Information processing device

Abstract

To predict quality of wireless communication.SOLUTION: An information processing device performs: acquiring first data related to quality of wireless communication from a first device; acquiring second data related to a mobile environment of the first device; and generating for each mobile environment, communication quality data being the data obtained by mapping the quality of wireless communication to a geographic area based on the plurality of first and second data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communications technology. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology for determining communication quality based on information transmitted from a mobile object performing wireless communication. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device for mapping the communication quality obtained by a mobile terminal on a map based on probe data transmitted from the mobile terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-062783 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to predict the quality of wireless communications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to acquiring, from a first device, first data relating to a quality of wireless communication, and second data relating to a mobile environment of the first device; The information processing device has a control unit that generates communication quality data, which is data in which the quality of wireless communication is mapped to a geographical area, for each classification of the mobile environment based on the data.

[0006] Other aspects include a method executed by the above-mentioned device, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium non-transitoryly storing the program. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to predict the quality of wireless communication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle communication system according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of devices included in the system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of probe data. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of communication quality data. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a process for transmitting probe data to a server device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a process for providing communication quality data to a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In recent years, the number of vehicles equipped with wireless communication functions has increased as automobiles have become more connected. Such vehicles can communicate with a specific server device via a cellular communication network, for example. In addition, with the spread of autonomous driving and other technologies, vehicles that require constant connection to a server device have appeared.

[0010] In this regard, a technique has been proposed for determining whether the quality of wireless communication is maintained good while a vehicle is running. By collecting information on the quality of wireless communication and mapping it on a map, a map showing the predicted quality of wireless communication for each location (communication quality map) can be generated. Furthermore, by using the communication quality map, the quality of wireless communication for a vehicle traveling a specified route can be predicted.

[0011] However, the quality of wireless communication can vary greatly depending on the vehicle's travel environment. For example, millimeter wave communication can achieve high-speed communication, but it is vulnerable to obstruction. Therefore, if traffic congestion occurs in the shadow of a building, communication quality may deteriorate and it may become impossible to provide the required services. On the other hand, if the vehicle is traveling smoothly, a short-term deterioration in communication quality may not be a problem. Conventional technology determines communication quality based only on location information and does not take into account the mobile environment of the communication terminal, making it impossible to accurately predict the quality of wireless communication. The information processing device according to the present disclosure solves such a problem.

[0012] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a control unit that executes the following: acquiring first data regarding wireless communication quality from a first device; acquiring second data regarding a mobile environment of the first device; and generating communication quality data, which is data that maps wireless communication quality to a geographical area, for each classification of the mobile environment based on a plurality of the first and second data.

[0013] The first device is a mobile device having a wireless communication function, and may be, for example, a wireless communication device mounted on a vehicle (an in-vehicle device). The first data is data for reporting the quality of wireless communication performed by the first device. The first data may include a measurement value related to the quality of communication, such as the received power or reception quality of a reference signal. The first data may also include information related to the wireless communication method used by the first device. The information on the wireless communication method includes, for example, information identifying a communication standard (3G, LTE, 5G, etc.), a frequency band, etc. In addition, when communication services are provided by different communication carriers, the information may be regarded as a different wireless communication method.

[0014] The second data is data related to the moving environment of the first device. Examples of the data related to the moving environment of the first device include the moving speed and position information of the first device. The information processing device generates communication quality data for each moving environment of the first device. The communication quality data may be, for example, data obtained by mapping measured communication quality on a map, or a collection of such data. For example, when the moving environment is divided by moving speed zones, the control unit may generate communication quality data for each zone corresponding to the moving speed zones.

[0015] The communication quality data may be a set of communication quality maps corresponding to each of a plurality of wireless communication schemes available to the first device. For example, the control unit may generate combinations of a plurality of communication carriers, communication standards, and frequency bands, generate a communication quality map for each combination, and treat a collection of these as communication quality data.

[0016] In addition, the first data may include data identifying a wireless communication method used by the first device, and the control unit may generate the communication quality map corresponding to the wireless communication method identified by the first data.

[0017] Furthermore, when a request is received from a second device, the control unit may transmit the communication quality data generated for each classification of the mobility environment to the second device.

[0018] In response to a request from the second device, the information processing device can provide the second device with the generated communication quality data. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the second device with information for selecting an appropriate wireless communication method.

[0019] In addition, when the control unit receives a request from a second device including information regarding the mobile environment of the second device, the control unit may evaluate the quality of the wireless communication performed by the second device based on the communication quality data corresponding to the mobile environment of the second device.

[0020] In this way, instead of providing communication quality data to the second device, information regarding the mobile environment may be obtained from the second device, and the information processing device may then evaluate the quality of the wireless communication performed by the second device based on the mobile environment. This makes it possible, for example, to teach the second device a more appropriate wireless communication scheme (eg, one that is predicted to provide higher quality).

[0021] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, and the like described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to only those.

[0022] First Embodiment [System Overview] An overview of a vehicle communication system according to a first embodiment will be described. The vehicle communication system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of vehicles 1 and a server device 2. The vehicles 1 are connected vehicles that can access a wireless communication network. The vehicles 1 can communicate with the server device 2 and other external devices (e.g., external devices for providing a predetermined service, etc.) via the wireless communication network (e.g., a mobile communication network).

[0023] Vehicle 1 functions as both a vehicle (probe car) that measures the quality of wireless communication and provides the result of the measurement to server device 2, and a vehicle that receives information provided from server device 2 and performs wireless communication based on the acquired information. In Fig. 1, the former is distinguished as vehicle 1A, and the latter as vehicle 1B. In the following description, vehicle 1 (probe car) that provides information to server device 2 is referred to as vehicle 1A, and vehicle 1 that receives information provided from server device 2 is referred to as vehicle 1B.

[0024] The vehicle 1 includes a data communication module (DC) for connecting components (e.g., DCM and other ECUs) of the vehicle to a network. M) and an in-vehicle device. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device can provide various services by communicating with an external device via the DCM. Examples of the various services include a navigation service, a remote control service (e.g., remote air conditioning, etc.), an in-vehicle Wi-Fi (registered trademark) service, an emergency call service, and a security service.

[0025] The server device 2 is a device configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of vehicles 1 via a network. The server device 2 receives reports (probe data) on communication quality from each of a plurality of vehicles 1A (probe cars) under its management, and generates communication quality data, which is data in which the quality of wireless communication is mapped on a map, based on the received probe data. At this time, the server device 2 generates communication quality data for each classification of the traveling environment of the probe cars. An example of an element for classifying the traveling environment is the travel speed zone of the vehicles 1. For example, when the travel speed zones of the vehicles are divided into N groups, the server device 2 generates N sets of communication quality data.

[0026] Furthermore, when the server device 2 receives a request from the vehicle 1B, it provides the generated communication quality data to the vehicle 1B. At this time, the server device 2 extracts communication quality data corresponding to the traveling environment of the vehicle 1B and provides it to the vehicle 1B. This allows the vehicle 1B to obtain communication quality data corresponding to the traveling environment of the vehicle, and to select an appropriate wireless communication method.

[0027] [Device configuration] Next, the configuration of each device constituting the system will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic example of the configuration of each device included in the vehicle communication system according to this embodiment. The vehicle communication system according to this embodiment includes one or more vehicles 1 and a server device 2.

[0028] First, a description will be given of components of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes a DCM 10 and an in-vehicle device 20.

[0029] The DCM 10 is a device that performs wireless communication with a predetermined network in order to connect a component (e.g., the in-vehicle device 20) of the vehicle 1 to an external device (e.g., the server device 2). In this embodiment, the DCM 10 is configured to be connectable to a predetermined cellular communication network. The DCM 10 may be selectively connectable to a plurality of cellular communication networks provided by a plurality of carriers. The DCM 10 is also configured to be able to select a plurality of communication methods (e.g., communication standards, frequency bands, etc.).

[0030] The DCM10 can be configured as a computer having a processor (CPU, GPU, etc.), a main storage device (RAM, ROM, etc.), and an auxiliary storage device (EPROM, hard disk drive, removable media, etc.). The auxiliary storage device stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc., and by executing the programs stored therein, various functions (software modules) that match a predetermined purpose, as described below, can be realized. However, some or all of the functions may be realized as hardware modules using hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0031] The DCM 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a wireless communication unit 14, and a location information acquisition unit 15.

[0032] The control unit 11 is a calculation unit that executes a predetermined program to realize various functions of the DCM 10. The control unit 11 can be realized by a hardware processor such as a CPU. The control unit 11 may also be configured to include a RAM, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a cache memory, and the like.

[0033] The control unit 11 is configured to have two software modules: a communication control unit 111 and a measurement unit 112. Each software module may be realized by causing the control unit 11 (such as a CPU) to execute a program stored in the storage unit 12, which will be described later.

[0034] The communication control unit 111 controls a wireless connection to a cellular communication network. The communication control unit 111 attaches to the cellular communication network by a predetermined communication method and establishes a communication path to an external device. When communication directed to an external device occurs from a component of the vehicle 1, the communication control unit 111 relays the communication to the cellular communication network. Also, when communication directed to a specific component is received from the cellular communication network, the communication control unit 111 relays the communication to the specific component. The communication control unit 111 is configured to be able to select the communication method to be used from a plurality of combinations. The wireless communication unit 14, which will be described later, performs cellular communication using the communication method selected by the communication control unit 111.

[0035] Furthermore, the communication control unit 111 periodically requests the server device 2 to provide communication quality data, and adaptively changes the communication method to be used based on the communication quality data provided by the server device 2. The detailed processing will be described later.

[0036] The measurement unit 112 measures values ​​related to communication quality for the communication (cellular communication) performed by the communication control unit 111, and transmits the measurement results to the server device 2. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 112 is configured to be able to measure the following values. ·RSRP(Reference Signal Received Power) Reference signal received power. The strength (reception level) of the radio wave received from the base station is expressed as a numerical value in [dBm]. ·RSRQ(Reference Signal Received Quality) Reference signal reception quality: An index of the quality of the received reference signal expressed in [dB]. ·SINR(Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) Signal to interference and noise ratio: An index that quantifies the power ratio in [dB] between the power of the desired signal and the power of non-desired signals (interference waves and thermal noise) among the received signals.

[0037] The measuring unit 112 periodically measures these values ​​and transmits them as measured data to the server device 2. The measured data is an example of the "first data". 3A shows an example of the measurement data. In this embodiment, the measurement data is made up of four sections: basic information, communication status, communication method, and measurement value.

[0038] The basic information section includes the date and time of data acquisition, and location information of the vehicle 1. The location information of the vehicle 1 can be acquired from the location information acquisition unit 15, which will be described later. The communication status section includes various status information for cellular communication, such as network information (IP address, gateway address, APN information, etc.), terminal identification number (IMEI), subscriber identity number (IMSI), connected base station ID, service status, etc.

[0039] The communication method section includes various information related to the communication method. Examples of the information related to the communication method include the identification number of the cellular carrier (PLMN), the communication standard (3G, LTE, 5G, etc.), and the band (frequency band). The communication standard and the band may be set based on an instruction from the base station, or may be specified by the communication control unit 111.

[0040] The measurement section includes a number of measurement values ​​related to communication quality. In this embodiment, as described above, the three measurement values ​​are RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), and SINR (Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio).

[0041] Furthermore, the measurement unit 112 generates vehicle data and transmits it to the server device 2 in addition to the measurement data. The vehicle data is a collection of data related to the traveling of the vehicle 1. FIG. 3(B) is an example of the vehicle data. In this embodiment, the vehicle data includes information related to the position, speed, and traveling direction of the vehicle 1. This information may be acquired from the position information acquisition unit 15, or may be acquired from a sensor or ECU that the vehicle 1 has. The vehicle data is an example of "second data". In the following description, a set of the vehicle data and the measurement data will be referred to as “probe data.” The measurement unit 112 periodically generates the probe data and transmits it to the server device 2.

[0042] The storage unit 12 is a means for storing information, and is configured with storage media such as RAM, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 11, data used by the programs, etc. For example, the storage unit 12 temporarily stores the vehicle data and measurement data described above. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores communication quality data 12A received from the server device 2. The communication quality data 12A will be described later.

[0043] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface with an in-vehicle network provided in the vehicle 1. The communication unit 13 is, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network) network or an in-vehicle interface. The DCM 10 communicates with the in-vehicle device 20 (and other ECUs, etc.) via the in-vehicle network.

[0044] The wireless communication unit 14 is a wireless communication interface for connecting the vehicle 1 to an external network. The wireless communication unit 14 is configured to be able to communicate with the server device 2 via, for example, a wireless LAN or a mobile communication network such as 3G, 4G, or 5G.

[0045] The position information acquisition unit 15 acquires the position information of the vehicle 1. The position information acquisition unit 15 includes a GPS antenna and a positioning module for positioning the position information. The GPS antenna is an antenna that receives a positioning signal transmitted from a positioning satellite (also called a GNSS satellite). The positioning module is a module that calculates the position information based on the signal received by the GPS antenna.

[0046] Next, the server device 2 will be described. Like the DCM 10, the server device 2 can be configured as a computer having a processor (CPU, GPU, etc.), a main storage device (RAM, ROM, etc.), and an auxiliary storage device (EPROM, hard disk drive, removable media, etc.).

[0047] The server device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit .

[0048] The control unit 21 is a computing unit that executes a predetermined program to realize various functions of the server device 2. The control unit 21 can be realized by a hardware processor such as a CPU. The control unit 21 may also be configured to include a RAM, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a cache memory, and the like.

[0049] The control unit 21 is configured to have two software modules: a data update unit 211 and an information providing unit 212. Each software module may be realized by the control unit 21 (such as a CPU) executing a program stored in the storage unit 22, which will be described later.

[0050] The data update unit 211 receives probe data from multiple vehicles 1 (DCM 10) and generates or updates communication quality data based on the received probe data. In this embodiment, the communication quality data is data obtained by mapping on a map values ​​indicating communication quality obtained when cellular communication is performed using a predetermined communication method. The communication quality data is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0051] When a request for communication quality data is received from the vehicle 1B, the information providing unit 212 generates communication quality data based on the stored communication quality data 22A and transmits the communication quality data to the vehicle 1B. The processes performed by the data update unit 211 and the information provision unit 212 will be described in detail later.

[0052] The storage unit 22 is a means for storing information, and may be a RAM, a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores the programs executed by the control unit 21, data used by the programs, and the like. The storage unit 22 also stores communication quality data 22A.

[0053] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface for connecting the server device 2 to a network. The communication unit 23 is configured to be able to communicate with the network via, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN, a mobile communication network, or the like.

[0054] 2 is an example, and all or part of the illustrated functions may be executed using a dedicated circuit. Also, programs may be stored or executed using a combination of a main memory and an auxiliary memory other than those illustrated.

[0055] [Overview of communication quality data generation and provision process] Next, an overview of the process in which the server device 2 generates communication quality data based on the probe data received from the vehicle 1A and provides information to the vehicle 1B based on the communication quality data will be described.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the communication quality data 22A generated by the server device 2. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the server device 2 generates a communication quality map based on the probe data received from the vehicle 1A. The communication quality map is data in which the quality obtained when cellular communication is performed by a specific communication method is mapped on a map. For example, the communication quality map may be obtained by dividing a geographical area included in the map into unit areas and assigning an evaluation value representing the quality of wireless communication to each unit area. Reference numeral 401 is an example of the communication quality map. The evaluation value may be a discrete value or a continuous value.

[0057] For example, the communication quality map indicated by reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4 is obtained by mapping evaluation values ​​representing the quality obtained when cellular communication is performed using a communication method in which "operator=B, communication standard=5G, frequency band=Band 1" onto unit areas on the map. As described above, the probe car measures RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR as communication quality. The evaluation value assigned to the unit area on the communication quality map may be any one of these, or may be a value representing the overall quality obtained by integrating these values. By referring to the communication quality map, the quality of communication at a certain point can be predicted.

[0058] The server device 2 stores such a communication quality map for each communication method. In the server device 2, for example, a communication quality map is defined for each combination of a carrier, a communication standard, and a frequency band, and when the server device 2 receives probe data from the vehicle 1A, the server device 2 updates the corresponding communication quality map based on the probe data. For example, when the server device 2 receives probe data from the vehicle 1A that is performing cellular communication using a communication method of "carrier=B, communication standard=5G, frequency band=Band 1", the communication quality map indicated by the reference numeral 401 is the target for updating. The evaluation value given to the communication quality map may be, for example, a weighted average of evaluation values ​​obtained by a plurality of vehicles.

[0059] In this embodiment, the server device 2 stores communication quality data for each speed range. In the illustrated example, the server device 2 groups the speed ranges into five groups and stores a plurality of communication quality maps for each speed range. The vehicle data constituting the probe data includes information indicating the speed of the probe car (vehicle 1A). The server device 2 that receives the probe data identifies the speed range to which the vehicle 1A belongs (for example, "20 km / h or more and less than 40 km / h") based on the information, and updates the communication quality map corresponding to the speed range and communication method.

[0060] Furthermore, when the server device 2 receives a request for providing communication quality data from the vehicle 1B, the server device 2 extracts communication quality data that is suitable for the vehicle 1B from the stored communication quality data, and provides the data to the vehicle 1B. For example, when the traveling speed of the vehicle 1B that transmitted the request is in the range of "20 km / h or more and less than 40 km / h", the server device 2 provides the communication quality data (reference numeral 402) corresponding to the speed range to the vehicle 1B. The vehicle 1B stores the communication quality data in the storage unit 12 as the communication quality data 12A. By providing such data to vehicle 1B, vehicle 1B becomes able to determine, "Which communication method will provide the best communication quality when traveling at a speed between 20 km / h and 40 km / h?"

[0061] [Processing by which the server device 2 updates communication quality data] Next, a process in which the server device 2 collects probe data from a plurality of vehicles 1A and updates communication quality data will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram of the process. The process shown in Fig. 5 is periodically started by the DCM 10 mounted on the vehicle 1A. The illustrated process is executed for each of the plurality of vehicles 1A under the management of the server device 2.

[0062] Before the illustrated process is started, it is assumed that a communication method to be used for cellular communication is preset in the DCM 10. The communication method may be a default communication method, or may be a communication method adaptively selected based on the communication quality data received from the server device 2.

[0063] First, in step S11, the DCM 10 (measurement unit 112) generates vehicle data. In this embodiment, the vehicle data includes the position information, speed information, traveling direction, etc. of the vehicle 1A. Such information may be acquired from the vehicle's ECU or the like via an in-vehicle network, or may be acquired from an in-vehicle sensor (including the position information acquisition unit 15).

[0064] Next, in step S12, the DCM 10 (measurement unit 112) generates measurement data. Measurement values ​​included in the measurement data may be measured, for example, by the wireless communication unit 14. The measurement unit 112 transmits probe data including the vehicle data and the measurement data to the server device 2 (data update unit 211).

[0065] In step S13, the server device 2 (data update unit 211) determines the driving environment (speed range in this embodiment) of the vehicle 1A based on the vehicle data included in the received probe data. In this embodiment, the speed range is classified into five as illustrated in FIG. 4, but the number of classifications may be other than this.

[0066] In step S14, the server device 2 (data update unit 211) generates or updates a communication quality map corresponding to the determined traveling environment based on the measurement data included in the received probe data. For example, the data update unit 211 identifies a unit area in the communication quality map where the vehicle 1A is located, and updates an evaluation value corresponding to the unit area based on a measurement value included in the measurement data. Note that, if the target communication quality map has already been generated, the data update unit 211 may calculate the updated evaluation value by weighted averaging with other vehicles, or the like.

[0067] [Process by which the server device 2 provides communication quality data] Next, a process in which the server device 2 receives a request for communication quality data from the vehicle 1B and provides the communication quality data to the vehicle 1B will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the process. The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the DCM 10 mounted on the vehicle 1B. The process may be started when the DCM 10 mounted on the vehicle 1B determines that the latest communication quality data is necessary. The process may be started, for example, at a predetermined cycle, or when the vehicle 1B satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, when the vehicle 1B enters a new unit area, when the traveling speed range changes, etc.).

[0068] It is assumed that communication quality data 22A corresponding to each speed band is stored in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2 before the illustrated process is started.

[0069] First, in step S21, the DCM 10 mounted on the vehicle 1B generates vehicle data in the same manner as in step S11. The vehicle data is transmitted to the server device 2 together with being included in a request for providing communication quality data.

[0070] Next, in step S22, the server device 2 (information provider 212) determines the driving environment (speed range in this embodiment) of the vehicle 1B based on the vehicle data included in the provision request. Next, in step S23, the server device 2 (information provider 212) extracts communication quality data corresponding to the speed range determined in step S22 from the communication quality data 22A. For example, in the example of Fig. 4, when the speed range of the vehicle 1B is determined to be "20km / h or more and less than 40km / h", the server device 2 extracts the communication quality data indicated by the reference numeral 402. The extracted communication quality data is transmitted to the vehicle 1B (DCM 10).

[0071] In step S24, the vehicle 1B (the communication control unit 111 of the DCM 10) stores the communication quality data received from the server device 2 in the memory unit 12. Also, based on the communication quality data, a suitable communication method is determined. In this step, for example, the communication control unit 111 refers to multiple communication quality maps defined for each communication method included in the received communication quality data, and identifies the communication method with the highest evaluation value in the unit area where the vehicle is located. Also, it notifies the wireless communication unit 14 that the communication method will be used, and switches the communication method.

[0072] It is not necessary to switch the communication method for each unit area, and it is not necessary to always select the communication method with the highest evaluation value. For example, the communication method may be switched when the evaluation value of the currently used communication method falls below a predetermined value (or is expected to fall in the future), or when the evaluation value improves by a predetermined value or more before and after the switch. In addition, the communication method may be switched when a timeout or other problem occurs in normal communication, or when it is expected that a problem will occur in the future. In particular, when a communication carrier is switched, it takes a certain amount of time to attach to a cellular communication network. Therefore, the communication carrier may be switched only when the required communication quality cannot be ensured with the previous communication carrier. In addition, the communication method may be switched only when the benefits are greater than the time required for switching the communication method.

[0073] As described above, in the vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the server device 2 generates data (communication quality data) in which communication quality is mapped on a map for each vehicle's driving environment (speed range) based on the probe data transmitted from the vehicle 1A, which is a probe car. Furthermore, when there is a request from the vehicle 1B, the server device 2 extracts and provides communication quality data corresponding to the driving environment (speed range) of the vehicle 1B. With this configuration, even if the quality of wireless communication varies depending on the vehicle's driving environment, it is possible to provide the vehicle with appropriate information for selecting a communication method.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the vehicle's traveling speed range is exemplified as the vehicle's traveling environment, but other elements may be treated as the traveling environment. For example, the vehicle's traveling environment may be determined based on information on the attributes of the road on which the vehicle is traveling (e.g., general road, expressway, motorway, bridge, tunnel, number of lanes, etc.), the vehicle's traveling direction, or the surrounding environment of the vehicle (e.g., presence or absence of traffic jam, etc.). Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the server device 2 generates and stores communication quality data for each vehicle's traveling environment.

[0075] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the server device 2 transmits communication quality data corresponding to the traveling environment of the vehicle 1 to the vehicle 1 (DCM 10) that has requested the provision of communication quality data. Furthermore, the DCM 10 determines a suitable communication method based on the received communication quality data.

[0076] On the other hand, the determination of the suitable communication method may be performed in the server device 2. That is, the process of step S24 may be performed on the server device side, and the DCM 10 may be notified of only the result of the process. In this case, the server device 2 (information providing unit 212) may execute a process of determining a communication method suitable for the vehicle 1 based on the position information of the vehicle 1 after completing the process of step S23. The content of the process of determining the communication method is similar to that of step S24. The server device 2 (information providing unit 212) may notify the vehicle 1 (DCM 10) of the determined communication method, and the DCM 10 (communication control unit 111) may execute switching to the communication method.

[0077] Third embodiment In the first and second embodiments, the DCM 10 determines the driving environment (speed range) of each vehicle by using the speed information included in the probe data. On the other hand, the speed of each vehicle does not have to be obtained directly from the vehicle.

[0078] For example, consider a case where vehicle 1 periodically (e.g., at 5-second intervals) transmits location information to server device 2. In such a case, server device 2 can obtain the time-dependent change in location of vehicle 1 based on the periodically obtained location information. Therefore, in this case, the server device can estimate the speed of the target vehicle even if speed information is not included in the probe data. Here, the location information transmitted from vehicle 1 is also an example of "second data." When the measurement data includes position information, the same processing may be performed based on the position information included in the measurement data.

[0079] (Modification) The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure can be modified and implemented as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0080] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0081] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the system bus of the computer. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be provided to a computer or may be provided to a computer via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Vehicle 10. DCM 20...In-vehicle equipment 11. Control section 12...Storage section 13. Communications Department 14 Wireless communication unit 15...Location information acquisition section 2. Server device 21 Control section 22...Storage section 23. Communications Department

Claims

1. Obtaining first data relating to a quality of wireless communication from a first device; Obtaining second data related to a mobile environment of the first device; generating communication quality data for each classification of mobile environments, the communication quality data being data in which the quality of wireless communication is mapped to a geographical area based on a plurality of the first and second data; An information processing device having a control unit that executes the above.

2. the communication quality data is a set of communication quality maps corresponding to each of a plurality of wireless communication schemes available to the first device; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the first data includes data identifying a wireless communication system used by the first device; The control unit generates the communication quality map corresponding to the wireless communication method identified by the first data. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. When receiving a request from a second device, the control unit transmits the communication quality data generated for each classification of the mobility environment to the second device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. When the control unit receives a request including information on a mobile environment of the second device from the second device, the control unit evaluates quality of wireless communication performed by the second device based on communication quality data corresponding to the mobile environment of the second device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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