Patent Description:
There is a vehicle recording device including a parking recording function for recording an event that occurs while a vehicle is parked using video images. A technology that records video images by detecting a moving body while a vehicle is parked and the like is known (for example, see Patent Literature <NUM>). Further attention is drawn to document <CIT> which relates to a monitoring system for a vehicle for monitoring the periphery of a vehicle by using a plurality of cameras, a control part repeatedly executes the detection of a traveling object which travels in a plurality of peripheral regions surrounding the vehicle, and when detecting the traveling object, controls the corresponding camera among the cameras in a photographable state. Furthermore, the control part determines the level of the usefulness of monitoring in each of the peripheral regions, and sets the detection frequency of the traveling object with respect to the peripheral region whose usefulness is determined to be low so as to be lower than the detection frequency of the traveling object detection means with respect to the peripheral region whose usefulness is determined to be high.

Further embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims.

When parking recording is performed by detecting a moving body while a vehicle is parked, people or vehicles that have passed through an image capturing direction are detected as moving bodies. Consequently, a large number of unnecessary event recorded data are recorded, and the recording capacity may become insufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to properly record video images while a vehicle is parked.

To solve the above problem and achieve the above object, a vehicle recording control device according to the present invention, comprising: a video data acquisition unit that acquires video data captured by an image capturing unit for capturing an image of a surrounding of a vehicle; a parking detection unit that detects whether the vehicle is parked; a moving body detection unit that detects a moving body from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit while the vehicle is parked; an acceleration detection unit that detects acceleration applied to the vehicle; a parking position determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, based on position information of the vehicle, and a recording function control unit that selectively performs a process of storing video data based on detection of a moving body by the moving body detection unit, and a process of storing video data based on acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit, according to a determination result of the parking position determination unit.

A vehicle recording device according to the present invention, comprising: the vehicle recording control device above; and at least one of an image capturing unit that captures an image of a surrounding of a vehicle, and a recording unit that stores video data.

A vehicle recording control method according to the present invention, comprising: a step of detecting parking that detects whether a vehicle is parked; a step of determining parking position that determines whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, based on position information of the vehicle; and a step of controlling recording function that selectively performs a process of storing video data based on detection of a moving body from video data obtained by capturing an image of a surrounding of the vehicle, and a process of storing video data based on detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, according to a determination result at the step of determining parking position.

A computer program according to the present invention that causes a computer operating as a vehicle recording control device to execute: a step of detecting parking that detects whether a vehicle is parked; a step of determining parking position that determines whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, based on position information of the vehicle; and a step of controlling recording function that selectively performs a process of storing video data based on detection of a moving body from video data obtained by capturing an image of a surrounding of the vehicle, and a process of storing video data based on detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, according to a determination result at the step of determining parking position.

The present invention can properly record video images while a vehicle is parked.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle recording control device, a vehicle recording device, a vehicle recording control method, and a computer program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vehicle recording device including a vehicle recording control device according to the present embodiment. A vehicle recording device <NUM> performs different parking recording functions depending on when a vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, or when a vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles seldom pass close to the vehicle.

The vehicle recording device <NUM> may be mounted on a vehicle, or may be a portable device that can be used in a vehicle. The vehicle recording device <NUM> may also be implemented including the functions or components of a device installed in advance in the vehicle, a navigation device, and the like. The vehicle recording device <NUM> includes a camera (image capturing unit) <NUM>, a recording unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, an acceleration sensor <NUM>, a global positioning system (GPS) reception unit <NUM>, a map information storage unit <NUM>, and a vehicle recording control device <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> is a camera for capturing images of the surroundings of a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the camera <NUM> is a camera that can capture images of the whole sky of <NUM> degrees. However, it is not limited thereto, and the camera <NUM> may also be a single camera facing a single direction, or a group of cameras that capture images of various directions. For example, the camera <NUM> is disposed in front of the vehicle interior of a vehicle. In the present embodiment, for example, when the accessory power supply is OFF, in other words, while the vehicle is parked, upon detecting an event, the camera <NUM> can store video images of a predetermined period for about several tens of seconds. The camera <NUM> outputs the captured video data to a video data acquisition unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>. For example, the video data is a moving image configured by images of <NUM> frames per second.

The recording unit <NUM> is used for temporarily storing data in the vehicle recording device <NUM>. For example, the recording unit <NUM> is a recording unit such as a semiconductor memory element including a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, and the like, or a memory card. Alternatively, the recording unit <NUM> may also be an external recording unit wirelessly connected via a communication device, which is not illustrated. The recording unit <NUM> records loop recorded video data or event recorded data, on the basis of a control signal output from a recording function control unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> accepts various operations on the vehicle recording device <NUM>. For example, the operation unit <NUM> accepts an operation for manually storing the captured video data in the recording unit <NUM>, as the event recorded data. For example, the operation unit <NUM> accepts an operation for playing back the loop recorded data or the event recorded data recorded in the recording unit <NUM>. For example, the operation unit <NUM> accepts an operation for eliminating the event recorded data recorded in the recording unit <NUM>. For example, the operation unit <NUM> accepts an operation for finishing loop recording. The operation unit <NUM> outputs the operation information to an operation control unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>.

For example, the display unit <NUM> is a display device dedicated to the vehicle recording device <NUM>, a display device used in common with another system including a navigation system, or the like. The display unit <NUM> may also be integrally formed with the camera <NUM>. For example, the display unit <NUM> is a display including a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like. In the present embodiment, the display unit <NUM> is disposed on a dashboard, an instrumental panel, a center console, or the like in front of the driver of the vehicle. On the basis of a video signal output from a display control unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> displays video images. The display unit <NUM> displays the video images captured by the camera <NUM>, or the video images recorded in the recording unit <NUM>.

The acceleration sensor <NUM> is a sensor for detecting acceleration generated on the vehicle. The acceleration sensor <NUM> outputs a detection result to an acceleration detection unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>. For example, the acceleration sensor <NUM> is a sensor for detecting the acceleration in the three-axial directions. The three-axial directions include the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the vehicle.

The GPS reception unit <NUM> receives radio waves from a GPS satellite, which is not illustrated. The GPS reception unit <NUM> outputs the received radio wave signal to a position information acquisition unit <NUM> in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>.

The map information storage unit <NUM> stores therein map information. For example, the map information is a road map including intersections. For example, the map information includes information relating to a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, or information relating to a road with heavy traffic. Moreover, for example, the map information includes facility information including information on parking lots. For example, the map information includes information whether the parking lot is facing a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, or facing a road with heavy traffic. The map information storage unit <NUM> outputs the stored map information to a parking position determination unit <NUM>. The map information storage unit <NUM> may also be a storage device such as an external server that acquires map information via a communication function, which will not be illustrated.

For example, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> is an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured of a central processing unit (CPU) and the like. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> loads the stored computer program into a memory, and executes a command included in the computer program. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> includes an internal memory, which is not illustrated, and the internal memory is used for temporarily storing data in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>, and the like. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> includes the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, a buffer memory <NUM>, a video data processing unit <NUM>, the recording function control unit <NUM>, a playback control unit <NUM>, the operation control unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the acceleration detection unit <NUM>, the position information acquisition unit <NUM>, a parking detection unit <NUM>, the parking position determination unit <NUM>, and a moving body detection unit <NUM> connected to a bus <NUM>.

The video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires video data obtained by capturing images of the surroundings of the vehicle. More specifically, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data output from the camera <NUM>, and outputs the video data to the buffer memory <NUM>.

The buffer memory <NUM> is an internal memory in the vehicle recording control device <NUM>, and is a memory for temporarily recording video data of a certain period acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, while the video data is updated.

For example, the video data processing unit <NUM> converts the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory <NUM> to any file format such as MP4 format encoded with any codec including H. <NUM>, moving picture experts group (MPEG-<NUM>), and the like. The video data processing unit <NUM> generates video data that is a file of a certain period, from the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory <NUM>. More specifically, the video data processing unit <NUM> generates video data of <NUM> seconds as a file, from the video data temporarily stored in the buffer memory <NUM>, in the recording order. The video data processing unit <NUM> outputs the generated video data to the recording function control unit <NUM>. Moreover, the video data processing unit <NUM> outputs the generated video data to the display control unit <NUM>. For example, the period of the video data generated as a file is <NUM> seconds. However, it is not limited thereto. The video data in this example may also be data including voice in addition to the video images captured by the camera <NUM>.

The recording function control unit <NUM> controls to cause the recording unit <NUM> to record the video data converted into a file by the video data processing unit <NUM>. During a period when loop recording is performed, such as when the accessory power supply of the vehicle is ON, the recording function control unit <NUM> records the video data converted into a file by the video data processing unit <NUM> in the recording unit <NUM>, as rewritable video data. More specifically, during a period when loop recording is performed, the recording function control unit <NUM> keeps recording the video data generated by the video data processing unit <NUM> in the recording unit <NUM>. Then, when the capacity of the recording unit <NUM> becomes full, the recording function control unit <NUM> overwrites the oldest video data with new video data, and records the new video data.

Moreover, upon detecting an event, the recording function control unit <NUM> stores the video data of a predetermined period in the video data generated by the video data processing unit <NUM>, in the recording unit <NUM>, as the event recorded data prohibited from being overwritten.

For example, as for the event recorded data to be stored in the recording unit <NUM> by the recording function control unit <NUM>, when image capturing is started after an event is detected, video data of a predetermined period of about ten seconds or more to <NUM> seconds or less after the event is detected and the image capturing is started, is stored as the event recorded data. As for the event recorded data to be stored in the recording unit <NUM> by the recording function control unit <NUM>, during a period when loop recording is performed, video data of a predetermined period of about ten seconds or more to <NUM> seconds or less before and after the time when the event is detected, is stored as the event recorded data.

When the accessory power supply of the vehicle is OFF, in other words, while the vehicle is parked, the recording function control unit <NUM> operates the parking monitoring function, and stores the video data captured by the camera <NUM>. More specifically, the parking monitoring function is used for detecting an event, and storing the video data by loop recording. Alternatively, the parking monitoring function is used for activating the camera <NUM> after detecting an event, and storing the video data.

When the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles seldom pass close to the vehicle, the recording function control unit <NUM> stores the video data by determining that an event is detected on the basis of the detection of a moving body by the moving body detection unit <NUM>. When people or vehicles seldom pass close by, in other words, when not many people are watching, the vehicle is susceptible to vehicle theft and vandalism. Consequently, it is preferable to store video images upon detecting a moving body close to the vehicle, instead of storing video images after acceleration is detected such as when the vehicle is damaged. When the vehicle is parked at such a location, the frequency of detecting a moving body is lower than when the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle. Consequently, even when video images are stored upon detecting a moving body close to the vehicle, a large number of moving bodies will not be detected. Thus, it is possible to suppress the recording capacity of video data to be stored.

When the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, the recording function control unit <NUM> stores video data on the basis of the acceleration data. When people or vehicles often pass close by, the susceptibility to vehicle theft and vandalism will be reduced. When the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by, the frequency of detecting a moving body is greater than when the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles seldom pass close to the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, the recording function control unit <NUM> stores the video data by determining that an event is detected on the basis of the acceleration data, instead of detecting a moving body. Consequently, compared to when an event is detected by the detection of a moving body, because a large number of events will not be generated, it is possible to suppress the recording capacity of video data to be stored.

On the basis of a control signal for performing a playback operation output from the operation control unit <NUM>, the playback control unit <NUM> controls to playback the loop recorded video data or the event recorded data having been recorded in the recording unit <NUM>.

The operation control unit <NUM> acquires operation information for operation received by the operation unit <NUM>. For example, the operation control unit <NUM> acquires storage operation information indicating an operation for manually storing video data, playback operation information indicating a playback operation, or erase operation information indicating an operation for erasing video data, and outputs a control signal. For example, the operation control unit <NUM> acquires finishing operation information indicating an operation for finishing loop recording, and outputs a control signal.

The display control unit <NUM> controls the display of video data on the display unit <NUM>. The display control unit <NUM> outputs a video signal for causing the display unit <NUM> to output video data. More specifically, the display control unit <NUM> outputs a video signal for displaying the video images captured by the camera <NUM>, or playing back the loop recorded video data or the event recorded data having been recorded in the recording unit <NUM>.

On the basis of the detection result of the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the acceleration detection unit <NUM> detects the acceleration applied to the vehicle. More specifically, when an acceleration equal to or higher than a threshold is detected in the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the acceleration detection unit <NUM> detects the acceleration as an event. The threshold for detecting an event when parking recording is taking place may be set smaller than a threshold used for detecting an event while the vehicle is traveling. For example, when the threshold of acceleration used for detecting an event while the vehicle is traveling is about <NUM>, the threshold of acceleration used for detecting an event when parking recording is taking place may be about <NUM>.

The position information acquisition unit <NUM> calculates the current position information of the vehicle, on the basis of radio waves received by the GPS reception unit <NUM>, using a known method.

The parking detection unit <NUM> detects that the vehicle is in a parking state, on the basis of the information acquired from the vehicle. For example, the vehicle is in a parking state, when the shift position is set to "parking", when the side brake is operated, when the speed becomes zero for five seconds or more, when the engine is stopped, or the like. Alternatively, it is also possible to determine that the vehicle is in a parking state, by any trigger such as user's operation.

The parking position determination unit <NUM> determines whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, on the basis of the position information of the vehicle and the map information stored in the map information storage unit <NUM>. For example, when it is determined that the parking position of the vehicle is a parking lot facing a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, a road with heavy traffic, or a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area; or a parking lot facing a road with heavy traffic, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle.

Moreover, the parking position determination unit <NUM> may determine that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass in the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, on the basis of the position information and parking direction information of the vehicle. When the vehicle is parked at such a location, a large number of moving bodies may be detected unintentionally from the video data captured by the camera <NUM>. Furthermore, when a location where people or vehicles often pass by is placed in a direction different from the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, and when not many people are watching the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, the vehicle is susceptible to vehicle theft and vandalism. Consequently, it is possible to make a more appropriate determination, by taking the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM> into consideration.

Still furthermore, the parking position determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the vehicle is parked in the vicinity of a road, a sidewalk, or an entrance of a facility, on the basis of the position information of the vehicle and the map information stored in the map information storage unit <NUM>. When it is determined that the parking position of the vehicle is in the vicinity of a road, a sidewalk, or an entrance of a facility, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass by. When the vehicle is parked at such a location, a large number of moving bodies may be detected unintentionally from the video data captured by the camera <NUM>. Consequently, in particular, it is possible to make a more appropriate determination on a location where people or vehicles often go in and out.

Still furthermore, the parking position determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, on the basis of the position information of the vehicle, the map information stored in the map information storage unit <NUM>, and status information of at least one of a congestion degree of the road, time zone, day of the week, weather, and information on an event held near the road. For example, when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, and when it is daytime, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. For example, when the parking position of the vehicle is a road with a heavy traffic and when it is a weekday, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. For example, when the parking position of the vehicle is a parking lot facing a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, and when weather is fine, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. For example, when the parking position of the vehicle is a parking lot facing a road with a heavy traffic, and when an event is held nearby, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. Consequently, according to the status information of at least one of a congestion degree of the road, time zone, day of the week, weather, and information on an event held near the road, even when the traffic volume at the location is changed, it is possible to make an appropriate determination. The parking position determination unit <NUM> acquires the information described above from a communication function and another device, which will not be illustrated.

Moreover, the parking position determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the vehicle is parked in a lighted area of a predetermined value or higher, on the basis of the position information of the vehicle, the map information stored in the map information storage unit <NUM>, and luminance information on the surroundings of the vehicle. For example, when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, as well as a lighted area where the luminance is a predetermined value or higher, the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. When the luminance is high, the susceptibility to vehicle theft and vandalism will be reduced. For example, even when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, if the parking position is a dark area having a luminance of a predetermined value or less, the vehicle is susceptible to vehicle theft and vandalism. Thus, even when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, if the parking position is a dark area having a luminance of a predetermined value or less, the parking position determination unit <NUM> does not determine that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close by. Consequently, it is possible to make an appropriate determination by the parking position and luminance. The parking position determination unit <NUM> acquires the information described above from a communication function, a luminance sensor, and the like, which will not be described.

The moving body detection unit <NUM> detects whether there is a moving body, from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> while the vehicle is parked. More specifically, the moving body detection unit <NUM> detects an area where the brightness or color information is changed for each frame, in a unit of pixel or in a unit of block of a few pixels square, in the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. When the temporal change is detected in an area larger than a predetermined area or more, the moving body detection unit <NUM> detects the temporal change as an event.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a flow of a process performed by the vehicle recording control device <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process performed by the vehicle recording control device according to the present embodiment. In the process illustrated in <FIG>, video data of a predetermined period before and after, and including the time when the event is detected, is generated from the video data that is loop recorded upon detecting an event. The video data is then stored in the recording unit <NUM> as the event detected data.

While the vehicle is operated, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the position information acquisition unit <NUM> to acquire the current position information of the vehicle. While the vehicle is operated, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the parking detection unit <NUM> to determine whether the vehicle is in a parking state. When the parking detection unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle is in a parking state, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> performs the process in the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>, and operates the parking monitoring function.

The vehicle is operated when the vehicle is not in the parking state, such as when power is supplied to the vehicle recording device <NUM> from the accessory power supply of the vehicle and the like.

When it is determined that the vehicle is in a parking state, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> starts continuous recording (step S101). In other words, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> turns ON loop recording. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> may also continue the continuous recording from the state when the vehicle is operated. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> then proceeds to step S102.

The vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines whether the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles often pass by (step S102). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the parking position determination unit <NUM> to determine whether the current position of the vehicle is a place where people or vehicles often pass by such as a downtown area, on the basis of the current position information of the vehicle acquired by the position information acquisition unit <NUM>, and the map information stored in the map information storage unit <NUM>. When the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the parking position of the vehicle is a place where people or vehicles often pass by (Yes at step S102), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> proceeds to step S103. When the parking position determination unit <NUM> determines that the parking position of the vehicle is a place where people or vehicles seldom pass by (No at step S102), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> proceeds to step S104.

When it is determined that the parking position of the vehicle is a place where people or vehicles often pass by (Yes at step S102), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> starts detecting an event on the basis of acceleration (step S103). More specifically, on the basis of the detection result of the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the acceleration detection unit <NUM> to start detecting an event using acceleration. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> then proceeds to step S105.

When it is determined that the parking position of the vehicle is a place where people or vehicles seldom pass by (No at step S102), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> starts detecting an event on the basis of detecting a moving body (step S104). More specifically, on the basis of the detection result of the moving body detection unit <NUM>, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the moving body detection unit <NUM> to start detecting an event by detecting a moving body. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> then proceeds to step S105.

On the basis of the detection result of the acceleration detection unit <NUM> or the moving body detection unit <NUM>, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines whether an event is detected (step S105).

More specifically, when the acceleration detection unit <NUM> detects an acceleration equal to or higher than a threshold, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines that an event is detected (Yes at step S105), and proceeds to step S106. When the acceleration detection unit <NUM> does not detect an acceleration equal to or higher than a threshold, or when the moving body detection unit <NUM> does not detect a moving body, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines that an event is not detected (No at step S105), and proceeds to step S107.

When the moving body detection unit <NUM> detects a moving body, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines that an event is detected (Yes at step S105), and proceeds to step S106. Alternatively, when the moving body detection unit <NUM> does not detect a moving body, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines that an event is not detected (No at step S105), and proceeds to step S107.

When it is determined that an event is detected (Yes at step S105), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the recording function control unit <NUM> to store video data of a predetermined period before and after, and including the time when the event is detected, as the event recorded data (step S106). More specifically, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the video data processing unit <NUM> to generate video data of a predetermined period before and after, and including the time when the event is detected, as the event recorded data. When it is determined that a predetermined period has passed, the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the recording function control unit <NUM> to cause the recording unit <NUM> to store the event recorded data of a predetermined period before and after, and including the time when the event is detected, that is generated by the video data processing unit <NUM>. The vehicle recording control device <NUM> then proceeds to step S107.

The vehicle recording control device <NUM> determines whether the parking monitoring function is finished (step S107). For example, the parking monitoring function is finished, when the accessory power supply is turned ON, when the parking monitoring function is stopped by the operation of the operation unit <NUM>, and the like.

When it is determined that the parking monitoring function is finished at step S107 (Yes at step S107), the present process is finished. When it is determined that the parking monitoring function is not finished (No at step S107), the process returns to step S105.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, another example of a flow of a process performed by the vehicle recording control device <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating another example of a flow of a process performed by the vehicle recording control device according to the present embodiment. In the process illustrated in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> is activated upon detecting an event, and video data of a predetermined period after detecting the event is stored in the recording unit <NUM>, as the event recorded data. The processes from step S111 to step S113, step S114, and step S117 in <FIG> are the same as the processes from step S102 to step S104, step S105, and step S107 in <FIG>.

When it is determined that an event is detected (Yes at step S114), the vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the recording function control unit <NUM> to cause the camera <NUM> to start capturing images (step S115), and proceeds to step S116.

The vehicle recording control device <NUM> causes the recording function control unit <NUM> to store the captured video data in the recording unit <NUM>, as the event recorded data (step S116), and proceeds to step S117. The event recorded data stored at step S116 is video data of a period from when the image capturing is started at step S115, to when a predetermined period has passed and the image capturing is finished.

In this manner, when the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles often pass by, video images are stored by detecting an event using acceleration. When the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles seldom pass by, video images are stored by detecting an event using a moving body.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles often pass by, video images are stored by detecting an event using acceleration. In the present embodiment, when the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles seldom pass by, video images are stored by detecting an event using a moving body. In this manner, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform different parking recording functions by changing a detection method of an event, depending on whether the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles often pass by, or a location where people or vehicles seldom pass by.

With the present embodiment, at the parking position where people or vehicles often pass by, and where a large number of moving bodies will be detected, the event recorded data can be stored by detecting an event using acceleration. With the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the recording capacity from becoming insufficient due to detecting events unintentionally and storing a large number of the event recorded data. Moreover, with the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk of the event recorded data to be originally recorded from not being stored, due to insufficient recording capacity.

At the parking position where people or vehicles seldom pass by, the vehicle is susceptible to vehicle theft and vandalism, compared to the parking position where people or vehicles often pass by. With the present embodiment, at the parking position where people or vehicles seldom pass by, the event recorded data can be stored by detecting an event through the detection of a moving body. With the present embodiment, it is possible to store video images upon detecting a moving body close to the vehicle, instead of storing video images after acceleration is detected such as when the vehicle is damaged. Moreover, at the parking position where people or vehicles seldom pass by, a large number of moving bodies will not be detected. Consequently, the present embodiment can suppress the recording capacity of video data to be stored.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, when a location where people or vehicles often pass by is placed in the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, the event recorded data is stored by detecting an event using acceleration. With the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a large number of events from being detected unintentionally, and suppress a large number of unnecessary event recorded data from being recorded. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when a location where people or vehicles often pass by is placed in a direction different from the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, and when not many people are watching in the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM>, the event recorded data can be stored by detecting an event through the detection of a moving body. With the present embodiment, it is possible to record video images more properly, by taking the image capturing direction of the camera <NUM> into consideration.

Still furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the parking position of the vehicle is in the vicinity of a road, a sidewalk, or an entrance of a facility, it is possible to store video images by detecting an event using acceleration.

Still furthermore, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the parking position of the vehicle is a location where people or vehicles often pass by, according to the status of at least one of a congestion degree of the road, time zone, day of the week, weather, and information on the event held near the road, it is possible to store the event recorded data by detecting an event using acceleration.

Still furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, as well as a lighted area where the luminance is a predetermined value or higher, it is possible to store the event recorded data by detecting an event using acceleration. For example, even when the parking position of the vehicle is a busy street crowded with people such as a downtown area, if the parking position is a dark area having a luminance of a predetermined value or less, it is possible to store the event recorded data by detecting an event through the detection of a moving body.

Claim 1:
A vehicle recording control device (<NUM>), comprising:
a video data acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire video data captured by an image capturing unit (<NUM>) for capturing an image of a surrounding of a vehicle;
a position information acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to calculate position information of the vehicle on the basis of radio waves received from a GPS reception unit (<NUM>);
a parking detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect whether the vehicle is parked on the basis of information acquired from the vehicle;
a moving body detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect a moving body from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit (<NUM>) while the vehicle is parked;
an acceleration detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect acceleration applied to the vehicle on the basis of a detection result of an acceleration sensor (<NUM>);
a parking position determination unit (<NUM>) configured to determine whether the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, based on the position information of the vehicle and map information stored in a map information storage unit (<NUM>), and
a recording function control unit (<NUM>) configured to, according to the determination result of the parking position determination unit (<NUM>), selectively perform a process of storing video data based on detection of a moving body by the moving body detection unit (<NUM>), or a process of storing video data based on acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit (<NUM>), wherein
the recording function control unit (<NUM>) is configured to perform a process of storing video data based on the detection of a moving body by the moving body detection unit (<NUM>), when the parking position determination unit (<NUM>) determines that the vehicle is parked at a position other than a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle, and
the recording function control unit (<NUM>) is configured to perform a process of storing video data based on acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit (<NUM>), when the parking position determination unit (<NUM>) determines that the vehicle is parked at a location where people or vehicles often pass close to the vehicle.