Route display device and communication system

Abstract

To provide a route display device capable of displaying event video information on an information display part even when the event video information corresponding to a selection command of an event is not stored in a storage part.SOLUTION: A route display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a route storage unit, an image storage unit, an event storage unit, an information display unit, an information acquisition unit, a command reception unit, and an image acquisition unit. The video acquisition unit acquires the video information from the video storage unit or the drive recorder. The image acquisition part acquires the event image information from the drive recorder when the event image information is not stored in the image storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a route display device, a drive recorder, and a communication system.

Background Art

[0002] There is a communication system provided with a route display device and a drive recorder.

[0003] The route display device is configured to receive travel route information, video information, and event information from the drive recorder. The route display device includes a storage unit that stores the travel route information, the video information, and the event information.

[0004] The route display device is configured to display the travel route information read out from the storage unit on an information display unit. Further, the route display device is configured to receive an event selection command, read out event video information corresponding to the selection command from the storage unit, and display the event video information on the information display unit.

[0005] The route display device may be configured to include, for example, a server device provided with the storage unit and a client terminal provided with the information display unit (refer to Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the case where the event video information corresponding to the selection command is not stored in the storage unit, the above-described route display device cannot read out the event video information from the storage unit, and cannot display the event video information on the information display unit.

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable that this disclosure provides a route display device that can display event video information on an information display unit even when event video information corresponding to an event selection command is not stored in the storage unit. Furthermore, it is desirable that this disclosure provides a drive recorder that can output event video information to such a route display device, or a communication system equipped with such a route display device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A route display device according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a route storage unit, a video storage unit, an event storage unit, an information display unit, an information acquisition unit, a command reception unit, and a video acquisition unit.

[0010] The route storage unit is configured to store route information representing the route taken by the vehicle as recorded by the drive recorder. The video storage unit is configured to store video information captured by the drive recorder while driving along the route. The event storage unit is configured to store event information relating to events that occurred in the vehicle. The event information includes the time the event occurred, the location where the event occurred, and identification information of the event.

[0011] The information display unit is configured to display arbitrary information. The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire the route information and the event information. The information acquisition unit is configured to display the aforementioned route and event mark on the information display unit. The event mark is a graphic that indicates the existence of the event. The information acquisition unit is configured to display the event mark at the location where the event occurred on the information display unit.

[0012] The command receiving unit is configured to receive selection commands for selecting the event mark.

[0013] The video acquisition unit is configured to acquire video information from the video storage unit or the drive recorder. The video acquisition unit is configured to display event video information on the information display unit. The event video information is the video information corresponding to the event mark for the selection command.

[0014] The video acquisition unit is configured to acquire the event video information from the video storage unit depending on whether the event video information is stored in the video storage unit. The video acquisition unit is configured to acquire the event video information from the drive recorder depending on whether the event video information is not stored in the video storage unit.

[0015] In this route display device, the video acquisition unit is configured to acquire the event video information from the video storage unit or the drive recorder. In particular, the video acquisition unit acquires the event video information from the drive recorder if the event video information is not stored in the video storage unit.

[0016] Therefore, even if event video information is not stored in the video storage unit, this route display device can acquire event video information from the drive recorder and display event video information according to the user's request.

[0017] The time of the event is the time when the event occurred, and is determined based on the time information contained in the GPS signal from the GPS satellite. The location where the event occurred is determined based on the location information contained in the GPS signal. The identification information for the event is information uniquely assigned to each event.

[0018] The route display device may include a communication unit. The communication unit may be configured to communicate with the drive recorder. The communication unit may be configured to transmit or receive predetermined information. The predetermined information may include at least one of the following: the route information, the video information, and the event information.

[0019] The route display device (specifically, the video acquisition unit) is equipped with a communication unit so that it can receive at least one of the following from the drive recorder: the route information, the video information, and the event information. For example, if the event video information corresponding to the selection command is not stored in the video storage unit, the route display device may be configured to receive the event video information from the drive recorder via the communication unit.

[0020] The communication unit may be configured to communicate with the drive recorder via wired or wireless communication.

[0021] In the route display device, the command receiving unit may be configured to receive a command to select any point along the route. The video acquisition unit may be configured to display location video information on the information display unit. The location video information may be video information corresponding to the point in response to the selection command. The video acquisition unit may be configured to display location video information The system may be configured to acquire location video information from the video storage unit depending on whether the information is stored in the video storage unit. The video acquisition unit may be configured to acquire location video information from the drive recorder depending on whether the location video information is not stored in the video storage unit.

[0022] The route display device (more specifically, the video acquisition unit) can acquire location video information from the drive recorder. For example, if the location video information corresponding to the selection command is not stored in the video storage unit, the video acquisition unit may be configured to receive the location video information from the drive recorder via the communication unit.

[0023] The route display device may include a first functional unit and a second functional unit. The first functional unit may include the route storage unit, the video storage unit, and the event storage unit. The second functional unit may include the information display unit, the information acquisition unit, the instruction receiving unit, and the video acquisition unit.

[0024] The first functional unit may include a first functional communication unit. The first functional communication unit may be configured to communicate with the second functional unit. The first functional communication unit may be configured to transmit the travel route information, the video information, and the event information.

[0025] The second functional unit may include a second functional communication unit. The second functional communication unit may be configured to communicate with the first functional unit. The second functional communication unit may be configured to receive the travel route information, the video information, and the event information.

[0026] The first functional unit may be provided independently of the second functional unit.

[0027] In this route display device, since the first functional unit and the second functional unit are independent of each other, for example, the first functional unit can be installed at a predetermined location, and the second functional unit can be configured as a portable type. Thereby, the second functional unit can be carried, and by using the second functional unit, event video information can be confirmed at any location. In this case, the first functional unit corresponds to a server device, and the second functional unit corresponds to a client terminal device.

[0028] Note that when the route display device includes the communication unit, the communication unit may be provided in the first functional unit.

[0029] A drive recorder according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an in-vehicle route storage unit, an in-vehicle video storage unit, an in-vehicle event storage unit, and an in-vehicle information output unit.

[0030] The in-vehicle route memory unit is configured to store route information. The route information represents the route taken by the vehicle equipped with the drive recorder. The in-vehicle video memory unit is configured to store video information. The video information corresponds to the information captured by the drive recorder while driving along the route.

[0031] The in-vehicle event storage unit is configured to store event information. The event information corresponds to information about an event that occurred in the vehicle. The event information includes the time the event occurred, the location where the event occurred, and identification information of the event.

[0032] The in-vehicle information output unit is configured to output at least one of the following to an external device in response to a request from that device: the route information, the video information, and the event information.

[0033] This drive recorder can output at least one of the aforementioned route information, video information, and event information to an external device in response to a request from that device. Therefore, this drive recorder can output at least one of the aforementioned route information, video information, and event information to the route display device in response to a request from the aforementioned route display device.

[0034] The external device may be the route display device. The external device may be the first functional unit.

[0035] In the aforementioned drive recorder, the in-vehicle information output unit may be configured to output the video information to the external device when predetermined output permission conditions are met. The in-vehicle information output unit may also be configured to prohibit the output of the video information when the output permission conditions are not met.

[0036] This dashcam can switch between outputting video information and prohibiting it depending on whether the output permission conditions are met. By pre-defining the output permission conditions so that they are met under suitable conditions for outputting video information and not met under unsuitable conditions, this dashcam can output video information under appropriate circumstances.

[0037] Because video information is large in data volume, the output permission conditions may be set according to the conditions of the communication path. For example, the output permission conditions may be met when the communication speed of the communication path is high, but not when the communication speed of the communication path is low. This drive recorder can suppress congestion of communication data in the communication path.

[0038] The in-vehicle information output unit may be configured to output each piece of information via wireless or wired communication. The in-vehicle information output unit may also be configured to output each piece of information to a portable storage medium. Output permission conditions may be determined based on, for example, the magnitude of the impact during a collision, the vehicle speed, and the presence or absence of external commands (such as commands from a radar detector).

[0039] A communication system relating to another aspect of this disclosure comprises one of the route display devices described above and one of the drive recorders described above.

[0040] Since this communication system is equipped with the aforementioned route display device, even if event video information is not stored in the video storage unit, it can acquire event video information from the drive recorder and display event video information according to the user's request. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]This is a flowchart illustrating the process of updating the driving route information performed by the drive recorder's processor. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram showing the transmission and reception status of various types of information between the drive recorder, the server device, and the user terminal device. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the screen configuration of the display on the user terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0043] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described below, and it goes without saying that it can take various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0044] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Overall Structure] A communication system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure has the configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0045] The communication system 1 comprises multiple drive recorders 10 having communication functions, a server device 30, and multiple user terminal devices 50.

[0046] Each of the multiple drive recorders 10 is associated with the user terminal device 50 of the corresponding user (hereinafter also referred to as "user"). The drive recorder 10 is configured to receive requests from the corresponding user terminal device 50 via the server device 30 and to transmit data corresponding to the request to the server device 30.

[0047] The server device 30 is configured to store data from the drive recorder 10 and transfer the stored data to the corresponding user terminal device 50. Through this transfer, the user can obtain the desired data from the corresponding drive recorder 10 via the server device 30.

[0048] Examples of data provided by the drive recorder 10 include video information of the area around the vehicle captured by the drive recorder 10. Examples of video information include video data with audio and still image data.

[0049] The server device 30 can identify the drive recorder 10 associated with the user terminal device 50, and the user terminal device 50 associated with the drive recorder 10, according to a pre-registered correspondence table.

[0050] Of these, the server device 30 and any one of the user terminal devices 50 may constitute a route display device 60. The route display device 60 can receive requests from users via the user terminal device 50 and obtain data corresponding to the requests from the server device 30. Alternatively, the route display device 60 can receive requests from users via the user terminal device 50 and obtain data corresponding to the requests from the drive recorder 10 through the server device 30.

[0051] The server device 30 is provided independently of one user terminal device 50. The route display device 60 is configured such that the server device 30 and one user terminal device 50 are located in different locations (or at different distances from each other). However, the route display device 60 may be configured such that the server device 30 and one user terminal device 50 are located in the same location.

[0052] [1-2. Dashcam] The drive recorder 10 is installed in a vehicle. Vehicles include, for example, automobiles such as passenger cars, taxis, buses, and trucks, as well as two-wheeled vehicles such as mopeds, small motorcycles, medium motorcycles, and large motorcycles.

[0053] The drive recorder 10 comprises a processor 11, a storage device 13, a camera 14, a position detector 15, an acceleration detector 16, an operation unit 17, an input interface 18, a communication interface 19, an event detection unit 20, an event video storage unit 21, and a path storage unit 22.

[0054] The processor 11 executes processing according to the computer program stored in the storage device 13. The storage device 13 may include a storage medium such as flash memory. The storage device 13 is configured to record computer programs, video information, etc. Alternatively, the storage device 13 may include flash memory built into the drive recorder 10 and a reader / writer for writing and reading data to and from a memory card. In this case, the flash memory can be used to store computer programs, and the memory card can be inserted into the reader / writer by the user and used to record video information, etc.

[0055] Camera 14 is configured to capture images of the area around the vehicle equipped with the drive recorder 10. Camera 14 is positioned, for example, to capture images of the area in front of the vehicle. The video information of the area around the vehicle captured by camera 14 is recorded in the storage device 13 through recording processing by processor 11.

[0056] The position detector 15 is equipped with a GPS receiver. That is, the position detector 15 is configured to detect the current position coordinates (latitude and longitude) based on GPS signals from GPS satellites. The detected current position coordinates are input to the processor 11. In the recording process described above, the processor 11 is configured to record the video information in the storage device 13, associating it with the position coordinates at the time of shooting. The processor 11 transmits the current position coordinates to the path storage unit 22.

[0057] The acceleration detector 16 is a so-called G-sensor and is configured to detect acceleration. The detected acceleration corresponds to the acceleration of the vehicle or the drive recorder 10. The acceleration information indicating the detected acceleration is input to the processor 11. The processor 11 records the acceleration information in the storage device 13. The processor 11 transmits the acceleration information to the event detection unit 20.

[0058] The control unit 17 is configured to receive operations from the user of the drive recorder 10. The control unit 17 is configured to receive selection commands from the user. The user of the drive recorder 10 includes the vehicle occupants. For example, the control unit 17 includes a mechanical switch configured to be operated by the user.

[0059] The input interface 18 includes an interface for inputting vehicle information. The vehicle information includes various types of information detected by in-vehicle devices within the vehicle. For example, the vehicle information includes vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle's speed as detected by a speed detector.

[0060] The communication interface 19 functions as an interface for wireless communication. The drive recorder 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the server device 30 via the communication interface 19 and a cellular communication network. The communication interface 19 may also function as an interface for wired communication. In this case, the drive recorder 10 is configured to communicate with the server device 30 via wired communication through the communication interface 19 and a wired communication network.

[0061] The event detection unit 20 is configured to detect events based on acceleration information. An event is an occurrence that takes place in a vehicle. Events include vehicle collisions and sudden stops of the vehicle. The event detection unit 20 detects an event by determining that an event has occurred when the acceleration indicated by the acceleration information exceeds a predetermined event determination value.

[0062] The event video storage unit 21 is configured to record event video information and event information corresponding to an event when the event detection unit 20 detects an event. The event video information is video information for a predetermined period including the time the event occurred. For example, Alternatively, the event video information may include video footage covering a period starting one minute before the event time and ending one minute after the event time.

[0063] Event information includes the time of the event, the location of the event, and event identification information. The time of the event is the time the event occurred and is determined based on time information contained in GPS signals from GPS satellites. The location of the event is determined based on location information contained in GPS signals. The event identification information is information uniquely assigned to each event.

[0064] The route storage unit 22 is configured to record route information. The route information corresponds to information representing the route of the vehicle equipped with the drive recorder 10. The route storage unit 22 records route information based on historical data of the current position coordinates detected by the position detector 15.

[0065] The event video storage unit 21 and the path storage unit 22 may be provided as part of the storage device 13. In other words, the storage device 13 may include the event video storage unit 21 and the path storage unit 22.

[0066] The processor 11 is configured to output at least one of the following to the route display device 60 or server device 30 in response to a request from the route display device 60: route information, video information, and event information. Therefore, the drive recorder 10 can output at least one of the following to the route display device 60 in response to a request from the route display device 60: route information, video information, and event information.

[0067] The processor 11 is configured to output video information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 when predetermined output permission conditions are met, and to prohibit the output of video information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 when the output permission conditions are not met. For example, if the output permission condition is set to "met when the vehicle engine is stopped", the processor 11 will output video information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 when the vehicle engine is stopped.

[0068] The output permission condition may also be set to "the condition is met when the vehicle engine is stopped and the communication speed via the communication interface 19 exceeds a predetermined speed determination value." In this case, even if the vehicle engine is stopped, the processor 11 will prohibit the output of video information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 if the communication speed does not exceed the speed determination value. When the output permission condition is set in this way, video information is not necessarily output to the route display device 60 or server device 30 when the vehicle engine is stopped, and it is possible that video information may not be transmitted.

[0069] The processor 11 is configured to output route information and event information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 when the vehicle engine is stopped. Therefore, when the vehicle engine is stopped and the communication speed does not exceed the speed judgment value, route information and event information are output, but a situation may arise where the output of video information is prohibited. In this case, the route display device 60 can store route information and event information, but it cannot store video information.

[0070] Furthermore, if the output permission condition is set to "the acceleration detected by the acceleration detector 16 exceeds a predetermined upper limit," the processor 11 outputs video information in response to the acceleration exceeding the upper limit, and prohibits the output of video information in response to the acceleration not exceeding the upper limit. In this case, the processor 11 outputs video information in response to the acceleration exceeding the upper limit. The system is configured to determine that an event has occurred in the vehicle. In this case, the event may be a collision or sudden stop of the vehicle. If this output permission condition is met, the processor 11 outputs video information (including event video information in detail) and event information to the route display device 60 or the server device 30.

[0071] The output permission condition may also be set to "the condition is met when the acceleration detected by the acceleration detector 16 exceeds a predetermined upper limit, and the communication speed via the communication interface 19 exceeds a predetermined speed determination value." In this case, the processor 11 prohibits the output of video information to the route display device 60 or server device 30 even if the acceleration exceeds the upper limit, as long as the communication speed does not exceed the speed determination value. When the output permission condition is set in this way, when the acceleration exceeds the upper limit, video information is not necessarily output to the route display device 60 or server device 30, and it is possible that video information may not be transmitted.

[0072] The processor 11 is configured to output route information and event information to the route display device 60 or the server device 30 when an event occurs. Therefore, when an event occurs and the communication speed does not exceed the speed judgment value, route information and event information will be output, but video information may not be output. In this case, the route display device 60 will be able to store route information and event information, but not video information.

[0073] The drive recorder 10 can switch between outputting video information and prohibiting it depending on whether the output permission conditions are met. By pre-defining the output permission conditions so that they are met under conditions suitable for outputting video information and not met under conditions unsuitable for outputting video information, the drive recorder 10 can output video information under appropriate conditions.

[0074] Since video information is large in data volume, the output permission conditions may be set according to the conditions of the communication path, for example, so that the output permission conditions are met when the communication speed of the communication path is high, and not met when the communication speed of the communication path is low. Such a drive recorder 10 can suppress the occurrence of congestion of communication data in the communication path.

[0075] Output permission conditions may be determined based on, for example, the magnitude of the impact during a collision, the vehicle speed, and the presence or absence of external commands (such as commands from a radar detector).

[0076] [1-3. Server Equipment] The server device 30 comprises one or more computers. The server device 30 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 1. The server device 30 comprises a processor 31, a storage device 33, and a communication interface 39.

[0077] The processor 31 executes processing according to a computer program stored in the storage device 33. The storage device 33 includes, for example, a hard disk drive. The communication interface 39 includes a communication interface for communicating with the drive recorder 10. Furthermore, the communication interface 39 includes a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal device 50. The communication interface 39 is configured to transmit and / or receive predetermined information. The predetermined information includes at least one of the following: route information, video information, and event information.

[0078] The communication interface 39 is configured to communicate with the drive recorder 10 via wireless communication. Wireless communication is a communication method using a mobile phone network or other wireless communication methods. The formula is included. The communication interface 39 may be configured to communicate with the drive recorder 10 not only by wireless communication but also by wired communication.

[0079] The server device 30 is configured to receive route information, event information, and video information from the drive recorder 10 and store them in the storage device 33. The processor 31 executes a process to store the route information, event information, and video information received from the drive recorder 10 in the storage device 33.

[0080] [1-4. User Terminal Devices] The user terminal device 50 includes a processor 51, a storage device 53, a display 55, an input device 57, a communication interface 59, a video acquisition unit 61, and a route acquisition unit 62.

[0081] The user terminal device 50 may be a mobile terminal device owned by the user. This mobile terminal device includes smartphones and tablets.

[0082] When the drive recorder 10 is installed in a commercial vehicle, the user terminal device 50 may be a computer installed in the office or monitoring center of the company that manages the operation of the commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles include taxis and buses.

[0083] The processor 51 executes processing according to a computer program stored in the storage device 53. The storage device 53 may include a storage medium such as flash memory. The display 55 is controlled by the processor 51 and displays information for the user. The display 55 may include a liquid crystal display, for example.

[0084] The input device 57 is configured to receive selection commands from the user. The input device 57 is configured to send operation signals to the processor 51 according to the user's operation. Examples of the input device 57 include a touch panel on the display 55, a keyboard, and a pointing device.

[0085] The communication interface 59 is an interface that can communicate with the server device 30. The communication interface 59 is configured to communicate over a wide area network. The wide area network includes the Internet.

[0086] The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to acquire video information from the server device 30 via the communication interface 59. This video information includes event video information. The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to display the video information on the display 55. The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to display event video information corresponding to a selection command on the display 55 based on the selection command. The selection command corresponds to a command entered by the user using the input device 57. The event selection command is a command to identify the event to be selected.

[0087] The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to acquire event video information from the server device 30 (specifically, the storage device 33) in accordance with whether event video information corresponding to a selection command is stored in the server device 30. At this time, the video acquisition unit 61 acquires the event video information from the server device 30 (specifically, the storage device 33) via the communication interface 59.

[0088] The video acquisition unit 61, in response to the fact that event video information corresponding to the selection command is not stored in the server device 30, retrieves from the drive recorder 10 (specifically, the event video storage unit 21) or The system is configured to acquire event video information. At this time, the video acquisition unit 61 acquires event video information from the drive recorder 10 via the communication interface 59 and the communication interface 39.

[0089] The route acquisition unit 62 is configured to acquire route information and event information from the server device 30. The route information and event information are stored in the storage device 53. The route acquisition unit 62 is configured to control the display 55 to display the route and event marks on the display 55. The event marks are symbols that indicate the presence of an event. As will be described later, the event marks are shown as P1 and P2 in Figure 4. The route acquisition unit 62 is configured to control the display 55 to display the event marks at the location where the event occurred on the display 55.

[0090] The video acquisition unit 61 and the path acquisition unit 62 may be provided as part of the processor 51. In other words, the processor 51 may be configured to perform the respective functions of the video acquisition unit 61 and the path acquisition unit 62.

[0091] [1-5. Route information update process] Next, we will explain the route information update process performed by the drive recorder 10 using Figure 2.

[0092] In response to the startup of the drive recorder 10, the processor 11 reads the program for updating the driving route information from the storage device 13 and executes the driving route information update process based on the program.

[0093] When the processor 11 starts the route information update process, it first acquires GPS information from the position detector 15 in S110 (where S represents a step). As a result, the processor 11 obtains current location information representing the current location.

[0094] In the next step, S120, the processor 11 determines whether or not an event has occurred. If it determines that an event has occurred, it proceeds to S130; if it determines that an event has occurred, it proceeds to S140. The processor 11 determines whether or not an event has occurred based on the detection result from the event detection unit 20.

[0095] In S130, processor 11 performs the process of adding the event flag Fev. In S140, processor 11 updates the route information based on the current location information obtained in S110. If the event flag Fev was added in S130, processor 11 updates the route information with the event flag Fev added to the current location information at that time. Processor 11 stores the updated route information in the storage device 13.

[0096] In S150, the processor 11 determines whether the vehicle's operation has ended. If it determines that the operation has ended, it proceeds to S160; if it determines that the operation has ended, it proceeds to S120. The processor 11 determines whether the vehicle's operation has ended based on whether the power supply from the vehicle has stopped. The drive recorder 10 is equipped with an internal power supply (not shown), and is configured so that even after the power supply from the vehicle stops, the processor 11 and other components can operate for a certain period of time using power supplied from the internal power supply.

[0097] The processor 11 is configured to update the route information by repeatedly executing the processes from S120 to S150 while the vehicle is in operation.

[0098] In S160, processor 11 executes the process of sending the route information to the server device 30. Processor 11 uploads the route information to the server device 30 using the communication interface 19.

[0099] In this way, the drive recorder 10 is configured to store route information, representing the travel route from the starting point to the ending point of the journey, in the storage device 13 by performing a route information update process while the vehicle is in operation. When the vehicle's operation is finished, the drive recorder 10 transmits the route information to the server device 30.

[0100] When the server device 30 receives route information from the drive recorder 10, it stores the route information in the storage device 33.

[0101] [1-6. Information and Communication Status] The communication status of various types of information between the drive recorder 10, the server device 30, and the user terminal device 50 will be explained using Figure 3. The communication status of various types of information includes the information transmission status and the information reception status.

[0102] As shown in Figure 3, in the communication system 1 of this embodiment, at time T110, the drive recorder 10 transmits route information to the server device 30. The server device 30 stores the received route information in the storage device 33.

[0103] At time T120, when the user terminal device 50 sends a route request command to the server device 30, at time T130, the server device 30 sends route information to the user terminal device 50. At this time, the server device 30 reads the route information corresponding to the route request command from the storage device 33 and sends the read route information to the user terminal device 50.

[0104] When the user terminal device 50 receives route information, it displays the route on the display 55 based on the route information.

[0105] Here, the screen configuration of display 55 will be explained using Figure 4.

[0106] As shown in Figure 4, the display 55 comprises a route display area 55a, a video display area 55b, and an operation area 55c. The display 55 is configured to display predetermined information in each area based on the control of the processor 51.

[0107] The route display area 55a is an area that displays the route K1 based on the route information, based on the control of the processor 51. The route K1 corresponds to the vehicle's movement trajectory from the departure point to the destination. The route display area 55a is configured to display the route K1 on top of the map information (not shown) with the map information displayed as the background. The route display area 55a is configured to display event marks at positions corresponding to the location where events occurred. The event marks are shown as P1 and P2 in Figure 4.

[0108] The video display area 55b is an area that displays video information based on the control of the processor 51. The video display area 55b is configured to play back video information captured by the drive recorder 10 during travel along the route K1 as video or still images. In addition, the video display area 55b can display event video information of an event corresponding to a user's selected command.

[0109] The operating area 55c is the area that receives operation commands from the user. , and is associated with the input device 57. The operation area 55c includes, for example, a first command unit 55c1, a second command unit 55c2, a third command unit 55c3, a fourth command unit 55c4, a fifth command unit 55c5, a sixth command unit 55c6, and a seventh command unit 55c7. Operations accepted by these multiple command units include, for example, moving to the start position of the video, skipping in the reverse direction, playing the video, playing it in slow motion, fast-forwarding, skipping in the forward direction, and rewinding by a certain amount of time.

[0110] When a user performs an operation on the operation area 55c, the input device 57 sends an operation signal to the processor 51 corresponding to the content of the user operation. The processor 51 then executes control processing corresponding to the operation signal.

[0111] To explain the state at time T120 in Figure 3 in detail, first, when the user performs an operation on the operation area 55c to request the operation route K1, the input device 57 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the processor 51 based on the type of command unit operated in the operation area 55c. In response, the processor 51 transmits a route request command corresponding to the requested operation route K1 to the server device 30 via the communication interface 59.

[0112] To explain the state at time T130 in Figure 3 in detail, first, in the server device 30, the processor 31 identifies the route information corresponding to the route request command from the route information stored in the storage device 33 based on the received route request command. Then, the processor 31 transmits the identified route information to the user terminal device 50 via the communication interface 39. At this time, the processor 31 also transmits event information regarding the event that occurred on route K1 to the user terminal device 50 along with the route information.

[0113] Subsequently, in the user terminal device 50, when the processor 51 receives the route information, it displays the route K1 based on the route information in the route display area 55a of the display 55. As a result, the route K1 shown in Figure 4 is displayed in the route display area 55a.

[0114] At this time, when the processor 51 receives event information, it displays an event mark representing the event that occurred on the route K1 in the route display area 55a. Figure 4 shows the state in which two event marks P1 and P2 are displayed in the route display area 55a.

[0115] When the user makes a selection operation on either event mark P1 or P2 displayed in the route display area 55a (S210), the input device 57 sends a user operation signal corresponding to the user's selection operation to the processor 51. The processor 51 then sends an event video request command corresponding to the selected event mark to the server device 30 via the communication interface 59. The user's selection operation on an event mark signifies a request to display event video information corresponding to the event. This operation by the user terminal device 50 to send an event video request command to the server device 30 corresponds to the operation performed at time T140 in Figure 3.

[0116] In the server device 30, the processor 31 checks whether the video information stored in the storage device 33 contains event video information corresponding to the event video request command, based on the received event video request command (S220). If the event video information is found, the processor 31 identifies that event video information from the video information stored in the storage device 33. Subsequently, the processor 31 transmits the identified event video information to the user terminal device 50 via the communication interface 39.

[0117] Subsequently, in the user terminal device 50, when the processor 51 receives event video information, it displays the video in the video display area 55b of the display 55 based on the event video information. As a result, a video related to the event is displayed in the video display area 55b. This operation corresponds to the operation shown at time T150 in Figure 3.

[0118] If the processor 31 does not contain event video information, it sends an event video request command to the drive recorder 10 via the communication interface 39. This operation corresponds to the operation shown at time T160 in Figure 3.

[0119] Then, in the drive recorder 10, the processor 11 identifies the event video information corresponding to the event video request command from the event video information stored in the event video storage unit 21 based on the received event video request command. Subsequently, the processor 11 transmits the identified event video information to the server device 30 via the communication interface 19. This operation corresponds to the operation shown at time T170 in Figure 3.

[0120] In the server device 30, the processor 31 transmits the received event video information to the user terminal device 50 via the communication interface 39.

[0121] Subsequently, in the user terminal device 50, upon receiving event video information, the processor 51 displays video based on the event video information in the video display area 55b of the display 55. As a result, a video related to the event is displayed in the video display area 55b. This operation corresponds to the operation shown at time T180 in Figure 3.

[0122] In this way, various types of information are communicated between the drive recorder 10, the server device 30, and the user terminal device 50, allowing the communication system 1 to display event video information for the event corresponding to the selection command, in response to the user's selection command to the input device 57.

[0123] In addition, the user terminal device 50 is configured to accept, in addition to the selection command for an event mark, a selection command for any point on the route K1 in the route display area 55a.

[0124] In response to the input device 57 receiving a selection command, the video acquisition unit 61 is configured to display location video information in the video display area 55b of the display 55. The location video information is video information corresponding to the location for which the selection command was received. The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to acquire location video information from the storage device 33 if the location video information is stored in the storage device 33. The video acquisition unit 61 is configured to acquire location video information from the drive recorder 10 if the location video information is not stored in the storage device 33.

[0125] In other words, the user terminal device 50 is configured to display video information corresponding to a point in the video display area 55b when the user selects any point on the route K1 in the route display area 55a.

[0126] In this way, the user terminal device 50 (specifically, the video acquisition unit 61) can acquire location video information not only from the storage device 33 but also from the drive recorder 10. For example, if location video information corresponding to a selection command is not stored in the storage device 33, the user terminal device 50 is configured to receive location video information from the drive recorder 10 via the communication interface 39.

[0127] [1-7. Server equipment and user terminal equipment] The route display device 60 comprises a server device 30 and a user terminal device 50.

[0128] The server device 30 includes a storage device 33 configured to store route information, video information, and event information. The server device 30 also includes a communication interface 39 configured to communicate with the user terminal device 50.

[0129] The user terminal device 50 includes a display 55, a processor 51, a route acquisition unit 62, an input device 57, and a video acquisition unit 61. The user terminal device 50 also includes a communication interface 59 configured to communicate with the server device 30.

[0130] The server device 30 is provided independently of the user terminal device 50.

[0131] The server device 30 is installed in a designated location. This designated location may be far from the user operating the user terminal device 50. Examples of such locations include warehouses and server centers.

[0132] The user terminal device 50 consists of portable devices such as notebook computers and smartphones. Because the user terminal device 50 is portable, its installation location is not fixed. Since the user terminal device 50 is portable, users can use it to view video information at any location.

[0133] Furthermore, the user terminal device 50 is not limited to a portable form, but may be installed in a fixed location. In this case, the server device 30 and the user terminal device 50 may be installed in the same location. Alternatively, the server device 30 and the user terminal device 50 may be installed in different locations.

[0134] [1-8. Effects] As explained above, in the communication system 1, the route display device 60 is configured such that the video acquisition unit 61 of the user terminal device 50 acquires event video information from the storage device 33 of the server device 30 or the event video storage unit 21 of the drive recorder 10. In particular, the video acquisition unit 61 acquires event video information from the drive recorder 10 when event video information is not stored in the storage device 33.

[0135] Therefore, even if the event video information is not stored in the storage device 33 of the server device 30, the route display device 60 can acquire the event video information from the event video storage unit 21 of the drive recorder 10 and display the event video information according to the user's request.

[0136] The route display device 60, equipped with a communication interface 39, can receive at least one of the following from the drive recorder 10: route information, video information, and event information. For example, if event video information corresponding to a selection command is not stored in the storage device 33, the route display device 60 can receive event video information from the drive recorder 10 via the communication interface 39. Also, if location video information corresponding to a selection command is not stored in the storage device 33, the route display device 60 can receive location video information from the drive recorder 10 via the communication interface 39.

[0137] [1-9. Correspondence between terms] Here, we will explain the correspondence between the terms.

[0138] The memory device 33 includes an example of a path memory unit, an example of an image memory unit, and an event An example of a data storage unit corresponds to the following. The display 55 corresponds to an example of an information display unit in this disclosure, and the processor 51 and the path acquisition unit 62 each correspond to an example of an information acquisition unit in this disclosure. The input device 57 corresponds to an example of a command receiving unit in this disclosure, and the processor 51 and the video acquisition unit 61 each correspond to an example of a video acquisition unit in this disclosure. The communication interface 39 corresponds to an example of a communication unit in this disclosure.

[0139] The server device 30 corresponds to an example of the first functional unit in this disclosure, and the user terminal device 50 corresponds to an example of the second functional unit in this disclosure.

[0140] The route storage unit 22 corresponds to an example of an in-vehicle route storage unit in this disclosure. The storage device 13 and the event video storage unit 21 each correspond to an example of an in-vehicle video storage unit in this disclosure. The event video storage unit 21 corresponds to an example of an in-vehicle event storage unit in this disclosure. The processor 11 corresponds to an example of an in-vehicle information output unit in this disclosure.

[0141] [2. Other Embodiments] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0142] (a) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the server device 30 and the user terminal device 50 are located in different locations (or in locations far apart from each other) has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the server device 30 and one user terminal device 50 may be located in the same location.

[0143] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the server device 30 is provided independently of the user terminal device 50, but a configuration in which the server device 30 is provided integrally with the user terminal device 50 is also possible.

[0144] (b) The output permission conditions determined by the processor 11 of the drive recorder 10 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. For example, the output permission condition may be set to "valid when the communication speed via the communication interface 19 exceeds a predetermined speed determination value." In this case, the processor 11 outputs video information regardless of the vehicle's status if the communication speed exceeds the speed determination value. In other words, the processor 11 outputs video information in real time if the communication speed exceeds the speed determination value, and prohibits the output of video information if the communication speed does not exceed the speed determination value.

[0145] (c) The user terminal device 50 can be implemented using a mobile terminal device such as a notebook computer or a smartphone. For example, an application program may be installed on the mobile terminal device. This allows the mobile terminal device to perform the functions of a user terminal device.

[0146] Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which a web browser available on a mobile device is used to realize the functionality of a user terminal device. In other words, by displaying the same information as the display 55 described above on the web browser, the mobile device may be made to perform the functionality of a user terminal device.

[0147] (d) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be replaced with a known configuration having a similar function. Also, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, the configuration of the above embodiment At least a portion of the components may be added to or substituted for the configurations of other embodiments described above. Any aspect of the technical concept specified solely by the language of the claims constitutes an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0148] 1...Communication system, 10...Drive recorder, 11...Processor, 13...Storage device, 15...Position detector, 16...Accelerometer, 17...Operation unit, 18...Input interface, 19...Communication interface, 20...Event detection unit, 21...Event video storage unit, 22...Route storage unit, 30...Server device, 31...Processor, 33...Storage device, 39...Communication interface, 50...User terminal device, 51...Processor, 53...Storage device, 55...Display, 55a...Route display area, 55b...Video display area, 55c...Operation area, 57...Input device, 59...Communication interface, 60...Route display device, 61...Video acquisition unit, 62...Route acquisition unit.

Claims

1. A route storage unit configured to store route information representing the vehicle's route recorded by a drive recorder, A video storage unit configured to store video information captured by the drive recorder while driving along the aforementioned route, An event storage unit configured to store event information relating to an event that occurred in the vehicle, wherein the event information includes the time of the event, the location where the event occurred, and identification information of the event. An information display unit configured to display arbitrary information, An information acquisition unit configured to acquire the aforementioned route information and the aforementioned event information, wherein the information acquisition unit is configured to display the aforementioned route and event mark on the information display unit, the event mark is a graphic representing the existence of the aforementioned event, and furthermore, the information acquisition unit is configured to display the event mark at the location where the aforementioned event occurred on the information display unit, A command receiving unit configured to receive selection commands for selecting the aforementioned event marker, A video acquisition unit configured to acquire video information from the video storage unit or the drive recorder, wherein the video acquisition unit is configured to display event video information on the information display unit, the event video information is video information corresponding to the event mark for the selection command, and the video acquisition unit is configured to acquire the event video information from the video storage unit when the event video information is stored in the video storage unit, and to acquire the event video information from the drive recorder when the event video information is not stored in the video storage unit, Equipped with, The command receiving unit is configured to receive commands to select any point along the route, in addition to commands to select the event mark. The video acquisition unit is configured to display location video information on the information display unit, the location video information being video information corresponding to the location for the selection command, and the video acquisition unit is configured to acquire the location video information from the video storage unit when the location video information is stored in the video storage unit, and to acquire the location video information from the drive recorder when the location video information is not stored in the video storage unit. Route display device.

2. A route display device according to claim 1, The aforementioned information display unit is A route display area that displays the aforementioned route based on the aforementioned route information, A video display area for displaying the aforementioned event video information, An operation area that receives operation commands from the user to operate the video displayed in the aforementioned video display area, Equipped with, The information display unit is configured to display the route display area, the video display area, and the operation area on the same screen. The aforementioned operation area is located in the same screen, in an area below the route display area and below the video display area. Route display device.

3. A route display device according to claim 2, The route display area is located to the left of the video display area. The aforementioned route display area displays the route corresponding to the vehicle's movement trajectory from the departure point to the destination, as the aforementioned route. Route display device.

4. A route display device according to claim 3, A communication unit configured to communicate with the drive recorder, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit or receive predetermined information, and the predetermined information includes at least one of the following: the driving route information, the video information, and the event information. Route display device.

5. A route display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A first functional unit comprising the path storage unit, the image storage unit, and the event storage unit, A second functional unit comprising the information display unit, the information acquisition unit, the command reception unit, and the video acquisition unit, Equipped with, The first functional unit is, A first functional communication unit configured to communicate with the second functional unit, comprising a first functional communication unit configured to transmit the route information, video information, and event information, The second functional unit is, A second functional communication unit configured to communicate with the first functional unit, comprising a second functional communication unit configured to receive the route information, video information, and event information, The first functional unit is provided independently of the second functional unit. Route display device.

6. A route display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A drive recorder mounted on the aforementioned vehicle and configured to communicate with the route display device, A communication system equipped with these features.

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