Information recording apparatus, information recording method, and information recording program

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of information recording devices, information recording methods, and information recording programs. More specifically, it belongs to the technical field of information recording devices and information recording methods for recording video data and the like from cameras and microphones provided in moving bodies such as vehicles, and programs for such information recording devices.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, for the purpose of, for example, verifying the situation when an accident, sudden acceleration or deceleration, or sudden steering occurs during movement by a vehicle, etc. later, a so-called drive recorder for imaging the front of a vehicle, for example, during movement and cyclically recording has become widespread. Here, the impact, sudden acceleration or deceleration, or sudden steering, etc. caused by the above accident is referred to as an "event" occurring to the vehicle. And for this purpose, video data and audio data captured and recorded within a certain period of time before and after the occurrence of the event are required. As documents disclosing prior art for meeting such requirements, for example, the following Patent Document 1 and the following Patent Document 2 can be cited. At this time, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the above event occurs in a vehicle, it is configured to acquire video data and audio data for a predetermined time before and after including the time when the event occurred and record them non-volatilely. Also, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, based on the video data stored in an in-vehicle camera, video data of locations where the traveling direction of the vehicle changes significantly in the entire traveling route, predetermined characters, or road guidance signs, etc. are recorded as a summary (album) of the video in association with map data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, in a conventional drive recorder, video data and audio data around the time when an event occurs are recorded. However, for example, due to other uses such as an album described in Patent Document 2, it may be necessary to record video data regardless of the occurrence of an event.

[0005] Here, regarding the audio data recorded together with the above video data, the audio collected inside the vehicle may contain private content. Therefore, from the perspective of privacy protection, long-term recording of audio data may not be preferable in some cases.

[0006] Therefore, the present application has been made in view of the above problems and requirements. An example of the problem is to provide an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, and a program for the information recording apparatus that can record desired video data and audio data while leaving necessary audio data while paying attention to privacy protection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body, audio information acquisition means for acquiring audio information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body, impact detection means for detecting an impact of a predetermined value or more generated in the moving body, operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and recording processing means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body. The recording processing means is configured to leave the audio information corresponding to a period related to the impact of the predetermined value or more together with the video information on the recording medium when the impact of the predetermined value or more is detected after starting the process, and to leave the audio information corresponding to a period related to the predetermined operation together with the video information on the recording medium when the predetermined operation is detected after starting the process.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 4 is an information recording method executed by an information recording apparatus, including a video information acquisition step of acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body, a sound information acquisition step of acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body, a shock detection step of detecting a shock of a predetermined value or more generated in the moving body, an operation detection step of detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and a recording process step of starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body. The recording process step is configured to leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the shock of the predetermined value or more together with the video information on the recording medium when the shock of the predetermined value or more is detected after starting the process, and to leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the predetermined operation together with the video information on the recording medium when the predetermined operation is detected after starting the process.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 5 causes a computer to function as a video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body, a sound information acquisition means for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body, a shock detection means for detecting a shock of a predetermined value or more generated in the moving body, an operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and a recording process means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body. The computer functioning as the recording process means is caused to leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the shock of the predetermined value or more together with the video information on the recording medium when the shock of the predetermined value or more is detected, and to leave the sound information corresponding to a period related to the predetermined operation together with the video information on the recording medium when the predetermined operation is detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0011] Next, a mode for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Note that FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, an information recording apparatus S according to an embodiment includes a first acquisition unit 1 connected to an imaging unit C and a sound collection unit MC provided in a moving body, a second acquisition unit 2, and a recording control unit 3 connected to a recording unit R.

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

[0014] Thereby, after the recording control means 3 records the video information and the audio information acquired from the imaging means C and the sound collection means MC respectively, for the recorded audio information, at least a part of the recorded audio information including related audio information which is the audio information recorded in relation to the event information acquired by the second acquisition means 2 is left in the recording means R.

[0015] As described above, according to the operation of the information recording operation device S according to the embodiment, after recording the video information and the audio information from the imaging means C and the sound collection means MC respectively, for the recorded audio information, at least a part of the recorded audio information including related audio information related to the event information is left in the recording means R. Therefore, desired video information and audio information can be recorded, and necessary related audio information can be left in the recording means R while paying attention to privacy protection.

Example

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

[0017] Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the appearance and the like of the drive recorder according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the mounting state of the drive recorder, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the drive recorder according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the recording process in the drive recorder according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the recording mode as a result of executing the recording process. At this time, in FIG. 5, for each constituent member of the embodiment corresponding to each constituent member in the information recording apparatus S according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same member number as that of each constituent member in the information recording apparatus S is used.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment is a type of drive recorder that is used by being mounted on the mirror surface of the room mirror RM so as to cover it, and the appearance thereof is illustrated in FIG. 2(a). And in terms of appearance, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment includes, at its front, a mirror surface ML that partially includes an operation unit TP composed of a touch panel or the like and a display unit DP having a display function for various information. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the drive recorder DR includes two fixed arms FH and two movable arms MH each for covering the drive recorder DR itself on the mirror surface of the room mirror RM and attaching it to the room mirror RM, for example, a wide-angle camera C, and a microphone MC built in the main body of the drive recorder DR. At this time, the camera C corresponds to an example of the imaging means C according to the embodiment, and the microphone MC corresponds to an example of the sound collection means MC according to the embodiment. In the above configuration, each movable arm MH is biased downward in FIG. 2 by a spring or the like (not shown). And when the entire drive recorder DR is pulled downward with the lower surface of the eaves portion at the upper end of the movable arm MH hooked on the upper side (outer upper end) of the mirror surface of the room mirror RM, each movable arm MH moves upward in FIG. 2. And in this state, by rotating the entire drive recorder DR downward and fitting the upper surface of the eaves portion of each fixed arm FH into the lower side (outer lower end) of the room mirror RM, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the drive recorder DR is attached to the room mirror RM. This attachment operation is manually performed by a user such as a driver. The attachment operation to this room mirror RM will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3(a), before attachment to the room mirror, each movable arm MH remains in the initial position while being biased downward in FIG. 3. And as described above, when the entire drive recorder DR is pulled downward with the lower surface of the eaves portion at the upper end of the movable arm MH hooked on the upper side of the mirror surface of the room mirror RM, as shown in FIG. 3(b), each movable arm MH moves upward in FIG. 3. And in this state, by rotating the entire drive recorder DR downward and fitting the upper surface of the eaves portion of each fixed arm FH into the lower side of the room mirror RM, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the drive recorder DR is attached to the room mirror RM.

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

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment includes, in addition to the above-described camera C, microphone MC, display unit DP, and operation unit TP, a control unit 1 composed of a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., a measurement unit 11, an event detection unit 12, a recording unit R, and a power supply unit (not shown). At this time, the control unit 1 corresponds to an example of the first acquisition unit 1, the second acquisition unit 2, and the recording control unit 3 according to the embodiment, respectively, and the recording unit R corresponds to an example of the recording unit R according to the embodiment. And as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4, the control unit 1 constitutes an example of the information recording device S according to the embodiment.

[0021] In the above configuration, the operation unit TP is configured by a touch panel or the like on the front (front side) of the drive recorder DR as described above, receives operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 1. Further, the display unit DP displays information to be presented to the user as a function of the drive recorder DR under the control of the control unit 1, for example, using an image or an icon or the like. Next, the measurement unit 11 detects the current position, speed, or traveling direction of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, for example, using GPS (Global Positioning System) or independently, and outputs each detection result to the control unit 1. Next, the microphone MC collects, under the control of the control unit 1, for example, the sound or voice inside the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 1. At this time, the microphone MC may be able to collect the sound or voice outside the vehicle. On the other hand, the event detection unit 12 uses an acceleration sensor (not shown) to detect the occurrence and occurrence state of an impact equal to or greater than a preset value on the drive recorder DR (and thus the vehicle to which it is attached), sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, or sudden steering in the vehicle, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 1. Finally, the recording unit R is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). And in addition to controlling the operation as the drive recorder DR described above, the control unit 1 executes the recording process according to the embodiment described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and controls the recording of the video data captured by the camera C and the audio data collected by the microphone MC to the recording unit R at the timing when any event is detected by the event detection unit 12. The imaging data and the like recorded in the recording unit R are used, for example, for post-accident verification such as an accident.

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

[0023] The recording process according to the embodiment starts when the attachment of the drive recorder DR to the rearview mirror RM is completed in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and its power switch (not shown) is turned on, and power is supplied from the power supply unit. Note that, instead of providing the power switch of the drive recorder DR itself and the power supply unit, when the ACC (Accessory) switch of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached is turned on, the recording process according to the embodiment may be started by the start of power supply from the vehicle battery or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the recording process according to the embodiment is started, the control unit 1 acquires the video data and audio data continuously output from the camera C and the microphone MC, respectively (step S1). Also, in parallel with the process of step S1, the control unit 1 turns on an acceleration sensor (not shown) in the event detection unit 12. Then, when the control unit 1 records the continuously acquired video data and audio data in the recording unit R in chronological order, it starts timing by a preset timer for a recording time corresponding to one file, which is a recording management unit (i.e., a recording unit), and further defines the name of the file including the video data and audio data acquired at that time (refer to step S1), and starts recording the video data and the audio data in the recording unit R (step S2). In the following description, the preset recording time corresponding to one file is referred to as the "file recording time". An example of the file recording time is 1 minute. Also, in step S2, the control unit 1 records information such as the time, the position of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, the traveling speed, and the traveling direction, corresponding to the time, in the recording unit R together with the video data and the audio data.

[0024] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether an event has been detected by the event detection unit 12 (step S3). If no event is detected in the determination of step S3 (step S3: NO), the control unit 1 proceeds to the determination of step S5 described later. On the other hand, if an event is detected in the determination of step S3 (step S3: YES), the control unit 1 then acquires event information corresponding to the detected event from the event detection unit 12, associates it with the video data and the audio data recorded at the time of the occurrence of the event, and records it in the recording unit R in parallel with the video data and the audio data (step S4). At this time, the event information includes type information indicating the type of the event (i.e., any one of the impact, the rapid acceleration, the rapid deceleration, or the rapid steering, etc.), time information indicating the occurrence time of the event, and acceleration information indicating the magnitude and direction of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor as the event, etc.

[0025] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the ACC switch has been turned off (step S5). In the determination of step S5, if the ACC switch has been turned off (step S5: YES), then the control unit 1 determines whether or not the occurrence of the event has been detected between the start of timing in step S2 and the time when the ACC switch is turned off (step S12). In the determination of step S12, if an event has occurred between the time when the ACC switch is turned off (step S12: YES), then regardless of whether or not the file recording time has elapsed at that point, the control unit 1 generates one file for the video data and audio data recorded between the time when the ACC switch is turned off, and records the file name indicating the file (see step S2 above) and the event information corresponding to the occurred event (see step S4 above) in the recording unit R (step S14). Then, the control unit 1 integrates the video data and audio data for each file recorded until then into one file for each piece of the video data and the audio data, together with the off-processing preset in the recording process according to the embodiment (step S15). After that, the control unit 1 ends the recording process according to the embodiment.

[0026] On the other hand, in the determination of step S12, if no event has occurred between the time when the ACC switch is turned off (step S12: NO), then the control unit 1 deletes the audio data recorded between the start of timing of the file recording time (see step S2 above) and the time when the ACC switch is turned off from the recording unit R (step S13). After that, the control unit 1 proceeds to step S14 and executes the above-described process using the video data and the like other than the deleted audio data.

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

[0028] Next, in the determination of step S6, if the file recording time has elapsed (step S6: YES), the control unit 1 generates one file with the video data and audio data recorded in the file recording time as a pair. Then, the control unit 1 records the generated file in the recording unit R together with the file name indicating the file (see step S2 above) and the event information corresponding to the generated event only when the determination in step S3 is "YES" (see step S4 above) (step S7).

[0029] Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not any event has occurred during the file recording time for the file recording time determined to have elapsed in step S6 (step S8). If any event has occurred in the determination of step S8 (step S8: YES), the control unit 1 makes a setting (for example, sets a flag indicating not to erase) that the audio data included in the first file recorded after step S7 (that is, the file recorded immediately afterwards) is not erased (step S10). Then, the control unit 1 returns to step S2 and performs the recording process of video data and the like corresponding to the next file recording time.

[0030] In the determination of step S8, if none of the events have occurred (step S8: NO), next, the control unit 1 determines whether there is a file recorded immediately before the latest file recorded in step S7 (step S9). In the following description, the file recorded immediately before the latest file recorded in step S7 is referred to as the "immediately preceding file". If there is an immediately preceding file in the determination of step S9 (step S9: YES), the control unit 1 deletes the audio data recorded together with the corresponding video data in the immediately preceding file from the recording unit R (step S11). After that, the control unit 1 returns to step S2 above and performs the recording process of video data and the like corresponding to the next file recording time. On the other hand, if there is no immediately preceding file in the determination of step S9 (step S9: NO), since the file recorded in the immediately preceding step S7 is the first file after the start of acquisition of video data and the like (see step S1 above), the control unit 1 directly returns to step S2 above and performs the recording process of video data and the like corresponding to the next file recording time.

[0031] Next, the recording mode of each file and the like obtained as a result of executing the recording process according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 will be exemplified and described with reference to FIG. 6. Note that FIG. 6 exemplifies the case where the file recording time according to the embodiment is 1 minute (60 seconds), the vehicle is started at 10:01:00 am, and the vehicle is stopped at 10:05:30 am. In FIG. 6, the ranges of the video data and audio data corresponding to one file are indicated by a one-dot chain line.

[0032] In the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment, when the power switch is turned on as described above or the ACC switch is turned on, as described above, video data and audio data acquired from the camera C and the microphone MC, and information such as time, the position of the vehicle to which the drive recorder DR is attached, the traveling speed, and the traveling direction are associated with the corresponding time (i.e., synchronized in real time) and recorded in the recording unit R (see step S2 in FIG. 5). At this time, every time the file recording time elapses, video data, audio data, etc. are recorded as separate files (see steps S7 and S14 in FIG. 5). In the case illustrated in FIG. 6, the file names of the respective files corresponding to the file recording time of 1 minute each indicate the timing of the start of the time measurement of the corresponding file recording time, and are "201610191001" → "201610191002" → "201610191003",... (see the upper part of FIG. 6). Also, the video data included in each file is the video data VD1, etc., and similarly, the audio data is the audio data AD2, etc.

[0033] And, for example, if no event is detected by the event detection unit 12 until the recording of the file (including the video data VD2 and the audio data AD2) with the file name "201610191002" is completed in the recording unit R (see step S8: NO in FIG. 5), after the recording of the file with the file name "201610191002" is completed (see step S7 in FIG. 7), the audio data contained in the immediately preceding file with the file name "201610191001" is deleted (see step S11 in FIG. 5).

[0034] Also, for example, until the recording of a file with a file name of "201610191003" (including video data VD3 and audio data AD3) is completed in the recording unit R, if any event is detected by the event detection unit 12 (see step S3: YES in FIG. 5), for the video data VD3, etc. being recorded included in the file "201610191003", at the timing when the occurrence of the event is detected (in the case illustrated in FIG. 6, 10:03:20 am), an index indicating the type of the occurred event, etc. is attached as the above event information and recorded in the recording unit R (see step S4 in FIG. 5). At the same time, for the file with the file name "201610191003" corresponding to the timing when the occurrence of the event is detected and the files with the file names "201610191004" and "201610191002" recorded (recorded) in the recording unit R before and after it, control is performed so as not to erase the corresponding audio data AD2, audio data AD3, and audio data AD4 respectively (see step S9: NO and step S10 in FIG. 5).

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

[0036] As described above for each, according to the recording process according to the embodiment, after respectively recording the video data and the audio data from the camera C and the microphone MC, for the recorded audio data, a part of the recorded audio data including at least the audio data related to the event is left in the recording unit R. Therefore, the desired video data and audio data can be recorded, and the necessary audio data can be left in the recording unit R while paying attention to privacy protection. In this case, in order to further ensure privacy protection, it may be configured to leave only the audio data related to the event in the recording unit R.

[0037] Also, since the audio data related to the event is the audio data corresponding to the sound collected within a predetermined time (in the case illustrated in FIG. 6, three minutes including the files before and after) including the occurrence time of the event, the necessary audio data can be reliably left in relation to the occurred event.

[0038] Furthermore, when respectively recording the video data and the audio data, the continuous video data and the audio data are divided into files along the time series on the respective recordings and recorded respectively (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the necessary video data and audio data can be reliably recorded.

[0039] Furthermore, a plurality of files including the audio data related to the event are integrated, and the audio data corresponding to the integrated file is left in the recording unit R (see the lower figure of FIG. 6). Therefore, while simplifying the configuration for recording management, the necessary audio data can be reliably left in the recording unit R.

[0040] Note that, regarding the recording unit R according to the embodiment, in addition to being built in the drive recorder DR as described above, it may be configured to be removable from the drive recorder DR as, for example, a card-type recording medium.

[0041] [Modification Example] Next, a modification corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Here, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the recording system according to the modification. In this FIG. 7, for each constituent member of the example corresponding to each constituent member in the information recording apparatus S according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same member numbers as those of the respective constituent members in the information recording apparatus S are used.

[0042] In the above-described example, the case where the drive recorder DR according to the information recording apparatus S according to the embodiment is mounted in the vehicle has been described. However, in addition to this, the information recording apparatus S according to the embodiment can also be applied to a recording system in which a vehicle and a fixedly installed server apparatus are connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0043] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording system SS according to the modification is configured such that the drive recorder DR1 according to the modification mounted on the vehicle and the fixedly installed server apparatus SV are wirelessly connected via a network NW such as the Internet.

[0044] The drive recorder DR1 is composed of a measurement unit 11, an event detection unit 12, a camera C, a microphone MC, an operation unit TP, and a display unit DP similar to those of the drive recorder DR according to the example, in addition to a transmission unit 20 and a control unit 21 composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. On the other hand, the server apparatus SV is composed of a recording unit R similar to the recording unit R according to the example, a map database 20 composed of an SSD or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or the like and recording map data, a display unit 21 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, a reception unit 22, and a control unit 1 similar to the control unit 1 according to the example. And as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, the control unit 1 of the server apparatus SV constitutes an example of the information recording apparatus S according to the embodiment.

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

[0046] On the other hand, the control unit 1 of the server device SV receives, via the network NW and the reception unit 22, the information such as the position of the vehicle sequentially transmitted from the drive recorder DR1 attached to the vehicle and the event information transmitted when an event occurs. Thereafter, the control unit 1 executes a recording process similar to the recording process according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 based on the received information such as the position and the event information, and records each file in the recording unit R. At this time, the control unit 1 reads out the map data corresponding to the position indicated by the received position information from the map database 20 and controls it to be recorded in the recording unit R in association with the file to be recorded. As a result, in the recording unit R of the server device SV, the integrated video data VDa and audio data ADa are recorded in the recording mode described with reference to FIG. 6 for each drive recorder DR1 (that is, for each vehicle). Further, the recorded video data VDa, audio data ADa, etc. are subjected to processing such as being displayed on the display unit 21.

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

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

[0049] As another modification example, for example, after video data and audio data respectively acquired from a camera C and a microphone MC are recorded in a recording unit R built in a drive recorder DR, for the audio data recorded in the recording unit R, a part thereof including audio data related to an event, or only the audio data related to the event may be left on another recording medium of a card type or the like by copying or moving from the recording unit R. At this time, for the video data recorded in the recording unit R, all of it may be configured to be copied or moved to the above-mentioned other recording medium. In the above-mentioned other modification examples, the recording unit R corresponds to an example of the "second recording means" according to the present application, and the above-mentioned other recording medium corresponds to an example of the recording means R according to the embodiment. In these cases, for example, by using a recording medium that can be removed from the drive recorder DR as the other recording medium, desired video data VDa and audio data ADa related to the event can be utilized by an external device or the like.

[0050] In addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the drive recorder DR according to the embodiment may be used for the user to intentionally record and retain the voice for the purpose of so-called "voice memo" or the like. In this case, for example, by the user performing a predetermined operation such as pressing a recording button (not shown) provided at an arbitrary position visible from the outside of the housing of the drive recorder DR (for example, a position beside the camera C), for the voice within a recording time (for example, 30 seconds) preset from this operation, it is preferable to configure it to be left without being erased from the recording unit R.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment is applied to the case where the drive recorder DR is attached to the mirror surface of the room mirror RM. However, in addition to this, for example, when the drive recorder DR is attached on the dashboard, the embodiment can also be applied when the drive recorder DR records necessary video data VDa, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk, or acquired via a network such as the Internet, and read and executed by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like, so that the general-purpose microcomputer or the like functions as the control unit 1 according to the embodiment or the modified example.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1 First acquisition means (control unit) 2 Second acquisition means 3 Recording control means 12 Event detection unit C Imaging means (camera) MC Sound collection means (microphone) R Recording means (recording unit) S Information recording device SS Recording system SV Server device DR, DR1 Drive recorder VD1, VD2, VD3, VD4, VD5, VDa Video data AD2, AD3, AD4, ADa Audio data

Claims

1. Video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body; Sound information acquisition means for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body; Shock detection means for detecting a shock of a predetermined value or more occurring in the moving body; Operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a user; Recording processing means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body; comprising; After starting the process, when a shock of the predetermined value or more is detected, the recording processing means leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the shock of the predetermined value or more on the recording medium together with the video information, and when the predetermined operation is detected after starting the process, the recording processing means leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation on the recording medium together with the video information. An information recording apparatus characterized by this.

2. In the information recording apparatus according to Claim 1, The recording processing means leaves, as the sound information corresponding to the period related to the shock of the predetermined value or more, the sound information based on the sound collected by the microphone within a preset time based on the detection time of the shock of the predetermined value or more on the recording medium, and as the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation, the sound information based on the sound collected by the microphone within a preset time based on the detection time of the predetermined operation on the recording medium. An information recording apparatus characterized by this.

3. In the information recording apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The moving body is a vehicle, The recording processing means starts a process of recording the video information on the recording medium based on the power supply from the vehicle. An information recording apparatus characterized by this.

4. An information recording method executed by an information recording apparatus, A video information acquisition step of acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body; A sound information acquisition step of acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body; A shock detection step of detecting a shock of a predetermined value or more occurring in the moving body; An operation detection step of detecting a predetermined operation by a user; A recording processing step of starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body; including; When an impact equal to or greater than the predetermined value is detected after starting the recording process, the recording process step leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the impact equal to or greater than the predetermined value on the recording medium together with the video information, and when a predetermined operation is detected after starting the process, the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation is left on the recording medium together with the video information. The information recording method is characterized by this.

5. A computer is a video information acquisition means for acquiring video information based on an image captured by a camera in a moving body, a sound information acquisition means for acquiring sound information based on sound collected by a microphone in the moving body, an impact detection means for detecting an impact equal to or greater than a predetermined value generated in the moving body, an operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a user, and a recording process means for starting a process of recording the video information on a recording medium based on power supply from the moving body, functioning as the computer functioning as the recording process means leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the impact equal to or greater than the predetermined value on the recording medium together with the video information when an impact equal to or greater than the predetermined value is detected after starting the process, and leaves the sound information corresponding to the period related to the predetermined operation on the recording medium together with the video information when the predetermined operation is detected after starting the process. The information recording program is characterized by this.

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