JPH05150314A - On-vehicle photography device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The situation before and after an accident, which can be a powerful evidence for accident handling of a vehicle collision accident, can be recorded with time data, and the evidence that can accurately determine the accident handling can be saved. An imaging device is provided. [Arrangement] Under the control of the CPU 4, the photographing devices 61 to 64 constantly photograph the subjects in the front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is traveling, and record the photographing information in the recording devices 51-54 in an endless state. .. On the other hand, the acceleration sensor 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle 1 and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle 1.
And 3 are detected. When the detected acceleration value becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the CPU 4 determines that a collision accident has occurred, continues the shooting / recording operation, and then stops the operation until a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, the recording devices 51-
At 54, the situation before and after the collision accident is properly recorded and left.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted image capturing apparatus, and more particularly to a vehicle-mounted image capturing apparatus which captures and records the situation of a vehicle collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, the number of traffic accidents is increasing, and it often takes a long time to find out the accident situation of a traffic accident. However, in order to perform such a ground inspection reasonably and objectively. There is a lack of suitable means for

By the way, as an object for photographing a car, there is one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-217027. This automobile image pickup device divides an image pickup area including a subject and provides a plurality of image pickup means for picking up each divided area, and the end of each divided area overlaps with another adjacent divided area. In this way, it is configured so that the imaging target portion can be imaged with high resolution.

That is, in the case of this publication, specifically, a plurality of photographing means are used to photograph an important photographing portion such as the number plate of an automobile at a high resolution from a fixed place near the road. Only.

[0005]

However, in the case of this publication, although it may be effective in photographing the number plate, it is almost useful in photographing the situation of a vehicle collision or rear-end collision. It does not contain any of the components that it exerts.

Therefore, when a traffic accident such as a collision or a rear-end collision occurs, it is unsuitable for taking a proof photograph of the accident situation.

In such accident handling of traffic accidents, photographs and images that are evidences of the situation before and after the occurrence of the accident are important for inspection (judgment) of the accident situation and judgment of the presence or absence of negligence accompanying it. Can be a decisive factor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The first object of the present invention is to record an accident situation at the time of a collision, which can be used as accurate judgment evidence of accident processing. An object is to provide a vehicle-mounted photographing device.

The second object of the present invention is to provide more reliable evidence that the date and time of the accident can be recorded together with the record of the accident situation at the time of the collision. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted image capturing device that can be used.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle image pickup apparatus capable of recording not only an accident situation after a collision but also a situation before the accident.

[0011]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the first object, a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on the vehicle to individually detect lateral and longitudinal accelerations of the vehicle, and a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on the vehicle while the vehicle is operating are always in front of and behind the vehicle. A plurality of image capturing devices for individually and continuously capturing left and right directions, and endless recording information of the vehicle left and right and front and rear directions, which are mounted on the vehicle and are recorded on the recording medium by the image capturing device, respectively. A recording device, and a control unit for causing the recording device to stop recording the photographing information of the photographing device after a predetermined time has elapsed from when the output of each acceleration sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined level. It is characterized by.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the date and time are simultaneously recorded when the photographing information is recorded. ..

In order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control means is controlled by each of the photographing devices before and after the time when the output of the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined level. It is characterized in that the photographing information to be output is controlled to be recorded in the recording device.

[0014]

Each of the photographing devices in the vehicle-mounted photographing device configured as described above continuously photographs the subject in the front, rear, left and right directions of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, and outputs the photographing information to the recording device. The recording device records the photographing information output from the photographing device on a recording medium in an endless manner, and when a predetermined amount of photographing information is recorded, records the new photographing information while sequentially deleting the previously recorded photographing information. I will do it.

On the other hand, the acceleration sensor constantly detects the longitudinal and lateral accelerations of the vehicle, and when the detection output of the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined level, the control means that detects it detects a collision or rear-end collision of the vehicle. When it is determined that a traffic accident has occurred and a predetermined time has elapsed from that point, the recording operation of the recording device is stopped.

Further, the recording device records the date and time at the same time as the recording of the photographing information output from the photographing device so that the accident situation and the date when the accident occurs can be stored as evidence.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle-mounted image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a vehicle, and acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are arranged inside a hood 1a of the vehicle 1, that is, at predetermined positions in an engine room.

The acceleration sensor 2 detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle 1, that is, the acceleration in the traveling direction x or the backward direction,
The acceleration sensor 3 detects the acceleration in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, that is, the direction y perpendicular to the traveling direction x.

The detection outputs of these acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are output to the CPU 4 as a control means. When the detection output of the acceleration sensor 2 or 3 exceeds a predetermined level, the CPU 4 determines that a collision or a rear-end collision has occurred in the vehicle 1 and, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. It is designed to control the operation stop.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the recording device 5 includes four recording devices 51 to 54 and a date recording device 5.
It is composed of T and T. These recording devices 51 to 54
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording medium of the date recording apparatus 5T records information in an endless manner.

3A shows a recording medium of the date recording device 5T, and FIGS. 3B and 3D show the recording device 5T.
1, 52 and 54 recording media are shown. All of these are addresses "1" to "n", and are recorded endlessly in the direction of the dashed arrow in the figure. When the address "n" is recorded, the previous recorded contents are erased and new recording is performed. It indicates that the contents are recorded in the direction from the address "1" to the address "n".

Photographing information photographed by the photographing devices 61 to 64 is recorded in these recording devices 51 to 54, respectively, and these photographing devices 61 to 64 are, as shown in FIG. A video camera or the like is used so as to photograph a predetermined range in the front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle 1 and is mounted at predetermined positions on the front-rear and left-right sides of the vehicle 1, respectively.

That is, the photographing device 61 is arranged in front of the engine room or the like to photograph the front of the vehicle 1, and the photographing device 62 is attached to the left door or the like to photograph the left direction of the vehicle 1. A photographing device 63 (not shown in FIG. 1) is arranged on a door on the right side of the vehicle 1 for photographing the right side of the vehicle 1, and the photographing device 64 is arranged behind the vehicle 1. It is arranged near the back number plate in order to photograph.

A date generator 7 is mounted on a predetermined portion of the vehicle 1 and outputs date and time data to a date recording device 5T in the recording device 5 so that the date and time are constantly recorded. Recording is performed by the device 5T.

The operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, when the engine of the vehicle 1 starts to operate in step S1 and the vehicle enters a traveling state, the present device is activated, and
2, the acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are in the operating state, the acceleration sensor 2 is in a state capable of detecting the acceleration in the traveling direction x of the vehicle 1, and the acceleration sensor 3 is in the traveling direction x of the vehicle 1.
Acceleration in the direction y perpendicular to
The detection outputs of these acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are sent to the CPU 4.

Next, in step S3, the photographing devices 61 to 6
Turn 4 on. That is, the photographing devices 61 to 64 start the photographing operation at the same time when the vehicle 1 starts traveling. The image capturing device 61 captures an image of the front of the vehicle 1, and the image capturing devices 62 and 6
3 photographs the left direction and the right direction of the vehicle 1, respectively, and the photographing device 64 photographs the background of the vehicle 1.

In step S4, the recording device 5 is activated, and the recording devices 51 to 54 are put into the recordable state on the recording medium in the endless state as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) to 3 (d). ..

The date generator 7 keeps time regardless of whether the vehicle 1 is started or stopped, and the date recorder 5T in the recorder 5 is shown in FIG. 3A at the same time when the engine is started in step S1. In the endless state, the date on which the vehicle 1 travels and the time that changes momentarily can be recorded on the recording medium.

Next, in the processing step, the processing shifts from step S4 to step S5, and in step S5,
Each of the recording devices 51 to 54 in the recording device 5 is controlled by the CPU 4.
And the address number i of the 5T recording medium is set to "1", and the process proceeds to the next step S6. In step S6, the threshold flags of the acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are set to "0", and the processes of the following steps S7 to S10 are performed simultaneously.

That is, in step S7, the photographing device 61
The shooting information Im1-data obtained by shooting in (1) is recorded in the recording medium of the recording device 51.

Similarly, in the same manner, the photographing information Im on the left side of the vehicle 1 obtained by photographing with the photographing device 62 in step S8.
2-data is recorded on the recording medium of the recording device 52, and the vehicle 1 photographed by the photographing device 64 in step S9.
The shooting information Im4-data behind is recorded on the recording medium of the recording device 54.

In FIG. 4, the system of the photographing device 63 and the recording device 53 is not shown, but the photographing information Im3-data of the recording device 63 is the same as the above, and the recording medium of the recording device 53 is the same. Needless to say, it will be recorded in.

Further, subsequently, in step S10, the time information that changes from moment to moment in the date generating device 7, that is, the date and time information Time-data is also recorded in the date recording device 5T.

In this manner, the address numbers of the recording media of the recording devices 51 to 54 and the recording media of the date recording device 5T are sequentially added as "1", "2" ... "n" as the vehicle 1 continues to travel. And record.

Then, in step S11, the CPU 4
The address number i of the recording medium of each of the recording devices 51 to 54 and 5T is compared with the recordable address number n (final address number). That is, it is determined whether or not the recording position of each recording medium has reached the last position of the storage capacity.

As a result of this judgment, when the address number i reaches the final number n, that is, when it is judged that i ≧ n, from the YES side of step S11 to step S11.
The process proceeds to step 12, the address number i of the recording medium of each of the recording devices 51 to 54 and the date recording device 5T is set to "0", and the process proceeds to the next step S13.

If the result of the above judgment is not i ≧ n in step S11, NO in step S11.
Then, the processing routine branches off and jumps to step S13.

In step S13, the acceleration sensor 2,
If the CPU 4 determines that the threshold value flag of the acceleration sensors 2 and 3 is “0”, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14, and as a result of the determination in step S13, If it is determined that the threshold flag of the acceleration sensor 3 is not "0",
From the NO side of step S13, jump to step S18.

In step S14, the CPU 4 determines whether the data S1-data output from the acceleration sensor 2 is larger than a predetermined threshold value C1. If the result of this determination is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle 1 has collided with the preceding vehicle or has been collided with the following vehicle, and the process proceeds from the YES side of step S14 to step S16.

In step S14, if the data S1-data output from the acceleration sensor 2 is smaller than the threshold value C1, it is determined that the collision does not occur, and the data S2-data output from the acceleration sensor 3 this time.
In order to determine whether or not is greater than the threshold value C2, the process proceeds from the NO side of step S14 to step S15.

In step S15, when the CPU 4 determines that the data S2-data output from the acceleration sensor 3 is larger than the threshold value C2, the left side or the right side of the vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle or another vehicle. Judge
From the YES side of step S15, the process proceeds to step S16.

Contrary to the above, the result of the judgment in step S15 is the data S2-d output from the acceleration sensor 3.
When ata is equal to or less than the threshold value C2, it is determined that there is no collision and is normal, and the process proceeds from the NO side of step S15 to step S19.

In step S19, the recording devices 51 to 51
54 and the address number i of the recording medium of the date recording device 5T are incremented by "+1", and the process returns to step S7.
Address number i + 1 of the recording medium of the recording devices 51 to 54
Then, the next photographing information obtained by photographing with the photographing devices 61 to 64 is recorded, and the time counted by the date generating device 7 is recorded in the address number i + 1 of the recording medium of the date recording device 5T.

On the other hand, when the CPU 4 determines in step S14 that the data S1-data output from the acceleration sensor 2 is larger than the threshold value C1, or step S15.
The data S2-data output from the acceleration sensor 3 at
Is larger than the threshold value C2, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 1 has a collision accident. In step S16, the CPU 4 sets k = 0 as the waiting time process, and then executes step S17. And proceed to C in step S17.
The PU 4 sets the threshold flags of the acceleration sensors 2 and 3 to "1", and proceeds to the next step S18.

In this step S18, k is compared with C3 corresponding to the waiting time, and if k ≧ C3, the processing is terminated and the YES side of step S18 is followed by step S2.
Go to 1. In step S20, the photographing operation of the photographing devices 61 to 64 is stopped. With this,
The recording operation of the photographing information of the recording devices 51 to 54 is also stopped.

At the same time when this recording operation is stopped, step S
At step 21, the operations of the acceleration sensors 2 and 3 are also stopped, and a series of processing is ended (S22).

FIG. 5 shows a timing chart from immediately before the occurrence of the collision accident to recording on the recording devices 51 to 54 and the date recording device 5T after the occurrence of the collision accident until the recording is stopped on the recording medium. FIG. 5A shows a data recording mat of the recording medium of the date recording device 5T.
(B) to (d) of FIG.
54 shows a data recording mat of each recording medium 54.

In FIG. 5, a collision accident occurs at the address number j of these recording media, the data output from the acceleration sensor 2 or 3 becomes large, and the threshold value C1 or C
More than 2, the address number C3 of each recording medium is recorded, and at this address number C3, as shown in FIG. 5A, the time information of the date generating device 7 and the photographing devices 61 to 61 are recorded. Recording of shooting information from 64 is stopped.

That is, the recording area A in FIG. 5 is the recording before the collision, and the area B stores the time information up to C3 corresponding to the waiting time after the collision accident and the photographing information.

In step S18, k ≧
If not C3, the processing routine branches from NO in step S18, proceeds to step S22, sets k + 1 in step S22, and proceeds to step S19.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the vehicle 1 is provided with the acceleration sensor 2 for detecting the longitudinal acceleration and the acceleration sensor 3 for detecting the lateral acceleration, and the vehicle 1 can be operated in the longitudinal direction. The subject in the left-right direction is photographed by the photographing devices 61 to 64, the photographing information is recorded in the recording devices 51 to 54, and date and time information is further generated in the date generating device 7 and recorded in the date recording device 5T. Since the recording is stopped when the output of the sensors 2 and 3 exceeds a predetermined level and a predetermined time has elapsed, the accident situation before and after the collision can be recorded, and the accuracy of the processing after the accident can be accurately recorded. It has the advantage that various evidences can be obtained and it leads to early resolution of post-processing.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, although the above-mentioned photographing devices 61 to 64 have been described by taking the video camera as an example, the lens optical system and the CCD may be used as the image pickup device. A RAM or the like is suitable for each of the recording devices 51 to 54 and the date recording device 5T.

Further, the number of acceleration sensors is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided.

[0056]

As described above in detail, according to the invention described in claim 1, while the vehicle is traveling in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the photographing device constantly photographs and continuously records the photographing information in the recording device. At the same time, the front and rear and left and right accelerations of the vehicle are detected by the acceleration sensor, and when the output of the acceleration sensor becomes a predetermined level or more, the control means stops the recording operation to the recording device after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point. Therefore, it is possible to record the situation at the time of a collision accident and use it as an accurate proof of the determination of the post-processing of the accident, and to provide a vehicle-mounted imaging device that can contribute to a prompt resolution of the post-processing. can do.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the date and time are recorded together with the photographing information photographed by the photographing device in the recording device, the detailed time at the time of the accident occurs. It is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted photographing device that can know

According to the third aspect of the invention, the photographing information output from each of the photographing devices before and after the time when the output of the acceleration sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined level is recorded in the recording device. Since it is controlled by the control means, not only the situation after the occurrence of the accident, but also the situation before the occurrence of the accident, that is, the circumstances that triggered the accident are recorded in detail, and it is extremely important for accident inspection. It is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted photographing device capable of recording useful evidence.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a vehicle-mounted image pickup apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a vehicle-mounted image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a format of a recording medium of the recording device in the vehicle-mounted photographing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the vehicle-mounted image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of information recording of the recording device of the vehicle-mounted photographing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vehicle 2,3 Acceleration Sensor 4 CPU 5,51-54 Recording Device 5T Date Recording Device 61-64 Imaging Device 7 Date Generation Device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Taku Sasaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on a vehicle for individually detecting accelerations in the left-right and front-rear directions of the vehicle, and a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted in the vehicle and continuously operating in the front-rear, left-right direction of the vehicle at all times during operation of the vehicle. A plurality of image capturing devices for capturing images, and a recording device mounted on the vehicle for endlessly recording, in a recording medium, image capturing information in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction of the vehicle captured by the image capturing device; An in-vehicle device, comprising: a control unit for stopping the recording of the photographing information of each of the photographing devices with respect to the recording device after a predetermined time elapses from the time when the output of the acceleration sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Imaging device. 2. The vehicle-mounted image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein each of the recording devices is configured to simultaneously record a date and a time when the image pickup information is recorded. 3. The control means is configured to control the recording device to record the photographing information output from each of the photographing devices before and after the time when the output of the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined level. The vehicle-mounted image pickup device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.