JP7736127B2 - Vehicle recording control device and vehicle recording control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle recording control device and a vehicle recording control method.

In the event of a vehicle accident, a technology is known that converts the imaging range of a small number of imaging devices installed in the vehicle to both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and records vehicle driving information and accident damage information before and after the accident (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, when an accident occurs, an impact detection signal is input to a single-axis CCD camera that rotates horizontally, the CCD camera instantly flips back toward the interior of the vehicle, and a set number of images from the interior of the vehicle are captured and recorded.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-293271

In recent years, two rotating cameras have been installed at the front and rear of vehicles. It is desirable to use these two rotating cameras so that when one camera rotates, the other camera can record the blind spot of the other camera.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable the situation in one camera's blind spot to be properly recorded when the other camera is rotating.

To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the recording control device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a video data acquisition unit that acquires video data captured by a first camera and a second camera that can capture images in different directions of a vehicle; a camera rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the first camera; a recording control unit that, when the camera rotation detection unit detects rotation of the first camera, records camera rotation recording data that causes the second camera to capture video in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera; and a rotation operation control unit that, when the camera rotation detection unit detects rotation of the first camera, automatically rotates the second camera in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera.

The recording control method executed by the recording control device according to the present invention includes the steps of detecting rotation of a first camera, recording camera rotation recording data in which the second camera captures an image in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera when rotation of the first camera is detected, and automatically rotating the second camera in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera when rotation of the first camera is detected.

This invention has the advantage that the blind spot of one camera can be properly recorded when the other camera is rotating.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle-mounted recording device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle recording control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the control of the rotational movement control unit according to the first embodiment during asymmetric normal driving. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the angles of view overlap within a predetermined range in symmetric control by the rotational motion control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an automatic complementary rotation state of the second camera in the target control of the rotation operation control section according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the vehicle recording control device according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the angles of view approach each other within a predetermined range in symmetric control by the rotational operation control unit according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an automatic complementary rotation state of the second camera in the symmetric control of the rotation operation control section according to the first modified example of the first embodiment.

The following describes in detail embodiments of a vehicle recording control device, a vehicle recording device, a vehicle recording control method, and a program according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
[First embodiment]
<Configuration of Vehicle Recording Device 10>
1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle recording device 10 according to a first embodiment. When the vehicle recording device 10 detects rotation of the first camera 200, it rotates the second camera 210 in a direction that is outside the field of view of the first camera 200 and in a blind spot, and records recording data at the time of camera rotation based on the video data of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210.

The vehicle recording device 10 is a so-called drive recorder. In addition to being installed in the vehicle, the vehicle recording device 10 may also be a portable device that can be used in the vehicle. The vehicle recording device 10 includes a first camera 200, a second camera 210, a microphone 220, a recording unit 230, an operation unit 240, a display unit 250, a speaker 260, an acceleration sensor 270, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 280, a rotation unit 290, and a vehicle recording control device 100.

The first camera 200 is a camera that captures images in front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the first camera 200 is described as a single camera facing in one direction forward of the vehicle, but a group of multiple cameras may also be used. The first camera 200 is disposed, for example, in a position in the front of the vehicle interior where it can capture images in front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the first camera 200 continuously captures images while the vehicle's accessory power is ON. When the accessory power is OFF, in other words, while the vehicle is parked, the first camera 200 may have a parking monitoring mode in which an event related to the vehicle is detected by an arbitrary sensor and video recording begins upon detection, or the first camera 200 may continuously capture images as long as there is sufficient power available for operation. The first camera 200 outputs the captured video data to the video data acquisition unit 120 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The video data is, for example, a moving image composed of images at 30 frames per second.

The second camera 210 is a camera that captures the rear of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the second camera 210 is described as a single camera facing in one direction toward the rear of the vehicle, but a group of multiple cameras may also be used. The second camera 210 is positioned, for example, at the rear of the vehicle's interior in a position that allows it to capture the rear of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the second camera 210 continuously captures video while the vehicle's accessory power is ON. When the accessory power is OFF, in other words, while the vehicle is parked, the second camera 210 may have a parking monitoring mode in which an event related to the vehicle is detected by an optional sensor and video capture begins upon detection, or the second camera 210 may continuously capture video as long as there is sufficient operating power. A detailed description of the parking monitoring mode is omitted, but the optional sensor, the first camera 200, and the second camera 210 may operate in conjunction with each other. The second camera 210 outputs the captured video data to the video data acquisition unit 120 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The video data is a moving image consisting of, for example, 30 frames per second.

The microphone 220 collects audio data from within the vehicle's cabin. For example, the microphone 220 is disposed within the housing that constitutes the vehicle recording device 10. The microphone 220 may also be disposed near a display unit (not shown) of another in-vehicle navigation system. The microphone 220 outputs the collected audio data from within the vehicle's cabin to the audio data acquisition unit 121.

Here, the vehicle recording device 10 may be equipped with a second microphone (not shown) that acquires audio data of audio outside the vehicle cabin. Multiple second microphones may be arranged. For example, the second microphone may be arranged near the driver's door mirror, near the driver's door, on the vehicle's front bumper, or on the vehicle's front grille. The second microphone may output the acquired outside-vehicle audio data to the audio data acquisition unit 121.

The recording unit 230 is used for temporary storage of data in the vehicle recording device 10. The recording unit 230 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a memory card. The recording unit 230 may also be an external recording unit that is wirelessly connected via a communication device (not shown). The recording unit 230 records event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data based on a control signal output from the recording control unit 124 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

The operation unit 240 can accept various operations for the vehicle recording device 10. For example, the operation unit 240 can accept an operation to manually record captured video data in the recording unit 230. For example, the operation unit 240 can accept an operation to play back event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data recorded in the recording unit 230. For example, the operation unit 240 can accept an operation to erase event recording data or camera rotation recording data recorded in the recording unit 230. For example, the operation unit 240 can accept an operation to end loop recording. The operation unit 240 outputs operation information to the operation control unit 126 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

The display unit 250 may be, for example, a display device specific to the vehicle recording device 10, or a display device shared with other systems including a navigation system. The display unit 250 may be, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The display unit 250 displays video based on a video signal output from the display control unit 127 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The display unit 250 displays video captured by the first camera 200, video captured by the second camera 210, or video recorded in the recording unit 230.

The speaker 260 may, for example, be an audio output device specific to the vehicle recording device 10, or an audio output device shared with other systems, including a navigation system. The speaker 260 outputs audio based on an audio signal output from the audio output control unit 128 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The speaker 260 outputs audio from within the vehicle cabin acquired using the microphone 220, or audio from outside the vehicle cabin acquired using a second microphone.

The acceleration sensor 270 is a sensor that detects acceleration applied to the vehicle. The acceleration sensor 270 outputs the detection results to the event detection unit 129 of the vehicle recording control device 100. The acceleration sensor 270 is a sensor that detects acceleration in, for example, three axial directions. The three axial directions are the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the vehicle. Impacts to the vehicle can be detected based on the acceleration in the three axial directions.

The GPS receiver 280 receives radio waves from GPS satellites (not shown). The GPS receiver 280 outputs the received radio wave signal to the location information acquisition unit 130 of the vehicle recording control device 100.

The rotation unit 290 receives a rotation signal from the rotation operation control unit 132 and automatically rotates each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210. Here, the rotation unit 290 automatically rotates each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 in the left-right direction, which is the horizontal direction. However, this is not limited to this. The rotation unit 290 may also rotate each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 in the up-down direction. In particular, the rotation unit 290 may rotate each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 on a plane that intersects with the vertical direction. The first camera 200 and the second camera 210 may also be rotatable by manual operation, regardless of the rotation signal from the rotation operation control unit 132.

The rotation unit 290 transmits a rotation operation signal for each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 to the camera rotation detection unit 131. Here, the first camera 200 receives a rotation signal from the rotation operation control unit 132 and rotates automatically by the rotation unit 290. However, this is not limited to this. The first camera 200 may be rotated manually by the driver using the rotation unit 290. Note that in the embodiment, the second camera 210 is described as being automatically rotatable using the rotation unit 290 and not being manually rotated by the driver.
<Configuration of the vehicle recording control device 100>
The vehicle recording control device 100 is an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The vehicle recording control device 100 loads a stored program into memory and executes the instructions contained in the program. The vehicle recording control device 100 also includes internal memory (not shown) that is used for temporary storage of data in the vehicle recording control device 100.

The vehicle recording control device 100 has a video data acquisition unit 120, an audio data acquisition unit 121, a buffer memory 122, a video data processing unit 123, a recording control unit 124, a playback control unit 125, an operation control unit 126, a display control unit 127, an audio output control unit 128, an event detection unit 129, a position information acquisition unit 130, a camera rotation detection unit 131, and a rotation operation control unit 132, all connected to the bus 110.

The video data acquisition unit 120 acquires video data captured around the vehicle. More specifically, the video data acquisition unit 120 acquires the video data output by the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 and outputs it to the buffer memory 122.

The audio data acquisition unit 121 acquires audio data, which is audio from inside the vehicle's cabin. The audio data acquisition unit 121 acquires outside-cabin audio data, which is audio from outside the vehicle's cabin. More specifically, the audio data acquisition unit 121 acquires inside-cabin audio data and outside-cabin audio data from the microphone 220 and the second microphone, and outputs them to the buffer memory 122.

The buffer memory 122 is an internal memory provided in the vehicle recording control device 100, and is a memory that temporarily stores, while updating, a certain amount of video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit 120. The buffer memory 122 is a memory that temporarily stores, while updating, a certain amount of audio data acquired by the audio data acquisition unit 121.

The video data processing unit 123 converts the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122 into an arbitrary file format, such as MP4 format, encoded using an arbitrary codec, such as H.264 or MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group). The video data processing unit 123 generates files of video data for a certain period of time from the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122. As a specific example, the video data processing unit 123 generates one file of 60 seconds of video data in recording order from the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 122. The video data processing unit 123 outputs the generated video data to the recording control unit 124. The video data processing unit 123 also outputs the generated video data to the display control unit 127. The period of the video data generated as a file is set to 60 seconds as an example, but is not limited to this. The video data referred to here may be data that includes not only the video captured by the first camera 200, but also the video captured by the second camera 210 and the audio picked up by the microphone 220.

The recording control unit 124 controls the recording unit 230 to record the video data filed by the video data processing unit 123. During the period when loop recording processing is being performed, such as when the vehicle's accessory power is ON, the recording control unit 124 records the video data filed by the video data processing unit 123 as overwritable loop recording data on the recording unit 230. More specifically, during the period when loop recording processing is being performed, the recording control unit 124 continues to record the video data generated by the video data processing unit 123 on the recording unit 230, and when the capacity of the recording unit 230 becomes full, it overwrites the oldest video data with new video data.

In addition, when the event detection unit 129 detects an event related to the vehicle, the recording control unit 124 records non-overwritable event recording data based on the video data and audio data inside the vehicle cabin in the recording unit 230. Note that the recording control unit 124 may also record non-overwritable event recording data based on audio data outside the vehicle cabin in addition to the video data and audio data inside the vehicle cabin.

Furthermore, when the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects rotation of the first camera 200, the recording control unit 124 records camera rotation recording data based on the video data. The camera rotation recording data is created by having the second camera 210 capture video in a blind spot outside the field of view of the first camera 200. The camera rotation recording data also includes video captured by the first camera 200. Note that the recording control unit 124 may record camera rotation recording data based on outside-cabin audio data in addition to the video data.

The playback control unit 125 plays back the selected event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data. The playback control unit 125 controls the playback of the event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data recorded in the recording unit 230 based on the control signals for the selection operation and playback operation output from the operation control unit 126.

The operation control unit 126 acquires operation information for operations accepted by the operation unit 240. For example, the operation control unit 126 acquires save operation information indicating a manual save operation for video data, selection operation information indicating a selection operation for video data, playback operation information indicating a playback operation for video data, or deletion operation information indicating a deletion operation for video data, and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation control unit 126 acquires end operation information indicating an operation to end loop recording, and outputs a control signal.

The display control unit 127 controls the display of video data on the display unit 250 based on a control signal from the playback control unit 125. The display control unit 127 outputs a video signal that causes the video data to be output to the display unit 250. More specifically, the display control unit 127 causes the display unit 250 to display the video captured by the first camera 200, the video captured by the second camera 210, or the event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data recorded in the recording unit 230 that is played back by the playback control unit 125.

The audio output control unit 128 outputs an audio signal that causes audio data corresponding to the selected event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data to be output from the speaker 260. Based on the control signals for the selection operation and playback operation output from the operation control unit 126, the audio output control unit 128 outputs an audio signal that causes audio data corresponding to the event recording data, loop recording data, or camera rotation recording data recorded in the recording unit 230 to be output from the speaker 260.

The event detection unit 129 detects events for the vehicle. The event detection unit 129 can detect events for the vehicle in any manner, for example, events detected by any sensor. As an example, the event detection unit 129 detects events based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 270. In this case, the event detection unit 129 detects an event when acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 270 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The acceleration detected by the event detection unit 129 as an event is set to a threshold that allows detection of an impact to the vehicle, such as a collision accident.

The location information acquisition unit 130 calculates the current location information of the vehicle using a known method based on the radio waves received by the GPS receiving unit 280. When the event detection unit 129 detects an event, the location information calculated by the location information acquisition unit 130 is recorded together with the event recording data. When the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects the rotation of the first camera 200, the location information calculated by the location information acquisition unit 130 is recorded together with the camera rotation recording data.

The camera rotation detection unit 131 detects the rotation state of each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210. The method by which the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects the rotation state of each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 is arbitrary, but as an example, the rotation state of each of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 is detected based on detecting the relative rotational position between the first camera 200 or the second camera 210 and the main body of the vehicle recording device 10 using an encoder built into the rotation unit 290.

The rotation operation control unit 132 controls the rotation unit 290, which rotates the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 of the vehicle recording device 10. In this embodiment, the rotation operation control unit 132 outputs a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290 of the first camera 200 or the second camera 210, causing the rotation unit 290 to rotate.

Specifically, when the driver instructs the first camera 200 to rotate, the rotation operation control unit 132 rotates the first camera 200 to the side of the driver or toward the rear of the vehicle. When the driver's operation to instruct the rotation operation of the first camera 200 ends, the rotation operation control unit 132 rotates the first camera 200 back toward the front.

When the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects a rotation of the first camera 200, the rotation operation control unit 132 automatically rotates the second camera 210 to a blind spot outside the field of view of the first camera 200. When the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the first camera has finished rotating and has returned to its original state of capturing images of the front, the rotation operation control unit 132 rotates the second camera 210 to automatically return to its original state of capturing images of the rear of the vehicle.

Here, the rotation operation control unit 132 rotates the second camera 210 in the same phase direction as the first camera 200. The rotation operation control unit 132 outputs a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290 of the first camera 200 or the second camera 210, and rotates each of the first camera 200 or the second camera 210 on a plane intersecting with the vertical direction. Note that the plane intersecting with the vertical direction is mainly a horizontal plane, but may also be an inclined plane inclined with respect to the vertical direction.
<Information processing in the vehicle recording control device 100>
Next, the processing flow in the vehicle recording control device 100 will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the vehicle recording control device 100 according to the first embodiment. Here, the case of performing loop recording processing to detect first camera rotation will be described. Detection of other events during loop recording processing is well known technology, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle recording control device 100 starts first camera rotation detection and loop recording (step S101). The vehicle recording control device 100 generates loop recording data for each video of a predetermined period from the video data stored in the buffer memory 122 using the video data processing unit 123. The vehicle recording control device 100 causes the recording control unit 124 to record the loop recording data in the recording unit 230. The vehicle recording control device 100 proceeds to step S102. The data to be loop recorded is video data captured by the first camera 200 and the second camera 210. Audio data may also be included in addition to the video data. In addition to the video data, audio data outside the vehicle cabin captured by the second microphone is included, but audio data inside the vehicle cabin captured by the microphone 220 may not be included in the loop recording for privacy reasons.

The vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 has detected rotation of the first camera 200 (step S102). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 uses the camera rotation detection unit 131 to detect rotation of the first camera when the driver issues a command to rotate the first camera 200 to the rotation control unit 132 and the rotation unit 290 rotates the first camera 200. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects rotation of the first camera 200 (Yes in step S102), the vehicle recording control device 100 proceeds to step S103. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 does not detect rotation of the first camera 200 (No in step S102), the vehicle recording control device 100 proceeds to step S108.

If the rotation of the first camera 200 is detected (Yes in step S102), the vehicle recording control device 100 records camera rotation recording data based on the video data captured by the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 (step S103). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 uses the video data processing unit 123 to generate, from the loop-recorded video data recorded in the recording unit 230, video data covering a period from the detection of the rotation of the first camera 200 to the end of the rotation of the first camera 200 as camera rotation recording data. Since the processing of step S103 begins when the answer is Yes in step S102, it continues until the end of step S107. In other words, the camera rotation recording data is image data captured when the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 are rotated. The vehicle recording control device 100 uses the recording control unit 124 to record the camera rotation recording data in the recording unit 230. The vehicle recording control device 100 proceeds to step S104.

The vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range (step S104). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 first detects, via the camera rotation detection unit 131, a first camera rotation state in which the driver issues a command to rotate the first camera 200 to the rotation operation control unit 132 and the rotation unit 290 rotates the first camera 200. Next, the vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of the first camera 200, which has been rotated based on the driver's rotation command, and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 of the vehicle recording control device 100 detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range (Yes in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 of the vehicle recording control device 100 does not detect that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range (No in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106.

Here, control during normal driving that is not related to the rotational operation of the rotational operation control unit 132 and the camera rotation detection unit 131 will be described below. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing control during normal driving that is not related to the rotational operation of the rotational operation control unit 132 and the camera rotation detection unit 131 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the first camera 200 is positioned at the front of the cabin of vehicle A in a position that allows it to capture images of the area in front of vehicle A, and has a viewing angle W1 facing the front of vehicle A. The second camera 210 is positioned at the rear of the cabin of vehicle A in a position that allows it to capture images of the area behind vehicle A, and has a viewing angle W2 facing the rear of vehicle A.

Next, the state in which the angles of view of the rotational movement control unit 132 and the camera rotation detection unit 131 overlap within a predetermined range in control related to the rotational movement of the rotational movement control unit 132 and the camera rotation detection unit 131 according to the first embodiment are overlapped within a predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 4, when person P1 approaches vehicle A, the driver instructs the rotational movement control unit 132 to rotate the first camera 200. When the rotational movement of the first camera 200 is detected, the vehicle recording control device 100 sends a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290 via the rotational movement control unit 132, causing the first camera 200 to rotate clockwise as viewed from above on a horizontal plane toward the side where person P1 is located, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. The first camera 200 faces to the side of vehicle A and has a field of view W3 that captures person P1 facing to the side of vehicle A. At this time, the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range θ (≧θ0).

If it is detected that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range (Yes in step S104), the vehicle recording control device 100 automatically performs a complementary rotation of the second camera 210 in a direction that is a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200 using the rotation operation control unit 132 (step S105). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 sends a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290 using the rotation operation control unit 132, and automatically performs a complementary rotation on the horizontal plane of the second camera 210 in a direction that is a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200.

Next, the automatic complementary rotation state of the second camera 210 during the object control of the rotation operation control unit 132 will be described below. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the automatic complementary rotation state of the second camera 210 during the object control of the rotation operation control unit 132 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5 , when it is detected that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range θ (≧θ0), the vehicle recording control device 100 causes the rotation operation control unit 132 to issue a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290, causing the second camera 210 to automatically perform complementary rotation clockwise as viewed from above on a horizontal plane, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, toward a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200. The second camera 210 faces the side opposite to the side toward which the first camera 200 of vehicle A faces, and has a viewing angle W4 that faces to the left of vehicle A to capture person P2. At this time, the camera rotation recording data can record the image captured by the first camera 200 and the image captured by the second camera 210 in a direction that is outside the field of view of the first camera 200 and is in a blind spot.

The vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 has detected the end of the rotation of the first camera 200 (step S106). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 detects the end of the rotation of the first camera 200 using the camera rotation detection unit 131 based on the end of the driver's operation to instruct the first camera 200 to rotate. Here, the end of the driver's operation to instruct the first camera 200 to rotate does not include a temporary stop of the rotation while the first camera 200 is facing in any direction, but rather means that all rotation operations have been completed and the first camera 200 has returned to its original state. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 has detected the end of the rotation of the first camera 200 (Yes in step S106), the vehicle recording control device 100 proceeds to step S107. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 of the vehicle recording control device 100 does not detect the end of the rotation operation of the first camera 200 (No in step S106), the process proceeds to step S104.

If the end of the rotation of the first camera 200 is detected (Yes in step S106), the vehicle recording control device 100 returns to first camera rotation detection and loop recording (step S107). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 uses the rotation operation control unit 132 to issue a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290, causing the first camera 200 to rotate on a horizontal plane toward its original forward orientation. The vehicle recording control device 100 uses the rotation operation control unit 132 to issue a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290, causing the second camera 210 to rotate on a horizontal plane toward its original backward orientation in the same direction as the first camera 200. The vehicle recording control device 100 then uses the recording control unit 124 to stop recording of the camera rotation record data when the first camera 200 and second camera 210 have finished rotating and returned to their original orientations. As a result, the camera rotation recording data also records image data when the first camera 200 and second camera 210 return to their original rotation. The vehicle recording control device 100 then uses the recording control unit 124 to return to recording loop recording data to the recording unit 230. The vehicle recording control device 100 then proceeds to step S108.

If no rotation of the first camera 200 is detected (No in step S102) or if first camera rotation detection and loop recording have been resumed (after the processing of step S107), the vehicular recording control device 100 determines whether to end first camera rotation detection and loop recording (step S108). More specifically, when the operation control unit 126 outputs end operation information, the vehicular recording control device 100 determines to end first camera rotation detection and loop recording (Yes in step S108) and ends the processing. If the operation control unit 126 does not output end operation information, the vehicular recording control device 100 determines not to end first camera rotation detection and loop recording (No in step S108) and executes the processing of step S102 again.
<Effects>
In this way, when the rotational movement of the first camera 200 is detected, camera rotation record data based on the video data of the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 is recorded.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a rotational movement of the first camera 200 is detected, camera rotation recording data captured in the rotational state of the first camera 200 and with the second camera 210 automatically rotated in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200 can be recorded. Therefore, when it is detected that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range, the second camera 210 can be automatically rotated in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200. Furthermore, when the rotational movement of the first camera 200 is completed, the second camera 210 can be rotated back toward its original rearward position.

When the first camera 200 rotates, a large blind spot may be created on the opposite side of the vehicle from which the first camera 200 is facing, potentially resulting in the occurrence of another event. According to this embodiment, when a rotational movement of the first camera 200 is detected, the first camera 200's rotation state and the second camera 210 are automatically rotated in a complementary direction toward the blind spot outside the field of view of the first camera 200 to capture images. This allows for the recording of camera rotation record data based on the video data from the first camera 200 and the second camera 210, with minimal blind spots around the vehicle. According to this embodiment, for example, another event on the opposite side of the vehicle from which the first camera 200 is facing can be recorded by the second camera 210. Furthermore, since image data can be captured using a total of two cameras, the first camera 200 and the second camera 210, high-quality image data with minimal distortion can be recorded using the minimum number of cameras required. Furthermore, when a camera configuration without a fisheye lens is used, image data with minimal distortion can be recorded without special image processing, allowing the image data to be viewed normally without a special viewer application. Furthermore, because the first camera 200 and second camera 210 are rotated via the rotation unit 290, the movement of each camera and the orientation of the lens can be visually confirmed, making it possible to clearly distinguish whether or not a picture is being taken, giving passengers and people being photographed a sense of security when taking pictures.

In this embodiment, the camera rotation detection unit 131 can detect that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range. When the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 overlap within a predetermined range, the rotation operation control unit 132 can automatically perform a complementary rotation of the second camera 210 in a direction that is outside the angle of view of the first camera 200 and creates a blind spot. According to this embodiment, the data recorded when the camera is rotated can record image data with extremely little blind spots around the vehicle even when the camera is rotated.

In this embodiment, the rotation operation control unit 132 can rotate the second camera 210 in the same phase direction as the first camera 200. According to this embodiment, when the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 rotate, the blind spot of the first camera 200 can be captured using image data from the second camera 210. As a result, the parking recording data can record image data with extremely little blind spot around the vehicle even when the vehicle is rotated.

In this embodiment, the rotation operation control unit 132 can rotate the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 on a plane that intersects with the vertical direction. According to this embodiment, the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 can be rotated appropriately on a plane that intersects with the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, when the camera rotation detection unit 131 detects the rotation of the first camera 200, the recording control unit 124 includes the video captured by the second camera 210 in the camera rotation recording data. According to this embodiment, the evidentiary value of the video data recorded when the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 are rotated can be improved.

In this embodiment, the vehicle recording device 10 includes a vehicle recording control device 100, a first camera 200 that captures images in front of the vehicle, a second camera 210 that captures images behind the vehicle, and a recording unit 230 that records recording data when the cameras are rotated. According to this embodiment, the situation when the rotation of the first camera 200 is detected can be appropriately recorded.

In this embodiment, the vehicle recording device 10 is equipped with a rotating unit 290 that rotates the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 on a plane that intersects with the vertical direction. According to this embodiment, audio data within the vehicle cabin when the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 are rotating can also be recorded as image data when the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 are rotating. Furthermore, vehicles mainly vibrate up and down. In contrast, if a rotating unit that rotates the first camera 200 and the second camera 210 on a plane that intersects with the vertical direction is provided, the rotating unit 290 of the vehicle recording device 10 is less susceptible to the effects of the vehicle's vertical vibrations. This makes the rotating unit 290 less susceptible to damage, and the durability of the vehicle recording device 10 can be expected.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the situation from the time when the rotational movement of the first camera 200 is detected can be appropriately recorded.
[First Modification]
The vehicle recording device 10 according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the vehicle recording control device 100 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the angles of view of the two cameras approach each other within a predetermined range during symmetric control by the rotation operation control unit 132 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an automatic complementary rotation state of the second camera 210 during symmetric control by the rotation operation control unit 132 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. The vehicle recording device 10 according to the first modification has a basic configuration similar to that of the vehicle recording device 10 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, components similar to those of the vehicle recording device 10 are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The vehicle recording device 10 according to the first modification differs from the vehicle recording device 10 according to the first embodiment in the rotation operation control unit 132. More specifically, in the vehicular recording device 10 of the first modified example, the process in the vehicular recording control device 100 is replaced by a process in step S204 which is different from step S104 in the vehicular recording device 10 of the first embodiment.
<Information processing in the vehicle recording control device 100>
Following step S103, the vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 has detected that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within a predetermined range (step S204). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device 100 first uses the camera rotation detection unit 131 to detect a first camera rotation state in which the driver issues a command to rotate the first camera 200 to the rotation operation control unit 132 and the rotation unit 290 rotates the first camera 200. Next, the vehicle recording control device 100 determines whether the camera rotation detection unit 131 has detected that the angle of view of the first camera 200, which has been rotated based on the driver's rotation command, and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within a predetermined range. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 of the vehicle recording control device 100 detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within a predetermined range (Yes in step S204), the process proceeds to step S105. If the camera rotation detection unit 131 of the vehicle recording control device 100 does not detect that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within a predetermined range (No in step S204), the process proceeds to step S106.
<Details of the rotational movement control unit 132>
7 , when camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of second camera 210 have become closer within a predetermined range, rotation operation control unit 132 automatically and complementary rotates second camera 210 in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of first camera 200. In Fig. 7 , when it is detected that the angle of view of first camera 200 rotated clockwise as viewed from above and the angle of view of second camera 210 have become closer within a predetermined range (θ1 and θ2 are approximately the same value), rotation operation control unit 132 automatically and complementary rotates second camera 210 in the same phase direction so as to move out of the angle of view of first camera 200, in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of first camera 200.

8, when it is detected that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within the predetermined range shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle recording control device 100 causes the rotation operation control unit 132 to issue a rotation signal to the rotation unit 290, causing the second camera 210 to automatically perform a complementary rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed from above as indicated by the arrow in the figure on a horizontal plane, toward a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200. In particular, when it is detected by the camera rotation detection unit 131 that the angle of view of the rotated first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 are approaching each other within the predetermined range, the rotation operation control unit 132 may automatically perform a complementary rotation of the second camera 210 in the same phase direction so as to move the second camera 210 out of the angle of view of the first camera 200, toward a blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200. Here, the amount of rotation by which second camera 210 automatically rotates complementary may be an amount that maintains a state in which the angles of view of the two cameras are close to each other by a predetermined range, and may be an amount of rotation such that the angle of view on the opposite side of first camera 200 and the angle of view on the opposite side of second camera 210 maintain θ1 ≒ θ2. Second camera 210 faces the side opposite to the side facing first camera 200 of vehicle A, and has a viewing angle W4 that captures images toward the left side of vehicle A. In this case, the data recorded during camera rotation can record images captured by first camera 200 and images captured by second camera 210 in a blind spot outside the angle of view of first camera 200 as video data of a wide area around the vehicle.
<Effects>
In the present embodiment, camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of first camera 200 and the angle of view of second camera 210 become closer within a predetermined range. When camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of first camera 200 and the angle of view of second camera 210 become closer within a predetermined range, rotation operation control unit 132 can automatically perform a complementary rotation of second camera 210 in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of first camera 200. In particular, when camera rotation detection unit 131 detects that the angle of view of first camera 200 and the angle of view of second camera 210 become closer within a predetermined range, rotation operation control unit 132 can automatically perform a complementary rotation of second camera 210 in the same phase direction so as to move second camera 210 out of the angle of view of first camera 200, in a direction that creates a blind spot outside the angle of view of first camera 200. According to this embodiment, when the angle of view of the first camera 200 and the angle of view of the second camera 210 become close, the second camera 210 can rotate to supplement the image data, and the image data captured by the second camera 210 can be clearly recorded by appropriately supplementing the image data in the blind spot outside the angle of view of the first camera 200. This improves the evidentiary value of the data recorded when the camera is rotated.
[others]
The components of the illustrated vehicle recording device 10 are conceptual and functionally conceptual, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of each device may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

The configuration of the vehicle recording device 10 is realized, for example, as software, by a method for operating the vehicle recording device 10 within the vehicle recording device 10, or by a program that is loaded into memory and executed by a computer that operates the vehicle recording device 10. In the above embodiment, these functional blocks are described as being realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various ways, using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

The components described above include those that would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications to the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above example, the first camera 200 installed at the front of the vehicle is the main camera, and the second camera 210 installed at the rear is linked to it. However, the same implementation is possible by switching the roles of the cameras and making the rear camera the main camera. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to cameras with the front-to-rear direction as the specified direction, but can also be applied to cameras facing left and right as specified directions, or to combinations of three or more cameras.

Furthermore, while the embodiments have been described using a drive recorder as an example of recording image data, the present invention can also be applied to cameras used for photographing purposes that do not primarily aim to record data, such as rearview monitors and electronic mirrors.

In the above, the GPS receiver unit 280 receives location information from a positioning system using GPS satellites. However, the GPS receiver unit 280 may also use positioning systems using other satellites or mobile radio networks, such as the Galileo system, Beidou system, or Michibiki system, or a combination of these.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Vehicle recording device 100 Vehicle recording control device 110 Bus 120 Video data acquisition unit 121 Audio data acquisition unit 122 Buffer memory 123 Video data processing unit 124 Recording control unit 125 Playback control unit 126 Operation control unit 127 Display control unit 128 Audio output control unit 129 Event detection unit 130 Position information acquisition unit 131 Camera rotation detection unit 132 Rotation operation control unit 200 First camera 210 Second camera 220 Microphone (microphone)
230 Recording unit 240 Operation unit 250 Display unit 260 Speaker 270 Acceleration sensor 280 GPS receiving unit 290 Rotating unit

Claims (4)

a video data acquisition unit that acquires video data captured by a first camera and a second camera that are installed in the vehicle and can capture images in different directions;
a camera rotation detection unit that detects a rotation operation of the first camera;
a recording control unit that, when the camera rotation detection unit detects a rotational movement of the first camera, records camera rotation record data that causes the second camera to capture an image in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera, and, when the camera rotation detection unit does not detect a rotational movement of the first camera, records overwritable loop record data;
a rotational movement control unit that automatically rotates the second camera in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera when the camera rotation detection unit detects a rotational movement of the first camera;
A recording control device for a vehicle comprising: the camera rotation detection unit detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera and the angle of view of the rotated second camera overlap within a predetermined range;
the rotation operation control unit, when the camera rotation detection unit detects that the angle of view of the rotated first camera and the angle of view of the second camera overlap within a predetermined range, automatically performs a complementary rotation of the second camera in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera;
The recording control device for a vehicle according to claim 1. detecting a rotational movement of the first camera;
a step of recording camera rotation record data when a rotational movement of the first camera is detected, the camera rotation record data being recorded by a second camera to capture an image in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera, and recording overwritable loop record data when a rotational movement of the first camera is not detected;
automatically rotating the second camera in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera when a rotational movement of the first camera is detected;
A recording control method executed by a vehicle recording control device, comprising: a video data acquisition unit that acquires video data captured by a first camera and a second camera that are installed in the vehicle and can capture images in different directions;
a camera rotation detection unit that detects a rotation operation of the first camera;
a recording control unit that, when the camera rotation detection unit detects a rotational movement of the first camera, records camera rotation record data that causes the second camera to capture an image in a direction outside the angle of view of the first camera, and stops recording the camera rotation record data when the rotational movement of the first camera ends and the camera returns to a state in which it captures an image in the original direction;
A recording control device for a vehicle comprising: