Recording / playback device and recording / playback method

Abstract

To provide a recording / reproducing device or the like for reproducing stored data by a simple operation.SOLUTION: A recording / reproducing device 10 includes: a recording control part 123 which stores an image taken by a camera; a holding sensor 144 which detects possibility that the recording / reproducing device is held; a display part 141 which displays the image; a holding state detection part 129 which detects that the recording / reproducing device 10 is in a holding state based on a signal from the holding sensor 144; a reproduction control part 124 which initiates reproduction of the image stored just before by the recording control part 123 when the holding state detection part 129 detects that the recording / reproducing device 10 is in the holding state; and a display control part 126 which displays the image reproduced by the reproduction control part 124 on the display part 141.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording / reproducing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Drive recorders have become widespread, each of which has a means for capturing images of the vehicle's surroundings and acquiring data such as video, and a means for detecting that the vehicle has received some kind of impact, and which store the video for a predetermined period of time in a reproducible manner based on the point in time when the impact to the vehicle is detected. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drive recorder that records video data based on the transition of acceleration. When such a drive recorder detects an event such as an accident, it stores the accident situation in a reproducible manner. Furthermore, when the drive recorder detects abnormal acceleration due to dangerous driving, it stores the dangerous driving situation in a reproducible manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-087007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, many users of drive recorders are not familiar with how to operate them. Furthermore, when an event such as an accident occurs, the user is unable to quickly perform the complicated operations. As a result, the user may not be able to properly play back the video of the event recorded by the drive recorder.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a recording / playback device or the like that plays back stored data with a simple operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording and playback device of the present invention comprises a recording control unit that saves video captured by a camera, a grip sensor that detects whether the recording and playback device is being held, a display unit that displays the video, a holding state detection unit that detects whether the recording and playback device is in a holding state based on a signal from the grip sensor, a playback control unit that starts playback of the video that was most recently saved by the recording control unit when the holding state detection unit detects that the recording and playback device is in a holding state, and a display control unit that displays the video played by the playback control unit on the display unit.

[0007] In the recording and playback device according to the present invention, the playback control unit repeats playback of the video if the grip state detection unit continues to detect a grip state when playback of the video ends. Furthermore, if the grip state detection unit no longer detects a grip state during playback of the video, the playback control unit plays the video to the end and then ends playback of the video. Furthermore, the recording control unit stops acquiring the video captured by the camera if the grip state detection unit detects a grip.

[0008] The recording and playback method of the present invention is a recording and playback method executed by a recording and playback device, and includes a recording control step of saving video captured by a camera, a holding state detection step of detecting that the recording and playback device is in a holding state based on a signal from a holding sensor that detects that the recording and playback device is being held, a playback control step of starting playback of the video that was saved immediately before in the recording control step when it is detected that the recording and playback device is in a holding state, and a display control step of displaying the video played in the playback control step on a display unit provided in the recording and playback device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording / reproducing device or the like that reproduces stored data without requiring complicated operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording / reproducing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the recording / reproducing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing the relationship between shooting data stored in a recording / playback device and time. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the relationship between the shooting data stored in the recording / playback device and time. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of how the recording / reproducing device is held. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of how the recording / reproducing device is held. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart when the recording / reproducing device detects the occurrence of an event. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the recording and reproducing device according to the first embodiment in association with detection of a gripping state. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. Note that in each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] <First Embodiment> The configuration of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. A recording / playback device 10 according to this embodiment is installed in a moving vehicle such as an automobile, and records and plays back image data captured by a camera, and is, for example, a device called a drive recorder. When a sudden impact or the like is applied, the recording / playback device 10 has a function of recording image data for a preset period in a reproducible manner as "event record data," triggered by the impact. A driver of the automobile or the like can understand the situation of the event by playing back this event record data and viewing the video of the played back event record data.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording / reproducing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the recording / reproducing device 10 has a control unit 100 that controls each of the components and a plurality of components connected to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 is a control device having a circuit board on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), memory, a plurality of interfaces, etc. are mounted, and executes stored programs to perform various processes.

[0014] The control unit 100 will be described in detail below. The control unit 100 has an imaging data acquisition unit 120, a buffer memory 121, an imaging data processing unit 122, a recording control unit 123, a playback control unit 124, an operation control unit 125, a display control unit 126, an acceleration information acquisition unit 127, a position information acquisition unit 128, a grip state detection unit 129, and an event detection unit 130, and the configuration for executing these processes and controls is realized by a program executed by the control unit 100. For convenience, these components are represented as being connected to a bus line 110.

[0015] The photographic data acquisition unit 120 acquires photographic data supplied from the camera 150. The photographic data acquisition unit 120 supplies the photographic data to a buffer memory 121 via the bus line 110.

[0016] The buffer memory 121 is a volatile or non-volatile memory device. The buffer memory 121 sequentially receives the photographic data periodically generated by the camera 150 via the photographic data acquisition unit 120, and temporarily stores the received photographic data. The photographic data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 121 is for a predetermined period. The buffer memory 121 sequentially erases photographic data that has passed the predetermined period, or sequentially overwrites the photographic data with newly received photographic data.

[0017] The photographic data processing unit 122 generates a photographic file conforming to a preset format from the photographic data stored in the buffer memory 121. The preset format is, for example, H.264 or MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group).

[0018] The shooting data processing unit 122 may process the shooting data and generate a shooting file with a preset angle of view. The shooting data processing unit 122 may also process the shooting data output by the buffer memory 121 to generate shooting data for a preset time or a preset angle of view, and add header information such as a file name to generate a shooting file. The shooting data processing unit 122 may also process the shooting data output by the buffer memory 121 to remove noise or correct distortion from the shooting data, and may generate a shooting file that displays time information, vehicle speed information, vehicle position information, etc. in the shooting data.

[0019] The recording control unit 123 controls the storage of the captured files generated by the captured data processing unit 122 in the recording device 160. When the event detection unit 130 detects an event, the recording control unit 123 stores the captured files for a period set in advance based on the detection of the event in the recording device 160 as overwrite-prohibited event record data. The recording control unit 123 stores the event record data in a predetermined recording area in the recording device 160. The predetermined recording area is, for example, a recording area that is determined to be prohibited from being overwritten or erased. Alternatively, the event record data supplied to the recording device 160 by the recording control unit 123 may be stored with a flag included in the file indicating that overwriting or erasure is prohibited.

[0020] Furthermore, the recording control unit 123 records information in the recording device 160 indicating whether or not the event record data stored in the recording device 160 has been previously reproduced by the reproduction control unit 124. This allows the reproduction control unit 124 to identify which event record data has not yet been reproduced.

[0021] If the event detection unit 130 has not detected an event, the recording control unit 123 may store the captured file in the recording device 160 in an overwritable state. A captured file that is different from the event recording data and that is stored in the recording device 160 is referred to as a "normal file" here. If the storage capacity of the recording device 160 reaches its upper limit, the recording control unit 123 may delete the oldest normal file and record a newly generated normal file in the recording device 160.

[0022] The playback control unit 124 performs processing to play back the saved event record data under a preset condition. The preset condition is when the event record data has been saved and the holding state detection unit 129 detects a holding state. In this case, the playback control unit 124 reads the event record data saved in the recording device 160 and supplies it to the display control unit 126 to start playing back the saved event record data. The playback control unit 124 may also acquire information about the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 142 from the acceleration information acquisition unit 127 to control the playback of the event record data.

[0023] The operation control unit 125 acquires operation information received by the operation unit 140 and outputs operation instructions based on the operation information to each component. When the operation control unit 125 acquires an instruction to select various data to be played back from the operation unit 140, the operation control unit 125 causes the playback control unit 124 to select a file or the like recorded in the recording device 160. When the operation control unit 125 acquires an instruction related to the playback of various data from the operation unit 140, the operation control unit 125 causes the playback control unit 124 to perform processing related to the playback. Instructions related to the playback of various data include, for example, starting playback, pausing, stopping playback, and enlarging the display.

[0024] The display control unit 126 controls the display unit 141 to display various information. For example, the display control unit 126 causes the display unit 141 to display image data currently being captured by the camera 150. The display control unit 126 also receives event record data supplied from the playback control unit 124 and causes the display unit 141 to display the received event record data. When a touch sensor is superimposed on the display unit 141 as a function of the operation unit 140, the display control unit 126 causes the display unit 141 to appropriately display an icon or the like corresponding to the touch sensor.

[0025] The acceleration information acquisition unit 127 receives information about the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 142 and outputs it to the event detection unit. The acceleration information acquisition unit 127 may output the information about the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 142 to the playback control unit 124.

[0026] The event detection unit 130 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event from the magnitude and signal pattern of the received information based on the information about acceleration acquired from the acceleration information acquisition unit 127. The acceleration received from an external source is acceleration that the recording / reproducing device 10 receives from outside the recording / reproducing device, such as acceleration caused by an impact that occurs when a vehicle collides with another object. The acceleration received from an external source also includes an impact that the recording / reproducing device 10 itself receives directly from a user or the like.

[0027] When the event detection unit 130 detects that the information received from the acceleration information acquisition unit 127 corresponds to the occurrence of a predetermined event, it supplies a signal indicating the detection of the occurrence of the event to the image data processing unit 122. The occurrence of an event refers to the detection of acceleration occurring in an accident, such as an impact caused by sudden braking or an impact caused by an object colliding with the vehicle. For example, the event detection unit 130 detects the occurrence of an event when acceleration exceeding a predetermined magnitude in a predetermined direction is detected for a predetermined period of time, or when there is a large change in acceleration during a predetermined period of time. The event detection unit 130 may detect acceleration along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes, which are the coordinate axes of a three-axis coordinate system, or may detect acceleration along at least one of these axes. Furthermore, weighting may be applied to the accelerations acting along these three axes.

[0028] The location information acquisition unit 128 receives signals from GPS satellites received by the GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 143, acquires location information, which is information about the current location, from the received signals, and supplies the acquired location information to the recording control unit 123. The location information includes, for example, the latitude and longitude of the vehicle at the time the signals were received from the GPS satellites.

[0029] The holding state detection unit 129 receives a signal supplied from the holding sensor 144 and detects that the recording / playback device 10 is in a holding state. In the present disclosure, a holding state refers to a state in which the user is holding the recording / playback device 10 including the display unit 141 in order to view the display unit 141. In other words, the holding state can also be said to be a state in which the display unit 141 is being held. When the holding state detection unit 129 detects the holding state, it supplies a signal indicating the holding state to the playback control unit 124. Furthermore, if the recording / playback device 10 is configured with multiple housings, the housing that includes the display unit 141 is provided with a holding sensor 144, which detects that the housing that includes the display unit 141 is in a holding state.

[0030] Next, we will explain each component connected to the control unit 100. The recording and playback device 10 has an operation unit 140, a display unit 141, an acceleration sensor 142, a GPS receiving unit 143, a grip sensor 144, a camera 150, and a recording device 160.

[0031] The operation unit 140 is a user interface that accepts operations performed by the user on the recording / playback device 10. The user interface may be, for example, operation buttons or a touch sensor superimposed on the display unit 141. The user interface may also be an infrared or wireless communication receiving unit that accepts signals transmitted from a remote control or the like. The operation unit 140 supplies operation information, which is information related to the accepted operation, to the control unit 100 via a predetermined interface. The operation information may be, for example, an instruction to start recording an event or an instruction to play back event record data.

[0032] The display unit 141 is a display device that displays various information under the control of the display control unit 126. The display unit 141 has at least a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel. The display unit 141 is connected to the display control unit 126 and displays signals supplied from the display control unit 126. The display unit 141 is configured to display video of the event recording data.

[0033] Acceleration sensor 142 is, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor. Acceleration sensor 142 detects acceleration applied to acceleration sensor 142 and outputs information related to the detected acceleration in accordance with the detected acceleration. Acceleration sensor 142 is connected to acceleration information acquisition unit 127 and outputs information related to the detected acceleration to acceleration information acquisition unit 127. Note that acceleration sensor 142 may be a one-axis or two-axis acceleration sensor instead of a three-axis acceleration sensor.

[0034] The GPS receiver 143 receives information about the current location of the vehicle using a satellite positioning system called GPS or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The GPS receiver 143 may be an antenna for receiving GPS signals, or may be a communication interface for receiving location information acquired by the vehicle. The GPS receiver 143 supplies the received signal about the current location to the location information acquisition unit 128.

[0035] The grip sensor 144 is a sensor for detecting whether the user may be holding the recording / reproducing device 10. When the grip sensor 144 detects that the user may be holding the recording / reproducing device 10, it supplies a signal indicating the possibility of the user being in a gripping state to the grip state detection unit 129. The grip sensor 144 is configured, for example, by a pressure sensor that detects pressure on the surface of the recording / reproducing device 10. The grip sensor 144 may be configured by a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance on the surface of the recording / reproducing device 10, or an optical sensor that is configured to be able to detect that an object has touched the surface of the recording / reproducing device 10. The number of grip sensors 144 may be one or more.

[0036] Camera 150 is an imaging device having an objective lens, an imaging element, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion element, etc. Camera 150 captures video including the scenery around a vehicle, which is a moving body, and generates imaging data, which is data of the captured video. Camera 150 supplies the generated imaging data to imaging data acquisition unit 120.

[0037] The recording device 160 is a recording device that stores the captured data supplied from the camera 150. The recording device 160 is, for example, a memory card including a flash memory, or a non-volatile recording device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The recording device 160 is connected to the recording control unit 123, receives predetermined data from the recording control unit 123, and records the received data. In addition, the recording device 160 supplies an event file including the recorded event record data to the playback control unit 124 in response to an instruction from the playback control unit 124. The recording device 160 may be configured to be detachable from the recording / playback device 10, or may be configured not to be detachable.

[0038] Next, the mechanical configuration of the recording / reproducing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the first embodiment as seen from the shooting direction. FIG. 4 is a front view of the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the first embodiment as seen from the display direction. For convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components, a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system is attached to FIGS. 2 to 4. Furthermore, in the following figures, when a Cartesian coordinate system is attached, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions of FIGS. 2 to 4 coincide with the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions of these Cartesian coordinate systems, respectively.

[0039] 2, the recording / reproducing device 10 is fixed to the windshield WS of the vehicle via a bracket 900. The bracket 900 has an adhesive part 901, a holding part 902, and a ball joint 903.

[0040] The adhesive portion 901 is a member with adhesive applied to the surface that contacts the windshield WS. The bracket 900 is fixed by adhering the adhesive portion 901 to any position on the windshield WS.

[0041] The holding section 902 is detachably fitted to the detachable section 921 of the recording / reproducing device 10 so that the attached recording / reproducing device 10 does not come off when the vehicle is moving, etc., and the recording direction does not shift. For example, the holding section 902 has a rib or groove that can slide and engage with the detachable section 921 of the recording / reproducing device 10 in a predetermined direction, and when it is slid to a predetermined dimension, it is locked by a locking mechanism (not shown) and fixed without rattle.

[0042] Ball joint 903 is a joint mechanism that is provided so that the angle between adhesive part 901 and holding part 902 can be adjusted, and moves when a predetermined external force is applied. When adhesive part 901 is attached to windshield WS and holding part 902 is fitted with recording / reproducing device 10, ball joint 903 is configured not to move unless a predetermined external force is applied.

[0043] A user of the recording / reproducing device 10 adheres the adhesive part 901 to the windshield WS, and fits the attachment / detachment part 921 of the recording / reproducing device 10 into the holding part 902. In this way, the recording / reproducing device 10 is fixed to the vehicle.

[0044] When removing the recording / reproducing device 10 fixed to the vehicle, the user releases the detachable part 921 of the recording / reproducing device 10 from the holding part 902. When releasing the detachable part 921 from the holding part 902, the user releases a locking mechanism (not shown) and then slides the detachable part 921 away from the holding part 902. This removes the recording / reproducing device 10 from the vehicle, allowing the user to hold the recording / reproducing device 10.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the recording / reproducing device 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with its front and back surfaces being rectangular and its thickness being a fraction of the short side of the rectangle projected from the front. The recording / reproducing device 10 is covered by a resin case 920. The recording / reproducing device 10 has a display panel of a display unit 141 disposed on the front, an objective lens of a camera 150 exposed on the back, and a detachable unit 921 disposed on the top surface. Therefore, the detachable unit 921 disposed on the top surface of the recording / reproducing device 10 fits into the holder of a bracket 900, the objective lens of the camera 150 exposed in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the display panel of the display unit 141 facing the user, i.e., the driver. Installing the recording / reproducing device 10 in this manner enables the recording / reproducing device 10 to capture video in the direction of travel and display the captured video to the user. The size of the display panel of the recording / reproducing device 10 is, for example, approximately 1.5 to 4 inches diagonally. The size of the case 920 is, for example, about 5 to 10 centimeters in the width direction (X-axis direction).

[0046] The recording / reproducing device 10 shown in the figure has a grip sensor 144R on the right side and a grip sensor 144L on the left side. Grip sensors 144R and 144L are pressure sensors that output a predetermined signal when pressed from the outside. Note that in the following description, the term grip sensor 144 will include both grip sensors 144R and 144L. The grip sensors 144 shown in the figure are also arranged on the front and back sides of the recording / reproducing device 10. Grip sensor 144 outputs a predetermined signal when at least a portion of the range shown in the figure is pressed. Note that the range of grip sensor 144 shown in the figure is an example, and grip sensor 144 may be arranged on or near a side. Grip sensor 144 may be arranged on only one of the left and right sides, but it is preferable that it be arranged near each of the left and right side faces.

[0047] 3 and 4, grip sensor 144 is provided near display unit 141. In other words, grip sensor 144 is provided around display unit 141. Grip sensor 144 is provided at an appropriate position when a user holds recording / reproducing device 10 including display unit 141 in his / her hand and grasps it to check information displayed on display unit 141.

[0048] 3, the recording / reproducing device 10 has a built-in acceleration sensor 142. Therefore, when the recording / reproducing device 10 is fixed to a vehicle by a bracket 900, the acceleration sensor 142 detects the acceleration applied to the vehicle via the bracket 900. The acceleration sensor 142 also detects acceleration when the user removes or attaches the recording / reproducing device 10 to or from the bracket 900, or when the user shakes or pushes the recording / reproducing device 10.

[0049] Next, the shooting data will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a first diagram showing the relationship between shooting data stored in a recording / playback device and time. The horizontal axis of the diagram represents time, and time passes in the direction of the arrow (to the right) from time t10 to time t11.

[0050] The elongated shape shown along the time axis is the shooting data C11 at time t11. The shooting data C11 is shooting data generated by the camera 150 and stored in the buffer memory 121. The recording / playback device 10 is set to always store shooting data for a preset period Pn. The period Pn is, for example, 60 seconds, 120 seconds, or 150 seconds. The shooting data C11 at time t11 is shooting data from time t10 to time t11, which is the period Pn going back from time t11. Furthermore, as time passes, shooting data older than the period Pn stored in the buffer memory 121 is sequentially erased.

[0051] 5, it is assumed that the recording / reproducing device 10 detects the occurrence of an event at time t11, and thereafter performs a process of generating event record data with time t11 as the reference point.

[0052] Next, the shooting data and event recording data after the occurrence of an event is detected will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a second diagram showing the relationship between shooting data stored in the recording / playback device and time. Fig. 6 shows the structure of data at time t21, which is after time t11. What is stored in buffer memory 121 at time t21 is shooting data C21 from time t20 to time t21, which is the period Pn going back from time t21.

[0053] The rectangle shown below the shooting data C21 is event record data E11. The event record data E11 is extracted from the shooting data in accordance with the event detected at time t11. In this embodiment, the recording and playback device 10 sets time ts, which is obtained by going back a period P1 from time t11, based on the time t11 when the event was detected, as the start time of the event record data. Also in this embodiment, the recording and playback device 10 sets time te, which is obtained by passing a period P2 from the time t11 when the event was detected, as the end time of the event record data. Periods P1 and P2 are, for example, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or 20 seconds. In other words, the recording and playback device 10 records the shooting data from time ts to time te as event record data E11.

[0054] By generating the event record data as described above, the recording / playback device 10 can record captured data for the period before and after the event that occurred. Therefore, by playing back the event record data saved by the recording / playback device 10 after the event has occurred, the user can visually confirm the situation around the vehicle before and after the event.

[0055] The recording and playback device 10 may record a normal file in addition to the event recording data in the recording device 160. In this case, the recording and playback device 10 extracts shooting data for a predetermined period from the shooting data stored in the buffer memory 121, and records the extracted shooting data as a normal file in the recording device 160. The recording and playback device 10 may perform the process of recording the normal file and the process of saving the event recording data in parallel.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a holding state of the recording / playback device held by a user will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a holding state of the recording / playback device. The recording / playback device 10 shown in the figure is detached from the bracket 900 and held in the user's left hand. FIG. 7 also shows a state in which video of event record data is displayed while being held by the user. When the user wants to view the event record data recorded in the recording / playback device 10, the user can detach the recording / playback device 10 from the bracket 900 in this way and view the video in a position that is comfortable for the user. The processing of the present invention is applicable to a state in which the recording / playback device 10 is held without being detached from the bracket 900, in addition to a state in which the recording / playback device 10 is detached from the bracket 900 and held.

[0057] As shown in the figure, the recording / playback device 10 is configured to be small enough to fit in one hand of the user. Therefore, the recording / playback device 10 is held by pinching the left and right sides between the user's hands as shown in the figure. In this state, a pressure is applied by the user's hand to a grip sensor disposed on the side of the recording / playback device 10. When a predetermined pressure is applied to the grip sensor 144 in this manner, the recording / playback device 10 plays back the event recording data.

[0058] Next, another example of a holding state will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a holding state of the recording / playback device. The recording / playback device 10 shown in the figure is detached from the bracket 900, as in FIG. 7, and is being held by a user. However, in FIG. 8, the user is holding the left side of the recording / playback device 10 with his left hand and the right side of the recording / playback device 10 with his right hand. At this time, the grip sensor 144L located on the left side is pressed by the user's left hand, and the grip sensor 144R located on the right side is pressed by the user's right hand. Even when the user has detached the recording / playback device 10 from the bracket 900 and is holding the sides of the recording / playback device 10 with both hands, the user can view video in a position that is comfortable for the user.

[0059] 7 and 8, the user views the video of the event recording data while gripping the side of recording / reproducing device 10. That is, the gripping state in this embodiment is a state in which the user grips display unit 141 so that display unit 141 is visible. Therefore, recording / reproducing device 10 detects the gripping state when both grip sensor 144L on the left side and grip sensor 144R on the right side are pressed.

[0060] Next, the processing performed by the recording / reproducing device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart when the recording / reproducing device detects the occurrence of an event. Fig. 9 shows the processing performed by the control unit 100 when the recording / reproducing device 10 detects an event. The flowchart shown in Fig. 9 is started under any condition, such as when power is supplied from the vehicle to the recording / reproducing device 10 based on the start of vehicle operation, etc.

[0061] First, the control unit 100 starts acquiring photographic data (step S10). In step S10, the control unit 100 also starts detecting an event. The photographic data is supplied periodically (for example, 30 frames per second) from the camera 150. The photographic data acquisition unit 120 supplies the photographic data supplied from the camera 150 to the buffer memory 121. The buffer memory 121 stores the photographic data for a preset period (for example, 60 seconds), and after the photographic data for the preset period has been stored, the buffer memory 121 sequentially stores new photographic data while deleting old photographic data.

[0062] Next, the event detection unit 130 determines whether or not the occurrence of an event has been detected from the information supplied from the acceleration sensor 142 (step S11). If it is determined that the occurrence of an event has been detected (step S11: Yes), the recording control unit 123 generates event record data and stores it in the recording device 160 (step S12). On the other hand, if it is not determined that the occurrence of an event has been detected (step S11: No), the control unit 100 does not generate event record data and proceeds to step S13.

[0063] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to end the series of processes (step S13). The series of processes includes processes such as terminating the operation of the vehicle and stopping the operation of the drive recorder. If it is determined not to end the series of processes (step S13: No), the control unit 100 returns to step S11 and again determines whether or not an event has occurred. On the other hand, if it is determined to end the series of processes (step S13: Yes), the control unit 100 ends the series of processes.

[0064] Next, a series of processes performed by the control unit 100 in response to detection of a holding state will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing processes performed by the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the first embodiment in response to detection of a holding state.

[0065] First, the grip state detection unit 129 determines whether the recording / reproducing device 10 is in a grip state from the signal received from the grip sensor 144 (step S110). The grip state detection unit 129 is preferably set to determine that the recording / reproducing device 10 is in a grip state when the signal received from the grip sensor 144 continues for a preset period (for example, 5 seconds). By being set in this manner, the grip state detection unit 129 can distinguish, from a grip state, a case where the user temporarily grips the recording / reproducing device 10 to fine-tune the attitude of the recording / reproducing device 10 attached to the bracket 900. Therefore, the recording / reproducing device 10 determines that it is in a grip state without malfunction. Note that the grip state detection unit 129 detects the grip state by determining that it is in a grip state.

[0066] If the holding state detection unit 129 does not determine that the recording / reproducing device 10 is in the holding state (step S110: No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not to end the series of processes (step S115).

[0067] If it is determined in step S115 that the series of processes should be ended (step S115: Yes), the control unit 100 ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if it is determined that the series of processes should not be ended (step S115: No), the control unit 100 returns to step S110.

[0068] If the holding state detection unit 129 determines in step S110 that the recording / playback device 10 is in the holding state (step S110: Yes), the control unit 100 then determines whether an event was detected immediately before it was determined that the recording / playback device 10 is in the holding state (step S111). In other words, the control unit 100 determines whether event record data was saved immediately before it was determined that the recording / playback device 10 is in the holding state. "Immediately before" here refers to a predetermined period, such as three minutes, during which the event record data saved based on the event can be checked immediately after the event has occurred.

[0069] In step S111, if it is determined that an event was detected and event record data was saved immediately before it was determined that the device was in a gripped state (step S111: Yes), the playback control unit 124 starts playing the event record data saved upon the previous event detection (step S112).

[0070] Here, when playback of the event record data ends, if the holding state detection unit 129 continues to detect the holding state, the playback control unit 124 repeats playback of the event record data (performs repeat playback). By performing this processing, when the user removes and holds the recording / playback device 10 after an event such as an accident occurs, the video of the event that was saved immediately before is repeatedly played back. Therefore, when an accident or the like occurs, the user can repeatedly view the video of the event by simply stopping the vehicle, removing and holding the recording / playback device 10.

[0071] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to end the playback of the event record data (step S113). Specifically, the control unit 100 detects whether, for example, the operation control unit 125, which accepts user operations, has accepted a command to stop playback of the event record data. If the operation to end playback has not been accepted (step S113: No), the control unit 100 continues playing the event record data. On the other hand, if the operation to end playback has been accepted (step S113: Yes), the control unit 100 performs processing to end playback of the event record data (step S114). After completing the processing to end playback of the event record data, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S115 and determines whether or not to end the series of processes.

[0072] Furthermore, if the holding state detection unit 129 no longer detects a holding state during playback of the event record data, the playback control unit 124 plays the event record data to the end and then ends the playback. By setting in this way, even if the user releases the holding state by, for example, putting the recording / playback device in a predetermined place after playback of the event record data has started, the recording / playback device 10 displays the event record data to the end.

[0073] Returning to step S111, the description will be continued. If no event has been detected immediately before it is determined in step S111 that the handheld state is being held (step S111: No), the control unit 100 displays an operation menu on the display unit (step S116). Then, the control unit 100 determines whether an operation on the operation menu has been performed within a predetermined period of time (step S117). If the control unit 100 does not determine that an operation on the operation menu has been performed within the predetermined period of time (step S117: No), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S115. If the control unit 100 determines that an operation by the user has been performed within the predetermined period of time (step S117: Yes), the control unit 100 executes processing corresponding to the operation (step S118). Next, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S115.

[0074] As described above, the control unit 100 performs processing according to the grip state. The series of processing associated with the detection of the grip state is not limited to being performed during the period from the start to the end of a specific event. However, the series of processing may be limited to being executed under the following conditions, for example.

[0075] For example, confirmation of event record data based on an event detected while a moving vehicle is traveling is often performed after the vehicle has stopped traveling. Therefore, detection (polling) of the gripping state may be performed not only while the vehicle's engine or power supply is running, but also for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes) after the engine or power supply is turned off. Furthermore, playback of event record data related to the occurrence of an event detected while the vehicle is parked is often performed before the vehicle starts traveling. Therefore, detection of the gripping state may be performed for a predetermined period after, for example, the door is unlocked or a passenger gets in, regardless of whether the vehicle's engine or power supply is running. Furthermore, conditions may be that the vehicle is not traveling or that the vehicle's transmission is in neutral or park.

[0076] As described above, the recording / playback device 10 detects the occurrence of an event and then detects the holding state, thereby playing back the event record data. Therefore, the recording / playback device 10 displays the event record data to the user without requiring any complicated operations after the event occurs. In other words, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a recording / playback device or the like that plays back stored data with simple operations.

[0077] The recording and reproducing device 10 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the recording device 160 may be a server or a computer connected by wire or wirelessly. The recording device 160 may also be a cloud computer connected via a network such as the Internet. The location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 128 may be information that identifies the current location from location information of an access point by receiving Wi-Fi radio waves instead of a GPS signal.

[0078] The camera 150 may be a single camera or multiple cameras. The camera 150 does not have to be included in the recording / playback device. In this case, the camera 150 is connected to the recording / playback device 10 by wire or wirelessly, and the captured data captured by the camera 150 is supplied to the recording / playback device 10.

[0079] The control unit 100 may stop acquiring the photographed data when the grip state detection unit 129 detects a grip. Furthermore, the control unit 100 may resume acquiring the photographed data when the grip state detection unit 129 no longer detects a grip state.

[0080] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The recording / playback device according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in part of the processing performed by the control unit 100. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0081] 11 is a flowchart of the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the second embodiment. The processing of the recording / reproducing device 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the processing of the control unit 100 according to the first embodiment in that step S210 is added after step S110.

[0082] As shown in the figure, if a holding state is detected in step S110 (step S110: Yes), the control unit 100 then receives information about acceleration from the acceleration sensor 142 and determines whether the acceleration sensor 142 has detected acceleration corresponding to removal of the recording / playback device 10 (step S210). An acceleration corresponding to removal of the recording / playback device 10 is, for example, an acceleration smaller than the acceleration detected as an event such as an accident. The determination in step S210 may also include detecting acceleration corresponding to walking of the user holding the recording / playback device 10 while the device continues to be held after being removed, in addition to detecting acceleration indicating that the recording / playback device 10 has been removed from the vehicle. The processing in step S210 is processing for starting playback of the event record data after the recording / playback device 10 has been held, has been removed from the vehicle, and the user holding the device is able to view the event record data.

[0083] In step S210, if acceleration corresponding to removal of the recording / reproducing device 10 is detected (step S210: Yes), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S210 again. On the other hand, if acceleration corresponding to removal of the recording / reproducing device 10 is not detected (step S210: No), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S111 and reproduces the immediately preceding event record data.

[0084] In this embodiment, conditions such as an acceleration threshold Gth, which is a value corresponding to the acceleration experienced by the acceleration sensor 142 when the user removes the recording / reproducing device 10, are set. By setting the conditions in this manner, the recording / reproducing device 10 does not play back the event record data when the user is about to remove the recording / reproducing device 10. Therefore, even if the user removes the recording / reproducing device 10 while holding it after an event occurs, the recording / reproducing device 10 starts playing back the event record data only after the acceleration does not exceed the threshold Gth after removal. The recording / reproducing device 10 may start playing back the event record data only after the acceleration does not exceed the threshold Gth for, for example, five seconds or more.

[0085] The above describes the second embodiment. According to the second embodiment, after detecting the occurrence of an event, the recording and playback device 10 detects the holding state and determines that the recording and playback device 10 is not in a detached state. Therefore, the recording and playback device 10 suitably displays the event record data to the user without requiring any complicated operations after the event occurs. In other words, the second embodiment can provide a recording and playback device or the like that can play back stored data without requiring any complicated operations.

[0086] In each of the above-described embodiments, the grip state detection unit 129 detects that the user is gripping the recording / reproducing device 10 based on a change in pressure or capacitance detected by the grip sensor 144. As a modified example of grip detection by the grip state detection unit 129, when a plurality of grip sensors 144 are provided, the grip state detection unit 129 may detect the grip state by acquiring signals indicating the possibility of being gripped from at least two or more of the plurality of grip sensors 144.

[0087] 7 and 8, recording / reproducing device 10 is provided with grip sensors 144L and 144R, and grip state detection unit 129 detects the grip state when grip sensors 144L and 144R are gripped. In Figures 7 and 8, grip sensors 144L and 144R are provided on the left and right sides of recording / reproducing device 10, sandwiching display unit 141 therebetween, but a configuration in which multiple grip sensors 144L and 144R are provided above and below recording / reproducing device 10, sandwiching display unit 141 therebetween, may also be used.

[0088] The above-described program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can be supplied to a computer via wired communication paths such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described recording / playback device has been described as an example of a drive recorder mounted on an automobile, but the recording / playback device may also be mounted on various types of vehicles, such as motorcycles and bicycles. Furthermore, the object on which the recording / playback device is mounted is not limited to vehicles, but may also be a moving object such as a train, ship, or aircraft. Furthermore, the recording / playback device may be worn and used by a person or a walking robot, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 Recording and playback equipment 100 control section 110 Bus Line 120 Shooting data acquisition unit 121 buffer memory 122 Shooting data processing section 123 Recording control section 124 Playback control section 125 Operation control section 126 Display control unit 127 Acceleration information acquisition section 128 Location information acquisition unit 129 Grasp state detection unit 130 Event detection unit 140 Operation section 141 Display section 142 Acceleration Sensor 143 GPS receiver 144 Grasping Sensor 150 cameras 160 Recording Device 900 bracket 901 Adhesive part 902 Holding part 903 Ball Joint 920 cases 921 Detachable part C11, C21 shooting data E11 Event Record Data WS Windshield

Claims

1. A recording and reproducing device, a recording control unit for storing images captured by the camera; a grip sensor that detects the possibility that the recording / reproducing device is being gripped; a display unit that displays an image; a grip state detection unit that detects whether the recording / reproducing device is in a grip state based on a signal from the grip sensor; a playback control unit that starts playback of the event record data stored by the recording control unit based on the detection of an event when the holding state detection unit detects that the recording / playback device is in a holding state; a display control unit that causes the video reproduced by the reproduction control unit to be displayed on the display unit; Equipped with the playback control unit, after the event occurs, starts playback of the event record data stored a period of time before the event occurs so that the event record data can be checked immediately after the event occurs. Recording and playback device.

2. the playback control unit repeats playback of the video if the holding state detection unit continues to detect the holding state when playback of the video currently being played ends.

2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the grip state detection unit no longer detects a grip state during playback of the video being played, the playback control unit plays the video to the end and then ends playback of the video.

2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. the recording control unit stops acquiring the video captured by the camera when the gripping state detection unit detects gripping.

4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A recording and reproducing method executed by a recording and reproducing device, a recording control step for storing the video captured by the camera; a grip state detection step of detecting that the recording / reproducing device is in a grip state based on a signal from a grip sensor that detects that the recording / reproducing device is being gripped; a playback control step of starting playback of the event record data stored in the recording control step based on the detection of an event when it is detected that the recording / playback device is in a gripped state; a display control step of displaying the video reproduced in the reproduction control step on a display unit of the recording / reproducing device; Equipped with In the playback control step, after the event occurs, playback of the event record data stored a period of time before the event occurs for checking the event record data immediately after the event is started. Recording and playback methods.

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