IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,552,400
Granted Patent B2
US 12,552,400 · App. 18/915,370 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Vehicle information recording system

Inventor: Yohsuke Yamaguchi (Okazaki, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60W50/08B60K35/10B60K2360/21B60W2554/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,552,400
App. No.
18/915,370
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The processor of ECU includes: a distance determination unit that determines a distance between the vehicle and an object existing in the vicinity of the vehicle; an operation determination unit that determines whether or not an operation by a driver of the vehicle has been performed on an operation device for driving the vehicle; and a recording unit that records information related to driving of the vehicle.

Claims (54)

1 . A vehicle information recording system comprising:

a camera mounted on a vehicle that is moving and configured to capture images around the vehicle;

a sensor configured to measure distance between the vehicle and an object present around the vehicle;

a vehicle sensor configured to acquire an operation of the vehicle by a driver;

a memory; and

a processor configured to

acquire information indicating a distance between the vehicle and the object from the sensor,

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than a threshold based on the acquired information,

in a case where the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold, determine whether, before the distance between the vehicle and the object becomes equal to or less than the threshold, a driver has continuously performed the operation of the vehicle for a first predetermined time period,

in a case where the driver has not continuously performed the operation of the vehicle for the first predetermined time period, determine whether, after the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold and within a second predetermined time period, the driver has performed the operation of the vehicle,

in a case where the driver has performed the operation of the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire image data from the camera and record the image data in the memory,

in a case where the driver has performed the operation of the vehicle for the first predetermined time period, not acquire image data from the camera, wherein

the first predetermined time period and the second predetermined time period are consecutive, and

the operation of the vehicle by the driver includes an operation of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a steering, or a shift lever.

2 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the accelerator pedal.

3 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the brake pedal.

4 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the steering.

5 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the shift lever.

6 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the accelerator pedal, and

the processor is further configured to, in a case where the driver has operated the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire information indicating an accelerator operation amount from the vehicle sensor and record the information in the memory.

7 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the brake pedal, and

the processor is further configured to, in a case where the driver has operated the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire information indicating a brake depression amount from the vehicle sensor and record the information in the memory.

8 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the steering, and

the processor is further configured to, in a case where the driver has operated the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire information indicating steering position from the vehicle sensor, and record the information in the memory.

9 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the operation of the vehicle by the driver is the operation of the shift lever, and

the processor is further configured to, in a case where the driver has operated the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire information indicating shift position from the vehicle sensor, and record the information in the memory.

10 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 1 , wherein

the processor is further configured to, in a case where the driver has operated the vehicle within the second predetermined time period, acquire information indicating an operation of an advanced safety system from the vehicle sensor, and record the information in the memory.

11 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than a first threshold,

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, and

in a case where the distance between the vehicle and the object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than the first threshold, or the distance between the vehicle and the object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than the second threshold, determine that the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold.

12 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than a first threshold,

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, and

in a case where the distance between the vehicle and the object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than the first threshold, or the distance between the vehicle and the object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than the second threshold, determine that the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold.

13 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than a first threshold,

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, and

in a case where the distance between the vehicle and the object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than the first threshold, or the distance between the vehicle and the object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than the second threshold, determine that the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold.

14 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than a first threshold,

determine whether the distance between the vehicle and an object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, and

in a case where the distance between the vehicle and the object in front of the vehicle is equal to or less than the first threshold, or the distance between the vehicle and the object on either left or right side of the vehicle is equal to or less than the second threshold, determine that the distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to or less than the threshold.

15 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 14 , wherein the first threshold is 1 m and the second threshold is 0.5 m.

16 . The vehicle information recording system according to claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a Light Detection and Ranging.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2024
From: YAMAGUCHI, YOHSUKE
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 068891/0897 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2024-002655 · Jan 11, 2024 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250229792A1 · Jul 17, 2025
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