Information processing device

Abstract

To enable selection of a suitable communication path for communication with an in-vehicle terminal.SOLUTION: An information processing device (7) includes a control unit (31). For an in-vehicle terminal (6) that communicates using two or more communication infrastructures owned by multiple communication carriers, the control unit (31) selects a communication path to be used for communication using a first index based on communication quality corresponding to each of multiple communication path candidates for communication using the two or more communication infrastructures, and a second index that is an index other than the communication quality corresponding to each of the multiple candidates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a wireless communication method that creates a database that associates location information with communication quality (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-109509 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that enables selection of a suitable communication path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes a control unit that selects a communication path to be used for communication of an in-vehicle terminal that communicates using two or more communication infrastructures owned by multiple communication carriers, using a first index based on communication quality corresponding to each of multiple communication path candidates for the communication using the two or more communication infrastructures, and a second index that is an index other than the communication quality corresponding to each of the multiple candidates.

[0006] Other aspects of the present disclosure may include an information processing method, an information processing system including an information processing device, a non-transitory storage medium on which the above-mentioned program is recorded, and the like. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to select a suitable communication path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal mounted on a moving body (vehicle). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a network database (network DB), FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a vehicle database (vehicle DB), and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a route database (route DB). [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a service database (service DB), and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a management database (management DB). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication path selection process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for calculating usage fees for each communication carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system. The terminal 6 is mounted on the user terminal 5 and the network that the terminal 6 uses for communication. 1, the network includes a public network 1, a satellite communication network 2, a cellular network 3, and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 4. The cellular network 3 and the wireless LAN 4 are used as access networks to the public network 1. The satellite communication network 2 is used, for example, to receive data transmitted from the public network 1, the cellular network 3, the wireless LAN 4, or a terminal 6, and broadcast the data to a predetermined group of terminals. The cellular network is, for example, a 4G (LTE (Long Term Evolution)), 5G, or 6G network. The wireless LAN is, for example, an IEEE802.11 system. However, wireless communication standards other than these are also applicable. It may also be a communications network.

[0011] The satellite communication network 2, the cellular network 3, and the wireless LAN 4 are owned or operated by different communication carriers A, B, and C. The communication carriers may be MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) or MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). The satellite communication network 2, the cellular network 3, and the wireless LAN 4 are each an example of a "communication infrastructure." In the communication system shown in FIG. 1, multiple communication carriers A, B, and C have two or more (three) communication infrastructures (the satellite communication network 2, the cellular network 3, and the wireless LAN 4).

[0012] In the communication system according to the embodiment, multiple communication infrastructures belonging to different telecommunications carriers are managed in an integrated manner. When a terminal 6 communicates, a communication path spanning two or more communication infrastructures can be established. That is, the communication system can establish a communication path spanning two or more (multiple) telecommunications carriers. The number of telecommunications carriers may be two or more. Furthermore, the number of communication infrastructures owned by each telecommunications carrier may be one or two or more.

[0013] The vehicle 5 is a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, or an EV (Electric Vehicle). EVs include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), or battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The vehicle 5 may be a vehicle driven by a driver or an autonomous vehicle. When communicating with a communication partner connected to the network, the terminal 6 transmits a communication request message to the network. The network establishes a communication path to be used for communication. At this time, a communication path using two or more communication infrastructures can be selected as the communication path to be used for communication based on a first index related to communication quality and a second index which is an index other than communication quality.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 20 that can operate as the management server 7. The information processing device 20 can be configured using a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS), or a dedicated computer such as a server machine. The information processing device 20 has a communication function and can be connected to a network (such as a public network 1) by wire or wirelessly. The information processing device 20 can be a single computer or a collection (cloud) of two or more computers.

[0015] In FIG. 2A, the information processing device 20 includes a processor 31 as a processing unit or control unit (controller), a storage device 32, a communication interface (communication IF) 33A, an input device 34, and an output device 35, which are interconnected via a bus 36.

[0016] The storage device 32 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is used as a storage area for programs and data, a program development area, a program work area, and a buffer area for communication data. The main storage device is configured with RAM (Random Access Memory) or a combination of RAM and ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device is used as a storage area for data and programs. Examples of auxiliary storage devices include hard disks, solid state drives (SSDs), flash memories, and EEPROMs (Electro-Performance Read Only Memory). A non-volatile storage medium such as a Non-volatile Memory (Non-volatile Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) can be applied.

[0017] The communication IF 33A is a circuit that performs communication processing and operates as a transmitter and receiver (communication unit). For example, the communication IF 33A is a circuit that performs wired or wireless connection. The input device 34 includes keys, buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input information. The output device 35 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc., and displays information and data.

[0018] The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The server 31 executes various programs stored in the storage device 32 to perform various processes.

[0019] 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal 6. The terminal 6 may be a terminal installed in the vehicle 10 or a mobile terminal carried by the driver of the vehicle 5. The mobile terminal may be, for example, a laptop personal computer (PC) or a smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet terminal).

[0020] 2B, the terminal 6 includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, an input device 34, and an output device 35, which are interconnected via a bus 36, similar to the information processing device 20. A wireless communication interface (wireless communication IF) 33B performs processing related to wireless communication.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management server 7. The information processing device 20 can operate as the management server 7 including the communication IF 33A, the processor 31, and the storage device 32 by the processor 31 executing a program stored in the storage device 32 or the like. The storage device 32 stores, for example, a network DB 32a, a vehicle DB 32b, a route DB 32c, a service DB 32d, and a management DB 32e. The network DB 32a stores information related to multiple communication infrastructures that constitute the network shown in FIG. 1 and are centrally managed. The vehicle DB 32b stores information related to vehicles 5 equipped with terminals 6 that can communicate using the network. The route DB stores information related to candidate communication routes that the terminals 6 can use for communication. The service DB 32d stores information related to services used by or provided to the terminals 6. The management DB stores information related to communication routes used by the terminals 6 during communication and information related to usage fees for each communication infrastructure that provides the communication routes.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the network DB 32a. The network DB 32a has a table structure consisting of records (entries) for each communication infrastructure. Each entry includes the “ID” of the communication infrastructure, “service provider information,” “network type,” “communication quality,” “greenness index,” and “usage fee.” The “ID” field stores an ID that is unique identification information assigned to each communication infrastructure. The “service provider information” field stores information related to the communication service provider that owns, operates, or manages the communication infrastructure. The “network type” field stores information indicating the type of communication infrastructure (e.g., satellite communication network, cellular network, wireless LAN, etc.). The “communication quality” field stores information indicating the communication quality that the communication infrastructure can provide, such as guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) parameters (throughput, transmission rate, latency (delay), etc.). The “greenness index” field stores information indicating the level of environmental importance. For example, the greenness index can be expressed by the usage rate (utilization rate) of green energy (renewable energy) used to operate the communication infrastructure, or the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In the "usage fee," information indicating the usage fee per communication unit (for example, per packet) when using the communication infrastructure is stored.

[0023] 4B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the vehicle DB 32b. The vehicle DB 32b stores information related to the vehicle 5 (terminal) that is permitted to use a communication path spanning two or more communication infrastructures. The vehicle DB 32b consists of records (entries) for each vehicle. The entries include a "vehicle ID," "terminal information," "user information," "vehicle information," and "location information." The "vehicle ID" stores a vehicle ID that is unique identification information for the vehicle 5. The "terminal information" stores information related to the terminal 6 associated with the vehicle 5 (equipped in the vehicle 5). The terminal information includes, for example, the ID of the terminal 6, a wireless communication standard that the terminal 6 can use (compatible with or conforms to), and a network address. The "user information" stores information related to the administrator of the vehicle 5, such as the user or owner of the vehicle 5. The "vehicle information" stores information related to the vehicle 5. The "location information" stores the location information of the vehicle 5 (terminal 6). The location information may be information that directly indicates the location of the terminal 6 (such as location coordinate data) or information that indirectly indicates the location of the terminal 6 (such as a cell ID). The location information may be acquired by the terminal 6 using a GPS receiver or the like, or may be acquired by a device other than the terminal 6. The management server 7 receives the location information of each vehicle 5 (terminal 6) from the network periodically (periodically) or at an appropriate timing, and registers it in the "location information" of the corresponding entry. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a terminal DB is provided instead of the vehicle DB 32b, and information on the vehicle 5 associated with the entry for each terminal 6 is stored.

[0024] 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the route DB 32c. The route DB 32c stores information indicating one or more communication route candidates (route candidates) corresponding to the location information of the terminal 6. The route candidate information includes information indicating (specifying) one or more communication infrastructures through which the communication route passes, the order in which the two or more communication infrastructures are passed through (via), and information indicating the interfaces (gateways) between the communication infrastructures. At least one route candidate is prepared according to the location of the terminal 6. Any number of route candidates, two or more, are prepared according to a combination of two or more communication infrastructures. However, one or more route candidates may be prepared according to the location of the terminal 6 and the communication partner of the terminal 6 (the destination (destination) of data transmitted from the terminal 6).

[0025] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the service DB 32d. The service DB 32d consists of entries (records) for each service. The entries store a service ID, which is an identifier of the service, information indicating the service type, information indicating a first index corresponding to the service type, information indicating a second index corresponding to the service type, and the like. As the information indicating the first index, information indicating a communication quality (e.g., QoS parameters) that is required, recommended, or suitable for the service specified by the "service type" is stored. Furthermore, as the information indicating the second index, information indicating a greenness (the degree of green energy (e.g., green electricity) usage) is stored. Information indicating the utilization rate, or information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, etc., is stored.

[0026] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the management DB 32e. The management DB 32e includes an entry (record) for each vehicle 5 (terminal 6) that requests the provision of a service. The entry stores a "requested service type," a "selection condition," a "selection result," and "billing information." The "requested service type" stores information indicating the type of service requested by the terminal 6. The "selection condition" stores information indicating the selection conditions (first index and second index) for the communication route according to the "requested service type." The "selection result" stores information indicating the communication route selected from one or more route candidates. The "billing information" stores information indicating the charge for communication using the selected communication route and a breakdown for each communication infrastructure (the charge amount (distribution amount) allocated to each communication infrastructure).

[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for selecting a communication path. The process shown in FIG. 6 is performed by (the processor 31 of) the management server 7. In step S01, the management server 7 receives a communication request message from the terminal 6. The terminal 6 accesses the management server 7 before selecting a communication path. However, the communication request is not transmitted to the management server 7 by a network node of the communication infrastructure (such as the cellular network 3 or the wireless LAN 4) that has received the communication request from the terminal 6. Alternatively, the communication request may be transmitted to the server 7. If it is determined in step S01 that a communication request has been received, the process proceeds to step S02.

[0028] In step S02, the management server 7 identifies communication route candidates from the location of the terminal 6. That is, the management server 7 acquires, from the vehicle DB 32b, location information corresponding to the terminal ID or vehicle ID of the terminal 6 included in the communication request message. The management server 7 reads, from the route DB 32c, information on route candidates corresponding to the location of the terminal 6 identified from the acquired location information. This identifies one or more route candidates according to the location. However, the management server 7 may also identify route candidates from the location information and destination information of the terminal 6. Note that the location information included in the communication request message may be used as the location information of the terminal 6 to search for route candidates.

[0029] In step S03, the management server 7 refers to the network DB 32a and reads out information about each communication infrastructure included in the information about the route candidates, thereby collecting information about each route candidate.

[0030] In step S04, the management server 7 registers the vehicle ID and information indicating the requested service type (service ID) included in the communication request message in an available entry in the management DB 32e. The management server 7 also refers to the service DB 32d, reads out information indicating the first and second indicators (communication quality and greenness level) corresponding to the service ID indicating the requested service type, and registers the information in the entry of the management DB 32e as "selection conditions."

[0031] In step S05, the management server 7 extracts route candidates whose first and second indicators, i.e., communication quality and greenness level, satisfy the selection conditions, and selects (determines) one of the extracted one or more route candidates as the communication route to be used for communication. If two or more route candidates are extracted, the management server 7 may, for example, preferentially select the route candidate with the lowest usage fee. In other words, the processor 31 of the management server 7 may select one candidate with the lowest usage fee from two or more candidates that satisfy the selection conditions based on the first and second indicators extracted from among the multiple candidates. However, other selection methods may also be adopted.

[0032] In step S06, the management server 7 registers information about the selected communication path as an entry as a "selection result" and outputs it. The output may be to the output device 35 or may be transmitted to a predetermined destination. For example, the communication path information is transmitted to the network and transmitted to each communication infrastructure that provides the communication path as communication path establishment information, and the communication path establishment procedure is performed. This enables the terminal 6 to send data to the destination through the established communication path. In other words, data can be sent to the destination through a communication path that spans multiple types of communication infrastructure that are centrally managed.

[0033] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for calculating a usage fee for each communication infrastructure. The process shown in FIG. 7 is performed by the management server 7 (processor 31) during communication using the communication path established by the process shown in FIG.

[0034] In step S001, the management server 7 acquires information indicating communication volume from each communication infrastructure that provides a communication path. In step S002, the management server 7 calculates the usage fee for each communication infrastructure. For example, the management server 7 queries the network, acquires information indicating the number of packets transferred in each communication infrastructure on a packet-by-packet basis, and calculates the fee according to the number of packets.

[0035] In step S003, the management server 7 adds up the usage fees for each communication infrastructure for each telecommunications carrier. This is to enable the total amount to be presented to the telecommunications carrier when the data passes through the above-mentioned communication infrastructure. In step S004, the calculation result of the usage fee for each telecommunications carrier (the amount distributed to each telecommunications carrier) is output. The output may be to the output device 35 or by sending data indicating the calculation result to a predetermined destination.

[0036] According to the embodiment, the processor 31 (controller) of the management server 7 (information processing device) performs the following. That is, for a terminal 6 (on-board terminal) that communicates using two or more communication infrastructures owned by multiple communication carriers A, B, and C, the processor 31 selects a communication route to be used for communication using a first index based on the communication quality corresponding to each of multiple communication route candidates (route candidates) for communication using two or more communication infrastructures, and a second index, which is an index other than the communication quality corresponding to each of the multiple candidates. This makes it possible to select a more suitable communication route than when each communication carrier individually provides communication services using its own communication infrastructure. For example, it is possible to perform communication using a communication route that has better communication quality and a higher utilization rate of green energy than when services are provided using communication infrastructure owned by each communication carrier. In other words, it is possible to provide flexibility in the selection of communication routes and perform communication with improved communication quality and greenness.

[0037] 6 and 7 may be acquired by the terminal 6 from the management server 7 or a peripheral device such as a road beacon, and the processing in the management server 7 may be executed by the processor 31 of the terminal 6. The terminal 6 is an example of an information processing device according to the present disclosure.

[0038] The order of the processes (steps) in the flowcharts of Figures 6 and 7 can be changed as long as there is no contradiction. The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs. 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 by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0039] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or 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), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Public network, 2 Satellite communication network, 3 Cellular network, 4 Wireless LAN, 5 Vehicle, 6 Terminal (information processing device), 7 Management server (information processing device), 31 ···Processor, 32···Storage device

Claims

1. a control unit that selects a communication route to be used for communication using a first index based on communication quality corresponding to each of a plurality of communication route candidates for the communication using two or more communication infrastructures owned by a plurality of communication carriers, and a second index that is an index other than the communication quality corresponding to each of the plurality of candidates, for an in-vehicle terminal that performs communication using the two or more communication infrastructures; An information processing device comprising:

2. The second index is the greenness of each communication infrastructure corresponding to each of the plurality of candidates. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The green degree is the green energy usage rate or the greenhouse gas emission amount in each communication infrastructure. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. When two or more candidates that satisfy a selection condition based on the first index and the second index are extracted from the plurality of candidates, the control unit selects one candidate with the lowest usage fee from the two or more candidates. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit outputs information indicating a distribution amount of the usage fee of the two or more communication infrastructures used for the communication distributed to each of the plurality of communication carriers according to the determined communication route. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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