Communication system, program, and communication method

Abstract

To provide a communication system, a program, and a communication method capable of securing reliability of radio communication even if a communication environment is changed.SOLUTION: A communication system 100 comprises: a route information acquisition section 104 for acquiring route information; a congestion area prediction section 106 for predicting a congestion area A; an arrival time prediction section 107 for predicting arrival time of one's own vehicle 81 at the congestion area A; a communication load prediction section 108 for predicting a communication load occurring in the congestion area A at arrival time; and a communication setting section 110 that sets a total data amount of data required for executing multiple functions to a total data amount for preventing congestion from occurring in the congestion area A at schedule arrival time, and performs setting so as to transmit and receive data required for executing a high-priority function by utilizing multiple radio lines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a program, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies for wirelessly communicating various data with the outside in order to execute various vehicle functions such as autonomous driving. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for determining whether to continue autonomous driving based on communication status information when communication with an autonomous driving assistance center is interrupted. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a technology for, when there is a data gap, generating assistance data by complementing the data gap with previously received information and outputting the data to a driving assistance device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-71753 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-173904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 determines the communication status based on whether or not there is a communication interruption, and has the problem that it is not possible to grasp the deterioration of communication quality until a communication interruption occurs. In Patent Document 2, when data loss occurs, the data loss is compensated for and reliability is evaluated using data loss count information, which results in unreliable data transmission and reception and also has the problem that it is not possible to grasp the deterioration of communication quality until data loss occurs. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of ensuring communication reliability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a program, and a communication method that can ensure the reliability of wireless communication even when the communication environment changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A communication system is provided with a wireless communication unit mounted on a mobile body and transmitting and receiving data necessary for executing each of a plurality of functions of the mobile body via wireless lines, the communication system comprising: a route information acquisition unit that generates route information regarding the route along which the mobile body is scheduled to travel based on input information and acquires the route information; a congestion area prediction unit that predicts a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired route information; an arrival time prediction unit that predicts the arrival time of the mobile body in the congestion area; a communication load prediction unit that predicts the communication load that will occur in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting unit that sets the total amount of data necessary for the execution of the plurality of functions by the wireless communication unit to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the arrival time based on the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit until the mobile body reaches the congestion area, and sets the data necessary for the execution of the highest priority function to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines.

[0007] (2) In the communication system described in (1), the communication setting unit sets the data necessary for executing functions with second or lower priority to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines in order of priority within the range where congestion does not occur in the congestion area.

[0008] (3) In the communication system described in (1) or (2), the communication setting unit allocates the amount of data required for executing each of the multiple functions from the allowable data amount in order of priority of the functions of the mobile body, and if the function of the mobile body to which the communication setting unit has not allocated a data amount from the allowable data amount is the function with the highest priority, an output processing unit is further provided which outputs notification information to notify the driver of the mobile body of the restriction level of the function with the highest priority or the stop of the function with the highest priority before the mobile body reaches the congestion area.

[0009] (4) In the communication system described in (3), the mobile body is an autonomous vehicle, and the output processing unit outputs notification information to notify the driver of the mobile body of a change in the autonomous driving level or a switch in the control mode of the mobile body from automatic control to manual control when the function of the mobile body to which the data amount has not been allocated is a function related to autonomous driving.

[0010] (5) In a communication system described in any one of (1) to (4), when the communication setting unit sets the data necessary for executing the function of the mobile body to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, it sets the number of wireless lines to be used based on the communication load obtained just before the predicted congestion area so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area.

[0011] (6) In a communication system described in any one of (1) to (4), when the communication setting unit sets the data required to execute the function of the mobile body to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, the communication setting unit sets the number of wireless lines to be used so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area based on historical information of the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit and the number of lines required for the data to be transmitted using the multiple wireless lines.

[0012] (7) In a communication system described in any one of (1) to (6), the system comprises an information processing device having the route information acquisition unit, the congestion area prediction unit, the arrival time prediction unit, the communication load prediction unit, and the communication setting unit, and a communication device having the wireless communication unit that performs bidirectional communication with an external communication device and the information processing device, wherein the communication device transmits data necessary to execute the functions with high priority using multiple wireless lines between the external communication device in order of priority within a range that does not cause congestion in the congestion area, and transmits each of the data necessary to execute the remaining functions over a single line.

[0013] (8) In the communication system described in any one of (1) to (7), the information processing device is capable of communicating with the communication device, an in-vehicle sensor that detects driving information of the mobile body, an outside sensor that detects the situation around the mobile body, and an input / output device that accepts input operations by the driver of the mobile body and outputs information to the driver, and based on information obtained from the communication device, the in-vehicle sensor, the outside sensor, and the input / output device, generates the route information, predicts the congestion area, predicts the arrival time, predicts the communication load, and determines whether to use multiple wireless lines for one function or the number of lines if multiple wireless lines are used.

[0014] (9) In the communication system described in (8), the input / output device accepts an input operation by the driver of a plurality of point information used in generating the route information by the information processing device, and transmits the point information to the information processing device.

[0015] (10) The program is a program to be executed by a computer of a communication system that is mounted on a mobile body and has a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives data necessary to execute each of the mobile body's multiple functions via wireless lines, and causes the computer to execute the following steps: a route information acquisition step that acquires route information regarding the route along which the mobile body is scheduled to travel based on input information; a congestion area prediction step that predicts a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired route information; an arrival time prediction step that predicts the arrival time at which the mobile body will arrive at the congestion area; a communication load prediction step that predicts the communication load that will occur in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting step that sets the total data amount of data necessary to execute the multiple functions by the wireless communication unit to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the arrival time based on the communication load predicted in the communication load prediction step until the mobile body reaches the congestion area, and sets the data necessary to execute the function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines.

[0016] (11) A communication method is applied to a communication system equipped with a wireless communication unit mounted on a mobile body and transmitting and receiving data necessary for executing each of multiple functions of the mobile body via wireless lines, and includes: a route information acquisition step for acquiring route information regarding a route along which the mobile body is scheduled to travel based on input information; a congestion area prediction step for predicting a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired route information; a travel time prediction step for predicting the arrival time at which the mobile body will arrive at the congestion area; a communication load prediction step for predicting the communication load that will occur in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting step for setting the total data amount of data necessary for the execution of the multiple functions by the wireless communication unit to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the arrival time based on the communication load in the congestion area predicted in the communication load prediction step until the mobile body reaches the congestion area, and setting the data necessary for the execution of the function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the reliability of wireless communication can be ensured even when the communication environment changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external communication device that performs wireless communication with the communication system. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a road to which the communication system is applied. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a communication device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functional blocks of a communication device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration of an information processing device in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow up to wireless communication control processing in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a wireless communication control process executed by a communication processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a congestion area prediction process of the wireless communication control process executed by the communication processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a congestion-related information prediction process of the wireless communication control process executed by the communication processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a congestion-responsive communication setting process of the wireless communication control process executed by the communication processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of congestion-responsive communication setup processing, which is part of the wireless communication control processing executed by the communication processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and which is different from the processing shown in FIG. 11 . [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of congestion-responsive communication setup processing, which is part of the wireless communication control processing executed by the communication processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and which is different from the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a communication system 100 will be described as an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the communication system 100 and an external communication device 7 that performs wireless communication with the communication system 100. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the communication system 100 and a road 83 to which the communication system 100 is applied.

[0020] The communication system 100 is a system that is mounted on a moving object 8 and that wirelessly communicates various data with an external communication device 7 in order to execute multiple functions of the moving object 8. Examples of the moving object 8 include a vehicle and a drone. The moving object 8 may be a moving object with a person on board, or may be a moving object without a person on board, such as an unmanned vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle. In this embodiment, the communication system 100 mounted on the moving object 8 that is a vehicle will be described as an example. Note that, among the moving objects 8 that are vehicles, the moving object 8 that is mounted with the communication system 100 is referred to as the host vehicle 81, and the moving object 8 that is another vehicle as seen from the host vehicle 81 is referred to as the other vehicle 82.

[0021] The host vehicle 81 is, for example, an autonomously controlled or remotely controlled automatically driving vehicle. The host vehicle 81 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the external communication device 7. The host vehicle 81 may be, for example, a vehicle that performs automatic driving based on estimated position information of the host vehicle 81 and map information about the surroundings of the host vehicle 81. Furthermore, for example, the host vehicle 81 may be a vehicle that performs automatic driving based on a control signal from a remote control center or the like.

[0022] The various functions of the mobile object 8 may be, for example, functions related to autonomous driving, functions related to driving assistance other than autonomous driving, functions related to calls with the outside world, or functions related to entertainment such as videos and games. The functions related to autonomous driving may be, for example, a collision safety function for avoiding a collision with an obstacle or another vehicle 82, a function for autonomously controlling the host vehicle 81, or a function for remotely controlling the host vehicle 81. Data required for the function for autonomously controlling the host vehicle 81 may be, for example, route information along which the host vehicle 81 travels under autonomous control, vehicle surroundings information indicating the conditions around the host vehicle 81, and driving information such as the speed of the host vehicle 81. Data required for the function for remotely controlling the host vehicle 81 may be vehicle surroundings information or a control signal for controlling the driving of the host vehicle 81. In the following description, the functions of the mobile object 8 are referred to as vehicle functions.

[0023] Before describing the communication system 100, an external communication device 7 that performs wireless communication with the communication system 100 will be described.

[0024] Examples of the external communication device 7 include a base station 72, a control server 71, a satellite system 73, a drone 74, a communication device (not shown) of another vehicle 82, a roadside device (not shown), a communication terminal carried by a pedestrian, etc. The communication system 100 performs V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication with these devices, including V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication, V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) communication, and V2N (vehicle-to-network) communication.

[0025] The base station 72 provides a V2N communication service by wirelessly communicating with various devices such as communication devices of mobile objects 8 moving on a road 83. The multiple base stations 72 are installed in different communication areas and are communicably connected to the control server 71 and other base stations 72 via a communication network NW. A communication area refers to a geographical range in which each base station 72 is responsible for communication with each mobile object 8. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the multiple base stations 72, namely, base stations 72A, 72B, and 72C, are installed at intervals.

[0026] The base station 72 transmits data acquired through wireless communication with mobile objects 8 traveling within the communication area and various devices to the control server 71 via the communication network NW, or directly to the communication device of the mobile object 8.

[0027] Examples of communication networks include mobile communication networks operated by various communication carriers, core networks that connect mobile communication networks, and wide area networks (WANs) that include private networks and the Internet.

[0028] In this embodiment, the base station 72 holds, for example, its own identification information and data relating to the communication load (hereinafter referred to as communication load related data). The communication load related data includes, for example, communication traffic within its own communication area, the number of connections of communication partners such as mobile units 8 that are wirelessly communicating with the base station 72, and the like.

[0029] The control server 71 is communicably connected to external communication devices 7 such as a plurality of base stations 72 via a communication network NW, acquires various data from the external communication devices 7, and stores and manages the data in a database or the like.

[0030] The control server 71 transmits various data to the communication system 100 of the mobile object 8 via the base station 72, the communication devices of the other vehicles 82, etc. The information transmitted by the control server 71 includes, for example, map information of the route along which the mobile object 8 will travel, including roads 83, position information of the mobile object 8, control signals for remotely controlling the mobile object 8, and various data required for autonomous control of the mobile object 8, and the like, which are transmitted to the communication system 100. The map information includes position information and identification information of the base stations 72 arranged along the route.

[0031] The satellite system 73 may be, for example, a navigation satellite, a low-earth orbit satellite, or a geostationary orbit satellite that constitutes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as a global positioning system (GPS) or a quasi-zenith satellite system. The satellite system 73, which is a navigation satellite, transmits, to the ground, GNSS signals indicating position information, satellite images that can grasp traffic information such as images including roads 83 on which the mobile object 8 is traveling, and the like. The satellite system 73, which is a low-earth orbit satellite or a geostationary orbit satellite, constitutes a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and enables wireless communication according to the 5G communication standard or the like.

[0032] The drone 74 transmits, for example, images including a road 83 on which the mobile object 8 is traveling to the control server 71, the base station 72, the communication system 100, etc. The satellite system 73 and the drone 74 constitute a non-terrestrial network (NTN). For example, the satellite system 73 and the drone 74 may transfer data acquired from the control server 71, the base station 72, communication devices of other vehicles 82, etc. to the communication system 100.

[0033] The communication device of the other vehicle 82 may perform V2V communication or V2N communication via a base station 72 with the communication devices of other moving bodies 8, including the vehicle itself 81, and may transmit data indicating the wireless communication status, such as the amount of communication with the outside world, as well as its own location information, identification information, etc.

[0034] The roadside units (not shown) are also called RSUs (road side units) or the like. Multiple roadside units are installed in different communication areas around (on the roadside of) a road 83. A communication area refers to the range in which each roadside unit is responsible for communication with each mobile object 8, and indicates, for example, a geographical range set along the road 83.

[0035] The roadside unit provides a V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication service by wirelessly communicating with the communication devices of the mobile objects 8 traveling on the road 83 and various devices present in the vicinity. The roadside unit also transmits data acquired through wireless communication with the mobile objects 8 traveling within the communication area and various devices to the control server 71 via the communication network NW, or directly to the communication devices of the mobile objects 8.

[0036] A communication terminal carried by a pedestrian or the like (hereinafter referred to as a pedestrian communication terminal) performs wireless communication with other external communication devices 7 including a base station 72. The pedestrian communication terminal may perform V2P (vehicle-to-pedestrian) communication with a communication device of a moving object 8 including the vehicle 81, or may relay wireless communication between the communication device of the moving object 8 and the base station 72.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 is mounted on a moving object 8, and includes a communication processing device 6, an in-vehicle sensor 4, and an outside-vehicle sensor 5.

[0038] The in-vehicle sensor 4 is a sensor for detecting driving information such as the speed, acceleration, and angular velocity of the host vehicle 81. Examples of the in-vehicle sensor 4 include a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the host vehicle 81, an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the host vehicle 81, and a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw angular velocity of the host vehicle 81.

[0039] The exterior sensor 5 is a device for detecting information about the surroundings of the host vehicle 81. The exterior sensor 5 may be, for example, a radar such as a millimeter-wave radar, a LiDAR (light detection and ranging), or a camera. The camera detects information about the surroundings of the host vehicle 81 by capturing still or video images of the surroundings of the host vehicle 81. The millimeter-wave radar and LiDAR detect the distance, direction, relative speed, etc. of objects present around the host vehicle 81 based on transmission waves transmitted to the surroundings of the host vehicle 81 and reflected received waves. The exterior sensor 5 of this embodiment irradiates the surroundings with millimeter waves or laser light and detects the surrounding objects as point cloud data, thereby enabling highly accurate detection of the positions, shapes, etc. of the surrounding objects. The exterior sensor 5 transmits the detected point cloud data to the information processing device 1.

[0040] The communication processing device 6 includes an input / output device (HMI; Human Machine Interface) 3, a communication device 2, and an information processing device 1. In this embodiment, the HMI 3, the communication device 2, and the information processing device 1 are separate entities, but they may also be integrated. By separating the communication device 2 from the information processing device 1, etc., the processing in the device can be specialized for wireless communication with the external communication device 7, allowing for smoother wireless communication.

[0041] The HMI 3 is an interface that receives information input by the driver of the vehicle 81 and outputs the information to the driver. The HMI 3 may be configured to include, for example, buttons, a display, a speaker, etc. The information that the driver inputs to the HMI 3 may be, for example, point information for generating route information along which the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel. The point information may be the current location of the vehicle 81, the starting point of the planned route, the destination point, stop-off points along the route from the starting point to the destination point, and evacuation points. An evacuation point is, for example, an area where the vehicle 81, while autonomously driving, makes an emergency stop in the event of an abnormality, etc. Note that there may be multiple stop-off points and evacuation points.

[0042] The communication device 2 is a part that performs wireless communication with the external communication device 7. The communication device 2 may be a device that handles either or both of telematics and infotainment information. The communication device 2 of this embodiment transmits and receives data to and from the external communication device 7 via multiple wireless lines. The data acquired by the communication device 2 is transmitted to the information processing device 1.

[0043] Here, the hardware configuration of the communication device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication device 2.

[0044] The communication device 2 includes a computer 28, a storage unit 23, a wireless communication unit 24, and an I / F unit 25. A bus 27 and the like connect these units together.

[0045] The computer 28 includes a processor 20 and a read-only memory (ROM) 21 and a random-access memory (RAM) 22 as main storage devices. The processor 20 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 20 may be a combination of these. The processor 20 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 20 controls each component to realize various functions of the communication device 2 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 21, the RAM 22, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 23. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 20.

[0046] The storage unit 23 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the communication device 2, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 23 stores programs and the like for causing the computer 28 to execute each function of this embodiment.

[0047] The wireless communication unit 24 executes processing for the communication device 2 to perform wireless communication with the external communication device 7. The wireless communication unit 24 can transmit data using multiple wireless lines. The type of wireless line is not particularly limited. Examples of wireless lines include wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication standards including Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication standards, wireless communication lines within the same communication carrier based on the 5G communication standard, and wireless communication lines between different communication carriers. Wireless communication lines based on communication standards that are being put into practical use, such as the 6G communication standard, can also be used.

[0048] The I / F unit 25 is a communication interface for the communication device 2 to communicate with the information processing device 1. The I / F unit 25 may be a wired communication interface compatible with an in-vehicle communication means such as a wire harness for electrical communication or an optical fiber cable for high-speed optical communication, or at least a part of the I / F unit 25 may be a wireless communication interface.

[0049] The GNSS unit 26 includes an antenna and receives GNSS signals, etc. The GNSS unit 26 transmits the received GNSS signals to the processor 20. The GNSS unit 26 may transmit the received GNSS signals to the information processing device 1 via the I / F unit 25.

[0050] The following describes the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 acquires and processes various information from an in-vehicle sensor 4, an out-vehicle sensor 5, a communication device 2, and an HMI 3. The information processing device 1 controls the communication device 2 and functions of the vehicle 81 related to autonomous driving and the like through wireless communication with an external communication device 7.

[0051] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1.

[0052] The information processing device 1 includes a computer 16, a storage unit 13, and an I / F unit 14. A bus 15 and the like connect these units together.

[0053] The computer 16 includes a processor 10 and a read-only memory (ROM) 11 and a random-access memory (RAM) 12 as main storage devices. The processor 10 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 10 may be a combination of these. The processor 10 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 10 controls each unit to realize various functions of the information processing device 1 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 11, the RAM 12, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 13. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 10.

[0054] The storage unit 13 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the information processing device 1, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like. Specifically, the storage unit 13 stores programs for causing the computer 16 to execute each function of this embodiment and information related to vehicle functions (hereinafter referred to as vehicle function-related information). Examples of vehicle function-related information include details of vehicle functions such as collision safety functions, details of data transmitted and received via wireless communication, QoS information associating details of vehicle functions with the priorities (e.g., priority levels) of those functions, and required data volume. The required data volume refers to the amount of data required to execute at least that function via wireless communication. Note that, in this specification, the term "data volume" refers to the amount of data per unit time, i.e., the data transfer rate.

[0055] The I / F unit 14 is a communication interface that enables the information processing device 1 to communicate with the communication device 2, the in-vehicle sensor 4, the outside sensor 5, or the ECU 84 of the vehicle 81. The information processing device 1 uses the I / F unit 14 to communicate with the in-vehicle sensor 4, the outside sensor 5, the ECU 84, etc. via an in-vehicle LAN including, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), which is implemented by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication, electrical communication, or optical communication. Note that the I / F unit 14 may be a wired communication interface that is compatible with in-vehicle communication means, such as a wire harness that performs electrical communication or an optical fiber cable that enables high-speed optical communication, or at least a part of the I / F unit 14 may be a wireless communication interface.

[0056] Here, traffic conditions, such as the traffic volume of the mobile units 8, on the road 83 on which the mobile units 8 travel change depending on the location, time of day, and events such as the occurrence of accidents. Therefore, the communication environment around the communication device 2 mounted on the mobile unit 8 also tends to change depending on the traffic conditions. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , around the base station 72A where the host vehicle 81 is traveling and around the base station 72B, there tends to be little traffic of the mobile units 8, and little communication traffic from the mobile units 8 and other external communication devices 7. On the other hand, around the base station 72C, there are many other vehicles 82, and the area is congested, with the communication devices of many other vehicles 82 conducting wireless communication with the base station 72 and other external communication devices 7. Therefore, access to the wireless lines used for wireless communication at and around the base station 72C is concentrated, resulting in congestion or a high likelihood of congestion. In this specification, an area where congestion is likely to occur is referred to as a congested area A.

[0057] For example, when the vehicle 81, which is an autonomous driving vehicle, travels through a congestion area A, data loss or delays in data transmission speed may occur in wireless communication with the external communication device 7, making it impossible to execute important functions of the mobile body 8, such as autonomous driving, and the reliability of the functions of the mobile body 8 via wireless communication may not be guaranteed. The communication system 100 according to this embodiment predicts the congestion area A on the travel route of the vehicle 81 and performs wireless communication control processing to adjust the method of wireless data transfer as a congestion countermeasure in advance. This wireless communication control processing makes it possible to maintain the reliability of communication even in a communication environment where congestion may occur, and to guarantee the reliability of vehicle driving assistance or vehicle control via wireless communication.

[0058] Next, various functions that are realized by the processor 20 of the communication device 2 and that execute wireless communication control processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the processor 20 of the communication device 2 includes a self-position estimation unit 201, a communication mode switching unit 202, and a communication control unit 203.

[0060] The self-position estimation unit 201 executes a process of estimating the position information of the vehicle 81. The self-position estimation unit 201 may estimate the position information of the vehicle 81 based on, for example, map information, a GNSS signal, or the like received from the control server 71.

[0061] The communication mode switching unit 202 executes a process of switching the wireless communication mode between a normal mode and a congestion response mode based on a control signal from the information processing device 1. The normal mode is a mode in which data required to execute each of the multiple functions of the vehicle 81 is transmitted over a single predetermined wireless line. The congestion response mode is a communication mode adapted to the communication environment in the congestion area A, and transmits data required for a high-priority function among the multiple functions of the vehicle 81 over multiple lines within a range that does not cause congestion, according to communication setting information from the information processing device 1, which will be described later. In other words, data for a high-priority function is transmitted using multiple wireless lines. As a result, even when wireless communication is performed in an area with a poor communication environment, the load on the wireless lines is distributed when transmitting data related to a high-priority function, thereby suppressing a deterioration in communication quality.

[0062] The communication control unit 203 executes processing to control wireless communication between the communication device 2 and the external communication device 7 and communication between the communication device 2 and the information processing device 1. The communication control unit 203 controls wireless communication with the external communication device 7 in accordance with the communication mode switched by the communication mode switching unit 202.

[0063] Next, various functions realized by the processor 10 of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, the processor 10 of the information processing device 1 includes a location information acquisition unit 101, a map information acquisition unit 102, a location information acquisition unit 103, a route information acquisition unit 104, a communication load related data acquisition unit 105, a congestion area prediction unit 106, an arrival time prediction unit 107, a communication load prediction unit 108, a communication setting unit 110, an output processing unit 113, and a function adjustment unit 114.

[0065] The point information acquisition unit 101 executes a process of acquiring point information. For example, the point information acquisition unit 101 executes a process of acquiring point information input by the driver from the HMI 3. The point information acquired from the HMI 3 may be position information such as a departure point of a planned route of the vehicle 81, a destination point, a stop-off point on the route from the departure point to the destination point, an evacuation point, etc. The point information acquisition unit 101 may also acquire position information of the current location acquired by the position information acquisition unit 103 as point information.

[0066] The map information acquisition unit 102 executes a process of acquiring map information including at least the road 83 on which the vehicle 81 is traveling and the road 83 on which the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel. The map information acquisition unit 102 acquires the map information from the control server 71, for example, via the communication device 2. The map information includes, for example, a map showing the road 83 on which the vehicle 81 is traveling and its surroundings, the position of the base station 72, its identification information, etc.

[0067] The position information acquisition unit 103 executes a process of acquiring position information (hereinafter referred to as current location information) of the current location of the vehicle 81. For example, the position information acquisition unit 103 may acquire the current location information of the vehicle 81 estimated by the self-position estimation unit 201 of the communication device 2. Alternatively, for example, the position information acquisition unit 103 may estimate the current location information of the vehicle 81 based on map information, a GNSS signal, etc. acquired by the map information acquisition unit 102, and acquire the estimated information as the current location information. Alternatively, for example, the position information acquisition unit 103 may acquire vehicle surroundings information such as point cloud information around the vehicle 81 from the external vehicle sensor 5, acquire map information from the control server 71 via the communication device 2, and compare the vehicle surroundings information with the map information to estimate the position information of the vehicle 81, thereby acquiring the position information.

[0068] The route information acquisition unit 104 executes a process of acquiring planned route information indicating a route along which the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel. The route information acquisition unit 104 may generate route information based on the point information acquired by the point information acquisition unit 101, the map information acquired by the map information acquisition unit 102, the current location information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 103, and the like, and acquire the generated information as planned route information. As a method of generating the planned route information, for example, a starting point or the current location, a destination point, a stop-off point, and an evacuation point may be identified on a map indicated by the map information, and roads 83 connecting these may be generated as planned route information. Furthermore, for example, the route information acquisition unit 104 may acquire route information as planned route information from a car navigation device or the like that generates route information, or may acquire route information stored in the control server 71 from the control server 71 as planned route information.

[0069] The communication load related data acquisition unit 105 executes a process of acquiring, via the communication device 2, communication traffic on the road 83 indicated by the planned route information acquired by the route information acquisition unit 104 and in the vicinity thereof. The communication load related data acquisition unit 105 may acquire, for example, communication load related data in the communication area of ​​the base station 72 provided at each point on the road 83 indicated by the planned route information managed by the control server 71. The communication load related data acquisition unit 105 may acquire communication load related data such as current communication traffic in the communication area of ​​the base station 72, or communication load related data such as communication traffic in the same time period in the past. Furthermore, for example, the communication load related data acquisition unit 105 may acquire position information and wireless communication volume of each vehicle from a communication device of another vehicle 82 traveling on the road 83 included in the planned route information by V2V communication with the other vehicle 82 or V2N2V communication via the base station 72 and the communication network NW. Furthermore, for example, the communication load related data acquiring unit 105 may acquire an image including the road 83 indicated by the planned route information from the satellite system 73 or the drone 74, and extract information on traffic conditions such as the traffic volume of the mobile objects 8 from the acquired image. Furthermore, for example, the communication load related data acquiring unit 105 may acquire, from the base station 72, the pedestrian communication terminal, etc., the communication volume between the pedestrian communication terminal of a pedestrian walking on the road 83 included in the planned route information and the base station 72, etc.

[0070] The congestion area prediction unit 106 executes a process of predicting a congestion area A on the road 83 indicated by the planned route information and its surrounding area. The congestion area prediction unit 106 may predict the congestion area A based on, for example, current or past communication load-related data and the location where communication traffic, etc. indicated by the communication load-related data is occurring. In this case, the congestion area prediction unit 106 may predict, as the congestion area A, an area where the total volume of acquired communication traffic is close to or exceeds the buffer of a wireless line in a frequency band such as the 700 MHz to 900 MHz band known as the platinum band, the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band used for wireless LANs such as Wi-Fi, the 1.5 GHz band, 2 GHz band, and 3.5 GHz band used for LTE, and the 3.7 GHz band, 4.5 GHz band, and 28 GHz band used for 5G. Furthermore, for example, the congestion area prediction unit 106 may predict the congestion area A based on the traffic volume of mobile objects 8 extracted from an image showing traffic conditions acquired from a satellite system 73 or a drone 74. Furthermore, for example, the congestion area prediction unit 106 may predict an area where congestion has occurred in the past, acquired from the control server 71, as the congestion area A.

[0071] When a congestion area A is predicted by the congestion area prediction unit 106, the arrival time prediction unit 107 may predict an expected arrival time, which is the time when the host vehicle 81 will arrive at the congestion area A. The arrival time prediction unit 107 may, for example, acquire driving information such as the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 81 from the in-vehicle sensor 4 and predict the expected arrival time based on the driving information. The arrival time prediction unit 107 may predict the expected arrival time using at least one of the legal speed of the road 83 indicated by the planned route information or the average speed of the traveling mobile object 8, traffic conditions, and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 81.

[0072] The communication load prediction unit 108 executes a process of predicting a communication load (hereinafter referred to as a predicted communication load) that will occur in the congestion area A at the scheduled arrival time predicted by the arrival time prediction unit 107. The communication load prediction unit 108 may use, for example, past communication traffic in the same time zone as the scheduled arrival time as the predicted communication load. Alternatively, for example, the communication load prediction unit 108 may predict the predicted communication load based on the total wireless communication volume of communication devices such as other vehicles 82 currently traveling in the congestion area A or the communication traffic of the base station 72 installed in the congestion area A. Alternatively, for example, the communication load prediction unit 108 may predict the predicted communication load based on both past communication traffic and current communication traffic obtained in real time.

[0073] The communication setting unit 110 performs a congestion response communication setting process to set a wireless communication method for responding to congestion before the host vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A. The communication setting unit 110 may, for example, check the position information, map information, etc. of the host vehicle 81 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 103, and start a data amount allocation process when the host vehicle 81 approaches the congestion area A within a predetermined distance.

[0074] The communication setting unit 110 includes an allowable data amount setting unit 111 , a data amount allocation unit 112 , and a wireless line setting unit 115 .

[0075] The allowable data amount setting unit 111 executes a process of setting an allowable data amount for the total amount of data that the wireless communication unit 24 of the communication device 2 transmits and receives to and from the external communication device 7, based on the predicted communication load. The allowable data amount is the amount of data that will not cause congestion in the congestion area A at the scheduled arrival time. The allowable data amount may be, for example, the amount of data obtained by subtracting the communication traffic indicated by the predicted communication load from the total amount of data that will cause congestion in a frequency band including multiple wireless lines used by the wireless communication unit 24.

[0076] The data amount allocation unit 112 allocates a data amount for each vehicle function. For example, the data amount allocation unit 112 may preferentially allocate a data amount from the allowable data amount set by the allowable data amount setting unit 111 to data necessary for executing a function with a high priority among the multiple vehicle functions of the vehicle 81. That is, the data amount allocation unit 112 may allocate a data amount to data necessary for a function with a high priority so that the required data amount is transferred. The data amount allocation unit 112 may allocate a data amount in descending order of priority. Note that the data amount allocation unit 112 identifies the priority of each vehicle function of the vehicle 81 by extracting vehicle function-related information from the storage unit 13 and referring to the QoS information. Note that if there is a vehicle function to which the required data amount has not been allocated, the data amount allocation unit 112 may notify the driver of this fact via the output processing unit 113 and then process to stop the unallocated function.

[0077] The priority of vehicle functions may be, for example, in the order of highest priority: functions related to autonomous driving, functions related to driving assistance other than autonomous driving, and functions related to entertainment such as videos, games, etc. Functions related to autonomous driving may be, for example, in the order of highest priority: collision safety functions, route information required for autonomous control, etc.

[0078] The wireless line setting unit 115 allocates wireless lines to be used for transmitting and receiving data for each vehicle function. The wireless line setting unit 115 sets the data required to execute the vehicle function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines. The wireless line setting unit 115 may also set the data required to execute a vehicle function other than the highest priority to be transmitted and received using only one wireless line. The wireless line setting unit 115 may also set the data required to execute vehicle functions with second and lower priority to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines in order of priority within a range that does not cause congestion in congestion area A. The wireless line setting unit 115 allocates the amount of data so that data is transmitted using different wireless lines for each vehicle function.

[0079] When setting the vehicle function to be transmitted using multiple wireless links, the wireless link setting unit 115 also sets the number of wireless links to be used. For example, the wireless link setting unit 115 may set the number of wireless links to be used so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area A based on the communication traffic in the current congestion area A obtained by the communication load related data acquisition unit 105 just before the predicted congestion area A. Note that the wireless link setting unit 115 may set the number of wireless links to be used so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area A based on the predicted communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit 108. Furthermore, for example, the wireless link setting unit 115 may set the number of wireless links to be used so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area A based on at least one of the predicted communication load or the communication traffic in the current congestion area A and history information on the number of wireless links when data of the target vehicle function was transmitted in the past in the same congestion area A without causing congestion and the vehicle function was able to be executed. In addition, in order to set the number of wireless lines to be used, information on the frequency bands used by the wireless lines may be used, which can more reliably ensure the reliability of communication.

[0080] The communication setting unit 110 transmits information (hereinafter referred to as communication setting information) relating to the data volume for each vehicle function allocated to the communication device 2 and the wireless line to be used. The communication setting unit 110 completes setting the allowable data volume, allocating the data volume for each vehicle function from the allowable data volume, setting the wireless line for each vehicle function, and transmitting the communication setting information to the communication device 2 until the vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A.

[0081] When there is a vehicle function to which the required data amount has not been allocated by the data amount allocation unit 112, the function adjustment unit 114 executes processing to restrict or stop the vehicle function. Restricting a vehicle function (hereinafter referred to as function restriction) means not executing part of a vehicle function or changing to an alternative function that requires less processing. For example, if the vehicle function is a level 5 autonomous driving function, the function restriction may involve lowering the autonomous driving level from level 5 to level 4 (in this case, the autonomous driving level limited to level 4 will be referred to as a restricted level). For example, when the function to which the required data amount has not been allocated is a function related to autonomous driving, the function adjustment unit 114 executes processing to adjust the autonomous driving level of the host vehicle 81 so as to lower it according to the function related to autonomous driving. Specifically, the function adjustment unit 114 outputs a control signal to the ECU 84 to change the autonomous driving level of the host vehicle 81. Note that the autonomous driving level may be defined, for example, by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SEA).

[0082] The output processing unit 113 executes a process of outputting various types of notification information to the HMI 3 to notify the driver of the host vehicle 81. For example, when the function adjustment unit 114 restricts a vehicle function, the output processing unit 113 may output notification information to notify the driver of the restriction before the host vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A. At this time, the output processing unit 113 may include the restriction level of the vehicle function in the notification information and output it. For example, when the vehicle function to be restricted is an autonomous driving function, the output processing unit 113 may include the autonomous driving level to be changed in the notification information and output it. Also, for example, when a vehicle function is stopped by the function adjustment unit 114, the output processing unit 113 may output notification information to notify the driver of the restriction before the host vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A. At this time, when the vehicle function to be stopped is autonomous driving, the output processing unit 113 may output notification information to the HMI 3 to prompt the driver to switch the control mode of the host vehicle 81 from automatic control to manual control. Furthermore, for example, when the required data amount of data required for a collision safety function among the functions related to autonomous driving has not been allocated, the output processing unit 113 may output notification information to the HMI 3 that prompts the driver to switch the control mode of the host vehicle 81 from automatic control to manual control. Furthermore, for example, when there is a vehicle function to which the required data amount has not been allocated by the data amount allocation unit 112, the output processing unit 113 may output notification information to the HMI 3 that prompts the driver to stop the vehicle function.

[0083] Next, an example of the processing flow by the communication processing device 6 in the communication system 100 from generating planned route information for the vehicle 81 until traveling through the congestion area A will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow from input of location information by the driver until traveling through the congestion area.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7, in step S101, the HMI 3 receives location information such as a departure point and a destination point input by the driver of the vehicle 81, for example.

[0085] In step S102, the HMI 3 transmits the location information received in step S101 to the information processing device 1.

[0086] In step S103 , the communication device 2 transmits the map information received from the control server 71 to the information processing device 1 .

[0087] In step S104, the information processing device 1 generates planned route information based on the vehicle surroundings information of the vehicle 81 transmitted from the external sensor 5, the location information transmitted from the HMI 3 in step S102, and the map information transmitted from the communication device 2 in step S103.

[0088] In step S105, the communication device 2 transmits the communication traffic acquired from the control server 71 to the information processing device 1. The communication traffic transmitted from the communication device 2 in step S105 is communication traffic on the road 83 indicated by the planned route information and its surrounding area.

[0089] In step S106, the information processing device 1 predicts a congestion area A based on the communication traffic transmitted from the communication device 2 in step S105, and transmits information indicating the predicted congestion area A to the communication device 2.

[0090] In step S107, the information processing device 1 predicts the expected arrival time when traveling through the congestion area A based on the driving information of the vehicle 81 transmitted from the in-vehicle sensor 4, and transmits the predicted expected arrival time to the communication device 2.

[0091] In step S108, the communication device 2 transmits to the control server 71 information indicating the congestion area A and the scheduled arrival time transmitted from the information processing device 1 in steps S106 and S107, and requests transmission of communication traffic for the congestion area A at the scheduled arrival time.

[0092] In step S109, the communication device 2 transmits to the information processing device 1 the communication traffic of the congestion area A at the scheduled arrival time acquired from the control server 71.

[0093] In step S110, the information processing device 1 predicts the predicted communication load in the congestion area A at the scheduled arrival time based on the communication traffic transmitted from the communication device 2 in step S109.

[0094] In step S111, when the vehicle 81 approaches the congestion area A and the distance to the congestion area A of the vehicle 81 becomes shorter than a predetermined distance, the information processing device 1 sets the allowable data volume based on the predicted communication load predicted in step S110.

[0095] In step S112, the information processing device 1 allocates a data amount for each piece of data required to execute each of the plurality of vehicle functions from the allowable data amount set in step S111, and sets a wireless line to be used for transmitting and receiving each piece of data. At this time, the information processing device 1 sets the data required to execute the vehicle function with the highest priority to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines. The information processing device 1 generates communication setting information including the set allowable data amount and the data amount and wireless line for each of the plurality of vehicle functions.

[0096] In step S113, the information processing device 1 transmits to the communication device 2 the communication setting information generated in step S112.

[0097] In step S114, the communication device 2 transmits data necessary for executing the vehicle functions via each wireless line in accordance with the communication setting information transmitted in step S113. For example, the communication device 2 transmits data necessary for the vehicle function with the highest priority over multiple lines and transmits data necessary for other vehicle functions over a single line.

[0098] In step S115, the communication device 2 transmits to the information processing device 1 data required to execute each function of the vehicle 81 received from the external communication device 7 such as the control server 71.

[0099] In step S116, the information processing device 1 transmits to the HMI 3 the data transmitted from the communication device 2 in step S115.

[0100] In step S117, the HMI 3 outputs the data transmitted from the information processing device 1 in step S116 to a display or the like.

[0101] Next, an example of wireless communication control processing executed by the communication processing device 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0102] First, the overall flow of the wireless communication control process will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the wireless communication control process executed by the communication processing device 6.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 8, in step S10, the processor 10 of the information processing device 1 executes a congestion area prediction process.

[0104] In step S20, the processor 10 determines whether or not a congestion area A has been predicted in the congestion area prediction process of step S10. If the processor 10 determines that a congestion area A exists (step S20; YES), the processor 10 proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, if the processor 10 determines that a congestion area A does not exist (step S20; NO), the processor 10 ends the wireless communication control process.

[0105] In step S30, the processor 10 executes a congestion-related information prediction process.

[0106] In step S40, the processor 10 or 20 of the communication processing device 6 determines whether the host vehicle 81 has approached the congestion area A to a predetermined distance. If the processor 10 or 20 determines that the host vehicle 81 has approached to the predetermined distance (step S40; YES), the processor 10 or 20 proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, if the processor 10 or 20 determines that the host vehicle 81 has not approached to the predetermined distance (step S40; NO), the processor 10 or 20 repeats the processing of step S40 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0107] In step S50, the processor 10 and the processor 20 execute congestion-compliant communication setup processing.

[0108] In step S60, the processor 10 or processor 20 of the communication processing device 6 determines whether the vehicle 81 has moved a predetermined distance away from the congestion area A after the vehicle 81 has arrived at the congestion area A. If the processor 10 or processor 20 determines that the vehicle 81 has moved a predetermined distance away (step S60; YES), the processor 10 or processor 20 switches the communication mode of the communication device 2 from the congestion response mode to the normal mode (step S70), and then ends the wireless communication control process. On the other hand, if the processor 10 or processor 20 determines that the vehicle 81 has not moved a predetermined distance away (step S60; NO), the processor 10 or processor 20 repeats the process of step S60 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0109] Next, the congestion area prediction process in step S10 of the wireless communication control process will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the congestion area prediction process executed by the communication processing device 6.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S11, the location information acquisition unit 101 of the processor 10 acquires location information such as the departure point and destination point of the vehicle 81 input by the driver of the vehicle 81 via the HMI 3 from the HMI 3.

[0111] In step S12 , the map information acquisition unit 102 acquires the map information transmitted from the control server 71 via the communication device 2 .

[0112] In step S13, the route information acquisition unit 104 generates planned route information based on the point information, position information, and map information acquired in steps S11 and S12.

[0113] In step S14, the communication load related data acquisition unit 105 acquires communication load related data such as communication traffic of the route indicated by the planned route information generated in step S13 and its surrounding area. The communication load related data acquisition unit 105 may acquire, for example, from the control server 71, real-time communication traffic in the communication area of ​​the base station 72 installed at each point on the road 83 indicated by the planned route information, or may acquire past communication traffic in the communication area of ​​the base station 72.

[0114] In step S15, the congestion area prediction unit 106 predicts a congestion area A based on the route indicated by the planned route information acquired in step S14 and the communication traffic in the vicinity thereof. For example, the congestion area prediction unit 106 may predict an area where congestion has occurred in the past as the congestion area A. Alternatively, for example, the congestion area prediction unit 106 may determine an area where the total amount of communication traffic acquired in step S14 is close to or exceeds the buffer of the wireless line as the congestion area A. Thereafter, the processor 10 ends the congestion area prediction process.

[0115] Next, the congestion-related information prediction process in step S30 of the wireless communication control process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the congestion-related information prediction process executed by the information processing device 1.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 10, in step S31, the arrival time prediction unit 107 acquires travel information including the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 81 from the in-vehicle sensor 4.

[0117] In step S32, the arrival time prediction unit 107 predicts the expected arrival time when the host vehicle 81 travels through the congestion area A based on the vehicle speed acquired in step S31, the map information acquired in step S13, and the like.

[0118] In step S33, the communication load prediction unit 108 predicts the communication load in the congestion area A at the predicted traveling time predicted in step S32. For example, the communication load prediction unit 108 may predict the total amount of communication traffic in the congestion area A in the same time period as the scheduled arrival time in the past as the communication load. Furthermore, for example, the communication load prediction unit 108 may predict the predicted communication load based on the total amount of wireless communication traffic of communication devices such as other vehicles 82 currently traveling in the congestion area A or the communication traffic of the base station 72 installed in the congestion area A.

[0119] Next, the congestion-responsive communication setting process in step S50 of the wireless communication control process will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a data amount allocation process executed by the information processing device 1.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S51, the allowable data amount setting unit 111 sets an allowable data amount at which congestion does not occur in the congestion area A, based on the predicted communication load predicted in step S33.

[0121] In step S52, the wireless line setting unit 115 extracts the vehicle function related data from the storage unit 13.

[0122] The loop process from step S60 is executed at predetermined time intervals for each vehicle function of the vehicle 81 that is executed by wireless communication.

[0123] In step S61, the wireless line setting unit 115 determines whether one of the vehicle functions extracted from the vehicle function-related data extracted in step S52 has the highest priority. If the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that the extracted vehicle function does not have the highest priority (step S61; NO), it sets one wireless line to be used for transmitting data required for that vehicle function (step S62). On the other hand, if the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that the extracted vehicle function has the highest priority (step S61; YES), it proceeds to step S63.

[0124] In step S63, the wireless line setting unit 115 sets the data necessary for the extracted vehicle function to be transmitted over multiple lines. Then, in step S64, the wireless line setting unit 115 determines the number of lines in the multiple lines. The number of lines in the multiple lines may be determined, for example, based on the current communication traffic in the congestion area A so as not to cause congestion, or may be determined taking into account historical information on the number of lines in the wireless lines used in past transmissions in the same congestion area A without causing congestion. Note that the number of lines in the multiple lines may be set in advance, and the processing of step S64 may be omitted.

[0125] The communication setting unit 110 generates communication setting information indicating the allowable data amount set in step S51 and the setting of the wireless line to be used for transmitting data related to each vehicle function set in the loop processing from step S60.

[0126] In step S53, the communication setup unit 110 transmits to the communication device 2 the communication setup information generated in step S53 and a control signal for switching the wireless communication mode of the communication device 2 to the congestion compliant mode.

[0127] In step S54, the communication device 2 switches the wireless communication mode from the normal mode to the congestion compliant mode, and transmits to each wireless line based on the communication setting information sent in step S53.

[0128] Next, an example of a processing flow of the data volume allocation processing, which is different from the example shown in Fig. 11, will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that the processing of steps S51, S53, and S54 shown in Fig. 12 is the same as the processing in the example shown in Fig. 11, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] In step S521, the data amount allocation unit 112 refers to the vehicle function-related data extracted in step S52, and allocates a data amount from the allowable data amount identified in step S51 to each vehicle function of the host vehicle 81. The data amount allocation unit 112 allocates the data amount of the vehicle functions so that at least the required data amount is transferred preferentially, for example, starting with the vehicle function with the highest priority.

[0130] The loop process from step S601 is executed at predetermined time intervals for each vehicle function of the vehicle 81 that is executed by wireless communication in order of priority.

[0131] In step S611, the wireless line setting unit 115 determines whether congestion will occur when data required for one vehicle function extracted from the vehicle function-related data extracted in step S52 is transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines. For example, if the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that congestion will occur when data is transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines (step S611; NO), it sets one wireless line to be used for transmitting the data required for that vehicle function (step S62). On the other hand, if the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that congestion will not occur when data is transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines (step S611; YES), it proceeds to step S63.

[0132] The communication setup unit 110 generates communication setup information indicating the allowable data volume set in step S51 and the settings of the wireless line to be used for transmitting data related to each vehicle function set in the loop processing from step S611. After that, the processing of steps S53 and S54 is performed, and then the congestion-responsive communication setup processing ends.

[0133] Next, an example of a processing flow of the data volume allocation processing, which is different from the examples shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Note that the processing of steps S51 to S521, S53, and S54 shown in Fig. 13 is the same as the processing of the example shown in Fig. 11 or Fig. 12, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 13, a loop process starting from step S602 is executed at predetermined time intervals for each vehicle function of the vehicle 81 that is executed by wireless communication.

[0135] In step S61, the wireless line setting unit 115 determines whether one of the vehicle functions extracted from the vehicle function-related data extracted in step S52 has the highest priority. If the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that the extracted vehicle function does not have the highest priority (step S61; NO), it sets one wireless line to be used for transmitting data required for that vehicle function (step S62). On the other hand, if the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that the extracted vehicle function has the highest priority (step S61; YES), it proceeds to step S612.

[0136] In step S612, the wireless line setting unit 115 determines whether there is a vehicle function to which the required data volume was not allocated in the data volume allocation for each vehicle function in step S521 (hereinafter referred to as a data volume insufficient function). If the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that there is no data volume insufficient function (step S612; NO), it sets the data required for the vehicle function to be transmitted over multiple lines. On the other hand, if the wireless line setting unit 115 determines that there is a data volume insufficient function (step S612; YES), it proceeds to step S64.

[0137] In step S64, the function adjustment unit 114 determines whether to limit the vehicle functions to functions up to the allocatable required data amount or to stop the functions.

[0138] In step S65, the output processing unit 113 outputs notification information for notifying the driver of the restriction level of the insufficient data amount function or the stop of the insufficient data amount function to the HMI 3. Then, the HMI 3 outputs the notification information to a display, a speaker, or the like as an image or sound to notify the driver of the vehicle 81.

[0139] The communication setup unit 110 generates communication setup information indicating the allowable data volume set in step S51 and the settings of the wireless line to be used for transmitting data related to each vehicle function set in the loop processing from step S61. After that, the processing of steps S53 and S54 is performed, and then the congestion-responsive communication setup processing ends.

[0140] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0141] The communication system 100 of this embodiment is a communication system 100 that is mounted on a vehicle 81 and has a wireless communication unit 24 that transmits and receives data necessary to execute each of the multiple vehicle functions of the vehicle 81 via a wireless line, and is equipped with a route information acquisition unit 104 that generates route information regarding the route that the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel based on input information and acquires the route information, a congestion area prediction unit 106 that predicts a congestion area A where communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired route information, an arrival time prediction unit 107 that predicts the arrival time at which the vehicle 81 will arrive at the congestion area A, a communication load prediction unit 108 that predicts the communication load that will occur in the congestion area A at the arrival time, and a communication setting unit 110 that sets the total data amount of data necessary to execute the multiple vehicle functions by the wireless communication unit 24 to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area A at the arrival time based on the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit 108 before the vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A, and sets the data necessary to execute the function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines.

[0142] This allows the system to predict in advance the congestion area A where congestion is likely to occur, the travel time and communication load within the congestion area A, and before traveling through the congestion area A, implement redundancy by transmitting the same data and the same packets over multiple wireless lines for the vehicle's highest priority functions, setting the transmission to distribute the load. As a result, even when traveling through an area where the communication environment is deteriorating, it is possible to more reliably maintain the transmission and reception of data for the highest priority functions. Therefore, even when the communication environment changes, the reliability of important communications can be ensured, improving the reliability of vehicle control or assistance.

[0143] In addition, in the communication system 100 according to this embodiment, the communication setting unit 110 sets the data required to execute functions with second or lower priority to be transmitted in order of priority using multiple wireless lines within the range where congestion does not occur in the congestion area A.

[0144] This allows redundancy to be implemented by sending the same data and packets over multiple wireless lines, even for functions with second or lower priority, and transmission can be done while balancing the load, ensuring the reliability of as many vehicle functions as possible depending on the communication environment.

[0145] In addition, in the communication system 100 of this embodiment, the communication setting unit 110 allocates the amount of data required for executing each of multiple functions from the allowable data amount in order of priority of the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81, and if the function of the vehicle 81 to which the communication setting unit 110 has not allocated a data amount from the allowable data amount is the function with the highest priority, the communication setting unit 110 further includes an output processing unit 113 that outputs notification information to notify the driver of the vehicle 81 of the restriction level of the highest priority function or the stop of the highest priority function before the vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A.

[0146] This allows the driver of the vehicle 81 to know in advance whether the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81 will be restricted or stopped, allowing the driver to deal with changes in the communication environment more appropriately and ensuring the reliability of vehicle control.

[0147] In addition, in the communication system 100 according to this embodiment, the vehicle 81 is an autonomous driving vehicle, and when the vehicle function of the vehicle 81 to which no data volume has been allocated is a function related to autonomous driving, the output processing unit 113 outputs notification information to notify the driver of the vehicle 81 of a change in the autonomous driving level or a switch in the control mode of the vehicle 81 from automatic control to manual control.

[0148] As a result, even when the vehicle is traveling through a congested area A where the communication environment is congested and the level of autonomous driving is reduced or vehicle functions are forced to be stopped, an output is sent to the driver in advance informing them that control of the vehicle 81 will be switched to manual, allowing the driver to respond appropriately to changes in the communication environment and ensuring the reliability of vehicle control.

[0149] In addition, in the communication system 100 of this embodiment, when the communication setting unit 110 sets the data necessary to execute the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81 to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, it sets the number of wireless lines to be used based on the communication load obtained just before the predicted congestion area A so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area A.

[0150] This makes it possible to more reliably guarantee the reliability of communication for high-priority functions, and to efficiently use each wireless line while distributing the communication load.

[0151] Furthermore, in the communication system 100 according to this embodiment, when the communication setting unit 110 sets the data required to execute the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81 to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, the communication setting unit 110 sets the number of wireless lines to be used so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area A based on the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit 108 and historical information on the number of lines required for the data to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines.

[0152] This allows high-priority functions to be performed more reliably, prevents congestion from occurring, and allows each wireless line to be used efficiently while distributing the communication load.

[0153] Furthermore, the communication system 100 according to this embodiment includes an information processing device 1 having a route information acquisition unit 104, a congestion area prediction unit 106, an arrival time prediction unit 107, a communication load prediction unit 108, and a communication setting unit 110, and a communication device 2 having a wireless communication unit 24 that performs two-way communication with an external communication device 7 and the information processing device 1, and the communication device 2 transmits data required to execute the functions with higher priority using multiple wireless lines with the external communication device in order of priority within the range where congestion does not occur in the congestion area, and transmits each of the data required to execute the remaining functions over a single line.

[0154] This allows data to be transmitted more reliably to vehicle functions with higher priority, among the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81, by using multiple wireless lines. That is, the load distribution ratio is determined according to the priority of the vehicle functions of the vehicle 81, so that even if the communication environment deteriorates, the execution of important functions of the vehicle 81 can be more reliably guaranteed.

[0155] In addition, in the communication system 100 of this embodiment, the information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the communication device 2, an in-vehicle sensor 4 that detects driving information of the vehicle 81, an outside sensor 5 that detects the conditions around the vehicle 81, and an HMI 3 that accepts input operations by the driver of the vehicle 81 and outputs information to the driver, and based on the information obtained from the communication device 2, the in-vehicle sensor 4, the outside sensor 5, and the HMI 3, generates planned route information, predicts congestion area A, predicts planned arrival time, predicts communication load, and determines whether to use multiple wireless lines for one function or the number of lines if multiple wireless lines are to be used.

[0156] This makes it possible to more accurately predict congestion area A, communication load, etc., and more reliably maintain communication reliability even when the communication environment deteriorates.

[0157] In the communication system 100 according to this embodiment, the HMI 3 accepts input operations by the driver of a plurality of point information used for generating planned route information by the information processing device 1, and transmits the information to the information processing device 1.

[0158] This makes it easier to create a planned driving route for the vehicle 81.

[0159] In addition, the program of this embodiment is a program to be executed by computers 16, 28 of a communication system 100 that is mounted on the vehicle 81 and has a wireless communication unit 24 that transmits and receives data necessary for executing each of the multiple vehicle functions of the vehicle 81 via wireless lines, and causes the computers 16, 28 to execute the following steps: a route information acquisition process that acquires planned route information regarding the route that the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel based on input information; a congestion area prediction process that predicts a congestion area A in which communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired planned route information; an arrival time prediction process that predicts the planned arrival time at which the vehicle 81 will arrive at the congestion area A; a communication load prediction process that predicts the communication load that will occur in the congestion area A at the planned arrival time; and a communication setting process that sets the total data amount of data necessary for the execution of the multiple vehicle functions by the wireless communication unit 24 to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area A at the planned arrival time based on the communication load predicted in the communication load prediction process before the vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A, and sets the data necessary for the execution of the vehicle function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines.

[0160] Furthermore, the communication method according to this embodiment is a communication method applied to a communication system 100 equipped with a wireless communication unit 24 mounted on the vehicle 81 and transmitting and receiving data necessary for executing each of the vehicle's multiple vehicle functions via a wireless line, and includes a route information acquisition process for acquiring planned route information regarding the route along which the vehicle 81 is scheduled to travel based on input information, a congestion area prediction process for predicting a congestion area A in which communication congestion may occur on the route included in the acquired planned route information, an arrival time prediction process for predicting the planned arrival time at which the vehicle 81 will arrive at the congestion area A, a communication load prediction process for predicting the communication load that will occur in the congestion area A at the planned arrival time, and a communication setting process for setting the total amount of data necessary for the execution of the multiple vehicle functions by the wireless communication unit 24 to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area A at the planned arrival time based on the communication load predicted in the communication load prediction process before the vehicle 81 reaches the congestion area A, and setting the data necessary for the execution of the function with the highest priority to be transmitted and received using multiple wireless lines.

[0161] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 1. Information processing equipment 2. Communications equipment 3. HMI 4 In-vehicle sensors 5. Outside vehicle sensors 8 Mobile 24 Radio Communication Department 81 Vehicle 100 Communication Systems 104 Route information acquisition unit 106 Congestion Area Prediction Unit 107 Arrival time prediction unit 108 Communication Load Prediction Unit 110 Communication setting section A. Congestion Area

Claims

1. A communication system equipped with a wireless communication unit that is mounted on a mobile body and transmits and receives data necessary for executing each of a plurality of functions of the mobile body via a wireless line, a route information acquisition unit that generates route information regarding a route along which the mobile object is scheduled to travel based on input information and acquires the route information; a congestion area prediction unit that predicts a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on a route included in the acquired route information; an arrival time prediction unit that predicts an arrival time at which a mobile object will arrive in the congestion area; a communication load prediction unit that predicts a communication load that will occur in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting unit that sets the total amount of data required to execute the multiple functions by the wireless communication unit based on the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit before the mobile unit reaches the congestion area to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the arrival time, and sets the data required to execute the function with the highest priority to be sent and received using multiple wireless lines.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication setting unit sets data required to execute functions with second or lower priority to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines in order of priority within the range where congestion does not occur in the congestion area.

3. the communication setting unit allocates, from the allowable data amount, a data amount necessary for executing each of the plurality of functions of the mobile body in descending order of priority of the functions; The communication system of claim 1 further comprises an output processing unit that outputs notification information to notify the driver of the mobile body of the restriction level of the highest priority function or the suspension of the highest priority function before the mobile body reaches the congestion area, when the function of the mobile body to which the communication setting unit has not been able to allocate a data volume from the allowable data volume is the highest priority function.

4. the moving object is an autonomous vehicle, The communication system described in claim 3, wherein the output processing unit outputs notification information to notify the driver of the mobile body of a change in the autonomous driving level or a switch in the control mode of the mobile body from automatic control to manual control when the function of the mobile body to which the data amount has not been assigned is a function related to autonomous driving.

5. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the communication setting unit, when setting the data necessary to execute the functions of the mobile device to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, sets the number of wireless lines to be used based on the communication load obtained just before the predicted congestion area so that congestion does not occur in the congestion area.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication setting unit, when setting the data required to execute the functions of the mobile body to be transmitted using multiple wireless lines, sets the number of wireless lines to be used so as not to cause congestion in the congested area based on historical information of the communication load predicted by the communication load prediction unit and the number of lines required for the data to be transmitted using the multiple wireless lines.

7. an information processing device having the route information acquisition unit, the congestion area prediction unit, the arrival time prediction unit, the communication load prediction unit, and the communication setting unit; a communication device having the wireless communication unit that performs bidirectional communication with an external communication device and the information processing device, The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the communication device transmits data necessary to execute the functions with high priority using multiple wireless lines between the communication device and the external communication device in order of priority to the extent that congestion does not occur in the congestion area, and transmits each of the data necessary to execute the remaining functions using a single line.

8. the information processing device is capable of communicating with the communication device, an in-vehicle sensor that detects driving information of the mobile body, an outside sensor that detects the situation around the mobile body, and an input / output device that accepts input operations by a driver of the mobile body and outputs information to the driver; The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the route information is generated, the congestion area is predicted, the arrival time is predicted, the communication load is predicted, and whether or not multiple wireless lines are to be used for one function, or the number of lines if multiple wireless lines are to be used, is determined based on information acquired from the communication device, the in-vehicle sensor, the outside-vehicle sensor, and the input / output device.

9. The communication system according to claim 8 , wherein the input / output device receives an input operation by the driver of a plurality of pieces of location information used in generating the route information by the information processing device, and transmits the information to the information processing device.

10. A program to be executed by a computer of a communication system equipped with a wireless communication unit that is mounted on a mobile body and transmits and receives data necessary for executing each of a plurality of functions of the mobile body via a wireless line, a route information acquisition step of acquiring route information regarding a route along which the moving object is scheduled to travel based on the input information; a congestion area prediction step of predicting a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on a route included in the acquired route information; an arrival time prediction step of predicting an arrival time at which the mobile object will arrive at the congestion area; a communication load prediction step of predicting a communication load that will occur in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting process for setting the total amount of data required to execute the multiple functions by the wireless communication unit based on the communication load predicted in the communication load prediction process until the mobile unit reaches the congestion area to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the arrival time, and for setting the data required to execute the function with the highest priority to be sent and received using multiple wireless lines.

11. A communication method applied to a communication system equipped with a wireless communication unit mounted on a mobile body and transmitting and receiving data necessary for executing each of a plurality of functions of the mobile body via a wireless line, comprising: a route information acquisition step of acquiring route information regarding a route along which the moving object is scheduled to travel based on the input information; a congestion area prediction step of predicting a congestion area where communication congestion may occur on a route included in the acquired route information; an arrival time prediction step of predicting an arrival time at which a mobile object will arrive at the congestion area; a communication load prediction step of predicting a communication load occurring in the congestion area at the arrival time; and a communication setting step of setting the total amount of data required to execute the plurality of functions by the wireless communication unit to an allowable data amount that will not cause congestion in the congestion area at the time of arrival based on the communication load predicted in the communication load prediction step, before the mobile body reaches the congestion area, and setting so that the data required to execute the function with the highest priority is sent and received using multiple wireless lines.

Images