Processing device, communication device, communication system, control circuit, storage medium and information sharing method

Abstract

A processing device, which is an edge computer (2) connected to a base station (1) capable of communicating with a vehicle (11) within a service area, comprises: a request generating unit (210) which generates a first request, the first request being a request including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting information sharing; an acceptance request holding unit (207) which holds a second request when it is possible to send shared information about the area in response to a second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device; and a request location information query unit (206) which generates shared information when the location information indicating the occurrence location of an identification event obtained from a vehicle (11) via the base station (1) is included in the area specified by the second request, the shared information including the identification event and the identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit (207).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device, a communication device, a communication system, a control circuit, a storage medium, and an information sharing method used in a communication system for distributing information to a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the past, information has been provided to vehicles in order to improve the safety of vehicles traveling on the road. Examples of information provision services include the VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System) service implemented in Japan, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) using ARIB-STD (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses-STANDARD: Radio Industries and Businesses Association Standard)-T75, and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) 2.0.

[0003] In recent years, in order to achieve autonomous driving and further improve safety, vehicles are being provided with information of high urgency in a wider area with low latency. In the communication for providing information, wireless communication is used in a moving vehicle, for example, a cellular communication standard that is being promoted for standardization in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or has been standardized in 3GPP is considered to be used as a communication line. In addition, in the past, low latency was also achieved by an edge computer that performs part or all of the application processing performed outside the communication operator network in a communication operator network close to the vehicle on the communication path.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses the following technology: in distributing information from a base station or a roadside machine or a server to a communication terminal, a predetermined roadside machine identifier, a predetermined management area identifier, and location-related information including at least one of the location coordinates of the roadside machine and location information indicating a residence are used to determine at least one of a communication path, a communication method, a distributed geographical area, a distributed logical area, etc. The geographical area is represented, for example, by a combination of location information, a cell, a tracking area, a V2X (Vehicle to Everything) service area, and information based on the physical management range of a roadside machine or a base station. The device described in patent document 1 determines the communication path within the communication core network and the cell of the communication operator by using the service area, the physical management range based on the roadside machine or the base station, etc.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2017 / 046979 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] A moving vehicle usually contracts with a specific communication operator and can communicate with the base station of a specific communication operator, including roaming-based communications. In other words, a moving vehicle cannot communicate with a communication operator that has not signed a contract. Therefore, in the case where a vehicle recognizes emergency information that other vehicles should also know, the vehicle that recognizes the emergency information can transmit the emergency information to the base station of the first communication operator that has signed a contract, and transmit it to other vehicles that have signed a contract with the first communication operator. On the other hand, in order to transmit the emergency information to the vehicle that has signed a contract with the second communication operator, the vehicle that recognizes the emergency information needs to transmit the emergency information to an application server outside the first communication operator network, and then transmit it from the application server to the second communication operator, wherein the vehicle that recognizes the emergency information has not signed a contract with the second communication operator. In addition, the second communication operator needs to parse the location information contained in the emergency information transmitted from the application server, obtain the correspondence with the service area of ​​each base station to determine which base station to send from, and transmit it within the communication operator network.

[0010] Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest a method in which, when sharing information distributed between different communication carriers, a communication carrier requesting information sharing requests information sharing in a state where the service area structure of the information providing source communication carrier is unknown.

[0011] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device capable of sharing information distributed to a vehicle between different communication carriers without utilizing information on the network configuration of other communication carriers.

[0012] Means used to solve problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the present disclosure provides a processing device connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area. The processing device is characterized in that it comprises: a request generation unit that generates a first request, the first request being a request including location information specifying an area for which information sharing is required and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting information sharing; an acceptance request holding unit that holds a second request when it is possible to send shared information about the area in response to the second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device; and a request query unit that generates shared information including the recognition event and the identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit when the location information indicating the occurrence location of the recognition event obtained from the vehicle via the base station is included in the area specified by the second request.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] The processing device of the present disclosure has an effect of being able to share information distributed to vehicles between different communication carriers without using information on the network configuration of other communication carriers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the edge computer of communication carrier B requests communication carrier A to share information in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an edge computer according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a gateway according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation of requesting information sharing between edge computers in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation of updating the service area of ​​communication carrier A in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a processing circuit included in an edge computer or a gateway according to Embodiment 1 is implemented by a processor and a memory.

[0025] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a processing circuit included in an edge computer or a gateway according to Embodiment 1 is configured by dedicated hardware.

[0026] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer according to the first embodiment based on the program executed by the edge computer.

[0027] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway based on the program executed by the gateway of the first embodiment.

[0028] Fig.13 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the edge computer of communication carrier B requests communication carrier A to share information in the communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Fig.14 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of requesting information sharing within the communication carrier A in the communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0030] Fig.15 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers in the communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0031] Fig.16 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a gateway according to the second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the actions of the gateway based on the program executed by the gateway of Implementation Example 2.

[0033] Fig.18 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the edge computer of communication carrier B requests communication carrier A to share information in the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0034] Fig.19 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers in the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 20 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation of updating the service area of ​​communication carrier B in the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0036] Fig.21 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation of updating the service area of ​​communication carrier A in the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 22 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an edge computer according to the third embodiment.

[0038] Fig.23 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a gateway according to the third embodiment.

[0039] Fig.24 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer according to the third embodiment, which is performed based on a program executed by the edge computer.

[0040] Fig.25 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.24 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of a response subroutine.

[0041] Fig.26 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.24 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of the request subroutine.

[0042] Fig. 27 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.24 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of the service area update subroutine.

[0043] Fig.28 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.25 , Fig.26 as well as Fig. 27 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of a request sending subroutine.

[0044] Fig.29 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.26 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of a response sending subroutine.

[0045] Fig.30 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.24 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of the distribution sending subroutine.

[0046] Fig.31 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer in Embodiment 3. Fig.24 , Fig. 27 , Fig.28 , Fig.29 and Fig.30 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of a message sending subroutine.

[0047] Fig.32 This is a flowchart showing the actions of the gateway based on the program executed by the gateway of Implementation Example 3.

[0048] Fig.33 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of periodically sending shared information between edge computers using a periodic transmission interval in the communication system of the fourth embodiment.

[0049] Fig.34 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an edge computer according to a fourth embodiment.

[0050] Fig.35 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer according to the fourth embodiment, which is performed based on a program executed by the edge computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Hereinafter, a processing device, a communication device, a communication system, a control circuit, a storage medium, and an information sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0052] Implementation method 1.

[0053] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system 20 according to Embodiment 1. The communication system 20 includes base stations 1A-1, 1A-2, 1B, edge computers 2A-1, 2A-2, 2B, gateways 3A, 3B, and vehicles 11A-1, 11A-2, 11B. The base stations 1A-1, 1A-2, 1B are arranged along a lane 10 on which the vehicles 11A-1, 11A-2, 11B travel. The base station 1A-1 provides services in the area of ​​a service area 4A-1 and can communicate with the vehicle 11A-1 in the service area 4A-1. The base station 1A-2 provides services in the area of ​​a service area 4A-2 and can communicate with the vehicle 11A-2 in the service area 4A-2. The base station 1B provides services in the area of ​​a service area 4B and can communicate with the vehicle 11B in the service area 4B. A service area is also referred to as a cell, a service cell, etc. In the communication system 20, the base station 1A-1 is connected to the edge computer 2A-1, the base station 1A-2 is connected to the edge computer 2A-2, and the base station 1B is connected to the edge computer 2B. In addition, in the communication system 20, the base stations 1A-1 and 1A-2 are connected to the gateway 3A, and the base station 1B is connected to the gateway 3B.

[0054] In the communication system 20, the base stations 1A-1, 1A-2, the edge computers 2A-1, 2A-2, and the gateway 3A are operated by the same communication operator A, and the base station 1B, the edge computer 2B, and the gateway 3B are operated by the same communication operator B. Communication operator A and communication operator B are different communication operators. The edge computer 2A-1 can communicate with the gateway 3A via the base station 1A-1. The edge computer 2A-2 can communicate with the gateway 3A via the base station 1A-2. The edge computer 2B can communicate with the gateway 3B via the base station 1B. In the communication system 20, the base stations 1A-1, 1A-2, and 1B have the same structure, the edge computers 2A-1, 2A-2, and 2B have the same structure, and the gateways 3A and 3B have the same structure.

[0055] In the following description, sometimes the base station 1A-1, 1A-2, 1B is not distinguished, and the edge computer 2A-1, 2A-2, 2B is not distinguished, and the gateway 3A, 3B is not distinguished, and the service area 4A-1, 4A-2, 4B is not distinguished, and the vehicle 11A-1, 11A-2, 11B is not distinguished. In addition, sometimes the base station 1A-1, 1A-2 is not distinguished, and the edge computer 2A-1, 2A-2 is not distinguished, and the service area 4A-1, 4A-2 is not distinguished. 2A-2 is called the edge computer 2A, the service area 4A is not distinguished, and the vehicle 11A is not distinguished. In addition, sometimes the edge computer 2 is called a processing device, the gateway 3 is called a communication device, and the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 are simply called devices.

[0056] There are no particular restrictions on the communication methods and communication standards of each base station 1 constituting the service area 4. Regarding the communication methods and communication standards of each base station 1, for example, there are UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 2000, W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access), 5G (5th Generation) mobile communication system, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IEEE (registered trademark) (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11p and other IEEE802.11 related standards, Japan's ARIB-STD-T75, ARIB-STD-T109, WiMAX (registered trademark), etc.

[0057] In the communication system 20, the gateway 3 and the edge computer 2 are Figure 1 In the example of , the connection is made via base station 1, but a direct connection is also possible. Figure 1 In the example, in the network structure of communication operator A, gateway 3A and base stations 1A-1 and 1A-2 are directly connected. When the communication between gateway 3A and base stations 1A-1 and 1A-2 is wired communication, if the number of base stations 1 increases, it becomes a star-shaped network. In the network structure of communication operator A, as other wired connection structures, gateway 3A and base stations 1A-1 and 1A-2 can each be a node of a ring network or a mesh connection. When the network structure is a ring network, it can also be a redundant structure with more than two ring networks. Figure 1 In the communication system 20 shown, in the network structure of the communication carrier A, the connection between the gateway 3A and the base stations 1A-1 and 1A-2 can also be wireless communication. Figure 1 In the communication system 20 shown, in the network structure of the communication carrier B, the connection between the gateway 3B and the base station 1B can be wired communication or wireless communication.

[0058] The vehicles 11 are each equipped with a communication terminal (not shown). In the communication system 20, the vehicle 11A can communicate with the base station 1A of the communication operator A using the communication terminal, and the vehicle 11B can communicate with the base station 1B of the communication operator B using the communication terminal. In the following description, the description of the communication terminal is omitted for simplicity. In addition, when the vehicle 11 is able to communicate with the base station 1, roaming is included, and the same applies hereinafter. The base stations 1A-1, 1A-2, and 1B do not need to use the same communication method and the same communication standard, and may also be a combination of the communication methods and communication standards exemplified above. Figure 1 In the figure, the traveling direction of the vehicle 11 is from left to right as indicated by arrow 13 .

[0059] Next, the operation of each device included in the communication system 20 will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the following method is described: when an emergency information such as a traffic accident, fallen objects, road collapse, ice, etc. that hinders the travel of the vehicle 11A-1 occurs at a location 12 ahead of the vehicle 11A-1 in the direction of travel, the vehicle 11A-1 sends the emergency information to the vehicles 11B and 11A-2 that are other vehicles 11. First, the operation of the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B sending a request message to the gateway 3A in order to request the communication carrier A to share the emergency information, that is, to share information is described. Figure 2 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B requests the communication carrier A to share information in the communication system 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Edge Computer 2B Figure 1 and Figure 2 The server that manages the service area 4 (not shown) receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information (step S101). The service area update notification is a notification that triggers the generation of a request message or the like in the receiving device. The updated service area information is information including host information of the edge computer 2 connected to the base station 1 that provides the service area 4, area information of the provided service area 4, and the like. The service area update notification and the updated service area information are sent from the above-mentioned server that manages the service area 4 not only when the service area 4 is changed, but also when a new service area 4 is set up. The edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification not only from the above-mentioned server that manages the service area 4, but also from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification by the operation of an operator (not shown). The edge computer 2B performs a service area registration process on the received service area update notification and the updated service area information (step S102).

[0061] The edge computer 2B uses the service area update notification and the acceptance of the updated service area information as a trigger to send a request message (step S103). In addition, the trigger of the request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S103)) sent from the edge computer 2B in step S103 can also be input by the operator selectively manually operating the edge computer 2B. The gateway 3B Figure 2 The base station 1B (not shown) receives the request sent from the edge computer 2B (S103) and forwards it to the gateway 3A. The gateway 3A receives the request forwarded from the gateway 3B (S103). In the following description, the base station 1B is omitted for simplicity.

[0062] Here, the request (S103) is a new request for information sharing. The request (S103) includes the location information, the range from the location information, and the identifier. The area indicated by the location information and the range from the location information is the area where the edge computer 2B requests information sharing. Figure 1 In the example of , it is an area that coincides with the service area 4B including the point 12.

[0063] The location information is point information, and is expressed based on, for example, latitude and longitude, coordinate points and the distance and direction from the coordinate points. The coordinate points consider the center of the intersection, the specified position of the lane 10, the center or centroid of the service area 4, etc. In addition, regarding the coordinate points, for example, an ID (IDentifier) ​​may be determined according to each location of a specific latitude and longitude or an intersection, and the coordinate point may be specified by the ID. The ID of the coordinate point is expected to be uniquely determined, but the same ID may be used for each area division. The ID of the coordinate point may also be set according to the direction of travel of the lane 10, for example, when there is a lane 10 in the north-south direction, the ID of the coordinate point may be set respectively in the direction from south to north and in the direction from north to south. For example, when there are multiple lanes in the lane 10, the ID of the coordinate point may also be set for each lane.

[0064] Regarding the distance and direction from the coordinate point, it is considered that the distance actually traveled by the vehicle 11 along the lane or lane 10, or the straight-line distance from the coordinate point, is expressed as a circle separated from the coordinate point by a specified distance, and then the point on the circle separated from the coordinate point by a specified distance is specified by the direction observed from the coordinate point. Regarding the expression of the direction observed from the coordinate point, for example, it is considered to be expressed by an angle of 360 degrees with the north as the reference. In the case where there are multiple lanes in the lane 10, lane information that can determine which lane it is or the direction of travel of the lane 10 can also be added to the position information. The direction of travel is, for example, one or both of the direction from south to north and the direction from north to south when there is a lane 10 in the north-south direction.

[0065] In addition, the location information may also include height information such as elevation, altitude, and height in a geodetic system such as the World Geodetic System. By including the height information in the location information, it is possible to distinguish lanes 10 in the up and down directions such as elevated roads and underground passages. Regarding the height information, it is considered to be the height information of the position that becomes the starting point of the range or the average height information of the range. In addition, the location information may also include a road ID determined for each lane 10. The road ID is expected to be uniquely determined, but the same ID may be used for each area division. By using the road ID, it is possible to distinguish elevated roads, underground passages, etc. In addition, the location information does not need to be on the lane 10. In the case where the location information is expressed by a coordinate point and the distance and direction from the coordinate point, when the coordinate point is consistent with the location information, that is, when the distance from the coordinate point is zero, the distance from the coordinate point may also be omitted. In addition, if the location information is predetermined in such a way that the coordinate point is consistent with the location information, it is not necessary to include the distance from the coordinate point in the format.

[0066] Regarding the range calculated from the location information, it is considered to be the distance from the reference point, that is, the radius of a circle with the reference point as the center, or the vertex of the opposite corner of a rectangle with the reference point as one vertex. In addition, by specifying other coordinate points in addition to the location information, that is, additionally specifying coordinate points, the lane 10 between the point of the location information and the additionally specified coordinate points can also be set as the area requiring information sharing. In addition, in the range calculated from the location information, height information such as elevation, altitude, and height in a geodetic system such as the world geodetic system can also be included in the same manner as the above-mentioned location information. Regarding the location information and the range calculated from the location information, the area of ​​the service area 4B of the base station 1B connected to the edge computer 2B that is the source of sending the request message is usually included. The location information and the range calculated from the location information can be completely consistent with the service area 4B, or can be consistent with only a part of the service area 4B. The location information and the range calculated from the location information can also include areas outside the service area 4B.

[0067] The identifier can identify the source of the request and the message making the request. As the identifier, for example, a unique ID assigned by a server not shown in the figure can be used, or a sufficiently long hash value or a value randomly determined from a sufficiently large range of values ​​can be used. In addition, the source of the request is the same as the source from which the request was sent.

[0068] In addition, when the http (hypertext transfer protocol) protocol or the https (hypertext transfer protocol secure) protocol is used for the communication interface between the gateway 3 and the edge computer 2, host information and a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) ​​or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) consisting of a path may be used as an identifier. In order to make the record concise, in the following description, the http protocol or the https protocol is only recorded as the http protocol, and the URI or URL is only recorded as the URL. When the http protocol is used and the URL is used as the identifier, the host information becomes the host name or IP (Internet Protocol) address of the request source, and the path becomes the path corresponding to the message making the request. When http is used and the URL is used as the identifier, the identifier can be used as a so-called callback URL.

[0069] Regarding the path, the same path may be used when the location information and the range calculated from the location information are the same. In this case, when a request is sent to multiple communication operators, the same URL is sent to the multiple communication operators as an identifier. Regarding the path, for example, when a request is made to communication operator C (not shown), a different path may be used for each request. The path may also include the location information and the range calculated from the location information.

[0070] When one service area 4 includes a plurality of intersections and position information and a range from the position information are specified for each intersection, the edge computer 2 may include a plurality of position information and ranges from the plurality of position information in the request.

[0071] The edge computer 2 may perform processing in accordance with MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), or may be a computer, server, or the like that performs processing by defining an interface independently.

[0072] exist Figure 2In the timing diagram shown, the gateway 3A performs request parsing processing (step S104) for the received request (S103). As a request parsing process, the gateway 3A compares the service area area information of the communication operator A with the location information contained in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information. The gateway 3A determines whether the location information contained in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A. When the location information contained in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the gateway 3A determines the edge computer 2A-1 connected to the base station 1A-1 as the final request destination, wherein the base station 1A-1 provides the service area 4A-1 corresponding to the location information contained in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information. In determining whether the area specified by the location information included in the request ( S103 ) and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A of the communication carrier A, the gateway 3A may determine that the area is included if the area is partially included.

[0073] The gateway 3A, through request analysis, sends a new request message to the edge computer 2A-1 determined as the edge computer 2A in charge of the network of the communication carrier A to which the gateway 3A belongs (step S105). The gateway 3A includes the location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier in the request message sent in step S105 (hereinafter referred to as request (S105).).

[0074] Edge computer 2A-1 via Figure 2 The base station 1A-1 not shown in the figure receives the request (S105) sent from the gateway 3A. In the following description, the part of the base station 1A-1 is omitted for simplicity. In order to distinguish the identifier contained in the request (S103) from the identifier contained in the request (S105), the identifier contained in the request (S103) will be referred to as identifier #1, and the identifier contained in the request (S105) will be referred to as identifier #2. Identifier #1 and identifier #2 can be the same or different. However, when the http protocol is used and the URL is used for the identifier, since the request sources of each request are different, identifier #1 and identifier #2 become different identifiers. The location information contained in the request (S105) and the range calculated from the location information can be the same as the location information contained in the request (S103) and the range calculated from the location information, or it can be limited to the service area 4A-1 provided by the edge computer 2A-1 through the request parsing processing of the gateway 3A.

[0075] The edge computer 2A-1 performs request analysis processing (step S106) on the received request (S105). As a request analysis process, the edge computer 2A-1 determines whether the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1. When the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1, the edge computer 2A-1 performs a process of updating the accepted request (step S107). Specifically, the edge computer 2A-1 processes the information included in the registration request (S105). In addition, in determining whether the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1, the edge computer 2A-1 may determine that it is included even if it is partially included.

[0076] The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response message to the request (S105) to the gateway 3A that sent the request (S105) (step S108).

[0077] The gateway 3A receives the response message sent in step S108 from the edge computer 2A-1 (hereinafter referred to as the response (S108).). When the response (S108) is a successful response to the request, the gateway 3A performs processing to update the accepted request for the request (S103) (step S109). Specifically, the gateway 3A processes the information included in the registration request (S103). The gateway 3A sends a response message to the request (S103) (step S110).

[0078] The gateway 3B transfers the response message sent in step S110 (hereinafter referred to as a response (S110)) from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B. The edge computer 2B receives the response transferred from the gateway 3B (S110).

[0079] In addition, the edge computer 2B is Figure 2 In the sequence diagram shown, a plurality of location information and ranges from the location information are specified, and a plurality of request messages corresponding to the request (S103) may be sent with the communication carrier A as the destination.

[0080] Use the structure of each device Figure 2 The operations shown in the timing chart are described in detail. Figure 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an edge computer 2 according to Embodiment 1. The edge computer 2 includes a communication unit 201, an acceptance message processing unit 202, a service area information storage unit 203, a request analysis unit 204, a response processing unit 205, a request location information query unit 206, an acceptance request storage unit 207, a distribution information integration unit 208, a response determination unit 209, a request generation unit 210, and a sent message generation unit 211. Figure 4 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the gateway 3 according to Embodiment 1. The gateway 3 includes a communication unit 301, a forwarding determination unit 302, an acceptance message processing unit 303, a service area information storage unit 304, a request analysis unit 305, a response processing unit 306, a request identifier query unit 307, an acceptance request storage unit 308, a service area update unit 309, a response determination unit 310, an in-network request generation unit 311, and an outgoing message generation unit 312.

[0081] Edge Computer 2B Figure 2 In step S101 of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , a service area update notification and updated service area information are received from the above-mentioned server that manages the service area 4. The communication unit 201 receives the service area update notification and updated service area information. The communication unit 201 outputs the received service area update notification and updated service area information to the received message processing unit 202. The received message processing unit 202 decapsulates the data included in the updated service area information based on the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol: Transmission Control Protocol) / IP protocol, the UDP (User Datagram Protocol: User Datagram Protocol) / IP protocol, etc., extracts the data from the body and header of the http message, and outputs the extracted data to the service area information storage unit 203. In addition, the received message processing unit 202 decapsulates the data included in the service area update notification based on the TCP / IP protocol, the UDP / IP protocol, etc., extracts the data from the body and header of the http message, and outputs the extracted data to the request generation unit 210.

[0082] In this way, the acceptance message processing unit 202 actually outputs the data extracted from the message to the subsequent structure, but in the following description, in order to simplify the description, it is described that the acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the updated service area information to the service area information storage unit 203, and the acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the service area update notification to the request generation unit 210. The service area information storage unit 203 obtains the updated service area information from the acceptance message processing unit 202. The request generation unit 210 obtains the service area update notification from the acceptance message processing unit 202.

[0083] The service area information storage unit 203 stores the updated service area information. In addition, when the content of the newly acquired updated service area information is different from the content of the stored updated service area information, the service area information storage unit 203 updates the stored updated service area information. The service area information storage unit 203 outputs the service area area information and the host information. In the edge computer 2B, the service area area information is the area information of the service area 4B. The host information is the information included in the updated service area information as described above. The service area information storage unit 203 is implemented by a database such as a table of a list type or a relational database.

[0084] The request generation unit 210 uses the service area update notification as a trigger, and determines the area for which information sharing is required and the identifier #1 based on the service area area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203. The request generation unit 210 converts the area for which information sharing is required into position information and a range calculated from the position information. The request generation unit 210 outputs the position information obtained by the conversion and the range calculated from the position information, the determined identifier #1, and the host information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203. The service area area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203 and the area for which information sharing is required may be consistent or partially consistent. In this way, the request generation unit 210 generates and outputs the following request, which includes the position information specifying the area for which information sharing is required and the range calculated from the position information, and the identifier that can identify the request source for requesting information sharing. In the edge computer 2, the request generated by the internal request generation unit 210 is sometimes referred to as the first request.

[0085] The area requiring information sharing may be determined in advance by input from the operator as described above, or may be input from an external server (not shown). In these cases, the service area information storage unit 203 does not need to be located inside the edge computer 2B, and the function of the service area information storage unit 203 may be assumed by an external server, and the function is realized by the edge computer 2B querying the external server. In this embodiment, the gateway 3B also has a service area information storage unit 304. Therefore, the gateway 3B may also assume the function of the external server.

[0086] The sending message generating unit 211 converts the acquired location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #1, i.e., the request, into a form that can be sent, and generates a request message. If it is wired communication or wireless communication, the sending message generating unit 211 generates data encapsulated in a frame based on a protocol stack such as the TCP / IP protocol, the UDP / IP protocol, etc. In addition, when the http protocol is used, the sending message generating unit 211 also generates http messages such as the POST method, the PUT method, etc. When the http protocol is used, the data sent through the http message (here, the location information and the range calculated from the location information) is sometimes also referred to as a resource representation. As a data format, the sending message generating unit 211 can also describe the location information and the range calculated from the location information using JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark)) Object Notation), XML (Extensible Markup Language), etc.

[0087] In addition, the outgoing message generation unit 211 includes the host information of the edge computer 2B, which is the request source, in the requested message. The host information of the request source is, for example, an IP address, a host name, an ID unique to each communication operator, an edge computer ID unique within a communication operator, etc. When the outgoing message generation unit 211 uses the http protocol and uses a URL for the identifier, as described above, if the identifier #1 is a callback URL, there is no need to include the host information of the request source in the message to be output as information other than the identifier #1. In addition, when the outgoing message generation unit 211 uses the TCP / IP protocol, the UDP / IP protocol, etc., the host information of the request source is included in the IP header, so there is no need to include the host information of the request source in the message to be output as information other than the identifier #1. The same applies to the host information of the request source in the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 outputs the requested message to the communication unit 201.

[0088] In addition, it is considered that the edge computer 2B has a fixed destination of the request message. In this case, the destination of the request message is agreed upon between the communication carrier A and the communication carrier B. Figure 2 In the example of the sequence diagram shown, the destination of the request message from the communication carrier B to the communication carrier A is the gateway 3A. In addition, the edge computer 2B may query a DNS (Domain Name System) server (not shown) to determine the destination of the request message. The edge computer 2B may also have the function of a DNS server.

[0089] The communication unit 201 sends the request message obtained from the message generation unit 211 from the edge computer 2B to the base station 1B via the communication medium. If it is wired communication, the communication medium can be Ethernet (registered trademark), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), etc., but it can also be wireless communication. The base station 1B sends a request message to the gateway 3. In the following description, the communication medium and the base station 1 are omitted for simplicity. Here, the request message sent from the edge computer 2B is Figure 2 Request (S103) as shown in the timing diagram.

[0090] The gateway 3B is located on the path from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A. In the gateway 3B, the communication unit 301 receives the request sent from the edge computer 2B (S103). The communication unit 301 outputs the received request (S103) to the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 determines whether the request (S103) received by the communication unit 301 should be processed by the gateway 3B or whether the request (S103) received by the communication unit 301 should be forwarded. Here, since the destination of the request (S103) sent from the edge computer 2B is the gateway 3A, the forwarding determination unit 302 determines that the request (S103) is forwarded. The forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the request (S103) to the communication unit 301.

[0091] In this way, the forwarding determination unit 302 of the gateway 3B determines to forward the first request to the gateway 3A operated by the second communication operator. The first request is a request sent from the edge computer 2 operated by the same first communication operator, and includes location information specifying the area where information sharing is required and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying the source of the request for information sharing. For the gateway 3B, the first communication operator is communication operator B, and the second communication operator is communication operator A. In addition, for the gateway 3B, the first request is a request sent from the edge computer 2B operated by communication operator B which is the same as the first communication operator. The communication unit 301 sends, i.e., forwards, the request obtained from the forwarding determination unit 302 to the gateway 3A (S103). The function of the communication unit 301 is the same as that of the communication unit 301. Figure 3 The functions of the communication unit 201 of the edge computer 2 shown are the same.

[0092] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 receives the request (S103) forwarded from the gateway 3B and outputs it to the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 determines whether the request (S103) received by the communication unit 301 should be processed by the gateway 3A or the request (S103) received by the communication unit 301 should be forwarded. Here, since the destination of the request (S103) forwarded from the gateway 3B is the gateway 3A, the forwarding determination unit 302 determines that the request (S103) should be processed by the gateway 3A. The forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the request (S103) to the acceptance message processing unit 303.

[0093] The acceptance message processing unit 303 performs decapsulation based on the TCP / IP protocol, UDP / IP protocol, etc. on the data included in the request (S103), extracts the data from the body and header of the http message, and outputs the location information, the range from the location information, and the identifier #1, i.e., the request (S103), to the request parsing unit 305. When the identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the acceptance message processing unit 303 also outputs the request source, which is the host information of the edge computer 2B, to the request parsing unit 305. In addition, since the acceptance message processing unit 303 performs the same processing as the acceptance message processing unit 202 of the edge computer 2 described above, it is described in a concise manner in the same manner as the acceptance message processing unit 202.

[0094] The request analysis unit 305 compares the service area area information of the communication operator A obtained from the service area information storage unit 304 with the location information and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S103) obtained from the acceptance message processing unit 303. The request analysis unit 305 determines whether the location information and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S103) are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A. In addition, in determining whether the location information and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S103) are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the request analysis unit 305 may determine that the location information and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, even if the location information and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are partially included.

[0095] When the request parsing unit 305 determines that the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S103) is included in the service area 4A of the communication carrier A, it confirms whether a record that matches the identifier #1 or the location information and the range calculated from the location information, i.e., the request (S103) is registered in the accepted request storage unit 308. In order to confirm whether the request (S103) is registered in the accepted request storage unit 308, the request parsing unit 305 outputs the location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #1 to the accepted request storage unit 308. When the identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the request parsing unit 305 confirms whether the request (S103) has been registered in the accepted request storage unit 308, and also sends the host information of the request source to the accepted request storage unit 308.

[0096] When the request parsing unit 305 determines that the location information included in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are not included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the request parsing unit 305 outputs an error indicating that it is not included to the response determination unit 310. When the request (S103) has been registered in the acceptance request holding unit 308, the request parsing unit 305 becomes an error based on the requirement of the request (S103), and the output content output to the response determination unit 310 can be either success or failure. However, in the case of failure, it is expected that the following information will be included in the output from the response determination unit 310, which indicates that the reason for the error has been registered. In the case of a request error, the gateway 3A does not send it. Figure 2 Instead of the request (S105) shown in the figure, a response is sent (S110) through the processing of the response determination unit 310, the sent message generation unit 312 and the communication unit 301, and the request result notification is performed.

[0097] When the area specified by the location information contained in the request (S103) and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, and the request (S103) is not registered in the acceptance request holding unit 308, the request parsing unit 305 outputs the host information of the edge computer 2A-1 connected to the base station 1A-1 to the in-network request generating unit 311, wherein the base station 1A-1 provides the service area 4A-1 corresponding to the location information and the range calculated from the location information.

[0098] When the area specified by the location information included in the request (S103) and the range calculated from the location information is not included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the request analysis unit 305 sets the request as an error and does not output any information to the in-network request generation unit 311. When the request (S103) is registered in the accepted request storage unit 308, the request analysis unit 305 does not output any information to the in-network request generation unit 311. In this way, the request analysis unit 305 analyzes the second request, which is a request for information sharing from the edge computer 2B operated by the second communication operator, and determines whether the area specified by the second request is included in the service area of ​​the first communication operator. For the gateway 3A, the first communication operator is the communication operator A, and the second communication operator is the communication operator B. In addition, for the gateway 3A, the second request is a request sent from the edge computer 2B operated by the communication operator B, which is another second communication operator.

[0099] The in-network request generation unit 311 determines the identifier #2, and outputs the identifier #2, the acquired location information, the range from the location information, and the host information of the destination edge computer as a request message to the outgoing message generation unit 312. In addition, the in-network request generation unit 311 also outputs the identifier #2 to the response processing unit 306. In this way, the in-network request generation unit 311 of the gateway 3A generates a request including the location information, the range from the location information, and the identifier that can identify the gateway 3A for one or more edge computers 2A operated by the communication operator A as the first communication operator when the area specified by the second request is included in the service area of ​​the first communication operator.

[0100] The outgoing message generation unit 312 sets the host information of the edge computer 2, here the edge computer 2A-1, as the destination, converts the obtained identifier #2, the obtained location information, and the range calculated from the location information into a form that can be sent, and generates a request message. The outgoing message generation unit 312 outputs the generated request message to the communication unit 301. In addition, although the information processed by the outgoing message generation unit 312 of the gateway 3 and the outgoing message generation unit 211 of the edge computer 2 is different, the function of generating the message itself is the same in the outgoing message generation unit 312 of the gateway 3 and the outgoing message generation unit 211 of the edge computer 2.

[0101] The communication unit 301 sends the request message received from the outgoing message generation unit 312 with the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination. Here, the request message sent from the gateway 3A is Figure 2In addition, although the messages processed in the communication unit 301 of the gateway 3 and the communication unit 201 of the edge computer 2 are different, the function of sending and receiving messages itself is the same in the communication unit 301 of the gateway 3 and the communication unit 201 of the edge computer 2.

[0102] In the edge computer 2A-1, the communication unit 201 receives the request sent from the gateway 3A (S105). The communication unit 201 outputs the received request (S105) to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the location information contained in the request (S105), the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #2, that is, the request (S105), to the request parsing unit 204. In the case where the identifier #2 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the acceptance message processing unit 202 also outputs the request source to the request parsing unit 204, which is the host information of the gateway 3A.

[0103] Although the output destination of the information is different, the request parsing unit 204 performs the same processing as the request parsing unit 305 of the gateway 3. The request parsing unit 204 compares the service area area information of the base station 1A-1 obtained from the service area information storage unit 203, that is, the service area 4A-1, with the location information included in the request (S105) obtained from the acceptance message processing unit 202 and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information. The request parsing unit 204 determines whether the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1. In addition, in determining whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A-1, the request parsing unit 204 may determine that it is included even if it is partially included.

[0104] When the request analysis unit 204 determines that the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S105) is included in the service area 4A-1, it checks whether a record that matches the identifier #2 or the location information and the range calculated from the location information, i.e., the request (S105) is registered in the accepted request storage unit 207. In order to confirm whether the request (S105) is registered in the accepted request storage unit 207, the request analysis unit 204 outputs the location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #2 to the accepted request storage unit 207. When the identifier #2 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the request analysis unit 204 outputs the host information of the request source to the accepted request storage unit 207 when confirming whether the request (S105) has been registered in the accepted request storage unit 207.

[0105] The request parsing unit 204 outputs to the response decision unit 209 the result of the determination as to whether the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1. When the request (S105) has been registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207, the output content of the request parsing unit 204 to the response decision unit 209 may be either success or failure. However, in the case of failure, it is desirable that the output from the response decision unit 209 includes the following information, which indicates that the reason for the error is that it has been registered. The request parsing unit 204 sends the request (S105) to the edge computer 2A-1 as a result of the determination by the gateway 3A as to whether the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1, and therefore, it may be omitted.

[0106] In this embodiment, since the request of identifier #2 is not registered (S105), the accepted request storage unit 207 registers the location information obtained from the request analysis unit 204, the range from the location information, and the identifier #2. When identifier #2 is not set as a callback URL in the http protocol, the accepted request storage unit 207 also registers the host information of the request source. These actions in the accepted request storage unit 207 are equivalent to the action of generating resources when the http protocol is used.

[0107] In this way, the acceptance request holding unit 207 holds the request for information sharing from other edge computers 2 when it is possible to send shared information about the location information included in the request and the area specified by the range from the location information. The request for information sharing from other edge computers 2 refers to the request (S105) sent by the gateway 3A in response to the request (S103) from the edge computer 2B. In the edge computer 2, the request generated by other devices is sometimes referred to as the second request. In the edge computer 2A-1, the request parsing unit 204 parses the content of the second request and holds the second request in the acceptance request holding unit 207 when it is possible to send shared information in response to the second request. In the present embodiment, the identifier held by the acceptance request holding unit 207 is the identifier #2 marked by the gateway 3A, which is a communication device provided on the communication path between the edge computer 2A-1 and the edge computer 2B and operated by the same communication carrier A as the edge computer 2A-1.

[0108] The response determination unit 209 outputs the result of the determination of whether the location information included in the request (S105) obtained from the request analysis unit 204 and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1 to the outgoing message generation unit 211 as a response. When the http protocol is used and the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A-1, the response determination unit 209 outputs a message with a status code of 200. For example, if the status code is 200 OK and the processing of the acceptance request storage unit 207 is considered to be resource creation, the message with a status code of 200 is a message with a status code of 201 Created, a status code of 202 Accepted, a status code of 204 No Content, etc.

[0109] When the response decision unit 209 uses the http protocol and the location information included in the request (S105) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are not included in the service area 4A-1, the request (S105) fails, that is, it becomes an error, and therefore, a message with a status code segment of 500 or a status code segment of 400 is output. The message with the status code segment of 500 is, for example, a message with a status code of 500 Internal Server Error, a status code of 503 Service Unavailable, a status code of 507 Insufficient Storage, a status code of 509 Bandwidth Limit Exceeded, etc. The message with the status code segment of 400 is, for example, a message with a status code of 400 Bad Request, a status code of 403 Forbidden, a status code of 404 Not Found, a status code of 422 Unprocessable Entity, a status code of 429 Too Many Requests, etc.

[0110] In addition, when the http protocol is used, the response determination unit 209 may include the URL corresponding to the location information and the range calculated from the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 in the Location unit of the http response header. By including the URL in the http response body, the edge computer 2 can easily update the location information and the range calculated from the location information using the PUT method, PATCH method, UPDATE method, etc. of the http protocol, and easily cancel the request for information sharing using the DELETE method. In this way, the response determination unit 209 generates a response to the second request based on the analysis result of the request analysis unit 204.

[0111] Although the information and messages processed by the outgoing message generation unit 211 and the communication unit 201 are different, a response message to the request (S105) is sent through the same processing as the outgoing message generation unit 312 and the communication unit 301 of the gateway 3A described above. The response message sent from the edge computer 2A-1 is Figure 2 The response (S108) is shown in the timing diagram.

[0112] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 receives the response (S108) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 and outputs it to the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 determines whether the response (S108) should be processed by the gateway 3A or the response (S108) should be forwarded. Here, the destination of the response (S108) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 is the gateway 3A, so the forwarding determination unit 302 determines that the response (S108) should be processed by the gateway 3A. The forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the response (S108) to the acceptance message processing unit 303. The acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the response (S108) to the response processing unit 306.

[0113] In order to send a response message to the request (S103), the response processing unit 306 outputs the result of whether the edge computer 2A-1 included in the response (S108) has accepted the request (S105) to the response determination unit 310. In addition, when the result of the response (S108) is that the request is successful, the response processing unit 306 outputs the location information included in the request (S103) obtained from the request analysis unit 305, the range from the location information, the identifier #1, and the request source, which is the host information of the edge computer 2B in this case, to the acceptance request storage unit 308 as a process for the request (S103). The response processing unit 306 also outputs the identifier #2 obtained from the in-network request generation unit 311 to the acceptance request storage unit 308. When the result of the response (S108) is that the request is wrong, the response processing unit 306 does not output any information to the acceptance request storage unit 308.

[0114] In addition, when gateway 3A performs multiple requests simultaneously and in parallel, it is necessary to determine which request the response (S108) corresponds to. For example, this can be done through methods such as session management and connection management that are usually performed when using http, TCP, UDP, etc., or by including identifier #2 in the response (S108).

[0115] The acceptance request storage unit 308 registers the location information, the range from the location information, the identifier #1, the identifier #2, and the host information of the edge computer 2A-1 as the request destination included in the request (S103). When the identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the acceptance request storage unit 308 also registers the host information of the edge computer 2B as the request source.

[0116] The response decision unit 310 outputs the result of whether the request (S103) is successful or error as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 312. When the request (S103) is successful, that is, when the response (S108) is request success, the response decision unit 310 outputs request success as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 312. When the request (S103) is error, that is, when the response (S108) is request error, the response decision unit 310 outputs request error as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 312. In addition, when the request analysis unit 305 determines that the location information included in the request (S103) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are not even partially included in the service area area information of the communication carrier A, the response decision unit 310 also outputs request error as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 312. In this way, the response decision unit 310 generates a response to the second request. For the gateway 3A, the second request is a request sent from the edge computer 2B operated by the communication carrier B, which is another second communication carrier. In addition, although the information processed in the response determination unit 310 of the gateway 3 and the response determination unit 209 of the edge computer 2 is different, the function itself is the same in the response determination unit 310 of the gateway 3 and the response determination unit 209 of the edge computer 2.

[0117] The outgoing message generation unit 312 sets the request source of the request (S103), which is the edge computer 2B in this case, as the destination, converts the result of the request obtained from the response determination unit 310, that is, the response, into a format that can be sent, generates a response message to the request (S103), and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 sets the edge computer 2B as the destination and sends the response message obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 312. The response message sent from the gateway 3A is Figure 2 The response (S110) is shown in the timing diagram.

[0118] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the response (S110) sent from the gateway 3A and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the response (S110) to the response processing unit 205. The response processing unit 205 ends a series of processing related to the request (S103). The response processing unit 205 considers performing certain processing according to the success or failure of the sending or request. For example, if the sending fails, it considers the processing of sending the request (S103) again, but does not perform special processing on the response (S110).

[0119] Next, the operation of requesting information sharing between the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 will be described. Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation of requesting information sharing between the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 in the communication system 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0120] Edge Computer 2A-1 from Figure 1 and Figure 5 The server that manages the service area 4 (not shown) receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S201). The edge computer 2A-1 registers the received service area update notification and updated service area information (step S202). The edge computer 2A-1 communicates with the Figure 2 The edge computer 2B performs the same processing as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 20 , and uses the input of the service area update notification and the update service area information as a trigger to send a request message (step S203).

[0121] The edge computer 2A-2 receives the request message sent in step S203 from the edge computer 2A-1 (hereinafter referred to as request (S203). The edge computer 2A-2 performs request analysis processing on the received request (S203) (step S204), and performs processing to update the accepted request (step S205). Specifically, the edge computer 2A-2 processes the information included in the registration request (S203). The edge computer 2A-2 sends a response message to the request (S203) to the edge computer 2A-1 that sent the request (S203) (step S206).

[0122] The edge computer 2A-1 receives the response message sent in step S206 (hereinafter referred to as response (S206)) from the edge computer 2A-2.

[0123] Likewise, the edge computer 2A-2 receives Figure 1 and Figure 5The server (not shown) that manages the service area 4 receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information (step S207). The edge computer 2A-2 performs service area registration processing on the received service area update notification and the updated service area information (step S208). The edge computer 2A-2 uses the input of the service area update notification and the updated service area information as a trigger to send a request message (step S209) through the same processing as the edge computer 2A-1 described above.

[0124] The edge computer 2A-1 receives the request message sent in step S209 from the edge computer 2A-2 (hereinafter referred to as the request (S209). The edge computer 2A-1 performs request parsing processing on the received request (S209) (step S210), and performs processing to update the accepted request (step S211). Specifically, the edge computer 2A-1 processes the information included in the registration request (S209). The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response message to the request (S209) to the edge computer 2A-2 that sent the request (S209) (step S212).

[0125] The edge computer 2A-2 receives the response message sent in step S212 (hereinafter referred to as response (S212)) from the edge computer 2A-1.

[0126] exist Figure 5 In the sequence diagram shown, the operation of each structure in the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 is the same as the operation of the edge computer 2B described above, except for the destination of each message. Therefore, the detailed description of the structure of each device is omitted. Figure 5 In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , the identifier included in the request (S203) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 is referred to as identifier #3, and the identifier included in the request (S209) sent from the edge computer 2A-2 is referred to as identifier #4. Figure 5 The request sent in the operation of the sequence diagram shown in the figure targets the adjacent service area 4A, the service area 4A in the direction of travel of the lane 10, the service area 4 on the same lane 10, etc. Therefore, if the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 are operated by the same communication carrier, the structure of the service area 4 is known, and therefore the edge computer 2 for which information sharing is requested, i.e., the destination, can be determined. The edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 send the same request as the request (S103) to the determined edge computer 2.

[0127] exist Figure 5In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , the edge computer 2A-1 corresponding to the base station 1A-1 and the service area 4A-1 designates the service area 4A-2 as the designated area for information sharing. In addition, the edge computer 2A-2 corresponding to the base station 1A-2 and the service area 4A-2 designates the service area 4A-1 as the designated area for information sharing. Figure 2 The timing diagrams shown in the operation and Figure 5 The actions of the timing diagram shown in the figure can be performed either one way first or in parallel. Figure 5 In the operations of the sequence diagram shown, the execution order of the request ( S203 ) and the request ( S209 ) may be reversed.

[0128] So far, the operation of requesting information sharing to the edge computer 2 in the communication system 20 has been described. Next, the operation of sharing emergency information from the vehicle 11A-1 that has recognized the emergency information via the edge computer 2, that is, distributing the emergency information to the vehicles 11 in each service area 4, will be described. Figure 6 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers 2 in the communication system 20 of the first embodiment. Specifically, Figure 6 The following operation flow is shown: the edge computer 2A-1 of communication carrier A sends shared information to the edge computer 2B of communication carrier B, the edge computer 2A-1 of communication carrier A sends shared information to the edge computer 2A-2 of the same communication carrier A, and the edge computer 2A-2 of communication carrier A sends shared information to the edge computer 2A-1 of the same communication carrier A. Here, first, it is assumed that Figure 1 The emergency information is generated at the location 12 shown, and the vehicle 11A-1 recognizes the emergency information. In addition, it is assumed that the vehicle 11B does not recognize the emergency information at the location 12.

[0129] When the vehicle 11A-1 recognizes emergency information (step S301), the vehicle 11A-1 transmits a recognition event indicating an event of the recognized emergency information to the Figure 6 The base station 1A-1 (not shown) notifies the edge computer 2A-1 (step S302). The recognition event may be, for example, a traffic accident, a fallen object, a road collapse, or ice, but it may not be specific information, but may simply be content that an event that should be notified urgently has occurred. The vehicle 11A-1 causes the recognition event notified in step S302 (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S302)) to include the location information of the location 12 where the emergency information was generated. The location information of the location where the emergency information was generated is in principle the same as the location information of the vehicle 11A-1. Figure 2 The location information of the request (S103) shown in the timing diagram is the same, but it does not need to be set to the same data format as the request (S103) and does not need to contain the same information.

[0130] When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the recognition event (S302) notified from the vehicle 11A-1, it uses the recognition event (S302) to perform a query of the location information of the recognition event and the request (step S303). As a query of the location information of the recognition event and the accepted request, the edge computer 2A-1 queries whether the area indicated by the accepted request contains the location information contained in the recognition event (S302). Figure 6 In the sequence diagram shown, it is assumed that there is a case where the location information included in the identification event (S302) is a request that is consistent. The request that is consistent in the edge computer 2A-1 is the request (S105). Therefore, the edge computer 2A-1 sends the identification event (S302) as a message of shared information together with the retained identifier #2 to the gateway 3A (S302) that is the request source of the request (S105) (step S304). In addition, when the edge computer 2A-1 uses the http protocol and sets the identifier #2 as the callback URL, the callback URL of the identifier #2 becomes the URL of the http message of the shared information message sent in step S304 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S304).).

[0131] The gateway 3A sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S305) to the shared information (S304) to the edge computer 2A-1 that sent the shared information (S304) (step S305). The gateway 3A uses the identifier #2 contained in the shared information (S304) to process the query of the identifier and the request (step S306). The gateway 3A receives the request (S103) from the edge computer 2B and registers it. Therefore, it is possible to retrieve the corresponding record from the database using the identifier #2 contained in the shared information (S304) as a keyword, thereby easily retrieving the identifier #1 and the request source of the request (S103). In the communication system 20, by sending the request (S105) assigned with the identifier #2 and the shared information (S304) assigned with the identifier #2, the gateway 3A can easily match the identifier #2 with the information sharing source of the communication operator B without having to compare with the area required by the request (S103). That is, the gateway 3A can avoid a dramatic increase in processing load when a large number of recognition events need to be processed, for example, when the area required by the request ( S103 ) is large.

[0132] Based on the search result, the gateway 3A sets the edge computer 2B, which is the request source of the request (S103), as the destination and sends a message containing the shared information of the identification event (step S307). For example, when the edge computer 2B makes a request for multiple information sharing, the gateway 3A includes the identifier #1 in the message of the shared information sent in step S307 (hereinafter referred to as the shared information (S307).). As a result, the edge computer 2B can easily obtain the correspondence with the request (S103), and in the generation of distribution information to the vehicle 11B, it is easy to perform fine services such as fine inspection or regional division of distribution information within the service area 4B. When the http protocol is used and the identifier #1 is set as the callback URL, the callback URL of the identifier #1 becomes the URL of the http message of the shared information (S307). When the gateway 3A sends the shared information (S307), without using the http protocol, the identifier #1 may or may not be included in the shared information (S307), except when there is a request for multiple information sharing.

[0133] The gateway 3B forwards the shared information sent from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B as the destination (S307). The edge computer 2B receives the shared information (S307) forwarded from the gateway 3B. The edge computer 2B sends a response message to the shared information (S307) to the gateway 3A that sent the shared information (S307) (step S308). The gateway 3B forwards the response message (hereinafter referred to as the response (S308) sent from the edge computer 2B in step S308 to the gateway 3A as the destination. The gateway 3A receives the response (S308) forwarded from the gateway 3B.

[0134] The edge computer 2B performs a distribution information integration process (step S309) that integrates the emergency information obtained through the shared information (S307) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2B. The distribution information integration process means that the edge computer 2B integrates the emergency information obtained through the shared information (S307) with information other than the emergency information, past emergency information, etc. The edge computer 2B distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11B via the base station 1B (step S310).

[0135] Information sharing from edge computer 2A-1 to edge computer 2A-2 can be performed in the same manner as information sharing from edge computer 2A-1 to gateway 3A, where edge computer 2A-1 and edge computer 2A-2 are operated by the same communication carrier A. Edge computer 2A-1 sends a message identifying event (S302) as shared information to edge computer 2A-2, which is the request source of request (S209), together with identifier #4 held therein (step S311). Edge computer 2A-2 receives the message of shared information sent from edge computer 2A-1 in step S311 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S311). Edge computer 2A-2 sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S312)) to shared information (S311) (step S312).

[0136] The edge computer 2A-1 performs a distribution information integration process (step S313) by integrating the emergency information obtained by identifying the event (S302) and the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1. The edge computer 2A-2 performs a distribution information integration process (step S314) by integrating the emergency information obtained by sharing information (S311) and the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2. The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S315). The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S316). In addition, in the communication system 20, the order, simultaneity, etc. of the distribution of distribution information by the edge computer 2B (step S310), the distribution of distribution information by the edge computer 2A-1 (step S315), and the distribution of distribution information by the edge computer 2A-2 (step S316) are not limited here.

[0137] Furthermore, communication carrier A does not send shared information to communication carrier B in an area where communication carrier B has not made a request for information sharing with communication carrier A.

[0138] Here, the case where shared information is sent from the edge computer 2A-2 to the edge computer 2A-1 is described, wherein the edge computer 2A-1 and the edge computer 2A-2 are operated by the same communication carrier A. For example, assume the following case: the vehicle 11A-2 recognizes the emergency information and moves in the direction of travel. Figure 1 The emergency information is distributed to the vehicle 11 traveling in the reverse direction, that is, from right to left in the figure. The location where the emergency information is generated is a location in the service area 4A-2 that does not overlap with the service area 4B and the service area 4A-1. In addition, between the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2, Figure 5The information sharing requirement is fulfilled by the actions in the timing diagram shown.

[0139] When the vehicle 11A-2 recognizes the emergency information (step S317), the vehicle 11A-2 transmits the recognition event indicating the event of the recognized emergency information to the Figure 6 The base station 1A-2 not shown in the figure notifies the edge computer 2A-2 (step S318). When the edge computer 2A-2 receives the recognition event (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S318) notified from the vehicle 11A-2 in step S318 (step S318), it uses the recognition event (S318) to process the location information of the recognition event and the query of the request (step S319). The processing of step S319 of the edge computer 2A-2 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step S303 of the edge computer 2A-1. The edge computer 2A-2 sends the recognition event (S318) as a message of shared information together with the identifier #3 maintained to the edge computer 2A-1 which is the request source of the request (S203) (step S320). The edge computer 2A-1 receives the message of shared information (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S320)) sent from the edge computer 2A-2 in step S320. The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as a response (S321)) to the shared information (S320) (step S321).

[0140] The edge computer 2A-2 performs a distribution information integration process (step S322) by integrating the emergency information obtained by identifying the event (S318) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2. The edge computer 2A-1 performs a distribution information integration process (step S323) by integrating the emergency information obtained by sharing information (S320) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1. The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S324). The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S325). In addition, in the communication system 20, the order, simultaneity, etc. of the distribution of the distribution information by the edge computer 2A-2 (step S324) and the distribution of the distribution information by the edge computer 2A-1 (step S325) are not limited here.

[0141] In addition, since there is no request for information sharing from communication operator B to the area including the service area 4A-2 provided by the base station 1A-2 connected to the edge computer 2A-2, communication operator A does not send shared information based on the identification event notified by the identification event (S318) to communication operator B.

[0142] Use the structure of each device Figure 6The operation of the timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 is described in detail. In the edge computer 2A-1, the communication unit 201 Figure 6 In step S302 of the sequence diagram shown, the recognition event notified from the vehicle 11A-1 is received via the base station 1A-1 (S302) and output to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the recognition event to the request position information query unit 206 and the distribution information integration unit 208 (S302).

[0143] The request location information query unit 206 outputs a query using the location information of the recognition event (S302) as a keyword to the acceptance request storage unit 207 in order to query whether the location information included in the recognition event (S302) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information. The request location information query unit 206 is sometimes simply referred to as a request query unit.

[0144] The acceptance request storage unit 207 outputs the identifier #2 as the inquiry result to the request location information inquiry unit 206 when the inquiry obtained from the request location information inquiry unit 206 is included in the area specified by the stored location information and the range calculated from the location information. In addition, the recognition event (S302) may also include information on the accuracy of the location information, such as the DOP (Dilution Of Precision) of the GPS (Global Positioning System). In this case, the acceptance request storage unit 207 may also determine whether the inquiry from the request location information inquiry unit 206 is included based on the accuracy of the location information, taking a range larger than the area specified by the stored location information and the range calculated from the location information as an object. When the identifier #2 is not used as a callback URL in the http protocol, since the host information of the request source is also registered, the acceptance request storage unit 207 also outputs the host information of the gateway 3A as the request source to the request location information inquiry unit 206. In response to the query received from the requested location information query unit 206, if the area is not included in the area specified by the stored location information and the range calculated from the location information, the accepted request storage unit 207 outputs a result indicating that the area is not included as a query result to the requested location information query unit 206. The accepted request storage unit 207 is implemented by a database such as a table of a list type or a relational database.

[0145] When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207 indicates that the location information included in the identification event (S302) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 206 combines the identification event (S302) obtained from the acceptance message processing unit 202 and the identifier #2 obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207 and outputs them to the outgoing message generation unit 211. When the identifier #2 is not used as a callback URL in the http protocol, the request location information query unit 206 also outputs the host information of the gateway 3A as the request source to the outgoing message generation unit 211. When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207 indicates that the location information included in the identification event (S302) is not included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 206 does not output to the outgoing message generation unit 211. Thus, the request location information query unit 206 generates shared information including the identification event and the identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit 207 when the location information indicating the occurrence location of the identification event obtained from the vehicle 11 via the base station 1 is included in the area specified by the second request. In addition, the request location information query unit 206 performs the same processing in the case of shared information (S311), that is, when the host information of the request source is the edge computer 2A-2, which will be described later. First, the part about the gateway 3A in the output to the outgoing message generation unit 211 is described.

[0146] As described above, the outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the identification event (S302) and the identifier #2, i.e., the shared information, obtained from the request location information query unit 206 into a form that can be sent, and generates a message of the shared information. The outgoing message generation unit 211 outputs the generated message of the shared information to the communication unit 201. When the http protocol is used and the identifier #2 is set as the callback URL, the identifier #2 becomes the URL of the http method. When the outgoing message generation unit 211 uses the http protocol and does not set the identifier #2 as the callback URL, in order to obtain the host information of the request source, the host information of the request source, here the gateway 3A, is set as the destination. The communication unit 201 sets the message of the shared information generated by the outgoing message generation unit 211 as the shared information (S304), and sets the gateway 3A as the destination and sends it out. Here, notifying the request source of the identification event based on the event at the timing when the identification event is generated according to the request is called a push notification.

[0147] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 Figure 6In step S304 shown in the timing diagram of , the shared information (S304) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 is received and output to the forwarding determination unit 302. Since the destination of the shared information (S304) is the gateway 3A, the forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the shared information (S304) to the acceptance message processing unit 303. The acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the shared information (S304) to the request identifier query unit 307 and the response decision unit 310. Here, the case where the request is successful and the shared information can be sent from the communication operator A to the communication operator B is shown, and it is assumed that the identifier included in the shared information (S304) is the identifier #2. In addition, in order to distinguish the identifier maintained in the acceptance request storage unit 308 from the identifier included in the shared information (S304), in the description of the actions of the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the request identifier query unit 307 described later, the identifier included in the shared information (S304) is recorded as the identifier X.

[0148] The response determination unit 310 outputs the success or failure of receiving the shared information (S304) to the outgoing message generation unit 312 as a response. When the http protocol is used, the response determination unit 310 outputs the http status code. The outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the information obtained from the response determination unit 310 into a format that can be sent, generates a response message with the edge computer 2A-1 that sent the shared information (S304) as the destination, and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 receives the message generated by the outgoing message generation unit 312 as a response (S305), and sends the message with the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination.

[0149] The request identifier query unit 307 outputs a query using the identifier X included in the shared information (S304) as a keyword to the acceptance request storage unit 308 to query whether the identifier X included in the shared information (S304) is consistent with the identifier of the in-network request registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308, that is, the request (S105) in the gateway 3A.

[0150] The accepted request storage unit 308 searches the stored identifiers of the in-network request for the query obtained from the request identifier query unit 307 to determine whether there is an identifier that matches the identifier X. The accepted request storage unit 308 outputs the identifier #1 to the request identifier query unit 307 as a query result when the stored identifiers of the in-network request exist. When the accepted request storage unit 308 uses the http protocol and identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL, the host information of the edge computer 2B that is the request source is also registered, and therefore, the host information of the edge computer 2B that is the request source is also output to the request identifier query unit 307. When the accepted request storage unit 308 does not have an identifier that matches the identifier X among the stored identifiers of the in-network request, the accepted request storage unit 308 outputs a result indicating inconsistency to the request identifier query unit 307 as a query result. The accepted request storage unit 308 is implemented by a database such as a table of a list type or a relational database, for example.

[0151] When the query result obtained from the accepted request storage unit 308 shows that the identifier X included in the shared information (S304) is consistent with the identifier of the request registered in the accepted request storage unit 308, the request identifier query unit 307 combines the shared information (S304) obtained from the accepted message processing unit 303 and the identifier #1 obtained from the accepted request storage unit 308, and outputs them to the sent message generation unit 312. When the identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the request identifier query unit 307 also outputs the host information of the edge computer 2B that is the request source to the sent message generation unit 312. When the query result obtained from the accepted request storage unit 308 shows that the identifier X included in the shared information (S304) is inconsistent with the identifier of the request registered in the accepted request storage unit 308, the request identifier query unit 307 does not output to the sent message generation unit 312. The request identifier query unit 307 is sometimes referred to as simply a request query unit.

[0152] The outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the information obtained from the request identifier query unit 307 into a format that can be sent, and generates a message of the shared information including the shared information (S304) and the identifier #1, with the edge computer 2B, which is the host information of the request source, as the destination, and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 uses the message of the shared information generated by the outgoing message generation unit 312 as the shared information (S307), and sends the shared information with the edge computer 2B as the destination.

[0153] In the gateway 3B, the communication unit 301 receives the shared information (S307) and outputs it to the transfer determination unit 302. Since the destination of the shared information (S307) is the edge computer 2B, the transfer determination unit 302 outputs the shared information (S307) to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 transfers the shared information (S307) to the edge computer 2B.

[0154] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the shared information transferred from the gateway 3B (S307) and outputs it to the received message processing unit 202. The received message processing unit 202 outputs the shared information to the distributed information integration unit 208 and the response determination unit 209 (S307).

[0155] The response determination unit 209 outputs the success or failure of receiving the shared information (S307) as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 211. When using the http protocol, the response determination unit 209 outputs an http status code. The processing of the response determination unit 209 is the same as the processing of the shared information (S304) for the gateway 3A.

[0156] The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the response, which is the information obtained from the response determination unit 209, into a format that can be sent, generates a response message with the gateway 3A that sent the shared information (S307) as the destination, and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 uses the message generated by the outgoing message generation unit 211 as a response (S308), and sends the response with the gateway 3A as the destination.

[0157] In gateway 3B, communication unit 301 receives the response (S308) and outputs it to transfer determination unit 302. Since the destination of the response (S308) is gateway 3A, transfer determination unit 302 outputs the response (S308) to communication unit 301. Communication unit 301 transfers the response (S308) to gateway 3A.

[0158] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 receives the response (S308) and outputs it to the forwarding determination unit 302. Since the destination of the response (S308) is the gateway 3A, the forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the response (S308) to the acceptance message processing unit 303. The acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the response (S308) to the response processing unit 306. The response processing unit 306 considers processing based on the success or failure of the sending, request, etc. For example, in the case of failure, it considers processing such as re-sending, but no special processing is performed on the response (S308) here.

[0159] Returning to the description of the edge computer 2B, the identification event obtained by the distribution information integration unit 208 through the shared information (S307) is emergency information that is identified by the vehicle 11A-1 and provided from the communication carrier A. The distribution information integration unit 208 performs format conversion to convert the identification event into a format that can be distributed to the vehicle 11B, and adds information on the time change of the identification event, and integrates the identification event with the distribution information originally scheduled to be distributed in the edge computer 2B. The distribution information originally scheduled to be distributed in the edge computer 2B refers to, for example, the event identified by the vehicle 11B, or the information of the location 12 that has been identified in the past and shared by the preceding vehicle of the vehicle 11A-1 (not shown). In addition, when the received shared information (S307) is the same, the distribution information integration unit 208 performs an update process including rewriting. For example, the distribution information integration unit 208 also considers the case where the time when the emergency information is identified is included in the shared information (S307), that is, the identification event, and therefore performs a process to update the identification time to the latest time. In addition, the distribution information integration unit 208 may also perform statistical processing, such as averaging, on the location where the emergency information occurred when multiple vehicles 11 (not shown) recognize the same emergency information and multiple vehicles 11 notify the recognition event. The distribution information integration unit 208 outputs the integrated distribution information to the outgoing message generation unit 211.

[0160] The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the distribution information obtained from the distribution information integration unit 208 into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 transmits the distribution information to the communication unit 201. Figure 6 The base station 1B transmits the distribution information to the vehicle 11B in the service area 4B. As a result, the vehicle 11B in the service area 4B can receive the distribution information.

[0161] In the present embodiment, the emergency information recognized by the vehicle 11A-1 is sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the edge computer 2B via the gateway 3A, etc., and the distribution information integration unit 208 of the edge computer 2B processes the information for distribution, but is not limited to this. For example, the edge computer 2A-1 may process the information for distribution before sending it as shared information (S304). The processing of information refers to, for example, the processing performed by the distribution information integration unit 208 of the edge computer 2B that can be implemented by the edge computer 2A-1, such as the assignment of time-varying information, updates including rewriting, and statistical processing of the same event when multiple vehicles 11 notify the edge computer 2A-1 of the same emergency information.

[0162] Returning to the description of the action of edge computer 2A-1. Edge computer 2A-1 sends shared information (S311) to edge computer 2A-2 in the same manner as shared information (S304). However, the difference in edge computer 2A-1 is that the identifier held by acceptance request holding unit 207 is identifier #4, and the destination of shared information (S311) becomes edge computer 2A-2. Edge computer 2A-2 sends a response (S312) in the same manner as edge computer 2B sends a response (S308). Edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 perform integrated processing of distribution information (steps S313 and S314) and distribute the distribution information (steps S315 and S316) in the same manner as edge computer 2B.

[0163] The edge computer 2A-2 processes the location information of the identification event and the query of the request (step S319) for the identification event (S318) notified from the vehicle 11A-2 in the same manner as the edge computer 2A-1, and sends the shared information (S320) to the edge computer 2A-1. However, the difference in the edge computer 2A-2 is that the identifier held by the acceptance request holding unit 207 is the identifier #3, and the destination of the shared information (S320) becomes the edge computer 2A-1. The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response (S321) in the same manner as the edge computer 2B sends a response (S308). The edge computers 2A-2 and 2A-1 perform integrated processing of the distribution information (steps S322 and S323) in the same manner as the edge computer 2B, and distribute the distribution information (steps S324 and S325).

[0164] In addition, since the edge computer 2A-2 has not received a request for information sharing from the communication carrier B, it does not send shared information such as the shared information (S304) to the gateway 3A, unlike the edge computer 2A-1.

[0165] Here, the method of distinguishing each message when switching the output destination of each message such as request, push notification of shared information, identification event from vehicle 11, response, updated service area information, service area update notification, etc. in the acceptance message processing unit 202 is described. When the http protocol is not used, the acceptance message processing unit 202 can easily distinguish by giving a distinction flag to the message received by the communication unit 201 or using a dedicated message. When the acceptance message processing unit 202 uses the http protocol, the http method is different in the http request message and the http response message in the response and the message other than the response, so it can be easily distinguished. For messages other than the response, the acceptance message processing unit 202 can distinguish because the path of the URL of the http message is determined. The paths of the URLs of the http messages are determined. For example, the request message is accepted through a lower path of a specific path dedicated to the request, and the push notification of the shared information (S307) is accepted through a path dedicated to the push notification and a lower path of a specific path different from the specific path of the request message, etc. The same is true for updating service area information, service area update notification, etc. In addition, the acceptance message processing unit 202 can also use a specific http method for the request for information sharing, and use a different http method from the http method used for the request for information sharing when pushing notifications.

[0166] Next, the following case is described: In the communication system 20, Figure 2 and Figure 5 The states of the actions shown in the timing diagram start as follows Figure 7 The service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 are updated as shown, and the location 12 is included in the service area 4A-2. Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system 20 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 7 In the updated state of the service area 4 shown, the vehicle 11A-1 can communicate with the base station 1A-2. Figure 7 The edge computer 2B cancels the information sharing with the edge computer 2A-1 corresponding to the service area 4A-1, newly registers the information sharing with the edge computer 2A-2 corresponding to the service area 4A-2, and sends the shared information from the edge computer 2A-2. Figure 8 The timing diagram shown is for Figure 7 The update of the request after the change of the service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 shown will be described. Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of updating the service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 of the communication carrier A in the communication system 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0167] When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S401), it performs the service area registration process (step S402) in the same way as the edge computer 2B described above. In addition, when the gateway 3A receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S403), it performs the service area registration process (step S404) in the same way as the edge computer 2B described above.

[0168] The gateway 3A processes the corresponding investigation between the updated service area 4A and the accepted request (step S405), and determines whether the request for information sharing has been accepted for the updated service area 4A. The gateway 3A sets the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination and sends the request (step S406). The request message sent in step S406 (hereinafter referred to as request (S406)) is used to update, specifically to delete, the request (S105) registered by the gateway 3A in the edge computer 2A-1 corresponding to the service area 4A-1. Figure 2 and Figure 5 When the operation of the sequence diagram shown is completed, since the edge computer 2A-1 has accepted the request (S105), the gateway 3A sends a request (S406) as a message capable of determining the cancellation of information sharing in order to cancel information sharing with the edge computer 2A-1.

[0169] Specifically, when not using http, the gateway 3A assigns a flag that can be used to identify the update of the registered request or sets the range calculated from the location information to a negative value that cannot be used as an area to the request (S406). When using http, the gateway 3A processes the request (S406) using an http method different from that of the request (S103), such as a DELETE method, or a PUT method, an UPDATE method, a PATCH method, etc., in which the range calculated from the location information is set to a negative value that cannot be used as an area. In addition, the gateway 3A causes the request (S406) to include identifier #2. When the gateway 3A uses the http protocol and includes the URL of the resource of the edge computer 2A-1 in the Location field of the response (S108), it is not necessary for the request (S406) to include identifier #2, and the destination URL of the http message of the request (S406) can be set to the URL of the Location field.

[0170] The edge computer 2A-1 receives the request (S406), performs request parsing processing similar to the request (S105) (step S407), and performs processing to update the accepted request (step S408). Specifically, since the identifier #2 has already been registered for the service area 4A-1, the edge computer 2A-1 deletes the registration for the service area 4A-1 in accordance with the request (S406) to cancel information sharing, and sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S409).) (step S409).

[0171] The gateway 3A sends a request (step S410) to the edge computer 2A-2 to make a new request for information sharing. The identifier assigned by the gateway 3A to the request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S410)) sent in step S410 may be the same as the identifier of the request (S105) or different from the identifier of the request (S105). However, when the gateway 3A uses the http protocol and uses the URL for the identifier, when the path includes location information and the range calculated from the location information, the identifier of the request (S410) is different from the identifier of the request (S105).

[0172] The edge computer 2A-2 performs the same processing as when the edge computer 2A-1 receives the request (S105), performs request analysis processing (step S411), performs accepted request update processing (step S412), and sends a response message (step S413).

[0173] The gateway 3A receives the response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S413)) sent from the edge computer 2A-2 in step S413, and updates the record corresponding to the request (S105) to a new record corresponding to the request (S410) by processing the accepted request update (step S414).

[0174] The communication system 20 is implemented by Figure 8 When the operation of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 updates the service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 of the communication carrier A, the communication carrier A can also update the service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 of the communication carrier A by updating the service areas 4A-1 and 4A-2 of the communication carrier A. Figure 6 When the shared information (S304) shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 1 is sent from a different sending source, the shared information is sent from the communication carrier A to the communication carrier B, thereby performing information sharing from the communication carrier A to the communication carrier B. In addition, in the communication system 20, although the request (S406) sent from the gateway 3A is used to cancel the information sharing, in the case of updating the location information and the range calculated from the location information, the request (S406) and the response (S409) messages set to the location information to be updated and the range calculated from the location information can also be used.

[0175] Use the structure of each device Figure 8The operations of the timing diagram shown in FIG. 4 are described in detail. In addition, the processing of the edge computer 2A-1 in step S401 and step S402 is the same as that in FIG. Figure 5 The processing of the edge computer 2A-1 in steps S201 and S202 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0176] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information and outputs them to the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 determines that the destination of the service area update notification and the updated service area information is the gateway 3A, and outputs the service area update notification and the updated service area information to the acceptance message processing unit 303. The acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the updated service area information to the service area information storage unit 304, and outputs the service area update notification to the service area update unit 309.

[0177] The service area updating unit 309 checks whether a record corresponding to the updated service area 4A is registered in the acceptance request holding unit 308 by matching the host information. Figure 8 The sequence diagram shown corresponds to the processing of the corresponding investigation between the updated service area 4A and the accepted request. When the service area update unit 309 is registered, in order to cancel the information sharing, it outputs the host information of the edge computer 2A-1 to the in-network request generation unit 311. In addition, when the request is updated, the service area update unit 309 makes the request include the identifier #2 corresponding to the request (S105) obtained from the accepted request storage unit 308. The information output from the service area update unit 309 is related to the request (S406) sent from the gateway 3A, but as mentioned above, in order to make it a message that can determine the cancellation of information sharing, it can also include location information and a range calculated from the location information, a flag, etc.

[0178] As described above, the in-network request generation unit 311 generates a request for canceling information sharing with the service area 4A-1, and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 312. The outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the request obtained from the in-network request generation unit 311 into a format that can be sent, generates a request message, and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 uses the request message obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 312 as a request (S406), sets the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination, and sends the request. In addition, when the request is updated, the identifier included in the request (S406) becomes the identifier #2 output from the service area update unit 309.

[0179] The edge computer 2A-1 processes the request (S406) in the same manner as the request (S105) and sends a response (S409). However, in the edge computer 2A-1, the request parsing unit 204 instructs the receiving request storage unit 207 to delete the record of the identifier #2 according to the cancellation of information sharing based on the request (S406). The receiving request storage unit 207 deletes the record of the identifier #2 according to the deletion instruction of the record of the identifier #2 from the request parsing unit 204.

[0180] In the gateway 3A, the communication unit 301 receives the response (S409) and outputs it to the forwarding determination unit 302. Since the destination of the response (S409) is the gateway 3A, the forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the response (S409) to the acceptance message processing unit 303. The acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the response to the response processing unit 306 (S409).

[0181] When the response processing unit 306 obtains the response (S409), it outputs a record deletion instruction of the request registered in the request (S105) to the acceptance request storage unit 308. For example, the response processing unit 306 sets the identifier #2 for in-network use as a key and instructs the acceptance request storage unit 308 to delete. In addition, when the response (S409) is a response to the update of the request, the response processing unit 306 determines whether it is necessary to send a new information sharing request. The response processing unit 306 makes a determination based on, for example, whether the host information of the new request sending destination is obtained from the in-network request generation unit 311. When it is determined that it is necessary to send a new information sharing request, the response processing unit 306 outputs the location information obtained from the in-network request generation unit 311 and the range calculated from the location information, and the host information of the edge computer 2A-2 as the new request sending destination to the in-network request generation unit 311.

[0182] In order to make a new in-network request, the in-network request generation unit 311 generates a request (S410) in the same manner as the request (S105). At this time, the identifier #2 included in the request (S410) may be the same as the identifier #2 of the request (S105) or may be a newly determined identifier.

[0183] The response processing unit 306 acquires a response ( S413 ) in the same manner as in the case of the response ( S108 ), and outputs the response to the acceptance request storage unit 308 .

[0184] The received request storage unit 308 deletes the information of the request corresponding to the registered request (S105) based on the data included in the response (S409) obtained from the response processing unit 306. The received request storage unit 308 registers the record corresponding to the new request based on the response (S413) obtained from the response processing unit 306. Other operations of the gateway 3A and the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 are similar to Figure 2 The operations of the gateway 3A and the edge computer 2A-1 in the sequence diagram shown are the same.

[0185] So far, the case where the service area 4A is changed in the communication operator A that has accepted the request for information sharing has been described. Next, the case where the structure of the service area 4B of the communication operator B is changed will be described. For example, in the case where a new service area 4 not shown is constructed in the structure of the service area 4B of the communication operator B, information sharing can be achieved through a request from the edge computer 2B responsible for the newly constructed service area 4B. In addition, in the case of deleting information sharing, the gateway 3B can achieve this by making a request for deletion as an update of the request (S105), similar to the request (S406). For example, when the request has been successful and the request has been registered with the gateway 3A, the gateway 3B can achieve this by making a request to set the location information and the range calculated from the location information to new location information and the range calculated from the location information.

[0186] Next, the hardware structure of the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 is described. In the edge computer 2, the communication unit 201 is a communication machine. In the edge computer 2, the structure other than the communication unit 201 is implemented by a processing circuit. Similarly, in the gateway 3, the communication unit 301 is a communication machine. In the gateway 3, the structure other than the communication unit 301 is implemented by a processing circuit. In the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3, the processing circuit can be a processor and a memory that executes a program stored in the memory, or it can be dedicated hardware. The processing circuit is also called a control circuit.

[0187] Fig. 9 This diagram shows a configuration example in which a processing circuit 500 included in the edge computer 2 or the gateway 3 according to Embodiment 1 is realized by a processor 501 and a memory 502 . The edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 are composed of the processing circuit 500 and a communication device 503 . Fig. 9The processing circuit 500 shown is a control circuit, which includes a processor 501 and a memory 502. When the processing circuit 500 is composed of the processor 501 and the memory 502, each function of the processing circuit 500 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described in the form of a program and stored in the memory 502. In the processing circuit 500, the processor 501 reads and executes the program stored in the memory 502, thereby implementing each function. That is, the processing circuit 500 includes a memory 502 for storing a program for executing the processing of the edge computer 2 or the gateway 3. The program can also be said to be a program for causing the edge computer 2 or the gateway 3 to execute each function implemented by the processing circuit 500. The program can be provided through a storage medium storing the program, or can be provided through other units such as a communication medium.

[0188] The program for controlling the edge computer 2 can also be said to be a program that causes the edge computer 2 to perform the following processing: generating a first request, which is a request including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying the source of the request for information sharing; maintaining a second request when it is possible to send shared information based on a request for information sharing for the area in response to a second request, the second request being a request based on a request for information sharing from another edge computer 2; and generating shared information including the identification event and the identifier maintained in the request acceptance maintenance unit 207 when the location information indicating the location of occurrence of the identification event obtained from the vehicle 11 via the base station 1 is included in the area specified by the second request.

[0189] The program for controlling the gateway 3 can also be said to be a program that causes the gateway 3 to perform the following processing: making a determination as to whether to forward a first request to other communication devices operated by a second communication operator, the first request being a request sent from an edge computer 2, including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying the source of the request for information sharing; parsing a request for information sharing from other edge computers 2 operated by the second communication operator, i.e., a second request, determining whether the area specified by the second request is included in the service area 4A of the first communication operator, and generating a response to the second request based on the parsing result.

[0190] Here, the processor 501 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. In addition, the memory 502 corresponds to, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically EPROM), or other nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a high-density disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.

[0191] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a configuration example in which the processing circuit 504 included in the edge computer 2 or the gateway 3 according to the first embodiment is configured by dedicated hardware. Fig.10 The processing circuit 504 shown corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The processing circuit may be partially implemented by dedicated hardware and partially implemented by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit can implement the above-mentioned functions by dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0192] The following describes each program executed by the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3. First, the following describes the program executed by the edge computer 2. Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer 2 according to the first embodiment, which is performed based on the program executed by the edge computer 2 .

[0193] exist Fig.11In the flowchart of the edge computer 2 shown, the processing from step ST101 to step ST105 is the processing in the acceptance message processing unit 202. The processing of the acceptance message in step ST101 is the processing of the above-mentioned decapsulation and the like in the acceptance message processing unit 202. The processing from step ST102 to step ST105 corresponds to the processing of the above-mentioned output destination switching in the acceptance message processing unit 202. In step ST102, the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a response as described above, and if it is a response message (step ST102: "Yes"), the processing of step ST106 is performed. In the case where the received message is not a response message (step ST102: "No"), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a request as described above in step ST103. In the case where the received message is a request message (step ST103: "Yes"), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST107. In the case where the received message is not a request message (step ST103: "No"), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a push notification as described above in step ST104. When the received message is a push notification message (step ST104: Yes), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST109. When the received message is not a push notification message (step ST104: No), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a service area update notification or an update service area information message as described above in step ST105. When the received message is a service area update notification or an update service area information message (step ST105: Yes), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST113.

[0194] If it is a response message (step ST102: Yes), the edge computer 2 receives the response message. The process of step ST106 is the process when the received message is a response. As described above, in the first embodiment, the edge computer 2 does not perform special processing and ends the processing.

[0195] In the case of a request message (step ST103: Yes), the edge computer 2 receives the request message. The process of step ST107 is the process in the case where the received message is, for example, a request (S105), and the edge computer 2 inquires from the request parsing unit 204 to the acceptance request storage unit 207 to determine whether the requested request can be accepted. In the case where the request has been accepted, the edge computer 2 determines that the shared information can be provided to the requested area, that is, the area indicated by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST107: Yes). In the case of step ST107: Yes, the edge computer 2 performs the process of causing the acceptance request storage unit 207 to store the request content (step ST108). In the case where the request has not been accepted, the edge computer 2 determines that the shared information cannot be provided to the requested area, that is, the area indicated by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST107: No). In the case of "No" in step ST107 or after the process in step ST108, the edge computer 2 performs the response determination process in step ST109 corresponding to the process of the response determination unit 209 described above.

[0196] The process of generating the outgoing message in step ST110 and the process of outputting in step ST111 correspond to the process of the outgoing message generating unit 211 described above. In step ST110, the outgoing message generating unit 211 performs processing such as packaging. In step ST111, the outgoing message generating unit 211 performs processing of outputting a message to the communication unit 201. The outgoing message generating unit 211 outputs the message to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 201, for example, in order to send a response (S108) to the request (S105). Regarding the case of updating the location information of information sharing and the range calculated from the location information, the edge computer 2 can also perform processing according to the flow of step ST103: "Yes", step ST107: "Yes", step ST108, step ST109, step ST110, and step ST111.

[0197] In the case of a push notification message (step ST104: Yes), the edge computer 2 receives a push notification message. The process of step ST112 is the process in the case where the received message is a push notification, and corresponds to the process of distribution information integration in the distribution information integration unit 208. After the process of step ST112, the edge computer 2 performs the processes of steps ST110 and ST111, for example, to distribute the distribution information to the vehicle 11 in step S310, and outputs to the memory area of ​​the communication unit 201. In the case of a push notification message (step ST104: Yes), the edge computer 2 further performs the processes of steps ST109, ST110, and ST111. In step ST111, the edge computer 2 outputs to the memory area of ​​the communication unit 201, for example, to send a response (S308) to the push notification of the shared information (S307).

[0198] The case of a service area update notification and a message for updating service area information (step ST105: "Yes") is a case where the edge computer 2 receives a service area update notification and a message for updating service area information. The processing of step ST113 corresponds to the processing of the service area information storage unit 203, which stores the updated service area information. The processing of step ST114 corresponds to the processing of the request generation unit 210, which generates, for example, a request for information sharing through the request (S103). The edge computer 2 then performs the processing of steps ST110 and ST111, for example, outputs to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 201 in order to send the request (S103).

[0199] The case of step ST105: "No" is a process in which the vehicle 11 recognizes the emergency information and notifies the recognition event (S302), and the edge computer 2 receives a message of the recognition event (S302) from the vehicle 11. Next, the branch after step ST105: "No" is about the case where the edge computer 2 distributes the distribution information in the corresponding service area 4 and the processing of sending shared information to other communication operators. After step ST105: "No", the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST112 in order to distribute the distribution information to the corresponding service area 4. The processing of step ST112 is the processing of the distribution information integration unit 208. For example, in order to distribute the distribution information in step S315, the edge computer 2 performs the processing of steps ST110 and step ST111 after the processing of step ST112, and outputs it to the memory area etc. of the communication unit 201. After step ST105: "No", the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST115 in order to send shared information to other communication operators.

[0200] The processing of step ST115 and step ST116 is the processing in the request location information query unit 206. The processing of step ST115 is the processing of querying the request location information query unit 206 to the acceptance request storage unit 207, and conditional branching is performed according to the result of the query. When the result of the query is that there is a request corresponding to the location of the recognition event, that is, it has been accepted (step ST115: "Yes"), the request location information query unit 206 performs the processing of step ST116. In the processing of step ST116, as described above, the request location information query unit 206 aggregates a part of the request held by the acceptance request storage unit 207, such as the identifier #2, and the recognition event. That is, the request location information query unit 206 aggregates the information required for the held request and the recognition event. For example, in order to send shared information (S304), the edge computer 2 further performs the processing of step ST110 and step ST111, and outputs it to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 201. If the result of the inquiry is that there is no request corresponding to the position of the recognition event, that is, the request has not been accepted (step ST115: No), the edge computer 2 ends the processing.

[0201] Next, the program executed by the gateway 3 is described. Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 3 based on the program executed by the gateway 3 according to the first embodiment.

[0202] exist Fig.12 In the flowchart of the gateway 3 shown in FIG. 1 , the processing of step ST201 is the processing in the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the forwarding data message to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301 through the above-mentioned determination processing when the received message is forwarding data (step ST201: "Yes"). (step ST202)

[0203] The processing of step ST203 to step ST206 is the processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. When the received message is not forwarded data (step ST201: "No"), the processing of step ST203 is the above-mentioned decapsulation and other processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. The processing of step ST203 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST101 in the edge computer 2. The processing of step ST204 to step ST206 corresponds to the above-mentioned output destination switching processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. In the processing of step ST204, the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a push notification as described above, and if it is a push notification (step ST204: "Yes"), the processing of step ST207 and step ST209 is performed. The processing of step ST207 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST109 in the edge computer 2. When the received message is not a push notification (step ST204: "No"), the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a request as described above in the processing of step ST205. When the received message is a request (step ST205: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST211. The processing of step ST205 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST103 in the edge computer 2. When the received message is not a request (step ST205: "No"), the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a response as described above in the processing of step ST206. When the received message is a response (step ST206: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST213. The processing of step ST206 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST102 in the edge computer 2.

[0204] In the case of a push notification message (step ST204: "Yes"), the gateway 3 receives a push notification message. In the case of a push notification message (step ST204: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the response decision processing of step ST207 corresponding to the above-mentioned response decision unit 310. The processing of step ST208 and step ST202 following the processing of step ST207 corresponds to the processing of the above-mentioned send message generation unit 312. Thus, the gateway 3 can send a response (S110), for example. The processing of step ST207 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST109 in the edge computer 2. The processing of step ST208 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST110 in the edge computer 2. The processing of step ST202 is the same as the processing of the above-mentioned step ST111 in the edge computer 2. In addition, the processing of step ST202 corresponds to a subroutine shared by the forwarding determination unit 302 and the send message generation unit 312.

[0205] In addition, in the case of a push notification message (step ST204: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs conditional branching by processing step ST209 corresponding to the inquiry processing from the request identifier query unit 307 to the acceptance request storage unit 308. When the result of the inquiry is that there is a record of the same identifier as the identifier of the push notification, that is, when the request has been accepted for the location represented by the push notification (step ST209: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST210. In the processing of step ST210, the request identifier query unit 307 aggregates a part of the request maintained by the acceptance request storage unit 308, such as identifier #1 and the identification event as described above. That is, the request identifier query unit 307 aggregates the information required for the maintained request and the identification event. For example, in order to send shared information (S307), the gateway 3 further performs the processing of steps ST208 and step ST202, and outputs it to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301. If the query result shows that there is no record with the same identifier as the push notification identifier, that is, if the request has not been accepted for the location indicated by the push notification (step ST209: No), the gateway 3 ends the process.

[0206] The case of a request message (step ST205: "Yes") is a case where the gateway 3 receives a request message. The gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST211 corresponding to the processing of the above-mentioned request analysis unit 305. The request analysis unit 305 inquires the acceptance request storage unit 308 to determine whether the requested request can be accepted. The request analysis unit 305 determines "No" (step ST211: "No") when it has been accepted. When the gateway 3 determines that shared information can be provided to the requested area, that is, the area represented by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST211: "Yes"), it performs the processing of generating a request for in-network use (step ST212). In the case of step ST211: "No" or in the case of step ST211: "Yes", the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST207. In the processing of step ST212, the in-network request generation unit 311 performs the processing of generating a request for in-network use as described above. The gateway 3 then performs the processing of step ST208 and step ST202, and outputs to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301, for example, in order to send out a request (S105).

[0207] In the case of a response message (step ST206: "Yes"), the gateway 3 receives a response message. The gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST213 corresponding to the processing of the above-mentioned response processing unit 306. The processing of step ST213 is the processing of the response processing unit 306, for example, in the case of a response (S308) to shared information (S307). In the case of a response to shared information (step ST213: "Yes"), the gateway 3 ends the processing. In the case of not a response to shared information (step ST213: "No"), the gateway 3 performs conditional branching in the processing of step ST214 according to whether it is a response to a request for update and a new request for information sharing needs to be sent. In the case of a response to a request for update and a new request for information sharing needs to be sent (step ST214: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST212. This is the case where the gateway 3 receives a response (S409). The gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST212 , step ST208 , and step ST202 to send out the request ( S410 ), and outputs the request to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301 .

[0208] When it is not a response to the request for update and there is no need to send a new request for information sharing (step ST214: "No"), the gateway 3 performs further conditional branching in the process of step ST215. When the gateway 3 does not return a response to the request from other communication operators (step ST215: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processes of step ST207, step ST208 and step ST202, and outputs to the memory area of ​​the communication unit 301 in order to send a response corresponding to the response (S108). The gateway 3 performs the process of step ST216 regardless of the case of step ST215: "Yes" or the case of returning a response to the request from other communication operators (step ST215: "No"). When the response is successful (step ST216: "Yes"), the gateway 3 maintains the accepted request in the process of step ST217, and specifically performs the process of updating the accepted request. The processing of step ST217 corresponds to the following processing: the processing of updating the accepted request after receiving the above-mentioned response (S108); and the processing of updating the record of the request (S103) originally registered in the accepted request storage unit 308 to the record corresponding to the request (S410) for the edge computer 2A-2 after receiving the response to the request update (S413). The gateway 3 ends the processing when the response is not successful (step ST216: "No") or after the processing of step ST217. The processing of steps ST213 to ST216 corresponds to the processing in the response processing unit 306. The processing of step ST217 corresponds to the processing of the accepted request storage unit 308.

[0209] Step ST206: If "No", the gateway 3 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information, and stores the updated service area information (step ST218). The gateway 3 then determines whether the request has been accepted in the updated service area 4 (step ST219). The processing of step ST219 corresponds to Figure 8 The processing of the corresponding investigation between the updated service area 4 and the accepted request in the sequence diagram shown. When the request has been accepted in the updated service area 4 (step ST219: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of service area update (step ST220), step ST212, step ST208 and step ST202 in order to send the request (S406), and outputs to the memory area etc. of the communication unit 301. The processing of step ST219 and step ST220 corresponds to the processing of the service area update unit 309, including the inquiry from the service area update unit 309 to the accepted request storage unit 308. When the request has not been accepted in the updated service area 4 (step ST219: "No"), the gateway 3 ends the processing.

[0210] In this embodiment, the gateway 3 is divided into a gateway 3A of the communication carrier A and a gateway 3B of the communication carrier B, but it can also be a system structure that combines the functions of the gateway 3A and the gateway 3B. Figure 1 In the structure of the communication system 20 shown, the gateway 3 and the edge computer 2 are divided, but a certain edge computer 2 may also have the function of the gateway 3. If the edge computer 2 having the function of the gateway 3 has a communication unit 301 that can communicate with other edge computers 2 in the network, the edge computer 2 having the function of the gateway 3 may also share information with other communication carriers. Regarding the case where the edge computer 2 having the function of the gateway 3 communicates with other edge computers 2 in the network, in addition to direct communication, communication may also be performed via a repeater, a bridge, a router, etc.

[0211] In addition, in the present embodiment, the system configuration in which the edge computer 2 is connected to the base station 1 in a one-to-one manner is described, but two or more base stations 1 may be connected to the edge computer 2. The edge computer 2 may also maintain the service area information of each base station 1 through the service area information maintenance unit 203, and make an information sharing request for the area corresponding to each base station 1. In this case, the edge computer 2 does not need to make an information sharing request for all of the multiple base stations 1 to which it is connected.

[0212] In addition, Figure 1In the communication system 20 shown, the edge computer 2 is a system structure directly connected to the gateway 3, and has a two-layer structure of the gateway 3 and the edge computer 2, but the edge computer 2 may also be a system structure composed of a tree structure and multiple layers of more than two layers. For example, there may be a system structure such as an edge computer 2 for a wide area and an edge computer 2 for a smaller area, and the edge computer 2 may be divided according to the type of data to be processed, such as traffic accidents, fallen objects, road collapse, local conditions such as ice, congestion, etc.

[0213] In addition, Figure 3 , Figure 4 In the description of the edge computer 2, the communication unit 201 sends and receives through one interface, but the sending and receiving can also be set as different interfaces. The edge computer 2 can also have more than two communication units 201. In addition, the edge computer 2 can also be provided with different communication units 201 for the communication operator network to which the edge computer 2 belongs and other communication operator networks. The communication unit 201 of the edge computer 2 is described, but the same is true for the communication unit 301 of the gateway 3.

[0214] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the communication system 20, the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B sends a request for information sharing including location information, a range from the location information, and an identifier, and the gateway 3A of the communication carrier A different from the communication carrier B determines the edge computer 2A that can send the shared information in response to the request from the edge computer 2B. The edge computer 2A receives the emergency information recognized by the vehicle 11A that can communicate with the communication carrier A, and sends the shared information including the emergency information to the edge computer 2B, and the edge computer 2B sends the shared information to the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication carrier B.

[0215] Thus, in the communication system 20, based on the request for information sharing, emergency information and the like that are not recognized by the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication operator B and that are recognized by the vehicle 11A that can communicate with the communication operator A can be sent from the communication operator A to the communication operator B, so that the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication operator B can also obtain the emergency information recognized by the vehicle 11A that cannot communicate with the communication operator B. That is, the communication system 20 can share the emergency information and the like recognized by one or more vehicles 11 between different communication operators without each communication operator using the information of the network structure of other communication operators, and distribute it to the vehicle 11 that can communicate with the base station 1 of each communication operator. In the communication system 20, the gateway 3 connected between the communication operator networks can send the shared information without selecting the base station 1 to be sent based on the position information included in the shared information.

[0216] Implementation method 2.

[0217] In the first embodiment, when a request for information sharing is made from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A, the gateway 3A terminates the request for information sharing from the edge computer 2B, selects the edge computer 2A-1 requesting information sharing, and the edge computer 2A-1 requested from the gateway 3A becomes the source of sending the shared information. In the second embodiment, the following situation is described: when a request for information sharing is made from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A, the gateway 3A terminates the request for information sharing from the edge computer 2B, requests information sharing from all the edge computers 2A in the network, and selects the shared information sent from all the edge computers 2A. In addition, in the second embodiment, the structure of the communication system 20 is the same as that of the embodiment 2. Figure 1 The configuration of the communication system 20 in the illustrated embodiment 1 is the same.

[0218] The operation of each device included in the communication system 20 will be described. Fig.13 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B requesting the communication carrier A to share information in the communication system 20 of the second embodiment. Fig.13 In the timing chart shown in FIG. 1 , the processing of step S501 to step S503 of the edge computer 2B is the same as that of step S502. Figure 2 The processing of steps S101 to S103 shown in the timing diagram of is the same. Fig.13 In the timing diagram shown, the forwarding process of gateway 3B and the receiving process of gateway 3A are also Figure 2 The processing of gateway 3B and gateway 3A in the timing diagram shown is the same. Fig.13 In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , the request message sent from the edge computer 2B in step S503 (hereinafter referred to as request (S503)) is Figure 2 In the sequence diagram shown, the request (S103) sent from the edge computer 2B is the same.

[0219] The gateway 3A performs a request analysis process of the request (S503) (step S504). In the request analysis process, the gateway 3A determines whether the location information contained in the request (S503) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A. When the location information contained in the request (S503) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the gateway 3A performs a process of updating the accepted request (step S505) and sends a response to the result of accepting the request (step S506). The response message (hereinafter referred to as the response (S506)) sent from the gateway 3A in step S506 is the same as the response (S110) sent from the gateway 3A in Implementation 1. The gateway 3B forwards the response (S506) to the edge computer 2B. The edge computer 2B receives the response (S506) forwarded from the gateway 3B.

[0220] Next, the operation of requesting information sharing within the communication carrier A will be described. Fig.14 1 is a sequence diagram showing the actions of requesting information sharing within the communication carrier A in the communication system 20 of the second embodiment. When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S601), it performs the service area registration process (step S602). Similarly, when the edge computer 2A-2 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S603), it performs the service area registration process (step S604). When the gateway 3A receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S605), it performs the service area registration process (step S606). The gateway 3A uses the service area update notification and the update of the service area information as a trigger to send a request for information sharing to all edge computers 2A in the network.

[0221] The gateway 3A sends a message requesting information sharing to the edge computer 2A-1 in the network (step S607). It is assumed that the location information and the area represented by the range calculated from the location information included in the request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S607)) sent from the gateway 3A in step S607 are consistent with the service area 4A-1, which is a service area provided by the base station 1A-1 connected to the edge computer 2A-1 that received the request (S607).

[0222] The edge computer 2A-1 receives the request (S607) and performs request analysis (step S608) on the request (S607). In the request analysis process, the edge computer 2A-1 compares the location information included in the request (S607) and the area represented by the range calculated from the location information with the service area 4A-1 provided by the base station 1A-1 connected to the edge computer 2A-1, and determines whether the shared information can be provided. Fig.14 The sequence diagram shown shows a case where the request (S607) succeeds. The edge computer 2A-1 performs a process to update the accepted request (step S609), and sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as a response (S610)) (step S610).

[0223] Similarly, the gateway 3A sends a message requesting information sharing to the edge computer 2A-2 in the network (step S611). It is assumed that the location information and the area represented by the range calculated from the location information included in the request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S611)) sent from the gateway 3A in step S611 are consistent with the service area 4A-2, which is a service area provided by the base station 1A-2 connected to the edge computer 2A-2 that received the request (S611).

[0224] The edge computer 2A-2 receives the request (S611) and performs request analysis processing (step S612) on the request (S611). In the process of request analysis, the edge computer 2A-2 compares the location information contained in the request (S611) and the area represented by the range calculated from the location information with the service area 4A-2 provided by the base station 1A-2 connected to the edge computer 2A-2, and determines whether the shared information can be provided. Fig.14 The sequence diagram shown shows a case where the request (S611) is successful. The edge computer 2A-2 performs a process to update the accepted request (step S613) and sends a response (step S614).

[0225] The request parsing process (steps S608 and S612) in the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 may be omitted if the location information and the range calculated from the location information contained in the request sent by the gateway 3A are within the area that can be accepted by the edge computer 2A. Fig.14 In the sequence diagram shown, the gateway 3A makes a request to the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 because it has not previously made a request to the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 in the network. The gateway 3A may also omit the request to the edge computer 2A that has already made the request. Thus, the gateway 3A makes a request to all edge computers 2A in the network to share information, and selects the shared information sent from all edge computers 2A according to the request from the edge computer 2A, thereby enabling the communication carrier A to send emergency information and other identification events to the communication carrier B.

[0226] The operation of requesting information sharing between the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 can be performed by Figure 5 Here, it is assumed that edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 also implement Figure 5The operation of the timing diagram shown. Fig.13 , Fig.14 and Figure 5 The order of actions shown in each timing diagram is different. Here, it is assumed that Fig.14 The operation of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 is that the request for information sharing sent from all edge computers 2A of the communication carrier A to the gateway 3A as shared information by notifying the recognition event is successful. Fig.13 The operation of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 is that the request for information sharing from communication carrier A to communication carrier B is successful. Figure 5 According to the operation of the sequence diagram shown, the information sharing request between the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 in the communication carrier A is satisfied.

[0227] Next, an operation of sharing the emergency information from the vehicle 11 that has recognized the emergency information, that is, distributing the emergency information to the vehicles 11 in each service area 4 via the edge computer 2 will be described. Fig.15 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers 2 in the communication system 20 of the second embodiment. When the vehicle 11A-1 recognizes emergency information (step S701), it sends a recognition event indicating the event of the recognized emergency information to the vehicle 11A-1 via Fig.15 The base station 1A-1 (not shown) notifies the edge computer 2A-1 (step S702). The recognition event notified by the vehicle 11A-1 in step S702 (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S702)) Figure 6 The identification event (S302) of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0228] When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the recognition event (S702) notified from the vehicle 11A-1, it uses the recognition event (S702) to perform the query of the location information and request of the recognition event (step S703), as in the case of the first embodiment. The edge computer 2A-1 uses the recognition event (S702) as a message of shared information, and sends the message to the gateway 3A as the request source of the consistent request (S607) as the destination (step S704).

[0229] The gateway 3A sends a response (step S705) to the message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-1 in step S704 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S704)). The response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S705)) sent from the gateway 3A in step S705 is the same as the response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S705)). Figure 6The response (S305) of implementation mode 1 shown in the timing diagram of is the same. Gateway 3A queries the location information contained in the shared information (S704) and the request sent from communication operator B (step S706). Specifically, gateway 3A determines whether there is a request sent from communication operator B corresponding to the location information of the shared information (S704). Since there is a request (S503) that is consistent with the result of the query, gateway 3A sends a message of shared information (step S707). The message of shared information sent from gateway 3A in step S707 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S707)) is the same as Figure 6 The shared information (S307) of implementation mode 1 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0230] In addition, the gateway 3A inquires whether there is a request corresponding to the location information for the shared information (S704), but it can also match the request (S607), the request (S611) and the request (S503) in advance. If the gateway 3A also sends the identifier #2 together with the shared information (S704) as in the implementation method 1, the query processing after receiving the shared information (S704) can be achieved not by targeting the location information but by matching the simpler identifier. In this case, the shared information (S704) and Figure 6 The shared information (S304) of implementation mode 1 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0231] The gateway 3B transfers the shared information to the edge computer 2B (S707). The edge computer 2B receives the shared information (S707) and sends a response message (step S708) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The response message sent by the edge computer 2B in step S708 (hereinafter referred to as response (S708)) is the same as the response message sent by the edge computer 2B in step S708. Figure 6 The response (S308) of implementation mode 1 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0232] The edge computer 2B performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by sharing the information (S707) with the distributed information distributed from the edge computer 2B (step S709). Figure 6 The edge computer 2B distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11B via the base station 1B (step S710). The distribution information distributed in step S710 is the same as that in step S309 of the embodiment 1 shown in the timing diagram of FIG. Figure 6 The distribution information distributed in step S310 of implementation mode 1 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0233] The edge computer 2A-1 sends the recognition event (S702) as a message of shared information to the edge computer 2A-2 (step S711). The edge computer 2A-2 receives the message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-1 in step S711 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S711).). The edge computer 2A-2 sends a response message to the shared information (S711) (hereinafter referred to as response (S712). (step S712). The edge computer 2A-1 performs a process of integrating the emergency information notified by the recognition event (S702) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1 (step S713). The edge computer 2A-2 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by the shared information (S711) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2 (step S714). The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S715). The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S716).

[0234] When the vehicle 11A-2 recognizes the emergency information (step S717), it notifies the edge computer 2A-2 of the recognition event indicating the event of the recognized emergency information via the base station 1A-2 (step S718). The recognition event notified by the vehicle 11A-2 in step S718 (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S718)) is Figure 6 The identification event (S318) of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram of is the same. When the edge computer 2A-2 receives the identification event (S718), it uses the identification event (S718) to process the location information of the identification event and the query of the request (step S719). The edge computer 2A-2 sends the identification event (S718) as a message of shared information, and sets the gateway 3A, which is the request source of the consistent request (S611), as the destination (step S720). The message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-2 in step S720 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S720)) is the same as that of the first embodiment. Figure 6 However, when each piece of shared information includes an identifier, the identifier of the shared information (S320) is different from the identifier of the shared information (S720).

[0235] The gateway 3A sends a response message (step S721) to the shared information (S720). The response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S721) sent from the gateway 3A in step S721 is the same as the above-mentioned response (S305), response (S705), etc. The gateway 3A queries the location information included in the shared information (S720) and the request sent from the communication operator B (step S722). Since the result of the query is that there is no consistent request, the gateway 3A does not perform any processing.

[0236] The edge computer 2A-2 sends the recognition event (S718) as a message of shared information to the edge computer 2A-1 (step S723). The edge computer 2A-1 receives the message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-2 in step S723 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S723).). The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response message to the shared information (S723) (hereinafter referred to as response (S724). (step S724). The edge computer 2A-2 performs a process of integrating the emergency information notified by the recognition event (S718) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2 (step S725). The edge computer 2A-1 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained through the shared information (S723) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1 (step S726). The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S727). The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S728).

[0237] Use the structure of each device Figures 13 to 15 The operation of the timing diagram shown in the figure is described in detail. The structure of the edge computer 2 is similar to Figure 3 The structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown. Fig.16 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the gateway 3 according to Embodiment 2. The gateway 3 includes a communication unit 301, a forwarding determination unit 302, an acceptance message processing unit 303, a service area information storage unit 304, a request analysis unit 305, a response processing unit 306, an acceptance request storage unit 308, a response determination unit 310, an in-network request generation unit 311, an outgoing message generation unit 312, and a request location information inquiry unit 313.

[0238] First of all, Fig.13 The edge computer 2B is explained in the timing diagram shown. Fig.13In the process of step S501 of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , a service area update notification and updated service area information are received. In the edge computer 2B, the service area information storage unit 203 obtains and stores the updated service area information via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202. In addition, the request generation unit 210 obtains the service area update notification via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202. The request generation unit 210 uses the service area update notification as a trigger, and determines and outputs the area and identifier #1 for requesting information sharing based on the service area area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203. The edge computer 2B sends a message of the request (S503) via the send message generation unit 211 and the communication unit 201.

[0239] The gateway 3B determines whether to transfer the request ( S503 ) in the transfer determination unit 302 , and transfers the request via the communication unit 301 , similarly to the first embodiment.

[0240] In the gateway 3A, the request analysis unit 305 acquires the data of the request ( S503 ) via the communication unit 301 , the transfer determination unit 302 , and the received message processing unit 303 , similarly to the first embodiment.

[0241] The request analysis unit 305 determines whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S503) is included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A obtained from the service area information storage unit 304. When the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S503) is included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the request analysis unit 305 confirms whether a record matching the identifier #1 or the location information and the range calculated from the location information is registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308. In order to confirm whether it is registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308, the request analysis unit 305 outputs the location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #1 to the acceptance request storage unit 308. When the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the request analysis unit 305 outputs the determination result to the response determination unit 310. In addition, when the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is not included in the service area 4A of the communication carrier A, the request parsing unit 305 outputs an error indicating that it is not included to the response determination unit 310. When the request has been registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308, the output of the request parsing unit 305 to the response determination unit 310 may be either success or failure. However, in the case of failure, it is desirable that the output from the response determination unit 310 includes information indicating that the reason for the error is that it has been registered. Unlike the case of the first embodiment, the request parsing unit 305 does not output to the in-network request generation unit 311.

[0242] Response determination unit 310 generates a response (S506) to request (S503) similarly to Embodiment 1 and outputs it to outgoing message generation unit 312. Outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the response (S506) into an outgoing format and outputs it to communication unit 301. Communication unit 301 transmits the response (S506).

[0243] The gateway 3B transfers the response to the edge computer 2B through the processing of the communication unit 301 and the transfer determination unit 302 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S506).

[0244] In the edge computer 2B, the response processing unit 205 acquires the data of the response ( S506 ) via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202 , similarly to the first embodiment.

[0245] Next, Fig.14 1. The gateway 3A stores the service area information in the service area information storage unit 304 when receiving the service area update notification and updating the service area information. The in-network request generation unit 311 uses the service area update notification as a trigger and outputs a request (S607) and a request (S611) to the outgoing message generation unit 312 based on the area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 304. The outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the request (S607) and the request (S611) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 sends the request (S607) and the request (S611). In the first embodiment, the in-network request generation unit 311 sends a request only to the edge computer 2A that needs the request according to the output from the request analysis unit 305, but in the second embodiment, the request is sent to all edge computers 2A based on the service area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 304. However, as described above, when the service area 4A is updated, the in-network request generation unit 311 only needs to send a request to the necessary edge computer 2A.

[0246] The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response (S610) to the request (S607) in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. The edge computer 2A-2 sends a response (S614) to the request (S611) by performing the same process as the edge computer 2A-1.

[0247] In the gateway 3A, the response processing unit 306 obtains the response ( S610 ) and the response ( S614 ) via the communication unit 301 , the transfer determination unit 302 , and the received message processing unit 303 , and ends the processing of the request within the network.

[0248] against Figure 5 In the sequence diagram shown, the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment.

[0249] Next, Fig.15 The timing diagram is shown below for explanation. Fig.15 In the embodiment 1, the processing of each device from step S701 to step S704 is the same as the processing of each device in the embodiment 1. In the gateway 3A, the request location information query unit 313 obtains the shared information via the communication unit 301, the forwarding determination unit 302, and the acceptance message processing unit 303 (S704). The request location information query unit 313 performs the same processing as the request location information query unit 206 of the edge computer 2 of the embodiment 1. The request location information query unit 313 outputs a query using the location information of the recognition event (S702) as a keyword to the acceptance request storage unit 308 to query whether the location information of the recognition event (S702) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the range calculated from the location information.

[0250] In response to the query obtained from the request location information query unit 313, the acceptance request storage unit 308 outputs the identifier #2 to the request location information query unit 313 when the area specified by the stored location information and the range calculated from the location information is included. The acceptance request storage unit 308 of the gateway 3A of the second embodiment is the same as the acceptance request storage unit 207 of the edge computer 2 of the first embodiment.

[0251] When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 308 indicates that the location information included in the recognition event (S702) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 313 collects the recognition event (S702) obtained from the acceptance message processing unit 303 and the identifier #2 obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 308, and outputs them to the outgoing message generation unit 312. When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 308 indicates that the location information included in the recognition event (S702) is not included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 313 does not output to the outgoing message generation unit 312. The request location information query unit 313 is sometimes simply referred to as a request query unit.

[0252] In the gateway 3A, the outgoing message generation unit 312 and the communication unit 301 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment, and send the shared information to the edge computer 2B (S707).

[0253] In the gateway 3B, the communication unit 301 and the transfer determination unit 302 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment, and transfer the shared information to the edge computer 2B (S707).

[0254] The edge computer 2B performs the same processing as in the first embodiment on the shared information (S707) and sends a response (S708). In addition, in the edge computer 2B, the distribution information integration unit 208 obtains the shared information (S707), converts the recognition event into a format that can be distributed to the vehicle 11B, adds information on the time change of the recognition event, and integrates the recognition event with the distribution information originally scheduled to be distributed in the edge computer 2B. The distribution information integration unit 208 outputs the integrated distribution information to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 and the communication unit 201 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment, and distribute the distribution information to the vehicle 11B in the service area 4B via the base station 1B.

[0255] In the gateway 3B, the communication unit 301 and the transfer determination unit 302 perform the same processing as in the first embodiment, and transfer the response to the gateway 3A (S708).

[0256] The processing of the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 in steps S711 to S716 is the same as Figure 6 The processing of the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 in steps S311 to S316 shown in the timing diagram is the same. In addition, the processing of the edge computer 2A-2 and the gateway 3A in steps S717 to S721 is the same as the processing of the edge computer 2A-1 and the gateway 3A in steps S701 to S705 described above.

[0257] In the gateway 3A, the request location information query unit 313 obtains the shared information (S720) via the communication unit 301, the forwarding determination unit 302, and the acceptance message processing unit 303. The request location information query unit 313 outputs a query using the location information of the recognition event (S718) as a keyword to the acceptance request storage unit 308 to query whether the location information of the recognition event (S718) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the range calculated from the location information. When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 308 is that the location information included in the recognition event (S718) is not included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 308 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 313 does not output to the sending message generation unit 312. That is, as a result of the query, the location information included in the shared information (S720) does not match the record maintained by the acceptance request storage unit 308, and therefore, the gateway 3A does not send it to the communication carrier B.

[0258] Regarding the processing of step S723 to step S728, although the starting point is different in the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2, it is the same as the processing of step S711 to step S716.

[0259] When the service area 4 is changed in the communication system 20, each device performs Fig.13 and Fig.14 The operation in the sequence diagram shown can cope with the service area 4 after the change.

[0260] In the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Fig.11 Here, the program executed by the gateway 3 is described. Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 3 based on the program executed by the gateway 3 according to the second embodiment.

[0261] exist Fig.17 In the flowchart of the gateway 3 shown in FIG. 1 , the processing of step ST301 is the processing of the forwarding determination unit 302. The forwarding determination unit 302 performs the above-mentioned determination processing. When the received message is forwarding data (step ST301: "Yes"), the forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the forwarding data message to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301 (step ST302). The processing of steps ST301 and ST302 is similar to that of the forwarding determination unit 302. Fig.12 The processing of step ST201 and step ST202 of embodiment 1 shown in the flowchart is the same.

[0262] The processing from step ST303 to step ST306 is the processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. When the received message is not forwarded data (step ST301: "No"), the processing of step ST303 is the above-mentioned decapsulation and other processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. The processing of step ST303 is the same processing as step ST203 of embodiment 1. The processing from step ST304 to step ST306 corresponds to the above-mentioned output destination switching processing in the acceptance message processing unit 303. The processing of step ST304 is the same processing as step ST204 of embodiment 1, the processing of step ST305 is the same processing as step ST205 of embodiment 1, and the processing of step ST306 is the same processing as step ST206 of embodiment 1. In the processing of step ST304, the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a push notification as described above, and when the received message is a push notification (step ST304: "Yes"), the processing of steps ST307 and ST309 is performed. When the received message is not a push notification (step ST304: "No"), the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a request as described above in the process of step ST305. When the received message is a request (step ST305: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the process of step ST311. When the received message is not a request (step ST305: "No"), the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a response as described above in the process of step ST306. When the received message is a response (step ST306: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the process of step ST313.

[0263] In the case of a push notification message (step ST304: "Yes"), the gateway 3 receives a push notification message. In the case of a push notification message (step ST304: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the response decision processing of step ST307 corresponding to the above-mentioned response decision unit 310. After the processing of step ST307, the gateway 3 performs the processing of sending message generation (step ST308). The processing of step ST308 and step ST302 following the processing of step ST307 corresponds to the processing of the above-mentioned sending message generation unit 312. As a result, the gateway 3 can send a response (S705), for example. The processing of step ST307 is the same as the processing of step ST207 of implementation mode 1.

[0264] In addition, in the case of a push notification message (step ST304: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs conditional branching by processing step ST309 corresponding to the inquiry processing from the request location information query unit 313 to the acceptance request storage unit 308. When the result of the inquiry is that there is a request corresponding to the location of the identification event, that is, it has been accepted (step ST309: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST310. The processing of steps ST309 and step ST310 is the processing of the request location information query unit 313. In the processing of step ST310, the request location information query unit 313 summarizes a part of the request held by the acceptance request storage unit 308, such as the identifier #1 and the identification event, as described above. For example, in order to send shared information (S707), the gateway 3 further performs the processing of steps ST308 and step ST302, and outputs to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301. When the result of the inquiry is that there is no request corresponding to the location of the identification event, that is, it has not been accepted (step ST309: "No"), the gateway 3 ends the processing. The process of step ST309 is the same as the process of step ST115 in the edge computer 2 of the first embodiment, and the process of step ST310 is the same as the process of step ST116 in the edge computer 2 of the first embodiment.

[0265] The case of a request message (step ST305: "Yes") is a case where the gateway 3 receives a request message. The gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST311 corresponding to the processing of the above-mentioned request analysis unit 305. The request analysis unit 305 inquires the acceptance request holding unit 308 to determine whether the requested request can be accepted. The request analysis unit 305 determines "No" when it has been accepted (step ST311: "No"). When the gateway 3 determines that it can provide shared information to the area represented by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST311: "Yes"), it maintains the request in the processing of step ST312 and ends the processing. In addition, the gateway 3 performs response decision processing in step ST307, for example, in order to send a response (S506) to the request (S503), regardless of step ST311: "No" or step ST311: "Yes". The gateway 3 then performs the processing of step ST308 and step ST302, and outputs to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301 in order to send a response (S506). The processing of step ST311 is the same as the processing of step ST211 of the first embodiment, and the processing of step ST312 is the same as the processing of step ST217 of the first embodiment.

[0266] In the case of a response message (step ST306: Yes), the gateway 3 receives a response message. The gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST313 corresponding to the processing of the response processing unit 306. The processing of step ST313 is the response processing in the response processing unit 306, for example, in the case of a response (S708) to the shared information (S707). The gateway 3 does not perform special processing as the response processing, and ends the processing, similarly to the edge computer 2 of the first embodiment.

[0267] Step ST306: The case of "No" is the case when the gateway 3 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information, and maintains the updated service area information (step ST314). When the gateway 3 maintains the service area information updated by the process of step ST314, for example, in order to send a request (S607), it performs the processes of step ST315, step ST308, and step ST302, and outputs it to the memory area of ​​the communication unit 301. The process of step ST314 is the same as the process of step ST218 in the first embodiment, and the process of step ST315 is the same as the process of step ST212 in the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the gateway 3 sends a request to all the service areas 4 output by the service area information storage unit 304 through the processes of step ST315, step ST308, and step ST302.

[0268] In addition, in the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is mainly described, but the http protocol described in the first embodiment is also applicable.

[0269] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the communication system 20, the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B sends a request for information sharing including location information, a range from the location information, and an identifier, and the gateway 3A of the communication carrier A different from the communication carrier B requests information sharing from all edge computers 2A of the same communication carrier A in response to the request from the edge computer 2B, obtains shared information from all edge computers 2A of the same communication carrier A, and sends it to the edge computer 2B. The edge computer 2B sends the shared information to the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication carrier B.

[0270] Thus, the communication system 20 can share information such as emergency information recognized by one or more vehicles 11 between different communication operators without using information on the network structure of other communication operators, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the communication system 20, the gateway 3A does not need to determine the edge computer 2A that sends the shared information, but can obtain the shared information from all edge computers 2A of the same communication operator A and send it to the edge computer 2B. In addition, in the communication system 20, even if the structure of the service area 4A of the communication operator A is changed, the edge computer 2B of the communication operator B does not need to make a new request for information sharing, and the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication operator B can continue to obtain the shared information.

[0271] Implementation method 3.

[0272] In Embodiments 1 and 2, gateway 3A receives a request for information sharing from edge computer 2B. In Embodiment 3, a case where edge computer 2A receives a request for information sharing from edge computer 2B will be described. In Embodiment 3, the structure of communication system 20 is similar to that of Figure 1 The configuration of the communication system 20 in the illustrated embodiment 1 is the same.

[0273] The operation of each device included in the communication system 20 will be described. Fig.18 This is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B requests the communication carrier A to share information in the communication system 20 according to the third embodiment.

[0274] The gateway 3A receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S801), and performs the service area registration process (step S802). The edge computer 2A-1 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S803), and performs the service area registration process (step S804). The edge computer 2A-1 processes the accepted request query (step S805), and performs the process of requesting the successful request query (step S806). The edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S807), and performs the service area registration process (step S808). The edge computer 2B processes the accepted request query (step S809), and performs the process of requesting the successful request query (step S810). In addition, the detailed processes of the processing of accepted request queries (step S805) and the processing of successful request queries (step S806) by edge computer 2A-1, and the processing of accepted request queries (step S809) and the processing of successful request queries (step S810) by edge computer 2B are described in the service area update section described later.

[0275] In order to request information sharing with communication carrier A, edge computer 2B uses service area update notification as a trigger to send a request message to gateway 3A as the default destination (step S811). The request message sent from edge computer 2B in step S811 (hereinafter referred to as request (S811)) includes location information and a range calculated from the location information. Gateway 3B forwards request (S811) to gateway 3A.

[0276] When the gateway 3A receives the request (S811), it performs request parsing processing (step S812) for the request (S811). In the process of request parsing, the gateway 3A determines whether the location information contained in the request (S811) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A. When the location information contained in the request (S811) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information are included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the gateway 3A determines the edge computer 2A-1 connected to the base station 1A-1 providing the corresponding service area 4A-1 as the request destination. In addition, when determining whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A of the communication operator A, the gateway 3A may determine that it is included when it is partially included.

[0277] The gateway 3A sets the edge computer 2B, which is the source of the request (S811), as the destination, and sends a response message (step S813), including the edge computer 2A-1 as the request destination determined in the request resolution process. When the http protocol is used, the response message (hereinafter referred to as the response (S813)) sent from the gateway 3 in step S813 is an http response. The gateway 3 preferably uses the http status code of redirection, i.e., the 300 segment, in the http response to the request destination determined in the request resolution process. Specifically, in the gateway 3, it is considered to use the status code 301 Moved Permanently (permanently moved), the status code 302 Found (found), the status code 307 Temporary Redirect (temporary redirection), the status code 308 Permanent Redirect (permanent redirection), etc. By using these status codes, the gateway 3A can include the request destination determined in the request resolution process in the Location field of the http response header.

[0278] In the communication system 20, the default destination is predetermined between the communication carrier B and the communication carrier A. The processing from step S811 to step S813 is a processing in which the edge computer 2B inquires the gateway 3A as the default destination about the edge computer 2A requesting information sharing. The default destination to be inquired by the edge computer 2B is not limited to the gateway 3A, but may be any edge computer in the edge computer 2A.

[0279] The gateway 3B transfers the response sent from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S813).

[0280] When the edge computer 2B receives the response (S813), it sets the edge computer 2A-1, which is the request destination included in the response (S813), as the destination and sends a request message (step S814). The request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S814) sent from the edge computer 2B in step S814 includes location information, a range from the location information, and an identifier. In the third embodiment, the identifier included in the request (S814) is referred to as identifier #1. The request (S814) is the same as the request (S105) of the first embodiment, the request (S607) of the second embodiment, and the like.

[0281] The gateway 3B transfers the request to the gateway 3A (S814). The gateway 3A transfers the request to the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination (S814).

[0282] The edge computer 2A-1 performs request analysis processing (step S815) in the same manner as the processing of the request (S105) of the first embodiment and the request (S607) of the second embodiment for the request (S814), and performs processing for updating the accepted request (step S816). The edge computer 2A-1 sets the edge computer 2B as the destination and sends a response message (step S817).

[0283] The gateway 3A transfers the response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S817)) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 in step S817 to the gateway 3B. The gateway 3B transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S817).

[0284] When the edge computer 2B receives the response (S817) and the request (S814) is successful, it performs a process requesting the update to be successful (step S818). The details of the process requesting the update to be successful (step S818) of the edge computer 2B will be described later in the section on service area update.

[0285] The identifier included in the request message by the edge computer 2B is explained. The edge computer 2B does not understand the network structure of the communication operator A, specifically the structure of the gateway 3 and the edge computer 2, and does not understand whether the default destination is the gateway 3A or the edge computer 2A. Therefore, in order to cope with the situation where the default destination is the edge computer 2A, that is, to avoid the situation where a response indicating acceptance of the request cannot be received, the edge computer 2B may also make the request (S811) include identifier #1. If the edge computer 2B makes the request (S811) include identifier #1, the request (S811) and the request (S814) become the same message format, thereby reducing the amount of calculations related to message generation. Fig.18 The timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 shows that the request for information sharing from the edge computer 2B to the communication carrier A is completed, and the communication carrier A can Fig.18 In the example, the edge computer 2A-1 sends a push notification of shared information.

[0286] against Figure 5 In the timing chart shown, the edge computers 2A-1 and 2A-2 perform the same operations as those in the first embodiment. In addition, in the communication system 20, Fig.18 The timing diagram shown and Figure 5 The implementation order of the timing diagram shown is different. Here, after Fig.18 The actions shown in the timing diagram are performed after Figure 5 The timing diagram shows the action.

[0287] Next, an operation of sharing the emergency information from the vehicle 11 that has recognized the emergency information, that is, distributing the emergency information to the vehicles 11 in each service area 4 via the edge computer 2 will be described. Fig.19 This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of sending shared information between edge computers 2 in the communication system 20 of the third embodiment. When the vehicle 11A-1 recognizes emergency information (step S901), it sends a recognition event indicating the event of the recognized emergency information to the vehicle 11A-1 via Fig.19 The base station 1A-1 (not shown) notifies the edge computer 2A-1 (step S902). The recognition event notified by the vehicle 11A-1 in step S902 (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S902)) Figure 6 The recognition event (S302) of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram of Fig.15 The identification event (S702) and the like of implementation mode 2 shown in the timing diagram are the same.

[0288] When the edge computer 2A-1 obtains the recognition event (S902) notified from the vehicle 11A-1 (step S902), it uses the recognition event (S902) to process the position information of the recognition event and the query of the request (step S903). The edge computer 2A-1 sends the recognition event (S902) as a message of shared information (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S904) and sets the edge computer 2B, which is the request source of the consistent request (S814), as the destination (step S904).

[0289] The edge computer 2B is similar to the first embodiment. For example, when a request for sharing multiple information is made, the edge computer 2A-1 includes the identifier #1 in the shared information (S904), and the correspondence with the request (S811) can be easily obtained. The edge computer 2B can easily provide a detailed service such as fine-tuning or regional division of the distributed information in the service area 4 when generating the distributed information to the vehicle 11B. When the http protocol is used and the identifier #1 is set as the callback URL, the callback URL of the identifier #1 becomes the URL of the http message of the shared information (S904). When the shared information (S904) is sent without using the http protocol, the edge computer 2A-1 may include the identifier #1 in the shared information (S904) or may not include the identifier #1 in the shared information (S904), except when the edge computer 2B makes a request for sharing multiple information.

[0290] The gateway 3A forwards the shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B (S904). The gateway 3B forwards the shared information forwarded from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S904). The edge computer 2B receives the shared information (S904) and sends a response message in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (step S905). The response message sent from the edge computer 2B in step S905 (hereinafter referred to as the response (S905)) is Figure 6 The response (S308) of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram of Fig.15 The response (S708) of implementation mode 2 shown in the timing diagram is the same.

[0291] The gateway 3B transfers the response sent from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A (S905). The gateway 3A transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 (S905). The edge computer 2A-1 receives the response transferred from the gateway 3A (S905).

[0292] The edge computer 2B performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by sharing the information (S904) with the distributed information distributed from the edge computer 2B (step S906). The process of step S906 is the same as Figure 6 Step S309 of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram, Fig.15 The edge computer 2B distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11B via the base station 1B (step S907).

[0293] The edge computer 2A-1 sends the recognition event (S902) as a message of shared information to the edge computer 2A-2 (step S908). The edge computer 2A-2 receives the message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-1 in step S908 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S908).). The edge computer 2A-2 sends a response message to the shared information (S908) (hereinafter referred to as response (S909). (step S909). The edge computer 2A-1 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by the recognition event (S902) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1 (step S910). The edge computer 2A-2 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by the shared information (S908) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2 (step S911). The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S912). The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S913).

[0294] When the vehicle 11A-2 recognizes the emergency information (step S914), it notifies the edge computer 2A-2 of the recognition event indicating the event of the recognized emergency information via the base station 1A-2 (step S915). The recognition event notified by the vehicle 11A-2 in step S915 (hereinafter referred to as the recognition event (S915)) is Figure 6 The recognition event (S318) of the first embodiment shown in the timing diagram of Fig.15The same as the identification event (S718) of Implementation 2 shown in the timing diagram of . As in Implementation 1 and Implementation 2, when the identification event (S915) is obtained, the edge computer 2A-2 uses the identification event (S915) to process the location information of the identification event and the query of the request (step S916). The edge computer 2A-2 uses the identification event (S915) as a message of shared information, and sets the edge computer 2A-1, which is the request source of the consistent request (S203), as the destination and sends the message (step S917). The edge computer 2A-1 receives the message of shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-2 in step S917 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S917).).

[0295] The edge computer 2A-1 sends a response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S918)) to the shared information (S917) (step S918). The edge computer 2A-2 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by identifying the event (S915) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-2 (step S919). The edge computer 2A-1 performs a process of integrating the emergency information obtained by sharing the information (S917) with the distribution information distributed from the edge computer 2A-1 (step S920). The edge computer 2A-2 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-2 via the base station 1A-2 (step S921). The edge computer 2A-1 distributes the integrated distribution information to the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1 (step S922). In addition, since information sharing is not requested from communication operator B, specifically edge computer 2B, to edge computer 2A-2, as a result of processing the location information of the identification event (S915) and the requested query, edge computer 2A-2 does not set communication operator B as the destination and sends the identification event (S915) as shared information.

[0296] Next, the operation in the case of updating the service area 4 will be described. First, the case of updating the service area 4B of the communication carrier B will be described. Fig. 20 1 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of updating the service area 4B of the communication carrier B in the communication system 20 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 20 The following shows the operation of changing the service area 4B of the base station 1B corresponding to the edge computer 2B and updating the information sharing request from the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B as the request source to the edge computer 2A-1 of the communication carrier A as the request destination. Fig.18 The operation shown in the timing diagram is performed Fig. 20 The actions shown in the timing diagram are not implemented Figure 5 The timing diagram shows the action.

[0297] First of all, Fig.18 The processing of requesting a successful update (step S818) is briefly described. Fig.18 As shown, when the success of the request (S814) is notified to the edge computer 2B through the response (S817), the edge computer 2B retains the request destination host information of the request (S814) and the identifier #1 sent by the request (S814) as a process requesting a successful request update (step S818). Fig.18 After the actions of the sequence diagram shown in the figure, the edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S1001), and performs the service area registration process (step S1002). The edge computer 2B performs the received request query process (step S1003), and performs the request query request success process (step S1004). In the request query request success process (step S1004), if there is a record maintained by the request update request success process (step S818), the edge computer 2B sends a request message (step S1005) to temporarily cancel, i.e., delete the completed information sharing request.

[0298] The request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S1005) sent from the edge computer 2B in step S1005 is a message that can determine the cancellation of information sharing, similar to the request (S406) sent to cancel information sharing in Embodiment 1. In response to the request (S1005), the edge computer 2B sets the host information of the request destination maintained in the process of requesting the successful request update as the destination, and sends the request (S1005) including the identifier #1.

[0299] The gateway 3B transfers the request sent from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A (S1005). The gateway 3A transfers the request transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination (S1005).

[0300] The edge computer 2A-1 performs the request parsing process (step S1006) in the same manner as the request (S814), and performs the process of updating the accepted request (step S1007). A record with identifier #1 is registered in the edge computer 2A-1 as a request for information sharing, so in the request parsing process (step S1006), the edge computer 2A-1 uses the identifier #1 of the request (S1005) as a keyword to identify the maintained request for information sharing. The edge computer 2A-1 deletes the registration of the identified record in accordance with the cancellation of information sharing in the request (S1005), and sends a response (step S1008). Here, in the edge computer 2A-1, it is assumed that the registration deletion is successful.

[0301] The gateway 3A transfers the response message (hereinafter referred to as a response (S1008)) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B. The gateway 3B transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B of the destination (S1008).

[0302] When the edge computer 2B receives the response (S1008), it deletes the record of the identifier #1 of the request (S1005) held by requesting a successful update process (step S1009). Fig. 20 The operation of the timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 is performed by deleting the edge computer 2B and the edge computer 2A-1. Fig.18 The communication system 20 is again as shown in the timing diagram to complete the information sharing requirements. Fig.18 As shown in the timing chart, the information sharing request is made based on the area of ​​the updated service area 4, thereby making it possible to make the information sharing request corresponding to the updated service area 4. Fig.18 In the process of the request success request inquiry (step S810) in the sequence diagram shown, since there is no record held in the process of the request success request update, the edge computer 2B does not send a request for canceling information sharing.

[0303] Next, a case where the service area 4A-1 of the communication carrier A is updated will be described. Fig.21 1 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of updating the service area 4A-1 of the communication carrier A in the communication system 20 according to the third embodiment. Fig.21 The service area 4A-1 corresponding to the edge computer 2A-1 is changed, and the operation of updating the information sharing request from the edge computer 2A-1 of the communication carrier A, which is the request destination, to the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B, which is the request source, is shown. Fig.18 The operation shown in the timing diagram is performed Fig.21 The actions shown in the timing diagram are not implemented Figure 5 The timing diagram shows the action.

[0304] The edge computer 2A-1 receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information (step S1101), and performs the service area registration process (step S1102). After the service area registration process (step S1102), the edge computer 2A-1 performs the accepted request query process as the information sharing acceptance side process (step S1103), and performs the request request successful query process (step S1104). In the request request successful query process (step S1104), the edge computer 2A-1 confirms whether there is an accepted information sharing request. If there is an accepted information sharing request, it sends a request message including identifier #1 to the request source of the information sharing request in order to cancel the request (step S1105).

[0305] The gateway 3A transfers the request message (hereinafter referred to as request (S1105)) sent from the edge computer 2A-1 in step S1105 to the gateway 3B. The gateway 3B transfers the request transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B of the destination (S1105).

[0306] The edge computer 2B, which is the source of the information sharing request, performs a request update process (step S1106) in response to the request (S1105), and deletes the record of the identifier #1 held. The edge computer 2B sends a response message to the request (S1105) (step S1107).

[0307] The gateway 3B transfers the response message (hereinafter referred to as response (S1107)) sent from the edge computer 2B in step S1107 to the gateway 3A. The gateway 3A transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 of the destination (S1107).

[0308] When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the response (S1107), it performs the processing of updating the accepted request (step S1108), and deletes the record corresponding to the request for information sharing specified in the request (S1105), specifically, the record containing the identifier #1. Fig.21 The operation of the timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 is performed by deleting the edge computer 2B and the edge computer 2A-1. Fig.18 The communication system 20 performs the information sharing request based on the updated service area 4 again. Fig.18 The information sharing request shown in the timing diagram of the updated service area 4 can be performed. Fig.18 In the process of accepting the update request (step S816) of the sequence diagram shown, since there is no record maintained in the process of requesting the successful update request, the edge computer 2A-1 does not send a request for canceling information sharing.

[0309] Use the structure of each device Figures 18 to 21 The operations shown in the timing chart are described in detail. Fig. 22 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an edge computer 2 according to a third embodiment. Figure 3 In addition to the configuration of the edge computer 2 of the first embodiment, an accepted request inquiry unit 212, a successful request inquiry unit 213, and a successful request storage unit 214 are added. Fig.23 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a gateway 3 according to Embodiment 3. The gateway 3 according to Embodiment 3 includes a communication unit 301 , a transfer determination unit 302 , an acceptance message processing unit 303 , a service area information storage unit 304 , a request analysis unit 305 , a response determination unit 310 , and an outgoing message generation unit 312 .

[0310] First of all, Fig.18 The edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information. In the edge computer 2B, the service area information storage unit 203 obtains the updated service area information via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202. In addition, the request generation unit 210 obtains the service area update notification via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202.

[0311] The request generation unit 210 uses the service area update notification as a trigger, and determines the area and identifier #1 for which information sharing is required based on the service area area information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203. The request generation unit 210 converts the area for which information sharing is required into position information and a range calculated from the position information. The request generation unit 210 outputs the position information obtained by the conversion and the range calculated from the position information, the determined identifier #1, and the host information obtained from the service area information storage unit 203 as a request (S811). The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the obtained request (S811) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sends the message of the request (S811) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211 from the edge computer 2B. In addition, as described above, the destination of the request (S811) is the gateway 3A as the default destination. In order to specify the redirection destination in the response (S813) to the sent request (S811), the request generation unit 210 outputs the location information, the range from the location information, and the identifier #1 to the response processing unit 205. In addition, the request generation unit 210 also outputs the request destination, that is, the host information of the destination, as one element of the request for pre-retention of the request success.

[0312] In gateway 3B, communication unit 301 receives the request sent from edge computer 2B (S811) and outputs it to transfer determination unit 302. Since the destination is gateway 3A, transfer determination unit 302 outputs the request to communication unit 301 (S811). Communication unit 301 transfers the request to gateway 3A (S811).

[0313] In gateway 3A, communication unit 301 receives the request forwarded from gateway 3B (S811) and outputs it to forwarding determination unit 302. Since the destination is gateway 3A, forwarding determination unit 302 outputs the request to acceptance message processing unit 303 (S811). Acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the request to request analysis unit 305 (S811).

[0314] The request parsing unit 305 compares the service area information in the network maintained by the service area information maintaining unit 304 with the location information included in the request (S811) and the area specified by the range calculated from the location information, and determines the edge computer 2A-1 corresponding to the service area 4 with which information can be shared. The request parsing unit 305 outputs the determined edge computer 2A-1 corresponding to the service area 4 with which information can be shared to the response determining unit 310.

[0315] The response determination unit 310 outputs the success or failure of the request as a response to the outgoing message generation unit 312 in order to send out the response (S813) to the request (S811) as in the first and second embodiments. When the http protocol is not used, the request can be either successful or failed. However, here, since the gateway 3A is not a host that can share information but a host different from the request destination, an error is set to include the host information of the edge computer 2A determined by the request analysis unit 305. When the http protocol is used, as described above, the http status code 300 of redirection is used in the http response, and the URL of the redirection destination is included in the Location field of the http response header. The outgoing message generation unit 312 converts the response (S813) obtained from the response determination unit 310 into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 sets the edge computer 2B that is the request source of the request (S811) as the destination, and sends the response (S813) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 312 from the gateway 3A. Thus, in the gateway 3A, the request analyzing unit 305 determines the edge computer 2A connected to the base station 1A providing a service area including the area specified by the second request. The response determining unit 310 generates a response specifying the edge computer 2A determined by the request analyzing unit 305 .

[0316] In gateway 3B, communication unit 301 receives the response sent from gateway 3A (S813) and outputs it to transfer determination unit 302. Since the destination is edge computer 2B, transfer determination unit 302 outputs the response to communication unit 301 (S813). Communication unit 301 transfers the response to edge computer 2B (S813).

[0317] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the response (S813) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the response (S813) to the response processing unit 205. The response processing unit 205 determines whether it is necessary to send a request with a changed destination, i.e., redirection, based on the response result shown in the response (S813). When the http protocol is not used, the response processing unit 205 determines whether the redirection destination host information is included in the response (S813). When the http protocol is used, the response processing unit 205 can use the http status code of the response (S813) to make a determination. When redirection is required, the response processing unit 205 outputs the new destination host information, the location information as the output of the request generation unit 210, the range from the location information, and the identifier #1 to the request generation unit 210. The new destination host information is, for example, a URL when the http protocol is used.

[0318] The request generation unit 210 generates a request (S814) based on the location information and the range from the location information, the determined identifier #1, and the host information of the redirection destination included in the response (S813), and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The host information of the redirection destination included in the response (S813) is the edge computer 2A-1, which becomes a URL when the http protocol is used. When the http protocol is used, in order to specify the URL of the redirection destination, the identifier #1 is changed to the specified URL. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the obtained request (S814) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sends the request (S814) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211 from the edge computer 2B.

[0319] The gateway 3B transfers the request to the gateway 3A (S814), similarly to the case of the request (S811). The gateway 3A transfers the request to the edge computer 2A-1 (S814) by the same process as the gateway 3B.

[0320] In the edge computer 2A-1, the communication unit 201 receives the request (S814) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the request to the request analysis unit 204 (S814).

[0321] The request analyzing unit 204 determines whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S814) is included in the service area 4A-1 of the base station 1A-1 output by the service area information holding unit 203. In determining whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A-1, the request analyzing unit 204 may determine that the area is included even if the area is partially included.

[0322] When the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information included in the request (S814) is included in the service area 4A-1 of the base station 1A-1 obtained from the service area information storage unit 203, the request analysis unit 204 checks whether a record matching the identifier #1 or the location information and the range calculated from the location information is registered in the later-described acceptance request storage unit 207. In order to confirm whether it is already registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207, the request analysis unit 204 outputs the location information, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #1 to the acceptance request storage unit 207. When the identifier #1 is not set as the callback URL in the http protocol, the request analysis unit 204 also outputs the host information of the request source when confirming whether the request (S814) is registered in the later-described acceptance request storage unit 207. In addition, when the request is already registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207, the request analysis unit 204 may output the content of success or failure to the response determination unit 209. However, in the event of failure, it is desirable that the output of the response decision unit 310 described later includes information indicating that the reason for the error is already registered. In addition, the determination of whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information in the edge computer 2A-1 is included in the service area 4A-1 can be omitted because the request (S814) is sent to the edge computer 2A-1 as a result of redirection in the gateway 3A.

[0323] In this embodiment, since the request of identifier #1 is not registered, the accepted request storage unit 207 registers the location information output by the request analysis unit 204, the range calculated from the location information, and the identifier #1. In the case where identifier #1 is not set as a callback URL in the http protocol, the accepted request storage unit 207 also registers the host information of the request source. In this embodiment, the identifier stored in the accepted request storage unit 207 is the identifier #1 assigned by the edge computer 2B as another processing device.

[0324] The response determination unit 209 generates a response (S817) as to whether the area specified by the location information and the range calculated from the location information is included in the service area 4A-1, and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the response (S817) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sets the edge computer 2B as the destination and sends the response (S817) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211.

[0325] The gateway 3A transfers the response sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B (S817). The gateway 3B transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S817).

[0326] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the response (S817) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the response (S817) to the response processing unit 205. When the response (S817) is a response to the request (S814) and the request for information sharing is successful, the response processing unit 205 outputs the host information, location information, and range from the location information of the request destination obtained from the request generation unit 210 to the request success request storage unit 214. The operation of the request success request storage unit 214 will be described in the update section of the service area 4. The above is about Fig.18 A description of the actions required to share the information shown.

[0327] Next, Fig.19 The information sharing operation shown in the figure is described. In the edge computer 2A-1, the communication unit 201 receives the recognition event (S902) notified from the vehicle 11A-1 via the base station 1A-1, and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the recognition event (S902) to the request location information query unit 206 and the distribution information integration unit 208. The processing of the distribution information integration unit 208 in the edge computer 2A-1 is after the response (S909) is received, so it will be described later.

[0328] As in implementation mode 1, the request location information query unit 206 outputs a query using the location information of the identification event (S902) as a keyword to the acceptance request holding unit 207 to inquire whether the location information included in the identification event (S902) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request holding unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information.

[0329] In response to the inquiry received from the requested location information inquiry unit 206, if the area is included in the area specified by the stored location information and the range from the location information, the accepted request storage unit 207 outputs the identifier #1 to the requested location information inquiry unit 206 as an inquiry result.

[0330] When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207 indicates that the location information included in the identification event (S902) is included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 206 collects the identification event (S902) obtained from the acceptance message processing unit 202 and the identifier #1 obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207, and outputs them as shared information (S904) to the outgoing message generation unit 211. When the query result obtained from the acceptance request storage unit 207 indicates that the location information included in the identification event (S902) is not included in the area specified by the location information registered in the acceptance request storage unit 207 and the range calculated from the location information, the request location information query unit 206 does not output to the outgoing message generation unit 211. Fig.19 The process of querying the position information and request of the identification event in the sequence diagram corresponds to the process of the request position information query unit 206 and the acceptance request storage unit 207.

[0331] The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the shared information (S904) into a format that can be sent and sends it to the communication unit 201. When the http protocol is used and the identifier #1 is set as the callback URL, the identifier #1 becomes the URL of the http method. The communication unit 201 sets the edge computer 2B as the destination and sends the shared information (S904) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211. The processing in the edge computer 2A-1 until the shared information (S904) is the same as that in the communication unit 201. Figure 6 The processing up to sending the shared information (S304) in the edge computer 2A-1 of the first embodiment shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 1 is the same.

[0332] The gateway 3A transfers the shared information sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B (S904). The gateway 3B transfers the shared information transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S904).

[0333] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the shared information (S904) and outputs it to the received message processing unit 202. The received message processing unit 202 outputs the shared information to the distributed information integration unit 208 and the response determination unit 209 (S904).

[0334] The response determination unit 209 generates a response (S905) with the edge computer 2A-1 that sent the shared information (S904) as the destination, depending on whether the shared information (S904) is received successfully, and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 211. When the http protocol is used, the response determination unit 209 outputs an http status code. This is the same as the operation of the response determination unit 209 in the edge computer 2B of the first embodiment. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the response (S905) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sets the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination and sends the response (S905) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211.

[0335] The gateway 3B transfers the response sent from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A (S905). The gateway 3A transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 (S905).

[0336] In the edge computer 2B, the distribution information integration unit 208 performs the same processing as the distribution information integration unit 208 of the edge computer 2B of the first embodiment. The distribution information integration unit 208 integrates the distribution information with other distribution information based on the shared information (S904), and outputs the integrated distribution information to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the distribution information obtained from the distribution information integration unit 208 into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sends the distribution information obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211 to the base station 1B. The base station 1B distributes the distribution information to the vehicle 11B in the service area 4B.

[0337] In edge computer 2A-1, communication unit 201 receives the response (S905) and outputs it to acceptance message processing unit 202. Acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the response (S905) to response processing unit 205. In Embodiment 3, response processing unit 205 does not perform any special processing on the response (S905).

[0338] In the communication system 20, the processing from the edge computer 2A-1 sending shared information (S908) (step S908) to the edge computer 2A-1 distributing the distribution information (step S922) is the same as the processing from the edge computer 2A-1 sending shared information (S311) (step S311) to the edge computer 2A-1 distributing the distribution information (step S325) in implementation mode 1.

[0339] Next, explain Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The operation when the service area 4 is changed in the communication carrier shown. In addition, the execution order of the operation is, Fig.18 The operation shown in the timing diagram is performed Fig. 20 or Fig.21 The actions shown in the timing diagram are not implemented Figure 5 The timing diagram shows the action.

[0340] First, when the service area 4B is changed in the communication carrier B, Fig. 20 When the edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information, the service area information storage unit 203 obtains the updated service area information via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202, and stores the service area area information. In addition, the request success query unit 213 obtains the service area update notification via the communication unit 201 and the received message processing unit 202.

[0341] The request success request query unit 213 uses the service area update notification as a trigger and reads the record held in the request success request storage unit 214. The request success request query unit 213 ends the processing when there is no record held in the request success request storage unit 214. When there is a record held in the request success request storage unit 214, the request success request query unit 213 outputs the host information of the request destination and the identifier #1 outputted from the request success request storage unit 214 to the request generation unit 210 in order to cancel the request for information sharing. In addition, similar to the case of the request (S406) of the first embodiment, the request success request query unit 213 may also include the location information, the range calculated from the location information, the flag, etc. in the output to the request generation unit 210 so as to make it a message that can determine the cancellation of information sharing. In the request (S1005), for example, in the case of the DELETE method using the http protocol, if the identifier #1 exists, the cancellation of information sharing can be determined on the receiving side, and therefore, the location information, the range calculated from the location information, the flag, etc. are not required.

[0342] The request generation unit 210 generates a request (S1005) based on the output from the request success request query unit 213, and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the request (S1005) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sets the edge computer 2A-1 as the destination and sends the request (S1005) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211. The request (S1005) is a message that allows the receiving side to determine the cancellation of information sharing, similar to the request (S406).

[0343] The gateway 3B transfers the request sent from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A (S1005). The gateway 3A transfers the request transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 (S1005).

[0344] When receiving the request ( S1005 ), the edge computer 2A- 1 performs the same processing as when receiving the request ( S406 ) in the first embodiment, deletes the record of the identifier # 1 in the acceptance request storage unit 207 , and then sends a response ( S1008 ).

[0345] The gateway 3A transfers the response sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B (S1008). The gateway 3B transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S1008).

[0346] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the response (S1008) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the data of the response (S1008) to the response processing unit 205. When the response (S1008) is successful, the response processing unit 205 instructs the request success request holding unit 214 to delete the record of the request to cancel information sharing in the request (S1005). The request success request holding unit 214 deletes the corresponding record according to the deletion instruction. In addition, in the implementation Fig. 20 In the operation of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 1 , the record registered in the request success request storage unit 214 of the edge computer 2B is only the record of the request (S814). When the edge computer 2B requests multiple edge computers 2 or the same edge computer 2 to cancel multiple information sharing, it only needs to send multiple messages corresponding to the request (S1005). The operation in the response processing unit 205 and the request success request storage unit 214 corresponds to Fig. 20 The sequence diagram shown is a request for successful update (deletion) processing.

[0347] Through the above operation, the communication carrier B, here the edge computer 2B, can cancel the information sharing from the communication carrier A to the communication carrier B based on the request (S814) by requesting (S1005). Fig.18 The actions shown in the timing diagram of are performed based on the request for information sharing of the updated service area 4B, thereby being able to cope with the updated service area 4B.

[0348] Next, when the service area 4A-1 is changed in the communication carrier A, Fig.21 When the edge computer 2A-1 receives the service area update notification and the updated service area information, the service area information storage unit 203 obtains the updated service area information via the communication unit 201 and the accepted message processing unit 202, and stores the service area area information. In addition, the accepted request query unit 212 obtains the service area update notification via the communication unit 201 and the accepted message processing unit 202.

[0349] The accepted request query unit 212 uses the service area update notification as a trigger to read the record stored in the accepted request storage unit 207. When the accepted request query unit 212 does not accept the request for information sharing, since there is no stored record, the processing ends. When the accepted request query unit 212 accepts the request for information sharing and there is a stored record, in order to cancel the request for information sharing, the accepted request query unit 212 outputs the host information of the edge computer 2B as the request source obtained from the accepted request storage unit 207 and the identifier #1 to the request generation unit 210. In addition, as in the case of the request (S406) of the first embodiment, the accepted request query unit 212 may include the position information, the range from the position information, the flag, etc. in the output to the request generation unit 210 so that the cancellation of information sharing can be determined. In the request (S1105), for example, in the case of the DELETE method using the http protocol, if the identifier #1 exists, the cancellation of information sharing can be determined on the receiving side, so the position information, the range from the position information, the flag, etc. are not necessary.

[0350] The request generation unit 210 generates a request (S1105) based on the output from the request success request query unit 213, and outputs it to the outgoing message generation unit 211. The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the request (S1105) into a format that can be sent and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sets the edge computer 2B as the destination and sends the request (S1105) obtained from the outgoing message generation unit 211. The request (S1105) is a message that allows the receiving side to determine the cancellation of information sharing, similar to the request (S406).

[0351] The gateway 3A transfers the request sent from the edge computer 2A-1 to the gateway 3B (S1105). The gateway 3B transfers the request transferred from the gateway 3A to the edge computer 2B (S1105).

[0352] In the edge computer 2B, the communication unit 201 receives the request (S1105) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the data of the request (S1105) to the request analysis unit 204. The request analysis unit 204 determines whether it is a request to cancel information sharing. If it is a request to cancel information sharing, it instructs the request success request storage unit 214 to delete the record of the identifier #1 included in the request (S1105). The request success request storage unit 214 deletes the record including the identifier #1 according to the deletion instruction from the request analysis unit 204, and outputs the deletion result to the request analysis unit 204. In order to send a response (S1107), the request analysis unit 204 outputs the status of the deletion result in the request success request storage unit 214 to the response determination unit 209. The response determination unit 209 outputs the deletion result in the request success request storage unit 214 to the outgoing message generation unit 211 as a response (S1107). The outgoing message generation unit 211 converts the response (S1107) into an outgoing format and outputs it to the communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 sends the response received from the outgoing message generation unit 211 to the edge computer 2A-1 (S1107).

[0353] The gateway 3B transfers the response sent from the edge computer 2B to the gateway 3A (S1107). The gateway 3A transfers the response transferred from the gateway 3B to the edge computer 2A-1 (S1107).

[0354] In the edge computer 2A-1, the communication unit 201 receives the response (S1107) and outputs it to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the response (S1107) to the response processing unit 205. The response processing unit 205 determines whether it is a response to the request to cancel information sharing. In the case of a response to the request to cancel information sharing, the response processing unit 205 instructs the acceptance request storage unit 207 to delete the record of identifier #1 included in the request (S1105). The acceptance request storage unit 207 deletes the record of identifier #1 in accordance with the deletion instruction from the response processing unit 205. The actions in the response processing unit 205 and the acceptance request storage unit 207 correspond to Fig.21 The sequence diagram shown is a process of updating (deleting) an accepted request.

[0355] Through the above operation, the communication carrier A, here the edge computer 2A-1, can cancel the information sharing from the communication carrier A to the communication carrier B based on the request (S814) by requesting (S1105). Fig.18 The actions shown in the timing diagram of are performed based on the request for information sharing of the updated service area 4A-1, thereby being able to cope with the updated service area 4A-1.

[0356] In the third embodiment, the hardware configurations of the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. First, the program executed by the edge computer 2 will be described. Fig.24 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer 2 according to the third embodiment, which is performed based on the program executed by the edge computer 2 .

[0357] exist Fig.24 In the flowchart of the edge computer 2 shown, the processing from step ST401 to step ST405 is the processing in the acceptance message processing unit 202. The processing of step ST401 is the same as the processing of step ST101 of the first embodiment, and is the processing of decapsulation and the like in the acceptance message processing unit 202. The processing from step ST402 to step ST405 corresponds to the processing of the output destination switching in the acceptance message processing unit 202. In the processing of step ST402, the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a response. If the received message is a response (step ST402: "Yes"), the processing of step ST406 is performed. If the received message is not a response (step ST402: "No"), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a request in the processing of step ST403. If the received message is a request (step ST403: "Yes"), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST407. When the received message is not a request (step ST403: No), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a push notification in the process of step ST404. When the received message is a push notification (step ST404: Yes), the edge computer 2 performs the processes of step ST408 and step ST409. When the received message is not a push notification (step ST404: No), the edge computer 2 determines whether the received message is a service area update notification and an update service area information in the process of step ST405. When the received message is a service area update notification and an update service area information (step ST405: Yes), the edge computer 2 performs the process of step ST410. When the received message is not a service area update notification and an update service area information (step ST405: No), the edge computer 2 receives a recognition event from the vehicle 11, and performs the processes of step ST411 and step ST412.

[0358] Then use other flowcharts to Fig.24 In the case of receiving a recognition event from the vehicle 11, the processing of steps ST412 and ST413 is the same as that of Fig.11The processing of step ST115 and step ST116 of the edge computer 2 of the embodiment 1 shown in the figure is the same, and the detailed description is omitted. Fig.24 The processing of step ST414 in is described.

[0359] Fig.25 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.24 The flowchart of the response subroutine of step ST406 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the response subroutine of step ST406 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1. When the edge computer 2 processes step ST501, if it is a response to the shared information (step S501: "Yes"), the subroutine ends. When the edge computer 2 is not a response to the shared information (step S501: "No"), the edge computer 2 processes step ST502. When the response contains the host information of the redirection destination (step ST502: "Yes"), the edge computer 2 processes step ST503 to send a request to another destination. The processes of steps ST502 and ST503 are processes performed by the request parsing unit 204, the request generating unit 210, the sending message generating unit 211, and the communication unit 201 when the edge computer 2B receives the response (S813) and sends the request (S814). The process of step ST503 will be described later using other flowcharts.

[0360] If the response does not contain the host information of the redirection destination (step ST502: No), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST504. If the response is a cancellation of information sharing by the request source of information sharing in step ST504 (step ST504: Yes), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST505. Specifically, the case of step ST504: Yes means that the edge computer 2A-1 receives the response (S1107). The processing of step ST505 is Fig.21 The processing of updating (deleting) the accepted request in response to the edge computer 2A-1 receiving the response (S1107) is a processing of deleting the record of the accepted request from the accepted request storage unit 207 in the response processing unit 205 and the accepted request storage unit 207.

[0361] If the edge computer 2 does not receive a response to cancel information sharing from the request source of information sharing (step ST504: "No"), the edge computer 2 proceeds to step ST506. If the edge computer 2 receives a response to cancel information sharing from the recipient of information sharing (step ST506: "Yes") during the processing of step ST506, the edge computer 2 proceeds to step ST507. Specifically, the case of "Yes" in step ST506 is when the edge computer 2B receives a response (S1008). The processing of step ST507 is Fig. 20 The processing of the request update (deletion) of the request success request performed in response to the edge computer 2B receiving the response (S1008) is a processing of deleting the record of the request update of the request success request from the request success request storage unit 214 in the response processing unit 205 and the request success request storage unit 214. The processing of step ST508 performed after the processing of step ST507 is a processing of sending a request message of the request for information sharing for the part of information sharing to be cancelled for new information sharing by the edge computer 2. The processing of step ST508 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0362] When the edge computer 2 is not the party that receives the information sharing and responds to cancel the information sharing (step ST506: "No"), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST509. The processing of step ST509 is the processing when the edge computer 2 receives the response (S817). When the edge computer 2 responds successfully, that is, the request is successful (step ST509: "Yes"), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST510. The processing of step ST510 is Fig.18 The timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the processing of requesting a successful request update after receiving the response (S817). The edge computer 2B stores the information included in the request (S814) in the request storage unit 214. If the request is unsuccessful (step ST509: "No"), the edge computer 2 ends the process. Fig.25 The subroutine shown.

[0363] Fig.26 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.24 The flowchart of the request subroutine of step ST407 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the request subroutine of step ST407 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1. When the received message is a request to cancel information sharing from the recipient of information sharing (step ST601: "Yes"), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST602. Specifically, the case of step ST601: "Yes" is the case where the edge computer 2B receives the request (S1105). The processing of step ST602 is the same as that of Fig.25 Specifically, the processing of step ST602 is the same as that of step ST507 shown in FIG. Fig.21 In the process of updating (deleting) the request that is successfully requested corresponding to the edge computer 2B receiving the request (S1105), in the request parsing unit 204 and the request that is successfully requested holding unit 214, the process is to delete the record of the request specified by the request (S1105) from the request that is successfully requested holding unit 214.

[0364] The edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST603 following the processing of step ST602 as a processing for sending a response (S1107). The processing of step ST603 performed after the processing of step ST602 is a processing for sending a request message for information sharing for the part of information sharing that has been cancelled. The processing of step ST603 and step ST604 will be described later using other flowcharts.

[0365] When the received message is not a request to cancel information sharing from the recipient of information sharing (step ST601: "No"), edge computer 2 performs processing in step ST605. When the received message is a request to cancel information sharing from the request source of information sharing (step ST605: "Yes"), edge computer 2 performs processing in step ST606. Specifically, the case of "Yes" in step ST605 refers to the case where edge computer 2A-1 receives the request (S1005). The processing in step ST606 is the same as that in step ST606. Fig.25 The same processing as step ST505 shown in FIG. Fig. 20 In the process of updating (deleting) the accepted request corresponding to the edge computer 2A-1 receiving the request (S1005), the request parsing unit 204 and the accepted request storage unit 207 delete the record of the request specified by the request (S1005) from the accepted request storage unit 207. The edge computer 2 performs the processes of step ST603 and step ST604 following the process of step ST606, and ends the subroutine of the request.

[0366] When the received message is not a request to cancel information sharing from the source of the information sharing request (step ST605: "No"), edge computer 2 performs processing in step ST607. In the processing of step ST607, when edge computer 2 receives a message requesting information sharing, that is, when it is possible to provide shared information to the area represented by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST607: "Yes"), it performs processing in step ST608. Specifically, the case of step ST607: "Yes" is the case when edge computer 2A-1 receives the request (S814). The processing of step ST608 is the same as Figure 2The same processing as step ST108 of the embodiment 1 shown in the figure. When the edge computer 2 cannot provide the shared information to the area indicated by the requested location information and the range calculated from the location information (step ST607: "No"), or after performing the processing of step ST608, the edge computer 2 performs the processing of step ST609 in order to send a response (S817) to the request (S814). The processing of step ST609 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0367] Fig. 27 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.24 The flowchart shown is a flowchart of the service area update subroutine of step ST410. Fig. 27 In step ST701, the processing Fig.18 The processing of step ST701 corresponds to the processing of service area registration after the edge computer 2B obtains the service area update notification and updates the service area information. Fig.11 The edge computer 2 performs the same processing as step ST113 shown in the figure. After the processing of the service area information retention (step ST701), the edge computer 2 performs the processing of steps ST702 to ST704. The processing of step ST702 is Fig.18 The process in step ST702 is described below using another flowchart, in which the edge computer 2B sends a request (S811) after acquiring the service area update notification and the updated service area information.

[0368] The processing of step ST703 is Fig.21 The received request query unit 212 processes the received request after the edge computer 2A-1 obtains the service area update notification and updates the service area information. If there is no request that has been accepted due to the request for information sharing (step ST703: "No"), the received request query unit 212 ends the processing. If there is a request that has been accepted due to the request for information sharing (step ST703: "Yes"), the received request query unit 212 performs the processing from step ST705 to step ST708. The processing from step ST705 to step ST708 is Fig.21 In the process of edge computer 2A-1 sending a request (S1105). Fig.21The number of accepted requests is 1, so the edge computer 2A-1 sends 1 request (S1105). In the process of step ST705, the accepted request query unit 212 extracts all accepted requests from the accepted request storage unit 207, and sends a request to cancel information sharing through the processing loop of step ST706 for each request for information sharing. The process of step ST707 is the process of the accepted request query unit 212 related to the generation of the request to cancel information sharing. The process of step ST708 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0369] The processing of step ST704 is Fig.18 The processing of the request query unit 213 after the edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information corresponds to the processing of the request query unit 213 after the edge computer 2B receives the service area update notification and updates the service area information. Fig. 20 The processing of the request success query unit 213 after the edge computer 2B obtains the service area update notification and updates the service area information. If there is no request for successful information sharing (step ST704: "No"), the request success query unit 213 ends the processing. If there is a request for successful information sharing (step ST704: "Yes"), the request success query unit 213 performs the processing from step ST709 to step ST712. The processing from step ST709 to step ST712 is Fig. 20 In the process of edge computer 2B sending a request (S1005). Fig. 20 In the process of step ST709, the request for establishing the information sharing requirement is one, so the edge computer 2B sends one request (S1005). In the process of step ST709, the request success request query unit 213 extracts all the request success requests from the request success request storage unit 214, and sends a request to cancel the information sharing for each request for establishing the information sharing requirement through the process loop of step ST710. The process of step ST711 is the process of the request success request query unit 213 related to the generation of the request to cancel the information sharing. The process of step ST712 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0370] Fig.28 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.25 Step ST503, step ST508, Fig.26 Step ST604 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Fig. 27 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a request sending subroutine of step ST702. The processing of step ST801 corresponds to the processing of request generation in the request generation unit 210. The processing of step ST802 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0371] Fig.29 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.26 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a response sending subroutine of step ST603 and step ST609. The processing of step ST901 corresponds to the processing of response determination in the response determination unit 209. The processing of step ST902 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0372] Fig.30 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.24 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a distribution sending subroutine of steps ST409 and ST411. The processing of step ST1001 corresponds to the processing of distribution information integration in the distribution information integration unit 208. The processing of step ST1002 will be described later using another flowchart.

[0373] Fig.31 This is a diagram showing the operation of the edge computer 2 in the third embodiment. Fig.24 Step ST414 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Fig. 27 Steps ST708, ST712, Fig.28 Step ST802 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Fig.29 Step ST902 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Fig.30 The process of step ST1101 corresponds to the process of generating an outgoing message in the outgoing message generating unit 211. The process of step ST1102 is a process in which the outgoing message generating unit 211 outputs the outgoing message to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 201.

[0374] Next, the program executed by the gateway 3 is described. Fig.32 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 3 based on the program executed by the gateway 3 according to the third embodiment.

[0375] exist Fig.32In the flowchart of the gateway 3 shown, the processing of step ST1201 and step ST1202 corresponds to the processing of the forwarding determination unit 302. In the processing of step ST1201, the forwarding determination unit 302 determines whether the received message is a message to be forwarded. If it is a message to be forwarded (step ST1201: "Yes"), in the processing of step ST1202, the message is output to the memory area or the like of the communication unit 301. If it is not a message to be forwarded (step ST1201: "No"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST1203. The processing of step ST1203 is the acceptance message processing, and the gateway 3 determines whether the received message is a request. If the received message is a request (step ST1203: "Yes"), the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST1204.

[0376] In the process of step ST1204, the gateway 3 determines whether it is possible to provide shared information corresponding to the area specified by the request based on the service area area information from the service area information storage unit 304. If the shared information can be provided (step ST1204: Yes), the gateway 3 determines the redirection destination in the process of step ST1205. The processes of steps ST1204 and ST1205 correspond to the processes of the request parsing unit 305.

[0377] When the gateway 3 cannot provide the shared information (step ST1204: No), or after the processing of step ST1205, the gateway 3 performs the processing of step ST1206. In the processing of step ST1206 corresponding to the processing of the response determination unit 310, the gateway 3 outputs to the memory area etc. of the communication unit 301 through the processing of step ST1207 corresponding to the processing of the outgoing message generation unit 312 and step ST1202 in order to determine the redirection destination, the judgment result etc. and send them as a response.

[0378] When the received message is not a request (step ST1203: No), the gateway 3 receives a service area update notification and updates the service area information, and performs processing in step ST1208 corresponding to storage in the service area information storage unit 304.

[0379] In addition, in Embodiment 3, the description is mainly focused on the differences from Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, but the http protocol described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can also be applied.

[0380] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the communication system 20, the edge computer 2B of the communication carrier B sends a request for information sharing including location information, a range from the location information, and an identifier, and the gateway 3A of the communication carrier A different from the communication carrier B determines the edge computer 2A that can send the shared information in response to the request from the edge computer 2B, and sends a response to the edge computer 2B. The edge computer 2B sends a request for information sharing to the edge computer 2A specified by the received response, receives the shared information from the edge computer 2A, and sends the shared information to the vehicle 11B that can communicate with the communication carrier B.

[0381] Thus, the communication system 20 can share information such as emergency information recognized by one or more vehicles 11 between different communication operators without each communication operator using information on the network structure of other communication operators, as in the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, in the communication system 20, the edge computer 2 of each communication operator directly makes requests and responses for information sharing, thereby reducing the processing load of the gateway 3 and simplifying the structure of the gateway 3.

[0382] In addition, in the gateway 3, the acceptance message processing unit 303 may be equipped with a proxy function, and when the gateway 3 receiving the message is designated as a proxy server through the message, the acceptance message processing unit 303 outputs the payload to the outgoing message generating unit 312, and the outgoing message generating unit 312 performs TCP encapsulation of the payload. In this case, the forwarding determination unit 302 does not perform forwarding processing when the gateway 3 processing the message is designated as a proxy server. Thus, the communication system 20 can separate and hide the network structure of the message transmission source from the network of the transmission destination between different communication operators, just like a normal proxy server.

[0383] Implementation method 4.

[0384] In the fourth embodiment, a modification of the first embodiment is described. In the fourth embodiment, the structure of the communication system 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The configuration of the communication system 20 in the illustrated embodiment 1 is the same.

[0385] Edge Computer 2B Figure 2When a request (S103) is sent in the action of the timing diagram shown, in addition to the information described in Implementation Example 1, a periodic transmission interval ΔT is also attached to the request (S103) and sent to the gateway 3A. That is, the request (S103) includes a periodic transmission interval ΔT of the transmission interval of the shared information of the recipient of the specified information sharing. The gateway 3A attaches the periodic transmission interval ΔT to the request (S105) and sends it to the edge computer 2A-1. The edge computer 2A-1 accepts the request (S105) to which the periodic transmission interval ΔT is attached. For Figure 5 Description of the timing diagram shown is omitted.

[0386] Fig.33 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of periodically sending shared information between edge computers 2 using a periodic transmission interval ΔT in the communication system 20 of the fourth embodiment. Fig.33 In the process of step S301 to step S310, Figure 6 The processes from step S301 to step S310 in the sequence diagram shown are the same.

[0387] The edge computer 2A-1 sends the shared information (step S1201) after the periodic transmission interval ΔT specified by the request (S105) has passed since the shared information was sent (S304). The processing of each device in the subsequent steps S1202 to S1207 is the same as that of the Figure 6 The processing of each device from step S305 to step S310 of the timing diagram shown in the figure is the same. Furthermore, the edge computer 2A-1 sends the shared information (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S1201)) in step S1201. After the periodic transmission interval ΔT specified by the request (S105) has passed, the shared information is sent (step S1208). The processing of each device from step S1209 to step S1214 is the same as Figure 6 The processing of each device from step S305 to step S310 in the sequence diagram shown is the same.

[0388] In the edge computer 2A-1, the shared information (S304), the shared information (S1201), and the shared information sent in step S1208 (hereinafter referred to as shared information (S1208)) can be shared contents of the same content. In addition, when the shared information (S304), the shared information (S1201), and the shared information (S1208) include the elapsed time from the recognition event (S302), the information of the elapsed time is different in each shared information. In addition, with respect to the shared information (S304), the shared information (S1201), and the shared information (S1208), when the edge computer 2A-1 performs statistical processing on the recognition events notified from the plurality of vehicles 11 and sends out the shared information, as in the processing in the distribution information integration unit 208, the content of the shared information sent out can be changed according to the content of the recognition events notified from the plurality of vehicles 11.

[0389] Use the structure of each device Fig.33 The operation of the timing diagram shown in FIG. 1 is described in detail. Figure 4 The structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown. Fig.34 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the edge computer 2 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig.34 The edge computer 2 of the fourth embodiment shown is a Figure 3 The edge computer 2 of the embodiment 1 shown is obtained by adding an identification event storage unit 215. The request analysis unit 204 analyzes the request for information sharing, and when the shared information can be provided, outputs the periodic transmission interval time ΔT to the identification event storage unit 215. In the edge computer 2, when the communication unit 201 receives the identification event (S302), it outputs the identification event (S302) to the acceptance message processing unit 202. The acceptance message processing unit 202 outputs the identification event (S302) to the identification event storage unit 215. The identification event storage unit 215 stores the identification event (S302) and outputs the identification event (S302) to the distribution information integration unit 208 and the request location information query unit 206. After the periodic transmission interval time ΔT has passed since the identification event (S302) was output to the distribution information integration unit 208 and the request location information query unit 206, the identification event storage unit 215 outputs the stored identification event (S302) to the distribution information integration unit 208 and the request location information query unit 206 again. The recognition event holding unit 215 repeatedly performs the above-mentioned processing at intervals of the periodic transmission interval ΔT. Thus, the edge computer 2 can periodically send out shared information such as shared information (S1201), shared information (S1208), etc. Specifically, the request location information query unit 206 generates shared information every time the periodic transmission interval ΔT passes.

[0390] In the fourth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the edge computer 2 and the gateway 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 3 based on the program executed by the gateway 3 of the fourth embodiment is shown. Fig.12 The flowchart in the embodiment 1 shown is the same. Fig.35 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the edge computer 2 based on the program executed by the edge computer 2 of the fourth embodiment. Fig.35 In the flowchart shown, the processing of steps ST101 to ST116 is the same as Fig.11 The processes from step ST101 to step ST116 of the flowchart of the first embodiment shown are the same. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described here.

[0391] In step ST1301, the edge computer 2 determines whether a message has been received. If a message has been received (step ST1301: Yes), the process proceeds to step ST101. If the edge computer 2 has not received a message (step ST1301: No), the process proceeds to step ST1302 to determine whether a recognition event is held in the recognition event holding unit 215. If the edge computer 2 does not hold a recognition event in the recognition event holding unit 215 (step ST1302: No), the process ends. If the edge computer 2 holds a recognition event in the recognition event holding unit 215 (step ST1302: Yes), the recognition event holding unit 215 outputs the recognition event, and the process proceeds to steps ST112 and ST115. After the edge computer 2 performs steps ST112 and ST115, it counts the periodic transmission interval ΔT in step ST1303. After the periodic transmission interval ΔT has passed, the recognition event holding unit 215 outputs the recognition event (step ST1303), and steps ST112 and ST115 are performed again. The edge computer 2 outputs the recognition event every time the periodic transmission interval ΔT has passed, that is, it repeatedly performs the processing of step ST1303. Since the case of "No" in step ST105 means that the recognition event has been received, the edge computer 2 holds the recognition event in step ST1304.

[0392] In the fourth embodiment, a modification of the first embodiment is described. However, the requirement of sharing information by assigning a periodic transmission interval ΔT can also be applied to the second and third embodiments. Fig.33 In the sequence diagram shown, information sharing within the communication carrier A is omitted in the communication system 20, but it can also be applied to information sharing within the communication carrier A. In other words, in the edge computer 2 or the gateway 3, if the request source and the request destination of information sharing correspond to each other, it can also be applied.

[0393] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the communication system 20 , the edge computer 2A that has received the recognition event can also periodically send out the shared information in the case of the first to third embodiments.

[0394] There are cases where it is desired to transmit the same information, or even completely identical information such as information broadcasted by V2X, to each vehicle 11 at regular intervals in road traffic, such as information about a traffic accident. For example, when the state of an accident continues and the lane is blocked, or when a fallen object is not removed and becomes a driving obstacle, etc., even if the information has not changed, it is necessary to periodically notify each vehicle 11 of the same information. In addition, when providing information to a vehicle 11 that did not enter the service area 4 at the time when the information was distributed by the initial recognition event, but later entered the service area 4, even if the same information is provided, it is necessary to distribute the information again. At this time, if the side receiving the information, which is communication operator B in embodiment 1, arbitrarily determines that the information has not been updated and distributes the same information to vehicle 11B in service area 4B of base station 1B, safety may be compromised. In this case, as in this embodiment, by periodically transmitting shared information from communication operator A, safety can be improved.

[0395] In addition, the periodic transmission interval ΔT may be combined with the method for updating the location information or the like required for information sharing described in Embodiment 1, etc. Thus, when there are many vehicles 11B belonging to the base station 1B in congestion and the distribution cycle can be extended, or when there is a large amount of communication traffic and it is desired to extend the distribution cycle, etc., the communication operator B can suppress useless communication traffic and perform efficient traffic control by extending the periodic transmission interval ΔT.

[0396] The structures shown in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and can be combined with other known technologies, the embodiments can be combined with each other, and part of the structures can be omitted or changed without departing from the gist.

[0397] Description of Reference Numerals

[0398] 1, 1A-1, 1A-2, 1B base station, 2, 2A-1, 2A-2, 2B edge computer, 3, 3A, 3B gateway, 4A-1, 4A-2, 4B service area, 10 lane, 11, 11A-1, 11A-2, 11B vehicle, 12 location, 20 communication system, 201, 301 communication unit, 202, 303 message acceptance processing unit, 203, 304 service area information storage unit, 204, 305 request parsing unit, 205, 306 response processing unit, 2 06, 313 request location information query unit, 207, 308 request acceptance and storage unit, 208 distribution information integration unit, 209, 310 response decision unit, 210 request generation unit, 211, 312 send message generation unit, 212 accepted request query unit, 213 request success query unit, 214 request success request storage unit, 215 identification event storage unit, 302 forwarding determination unit, 307 request identifier query unit, 309 service area update unit, 311 in-network request generation unit.

Claims

1. A processing device connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles in a service area, characterized in that: The processing device comprises: a request generating unit configured to generate a first request including location information specifying an area for which information sharing is requested, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing; an accepted request holding unit configured to hold the second request when it is possible to send the shared information about the area in response to a second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device; as well as A request inquiry unit generates the shared information including the recognition event and the identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit when the position information indicating the occurrence location of the recognition event acquired from the vehicle via the base station is included in the area specified by the second request.

2. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The position information and the range calculated from the position information include altitude information.

3. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The request includes a regular transmission interval time specifying a transmission interval of the shared information, The request inquiry unit generates the shared information every time the regular transmission interval time elapses.

4. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The processing device comprises: a request analyzing unit that analyzes the content of the second request and, when the shared information can be sent in response to the second request, causes the accepted request holding unit to hold the second request; and A response determination unit generates a response to the second request based on the analysis result of the request analysis unit.

5. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit is an identifier assigned by a communication device that is provided on a communication path between the processing device and the other processing device and is operated by the same communication carrier as the processing device.

6. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit is an identifier assigned by the other processing device.

7. A communication device operated by the same first communication carrier as a processing device and capable of communicating with the processing device, the processing device being connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a forwarding determination unit that determines whether to forward a first request, which is a request sent from the processing device and includes location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing, to another communication device operated by a second communication carrier; a request analyzing unit that analyzes a second request for information sharing from a processing device operated by the second communication operator, and determines whether an area specified by the second request is included in a service area of ​​the first communication operator; and A response determination unit generates a response to the second request.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The communication device includes an in-network request generating unit, which generates a request including the location information, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying the communication device for one or more processing devices operated by the first communication operator when the area specified by the second request is included in the service area of ​​the first communication operator.

9. The communication device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: the request analyzing unit determines the processing device to be connected to a base station that provides a service area including an area specified by the second request, The response determination unit generates the response that specifies the processing device determined by the request analysis unit.

10. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: The processing device of claim 1; and The communication device as claimed in claim 7.

11. A control circuit for controlling a processing device connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles in a service area, characterized in that: The control circuit causes the processing device to perform the following processing: generating a first request including location information specifying an area for which information sharing is requested, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing, maintaining the second request when it is possible to send the shared information about the area in response to the second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device, When the position information indicating the occurrence point of the recognition event acquired from the vehicle via the base station is included in the area specified by the second request, the shared information including the recognition event and the retained identifier is generated.

12. A control circuit for controlling a communication device, the communication device being operated by the same first communication carrier as a processing device and being capable of communicating with the processing device, the processing device being connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area, characterized in that: The control circuit causes the communication device to perform the following processing: making a determination to forward a first request to another communication device operated by a second communication carrier, the first request being a request sent from the processing device and including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing, analyzing a second request for information sharing from another processing device operated by the second communication operator, and determining whether an area specified by the second request is included in a service area of ​​the first communication operator; Based on the analysis result, a response to the second request is generated.

13. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a processing device connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles in a service area, characterized in that: The program causes the processing device to perform the following processing: generating a first request including location information specifying an area for which information sharing is requested, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing, maintaining the second request when it is possible to send the shared information about the area in response to the second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device, When the position information indicating the occurrence point of the recognition event acquired from the vehicle via the base station is included in the area specified by the second request, the shared information including the recognition event and the retained identifier is generated.

14. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device, the communication device being operated by the same first communication carrier as a processing device and being capable of communicating with the processing device, the processing device being connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area, characterized in that: The program causes the communication device to perform the following processing: making a determination to forward a first request to another communication device operated by a second communication carrier, the first request being a request sent from the processing device and including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing, analyzing a second request for information sharing from another processing device operated by the second communication operator, and determining whether an area specified by the second request is included in a service area of ​​the first communication operator; Based on the analysis result, a response to the second request is generated.

15. An information sharing method for a processing device, the processing device being connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area, characterized in that: The information sharing method comprises: a request generation step, wherein the request generation unit generates a first request, the first request including location information specifying an area for which information sharing is required, a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing; an acceptance request holding step, wherein the acceptance request holding unit holds the second request when it is possible to send the shared information about the area in response to a second request, the second request being a request based on an information sharing request from another processing device; and In a request inquiry step, when the location information indicating the occurrence location of the recognition event obtained from the vehicle via the base station is included in the area specified by the second request, the request inquiry unit generates the shared information including the recognition event and the identifier held in the acceptance request holding unit.

16. A method for sharing information of a communication device, the communication device being operated by the same first communication carrier as a processing device and being capable of communicating with the processing device, the processing device being connected to a base station capable of communicating with vehicles within a service area, characterized in that: The information sharing method comprises: a forwarding determination step, in which a forwarding determination unit determines whether to forward a first request to another communication device operated by a second communication carrier, the first request being a request sent from the processing device and including location information specifying an area for requesting information sharing and a range calculated from the location information, and an identifier capable of identifying a request source for requesting the information sharing; a request analysis step, wherein the request analysis unit analyzes a second request to determine whether an area specified by the second request is included in a service area of ​​the first communication operator, the second request being a request for information sharing from another processing device operated by the second communication operator; and In the response determination step, the response determination unit generates a response to the second request based on the analysis result of the request analysis unit.

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