the vehicle immediately, the ability to respond instantly allows for the quickest possible rescue of the child from a dangerous situation.

[0107] Furthermore, such remote control should only be permitted in dangerous situations. This would minimize the occurrence of incidents such as windows opening unnecessarily, allowing people to enter or exit, or the vehicle accidentally starting due to the engine starting.

[0108] [In-car dashcam (with motion detection)] For example, the camera's field of view for the dashcam shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be set to the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore, the communication unit 24 can be configured to receive data from, for example, the driver's smartphone 33, linking the dashcam 10 with the smartphone and providing a function to send images being captured by the dashcam to the smartphone. This allows the user to check on their child in the back seat in real time from their smartphone. They can also monitor their child remotely using, for example, LTE communication. Ideally, the dashcam should be specifically designed for in-car recording. Additionally, equipping the dashcam with a temperature sensor to simultaneously display the interior temperature would facilitate early detection of heatstroke. Adding a humidity sensor to display both temperature and humidity would be even better. For example, the example shown in Figure 2 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 23, allowing both temperature and humidity to be displayed.

[0109] Furthermore, regarding the viewing of the aforementioned footage, it would be beneficial to have two options: for the user to voluntarily connect to the dashcam and view the footage, and for the dashcam to send the footage to a smartphone when motion is detected inside the vehicle. These options should be selectable in the user settings. The inclusion of motion detection would also be useful for security while parked.

[0110] [Smart Band] Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of the system. The system of this embodiment includes a smart band 60. This smart band 60 includes a band portion 60a for attaching to, for example, a child's foot, leg, or arm. Inside its main body, the smart band 60 includes a biometric information acquisition sensor 61 that measures the wearer's biometric information such as body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, a communication unit 62 that transmits this biometric information to a smartphone 33, and a control unit 63 that controls these. The smart band 60 is then attached to, for example, a child's foot, leg, or arm. This allows, for example, a user away from the vehicle to constantly monitor the biometric information of a child waiting in a car, such as their body temperature and heart rate, using a smartphone 33.

[0111] Furthermore, the Smart Band 60 should ideally be worn on the foot or leg. For example, if worn on the arm, a child sitting in a car seat might touch the Smart Band 60, remove it, turn it off, or cause it to malfunction. On the other hand, if worn on the foot or leg, it is difficult for the child to reach the Smart Band 60 in such a state, thus minimizing the risk of the above problems occurring.

[0112] It would be beneficial for the smart band 60 to have a function that sends a notification to the smartphone 33 if a child wearing the smart band 60 is in a dangerous situation. A dangerous situation for a child might occur, for example, when the detected value of the biometric information acquisition sensor 61 exceeds a preset threshold. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to configure the smart band to eliminate the screen and specialize in information transmission. Eliminating the screen would lead to lower costs, simpler configuration, and a smaller, thinner design. In addition, it would minimize the risk of children becoming interested in and touching the screen, which would otherwise occur.

[0113] Furthermore, while the notification destination for the smart band was a smartphone in the embodiment described above, it is not limited to this, and notifications could also be forwarded to a smartwatch carried by the user, for example. Since users may not carry their smartphones around at home, it is advisable to use a smartwatch that is easy to wear and allows for easy checking of notifications.

[0114] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to being attached to children left in a vehicle; for example, it can be used at home or while out and about. For instance, working parents often have to leave their children unattended even at home, so this could help prevent unexpected accidents in various locations.

[0115] In the embodiments described above, the case in which GPS is used as the satellite positioning system was explained, but GLONASS, Galileo, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, etc. may also be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0116] Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. While the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, we intend to include configurations disclosed herein that are not currently specified in the claims in the future.

[0117] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. The components of each embodiment and modification described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modification can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. The present application intends to obtain rights to these as well through amendments or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of..." or "when...", it is not meant to be a configuration that is limited to that case or time. Configurations that do not fall under these cases or times are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them. Also, even if there is a sequence of descriptions, it is not limited to that order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order rearranged are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them.

[0118] Furthermore, by changing the application to a design registration application, we intend to acquire rights to the overall design or a partial design. The drawing depicts the entire device with solid lines, but it is a drawing that includes not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for parts of the device. For example, it is a drawing that includes not only a partial design for a part of the device, but also a partial design for a part of the device regardless of whether it is a component. A part of the device may be a component of the device, or a part of a component. We intend to acquire rights not only to the overall design, but also to a partial design where any part of the solid line portion of the drawing is represented by a dashed line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 1: Vehicle 2: Windshield 3: Rear seats 4: Child car seat 5: Cable 10: Dashcam 11: Camera 12: Mike 13: Anomaly detection sensor 14: GPS module 15:Operation section 16: Control Unit 17: Temporary memory 18: Monitor 19: Speaker 20: Memory card slot 21: Micro SD card 22: Microwave Sensor 23: Temperature and humidity sensor 24: Communications Department 30: Power supply 32: Server 33: Smartphone

Claims

1. It is a dashcam, The camera's field of view for the aforementioned dashcam is set to the interior of the vehicle. The driver's smartphone is registered as the recipient of the communications unit. The aforementioned drive recorder and the aforementioned smartphone are linked, The dashcam has a function to transmit images being captured by the dashcam to the smartphone, The aforementioned transmission function includes a method by which the user voluntarily connects to the drive recorder to view the footage, and a method by which the drive recorder transmits video footage to the smartphone when motion is detected inside the vehicle. A dashcam characterized by the following features.

2. The user can choose between two methods: one in which the user voluntarily connects to the dashcam to view the footage, and the other in which the dashcam transmits video to the smartphone when motion is detected inside the vehicle. The dashcam according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned drive recorder will not perform further analysis if it determines from the image analysis that no people are present. A drive recorder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned drive recorder will not perform further analysis if it has repeatedly determined that no person is present. A drive recorder according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned drive recorder uses a camera capable of edge AI processing, which allows for the remote replacement of AI algorithms via a network connection using image analysis. A drive recorder according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. A program for a computer to implement the functions of a drive recorder as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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