Method for processing information

Abstract

To improve a V2X communication technique.SOLUTION: A method for processing information in a V2X communication executed by an information processor having a mobile body includes: setting a group ID in association with at least one other mobile body which satisfies a predetermined condition; and adding the group ID and performing data communication in a V2X communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies for giving warnings, danger notifications, etc. by V2X communication such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and pedestrian-to-pedestrian communication have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pedestrian terminal device that enables power saving of pedestrian terminal devices in pedestrian-to-pedestrian communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming a pedestrian terminal group and determining a pedestrian terminal representing the group when a plurality of pedestrian-to-pedestrian communication terminals held by pedestrians are in proximity, and the representative terminal communicates with a vehicle on behalf of the group. In particular, the technique of Patent Document 1 attempts to save power and avoid communication interruption by determining the terminal representing communication from the remaining battery level of the terminal. However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since communication within the group is performed via the representative terminal, communication between a non-representative terminal within the group and a vehicle will be delayed compared to the case of direct communication with the vehicle. Due to this delay, there is a possibility that warnings, danger notifications, etc. cannot be effectively given in a timely manner. On the other hand, when giving warnings, danger notifications, etc. by one-to-one communication or broadcast communication, it is necessary to sufficiently secure communication resources and computing resources, and there is a possibility that warnings, danger notifications, etc. cannot be effectively given in a timely manner due to a shortage of these resources. Thus, there was room for improvement in V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication technology.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve V2X communication technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method in V2X communication executed by an information processing device included in a moving body, setting a group ID related to a group including at least one other moving body that satisfies a predetermined condition; in V2X communication, adding the group ID and performing data communication; and includes.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, V2X communication technology is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] First, an overview of the present embodiment will be described. The technology according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method in V2X communication executed by an information processing device included in a mobile body. The information processing device sets a group ID related to a group including at least one other mobile body satisfying a predetermined condition. Further, the information processing device adds the group ID to data in V2X communication. That is, the information processing device adds the group ID to data in V2X communication and performs data communication.

[0012] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information processing device included in the mobile body sets a common group ID in a group including at least one other mobile body satisfying a predetermined condition, adds the group ID to data in V2X communication, and performs data communication. By adding the group ID to the data in V2X communication, devices performing the data communication can utilize the group ID. For example, the destination of data transmission can be specified by the group ID. Further, it becomes easy to determine whether the data is addressed to oneself by the group ID. In this way, the V2X communication technology is improved in that a common group ID can be utilized in a group including a plurality of mobile bodies in V2X communication.

[0013] Here, the mobile body is, for example, a vehicle, a pedestrian, or the like. For example, when the mobile body is a vehicle, the information processing device 20 may be a dedicated device or the like mounted on the mobile body. When the mobile body is a pedestrian, the information processing device may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the pedestrian. When the information processing device is mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle and the information processing device may be wired-connected by CAN (Controller Area Network) or the like. Further, the standard of the wired connection in the case of the wired connection is not limited to CAN. The vehicle is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto, and may be any vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a bicycle.

[0014] (Configuration of the System) Referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the case where the moving body is a vehicle will be described. The system 1 includes a vehicle 10a, a vehicle 10b, a vehicle 10c, an information processing device 20a, an information processing device 20b, and an information processing device 20c. The information processing device 20a, the information processing device 20b, and the information processing device 20c are communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network. In this specification, when the vehicle 10a, the vehicle 10b, and the vehicle 10c are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as the vehicle 10. Also, in this specification, when the information processing device 20a, the information processing device 20b, and the information processing device 20c are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as the information processing device 20.

[0015] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile, a bicycle, etc., but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle. The automobile is, for example, a gasoline automobile, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0016] The information processing device 20 is any device used by the passengers of the vehicle 10. For example, a dedicated in-vehicle device can be adopted as the information processing device 20. Note that the information processing device 20 may be a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In addition, although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the system 1 includes three vehicles 10 and information processing devices 20 respectively, it is not limited thereto. The system 1 may include four or more vehicles 10 and information processing devices 20.

[0017]

[0018] (Configuration of the Information Processing Device) Next, each component of the information processing apparatus 20 will be described in detail.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, a communication unit 25, a positioning unit 26, and a measurement unit 27.

[0020] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The control unit 21 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 while controlling each unit of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0021] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0022] The input unit 23 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that accepts voice input, or a camera that accepts gesture input. The input unit 23 accepts an operation of inputting data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 20. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 20, the input unit 23 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 20 as an external input device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (Registered Trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used.

[0023] The output unit 24 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 24 performs display output of data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 20. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 20, the output unit 24 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 20 as an external output device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (Registered Trademark), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used.

[0024] The communication unit 25 includes a communication interface for connecting to a network. The information processing apparatus 2 When 0 is mounted on a vehicle, the communication unit 25 may also be provided with a communication interface for connecting to a CAN. The communication interface for connecting to a network corresponds to, for example, an inter-vehicle communication standard (e.g., V2X), or a mobile communication standard, etc., but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, an information processing device 20 included in a certain mobile body is wirelessly connected to an information processing device included in another mobile body via the communication unit 25 and the network 30. The communication unit 25 receives data used for the operation of the information processing device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0025] The positioning unit 26 includes one or more devices for acquiring the position information of the information processing device 20 (i.e., the position information of the mobile body 10). Specifically, the positioning unit 26 includes, for example, a receiver corresponding to GPS, but is not limited thereto and may include a receiver corresponding to any satellite positioning system.

[0026] The measurement unit 27 includes one or more sensors. The measurement unit 27 may include a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a barometric pressure sensor, etc. However, the sensors are not limited thereto.

[0027] The functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by executing a program according to the present embodiment on a processor corresponding to the information processing device 20. That is, the functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 20 by executing the operations of the information processing device 20 according to the program.

[0028] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The distribution of the program is performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) on which the program is recorded. Also, the distribution of the program may be performed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0029] Some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 21. That is, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0030] (Operation of the information processing apparatus) With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation of the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] S101: The control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 20 sets a group ID related to a group including at least one other moving body that satisfies a predetermined condition. The group ID is identification information for uniquely identifying a group that is used in data communication of a group including a plurality of moving bodies. That is, the control unit 21 groups a plurality of moving bodies. An arbitrary method can be adopted as the grouping method as described later.

[0032] S102: The control unit 21 adds the group ID to the data in V2X communication. Then, the control unit 21 performs data communication with the added group ID. By adding the group ID to the data of V2X communication, the devices performing the data communication can utilize the group ID This can be done. For example, the destination of data transmission can be specified by a group ID. Also, it becomes easier to determine whether the data is addressed to oneself based on the group ID. In this way, the V2X communication technology is improved in that a common group ID can be utilized in a group including a plurality of moving bodies in V2X communication.

[0033] (Method for setting group ID) For the above-described method of setting the group ID, any method can be adopted. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, an example of the method of setting the group ID is shown. Hereinafter, an example of the operation of setting the group ID based on host-client communication between an information processing device (hereinafter also referred to as a host) of a moving body that determines the group ID and an information processing device (hereinafter also referred to as a client) of other moving bodies belonging to the group will be described. Also, here, it will be described assuming that the host is the information processing device 20a mounted on the vehicle 10a and the client is the information processing device 20b mounted on the vehicle 10b. Hereinafter, the configuration included in the information processing device 20a is referred to as a control unit 21a, a storage unit 22a, an input unit 23a, an output unit 24a, a communication unit 25a, a positioning unit 26a, and a measurement unit 27a, and the configuration included in the information processing device 20b is referred to as a control unit 21b, a storage unit 22b, an input unit 23b, an output unit 24b, a communication unit 25b, a positioning unit 26b, and a measurement unit 27b.

[0034] S201: The control unit 21a of the information processing device 20a, which is the host, broadcasts a grouping request signal by ITS direct communication. The grouping request signal is a signal including an ID representing a grouping request in the service ID. The grouping request signal includes predetermined conditions. For example, the predetermined condition may be that the position of the client moving body is within a predetermined radius (hereinafter also referred to as a group radius) from the host moving body. In other words, the predetermined condition may include that its own position is within the group radius from the host moving body. In this case, the grouping request signal includes the position information of the host and the information of the group radius. The position information related to the host is acquired by the positioning unit 26a.

[0035] Also, the grouping request signal may include the type of group (hereinafter also referred to as the group type). The group type is information representing the type of the moving body. For example, the group type may be an automobile, a bicycle, a pedestrian, or the like. When the grouping request signal includes the group type, the predetermined condition may include that the own group type matches the group type included in the grouping request signal. The group type may be stored in the storage unit 22 of each information processing apparatus 20. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it will be described that the predetermined condition is that the own position is within the group radius from the host moving body and the own group type matches the group type included in the grouping request signal. Note that the grouping request signal may be transmitted periodically, for example, at a fixed cycle. Thereby, the group is periodically reviewed. Also, for example, the grouping request signal may be transmitted only before activating a specific service. Also, for example, the grouping request signal may change the transmission cycle according to the reply status of the acceptance signal described later.

[0036] S202: The control unit 21b of the information processing apparatus 20b makes a determination related to its own group type and a determination related to its own position based on the group type and the group radius. When it is determined that it is a grouping target (a target for setting a group ID), the control unit 21b returns an acceptance signal to the host. In other words, a client that satisfies the predetermined condition returns an acceptance signal to the host. Note that the control unit 21b acquires its own position from the positioning unit 26b and performs the above-described determination process. The acceptance signal includes the moving body ID of the client. The moving body ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the moving body and is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0037] S203: When receiving a reply of the acceptance signal from the client, the control unit 21a of the information processing apparatus 20a which is the host notifies the group ID using the moving body ID of the client as the destination. The group ID notified by the host may be determined by any method. For example, the host may store a default group ID in the storage unit 22a. In this case, the host may notify the client of the default group ID.

[0038] S204: When the control unit 21b of the information processing apparatus 20b, which is a client, receives a group ID from the host, it sets the group ID as the group ID of the group to which it belongs. In other words, the client sets the group ID based on the notification from the host. Specifically, the control unit 21b stores the group ID in the storage unit 12b. Also, when the control unit 21b performs ITS communication hereafter, in addition to its own mobile ID, it also adds the group ID for data communication.

[0039] Through the above steps S201 to S204, the group IDs of the host and the client are set and used in the subsequent data communication of V2X communication. Here, the host-client relationship after the group is formed may or may not be maintained. For example, when maintaining the host-client relationship, the host of the group may manage the number, type, location, etc. of the grouped mobile bodies. Also, the host of the group may send a group formation request service to confirm whether the group is maintained after the group is formed. The client side may also receive the group formation request signal for confirmation and check whether it belongs to the group.

[0040] On the other hand, for example, when not maintaining the host-client relationship, an information processing apparatus of any mobile body within the group can send a group formation request signal. When it is a group formation target and already has the same group ID at the time of reception, the information processing apparatus of the mobile body replies. That is, in this case, it is a mechanism in which the group formation target is continuously confirmed by each other while the host is constantly changing. Also, an information processing apparatus outside the group can receive the group formation request signal sent by any information processing apparatus within the group and propagate the group.

[0041] Fig. 5 shows a specific example of grouping. In this example, both vehicle 10a and vehicle 10b are bicycles, and vehicle 10c is a motor vehicle. Information processing devices 20a, 20b, and 20c are mounted on vehicle 10a, vehicle 10b, and vehicle 10c, respectively. The group types of information processing devices 20a and 20b are both bicycles. Region 100a indicates the region within the grouping radius when information processing device 20a is the host. Region 100b indicates the region within the grouping radius when information processing device 20b is the host. As shown in Fig. 5, information processing device 20b exists in the region within the grouping radius when information processing device 20a is the host. Therefore, when a grouping request signal is sent from information processing device 20a, information processing device 20b returns an acceptance signal. As a result, a common group ID is set for information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b. Specifically, in Fig. 5, "109" is set as the group ID for information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b. When information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b send data in V2X communication, they attach the group ID to the data. Thereby, the receiving side of V2X communication can grasp the group ID related to information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of communication when a group ID is set. As described above, since information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b attach the group ID to the data in V2X communication, information processing device 20c of vehicle 10c can grasp the group IDs of information processing device 20a and information processing device 20b. Therefore, information processing device 20c can send data with this group ID as the destination. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the information processing device 20c mounted on vehicle 10c notifies data to a group of vehicles with a group ID of 109. For example, information processing device 20a or, for example, information processing device 20b20a or information processing device In an operation related to at least one of the information processing apparatuses 20a and 20b, when a notification condition to at least one of the information processing apparatus 20a or the information processing apparatus 20b is satisfied, the information processing apparatus 20c adds a group ID and transmits the data. As a result, both the information processing apparatus 20a and the information processing apparatus 20b can receive the notification. Specifically, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 10a equipped with the information processing apparatus 20a is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed and the notification condition for the caution information is satisfied, the caution information is also notified to the information processing apparatus 20b mounted on the vehicle 10b existing in front of the intersection, and the information processing apparatus 20b can also receive the warning signal.

[0043] As described above, the information processing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment adds a group ID to data in V2X communication. By adding the group ID to the data in V2X communication, devices that perform the data communication can utilize the group ID. For example, the destination of data transmission can be specified by the group ID. Also, it becomes easier to determine whether the data is addressed to oneself by the group ID. In this way, the V2X communication technology is improved in that a common group ID can be utilized in a group including a plurality of moving objects in V2X communication.

[0044] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, functions included in each component or each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of components or steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

[0045] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing apparatus 20 are distributed to a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other is also possible. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing apparatus 20 are provided in the vehicle 10 is also possible. For example, the navigation device mounted on the vehicle 10 may include some or all of the components of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0046] Note that any method can be adopted to determine the group radius. For example, a specific group radius may be determined according to the group type. For example, when the group types are automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians, the group radii may be different radii r1, r2, and r3 respectively. Also, the magnitude relationship among them may be, for example, r1 > r2 > r3. Further, the group radius may change dynamically according to the moving state of the moving object, such as the speed and acceleration of the moving object. In this case, a lower limit value of the group radius may be determined.

[0047] Also, in this embodiment, an example where the predetermined condition in grouping is that the own position is within the group radius from the moving object is shown, but it is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined condition may include that the own traveling direction is substantially the same as the traveling direction of the moving object. In this case, the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 20 may grasp the own traveling direction based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 27. Thereby, moving objects with substantially the same traveling direction can be grouped, and broadcast communication can be performed with the information processing apparatuses possessed by the moving objects.

[0048] Also, for example, the predetermined condition may be that it is within a predetermined distance range from traffic infrastructure facilities. Traffic infrastructure facilities include traffic lights at intersections and the like. When grouping is performed based on traffic infrastructure facilities, the information processing apparatus 20 may be mounted on the traffic infrastructure facilities, and the information processing apparatus 20 may serve as a host to set a group ID. In this case, the predetermined condition of the grouping request signal transmitted by the information processing apparatus 20 may be that the position of the client is within a predetermined radius (hereinafter also referred to as the group radius) from the host. In other words, the predetermined condition may include that the own position is within the group radius from the traffic infrastructure facilities. Thereby, moving objects within a predetermined distance from traffic lights at intersections and the like can be grouped into the same group, and mass notifications and the like can be performed on the information processing apparatuses 20 possessed by the moving objects around the traffic infrastructure facilities.

[0049] Note that the method of using the group ID is not limited to the above. For example, the group ID is also useful in data communication such as communication within the group. For example, in addition to sharing the location information of the group members, information such as the destination and the stopover can be easily shared through communication using the group ID. In this case, some data may be set not to be shared within the group. For example, according to the individual settings of the members, settings such as rejecting the sharing of personal data (location information, etc.) may be enabled.

[0050] Also, the direction of movement may be shared within the group through the above-mentioned communication within the group. The direction of movement may include, for example, heading towards the destination in a hurry, heading towards the destination slowly, etc.

[0051] Also, through the above-mentioned communication within the group, a request to change the host related to the setting of the group ID may be possible. For example, in the case of performing communication to maintain the host-client relationship, it may be possible to set the host to be changed while the group is maintained.

[0052] Also, through the above-mentioned communication within the group, detection of emergency actions such as sudden braking / sudden steering of the group members may be shared. When a moving body belonging to the group takes an emergency action, sharing it with other moving bodies within the group can improve the possibility of avoiding danger.

Explanation of Signs

[0053] 1 System 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Moving Bodies (Vehicles) 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Information Processing Devices 21 Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Input Unit 24 Output Unit 25 Communication Unit 26 Positioning Unit 27 Measurement Unit Regions 100a and 100b

Claims

1. An information processing method in V2X communication executed by an information processing apparatus of a moving body, comprising: setting a group ID related to a group including at least one other moving body satisfying a predetermined condition; in V2X communication, adding the group ID and performing data communication; An information processing method comprising the above.

2. The information processing method according to Claim 1, wherein setting the group ID includes: broadcasting a grouping request signal; receiving an acceptance signal from an information processing apparatus of at least one other moving body satisfying the predetermined condition; setting the group ID for an information processing apparatus of at least one other moving body satisfying the predetermined condition; An information processing method comprising the above.

3. The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition includes that its own position is within a group radius from the moving body. An information processing method.

4. The information processing method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition includes that its own traveling direction is substantially the same as the traveling direction of the moving body. An information processing method.

5. The information processing method according to Claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes being within a predetermined distance range from traffic infrastructure facilities. An information processing method.

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