Communication terminal device, method executed in the same, and program

Abstract

To promote communication on the sea.SOLUTION: A communication terminal device includes: receiving means for receiving a signal from at least one communication device around the communication terminal device; and generation means for generating a map indicating a communication congestion degree around the communication terminal device based on the received signal. In one embodiment, the communication terminal device further includes execution means for executing an action based on the map. The action includes performing communication with a desired communication device or deploying a relay for communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication terminal device, a method and a program executed in a communication terminal device, and more particularly to a communication terminal device that uses a map indicating a degree of communication congestion. [Background technology]

[0002] Although the facilities for communication at sea are not as well equipped as those for communication on land, and communication cannot be conducted as freely at sea as on land, attempts have been made to promote communication at sea (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7221576 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to facilitate communications at sea, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to facilitate communications at sea, etc., the present invention generates a map indicating the degree of communication congestion around a communication terminal device, and / or performs an action based on the map indicating the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device.

[0006] The present invention provides, for example, the following items. (Item 1) A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of the communication terminal device; a generating means for generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; A communication terminal device comprising: (Item 2) the receiving means receives a signal from the at least one communication device located at a position different from that of the communication terminal device in at least a vertical direction; The communication terminal device according to the preceding item, wherein the map generated by the generating means indicates a degree of communication congestion in at least a vertical direction. (Item 3) The communication terminal device is mounted on a moving body on water, and the at least one communication device is mounted on a moving body in space, the air or underwater. (Item 4) further comprising an execution means for executing an action based on the map; the action includes communicating with a desired communication device; The execution means includes: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. 4. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, configured to: (Item 5) further comprising an execution means for executing an action based on the map; the action includes deploying a repeater for communication; The execution means includes: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; 4. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, configured to: (Item 6) A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; A communication means for communicating with a desired communication device based on the map; The communication means comprises: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. A communication terminal device configured to: (Item 7) A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; a deployment means for deploying repeaters for communication based on the map; The deployment means comprises: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; A communication terminal device configured to: (Item 8) 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the map indicates a degree of communication congestion in at least a vertical direction. (Item 9) A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of said communication terminal; generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; The method includes: (Item 10) A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of said communication terminal; generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; A program causing the processor to perform a process including the steps of: (Item 10A) A computer-readable tangible storage medium storing the program according to item 10. (Item 11) A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; and communicating with a desired communication device based on the map. and performing the communication includes: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. A method comprising: (Item 12) A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; and communicating with a desired communication device based on the map. and performing the communication by causing the processor to perform a process including determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. Including, the program. (Item 12A) Item 13. A computer-readable tangible storage medium storing the program according to item 12. (Item 13) A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; Deploying repeaters for communications based on said map; and said deploying comprises: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; A method comprising: (Item 14) A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; Deploying repeaters for communications based on said map; and causing the processor to perform a process including the steps of: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; Including, the program. (Item 14A) Item 15. A computer-readable tangible storage medium storing the program according to item 14. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention makes it possible to take a predetermined action by using a map showing the degree of communication congestion around a communication terminal device. For example, it is possible to grasp in which direction around the communication terminal device there are areas with congested communication and in which direction there are areas with no communication, and to take appropriate communication action. This can promote communication on the sea, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of performing indirect communication with a desired communication device. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of deploying repeaters for communication; [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic example of generating a map based on information from a central base station. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration of a communication system 1000. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication terminal device 100. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a processor unit 120. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a processor unit 120A which is an alternative embodiment of the processor unit 120. [Figure 4C] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a processor unit 120B which is an alternative embodiment of the processor unit 120. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a map generated by the communication system 100. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a map generated by the communication system 100. [Figure 5C] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a map generated by the communication system 100. [Figure 5D] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a map generated by the communication system 100. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process 600 in the communication terminal device 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1. Maritime communications using a congestion map As a result of intensive research, the inventor of the present invention has developed a method for promoting communication at sea. In this method, a map showing the degree of communication congestion around a communication terminal device performing communication is used to perform a predetermined action. By referring to the map showing the degree of communication congestion, it is possible to grasp in which direction around the communication terminal device there are areas with communication congestion and in which direction there are areas with no communication congestion, and it is possible to perform appropriate action regarding communication.

[0011] In one example, the action is, for example, communicating with a desired communication device, and by referring to a map showing the degree of communication congestion, it is determined whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device or to communicate indirectly via a relay communication device, and direct or indirect communication with the desired communication device can be performed.

[0012] 1A is a schematic diagram of an example of indirect communication with a desired communication device, in which a ship S1 equipped with a first communication terminal device communicates with a ship S2 equipped with a second communication terminal device.

[0013] The first communication terminal device of the ship S1 and the second communication terminal device of the ship S2 intermittently transmit signals including their own attribute information. The attribute information of the ships S1 and S2 includes at least their own position information. The position information may be two-dimensional information indicating latitude and longitude, but if the ship S1 or the ship S2 is a submarine or the like navigating in the sea or an aircraft or the like navigating in the sky, the position information may be three-dimensional information indicating latitude, longitude, and altitude or depth. The attribute information of the ships S1 and S2 may include, for example, time information indicating the time when the signal was transmitted, or information about communication devices around the ship S1 and S2 (for example, information about surrounding base stations that could be received at the most recent timestamp, a map showing the degree of communication congestion generated in the past, etc.).

[0014] The first communication terminal device of the ship S1 and the second communication terminal device of the ship S2 continuously receive signals transmitted from the surrounding communication devices. As described above, the surrounding communication devices transmit signals including their own attribute information, and the first communication terminal device of the ship S1 and the second communication terminal device of the ship S2 receive signals including the attribute information transmitted from the surrounding communication devices. For example, the first communication terminal device of the ship S1 receives a signal including the attribute information of the second communication terminal device transmitted from the second communication terminal device of the ship S2, and the second communication terminal device of the ship S2 receives a signal including the attribute information of the first communication terminal device transmitted from the first communication terminal device of the ship S1.

[0015] The first communication terminal device measures the received signal strength (RSSI) from the signal received from the second communication terminal device. RSSI is a value indicating the strength of the received signal.

[0016] The first communication terminal device evaluates (assigns a level to) the measured RSSI based on a predetermined criterion, and plots the evaluation or level of the RSSI at spatial coordinates on a map specified by the location information of the second communication terminal device. Specifically, the map is divided into a plurality of cells (i.e., a section having a predetermined latitudinal width and a predetermined longitudinal width, or a section having a predetermined latitudinal width, a predetermined longitudinal width, and a predetermined height), and the evaluation or level of the RSSI is plotted in the cell in which the second communication terminal device is located among the plurality of cells. As a result, the communication strength at the location of the second communication terminal device is displayed on the map.

[0017] The first communication terminal device can generate a map showing the degree of communication congestion in the surroundings by repeatedly receiving signals from surrounding communication devices, measuring and evaluating RSSI, and plotting the signals at positions on the map specified by the location information. At this time, it is preferable that the surrounding communication devices are at a different altitude or depth from the first communication terminal device. This is because the location information transmitted from the surrounding communication devices becomes three-dimensional information, and the map generated as a result becomes a three-dimensional map. A three-dimensional map is preferable in that it enables actions that take into account altitude or depth information.

[0018] For example, a map showing the degree of communication congestion around the second communication terminal device is generated by a similar process in the second communication terminal device, which is the communication partner. In the process of generating the map, or after the map is generated, it is preferable to perform mutual confirmation of the RSSI information by exchanging mutual RSSI information between the first communication terminal device and the second communication terminal device. Since it is assumed that the communication from the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device and the communication from the second communication terminal device to the first communication terminal device follow the same route, the RSSI in the first communication terminal device should be similar to the RSSI in the second communication terminal device. However, if the mutual RSSI information is different when mutual confirmation is performed, it is considered that some noise is generated, and the reliability of the map between the first communication terminal device and the second communication terminal device can be treated as being low. Alternatively, when mutual confirmation is performed, if the RSSI in communication from the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device is good (RSSI is high) while the RSSI in communication from the second communication terminal device to the first communication terminal device is poor (RSSI is low), it can be assumed that there are other communication terminal devices in the vicinity of the second communication terminal device and communication is congested, so the communication congestion degree in the vicinity of the second communication terminal device can be revised upward in the communication congestion degree map being generated or after generation.

[0019] The first communication terminal device uses the generated map to determine whether to communicate directly or indirectly with the desired communication device (in this example, the second communication terminal device).

[0020] For example, if the map indicates that the communication congestion level in the direction of the second communication terminal device is low, the first communication terminal device can operate to communicate directly with the second communication terminal device. However, if the map indicates that the communication congestion level in the direction of the second communication terminal device is high (for example, as shown in FIG. 1A(a) , the communication congestion level is high in the 1 o'clock direction from the vessel S1), it is assumed that the first communication terminal device cannot communicate with the second communication terminal device at an appropriate speed, and therefore the first communication terminal device can operate to communicate indirectly with the second communication terminal device.

[0021] At this time, as shown in FIG. 1A(b), the first communication terminal device of the ship S1 performs indirect communication via the third communication terminal device of the ship S3. Specifically, the first communication terminal device first determines a direction in which the degree of communication congestion is low around the second communication terminal device. Then, it searches whether or not there is a communication device that can operate as a relay communication device in the determined direction. For example, if the ship S3 exists in a direction in which the degree of communication congestion is low, it determines the third communication terminal device mounted on the ship S3 as a relay communication device and transmits a signal to be transmitted to the second communication terminal device to the third communication terminal device. Next, the third communication terminal device transmits the signal received from the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device. At this time, the third communication terminal device may, for example, add some information to the signal and transmit it to the second communication terminal device, or may reflect the transmitted signal and transmit the transmitted signal as it is to the second communication terminal device.

[0022] In this way, in this example, the first communication terminal device uses the generated map to determine whether to communicate directly or indirectly with the second communication terminal device, and also to search for a relay communication device when performing indirect communication. This makes it possible to achieve communication at an appropriate speed by performing indirect communication even when communication at an appropriate speed cannot be achieved by direct communication. This is particularly useful in sea areas where ships and the like are densely packed.

[0023] In the above example, the relay communication device is described as a communication terminal device mounted on the ship S3, but the relay communication device is not limited to a communication terminal device mounted on the ship. The relay communication device may be, for example, a stationary device (e.g., a ground fixed communication station, a fixed buoy), a moving body (e.g., terrestrial mobility, marine mobility, undersea mobility (e.g., a submarine), air mobility (e.g., a drone, an artificial satellite, a missile, etc.)), or a mobile terminal.

[0024] In another example, the action may be, for example, deploying a repeater for communication, and the repeater may be deployed to relieve communication congestion by referring to a map showing the degree of communication congestion.

[0025] FIG. 1B is a diagram that shows a schematic example of deploying a repeater for communication. In this example, a ship S1 equipped with a first communication terminal device is described as deploying a repeater R. In this example, a drone is described as the repeater R, but the repeater R is not limited thereto. The repeater R may be any mobile body (e.g., terrestrial mobility, marine mobility, undersea mobility (e.g., submarine), aerial mobility (e.g., drone, satellite, missile, etc.)). Preferably, the repeater R may be a mobile body that travels at a different altitude or depth from the first communication terminal device.

[0026] As described above, the first communication terminal device of the ship S1 generates a map indicating the degree of communication congestion in the surrounding area based on signals received from surrounding communication devices.

[0027] The first communication terminal device can use the generated map to determine where repeater R should be deployed and instruct repeater R to move to the determined location.

[0028] For example, if the map indicates that communication congestion is high in some directions around the first communication terminal device (e.g., if communication congestion is high horizontally at 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock from the ship S1, as shown in FIG. 1B(a)), the first communication terminal device can operate to deploy a repeater R to improve communication quality in that direction.

[0029] At this time, as shown in Fig. 1B(b), the first communication terminal device of the ship S1 moves the repeater R so that the repeater R is deployed at the 1 o'clock direction. For example, when the degree of communication congestion in the horizontal direction is high, the repeater R can be deployed at a higher altitude than the first communication terminal device, avoiding the same altitude as the first communication terminal device. This allows the first communication terminal device to communicate at the 1 o'clock direction via the repeater R in the sky.

[0030] Thus, in this example, the first communication terminal device uses the generated map to determine where to place the repeater R. This makes it possible to achieve communication at an appropriate speed through the repeater even in a direction where communication is congested and communication at an appropriate speed is not possible. This is particularly useful in sea areas where ships are densely packed.

[0031] In the above example, it was explained that the first communication terminal device and the second communication terminal device each generate a map based on signals received in communication between them. However, for example, the map may also be generated based on information from a central base station that has previously collected information indicating RSSI with surrounding communication terminals.

[0032] 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of generating a map based on information from a central base station. In this example, the central base station C is shown as a base station on the sea (e.g., a buoy). Examples of the central base station C are not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a ground base station, an air base station, or an underwater base station.

[0033] The central base station C communicates with each of a first communication terminal device mounted on the ship S1, a second communication terminal device mounted on the ship S2, and a third communication terminal device mounted on the ship S3. The central base station C receives attribute information of each communication terminal device from each communication terminal device, similar to the communication between the first communication terminal device and the second communication terminal device described above, and measures the RSSI of the signal. Then, the measured RSSI evaluation or level is plotted on a spatial coordinate on a map specified from the position information of each communication terminal device. Specifically, the map is divided into a plurality of cells (i.e., a section having a predetermined latitudinal width and a predetermined longitudinal width, or a section having a predetermined latitudinal width, a predetermined longitudinal width, and a predetermined height), and the RSSI evaluation or level from each communication terminal device is plotted in the cell in which each communication terminal device is located among the plurality of cells. As a result, a map showing the communication congestion degree around the central base station C is generated.

[0034] The map showing the degree of communication congestion around the central base station C is transmitted to the first communication terminal device mounted on the ship S1, the second communication terminal device mounted on the ship S2, and the third communication terminal device mounted on the ship S3. Each of the first communication terminal device, the second communication terminal device, and the third communication terminal device can use the received map to generate a map showing the degree of communication congestion around itself.

[0035] For example, in the case of a first communication terminal device mounted on a ship S1, the communication congestion degree on the central base station C side of the ship S1 (i.e., to the right of the ship S1 on the drawing) can be represented by a map transmitted from the central base station C. Therefore, the first communication terminal device only needs to generate a map indicating the communication congestion degree of the range around itself that is not represented on the map transmitted from the central base station C (i.e., to the left of the ship S1 on the drawing). Similarly, in the case of a second communication terminal device mounted on a ship S2 and a third communication terminal device mounted on a ship S3, each communication terminal device only needs to generate a map indicating the communication congestion degree of the range that is not represented on the map transmitted from the central base station C.

[0036] In this way, by generating a map of the non-overlapping portion with the map transmitted from the central base station C, the process for generating the map can be simplified and the load on each communication terminal device can be reduced.

[0037] In the above example, communication on the sea has been generally described, but the present invention is not limited to communication on the sea. The present invention can be naturally applied to ships that navigate any water surface, such as rivers and lakes, in addition to the sea. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to communication between objects located on the water, underwater, on land, or in the air, for example, communication between land and land, communication between land and water, communication between land and surface space, communication between land and underwater, and communication between underwater and surface space.

[0038] The above-mentioned communication terminal device can be realized, for example, in the following communication system.

[0039] 2.Communication System Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the communication system 1000.

[0040] The communication system 1000 includes a communication terminal device 100 mounted on a ship S and a communication terminal device 100 mounted on a central base station C, which are connected via a network N. In addition to the ship S and the central base station C, the communication system 1000 may include communication terminal devices mounted on mobile bodies that navigate underwater (e.g., submarines), mobile bodies that move on land (e.g., automobiles), mobile bodies that move in the air (e.g., drones, airplanes, missiles), and mobile bodies that move in space (e.g., artificial satellites, space shuttles), etc. These communication terminal devices may be connected via the network N.

[0041] The network N may be any network, and may preferably be a VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) standard network. The network N may be configured as a single network or may be configured as a plurality of networks. For example, the network N may include a first network (e.g., a VDES standard network) for communication between ships S, and a second network (e.g., a satellite communication network) for communication between the ship S and an artificial satellite. For example, the first network may be used for horizontal communication (e.g., land-to-land communication, land-to-water communication, and water-to-water communication), and the second network may be used for vertical communication (land-to-surface space communication, land-to-underwater communication, and underwater-to-surface space communication).

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the communication terminal device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0043] The communication terminal device 100 includes an interface unit 110, a processor unit 120, and a memory unit .

[0044] The interface unit 110 controls communication between the communication terminal device 100 and the outside of the communication terminal device 100. The processor unit 120 of the communication terminal device 100 can receive information from the outside of the communication terminal device 100 via the interface unit 110, and can transmit information to the outside of the communication terminal device 100. The processor unit 120 of the communication terminal device 100 can receive signals from other communication devices via the interface unit 110, and can transmit signals to other communication devices. For example, the processor unit 120 can receive signals from the communication terminal device 100 of another ship S or another mobile body, and transmit signals to the communication terminal device 100 of the other ship S or another mobile body. For example, the processor unit 120 can receive signals from the communication terminal device 100 of the central base station C, and transmit signals to the communication terminal device 100 of the central base station C. The other communication devices may be, for example, land-based base stations or server devices. The interface unit 110 can control communication in any manner.

[0045] The processor unit 120 controls the overall operation of the communication terminal device 100. The processor unit 120 reads out a program stored in the memory unit 130 and executes the program. This makes it possible for the communication terminal device 100 to function as a device that executes desired steps. The processor unit 120 may be implemented by a single processor or by multiple processors.

[0046] The memory unit 130 stores a program required for executing the process of the communication terminal device 100 and data required for executing the program. For example, a part or all of a program for generating a map showing the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device or a program for executing an action based on a map showing the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device (for example, a program for realizing the process shown in FIG. 6 described later) is stored. Here, how the program is stored in the memory unit 130 does not matter. For example, the program may be pre-installed in the memory unit 130. Alternatively, the program may be installed in the memory unit 130 by being downloaded via a network. The program may be stored on a computer-readable tangible storage medium. The memory unit 130 may be implemented by any storage means.

[0047] The communication terminal device 100 may be connected to a database unit (not shown). The database unit may store, for example, a generated map indicating the degree of communication congestion in the surrounding area. Alternatively, the database unit may store signals received from surrounding communication devices, their RSSIs, or their evaluation values ​​(for example, levels).

[0048] Fig. 4A shows an example of the configuration of the processor unit 120. In the example shown in Fig. 4A, the processor unit 120 has a configuration for generating a map indicating the degree of communication congestion in the surrounding area.

[0049] The processor unit 120 includes a receiving means 121 and a generating means 122 .

[0050] The receiving means 121 is configured to receive a signal from at least one communication device around the communication terminal device 100. The at least one communication device around the communication terminal device 100 may be any communication device, and may be a communication terminal device mounted on a mobile object around the communication terminal device 100, or may be a communication device installed in a base station or the like.

[0051] The signal may be, for example, a signal intermittently or continuously transmitted from the communication device, and may include, for example, a signal including attribute information of the communication device. The attribute information of the communication device includes at least location information of the communication device. The location information may be two-dimensional information indicating latitude and longitude, or may be three-dimensional information indicating latitude, longitude, and altitude or depth. Preferably, the location information may be three-dimensional information. This is because the processor unit 120 can generate a three-dimensional map.

[0052] Therefore, it is preferable that the receiving means 121 receives a signal from a communication device whose altitude or depth (i.e., vertical position) is different from that of the communication terminal device. This allows the processor unit 120 to generate a map indicating the degree of communication congestion at least in the vertical direction. A map indicating the degree of communication congestion at least in the vertical direction is preferable in that it enables an action that takes into account altitude or depth information. More preferably, the map may be a map indicating the degree of communication congestion in the vertical and horizontal directions (i.e., three dimensions).

[0053] For this purpose, in a preferred example, the communication terminal device is mounted, for example, on a surface vehicle (e.g., a ship), and at least one communication device may be mounted on a space vehicle (e.g., a satellite), an airborne vehicle (e.g., a drone, an aircraft), or an underwater vehicle (e.g., a submarine).

[0054] The attribute information of the communication device may include, for example, time information indicating the time when the communication device transmitted a signal, or information about communication devices surrounding the communication device (for example, information about surrounding base stations that could be received at the most recent timestamp, a map indicating the degree of communication congestion generated in the past, etc.).

[0055] The signal may be, for example, a signal transmitted after the communication terminal and the communication device perform a handshake. The signal may include, for example, information (for example, RSSI) indicating the strength of the signal received by the communication device from the communication terminal before the handshake. The information indicating the strength of the signal received by the communication device from the communication terminal before the handshake can be used later to verify the reliability of the RSSI measured from the signal received by the receiving means 121.

[0056] The signal received by the receiving means 121 is passed to the generating means 122 .

[0057] The generating means 122 is adapted to generate a map indicative of a communication congestion degree around the communication terminal based on the received signal.

[0058] The generating means 122 can generate a map using, for example, RSSI measured from a signal received by the receiving means 121. Specifically, the generating means 122 first measures the RSSI of the received signal. The generating means 122 can measure the RSSI using a technique known in the art. Next, the generating means 122 evaluates or ranks the measured RSSI based on a predetermined criterion. The evaluation criteria can be any, and for example, the level can be set in three stages, such as strong, medium, and weak, based on two predetermined criterion values, or the level can be set in five stages, such as strong, slightly strong, medium, slightly weak, and weak, based on four predetermined criterion values. By evaluating or ranking, it becomes easy to compare the degree of communication congestion. For example, when there are multiple communication routes to the same destination, the user can easily select a communication route. For example, by ranking, it becomes possible to select an appropriate communication route according to the priority of the route, such as "a route that is the shortest distance but is congested, unreliable, and prone to delays" or "a route that is detour but is the most reliable and has the least delays."

[0059] Next, the generating means 122 maps the measured RSSI evaluation or level in association with the location information of the communication device that transmitted the signal. Specifically, the map is divided into a plurality of cells, and the RSSI evaluation or level is plotted in the cell in which the communication device that transmitted the signal is located among the plurality of cells. The location information of the communication device may preferably be included in the signal received by the receiving means 121. The generating means 122 may plot the RSSI at the coordinates of the location information, for example, in an absolute coordinate system in a space having the same dimension as the dimension of the location information. The absolute coordinate system is a coordinate system based on a specific position, and may be used by each of the multiple communication terminal devices of the communication system 1000. The absolute coordinate system may be, for example, a latitude and longitude coordinate system that represents a position by an angle from the equator and an angle from a meridian (for example, the prime meridian), and the altitude or depth may be defined based on sea level. The absolute coordinate system may be, for example, a planar rectangular coordinate system that treats a specific range on the earth as a plane. The generating means 122 may plot the RSSI at the coordinates of the location information in a relative coordinate system having the location of the communication terminal device as the origin, for example. The relative coordinate system may be, for example, an orthogonal coordinate system, a polar coordinate system, a spherical coordinate system, or a cylindrical coordinate system.

[0060] The generating means 122 can generate a map showing the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device by mapping, for each of the signals received from a plurality of communication devices around the communication terminal device, the measured RSSI evaluation or level in association with the location information of the communication device that transmitted the signal. For example, when a plurality of signals are received from a plurality of communication devices existing in the same spatial position (for example, the same cell), the highest value of the RSSI evaluation or level of each of the plurality of signals may be mapped in association with the location information, the lowest value of the RSSI evaluation or level of each of the plurality of signals may be mapped in association with the location information, or the average value of the RSSI evaluation or level of each of the plurality of signals may be mapped in association with the location information.

[0061] The map showing the degree of communication congestion may show a value or its evaluation or level showing the strength of a signal transmitted from a particular spatial position around a communication terminal device, and the density of base stations at that spatial position. The degree of communication congestion is shown by the strength of the signal and the density of base stations. The "degree of communication congestion" may also be expressed as a slot filling rate in a communication protocol. For example, in VDES communication, data is loaded into a slot at each predetermined period and transmitted. When communication is congested, for example, when the number of ships or communication needs is high (for example, the number of transmissions or data size is large), multiple data to be transmitted cannot be accommodated in one slot, or one data to be transmitted cannot be accommodated in one slot and is loaded in a later slot. As a result, a delay in receiving data occurs. The slot filling rate (i.e., the degree of communication congestion) can be an index showing the reliability of real-time communication. Alternatively, the base station density shown by the map can also show the reliability of communication, such as whether communication delays are likely to occur in the future.

[0062] For example, even if the signal strength is strong, if the base station density is high, the degree of communication congestion may be relatively high and the reliability of real-time or future communication may be low. On the other hand, even if the signal strength is weak, if the base station density is low, the degree of communication congestion may be relatively low and the reliability of real-time or future communication may be high.

[0063] The map indicating the degree of communication congestion may be represented, for example, in a Cartesian coordinate system, a polar coordinate system, a spherical coordinate system, or a cylindrical coordinate system. Each coordinate system has a specific origin (for example, preferably, a map showing the degree of communication congestion can be expressed by a cylindrical coordinate system. In the map expressed by the cylindrical coordinate system, a component indicating the strength of a signal can be expressed by a value obtained by multiplying a value indicating the strength of the signal by a distance R from the center of the coordinate system (i.e., the position of the communication terminal device). This can express the required energy for communication from the position of the communication terminal device to a specific spatial position. As a result, the transmission strength required when transmitting from the communication terminal device can be grasped at once by the map expressed by the "cylindrical coordinate system". For example, the communication terminal device can make a transmission operation judgment based on the component of "distance R x signal strength RSSI", such as adopting a weak transmission strength when distance (far) x radio wave (strong), adopting a strong transmission strength when distance (far) x radio wave (weak), adopting a weak transmission strength when distance (near) x radio wave (strong), and adopting a weak transmission strength when distance (near) x radio wave (weak). As a result, the power input to the transmitter can be reduced, and efficient wireless operation can be achieved.

[0064] For example, when a map indicating a communication congestion degree previously generated by the receiving means 121 is received, the generating means 122 can use that map to generate a map indicating a communication congestion degree around the communication terminal device. This corresponds to the case described above with reference to Fig. 1C, for example. That is, the receiving means 121 receives a map transmitted from the central base station C as a communication device, and the generating means 122 uses it to generate a map. Since the generating means 122 does not need to generate a map for an overlapping portion with the received map, the process for generating the map can be simplified and the load can be reduced.

[0065] The generating means 122 can update the generated map at any time. The generating means 122 can update the map intermittently or periodically, for example, based on the RSSI measured from signals continuously received from surrounding communication devices. For example, when a communication device moves away from a communication terminal device, the generating means 122 can perform a calculation based on the position information of the communication device and a transmission loss based on the relative distance, and update the map so as to remove information of the communication device from the map when the communication device reaches a transmission limit or a reception limit of a signal.

[0066] 5A to 5D show examples of maps generated by the communication system 100. FIG.

[0067] The map may be represented in a matrix format as shown in Figures 5A to 5D. However, the map may be represented in other forms, for example, in the form of an image.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the map is represented in a Cartesian coordinate system. Each element of the matrix represents a spatial coordinate (x, y, z) and an RSSI value (S rssi For example, the origin (i.e., the bottom left matrix element) may represent the spatial coordinates at which the communication terminal is located (i.e., the map is represented in a relative coordinate system), or may represent the spatial coordinates of a specific location (e.g., a specific latitude, longitude, and altitude) (i.e., the map is represented in an absolute coordinate system).

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the map is expressed in a spherical coordinate system. Each element of the matrix is ​​a spatial coordinate (φ, θ), and a value (r×S rssi5A, for example, the origin (i.e., the bottom left matrix element) may represent the spatial coordinates at which the communication terminal device is located (i.e., the map is represented in a relative coordinate system), or may represent the spatial coordinates of a specific location (e.g., a specific latitude, longitude, and altitude) (i.e., the map is represented in an absolute coordinate system).

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the map is expressed in a spherical coordinate system. Each element of the matrix represents a spatial coordinate (r, φ, θ) and an RSSI value (S rssi ) A map is created for each distance r from the communication terminal device. As in FIG. 5A, for example, the origin (i.e., the lower left matrix element) may represent the spatial coordinates where the communication terminal device is located (i.e., the map is represented in a relative coordinate system), or may represent the spatial coordinates of a specific location (e.g., a specific latitude, longitude, and altitude) (i.e., the map is represented in an absolute coordinate system).

[0071] In the example shown in Fig. 5D, the map is expressed in a cylindrical coordinate system. Each element of the matrix is ​​a spatial coordinate (φ, θ), and a value (r × S rssi ) A map is created for each distance r from the communication terminal device. As in FIG. 5A, for example, the origin (i.e., the lower left matrix element) may represent the spatial coordinates where the communication terminal device is located (i.e., the map is represented in a relative coordinate system), or may represent the spatial coordinates of a specific location (e.g., a specific latitude, longitude, and altitude) (i.e., the map is represented in an absolute coordinate system).

[0072] The generated map can be used for any purpose. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to grasp the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to determine whether to communicate directly or indirectly with a desired communication device when communicating with the desired communication device. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to determine in which location a repeater should be installed when installing a repeater.

[0073] For example, the map can be used to distribute the load of communication devices. For example, communication devices that belong to an area where communication devices are densely packed will inevitably have a heavy information processing load due to an increase in communication frequency. By using the map, a communication device with a low communication load can be identified based on location information and an RSSI value, and the load can be distributed to that communication device.

[0074] For example, the map can be used to determine the reliability of a communication path. For example, the map can be used to determine whether or not a communication path to a desired communication partner can be established (for example, whether or not a reliable communication path can be traced). Furthermore, for example, the reliability of an established communication path can also be evaluated. For example, if it is difficult to establish a communication path in the first place, it can be determined to perform communication using a third communication means (for example, satellite communication, Internet communication, etc.), and a request can be made to transfer the communication mission to a communication device with better communication conditions.

[0075] Fig. 4B illustrates an example of the configuration of a processor unit 120A that is an alternative embodiment of the processor unit 120. In the example illustrated in Fig. 4B, the processor unit 120A has a configuration for generating a map indicating a degree of communication congestion in the surrounding area and for executing an action based on the generated map.

[0076] The processor unit 120A includes a receiving means 121, a generating means 122, and an executing means 123. The receiving means 1211 and the generating means 122 are similar to those of the processor unit 120 described above with reference to Fig. 4A, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0077] The map generated by the generating means 122 is passed to the executing means 123 .

[0078] The execution means 123 is configured as follows.

[0079] In one embodiment, the action based on the map is to communicate with a desired communication device.

[0080] The execution means 123 is (1) determining whether to communicate directly with a desired communication device based on the map; (2) when it is determined that direct communication should be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; (3) if a decision is made not to communicate directly, then communicating indirectly with the desired communication device; The signal processing unit may be configured to perform the following steps.

[0081] Regarding step (1), the execution means 123 may, for example, determine to perform direct communication when the communication congestion degree indicated by the map is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold at any location on the communication path to the desired communication device, and may determine to perform indirect communication when the communication congestion degree indicated by the map exceeds a predetermined threshold at any location on the communication path. Alternatively, the execution means 123 may, for example, calculate a calculated value of the communication congestion degree indicated by the map along the communication path to the desired communication device, and determine to perform direct communication when the calculated value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and determine to perform indirect communication when the calculated value exceeds the predetermined threshold. The calculated value may, for example, be the sum of the communication congestion degrees along the communication path to the desired communication device, or may be the average value of the communication congestion degrees of the communication path to the desired communication device.

[0082] Regarding step (2), the execution means 123 will directly communicate with the desired communication as usual.

[0083] In step (3), the execution means 123 determines a relay communication device in communication with the desired communication device, and performs indirect communication via the relay communication device. At this time, the execution means 123 can determine the relay communication device based on the map. For example, the execution means 123 determines a direction with low communication congestion and close to the direction of the desired communication device based on the map. Then, it searches whether or not there is a communication device that can be a relay communication device in the determined direction. At this time, if the map is a three-dimensional map, it is possible to determine the direction three-dimensionally, and it is possible to search for a communication device that can be a relay communication device not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. If there is a communication device that can be a relay communication device as a result of the search, the communication device is used as a relay communication device to perform indirect communication. If there is no communication device that can be a relay communication device as a result of the search, a search is performed in the direction with the next lowest communication congestion or the direction next close to the direction of the desired communication device. This is repeated until a communication device that can be a relay communication device is found. For example, if a communication device under the same communication network (e.g., a VDES standard network) cannot be found, it may be decided to communicate using another communication network (e.g., satellite communication, Internet communication, etc.) and a request may be made to transfer the communication mission to a communication device with better communication conditions.

[0084] For example, the communication path between the found communication device and the desired communication device may also be congested. In preparation for such a case, the execution means 123 may receive a map indicating the degree of communication congestion around the communication device from a communication device that can become a relay communication device, and check in advance whether the communication path between the communication device and the desired communication device is congested, before determining a relay communication device. This can be checked, for example, by a determination similar to that in step (1). In this case, the communication device can obtain a map indicating the degree of communication congestion around the communication device by processing similar to that of the processor unit 120 of the communication terminal device.

[0085] In this way, by performing indirect communication using the map, there is an advantage that communication of appropriate quality can always be ensured.

[0086] In another embodiment, the action based on the map is to deploy a repeater for communication.

[0087] The execution means 123 is (1) determining, based on a map, locations where repeaters will be deployed; (2) a step of instructing a repeater to move to the determined location, or a step of instructing a means for moving the repeater to move the repeater to the determined location; The signal processing unit may be configured to perform the following steps.

[0088] In step (1), the execution means 123 determines a location where communication congestion is high, for example, based on a map, and determines a location where a repeater should be installed to reduce the communication congestion at that location. The location where the repeater should be installed may be, for example, on the sea, in the air, in space, or under the sea. The location where the repeater should be installed may preferably be a location where the strength of a signal transmitted on a communication path from a communication terminal device to a desired communication device can be approximately the same as the strength of a signal transmitted on a communication path from the desired communication device to a communication terminal device. For example, the location may be a location that avoids a location that may cause communication obstruction, such as an island shadow. Such a location can be obtained, for example, by an equation of a tangent to a circle between two points.

[0089] In step (2), the execution means 123 instructs the repeater or the means for moving the repeater to deploy the repeater. If the repeater itself is movable (e.g., a drone capable of autonomous flight), the execution means 123 instructs the repeater, and the repeater moves to the deployment location. If the repeater itself is not movable (e.g., a buoy on the sea), the execution means 123 instructs the means for moving the repeater (e.g., a drone for carrying a buoy), and the means for moving the repeater moves the repeater. For example, if the repeater cannot be moved arbitrarily (e.g., if the repeater is an artificial satellite or an aircraft that flies automatically according to a specified schedule), the repeater may function as a repeater when it reaches the position where it is to be deployed.

[0090] In this way, by using the map to place repeaters, it is possible to eliminate communication congestion and ensure communication of appropriate quality at all times.

[0091] In addition, the communication terminal device 100 does not necessarily need to use a map generated by itself, but may execute an action using a map transmitted from outside the communication terminal device (e.g., a nearby communication device, or more specifically, a central base station).

[0092] Fig. 4C illustrates an example of the configuration of a processor unit 120B that is an alternative embodiment of the processor unit 120. In the example illustrated in Fig. 4C, the processor unit 120B has a configuration for executing an action based on a map indicating a communication congestion degree generated outside the processor unit 120B.

[0093] The processor unit 120B includes a receiving means 124 and an executing means 125.

[0094] The receiving means 124 is configured to receive a map indicating a communication congestion degree around the communication terminal device. The receiving means 124 receives the map from outside the communication terminal device via the interface unit 110. The map indicating the communication congestion degree can be generated and transmitted by, for example, the communication terminal device including the above-mentioned processor unit 120.

[0095] The received map is passed to the execution means 125 .

[0096] The execution means 125 has the same configuration as the execution means 123 of the processor unit 120A, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] In this configuration, the processor unit 120 does not need to have a configuration for generating a map, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0098] Each component of the communication terminal device 100 described above may be composed of a single hardware part or may be composed of multiple hardware parts. When composed of multiple hardware parts, the manner in which each hardware part is connected does not matter. Each hardware part may be connected wirelessly or by wire. The communication terminal device 100 of the present invention is not limited to a specific hardware configuration. It is also within the scope of the present invention to configure the processor unit 120 by an analog circuit rather than a digital circuit. The configuration of the communication terminal device 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above as long as it can realize its functions.

[0099] 3. Processing in communication terminal equipment 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process 600 in the communication terminal 100. The process 600 is executed in the processor unit 120 or the processor unit 120A of the communication terminal 100. In the following, the process 600 will be described as being executed by the processor unit 120.

[0100] In step S601, the receiving means 121 of the processor unit 120 receives a signal from at least one communication device around the communication terminal device 100. The signal includes attribute information of the communication device, and the attribute information of the communication device includes at least position information of the communication device. The position information is preferably three-dimensional information.

[0101] In step S602, the generating means 122 of the processor unit 120 generates a map indicating the degree of communication congestion in the surrounding area based on the signal received in step S601. For example, for a signal received from one communication device, the generating means 122 performs the steps of measuring the RSSI of the received signal, evaluating or leveling the measured RSSI, and mapping the evaluation or level of the RSSI in association with location information included in the signal. The generating means 122 can generate a map indicating the degree of congestion in the surrounding area of ​​the communication terminal device by performing these steps for each of the signals received from multiple communication devices surrounding the communication terminal device.

[0102] The map generated in step S602 can be used for any purpose. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to grasp the degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to determine whether to communicate directly or indirectly with a desired communication device when communicating with the desired communication device. For example, the map can be used by a communication terminal device to determine where a repeater should be installed when installing a repeater.

[0103] For example, if process 600 is executed in processor portion 120A, processor portion 120A may, in the additional step S603, perform an action based on the map generated in step S602.

[0104] In step S603, the execution means 123 of the processor unit 120A executes an action based on the map. The action based on the map may be to communicate with a desired communication device, to deploy a repeater for communication, or may be another action.

[0105] For example, in order to communicate with a desired communication device, the execution means 123 of the processor unit 120A (1) determining whether to communicate directly with a desired communication device based on the map; (2) when it is determined that direct communication should be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; (3) if a decision is made not to communicate directly, then communicating indirectly with the desired communication device; In this way, by using the map to perform indirect communication, it is possible to ensure communication of an appropriate quality at all times.

[0106] For example, to deploy a repeater for communication, the execution means 123 of the processor unit 120A may: (1) determining, based on a map, locations where repeaters will be deployed; (2) a step of instructing a repeater to move to the determined location, or a step of instructing a means for moving the repeater to move the repeater to the determined location; In this way, by using the map to place repeaters, it is possible to eliminate communication congestion and ensure communication of appropriate quality at all times.

[0107] For example, instead of steps S601 and S602, the processor unit 120B of the communication terminal device 100 can perform a step of receiving a map indicating a communication congestion degree around the communication terminal device 100 from outside the communication terminal device 100. Then, the processor unit 120B can perform a step similar to step S603, that is, can execute an action based on the received map.

[0108] It should be noted that although the above examples have been described as performing steps in a particular order, the order in which the steps are performed is not limited to that shown, and the steps may be performed in any order that is logically possible.

[0109] The processing of each step shown in Fig. 6 may be realized by the processor unit 120, 120A, or 120B and a program stored in the memory unit 130, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the processing of each step shown in Fig. 6 may be realized by a hardware configuration such as a control circuit.

[0110] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be interpreted only by the claims. It is understood that a person skilled in the art can implement an equivalent scope based on the description of the present invention and technical common sense from the description of the specific preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The present invention is useful for facilitating communications at sea, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] S, S1, S2, S3 ships C Central base station 100 Communication terminal device 110 Interface section 120 Processor Unit 130 Memory section

Claims

1. A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of the communication terminal device; a generating means for generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; A communication terminal device comprising:

2. the receiving means receives a signal from the at least one communication device located at a position different from that of the communication terminal device in at least a vertical direction; 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the map generated by said generating means indicates a degree of communication congestion at least in a vertical direction.

3. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the communication terminal device is mounted on a vehicle on water, and the at least one communication device is mounted on a vehicle in space, the air, or underwater.

4. further comprising an execution means for executing an action based on the map; the action includes communicating with a desired communication device; The execution means includes: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device.

2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, configured to:

5. further comprising an execution means for executing an action based on the map; the action includes deploying a repeater for communication; The execution means includes: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; 2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, configured to:

6. A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; A communication means for communicating with a desired communication device based on the map; The communication means comprises: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. A communication terminal device configured to:

7. A communication terminal device, a receiving means for receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; a deployment means for deploying repeaters for communication based on the map; The deployment means comprises: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; A communication terminal device configured to:

8. 8. The communication terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the map indicates a degree of communication congestion at least in a vertical direction.

9. A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of said communication terminal; generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; The method includes:

10. A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a signal from at least one communication device in the vicinity of said communication terminal; generating a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device based on the received signal; A program causing the processor to perform a process including the steps of:

11. A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; and communicating with a desired communication device based on the map. and performing the communication includes: determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. A method comprising:

12. A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; and communicating with a desired communication device based on the map. and performing the communication by causing the processor to perform a process including determining whether to communicate directly with the desired communication device based on the map; when it is determined that direct communication is to be performed, performing direct communication with the desired communication device; when it is determined that the direct communication is not to be performed, a relay communication device for communication with the desired communication device is determined based on the map, and indirect communication with the desired communication device is performed via the relay communication device. Including, the program.

13. A method carried out in a communications terminal, comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; Deploying repeaters for communications based on said map; and said deploying comprises: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; A method comprising:

14. A program executed in a communication terminal device, the program being executed in a processor included in the communication terminal device, the program comprising: receiving a map showing a degree of communication congestion around the communication terminal device; Deploying repeaters for communications based on said map; and causing the processor to perform a process including the steps of: determining, based on the map, where the repeaters should be deployed; instructing said repeater or a means for moving said repeater to move to said location; Including, the program.

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