Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus which can obtain the excellent operability even when installed in a mobile body at any of left and right handle positions.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 1 comprises: an apparatus body 11; a cover member 12 which can be attached even to the apparatus body 11 in any of a prescribed first posture S11 and a second posture S12 vertically inverted around a housing center axis 11a, and in which a lens opening 123 that exposes a lens 112a of a front camera 112 in any of the first posture S11 and the second posture S12 is formed in a front cover portion 121; and an attachment pedestal 13 which holds the apparatus body 11 and is attached to a position where imaging of the outside of the movable body is possible in the movable body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, imaging devices that are installed in a moving body such as an automobile and capture images of the outside of the moving body through the windshield have been used in drive recorders and the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The drive recorders of the type described in these patent documents are devices with an integrated imaging device, in which a camera for imaging is mounted in a housing. The camera lens is located on the front surface facing the windshield when installed in the moving body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-076267 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-125062 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, there are left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles among mobile bodies such as automobiles, and the above-mentioned drive recorder is attached to a location corresponding to the position of the steering wheel of the mobile body. In this case, the drive recorder may be provided with an operation unit that receives operations from the driver, etc. Depending on the location of this operation unit, it may be easy to operate for the driver of either the left-hand drive vehicle or the right-hand drive vehicle, but the operation unit may be far away and difficult to operate for the driver of the other vehicle.

[0005] Although the difference in operability depending on the steering wheel position has been explained using a drive recorder as an example of an imaging device installed on a moving body, such a difference in operability is not limited to drive recorders, but can occur in any imaging device installed on a moving body.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can be easily operated even when it is installed on a mobile body with a handle positioned on either the left or right side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the photographing device of the present invention is installed on a mobile body having a windshield and photographs the outside of the mobile body through the windshield, the photographing device comprising: a housing with a front surface that faces the windshield when installed on the mobile body, an operation unit provided on an outer surface of the housing other than the front surface at a position offset from a central axis of the housing along the fore-and-aft direction of the mobile body when installed, and a photographing camera mounted on the housing so that a lens is positioned on the front surface at a position offset from the central axis of the housing; a cover that covers the device body from the front surface to an upper side when installed, the cover being attachable to the device body in either a predetermined first position or a second position that is inverted upside down around the central axis of the housing relative to the first position, and a front cover portion that covers the front surface and has a lens opening that exposes the lens in either the first position or the second position; , with a part of the upper side of the cover member sandwiched therebetween and a mounting base that is attached to the inside of the moving body at a position that allows the camera to capture images of the outside of the moving body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to an embodiment as viewed from the front side; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the imaging device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the connector cover shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating adjustment of the swing angle of the mounting base. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating adjustment of the front-rear position of the mounting base. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the distance between the lens of the forward camera and the inner surface of the windshield is minimized by adjusting the front-to-rear position of the mounting base. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the posture of the main body of the imaging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be reversed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed on a mobile body having a windshield and captures images of the outside of the mobile body through the windshield. The imaging device includes a device main body, a cover member, and a mounting base. The device main body has a housing with a front surface that faces the windshield when installed on the mobile body. An operation unit is provided on an outer surface of the housing other than the front surface, at a position offset from the housing central axis along the front-to-rear direction of the mobile body when installed. In addition, in this device main body, a camera for imaging is mounted on the housing so that the lens is positioned on the front surface at a position offset from the housing central axis. The cover member is a cover that covers the device main body from the front surface to the upper side when installed. This cover member can be attached to the device main body in either a predetermined first position or a second position that is upside down around the housing central axis relative to the first position. Furthermore, in this cover member, a lens opening that exposes the lens in both the first position and the second position is formed in the front cover portion that covers the front surface. The mounting base holds the device body in either the first or second position, and is attached to the inside of the moving body at a position that allows the camera to capture images of the outside of the moving body.

[0010] In this imaging device, an operation unit is provided on an outer surface other than the front surface of the housing at a position offset from the central axis of the housing. Furthermore, a camera is mounted on the housing so that the lens is positioned on the front surface at a position offset from the central axis of the housing. Unlike the present embodiment, if the operation unit or the camera lens were positioned on the axis of the central axis of the housing, the interior of the housing could be divided into small spaces. In other words, according to the present embodiment, a larger and more consolidated component storage space can be obtained compared to when the operation unit or the camera lens are positioned on the axis of the central axis of the housing. This allows for greater flexibility in the component placement within the housing, thereby enabling the imaging device to be made smaller.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-described photographing device, the device body is covered from the front surface upward by a cover member, blocking sunlight directed toward the device body through the windshield and protecting the device body from excessive temperature rise due to such sunlight. Furthermore, in the above-described photographing device, the cover member can be attached to the device body in either a predetermined first position or a second position that is upside down from the first position. Regardless of whether the device body is in the first or second position, the camera lens is exposed through the lens opening, so photographing is not hindered. This configuration allows the device body (i.e., the photographing device) to be installed on a mobile body in either the first or second position, in which the operating unit is closest to the driver and easier to operate, depending on whether the handlebars are positioned on the left or right side of the mobile body. In other words, the above-described photographing device provides good operability regardless of whether the handlebars are positioned on the left or right side.

[0012] In this embodiment, the lens opening in the front cover portion is composed of a first opening that exposes the lens when in the first position, and a second opening that exposes the lens when in the second position.

[0013] With this configuration, the lens opening is divided into two openings corresponding to the first and second positions, so the opening area in the front cover portion is reduced compared to when the lens opening is formed as an elongated hole, for example, and this increases the sunlight blocking effect of the front cover portion.

[0014] In addition, in this embodiment, a blocking protrusion is provided on the front surface of the device body, which protrudes so as to enter the inside of the second opening and block the second opening when in the first position, and so as to enter the inside of the first opening and block the first opening when in the second position.

[0015] According to this configuration, the opening that does not expose the lens is closed by the closing protrusion, so that the appearance of the photographing device when viewed from the front side can be made good.

[0016] In this embodiment, the device body is equipped with a posture sensor and a recording unit as follows. The posture sensor determines one of a first posture and a second posture as a normal posture and the other as an inverted posture, and detects which posture the device body is in. Furthermore, the recording unit records the image captured by the camera as is when the posture sensor detects the normal posture, and records the image upside down when the inverted posture is detected.

[0017] With this configuration, an image captured by a camera in an inverted position on the device body, which is upside down compared to the normal position, is recorded in the same orientation as the normal position, allowing the recorded image to be displayed and visually confirmed as an image with the same upside down orientation regardless of the position of the device body. [Example]

[0018] An embodiment of a photographed image will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an image capturing device according to an embodiment as seen from the front side, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the image capturing device shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the rear side.

[0019] The image capturing device 1 of this embodiment is a device mounted on a mobile vehicle such as an automobile, and functions as both a camera-integrated drive recorder and a navigation device that provides driving guidance through voice interaction with the passenger. The image capturing device 1 acquires its own location using a global positioning system (GPS) and is configured to be wirelessly connected to a predetermined server. Driving guidance is provided by acquiring a destination through voice interaction, acquiring its own location using the GPS, route search on the server, and voice guidance. Furthermore, by wirelessly connecting to a display terminal such as a smartphone installed in the mobile vehicle, a map can be displayed on the display terminal and a guidance image can be displayed on this map. The following description of the image capturing device 1 will focus on the configuration related to the image capturing function used in the drive recorder, with the above brief description of the driving guidance being limited.

[0020] The image capturing device 1 includes a device main body 11, a cover member 12, and a mounting base 13. The device main body 11 includes a housing 111 having a shape in which a cylindrical portion is laid horizontally on one side of a flat rectangular box portion. In this embodiment, an interior / rear camera 114 and a microphone / speaker 113 (described later) are stored in the cylindrical portion, and a front camera 112 (described later) and various small components such as a circuit board are housed in the rectangular box portion. When installed on a mobile object, the image capturing device 1 is positioned so that the cylindrical portion of the device main body 11 faces the driver. The shape of the housing 111 of the device main body 11 is such that the cylindrical portion is positioned on the driver's side during installation, thereby hiding the rectangular box portion with the cylindrical portion and making the device main body 11 appear smaller, and is designed with maximum consideration given to safety by not obstructing the driver's field of view.

[0021] The side of the housing 111 opposite the cylindrical portion is a front surface 111a that faces the windshield of the moving body when the imaging device 1 is installed on the moving body. A lens 112a of a front camera 112 for frontward imaging that images the outside of the moving body through the windshield in front of the moving body is disposed on the front surface 111a. When installed on the moving body, the lens 112a is disposed at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a along the front-to-rear direction D11 of the moving body, specifically, at a position closer to the right end of the rectangular front surface 111a in FIG. 1. The front camera 112 is mounted on the housing 111 so that the lens 112a is located at this position on the front surface 111a.

[0022] On the other hand, on the rear side opposite the front surface 111a in the front-rear direction D11, a microphone / speaker 113 for voice communication with passengers during driving guidance is housed in a part of the right side of the cylindrical portion arranged on this rear side in FIG. 2. An interior / rear camera 114 is mounted in the remaining part of the cylindrical portion. The interior / rear camera 114 photographs the interior of the vehicle and photographs the exterior of the vehicle behind the vehicle through the rear window. A lens 114a of the interior / rear camera 114 is disposed on the circumferential surface of the camera-mounted portion of the cylindrical portion. The lens 114a is disposed at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a to the same side as the lens 112a of the front camera 112 described above.

[0023] The cylindrical portion housing the microphone / speaker 113 has a peripheral wall made of coarse fabric, and a light bar 115 is built into this cylindrical portion together with the microphone / speaker 113 so as to be visible through the fabric. The light bar 115 is configured by arranging a plurality of light-emitting elements along the longitudinal direction of the microphone / speaker 113, and the light-emitting patterns of these light-emitting elements indicate the state of the image capturing device 1. Examples of such light-emitting patterns include a pattern in which a white light repeatedly flashes from the center to the left and right during route search in driving guidance, and a pattern in which the entire light flashes slowly twice in red when a system error occurs.

[0024] As described above, when the imaging device 1 is installed on a mobile object, the cylindrical portion housing the microphone / speaker 113 and the light bar 115 is positioned on the driver's side. This arrangement allows the driver to see the light pattern of the light bar 115 at the edge of their field of vision even while driving the mobile object. As a result, even in situations where it is difficult to hear voice guidance, such as during driving guidance, the driver can be properly informed of voice operation feedback and the device status. Furthermore, because the light bar 115 is visible through the fabric, the lens of the light-emitting element is not exposed and the light is diffused, so it is not too dazzling, even at night, and does not disturb the driver.

[0025] Furthermore, the device main body 11 is provided with an operation unit 116 on an outer surface other than the front surface 111a of the housing 111 at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a. Specifically, the circular operation unit 116 is provided on a part of the side surface of the housing 111, on the end surface opposite the indoor / rear camera 114 of a cylindrical portion having the microphone / speaker 113. This operation unit 116 has a microphone ON / OFF button 116a, a system indicator 116b, a volume adjustment button 116c, and a reset button 116e arranged in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, an event recording / pairing standby button 116d is arranged in the center of the operation unit 116.

[0026] The microphone ON / OFF button 116a is an operation button for turning the microphone / speaker 113 ON / OFF. The system indicator 116b is a display unit that indicates the status of recording, Wi-Fi communication, data update status, startup status, etc. by the light emission state of an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Examples of this light emission state include flashing green during startup and lighting green during network connection processing. The volume adjustment button 116c is an operation button for adjusting the volume of sound produced by the microphone / speaker 113 and muting it. The volume adjustment button 116c has a + button 116c-1 and a - button 116c-2, and is configured to increase the volume with the + button 116c-1 and decrease the volume with the - button 116c-2. Pressing and holding the - button 116c-2 mutes the sound. The event recording / pairing standby button 116d is an operation button for instructing the device to start event recording and for setting the device into a standby state for connection with a smartphone with a long press. The reset button 116e is an operation button for resetting to the initial shipping state when pressed and held.

[0027] The image capturing device 1 of this embodiment is basically a device that is operated by voice interaction via the microphone / speaker 113. The operation unit 116 is provided so that it can also be operated with a physical button in an emergency, for example. In addition, the operation unit 116 is disposed on the end face of the cylindrical portion, i.e., on the side face of the housing 111, so that when the device is installed on a mobile body, the driver can easily reach out and operate it.

[0028] Furthermore, in the housing 111 of the device main body 11, a first ventilation hole 117a is formed in the side wall on the same side as the operation unit 116 in the rectangular box portion, through which cooling air generated by a cooling fan built into the housing 111 passes. Furthermore, a second ventilation hole 117b is formed in the side wall opposite the side wall on the same side as the lens 112a of the front camera 112 and the lens 114a of the interior / rear camera 114, on the opposite side from the side wall on which the first ventilation hole 117a is formed. The first ventilation hole 117a is the ventilation hole on the cooling fan side, and the second ventilation hole 117b is the ventilation hole on the side away from the cooling fan. The front camera 112 is positioned inside the housing 111 so as to avoid the cooling fan and other built-in components, and as a result, the lens 112a is positioned offset from the housing center axis 11a on the front surface 111a.

[0029] Further, a connector cover 118 as described below is provided on the side wall of the housing 111 where the second ventilation hole 117b is provided.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a view showing the connector cover shown in FIG.

[0031] Connector cover 118 is an openable cover provided on housing 111 so as to cover power cable connection terminal 118a, SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card slot 118b, and microSD (Secure Digital) card slot 118c. Connector cover 118 is hinged on first surface 111b of housing 111, which forms the bottom surface in the example of FIGS. 1 to 3. Connector cover 118 is configured to be locked to the inner edge of an opening in a side wall of housing 111 by a locking portion provided on second surface 111c, which forms the top surface in the example of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0032] As will be described later, the device body 11 of this embodiment can be turned upside down around the housing central axis 11a. When the device body 11 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is turned upside down, the first surface 111b, which forms the bottom surface in the examples of Figures 1 to 3, becomes the top surface, and the second surface 111c, which forms the top surface in the examples of Figures 1 to 3, becomes the bottom surface.

[0033] Connector cover 118 is opened as shown in Fig. 3 when connecting a power cable or when installing or removing a SIM card or microSD card. Connector cover 118 is opened by pressing the locking portion on the top surface to release the lock and tilting it toward you, as shown by arrow D12 in Fig. 3. When closing connector cover 118, connector cover 118 is raised in the direction opposite to arrow D12, and the locking portion is pushed into the opening so that it engages with the inner edge.

[0034] The above-described device body 11 is held by the mounting base 13, and the mounting base 13 is attached to a mobile body, thereby installing the imaging device 1 on the mobile body. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member 12 is an L-shaped cover that covers the device body 11 from the front surface 111a to the upper side when installed on the mobile body. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover member 12 covers from the front surface 111a to the second surface 111c that forms the top surface. The cover member 12 has a front cover portion 121 that covers the front surface 111a and a top cover portion 122 that covers the second surface 111c. The top cover portion 122 has four screw through holes 122a, and screws (not shown) that pass through the screw through holes 122a are screwed into screw holes provided in the device body 11 to fix the cover member 12 to the device body 11.

[0035] The mounting base 13 holds the device main body 11 and is attached to the vehicle at a position inside the vehicle that allows the front camera 112 to capture images of the outside in front of the vehicle and the interior / rear camera 114 to capture images of the inside of the vehicle and the outside behind the vehicle. In this embodiment, the mounting base 13 is attached to the inside of the windshield at a position adjacent to the rearview mirror. The mounting base 13 includes a windshield fixing portion 131, a base portion 132, a base bolt 133, and a swing angle / front / rear position adjustment screw 134.

[0036] The windshield fixing part 131 has a fixing plate 131a that is gently curved to fit the inner surface shape of the windshield and has adhesive tape attached to its surface, and is attached to the inner surface of the windshield via this adhesive tape. In addition, a fixing-side connecting arm 131b that is rotatably connected to the base part 132 protrudes from the back surface of the fixing plate 131a.

[0037] The base part 132 has a base part 132a that is fixed to the device body 11 with screws with the top cover part 122 of the cover member 12 sandwiched therebetween, and a base-side connecting arm 132b that protrudes from the base part 132a and is rotatably connected to the windshield fixing part 131. The fixing-side connecting arm 131b and the base-side connecting arm 132b are connected to each other, whereby the windshield fixing part 131 is connected to the base part 132.

[0038] The base bolt 133 is the member that performs this connection. The base bolt 133 connects the fixing-side connecting arm 131b and the base-side connecting arm 132b so that the fixing-side connecting arm 131b is rotatable around a rotation axis 133a that intersects with the housing central axis 11a of the device main body 11 and is aligned with the top cover portion 122 of the cover member 12. By loosening the base bolt 133, the up and down swing angle of the windshield fixing portion 131 can be adjusted. By tightening the base bolt 133 after adjustment, the windshield fixing portion 131 is fixedly connected to the base portion 132 at the desired angle position.

[0039] The swivel angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 are two screws that secure the base portion 132a of the base part 132 to the device main body 11. By loosening the swivel angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134, it becomes possible to adjust the swivel angle and front-rear position of the mounting base 13, as will be described below.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing adjustment of the swing angle of the mounting base.

[0041] The pivot angle θ11 of the mounting base 13 is the angle between a normal 131a-1 to the surface of the fixing plate 131a and the housing central axis 11a in a plan view of the top cover portion 122 of the cover member 12. In this embodiment, a pair of arc-shaped slit-shaped screw through holes 132a-1 are formed in the base portion 132a, facing each other and extending along the circumference of a circle, as holes through which the two pivot angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 pass. When the two pivot angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 are loosened, the threaded portions of the two pivot angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 become slidable within the pair of screw through holes 132a-1. This allows the mounting base 13 to rotate in a pivot direction D13 that intersects with the housing central axis 11a and follows the top cover portion 122 of the cover member 12. This rotation allows the pivot angle θ11 to be adjusted. In this embodiment, when installed on a moving body, the swing angle θ11 is adjusted so that the front cover portion 121 of the cover member 12, where the lens 112a of the front camera 112 is exposed, faces forward in the traveling direction D14 of the moving body.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing adjustment of the front-rear position of the mounting base.

[0043] The front-to-rear position of the mounting base 13 is the relative position of the mounting base 13 with respect to the device main body 11 in the device front-to-rear direction D15 along the housing central axis 11a. A pair of screw through holes 132a-1 provided in the base portion 132a of the base unit 132 are formed with a slit width that has a margin for the screw thickness of the swing angle / front-to-rear position adjustment screws 134. Therefore, when the two swing angle / front-to-rear position adjustment screws 134 are loosened, the threaded portions of the two swing angle / front-to-rear position adjustment screws 134 can slide in the pair of screw through holes 132a-1 in the device front-to-rear direction D15 within the range allowed by the margin of the slit width. This makes the mounting base 13 movable in the device front-to-rear direction D15, and this movement adjusts the front-to-rear position of the mounting base 13. In this embodiment, when installing on a mobile body, the front-to-rear position is adjusted so that the distance between the inner surface of the mobile body's windshield and the lens 112a of the forward camera 112 exposed from the front cover portion 121 of the cover member 12 becomes small.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the distance between the lens of the forward camera and the inner surface of the windshield is minimized by adjusting the front-to-rear position of the mounting base.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows an example of first to third windshields Gf1, Gf2, Gf3 that differ in how they rise from the horizontal, in relation to minimizing adjustment of the distance between the lens 112a of the forward camera 112 and the inner surface of the windshield.

[0046] FIG. 6A illustrates an example of adjustment for the first windshield Gf1, which is the most upright position. In this case, after the windshield fixing portion 131 is attached to the inner surface of the first windshield Gf1, the two swivel angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 are loosened to adjust the front-rear position of the mounting base 13. At this time, the above-mentioned adjustment of the swivel angle θ11 is also performed. In the example of FIG. 6A, the mounting base 13 is adjusted to the first position P11, which is the most front position. After adjusting the swivel angle θ11 and the front-rear position, the two swivel angle / front-rear position adjustment screws 134 are tightened. Furthermore, the base bolt 133 is loosened to adjust the attitude of the device main body 11 so that the lens 112a of the front camera 112 faces horizontally forward in the traveling direction D14. 6(A), this posture adjustment causes the fixed-side connecting arm 131b and the base-side connecting arm 132b to be extended in a substantially straight line. Through the above adjustment work, the horizontal distance between the inner surface of the first windshield Gf1 and the lens 112a of the front camera 112 is adjusted to the minimum distance L11 relative to the first windshield Gf1.

[0047] FIG. 6B illustrates an example of adjustment for a second windshield Gf2 with a moderate rise. In the example of FIG. 6B, after the windshield fixing portion 131 is attached to the photographing device 1, the longitudinal position of the mounting base 13 is adjusted to a second position P12, which is slightly retracted from the front toward the rear. Furthermore, when the base bolt 133 is loosened to adjust the posture of the device body 11, the fixing-side connecting arm 131b and the base-side connecting arm 132b of the mounting base 13 are folded forward to their fullest extent. Through the above adjustment, the horizontal distance between the inner surface of the second windshield Gf2 and the lens 112a of the front camera 112 is adjusted to the minimum distance L12 relative to the second windshield Gf2.

[0048] FIG. 6(C) illustrates an example of adjustment for the third windshield Gf3, which has the smallest rise. In the example of FIG. 6(C), after the windshield fixing portion 131 is attached to the photographing device 1, the fore-and-aft position of the mounting base 13 is adjusted to the third position P13, which is the rearmost position. Furthermore, when the posture of the device body 11 is adjusted by loosening the base bolt 133, the fixing-side connecting arm 131b and the base-side connecting arm 132b of the mounting base 13 are slightly open and folded compared to the example of FIG. 6(B). Through the above adjustment work, the horizontal distance between the inner surface of the third windshield Gf3 and the lens 112a of the front camera 112 is adjusted to the minimum distance L13 relative to the third windshield Gf3.

[0049] Here, in the image capture device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, when installed in a mobile body, the operation unit 116 is located on the right side of the device body 11 as viewed from inside the vehicle. The operation unit 116 located in this position is close to the driver of a mobile body with a right-hand drive, and is easy to reach out and operate. On the other hand, for a driver of a mobile body with a left-hand drive, the operation unit 116 is far away and is further hidden by the housing 111, making it difficult to operate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image capture device 1 has been designed as follows to ensure good operability regardless of whether the device is installed in a mobile body with a left-hand drive or a right-hand drive.

[0050] 1 to 6, the device body 11 can be inverted between a first position in which the operation unit 116 is located on the right side and a second position in which the device body 11 is upside down around the housing central axis 11a relative to the first position. In the second position in which the device body 11 is upside down relative to the first position, the operation unit 116 is located on the left side as viewed from the inside of the room, opposite to the examples in FIGS.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the posture of the main body of the imaging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be reversed.

[0052] 7(A) shows a perspective view from the front side of the photographing device 1 in which the device body 11 is in a first posture S11 in which the operation unit 116 is located on the right side as seen from inside the room of the mobile body as in FIGS. 1 to 6. Also, FIG. 7(B) shows a perspective view from the front side of the photographing device 1 in which the device body 11 is upside down around the housing central axis 11a with respect to the first posture and in a second posture S12 in which the operation unit 116 is located on the left side as seen from inside the room.

[0053] In this embodiment, screw holes corresponding to the four screw through holes 122a in the cover member 12 and the pair of screw through holes 132a-1 (FIGS. 4 and 5) in the mounting base 13 are formed on both the first surface 111b and the second surface 111c of the device body 11. This allows the cover member 12 to be attached to the device body 11 in either the first position S11 or the second position S12, and the mounting base 13 holds the device body 11 in either the first position S11 or the second position S12.

[0054] Furthermore, a lens opening 123 is formed in the front cover portion 121 of the cover member 12 to expose the lens 112a of the front camera 112 in both the first position S11 and the second position S12. In this embodiment, the lens opening 123 is composed of a first opening 123a that exposes the lens 112a in the first position S11 and a second opening 123b that exposes the lens 112a in the second position S12. The first opening 123a and the second opening 123b are circular holes of the same shape that accommodate the peripheral structure of the lens 112a of the front camera 112.

[0055] Furthermore, a blocking protrusion 111d as described below is provided to protrude from the front surface 111a of the device body 11. That is, the blocking protrusion 111d is a portion that enters the inside of the second opening 123b to block the second opening 123b in the first posture S11, and enters the inside of the first opening 123a to block the first opening 123a in the second posture S12. This blocking protrusion 111d is a dummy circular protrusion that imitates the peripheral structure of the lens 112a of the front camera 112.

[0056] Here, the images captured by the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 in the first attitude S11 and the images captured by the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 in the second attitude S12 are upside down. If such images were recorded as they are, when they were displayed later, the images captured in either attitude would be displayed upside down and would be difficult to see. Therefore, in this embodiment, the following measures are taken to record the captured images in the device main body 11.

[0057] First, the device main body 11 is equipped with an attitude sensor 119a and a recording unit 119b. The attitude sensor 119a is configured with a six-axis acceleration sensor and determines whether one of the first attitude S11 and the second attitude S12 is a normal attitude and the other is an inverted attitude, and detects which attitude the device main body 11 is in. In this case, the normal attitude is an attitude in which the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 take images in a forward direction, and the inverted attitude is an attitude in which images are taken upside down. The recording unit 119b records images captured by the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 on a microSD card inserted in the microSD card slot 118c shown in FIG. 4. In this case, when the attitude sensor 119a detects the normal attitude, the recording unit 119b records the images captured by the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 as they are. On the other hand, when the attitude sensor 119a detects an inverted attitude, the images captured by the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 are recorded upside down, in other words, rotated 180°. As described above, the image capturing device 1 of this embodiment is wirelessly connected to a predetermined server. The recording unit 119b is configured to wirelessly transmit the captured images recorded on the microSD card to the server.

[0058] In the image capturing device 1 of the embodiment described above, the operation unit 116 is provided on an outer surface other than the front surface 111a of the housing 111 at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a. The front camera 112 is mounted on the housing 111 so that the lens 112a is positioned on the front surface 111a at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a. Similarly, the indoor / rear camera 114 is mounted on the housing 111 so that the lens 114a is positioned on the cylindrical portion on the rear side of the housing 111 at a position offset from the housing central axis 11a. Unlike the present embodiment, if the operation unit 116 and the lenses 112a and 114a of the front camera 112 and the indoor / rear camera 114 are positioned on the axis of the housing central axis 11a, the interior of the housing may be divided into small spaces. In other words, according to the present embodiment, a larger and more integrated component storage space can be obtained compared to when the above-mentioned components are positioned on the axis of the housing central axis 11a, thereby providing a high degree of freedom in the component arrangement inside the housing, and thus enabling the image capturing device 1 to be made smaller.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described photographing device 1, the device body 11 is covered by the cover member 12 from the front surface 111q upward, which blocks sunlight that reaches the device body 11 through the windshield. This makes it possible to protect the device body 11 from excessive temperature rise due to exposure to sunlight.

[0060] Furthermore, the cover member 12 can be attached to the device main body 11 in either the first position S11 or the second position S12, which are upside-down relative to each other. In this case, a front cover portion 121 of the cover member 12, which is the portion on the front camera 112 side, is formed with a lens opening 123 that exposes the lens 112a in either the first position S11 or the second position S12. Therefore, regardless of whether the device main body 11 is in the first position S11 or the second position S12, the lens 112a of the front camera 112 is exposed through the lens opening 123, so that image capture is not obstructed. This configuration allows the device main body 11 (i.e., the photographing device 1) to be installed on a mobile body in either the first position S11 or the second position S12, in which the operating unit 116 is closest to the driver and easier to operate, depending on whether the handlebars are positioned on the left or right side of the mobile body. In other words, the photographing device 1 described above can provide good operability regardless of whether the handlebars are positioned on the left or right side.

[0061] In this embodiment, the lens opening 123 is configured with two openings that expose the lens 112a in each position. With this configuration, the opening area in the front cover portion 121 is reduced compared to when the lens opening is formed as a slot, for example. This increases the sunlight blocking effect of the front cover portion 121.

[0062] In this embodiment, a blocking protrusion 111d is provided on the front surface 111a of the device body 11 so as to block the opening that does not expose the lens 112a. This configuration makes it possible to improve the appearance of the photographing device 1 when viewed from the front side.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in device main body 11, captured images in the normal position are recorded as they are, and captured images in the inverted position are recorded upside down. With this configuration, captured images captured by front camera 112 and indoor / rear camera 114 in device main body 11 in the inverted position, in a state where they are upside down compared to the normal position, are corrected to the same orientation as in the normal position and recorded. As a result, the recorded captured images can be displayed as images with the same upside down orientation regardless of the position of device main body 11, and can be visually confirmed.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0065] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the photographing device 1 is exemplified as an example of a photographing device, which is a camera-integrated drive recorder and also a navigation device that provides driving guidance through voice dialogue with a passenger. However, the photographing device is not limited to this, and may be a device with a simple configuration that only has a photographing function.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the photographing device 1 is wirelessly connected to a server and transmits photographed images to the server, but the photographing device is not limited to this and may be a device that is not connected to any server.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the imaging device 1 is attached to the inner surface of the windshield as an example of the imaging device. However, the imaging device is not limited to this, and the specific installation location inside the moving body is not important as long as the imaging device is attached at a position inside the moving body that allows the outside of the moving body to be photographed through the windshield.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of an imaging device, the imaging device 1 is exemplified, in which the device main body 11 is equipped with the front camera 112 and the interior / rear camera 114. However, the imaging device is not limited to this, and may be one that is equipped with only a front camera, etc., as long as it is installed on a moving body and captures images of the outside of the moving body through the windshield.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the device main body, device main body 11 is exemplified, which includes housing 111 having a shape in which a cylindrical portion is integrated in a horizontal state with one side of a flat rectangular box portion. However, the device main body is not limited to this, and the shape of the housing may be a simple rectangular box shape, a cylindrical box shape, or any other shape as long as it has a front surface that faces the windshield when installed on a mobile object.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cover member 12 is exemplified as an example of the cover member, in which the lens opening 123 is configured with two openings that expose the lens 112a when the cover member is in the first position S11 and the second position S12. However, the cover member is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a cover member in which an elongated hole that exposes the lens 112a when the cover member is in each position is formed as the lens opening. However, as described above, configuring the lens opening 123 with two openings can enhance the sunlight blocking effect of the front cover portion 121 of the cover member 12.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the device body 11 is exemplified as an example of the device body, in which the blocking protrusion 111d is provided to block the opening where the lens 112a is not exposed. However, the device body is not limited to this, and for example, the device body may not be provided with the above-described blocking protrusion, and the opening where the lens is not exposed may be left as is. However, as described above, by providing the device body 11 with the blocking protrusion 111d, the appearance of the photographing device 1 when viewed from the front side can be improved.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the device body 11 is exemplified as an example of the device body in which the captured image in the normal position is recorded as is and the captured image in the inverted position is recorded upside down. However, the device body is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a device in which the captured image in both the normal position and the inverted position is recorded as is. However, as described above, by recording the captured image in the inverted position upside down, the recorded captured image can be displayed and visually confirmed as an image with the same orientation upside down regardless of the position of the device body 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Imaging device 11 Device body 11a Housing central axis 12 Cover member 13 Mounting base 111 Cabinet 111a Front 111b 1st page 111c 2nd page 111d Obstruction process 112 Front camera 112a, 114a Lens 113 Microphone / Speaker 114 Interior / rear camera 115 Light Bar 116 Operation section 116a Microphone ON / OFF button 116b System Indicator 116c Volume adjustment button 116c-1 + button 116c-2 - Button 116d Event recording / pairing standby button 116e Reset button 117a 1st ventilation hole 117b 2nd ventilation hole 118 Connector cover 118a Power cable connection terminal 118b SIM card slot 118c microSD card slot 119a Attitude sensor 119b Recording Section 121 Front cover part 122 Top cover part 122a, 132a-1 Screw through holes 123 Lens Aperture 123a 1st opening 123b 2nd opening 131 Windshield fixing part 131a Fixing plate 131a-1 Normal 131b Fixed side connecting arm 132 Pedestal 132a stand part 132b Table side connecting arm 133 Base bolt 133a Rotating shaft 134 Swing angle / front / back position adjustment screw D11 Anteroposterior direction D12 Arrow D13 Swing direction D14 Direction of travel D15 Device front and back direction Gf1 No.1 Windshield Gf2 2nd windshield Gf3 3rd windshield L11, L12, L13 Minimum spacing P11 1st position P12 2nd position P13 3rd position S11 1st posture S12 2nd posture θ11 Swing angle

Claims

1. An imaging device that is installed in a mobile body having a windshield and captures an image of the outside of the mobile body through the windshield, a device main body having a housing with a front surface facing the windshield when installed on the moving body, an operation unit being provided on an outer surface of the housing other than the front surface at a position offset from a housing central axis along the front-rear direction of the moving body when installed, and a camera for taking pictures being mounted on the housing so that a lens is positioned at a position offset from the housing central axis on the front surface; a cover member that covers the device body from the front surface to an upper side when installed, and that can be attached to the device body in either a predetermined first position or a second position that is inverted upside down around the housing central axis relative to the first position, and that has a lens opening formed in a front cover portion that covers the front surface, exposing the lens in either the first position or the second position; a mounting base that holds the device body with a portion of the upper side of the cover member sandwiched therebetween in either the first posture or the second posture, and that is attached inside the moving body at a position that allows the camera to capture an image of the outside of the moving body; An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the lens opening in the front cover portion is composed of a first opening that exposes the lens when in the first position, and a second opening that exposes the lens when in the second position.

3. The photographing device described in claim 2, characterized in that a blocking protrusion is provided on the front surface of the device body so as to enter inside the second opening and block the second opening when in the first posture, and so as to enter inside the first opening and block the first opening when in the second posture.

4. The device body is a posture sensor that detects which posture of the device body is in, the posture being a normal posture or an inverted posture, and the other posture being an inverted posture or an inverted posture; a recording unit that records the captured image of the camera as is when the normal orientation is detected by the orientation sensor, and that records the captured image upside down when the inverted orientation is detected; 3. The photographing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images