Information processing device

Abstract

To provide a simulation model in accordance with the usage purpose of a user.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a control unit that is configured to: obtain, from a user terminal, the usage purpose of a model and authentication information; extract, from a storage unit that stores multiple pieces of sensing data obtained from a plurality of vehicles, one or more pieces of first sensing data that are available for a user based on the authentication information; generate, using the extracted first sensing data, a model in accordance with the usage purpose of the user; and provide the generated model to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An event optimization system that executes a simulation using a digital twin for a town is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a simulation model according to a user's usage purpose.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure includes obtaining a usage purpose of a model and authentication information from a user's terminal, extracting one or more first sensing data available to the user based on the authentication information from a storage unit storing a plurality of sensing data obtained from a plurality of vehicles, generating a model according to the usage purpose of the user using the extracted first sensing data, and providing the generated model to the user's terminal, and an information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to execute the above.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method in which a computer executes the processing in the above information processing apparatus, a program for causing the computer to execute this information processing method, and a storage medium storing this program non-temporarily.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a simulation model according to a user's usage purpose can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Conventionally, it has been assumed that the same user collects data for a simulation model and uses it, and it has not been assumed or considered that a digital twin / simulation based on data collected by a certain user is used by a third party or another organization.

[0010] Therefore, the control unit acquires the usage purpose of the model and authentication information. The user may be a pre-registered user. The usage purpose of the model may be selected by the user from among predetermined items. The usage purpose of the model is, for example, to test an in-house developed application in simulation, to simulate the profit and operation status in carsharing, to temporarily install a communication base station in simulation to verify the improvement effect of radio wave intensity, and the like. The authentication information is information for confirming that the user is a legitimate user, and may include, for example, a user ID and a password.

[0011] ​The control unit extracts one or more first sensing data available to the user based on the authentication information from a storage unit that stores a plurality of sensing data acquired from a plurality of vehicles. The sensing data of the vehicle includes data detected by sensors provided in the vehicle. The sensing data of the vehicle includes information regarding, for example, position, communication line, or communication quality. The sensing data of the vehicle is transmitted from the vehicle to the information processing device. There are a plurality of vehicles that transmit the sensing data. The sensing data is used when generating a model. The first sensing data is selected according to the authentication information. Note that the relationship between the authentication information and the first sensing data may be stored in the storage unit in advance.

[0012] For example, when the user is a car-sharing user and a model for simulating the operating status of the vehicle is generated, the sensing data of the vehicle managed by the user is available. At this time, since information regarding communication is unnecessary, it cannot be used. Also, for example, when the user is a mobile communication user and a model for simulating the effect when a base station is arranged is generated, the sensing data regarding the base station managed by the user is available. On the other hand, information regarding the base stations of other users cannot be used. Also, for example, when the user is a developer of an in-vehicle application and a model for simulating the communication status when the vehicle is running is generated, sensing data capable of determining the continuity of communication is available. That is, the type of communication line, radio wave intensity, and information of the base station cannot be used.

[0013] The control unit generates a model according to the usage purpose of the user by using the extracted first sensing data. The model may be selected by the control unit according to the usage purpose of the model from among predetermined models. Then, the control unit provides the generated model to the user's terminal. In this way, the collected sensing data can be provided as a model that is easy for a third party to use. At that time, the available data can be appropriately managed. In addition, the privacy, personal information, and secrets of the provider of the sensing data can be appropriately protected.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. In addition, the following embodiments can be combined as much as possible.

[0015] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a system 1 according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a user terminal 20 used by a user, and a server 30. There may be a plurality of vehicles 10 and user terminals 20. Further, the server 30 may be composed of a plurality of servers. The vehicle 10, the user terminal 20, and the server 30 are interconnected by a network N1. Note that the network N1 is, for example, a worldwide public communication network such as the Internet, and a WAN (Wide Area Network) or other communication network may be adopted. In addition, the network N1 may include a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone or a wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0016] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a connected car that periodically transmits information such as its position, communication line, and communication quality to the server 30. These The information is also referred to as vehicle information hereinafter. The user terminal 20 is a terminal used by the user. The user includes, for example, a developer of an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an app) related to the vehicle 10 and a communication carrier that provides a communication service to the vehicle 10. The user performs pre-registration with the server 30 via the user terminal 20. Through this registration, authentication information corresponding to the user is generated. The authentication information includes, for example, a user ID and a password. Note that the information to be registered may include information related to the purpose of using the model.

[0017] In response to a request from the user (which may be the user terminal 20), the server 30 generates a model according to the purpose of use and provides it to the user (which may be the user terminal 20). The model is generated based on the vehicle information transmitted from a plurality of vehicles 10.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of each of the vehicle 10, the user terminal 20, and the server 30 that constitute the system 1 according to the present embodiment. The server 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication module 33, and an input / output device 34.

[0019] The server 30 can be configured as a computer having a processor (such as a CPU or GPU), a main storage device (such as a RAM or ROM), and an auxiliary storage device (such as an EPROM, a hard disk drive, or a removable medium). The auxiliary storage device stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc. By executing the programs stored therein, various functions (software modules) that meet a predetermined purpose, as described later, can be realized. However, some or all of the modules may be realized as hardware modules by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0020] The control unit 31 is an arithmetic unit that realizes various functions of the server 30 by executing a predetermined program. The control unit 31 can be realized by a hardware processor such as a CPU, for example. Further, the control unit 31 may include a RAM, a ROM, a cache memory, and the like. Details of the control unit 31 will be described later.

[0021] The storage unit 32 is a means for storing information, and is composed of a storage medium such as a RAM, a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores a program executed by the control unit 31, data used by the program, and the like. Further, a database (vehicle information DB 321 and user information DB 322) is constructed in the storage unit 32, and information collected from each vehicle 10 and information collected from users are stored in the database.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the table configurations of the vehicle information DB 321 and the user information DB 322. In the vehicle information DB 321, date and time information, position information of the vehicle 10, communication line information, and communication quality information are stored in association with the vehicle ID. These pieces of information are collectively referred to as vehicle information. The vehicle ID is unique identification information for the vehicle 10. The date and time information is information regarding the date and time when the vehicle information was transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the server 30. The position information is information regarding the position of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle information was transmitted from the vehicle 10, and is, for example, information indicated by latitude and longitude. The communication line information is information regarding the communication line used in the vehicle 10. The communication line information may be information regarding a communication method such as 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example. The communication quality information is information regarding, for example, radio wave intensity. The communication quality information may be information regarding RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), or SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio). Further, The communication quality information may include information regarding the continuity of communication (connected or disconnected). The vehicle information is transmitted from the vehicle 10 at a predetermined timing. The control unit 31 stores the vehicle information received from the vehicle 10 in the vehicle information DB 321.

[0023] Also, in the user information DB 322, authentication information, usage purpose information, and available data information are stored in association with the user ID. The user ID is identification information unique to the user or the user terminal 20. The authentication information is information for authenticating the user, for example, information regarding a password, a personal identification number, or a PIN code. The user ID may be included in the authentication information. Also, identification information different from the user ID may be included in the authentication information. The usage purpose information is information regarding the purpose of using the vehicle information in the target company. The usage purpose information is information for determining the model to be generated, and the control unit 31 generates the model according to the usage purpose. The available data information is information regarding the data that the user can use. For example, the available data may be determined according to the contract content. For example, whether a confidentiality contract regarding the vehicle information is concluded or not, or according to the content of the confidentiality contract, the data that the user can use may be determined. The authentication information, usage purpose information, and available data information associated with the user ID are also referred to as user information.

[0024] The communication module 33 is a communication interface for connecting the server 30 to the network N1. The communication module 33 may be configured to include, for example, a network interface board, a wireless communication interface for wireless communication, etc. The server 30 can perform data communication with the vehicle 10 and the user terminal 20 via the communication module 33.

[0025] The input / output device 34 is a means for receiving input operations performed by the operator and presenting information to the operator. Specifically, the input / output device 34 includes devices for performing input such as a mouse and a keyboard, and devices for performing output such as a display and a speaker. The input / output device 34 may be integrally configured by, for example, a touch panel display or the like.

[0026] Note that the specific hardware configuration of the server 30 can be appropriately omitted, replaced, and added with components according to the embodiment.

[0027] Next, the vehicle 10 will be described. The vehicle 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication module 13, and a position information sensor 14. These configurations may be realized by a combination of in-vehicle devices such as a DCM (Data Communication Module), a head unit, or a car navigation system. The control unit 11 is an arithmetic unit that realizes various functions of the vehicle 10 by executing a predetermined program. The control unit 11 can be realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU. Further, the control unit 11 may include a RAM, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a cache memory, etc. The storage unit 12 is a means for storing information, and is composed of a storage medium such as a RAM, a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 11, data used by the programs, etc. Further, the initial value of the SOH is stored in the storage unit 12.

[0028] The communication module 13 is a communication means for connecting the vehicle 10 to the network N1. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 can communicate with other devices (for example, the server 30) via the network N1 using mobile communication services such as 3G, LTE, 5G, and 6G.

[0029]

[0030] ​The position information sensor 14 acquires the position information (e.g., latitude, longitude) of the vehicle 10 at a predetermined cycle. The position information sensor 14 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver , a wireless communication unit, or the like.

[0031] The control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 collects vehicle information at predetermined time intervals and transmits it to the server 30.

[0032] Next, the user terminal 20 will be described. The user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication module 22, and an input / output device 23. Since the communication module 22 and the input / output device 23 have the same configuration as the communication module 33 and the input / output device 34 of the server 30, the description thereof will be omitted. The control unit 21 of the user terminal 20 acquires the usage purpose of the model and authentication information from the user via the input / output device 34. The usage purpose of the model may be selected by the user from a plurality of predetermined items. The user terminal 20 transmits the acquired usage purpose of the model and authentication information to the server 30.

[0033] Next, the control unit 31 of the server 30 will be described in detail. In response to a request from the user to use the model, the control unit 31 of the server 30 generates a model based on the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle 10 and the user information acquired from the user terminal 20. The request to use the model includes user information. Examples of the model include a model having connectivity to the Internet (hereinafter referred to as the first model), a model having the power-on and power-off times of a specific vehicle group, a model having vehicle type and position information (hereinafter referred to as the second model), a model having detailed information of a specific mobile communication network (hereinafter referred to as the third model), and the like.

[0034] FIG. 4 is an example of a diagram for explaining the generated model. FIG. 4 shows diagrams corresponding to the first model, the second model, and the third model, respectively. The sensing data used in the first model is the presence or absence of a communication connection, and the first model is a model that reproduces the presence or absence of a communication connection for each location and each time. The first model is a model assumed to be used by, for example, developers of in-vehicle applications. In the diagram showing the first model in FIG. 4, the route when the vehicle 10 travels in the direction of the arrow is shown by a dashed line, and the position where the communication is interrupted is shown by a cross mark. In this case, the user uses the first model to test the application developed by the company on the simulation. For example, when the vehicle is simulated to travel on a map, the communication status is reflected. In such a usage mode, the test is valid as long as the connectivity (connected or disconnected) of the communication is known. On the other hand, in such a usage mode, information such as the type of communication line, radio wave intensity, and information about the base station is not necessary. Thus, in the first model, only the presence or absence of a communication connection is used, so all data related to the presence or absence of a communication connection is available regardless of the authentication information.

[0035] In addition, the sensing data used in the second model is the operating status of the shared car, and the second model is a model that reproduces the position of vehicle 10 at each time. The second model is, for example, a model assumed to be used by an operator of a car-sharing service. In the diagram showing the second model in FIG. 4, the solid-colored vehicles indicate vehicles in a powered-off state at a specific position (hereinafter also referred to as non-operating vehicles), and the white vehicles indicate vehicles in a powered-on state at a position other than the specific position (hereinafter also referred to as operating vehicles). The powered-on state means that the power switch is on, and it may be in the IG-ON state. In the powered-on state, vehicle 10 is in an activated state. Also, the powered-off state means that the power switch is off, and it may be in the IG-OFF state. In the powered-off state, the functions of vehicle 10 are stopped. Also, the specific position is the position determined by the user as the parking lot for vehicle 10. The non-operating vehicles and the operating vehicles are vehicles 10 managed by the user. In this case, the user uses the second model to simulate the standby position, the number of standby vehicles, and the profit or operating status when the vehicle type of vehicle 10 is changed. The user collects the operating status of vehicle 10 used in car-sharing and further uses the information obtained from the reservation application to perform the simulation. In such a usage mode, only specific information of a specific group of vehicles corresponding to the user is required, and information related to communication is not required. Thus, in the second model, based on the authentication information, it is specified which vehicle 10 data is available, and only the data of the specified vehicle 10 is used. Accordingly, only specific information of a specific group of vehicles corresponding to the user is required, and information related to communication is not required. Thus, in the second model, based on the authentication information, it is specified which vehicle 10 data is available, and only the data of the specified vehicle 10 is used.

[0036] In addition, the sensing data used in the third model is the base station to which the vehicle 10 is connected and its communication status, and the third model is a model that reproduces the radio wave environment for each base station. The third model is, for example, a model assumed to be used by a mobile communication carrier. In the diagram showing the third model in FIG. 4, the communicable areas corresponding to the first base station, the second base station, the third base station, and the fourth base station and their radio wave intensities are indicated by broken lines. The broken line is a line connecting positions with equal radio wave intensities. The radio wave intensity becomes stronger in the area closer to the center. In this case, a user uses the third model, for example, when searching for holes in the company's mobile coverage (i.e., places where communication is not possible) in a simulation. For example, a simulation may be performed with a base station temporarily placed at a certain position to verify the improvement effect of mobile coverage. Also, for example, the availability of services using the company's infrastructure may be verified. In such a usage scenario, information regarding the radio wave intensity and connection status in the communication of this user is required, and information regarding the communication of other companies and information regarding Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are not necessary. Thus, in the third model, based on the authentication information, it is specified which base station's data is available, and only the data of the specified base station is used.

[0037] Upon receiving a request from the user to use the model, the control unit 31 of the server 30 generates a model based on the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle 10 and the user information acquired from the user terminal 20. When receiving a request to use the model from the user terminal 20, it performs a process of authenticating the user terminal 20. The control unit 31 performs an authentication process by comparing the authentication information received from the user terminal 20 with the authentication information stored in the user information DB 322. When the authentication is successful, the control unit 31 extracts the purpose of use corresponding to the user ID from the user information DB 322. Note that the information regarding the purpose of use may be stored in the user information DB 322 in advance or may be included in the request to use the model. Then, according to the purpose of use, the control unit 31 generates a model. The control unit 31 generates a model by anonymizing or excluding the vehicle information used for generating the model based on the authentication information. At this time, for example, any one of the first model, the second model, and the third model may be generated. Then, when the control unit 31 generates a model, it stores it in the storage unit 32 so that the user can use it. Also, the control unit 31 may transmit the generated model to the user terminal 20. Note that known techniques can be used for generating the model.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of generating a model in the server 30. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed at predetermined time intervals in the server 30. Note that the description is made on the premise that the necessary information has already been stored in the vehicle information DB 321 and the user information DB 322.

[0039] In step S101, the control unit 31 determines whether it has received a request for model generation from the user terminal 20. If the control unit 31 makes an affirmative determination in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102, and if it makes a negative determination, this routine ends.

[0040] In step S102, the control unit 31 acquires authentication information. The control unit 31 acquires the user ID and authentication information included in the model generation request. In step S103, the control unit 31 extracts the authentication information corresponding to the user ID from the user information DB322 and performs an authentication process by comparing it with the authentication information acquired in step S102.

[0041] In step S104, the control unit 31 determines whether the authentication is successful. If the control unit 31 makes an affirmative determination in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the control unit 31 notifies the user terminal 20 that the authentication has failed. On the other hand, in step S105, the control unit 31 acquires the purpose of use corresponding to the user ID included in the model generation request from the user information DB322. As another example, if information regarding the purpose of use is included in the model generation request, the control unit 31 may extract the information regarding the purpose of use from the model generation request.

[0042] In step S107, the control unit 31 extracts sensing data corresponding to the purpose of use from the vehicle information DB321. The control unit 31 extracts the sensing data corresponding to the purpose of use from the sensing data (i.e., the available data stored in the user information DB322) that can be used by the user extracted based on the authentication information from the vehicle information DB321. Note that the relationship between the purpose of use and the sensing data to be extracted is stored in the storage unit 32 in advance. In step S108, the control unit 31 generates a model based on the extracted sensing data. In step S109, the control unit 31 provides the model to the user terminal 20. The provision of the model is the provision of an API (Application Programming Interface). It may also be the provision of code. Further, the control unit 31 may provide a simulation service using the model. That is, instead of providing the model, the control unit 31 may execute a simulation using the model and provide the result of the simulation to the user. In this case, the request for model generation may include information necessary for the execution of the simulation.

[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, the collected data can be provided as a model that is easy for the user to use. At that time, in order to generate and provide a model that includes only the minimum necessary information according to the user's purpose of use, a model according to the user's purpose of use can be provided, and the data can be appropriately managed. In addition, the privacy of the data provider can be appropriately protected.

[0044] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs. Further, the process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, the process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, how each function is realized by what hardware configuration (server configuration) can be flexibly changed.

[0045] In the above embodiment, although one server 30 has been described, as another example, a plurality of servers may exist. For example, it may be configured to include a plurality of servers such as an authority management server that authenticates the user terminal 20 and its simulation instance, a collection server that collects vehicle information from the vehicle 10, a database that stores vehicle information, a model server that generates a simulation model, and a simulation server that executes the simulation. When performing a simulation with this configuration, the simulation instance on the simulation server requests a simulation model from the model server. When the model server receives a request for a simulation model, it notifies the authentication information of the user terminal to the authority management server. Based on the response from the authority management server, the model server anonymizes or excludes the vehicle information used in this simulation, constructs a model, and reflects it in the simulation on the simulation server.

[0046] When using the model, the user may set what kind of statistical processing to perform, such as daily, monthly, weekdays, weekends, etc. For example, such a setting may be included in the request for model generation. The request may be included.

[0047] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer and causing one or more processors included in the computer to read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes, for example, any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy (registered trademark) 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 Signs

[0048] 1 System 10 Vehicle 20 User Terminal 30 Server 31 Control Unit 32 Storage Unit 33 Communication Module 34 Input / Output Device

Claims

1. obtaining, from a user's terminal, a usage purpose of a model and authentication information; extracting, from a storage unit storing a plurality of sensing data obtained from a plurality of vehicles, one or more first sensing data available to the user based on the authentication information; generating, using the extracted first sensing data, a model corresponding to the usage purpose of the user; providing the generated model to the user's terminal; An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit configured to execute the above.

2. The first sensing data is the presence or absence of a communication connection; The model is a model that reproduces the presence or absence of a communication connection for each location and each time. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The first sensing data is the operating status of a shared car; The model is a model that reproduces the position of a vehicle for each time. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The first sensing data is the base station to which the vehicle is connected and the communication status with the base station; The model is a model that reproduces the radio wave environment for each base station. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. further comprising a storage unit that stores the relationship between the usage purpose of the model and the first sensing data; The control unit extracts the first sensing data according to the usage purpose of the model. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

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