Patent Description:
An accident information recording device is also called an "event data recorder". The accident information recording device is configured to record, when it is determined that a condition for recording set in advance for an accident is met, information about a vehicle at the time of the accident, such as the status of braking and driving operations before and after the accident, in a non-volatile recording device together with vehicle identification information. The information about the vehicle at the time of the accident will be used to analyze the accident after the accident.

<CIT> (<CIT>), for example, describes an accident information recording device configured to acquire a vehicle body number and peculiar key information of a vehicle when an ignition switch is turned on and to record, when an accident occurs, information about the vehicle at the time of the accident in a recording device together with the vehicle body number and the peculiar key information of the vehicle. <CIT> discloses a system capable of automatically storing a vehicle identification code among electronic control units in a vehicle. <CIT> discloses an electronic control unit including history storing means for storing a history of the vehicle identification information stored in the storing means.

In the accident information recording device, when it is not determined that the condition for recording set in advance is met even if the vehicle is involved in an accident, information about the vehicle at the time of the accident and the vehicle identification information are not recorded in the recording device. In addition, the accident information recording device is replaceable.

Therefore, when no information about the vehicle at the time of an accident or no vehicle identification information is recorded in the recording device even if the vehicle is involved in an accident, it cannot be determined whether the absence of any record is because it was not determined that the condition for recording set in advance was met or because the accident information recording device was replaced after the accident.

The present disclosure provides an accident information recording device improved to be able to specify the reason for the absence of any record when no information about a vehicle at the time of an accident or no vehicle identification information is recorded in a recording device.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an accident information recording device according to claim <NUM>.

In the configuration described above, the vehicle identification information is acquired from the storage device and recorded in the first recording region of the recording device when the vehicle is shipped from a factory.

When the accident information recording device has not been replaced, the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region is the same as the vehicle identification information stored in the storage device. When the accident information recording device has been replaced, on the contrary, the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region is different from the vehicle identification information stored in the storage device. Hence, it can be determined whether the accident information recording device has been replaced, by determining whether the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region of the recording device is the same as the vehicle identification information stored in the storage device after an accident of the vehicle.

Further, it can be determined that it was not determined that the condition for recording set in advance was met when information about the vehicle at the time of the accident is not recorded in the recording device and the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region is the same as the vehicle identification information stored in the storage device. On the contrary, it can be determined that the accident information recording device has been replaced with an accident information recording device of a different vehicle after the accident of the vehicle when information about the vehicle at the time of the accident is not recorded in the recording device and the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region is different from the vehicle identification information stored in the storage device.

In the aspect described above, the vehicle identification information (VIN) is acquired from the storage device when the recording control device is activated in preparation to start travel of the vehicle. Hence, the recording control device can acquire vehicle identification information (VIN) from the storage device before the vehicle substantially starts traveling.

In the aspect described above, the vehicle identification information acquired from the storage device is recorded in the provisional recording device, and the vehicle identification information recorded in the provisional recording device is recorded in the second recording region of the recording device when information about the vehicle at the time of an accident is recorded in the recording device. Hence, it is possible to suppress the vehicle identification information recorded in the provisional recording device being unnecessarily recorded in the second recording region of the recording device when it is not determined that the condition for recording set in advance is met and information about the vehicle at the time of an accident is not recorded in the recording device. In addition, the vehicle identification information acquired from the storage device and recorded in the provisional recording device when the recording control device is activated in preparation to start travel of the vehicle can be recorded in the second recording region of the recording device.

The vehicle identification information may not be acquired normally from the storage device immediately after the recording control device is activated. In the aspect described above, the vehicle identification information is acquired from the storage device at each predetermined time, and the acquired vehicle identification information is recorded in the provisional recording device when a plurality of pieces of the acquired vehicle identification information is normal and the same. Hence, normal vehicle identification information can be recorded in the provisional recording device.

In the accident information recording device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the storage device may be included in a drive device control device that controls a drive device of the vehicle.

The vehicle is provided with a drive device and a drive device control device. In the aspect described above, the storage device is included in the drive device control device of the vehicle. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a read-only storage device, besides the drive device control device. Thus, it is possible to simplify the structure of the accident information recording device and reduce the cost compared to the case where a read-only storage device is provided, besides the drive device control device.

Other objects, other features, and accompanying advantages of the present disclosure will be easily understood from the description of an embodiment of the present disclosure made with reference to the following drawings.

An accident information recording device <NUM> according to an embodiment is mounted on a vehicle <NUM> that includes an engine <NUM> as a drive device. The vehicle <NUM> includes an engine electronic control device <NUM> as a drive device control device. In the following description, an electronic control device will be abbreviated as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The drive device may not be an engine, and may be any drive device that is known in the technical field such as an electric motor and a hybrid system. The drive device control device may be a control device that controls the drive device.

In the embodiment, the engine ECU <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) 14A, a random access memory (RAM), and an input/output port device (not illustrated). The engine ECU <NUM> includes a microcomputer <NUM> in which the CPU, the ROM 14A, the RAM, and the input/output port device are connected to each other through a bidirectional common bus (not illustrated). The engine ECU <NUM> is activated when an ignition switch (not illustrated) is turned on. The ROM 14A functions as a read-only storage device that stores a vehicle identification number, as vehicle identification information of the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle identification number is abbreviated as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) as necessary. The VIN may be inscribed on a frame etc. of the vehicle <NUM>.

The accident information recording device <NUM> includes a recording ECU <NUM> and a non-volatile recording device <NUM>. The recording ECU <NUM> is connected to the engine ECU <NUM> via a controller area network (CAN) <NUM>. The recording device <NUM> can keep recorded information even when the recording ECU <NUM> is de-energized. That is, the recording device <NUM> may be any recording device that is known in the technical field such as a flash memory.

In the embodiment, the recording ECU <NUM> includes a CPU 20A, a ROM 20B, a RAM 20C, and an input/output port device (not illustrated). The recording ECU <NUM> is a microcomputer in which the CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, and the input/output device are connected to each other through a bidirectional common bus (not illustrated). The recording ECU <NUM> is activated when the ignition switch (not illustrated) is turned on. As described in detail later, the recording ECU <NUM> acquires a VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>, and records the VIN in the RAM 20C as a provisional recording device.

When activated, the recording ECU <NUM> always records information about the vehicle required to analyze an accident in the RAM 20C in an overwriting manner for a predetermined time range. The information about the vehicle required to analyze an accident may be any information that is known in the technical field, for example a state quantity such as the vehicle speed of the vehicle <NUM>, and a drive operation quantity such as a master cylinder pressure and an accelerator operation amount.

As described in detail later, when it is determined that a condition for recording set in advance for an accident is met, the recording ECU <NUM> causes the recording device <NUM> to record the VIN recorded in the RAM 20C, and causes the recording device <NUM> to record the information about the vehicle required to analyze an accident as information about the vehicle at the time of an accident. The information about the vehicle at the time of an accident is abbreviated as "accident information" as necessary.

The vehicle <NUM> includes a data link connector (DLC) <NUM> connected to the CAN <NUM>. A factory inspection device <NUM> is connected to the DLC <NUM>. The factory inspection device <NUM> is connected to the DLC <NUM> before shipment of the vehicle <NUM>. The factory inspection device <NUM> performs a factory shipment inspection through self-diagnosis of the engine ECU <NUM>, the recording ECU <NUM>, and other electronic devices mounted on the vehicle <NUM>. Further, the factory inspection device <NUM> determines that the factory shipment inspection has been passed when all the electronic devices are normal, and transmits a signal indicating that the factory shipment inspection has been passed to the recording ECU <NUM> via the DLC <NUM>.

The ROM 20B of the recording ECU <NUM> stores a control program for recording a VIN at the time of factory shipment of the vehicle, corresponding to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. The CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> reads the control program from the ROM 20B into the RAM 20C. As described in detail later, the CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> controls recording of a VIN at the time of factory shipment in accordance with the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

The ROM 20B of the recording ECU <NUM> further stores a control program for provisionally recording a VIN at the start of travel of the vehicle and for recording a VIN at the time of an accident of the vehicle, corresponding to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. The CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> reads the control program from the ROM 20B into the RAM 20C. As described in detail later, the CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> controls provisional recording of a VIN at the start of travel of the vehicle and recording of a VIN at the time of an accident of the vehicle in accordance with the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

Next, a control routine for recording a VIN at the time of factory shipment will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. The control for recording a VIN according to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is executed by the CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> after it is determined by the factory inspection device <NUM> that the factory shipment inspection has been passed and when the ignition switch (not illustrated) is turned on.

First, in step S10, the CPU 20A acquires a VIN after a predetermined standby time elapses since the time when the recording ECU <NUM> is activated. A VIN is acquired by the CPU 20A receiving a signal indicating the VIN (VIN of the vehicle <NUM>) stored in the ROM 14A from the engine ECU <NUM>. Processes that are similar to steps S110 and S120, to be discussed later, may be performed instead of acquiring a VIN after a predetermined standby time elapses.

In step S20, the CPU 20A receives a signal from the factory inspection device <NUM>. Consequently, the inspection results are acquired.

In step S30, the CPU 20A determines whether the factory shipment inspection has been passed. When the CPU 20A makes a negative determination (No in step S30), the CPU 20A advances the control for recording a VIN to step S70. When the CPU 20A makes an affirmative determination (Yes in step S30), the CPU 20A advances the control for recording a VIN to step S40. Step S30 may be omitted.

In step S40, the CPU 20A reads the VIN stored in the RAM 20C, and records the VIN in a first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM>.

In step S50, the CPU 20A determines whether the VIN has been recorded normally in the recording device <NUM>, by determining whether the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM> is the same as the VIN stored in the RAM 20C, for example. When an affirmative determination is made (Yes in step S50), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S60. In step S60, the CPU 20A determines that the vehicle <NUM> can be shipped. When a negative determination is made (No in step S50), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the CPU 20A determines that the vehicle <NUM> cannot be shipped. The results of the determinations in steps S60 and S70 may be displayed on a display device (not illustrated).

As can be seen from the above description, when the vehicle <NUM> is shipped from a factory, the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM> is acquired by the recording ECU <NUM> (step S10), and recorded in the first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM> (step S40). When the inspection by the factory inspection device <NUM> is passed and the VIN is normally recorded in the first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM>, an affirmative determination is made in steps S30 and S50. Then, it is determined in step S60 that the vehicle <NUM> can be shipped. Hence, in the vehicle to be shipped, the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM> is the same as the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>.

Next, a control routine for provisionally recording a VIN at the start of travel and for recording a VIN at the time of an accident will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. The control for recording a VIN according to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is executed by the CPU 20A of the recording ECU <NUM> when the ignition switch (not illustrated) is turned on.

First, in step S <NUM>, the CPU 20A starts receiving a signal indicating a VIN transmitted from the engine ECU <NUM>. Then, the CPU 20A acquires a VIN at each predetermined time set in advance. The CPU 20A records the acquired VIN in a recording region of the RAM 20C for normal determination.

In step S120, the CPU 20A determines whether the same, normal VIN has been acquired three times consecutively. When a negative determination is made (No in step S120), the CPU 20A executes step S120 again. When an affirmative determination is made (Yes in step S120), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S130. In step S130, the CPU 20A records the VIN in a provisional recording region of the RAM 20C.

In step S140, the CPU 20A determines whether a condition for recording a VIN set in advance for an accident of the vehicle <NUM> is met. When the CPU 20A makes a negative determination (No in step S140), the CPU 20A advances the control for recording a VIN to step S170. When the CPU 20A makes an affirmative determination (Yes in step S140), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S150. In step S150, the CPU 20A reads a VIN from the RAM 20C, and records the VIN in a second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM>. The condition for recording a VIN may be any condition that is known in the technical field for determining that an accident of the vehicle <NUM> has occurred.

The CPU 20A records information on the vehicle required to analyze the accident in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> as accident information in step S160, and ends the control for recording a VIN. The information on the vehicle required to analyze the accident is recorded in the RAM 20C.

In step S170, the CPU 20A determines whether the ignition switch (not illustrated) is turned off. When a negative determination is made (No in step S170), the CPU 20A returns the control for recording a VIN to step S140. When an affirmative determination is made (Yes in step S170), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S180. The CPU 20A clears the VIN recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C in step S180, and ends the control for recording a VIN.

As can be seen from the above description, a VIN is acquired from the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM> when the recording ECU <NUM> is activated in preparation to start travel of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, when the vehicle <NUM> starts traveling, the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM> is acquired by the recording ECU <NUM> at each predetermined time (step S110). When the same, normal VIN is acquired three times consecutively, the VIN is recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C (steps S120 and S130).

When the vehicle <NUM> encounters an accident and the condition for recording a VIN set in advance for an accident of the vehicle is met, further, an affirmative determination is made (step S140), and the VIN is read from the RAM 20C. Then, the VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> (step S150). Further, accident information on the vehicle <NUM> is recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> (step S160).

Hence, in a situation in which the vehicle <NUM> has encountered an accident, the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> is the same as the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>. Further, the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the vehicle <NUM>.

Thus, it can be determined whether the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced etc., by determining whether the VINs recorded in the first and second recording regions of the recording device <NUM> are the same as the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM> after the accident of the vehicle <NUM>. Further, the situation of the vehicle before and after the occurrence of the accident can be presumed based on the accident information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> in a predetermined time range.

Table <NUM> given below indicates various cases C1 to C9 with different combinations of the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>, the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A, and the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B. In Table <NUM>, "AAA" indicates the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>, that is, the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>, and "BBB" indicates a VIN that is different from "AAA". While the VINs each have three letters in Table <NUM>, the VINs may have any number of letters.

The VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A and the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B are AAA, which is the same as the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. Hence, the recording ECU <NUM> has not been replaced, and the accident information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the vehicle <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to presume the situation of the vehicle before and after the occurrence of the accident based on the recorded accident information.

While the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A is AAA, which is the same as the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>, the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B is BBB, which is different from the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. It is presumed that the recording ECU <NUM> was temporarily transferred to a vehicle other than the vehicle <NUM>, accident information on the vehicle other than the vehicle <NUM> was recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM>, and thereafter the recording ECU <NUM> was transferred back to the vehicle <NUM>. Hence, the accident information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C is accident information on the vehicle other than the vehicle <NUM>.

While the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A is AAA, which is the same as the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>, no VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B. It is presumed that the recording ECU <NUM> has not been replaced, and that the condition for recording a VIN set in advance has not been met.

The VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A is BBB, which is different from the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. The VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B is AAA, which is the same as the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. Although the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced, the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the vehicle <NUM>. Hence, it is possible to presume the situation of the vehicle before and after the occurrence of the accident based on the recorded accident information.

The VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A and the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B are BBB, which is different from the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. The recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced with a recording ECU of a different vehicle, and the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the different vehicle, rather than accident information on the vehicle <NUM>.

The VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A is BBB, which is different from the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. No VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B. It is presumed that the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced with a recording ECU of a different vehicle, and that the condition for recording a VIN set in advance was not met in the different vehicle.

No VIN is recorded in the first recording region 22A. The VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B is AAA, which is the same as the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. The recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced with a recording ECU as a supply component after the shipment of the vehicle <NUM>, and the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the vehicle <NUM>. Hence, the situation of the occurrence of the accident can be presumed based on the recorded accident information.

No VIN is recorded in the first recording region 22A. The VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B is BBB, which is different from the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>. It is presumed that the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced with a recording ECU as a supply component after the shipment of the vehicle <NUM>. Hence, the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on a different vehicle, rather than accident information on the vehicle <NUM>.

No VIN is recorded in the first recording region 22A or the second recording region 22B. It is presumed that the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced with a recording ECU as a supply component after the shipment of the vehicle <NUM>, and that the condition for recording a VIN set in advance has not been met.

In the embodiment, a VIN is recorded in the first recording region 22A of the recording device <NUM> when the vehicle <NUM> is shipped. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced, whether the information recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> is accident information on the vehicle <NUM>, etc..

With the embodiment, in particular, it is possible to determine whether the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced and accident information on a different vehicle has been recorded in the accident information recording region 22C, by determining whether the VINs recorded in the first and second recording regions 22A and 22B are the same as the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>.

With the embodiment, further, it is possible to determine whether the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced and accident information on a different vehicle has been recorded in the accident information recording region 22C, by determining whether the VIN of the vehicle <NUM> is recorded in the second recording region 22B when the VIN of a vehicle other than the vehicle <NUM> is recorded in the first recording region 22A.

As discussed earlier, when the ignition switch is turned on and the recording ECU <NUM> is activated, the recording ECU <NUM> acquires a VIN by receiving a signal indicating the VIN transmitted from the engine ECU <NUM>. Hence, the VIN of the vehicle can be recorded in the first recording region 22A before the vehicle <NUM> substantially starts traveling. Thus, even if an accident is encountered immediately after the vehicle starts traveling, the VIN can be recorded in the second recording region 22B, and accident information can be recorded in the accident information recording region 22C.

In the embodiment, further, the VIN acquired from the ROM 14A is recorded in the first recording region 22A as the provisional recording device, and the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A is recorded in the second recording region 22B when accident information is recorded in the accident information recording region 22C. Hence, it is possible to suppress the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A being unnecessarily recorded in the second recording region 22B when it is not determined that the condition for recording set in advance is met and accident information is not recorded in the accident information recording region 22C.

When the ignition switch is turned on, the recording ECU <NUM> and the engine ECU <NUM> are activated. Immediately after the recording ECU <NUM> is activated, however, a signal indicating a VIN may not be adequately received from the engine ECU <NUM> even if the recording ECU <NUM> requests the engine ECU <NUM> to transmit a signal indicating a VIN.

<FIG> is a time chart illustrating a situation in which a signal indicating a VIN is transmitted from the engine ECU <NUM> to the recording ECU <NUM> after the ignition switch is turned on, for example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the ignition switch (IG) is turned on at time t1. It is assumed that the recording ECU <NUM> and the engine ECU <NUM> are activated at time t2 and time t3, respectively. It is also assumed that the reception of a signal indicating a VIN is started at time t2, that a signal indicating a normal VIN is not received from time t2 to time t4, and that a signal indicating the same, normal VIN is received three times consecutively from time t4 to time t5. In <FIG>, the continuous arrows indicate a signal indicating a VIN, and the dashed arrows indicate that the signal is not a signal indicating a normal VIN.

If a VIN is recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C based on the signals received from time t2 to time t4, an incorrect VIN is recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C. Thus, an incorrect VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> in step S150. Therefore, it cannot be determined which of the above cases C1 to C9 the present case is.

In the embodiment, on the contrary, when it is determined in step S120 that the same, normal VIN has been acquired three times consecutively, the VIN is recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C in step S130. When it is determined in step S140 that the condition for recording a VIN set in advance for an accident of the vehicle is met, further, the VIN is read from the RAM and the VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> in step S150.

Hence, the correct VIN can be recorded in the provisional recording region of the RAM 20C and the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to reliably determine which of the above cases C1 to C9 the present case is, and to accurately determine whether the recording ECU <NUM> has been replaced etc..

For example, in the embodiment discussed above, the read-only storage device that stores a vehicle identification number as vehicle identification information of the vehicle <NUM> is the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>. However, the read-only storage device may be a ROM of an ECU other than the engine ECU <NUM> and the recording ECU <NUM>.

In the embodiment discussed above, the VIN is recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> in step S <NUM>, and accident information on the vehicle <NUM> is recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM> in step S160. However, the VIN may be recorded in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> after accident information on the vehicle <NUM> is recorded in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM>.

In the embodiment discussed above, further, the recording ECU <NUM> acquires a VIN from the engine ECU <NUM> immediately after being activated. However, the recording ECU <NUM> may acquire a VIN from the engine ECU <NUM> and record the VIN in the second recording region 22B of the recording device <NUM> at any time during a period since the recording ECU <NUM> is activated until the recording ECU <NUM> records accident information in the accident information recording region 22C of the recording device <NUM>.

In the embodiment discussed above, further, the control for recording a VIN according to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is executed after the factory inspection device <NUM> determines that the factory shipment inspection has been passed. However, the factory shipment inspection by the factory inspection device <NUM> may be executed in place of step S20.

In the embodiment discussed above, further, the combination of the VIN of the vehicle <NUM>, the VIN recorded in the first recording region 22A, and the VIN recorded in the second recording region 22B is verified, as indicated in Table <NUM>, in the verification of the record of VINs after an accident of the vehicle. The VIN of the vehicle <NUM> is the VIN stored in the ROM 14A of the engine ECU <NUM>. However, the VIN of the vehicle <NUM> to be used in the verification of the record may be a VIN engraved on a frame of the vehicle etc..

Claim 1:
A replaceable accident information recording device mounted on a vehicle that includes a storage device that stores vehicle identification information, the accident information recording device comprising:
a non-volatile recording device (<NUM>); and
a recording control device (<NUM>) configured to
record the vehicle identification information in a first recording region of the recording device (<NUM>), the vehicle identification information recorded in the first recording region being acquired from the storage device when the vehicle is shipped from a factory,
record, when the recording control device (<NUM>) determines that a condition for recording set in advance for an accident is met, information about the vehicle at a time of the accident in the recording device (<NUM>), and
record the vehicle identification information in a second recording region of the recording device (<NUM>), the vehicle identification information recorded in the second recording region being acquired from the storage device when the recording control device (<NUM>) is activated in preparation to start travel of the vehicle,
wherein:
the recording control device (<NUM>) includes a volatile provisional recording device; and
the recording control device (<NUM>) is configured to
acquire the vehicle identification information from the storage device at each predetermined time;
record the vehicle identification information acquired from the storage device in the provisional recording device when a plurality of pieces of the acquired vehicle identification information is normal and the same, and
record the vehicle identification information recorded in the provisional recording device in the second recording region of the recording device (<NUM>) when the information about the vehicle at the time of the accident is recorded in the recording device (<NUM>).