Patent Publication Number: US-2021182572-A1

Title: Drive recorder and image storage system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2019/026940 filed on Jul. 8, 2019, which designated the U.S. and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-180371 filed on Sep. 26, 2018. The entire disclosures of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a drive recorder and an image storage system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The drive recorder captures a periphery of a vehicle, generates an image, and stores the image. As a comparative example, the following technology for a drive recorder has been proposed. A removable storage medium is attached to the drive recorder. While the vehicle travels, an image is stored in this storage medium. After the vehicle has finished traveling, the storage medium is removed from the drive recorder, and is inserted into a computer in an office. The image stored in the storage medium is read by the computer in the office. 
     SUMMARY 
     A drive recorder may include: an image generation unit that may capture a periphery of the vehicle, and generate an image; a capture image storage unit that may store the image; a danger pattern classification unit that may associate the image with any of multiple danger patterns; an information transmission unit that may transmit vehicle information including a danger pattern associated with the image and identification information of the vehicle to the management apparatus; an instruction acquisition unit that may acquire a transmission instruction specifying the danger pattern from the management apparatus; and an image transmission unit that may transmit the image to the management apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image storage system; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a controller; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the controller; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing processes executed by a drive recorder; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing processes executed by a management apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is considered that an image stored by a drive recorder is transmitted to an external device via communication. In this case, when all of the images stored by the drive recorder are transmitted, the amount of data of the transmitted images becomes large. A communication charge for transmitting the images becomes high. 
     One example of the present disclosure provides a drive recorder and an image storage system capable of suppressing a data amount of an image storage system transmitted from the drive recorder to a management apparatus and suppressing a communication charge when transmitting the image. 
     According to one example embodiment, a drive recorder is mounted on a vehicle, and communicates a management apparatus. The drive recorder includes: an image generation unit that captures a periphery of the vehicle, and generates an image; a capture image storage unit that stores the image generated by the image generation unit; a danger pattern classification unit that associates the image with any of multiple danger patterns set in advance by analyzing the image generated by the image generation unit; an information transmission unit that transmits vehicle information including a danger pattern associated with the image and identification information of the vehicle to the management apparatus; an instruction acquisition unit that acquires a transmission instruction specifying the danger pattern from the management apparatus; and an image transmission unit that transmits the image that is stored in the capture image storage unit and is associated with the danger pattern specified by the transmission instruction to the management apparatus. 
     According to another example embodiment, the drive recorder transmits the image associated with the danger pattern specified by the transmission instruction to the management apparatus. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the drive recorder may not necessarily transmit all of the images stored in the drive recorder to the management apparatus. As the result, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to suppress the data amount of the image transmitted from the drive recorder to the management apparatus and the communication charge when transmitting the image. 
     According to another example embodiment, the image storage system includes a drive recorder and a management apparatus. The management apparatus includes: a vehicle information storage unit that stores the vehicle information transmitted by the information transmission unit; an instruction transmission unit that transmits the transmission instruction; and a reception image storage unit that stores the image transmitted by the image transmission unit. 
     Exemplary Embodiments of the Present Disclosure Will be Described with Reference to the Drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     1. Configuration of Image Storage System 
     A configuration of an image storage system  1  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image storage system  1  includes a drive recorder  3  and a management apparatus  5 . Although the image storage system  1  includes multiple drive recorders  3 , only one drive recorder  3  is shown in  FIG. 1  for convenience. The multiple drive recorders  3  include the similar configurations, and execute the similar processes. The management apparatus  5  executes the similar process for the multiple drive recorders  3 . 
     (1) Configuration of Drive Recorder 
     The drive recorder  3  is mounted on a vehicle  7 . The drive recorder  3  can communicate with the management apparatus  5  by using a communication device  19  described later. 
     The drive recorder  3  includes a controller  9 , a camera  11 , a sensor group  13 , a first storage  15 , a second storage  17 , and the communication device  19 . 
     The controller  9  includes a microcomputer having a CPU  21  and a semiconductor memory (hereinafter, a memory  23 ) such as a RAM or a ROM, for example. Functions provided by the controller  9  are implemented by the CPU  21  executing a program stored in the non-transitory tangible storage medium. In this example, the memory  23  corresponds to the non-transitory tangible storage medium storing the program. Further, by executing this program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. The controller  9  may include one or more microcomputers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the controller  9  includes an image generation unit  25 , a capture image storage unit  27 , a danger pattern classification unit  29 , a vehicle state information acquisition unit  31 , an information transmission unit  33 , an information acquisition unit  35 , and an image transmission unit  37 . 
     The method of implementing the functions of the respective units included in the controller  9  is not limited to software, and a part or all of the functions thereof may be implemented by using one or multiple hardware circuits. For example, when the above-described functions may be implemented by an electronic circuit which is hardware, the electronic circuit may be implemented by a digital circuit, an analog circuit, or a combination thereof. 
     The camera  11  captures a periphery of the vehicle  7 , and generates the image. The periphery of the vehicle  7  is, for example, the front of the vehicle  7 , the rear, or the side. The generated image is, for example, a movie of which capture time has a predetermined length. 
     The sensor group  13  is a group of sensors that acquire vehicle state information. The vehicle state information is information representing a state of the vehicle  7 . The vehicle state information is, for example, information representing a position of the vehicle  7 , a vehicle speed of the vehicle  7 , a G value of the vehicle  7 , a date and a time point when the vehicle state information is acquired, or the like. 
     The first storage  15  can store the image generated by the camera  11 . The second storage  17  can store the vehicle state information acquired by the sensor group  13 . The communication device  19  can communication device  19  with a communication device  45  that is included in the management apparatus  5  and described later. 
     (2) Configuration of Management Apparatus 
     The management apparatus  5  includes a center  39  and a terminal  41 . The center  39  is fixedly installed outside the vehicle  7 . The center  39  includes a controller  43 , the communication device  45 , a third storage  47 , and a fourth storage  49 . 
     The controller  43  includes a microcomputer having a CPU  51  and a semiconductor memory (hereinafter, a memory  53 ) such as a RAM or a ROM, for example. Functions provided by the controller  43  are implemented by the CPU  51  executing a program stored in the non-transitory tangible storage medium. In this example, the memory  53  corresponds to the non-transitory tangible storage medium storing the program. Further, by executing this program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. The controller  43  may include one or more microcomputers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  43  includes a vehicle information storage unit  55 , an information display unit  57 , an instruction acquisition unit  59 , a transmission instruction generation unit  61 , an instruction transmission unit  63 , and a reception image storage unit  65 . 
     The method of implementing the functions of the respective units included in the controller  43  is not limited to software, and a part or all of the functions thereof may be implemented by using one or a plurality of hardware circuits. For example, when the above-described functions may be implemented by an electronic circuit which is hardware, the electronic circuit may be implemented by a digital circuit, an analog circuit, or a combination thereof. 
     The communication device  45  can communicate with the communication device  19 . The third storage  47  can storage vehicle information that is transmitted from the drive recorder  3  and described later. The fourth storage  49  can store the image transmitted from the drive recorder  3 . 
     The terminal  41  is placed outside the vehicle  7 . The terminal  41  is placed at, for example, a position away from the center  39 . The terminal  41  can communicate with the center  39  via an internet network  67 . The terminal  41  includes a controller  69 , a display portion  71 , an input portion  73 , and a fifth storage  75 . 
     The controller  69  includes a microcomputer. An operation management application is installed in the controller  69 . The controller  69  executes a process described later in accordance with the operation management application. 
     The display portion  71  is a display capable displaying information. The operator  77  can visually recognize the information displayed by the display portion  71 . The input portion  73  receives an input operation by the operator  77 . The input portion  73  is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, various switches, or the like. The fifth storage  75  can store the image or the like. 
     2. Processes Executed by Drive Recorder 
     Processes repeatedly executed by the drive recorder  3  at predetermined time intervals will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . In S 1  of  FIG. 4 , the image generation unit  25  determines whether it is necessary to generate the image. The case where it is necessary to generate the image includes, for example, a case where the G value detected by the sensor group  13  exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or the like. When it is determined that the image generation is necessary, the current process shifts to S 2 . When it is determined the image generation is not necessary, the current process shifts to S 7 . 
     In S 2 , the image generation unit  25  generates the image by using the camera  11 . The generated image is a movie obtained by capturing the periphery of the vehicle  7  for a predetermined time. 
     In S 3 , the capture image storage unit  27  stores the image generated in S 2  in the first storage  15 . 
     In S 4 , the danger pattern classification unit  29  analyzes the image stored in the immediately preceding S 3 , and thereby associates the analyzed image with any of multiple danger patterns set in advance. This process will be specifically described below. 
     The analysis of the image is, for example, a process of recognizing things such as different vehicles, pedestrians, traffic lights, intersections, or traffic signs in then image, and estimating a position of each of the recognized things, a moving direction of each of the recognized things, a movement speed of each of the recognized things, or the like. 
     The drive recorder  3  stores the multiple danger patterns in advance. The danger pattern is, for example, a danger pattern in which the pedestrian runs out into the front of the vehicle  7 , a danger pattern in which a preceding vehicle suddenly brakes, or the like. 
     The danger pattern classification unit  29  compares the analysis result of the image with each of the multiple danger patterns, and selects the danger pattern that most closely matches the analysis result of the image. The danger pattern classification unit  29  associates the selected danger pattern with the image stored in the immediately preceding S 3 . In other words, the danger pattern classification unit  29  classifies the danger pattern based on the image. 
     In S 5 , the vehicle state information acquisition unit  31  acquires the vehicle state information by using the sensor group  13 . 
     In S 6 , the information transmission unit  33  transmits the vehicle information to the center  39  by using the communication device  19 . The vehicle information is information including the danger pattern associated with the image in S 4 , the vehicle state information acquired in S 5 , and the identification information of the vehicle  7 . 
     In S 7 , the information acquisition unit  35  determines whether the communication device  19  receives a transmission instruction. The transmission instruction is an instruction transmitted by the center  39  in S 16  described later. When the center  39  has transmitted the transmission instruction, the communication device  19  receives the transmission instruction. The information acquisition unit  35  acquires the transmission instruction received by the communication device  19 . When the communication device  19  has received the transmission instruction, the current process shifts to S 8 . When the communication device  19  has not received the transmission instruction, the current process ends. 
     In S 8 , the image transmission unit  37  reads the image from the first storage  15 . The read image is the image associated with the danger pattern specified by the transmission instruction determined to have been received in S 7 . When the transmission instruction includes an instruction other than the danger pattern, the read image is an image associated with the danger pattern specified by the transmission instruction and matches a designation other than the danger pattern. 
     Further, the image transmission unit  37  transmits the read image and the identification information of the vehicle  7  to the center  39  by using the communication device  19 . 
     3. Processes Executed by Management Apparatus 
     (1) First Process 
     Processes repeatedly executed by the management apparatus  5  at predetermined time intervals will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In S 11  of  FIG. 5 , the vehicle information storage unit  55  determines whether the communication device  45  has received the vehicle information. The vehicle information is information transmitted by the drive recorder  3  in S 6 . When the vehicle information has been received, the current process shifts to S 12 . When the vehicle information has not been received, the current process shifts to S 13 . 
     In S 12 , the vehicle information storage unit  55  stores the vehicle information determined to have been received in S 11  in the third storage  47 . 
     In S 13 , the information display unit  57  causes the display portion  71  of the terminal  41  to display the vehicle information stored in the third storage  47 . The controller  69  of the terminal  41  executes a process of displaying the vehicle information transmitted from the center  39  on the display portion  71 . 
     Then, the operator  77  can determine the content of the transmission instruction by looking at the vehicle information displayed on the display portion  71 . The transmission instruction content includes the instruction of the danger pattern or the like. The transmission instruction content may include, for example, an instruction other than the danger pattern. The instruction other than the danger pattern is, for example, a vehicle designation, a vehicle position designation, a designation of a time when the image is generated, or the like. The operator can input the content of the determined transmission instruction to the input portion  73 . The controller  69  of the terminal  41  transmits the transmission instruction input to the input portion  73  to the center  39 . 
     In S 14 , the instruction acquisition unit  59  determines whether the instruction acquisition unit  59  has acquired the transmission instruction content. When the operator  77  has input the transmission instruction content to the input portion  73 , the instruction acquisition unit  59  has acquired the transmission instruction content. When the operator  77  has not input the transmission instruction content to the input portion  73 , the instruction acquisition unit  59  has not acquired the transmission instruction content. When the instruction acquisition unit  59  has acquired the transmission instruction content, the current process shifts to S 15 . When the instruction acquisition unit  59  has not acquired the transmission instruction content, the current process ends. 
     In S 15 , the transmission instruction generation unit  61  generates the transmission instruction based on the transmission instruction content determined to have been acquired in S 14 . The transmission instruction includes a designation of at least the danger pattern. When the transmission instruction content includes a designation other than the danger pattern, the transmission instruction includes the designation other than the danger pattern. 
     In S 16 , the instruction transmission unit  63  transmits the transmission instruction generated in S 15  to the drive recorder  3  by using the communication device  45 . 
     In S 17 , the reception image storage unit  65  determines whether the communication device  45  has received the image. The image is an image transmitted by the drive recorder  3  in S 8 . When the communication device  45  has received the image, the reception image storage unit  65  acquires the image. When the communication device  45  has received the image, the current process shifts to S 18 . When the communication device  45  has not received the image, the current process returns to the process before S 17 . 
     In S 18 , the reception image storage unit  65  stores the image determined to have been received in S 17  in the fourth storage  49 . The reception image storage unit  65  stores the identification information of the vehicle  7  in the fourth storage  49  in association with the image. 
     The center  39  and the terminal  41  can display the image stored in the fourth storage  49  on the display portion  71 . The operator  77  can see the image displayed on the display portion  71 . 
     (2) Second Process 
     The operator  77  can input a download request of the image to the input portion  73 . The download request includes, for example, a designation of a range of the image to be download. The controller  69  transmits the download request to the center  39 . 
     The controller  43  receives the download request. The controller  43  reads the image specified by the download request from the fourth storage  49 , and transmits the image to the terminal  41 . After transmitting the image, the controller  43  deletes the transmitted image in the fourth storage  49 . The controller  69  receives the image from the center  39 , and stores the image in the fifth storage  75 . 
     4. Effects Implemented by Image Storage System and Drive Recorder 
     (1A) The drive recorder  3  transmits the image associated with the danger pattern specified by the transmission instruction to the center  39 . Therefore, the drive recorder  3  may not necessarily transmit all of the images stored in the first storage  15  to the center  39 . As the result, it may be possible to suppress the data amount of the image transmitted from the drive recorder  3  to the center  39  and the communication charge when transmitting the image. 
     (1B) The center  39  transmits the transmission instruction to the drive recorder  3 . The drive recorder  3  transmits the image corresponding to the transmission instruction content to the center  39 . Therefore, the center  39  can store the highly necessary image. 
     (1C) The management apparatus  5  displays the vehicle information on the display portion  71 . The operator  77  can determine the content of the transmission instruction by looking at the vehicle information displayed on the display portion  71 , and input the transmission instruction content to the input portion  73 . The center  39  acquires the transmission instruction content input to the input portion  73 . The center  39  generates the transmission instruction based on the acquired transmission instruction content. Therefore, the center  39  can instruct the drive recorder  3  to transmit the highly necessary image. 
     (1D) The drive recorder  3  adds the vehicle state information to the vehicle information. The management apparatus  5  displays the vehicle information including the vehicle state information on the display portion  71 . The operator  77  can determine the transmission instruction content in consideration of the vehicle state information. 
     (1E) The management apparatus  5  downloads the image stored in the fourth storage  49 , and can store the image in the fifth storage  75 . The management apparatus  5  can delete the downloaded image in the fourth storage  49 . As the result, the management apparatus  5  can suppress the capacity of the fourth storage  49 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made to implement the present disclosure. 
     (1) The controller  43  may determine the transmission instruction content based on the vehicle information stored in the third storage  47 . 
     (2) Multiple functions of one element in the above embodiments may be implemented by multiple elements, or one function of one element may be implemented by multiple elements. In addition, multiple functions of multiple components may be implemented by one component, or a single function implemented by multiple components may be implemented by one component. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Further, at least part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of another embodiment described above. 
     (3) In addition to the drive recorder described above and the image storage system, the present disclosure can be implemented by various forms such as a system including the drive recorder as the component, a program causing a computer to function as the drive recorder or the management apparatus, a non-transitory tangible storage medium such as a semiconductor memory storing this program, an image storing method, or an image transmission method. 
     It is noted that a flowchart or the process of the flowchart in the present disclosure includes multiple steps (also referred to as sections), each of which is represented, for instance, as S 1 . Further, each step can be divided into several sub-steps while several steps can be combined into a single step.