Recording control device and recording control method

Abstract

To provide a recording control device and a recording control method that prevent necessary video from being recorded and unnecessary video from being recorded.SOLUTION: A recording control unit 1 includes a recording control unit 11 that acquires a detection value in response to shaking of a vehicle 2 and starts recording video captured by a front camera 3 or other cameras installed in the vehicle 2 when the acquired detection value exceeds a threshold value. The recording control unit 11 changes the value of the threshold value depending on whether or not predetermined conditions are met, thereby dynamically changing the threshold value depending on whether or not the predetermined conditions are met.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording control device and a recording control method, and is particularly suitable for use in a recording control device and a recording control method for controlling the recording of video captured by a camera installed in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are drive recorders that capture images of the surroundings of a vehicle using a camera installed in the vehicle and record the images captured by the camera. Some drive recorders perform the following processes when the vehicle is stopped (a concept that includes parking with no passengers). That is, there are drive recorders that obtain a detection value corresponding to the shaking of the vehicle from a predetermined sensor and start recording when the detection value reaches a threshold value or more. This is intended to record the situation when a collision occurs with the vehicle or the vehicle is broken into while the vehicle is stopped, and since recording starts only when the detection value reaches a threshold value or more, power consumption can be reduced compared to when recording is performed continuously. Regarding this type of drive recorder, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that has two operation modes: an event recording mode in which recording starts when acceleration (the magnitude of shaking) exceeding a threshold value is detected, and a continuous recording mode in which recording is performed continuously, and that appropriately switches between the event recording mode and the continuous recording mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-39016 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional drive recorder has the following problems. That is, in the conventional drive recorder, the threshold is fixedly determined in advance, and when the detection value corresponding to the shaking of the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, recording is started uniformly. Here, the detection value corresponding to the shaking of the vehicle is detected by a sensor provided in the vehicle, and the farther the source of the shaking is from the sensor, the more the vibration attenuates before it reaches the sensor, and the magnitude of the detection value detected by the sensor becomes smaller accordingly. In light of this, it is conceivable to set the threshold low so that recording is started even when shaking occurs from a source far from the sensor. If the threshold is set low based on this idea, recording will start uniformly when the detection value exceeds the low threshold, increasing the possibility that images that do not need to be recorded will be recorded. On the other hand, since recording of unnecessary images is a waste of power and storage capacity, it is conceivable to set the threshold high so that such unnecessary images are less likely to be recorded. Based on this idea, if the threshold is set high, recording will not start uniformly unless the detection value becomes equal to or greater than the high threshold, increasing the possibility that images that need to be recorded will not be recorded. The above problems existed in conventional drive recorders.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to prevent necessary images from not being recorded and unnecessary images from being recorded in a device that starts recording in response to vehicle shaking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for recording an image captured by a camera installed in a vehicle when a detection value corresponding to the shaking of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold value, The time zone-related condition is satisfied: the current time belongs to a specific time zone. The threshold value is changed depending on whether or not the Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, the threshold value can be dynamically changed depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, when shaking occurs in the vehicle, it is possible to set a condition that is satisfied when the shaking is highly likely to be shaking that requires recording of the captured image, and to change the threshold value to a lower value when the condition is satisfied. By doing so, it is possible to prevent necessary captured images from not being recorded. Also, when shaking occurs, it is possible to set a condition that is satisfied when the shaking is highly likely to be shaking that requires recording of the captured image, and to change the threshold value to a higher value when the condition is satisfied. By doing so, it is possible to prevent unnecessary captured images from being recorded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a recording control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the recording control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the recording control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the recording control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a recording control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the recording control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a recording control device 1 according to this embodiment. The recording control device 1 is a so-called drive recorder mounted on a vehicle 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 is provided with a front camera 3 that captures the front of the vehicle 2, a rear camera 4 that captures the rear of the vehicle 2, a right side camera 5 that captures the right side of the vehicle 2, and a left side camera 6 that captures the left side of the vehicle 2. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the front camera 3, the rear camera 4, the right side camera 5, and the left side camera 6, they will be referred to as "camera C". The recording control device 1 has a function of controlling the recording of the images captured by each camera C.

[0010] 1, a display device 7 is connected to the recording control device 1. The display device 7 is a display such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel provided in the center of the dashboard.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the recording control device 1 includes a vibration detection unit 10 and a recording control unit 11 as functional components. The functional blocks 10 and 11 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, the functional blocks 10 and 11 are actually configured by a computer's CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and are realized by the operation of a program stored in a recording medium such as a RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. The above also applies to the functional blocks of the other embodiments. The recording control device 1 also includes a storage unit 12 as a storage means.

[0012] The recording control device 1 according to this embodiment has two operation modes: a continuous recording mode and a recording mode during shaking. The continuous recording mode is an operation mode in which the video captured by the camera C is constantly recorded. The recording mode during shaking is a mode in which recording of the video captured by the camera C starts when a predetermined event (described below) related to shaking (rocking) of the vehicle 2 occurs, and recording continues for a certain period of time thereafter. In this embodiment, the operation of the recording control device 1 in the recording mode during shaking is unique, so the operation of the recording control device 1 in the recording mode during shaking is described below.

[0013] The main purpose of recording the captured video in response to the shaking of the vehicle 2 in the shaking occurrence recording mode is as follows: That is, the purpose is to record the situation when there is a collision with the vehicle 2 (for example, a collision with another vehicle or a collision with an object such as a ball) or when the vehicle is broken into. Therefore, when shaking occurs due to the actions of a user (basically assumed to be a person who owns the vehicle 2, or a person who does not own the vehicle 2 but regularly uses the vehicle 2), there is basically no need to record, and not recording can reduce the wasteful consumption of electricity and storage capacity.

[0014] In this embodiment, the recording control device 1 transitions the operation mode to the shaking-occurrence recording mode when the vehicle 2 is stopped (meaning a state in which the vehicle 2 is physically stopped, a concept including parking, which will be described later), and continues the shaking-occurrence recording mode while the vehicle is stopped. However, the triggers for transitioning to the shaking-occurrence recording mode and the triggers for ending the mode are not limited to the above. As an example, the recording control unit 11 may be configured to transition the operation mode to the shaking-occurrence recording mode when the vehicle 2 is parked (a state in which the vehicle 2 is stopped and there is no passenger in the vehicle) is triggered.

[0015] The recording control unit 11 may also be configured to set the operation mode to the vibration occurrence recording mode even while the vehicle 2 is traveling. Although details are omitted, power is appropriately supplied to the recording control device 1, the camera C, and other devices from the accessory power source (while the accessory power source is on), the vehicle 2's standby power source, a battery, or other power sources.

[0016] The vibration detection unit 10 executes the following process during the vibration occurrence recording mode. That is, an acceleration sensor 14 is connected to the vibration detection unit 10. The acceleration sensor 14 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three axes, and is provided in the recording control device 1. The acceleration sensor 14 detects acceleration caused by a vibration that occurs in the recording control device 1. The acceleration sensor 14 is provided for the purpose of detecting the magnitude of the vibration that occurs in the vehicle 2.

[0017] During the shaking occurrence recording mode, the shaking detection unit 10 continuously inputs the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 14, derives a detection value at a predetermined cycle, and outputs the derived detection value to the recording control unit 11. The detection value is a value indicating the magnitude of shaking, and is derived by a predetermined method based on the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 14. In this embodiment, the larger the detection value, the greater the shaking.

[0018] The shaking detection unit 10 may be configured to derive a detection value based on a detection signal from a type of sensor other than the acceleration sensor 14, or may be configured to derive a detection value based on a detection signal from the acceleration sensor 14 and a detection signal from another type of sensor. In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 14 (if a type of sensor other than the acceleration sensor 14 is used, that sensor) is provided in the recording control device 1, but may be provided in another location in the vehicle 2.

[0019] The recording control unit 11 executes a recording start control process during the vibration occurrence recording mode. To describe the recording start control process in detail, the recording control unit 11 inputs a detection value from the vibration detection unit 10 at a predetermined cycle. Every time the vibration detection unit 10 inputs a detection value at a predetermined cycle, it compares the input detection value with a threshold value T (threshold value T will be described in detail later) and determines whether the state is an over state or an under state. An over state is a state in which the input detection value is equal to or greater than threshold value T, and an under state is a state in which the input detection value is below threshold value T.

[0020] When the state changes from the under state to the over state at a certain timing (i.e., when the state was under at the previous timing and the state is over at the current timing), the vibration detection unit 10 starts recording the video captured by the camera C. The change from the under state to the over state means that the vehicle 2 has experienced a vibration of such magnitude that the detection value exceeds the threshold value T. Starting to record the video captured by the camera C means that the video captured by the camera C during the "period from the recording start timing to the recording end timing" is stored in the storage unit 12 as a video file in a predetermined format. Note that the video captured by the camera C may be configured to be constantly buffered, so that the video file includes the video captured by the camera C for a certain period prior to the recording start timing.

[0021] The shaking detection unit 10 ends the recording when a certain period of time has elapsed after the start of the recording. When the recording is ended, a video file based on the captured images from the front camera 3, the rear camera 4, the right side camera 5, and the left side camera 6 during the period from the start of the recording to the end of the recording is stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the recording control unit 11 ends the recording when a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of the recording, but the recording may be ended when a condition other than the condition that the certain period of time has elapsed is satisfied. Also, the recording control unit 11 may not store video files for all the cameras C provided in the vehicle 2 in the storage unit 12, but may store video files for some of the cameras C in the storage unit 12.

[0022] The above is the recording start control process. By performing the recording start control process, recording is performed only when a vibration occurs that is large enough to cause the detection value to be equal to or greater than the threshold value T, thereby reducing wasteful consumption of power and storage capacity.

[0023] During the recording mode during shaking occurrence, the recording control unit 11 according to this embodiment executes the threshold adjustment process in parallel with the recording start control process. In the following description, time is expressed in 24-hour notation. To describe the threshold adjustment process in detail, the recording control unit 11 inputs information indicating the current time (hereinafter referred to as "current time information") from the RTC 15 (Real Time Clock) at a predetermined cycle. Then, every time the recording control unit 11 inputs the current time information from the RTC 15, it determines whether or not a time period related condition is satisfied based on the input current time information. The time period related condition is a condition that the current time belongs to a predetermined specific time period (hereinafter referred to as a "specific time period"). The specific time period is not limited to one, and there may be two or more specific time periods, such as "08:00 to 10:00" and "20:00 to 24:00".

[0024] If the time period related condition is met, the recording control unit 11 sets the threshold T to the first value (>second value). On the other hand, if the time period related condition is not met, the recording control unit 11 sets the threshold T to the second value (<first value). As a result, the threshold T becomes the first value (>second value) during the period when the current time belongs to the specific time period, and the threshold T becomes the second value (<first value) during the other period. The significance of the specific time period and the threshold adjustment process will be explained below.

[0025] In this embodiment, the recording control unit 11 sets a specific time period based on a user instruction. Specifically, the recording control unit 11 displays a user interface on the display device 7 for inputting one or more specific time periods in response to a user instruction. The user inputs the specific time period into the user interface, and the recording control unit 11 sets the specific time period based on the user input. However, the method in which the user specifies the specific time period is not limited to the above-mentioned manner.

[0026] Basically, the user determines the time period during which the user is likely to use the vehicle 2 as the specific time period. The following effects are achieved by setting the time period during which the user is likely to use the vehicle 2 as the specific time period. That is, since the specific time period is the time period during which the user is likely to use the vehicle 2, even if shaking occurs in the vehicle 2 during the specific time period, it can be said that the shaking is likely to be caused by the user's actions or caused by an event that the user is aware of. Furthermore, considering that the user is likely to use the vehicle 2, it can be said that the shaking is unlikely to be caused by an action of the user or caused by an event that the user is not aware of. From the above, it can be said that the specific time period is a time period during which, when shaking occurs, it is likely that the shaking is a shaking that does not require recording of the captured video. Note that shaking caused by the user's actions is, for example, shaking that occurs when the user gets on and off the vehicle 2, puts in and takes out luggage, or opens and closes the door.

[0027] In this embodiment, the threshold adjustment process makes the threshold T higher when the current time belongs to a specific time period than when it does not. This makes it difficult to start recording in response to the occurrence of shaking in a situation where "when shaking occurs in the vehicle 2, there is a high possibility that the shaking will cause unnecessary recording of the captured video," and makes it possible to prevent unnecessary captured video from being recorded. The first value is set to a value that, based on prior tests and simulations, ensures that recording is properly performed when a large shaking occurs that requires recording, regardless of the situation.

[0028] On the other hand, a time period that is not a specific time period (hereinafter referred to as a "non-specific time period") is a time period when the user is unlikely to use the vehicle 2, and therefore, when shaking occurs in the vehicle 2 during a non-specific time period, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the shaking is not caused by the user's actions or caused by an event that the user is not aware of. Furthermore, considering that the user is unlikely to use the vehicle 2, it can be said that there is a low possibility that the shaking is caused by the user's actions or caused by an event that the user is aware of. From the above, it can be said that a non-specific time period is a time period when, when shaking occurs, it is highly likely that the shaking will be shaking that requires recording of the captured video.

[0029] In this embodiment, the threshold adjustment process lowers the threshold T when the current time does not belong to a specific time period, compared to when the current time does belong to the specific time period. This makes it easier to start recording in response to the occurrence of shaking in a situation where "when shaking occurs in the vehicle 2, there is a high possibility that the shaking will be a shaking that requires recording of the captured video," and makes it possible to prevent necessary captured video from not being recorded. The second value is set to a value that avoids the start of recording when a small shaking occurs that does not require recording under any circumstances, based on prior tests and simulations.

[0030] In this embodiment, the user determines the time period during which the user is likely to use the vehicle 2 as the specific time period, but the user can determine the specific time period from a different perspective. For example, instead of or in addition to the time period during which the user is likely to use the vehicle 2, the user may determine the time period during which the vehicle 2 is likely to be parked in a "place where the user can monitor the vehicle 2" or a "place where the user can immediately notice if something happens to the vehicle 2" as the specific time period. The "place where the user can monitor the vehicle 2" or the "place where the user can immediately notice if something happens to the vehicle 2" is, for example, a parking lot at the user's home. In other words, the specific time period may be determined from the perspective that the threshold T is the first value (> the second value) during the specific time period and the threshold T is the second value (< the first value) during time periods other than the specific time period, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effect.

[0031] Next, a recording control method by the recording control device 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main parts of the recording control device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the recording control unit 11 of the recording control device 1 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied (step SA1). Next, the recording control unit 11 changes the value of the threshold T depending on whether the predetermined condition is satisfied (step SA2).

[0032] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the recording start control process executed by the recording control device 1. FIG. 3 shows the recording start control process at a certain timing among the timings that arrive at a predetermined cycle. As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration detection unit 10 of the recording control device 1 outputs a detection value (step SB1). The recording control unit 11 inputs the detection value output by the vibration detection unit 10 (step SB2). Next, the recording control unit 11 determines whether or not the state has changed from the under state to the over state (step SB3). If no such change has occurred (step SB3: NO), the recording control unit 11 ends the process. If the state has changed from the under state to the over state (step SB3: YES), the recording control unit 11 starts recording the video captured by the camera C (step SB4).

[0033] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the threshold adjustment process executed by the recording control device 1. Fig. 4 shows the threshold adjustment process at a certain timing among the timings that arrive at a predetermined cycle. As shown in Fig. 4, the recording control unit 11 of the recording control device 1 inputs current time information from the RTC 15 (step SC1). Next, the recording control unit 11 determines whether or not the time period related condition is satisfied (step SC2). As described above, if the current time belongs to a specific time period, the time period related condition is satisfied, and if not, the time period related condition is not satisfied.

[0034] If the time period related condition is met (step SC2: YES), the recording control unit 11 sets the threshold T to the first value (> second value) (step SC3). If the time period related condition is not met (step SC2: NO), the recording control unit 11 sets the threshold T to the second value (< first value) (step SC4).

[0035] <Modification of the first embodiment> Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the recording control unit 11 is configured to set the threshold value T at a predetermined cycle in the threshold adjustment process. In this regard, the recording control unit 11 may be configured to change the threshold value T from a first value to a second value when the time period related condition switches from a satisfied state to a not satisfied state, and to change the threshold value T from the second value to the first value when the time period related condition switches from a not satisfied state to a satisfied state, instead of setting the threshold value T every time at a predetermined cycle.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the specific time period is set based on the user's instructions (= determined by the user). In this regard, the specific time period may be set when the recording control device 1 is manufactured. This configuration is effective when the recording control device 1 is installed in a business vehicle or the like, where the time period in which the device is used is somewhat fixed.

[0037] Furthermore, the specific time period may be set as follows. That is, usage history data indicating the usage history of the vehicle 2 is stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The usage history data may be generated by the control system of the vehicle 2, acquired by the recording control unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 12, or the usage history data may be generated by the recording control unit 11 based on inputs from various sensors and the control system of the vehicle 2 and stored in the storage unit 12. This usage history data records the time periods during which the vehicle 2 was used for each day (DAY).

[0038] Then, the recording control unit 11 sets the specific time period based on the usage history of the vehicle 2 indicated by the usage history data. More specifically, the recording control unit 11 analyzes the contents of the usage history data using a statistical method, and derives a time period during which the vehicle 2 is likely to be used. The time period during which the vehicle 2 is likely to be used includes, in addition to the time when the user is aboard the vehicle 2, the time when the user uses the vehicle 2 to perform various tasks before the user gets on the vehicle 2, and the time when the user uses the vehicle 2 to perform various tasks after the user gets off the vehicle 2. Then, the recording control unit 11 sets the derived time period as the specific time period. The above configuration may be adopted.

[0039] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a recording control device 1A according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the recording control device 1A includes a recording control unit 11A instead of the recording control unit 11 according to the first embodiment. The recording control unit 11A also includes a wireless communication unit 16. The wireless communication unit 16 includes a wireless communication module including a link manager, a link controller, a high-frequency circuit, an antenna, etc., and connects to a Bluetooth device (Bluetooth is a registered trademark) via Bluetooth (establishes a communication link) and communicates wirelessly according to the Bluetooth standard.

[0041] The recording control device 1A according to this embodiment differs in the content of the threshold adjustment process from the recording control device 1 according to the first embodiment. The threshold adjustment process executed by the recording control device 1A will be described below.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user (as described above, the owner of the vehicle 2, or the person who is not the owner of the vehicle 2 but regularly uses the vehicle 2) has a smartphone or other mobile terminal that functions as a Bluetooth device. Hereinafter, the Bluetooth device owned by the user is simply referred to as the "mobile terminal 17" (see FIG. 5). Pairing is performed in advance between the recording control device 1A and the user's mobile terminal 17, and an automatic connection function that automatically establishes a Bluetooth connection when the recording control device 1A and the user's mobile terminal 17 approach each other is enabled in both devices. Therefore, when the user is close enough to the vehicle 2 that a Bluetooth connection is established between the mobile terminal 17 and the recording control device 1A, the Bluetooth connection is established between the mobile terminal 17 and the recording control device 1A, and when not, the Bluetooth connection is not established between the mobile terminal 17 and the recording control device 1A.

[0043] In the threshold adjustment process, the recording control unit 11A executes the following process at a predetermined cycle. That is, the recording control unit 11A recognizes whether or not a Bluetooth connection is established between the wireless communication unit 16 and the mobile terminal 17. Next, the recording control unit 11A determines whether or not a person-related condition is established based on the recognition result. The person-related condition is a condition that is established when a Bluetooth connection is established and is not established when the connection is not established. As described above, when a Bluetooth connection is established, the user is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, and when the connection is not established, the user is not present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2. In light of this, the person-related condition corresponds to a condition that a specific person (a user in this embodiment) is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2.

[0044] When the person-related condition is satisfied, the recording control unit 11A sets the threshold T to the first value (> the second value). On the other hand, when the person-related condition is not satisfied, the recording control unit 11A sets the threshold T to the second value (< the first value).

[0045] The present embodiment provides the following effects. That is, when the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, even if shaking occurs in the vehicle 2, it can be said that the shaking is highly likely to be caused by the user's actions or caused by an event that the user is aware of. Furthermore, considering that the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, it can be said that the shaking is low in possibility that the shaking is not caused by the user's actions or caused by an event that the user is not aware of.

[0046] In this embodiment, the threshold adjustment process makes the threshold T higher when the person-related condition is met, that is, when the user is near the vehicle 2, compared to when this is not the case. As a result, in the case of "a situation in which shaking occurs in the vehicle 2 and there is a high possibility that the shaking will cause unnecessary recording of the captured video", recording is less likely to start in response to the occurrence of shaking, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary captured video from being recorded.

[0047] On the other hand, if the user is not in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, when shaking occurs in the vehicle 2, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the shaking is not caused by the user's actions or is caused by an event that the user is not aware of. Furthermore, considering that the user is not in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, it can be said that there is a low possibility that the shaking is caused by the user's actions or is caused by an event that the user is aware of.

[0048] In this embodiment, the threshold adjustment process lowers the threshold T compared to other cases where the person-related condition is not satisfied, that is, where the user is not in the vicinity of the vehicle 2. This makes it easier to start recording in response to the occurrence of shaking in a situation where "when shaking occurs in the vehicle 2, there is a high possibility that the shaking will be shaking that requires recording of the captured video," and makes it possible to prevent unnecessary captured video from being recorded.

[0049] Next, a recording control method by the recording control unit 11A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the threshold adjustment process executed by the recording control device 1A. FIG. 6 shows the threshold adjustment process at a certain timing among the timings that arrive at a predetermined cycle. As shown in FIG. 6, the recording control unit 11A of the recording control device 1A recognizes whether or not a Bluetooth connection is established between the wireless communication unit 16 and the mobile terminal 17 (step SD1). Next, the recording control unit 11A determines whether or not a person-related condition is established (step SD2).

[0050] If the person-related condition is met (step SD2: YES), the recording control unit 11A sets the threshold T to the first value (> the second value) (step SD3). If the time-of-day-related condition is not met (step SD2: NO), the recording control unit 11A sets the threshold T to the second value (< the first value) (step SD4).

[0051] <Modification of the second embodiment> Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the recording control unit 11A changes the threshold T depending on whether the person-related condition is satisfied. In this regard, the following configuration may be used. That is, the recording control unit 11A may set the threshold T to a first value for a certain period after the accessory power of the vehicle 2 is turned off, regardless of whether the person-related condition is satisfied. Here, it is strongly assumed that the user will remain in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 for a while after the accessory power is turned off. In light of this, according to the above configuration, in a situation in which it is strongly assumed that the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 within a certain period after the accessory power is turned off, that is, in a situation in which it is highly likely that a shake caused by the user will occur, but it is unlikely that a shake not caused by the user will occur, the threshold T1 can be set to the first value (second value>), and unnecessary captured images can be effectively prevented from being recorded.

[0052] In this embodiment, the recording control unit 11A determines whether or not a user is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 based on whether or not a Bluetooth connection has been established. In this regard, the recording control unit 11A may be configured to determine whether or not a user is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 using another method. As an example, the recording control unit 11A may be configured to analyze the video captured by the camera C and determine whether or not a specific user is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 using existing face recognition technology or other image recognition technology. In this case, information required for face recognition is registered in advance.

[0053] The following configuration may also be used. That is, the recording control unit 11A recognizes the current position (longitude and latitude) of the vehicle 2. The recording control unit 11A may recognize the current position of the vehicle 2 based on an input from a GPS unit, or may obtain information about the current position from another device or system (e.g., a car navigation system or a control system for the vehicle 2) and perform the recognition based on the obtained information. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 17 periodically transmits information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 17 (= the current position of the user) to the recording control unit 11A of the recording control device 1A via a mobile communication network by using a function of a dedicated application. Every time the recording control unit 11A receives information indicating the position of the mobile terminal 17, it compares the current position of the vehicle 2 with the position of the mobile terminal 17 and determines whether the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 based on the comparison result.

[0054] In addition, the configuration may be such that a beacon is periodically transmitted from the mobile terminal 17, and the recording control unit 11A determines whether or not the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 based on the reception status of the beacon, or conversely, the configuration may be such that a beacon is periodically transmitted from the recording control device 1A, and the recording control unit 11A determines whether or not the user is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2 based on the status of the response to the beacon.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments (including the modified examples) are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0056] For example, the camera C in the first embodiment may include a camera that captures images inside the vehicle, or may include a camera other than a visible light camera, such as an infrared camera. The above also applies to the modified examples of the first embodiment and other embodiments (including the modified examples).

[0057] Also, some or all of the processes that are supposed to be executed by the functional blocks of the recording control device 1 in the first embodiment may be executed by the functional blocks in cooperation with an external device (e.g., a cloud server). In this case, the recording control device 1 and the external device function as a "recording control device." The above also applies to the modified examples of the first embodiment and other embodiments (including modified examples). [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] Recording control device 1, 1A Car 2 Front Camera 3 Rear Camera 4 Right side camera 5 Left side camera 6 Recording control unit 11, 11A

Claims

1. A recording control unit that acquires a detection value corresponding to the shaking of a vehicle and starts recording an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle when the acquired detection value becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value, The recording control unit changes the value of the threshold value depending on whether or not a time period related condition, that is, the current time belongs to a specific time period, is satisfied.

13. A recording control device comprising:

2. The recording control unit sets the specific time period based on a user's instruction.

2. The recording control device according to claim 1,

3. The recording control unit is setting a time period during which the vehicle is likely to be used as the specific time period based on a usage history of the vehicle; When the time period related condition is satisfied, the threshold value is set to a first value, and when the time period related condition is not satisfied, the threshold value is set to a second value smaller than the first value.

2. The recording control device according to claim 1,

4. A recording control method for a recording control device including a recording control unit that acquires a detection value corresponding to a shaking of a vehicle, and starts recording an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle when the acquired detection value becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value, a step in which the recording control unit of the recording control device determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied; and changing a value of the threshold value depending on whether or not a time period related condition is satisfied, that is, the current time belongs to a specific time period, by the recording control unit of the recording control device. A recording control method comprising:

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