Patent Description:
A dashboard camera that is installed in a vehicle, that captures images of surroundings of the vehicle, that detects an event with respect to the vehicle by detecting an impact shock, and that records video images captured at a time of the occurrence of the event has been widely used (see, for example, <CIT>).

<CIT> discloses a vehicle recording control device including a video-data acquisition unit that acquires video data captured by a plurality of photographing units that photograph the surroundings of a vehicle; an event detection unit that detects events concerning the vehicle; a parking detection unit that detects that the vehicle is in a parked state; an object detection unit that detects nearby objects having distances less than a prescribed distance from the vehicle while the vehicle is parked; and a recording-function control unit that performs recording triggered by an event detected by the event detection unit when the object detection unit has detected a nearby object having a distance less than the prescribed distance from the vehicle while the vehicle is parked, by using video data captured by the camera(s) other than the camera that takes photographs in the direction in which the nearby object has been detected, among the plurality of cameras.

<CIT> discloses a method for collecting and storing vehicle sensor data of at least one sensing system of a vehicle in order to detect an incident, accident and/or scam. The method includes the steps of: (<NUM>) continuously collecting and storing a first set of vehicle sensor data for a preceding first pre-definable time period at least when the vehicle is in motion and/or when a door or trunk of the vehicle is open, (<NUM>) collecting and storing a second set of vehicle sensor data for a coming second pre-definable time period when at least one of the following occurs: the vehicle is brought to standstill, the door or trunk of the vehicle is being closed, or the vehicle drives away from standstill after being parked.

There may be a contact accident between vehicles while the vehicles are being parked or when the vehicles are parked in a parking lot or the like. However, in some cases, there may also be a case in which it is difficult to identify another vehicle that has come into contact with an own vehicle by using the video images that are stored when an event by the contact accident between vehicles while is detected while the vehicles are being parked.

In view of the above mentioned issues, an object of present embodiments is to appropriately record a video for identifying another vehicle related to an event that has occurred while the vehicles are being parked.

In accordance with the present invention, an on-vehicle recording control device, an on-vehicle recording control method as set forth in the appended claims is provided. In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle recording control device comprising: a video data acquisition unit configured to acquire video data captured by imagers that capture images of surroundings of a vehicle; a parking detection unit configured to detect that the vehicle has been parked; an another vehicle detection unit configured to detect another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit; an event detection unit configured to detect an event with respect to the vehicle; and a recording controller configured to temporarily store, when the another vehicle detection unit detects another vehicle, after the parking detection unit has detected that the vehicle has been parked, the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit, and to store, in an associated manner, when the event detection unit detects the event while the vehicle is parked, the video data due to the detected event and the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle recording control method performed by an on-vehicle recording control device comprising: a video data acquiring step of acquiring video data captured by imagers that capture images of surroundings of a vehicle; a parking detecting step of detecting that the vehicle has been parked; another vehicle detecting step of detecting another vehicle from the video data acquired at the video data acquisition step; an event detecting step of detecting an event with respect to the vehicle; and a recording controlling step of temporarily storing, after it is detected at the parking detecting step that the vehicle has been parked, the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected at the another vehicle detecting step, and storing, in an associated manner, when the event is detected at the event detecting step while the vehicle is parked, the video data due to the detected event and the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected.

The on-vehicle recording control device and the on-vehicle recording control method according to the embodiments of the present invention are able to appropriately record a video for identifying another vehicle related to an event that has occurred while the vehicles are being parked.

Preferred embodiments of an on-vehicle recording control device and an on-vehicle recording control method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the components described in the embodiments below include one that can be replaced and easily conceived by those skilled in the art or one that is substantially identical.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a first embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an arrangement location of an imager <NUM> that is mounted on a vehicle <NUM>. The on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is what is called a dashboard camera, and is driven by an electric power supplied from the vehicle <NUM>. The on-vehicle recording device <NUM> may also be a device that is a portable type and that can be used in a vehicle, in addition to the device that is mounted on the vehicle.

The on-vehicle recording device <NUM> includes the imager <NUM>, a CAN interface <NUM>, an acceleration sensor <NUM>, a recording unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) reception unit <NUM>, a map information storage <NUM>, and an on-vehicle recording control device (hereinafter, referred to as a "control device") <NUM>.

The imager <NUM> functions as a camera that is able to capture images of surroundings of the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted and that is able to output the captured image as an electrical signal. In the first embodiment, the imager <NUM> includes a first imager <NUM> that captures images of a front view and a rear view of the vehicle <NUM>, and a second imager <NUM> that is provided on left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM>. The first imager <NUM> includes a front camera <NUM> that captures images of the front view of the vehicle <NUM>, and a rear camera <NUM> that captures images of the rear view of the vehicle <NUM>, whereas the second imager <NUM> includes a left side camera <NUM> that captures images of a left side view of the vehicle <NUM>, and a right side camera <NUM> that captures images of a right side view of the vehicle <NUM>.

The front camera <NUM> included in the first imager <NUM> is arranged near a front window in a room of the vehicle <NUM> so as to face forward with respect to the vehicle <NUM>, and captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle <NUM> mainly focusing on a forward direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The rear camera <NUM> included in the first imager <NUM> is arranged on a rear side of the room of the vehicle <NUM> so as to face rearward with respect to the vehicle <NUM>, and captures images of the surroundings mainly focusing on a rearward direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The front camera <NUM> and the rear camera <NUM> are cameras that are used as dashboard cameras.

The left side camera <NUM> included in the second imager <NUM> is arranged on a left side surface of the vehicle <NUM> so as to face rearward with respect to the vehicle <NUM> on a left side, and captures images of a rear view on the left side of the vehicle <NUM>. The right side camera <NUM> included in the second imager <NUM> is arranged on a right side surface of the vehicle <NUM> so as to rearward with respect to the vehicle <NUM> on a right side, and captures images of a rear view on the right side of the vehicle <NUM>. Both of the left side camera <NUM> and the right side camera <NUM> may be cameras that are used for side monitors (electronic side mirrors), or may be cameras that are used to display a bird's-eye view video. The imager <NUM> constituted in this way outputs video data on the captured images to a video data acquisition unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>.

The CAN interface <NUM> is an interface for acquiring various kinds of vehicle information via a controller area network (CAN). The vehicle information includes information on, for example, a running state of the vehicle, such as an operating state of an engine, vehicle speed information, and parking brake information.

The acceleration sensor <NUM> is a sensor that is able to detect an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted, and outputs a detection result to an event detection unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>. The acceleration sensor <NUM> is a sensor that detects acceleration in, for example, <NUM>-axis directions. The <NUM>-axis directions are a front-back direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The acceleration sensor <NUM> is able to detect an impact shock to the vehicle <NUM> by the acceleration in the <NUM>-axis directions.

The recording unit <NUM> is used to temporarily store or retain data in the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>. The recording unit <NUM> is, for example, a semiconductor memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a recording medium, such as a memory card. Alternatively, the recording unit <NUM> may be an external recording unit that is wirelessly connected via a communication device (not illustrated). The recording unit <NUM> records therein the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> based on a control signal output from a recording controller <NUM> that is included in the control device <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> is an interface that is able to receive various operations performed with respect to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> receives an operation for performing a replay instruction of, for example, the video data, or an operation for performing a deletion instruction therefor. In addition, the operation unit <NUM> is able to receive an operation for manually recording an event. The operation unit <NUM> outputs the input operation information to an operation controller <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>.

The display <NUM> is, as an example, a display device inherent in the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>, a display device shared with another system including a navigation system, or the like. The display <NUM> is a display including, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. In the first embodiment, the display <NUM> is arranged in a dashboard, an instrument panel, a center console, or the like located in front of a driver of the vehicle <NUM>. The display <NUM> displays a video based on the video signal output from a display controller <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>. The display <NUM> displays a video that is being captured by the imager <NUM> or a video that has been recorded in the recording unit <NUM>.

The GNSS reception unit <NUM> receives radio waves emitted from multiple positioning satellite included in the GNSS. The GNSS reception unit <NUM> outputs a signal of the received radio waves to a location information acquisition unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>.

The map information storage <NUM> stores therein map information. The map information includes information on, for example, a parking lot. The map information storage <NUM> outputs the stored map information to a map information acquisition unit <NUM> that is included in the control device <NUM>. The map information storage <NUM> may be a storage device, such as an external server, that acquires the map information via a communication function (not illustrated).

The control device <NUM> is an arithmetic processing device (a control device) that is constituted of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or the like. The control device <NUM> loads a stored program into a memory and executes a command included in the program. Consequently, the control device <NUM> executes an on-vehicle recording control method according to the present invention. In addition, the control device <NUM> is a computer that executes a program according to the present invention. The control device <NUM> includes an internal memory (not illustrated), and the internal memory is used to temporarily stores therein data on the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, a buffer memory <NUM>, a video data processing unit <NUM>, a parking detection unit <NUM>, another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, the event detection unit <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM>, a replay controller <NUM>, the operation controller <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the location information acquisition unit <NUM>, and the map information acquisition unit <NUM>, all of which are connected to a bus <NUM>.

The video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data obtained by capturing images of the surroundings of the vehicle <NUM>. More specifically, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data output from the imager <NUM> that captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle <NUM>. Furthermore, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> includes the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>, so that the video data acquisition unit <NUM> is able to acquire pieces of video data captured by the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>. That is, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> is able to acquire each of the pieces of video data captured by the first imager <NUM> and the video data captured by the second imager <NUM>.

The buffer memory <NUM> is a memory that is an internal memory included in the control device <NUM> and that temporarily stores therein the video data. The buffer memory <NUM> is a memory that temporarily records the video data while updating, for example, the video data obtained by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> in a certain period of time.

The video data processing unit <NUM> converts the video data (hereinafter, referred to as "temporary captured video data") that is temporarily stored in the buffer memory <NUM> into an arbitrary file format, such as the MP4 format, which is encoded by an arbitrary method, such as H. <NUM> or Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-<NUM>. The video data processing unit <NUM> generates, from the temporary video data, video data in which moving image data for a certain period of time is defined as a single file. In detail, the video data processing unit <NUM> generates, from the temporary video data, video data for a predetermined period of time as a single file in a recoding order, and generates multiple files constituted of the pieces of the video data for the predetermined period of time in accordance with a period of time in which the images are captured by the imager <NUM>. The predetermined period of time used in this case is a period of time (for example, for <NUM> seconds) that has been set by an input operation performed onto the operation unit <NUM>. The video data processing unit <NUM> outputs the video data that has been generated in this way to the recording controller <NUM>. Furthermore, the video data processing unit <NUM> outputs the generated video data to the display controller <NUM>. In addition, the period of time of the video data that is generated as a single file is set to <NUM> seconds as one example. However, the example is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the video data mentioned here may be data including a sound in addition to the video captured by the imager <NUM>.

The parking detection unit <NUM> detects, based on the vehicle information acquired by the CAN interface <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked or is in a parking state. The state in which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked or in the parking state indicates that a shift position has been shifted to a "parking" position or a parking brake has been operated, indicates that a speed of the vehicle <NUM> becomes zero for, for example, <NUM> seconds or more, indicates that an engine has been stopped, or the like. Alternatively, the parking detection unit <NUM> may detect that the vehicle <NUM> is in the parking state based on an arbitrary trigger, such as an operation performed by a user. In addition, the parking detection unit <NUM> may detect that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked or is in the parking state in a case where the location at which the vehicle <NUM> has been stopped indicates a parking lot by referring to the map information that has been acquired by the map information acquisition unit <NUM>.

The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects, based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, another vehicle that is a vehicle present around the vehicle <NUM>.

The event detection unit <NUM> detects an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM>. An arbitrary method may be used for a method of detecting the event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> performed by the event detection unit <NUM>, and, as an example, the event detection unit <NUM> detects the event based on a detection result obtained by the acceleration sensor <NUM>. In this case, when an acceleration equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold is applied to the vehicle <NUM>, the event detection unit <NUM> determines that the event has occurred in the vehicle <NUM> based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle <NUM> and detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM>. That is, when the acceleration sensor <NUM> has detected the acceleration equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, the event detection unit <NUM> detects this state as an event. The threshold of the acceleration detected as the event by the event detection unit <NUM> is a value capable of detecting the acceleration occurring by a contact accident between another object and the vehicle <NUM> that is being stopped, and is set to, for example, <NUM>, or the like.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram illustrating a loop recording of the video data. In <FIG>, the recording controller <NUM> performs control to cause the recording unit <NUM> to record video data <NUM> that has been converted to a file format by the video data processing unit <NUM>. If an operation for the loop recording is set, the recording controller <NUM> performs the loop recording process, and records the video data <NUM> that has been converted to a file format by the video data processing unit <NUM> as the video data <NUM> that can be overwritten in the recording unit <NUM>. More specifically, the recording controller <NUM> continuously records the video data <NUM> generated by the video data processing unit <NUM> into the recording unit <NUM> while the loop recording process is being performed, and, if a capacity of the recording unit <NUM> becomes full, the recording controller <NUM> records new video data <NUM> by overwriting the oldest video data <NUM> with the new video data <NUM>.

The replay controller <NUM> replays the video data that has been selected by an input operation performed onto the operation unit <NUM>. The replay controller <NUM> performs control such that the video data recorded in the recording unit <NUM> is to be replayed based on a control signal, that has been output from the operation controller <NUM>, of each of a selection operation and a replay operation associated with the operation received by the operation unit <NUM>.

The operation controller <NUM> acquires the operation information on the operation received by the operation unit <NUM>, and performs the operation control based on the operation information. The operation controller <NUM> acquires replay information on, for example, the video data, and causes the replay controller <NUM> to replay the video data. Furthermore, the operation controller <NUM> acquires erase operation information that indicates an erase operation for erasing the video data, and causes the recording controller <NUM> to erase the video data.

The display controller <NUM> performs control of displaying the video data on the display <NUM>. That is, the display controller <NUM> outputs a video signal to be displayed on the display <NUM> by replaying the video that is being captured by the imager <NUM> or the video data that has been recorded in the recording unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the display controller <NUM> causes the display <NUM> to display the video data.

The location information acquisition unit <NUM> calculates current location information on the vehicle <NUM> by using a known method based on radio waves received by the GNSS reception unit <NUM>.

The map information acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the map information by using the map information storage <NUM> in accordance with the current location information on the vehicle <NUM> acquired by the location information acquisition unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the map information acquisition unit <NUM> checks the current location information on the vehicle <NUM> against the map information, and identifies the current location of the vehicle <NUM> on the acquired map information.

In the following, a flow of processes in the control device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the first embodiment.

The timing at which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is started to be operated is a timing at which, for example, a power of an engine or the like of the vehicle <NUM> is turned on and an electric power is supplied to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>. When the vehicle <NUM> is not parked, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> performs a function as a known dashboard camera. In a period of time in which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is being operated, the processes illustrated in <FIG> are periodically performed. If the processes illustrated in <FIG> are started, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (Step S101). That is, the control device <NUM> determines, by using the parking detection unit <NUM>, whether or not the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been parked. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> performs a parking operation to enter an arbitrary parking section P and reaches completion of the parking operation, a parking brake is operated such that the vehicle speed becomes <NUM>/h to enter a braking state, and a shift position is operated to a "parking" position. The parking detection unit <NUM> acquires the vehicle information from the CAN interface <NUM>, and determines whether or not the vehicle <NUM> has been parked based on the vehicle information acquired from the CAN interface <NUM> indicates a state in which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked or not.

In addition, the parking detection unit <NUM> may determine whether or not the vehicle <NUM> has been parked based on information other than the vehicle information that has been acquired by the CAN interface <NUM>. The parking detection unit <NUM> acquires the current location information on the vehicle <NUM> by using the location information acquisition unit <NUM> based on, for example, the radio waves received by the GNSS reception unit <NUM>, and, if it is able to be determined that the current location of the vehicle <NUM> is the parking lot based on the map information that is acquired by the map information acquisition unit <NUM>, the parking detection unit <NUM> may determine that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked at a time at which the vehicle <NUM> has stopped at that location. That is, the control device <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked in the parking lot.

Furthermore, if it is detected that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> starts monitoring of parking. That is, if an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected while functioning an event detection process by the event detection unit <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the video data due to the event is stored.

If it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has not been parked (determined No at Step S101), the control device <NUM> ends the processes illustrated in <FIG>, and again starts the process at Step S101 when the processes illustrated in <FIG> are started again.

If it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked by the parking detection unit <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S101), it is determined whether or not another vehicle located nearby has been detected during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> (Step S102). The detection of the another vehicle located nearby is performed by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> based on the video data that has been acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle (see <FIG>) that is present near the own vehicle <NUM> based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. When the another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, the another vehicle is detected based on the video data obtained for a predetermined period of time prior to a time at which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked. The predetermined period of time in this case is a assumed period of time required for the vehicle <NUM> to perform a parking operation and is set to, for example, <NUM> seconds or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state of the vehicle <NUM> for a predetermined period of time prior to a time at which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, that is, at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed. The predetermined period of time that is used for detecting of another vehicle V performed by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> corresponds to a period of time in which the vehicle <NUM> performs a parking operation. Thus the vehicle <NUM> is performing, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a parking operation with respect to an arbitrary parking section P for the predetermined period of time prior to the time at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed. Even in the parking operation performed by the vehicle <NUM>, the imager <NUM> continues to capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle <NUM>, and the video data acquisition unit <NUM> continues to acquire the video data captured by the imager <NUM>. Accordingly, in the parking operation performed by the vehicle <NUM>, if the another vehicle V is present around the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle V is also captured by the imager <NUM>, and the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data in which the another vehicle V is included.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> is being parked in the parking section P by performing a backward operation in a state in which the another vehicle V has already been parked in the parking section P that is adjacent to the parking section P for the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle V is easily captured by the rear camera <NUM> that is arranged at the rear end of the vehicle <NUM> facing rearward. That is, the another vehicle V is readily included in the video data captured by the rear camera <NUM>, and, accordingly, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data in which the another vehicle V is included.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> is being parked in the parking section P by performing a backward operation in a state in which the another vehicle V has already been parked in a parking section located on the right side of the parking section P for the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle V is readily included in the video data captured by the right side camera <NUM> provided in the vehicle <NUM>. Consequently, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data in which the another vehicle V is included.

The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle from the video data that is obtained for the predetermined period of time prior to the time at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed from among the pieces of the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. The detection of the another vehicle performed by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> is performed by using, for example, a vehicle recognition dictionary. The vehicle recognition dictionary is stored in advance in an internal memory included in the control device <NUM> as a dictionary in which it is possible to check that the object included in the video data is a vehicle. The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle from the video data by checking the vehicle recognition dictionary against the video data for the predetermined period of time prior the time at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed.

Furthermore, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> does not need to detect all of vehicles included in the video data, but may only detect another vehicle or other vehicles present near the vehicle <NUM>. It is preferable that the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> recognizes another vehicle that occupies a predetermined area ratio or more, such as an area ratio equal to or larger than, for example, <NUM>% in the video captured by the imager <NUM>, in particular, another vehicle located at a parking position adjacent to the parking position of the vehicle <NUM>.

If another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> (determined at Yes Step S102), a video of the another vehicle is temporarily stored (Step S103). <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the video data <NUM> at the time at which the another vehicle has been detected. When the another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> in the video data <NUM> between a time Tp at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed and a time Ta prior to the time Tp for a predetermined period of time, the recording controller <NUM> performs setting such that the video data <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected is treated as another vehicle video data <NUM>, and temporarily stores the video data. That is, when the parking detection unit <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked and if the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data <NUM> between the time Tp at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed and the time Ta prior to the time Tp for the predetermined period of time, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, in the recording unit <NUM>, the video data <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected as the another vehicle video data <NUM>. A process for temporarily storing the video data <NUM> to be performed here includes a process for adding a flag indicating that the another vehicle has been detected to the video data <NUM> when the another vehicle has been detected, a process for storing the video data <NUM> in association with the event video data, and a process for prohibiting overwriting until the temporarily stored data is released.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S104). In detail, the event detection unit <NUM> detects an occurrence of an event based on information indicating whether or not an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is equal to or larger than a threshold that is set in advance. That is, when the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is less than the threshold, the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM>. In contrast, when the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is equal to or larger than the threshold, the event detection unit <NUM> detects that a large impact shock has occurred to the vehicle <NUM> and an event has occurred to the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> that is being parked does not move by itself, so that, the event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> that is parked may include, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a case in which the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM> when the another vehicle V exits the parking lot.

When the event detection unit <NUM> detects that an event has occurred to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S104), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for the predetermined period of time due to the event and the temporarily stored video of the another vehicle (Step S105). <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the video data <NUM> obtained at the time at which an event has been detected while the vehicle <NUM> is parked. When the event detection unit <NUM> detects the occurrence of the event, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment starts to capture images by the imager <NUM>, and acquires the video data <NUM> by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. As a result, the recording unit <NUM> is able to record the video data <NUM> immediately after the detection of the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked. In addition, the recording controller <NUM> stores, as event video data <NUM>, the video data <NUM> for the predetermined period of time after the occurrence of the event from among the pieces of the video data <NUM> immediately after the event has been detected in this way.

The predetermined period of time used in this case is an assumed period of time required to verify a cause of the event that has occurred in the vehicle <NUM>, and is set to, for example, <NUM> seconds, or the like from the detection of the event. Furthermore, when the loop recording is able to be performed on the video data captured by the imager <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, for example, <NUM> seconds before and after the detection of the event is set as the predetermined period of time of the video data due to the event.

In addition, when the event detection unit <NUM> detects the event while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the event video data <NUM> that is the video data due to the detected event and the another vehicle video data <NUM>. Specifically, the recording controller <NUM> associates the event video data <NUM> with the another vehicle video data <NUM> such that the another vehicle video data <NUM> is also able to be easily replayed when the event video data <NUM> is replayed.

For example, the recording controller <NUM> associates both of the pieces of video data such that the another vehicle video data <NUM> is continuously replayed when the event video data <NUM> is replayed, or such that the event video data <NUM> is simultaneously replayed as a split display or picture-in-picture when the another vehicle video data <NUM> is replayed.

A process for storing the event video data <NUM> and the another vehicle video data <NUM> in an associated manner is performed by storing both of the pieces of the video data in an overwrite-prohibited manner such that, for example, both of the event video data <NUM> and the another vehicle video data <NUM> are simultaneously or continuously replayed. Alternatively, both of the pieces of the video data are stored as combined video data in an overwrite-prohibited manner such that both of the event video data <NUM> and the another vehicle video data <NUM> are continuously replayed.

<FIG> is a diagram conceptually illustrating a state in which a process of recording the video data <NUM> based on the loop recording is stopped when the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, and also conceptually illustrating both of the another vehicle video data <NUM> that is temporarily stored by detecting another vehicle and the event video data <NUM> that is stored due to the event detection. The recording controller <NUM> stores the event video data <NUM> and the another vehicle video data <NUM> in an associated manner.

After the completion of the process at Step S105, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines whether or not the parking has been ended (Step S106). That is, the control device <NUM> determines, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been ended. The parking detection unit <NUM> determines that the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended based on a state in which a power of the engine or the like of the vehicle <NUM> is turned off and an electric power is not supplied to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>. Furthermore, the parking detection unit <NUM> may determine whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended by acquiring the vehicle information from the CAN interface <NUM> and determining whether or not a shift position is operated to a position other than "parking", a braking state made by a parking brake is released, or a vehicle speed becomes larger than <NUM>/h.

If it is determined, as a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (determined Yes at Step S106), the control device <NUM> ends the processes illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the another vehicle data that has been temporarily stored at Step S103 is able to be deleted or overwritten by releasing the temporary stored state.

Moreover, if it is determined, as a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has not been ended (determined No at Step S106), the process returns to Step S104, and it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> that is parked has been detected by the parking detection unit <NUM> (Step S104).

Moreover, if the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect an occurrence of an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> at the determination process performed at Step S104 (determined No at Step S104), the process proceeds to Step S106, and it is determined whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (Step S106).

Moreover, if another vehicle located near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has not been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> at the determination process performed at Step S102 (determined No at Step S102), it is determined whether or not an event for the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM>, (Step S107). That is, an occurrence of an event is detected by the event detection unit <NUM> based on the detection result of the acceleration by the acceleration sensor <NUM> indicating whether or not the acceleration is equal to or larger than the threshold that is set in advance.

If the event detection unit <NUM> detects that an event has occurred to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S107), the recording controller <NUM> stores the video that is obtained for the predetermined period of time due to the event (Step S108).

At Step S108, after the event video data has been stored, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines whether or not the parking has been ended (Step S109). That is, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been ended, by performing the process in a similar manner to that performed at Step S106.

If it is determined, as a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (determined Yes at Step S109), the control device <NUM> ends the processes illustrated in <FIG>. Furthermore, if it is determined, as a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is not ended (determined No at Step S109), the process returns to Step S107, and it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> that is parked has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S107).

Moreover, at the determination at Step S107, if the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect an occurrence of an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined No at Step S107), the process proceeds to Step S109, and it is determined whether or not the parking has been ended (Step S109).

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the parking detection unit <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked and when the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data obtained for the predetermined period of time prior to the time at which the parking has been completed, for example, between the time Tp at which the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been completed and the time Ta prior to the time Tp for the predetermined period of time, the another vehicle video data in which the another vehicle has been detected is temporarily stored. Furthermore, after the another vehicle video data has been temporarily stored, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects an event while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, both of the event video data that is the video data due to the detected event and the another vehicle video data are stored in an associated manner. As a result, even if an event occurs at the time at which the vehicle <NUM> is parked, it is possible to appropriately record the video in which the another vehicle corresponding to a cause of the event is able to be identified by referring to the event video data and the another vehicle video data. For example, if an event occurs due to an contact accident between the another vehicle and the vehicle <NUM> that is parked, and even if the another vehicle continues running without stopping to thereby cause a hit-and-run accident, it is possible to appropriately identify the another vehicle that causes the hit-and-run accident by referring to the another vehicle video data captured at the time at which the vehicle <NUM> is parked.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a second embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment. However, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the second embodiment is different from the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that another vehicle is detected in consideration of a vehicle entering direction into the parking section P during the parking of the vehicle. Other components and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the second embodiment, the parking detection unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM> detects, in addition to detecting that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, an vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> based on the vehicle information acquired from the CAN interface <NUM>. That is, when the parking detection unit <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, the parking detection unit <NUM> is able to detect a vehicle entering direction of the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>, considering whether the vehicle <NUM> enters the parking space while moving forward or moving backward.

Moreover, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data captured by the imager <NUM> that captures the vehicle entering direction detected by the parking detection unit <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, in the first embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data captured by all of the imagers included in the imager <NUM>, whereas, in the second embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle from the video data captured by one of the imagers included in imager <NUM> that captures the vehicle entering direction of the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes performed in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the second embodiment. If it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (determined Yes at Step S101), the parking detection unit <NUM> determines the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> (Step S111). The parking detection unit <NUM> determines, based on the vehicle information acquired from the CAN interface <NUM>, a travelling direction of the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked. That is, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines whether the vehicle <NUM> has been parked while moving forward or backward, and detects the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not another vehicle located nearby has been detected from the video data captured by the imager that is included in the imagers <NUM> and that is able to capture the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> (Step S112). That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data captured by the imager included in the imager <NUM> and that captures the vehicle entering direction determined by the parking detection unit <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>. In this case, as the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is a forward movement direction or a backward movement direction, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data captured by the front camera <NUM> or the rear camera <NUM> included in the first imager <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> is parked in the parking section P while moving backward, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked while moving backward. In this case, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data captured by the rear camera <NUM> included in the imager <NUM> that captures a rear view corresponding to the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been parked. That is, if it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked while moving backward, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> defines that the rear camera <NUM> that captures the rear view of the vehicle <NUM> as a vehicle entering direction camera, and performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data captured by the rear camera <NUM> that is defined as the vehicle entering direction camera. In detail, if the rear camera <NUM> is defined as the vehicle entering direction camera, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle from the video data captured by the rear camera <NUM> for the predetermined period of time prior to the time at which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked.

In addition, if it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked while moving forward, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> defines that the front camera <NUM> that captures a forward view of the vehicle <NUM> is a vehicle entering direction camera, and performs detection of another vehicle based on the video data captured by the front camera <NUM> that is defined as the vehicle entering direction camera. In addition, the imager that is included in the imager <NUM> and defined as the vehicle entering direction camera is reset when the vehicle <NUM> exits the parked place, and is again defined in accordance with the vehicle entering direction in the subsequent parking operation.

If another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the vehicle entering direction camera (determined Yes at Step S112), the another vehicle video captured by the vehicle entering direction camera is temporarily stored (Step S113). The recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the imager included in the imager <NUM> and that captures the vehicle entering direction of the vehicle <NUM> detected by the parking detection unit <NUM>. For example, when the rear camera <NUM> is defined as the vehicle entering direction camera and if the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the rear camera <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM> performs setting such that the video data that is obtained by the rear camera <NUM> and in which the another vehicle has been detected is treated as the another vehicle video data, and temporarily stores the data.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S104). As a result of this determination, if an occurrence of an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S104), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event and the another vehicle video that is temporarily stored at Step S113 (Step S105).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the parking detection unit <NUM> detects the vehicle entering direction during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, and the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> from the video data captured by the imager that is included in the imager <NUM> and that captures the vehicle entering direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected in this way, and, furthermore, associates the another vehicle video data with the event video data, and then, stores the associated data. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce arithmetic processing by the control device <NUM> for detecting the another vehicle from the video data captured by the imager <NUM> without decreasing a detection accuracy for detecting the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to store the event video data and the another vehicle video data in an associated manner while suppressing electric power consumed during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is parked more reliably. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately record video in which the another vehicle related to the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked is able to be identified.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a third embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment. However, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the third embodiment is different from the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that another vehicle is detected from the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> provided on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM>. Other components and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the third embodiment, detection of another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is performed based on the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> provided on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, in the first embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data captured by all of the imagers included in the imager <NUM>, whereas, in the third embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> included in the imager <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the third embodiment. If it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (determined Yes at Step S101), it is determined whether or not another vehicle located nearby has been detected from the video obtained from the left and right side cameras during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> (Step S121).

That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> that performs detection of another vehicle based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> detects another vehicle from the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> and acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. In detail, as the second imager <NUM> includes the left side camera <NUM> that captures the left side of the vehicle <NUM> and the right side camera <NUM> that captures the right side of the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data captured by the left side camera <NUM> and the video data captured by the right side camera <NUM>. Accordingly, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to appropriately detect the another vehicle that is parked next to the own vehicle <NUM> when the vehicle <NUM> is parked in a parking lot in which vehicles are parked in parallel.

If the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> including the left and right side cameras that capture the left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM> respectively (determined Yes at Step S121), the pieces of another vehicle video captured by the left and right side cameras are stored (Step S122). A process for temporarily storing the another vehicle video is performed by the recording controller <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>. The recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the left side camera <NUM> included in the second imager <NUM> and the video data captured by the right side camera <NUM> included in the second imager <NUM>.

For example, when another vehicle has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the left side camera <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores the video data by the left side camera <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected acquired by the left side camera <NUM> as the another vehicle video data. Similarly, when another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the right side camera <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores the video data by the right side camera <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected as the another vehicle video data. Furthermore, when another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from each of the video data captured by the left side camera <NUM> and the video data captured by the right side camera <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores both of the pieces of video data in each of which the another vehicle has been detected as the another vehicle video data.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines, by the event detection unit <NUM>, whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected (Step S104). As a result of this determination, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects that an event has occurred with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S104), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event and the another vehicle video that is temporarily stored at Step S122 (Step S105).

Moreover, at the determination at Step S121, when another vehicle located near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has not been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data captured by the left and right side cameras (determined No at Step S121), it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S107).

As described above, in the third embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> from the video data captured by the imagers included in the second imager <NUM> and provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, in a parking lot in which vehicles are parked in parallel, it is possible to efficiently detect the another vehicle present near the own vehicle <NUM> from the video data captured by the second imager <NUM> that captures the left and right sides of the vehicle <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce arithmetic processing performed by the control device <NUM> for detecting the another vehicle from the video data captured by the imager <NUM> without decreasing the detection accuracy for detecting the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to store the event video data and the another vehicle video data in an associated manner while suppressing electric power consumed during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> more reliably. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately record the video in which another vehicle related to the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked is able to be identified.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment. However, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment is different from the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that a license plate of the another vehicle is detected. Other components and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, when another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is detected, a license plate provided on the another vehicle is detected. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects another vehicle and a license plate of the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment. If it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (determined Yes at Step S101), it is determined whether or not a license plate of the another vehicle located nearby has been detected during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> (Step S131).

That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> that performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, and, furthermore, performs detection of a license plate attached to the detected another vehicle. That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> further detects whether or not a license plate is included in the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected.

If a license plate of the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S131), the another vehicle video in which the license plate has been detected is temporarily stored (Step S103). That is, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the license plate of the another vehicle has been detected together with the another vehicle included in the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S104). As a result of this determination, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects that an event has occurred with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S104), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event and the another vehicle video which is temporarily stored at Step S103 and in which the license plate of the another vehicle has been detected (Step S105).

Moreover, at the determination performed at Step S131, if the license plate of the another vehicle located near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has not been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> (determined No at Step S131), it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S107). That is, even if the another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, when it is not possible to detect a license plate of the another vehicle (determined No at Step S131), the process proceeds to Step S107, and performs determination whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of not only the another vehicle but also the license plate of the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, and temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the license plate has been detected. Accordingly, it is possible to identify the another vehicle present near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> more reliably based on information indicated on the license plate. Accordingly, even if an event has occurred in the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, it is possible to identify the cause of the event more reliably by referring to both of the event video data and the another vehicle video data in which the license plate has been detected. That is, it is possible to identify the another vehicle that comes into contact the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked more reliably based on the information indicated by the license plate imaged in the another vehicle video data. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately record the video in which the another vehicle related to the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked is able to be identified.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a fifth embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment. However, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment is different from the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment detects a moving object that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, and detects that the detected moving object is the another vehicle V. Other components and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment. Similarly to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment includes the imager <NUM>, the CAN interface <NUM>, the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the recording unit <NUM>, the operation unit <NUM>, the display <NUM>, the GNSS reception unit <NUM>, the map information storage <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>. The on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment further includes a moving object sensor <NUM>.

The moving object sensor <NUM> is a sensor that is used to detect a moving object that is moving near the vehicle <NUM>, and outputs a detection result to a moving object detection unit <NUM> included in the control device <NUM>. The moving object sensor <NUM> is arranged at multiple positions of, for example, a bumper located on the front side of the vehicle <NUM> and a bumper located on the rear side of the vehicle <NUM>, and an obstacle sensor that detects an obstacle around the vehicle <NUM> by using ultrasound waves is used as the moving object sensor <NUM>. The moving object sensor <NUM> is able to detect a moving object that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> by detecting that the obstacle detected by the moving object sensor <NUM> is moving relative to the vehicle <NUM> that is parked.

Furthermore, the moving object sensor <NUM> may be one that detects the moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> by using another method other than the ultrasound waves. The moving object sensor <NUM> may be configured so as to be able to detect the moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> by using, for example, electromagnetic waves, such as infrared rays. Furthermore, the moving object sensor <NUM> may use the imager <NUM> and detect the moving object based on the video data captured by the imager <NUM>.

Similarly to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the control device <NUM> includes the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, the buffer memory <NUM>, the video data processing unit <NUM>, the parking detection unit <NUM>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, the event detection unit <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM>, the replay controller <NUM>, the operation controller <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the location information acquisition unit <NUM>, and the map information acquisition unit <NUM>, all of which are connected to the bus <NUM>. In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment, the control device <NUM> further includes the moving object detection unit <NUM>.

The moving object detection unit <NUM> detects a moving object that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked. When the parking detection unit <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the moving object detection unit <NUM> performs detection of a moving object that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is parked based on information output from the moving object sensor <NUM>.

In the following, a flow of processes in the control device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment.

The process illustrated in <FIG> is periodically performed while the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is operated. If the process illustrated in <FIG> has been started, the control device <NUM> performs determination whether or not the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (Step S201). That is, the control device <NUM> determines, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, whether or not the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been parked, that is, determines, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> is parked. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked. If, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> is parked in the arbitrary parking section P and completes a parking operation, a vehicle speed becomes <NUM>/h, a parking brake is operated so as to enter a braking state, and then, a shift position is operated so as to be shifted to a "parking" position. The parking detection unit <NUM> acquires the vehicle information using the CAN interface <NUM>, and performs determination whether or not the vehicle <NUM> has been parked based on whether or not the vehicle information acquired from the CAN interface <NUM> indicates a state in which the vehicle <NUM> has been parked in this way described above.

As a result of determination by the parking detection unit <NUM>, if it is determined that the vehicle <NUM> has not been parked (determined No at Step S201), the control device <NUM> ends the process illustrated in <FIG>, and starts the process from Step S201 when the process illustrated in <FIG> is again started.

As a result of determination by the parking detection unit <NUM>, if it is determined, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked (determined Yes at Step S201), a parking monitoring is started (Step S202). The parking monitoring mentioned here is a method for detecting an occurrence of an event by the acceleration sensor <NUM> and detecting a moving object that is moving around the vehicle <NUM> by the moving object sensor <NUM> when the vehicle <NUM> is parked.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not a moving object has been detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> (Step S203). <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which a moving object M is present near the vehicle <NUM> that is parked. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the another vehicle V is going to be parked in a section P located next to the parking section P in which the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the another vehicle V moves near the own vehicle <NUM>. The moving object sensor <NUM> included in the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> continuously detects presence or absence of an object that is present near the vehicle <NUM>, and continuously detects, if the object is present near the vehicle <NUM>, a distance to the object, and then, outputs a detection result to the moving object detection unit <NUM>. Accordingly, when the another vehicle V is present near the vehicle <NUM>, the moving object sensor <NUM> detects the distance to the another vehicle V, and outputs the detection result to the moving object detection unit <NUM>. In addition, the moving object sensor <NUM> continuously detects the distance to the another vehicle V, so that, if the distance between the moving object sensor <NUM> and the another vehicle V is changed over time due to a movement of the another vehicle V, the moving object sensor <NUM> continuously outputs the distance to the another vehicle V that is changed over time to the moving object detection unit <NUM>.

The moving object detection unit <NUM> that has received the detection result by the moving object sensor <NUM> detects that the moving object M that is moving relative to the vehicle <NUM> is present near the vehicle <NUM> that is parked based on a state in which the distance output from the moving object sensor <NUM> is changed over time. Furthermore, as the multiple moving object sensors <NUM> are arranged in the vehicle <NUM>, the moving object detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the moving object M that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> by combining the changes of the distance, detected by the multiple moving object sensors <NUM>, to the object that is located near the vehicle <NUM>.

If it is determined that the moving object has been detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S203), it is determined whether or not the moving object is another vehicle that is located nearby (Step S204). In detail, if the moving object has been detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM>, a process of capturing an image is started in the imager <NUM>, and the video data is acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. At this time, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data captured by the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>. The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection, based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, whether or not the moving object is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM>. That is, when the moving object detection unit <NUM> detects the moving object, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects that the detected moving object is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> based on the multiple pieces of the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>.

Detection of the another vehicle performed by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> is performed by using, for example, the vehicle recognition dictionary. The vehicle recognition dictionary is stored in advance in an internal memory included in the control device <NUM> as a dictionary capable of checking that the moving object captured in the video data is a vehicle. As a result of detecting the moving object by the moving object detection unit <NUM>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle from the video data by checking the vehicle recognition dictionary against each of the multiple pieces of the video data captured by the imager <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the another vehicle V has stopped at a location near the vehicle <NUM> that is parked. The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> performs detection of the another vehicle V from the multiple pieces of the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, and, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects that the moving object M detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> is the another vehicle V that has stopped at the location near the vehicle <NUM>. That is, when the vehicle <NUM> is parked in the parking section P, the another vehicle is not parked in a parking section P (see <FIG>) located next to the parking section P for the vehicle <NUM>, and when the another vehicle V that is the moving object M has been parked after the vehicle <NUM> is parked and if the another vehicle V has stopped at the location near the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle V by the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the same applies to a case in which the another vehicle has already been parked in the parking section P next to the parking section P for the vehicle <NUM>, then the another vehicle exits the parking section P while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, and then, a next vehicle enters the parking section P.

The another vehicle detection unit <NUM> does not need to detect all of the another vehicles captured in the video of the video data, but may detect another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM>. It is preferable that the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> recognizes the another vehicle that occupies a predetermined area ratio or more, such as an area ratio of, for example, <NUM>% or more, in the video captured by the imager <NUM>, in particular, such as the another vehicle parked at a parking position adjacent to a parking position of the vehicle <NUM>. Furthermore, in a case in which the detected another vehicle is stopped or almost stopped in the video, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> determines that the detected another vehicle is stopped at that position.

If it is detected, by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, that the moving object detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> and if it is determined that the moving object is the another vehicle (determined Yes at Step S204), the another vehicle video is temporarily stored (Step S205). <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the video data <NUM> when the another vehicle is detected. After it is detected, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that the vehicle <NUM> has been parked, if the another vehicle is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> from the video data <NUM> acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, the recording controller <NUM> performs setting such that the video data <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected is treated as the another vehicle video data <NUM>, and temporarily stores the video data. That is, when the moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> that is parked is detected and it is detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> that the moving object imaged in multiple pieces of the video data <NUM> acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> is the another vehicle, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores the video data <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected in the recording unit <NUM> as the another vehicle video data <NUM>. As a result, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores the video data <NUM> in which the another vehicle has been detected from among the pieces of video data <NUM> captured by the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>. A process for temporarily storing the video data <NUM> includes a process of adding a flag indicating that the another vehicle has been detected to the video data <NUM> when the another vehicle has been detected, a process of storing the video data <NUM> in association with the event video data, and a process of prohibiting overwriting until the temporarily stored data is released.

Moreover, while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, after the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected is temporarily stored as the another vehicle video data in the recording unit <NUM>, a capturing operation performed in the imager <NUM> may be continued, or may be stopped. <FIG> illustrates a conceptual diagram in a case in which an image capturing operation performed in the imager <NUM> is stopped after the another vehicle video data <NUM> has temporarily been stored.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S206). In detail, the event detection unit <NUM> detects an occurrence of an event based on whether or not an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is equal to or larger than the threshold that is set in advance. That is, if the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is less than the threshold, the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM>. In contrast, if the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor <NUM> is equal to or larger than the threshold, the event detection unit <NUM> detects that a large impact shock has occurred with respect to the vehicle <NUM> and an event has occurred with respect to the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> that is parked does not move by itself. Therefore, an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> occurring while the vehicle <NUM> is parked may be a case in which, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM>. An example of a conceivable case in which the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM> includes a case in which, for example, the another vehicle V which was parked in the parking section P located adjacent to the parking section P in which the vehicle <NUM> is parked as illustrated in <FIG> comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM> when the another vehicle V exits the parking section P as illustrated in <FIG>. Furthermore, another conceivable case may be a case in which, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the another vehicle V comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM> when the another vehicle V enters the parking section P.

If the event detection unit <NUM> detects that an event has occurred with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S206), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event and the another vehicle video that has been temporarily stored (Step S207). <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the video data <NUM> obtained when the event has been detected while the vehicle <NUM> is parked. If the occurrence of the event has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM>, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment starts to capture video by the imager <NUM> and acquires the video data <NUM> by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. That is, as the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> stops capturing the video by the imager <NUM> after having temporarily stored the another vehicle video data <NUM>, when the occurrence of the event has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> while the image capturing process by the imager <NUM> is stopped, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> again starts the image capturing process by the imager <NUM> and acquires the video data <NUM> by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to record the video data <NUM> acquired immediately after detection of the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked.

Moreover, the recording controller <NUM> sets and stores, as the event video data <NUM>, the video data <NUM> for a predetermined period of time after the occurrence of the event from among the pieces of video data <NUM> captured immediately after the event has been detected in this way. The predetermined period of time used in this case is a period of time assumed as a period of time required to verify the cause of the event that has occurred in the vehicle <NUM>, and is set to, for example, <NUM> seconds, or the like from detection of the event.

Furthermore, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects the event while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the event video data <NUM> that is the video data due to the detected event and the another vehicle video data <NUM>. Specifically, the recording controller <NUM> associates the event video data <NUM> with the another vehicle video data <NUM> such that the another vehicle video data <NUM> is able to be easily replayed when the event video data <NUM> is replayed.

<FIG> is a diagram conceptually illustrating, similarly to <FIG>, the another vehicle video data <NUM> temporarily stored when the another vehicle has been detected and the event video data <NUM> stored when the event has been detected in a state in which the vehicle <NUM> is parked and recording of the video data <NUM> by loop recording is stopped. The recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the event video data <NUM> and the another vehicle video data <NUM>.

After the process at Step S207 has been completed, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (Step S208). That is, the control device <NUM> determines, by the parking detection unit <NUM>, whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been ended. The parking detection unit <NUM> determines that the parking has been ended based on a state in which a power of an engine or the like of the vehicle <NUM> is turned off and an electric power is not supplied to the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>. Furthermore, the parking detection unit <NUM> may determine whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended by acquiring the vehicle information from the CAN interface <NUM> and determining whether the shift position is operated to a position other than "parking", a braking state made by a parking brake is released, or a vehicle speed becomes larger than <NUM>/h.

As a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, if it is determined that the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (determined Yes at Step S208), the control device <NUM> ends the processes illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the another vehicle video data that has been temporarily stored at Step S205 is able to be deleted or overwritten by releasing the temporary stored state. Furthermore, regarding the another vehicle video data temporarily stored at Step S205, if an event is not detected (determined No at Step S206), and if a moving object is again detected (determined Yes at Step S203) in a state in which the parking is not ended (determined No at Step S208), the temporary stored state of the previous another vehicle video data is released, and new another vehicle video data is temporarily stored.

Moreover, as a result of the determination performed by the parking detection unit <NUM>, if it is determined that parking of the vehicle <NUM> is not ended (determined No at Step S208), the process returns to Step S203 and it is determined whether or not the moving object has been detected.

Moreover, at the determination at Step S206, if the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect an occurrence of an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined No at Step S206), the process proceeds to Step S208, and it is determined whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (Step S208).

Moreover, at the determination performed at Step S203, if it is determined that the moving object is not detected (determined No at Step S203), or at the determination performed at Step S204, if it is determined that the detected moving object is not the another vehicle located near the vehicle <NUM> (determined No at Step S204), it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S209). That is, the occurrence of the event is detected by the event detection unit <NUM> based on the detection result of the acceleration by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, and based on whether or not the acceleration is equal to or larger than the threshold that is set in advance.

If the event detection unit <NUM> detects the occurrence of the event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S209), the recording controller <NUM> stores the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event (Step S210).

After the event video data has been stored at Step S210, the parking detection unit <NUM> determines whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (Step S211). That is, the control device <NUM> determines, similarly to the process performed at Step S208, whether or not the parking of the vehicle <NUM> on which the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is mounted has been ended.

If it is determined, at the determination by the parking detection unit <NUM>, that parking of the vehicle <NUM> has been ended (determined Yes at Step S211), the control device <NUM> ends the processes illustrated in <FIG>. Furthermore, if it is determined, at the determination parking detection unit <NUM>, that parking of the vehicle <NUM> is not ended (determined No at Step S211), the process returns to Step S203, and it is determined whether or not a moving object has been detected.

Moreover, at the determination at Step S209, if the event detection unit <NUM> does not detect the occurrence of the event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined No at Step S209), the process proceeds to Step S211, and it is determined whether or not the parking has been ended (Step S211).

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, in a case in which a moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> that is parked has been detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM>, if it is detected, by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, that the detected moving object is the another vehicle that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> based on the video data, the another vehicle video data in which the another vehicle has been detected is temporarily stored. Furthermore, after the another vehicle video data has been temporarily stored, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects an event while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, the event video data due to the detected event is stored in associated with the another vehicle video data. As a result, even if an event occurs in the vehicle <NUM> that is parked, it is possible to appropriately record a video in which the another vehicle corresponding to the source of the occurrence of the event is able to be identified by referring to the event video data and the another vehicle video data. For example, if an event occurs due to the another vehicle coming into contact with the vehicle <NUM> that is parked, and the another vehicle continues running without stopping to cause a hit-and-run accident, it is possible to appropriately identify the another vehicle that causes the hit-and-run accident by referring to the another vehicle video data in which the another vehicle has been detected.

Moreover, the video data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the video data captured by the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>, and the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores the another vehicle video data in which the another vehicle has been detected from among the video data captured by the multiple imagers included in the imager <NUM>, so that it is possible to detect the another vehicle more reliably. That is, in a case in which a moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> has been detected, it is possible to image the moving object over a wide range of surroundings of the vehicle <NUM>, and it is possible to detect the another vehicle over a wide range of surroundings of the vehicle <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to detect the another vehicle approaching the vehicle <NUM> more reliably while the vehicle <NUM> is parked, and, when an event has occurred, it is more appropriately identify the another vehicle corresponding to the source of the occurrence of the event.

Moreover, as the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects that the moving object detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> is the another vehicle that has stopped at the location near the vehicle <NUM>, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> is able to detect the another vehicle that is parked near the vehicle <NUM> after the vehicle <NUM> has been parked. Accordingly, another vehicle that is likely to come into contact with the vehicle <NUM> and that is likely to be a cause of the occurrence of the event can be detected more reliably.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a sixth embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment. However, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment is different from the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment in that the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment performs detection of a license plate of the another vehicle. Other components and processes are the same as those described in the fifth embodiment; therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment, the license plate provided on the another vehicle is detected when it is detected that a moving object moving near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM>. That is, in the sixth embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle and the license plate of the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment.

At Step S204, if it is detected, by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM>, that the moving object detected by the moving object detection unit <NUM> is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM>, and if it is determined that the moving object is the another vehicle (determined Yes at Step S204), it is determined whether or not a license plate of the another vehicle located nearby has been detected (Step S221). That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> that performs detection of the another vehicle based on the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> detects the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, and, furthermore, performs detection of the license plate attached to the another vehicle. That is, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> further detects whether or not the license plate is included in the video data in which the another vehicle has been detected.

If the license plate of the another vehicle that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S221), the another vehicle video in which the license plate has been detected is temporarily stored (Step S205). That is, the recording controller <NUM> temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the license plate of the another vehicle has been detected together with the another vehicle from among the pieces of the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>.

Then, the control device <NUM> determines whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S206). As a result of this determination, if the event detection unit <NUM> detects an occurrence of an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> (determined Yes at Step S206), the recording controller <NUM> stores, in an associated manner, the video for a predetermined period of time due to the event and the another vehicle video that is temporarily stored at Step S205 (Step S207).

Moreover, if it is determined, at the determination performed at Step S203, that the moving object M is not detected (determined No at Step S203), or, if it is determined, at the determination performed at Step S204, that it is detected that the detected moving object M is not the another vehicle V that is located near the vehicle <NUM> (determined No at Step S204), or, at the determination performed at Step S221, if the license plate of the another vehicle V that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> is not detected by the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> (determined No at Step S221), it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected by the event detection unit <NUM> (Step S209). That is, when it is possible to detect that the moving object M is the another vehicle that is present near the vehicle <NUM> based on the video data <NUM> acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM> and the license plate of the another vehicle is not able to be detected (determined No at Step S221), the process proceeds to Step S209, and it is determined whether or not an event with respect to the vehicle <NUM> has been detected.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the another vehicle detection unit <NUM> detects the license plate of the another vehicle from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit <NUM>, in addition to detecting that the moving object is the another vehicle, and temporarily stores, as the another vehicle video data, the video data in which the license plate has been detected. Accordingly, the another vehicle that is moving near the vehicle <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> is identified more reliably based on the information indicated on the license plate. Accordingly, even if an event has occurred in the vehicle <NUM> that is parked, it is possible to identify the cause of the event more reliably by referring to the event video data and the another vehicle video data in which the license plate has been detected. That is, the another vehicle that comes into contact with the vehicle <NUM> is identified more reliably during the parking of the vehicle <NUM> based on the information indicated on the license plate in the another vehicle video data. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately record the video in which the another vehicle related to the event that has occurred while the vehicle <NUM> is parked is able to be identified.

A configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to a seventh embodiment is the same as that of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the first embodiment, and has a feature in that a replay method of the stored video data is specified. Other components are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted and the same reference numerals are assigned.

In the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment, as described as above in the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment, the video data in which the another vehicle video data and the event video data are stored in an associated manner is replayed. The replay of the video data is performed by an input operation of a replay instruction being performed on the operation unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the replay of the video data stored in the recording unit <NUM> may be performed by, for example, another device, such as a personal computer (PC), in addition to the replay by the on-vehicle recording device <NUM>.

In the following, a flow of processes when the event video data is replayed will be described with reference to <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processes in the on-vehicle recording control device <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment. In the process procedure for replaying the event video data, the replay controller <NUM> determines whether or not a replay instruction to replay the event video data has been received from the operation controller <NUM> (Step S301).

If it is determined that the replay instruction for the event video data is not received (determined No at Step S301), the control device <NUM> ends the processes for replaying the event video data. If it is determined that the replay instruction for the event video data is received (determined Yes at Step S301), the replay controller <NUM> determines whether or not the another vehicle video data is associated with the event video data that is instructed to be replayed (Step S302).

If it is determined, at the determination by the replay controller <NUM>, that the another vehicle video data is associated with the event video data that is instructed to be replayed (determined Yes at Step S302), a replay of both of the event video data and the another vehicle video data is started (Step S303).

The replay of both of the event video data and the another vehicle video data started at Step S303 is performed by, for example, simultaneously replaying both of the event video data and the another vehicle video data on the same screen or continuously replaying both of the event video data and the another vehicle video data. Alternatively, a replay of the another vehicle video data is possible to urge to replay the another vehicle video data by indicating presence of the another vehicle video data when the event video data is replayed.

Then, it is determined, by the replay controller <NUM>, whether or not the replay of the event video data and the another vehicle video data has been ended (Step S304), and when it is determined that the replay is not ended (determined No at Step S304), the replay is continued until the replay has been ended. The end of the replay includes an end operation of the replay by a user, in addition to the end of the replay of the event video data and the another vehicle video data.

If it is determined that the replay of the event video data and the another vehicle video data has been ended (determined Yes at Step S304), the control device <NUM> ends the processes for replaying the event video data.

If it is determined, at the determination performed at Step S302, that the another vehicle video data is not associated with the event video data that is instructed to be replayed (determined No at Step S302), the replay of the event video data is started (Step S305).

After the replay of the event video data is started, the replay controller <NUM> determines whether or not the replay of the event video data that is started to be replayed has been ended (Step S304), and when it is determined that the replay is not ended (determined No at Step S304), the replay controller <NUM> continues the replay of the event video data until the replay has been ended. If the replay of the event video data has been ended (determined Yes at Step S304), the replay controller <NUM> ends the processes for replaying the event video data.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, in a case in which an instruction to replay the event video data that is the video data when the occurrence of the event has been detected while the vehicle <NUM> is parked is given, if the another vehicle video data is associated with the event video data, the another vehicle video data is also replayed in addition to the event video data, so that it is more appropriately identify the another vehicle related to the event. As a result, it is possible to increase usability of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> during the parking of the vehicle <NUM>.

In the above, the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> according to the present invention has been described. However, an embodiment may also be implemented with various kinds of embodiments other than the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment described above.

Each of the components included in the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> illustrated in the drawings are only for conceptually illustrating the functions thereof and are not always physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. That is, the specific configuration of the device is not limited to the drawings. Specifically, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically separating or integrating any of the units depending on various loads or use conditions.

The configuration of the on-vehicle recording device <NUM> is implemented as, for example, software, programs, or the like loaded in a memory. In the embodiments described above, the description has been given as the functional blocks that are implemented in cooperation with these pieces of hardware or software. That is, the functional blocks can be implemented in various forms by using only hardware, using only software, or using a combination of hardware and software.

The components described above include one that can easily be thought of by a person skilled in the art and one that is practically identical. Further, the configurations described above may be combined appropriately. Furthermore, various omissions, replacements, and modifications of the components may be made within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An on-vehicle recording control device (<NUM>) comprising:
a video data acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire video data captured by imagers (<NUM>) that capture images of surroundings of a vehicle (<NUM>);
a parking detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect that the vehicle (<NUM>) has been parked;
an another vehicle detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect another vehicle (V) from the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit (<NUM>);
an event detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect an event with respect to the vehicle (<NUM>); and
a recording controller (<NUM>) configured to store the video data acquired by the video data acquisition unit (<NUM>), characterized in that
the recording controller (<NUM>) is further configured to temporarily store, when the another vehicle detection unit (<NUM>) detects another vehicle, after the parking detection unit (<NUM>) has detected that the vehicle (<NUM>) has been parked, the video data in which the another vehicle (V) has been detected by the another vehicle detection unit (<NUM>), and
to store, when the event detection unit (<NUM>) detects, after temporarily storing the video data, the event while the vehicle (<NUM>) is parked, the video data due to the detected event and the temporarily stored video data in which the another vehicle (V) has been detected in an associated manner.