Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can easily estimate an area where communication is possible.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to the present application includes an acquisition unit, an identification unit, and an estimation unit. The acquisition unit acquires information that includes location information detected by a wireless terminal and information indicating the time the location information was detected, and that is transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal. The identification unit identifies, as a target time, the time when the location information was acquired by the acquisition unit or the time when the wireless terminal transmitted the location information by wireless communication. The estimation unit estimates an area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible, based on the difference between the detection time and the target time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for creating an area map showing the location of a communication failure. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique in which a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal periodically acquires and stores location information of the wireless terminal, and when a communication failure of the wireless terminal is detected, creates a failure area map showing the location of the communication failure based on the latest location information of the wireless terminal in which the communication failure was detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-119976 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires that a process for detecting communication failures with wireless terminals be added to the wireless base station, and if it is not possible to add a process for detecting communication failures with wireless terminals to the wireless base station, the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can easily estimate a communication area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an estimation unit. The acquisition unit acquires information transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal, the information including location information detected by the wireless terminal and information indicating the time the location information was detected. The determination unit determines, as a target time, the time when the location information was acquired by the acquisition unit or the time when the wireless terminal transmitted the location information by wireless communication. The estimation unit estimates an area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible, based on the difference between the detection time and the target time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to easily estimate a communication area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection information table stored in the detection information storage unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication availability information table stored in the communication availability information storage unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of provided information provided by a providing unit in the processing unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, modes for implementing an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the respective embodiments can be appropriately combined within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. An example of information processing] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system according to the embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 22. n , a mobile communication network 3, and a wide area communication network 4. n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. In the following, a plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 2 n When referring to each of these without distinguishing them individually, they may be referred to as wireless terminals 2. Each wireless terminal 2 is a wireless terminal carried by a different user U, and is, for example, a smartphone.

[0012] The mobile communication network 3 includes a plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 22. n and a core network connected to the multiple radio base stations that manages and controls all mobile communications, including data and voice routing, mobility management, and authentication.

[0013] The mobile communication network 3 includes, for example, the fourth-generation mobile communication networks and fifth-generation mobile communication networks of a plurality of mobile phone carriers. Mobile phone carriers are also called communication carriers. The mobile communication network 3 may also include a mobile communication network using WiMAX (Worldwide-interoperability for Microwave Access). The wide area communication network 4 is, for example, the Internet, but may also be a public wide area communication network other than the Internet, or a wide area communication network connected to the mobile communication network 3.

[0014] The information processing device 1 includes a plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 2 n Based on the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2, the information processing device 1 estimates a communication coverage area, which is an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible. Then, the information processing device 1 can provide map information including information highlighting the estimated communication coverage area on a map to the user U of the wireless terminal 2. A specific description will be given below.

[0015] 1, each wireless terminal 2 detects its position and transmits detection information including information indicating the detection result to the information processing device 1 via wireless communication (step S1). The processing of step S1 is performed when the wireless terminal 2 is able to transmit the detection information to the information processing device 1 via wireless communication.

[0016] The position of the wireless terminal 2 is the current location of the wireless terminal 2, and is, for example, the latitude and longitude of the wireless terminal 2, but may also be the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the wireless terminal 2. The wireless terminal 2 has a position detection unit, and the position of the wireless terminal 2 is detected by the position detection unit.

[0017] The position detection unit receives a plurality of positioning signals from a plurality of positioning satellites in a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) or Galileo, and detects the current position of the wireless terminal 2 based on the received plurality of positioning signals.

[0018] For example, a dedicated application program is installed in the wireless terminal 2, and the dedicated application program causes a position detection unit to detect the current position of the wireless terminal 2, and detection information including information indicating the detection result of the position detection unit of the wireless terminal 2 is transmitted to the information processing device 1. Hereinafter, the application program may be referred to as an app.

[0019] A dedicated app is, for example, an app that provides information about disasters, but is not limited to such examples. For example, the dedicated app may be an app that provides various news in addition to information about disasters, or a web browser, or an app that obtains and displays information from Q&A sites, e-commerce sites, portal sites, etc.

[0020] The detection information transmitted from each wireless terminal 2 includes position information indicating the position of the wireless terminal 2 detected by the position detection unit, and detection time information indicating the detection time Td, which is the time when the position of the wireless terminal 2 was detected by the position detection unit.

[0021] When data communication in the wireless terminal 2 is performed via either the mobile communication network 3 or a public wireless LAN (Local Area Network), the wireless terminal 2 can transmit detection information to the information processing device 1 by using a dedicated application function when data communication can be performed via the mobile communication network 3. The wireless area of ​​the public wireless LAN is, for example, a free Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) spot, and includes Wi-Fi spots that are opened free of charge in the event of a disaster.

[0022] The wireless terminal 2 can, for example, use a function of a dedicated app to cause the position detection unit to detect the position of the wireless terminal 2 for each predetermined period T1, and can include in the detection information a collection of position information indicating the position of the wireless terminal 2 detected by the position detection unit for each predetermined period T1 for each period T2 (=k×T1). Note that k is a value of 2 or more, but may also be 1.

[0023] In addition, the wireless terminal 2 uses the function of a dedicated app to accumulate location information indicating the location detected by the location detection unit for each period T1 until data communication can be performed via the mobile communication network 3, and when data communication can be performed via the mobile communication network 3, it collectively includes multiple unsent location information in the detection information and transmits it to the information processing device 1.

[0024] In addition, the wireless terminal 2 can acquire carrier information, which is information about the communication carrier set in the wireless terminal 2, using the functions of a dedicated app, and can include the acquired carrier information in the detection information along with location information and detection time information.

[0025] In addition, when data communication cannot be performed via the mobile communication network 3, the wireless terminal 2 can also transmit detection information via a public wireless LAN base station (including a public wireless LAN router) if the wireless terminal 2 is communicatively connected to the public wireless LAN base station through the function of a dedicated app.

[0026] When the wireless terminal 2 transmits the detection information via a public wireless LAN base station, it includes in the detection information communication type information indicating that the communication type is a public wireless LAN, and when it transmits the detection information via the mobile communication network 3, it includes in the detection information communication type information indicating that the communication type is the mobile communication network 3. Note that when the wireless terminal 2 transmits the detection information via a mobile communication network using WiMAX, it can also include in the detection information communication type information indicating that the communication type is a mobile communication network using WiMAX.

[0027] Next, the information processing device 1 acquires the detection information transmitted by wireless communication from each wireless terminal 2 to the information processing device 1 (step S2). The detection information acquired in step S2 includes, for example, the above-mentioned location information, detection time information, carrier information, and communication type information, but is not limited to these examples.

[0028] For example, the detection information includes transmission time information indicating a transmission time, which is the time when the detection information is transmitted from the wireless terminal 2. The detection information may also include radio wave intensity information indicating the radio wave intensity of the mobile communication network 3 detected by the wireless terminal 2 for each position detection.

[0029] Next, the information processing device 1 identifies, as the target time Tt, the acquisition time, which is the time when the detection information including the location information was acquired in step S2, or the time indicated by the transmission time information included in the detection information including the location information (step S3).

[0030] In step S3, for example, if the detection information does not include transmission time information, the information processing device 1 identifies the acquisition time as the target time Tt, and if the detection information includes transmission time information, it identifies the transmission time as the target time Tt.

[0031] Next, the information processing device 1 estimates a communication area, which is an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, for each predetermined period based on the difference ΔT between the detection time Td, which is the time when the position of the wireless terminal 2 is detected, and the target time Tt identified in step S3 (step S4). Hereinafter, the difference ΔT between the detection time Td, which is the time when the position indicated by the position information is detected, and the target time Tt identified in step S3 may be referred to as the difference ΔT of the position information.

[0032] For example, if there is location information among the multiple location information acquired in step S2 where the difference ΔT (= Tt - Td) between the detection time Td and the target time Tt is within a threshold value Tth, the information processing device 1 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible at the location indicated by that location information.

[0033] In other words, the information processing device 1 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible at that location if the period from when the wireless terminal 2 detects its location to when the wireless terminal 2 transmits or when the information processing device 1 acquires it is within the threshold value Tth.

[0034] The information processing device 1 can calculate the moving speed of the user U holding the wireless terminal 2 based on multiple pieces of location information included in the detection information. The location information used to calculate the moving speed is, but is not limited to, location information whose detection time is within a predetermined period before the latest detection time among the location information included in the detection information. For example, the information processing device 1 can calculate the moving speed of the user U holding the wireless terminal 2 based on the location information with the latest detection time and the location information with the detection time just before that among the location information included in the detection information.

[0035] When the information processing device 1 calculates the movement speed of the user U, it can change the threshold value Tth based on the calculated movement speed. For example, the information processing device 1 can make the threshold value Tth smaller when the movement speed is fast compared to when the movement speed is slow, or can make the threshold value Tth smaller the faster the movement speed.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, when the detection information includes radio wave intensity information, the information processing device 1 calculates the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity indicated by the radio wave intensity information, and calculates a score obtained by weighting and adding the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity and the moving speed, or calculates a score obtained by multiplying the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity by the moving speed. When the calculated score is large, the information processing device 1 can reduce the threshold value Tth compared to when the score is small, or can reduce the threshold value Tth as the score increases.

[0037] In addition, the movement speed may be detected by the wireless terminal 2, in which case the wireless terminal 2 includes movement speed information indicating the movement speed when detecting the position indicated by the position information in the detection information and transmits it to the information processing device 1, but this example is not limited to this.

[0038] The information processing device 1 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible for each area obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule. Areas obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule are also called meshes. In the following, an area obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule may be referred to as a mesh, and an area unit obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule may be referred to as a mesh unit.

[0039] For example, the information processing device 1 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in the mesh when the difference ΔT in the location information indicating the location within the mesh is less than or equal to a threshold value Tth, but can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in the mesh when the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted location information indicating their location within the mesh and having a difference ΔT less than or equal to the threshold value Tth is greater than or equal to a threshold value Nth.

[0040] In addition, the information processing device 1 can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in that mesh, for example, when the number of location information pieces indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth is equal to or greater than the threshold value Nth1.

[0041] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in the mesh if, for example, the result of weighted addition of two or more of the reciprocal of the average value of the difference ΔT of the location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth, the number of location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth, and the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth is equal to or greater than the threshold value Nth2.

[0042] In addition, instead of or in addition to comparing the difference ΔT with the threshold value Tth, the information processing device 1 can also estimate the communication area, which is an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, based on a probability distribution according to the difference ΔT between the detection time Td and the target time Tt.

[0043] For example, the information processing device 1 calculates a difference statistic for each mesh, which indicates the position within the mesh and is a statistic of the difference ΔT, and estimates the distribution of the spatial difference statistic by applying kernel density estimation (KDE) to the calculated difference statistic for each mesh.

[0044] The difference statistic is, for example, the average value of the difference ΔT, the median value of the difference ΔT, or the most frequent value of the difference ΔT, but may also be a value calculated based on two or more values ​​of the average value of the difference ΔT, the median value of the difference ΔT, the most frequent value of the difference ΔT, or the variance or standard deviation of the difference ΔT that is less than or equal to the threshold Tth.

[0045] Based on the distribution of the estimated spatial difference statistics, the information processing device 1 estimates a communication coverage area, which is an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible. For example, the information processing device 1 estimates meshes in which the difference statistics in the distribution of the estimated spatial difference statistics are equal to or greater than a threshold as meshes where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, and estimates an area consisting of all meshes where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is estimated to be possible as the communication coverage area.

[0046] In addition, the information processing device 1 can also estimate an area consisting of all meshes that are determined to not be meshes in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible based on the difference ΔT in location information indicating the position within the mesh included in the communication area as a mesh communication unavailable area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is impossible.

[0047] For example, if the difference ΔT in the location information indicating the position within a mesh included in the communication area is greater than a threshold value Tth, the information processing device 1 can estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is not possible in that mesh. The information processing device 1 estimates an area consisting of all meshes where it has been determined that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is not possible as a communication-prohibited area, where wireless communication is not possible.

[0048] The determination by the information processing device 1 of whether wireless communication is possible is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and the information processing device 1 can determine whether wireless communication is possible based on one or more of a first number, which is the number of location information indicating a location within the mesh, and a second number, which is the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted location information indicating a location within the mesh and in which the difference ΔT is less than or equal to the threshold value Tth.

[0049] For example, the information processing device 1 can determine that a mesh in which the ratio of the second number to the first number is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or a mesh in which the first number is greater than or equal to a second threshold and the ratio of the second number to the first number is greater than or equal to the first threshold, is a mesh in which wireless communication is possible.

[0050] In addition, the information processing device 1 can determine that a mesh in which the ratio of the second number to the first number is less than or equal to a third threshold, or a mesh in which the first number is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the ratio of the second number to the first number is less than or equal to the third threshold, is a mesh in which wireless communication is not possible.

[0051] In the above example, the information processing device 1 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible on a mesh basis, but it can also estimate, for example, the location where wireless communication is estimated to be possible or a predetermined range from that location as the communication area.

[0052] The information processing device 1 estimates a communication coverage area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication from among normal communication coverage areas in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication under normal circumstances when no disaster has occurred.

[0053] The information processing device 1, for example, acquires disaster information indicating whether or not a disaster has occurred in each area from an external information processing device, and based on the acquired disaster information, determines for each area (for example, for each mesh) a period of normal times when no disaster has occurred and a period of disaster time when a disaster has occurred.

[0054] The information processing device 1 then determines the normal communication area as the area in which it is estimated that the wireless terminal 2 can communicate via wireless communication during normal times when no disaster has occurred, and estimates the communication area as the area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate via wireless communication during a disaster when a disaster has occurred.

[0055] The information processing device 1 can also obtain communication area information indicating the communication area from, for example, a mobile phone carrier's device, as the normal communication area, and can estimate the communication area by using the communication area indicated by the communication area information as the normal communication area.

[0056] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can estimate, for each mobile phone carrier (communication carrier), an area within the normal communication coverage area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible. For example, based on communication type information included in detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2, the information processing device 1 estimates, for each mobile phone carrier (communication carrier), an area within the normal communication coverage area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible.

[0057] Furthermore, when the detection information does not include communication type information, the information processing device 1 can determine the mobile phone communication operator (communication carrier) of the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information, for example, based on the global address of the sender of the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2. For example, the information processing device 1 has address information including information on the operator assigned to each global address, and determines the mobile phone communication operator (communication carrier) of the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information, based on the address information.

[0058] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can acquire failure information indicating the presence or absence of communication failure in each area of ​​the communication carrier from a device of a mobile phone communication operator or the like, and determine, based on the acquired failure information, for each area (for example, for each mesh), a normal period when no communication failure occurs and a communication failure period when a communication failure occurs. During the communication failure period, the information processing device 1 can estimate, by the above-mentioned method, a communication coverage area within the normal communication coverage area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication.

[0059] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can estimate an area in which wireless communication over a public wireless LAN is possible by the wireless terminal 2. For example, based on communication type information included in the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2, the information processing device 1 can individually estimate an area in which wireless communication over a mobile communication network 3 is possible by the wireless terminal 2, an area in which wireless communication over WiMAX is possible by the wireless terminal 2, and an area in which wireless communication over a public wireless LAN is possible by the wireless terminal 2.

[0060] In addition, the information processing device 1 has address information including information on the operator assigned to each global address, and based on such address information, it can also determine whether the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information is a mobile communication network 3, WiMAX, or a public wireless LAN.

[0061] Next, the information processing device 1 provides information indicating the communication coverage area estimated in step S4 from the communication area that is the normal communication coverage area (step S5). For example, the information processing device 1 transmits the information to the wireless terminal 2 or another device, thereby providing the information to the user U of the wireless terminal 2 or a user U of another device.

[0062] For example, the information processing device 1 can provide, as the provided information, map information including information highlighting the communication coverage area estimated in step S4 on a map. The information processing device 1 can also provide, as the provided information, information showing the communication area on a map and information highlighting the communication coverage area estimated in step S4.

[0063] The types of communication coverage areas highlighted on the map are, for example, the communication coverage areas of each mobile phone carrier, the communication coverage areas of WiMAX, and the communication coverage areas of public wireless LANs, and are highlighted in different ways, but may also be the type of communication coverage area specified by the user of the device to which the provided information is to be applied. By specifying the type of communication coverage area, the user of the device to which the provided information is to be applied can receive the desired provided information from the information processing device 1.

[0064] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can provide information including information indicating the communication area on a map and information highlighting the non-communication area estimated in step S4. Furthermore, when the information processing device 1 cannot acquire information indicating the communication area, it can provide information including information highlighting the communication available area and the non-communication area estimated in step S4 on a map in different ways (for example, with different colors).

[0065] The information processing device 1 can provide, as the provided information, information showing a heat map in which the distribution of the estimated spatial difference statistics is colored on a map according to the difference statistics. The heat map is created, for example, by increasing the density of red as the difference statistics decreases and increasing the density of blue as the difference statistics increases, but is not limited to this example.

[0066] In this way, the information processing device 1 acquires information transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal 2, including location information detected by the wireless terminal 2 and information indicating the detection time Td of the location information, and identifies the time when the location information was acquired or the time when the wireless terminal 2 transmitted the location information by wireless communication as the target time Tt. Then, the information processing device 1 estimates an area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, based on the difference ΔT between the detection time Td and the target time Tt. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate the area in which communication is possible.

[0067] Hereinafter, the information processing device 1 and the plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 22 will be described.n The configuration of the information processing system including the mobile communication network 3 and the wide area communication network 4 will be described in detail.

[0068] [2. Information Processing System Configuration] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 100 according to an embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a plurality of wireless terminals 21 to 22. n , Mobile communication network 31~3 m and a wide area communication network 4 and wireless LAN base stations 51 to 5. k The mobile communication networks 31 to 33 include the following: m and k are integers of 2 or more. m , wide area communication network 4, and wireless LAN base stations 51 to 5 k constitute a network N.

[0069] Mobile communication network 31~3 m are included in the above-mentioned mobile communication network 3, and these mobile communication networks 31 to 3 m are operated by different mobile phone carriers. k Each of these will form a public Wi-Fi spot.

[0070] Multiple wireless terminals 21-2 n are different users U1 to U n It is used by the wireless terminals 21-2 n Examples of the wearable device include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a wearable device such as smart glasses or a smart watch.

[0071] Wireless terminals 21-2 n are connected to the information processing device 1 wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. Note that the information processing system 100 shown in FIG.

[0072] 3. Configuration of Information Processing Device 1 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a processing unit 12.

[0073] [3.1. Communication Unit 10] The communication unit 10 is realized by, for example, a communication module or a network interface card (NIC). The communication unit 10 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices. For example, the communication unit 10 transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 1 via the network N.

[0074] [3.2. Storage section 11] The storage unit 11 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 11 has a detection information storage unit 20 and a communication availability information storage unit 21.

[0075] 3.2.1. Detection Information Storage Unit 20 The detection information storage unit 20 stores the detection information transmitted from each wireless terminal 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detection information table stored in the detection information storage unit 20 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the detection information table stored in the detection information storage unit 20 includes items such as "detection information ID" and "detection information."

[0076] The "detection information ID" is identification information that identifies the detection information and is information that is assigned to each piece of detection information. The "detection information" is information that corresponds to the "detection information ID" and is detection information that has been transmitted from the wireless terminal 2. The detection information includes, for example, location information, detection time information, carrier information, communication type information, and transmission time information, and may further include radio wave intensity information.

[0077] 3.2.2. Communication Availability Information Storage Unit 21 The communication availability information storage unit 21 stores information indicating whether communication is possible for each period of time for each mesh. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication availability information table stored in the communication availability information storage unit 21 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the communication availability information table stored in the communication availability information storage unit 21 includes items such as "mesh ID," "range information," "communication availability information," and "statistics information."

[0078] "Mesh ID" is identification information that identifies the mesh obtained by dividing the map, and is information assigned to each mesh. "Range information" is information that indicates the range on the map of the mesh corresponding to the "Mesh ID," and is information that is expressed as a range of latitude and longitude, for example.

[0079] The "communication availability information" includes information indicating whether communication is available or unavailable in the mesh corresponding to the "mesh ID" and estimated by the processing unit 12 for each period. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the "communication availability information" includes information indicating whether communication is available or unavailable in the mesh corresponding to the "mesh ID" and estimated by the processing unit 12 for each period. X The period T X The period TA1 is the newest period, and the period TA2 is the oldest period. For example, the information indicating whether communication is possible is set to "1" as information indicating that communication is possible, and "0" as information indicating that communication is not possible.

[0080] The "statistical quantity information" is information on the above-mentioned difference statistics in the mesh corresponding to the "mesh ID", for example, the difference statistics of the mesh in the distribution of spatial difference statistics estimated by the processing unit 12.

[0081] [3.3. Processing Unit 12] The processing unit 12 is a controller, and is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs (corresponding to examples of information processing programs) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 1 using RAM or the like as a working area.

[0082] The processing unit 12 is a controller, and may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a general purpose graphic processing unit (GPGPU).

[0083] 3, the processing unit 12 has a receiving unit 30, an acquiring unit 31, an identifying unit 32, an estimating unit 33, and a providing unit 34, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the processing unit 12 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may be any other configuration as long as it performs the information processing described below.

[0084] 3.3.1. Reception unit 30 The reception unit 30 receives various requests and information via the network N and the communication unit 10. For example, the reception unit 30 receives a content request transmitted from the wireless terminal 2. The content request includes, for example, designation information that is information that designates news content, disaster information content, communication status map information, etc., but is not limited to these examples.

[0085] [3.3.2. Acquisition part 31] The acquisition unit 31 acquires various information. The acquisition unit 31 acquires detection information that includes location information detected by the wireless terminal 2 and detection time information indicating the time the location information was detected, and that is transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal 2. In addition to the location information and detection time information, the detection information includes, for example, carrier information, communication type information, and transmission time information, and may further include radio wave intensity information and moving speed information.

[0086] When the detection information includes multiple pieces of location information, the detection information includes detection time information for each piece of location information. The location information is information indicating the location of the wireless terminal 2, and is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude of the wireless terminal 2, but may also be information indicating the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the wireless terminal 2.

[0087] The detection time information is information indicating the detection time Td, which is the time when the position of the wireless terminal 2 is detected by the position detection unit of the wireless terminal 2. The carrier information is information about the communication carrier set in the wireless terminal 2. The communication type information is information indicating whether the communication type is the mobile communication network 3, WiMAX, or public wireless LAN. The transmission time information is information indicating the transmission time, which is the time when the detection information is transmitted from the wireless terminal 2.

[0088] The radio wave intensity information is information indicating the radio wave intensity of the mobile communication network 3 detected by the wireless terminal 2 when the position detection unit of the wireless terminal 2 detects the position, and when the detection information includes multiple pieces of position information, the detection information includes radio wave intensity information for each piece of position information. The movement speed information is information indicating the movement speed when the position indicated by the position information is detected.

[0089] [3.3.3. Specification part 32] The identifying unit 32 identifies, as the target time Tt, the acquisition time Ta, which is the time when the location information is acquired by the acquiring unit 31, or the transmission time Ts, which is the time when the wireless terminal 2 transmits the location information by wireless communication.

[0090] The determination unit 32 obtains, from the acquisition unit 31, acquisition time information indicating the acquisition time Ta, which is the time when the location information was obtained by the acquisition unit 31, and determines the acquisition time Ta based on the obtained acquisition time information. The determination unit 32 also obtains transmission time information included in the detection information from the acquisition unit 31, and determines the transmission time Ts based on the obtained transmission time information.

[0091] For example, when the detection information does not include transmission time information, the identifying unit 32 identifies the acquisition time Ta as the target time Tt, and when the detection information includes transmission time information, the identifying unit 32 identifies the transmission time Ts as the target time Tt, but is not limited to such an example. For example, when the detection information never includes transmission time information, the identifying unit 32 always identifies the transmission time Ts as the target time Tt.

[0092] [3.3.4. Estimation part 33] The estimation unit 33 estimates the communication area, which is the area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, for each predetermined period T3 based on the difference ΔT (=Tt-Td) between the detection time Td, which is the time when the position of the wireless terminal 2 is detected, and the target time Tt identified by the identification unit 32.

[0093] The estimation unit 33 adds the estimated result to the communication availability information table in the communication availability information storage unit 21 and updates the communication availability information table every predetermined period T3. The period T3 is, for example, a period expressed as T3=p×T2, where p is, for example, a value equal to or greater than 2.

[0094] For example, if there is location information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 in which the difference ΔT between the detection time Td and the target time Tt is within a threshold value Tth, the estimation unit 33 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible at the location indicated by the location information.

[0095] That is, the estimation unit 33 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible at that location if the period from when the wireless terminal 2 detects its location to when the wireless terminal 2 transmits or is acquired by the acquisition unit 31 (transmission time Ts or acquisition time Ta) is within the threshold value Tth.

[0096] The estimation unit 33 can calculate the moving speed of the user U holding the wireless terminal 2 based on multiple pieces of location information included in the detection information. The location information used to calculate the moving speed is, but is not limited to, location information whose detection time is within a predetermined period before the latest detection time among the location information included in the detection information. For example, the estimation unit 33 can calculate the moving speed of the user U holding the wireless terminal 2 based on the location information with the latest detection time and the location information with the detection time just before that among the location information included in the detection information.

[0097] When the estimation unit 33 calculates the movement speed of the user U, it can change the threshold value Tth based on the calculated movement speed. For example, the estimation unit 33 can reduce the threshold value Tth when the movement speed is fast compared to when the movement speed is slow, or can reduce the threshold value Tth as the movement speed increases. Furthermore, when movement speed information is included in the detection information, the estimation unit 33 can change the threshold value Tth based on the movement speed indicated by the movement speed information without calculating the movement speed.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, when the detection information includes radio wave intensity information, the estimation unit 33 calculates the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity indicated by the radio wave intensity information, and calculates a score obtained by weighting and adding the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity and the moving speed, or calculates a score obtained by multiplying the reciprocal of the average value of radio wave intensity by the moving speed. When the calculated score is large, the estimation unit 33 can reduce the threshold value Tth compared to when the score is small, or can reduce the threshold value Tth as the score increases.

[0099] The estimation unit 33 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in units of meshes, which are area units obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule. For example, if the difference ΔT in position information indicating a position within a mesh is equal to or less than a threshold value Tth, the estimation unit 33 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in that mesh, but can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in that mesh if the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted position information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth is equal to or greater than a threshold value Nth.

[0100] In addition, the estimation unit 33 can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in that mesh, for example, when the number of location information pieces indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than the threshold value Tth is equal to or greater than the threshold value Nth1.

[0101] In addition, the estimation unit 33 can also estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible in the mesh if the result of weighting and adding two or more of the following is greater than or equal to a threshold Nth2: the reciprocal of the average value of the difference ΔT of the location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than a threshold Tth; the number of location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than a threshold Tth; and the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted location information indicating a position within the mesh and having a difference ΔT equal to or less than a threshold Tth.

[0102] In addition, instead of or in addition to comparing the difference ΔT with the threshold value Tth, the estimation unit 33 can also estimate the communication area, which is an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, based on a probability distribution according to the difference ΔT between the detection time Td and the target time Tt.

[0103] For example, the estimation unit 33 calculates, for each mesh, a difference statistic that indicates a position within the mesh and is a statistic of the difference ΔT, and applies kernel estimation to the calculated difference statistic for each mesh to estimate the spatial distribution of the difference statistic. The difference statistic is, for example, the average value of the difference ΔT, the median value of the difference ΔT, or the mode of the difference ΔT, but may also be a value calculated based on two or more values ​​of the average value of the difference ΔT, the median value of the difference ΔT, the mode of the difference ΔT, or the variance or standard deviation of the difference ΔT that is equal to or less than a threshold Tth.

[0104] Based on the distribution of the estimated spatial difference statistics, the estimation unit 33 estimates a communication area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible. For example, the estimation unit 33 estimates meshes where the difference statistics in the estimated distribution of spatial difference statistics are equal to or greater than a threshold as meshes where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, and estimates an area consisting of all meshes where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is estimated to be possible as the communication area.

[0105] In addition, the estimation unit 33 can also estimate an area consisting of all meshes that are determined to not be meshes in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible based on the difference ΔT in location information indicating the position within the mesh included in the communication area as a mesh communication unavailable area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is impossible.

[0106] For example, if the difference ΔT in the location information indicating the position within a mesh included in the communication area is greater than a threshold value Tth, the estimation unit 33 can estimate that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is not possible in that mesh. The estimation unit 33 estimates an area consisting of all meshes where it has been determined that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is not possible as a communication-unavailable area, where wireless communication is not possible.

[0107] The determination by the estimation unit 33 of whether wireless communication is possible is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and the estimation unit 33 can determine whether wireless communication is possible based on one or more of a first number, which is the number of location information indicating a location within the mesh, and a second number, which is the number of wireless terminals 2 that have transmitted location information indicating a location within the mesh and in which the difference ΔT is less than or equal to the threshold value Tth.

[0108] For example, the estimation unit 33 can determine that a mesh in which the ratio of the second number to the first number is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, or a mesh in which the first number is equal to or greater than a second threshold value and the ratio of the second number to the first number is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, is a mesh in which wireless communication is possible.

[0109] In addition, the estimation unit 33 can determine that a mesh in which the ratio of the second number to the first number is less than or equal to a third threshold, or a mesh in which the first number is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the ratio of the second number to the first number is less than or equal to the third threshold, is a mesh in which wireless communication is not possible.

[0110] In the above example, the estimation unit 33 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible on a mesh basis, but it can also estimate, for example, the location where wireless communication is estimated to be possible or a predetermined range from that location as the communication area.

[0111] The estimation unit 33 estimates an area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication during normal times when no disaster has occurred as the normal communication area.The estimation unit 33 then determines an area in which it is estimated that the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication during normal times when no disaster has occurred as the normal communication area, and estimates a communication area within the normal communication area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication during a disaster when a disaster has occurred.

[0112] The estimation unit 33 can also acquire communication area information indicating the communication area from, for example, a mobile phone carrier's device as the normal communication area, and can estimate the communication area by using the communication area indicated by the communication area information as the normal communication area.

[0113] Furthermore, the estimation unit 33 can estimate, for each mobile phone carrier (communication carrier), an area within the normal communication coverage area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible. The estimation unit 33 estimates, for each mobile phone carrier (communication carrier), an area within the normal communication coverage area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible, for example, based on communication type information included in the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2.

[0114] Furthermore, when the detection information does not include communication type information, the estimation unit 33 can determine the mobile phone carrier (communication carrier) of the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information, for example, based on the global address of the sender of the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2. For example, the estimation unit 33 has address information including information on the carrier assigned to each global address, and determines the mobile phone carrier (communication carrier) of the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information, based on the address information.

[0115] Furthermore, the estimation unit 33 can acquire failure information indicating the presence or absence of a communication failure in each area of ​​the communication carrier from a device of the mobile phone communication operator or the like, and determine, based on the acquired failure information, a normal period when no communication failure occurs and a communication failure period when a communication failure occurs for each area (for example, for each mesh). During the communication failure period, the estimation unit 33 can estimate, by the above-mentioned method, a communication coverage area within the normal communication coverage area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication.

[0116] The estimation unit 33 can also estimate an area where wireless LAN communication, which is wireless communication over a public wireless LAN, is possible by the wireless terminal 2. For example, based on communication type information included in the detection information transmitted from the wireless terminal 2, the estimation unit 33 can individually estimate an area where wireless communication over the mobile communication network 3 is possible by the wireless terminal 2, an area where wireless communication over WiMAX is possible by the wireless terminal 2, and an area where wireless communication over a public wireless LAN (wireless LAN communication) is possible by the wireless terminal 2.

[0117] In addition, the estimation unit 33 has address information including information on the operator assigned to each global address, and based on such address information, it can also determine whether the wireless communication used by the wireless terminal 2 to transmit the detection information is the mobile communication network 3, WiMAX, or public wireless LAN.

[0118] [3.3.5.Providing Department 34] The providing unit 34 provides various information. For example, the providing unit 34 transmits various information to the wireless terminal 2 or other devices via the communication unit 10 and the network N, thereby providing various information to the user U of the wireless terminal 2 or users of other devices.

[0119] The providing unit 34 provides, for example, provided information which is information indicating a communication area that is a communication area that is a normal communication area and that is estimated by the estimating unit 33. For example, the providing unit 34 transmits the provided information to the wireless terminal 2 or another device, thereby providing the provided information to a user U of the wireless terminal 2 or a user of another device.

[0120] For example, the providing unit 34 can provide, as the provided information, map information including information highlighting the communication coverage area estimated by the estimation unit 33 on a map. The providing unit 34 can also provide, as the provided information, information showing the communication area on a map and information highlighting the communication coverage area estimated by the estimation unit 33.

[0121] The types of communication coverage areas highlighted on the map are, for example, the communication coverage areas of each mobile phone carrier, the communication coverage areas of WiMAX, and the communication coverage areas of public wireless LANs, and are highlighted in different ways (for example, colors), but may also be the type of communication coverage area specified by the user of the device to which the provided information is to be applied. By specifying the type of communication coverage area, the user of the device to which the provided information is to be applied can receive the desired provided information from the information processing device 1.

[0122] Furthermore, the providing unit 34 can provide the information to be provided including information indicating the communication area on a map and information highlighting the non-communication area estimated by the estimation unit 33. Furthermore, when the providing unit 34 cannot acquire the information indicating the communication area, the providing unit 34 can provide the information to be provided including information highlighting the communication available area and the non-communication area estimated by the estimation unit 33 on a map in different modes (for example, colors).

[0123] The providing unit 34 can provide, as the provided information, information showing a heat map in which the distribution of the estimated spatial difference statistics is colored on a map according to the difference statistics. The heat map is created, for example, by increasing the density of red as the difference statistics becomes smaller and increasing the density of blue as the difference statistics becomes larger, but is not limited to this example.

[0124] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of provided information provided by the providing unit 34 in the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. In the provided information 50 shown in Fig. 6, a communication-enabled area 51 and a non-communication area 52 of the mobile communication network 31 are highlighted. The provided information 50 can be enlarged or reduced by an operation of the user U of the wireless terminal 2.

[0125] [4. Processing Procedure] Next, a procedure of information processing by the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0126] 7, the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 determines whether or not detection information has been acquired from the wireless terminal 2 (step S10). If the processing unit 12 determines that detection information has been acquired (step S10: Yes), the processing unit 12 stores the acquired detection information in the storage unit 11 (step S11).

[0127] When the processing of step S11 is completed or when it is determined that the detection information has not been acquired (step S10: No), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the estimation timing has arrived (step S12). The estimation timing is, for example, a timing that arrives at a predetermined cycle or a timing at which an estimation request is received from the wireless terminal 2 by an operation on the wireless terminal 2 by the user U, but is not limited to such examples.

[0128] When the processing unit 12 determines that the estimation timing has arrived (step S12: Yes), it identifies the target time Tt of each piece of location information included in each piece of detection information (step S13).Then, the processing unit 12 estimates the communication coverage area based on the difference ΔT between the detection time Td and the target time Tt in each piece of location information (step S14).

[0129] When the processing of step S14 is completed or when it is determined that the estimation timing has not arrived (step S12: No), the processing unit 12 determines whether the provision timing has arrived (step S15). The provision timing is, for example, a timing that arrives at a predetermined cycle or a timing when an estimation request or a provision request is received from the wireless terminal 2 by an operation on the wireless terminal 2 by the user U, but is not limited to such examples.

[0130] When the processing unit 12 determines that the timing for providing information has arrived (step S15: Yes), it provides the information to be provided (step S16). When the processing of step S16 has ended or when the processing unit 12 determines that the timing for providing information has not arrived (step S15: No), it determines whether the timing for ending the operation has arrived (step S17). The processing unit 12 determines that the timing for ending the operation has arrived, for example, when the power of the information processing device 1 is turned off.

[0131] If the processing unit 12 determines that the operation end time has not yet arrived (step S17: No), it proceeds to step S10, and if it determines that the operation end time has arrived (step S17: Yes), it terminates the processing shown in Figure 8.

[0132] [5. Modifications] The providing unit 34 can also provide information including the communication coverage areas in chronological order. In this case, the providing unit 34 transmits to the wireless terminal 2 information to be displayed on the wireless terminal 2 by switching the communication coverage areas in order from the oldest period to the newest period, for example.

[0133] In addition, the providing unit 34 can also transmit to the wireless terminal 2 the provided information to be displayed on the wireless terminal 2 by switching the communication coverage area for each mobile phone carrier, and can also transmit to the wireless terminal 2 the provided information to be displayed on the wireless terminal 2 in different ways for the communication coverage area for each mobile phone carrier.

[0134] In addition, if the wireless terminal 2 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with two or more communication carriers, the providing unit 34 can also notify the wireless terminal 2 of information about communication carriers that are able to communicate with the wireless terminal 2 at or near the location of the wireless terminal 2, among the two or more communication carriers.

[0135] [6. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 1 according to the embodiment described above is realized by, for example, a computer 80 configured as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 80 that realizes the functions of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The computer 80 has a CPU 81, a RAM 82, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 84, a communication interface (I / F) 85, an input / output interface (I / F) 86, and a media interface (I / F) 87.

[0136] The CPU 81 operates and controls each part based on programs stored in the ROM 83 or the HDD 84. The ROM 83 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 81 when the computer 80 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 80, and the like.

[0137] The HDD 84 stores programs executed by the CPU 81, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 85 receives data from other devices via the network N (see FIG. 2) and sends it to the CPU 81, and transmits data generated by the CPU 81 to other devices via the network N.

[0138] The CPU 81 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse, via the input / output interface 86. The CPU 81 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 86. The CPU 81 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 86.

[0139] The media interface 87 reads a program or data stored in a recording medium 88 and provides it to the CPU 81 via the RAM 82. The CPU 81 loads the program or data from the recording medium 88 onto the RAM 82 via the media interface 87 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 88 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0140] For example, when the computer 80 functions as the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment, the CPU 81 of the computer 80 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 82 to realize the functions of the processing unit 12. In addition, the HDD 84 stores data in the storage unit 11. The CPU 81 of the computer 80 reads and executes these programs from a recording medium 88, but as another example, the CPU 81 may obtain these programs from another device via the network N.

[0141] [7. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0142] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0143] For example, the information processing device 1 described above may be realized by a terminal device and a server computer, or may be realized by multiple server computers. Furthermore, depending on the function, the configuration can be flexibly changed, such as by calling an external platform using an API or network computing.

[0144] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0145] [8. Effects] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 31, a determination unit 32, and an estimation unit 33. The acquisition unit 31 acquires information transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal 2, including location information detected by the wireless terminal 2 and information indicating the detection time of the location information. The determination unit 32 determines, as the target time, the time when the location information is acquired by the acquisition unit 31 or the time when the wireless terminal transmits the location information by wireless communication. The estimation unit 33 estimates an area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is available, based on the difference between the detection time and the target time. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate the area in which communication is available.

[0146] Furthermore, the estimation unit 33 estimates an area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication during a disaster, from among a normal communication area in which the wireless terminal 2 can communicate by wireless communication during normal times when no disaster has occurred. This allows the information processing device 1 to accurately estimate the communicable area.

[0147] The information processing device 1 includes a providing unit 34 that provides information indicating a communication area within a normal communication area estimated by the estimating unit 33. This allows the information processing device 1 to accurately estimate a communication area.

[0148] The estimation unit 33 estimates an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is not possible, and the provision unit 34 provides information indicating the area where wireless communication is not possible estimated by the estimation unit 33. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate an area where communication is not possible.

[0149] The providing unit 34 provides information that highlights the communicable area estimated by the estimation unit 33 on a map. This allows the information processing device 1 to allow the user U to easily understand the communicable area.

[0150] If the difference between the detection time Td and the target time Tt is within a threshold, the estimation unit 33 estimates that wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 31. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate the area in which communication is possible.

[0151] The estimation unit 33 sets a smaller threshold value Tth when the moving speed of the user U carrying the wireless terminal 2 is fast compared to when the moving speed is slow. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate the communicable area.

[0152] The estimation unit 33 estimates an area in which wireless communication is possible by the wireless terminal 2, based on a probability distribution according to the difference between the detection time Td and the target time Tt. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate an area in which communication is possible.

[0153] The estimation unit 33 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible for each area obtained by dividing a map according to a predetermined rule. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate an area in which communication is possible.

[0154] The estimation unit 33 estimates whether wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible for each area based on the difference between the detection time Td of the position in the area and the target time Tt and the number of wireless terminals 2 in the area. This allows the information processing device 1 to accurately estimate the area in which communication is possible.

[0155] The estimation unit 33 estimates an area where wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible for each mobile phone carrier. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate an area where communication is possible for each mobile phone carrier.

[0156] The estimation unit 33 estimates an area in which wireless communication by the wireless terminal 2 is possible for each of the wireless LAN communication and the mobile phone communication. This allows the information processing device 1 to easily estimate an area in which communication is possible for each of the wireless LAN communication and the mobile phone communication.

[0157] The above describes the embodiments of the present application in detail based on the drawings, but this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0158] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an acquisition unit can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1. Information processing equipment 2,21~2 n wireless terminal 3,31~3 m Mobile communication network 4 Wide area communication network 51~5 k wireless lan base station 10. Communications Department 11 Storage section 12 Processing section 20 Detection information storage unit 21 Communication availability information storage unit 30 Reception 31 Acquisition Department 32 Specific part 33 Estimation part 34 Providing Department 100 Information Processing Systems N Network

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information transmitted from a wireless terminal via wireless communication, the information including location information detected by the wireless terminal and information indicating the time when the location information was detected; an identification unit that identifies, as a target time, a time when the location information is acquired by the acquisition unit or a time when the wireless terminal transmits the location information by wireless communication; an estimation unit that estimates an area in which the wireless terminal can perform wireless communication based on the difference between the detection time and the target time.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The estimation unit Among a normal communication area in which the wireless terminal can communicate by wireless communication in normal times when no disaster has occurred, an area in which the wireless terminal can communicate by wireless communication in the event of a disaster is estimated.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. a providing unit that provides information indicating the communication area estimated by the estimation unit within the normal communication area; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The estimation unit Estimating an area in which the wireless communication by the wireless terminal is impossible; The providing unit providing information indicating the area where wireless communication is not possible, which is estimated by the estimation unit; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,

5. The providing unit Provide information highlighting the communicable area estimated by the estimation unit on a map.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

6. The estimation unit If the difference between the detection time and the target time is within a threshold, it is estimated that the wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The estimation unit When the moving speed of the user holding the wireless terminal is fast, the threshold is set smaller than when the moving speed is slow.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. The estimation unit An area in which the wireless terminal can perform wireless communication is estimated based on a probability distribution according to the difference between the detection time and the target time.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

9. The estimation unit A map is divided into areas according to a predetermined rule, and it is estimated whether or not the wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

10. The estimation unit and estimating whether the wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible for each area based on the difference between the detection time of the position in the area and the target time and the number of the wireless terminals in the area.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,

11. The estimation unit Estimating an area in which the wireless communication by the wireless terminal is possible for each mobile phone carrier 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

12. The estimation unit Estimating an area in which the wireless terminal can perform wireless communication for each of wireless LAN communication and mobile phone communication.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

13. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring information transmitted by wireless communication from the wireless terminal, the information including location information detected by the wireless terminal and information indicating the detection time of the location information; a specifying step of specifying, as a target time, a time when the location information is acquired by the acquiring step or a time when the wireless terminal transmits the location information by wireless communication; and estimating an area in which the wireless terminal can perform the wireless communication based on the difference between the detected time and the target time.

1. An information processing method comprising:

14. an acquisition step of acquiring information transmitted from the wireless terminal via wireless communication, the information including location information detected by the wireless terminal and information indicating the time of detection of the location information; a specifying step of specifying, as a target time, a time when the location information is acquired by the acquiring step or a time when the wireless terminal transmits the location information by wireless communication; and an estimation procedure for estimating an area in which the wireless terminal can perform wireless communication based on the difference between the detected time and the target time. An information processing program characterized by:

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