Systems and programs

Abstract

To provide a system, a program and the like, having excellent characteristics.SOLUTION: A system includes: a drive recorder 10 which is installed in a vehicle and equipped with a function to record an image taken by a camera unit 12; and an indicator 1001, as a user experience improvement means, on a side of the drive recorder, the side not being a surface side with a camera 26, and on a side face that is not an opposite surface side to the surface side with the camera 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known drive recorders that are installed in a vehicle and capture images of the area in front of the vehicle, and viewers that play back images captured by the drive recorders on a personal computer, etc. Some drive recorders capture images of an area larger than a hemisphere, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-196066 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional systems have had various problems. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a system, program, etc. having superior characteristics to conventional systems.

[0005] The object of the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicant intends to obtain rights for configurations that aim to obtain effects from parts of the configurations disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. For example, this specification discloses problems in which the parts described as "can" and "is possible" in this specification are read as "is the problem." The problems are described as being independent, and the applicant intends to obtain rights for the configurations for solving each problem separately by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. Even if the problems are implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include part of the configurations described in this specification in the scope of the patent claim by amendment or divisional application. In addition, the applicant has disclosed a configuration that solves a problem that combines these independent problems, and intends to obtain rights for it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A system characterized by having an improvement means for improving user experience compared to conventional drive recorders. As an improvement measure, it is preferable to have at least a part of the contents below this line of the present specification.

[0007] (2) A system equipped with a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, wherein an indicator is provided on a side of the drive recorder body that is not the side having the camera, but is not the side opposite the side having the camera. (3) The side surface may be provided with a portion for preventing the light of the indicator from leaking toward the surface having the camera.

[0008] For example, it is particularly good to configure the indicator such as an LED to be attached to the side (side) of the main body. It is not good to attach it to the front (camera side) because light leaking to the outside will hinder traffic. It has been common for products to be attached to the inside. It is good to attach it to the side as in this system. It is particularly good to install it in a position on the side that is visible but not visible. Also, it is good to attach a cover or protrusion to the part facing the front so that there is no light leakage from the front. It is particularly good as a system to be installed in vehicles in which customers ride, such as buses, trucks, and trains. It can be illuminated in vehicles in which customers ride, such as buses, trucks, and trains, without appealing too much to customers, and also to the driver so as to soften the appeal that it is being monitored. In particular, it is good to display the status so that the driver can see that it is recording but cannot tell unless he looks inside. It is particularly good as a system to be installed near the driver's seat. (4) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, A fixing means is provided between a main body of the drive recorder and a portion attached to the vehicle, the fixing means is provided with a connector for receiving power from the vehicle side and a means for supplying the received power to the main body, The fixing means may be provided with a light emitting means for indicating a power receiving state from the vehicle side on a surface side that faces the inside of the vehicle when the fixing means is fixed to the vehicle.

[0009] For example, it is preferable to provide a power connector on the bracket side and a lamp on the bracket side to indicate whether power is being supplied, and the lamp is preferably provided on the front side.

[0010] In particular, this provides an excellent effect in that it can solve the problem that it is difficult to know whether the drive recorder is operating because of the lack of a monitor when the drive recorder is a system that does not have a monitor. (5) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, a slot for inserting a recording medium for recording the video is provided on a surface that will be the inside of the vehicle when the drive recorder is installed in the vehicle; It is preferable to provide an access lamp near the slot on the surface facing the inside of the vehicle to indicate that the recording medium is being accessed.

[0011] For example, the slot may be provided on the front side, and the lamp indicating that writing to the recording medium is in progress may be provided around the slot on the front side. The lamp may be provided inside the cover of the slot into which the recording medium is inserted, so that it is not dazzling when the cover is closed, and is visible when the cover is open. For example, the SD card slot may be provided on the front side, and the lamp indicating that writing to the SD card is in progress may be provided around the SD card slot on the front side. The lamp may be provided inside the SD card slot cover. (6) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, a motion detection and recording function for recording the video when the motion is detected; a time lapse recording function for recording the video for a predetermined period of time at regular time intervals; The moving object detection and recording function and the time lapse function may be operated simultaneously.

[0012] (7) The image in the time lapse recording function may be a still image, and the predetermined time may be one frame, while the image in the motion detection function may be a video. For example, the time lapse and motion detection may be operated simultaneously, and the time lapse may be recorded as a still image, and the motion detection may be recorded as a video.

[0013] (8) The time lapse recording function and the motion detection function are processed separately as events, but it is preferable to record each video in the same folder without distinguishing between them. For example, time lapse and motion detection may be performed simultaneously and detected as separate events, but may be recorded in the same folder without distinction. (9) A drive recorder having an HDR function, It would be good to have a function for recording video that allows you to distinguish between video recorded in HDR and video recorded without HDR.

[0014] HDR can be of various types. For example, it may include what is called WDR. DOL-HDR is particularly preferable. It is also preferable to have a function to select the type of HDR automatically or by user operation settings, etc., and to record the selected type of HDR in association with the image to be recorded.

[0015] (10) It is preferable to record the image in association with information that distinguishes whether the image is an image when HDR is on or off. In particular, it is preferable to record information that distinguishes whether the image is an image when DOL-HDR is on or off in association with the image. It is preferable to have a function that allows the user to set whether or not to use DOL-HDR.

[0016] (11) When the camera is used to capture circular fisheye images, it is advisable to provide a function to change the setting so that DOL-HDR is not used. In particular, it is advisable to provide a function to change the setting so that Long Exposure is used and DOL-HDR is not used at night.

[0017] (12) It would be good to have a function to extract both short exposure and long exposure images from the camera and record both images on a recording medium. It would be good to have a function in the viewer to use both images and perform so-called "development" separately or in combination.

[0018] (13) The imaging element of the camera of the drive recorder may have a function of binning a plurality of pixels as one pixel, a function of allowing a user to set whether or not to perform binning, and a function of causing the binning to be performed when binning is set. In particular, when binning is set by the user, the imaging element may have a function of determining whether or not to perform binning by prioritizing the user's setting, regardless of the binning-related functions from (14) onwards. (14) It is preferable that the drive recorder has a setting for whether or not to perform binning as a separate setting from the recording resolution setting.

[0019] (15) The drive recorder may have a function of storing information indicating whether or not binning is being performed in association with video data. For example, the drive recorder may have a function of storing information indicating whether or not binning is being performed in association with each video frame. (16) The camera has a function to bin multiple pixels into a single pixel, It is preferable to have a function of determining whether or not to perform binning depending on the remaining capacity of a recording means for recording images from the camera, or on the total capacity. (17) Equipped with a function to determine whether it is daytime or nighttime. It would be good to have a function that does not bin during the day, but bins during the night. (18) It would be good to have a function that does not bin the images when the headlights are on, even at night.

[0020] (19) It is preferable to provide a front camera for taking pictures in front of the vehicle and a rear camera for taking pictures behind the vehicle, and to have the front camera not binning even at night, while the rear camera has the function of binning. (20) It would be good to have a function that does not bin the front camera even at night, but bins the rear camera at night.

[0021] (21) It is preferable to have a function for detecting whether or not the vehicle is inside a tunnel, and a function for binning when the vehicle is inside a tunnel. When the vehicle is inside a tunnel, it is preferable to bin the vehicle even if the vehicle has the functions from the 15th onward and does not bin the vehicle. (22) A drive recorder having a headlight forgetting warning function, It would be a good idea to have a function to control the headlight-on warning so that it is only issued once a day. (23) It is preferable to provide a headlight-on forgetting warning function and to provide a function for controlling the headlight-on forgetting warning so that it is issued only once per driving unit.

[0022] (24) A system including a drive recorder with a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, in which a plurality of drive recorders are provided in one vehicle, and a function of receiving and displaying images from a first drive recorder on a second drive recorder different from the first drive recorder is provided. For example, a 360° drive recorder that captures circular fish-eye images without a monitor is installed in the rear, and a regular drive recorder with a monitor is installed in the front. Images from the 360° drive recorder in the rear can be checked on the monitor of the regular drive recorder in the front.

[0023] (25) A drive recorder having a function of converting a circular fisheye image captured by a camera into an image in another coordinate system and displaying it on a display means, and preferably having a function of receiving a circular fisheye image captured by another drive recorder via wireless communication, converting the received image into an image in the other coordinate system, and displaying it on the display means. (26) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle,

[0024] The camera may capture circular fisheye images and transmit the captured circular fisheye images to a smartphone, and the smartphone may have a function of converting the circular fisheye images into images in another coordinate system and displaying them.

[0025] For example, the dashcam itself could send circular fisheye images to a smartphone, and the smartphone could then be configured to play back the images in a variety of views by selecting multiple view modes such as "panorama," "2-split," "4-split," and "crop." (27) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, It is preferable that the image capturing apparatus has a function of generating and recording image data in which an area outside a predetermined circumference of the circular fisheye image captured by the camera is filled with a single color. (28) When recording circular fisheye images, it is preferable to have a function of generating and recording image data in which areas outside a specified circumference are filled (masked) with a single color.

[0026] In this way, the amount of video data can be reduced and unnecessary reflections such as reflected images outside the circumference can be prevented from being reproduced. Even if physical measures are taken inside the telescope barrel, reflections such as a faint brown ring may appear on the periphery of the circular image area, but in this way, such reflections can be prevented from being recorded in the video. The specified circumference may be the range in which the circular fisheye image is imaged on the sensor, but it is preferable to set the range to a specified width inside this range. For example, when recording a circular fisheye image, it is preferable to have a function to generate and record video data in which the circumference is filled (masked) with a single color up to a little inside. (29) A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, the camera has a rectangular imaging area;

[0027] It is preferable that the camera has a function of recording, as image data, an image of a square region within the rectangular imaging area, the vertical width of which exceeds by a predetermined range the diameter of the circumference of the circular fisheye image captured by the camera. (30) It is preferable to provide a selection means for selecting whether to record the image of the rectangular imaging area captured by the camera or the image of the square region. (31) A system for reproducing an image of a rectangular or square area including a circular fisheye image recorded by the drive recorder, When playing back the circular fisheye image, the circular fisheye image may be played back within a predetermined circumference, and the area outside the predetermined circumference may be painted black.

[0028] (32) A system for playing back video of a square area recorded by the drive recorder may have a function for playing back the video by adding black rectangular areas to the left and right of the square area.

[0029] (33) When recording a circular fisheye image formed on a rectangular imaging sensor area, it is preferable to have a function of recording as image data only the image of a square area whose vertical width is slightly longer (within a few tens of pixels) than the diameter of the circumference.

[0030] (34) A viewer for playing back images recorded in the configurations of Nos. 33, 34, etc. should have a function for adding black areas to the left and right of the area outside the circumference so that the image inside the circumference is centered in the long rectangular area in the horizontal direction.

[0031] (35) It is preferable to have a function to set whether to record in the configuration of No. 33, No. 34, etc., or in the rectangular area of ​​the image sensor, and record according to the setting. It is also preferable to have a function to record which of these was selected and recorded. (36) Recording is performed in a square or rectangular area, but it is advisable to provide a function for playing back by masking the outside of the circular area with a single color. (37) A system including a camera, The camera is a camera that images a circular fisheye image into a non-square image sensor area, The imaging means of the camera is provided with a function for outputting an image of a cropped range,

[0032] A means for performing strict alignment so that the entire diameter of the practice fisheye image is included in the short side direction of the image sensor area, while performing less strict alignment and fixing in the long side direction of the image sensor area than in the short side direction;

[0033] It is advisable to actually measure the range of the practice fisheye image in the longitudinal direction formed on the image sensor area (e.g., measure it using an image output in All-pixel scan mode) and then perform a process of outputting an image cropped with that area as one side (e.g., output in Window Cropping Mode).

[0034] In this way, there is no need to perform strict alignment in the longitudinal direction during assembly. For example, it is advisable to use the IMX415 CMOS image sensor, which is an imaging element manufactured by Sony, and set its Readout Mode to Window cropping mode. (38) A system including a camera, The camera is a camera that forms a circular fisheye image in a rectangular image sensor area,

[0035] It is preferable that the center of the circular area in which a circular fisheye image is formed by the first lens is positioned at a position shifted from the longitudinal center of the rectangular area, and that an image is formed by a lens other than the first lens in an area in the longitudinal direction of the rectangle other than the circular area.

[0036] For example, in a 4K resolution image sensor, the image sensor has 3840 pixels horizontally but 2160 pixels vertically, so in a circular fisheye image, only the diameter of 2160 pixels is used horizontally. Therefore, a maximum of 1680 x 2160 pixels of black area is unused, which is a waste. It is a good idea to force an image to be formed from another lens here. For example, if the circular fisheye image area is shown by a circle and the area to be forcibly imaged is shown by a square, the images are formed side by side, for example, as in □○□. Or, the images are formed side by side, as in □○. In this case, it is a good idea to place a shield between the square and the circle. The square itself can be imaged using a refractive optical system, or a lens can simply be placed at an angle. Although it will be blurred, it is particularly good for sensing whether there is a suspicious person.

[0037] (No. 39) The other lens side may be configured to have a larger F-number than the first lens side. For example, the F-number of the square side may be made larger (narrowed) than the F-number of the circle side. Even if the image of the square side is formed obliquely on the sensor, the depth of field can be ensured, image blurring can be reduced, and the image of the circle side can be recorded relatively brightly. (40) A system for wirelessly acquiring images recorded in a drive recorder and displaying a list of the titles of the images, a function of displaying a download icon for inputting a download instruction paired with the title; A function of displaying a share icon for inputting a share instruction to an SNS paired with the title, When displaying the list of titles, the system displays the share icon in a pair with the title of the video that has been downloaded from the drive recorder;

[0038] When displaying the list of titles, it is preferable that the system display the download icon for the titles of videos that have not been downloaded from the drive recorder, without displaying the share icon in pair with the titles.

[0039] For example, when displaying a list of video files recorded on a dashcam on a smartphone, for files that have not yet been downloaded to the smartphone, a download button can be displayed but a share button can be hidden; for files that have already been downloaded to the smartphone, a share button can be displayed but no download button can be displayed. (No. 41) Equipped with a function to share the video recorded by the dashcam on social media, etc. When a user inputs an instruction to share a video on SNS, It is preferable for the system to have a function to display a screen for specifying the range to be shared, and a function to upload the specified range to a server of a specified SNS or the like.

[0040] For example, it would be good to have a function that, when a user presses the share button, displays a screen that allows the user to specify the range of the entire time range of the video file to be shared, and a function to upload the specified range to a specified server. (42) Equipped with a function to share the video recorded by the dashcam on social media, etc.

[0041] The images recorded by the drive recorder include files of continuous recorded images and files of event recorded images, and it is preferable that the system be configured so that the event recorded image files can be uploaded to a server of an SNS or the like using the sharing function, while the continuous recorded image files cannot be uploaded to a server of an SNS or the like using the sharing function. For example, if there are an event recording file and a continuous recording file, the event recording file may be shareable, but the continuous recording file may not be shareable. (43) A system having a function for displaying an image and displaying the location where the image was taken on a map,

[0042] The system may preferably have a function of displaying a mark at a position on a map indicating the position of the image, and drawing a graphic of a shape indicating the display range of the image from the position of the mark.

[0043] For example, a pin icon indicating the currently playing position on the map and the driving path to that position may be displayed on the map. A function may be provided to change the display range of the image by user operation within an area that displays an image of a part of the image that is smaller than the entire area of ​​the recorded image, and a display indicating the direction indicated by the currently displayed display range may be displayed at the current position on the map display. In particular, the currently displayed direction may be reflected in real time by an arrow or a sector shape. (44) Equipped with a function to change the display direction of the image by user operation, A function for changing the direction of the graphic in response to a change in the display direction of the image is provided. It would be better to make it a system. (No. 45) Equipped with a function to change the display direction of the image by user operation, The system may preferably have a function for changing the direction of the graphic in response to a change in the display direction of the image. (No. 46) A system having a function for displaying an image and displaying the position of the image on a map,

[0044] It is preferable that the device has a function of displaying a mark at a position on a map indicating the position of the image, and drawing a graphic of a shape indicating an area narrower than the display range of the image, the shape varying depending on the vehicle speed from the position of the mark.

[0045] For example, the angle of the fan may be narrowed as the speed increases, or another fan may be drawn within the fan of the graphic of (43) with an angle corresponding to the speed. This angle should be set to correspond to the driver's field of vision, which narrows as the speed increases. (No. 47) A system having a function for displaying an image and displaying the position of the image on a map,

[0046] It is preferable to have a function of displaying a mark at a position on a map indicating the position of the image, and drawing a graphic indicating the display mode of the image from the position of the mark.

[0047] For example, a graphic that indicates the image display mode could be displayed on the map as an icon of a shape that corresponds to the view mode: a circle for round view mode, a fan shape showing the panoramic range for panorama view mode, a fan shape showing the front and back shooting range for two-split view mode, a fan shape showing the front, back, left and right range for four-split view mode, a fan shape showing the cropped range for cropped view mode, etc.

[0048] (1) A system having a drive recorder with a function of recording video captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, and the system may have a function of performing specified processing using a specified range of the video captured by the camera installed in the vehicle in response to operation by a user.

[0049] In this way, a system superior to the conventional system can be provided. For example, a predetermined process using a predetermined range of an image captured by a camera installed in a vehicle can be performed in response to a user's operation. Therefore, for example, a predetermined process using a predetermined range of an image captured by a camera installed in a vehicle can be performed in accordance with the user's intention more than in the conventional system.

[0050] The camera installed in the vehicle may be, for example, at least one of a camera that photographs the front of the vehicle, a camera that photographs the rear of the vehicle, a camera that can simultaneously photograph the front and rear of the vehicle, and a camera that photographs the driver. The camera installed in the vehicle may be at least one of a wide-angle camera, a semi-spherical camera, and a celestial sphere camera.

[0051] The function of recording video may be a function of recording to a recording means built into the drive recorder, but it is preferable to record to a recording means that is detachably attached to the drive recorder. The camera and the drive recorder may be provided in separate housings and connected by wire or wirelessly, but it is better to provide them in a single housing. A system having a drive recorder may be, for example, a system including a drive recorder and a power line for supplying power to the drive recorder.

[0052] The operation from the user may be, for example, a touch panel operation from the user, but is particularly preferably a button operation. It is preferable to have an operation receiving means for receiving an operation from the user, such as a touch panel, an operation button, or the like.

[0053] The system having a function of performing a predetermined process using a predetermined range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle in response to an operation from a user may be built into the housing of the camera, the housing of the drive recorder, or the housing of an electronic device separate from the camera or the drive recorder. For example, it may be built into a personal computer, tablet, etc. When built into the housing of a separate electronic device, the "image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle" may be input (e.g., acquired) by connecting the drive recorder and the separate electronic device by wire or wirelessly, or the drive recorder may record the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle on a recording medium detachable from the drive recorder, and the recording medium may be removed from the drive recorder and attached to the separate electronic device, and the separate electronic device may read and acquire the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle.

[0054] (2) The predetermined processing includes a process for generating an image in which a predetermined range of an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle is incorporated into a predetermined position in one screen and outputted, The operation from the user may preferably include an operation for changing a predetermined range in an image captured by the camera that is to be incorporated at a predetermined position in the single screen.

[0055] In this way, the user can operate the system to change a specified range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle, which is to be incorporated in a specified position on one screen.

[0056] The video to be output is preferably at least one of a video to be output to a screen, a video to be output to be recorded in a recording means, and a video to be output to an external video output terminal.

[0057] The specified range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle may be, for example, the entire image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle, but it is particularly preferable to set it to a partial range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle.

[0058] The predetermined position within a screen may be a position of a part of the screen, for example, by dividing a screen into a plurality of areas and setting the predetermined position within one of the divided areas.

[0059] The predetermined range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle may be multiple, and multiple different ranges may be provided within one screen of the image. The multiple different ranges may be ranges that do not overlap, or may be ranges that overlap partially or entirely.

[0060] It is preferable to have a plurality of predetermined positions in one screen, and it is preferable to have a plurality of different positions in the one screen. The plurality of different positions may be areas that partially or entirely overlap, but it is preferable that they are areas that do not overlap.

[0061] The correspondence between a specified range of an image captured by a camera installed in a vehicle and a specified position within a screen may be fixed in advance, but it is preferable to have a function for changing this correspondence.

[0062] (3) As the specified range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle, a first specified range which is the entire image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle and a second specified range which is a partial range of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle are provided; as the specified position in the one screen, a first layout of a screen layout which is the position of the entire area in the one screen and a second layout of a screen layout which is the position of a partial area in the one screen are provided; and the display device has at least three modes among a first mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first specified range with the first layout; a second mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first specified range with the second layout; a third mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second specified range with the first layout; and a fourth mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second specified range with the second layout; and the display device may be configured to include an operation for switching between each of the modes as an operation from the user.

[0063] In this way, the user can operate to switch between at least three modes provided by the system, among a first mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the first layout, a second mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the second layout, a third mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the first layout, and a fourth mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the second layout. By providing these at least three modes, either one of the two modes in which the predetermined range is "whole" or the two modes in which the predetermined range is "part", or the two modes in which the layout is "whole" or the two modes in which the layout is "part" is in the switchable mode, so that when switching, the user can switch using the identity of the predetermined range or layout as a clue, and can more easily grasp which range is displayed in which layout than before.

[0064] (4) The specified processing may include processing for generating an image in which a specified range of an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle is incorporated at a specified position within a single screen and outputted, the specified positions may be provided in a plurality of locations within the single screen, and the user may be allowed to select, as an operation, at which of the plurality of specified positions within the single screen the specified range within the image captured by the camera is to be incorporated.

[0065] In this way, the user can select at which of a plurality of predetermined positions within one screen a predetermined range within an image captured by a camera is to be incorporated.

[0066] (5) The specified processing may include processing for generating an image in which a specified range of an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle is incorporated into a specified position within a single screen and output, and the operation from the user may include an operation for setting the specified position to a position within the single screen that has been moved from an initial position of the specified position.

[0067] In this way, the user can set the predetermined position to a position within one screen that has been moved from the initial position of the predetermined position. For example, when the configuration (4) is provided and the configuration (5) is provided, it is particularly preferable to have a function for selecting which of a plurality of predetermined positions to move, and to set the predetermined position to a position that has been moved from the initial position of the selected predetermined position.

[0068] (6) The specified processing may include processing for generating an image in which a specified range of an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle is incorporated at a specified position within a single screen and outputted, the specified range being provided at a plurality of locations within a single screen of the image captured by the camera installed in the vehicle, the specified position being provided at a plurality of locations within the single screen, and the user may be configured to perform an operation for setting a correspondence relationship as to which of the specified ranges at the plurality of locations is to be incorporated into which of the specified positions at the plurality of locations.

[0069] In this way, the user can set the correspondence relationship as to which of the plurality of predetermined ranges is to be incorporated into which of the plurality of predetermined positions.

[0070] (7) A system having a plurality of predetermined layouts with predetermined positions for incorporating one or more images on a single screen, and a function for generating an image in which different predetermined ranges within an image captured by a camera are combined at predetermined positions of the predetermined layouts, the system being configured to have a function for selecting, as a user operation, which of the plurality of predetermined layouts to use to generate the combined image. In this way, the user can select which of a plurality of predetermined layouts to use to generate the combined image.

[0071] (8) It is preferable to have a function for recording both the image captured by the camera itself and the generated image, and for at least one of the predetermined layouts to display the image captured by the camera itself on one screen, and for a layout selected by the selection function to not record the image generated in the selected layout. In this way, the capacity of the recorded image can be reduced.

[0072] (9) It is preferable to provide a first mode in which an image of the selected layout is displayed on the display screen and an image of the same layout as the selected layout displayed on the display screen is recorded in a recording means, and a second selection function in which an image of the layout selected by the selection function is displayed on the display screen but a layout for recording different from the layout selected by the selection function and displayed on the display screen is selected.

[0073] In this way, it is possible to provide a system that can be easily used by both users who want the display layout and the recording layout to be the same, and users who want them to be different.

[0074] (10) It is preferable that the display device has a function of enlarging and displaying an image at a predetermined position in the predetermined layout in the image of the selected layout that generates the combined image, based on a user instruction. In this way, the user can input an instruction to enlarge and display an image at a predetermined position in a predetermined layout.

[0075] (11) It is preferable to provide a function for recording the enlarged image while the enlarged image is being displayed, or a function for recording the image of the selected layout without recording the enlarged image.

[0076] (12) The different predetermined ranges within the image captured by the first camera as the camera are arranged so as not to overlap each other, and the camera may be provided with a function for generating an image in which a second camera image, which is an image captured by a camera other than the first camera, is displayed at any one of the plurality of predetermined positions. In this way, the user can view a non-overlapping image of a different predetermined range from the first camera and an image from the second camera on one screen. (13) It is preferable to have a function for selecting the predetermined position at which the image from the second camera is to be displayed.

[0077] In this way, the image from the second camera can be displayed at a position selected by the user, while the image from the first camera of a different, non-overlapping, specified range and the image from the second camera can be viewed on a single screen. (14) It is preferable to have a function of storing information specifying the correspondence between the predetermined position and the predetermined range in association with the recorded image.

[0078] In this way, the manner of playback can be easily set based on the information that specifies the correspondence between the specified position and the specified range that is stored when playing back the recorded video. (15) It is preferable to have a function of displaying the generated image on a display screen without recording the generated image. In this way, the user's operation does not affect the image to be recorded, and the image desired by the user can be displayed on the screen in response to the user's operation. For example, it is preferable to have the configuration of (7) and a function to display the image generated in the selected layout on the display screen without recording it.

[0079] In this way, the user can freely switch the layout in which the image displayed on the display screen is incorporated to the desired one, without the image recorded by the drive recorder being affected by the user's layout change operation.

[0080] For example, it is preferable to have the configuration of (7) and a function of recording both the image captured by the camera and the image generated using the selected layout in a recording means, together with information for distinguishing between the two images, so that the two images can be played back in sync. In this way, it becomes easy to play back both videos in a synchronized manner. (16) It is preferable that the video camera has a function of displaying the generated video on a display screen and a function of recording the generated video.

[0081] In this way, a screen display according to a user's operation can be performed, and a generated image similar to the screen display according to the user's operation can be recorded. In particular, it is preferable to perform a screen display according to a user's operation, record a generated image similar to the screen display according to the user's operation, and record the image from the camera itself.

[0082] (17) The image captured by the camera is a circular fisheye image, and the user operation includes an operation of setting in advance a position in the circular fisheye image that corresponds to an installation position of a vehicle speed measuring device, and the specified processing includes a function of displaying a specified warning message for the specified range including the position that corresponds to the installation position set in response to the user operation.

[0083] In this way, a specified warning display is given for a specified range in the circular fisheye image set by the user, including a position corresponding to the installation position of the vehicle speed measuring device, so that the user can recognize the warning more quickly and easily than before.

[0084] (18) It is preferable that the camera has a function of controlling an infrared irradiating means that irradiates infrared rays into the shooting range of the camera, and a function of recording images before and after a change in a predetermined control of the infrared irradiating means.

[0085] In this way, images before and after the occurrence of a change in the predetermined control of the infrared emitting means from the present system are recorded. For example, by viewing the recorded images played back, the situation when the predetermined change occurred in the infrared emitting means can be easily understood. For example, it is preferable to detect the brightness around the drive recorder, and control the infrared emitting means to turn on when the detected brightness falls below a predetermined level. (19) It is preferable that the image processing device has a function of detecting an area in the image that is reddish compared to the surrounding area and performing the predetermined processing on the area as an area inside the vehicle cabin.

[0086] In this way, a system that performs specified processing on an area inside the vehicle cabin in the image does not need to manually set the position of that area, but can automatically grasp the area and perform the specified processing.

[0087] (20) It is preferable that the vehicle is provided with a function of playing back recorded video, the time at which an event occurred being recorded in the video, and when playback reaches a time point related to the time at which the event occurred but the driver is not visible in the video being played back, the vehicle is provided with a function of displaying video showing the driver for a period including the time at which the event occurred.

[0088] In this way, when the recorded video is being played back and the playback reaches a time point related to the occurrence of an event while the driver is not in the video being played back, the video showing the driver is automatically displayed for the period including the time point of the event. Therefore, when the playback reaches a time point related to the occurrence of an event, the user can easily check the driver's condition at that time without performing an operation such as switching to a video of the range in which the driver is in view. This is particularly effective when a person other than the driver, such as an operations manager, checks the vehicle condition and the driver's driving condition.

[0089] (21) The specified range may include an area in the image captured by the camera where smoked glass is located, and the specified processing may include a smoked glass partial area image adjustment function that adjusts the image of the area in the image captured by the camera where smoked glass is located.

[0090] In this way, the image of the area where the smoked glass is located in the image captured by the camera can be adjusted in response to the user's operation. The user's operation may include an operation to set the area where the smoked glass is located in the image captured by the camera. The image adjustment of the area where the smoked glass is located in the image captured by the camera may be a process of increasing the brightness of the set area.

[0091] (22) The image may include an image including a rear side of the vehicle, and the specified processing may include a function for issuing an alert based on the approaching state of a rear vehicle in the image, the alert may include an alert indicating that the rear vehicle is too close, and the user operation may include a function for changing a position of an approach determination reference in the image for determining that the rear vehicle is too close in response to user operation. In this way, the frequency and sensitivity of the notification that a rear vehicle is too close to the vehicle itself can be easily adjusted by the user's operation.

[0092] (23) The image may include an image including a rear side of the vehicle, the predetermined processing may include a function for issuing an alert based on an approaching state of a rear vehicle in the image, the alert may include an alert indicating that the rear vehicle is swerving, and the user operation may include a function for changing a position of a swerving determination reference in the image for determining that the rear vehicle is swerving in response to user operation. In this way, the frequency and sensitivity of the notification of the meandering of the vehicle behind can be easily adjusted by the user's operation.

[0093] (24) The image may include an image including a rear side of the vehicle, and the specified processing may include a function of issuing a plurality of different types of alerts based on the approaching state of a vehicle behind in the image, and the time range for recording may be different for each of the different types of alerts based on the approaching state of a vehicle behind in the image. In this way, it is possible to obtain images with different recording time ranges for different types of images based on the approaching state of a vehicle behind in the image.

[0094] It would be good to record "swerving" and "sudden approach" as different types of events and provide a function to display them separately on the viewer. It would be good to set different recording time ranges for sudden approach / swerving events and impact events.

[0095] (25) It is preferable that the imaging device has a function of displaying an image captured by the camera on a display screen, a function of changing the specified range as an operation from the user, and a function of recording an image including the point in time when an instruction to change the specified range is input from the user. In this way, it is possible to obtain an image including the point in time when the user inputs an instruction to change the predetermined range.

[0096] (26) It is preferable that the device has a function of designating a predetermined range of the input image as the target for display on the display screen or the target for recording, and has an operation for switching the predetermined range as an operation from the user, and has a function of outputting an instruction to the user, when the power is first turned on after being shipped from the factory, to perform the operation for switching the predetermined range and check that there are no problems with the image captured by the camera within the predetermined range of the input image to be displayed on the display screen or the target for recording.

[0097] In this way, when the drive recorder is installed in the vehicle, it is possible to easily check whether there are any problems with the image regardless of which state the user can switch between by operating the drive recorder.

[0098] (27) The image may include an area including at least one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, and the image may include a function for converting an image of the background of the driver or passenger in the image into a pre-stored image.

[0099] (28) A function for incorporating and displaying an image captured by the camera in a predetermined layout within the screen as an image to be displayed on the display screen, a function for providing a plurality of the predetermined layouts and for switching among the plurality of layouts based on a user's operation, and a function for incorporating the image recorded by the recording function into the predetermined layout and playing the image when playing the image, wherein the order of layouts switched based on the user's operation during playback may be the same as the order of switching the layouts for incorporating and displaying the image captured by the camera in a predetermined layout within the screen as an image to be displayed on the display screen based on the user's operation. In this way, the user can switch the layout during playback in the same order as the layout switching of the screen display, which is convenient.

[0100] The system may be configured with only a drive recorder, and the drive recorder may have the recording function and the playback function, but in particular, the system may be configured with a drive recorder and a playback device (such as a personal computer) separate from the drive recorder, and the drive recorder may have the recording function and the separate playback device may have the playback function. For example, the order of switching the layout of the image display on the drive recorder body and the order of switching the layout of the image display on a viewer running on a personal computer may be configured to be the same.

[0101] (29) The camera may have a function of incorporating and displaying images captured by a first camera and a second camera in a predetermined layout on the screen as images to be displayed on the display screen, and may have a plurality of layouts incorporating the image of the first camera as the predetermined layouts, and at least one layout incorporating the image of the second camera, a first operation unit for switching between the plurality of layouts in a predetermined order based on a user's operation, a second operation unit different from the first operation unit, and a function of switching to a layout of a camera other than the camera of the image incorporated in the currently displayed layout when a predetermined operation is performed on the second operation unit.

[0102] In this way, the user can switch between layouts incorporating camera footage in a predetermined order by operating the first operating unit, and if the user wants to immediately view footage from another camera, he or she can operate the second operating unit to switch to that camera's footage.

[0103] For example, if the system is configured with a drive recorder, it is advisable to provide a camera switching button on the drive recorder body as a button separate from the display mode switching button.

[0104] (30) The display device may have a function of displaying images captured by the camera in a predetermined layout on the screen as images to be displayed on the display screen, a first operation unit having a plurality of the predetermined layouts and switching between the plurality of layouts in a predetermined order based on a user's operation, and another operation unit different from the first operation unit, and a switching function of switching to a predetermined layout based on the user's operation when a predetermined operation is performed on the other operation unit, rather than switching in the predetermined order.

[0105] In this way, the user can switch between multiple layouts incorporating the images captured by the camera in a predetermined order by operating the first operation unit, and can instantly view a display in which the images captured by the camera are incorporated in a predetermined layout by operating another operation unit. For example, a viewer of the main body of the drive recorder or a device separate from the drive recorder (such as a personal computer) may be provided with a button for changing the display mode in sequence, and a button for changing to one preset mode in one go.

[0106] (31) The housing of the drive recorder may be provided with an event recording button, and a button operation unit that can be installed in a location that is difficult to see from outside a vehicle separate from the drive recorder and connected to the drive recorder, and when the button operation unit is operated, the drive recorder may be provided with a function of recording video for a predetermined period of time including before and after the operation of the button operation unit, at a recording time different from the recording time of the event recording.

[0107] In this way, the user can operate an event recording button provided on the housing side of the drive recorder to record an event, and can also operate a button operation unit provided in a location that is difficult to see from outside the vehicle and separate from the drive recorder to record video for a predetermined period of time including before and after the operation of the button operation unit at a recording time different from the event recording. For example, a button that can be provided in a location that is separate from the drive recorder and is shaded from the outside may be provided on the drive recorder main body that is provided with a manual event recording button, and the button may be the manual recording start button for tailgating, and the recording time for tailgating may be set to be longer than the manual event recording time.

[0108] (32) The button operation unit installed in a location that is separate from the drive recorder and difficult to see from outside the vehicle may be configured as a button on a remote control for a radar detector connected to the drive recorder. For example, the button operation unit may be assigned to a radar detector remote control as a button for tailgating. (33) A system having at least one of the configurations of (1) to (32), wherein the functions of the system are preferably provided in the drive recorder.

[0109] (34) A system having at least one of the configurations (1) to (32), the functions of which may be provided in an electronic device other than the drive recorder. It is particularly preferable to provide both (33) and (34), and both may have the same functions.

[0110] The separate electronic device may have a function for playing back video data recorded by, for example, a drive recorder, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. (35) It is preferable that the present invention be configured as a program for causing a computer to realize at least one of the functions of (1) to (34).

[0111] The inventions shown in (1) to (47) and (1) to (35) above can be arbitrarily combined. For example, at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (2) and after may be added to all or a part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). At least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (2) and after may be added to all or a part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). In particular, it is preferable to add at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions (2) and after to the invention shown in (1). In addition, any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (47) and (1) to (35) and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain rights to the inventions including these configurations. Furthermore, even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", it is not intended to describe the configuration as being limited to that case or time. These are examples of better configurations, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations other than these cases or times. Furthermore, the parts described in order are not limited to this order. We have also disclosed configurations in which some parts have been deleted or the order changed, and we intend to acquire the rights to these. Effect of the Invention

[0112] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system etc. that is superior to the conventional systems.

[0113] The effects of the invention of this application are not limited to this, and effects achieved from the configuration disclosed in the specification and drawings are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to the configuration achieving said effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, statements such as "can" and "is possible" are statements that clearly indicate the effects achieved, and there are also parts that show effects even without statements such as "can" and "is possible." Furthermore, there are effects that can be understood from the configuration even without such statements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0114] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a drive recorder according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a procedure for mounting the drive recorder on the windshield. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a part of a main body case of the drive recorder, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the drive recorder. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drive recorder of the present embodiment with a portion of the main body case omitted. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a lens portion. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a state in which a drive recorder is attached to a vehicle. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drive recorder with part of the main body case, the housing, the circuit board, etc. omitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the field of view, angle of view, etc. of a camera unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a blinking state of a lamp. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating images captured by a first camera and a second camera. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining an example of a display of a captured image, and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining an exposure control function. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a six-view diagram showing an example of a drive recorder. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a drive recorder. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a drive recorder. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the functions of a PC viewer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0115] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0116] The configurations and shapes of the devices described are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements may be made based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0117] 1 to 8, 21, 22, etc. show external views of a preferred embodiment of a drive recorder equipped with a system according to the present invention. The drive recorder 10 of this embodiment has a function of recording and outputting a 360-degree omnidirectional image obtained by capturing images in all directions of 360 degrees on a horizontal plane and 360 degrees on a vertical plane. The drive recorder 10 has a main body unit 11 that executes various processes, and a camera unit 12 that is arranged below the main body unit 11 when the drive recorder 10 is installed in a vehicle.

[0118] The main body 11 has a flat rectangular main body case 13, and various circuit boards and devices are mounted inside the main body case 13. The main body case 13 is formed by connecting a first case 14 and a second case 15. The first case 14 and the second case 15 are box-shaped with their opposing faces open, and are connected by a connecting means with their tip faces butted against each other. The connecting means may, for example, be comprised of a protrusion provided on one of the first case 14 and the second case 15, and a recess provided on the other case that links with the protrusion, and the protrusion and the recess may be fitted together.

[0119] The first case 14 has a shallow bottom, an opening surface of a substantially rectangular shape with four rounded corners, and an almost uniform depth over the entire surface. When the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle, the first case 14 is located at the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the surface of the first case 14 opposite the opening surface becomes the front surface 13a of the main body case 13. A joint rail 16 is provided on this front surface 13a. Two joint rails 16 are provided at the top and bottom of the first case 14 at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the first case 14. A bracket 17 is detachably attached between the two joint rails 16.

[0120] The second case 15 is a box-like shape that is deeper than the first case 14, and the periphery of the opening surface is a substantially rectangular shape with four rounded corners, similar to the first case 14. When the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle, the second case 15 is located at the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, the surface opposite the opening surface of the second case 15 becomes the rear surface 13b of the main case 13. The rear surface 13b has a flat surface 13b' adjacent to one of a pair of rectangular long sides, which is a plane parallel to the front surface 13a of the main case 13, and a sloped surface 13b'' adjacent to the other of the pair of long sides. The sloped surface 13b'' is formed so as to gradually approach the opening surface of the second case 15 from the middle side of the short side toward the outer long side. Therefore, the depth of second case 15 is uniform in a first region including flat surface 13b', and is gradually shallower toward the long side in a second region including inclined surface 13b". By providing inclined surface 13b", the external shape of main case 13 is a rectangular parallelepiped with one long side chamfered. The one long side to be chamfered is at the upper and rear when drive recorder 10 is installed in a vehicle (see Figure 6(a) for the state installed in a vehicle). When first case 14 and second case 15 are connected, front surface 13a on the first case 14 side and flat surface 13b' on the second case 15 side are parallel to each other. The inclined surface 13b" is provided with a first display 100 and a second display 200, arranged side by side. Both the first display 100 and the second display 200 are 4-inch full HD (1920 dots horizontal × 1080 dots vertical) dot matrix color LCD displays. In the initial settings at the time of shipment from the factory, the first display 100 displays the setting state and status information of the drive recorder, and the second display 200 displays a first layout in which a portion of the captured image is enlarged and displayed, incorporating a range (first range) in which the central part in the vertical direction of the forward image captured by the first camera 26 is cut out into a rectangular region. For example, an image such as that shown on the left side of Figure 10(a) is displayed. There are multiple combinations of "layout", "camera" and "image range" (hereinafter referred to as "camera display state sets"), and a process of switching between them is performed by operating the switch unit 28 described later.

[0121] Bracket 17 has flat plate 17a, and grooves 17b are formed along the longitudinal direction on a pair of long side surfaces of the plate 17a. The grooves 17b are configured to mate with the joint rails 16. The user fits the grooves 17b into the joint rails 16 and slides bracket 17 and main case 13 relative to one another to attach or detach bracket 17 to or from main case 13 (see FIG. 2, etc.).

[0122] The plate 17a has a protrusion 17c on a surface facing the main case 13 when the bracket 17 is attached to the main case 13 (see Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) and the like). The protrusion 17c is formed by pressing the bracket 17 against the joint rails 16 of the first case 14.

[0123] The bracket 17 is fitted into a hole 14b provided in the leaf spring portion 14a to prevent it from coming off. An adhesive member such as a double-sided tape 19 is attached to the surface of the bracket 17 opposite to the surface facing the main body case 13. When mounting the drive recorder 10 to a vehicle, the bracket 17 is removed from the main body case 13, and the removed bracket 17 is attached and fixed to the windshield 2 of the vehicle via the double-sided tape 19 (see FIG. 2(b) and the like). At this time, the bracket 17 is in a horizontal state, with a pair of long sides horizontal. By mounting the main body case 13 to the bracket 17 attached to the windshield 2 in this state (see FIG. 2(c) and the like), the drive recorder 10 is mounted and fixed at a predetermined position on the vehicle. In this mounted state, the front surface 13a and the flat surface 13b′ of the main body case 13 are arranged parallel to the mounting surface of the windshield 2, the long sides of the main body case 13 are located in a horizontal plane, and the side surfaces on the short sides of the main body case 13 are located in a vertical plane. Therefore, main body case 13 is fixed in a landscape orientation by being attached to windshield 2, and camera unit 12 is disposed in a state of being suspended from the bottom side of main body case 13.

[0124] As shown in Figures 1(a), 3, etc., a cutout window 14c is formed on one short side of the first case 14, and a cover member 20 is attached to cover the cutout window 14c. The cover member 20 is arranged so as to close the cutout window 14c, and is fastened and fixed with screws 21. When the cover member 20 is removed, a memory card slot 22 mounted in the main case 13 is exposed through the cutout window 14c. A memory card 23 is removably attached to the memory card slot 22.

[0125] A window hole 13c is provided on the side opposite to the side where the notched window portion 14c is provided, which opens so as to straddle the second case 15 of the first case 14, and a DC jack 24 is disposed at the back of the window hole 13c. A connector provided at one end of a power cable is attached to this DC jack 24 to receive power supply from the outside. The power supply from the outside is provided, for example, from a battery of the vehicle. For example, the other end of the power cable attached to the DC jack 24 is attached to a cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle or directly connected to the power line of the battery of the vehicle. Also, a power supply device separate from the battery of the vehicle may be prepared, and the drive recorder may receive power supply from the power supply device. This power supply device is a device that can supply power from a built-in battery even when power is not supplied from the battery of the vehicle, such as when the vehicle is parked. The built-in battery may be, for example, a rechargeable battery, and when this power supply device is installed in a vehicle, the power supply device is disposed between the battery of the vehicle and the drive recorder in the power line. When power can be supplied from the vehicle battery, such as while the vehicle is running, power is supplied from the vehicle battery to the drive recorder 10 via the power supply device. In this state, the built-in battery of the power supply device receives power supply from the vehicle battery and charges. When the power supply from the vehicle battery is turned off, the drive recorder 10 operates by receiving power supply from the power supply device.

[0126] A hole 13d is provided at a predetermined position on the inclined surface 13b" of the first case 14. A microphone 18 is placed inside the main case 13 near this hole 13d. The microphone 18 collects surrounding sounds. In the installation state shown in Figure 6, the inclined surface 13b" is designed to face slightly downward toward the interior of the vehicle cabin. By providing the first display 100, the second display 200, the hole 13d and the microphone 18 therein on this inclined surface 13b", sounds inside the vehicle cabin can be acquired and recorded with directionality toward the interior of the vehicle cabin, and when the driver is looking in the direction of the first display 100 and the second display 200, what is said can be recorded at a louder volume. A plurality of holes 13e are provided at predetermined positions on the flat surface 13b' of the first case 14. A speaker 29 is placed inside the main case 13 near the hole 13e.

[0127] Various processing circuits and power supply circuits are mounted inside the main body case 13. A control unit is provided as a processing circuit. The control unit is configured by an SoC (system on chip), and the SoC includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and peripheral circuits. The first camera 26, the second camera 27, the first display 100, the second display 200, the microphone 18, the switch unit 28, the speaker 29, the memory card slot 22, the GPS antenna unit 43, and other electrical components and modules described in the present embodiment are connected to the control unit, and the general processing of the drive recorder and the processing described in the present embodiment are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM. As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the processing circuits and power supply circuits are mounted on a main circuit board 40 and a sub-circuit board 41. The main circuit board 40 and the sub-circuit board 41 are mechanically integrated by connecting connectors 42 attached to both boards to each other, and the signal lines and power lines formed on each circuit board are connected to each other. The main circuit board 40 and the sub-circuit board 41 are connected in a parallel, overlapping state, and are mounted in the main case 13 in this state. In this mounted state, the main circuit board 40 is located on the second case 15 side, and the sub-circuit board 41 is located in the first case 14.

[0128] A GPS antenna unit 43 and a battery 44 are provided on the surface of the sub-circuit board 41 that does not face the main circuit board 40. The memory card slot 22 is mounted on the surface of the sub-circuit board 41 that faces the main circuit board 40. A CPU that handles various controls, the DC jack 24 described above, and a speaker 29 are mounted on the main circuit board 40. Although not shown, an acceleration sensor is also built into the main body case 13.

[0129] 5 and other figures, the camera unit 12 includes a housing 25, a first camera 26 and a second camera 27 mounted in the housing 25, and a switch unit 28. The housing 25 has a spherical overall shape and is configured by connecting a first camera case 30 and a second camera case 31, which are divided into two hemispherical parts, in a butt-to-button state. The first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 may be fixed to each other by fitting, as in the case of fixing the first case 14 and the second case 15 described above, a protrusion 30a provided on one side, for example, the first camera case 30, with a recess 31a provided on the other side, for example, the second camera case 31.

[0130] The first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are arranged back to back, and are fixed and connected so that they take pictures in opposite directions to form a camera unit 35. The camera unit 35 is integrated by erecting a flat rectangular holder 36, fixing the first camera 26 to the front surface of the holder, and fixing the second camera 27 to the rear surface of the holder. The fixing is performed, for example, by screws.

[0131] The first camera 26 is configured by arranging a first lens unit 26b on a first circuit board 26a. An imaging element and a processing circuit for photographing are mounted on the first circuit board 26a. The second camera 27 is configured by arranging a second lens unit 27b on a second circuit board 27a. An imaging element and a processing circuit for photographing are mounted on the second circuit board 27a. The first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are used with the same specifications and performance. The same state and performance means, for example, the angle of view, the optical system from the tip lens to the imaging element, the sensor size of the imaging element, etc., are the same, and for example, when the same subject is photographed under the same photographing conditions such as exposure conditions, the photographed images will be the same. In this embodiment, there is no physical aperture, and the brightness of the photograph is adjusted by changing the shutter speed to change the exposure time.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 5 etc., when the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are attached to the holder 36, the optical axes L of the first lens portion 26b and the second lens portion 27b are set to be positioned on the same straight line. As a result, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 take pictures in opposite directions. A circular window hole 30b is provided in the center of the first camera case 30, and a circular window hole 31b is provided in the center of the second camera case 31. When the camera unit 35 is mounted in the housing 25, the tip of the first lens portion 26b of the first camera 26 and the tip of the second lens portion 27b of the second camera 27 are located in the window holes 30b, 31b, respectively, and are exposed to the outside.

[0133] The housing 25 of the camera unit 12 is connected to the main body case 13 via an angle adjustment mechanism 50. The angle adjustment mechanism 50 rotates the housing 25 only around a rotation axis provided on the front side of the bottom surface of the main body case 13 along the long side, allowing for forward and backward swinging (see FIG. 6), but preventing sideways swinging, and is configured, for example, as follows. As shown in FIG.

[0134] The housing 25 includes a first bearing piece 51 that protrudes upward from the first camera case 30, and a second bearing piece 52 that protrudes upward from the second camera case 31. The first bearing piece 51 includes a wall portion 51a that extends upward, and two first bearing portions 51b formed on the rear surface of the wall portion 51a so as to protrude backward. The second bearing piece 52 includes a wall portion 52a that faces the wall portion 51a of the first bearing piece 51, and second bearing portions 52b that are arranged on both the left and right sides of the wall portion 52a. The four bearing portions 51b, 52b have through holes of the same diameter, and when the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 are connected, the four through holes are arranged concentrically.

[0135] The second case 15 of the main case 13 has a recess 15d at a predetermined position on the bottom surface. The recess 15d is formed in the center of the long side on the front side of the bottom surface of the second case 15, and has through holes 15e on a pair of inner surfaces perpendicular to the long side. The through holes 15e formed on the pair of inner surfaces are formed coaxially, and one of the inner diameters is larger than the shaft portion of the bolt 53 and smaller than the outer diameter of the nut 54 attached to the threaded portion of the bolt 53. A small chamber 55 for attaching the nut 54 is provided on the inside side of the second case 15 on the inner surface where the through hole 15e smaller than the outer diameter of the nut 54 is provided, and the nut is set in the small chamber. The inner diameter of the other through hole 15e is larger than the outer diameter of the head of the bolt 53. The other through hole 15e is connected to an opening 15g on the side surface 15f of the second case 15.

[0136] The bolt 53 is inserted from the opening 15g side with the threaded portion at the front with the first bearing piece 51 and the second bearing piece 52 inserted and arranged in the recess 15d, and the threaded portion of the bolt 53 is inserted into one of the through holes 15e with the shaft portion of the bolt 53 penetrating the first bearing portion 51b and the second bearing portion 52b, and positioned in the small chamber. The bolt 53 is turned using a fastening tool such as a hexagonal wrench to fasten the threaded portion and the nut. In this state, one side surface of the recess 15d is sandwiched between the nut and one of the second bearing portions 52b of the second bearing piece 52, preventing the bolt 53 and the housing 25 from coming off. When the bolt 53 is firmly fastened, the head of the bolt 53 biases the other second bearing portion 52b, preventing rotation. When the bolt 53 is loosened, the housing 25 rotates around the bolt 53 within a predetermined angle range.

[0137] Bolt 53 is disposed parallel to the long side of second case 15 and therefore main case 13. And since the long side of main case 13, which is affixed and fixed to windshield 2, is positioned on a horizontal plane, angle adjustment mechanism 50 consisting of bolt 53, first bearing piece 51, second bearing piece 52, etc., allows rotation around the horizontal axis but does not allow rotation around the vertical axis, and camera unit 12 is only allowed to swivel in the forward and backward directions.

[0138] When using the drive recorder 10, the housing 25 and the camera unit 12 are swung back and forth in a desired position while the drive recorder 10 is attached and fixed to the windshield 2 as described above, and the nuts are tightened to fix the orientation of the camera unit 12. The desired position is such that the first camera 26 faces forward, the second camera 27 faces backward, and the optical axis L of the first lens unit 26b and the second lens unit 27b is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this position, as shown in FIG. 6(a) and other figures, the joint surface M of the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 is located in a vertical plane and in a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0139] As shown in Fig. 8 and other figures, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are cameras that can capture the entire surroundings as they are by setting the angle of view θ in the direction perpendicular to the plane parallel to the lens to a predetermined angle greater than 180 degrees over 360 degrees. The predetermined angle is the same for the first camera 26 and the second camera 27. The first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are arranged back to back in opposite directions, so that a predetermined gap is provided between the tip of the first lens portion 26b and the tip of the second lens portion 27b. For example, if the angle of view of both cameras is set to 180 degrees, a band-shaped unphotographed area is generated all around the periphery, the width of which corresponds to the predetermined gap between the two lens portions. By making the angle of view θ larger than 180 degrees, the area behind the plane perpendicular to the optical axis at the tip position of the lens unit is also included in the shooting range, and as shown in FIG. 8, for example, there is an overlapping area in the areas that can be shot by both cameras (see the hatched area in FIG. 8), making it possible for a single drive recorder 10 to shoot a 720-degree (360 degrees horizontally + 360 degrees vertically) spherical image (see FIG. 8(d) and the like).

[0140] The images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, respectively, are circular, for example, as shown in Figures 8(b) and (c), and include a first region R1 in which a hemispherical portion on the front side of the lens unit is captured with a field angle of 360 degrees in a direction parallel to the lens and within 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction, and a second region R2 in which an area behind the lens unit is captured with a field angle of 180 degrees or more in the perpendicular direction.

[0141] The area beyond the predetermined angle becomes a blind area that cannot be captured by each camera. Therefore, the area from the position where the capture areas of the two cameras overlap, shown by hatching in FIG. 8, to the area near the camera unit 12 becomes a blind area R3 that cannot be captured by either camera. The closer the predetermined angle is to 180 degrees, the farther the point where the capture areas start to overlap is from the camera unit 12, and the larger the blind area R3 becomes. On the other hand, the larger the predetermined angle is, the smaller the blind area R3 becomes, but the smaller the first area R1 that captures the part of the hemisphere in front of the lens unit becomes, so that the resolution of the image captured in the first area R1 decreases and it becomes difficult to see. Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined angle is set to 210 degrees, and the resolution of the view in front of the vehicle captured in the first area R1 and the interior of the vehicle can be kept high while appropriately reducing the blind area R3.

[0142] The switch section 28 is attached to and integrated with the lower part of the camera unit 35. Semicircular cutouts 30c, 31c are provided below the joint edges of the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31. The cutouts 30c, 31c have the same radius, and when the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 are joined together, the two cutouts 30c, 31c are connected to form a circular hole. The switch section 28 is positioned within the circular hole, and is exposed to the outside.

[0143] The switch unit 28 is mounted in a housing 25 for the camera unit 12 and is stored in a housing separate from the main body unit 11 that incorporates the speaker 29. The switch unit 28 is a push button type, and pressing the switch unit 28 produces an operation sound. However, since the microphone 18 is built in the main body case 13 separate from the housing 25, even if the operation sound reverberates in the housing 25, the operation sound does not reach the main body case 13, is not collected by the microphone 18, and is not recorded. In contrast, if the switch unit is provided on the main body case 13 side, for example, the operation sound when the switch unit is pressed is collected and recorded by the microphone 18, and a problem occurs that the operation sound becomes a large noise, but in this embodiment, such a problem does not occur. In addition, if the microphone and the switch unit are mounted on the same board, the board vibrates when the switch unit is operated, and the sound caused by the vibration may also be recorded as noise, but in this embodiment, the mounting board is separate, so such a situation does not occur.

[0144] The control unit detects the pressing state of the switch unit 28 and performs a predetermined process. There are three pressing states: "double pressing" when two consecutive pressings are detected within 0.5 seconds, "short pressing" when no double pressings are detected and one consecutive pressing for less than two seconds is detected, and "long pressing" when consecutive pressings for two seconds or more are detected. Different functions are assigned to these pressing states. When a "short press" is detected, the current "camera display state set" is switched to the next "camera display state set."

[0145] The "camera display state set" includes the following first set to fourth set, and when a "short press" is detected, the set displayed on the second display 200 is switched to the next set. The order of the sets is from the first set to the fourth set, and after the fourth set, the display is cyclically switched back to the first set. In this way, the camera display state set can be switched in a predetermined order by short press. As described later, by performing a predetermined operation from the initial state of each set, the display contents of the screen can be changed from the state of each set, but when a short press is detected in a state changed from each set by this change operation, a process is performed to return to the state of the screen of the set before the change. For example, when the arrangement of the display is changed in the state of the fourth set, a process is performed to return to the state of the fourth set.

[0146] The first set, as shown on the left side of Figure 10(a), has a first layout with a single horizontally long rectangular area on the screen, the camera is the first camera 26 (front), and the image range is a combination of an image extracted from the circular image of Figure 8(b) in which the origin of the circle of the camera image area R1 in Figure 8(b) is the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle as shown in Figure 10, a rectangular range (first range).

[0147] As shown in Fig. 19, the second set is a second layout in which different image ranges can be assigned to two ranges, a square range on the left side and a square range on the right side of the screen, the first camera 26 (front) is in the square range on the left side of the second layout, and the second camera 27 (rear) is in the square range on the right side of the second layout, and the image range of both the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 is a square area (second range) including the range R2 in Fig. 8 (range with circular fisheye image). Note that the display state of Fig. 19 shows the character string "360°" superimposed on the bottom of each square area. This is a display indicating that each image is an image capturing an area of ​​360° or more, and the setting information recorded in the memory card 23 can be used to switch between a mode in which this display is displayed and a mode in which it is not displayed.

[0148] The third set, as shown on the right side of Figure 10(a), is a combination of images in which the layout is the first layout described above, the camera is the second camera 27 (rear), and the image range is the rectangular range (first range) extracted from the circular image of Figure 8(c) in which the origin of the circle of the camera image area R1 in Figure 8(c) is the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle, as shown in Figure 10.

[0149] As shown in Fig. 11, the fourth set is a third layout with a total of six areas, with the screen divided into roughly two-thirds of the upper area and one-third of the lower area in the vertical direction, the upper area further divided into roughly half areas on the left and right, and the lower area divided into roughly one-quarter areas on the left and right. The camera is the second camera 27 (rear) in the upper right area, and the rest of the area is the first camera 26 (front). The range of the image is a rectangular range in the center of each camera in the upper left and right areas (the first range, which is the same camera area as in Fig. 10(a)), and the lower area is, from left to right, the third range (referred to as the upper range), fourth range (referred to as the lower range), fifth range (referred to as the left range), and sixth range (referred to as the right range), which will be described below. The third range is a rectangular range inside the circle in Fig. 8(b), and is the upper range divided by the left and right straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as parts of the lower side. The fourth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a lower range divided by the left and right straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the upper side. The fifth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a left range divided by the up and down straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the right side, and the center of the right side is the origin of the circle in FIG. 8(b). The sixth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a right range divided by the up and down straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the left side, and the center of the left side is the origin of the circle in FIG. 8(b). According to the display using the fourth set, as shown in FIG. 11, the front and back images can be confirmed in a wide area of ​​two-thirds of the upper row, and the images of each position can be confirmed at a glance in the up, down, left and right images in the lower row.

[0150] When a "double press" is detected, if the "camera display state set" displayed on the second display 200 is a camera display state set (first set) that displays the image of the front camera 26 and does not display the image of the second camera 27, it is switched to a camera display state set (third set) that displays only the image of the second camera 27, whereas when the "camera display state set" displayed on the second display 200 is a camera display state set (third set) that displays the image of the second camera 27 and does not display the image of the front camera 26, it is switched to a camera display state set (first set) that displays only the image of the front camera 26. When a "double press" is detected when the "camera display state set" displayed on the second display 200 is a set other than these (second set, fourth set), it is switched to a specific set, a specific set (third set in this embodiment).

[0151] When a "long press" is detected, an event is recorded. The drive recorder 10 of this embodiment has a continuous recording function that records video from engine start (ACC ON) to engine stop (ACC OFF) on a memory card, and an event recording function that records a certain period of time before and after an event condition is met. The event condition can be, for example, when the acceleration sensor detects an impact of a certain magnitude or when the switch unit 28 is pressed for a long time. The detection of an impact of a certain magnitude or greater is used to record video and audio before and after an accident occurs, and the long press of the switch unit 28 is used for one-touch recording that records video and audio for a certain period of time when passing through an arbitrary point. The control unit of the drive recorder, for example, while performing continuous recording, records video and audio for a certain period of time before and after the occurrence of an event as separate data when the event condition is met. Both the continuous recording data and the separate data at the time of the event occurrence are recorded on the memory card 23. In addition, when continuous recording is not performed, the control unit of the drive recorder normally temporarily records video and audio for a certain period of time in a buffer memory or the like, and when an event condition is met, the temporarily recorded data or the like is used to record video and audio for a certain period of time before and after the event occurrence on the memory card 23.

[0152] As described above, in this embodiment, even when the vehicle is in a power-off state, for example when the ignition switch is off and the vehicle is not receiving power from the vehicle battery, such as when the vehicle is parked, the drive recorder 10 receives power from a power supply device provided separately from the vehicle and operates.

[0153] Therefore, by utilizing this function, a parking recording mode is provided. In the parking recording mode, power is supplied from the power supply device to the drive recorder 10 for a set period of time even after the power supply of the vehicle is turned off while the vehicle is parked, and continuous recording and event recording are performed even while the vehicle is parked.

[0154] In this embodiment, the GPS antenna unit 43 is provided with a function of acquiring position information, date and time information, and speed information. Therefore, when performing the above recording, it is preferable to record each piece of information in association with each other.

[0155] In this embodiment, the switch unit 28 is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the spherical housing 25. Therefore, the switch unit 28 is located closest to the driver and the passenger in the front seat, and can be easily operated by reaching out, is easy to press, and is easy to see, making it easy to confirm the position of the switch unit. In this embodiment, the camera unit 12 is located on the lower side of the main body case 13, and there is a risk that the user may accidentally touch the lens when operating the switch, but by arranging the switch unit 28 on the lower side as in this embodiment, the risk of touching the lens can be reduced as much as possible.

[0156] Also, when the switch section 28 is pressed upward, the load is applied to the angle adjustment mechanism 50 that rotates the camera section 12, and it can be pressed firmly because it is received there. Note that in order to prevent the lens orientation from changing when pressed, the bolt 53 and nut 54 should be firmly screwed in and fixed.

[0157] Since the housing 25 is spherical, it is easy to understand that the camera unit 12 captures the celestial sphere in all directions with the housing 25 as the center, which is good. Since the housing 25 is spherical, the housing 25 is located in the blind spot of the first lens unit 26b and the second lens unit 27b, and is not reflected in the image. In addition, even if the body case 13 and the housing 25 are arranged close to each other and there is no gap between the top of the housing 25 and the bottom of the body case 13 in order to prevent the body case 13 from being reflected in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 as much as possible, a space can be secured between the housing 25 and the body case 13 toward both the left and right sides of the housing 25, making it easier to pinch the housing 25 with your fingers. Then, when pressing the switch unit 28, for example, the index finger and middle finger can touch the top side of the housing as if holding a ball, and the thumb can be held in contact with the switch unit 28 to press the switch unit. This pressing operation is good because it does not or is unlikely to apply a load to the body case 13 or the angle adjustment mechanism 50.

[0158] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lamp is mounted on the switch section 28 so that the surface of the switch section 28 emits light. Since the switch section 28 emits light, its position can be easily identified even at night, which is advantageous. By disposing the switch section 28 on the lower side of the housing 25, it emits light downward. Therefore, the driver can easily check the light emission as he / she looks up from below, but from outside the vehicle, it may be necessary to look down from diagonally above, which is advantageous because the light emission cannot be seen. It is advantageous to position the light-emitting parts, including the switch section 28, in the blind spot of the camera so that the light-emitting state is not recorded and cannot be seen from outside.

[0159] Furthermore, the lamp can emit different colors, for example red and blue. The ability to emit light is achieved by incorporating a light-emitting body that emits different colors, such as a three-color LED. By being able to emit different colors, the light emission color and light emission pattern can be changed appropriately to notify the operating state, etc. (See Figure 9).

[0160] In this embodiment, first camera 26 and second camera 27 capture images in opposite directions, both with angles of view of 210 degrees, and the peripheral areas of the captured images overlap. As described below, the images captured by first camera 26 and second camera 27 are combined to generate a spherical image, which is recorded and output. The boundary of the images joined together when combining the images from the two cameras is a vertical plane including the joint surface of first camera case 30 and second camera case 31, and an area of ​​a predetermined width including the vertical plane is the overlap area.

[0161] The bracket 17 is attached to a desired position on the windshield 2, the main body case 13 is attached to the bracket 17, and the angle and orientation of the camera unit 12 are adjusted so that the joint surface M between the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 is located on a vertical plane, and then the bolts 53 are tightened and fixed in place. In the normal installation and mounting state in which the bolts 53 are tightened and the camera unit 12 is adjusted to the desired orientation, the first camera 26 captures the area in front of the drive recorder 10 in a range of 360 degrees vertically and 210 degrees horizontally, which is a full 210-degree range, and the second camera 27 captures the area behind the drive recorder 10 in a range of 360 degrees vertically and 210 degrees horizontally, which is a full 210-degree range. The peripheral areas of the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are set to capture a predetermined position in the vehicle cabin that is close to the camera. When the drive recorder 10 is fixed at a predetermined position in the vehicle cabin, the portion where the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are to be spliced ​​is located at a predetermined position in the vehicle cabin close to the cameras. The predetermined position in the vehicle cabin includes, for example, the pillar 3, the dashboard 4, and the ceiling.

[0162] In this embodiment, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 have a viewing angle θ of 210 degrees all around, so that the same objects and the like are captured by both cameras in the peripheral area of ​​the image captured by each camera. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(b), assume that objects exist at positions P1, P2, and P3 in the peripheral area captured by the cameras in both directions. The positions P1, P2, and P3 are near the boundary K2 of the area captured by the second camera 27, and have different distances from the camera unit 12. Even if the distances are different, if they exist near the boundary K2, they exist in the same position in the circular image captured by the second camera 27, as shown on the right side of FIG. 10(c). On the other hand, the positions P1, P2, and P3 have different distances from the boundary K1 of the area captured by the first camera 26, so that their positions in the circular area captured by the first camera 26 are different, as shown on the left side of FIG. 10(c). Therefore, when combining the boundaries of two images that contain the same object, the objects in each image may appear separately and may not be recognized as the same object. In particular, the amount of misalignment increases as the image moves away from the camera, i.e., the vehicle, as in P2 and P3. For example, if the object is a human, it may appear as if there are two people rather than the same person.

[0163] In this embodiment, the objects reflected in the boundary between the two cameras are fixed objects inside the vehicle, such as the pillar 3 and the dashboard 4, so that the outside scenery behind the fixed objects is not reflected and is reflected in the boundary only in a small amount. The vehicle parts, such as the pillar 3 and the dashboard 4, are located about 1 to 3 m away from the camera, so that even if the vehicle parts are reflected in both boundary parts, there is little deviation. In contrast, outside the vehicle, they are often 10 to 30 m or more away, so the deviation between the positions reflected by each camera becomes large and it is not possible to combine them into one. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, the seam between the images from the two cameras is located at an object inside the vehicle that is at the same or close distance, so that people and other objects located behind the object are less likely to be reflected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, instead of simply hiding the rear side with a nearby pillar 3, etc., human cognitive behavior is well utilized, in which if there is a stationary object, even if a person or object behind it is reflected, it blends in and does not feel strange, so that even if it is displayed separated into two, it is not noticeable and does not bother people when they see it. Furthermore, since users tend to only look forward, backward, or to the side, they will not pay attention to pillars located in the middle, and they will also pay less attention to the scenery behind them, which is better as it will feel less strange.

[0164] In contrast to this, for example, if the housing 25 of the camera unit 12 is rotated 90 degrees in a horizontal plane from the normal position described above, and the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are made to take pictures of the left and right areas, respectively, if the boundary / seam of the joint between the shooting areas of both cameras is located, for example, in the part extending in the vertical direction at the center of the left and right sides of the windshield, the two areas will be separated, and what is reflected in each will be clear, resulting in an image that looks unnatural. It's not. [First camera 26 and second camera 27 take pictures at the same brightness]

[0165] In this embodiment, the exposure control function provided in each of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 controls the camera to shoot under the same exposure conditions. As described above, the aperture of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in this embodiment is fixed and has the same value, so the exposure condition for adjusting the brightness during shooting is achieved by adjusting the shutter speed. In this embodiment, the exposure control function is a function for adjusting the shutter speed. By setting the shutter speed of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 to the same value, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 shoot under the same exposure conditions and brightness. In this way, this embodiment is characterized in that the two cameras are perceived as if they were one camera and shoot under a common brightness.

[0166] In this way, the brightness does not suddenly change at the joining parts of the images taken by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, the joining parts become inconspicuous, and the images become continuous all around without any sense of incongruity. For example, the inside of a car that is dark and difficult to see can be captured in the difficult to see state, so that the image can be reproduced exactly as seen.

[0167] As described above, in a correctly installed and mounted state, the first camera 26 captures the view in front of the drive recorder 10 in a range of 360 degrees vertically and 210 degrees horizontally, which is equal to or greater than a hemisphere, and the second camera 27 captures the view behind the drive recorder 10 in a range of 360 degrees vertically and 210 degrees horizontally, which is equal to or greater than a hemisphere. In this way, by stitching together the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, an image capturing an entire 360 ​​degrees horizontally and 360 degrees vertically (see FIG. 8(d) and the like) of the drive recorder 10 is constructed. When such an image of the front area is played back, it is displayed on the display screen so that the entire omnidirectional view is captured, or a part of the omnidirectional view is cropped and displayed on the display screen. As an example of cutting out a portion of the entire omnidirectional image, as shown in FIG. 11(a), it is possible to display the front of the vehicle in front of the drive recorder 10 captured by the first camera 26, or the interior of the vehicle behind the drive recorder 10 captured by the second camera 27, or to display images in any direction, such as diagonally upward, diagonally downward, left, or right.

[0168] The images displayed on the display screen of a PC that plays back the recorded images described later can be based on images taken by only one of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, depending on the direction of the viewpoint, or based on images that combine images taken by the two cameras. In addition, the omnidirectional spherical image synthesized by combining two images is a continuous image in any direction, and as described later, the area to be displayed can be gradually moved by spanning it so as to gradually change the viewpoint. In such a case, during the movement, there are a state where only the image from one camera is displayed, and a state where the combined portion of the images from the two cameras is present on the display screen, and images from different cameras are displayed on the same display screen.

[0169] The first camera 26 and the second camera 27 each have a photometry function and an exposure control function, and capture the shooting range under the same exposure conditions, and in this embodiment, the same shutter speed, depending on the surrounding conditions. At this time, when the edges of the images captured by the two cameras are joined to create one image, the joints are not noticeable. In contrast, for example, when the exposure control functions of the two cameras adjust the exposure conditions separately based on the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry functions of each camera, usually, for example, the shutter speed is shortened to capture a bright outside scene and the shutter speed is lengthened to capture a bright inside of a relatively dark car, and the images are captured under different exposure conditions so that each image is beautifully displayed. When two images captured in this way are joined together, for example, when the jointed parts of the images from the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are present on the display screen and images from different cameras are displayed on the same display screen, there is a problem that the brightness of the displayed images is different, the joints are noticeable, and a sense of incongruity is generated. In contrast, when the exposure conditions and brightness are the same as in this embodiment, This is advantageous as it avoids such issues.

[0170] For example, when two images are joined together to form a spherical image and the spherical image is viewed while rotating 360 degrees horizontally, the displayed content may change from a bright and clear view of the outside to a dark and difficult-to-see view of the inside of the car, but the seam between the images from the two cameras is not noticeable. In contrast, if the brightness is changed so that the interior of the car can be seen clearly, the outside scenery and the interior of the car will be bright and clear when rotated 360 degrees as described above, but an unnatural feeling will be created at the seam. While a normal camera would capture and display each of the images brightly and clearly, this embodiment is based on the concept of capturing and displaying the celestial sphere, and if an image of a part of the celestial sphere is displayed while moving in any direction, if the space cannot be displayed as if it is connected when viewed in all 720 degrees, an unnatural feeling will be created. Therefore, in this embodiment, as one solution to prevent an unnatural feeling from occurring at the seam, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are set to have the same exposure conditions and are photographed with the same brightness. For example, at night, the outside can be photographed, but the interior of the moving car is dark and difficult to see because the interior lights are off. By photographing in a dark state, the connection between the images photographed by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 can be seamlessly connected. If the outside is visible in the real world and the inside is invisible or difficult to see, the system is characterized by photographing in that state.

[0171] As described above, the exposure control function of first camera 26 and second camera 27 captures images at the same shutter speed, but the shutter speed is determined as follows. The brightness is determined based on and prioritized over the image captured by first camera 26, which captures the forward view. One of the functions of drive recorder 10 is to capture and record the situation outside the vehicle, such as the area in front of the vehicle, when an accident occurs. By determining exposure conditions such as the shutter speed based on the image captured by first camera 26 as in this embodiment, the area including the area in front of the vehicle can be captured clearly, and the above-mentioned functions of the drive recorder can be exhibited.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 11(b), an area spot R10 is provided in the upper half of a circular image captured by the first camera 26 for the front, and the photometry function of the first camera 26 measures the brightness of the subject within the area of ​​the area spot R10, and the exposure control function captures the image based on the exposure conditions determined based on the brightness of the subject, in this embodiment, the shutter speed. The peripheral area R11 in the upper half is not included in the area when determining the exposure conditions. The forward view seen through the windshield 2 is within the range of the area spot R10, and the lower half is often occupied by objects inside the vehicle, such as the dashboard 4. In addition, the peripheral area R11 is not affected when determining the exposure conditions because the view behind the lens unit, for example, whose vertical angle of view is 180 degrees or more, enters the image. This is good because the view in front of the vehicle, such as the vehicle in front, can be captured and recorded in the cracks. For example, while a normal camera may use center-weighted metering to focus on the central portion of the image being shot, this camera is characterized by excluding the lower portion and metering the upper half instead of the central portion. Another feature is that the peripheral area R11 is excluded from the metering target, instead of the entire screen as in multi-pattern metering.

[0173] Also, since the lower half and surrounding area R11 are areas where unimportant parts such as the ceiling and dashboard inside the vehicle are photographed, it is acceptable that there is little impact even if the photometry of these areas is not reflected and they become invisible. Also, the main body case 13 of the drive recorder 10 may be reflected in the surrounding area R11, but since the main body case 13 is not originally desired to be photographed, it is not a problem if it is not visible. For these reasons as well, it is preferable not to use the surrounding area R11 or the lower half area when determining the exposure conditions.

[0174] For example, a so-called sports camera or action camera that shoots a 360-degree view is used outdoors, so the surroundings are generally equally bright. Therefore, like the exposure control function of a normal camera, the front and rear cameras measure light individually, and even if each camera sets the exposure conditions and brightness individually based on the light measurement results, it is possible to shoot beautifully in all directions and no sense of incongruity occurs at the joints. In contrast, in the installation and operation environment of the drive recorder as in the present invention, the brightness of the view in front of the vehicle and the brightness of the vehicle interior at the rear are significantly different, so the above problem occurs, and this embodiment solves this problem. [Variations of the same brightness]

[0175] In the above embodiment, the exposure conditions such as the shutter speed are determined based only on the photometry result of the photometry function of the first camera 26 on the front side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the exposure conditions may be determined by slightly considering the photometry result of the photometry function of the second camera 27. By slightly considering, for example, placing importance on the photometry result of the first camera 26 on the front side, for example, weighting. By evaluating the photometry result of the second camera 27 in this way, it is possible to prevent the image of the interior of the vehicle captured by the second camera 27 from being completely dark and not capturing people, which is good. The photometry function of the second camera 27 is provided with an area spot on the upper center side as with the first camera 26, and is preferably performed quickly on the area of ​​the area spot. Since this part is the area in which the passenger is reflected, it is good to measure the photometry of the area spot and determine the exposure conditions based on the photometry, so that the passenger can be beautifully captured. In addition, since the dashboard, the floor and the seats in the vehicle interior are reflected in the lower area, the area is not affected in determining the exposure conditions. The weighting determines the brightness by weighting, for example, the area spot on the first camera 26 side by +5 and the area spot on the second camera 27 side by +2.

[0176] Conversely to the above-mentioned modified example, the exposure conditions may be determined by prioritizing the photometry results of the second camera 27. In this way, the image inside the vehicle can be beautifully captured and recorded. For example, in a taxi or bus, when the passenger's face or the like needs to be clearly captured, this modified example is preferable. However, when prioritizing the photometry results of the second camera 27 as in this modified example, the shutter speed becomes longer and the brightness of the front camera is set based on this, so the outside scenery in front may become washed out. Therefore, in consideration of the original function of the drive recorder 10, it is better to prioritize the first camera 26 as in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example.

[0177] It is also preferable to determine the exposure conditions by treating the photometry results of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 equally without weighting them. This is advantageous because it allows recording in all directions without the interior of the vehicle becoming too dark when the first camera 26 is given priority, or the scenery ahead becoming overexposed when the second camera 27 is given priority. However, in order to record the interior of the vehicle while recording the situation outside the vehicle before and after an accident, which is the original function of the drive recorder 10, a modified example is preferable in which the front of the first camera 26 is given priority and the photometry results of the second camera 27 are also partially taken into account.

[0178] It is also preferable to provide a mode setting function for setting whether the photometry results of the first camera 26 or the second camera 27 are to be prioritized. This is advantageous because it allows the user to set the priority to the view ahead or the interior of the vehicle according to the usage situation. The mode setting function may be, for example, a function for selecting whether only one of the photometry results is used, or a function for selecting the camera to be prioritized while using the photometry results of both, and it is even better if the degree of weighting can be set.

[0179] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example, it is assumed that the video captured by one camera is captured with the same settings as a whole without image processing, but for example, it is possible to make the brightness of only the connecting parts the same so that there is no discomfort at the connecting parts when capturing. However, in such a case, it is necessary to set which area to start correcting from, and it is preferable to simply capture the whole with the same brightness as in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example. In addition, it is also possible to adjust the brightness when compositing with a PC viewer, etc., which will be described later, so that the connecting parts are not noticeable. [The main body case and other parts are designed to be less visible]

[0180] The position where the housing 25 is attached to the main body case 13 is shifted from the center in the front-rear direction of the bottom surface to the rear surface 13b. The angle adjustment mechanism 50 is arranged along the rear surface 13b side of the bottom surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 etc., the flat rectangular main body case 13 is attached and fixed to the windshield 2, so that in the attached state, it is arranged at an angle along the inclination of the windshield 2, and the edge of the bottom surface of the main body case 13 on the rear surface 13b side is located at the lowest position. By attaching the housing 25 of the camera unit 12 via the angle adjustment mechanism 50 at that lower position, the area where the main body case 13 is reflected in the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 is reduced.

[0181] The main body case 13 is configured to be located close to the lens body. A blind spot area R3 that is not captured by either the first camera 26 or the second camera 27 has a cone shape, and the further away from the camera unit 12 it tapers and becomes narrower. Therefore, the further away the main body case 13 is from the lens unit, the wider the area captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 becomes, so it is better to bring them closer together.

[0182] Main body case 13 is shaped with inclined surfaces 13b" or the like so that first display 100 and second display 200 are placed as far away from the camera's blind spot as possible. Making camera unit 12 spherical is also an advantage as it will not be reflected in the image. The camera takes pictures with a full 210-degree angle of view, and as there is a rear-view mirror near the lens, it is advantageous to prevent the rear-view mirror from being reflected in the camera's blind spot. There are no parts such as a GPS antenna inside camera unit 12.

[0183] The present embodiment is a system having a drive recorder 10 with a function of recording images captured by a first camera 26 and a second camera 27 installed in a vehicle, and a function of performing a predetermined process using a predetermined range of the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle in response to a user's operation of a switch unit 28. In this way, a system superior to the conventional system can be provided. For example, a predetermined process using a predetermined range of the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle can be performed in response to a user's operation of the switch unit 28. Therefore, for example, a predetermined process using a predetermined range of the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle that is more in line with the user's intention than the conventional system can be performed.

[0184] As cameras installed in the vehicle, for example, in addition to the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 that capture images in front of the vehicle, a third camera which is a wide-angle rear camera attached to the inside of the rear window of the vehicle and captures images behind the vehicle, and a fourth camera which is an infrared camera that captures images of the driver may be connected to the drive recorder 10, and a "camera display state set" may be provided that displays these images, and these may be incorporated as targets for switching the display.

[0185] In this embodiment, the camera installed in the vehicle is configured as a celestial sphere camera consisting of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, but may be configured as a semi-celestial sphere camera. For example, the second camera 27 may be eliminated, and the first camera 26 may be installed facing downward at the position of the switch unit 28. The switch unit 28 may be moved to another location, for example, to the right side of the camera unit 12. In each camera display state set, the image of the above-mentioned rear camera connected to the drive recorder 10 may be incorporated in place of the image displayed by the second camera 27.

[0186] The function of recording video may be set to record in a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory built into the drive recorder 10, but it is preferable to set it to record in a memory card 23 that is removably attached to the drive recorder 10 as in this embodiment.

[0187] First camera 26, second camera 27, and drive recorder 10 may be provided in separate housings and connected by wire or wirelessly, but it is more preferable to provide them in a single housing as in this embodiment.

[0188] A system having the drive recorder 10 may be, for example, a system including the drive recorder 10 and a power line for supplying power to the drive recorder 10, as in this embodiment.

[0189] The operation from the user may be, for example, a touch panel operation by the user, but is particularly preferably a button operation like the operation of the switch unit 28 in this embodiment. Any operation receiving means that receives an operation from the user may be used, and for example, at least one of the first display 100 and the second display 200 may be provided with a touch panel.

[0190] A system having a function of performing a predetermined process using a predetermined range of the video captured by first camera 26 and second camera 27 installed in a vehicle in response to an operation from a user may be built into camera unit 12, which is the housing of first camera 26 and second camera 27, or may be built into the housing of main body unit 11 of drive recorder 10 as in this embodiment, or may be built into the housing of an electronic device separate from drive recorder 10. For example, it may be built into a personal computer, a tablet, or the like. When built into the housing of a separate electronic device, the "images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle" may be input (e.g., acquired) by, for example, connecting the drive recorder 10 to the separate electronic device via a wired or wireless connection, or the drive recorder 10 may record the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle on a memory card 23 that is removable from the drive recorder 10, and this memory card 23 may be removed from the drive recorder 10 and attached to the separate electronic device so that the separate electronic device reads out and acquires the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle.

[0191] In this embodiment, the predetermined processing includes processing for generating an image in which a predetermined range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle is incorporated at a predetermined position in one screen and outputted, and the operation from the user includes an operation for changing the predetermined range in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 to be incorporated at the predetermined position in the one screen. Thereby, by operating the switch unit 28, the user can change the predetermined range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle to be incorporated at the predetermined position in one screen.

[0192] In this embodiment, the video to be output is the video to be output to the screen, but it may be the video to be recorded on the memory card 23. In this way, the video generated in the camera display state set selected by the user to be output to the screen is also recorded on the memory card 23. Moreover, the video to be output may be the video to be output to the external video output terminal. In this way, the video generated in the camera display state set selected by the user to be output to the screen is output to the external video output terminal, so that the video generated in the camera display state set selected by the user can be confirmed on a larger screen monitor connected to the external video output terminal, for example.

[0193] The specified range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle may be, for example, the entire image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle, but it is particularly preferable to set it to a partial range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle, as in this embodiment.

[0194] The predetermined position in one screen may be a position of a part of one screen as in the present embodiment. For example, one screen may be divided into a plurality of areas, and the predetermined position may be one of the divided areas.

[0195] As in this embodiment, the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed on the vehicle may have a plurality of predetermined ranges, and may have a plurality of different ranges within one screen of the image. The plurality of different ranges may be ranges that do not overlap, or may be ranges that overlap partially or entirely.

[0196] It is preferable to have a plurality of predetermined positions in one screen, and it is preferable to have a plurality of different positions in the one screen. The plurality of different positions may be areas that partially or entirely overlap, but it is preferable that they are areas that do not overlap.

[0197] The correspondence between a predetermined range of the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle and a predetermined position in one screen may be fixed in advance as in the camera display state set of this embodiment, but it is preferable to have a function for changing this correspondence by setting information stored in the memory card 23. For example, the set number, the layout number, the camera number corresponding to each area in the layout, and the camera image range number corresponding to each area in the layout may be stored in correspondence with each other, and the camera display state set may be switched in the order of the set numbers of this set.

[0198] The camera display state set may be configured as follows: As the predetermined range of the image captured by the first camera 26 installed on the vehicle, a first predetermined range which is the entire image of the first camera 26 installed on the vehicle and a second predetermined range which is a partial range of the image captured by the first camera 26 installed on the vehicle are provided; As the predetermined position in the one screen, a first layout of a screen layout which is the position of the entire area in the one screen and a second layout of a screen layout which is the position of a partial area in the one screen are provided; At least three modes are provided among a first mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the first layout, a second mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the second layout, a third mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the first layout, and a fourth mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the second layout; and The configuration may be such that the modes are switched by a short press of the switch unit 28 as an operation from the user. In this way, the user can operate to switch between at least three modes provided by the system, among a first mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the first layout, a second mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the first predetermined range with the second layout, a third mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the first layout, and a fourth mode in which the image to be output is generated by associating the second predetermined range with the second layout. By providing these at least three modes, either one of the two modes in which the predetermined range is "whole" or the two modes in which the predetermined range is "part", or the two modes in which the layout is "whole" or the two modes in which the layout is "part" is in the switchable mode, so that when switching, the user can switch using the identity of the predetermined range or layout as a clue, and can more easily grasp which range is displayed in which layout than before.

[0199] Further, as the processing of the control unit, a process for generating an image in which a predetermined range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle is incorporated at a predetermined position in one screen and outputted may be provided, and the predetermined positions may be provided at a plurality of positions in one screen, as in the fourth set of the present embodiment, and an operation from the user may be provided for selecting at which of the plurality of predetermined positions in one screen the predetermined range in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 is to be incorporated. For example, in a state in which the camera display state set to be changed is selected, the area to be changed may be selected on the touch panel, and the camera and the range to be incorporated in the area may be set by operating the switch unit 28. For example, in a state in which the third layout of FIG. 11 is displayed, one of the six areas described with reference to FIG. 11 is touched to one of the image incorporation areas to be changed. When this touch is detected, a drawing is performed to surround the touched area with an indication frame to notify that the area has been selected. When a double press of the switch unit 28 is detected in this state, the camera is switched between the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 for the selected area. Also, when a short press of the switch unit 28 is detected, the range to be incorporated is switched cyclically from the first range to the sixth range. When a long press of the switch unit 28 is detected, the state of the camera and the range at that time is confirmed and stored, and this state is exited. As a result, when the camera display state set is changed by a short press next time and this set is displayed, the stored and confirmed combination is displayed. In this way, the user can select at which of a plurality of predetermined positions in one screen the predetermined range in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 is to be incorporated, and from the next time onwards, the image incorporated with the selected combination can be easily displayed. This storage is preferably stored in a non-volatile memory, and the combination stored in the non-volatile memory is incorporated and displayed even after the next startup.

[0200] Furthermore, the control unit may include a process for generating an image in which a predetermined range of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle is incorporated into a predetermined position in one screen and output, and the user may include an operation for setting the predetermined position to a position moved from the initial position of the predetermined position in the one screen. For example, in a configuration with a touch panel, when a drag is detected on the touch panel for the image on the "upper" side at the lower left in a state displayed in the third layout of FIG. 11, the display position may be moved in response to the drag. In this way, the user can set the predetermined position to a position moved from the initial position of the predetermined position in one screen. In particular, the control unit may include a function for selecting which of a plurality of predetermined positions to move, and the predetermined position may be set to a position moved from the initial position of the selected predetermined position. There is no drive recorder that can perform such a movement, and this provides an excellent effect.

[0201] The control unit may include a process for generating an image in which a predetermined range of an image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle is incorporated at a predetermined position in one screen, and the predetermined range may be provided at a plurality of positions in one screen of the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 installed in the vehicle as shown in FIG. 11 and described above. The predetermined positions may be provided at a plurality of positions in the one screen, and the user may operate the device to set a correspondence relationship between which of the predetermined ranges at the plurality of positions is to be incorporated at which of the predetermined positions at the plurality of positions. In this way, the user can set a correspondence relationship between which of the predetermined ranges at the plurality of positions is to be incorporated at which of the predetermined positions at the plurality of positions. For example, the device may be configured such that, in a state where the camera display state set to be changed is selected, an area to be changed is selected on the touch panel, and the camera and the area to be incorporated in the area are set by operating the switch unit 28. For example, in a state where the third layout of FIG. 11 is displayed, one of the six areas described with reference to FIG. 11 is touched on an image incorporation area to be changed. When this touch is detected, the touched area is surrounded by a designated frame to notify the selection. When a double press of the switch unit 28 is detected in this state, the camera is switched between the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 for this selected area. When a short press of the switch unit 28 is detected, the range to be incorporated is cyclically switched from the first range to the sixth range. When a long press of the switch unit 28 is detected, the state of the camera and the range at that time is confirmed and stored, and this state is exited. As a result, when the camera display state set is changed by the next short press, the stored confirmed combination is displayed when this set is displayed. In this way, the user can select which of a plurality of predetermined positions in one screen to incorporate the predetermined range in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, and it is easy to display the image incorporated in the selected combination from the next time onwards.This information should be stored in a non-volatile memory, and the combination stored in the non-volatile memory should be incorporated and displayed even after the next startup.

[0202] In this embodiment, the system has a plurality of predetermined layouts each having a predetermined position for incorporating one or more images on one screen, and has a function for generating an image in which different predetermined ranges in the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are combined at predetermined positions of the predetermined layouts, and is configured to have a function for selecting, as an operation by the user, which of the plurality of predetermined layouts is to be used to generate the combined image. This allows the user to select which of the plurality of predetermined layouts is to be used to generate the combined image.

[0203] At least one of the predetermined layouts may include a layout that displays the image captured by the first camera 26 on one screen. For example, at least one of the camera display state sets may include a camera display state set that displays the image captured by the first camera 26 on one screen. For example, a camera display state set that displays only the image of the front camera 26 on the left side of FIG. 19 in the center of the screen may be provided. When this camera display state set is selected, a function that does not record the image generated by the selected camera display state set may be provided. In this way, the capacity of the image to be recorded can be reduced.

[0204] The camera may be provided with a first mode in which an image of a selected camera display state set is displayed on the display screen, and an image of the same camera display state set as the camera display state set selected and displayed on the second display 200 is recorded in the memory card 23, and a second selection function in which an image of a camera display state set selected by the selection function is displayed on the display screen, but a camera display state set for recording different from the camera display state set selected by the selection function and displayed on the display screen is selected. The second selection function may be switched by providing a slide switch or the like on the main body 11, for example.

[0205] In this way, it is possible to provide a system that can be easily used by both users who want the display layout and the recording layout to be the same, and users who want them to be different.

[0206] It is preferable to provide a function for enlarging and displaying the image at a predetermined position of the predetermined layout in the image of the selected layout that generates the combined image based on a user's instruction. For example, a voice recognition function is provided in the control unit, and when a voice is recognized in the display state of the fourth set in Fig. 11, in which the characters displayed in each area (in this example, "up" in Fig. 11) and "enlarge" indicating an instruction to enlarge the characters are consecutively spoken from the microphone 18, the image of the third range displayed in the lower left area is displayed on the entire screen. In this way, the user can input an instruction to enlarge and display an image at a predetermined position in a predetermined layout.

[0207] It is preferable to provide a function for recording the enlarged image when the enlarged image is being displayed, or a function for recording the image of the selected layout without recording the enlarged image.

[0208] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the first range and the third range have an overlapping range, but for example, different predetermined ranges in the image captured by the first camera 26 may be arranged so as not to overlap each other. Then, an image may be generated in which a second camera image, which is an image of a camera (for example, a rear camera) other than the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, is displayed in any one of the built-in areas of the layout in FIG. 6. In this way, the user can view images of different predetermined ranges of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 that do not overlap and the image of the rear camera on one screen. It is preferable to have a function for selecting the predetermined position where the second image is displayed. For example, when the voice "Put the rear camera in the upper right position" is recognized by voice recognition, the image of the upper right area of ​​FIG. 11 is switched from the image of the second camera 27 (rear) to the image of the rear camera, which is the third camera.

[0209] In this way, the second image can be displayed at a position selected by the user, while the images of different predetermined ranges from the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 that do not overlap and the second image can be viewed on one screen.

[0210] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a function of storing information specifying the correspondence between the predetermined position and the predetermined range in association with the recorded video. For example, the number of a camera display state set may be embedded in the video data and recorded, or the layout number, the camera number corresponding to each area in the layout, and the range number corresponding to each area may be stored in association with each other. In this way, when playing back the recorded video, the playback mode can be easily set based on the information specifying the correspondence between the predetermined position and the predetermined range that is stored.

[0211] It is preferable to have a function of displaying the generated image on a display screen without recording the generated image, so that the image desired by the user can be displayed on the screen in response to the user's operation without affecting the recorded image.

[0212] It is preferable to provide a function for displaying the image generated in the selected layout on the display screen without recording it. It is preferable to provide a function for displaying the image generated in the camera display state set selected by the user on the second display 200 as described above without recording it. In this way, the user can freely switch the layout in which the image displayed on the display screen is incorporated to a desired one without affecting the image recorded by the drive recorder 10 due to the user's operation to change the layout or the camera display state set.

[0213] A function may be provided for recording both the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 and the image generated in the selected layout, together with information for distinguishing between the two images, on the memory card 23 so that the two images can be played back in a synchronized manner. In this way, it becomes easy to play back the two images in a synchronized manner.

[0214] It is preferable to have a function of displaying the generated image on the display screen and a function of recording the generated image. In this way, it is possible to perform a screen display according to a user's operation and record a generated image similar to the screen display according to the user's operation. In particular, it is preferable to perform a screen display according to a user's operation, record a generated image similar to the screen display according to the user's operation, and record the images themselves from the first camera 26 and the second camera 27.

[0215] The images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 may be circular fisheye images as in this embodiment. Furthermore, the operation from the user may include an operation to set in advance a position in the circular fisheye image that corresponds to the installation position of the vehicle speed measuring device, and the predetermined processing may include a function to display a predetermined warning for the predetermined range including the position corresponding to the installation position set in response to the operation from the user. For example, when the user voice of "speed camera found" is recognized, the position at that time may be stored, and an alarm may be output from the speaker 29 when the user approaches the position from the next time onwards. In this way, a predetermined warning is displayed for a predetermined range including the position corresponding to the installation position of the vehicle speed measuring device in the circular fisheye image set by the user, so that the user can recognize the warning more quickly and easily than before.

[0216] It is preferable to have a function of controlling an infrared emitting means that emits infrared rays to the shooting range of the second camera 27, and a function of recording images before and after the occurrence of a change in the predetermined control of the infrared emitting means. For example, a plurality of infrared LEDs (especially four or more are preferable) are installed so as to surround the periphery of the second camera 27, and the control unit controls the turning on and off of these infrared LEDs. In this way, images before and after the occurrence of a change in the predetermined control of the infrared emitting means from this system are recorded. For example, by watching the image reproduced from this recorded image, the situation when a predetermined change occurs in the infrared emitting means can be easily grasped. For example, it is preferable to detect the brightness around the drive recorder 10 from the image of the second camera 27, and control the infrared emitting means to turn on when the detected brightness falls below a predetermined state, and to control the infrared emitting means to turn off when the detected brightness exceeds the predetermined state.

[0217] It is preferable to provide a function for detecting an area in the image captured by the second camera 27 that is reddish compared to the surroundings and performing the predetermined processing on that area as an area inside the vehicle cabin. In this way, the system that performs the predetermined processing on the area inside the vehicle cabin in the image does not need to manually set the position of the area, and can automatically grasp the area and perform the predetermined processing. The inventors have found that the area that is reddish compared to the surroundings is likely to be the area inside the vehicle cabin, and the area that is not reddish is likely to be the window area (area corresponding to the image of the outside scenery).

[0218] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a function of playing back the recorded video, the time point of the event being recorded in the video, and a function of displaying the video showing the driver for the period including the time point of the event when the playback reaches a time point related to the time point of the event without the driver being captured in the video being played back. For example, when the voice of "playback" is recognized, playback of the video of the first camera 26 among the videos recorded in the memory card 23 is started, and when the playback reaches a position 10 seconds before the time point of the event, the state is switched to displaying the video of the second camera 27 as well (for example, playing both videos side by side as shown in FIG. 19). In this way, when the playback reaches a time point related to the time point of the event without the driver being captured in the video being played back during playback of the recorded video, the video showing the driver is automatically displayed for the period including the time point of the event. Therefore, when the playback reaches a time point related to the time point of the event, the user can easily check the driver's condition at that time without performing an operation such as switching to a video of the range in which the driver is captured. This is particularly effective when a person other than the driver, such as an operation manager, checks the vehicle condition and the driving condition of the driver.

[0219] The predetermined range may include an area where smoked glass is present in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, and the predetermined processing may include a smoked glass partial area image adjustment function for adjusting the image of the area where smoked glass is present in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27. In this way, the image of the area where smoked glass is present in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 can be adjusted in response to a user's operation. For example, the image adjustment may include a process for adjusting the exposure of the camera, a process for post-processing the image, or an adjustment such as different image quality between an area where smoked glass is present and an area where there is no smoked glass. The user's operation may include an operation for setting the area where smoked glass is present in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27. For example, in the initial setting process performed when the drive recorder 10 is first turned on, the third set of images shown on the right side of FIG. 10 is displayed (the rear image is displayed), and the speaker 29 outputs a voice saying, "Trace the area with the smoked glass. When you finish tracing, say 'Done.'" The area where the finger touches the touch panel until the voice of "Done" is recognized is stored (set) as the smoked glass area. Then, the adjustment of the image of the area with the smoked glass in the image captured by the second camera 27 may be a process of increasing the brightness of the set area. In addition, the predetermined range may include an area with a sunroof in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, and the predetermined process may include a sunroof partial area image adjustment function for adjusting the image of the area with the sunroof in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27. In this way, the image of the area with the sunroof in the image captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 can be adjusted according to the user's operation. The user's operation may include an operation for setting an area in which the sunroof is located within the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27.For example, in the initial setting process performed when the drive recorder 10 is first turned on, the third set of images shown on the right side of FIG. 10 is displayed (the rear image is displayed), and the speaker 29 outputs a voice saying, "Trace the area where the sunroof is located. When you finish tracing, say 'Done.'" The area where the finger touches the touch panel until the voice saying "Done" is recognized is stored (set) as the sunroof area. Then, the adjustment of the image for the area where the sunroof is located in the image captured by the second camera 27 may be performed by lowering the brightness of the set area. It is to be noted that this process may not be provided, and a function may simply be provided to set the presence or absence of a sunroof, and the adjustment contents of the image when the sunroof is set to be present may be different from those when the sunroof is set to be absent. For example, when the sunroof is set to be present, the brightness of the image may be lowered compared to when the sunroof is set to be absent.

[0220] In the configuration with a rear camera, the image of the rear camera includes an image including the rear side of the vehicle, and as a predetermined process, a function is provided to perform a notification from the speaker 29 based on the approaching state of the rear vehicle in the image, and the notification may be provided by the speaker 29 using a voice message "Watch out for approaching rear vehicle!" indicating that the rear vehicle is too close, and as a user operation, a function is provided to change the position of the approach determination reference in the image for determining that the rear vehicle is too close according to the user operation. In this way, the frequency and sensitivity of the notification of the rear vehicle being too close to the vehicle itself can be easily adjusted by the user operation. For example, in the initial setting process performed when the power is turned on for the first time, the third set of images shown on the right side of FIG. 10 is displayed (the rear image is displayed), and the speaker 29 outputs a voice message saying "Trace the area where the rear vehicle is too close and an alarm is generated. When you finish tracing, say "Done." The area where the finger touched the touch panel until the voice "Done" is recognized is stored (set) as the position for determining the approach. When it is detected that a vehicle behind has entered the stored position in the image captured by the second camera 27, a voice message "Watch out for approaching vehicle behind!" is issued from the speaker 29.

[0221] In addition, in a configuration with a rear camera, the image of the rear camera includes an image including the rear side of the vehicle, and a function for performing a notification based on the approaching state of a rear vehicle in the image as a predetermined process is provided, and the notification is provided by a voice such as "Behind vehicles, beware of meandering!" indicating the meandering of the rear vehicle, and the user's operation is provided by a function for changing the position of the meandering driving judgment reference in the image for judging that the rear vehicle is meandering according to the user's operation. In this way, the frequency and sensitivity of the notification of the meandering driving of the rear vehicle can be easily adjusted by the user's operation. For example, in the initial setting process performed when the power is turned on for the first time, the third set of images shown on the right side of FIG. 10 is displayed (the rear image is displayed), and a voice is output from the speaker 29 saying "Trace the area that the rear vehicle does not consider to be meandering. When you finish tracing, say 'Done'". The area where the finger touched the touch panel until the voice of "Done" is recognized is stored (set) as the position for judging the meandering driving. Then, when a rear vehicle enters the stored position for judging snaking driving in the image captured by the second camera 27, and thereafter the number of times the vehicle position changes left and right, going beyond the position for judging snaking driving, exceeds a predetermined number of times (preferably three times), a voice saying "Vehicles behind, beware of snaking driving!" is output from the speaker 29.

[0222] The system may have a function for issuing multiple different types of alerts (e.g., warning of approaching vehicle from behind and warning of swerving driving of vehicle from behind) based on the approaching state of the vehicle behind in the video as a predetermined process, and may be configured to record different time ranges for each different type based on the approaching state of the vehicle behind in the video. For example, the warning of approaching vehicle from behind is set to record 20 seconds both before and after the approaching vehicle behind is detected, while the warning of swerving driving of vehicle behind is set to record 5 minutes both before and after the swerving driving of the vehicle behind is detected. In this way, it is possible to obtain video with different recording time ranges for each different type based on the approaching state of the vehicle behind in the video. It is preferable to have a function for recording "swerving driving" and "sudden approach" as different types of events and displaying them separately on the viewer. It is preferable to set different recording time ranges for sudden approach / swerving events and impact events.

[0223] It is preferable to have a function for displaying images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 on a display screen, a function for changing the predetermined range as an operation from the user, and a function for recording an image including the time when the user inputs an instruction to change the predetermined range. For example, an image for 20 seconds before and after the camera display state set is switched based on an instruction from the user is recorded. In this way, an image including the time when the user inputs an instruction to change the predetermined range can be obtained. This is therefore useful for proving that the user's switching operation was not the cause of the accident.

[0224] In this embodiment, the device has a function of making a predetermined range of the input image the display target on the display screen or the recording target, and has an operation of switching the predetermined range as an operation from the user, and has a function of outputting an instruction to the user to switch the predetermined range and check whether there is a problem with the image captured by the camera in the predetermined range of the input image to be displayed on the display screen or the recording target at the first power-on after shipping from the factory. For example, in the initial setting process performed at the first power-on, the first set to the fourth set are displayed for 5 seconds each and switched cyclically in sequence, and a voice saying "Please install in a position where there is no missing part in the camera image in all display modes. When installation is completed, please say "Complete"" is output from the speaker 29. The cyclic change of the display mode is repeated until "Complete" is recognized by voice recognition. In this way, when the drive recorder 10 is installed in a vehicle, it is easy to check whether there is a problem with the image in any state that can be switched by the user's operation.

[0225] It is preferable that the image captures an area including at least one of the driver's seat side or the passenger's seat side, and that the image of the background of the driver or passenger in the image is a pre-stored image.

[0226] The apparatus has a function of displaying images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a predetermined layout on the screen as images to be displayed on the display screen, has a plurality of predetermined layouts and a function of switching among the plurality of layouts based on a user operation, and has a function of incorporating the images recorded by the recording function into the predetermined layouts when playing the images, and playing the images, and the order of layouts switched based on a user operation during playback is preferably the same as the order of layouts switched based on a user operation for displaying the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a predetermined layout on the screen as images to be displayed on the display screen. In this way, the user can switch the layout during playback in the same order as the screen display layout switching, which is easy to use. For example, the apparatus may have a function of displaying images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a selected camera display state set on the screen as images to be displayed on the display screen, a function of having a plurality of camera display state sets and switching the plurality of camera display state sets based on a user's operation, and a function of incorporating the images recorded by the recording function into the predetermined camera display state set and playing the images when playing the images, and the order of the camera display state sets switched based on the user's operation during playback may be the same as the order of the camera display state sets switched based on the user's operation to display the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 on the display screen. For example, a button having the same function as the switch unit 28 of the drive recorder described above may be provided in the viewer software executed on the personal computer described later. In this way, the user can switch the camera display state sets during playback in the same order as the switching of the camera display state sets on the screen display, which is convenient.

[0227] The system may be configured only with the drive recorder 10, and the drive recorder 10 may have a recording function and a playback function. In particular, the system may include the drive recorder 10 and a playback device (e.g., a personal computer, etc.) separate from the drive recorder 10, and the drive recorder 10 may have a recording function and the separate playback device may have a playback function. For example, the order of switching the layout of the image display on the drive recorder 10 body and the order of switching the layout of the image display on a viewer running on a personal computer, etc. may be configured to be the same. For example, the order of switching the camera display state set on the drive recorder 10 body and the order of switching the camera display state set on a viewer running on a personal computer, etc. may be configured to be the same.

[0228] It is preferable to provide a plurality of layouts incorporating the images of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 as a predetermined layout, at least one layout incorporating the image of the rear camera (third camera), a first operation unit for switching between these plurality of layouts in a predetermined order based on a user's operation, a second operation unit different from the first operation unit, and a function for switching to a layout of a third camera different from the camera of the image incorporated in the currently displayed layout when a predetermined operation is performed on the second operation unit. In this embodiment, a plurality of camera display state sets incorporating the images of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 as a camera display state set are provided (second set, fourth set) by short pressing the switch unit 28, but it is also preferable to provide at least one camera display state set incorporating the image of the rear camera (third camera), a configuration for switching between these plurality of camera display state sets based on a user's operation of short pressing the switch unit 28, a second operation unit different from the switch unit 28, and a function for switching to a layout of a third camera different from the camera of the image incorporated in the currently displayed layout when a predetermined operation is performed on the second operation unit. The second operation unit may be, for example, a voice recognition unit that recognizes the voice of “rear camera,” or it may be a button separate from switch unit 28, or it may detect the pressing of switch unit 28 three times in succession.

[0229] In this way, the user can switch between the camera display state sets incorporating the images from the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a predetermined order by briefly pressing the switch unit 28, and when the user wants to immediately view the image from the rear camera, he or she can operate the second operation unit to switch to the camera display state set including the image from the rear camera. In particular, when the system is configured with the drive recorder 10, for example, it is advisable to provide the drive recorder main body with a first camera 26 / second camera 27 switching button as a button separate from the display mode switching button.

[0230] The switch unit 28 may be provided with a separate operation unit different from the short-press operation, and a switching function may be provided for switching the layout to a predetermined layout based on the user's operation when a predetermined operation is performed on the separate operation unit, instead of switching the layout in a predetermined order. For example, a switching function may be provided for switching the camera display state set to a predetermined camera display state set based on the user's operation when a predetermined operation is performed on the separate operation unit, instead of switching the camera display state set to a predetermined order. In this way, the user can switch between multiple layouts incorporating the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a predetermined order by operating the first operation unit, and can instantly view a display incorporating the images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 in a predetermined layout by operating the separate operation unit. For example, a button for changing the display mode to one preset mode in one shot may be provided on the main body of the drive recorder 10 or on a viewer of a device (such as a personal computer) separate from the drive recorder 10, in addition to a button for changing the display mode in sequence.

[0231] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 10 may be provided with an event recording button on the housing side (camera unit 12), a button operation unit that can be installed in a position that is difficult to see from outside the vehicle separate from the drive recorder 10 connected to the drive recorder 10, and a function of recording a video of a predetermined time including before and after the operation of the button operation unit in a recording time different from the recording time of the event recording when the button operation unit is operated. In this way, the user can operate the event recording button provided on the housing side of the drive recorder 10 to perform event recording, and can record a video of a predetermined time including before and after the operation of the button operation unit in a recording time different from the event recording by operating the button operation unit installed in a position that is difficult to see from outside the vehicle separate from the drive recorder 10. For example, a button that can be installed in a shaded place from outside the vehicle separate from the drive recorder 10 main body is provided on the drive recorder 10 main body equipped with a manual event recording button, and the button is the manual recording start button for tailgating, and the recording time for tailgating is set to be longer than the manual event recording time. The button operation unit installed in a position that is difficult to see from outside the vehicle and separate from the drive recorder 10 may be configured as a button on a remote control for a radar detector connected to the drive recorder 10. For example, the button operation unit may be assigned to the remote control for the radar detector as a button for tailgating.

[0232] The above-mentioned functions may be provided in the drive recorder 10, but may also be provided in an electronic device other than the drive recorder 10. Both may be provided with functions that achieve the same effect. The other electronic device may be provided with a function for playing back video data recorded by the drive recorder 10, for example. The other electronic device may be configured as a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, or the like. These functions may be configured as a program for causing a computer to realize them. [Display device: PC viewer]

[0233] The system according to the present invention can be configured as, for example, a display device for a drive recorder. This embodiment is configured by a personal computer. Although not shown, the hardware configuration of the display device for a drive recorder includes an arithmetic processing unit, a storage unit, an input unit, a display unit, a card reader, and the like. The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory that stores an application program executed by the arithmetic processing unit, a work memory that the arithmetic processing unit uses while executing calculations, and an internal or external storage device (hard disk) that records video, audio, and other information recorded during driving, etc. The input unit is a pointing device such as a mouse, and a keyboard. The card reader is a device that reads and writes data from the attached memory card 23. At least the first video data, which is video data that is a circular fisheye video that is a raw video captured by the first camera 26, and the second video data, which is a circular fisheye video that is a raw video captured by the second camera 27, are recorded in the memory card 23 by the drive recorder 10, together with the data of the recording date and time, and the first video data and the second video data can be played back in a synchronized manner by simultaneously playing back and displaying the video with the same recording date and time data.

[0234] By starting an application program (called "PC viewer" in this embodiment) installed in the storage unit, the personal computer operates as a display device for the drive recorder. As described above, the drive recorder 10 records various information related to the recorded video, such as video and audio captured while driving or parking, as well as date and time information and speed information, in the memory card 23. When the user wants to play back the video recorded in the memory card 23, he or she removes the memory card 23 from the memory card slot 22 and sets it in the card reader of the personal computer. The started PC viewer is executed, and the video recorded while driving is displayed on the display unit. Specific functions of the PC viewer are as follows.

[0235] 12 shows an example of a display layout displayed on the display unit of a personal computer after the PC viewer has been started, a recorded video has been selected, and playback has been started. A menu bar is provided near the top of the display screen 60, and a display area 62 for displaying the video of the selected data is located in the large area below the menu bar. Below the display area 62, from the left, there are a map display section 63, a related information display section 64, and a playlist list display section 70.

[0236] The menu bar button group 61 includes, from the left, a folder designation button 61a, a still image conversion button 61b, a print button 61c, a video conversion button 61d, a backup button 61e, a log data conversion button 61f, a recording setting change button 61g, and a drive recorder switch emulation button 62h. The folder designation button 61a is used to designate data to be played back, etc., and when the folder designation button 61a is clicked, the PC viewer displays a list of folders recorded on a memory card inserted in the personal computer. The user clicks on the displayed folder list to select the folder in which the data to be played back, etc. is recorded.

[0237] The PC viewer of this embodiment has a function of converting an image displayed in, for example, the display area 62 into a still image in a specified file format, for example, a JPEG format, and saving it. When the still image conversion button 61b is clicked, the PC viewer converts the image on the screen displayed in the display area 62 into a still image and records it in a specified storage area of ​​the personal computer. In accordance with the settings, the PC viewer creates and records still images by dividing the image being displayed or the image in the display area 62 by the specified number of frames for a specified time range.

[0238] The PC viewer of this embodiment has a function to print, for example, the image displayed in the display area 62. When the print button 61c is clicked, the PC viewer prints the image on the screen displayed in the display area 62 according to the set conditions. The set conditions include, for example, printing the displayed image as a still image, as in the above still image conversion, or printing still images obtained by dividing a specified time range from the image in the display area 62 by a specified number of frames.

[0239] The PC viewer of this embodiment has a function of converting recorded data into a predetermined file format, for example, a video in AVI format, and saving the converted data. When the video conversion button 61d is clicked in a state where the recorded data to be converted into a video is selected and loaded by the user, the PC viewer displays a condition setting screen and converts the loaded video data into video data in the predetermined format according to the contents set on the condition setting screen. The condition setting screen has an input area for specifying the file name, the location to save, the range, the subtitles, and the compression format, and a [START] button. The user sets the conditions using the input area and clicks the [START] button. By converting the file into a video in AVI format, the converted and saved file can be viewed using various video playback software, or uploaded to a homepage or other site for public viewing.

[0240] When the backup button 61e is clicked, the PC viewer backs up the video recorded on the memory card 23 to the personal computer. Backing up does not delete the video recorded on the memory card. When deleting, a separate deletion process is executed. When the log data conversion button 61f is clicked, the PC viewer converts the accumulated history data into a KML file and records it as log data. When the record setting change button 61g is clicked, the PC viewer displays a record setting screen (not shown). The user inputs various recording conditions and the like using the record setting screen, and stores the recording conditions in the memory card by confirming the contents. When the memory card is set in the drive recorder 10, the drive recorder 10 updates the stored recording conditions as the recording conditions, and thereafter operates according to the updated conditions.

[0241] The drive recorder switch section emulation button 62h is a button that emulates the operation of the switch section 28 provided in the drive recorder 10 on the PC viewer. On the PC viewer, instead of the image of the first camera 26 in the description of the switch section 28, a playback image of the first image data recorded by the first camera 26 is displayed, instead of the image of the second camera 27 in the description of the switch section 28, a playback image of the second image data recorded by the first camera 26 is displayed, and the content displayed on the screen of the second display 200 of the drive recorder 10 is the content displayed as the display area 62 as the screen. As for the pressing state of the drive recorder switch section emulation button 62h, as with the switch section 28, there are provided a "double press" when two consecutive presses are detected within 0.5 seconds, a "short press" when no double press is detected and one consecutive press for less than two seconds is detected, and a "long press" when consecutive presses for two seconds or more are detected, and different functions are assigned to these. When a “short press” is detected, the current “camera display state set” is switched to the next “camera display state set” and displayed in the display area 62.

[0242] The "camera display state set" includes the following first set to fourth set, as in the drive recorder 10, and when a "short press" is detected, the display is switched to the next set after the set currently displayed in the display area 62. The order of the sets is from the first set to the fourth set, and after the fourth set, the display is switched cyclically back to the first set. In this way, the camera display state set can be switched in a predetermined order by short press. As described later, by performing a predetermined operation from the initial state of each set, the display contents of the screen can be changed from the state of each set, but when a short press is detected in a state changed from each set by this change operation, a process is performed to return to the state of the screen of the set before the change. For example, when a short press is detected when the display position or the like is changed in the state of the first set, a process is performed to return to the state of the first set.

[0243] The first set is a combination of a first layout having a single horizontally long rectangular area within the layout screen, as shown on the left side of Figure 10(a), a playback image (forward) of the first video data, and an image of a rectangular area (first area) extracted from the circular image of Figure 8(b) where the origin of the circle in the camera image area R1 of Figure 8(b) is the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle, as shown in Figure 10.

[0244] As shown in Fig. 19, the second set is a second layout in which different image ranges can be assigned to two ranges, a square range on the left side and a square range on the right side of the screen, the camera plays back the first image data (forward) in the square range on the left side of the second layout, and plays back the second image data (rearward) in the square range on the right side of the second layout, and the image range is a square area (second range) including the range R2 in Fig. 8 (range with circular fisheye image) for both the played back image of the first image data and the played back image of the second image data. Note that the display state of Fig. 19 shows the character string "360°" superimposed on the bottom of each square area. This is a display indicating that each image is an image capturing an area of ​​360° or more, and the setting screen allows you to switch between a mode in which this display is on and a mode in which it is not on.

[0245] The third set, as shown on the right side of Figure 10(a), is a combination of images in which the layout is the first layout described above, the camera is the playback image (rear) of the second video data, and the image range is the rectangular range (first range) extracted from the circular image in Figure 8(c) in which the origin of the circle of the camera image area R1 in Figure 8(c) is the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle, as shown in Figure 10.

[0246] As shown in Fig. 11, the fourth set is a third layout with a total of six areas, with the screen divided into roughly two-thirds of the upper area and one-third of the lower area in the vertical direction, the upper area further divided into roughly half areas on the left and right, and the lower area divided into roughly one-quarter areas on the left and right. The upper right area of ​​the camera is the reproduced image (rear) of the second video data, and the rest of the area is the reproduced image (front) of the first video data. The upper left and right areas are rectangular areas in the center of each camera (first area, which is the same camera area as in Fig. 10(a)), and the lower area is, from left to right, the third area (referred to as the upper area), fourth area (referred to as the lower area), fifth area (referred to as the left area), and sixth area (referred to as the right area), which will be described below. The third area is a rectangular area inside the circle in Fig. 8(b), and is the upper area divided by the left and right straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as parts of the lower side. The fourth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a lower range divided by the left and right straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the upper side. The fifth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a left range divided by the up and down straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the right side, and the center of the right side is the origin of the circle in FIG. 8(b). The sixth range is a rectangular range inside the circle in FIG. 8(b), which is a right range divided by the up and down straight lines passing through the origin of the circle as a part of the left side, and the center of the left side is the origin of the circle in FIG. 8(b). According to the display using the fourth set, as shown in FIG. 11, the front and back images can be confirmed in a wide area of ​​two-thirds of the upper row, and the images of each position can be confirmed at a glance in the up, down, left and right images in the lower row.

[0247] When a "double press" is detected, if the "camera display state set" displayed in the display area 62 is a camera display state set (first set) that displays the image of the reproduced image of the first video data and does not display the image of the reproduced image of the second video data, it is switched to a camera display state set (third set) that displays only the image of the reproduced image of the second video data, whereas when the "camera display state set" displayed in the display area 62 is a camera display state set (third set) that displays the image of the reproduced image of the second video data and does not display the image of the reproduced image of the first video data, it is switched to a camera display state set (first set) that displays only the reproduced image of the first video data. When the "camera display state set" displayed in the display area 62 is a set other than these (second set, fourth set), if a "double press" is detected, it is switched to a specific set (third set in this embodiment).

[0248] When a "long press" is detected, a new file is generated on the PC for the video being played back and recorded in the same way as an event record. This allows drivers who manage and supervise them, such as operation managers, to easily record problematic scenes during playback as a new event record on the PC. It is recommended that this event record be recorded and displayed with information added to distinguish it as a different type of event record (PC viewer event record) from the event records recorded by the drive recorder.

[0249] The map display unit 63 displays a map 63a of a predetermined area and the vehicle's position on the map 63a. The PC viewer acquires map data of the surroundings where the vehicle is located based on the vehicle's position information associated with the loaded image, displays the map 63a at the set scale on the map display unit 63, and draws a vehicle position icon 63b at the location of the vehicle's current position on the map 63a (see Figs. 12(a) and 12(c) and the like). The map data may be acquired, for example, from a server on which the map is recorded via the Internet. When the map data is acquired from the Internet, the map is not displayed on the map display unit 63 when the personal computer is not connected to the Internet. Also, by selecting "Do not display map" in the settings, the operation mode in which the map is not displayed on the map display unit 63 is entered.

[0250] Furthermore, when the current position is unknown due to non-GPS positioning, it is preferable to display information in place of the map, instead of displaying the map, as shown in Fig. 12(b). For example, when GPS positioning is not performed, it is possible to display the map 63a but not the vehicle position icon 63b. If the vehicle position icon 63b is not displayed, the user may search for the vehicle position icon on the map or may mistakenly think that there is a malfunction. However, if another image or the like is displayed instead of the map 63a as in this embodiment, it is easy to understand that GPS positioning is not performed.

[0251] The related information display section 64 has a layout in which a timeline display section 74 is arranged at the top, a volume switch button 66 is arranged at the top left below, a date and time information display section 73 is arranged at the top right, a play button display section 65 is arranged below that, a running speed display section 67, an acceleration display section 68, and a latitude and longitude display section 69 are arranged at the bottom left of the play button display section 65 in order from the top, and an acceleration sensor graph display section 71 is arranged at the bottom right of the play button display section 65. The timeline display section 74 indicates the playback position of the video displayed in the display area 62 in one recorded data, and shows the overall timeline of the playback time of the recorded data with a red bar, and controls the position of the knob 74a to move to the right as playback progresses. When the position of the knob 74a is slid and moved, playback starts from that position. During continuous recording, the location where the event was recorded is displayed with a yellow vertical line 74b (see FIG. 12(c) and the like).

[0252] The volume switching button 66 is a button for muting and adjusting the volume, and has a mute button 66a and a knob 66b (see FIG. 16(c)). When the mute button 66a is clicked, the PC viewer mutes the sound being played back, and when the mute button 66a is clicked in the muted state, the mute is cancelled. When the knob 66b is slid by pointing, the PC viewer adjusts the volume according to the position of the knob 66b.

[0253] The date and time information display section 73 is an area that displays the date and time when the video being played back was recorded. The time can be the main body time recorded based on the internal clock of the drive recorder 10 or the GPS time obtained by GPS positioning. In this embodiment, the time is changed according to the recording conditions of the video being played back. When the recording conditions of the video being played back are based on continuous recording, the PC viewer displays the main body time in the date and time information display section 73. When the recording conditions of the video being played back are based on event recording, the PC viewer displays the GPS time in the date and time information display section 73 if GPS positioning is performed at the time of the event occurrence, and displays the main body time in the date and time information display section 73 if GPS positioning is not performed. Also, when the recorded data is displayed in the main body time during playback (see FIG. 12(b)), the display is updated to the GPS time at the timing of GPS positioning (see FIG. 12(c)).

[0254] The playback button display section 65 is a group of buttons for performing operations such as playback and fast forward. From the left, it has buttons for "fast rewind," "previous frame," "reverse play," "stop," "play," "next frame," and "fast forward." When each button is clicked, the PC viewer executes the process corresponding to the button. When each button for "fast rewind," "reverse play," "play," and "fast forward" is clicked multiple times, the PC viewer changes the playback speed. For example, clicking "play" or "reverse play" once will "play" or "reverse play" at normal speed of 1x, and clicking twice will "play" or "reverse play" at a slow speed such as 0.5x. Also, clicking "fast rewind" or "fast forward" once will "fast forward" or "rewind" at 2x speed, clicking twice will "fast forward" or "rewind" at 4x speed, clicking three times will "fast forward" or "rewind" at 8x speed, and clicking four times will "fast forward" or "rewind" at 16x speed. By adjusting the "play / reverse play" button to slow down the speed, and by adjusting the "fast forward / rewind" button to speed up the speed, it is easy to suddenly switch from fast playback to slow playback, or vice versa. Furthermore, by using the "fast forward" button, which originally plays fast, as a speed adjustment button, the user can intuitively understand the assignment. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 16(a), the running speed display unit 67 displays the running speed recorded by the GPS.

[0255] The acceleration display section 68 is an area that displays the recorded impact and acceleration values ​​in forward and backward (X direction: for example, red), left and right (Y direction: for example, yellow-green), and up and down (Z direction: for example, blue). The latitude and longitude display section 69 is an area that displays the latitude (N) and longitude (E) recorded by GPS. The running speed, acceleration, and longitude and latitude are all information on the current position of the image displayed in the display area 62. The acceleration sensor graph display section 71 is an area that displays the acceleration sensor graph in chronological order. The recorded data is displayed in a graph with the vertical axis being acceleration and the horizontal axis being time. In this embodiment, an X-axis acceleration graph 71a, a Y-axis acceleration graph 71b, and a Z-axis acceleration graph 71c are displayed, and the display colors of the graphs are similar to the display colors in the acceleration display section 68. This is advantageous because it makes it easier to understand the correspondence between the two. When the area is clicked, the PC viewer moves the cursor 71d to the clicked position, and displays the driving speed, acceleration, latitude and longitude on each display section with the position of the cursor 71d as the current position. When the play button is clicked, the PC viewer plays the video from the position of the cursor 71d. The PC viewer obtains various information stored in association with the video to be played, and displays it on the corresponding display section.

[0256] A time display section 71e is provided below the graph. From the left, the time display section 71e indicates the recording start time of the recorded data to be played, the current time of the cursor position, and the recording end time. If there is an impact with acceleration exceeding a reference value, the time of the testimony is displayed in the graph as event time 71f. On the right side of the graph, there are a + button 71g, a back button 71h, and a - button 71i. When the + button 71g is clicked, the PC viewer enlarges the acceleration sensor scale, and when the - button 71i is clicked, the PC viewer reduces the acceleration sensor scale. When the back button 71h is clicked, the PC viewer returns to the standard scale.

[0257] The playlist list display section 70 displays the name of the selected data. In FIG. 12, the data name "2016 / 09 / 06 11:47:28 [48 minutes]" is displayed. In the case of continuous recording, the data name is a combination of the date and time when recording started and the recording duration. In the case of event recording, the data name is the date and time when the event occurred and the type of event occurrence. The types of event occurrence include "impact" and "sudden start / stop" based on the acceleration sensor, and "one-touch" based on the operation of the switch section 28.

[0258] The display area 62 is an area for displaying recorded video. As described above, the drive recorder 10 of this embodiment records 360 degrees horizontally and 360 degrees vertically, for a total of 720 degrees of omnidirectional video. Therefore, the PC viewer has a function for displaying a part of an omnidirectional image in the display area 62, for example, or displaying an omnidirectional video as a single image. When displaying a part of an image, the display range, direction, etc. are changed to display a desired range of video in any direction, such as forward / backward, left / right, or up / down, in the display area 62. The change in the display range, etc., is configured as follows.

[0259] For example, as shown in FIG. 13(a), in a state where a predetermined range in front is displayed, the user uses, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse to perform a left button drag operation at an arbitrary position in the display area 62. When the PC viewer detects that the left button drag operation has been performed, it displays the image in the display area 62 so as to move in the direction of the drag. For example, as shown by an arrow 75 in FIG. 13(a), when the user drags a predetermined distance to the right in the display area 62, the PC viewer moves the displayed image to the right by the predetermined distance, and the image that was on the left outside of the display area 62 in FIG. 13(a) is drawn in the display area 62, and the image that was displayed on the right side of the display area 62 in FIG. 13(a) becomes outside the display area and is no longer displayed (FIG. 13(b)). As a result, the image displayed in the display area 62 changes so that the line of sight rotates leftward, and in the example shown in the figure, the scenery in the front left is displayed. If the drag distance is increased or the drag is repeated in the same direction, the image displayed in the display area 62 moves to the right by the predetermined distance.

[0260] By dragging the mouse, the image displayed rotates counterclockwise horizontally around the position of the camera unit 12 of the drive recorder 10, and returns to the original display direction shown in FIG. 13(a) from the left side directly to the rear (inside the vehicle), through the scenery on the right side, and then to the original display direction shown in FIG. 13(a) facing forward. By moving the drag direction in the opposite direction, the left side, the scenery that rotates clockwise is displayed in the display area 62. The shifting and moving of the image displayed in the right / left direction in this manner is an image of, for example, moving the display area 62 left and right in a state where a 360-degree image in the horizontal direction is stretched horizontally like a panoramic photo, and displaying the image in the display area 62 (see FIG. 20). In the case of a layout with multiple areas in the screen, such as the fourth set in FIG. 11 and the second set in FIG. 19, a movement process is performed for each area in which an operation instruction is detected in the display area 62. In the same manner, in the layout with multiple areas, the description "display area 62" is replaced with "area in which an operation instruction is detected in the display area 62".

[0261] The dragging direction is not limited to the horizontal direction, but can be any direction within the display area 62, such as up, down or diagonally, and the PC viewer changes the image displayed according to the direction of the drag. The user can display and view the desired image by dragging the left mouse button and moving the pointer to the part they want to display.

[0262] When the mouse is right-clicked with the pointer placed within the display area 62, the PC viewer displays the image display area menu shown in Fig. 13(b). This screen display area menu is drawn, for example, superimposed on the display area 62. This image display area menu has a layout in which an "Image Status" item that displays the current image orientation is placed at the top, and three operation items, "Restore to normal," "Invert," and "Zoom in / out," are placed below that. In the figure, the "Image Status" displays "Normal," which is the state in Fig. 13(a).

[0263] When "Return to normal" is clicked and selected, the PC viewer returns the inverted, enlarged, or reduced image to the initial display, and displays the restored image in the display area 62. "Invert" has three items, "Flip horizontally," "Flip vertically," and "Flip front to back," as subordinate menu items. When "Flip horizontally" is clicked, the PC viewer flips the displayed image horizontally (see FIG. 13(d)). When "Flip vertically" is clicked, the PC viewer flips the displayed image vertically (see FIG. 13(e)). When "Flip front to back" is clicked, the PC viewer displays an image that is flipped front to back and rotated 180 degrees from the displayed image. For example, when an image captured in front is displayed as shown in FIG. 13(a), clicking "Flip front to back" displays an image of the interior of the vehicle behind the drive recorder as shown in FIG. 13(f). "Zoom in and zoom out" has two items, "Zoom in" and "Zoom out," as subordinate menu items. When "Enlarge" is clicked, the PC viewer will enlarge the image by 200% and display it based on the center of the displayed image (see Figure 14(a)). When "Reduce" is clicked, the PC viewer will reduce the image by 50% and display it based on the center of the display screen (see Figure 14(a)). By changing the viewing direction appropriately in this way, you can check the situation while driving from all directions.

[0264] When playing back recorded data, a desired video list is selected from the playlist list display section 70 and executed. In this embodiment, the playlists are grouped into event recording, continuous recording, and history recording, and one of the groups is selected to be played back. To do this, the user clicks on either the event recording tab 70a, the continuous recording tab 70b, or the history recording tab 70c. For example, FIG. 15 shows the state in which the event recording tab 70a has been clicked.

[0265] When the event record tab 70a is clicked, the PC viewer creates and displays a list of event record data recorded on the memory card. The user selects the video they wish to view by clicking the check box 70d associated with the data name. When the relevant check box 70d is clicked, the PC viewer displays a check mark "R" in the check box 70d. This selection may be performed for multiple data at once. When the load button 70e is clicked, the PC viewer loads the selected recorded data, displays the data name in the playlist, and displays the video in the display area 62. When multiple data are selected, multiple data names are listed in the playlist, and the topmost video is displayed.

[0266] The image displayed in the display area 62 along with this recording and playback is a predetermined main image. The main image is from the first set, is an image facing a desired direction such as the front of the vehicle, and is a standard size image set as the initial display (see FIG. 17(a) and the like). The standard size may be, for example, a range of 120 degrees horizontally and 70 degrees vertically. This range corresponds to the range of angles of view adopted in normal drive recorders, so the image is familiar to users of normal drive recorders and the same necessary information as that of a normal drive recorder can be obtained. This main image should show the entire windshield.

[0267] In this embodiment, when the drive recorder 10 is attached to a vehicle, in the normal installation state with the camera unit 12 adjusted to the desired orientation, the first camera 26 faces directly ahead, so that the main image is cropped to a standard size by the first set, assuming that the center of the image captured by the first camera 26 faces directly ahead of the vehicle, and is displayed in the display area 62.

[0268] It is also advisable to provide a function that calculates the front position when displayed on a PC viewer from the installation angle obtained when correcting the installation angle using the acceleration sensor, and determines the standard position of the display image as the calculated front position. This assumes that the vertical direction to the acceleration sensor and the front of the camera are parallel. Then, from the angle between the gravity direction at the time of installation and the vertical direction of the acceleration sensor, an angle is calculated so that the gravity direction is directly below, and the direction perpendicular to the gravity direction of the acceleration sensor and the front of the camera is determined to be the center of the display image. This is advantageous because it allows the camera to detect the front from the gravity direction and display it as the standard position even if the user mistakenly installs the camera directly to the side instead of against the windshield.

[0269] Although specific illustration is omitted, when the continuous recording tab 70b is clicked, the PC viewer creates and displays a list of continuous recording data recorded on the memory card. The PC viewer imports the recording data selected by the user, displays the name of the data in the playlist of the playlist list display section 70, and displays the video in the display area 62. When the trigger list display button 70f is clicked, the PC viewer displays an event trigger list 70h in the playlist of the playlist list display section 70 (see FIG. 16(b)). When an item in this trigger list 70h is clicked, the PC viewer jumps to the recorded event and plays the video. In this way, the video of the part where the event occurred can be efficiently played back and the contents can be confirmed.

[0270] The above-mentioned process based on the play button display section 65 and the process based on the volume switch button 66 are also performed based on the play button 72a on the menu bar. For example, as shown in FIG. 16(d), when the play button 72a on the menu bar is clicked, the PC viewer displays the menu list 72b as shown in the figure in a pull-down list. When a desired item on the menu list 72b is clicked, the PC viewer performs the playback operation of the corresponding item. Although not specifically shown in the figures, the PC viewer has a function of displaying a pull-down menu of items for performing the above-mentioned processes based on clicking the buttons for the items "File," "View," and "Tools" on the menu bar, and performing similar processes based on the menu list. [A function that displays the driver and passengers' status and the view outside the vehicle on one screen, allowing the outside view to be displayed smoothly]

[0271] As described above, when playback starts, a predetermined reference image is displayed, and then, by changing the viewing direction or by enlarging / reducing the image to change the angle of view according to the user's operation, the user can view any image in all directions. For example, the angle of view can be widened by reducing the image size, and the image can be displayed in front of or behind the reference image.

[0272] It is preferable to display the rearward-facing image captured by the second camera 27 by inverting the image or changing the viewing direction horizontally by 180 degrees. Such a display mode is, for example, as shown in Fig. 17(b), where the driver and the interior of the vehicle are displayed in the central part 81 of the display area 62, and an image showing the scenery outside the vehicle is played back in the peripheral part 82. When the image is further reduced, for example, a spherical image is displayed as one screen, as shown in Fig. 18. Note that, as is clear from a comparison of Fig. 17(b) and Fig. 18, the subjects captured are different, and these are figures for understanding the image of the display mode due to the difference in scale.

[0273] According to this display mode, the outside scenery is displayed so as to flow from the center to the left and right rear, which is good because it is an interesting image that cannot be seen normally. If you just look at the front of the reference image, although this is the original function of a drive recorder, the scenery and the vehicle ahead are continuously visible, which is hard to interest and lacks interest, but the above display mode is good because it allows you to see scenery that you cannot see normally. For example, in recent TV travel programs, images of the inside of the car of the driver and passengers are shown with a camera placed on the dashboard, etc., but what is captured and displayed is the driver and passengers, and the outside scenery is not shown, and even if it is shown, it is only a little seen from the window behind the driver and passengers. According to this embodiment, not only the driver but also the passengers in the passenger seat and the back seat are displayed in the center part 81, and the outside scenery to the left and right is displayed in a flowing manner around the periphery, which is interesting. And it is good because an image of entertainers having fun in the car and a beautiful outside scenery can be presented to the living room at the same time.

[0274] In addition, in this display mode, the image displayed in the peripheral portion 82 is not only the scenery on the left and right sides of the vehicle, but also the scenery on both the left and right sides from the front of the vehicle captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27, and a wide range of things can be seen. In this way, the front and rear parts are displayed so that they appear on one screen. Directly behind you, the image captured by the second camera 27 is reflected on your rear side, and the outside scenery captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 slides sideways and flows around you, and is displayed as if it were wrapping around behind you. This can be said to be, for example, a view as if there is a virtual camera outside the vehicle, or a virtual viewpoint outside the vehicle, and the vehicle is seen from a distance as if it has become transparent. In this way, you can see a view that you cannot normally see. [Viewer Compositing Function]

[0275] As described above, in this embodiment, two images captured by the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are joined together to create a spherical image. The angle of view of both cameras is 210 degrees horizontally when they are fixed in the correct position, and the peripheral areas captured by each camera are overlapping areas in which the same scenery, etc. are captured. When these overlapping areas are superimposed, they are composited by applying a gradation. That is, for example, as in the second area R2 shown in Figs. 8(b) and (c), the display becomes lighter toward the periphery in the overlapping joint area. For example, if the second area R2 is the area to be processed by the gradation, for example, the boundary area with the first area R1 is 100% at 0% of the periphery, and the darkness of the intermediate area is gradually changed. Since the resolution becomes lower toward the periphery, the effect on the display is reduced by making it difficult to capture. In addition, as described above, there is a risk that the same object such as a person may be displayed as a different object in the images of each camera, but by applying a gradation, it is made difficult to notice even if it is displayed as a different object. [Mask function, etc.]

[0276] The drive recorder 10 of this embodiment, which captures and records the celestial sphere, also captures the driver, passengers, and the like, as shown in Figs. 17(b), 18(a), 19, and the like. For example, it is fine for the scenery and the interior of the vehicle to be captured and recorded, but there is a demand for not being captured by the driver himself. The PC viewer of this embodiment has a mask function, and has a function for outputting the masked mask area 62b in a display mode that is less visible than the normal display area 62a. The mask area 62b that is made less visible may be set, for example, as a fixed area, or may be set based on a user specification. In the case of a fixed area, for example, an area in the image that corresponds to an area whose approximate position in the vehicle interior is determined, such as near the driver's seat or near the passenger seat, may be set as the mask area 62b. In addition, the function for setting an arbitrary mask area 62b based on a user specification may be performed by, for example, stopping with a person to be masked captured in the display area 62, and specifying a position to specify the area with a mouse or the like. When a specific mouse button is clicked, the PC viewer stores the position and sets the inside of a figure with the clicked position as a vertex as a mask area 62b. When playing back the video, the PC viewer sets the area in the video captured by the second camera 27 that corresponds to the stored clicked position as a mask area, and plays back and displays the relevant area in a masked state. It is preferable to have a function for setting the mask area 62b by user designation, since this allows masking of any area.

[0277] The display within the mask area 62b can be processed in various ways, such as mosaic processing, reducing the resolution, painting a specific color, etc. When painting a color, it is better to adjust the transparency appropriately so that the color is not completely filled in, but is slightly visible.

[0278] It is more preferable to have a function for automatically setting the mask area 62b. The automatic setting function can be, for example, as follows. For example, a face image or the like of a person to be masked, such as a user, may be registered in advance, and the registered person, such as a user, in the vehicle interior may be recognized by image recognition or the like, and a predetermined range including the person's face may be set as the mask area, but it is more preferable to set it based on the moving speed and displacement speed in the image. For example, while driving, since the vehicle moves, the relative moving speed of people and objects outside the vehicle is fast with respect to the vehicle, whereas the moving speed of people inside the vehicle is slow. In addition, seats and other installed objects in the vehicle interior do not move. Based on this difference in moving speed, it is preferable to set the mask area for objects within a certain speed range. In this way, no prior registration is required, masking can be performed by simple processing without image recognition, and even if an unregistered person is in the car, masking can be performed for the passenger, which is good for versatility. [Specific image display function]

[0279] As described above, the PC viewer pauses the video being played at any position, turns it upside down, zooms in and out, and displays any direction in all directions with a desired angle of view according to the user's operation. If the direction and angle of view are appropriately changed while playing, an interesting and interesting video is played, but there is a risk that the direction of the currently displayed video may become unclear during the playback. Therefore, it is preferable to have a function to display a specific direction with a one-touch operation. For example, when the "return to standard" item in the screen display area menu shown in FIG. 13(b) is clicked, the display of the display area 62 is returned to the initial display. Similarly, for example, by clicking a button or item provided in a specific location in the menu bar or any other location, a specific direction such as forward / backward / left / right can be displayed with one touch. With such a function, it is preferable that the desired direction can be displayed with one touch regardless of the direction of the current display. Also, as described above, the specific direction is not a direction such as front, rear, left, or right with the drive recorder at the center, but for example, when displaying the rear side, it is preferable to set it to a diagonal rear direction rather than directly behind. The diagonal rear direction should be directed toward the driver's seat. In this way, the situation inside the vehicle is displayed with the driver at the center. Apart from the above-mentioned mask function, it is preferable for a user who wants to see himself to display it with the driver at the center.

[0280] Furthermore, the function is not limited to the one described above of displaying a predetermined direction with a one-touch operation, but in addition to, or instead of, such a function, it is preferable to have a function of registering the range being viewed during playback in a form similar to a bookmark save, and then displaying an image with the same direction and angle of view that was saved with a one-touch operation or other simple operation during subsequent playback. [Function to display a specific direction, etc., to a specific location] A drive recorder that captures a full celestial sphere like this one can widen the angle of view to capture images such as those shown in Fig. 18.

[0281] One of its features is that it displays a sphere as shown in Figure 1. When the PC viewer displays a sphere like this, with the center of the circle being the ground and the periphery being the sky, it is a good idea to associate the location information, for example using a geomagnetic sensor, with the viewer to store it so that the north is at the top during playback.

[0282] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the standard display is such that the bonnet of the vehicle is displayed at a specific position, and the view ahead while driving is centered. In addition to this display mode, it is preferable to have a function of displaying a specific direction (for example, north) at a specific position (for example, up) as described above. In this way, for example, when displaying north at the top, it is preferable because it matches well with the map. For example, when a map is displayed at North Head, when images taken by a drive recorder at a corresponding position on the map are displayed side by side, if the images are also displayed with north at the top, the upper part of the image is north, so that it is easy to match buildings, etc., shown in the image with landmarks such as buildings on the map. In this way, when the specific direction is "north", it is convenient to view it together with the map. Also, for example, when creating an accident report, it is good because it is easy to write a situation report such as "collision with a vehicle proceeding from the south". Also, it is good because it is easy to correlate images taken by multiple drive recorders. Not only in circular displays, but also in 360-degree strip-like displays like panoramic photographs, it is a good idea to ensure that the north side is in the designated position.

[0283] Also, the specific direction to be pointed to is not limited to a direction, and may be, for example, a destination or a specific landmark, but it is preferable to point to a direction, especially "north," since this allows for matching with a map.

[0284] Furthermore, when a specific direction such as "north" is displayed on top, it is not limited to the goodness of matching with the map, but it is also good because, for example, the driving direction angle of the vehicle can be easily guessed from the flow of images during video playback. For example, when "north" is displayed on top and all directions such as FIG. 18 are displayed on one screen, when traveling north, the outside scenery displayed in the peripheral area R11 on both sides of the circle is played back so that it flows from top to bottom. On the other hand, when traveling south, it flows from bottom to top, and in the east-west direction, the upper and lower parts of the circle flow sideways. In this way, it is good because it is easy to understand which direction the vehicle is traveling from the flow of images. Furthermore, the direction displayed on top is not limited to "north", and by displaying another specific direction on top, the traveling direction of the vehicle can be known from the flow of images.

[0285] For example, in the case of so-called sports cameras and action cameras that shoot a full celestial sphere, it is good to display the subject, such as a child, in the center, but in the case of a drive recorder, if the primary purpose is to record when an accident occurs, the subject will not be unique because it is impossible to predict from where danger will come, such as a rear-end collision with a vehicle in front, or a rear-end collision with a vehicle from the side or rear. Therefore, by focusing on the direction and determining a specific direction (e.g., "north") as a specific position (e.g., "up"), as described above, various effects such as "the direction of what is being shown can be seen at a glance," "the driving direction of the vehicle can be easily guessed from the flow of images when playing back the video," "matching is improved when lined up with a map," and "correlation between images shot by multiple drive recorders and images shot in the same place in the past" can be achieved. [Variations of sphere display]

[0286] For example, when a sphere is displayed as shown in Fig. 18, a region without an image is generated within the display area 62 outside the circular display region 62a in which the image is displayed. Therefore, the PC viewer may provide an additional information display section 78 in the region without an image, and may display various information in the additional information display section 78, such as a direction indicating the vehicle's traveling direction, information about the road such as the name of the road being traveled, and information about pedestrians (see Fig. 18(b)). In Fig. 18(b), the additional information display section 78 is provided in the bottom left, but the position of the additional information display section 78 is arbitrary, and multiple additional information display sections may be provided. Providing multiple additional information is preferable because it allows more information to be displayed.

[0287] For example, the PC viewer performs image recognition processing on the image to be displayed to extract pedestrian information. When a person is extracted, the PC viewer displays the presence of the person as text information such as "a person was there." In addition, it is preferable to draw a mark such as an arrow on the part of the person displayed in the display region 62a of the display area 62 to make the location of the person easier to understand. In this way, it is possible to easily check, for example, whether a person is approaching or moving away from the vehicle. In addition, instead of displaying all people when a person is recognized, it is preferable to use image recognition or other personal authentication to display information that identifies the detected person, such as a name, when a specific person is detected.

[0288] In this case, it is advisable to display people outside the vehicle and people inside the vehicle separately. For example, if the person is outside the vehicle, the presence of a person is displayed when it is detected in order to determine whether there is a risk of contact, and if the person is inside the vehicle, the person is identified as an acquaintance and the identified information is notified. [Multiple screen display function]

[0289] In the above-described embodiments, the display area 62 displays one image based on one viewpoint, such as the entire omnidirectional image or an image cut out from the entire omnidirectional image, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferable to display multiple different images simultaneously. In this way, it is possible to view images from multiple different directions, eliminating blind spots and allowing for an interesting video.

[0290] As for the images of the multiple different directions, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first image display section 76 may display the scenery ahead, and the second image display section 77 may display the image of the inside of the vehicle cabin. In this way, for example, it is good because the state of the driver and the passengers when looking at the scenery ahead can be linked and confirmed. For example, when a beautiful scenery is seen, if there is an image of the driver and the passengers being impressed or happy, the correlation with the scenery can be understood, and it is good for remembering the course of the drive trip. In addition, the size of the first image display section 76 and the second image display section 77 may be the same size as shown in the figure, but it is more preferable to make a difference in size and to make them into a main image display section and a sub image display section. By changing the size like the main and sub, it is good because the image displayed on the main image display section can be seen well. In this way, when dividing into the main and sub, the main image is preferably a front image showing the front, and the sub image is preferably an image of the inside of the vehicle showing the driver, etc. This allocation is preferable for the driving recorder to perform its original function. In addition, the sub image may be, for example, the left or right side of the vehicle. This is advantageous because it allows you to check accidents such as side collisions. [Automatic editing and playback function]

[0291] When a full-dome image is displayed, it becomes a circular image as shown in Fig. 18. The PC viewer has a function to enlarge a part of the image and project it onto a flat surface. As described above, the PC viewer enlarges and reduces the full-dome image and moves the display range based on user operations such as dragging the mouse or operating buttons while the image is being played. This user operation is complicated and troublesome, which is an issue. Therefore, it is desirable to have a function to automatically perform processing to cut out and display an appropriate part of the full image without user operations. It is desirable to have a function to automatically change the angle or field of view displayed on the screen during playback of the full-dome image.

[0292] For example, it would be good to have a function that automatically changes the visible range (viewport) in the image in conjunction with vehicle information. Examples of changing the range include zooming in, zooming out, panning, etc.

[0293] For example, while driving, the part ahead is enlarged and displayed, and if there is a viewpoint to see in the vicinity, such as Mt. Fuji, the viewport can be automatically panned in the direction of the viewpoint for playback. This function, for example, stores position information of the viewpoint, obtains the direction of the viewpoint from the position information of the vehicle being played back, automatically moves the cut-out position, and pans in that direction for playback.

[0294] Also, for example, when driving on a highway, the image captured by the first camera 26 continues to display the vehicle ahead, and the scenery does not change, especially in sections where soundproof walls are installed on both sides of the highway or in tunnels. Continuing to watch such images in the same direction is boring, and basically not what you want to see, so there is a problem that even if you record it all the time, you do not feel like playing it. Therefore, it is good to have a function to cut out such useless parts, skip, and play parts that are likely to be interesting. For example, if the location where the image was taken from the map information is a highway, it is good to skip and play the part after getting off the highway interchange. Also, it is good to skip not only on highways, but also within registered areas such as around your home.

[0295] Also, when the vehicle is stopped while driving, the same image continues to be shot while the vehicle is stopped, so the image played back may continue to display the same image like a still image during the pause, which is not desirable. Therefore, it is possible to skip the image during the pause, such as on a highway, and play it back from the point when the vehicle starts driving again, but it is better to automatically rotate the image around the ceiling as if it were shaking its head left and right when the vehicle stops while driving. When the vehicle stops, the driver may want to check the surroundings, so this is a way of reproducing the checking action, and the rotation is also good because it lets the driver know that the vehicle has stopped.

[0296] In this way, interesting scenery or the like is automatically played back, which is advantageous as it motivates the user to play back the recorded video. It is also advantageous to have a function for recording the played back video. It is also advantageous to have a function for recording the video played back in this way, such as a viewport, as a separate video file. In this way, it is advantageous because the viewport information can be written out to a separate file and uploaded to the Internet or the like for public viewing.

[0297] Also, for example, there are television programs that alternate between the scenery inside a train, images taken from above the train using a drone, and the scenery outside the train. As mentioned above, if you could automatically play interesting scenery from the footage of your journey, you would be interested in watching the footage created and played back like the television programs mentioned above.

[0298] For example, in the case of a sports camera or action camera that shoots a 360-degree view, the photographer holds the camera in his / her hand and operates it, aiming one lens at the object he / she wants to shoot, so even if the recorded image is played back as is, it is the image he / she wants to see, and there is relatively no problem even if the viewport is fixed and not edited. In contrast, a drive recorder is installed in a vehicle and records continuously, so there is a high possibility that uninteresting unnecessary images or images not facing the direction you want to see will be played back, which makes it easy to encounter the above-mentioned problems. This form solves this problem. [Dashcam with display]

[0299] It is preferable that the drive recorder is provided with a display device having each function of the above-mentioned PC viewer. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the drive recorder does not have a display unit, and the video captured by the camera is recorded on the memory card 23 and confirmed by the PC viewer of the personal computer, but by providing a display device in the drive recorder as in this embodiment, the video can be viewed in real time. It is preferable that the area in which a part of the spherical image provided in the PC viewer is cut out and displayed can be moved or enlarged / reduced.

[0300] For example, if images of the sides and rear of the vehicle are displayed while driving, the driver can easily see the situation around the vehicle by simply shifting his / her gaze slightly toward the display device while facing forward. Also, if an image of the inside of the vehicle captured by the second camera 27 is displayed on the display device, the driver can easily check the condition of babies and children in the back seat and passengers without having to look back. In particular, it is difficult for the driver in the driver's seat to directly check the area behind the driver's seat, but if the drive recorder 10 is attached to the center or upper part of the windshield, the situation behind the driver's seat can be clearly captured and displayed.

[0301] In addition, in cases where there is no zoom function like a PC viewer, for example, when images captured by either or both of the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are displayed in a circular shape, it is advisable to provide an additional information display section 78 in the area outside the circle to display various types of information, as shown in Figure 18(b). [Dashcam equipped with in-car status notification function]

[0302] It is preferable to provide a function for determining the state of passengers from the image captured by the second camera 27 and notifying them. For example, it is preferable to determine whether an infant or child sleeping in the back seat is about to wake up or is sleeping soundly, and to notify them if they are about to wake up or become fussy. In this way, there is no need to periodically check the back seat, and you can concentrate on driving.

[0303] It is also preferable to provide a function for extracting people from the image captured by the second camera 27 by image recognition processing, etc., and counting and reporting the number of passengers. This is preferable because it allows you to immediately tell if everyone is on board. The area behind the driver's seat is particularly difficult to see, but this is good because it allows you to know reliably and smoothly without missing anything. In particular, in the case of vehicles with a large number of passengers, such as buses, it is preferable to be able to quickly check the number of passengers.

[0304] In this way, it is preferable to have a function that focuses on and counts people inside the vehicle, recognizes their condition, etc., and notifies the result by display or voice. Whether or not a person is inside the vehicle can be easily determined by, for example, performing a person recognition process within an area equivalent to the vehicle interior, or by judging based on the amount of movement (for example, when the vehicle is moving, movement is minimal inside the vehicle, etc.), which is preferable because it allows easy distinction between people inside and outside the vehicle. [A dashcam equipped with two cameras, only one of which captures a hemispherical area]

[0305] In the above-described embodiment, the first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are both cameras that capture a range of more than a hemisphere, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferable that one of the two cameras is a third camera that captures a range of more than a hemisphere, and the other is a fourth camera that captures a range narrower than the hemisphere, and the two cameras have different capture areas. The third camera may be, for example, a hemispherical camera with a full circumference of 180 degrees, and the fourth camera may be a wide-angle camera used in conventional ordinary drive recorders, for example, a wide-angle camera with a horizontal angle of 120 degrees and a vertical angle of 70 degrees.

[0306] For example, when the drive recorder is mounted and fixed to the ceiling of the vehicle, the third camera has its lens facing downward so as to capture an area of ​​360 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically, and the fourth camera is configured to capture the area in front of the vehicle when the drive recorder is mounted on the vehicle.

[0307] Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the third camera and the fourth camera may be arranged in a single housing. When the third camera and the fourth camera are arranged in a single housing, for example, a rectangular box body having a semi-spherical portion protruding from one side thereof may be used.

[0308] The housing has a shape in which a third camera is mounted on the hemispherical portion and a fourth camera is mounted on the rectangular parallelepiped portion. The lens of the fourth camera is disposed at the apex of the hemispherical portion, and the lens of the third camera is disposed so as to be exposed on one side surface adjacent to the hemispherical portion. When the drive recorder is attached to the ceiling of the vehicle via the attachment member, the hemispherical portion is positioned downward, and the side surface on which the lens of the fourth camera is provided faces directly ahead of the vehicle.

[0309] For example, the hemispherical camera constituting the third camera captures the lower half of the hemispherical area, but the image of the distant area around the vehicle is too small, making it difficult to understand the situation, for example, when an accident occurs. In addition, there is a problem that traffic lights are located diagonally above the vehicle and are often not included in the capture range. Therefore, in this embodiment, by providing a fourth camera constituting the front camera, it is possible to capture an area in front of the vehicle that is difficult or impossible to capture with the third camera.

[0310] It is advisable to switch the operation of the two cameras depending on the circumstances. For example, while driving, the third and fourth cameras are operated to capture the hemispherical area in front of and below the vehicle, and the images captured by the two cameras are recorded simultaneously on a memory card. In this way, for example, in the event of an accident, if a collision occurs in front of the vehicle, clear and sharp images can be recorded based on the images captured by the fourth camera, just like a conventional drive recorder, and if a collision occurs at the side or rear of the vehicle, which is in the blind spot of the fourth camera, clear and sharp images can be recorded based on the images captured by the third camera.

[0311] Also, for example, when parking, only the third camera is operated for security monitoring mode. In the spherical drive recorder, two cameras are operated even when parking, but in this embodiment, only the third camera is operated, which is good because it reduces power consumption and allows for longer recording and security monitoring. Parking can be determined, for example, when the engine is stopped, there is no one in the driver's seat, the handbrake is applied, the speed is 0 km, the current location is a home parking lot, etc.

[0312] While the vehicle is traveling, it is possible to operate only the fourth camera, but it is preferable to use both the third and fourth cameras in order to record the surroundings of the vehicle, especially collisions from the side or rear. The operation of both cameras can be switched so that, for example, when traveling to a destination such as a highway, the fourth camera takes pictures of the front as a measure against accidents, and when the vehicle approaches the destination, the surrounding scenery is often beautiful, so the third camera can also be operated to take and record the scenery.

[0313] In addition, the third camera may be used for monitoring while the vehicle is parked, and the fourth camera may be used to capture the view ahead while the vehicle is moving. In this manner of use, the image specialized for the view ahead and the image specialized for the view around the vehicle can be switched depending on the purpose.

[0314] It is good to send either one of the images to a smartphone or server as real-time video, since this allows real-time monitoring. It is possible to fix the image to be sent to only one of the cameras, but it is good to send the image from the fourth camera while driving and the image from the third camera while parking.

[0315] The idea of ​​using one camera for security monitoring while the vehicle is parked and extending the operation time of the present embodiment may also be applied to a drive recorder that captures an entire celestial sphere. In this case, for example, a wide-angle camera may be installed in place of the switch unit 28 of the drive recorder 10 to make a three-camera system, and only the wide-angle camera may be configured to operate while the vehicle is parked. [Dashcam with one camera]

[0316] In the above-mentioned embodiments, a plurality of cameras are combined to capture an area wider than a hemisphere, but in this embodiment, a single camera is used to capture an area wider than a hemisphere. A hemisphere camera with a circumference of 180 degrees is used, which is attached and fixed to the ceiling and captures an area below. When photographing a hemispherical range, the following problems arise.

[0317] The resolution of the circular image obtained by shooting is the best in the center and the lowest in the peripheral area. Therefore, for example, in monitoring while parking, it is preferable because one camera can shoot 360 degrees horizontally, but there is a problem that the resolution of the view ahead, such as the vehicle ahead, is poor because it is located in the peripheral area of ​​the circular image obtained by shooting. Furthermore, for example, if a camera is attached to a ceiling, it is possible to shoot the vehicle ahead and the driver, etc. in a full 180 degrees, but in addition to the above-mentioned low resolution, it is not possible to shoot traffic lights located above the vehicle. In particular, in the event of an accident, it is necessary to shoot traffic lights in order to identify the route to be traveled and the color of the surrounding traffic lights, but there is a problem that it is not possible to shoot them.

[0318] In this form, for example, a 240-degree camera is used, and one of the cameras is set facing downward to record the lower half of the sky and the area diagonally above it. This allows the single camera to record not only the vehicle ahead and the driver and passengers inside the vehicle, but also traffic lights.

[0319] If the angle is set to 210 degrees, there is a risk that the traffic light may not be captured, so the lower limit is set to 220 degrees. On the other hand, if the angle is increased, the traffic light can be captured with certainty, but the larger the angle, the larger the area captured in the same circle, so the captured object becomes smaller. If the traffic light is not captured at a certain size, the color of the signal cannot be distinguished, and there is no point in recording it. Therefore, the upper limit is set to 260 degrees, which ensures an appropriate size for discrimination. A more preferable range is 230 to 240 degrees, and in this embodiment, 240 degrees is set.

[0320] Furthermore, this embodiment is equipped with a microwave sensor and LTE communication functions. When the microwave sensor detects the approach to the vehicle, the main unit is started up. That is, to reduce the consumption of the vehicle's battery, the CPU, camera, and LTE are kept in sleep mode during standby. Then, when the microwave sensor reacts, it is started up from sleep mode. Since it takes 5 to 10 seconds to start up, it is started up by the microwave sensor, and when the acceleration sensor or door opening sensor reacts, it uses LTE to transfer images, etc., and notifies the user who is carrying a smartphone.

[0321] Since the microwave sensor reacts to any moving object, in this embodiment, the notification is made based on the detection by the acceleration sensor or the door opening sensor, and frequent notifications are suppressed. Depending on the mode setting, it is preferable to have a function that sends real-time images to a smartphone so that a user in a remote location can check them on the smartphone. [Other features] It is advisable to have the camera body and GPS as separate units, and to have a vehicle tracking function that allows tracking via GPS even if the camera is destroyed or stolen. In each of the above-described embodiments, the drive recorder may have a function of automatically uploading video footage captured in the vicinity of a mobile speed camera, etc., to a server. It is a good idea to connect the drive recorder to an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation system and provide a function for displaying images captured by the camera on the car navigation system.

[0322] In each of the above-described embodiments, the drive recorder having two cameras is configured so that the two cameras are mounted in one housing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the two cameras may be mounted in separate housings. In this case, it is preferable to mount the two cameras on the vehicle using one common mounting member. In addition, the two cameras provided in separate housings may be mounted separately.

[0323] The cameras may be attached to the vehicle using mounting parts and linked via a wired or wireless communication via a cable, but in order to orient the two cameras in the desired positional relationship, it is better to attach them to the vehicle using a single common mounting part, and it is even more preferable to mount them in a single housing in advance in the desired positional relationship as in the embodiment described above. [Application to ADAS (Advanced Driving Systems)]

[0324] When using images captured by a drive recorder 10 that captures a 360-degree image or an image captured by a camera that captures a 360-degree image for ADAS processing, the following problems arise. For example, when using it for lane departure warning, since there are two 360-degree images, it is necessary to identify which lane the vehicle should not deviate from. Also, since the 360-degree camera captures not only the vehicles and traffic lights in front, but also the vehicles and traffic lights on the sides and rear in the 360-degree image, it is necessary to identify which ADAS area is the target, for example, which traffic light is in front.

[0325] Therefore, for example, the camera is fixed and its orientation cannot be changed so that the captured position is fixed, similar to the drive recorder 10. When the camera is mounted on the vehicle, the part to be used by the ADAS is set so that it does not overlap with the joints between the multiple cameras.

[0326] Another configuration is to adjust the direction of the camera without fixing it. The area of ​​the windshield and the vehicle interior is estimated from the moving parts in the image (parts with optical flow) and non-moving parts such as pillars. The area to be used by ADAS is extracted from the area of ​​the windshield. An area to be used for detecting the user's drowsiness, inattentiveness, etc. may be extracted from the area of ​​the vehicle interior. Also, in the case of the drive recorder, the point with the highest resolution (for example, the center) is facing directly ahead, but it would be better to have it facing, for example, in the direction of a white line. [Installation outside the vehicle]

[0327] In the above-described embodiment, a camera is provided inside the vehicle cabin, but in addition to providing a camera inside the vehicle cabin, or without providing a camera inside the vehicle cabin, the following configuration may be provided: A hemispherical camera that captures images of the outside of the vehicle (preferably a camera that can capture an area exceeding 180 degrees in all directions, particularly a camera that can capture an area exceeding 210 degrees in all directions) may be provided.

[0328] In particular, it is preferable to install the camera on the side of the vehicle facing outward, or on the side of the vehicle facing downward. For example, it is preferable to install such a camera on the side mirror so as to capture the lower side from the lower surface of the side mirror. In particular, it is preferable to provide such a camera on the side of both the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0329] The installation position is not limited to this, and for example, it is advisable to install such a camera in at least one of the four corners (front right, front left, rear right, rear left) when the vehicle is viewed from above (particularly the front left is preferable) (particularly it is advisable to install it in all four corners). In particular, it is advisable to install it at the part of the vehicle body where the front and side meet (between) so as to capture the outside from the vehicle side. In this case, it is advisable to set the shooting direction of the center of the camera to a direction that is more than 45 degrees outward to the side of the vehicle relative to the straight forward direction. In other words, it is advisable to install it so that the area of ​​the captured image is larger on the side than on the front.

[0330] With the images from these cameras, it is easier than ever to check whether the vehicle will run over a curb, fall into a gutter, fall into a ravine, hit a guardrail, etc. This is particularly effective when passing or stopping to avoid oncoming vehicles on narrow roads such as mountain roads, or when parking as close to the left as possible.

[0331] It is especially advisable to install the camera so that the area around the tires is included in the shooting range. It is also advisable to install the camera so that the area reflected from the driver's seat is included in the small mirror installed under the conventional left side mirror. Such small mirrors are small and difficult to see, and have the problem that they are almost invisible, especially at night, but this camera can solve this problem.

[0332] In particular, by installing cameras at the front or rear end of the vehicle, as in the four corners mentioned above, when entering the roadway from an area surrounded by walls or the like on one side (or especially both sides), it is possible to easily check a wide area with fewer cameras to see the situation of bicycles, pedestrians, etc. approaching from the left and right.

[0333] In particular, it is preferable to have a function for changing the display range of the omnidirectional camera according to a user's instruction. In particular, it is preferable to have a function for enlarging the part of the image of the omnidirectional camera displayed on the display screen where a touch is detected. In particular, it is preferable to move the touched position to the center of the display part of the screen and draw it.

[0334] In the above-described embodiment, the omnidirectional camera is fixed, but the omnidirectional camera may be provided with a mechanism for changing the shooting direction based on the user's operation. For example, a remotely controllable electric camera platform or the like may be attached to the vehicle, the camera may be fixed to the camera platform, and the shooting direction may be changed by remotely controlling the camera platform.

[0335] Although three operations, "double press," "long press," and "short press," are detected as the state of switch unit 28 and the respective processes are performed, it is preferable to assign the functions of "double press," "long press," and "short press" to different switches. For example, as described above, switch unit 28 may be provided on the bottom of camera unit 12, and similar switches may be provided on the left and right side surfaces, with the right switch being assigned the function of "double press," and the left switch being assigned the function of "long press." The drive recorder 10 described in the embodiment is a system that can improve the user experience compared to the conventional drive recorder 10.

[0336] In this embodiment, a lamp is mounted on the switch unit 28 so that the surface of the switch unit 28 is illuminated, but instead, as shown in FIG. 23, it is preferable to provide an indicator 1001 on a side of the camera unit 12 or main body unit 11 of the drive recorder 10 that is not the side having the first camera 26, but is not the side opposite the side having the first camera 26.

[0337] Furthermore, it is preferable that the side surface is provided with a portion for preventing the light of the indicator 1001 from leaking to the side having the first camera 26. If light leaks to the outside, it will hinder traffic if it is placed on the front surface (first camera 26 side), which is not good. It has been found in previous products that the indicator is placed on the inside (second camera 27 side) or the bottom surface (switch unit 28 side). It is preferable to place the indicator on the side surface as in the present system in FIG. 23. It is particularly preferable to place the indicator on a position on the side surface that is visible but not visible. It is also preferable to attach a cover or a protrusion or other light leakage prevention member to the outside of the vehicle to the part from the indicator 1001 toward the front surface so that there is no light leakage from the front surface, which is the outside of the vehicle. It is particularly preferable to use a system that is attached to vehicles in which customers ride, such as buses, trucks, and trains. It is possible to light up in vehicles in which customers ride, such as buses, trucks, and trains, so as not to appeal too much to customers, and also to the driver to soften the appeal that he is being monitored. It is particularly preferable to display the status so that the driver can see that the video is being recorded, but cannot see it unless he looks into the vehicle. It is particularly preferable to use a system that is installed near the driver's seat. Indicator 1001 may be provided in a similar position even in a semi-spherical drive recorder that does not have a second camera and captures the view ahead, rather than the full-sphere drive recorder as in Fig. 23. Also, indicator 1001 may be provided in a similar position even in a configuration in which the position of the first camera is set at the position of switch unit 28, which is the lower end position, instead of the position in Fig. 23, and a semi-spherical camera is provided with the optical axis of the camera centered downward.

[0338] For example, the above-mentioned embodiment may be modified to provide a system including a drive recorder 10 having a function of recording an image captured by a first camera 26 installed in a vehicle, and the bracket 17 between the main body of the drive recorder 10 and the part attached to the vehicle may include a connector for receiving power from the vehicle side and a means for wirelessly supplying the received power to the main body 11 side, and the main body 11 side may include a configuration for receiving wireless power supply, and the bracket 17 may include a light-emitting means for indicating a power receiving state from the vehicle side on a surface side that faces the inside of the vehicle when the bracket 17 is fixed to the vehicle. For example, the side indicated by the reference numeral 17 of the bracket 19 in FIG. 2(b) may be further extended to the right and expanded to a position beyond the right end of the main body 11 in FIG. 1(a). In this case, the surface of the bracket 19 facing the interior of the vehicle may be exposed from the left end of the main body 11 in FIG. 1(b). An LED or the like serving as a light-emitting means may be provided on the surface exposed to the interior of the vehicle. It is also advisable to provide a connector for receiving power from the vehicle side on the surface of the exposed bracket 19 on the upper side of the passenger compartment. It is also possible to eliminate the connector and directly pull out the wiring. In this way, it is advisable to provide a power connector on the bracket side and a lamp indicating whether power is being supplied to the bracket side. The lamp is preferably provided on the front side. In particular, this has the excellent effect of solving the problem that it is difficult to tell whether the drive recorder 10 is operating because it is a monitor-less system when the drive recorder 10 is a system that does not have a monitor.

[0339] In the embodiment, a memory card slot 22 mounted in the main case 13 is exposed through a cutout window portion 14c on one short side of the first case 14, and a memory card 23 is removably attached to this memory card slot 22, but the following configuration may also be used.

[0340] In the drive recorder 10 having a function of recording images captured by the first camera 26 installed in the vehicle, a slot for inserting a recording medium for recording images is provided on the surface indicated by the arrow of reference numeral 13 in FIG. 1, which is the surface facing the inside of the vehicle when the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle, and an access lamp indicating that the recording medium is being accessed is provided near the slot on the surface facing the inside of the vehicle. In this way, the slot is provided on the front side of the vehicle interior, and a lamp indicating that writing to the recording medium is being performed is provided in the periphery of the slot provided on the front side. The lamp is provided inside the cover of the slot into which the recording medium is inserted, so that it is not dazzling when the cover is closed and is visible when it is opened. For example, an SD card slot is provided on the front side, and a lamp indicating that writing to the SD card is being performed is provided in the periphery of the SD card slot provided on the front side. The lamp is provided inside the SD card slot cover.

[0341] Furthermore, the drive recorder 10, which has a function of recording an image captured by the first camera 26 installed in the vehicle, has a moving object detection and recording function of recording the image when a moving object is detected; It is preferable that the camera is provided with a time lapse recording function for recording the video for a predetermined period of time at regular time intervals, and that the moving object detection recording function and the time lapse function are operated simultaneously.

[0342] The time lapse recording function records still images, and the specified time is one frame, while the motion detection function records video. For example, the time lapse and motion detection can be operated simultaneously, and the time lapse can be recorded as still images, and the motion detection can be recorded as video.

[0343] The time lapse recording function and the motion detection function are processed separately as events, but it is recommended that the recordings of each video be recorded in the same folder without distinction. For example, the time lapse recording and the motion detection are operated at the same time and are detected separately as events, but it is recommended that the recordings be recorded in the same folder without distinction.

[0344] In addition, the drive recorder 10 may have an HDR function. It may have a function of recording images so that images recorded in HDR and images recorded without HDR can be distinguished. Various methods can be used for HDR. For example, it may include what is called WDR. It is particularly preferable to use DOL-HDR. It may also have a function of selecting the type of HDR automatically or by user operation settings, etc., and a function of recording the selected type of HDR in association with the image to be recorded. It may be preferable to record the image in association with information that distinguishes whether the image is when HDR is on or off. In particular, it may be preferable to record information that identifies whether the image is when DOL-HDR is on or off in association with the image. It may be preferable to have a function for the user to set whether to use DOL-HDR.

[0345] The first camera 26 captures circular fisheye images, but it is preferable to provide a function to change the setting so that DOL-HDR is not used. In particular, it is preferable to provide a function to change the setting so that Long Exposure is used and DOL-HDR is not used at night.

[0346] It is preferable to provide a function for taking both short exposure and long exposure images from the first camera 26 and recording both images on a recording medium. It is preferable to provide a function for the viewer to use both images and perform so-called "development" individually or in combination.

[0347] The imaging element of the first camera 26 of the drive recorder 10 may have a function of binning a plurality of pixels as one pixel. The imaging element may have a function of allowing a user to set whether or not to perform binning, and a function of causing binning to be performed when binning is set. In particular, when binning is set by the user, the imaging element may have a function of determining whether or not to perform binning by prioritizing the user's setting, regardless of other binning-related functions. The setting as to whether or not to perform binning in the drive recorder 10 may be provided as a setting separate from the recording resolution setting.

[0348] The drive recorder 10 may have a function of storing information indicating whether or not binning is performed in association with video data. For example, the drive recorder 10 may have a function of storing information indicating whether or not binning is performed in association with each video frame.

[0349] It is preferable that the first camera 26 has a function of binning multiple pixels together as a single pixel, and a function of deciding whether or not to perform binning depending on the remaining capacity of the memory card 23 for recording the image from the first camera 26, or on the total capacity.

[0350] It is preferable to have a function to determine whether it is daytime or nighttime, not to perform binning when it is daytime, and to perform binning when it is nighttime. It is also preferable to have a function to not perform binning when the headlights are on, even if it is nighttime.

[0351] The vehicle is provided with a first front camera 26 for photographing the front of the vehicle and a first rear camera 26 for photographing the rear of the vehicle, and while the first front camera 26 does not perform binning even at night, the first rear camera 26 is preferably provided with a binning function. It is preferable that the front first camera 26 does not perform binning even at night, and the rear first camera 26 is provided with a function for binning at night.

[0352] It is preferable to have a function for detecting whether or not the vehicle is inside a tunnel, and a function for binning when the vehicle is inside a tunnel. If the vehicle is inside a tunnel, and if there is a function for determining whether or not to perform other binning, it is preferable to perform binning even if the function determines not to perform binning.

[0353] The drive recorder 10 may have a headlight forgetting to turn on warning function and a function to control the headlight forgetting to turn on warning so that it is not issued more than once a day. Alternatively, the drive recorder 10 may have a function to control the headlight forgetting to turn on warning so that it is issued only once per driving unit. It is preferable to be able to set which of these to use, and whether to use both as an AND condition or an OR condition.

[0354] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 10 is attached to the windshield, but it may also be attached to the rear windshield. A vehicle may be provided with a plurality of drive recorders 10, and a second drive recorder 10 different from the first drive recorder 10 may receive and display the video of the first drive recorder 10. For example, a 360° drive recorder that captures circular fish-like video without a monitor may be installed in the rear, and a normal drive recorder with a monitor may be installed in the front. In this way, the video of the 360° drive recorder in the rear can be checked on the monitor of the normal drive recorder in the front.

[0355] The drive recorder 10 has a function of converting the circular fisheye image captured by the first camera 26 into an image in another coordinate system and displaying it on the display means, and preferably has a function of receiving circular fisheye images captured by another drive recorder 10 via wireless communication, converting the received image into an image in the other coordinate system, and displaying it on the display means.

[0356] The system includes a drive recorder 10 having a function of recording video captured by a first camera 26 installed in a vehicle, the first camera 26 capturing circular fisheye video and transmitting the captured circular fisheye video to a smartphone, and the smartphone preferably has a function of converting the circular fisheye video into video in another coordinate system and displaying it. For example, the drive recorder 10 may transmit the circular fisheye video to the smartphone, and the smartphone may select multiple view modes such as "panorama," "two-split," "four-split," and "cropped" to play the video in various views.

[0357] The system includes a drive recorder 10 having a function of recording images captured by a first camera 26 installed in a vehicle, and preferably has a function of generating and recording image data in which areas outside a specified circumference of the circular fisheye image captured by the first camera 26 are filled with a single color.

[0358] When recording circular fisheye images, it is preferable to have a function to generate and record image data in which the area outside a predetermined circumference is filled (masked) with a single color. In this way, the amount of image data can be reduced and unnecessary reflections such as reflected images outside the circumference can be prevented from being reproduced. Even if physical measures are taken inside the telescope barrel, reflections such as a faint brown ring may appear on the periphery of the circular image area, but in this way, it is possible to prevent such reflections from being recorded in the image. The predetermined circumference may be the range in which the circular fisheye image is imaged on the sensor, but it is preferable to have a range within a predetermined width of this range. For example, when recording circular fisheye images, it is preferable to have a function to generate and record image data in which the area slightly inside the circumference is filled (masked) with a single color.

[0359] The system includes a drive recorder 10 having a function of recording video captured by a first camera 26 installed in a vehicle, and the first camera 26 has a rectangular imaging area and has a function of recording, as video data, an image of a square region within the rectangular imaging area whose vertical width is greater than the diameter of the circumference of the circular fisheye image captured by the first camera 26 by a predetermined range. It is preferable to provide a selection means for selecting whether to record the image of the rectangular imaging area captured by the first camera 26 or the image of the square region.

[0360] This viewer plays back images of a rectangular or square area including a circular fisheye image recorded by a drive recorder 10, and when playing back the circular fisheye image, it is preferable to play back the circular fisheye image within a specified circumference and fill in the area outside the specified circumference with black.

[0361] It is preferable that the viewer plays back the video of a square area recorded by the drive recorder 10 and has a function of playing back the video by adding black rectangular areas to the left and right of the square area.

[0362] When recording a circular fisheye image formed on a rectangular image sensor area, it is desirable to have a function that records as image data only the image of a square area whose vertical width is slightly longer (within a few tens of pixels) than the diameter of the circumference.

[0363] It is advisable for the viewer that plays the video to have a function that adds black areas to the left and right of the area outside the circumference, so that the video inside the circumference is centered in the long rectangular area in the left-right direction.

[0364] It is preferable to have a function to set whether to record in the above configuration or in the rectangular area of ​​the image sensor, and record according to the setting. It is also preferable to have a function to record which of these was selected and recorded. Recording is performed in a square or rectangular area, but it is advisable to provide a function for playing back by masking the outside of the circular area with a single color.

[0365] A system comprising a first camera 26, the first camera 26 being a first camera 26 that forms a circular fisheye image within a non-square image sensor area, the imaging means of the first camera 26 having a function of outputting an image of a cropped range, and performing precise alignment so that the entire diameter of the practice fisheye image is contained within the short direction of the image sensor area, while providing a means for performing less precise alignment and fixing in the long direction of the image sensor area than in the short direction, and it is preferable to actually measure the range of the practice fisheye image in the long direction formed on the image sensor area (for example, by measuring it using an image output in All-pixel scan mode) and perform a process of outputting a cropped image with that area as one side (for example, output in Window Cropping Mode).

[0366] In this way, there is no need to perform strict alignment in the longitudinal direction during assembly. For example, it is advisable to use the IMX415 CMOS image sensor, which is an imaging element manufactured by Sony, and set its Readout Mode to Window cropping mode.

[0367] The system includes a first camera 26, which forms a circular fisheye image in a rectangular image sensor area, and the center of the circular area in which the circular fisheye image is formed by the first lens is formed at a position shifted from the center in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular area, and an image is formed by a lens other than the first lens in an area other than the circular area in the longitudinal direction of the rectangle. For example, in an image sensor with a resolution of 4K, the image sensor has 3840 pixels horizontally and 2160 pixels vertically, so that only 2160 pixels, which is the diameter of the image sensor, are used horizontally in the circular fisheye image. Therefore, a black area of ​​up to 1680 x 2160 pixels is wasted in an unused state. It is a good idea to forcibly form an image from another lens here. For example, if the area of ​​the circular fisheye image is shown by ○ and the area where the image is forcibly formed by □, the images are formed side by side in the left-right direction, for example, as shown in □○□. Alternatively, they can be arranged in a left-right direction like a square and an circle to form an image. In this case, it is a good idea to provide a shield between the square and the circle. An image can be formed on the square itself using a refractive optical system, or the lens can simply be arranged at an angle. Although this results in blurring, it is particularly useful for sensing the presence of suspicious people. The second lens side should be configured with a larger F-number than the first lens side. For example, the F-number on the square side should be made larger (narrowed) than the F-number on the circle side. Even if the image on the square side is formed diagonally to the sensor, the depth of field can be ensured, image blurring can be reduced, and the image on the circle side can be recorded relatively brightly.

[0368] A system may be provided that includes a viewer for a personal computer that obtains the video recorded in the drive recorder 10 by wireless communication and displays a list of the titles, an app that runs on a smartphone, and another drive recorder 10, and has a function of displaying a download icon for inputting an instruction to download the video paired with the title, and a function of displaying a share icon for inputting an instruction to share the video to an SNS paired with the title, and when displaying a list of titles, the system displays the share icon in pair with the title of the video that has already been downloaded from the drive recorder 10, and when displaying a list of titles, the system displays the download icon without displaying the share icon in pair with the title of the video that has not yet been downloaded from the drive recorder 10. For example, when displaying a list of video files recorded in the drive recorder on a smartphone, a download button may be displayed for files that have not yet been downloaded to the smartphone, but a share button may not be displayed, and for files that have already been downloaded to the smartphone, a share button may be displayed without displaying the download button.

[0369] A system may be a viewer for a personal computer, an app running on a smartphone, or another drive recorder 10 that has a function of sharing video recorded by the drive recorder 10 to an SNS or the like, and has a function of displaying a screen for specifying a range to be shared when a user inputs an instruction to share the video to an SNS, and a function of uploading the specified range to a server of a specified SNS, etc. For example, when a user presses a share button, the system may have a function of displaying a screen for specifying a range to be shared out of the entire time range of the video file, and a function of uploading the specified range to a specified server.

[0370] A system may be provided in which an app that runs on a smartphone or another drive recorder 10 has a function for sharing video recorded by the drive recorder 10 to a social networking site or the like, the video recorded by the drive recorder 10 includes files of video that are continuously recorded and files of video that are event recorded, and the files of video that are event recorded can be uploaded to a server of a social networking site or the like by the sharing function, while the files of video that are continuously recorded cannot be uploaded to a server of a social networking site or the like by the sharing function. For example, a system may be provided in which event recording files and continuous recording files are available and the event recording files can be shared, but the continuous recording files cannot be shared.

[0371] The system may be a viewer for a personal computer that displays an image and has a function of displaying on a map the location where the image was taken, an app that runs on a smartphone, or another drive recorder 10, and may have a function of displaying a mark at a position on a map indicating the location of the image and drawing a graphic of a shape indicating the display range of the image from the position of the mark.

[0372] For example, the map display unit 63 in Fig. 12 and Fig. 20 may display the position currently being played back in the display area 62 as a pin-shaped icon on the map, and may also display the driving path to that position on the map. As shown in Fig. 20, the display area 62 may have a function for changing the display range of the image by a user operation within an area in which an image of a part of the image is displayed, which is smaller than the entire area of ​​the recorded image, and may display the direction indicated by the currently displayed display range at the current position in the map display. In particular, the currently displayed direction may be reflected in real time and displayed as an arrow or a sector. In addition, the display area 62 may have a function for changing the display direction of the image by a user operation, and may have a function for changing the direction of the graphic in response to the change in the display direction of the image.

[0373] It is preferable that the app or other drive recorder 10 that operates on a smartphone has a function of displaying an image and displaying the position of the image on a map, and has a function of displaying a mark on a position on a map indicating the position of the image being played back in the display area 62, and drawing a graphic of a shape indicating an area narrower than the display range of the image, which varies from the position of the mark according to the vehicle speed. For example, the angle of the fan may be narrowed as the speed increases, and another fan may be drawn in the fan that is the graphic indicating the range being displayed in the display area 62, with the angle of the fan being drawn according to the speed. This angle may be an angle that corresponds to the driver's field of vision, which generally becomes narrower as the speed increases.

[0374] The app or other drive recorder 10 that operates on a smartphone and has a function of displaying a video and displaying the position of the video on a map may have a function of displaying a mark on a position on the map indicating the position of the video and drawing a graphic indicating the display mode of the video from the position of the mark. For example, the graphic indicating the display mode of the video may be displayed on the map as an icon of a shape according to the view mode. The shape may be changed to a circular shape for a round view mode, a fan shape indicating the panoramic range for a panoramic view mode, a fan shape indicating the front and rear shooting range for a two-part view mode, a fan shape indicating the front and rear shooting range for a four-part view mode, a fan shape indicating the front and rear shooting range for a four-part view mode, or a fan shape indicating the cropping range for a cropping view mode. Alternatively, if the view mode as shown in FIG. 24 can be set, the icon of the selected display method (the icon selected from the icons arranged vertically on the right side in FIG. 24) may be displayed instead of a pin indicating the current position on the map or in the vicinity of the pin. If a plurality of view mode regions are provided in the display area 62 and are displayed, the corresponding icons may be displayed at the current position on the map in the same order as the order of the regions, or in the vicinity of the pin (for example, the surroundings).

[0375] The above-described embodiment can be applied to a configuration in which a hemispherical drive recorder that captures the view ahead is used instead of the full-sphere drive recorder as shown in Fig. 23. Also, the embodiment can be applied to a configuration in which the first camera is provided at the position of switch unit 28, which is the lower end position, instead of the position shown in Fig. 23, and a hemispherical camera is provided with the optical axis of the camera centered downward.

[0376] Various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modified examples, but it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are provided to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification. Although the configurations of the present invention for which a patent is sought are specified in the claims attached to the application, it is hereby noted that configurations not currently specified in the claims may be claimed in the future as disclosed in this specification. The applicant intends to obtain rights to such portions and combinations by filing amendments, divisional applications, applications for conversion to design registration applications, etc.

[0377] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification. The configurations of the present invention that are to be patented are specified in the attached claims, but it is our intention to include configurations disclosed in this specification in the claims in the future, even if they are not currently specified in the claims.

[0378] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-mentioned embodiment. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any components of each of the embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined with any components described in the means for solving the invention or any components that embody any components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to acquire rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe a configuration that is limited to that case or time. We also disclose configurations that are not in these cases or times, and we intend to acquire rights. Furthermore, the parts described in order are not limited to this order. We also disclose configurations in which some parts are deleted or the order is changed, and we intend to acquire rights.

[0379] In addition, although the entire device is drawn in solid lines, the drawings include not only the overall design but also the partial design claimed for a part of the device. For example, it is not only possible to designate a part of the device as a partial design, but also to designate a part of the device as a partial design regardless of the part. The part of the device may be a part of the device or a part of that part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0380] 2. Windshield 3 Pillar 4. Dashboard 10. Drive recorder 11 Main body 12 Camera section 13 Main unit case 25 Case 26 First Camera 27 Second Camera 28 Switch section 50 Angle adjustment mechanism 60 display screen 62 Display Area 62b Mask area

Claims

1. A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording an image captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, the system including an indicator on a side surface of the drive recorder other than a side surface having a camera lens, the side surface being other than the side opposite to the side having the camera lens and being other than a bottom surface; The side surface is provided with a light leakage prevention member for preventing the light of the indicator from leaking to the surface having the lens of the camera. A system characterized by.

2. A cover member is provided as the light leakage prevention member. The system of claim 1 .

3. The light leakage prevention member is provided with a protrusion. The system of claim 1 .

4. The camera is a camera that can capture the hemisphere in front of the camera. The system of claim 1 .

5. A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, A fixing means is provided between a main body of the drive recorder and a portion attached to the windshield of the vehicle, the fixing means is provided with a connector for receiving power from the vehicle side and a means for supplying the received power to the main body, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing means is provided with an illuminating means for indicating a power receiving state from the vehicle side, on a surface side that faces the inside of the vehicle when the fixing means is fixed to the vehicle.

6. The predetermined side of the fixing means is shaped to extend beyond an end of the main body of the drive recorder, The light emitting means is provided on a surface of the fixing means exposed to the interior of the vehicle at a position beyond an end of the main body of the drive recorder. The system of claim 5 .

7. The connector for receiving power from the vehicle side is a connector for receiving power from the vehicle side from a surface on the upper side of the vehicle interior.

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that

8. The drive recorder does not include a monitor. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that

9. A system including a drive recorder having a function of recording images captured by a camera installed in a vehicle, a slot for inserting a recording medium for recording the video is provided on a surface that will be the inside of the vehicle when the drive recorder is installed in the vehicle; an access lamp for indicating that the recording medium is being accessed is provided near the slot on the surface facing the inside of the vehicle; 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the access lamp is provided within a cover of a slot into which the recording medium is inserted, and is configured so as to be less dazzling when the cover is closed.

Images