Communication system

Abstract

This invention provides a communication system that facilitates the provision of information such as captured images. The communication system includes: an information transmitting unit that transmits information to an information collecting device via a communication network; a communication relay unit that relays communication to a mobile communication terminal and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network; and a cost determining unit that determines the communication cost or reward amount for communication via the communication network or for information transmission. The cost determining unit determines the communication cost or reward amount based on a first communication volume involved in information transmission, or based on a ratio of the first communication volume to a second communication volume involved in communication relay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, systems have been proposed in which a dashcam mounted on a mobile device communicates with an external image collection device, transmitting images captured by the dashcam to the image collection device (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this system, in addition to accident detection, the captured images are used for purposes such as fixed-point observation, searching for missing persons, and confirming the situation at a fire scene.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-177677 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In systems used for confirming situations such as accidents and disasters, it is desirable to collect more images from various locations from a wider range of dashcams and other devices equipped with video recording equipment. Therefore, to facilitate image sharing by more people, it is preferable to minimize the communication costs associated with transmitting images from dashcams and other devices, ensuring that communication costs do not become an obstacle to image transmission.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above background, and its object is to realize a communication system that can facilitate the provision of information such as captured images.

[0009] The above objectives facilitate the rapid provision of information related to disasters and accidents, reduce the number of people affected, and contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society (SDGs 11.5).

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising: an information transmitting unit that transmits information to an information collecting device via a communication network; a communication relay unit that relays communication to a mobile communication terminal and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network; and a cost determining unit that determines a communication cost or a reward amount related to the information transmission for communication via the communication network, the cost determining unit determining the communication cost or the reward amount based on a first communication volume related to the information transmission, or based on a ratio of the first communication volume to a second communication volume related to the communication relay.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the information transmission is the transmission of image data captured by a camera device, and the cost determination unit determines the communication cost or the reward amount based on the first communication volume as the communication volume associated with the transmission of the image data, or based on the ratio of the first communication volume associated with the transmission of the image data to the second communication volume associated with the communication relay.

[0013] According to other aspects of the invention, the more first communication volume associated with the information transmission, or the greater the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume associated with the communication relay, the cheaper the communication cost will be determined by the cost determination unit, or the higher the reward amount will be determined.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the communication system includes a first communication unit that, in order to perform the information transmission and the communication relay, performs communication via the communication network through either a billed first communication method or a non-billed second communication method. The cost determination unit determines the communication cost for communication using the first communication method and determines the reward amount for the first volume of information transmission using the second communication method.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the communication system comprises a camera or a dashcam equipped with a camera device.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the communication system is disposed in a mobile body as a communication relay, the communication relay unit relays the communication of the mobile communication terminal existing in the mobile body and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network.

[0017] Invention Effects

[0018] According to the present invention, a communication system that facilitates the provision of information such as captured images can be realized. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram of the usage mode of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of this communication system.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an example of how communication costs vary monthly based on the first volume of traffic.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an example of the monthly variation in communication costs, determined by the ratio of the first volume of communication to the second volume of communication.

[0023] Figure 5 This is an example of the monthly variation in the compensation amount determined by the first communication volume.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an example of the monthly variation in compensation amount determined by the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in determining costs in a communication system.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 1…Communication system, 10…Processor, 11…First communication unit, 12…Second communication unit, 13…Information transmission unit, 14…Communication relay unit, 15…Fee determination unit, 20…Memory, 21…Communication control program, 30…NAD, 31…Antenna, 32…Camera equipment, 34…GNSS sensor, 35…Acceleration sensor, 40…In-vehicle communication network, 51, 51a, 51b…Mobile communication terminal, 60, 61, 62…Line, 100…Vehicle (mobile body), 300…Base station, 310…Router, 500…Communication network, 510…External communication device, 510a…Image management server, 510b…Information providing server, 510c…Fee settlement server, U, U1, U2…User. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] [1. How to use a communication system]

[0030] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of how the communication system 1 of this embodiment is used. The communication system 1 has the function of collecting predetermined information via sensors or the like and transmitting the collected information to an information collection device. In this embodiment, the information is image information, and the communication system 1 is implemented, for example, as a dashcam. The communication system 1 is installed in a vehicle 100 for use, capturing images of the area around the vehicle 100 and inside the vehicle 100, and transmitting the captured images to an image management server 510a located outside the vehicle 100. The image management server 510a corresponds to the information collection device of this disclosure. The image management server 510a can use the captured images received from the communication system 1 to perform processing such as accident analysis, fixed-point observation, and inspection of road equipment.

[0031] Communication system 1 is capable of both cellular and Wi-Fi communication. Communication system 1 communicates with external communication devices via communication network 500 through cellular communication with base stations 300 in each cell, or through Wi-Fi communication with routers 310 located near roads and configured as Wi-Fi hotspots. In this embodiment, router 310 is, for example, a router configured as a free Wi-Fi hotspot.

[0032] The external communication device includes an image management server 510a, which is the aforementioned information collection device. Figure 1 In the example, an information providing server 510b and a payment settlement server 510c are also illustrated as external communication devices. Mobile communication terminals such as smartphones can access the information providing server 510b via the communication network 500. Additionally, the payment settlement server 510c receives information about communication fees and payment amounts (described later) from the communication system 1. For example, according to existing technology, it collects the received communication fees from the bank account of the owner of the communication system 1 and transfers the received payment amount. Hereinafter, the image management server 510a, the information providing server 510b, and the payment settlement server 510c are also collectively referred to as the external communication device 510.

[0033] The communication system 1 conducts direct communication with mobile communication terminals 51a and 51b used by users U1 and U2 riding in the vehicle 100 via in-vehicle Wi-Fi communication. The communication system 1 has the function of a Wi-Fi router to relay communication between the mobile communication terminals 51a and 51b connected via in-vehicle Wi-Fi communication and the communication network 500.

[0034] Mobile communication terminals 51a and 51b are smartphones, mobile phones, tablet terminals, portable game consoles, etc. Hereinafter, users U1 and U2 will be collectively referred to as user U, and mobile communication terminals 51a and 51b will be collectively referred to as mobile communication terminal 51.

[0035] Even if the mobile communication terminal 51 does not have cellular communication capabilities, the user U can still communicate with the information providing server 510b by connecting to the communication network 500 via the communication system 1. Furthermore, the communication system 1 can also relay communications of mobile communication terminals outside the vehicle 100, for example, when the vehicle 100 is parked or stopped.

[0036] [2. Structure of Communication Systems]

[0037] Reference Figure 2The structure of communication system 1 is described below. Communication system 1 includes a processor 10, a memory 20, a NAD (Network Access Device) 30, an antenna 31, a camera 32, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) sensor 34, and an accelerometer 35.

[0038] The NAD30 is a chip that integrates both cellular and Wi-Fi communication modules. Antenna 31 is a dual-purpose antenna that supports both cellular and Wi-Fi communication.

[0039] The camera device 32, for example, is a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) that captures images of the area around and / or inside the vehicle 100 and outputs the captured images to the processor 10. Furthermore, the communication system 1 can include multiple camera devices 32 depending on the size of the shooting range around or inside the vehicle 100.

[0040] GNSS sensor 34 receives radio waves from positioning satellites to detect the current position (latitude and longitude) of communication system 1 and outputs the position detection signal to processor 10. Accelerometer 35, for example a 3-axis accelerometer, detects accelerations generated in three orthogonal directions in communication system 1 and outputs a sensing output representing the magnitude of these accelerations to processor 10.

[0041] The memory 20 is, for example, composed of volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory. The processor 10 is a computer included in the communication system 1 as a communication system, and is composed of, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) or MPUs (Micro Processing Units).

[0042] The processor 10 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, an information transmission unit 13, a communication relay unit 14, and a cost determination unit 15 as functional elements or units. These functional elements of the processor 10 are implemented, for example, by the processor 10, which is a computer, executing a communication control program 21 stored in the memory 20. Alternatively, all or part of the aforementioned functional elements of the processor 10 may be constituted by hardware comprising one or more electronic circuit components.

[0043] For image transmission of captured images by the information transmission unit 13 and communication relay of communication of the mobile communication terminal 51 by the communication relay unit 14, the first communication unit 11 communicates via the communication network 500 using either a billed first communication method or a non-billed second communication method via the NAD 30 and antenna 31.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first communication method that is billed is, for example, cellular communication that is allowed to be used in advance by means of a contract with a telecommunications company or the like, with payment as a condition. The second communication method that is not billed is, for example, Wi-Fi communication via a router 310 that is set up as a free Wi-Fi hotspot.

[0045] The first communication unit 11 communicates with the external communication device 510 via the communication network 500, for example, through data packet communication. Specifically, the first communication unit 11 generates a packet summarizing first communication data, including images captured by the camera device 32, input from the information transmission unit 13 and the communication relay unit 14, and second communication data from the mobile communication terminal 51. Then, the first communication unit 11 sends the generated data packet to the external communication device 510 via the communication network 500.

[0046] Therefore, compared to packaging and sending the first and second communication data separately, the number of packets sent can be reduced, and the total overhead of packet control attached to the first and second communication data can be reduced, thus reducing the communication load in the communication network 500. As a result, in the communication system 1, the usage (i.e., communication load) of communication using the communication network 500 can be reduced, thereby lowering communication costs.

[0047] When the first communication unit 11 conducts communication via the communication network 500, it sends information related to the first communication volume involved in the information transmission (image transmission in this embodiment) performed by the information transmission unit 13 and information related to the second communication volume involved in the communication relay performed by the communication relay unit 14 to the cost determination unit 15. Furthermore, regarding the communication volume corresponding to the aforementioned overhead, the first communication unit 11 can allocate the communication volume, or proportionally allocate it according to the ratio between the first and second communication volumes, thus including the communication volume in the first and second communication volumes.

[0048] Furthermore, when the first communication unit 11 conducts communication via the communication network 500, it identifies whether the communication was conducted using a first, billed communication method or a second, unbilled communication method. Then, it adds the identification result, i.e., information related to the communication method used in the communication, to the information related to the first and second communication volumes sent to the cost determination unit 15.

[0049] The second communication unit 12 communicates directly with the mobile communication terminal 51 via in-vehicle Wi-Fi communication through NAD30 and antenna 31.

[0050] The information transmission unit 13 transmits information to the information collection device via the communication network 500. In this embodiment, the information collection device is an image management server 510a, and the information transmission is the transmission of images captured by the camera device 32.

[0051] Information transmission unit 13, for example, takes a picture using camera device 32 at a predetermined shooting time, and transmits the captured image, along with information about the shooting date, time, and shooting location, to image management server 510a via communication network 500 through first communication unit 11. Here, information transmission unit 13 can obtain shooting location information via GNSS sensor 34.

[0052] As for the shooting time, for example, the following (1) to (3) times can be set.

[0053] (1) When vehicle 100 is involved in an accident.

[0054] The information transmission unit 13 identifies that the vehicle 100 has been involved in an accident by detecting acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold using the acceleration sensor 35. Alternatively, the accident can also be identified based on impact detection signals from impact sensors such as those installed in the airbags of the vehicle 100.

[0055] (2) When vehicle 100 is traveling at a fixed location.

[0056] The information transmission unit 13 identifies that the vehicle 100 is traveling at a pre-set fixed location based on the current location of the communication system 1 detected by the GNSS sensor 34. Fixed locations may include, for example, locations prone to traffic congestion, locations of road equipment (road signs, utility poles, etc.) requiring maintenance, and tourist attractions.

[0057] (3) When vehicle 100 is driving at the location required for filming.

[0058] The information transmission unit 13 identifies the location to be photographed (i.e., the shooting location) by receiving information from the image management server 510a. Based on the current position of the communication system 1 detected by the GNSS sensor 34, it identifies that the vehicle 100 is traveling at the shooting location. The shooting location can be, for example, the scene of an accident involving another vehicle, a fire, or the scene of a missing person incident.

[0059] The communication relay unit 14 relays the communication of the mobile communication terminal 51, connecting the mobile communication terminal 51 to the communication network 500. Thus, the communication relay unit 14 functions as a Wi-Fi router in the communication system 1. Specifically, according to existing technology, the communication relay unit 14 mediates the exchange of communication signals or data between the second communication unit 12 and the first communication unit 11, relaying the communication between the mobile communication terminal 51, which is connected to the second communication unit 12 via in-vehicle Wi-Fi communication, and the communication network 500 via the first communication unit 11.

[0060] The cost determination unit 15 determines the communication cost or the amount of compensation involved in communication via the communication network 500. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cost determination unit 15 determines the communication cost or the amount of compensation based on a first communication volume involved in the information transmission or a ratio of the first communication volume to a second communication volume involved in the communication relay. As described above, the information transmission is, for example, image transmission performed by the information transmission unit 13.

[0061] Specifically, the cost determination unit 15 receives information on the first communication volume and the second communication volume from the first communication unit 11, and accumulates these first communication volumes and the second communication volume over a specified period (e.g., 1 month) to calculate the first communication volume and the second communication volume for each specified period.

[0062] Then, the cost determination unit 15 determines the communication cost to be cheaper or the compensation amount to be higher based on the first communication volume and the second communication volume for each specified period (e.g., each month). Specifically, the cost determination unit 15 determines the communication cost for communication using the first communication method and determines the compensation amount for the first communication volume of image transmission using the second communication method.

[0063] Furthermore, the fee determination unit 15 sends the determined communication fee and remuneration amount to the fee settlement server 510c. Upon receiving the determined communication fee and remuneration amount, the fee settlement server 510c, according to existing technology, collects the received communication fee from the bank account of the owner of the communication system 1 and transfers the received remuneration amount. Here, the fee settlement server 510c may be a server operated and managed, for example, by the operator of the image management server 510a or a financial institution entrusted by that operator.

[0064] Furthermore, the information required for calculating communication costs and compensation amounts in the cost determination unit 15 can be received in advance by the cost determination unit 15 from the image management server 510a, which is an information collection device, and stored in the memory 20. Here, the required information may be, for example, a calculation formula for calculating communication costs and compensation amounts, various coefficients used in the calculation formula, etc.

[0065] The communication system 1 with the above structure determines the communication fee or reward amount based on the ratio of the first communication volume involved in information transmission or the first communication volume to the second communication volume involved in communication relay by the cost determination unit 15. Therefore, in the communication system 1, compared with the structure that determines the communication fee based only on the sum of the first and second communication volumes, and the structure that determines the reward amount based only on the first communication volume, the opportunity to obtain the economic benefits from performing information transmission is expanded, thus promoting the provision of information using the communication system 1.

[0066] Figure 3 This is an example of the monthly variation in communication costs determined by the first communication volume in communication system 1. Figure 3 The left vertical axis represents the monthly communication cost via communication network 500, the right vertical axis represents the communication volume via communication network 500, and the horizontal axis represents the monthly cost. Figure 3 In the diagram, line 60 represents the monthly change in communication costs, scaled against the left vertical axis. Lines 61 and 62 represent the monthly changes in first communication traffic related to image transmission by the information transmission unit 13, and second communication traffic related to communication relay by the communication relay unit 14, respectively, scaled against the right vertical axis. Figure 3 In this context, both the first and second traffic volumes are generated through communication via the billed first communication method.

[0067] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, regardless of the second communication volume shown in line 62, the communication cost shown in line 60 is determined based on the first communication volume shown in line 61. The more the first communication volume in a month, the cheaper the communication cost is determined.

[0068] Figure 4 This is an example of the monthly variation in communication costs in communication system 1, determined by the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume. Figure 4 The vertical and horizontal axes are Figure 3 Same. Figure 4 In the diagram, line 63 represents the monthly change in communication costs, scaled against the vertical axis on the left. Lines 64 and 65 represent the first and second monthly communication volumes, respectively. Figure 4In this context, both the first and second traffic volumes are generated through communication via the billed first communication method. Additionally, in... Figure 4 In order to easily grasp the change in the ratio of the first communication to the second communication, the second communication remains unchanged.

[0069] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the communication cost shown by line 63 is determined based on the ratio of the first communication volume shown by line 61 to the second communication volume shown by line 62. The higher the ratio, the cheaper the communication cost is determined.

[0070] Figure 5 This is an example of the monthly variation in the remuneration amount determined by the first communication volume in communication system 1. Figure 5 The left vertical axis represents the monthly reward amount for information transmission (image transmission in this embodiment) via communication network 500, the right vertical axis represents the communication volume via communication network 500, and the horizontal axis represents the month. Figure 5 In the diagram, line 70 represents the monthly remuneration amount, scaled against the left vertical axis. Lines 71 and 72 represent the first monthly communication volume related to image transmission by the information transmission unit 13, and the second monthly communication volume related to communication relay by the communication relay unit 14, respectively, scaled against the right vertical axis. Furthermore, in... Figure 5 In this context, both the first and second traffic volumes are generated through communication via the second, non-cost-bearing communication method.

[0071] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, the reward amount shown by line 70 is determined based on the first communication volume shown by line 71, regardless of the second communication volume shown by line 72. The higher the first communication volume in a month, the higher the reward amount is determined.

[0072] Figure 6 This is an example of the monthly change in the reward amount in communication system 1, determined by the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume. Figure 6 The vertical and horizontal axes are Figure 5 Same. Figure 6 In the diagram, line 73 represents the monthly payment amount. Lines 74 and 75 represent the first and second communication volumes per month, respectively. Additionally, in... Figure 6 In this context, both the first and second traffic volumes are generated through the second, non-cost-bearing communication method. Additionally, in... Figure 6 In order to easily grasp the change in the ratio of the first communication to the second communication, the second communication remains unchanged.

[0073] exist Figure 6In the example shown, the reward amount shown by line 73 is determined based on the ratio of the first communication volume shown by line 71 to the second communication volume shown by line 72. The higher the ratio, the higher the reward amount is determined.

[0074] [3. Actions in a communication system]

[0075] Next, the procedure for determining the amount of communication fees or remuneration in communication system 1 will be explained. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in the cost determination process in communication system 1. Figure 7 The processing shown is performed at specified time intervals, for example, at the end of the month. Furthermore, although in Figure 7 Although not shown in the diagram, the cost determination unit 15 receives information on the first communication volume and the second communication volume from the first communication unit 11 from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, and stores the first communication volume and the second communication volume under the first communication mode with billing, and the first communication volume and the second communication volume under the second communication mode without billing, respectively in the memory 20.

[0076] In the following shown about Figure 7 In the description, the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume refer to the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume accumulated during the period from the beginning of the most recent month to the end of the month.

[0077] When processing begins, the cost determination unit 15 calculates the first communication volume C11 under the first communication mode and the ratio R1 of the first communication volume C11 to the second communication volume C12 (S100). Then, the cost determination unit 15 determines the communication cost for the previous month based on the first communication volume C11 or the ratio R1 (S102).

[0078] Next, the cost determination unit 15 calculates the first communication volume C21 under the second communication method without charges, and the ratio R2 of the first communication volume C21 to the second communication volume C22 (S104). Then, the cost determination unit 15 determines the remuneration amount for the previous month based on the first communication volume C21 or the ratio R2 (S106).

[0079] Then, the cost determination unit 15 sends the determined communication cost and remuneration amount to the cost settlement server 510c (S108) and ends the process. The cost settlement server 510c receives the determined communication cost and remuneration amount and, according to existing technology, for example, collects the received communication cost from the bank account of the owner of the communication system 1 and transfers the received remuneration amount.

[0080] [4. Other Implementation Methods]

[0081] In the above embodiment, the communication system 1 sends the captured image to the image management server 510a via the communication network 500. However, the communication system 1 of this disclosure is not limited to capturing images; it can also collect any specified information through sensors or the like and send the collected information to the information collection device via the communication network. Such information may be meteorological data such as rainfall, wind volume, and temperature; earthquake data including seismic intensity; or the amount of electricity or water used from a power meter or water meter.

[0082] Furthermore, while the communication system 1 is configured as a dashcam equipped with a camera device 32 in the above embodiment, it can also be configured as a camera equipped with the same camera device. Such a camera can be a surveillance camera installed in buildings such as houses and commercial buildings, streetlights, etc., or a camera equipped on flying objects such as drones, or floating objects such as advertising balloons.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a four-wheeled vehicle 100 is exemplified as the mobile body equipped with a dashcam as the communication system 1, but the mobile body may also be a two-wheeled vehicle, an aircraft, a ship, etc.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, access to the communication network 500 is achieved via cellular or Wi-Fi communication, but other communication methods may also be used. Additionally, communication between the vehicle 100's interior and the mobile communication terminal 51 is conducted via Wi-Fi communication, but other communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may also be used.

[0085] In addition, for ease of understanding of the invention described in this application, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of communication system 1 based on the main processing content; the structure of communication system 1 can also be constructed through other distinctions. Furthermore, the processing of each component can be performed by one hardware unit or by multiple hardware units. Figure 7 The processing of each component of the flowchart shown can be performed by one program or by multiple programs.

[0086] The cost determination unit 15 included in the communication system 1 can be located in other devices such as the image management server 510a and the cost settlement server 510c. In this case, the communication system 1 of the embodiments of this disclosure can be provided by a device having Figure 2The communication system 1 shown is constructed as a whole, consisting of an information providing device (e.g., a dashcam) and another device having the cost determination unit 15 (e.g., an image management server 510a or a cost settlement server 510c), excluding the cost determination unit 15. Furthermore, in this configuration, the cost determination unit 15 can obtain information about the first and second communication quantities from the first communication unit 11 of the information providing device via a suitable communication channel, such as a communication network 500.

[0087] [5. Structures supported by the above embodiments]

[0088] The above implementation supports the following structures.

[0089] (Structure 1) A communication system comprising: an information transmitting unit that transmits information to an information collecting device via a communication network; a communication relay unit that relays communication to a mobile communication terminal and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network; and a cost determining unit that determines a communication cost or a reward amount related to the information transmission for communication via the communication network, the cost determining unit determining the communication cost or the reward amount based on a first communication volume related to the information transmission, or based on a ratio of the first communication volume to a second communication volume related to the communication relay.

[0090] According to the communication system of Structure 1, the communication fee or reward amount is determined based on the first communication volume involved in information transmission or the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume involved in communication relay. Therefore, in the communication system of Structure 1, compared with structures that determine the communication fee based solely on the sum of the first and second communication volumes, and structures that determine the reward amount based solely on the first communication volume, the opportunity to obtain economic benefits from performing information transmission is expanded, thus promoting the provision of information using communication system 1.

[0091] (Structure 2) According to the communication system of Structure 1, wherein the information transmission is the transmission of image data captured by a camera device, and the cost determination unit determines the communication cost or the reward amount based on the first communication volume as the communication volume related to the transmission of the image data, or based on the ratio of the first communication volume as the communication volume related to the transmission of the image data to the second communication volume related to the communication relay.

[0092] According to the communication system of Structure 2, in the case of transmitting information from image data captured by a camera device whose transmission volume may become large, it is also possible to facilitate the provision of information based on such image data.

[0093] (Structure 3) In the communication system according to Structure 1 or 2, the more first communication volume associated with the information transmission, or the greater the ratio of the first communication volume to the second communication volume associated with the communication relay, the cheaper the communication cost will be determined, or the higher the reward amount will be determined.

[0094] According to the communication system of structure 3, the greater the value of the first communication quantity related to information transmission or the ratio to the second communication quantity, the greater the economic benefit brought about by performing information transmission, and thus the information provision using communication system 1 can be further promoted.

[0095] (Structure 4) A communication system according to any one of Structures 1 to 3, wherein the communication system includes a first communication unit that, in order to perform the information transmission and the communication relay, performs communication via the communication network through a billed first communication method or a non-billed second communication method, and the cost determination unit determines the communication cost for communication using the first communication method and determines the reward amount for the first communication volume of information transmission using the second communication method.

[0096] According to the communication system of structure 4, whether communication via the communication network is charged or not, the economic benefits of performing information transmission can be obtained, thus further promoting the provision of information using communication system 1.

[0097] (Structure 5) The communication system according to any one of Structures 1 to 4, wherein the communication system comprises a camera or a dashcam equipped with a camera device.

[0098] According to the communication system of structure 5, the functions of a camera or dashcam can be extended to form the communication system of this disclosure.

[0099] (Structure 6) According to the communication system of Structure 5, the communication system is disposed in a mobile body as a communication relay, and the communication relay unit relays the communication of the mobile communication terminal existing in the mobile body and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network.

[0100] In Structure 6, the communication system, which has any of the structures in Structures 1 to 4, consists of a camera or dashcam installed on the mobile body, relaying communication of the mobile communication terminal located within the mobile body. Therefore, according to the communication system of Structure 6, opportunities to obtain economic benefits can be expanded regarding the transmission of image information acquired at various locations accompanying the movement of the mobile body, thus promoting the provision of image information.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: The information transmission unit transmits information to the information collection device via a communication network; A communication relay unit that relays communication between a mobile communication terminal and the communication network; The first communication unit, in order to transmit the information and relay the communication, communicates via the communication network through a billed first communication method; as well as The cost determination department determines the communication cost for communication via the first communication method conducted through the communication network. The greater the ratio of the first communication volume associated with the information transmission to the second communication volume associated with the communication relay, the cheaper the communication cost will be determined by the cost determination unit for the communication of the first communication method.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, The information transmission refers to the transmission of image data captured by the camera device.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The communication system consists of a camera or a dashcam equipped with a camera.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein, The communication system is installed on the mobile body. As a communication relay, the communication relay unit relays the communication of the mobile communication terminal existing in the mobile body and connects the mobile communication terminal to the communication network.

5. A communication system comprising: The information transmission unit transmits information to the information collection device via a communication network; A communication relay unit that relays communication between a mobile communication terminal and the communication network; In order to transmit the information and relay the communication, the first communication unit communicates via the communication network through a second communication method that does not incur charges. as well as The fee determination department determines the amount of remuneration related to the transmission of information via the second communication method through the communication network. The greater the ratio of the first communication volume associated with the information transmission to the second communication volume associated with the communication relay, the higher the fee determination unit will determine the amount of compensation for the first communication volume associated with the information transmission using the second communication method.

Images