Driving recorder

• US 8,244,309 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Marumoto, Kyoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Lana N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sorowar, Golam
• Application Number:
  US12/487,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20090318121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 701 291- 299, 701 301- 309, 701/33, 701/35, 701/211, 701/114, 370/259, 370/310, 370/338, 340/438, 340/539.1
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A driving recorder of the present invention is provided with: a data collecting portion that collects driving condition data of a vehicle; a storage portion that stores the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner; a communications portion that performs mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and a control portion that comprehensively controls these portions each provided as a functional part, wherein the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit and receive the driving condition data to and from the mobile telephone terminal.

Claims

1. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

2. The driving recorder according to claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

3. The driving recorder according to claim 1, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

4. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

5. The driving recorder according to claim 4, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

6. The driving recorder according to claim 4, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

7. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion;

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

8. The driving recorder according to claim 7, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

9. The driving recorder according to claim 7, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

10. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

11. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 10, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

12. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 10, wherein the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

13. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

14. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

15. The server according to claim 14, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

16. The server according to claim 15, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

17. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value,

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.

18. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

19. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 18, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

20. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 18, wherein

the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

21. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

22. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

23. The server according to claim 22, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

24. The server according to claim 22, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

25. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.

26. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

27. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 26, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

28. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 26, wherein

the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

29. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

30. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

31. The server according to claim 30, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

32. The server according to claim 30, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

33. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion;

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to store the driving condition data, and simultaneously controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied,

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.

34. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

35. The driving recorder according to claim 34, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

36. The driving recorder according to claim 34, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

37. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

38. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 37, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

39. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 37, wherein

the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

40. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

41. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle, wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

42. The server according to claim 41, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

43. The server according to claim 41, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

44. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an acceleration sensor arranged to detect acceleration of the vehicle,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged to determine that the trigger condition is satisfied when the acceleration generated by the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value,

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.

45. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

46. The driving recorder according to claim 45, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

47. The driving recorder according to claim 45, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

48. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

49. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 48, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

50. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 48, wherein

the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

51. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

52. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

53. The server according to claim 52, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

54. The server according to claim 52, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

55. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly;

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion; and

an operation portion arranged to receive user operation,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving predetermined user operation, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied,

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.

56. A driving recorder comprising:

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with a mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

57. The driving recorder according to claim 56, wherein the driving condition data includes image data of an area surrounding the vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

58. The driving recorder according to claim 56, further comprising:

a warning portion arranged to provide a sound, an image, or a combination thereof,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the warning portion, based on traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, to thereby permit the warning portion to alert a driver of the vehicle.

59. A mobile telephone terminal comprising:

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

the driving recorder comprising;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

60. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 59, further comprising:

a transmission request functional part arranged to send, to the driving recorder, a request for transmitting the driving condition data, in accordance with predetermined user operation or a request from the server.

61. The mobile telephone terminal according to claim 59, wherein

the transfer functional part is arranged to transfer, to the driving recorder, traffic accident data or accumulated traffic accident data transmitted from the server.

62. An apparatus comprising a mobile telephone terminal comprising an arithmetic processing portion for executing a program for the mobile telephone terminal;

wherein execution of the program enables the arithmetic processing portion to function as a transfer functional part that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, transfers the driving condition data to a predetermined server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

63. A server comprising:

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with a mobile telephone terminal via a mobile telephone line;

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving driving condition data from a driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via the mobile telephone line,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect the driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied.

64. The server according to claim 63, wherein the server is arranged to analyze the driving condition data transferred from the mobile telephone terminal, and then generate traffic accident data.

65. The server according to claim 63, wherein the server is arranged to analyze and accumulate a plurality of sets of the traffic accident data, and thereby generate accumulated traffic accident data.

66. A traffic information system comprising:

a driving recorder;

a mobile telephone terminal; and

a server,

wherein the driving recorder comprises;

a data collecting portion arranged to continuously collect driving condition data of a vehicle;

a storage portion arranged to store the driving condition data in a non-volatile manner;

a communications portion arranged to perform mutual communications with the mobile telephone terminal, using a cable or wirelessly; and

a control portion arranged to comprehensively control the data collecting portion, the storage portion, and the communications portion,

wherein the control portion is arranged to control the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal and transmit and receive operation setting data to and from the mobile telephone terminal,

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to determining that a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the communications portion to thereby permit the communications portion to transmit the driving condition data to the mobile telephone terminal, and that, regardless of whether or not the predetermined trigger condition is satisfied, the control portion controls the storage portion to thereby permit the storage portion to continuously store the driving condition data without interruption, and

wherein the control portion is arranged such that, in response to receiving a request from the mobile telephone terminal via the communications portion, the control portion determines that the trigger condition is satisfied,

wherein the mobile telephone terminal comprises;

a transfer functional part arranged such that, in response to receiving the driving condition data from the driving recorder, the transfer functional part transfers the driving condition data to the server via a mobile telephone line,

wherein the server comprises;

a communications functional part arranged to communicate with the mobile telephone terminal via the mobile telephone line.