Verification system and verification method

Abstract

To be desirable to realize a technique capable of appropriately extracting a removable wireless access point by verifying an arrangement of a plurality of wireless access points.SOLUTION: A verification system 40 includes a reference radio wave intensity setting part 42, a radio wave intensity information acquisition part 41, and a verification processing part 44. The reference radio wave intensity setting part 42 sets a reference radio wave intensity at each of a plurality of observation points in a target area. The radio wave intensity information acquisition part 41 acquires observation point radio wave intensity information that is at least one of a predicted value of radio wave intensity calculated for each observation point and an actual measurement value of radio wave intensity measured for each observation point. The verification processing part 44 performs a verification process based on the observation point radio wave intensity information. The verification processing includes a removable access point extraction process of extracting a removable wireless access point while satisfying a radio wave intensity condition that the radio wave intensity equal to or higher than the reference radio wave intensity is secured at all of the plurality of observation points.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a verification system and a verification method for a wireless communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a wireless communication system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-160219 (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, reference numerals in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses. The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 includes multiple wireless access points (APs) and is configured to perform wireless communication with a terminal (T). Patent Document 1 describes that when a target area for placing the wireless access points (APs) is an area that has at least surrounding walls (Sw), the wireless access points (APs) are placed taking into consideration the reflection of radio waves from the walls (Sw). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1, the radius (Rca1) of the coverage area of ​​the wireless access point (AP) in an area including the walls (Sw) is set to a value larger than the radius (Rca2) of the coverage area of ​​the wireless access point (AP) in an area that does not include the walls (Sw), and the wireless access points (APs) are placed based on these radii (Rca1, Rca2) according to the target area for placement. According to Patent Document 1, by arranging wireless access points (APs) in this way, it is possible to optimize the number of wireless access points (APs) to be arranged in the target arrangement area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-160219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, radio wave propagation in a target area (an area to which radio waves are provided from a wireless access point) is generally affected not only by walls as considered in Patent Document 1, but also by various objects, such as equipment, placed in the target area. Furthermore, the magnitude of the influence can vary for different objects, even for the same type of object (for example, depending on the material of the wall). Therefore, simply varying the radius of the coverage area depending on the presence or absence of walls, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, does not necessarily optimize the placement of multiple wireless access points. For example, there is a risk of placing more wireless access points than necessary. In such cases where more wireless access points than necessary are placed, removing unnecessary wireless access points can reduce radio wave interference and costs. Therefore, it is desirable to verify the placement of multiple wireless access points and appropriately identify any wireless access points that can be removed. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe such verification.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a technology that can verify the placement of multiple wireless access points and appropriately extract wireless access points that can be removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The verification system according to the present disclosure is a verification system for a wireless communication system that has a plurality of wireless access points arranged to provide radio waves to a target area and that performs wireless communication with a mobile object moving within the target area, and includes: a reference radio wave intensity setting unit that sets a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area, using layout information as information including information on the shape of the target area and information on the arrangement of objects that affect radio wave propagation in the target area, and information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of wireless access points as arrangement information; and a reference radio wave intensity setting unit that sets a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area, calculated for each of the observation points based on the layout information and the arrangement information. The system comprises a radio wave strength information acquisition unit that acquires observation point radio wave strength information, which is at least one of a predicted value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the wireless access points and an actual measured value of the radio wave strength measured at each of the plurality of wireless access points and provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points, and a verification processing unit that performs a verification process on the placement of the plurality of wireless access points based on the observation point radio wave strength information, wherein the verification process includes a removable access point extraction process that extracts, from the plurality of wireless access points, a wireless access point that can be removed while satisfying a radio wave strength condition that the radio wave strength is maintained at or above the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points.

[0007] A verification method according to the present disclosure is a verification method for a wireless communication system that has a plurality of wireless access points arranged to provide radio waves to a target area and that performs wireless communication with a mobile object moving within the target area, the verification method including: setting a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area, using layout information as information including information on the shape of the target area and information on the arrangement of objects that affect radio wave propagation in the target area, and using arrangement information as information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of wireless access points; and calculating a reference radio wave intensity of the plurality of wireless access points calculated for each of the observation points based on the layout information and the arrangement information. The method comprises a radio wave strength information acquisition process for acquiring observation point radio wave strength information, which is at least one of a predicted value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the access points and an actual measured value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points measured at each of the observation points; and a verification process for performing a verification process on the placement of the plurality of wireless access points based on the observation point radio wave strength information, wherein the verification process includes a removable access point extraction process for extracting, from the plurality of wireless access points, wireless access points that can be removed while satisfying a radio wave strength condition that the radio wave strength is maintained at or above the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points.

[0008] According to these verification systems and methods, the verification process for the placement of multiple wireless access points can be performed based on observation point radio wave strength information, which is the radio wave strength for each observation point, and therefore, removable wireless access points can be appropriately extracted in the removable access point extraction process included in the verification process. In this case, since the observation point radio wave strength information is at least one of a predicted radio wave strength value calculated for each observation point and an actual radio wave strength value measured for each observation point, removable wireless access points can be appropriately extracted regardless of whether or not a wireless access point is actually installed. As described above, the above verification systems and verification methods make it possible to verify the placement of multiple wireless access points and appropriately extract removable wireless access points.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the verification system and verification method will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, which are set forth with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the target area [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows an example of a moving object. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a verification system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of an observation point [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing pre-processing and verification processing according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a removable access point extraction process according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] A diagram showing three examples (example 1, example 2, example 3) of communication areas for each access point. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the first example; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the first example; [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the first example; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the first example; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the second example; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the second example; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the second example; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the second example; [Figure 16] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the third example; [Figure 17] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the third example; [Figure 18] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the third example; [Figure 19] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the process of extracting removable access points in the third example; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiments of a verification system for a wireless communication system and a verification method for a wireless communication system will be described with reference to the drawings. While the following description focuses on the verification system, various technical features of the verification system disclosed in this specification can also be applied to the verification method and verification program (a program for causing a computer to function as a verification system). In addition to the verification system, verification method, and verification program, this specification also discloses a storage medium (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium such as an optical disk or flash memory) on which the verification program is stored.

[0012] The verification system 40 is a system targeted at a wireless communication system 30 (specifically, a system targeted for verification). As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 30 includes a plurality of wireless access points 31 arranged to provide radio waves to a target area TA. The target area TA is an area in which a mobile object 10, which will be described later, moves. In the example shown in FIG. 1, all of the wireless access points 31 are arranged in the target area TA. However, it is sufficient that the wireless access points 31 are arranged to provide radio waves to the target area TA, and at least some of the plurality of wireless access points 31 may be arranged outside the target area TA. Note that, in this specification, electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication are referred to as "radio waves," and "radio waves" are not limited to electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency band. In the present embodiment, as an example, the "radio waves" are electromagnetic waves of a frequency used in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0013] The wireless communication system 30 performs wireless communication with a mobile object 10 moving within a target area TA. Specifically, one of a plurality of wireless access points 31 that is communicatively connected to the mobile object 10 performs wireless communication with the mobile object 10. In this embodiment, the wireless communication system 30 performs wireless communication with a plurality of mobile objects 10 moving within the target area TA. The mobile object 10 includes a communication module capable of performing wireless communication with the wireless access point 31. The mobile object 10 establishes a communication link with one of the wireless access points 31 (e.g., the wireless access point 31 with the strongest radio wave intensity) to become communicatively connected to the wireless access point 31. As the mobile object 10 moves, the wireless access point 31 with which the mobile object 10 establishes a communication link is switched (roamed). In FIG. 1 , a communication area A in which radio wave intensity equal to or greater than a reference radio wave intensity is provided from the wireless access point 31 (in other words, radio waves with an intensity equal to or greater than the reference radio wave intensity reach the area) is simply represented by a circle centered on each wireless access point 31. The radio wave strength is expressed, for example, by a numerical value of RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

[0014] In this embodiment, the moving body 10 is configured to move by itself. Therefore, the moving body 10 is equipped with a driving force source (e.g., an electric motor) for movement. The moving body 10 moves, for example, autonomously or by remote control. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the moving body 10 is an article transport body and is configured to move to transport an article 2. Examples of the article transport body include an article transport vehicle as exemplified in FIG. 2 and an aircraft for article transport (e.g., a drone). Note that the moving body 10 may be configured to move for a purpose other than transporting the article 2 (e.g., surveillance, information gathering, etc.). Furthermore, the target area TA, which is the area in which the moving body 10 moves, may be an outdoor area (outside a building), but in this embodiment, the target area TA is an indoor area (inside a building).

[0015] The article transport vehicle serving as the moving body 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a ceiling-mounted transport vehicle that travels along rails 4 suspended from the ceiling. The moving body 10 includes a running unit 12 with running wheels 13 that roll on the running surface of the rails 4, and a main body 14 connected to the running unit 12. The running wheels 13 are driven to rotate by a driving force source such as an electric motor, causing the running unit 12 to travel along the rails 4. As a result, the moving body 10 moves along a travel path 3 formed by the rails 4. An article 2 is accommodated in the main body 14 and transported by the moving body 10. The article 2 is, for example, a front-opening unified pod (FOUP) that accommodates semiconductor wafers. Note that the article transport vehicle serving as the moving body 10 is not limited to a ceiling-mounted transport vehicle, but may also be a rail-guided vehicle that travels along rails installed on the floor, or a non-rail-guided vehicle such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an autonomous mobile robot (AMR). When the moving body 10 is a trackless guided vehicle, the moving path 3 of the moving body 10 is set, for example, to connect multiple detectable objects (two-dimensional codes, wireless tags, etc.) provided on the floor surface, or is freely set by calculation based on the recognition results of the surrounding environment.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a conveyance facility 1 in which an item 2 (see FIG. 2) is conveyed by a mobile object 10, as an example of a facility to which a wireless communication system 30 is applied. FIGS. 1 and 4 show a planar layout (layout in a plan view) of the conveyance facility 1, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface corresponds to the up-down direction (height direction). In the example shown in FIG. 1, multiple facilities 5 are provided in a target area TA, and the movement route 3 of the mobile object 10 is predetermined to pass through multiple facilities 5. Examples of the facilities 5 include a processing device that processes the item 2 (or contents contained in the item 2), and a storage device that stores the item 2. The facilities 5 can be the source or destination of the item 2.

[0017] The conveyance facility 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control device 7 that controls a moving body 10 (here, multiple moving bodies 10). The control device 7 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and peripheral circuits such as a memory, and each function of the control device 7 is realized by cooperation between hardware such as the arithmetic processing device and a program executed on the hardware. The control device 7 assigns a task for transporting an item 2 to one of the moving bodies 10. The moving body 10 assigned a task is controlled to execute the task. For example, a moving body 10 assigned a transport task of transporting an item 2 from a source to a destination is controlled to move to the source specified in the transport task, receive the item 2, and then move to the destination specified in the transport task and hand over the item 2.

[0018] The control device 7 is aware of the current position of the moving object 10 (in this embodiment, the current positions of each of the multiple moving objects 10). In this embodiment, the moving object 10 is configured to recognize its own current position, and the control device 7 acquires information on the current position of the moving object 10 from the moving object 10. Although details are omitted, for example, a configuration is possible in which detectable objects (e.g., one-dimensional codes, two-dimensional codes, wireless tags, etc.) that hold position information are provided at multiple positions along the moving path 3, and the moving object 10 recognizes its own current position by reading the position information held by the detectable objects. The moving object 10 recognizes its own current position, for example, based on the read position information and the distance traveled since the position information was read. A configuration is also possible in which the moving object 10 recognizes its own current position based on the output of a positioning device such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver.

[0019] 1, a wireless communication system 30 performs communication between a control device 7 and a mobile object 10. The wireless communication system 30 is configured to communicably connect a plurality of wireless access points 31 to the control device 7. Specifically, the wireless communication system 30 includes devices (e.g., LAN cables, hubs, etc.) for constructing a communication network between the plurality of wireless access points 31 and the control device 7. The wireless access points 31 relay communication between the mobile object 10 and the control device 7.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the verification system 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the verification system 40 includes a radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 41, a reference radio wave intensity setting unit 42, and a verification processing unit 44. In this embodiment, the verification system 40 further includes an access point number threshold setting unit 43. These functional units (41 to 44) included in the verification system 40 are at least logically distinct, and do not necessarily need to be physically distinct. The verification system 40 (specifically, the control device included in the verification system 40) includes an arithmetic processing unit and peripheral circuits, and the functions of each functional unit included in the verification system 40 are realized by cooperation between hardware such as the arithmetic processing unit and a program executed on the hardware. Note that the verification system 40 may be realized not by a single device (for example, a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation), but by multiple devices that can communicate with each other.

[0021] The radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 is a functional unit that acquires observation point radio wave strength information. The process of acquiring observation point radio wave strength information corresponds to the "radio wave strength information acquisition process" in the verification method for the wireless communication system 30, and the "radio wave strength information acquisition function" is realized by executing this process. As will be described in detail later, the observation point radio wave strength information is information on the radio wave strength for each observation point P. Multiple observation points P are set within the target area TA. The observation points P are set manually by an operator or the like, or automatically by the verification system 40. In the latter case, the observation points P are set by the verification system 40 based on, for example, information on the shape of the target area TA and information on the movement route 3 of the mobile body 10.

[0022] 1, when the moving body 10 is configured to move along a predetermined moving route 3, it is preferable that the observation point P be set at a point at least along the moving route 3. In this case, the observation point P may be set at a point other than a point along the moving route 3, but it is also possible to configure the observation point P to be set only at points along the moving route 3. Even when the moving route 3 of the moving body 10 is not predetermined but is set freely each time, it is preferable that the observation point P be set at a point at least along the moving route 3 that can be set, if the possible moving routes 3 can be narrowed down to some extent.

[0023] An observation point P is set, for example, in each of a plurality of meshes that are set by dividing (mesh division) the target area TA. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 4, an observation point P is set in each of a plurality of meshes that are set by dividing the target area TA two-dimensionally (here, in two mutually perpendicular horizontal directions). In this case, the height (vertical position) of the observation point P is set, for example, to the height of the travel path 3 (or the height of the moving object 10 traveling on the travel path 3). Note that FIG. 4 shows three types of observation points P: a first point P1, a second point P2, and a third point P3; however, the first point P1, the second point P2, and the third point P3 will be described later.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the observation point P is a point having the same area as the mesh, but the observation point P may also be a point having a smaller area than the mesh. In this case, for example, a representative point in the mesh (e.g., the central point) is set as the observation point P. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the entire target area TA is evenly divided, but the size of the mesh may vary depending on the location within the target area TA. Also, the observation points P do not need to be set throughout the entire target area TA, but only need to be set in at least an area in the target area TA where wireless communication between the wireless communication system 30 and the mobile object 10 is required (e.g., an area where the travel route 3 is located). In other words, the observation points P may be set to be unevenly distributed depending on the characteristics of each area within the target area TA (e.g., whether or not the travel route 3 is located). For example, the observation points P can be set only in meshes that include the travel route 3 among multiple meshes. In this case, the observation points P are set only at points along the travel route 3.

[0025] As described above, the observation point radio wave strength information is information on the radio wave strength for each observation point P. Specifically, the observation point radio wave strength information is at least one of "predicted values ​​of radio wave strength calculated for each observation point P and provided from each of the multiple wireless access points 31" and "actual measured values ​​of radio wave strength measured for each observation point P and provided from each of the multiple wireless access points 31." If the observation point radio wave strength information is the predicted value, the predicted value is assigned to all observation points P. If the observation point radio wave strength information is the actual measured value, the actual measured value is assigned to all observation points P. If the observation point radio wave strength information is both the predicted value and the actual measured value, the following three cases are included. In the first case, both predicted values ​​and actual measured values ​​are assigned to all of the multiple observation points P. In the second case, both predicted values ​​and actual measured values ​​are assigned to some observation points P, and either predicted values ​​or actual measured values ​​are assigned to the remaining observation points P. In the third case, predicted values ​​are assigned to some observation points P, and actual measured values ​​are assigned to the remaining observation points P. For an observation point P where both a predicted value and an actual measured value are given, for example, either the predicted value or the actual measured value can be used as the radio wave strength at the observation point P, or a value based on both the predicted value and the actual measured value (for example, their average value) can be used as the radio wave strength at the observation point P.

[0026] The predicted values ​​and actual measured values ​​are provided so as to be distinguishable for each wireless access point 31. Therefore, based on the observation point radio wave strength information, it is possible to define a communication area A (an area where radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength) for each wireless access point 31, as shown in Fig. 7, which will be referred to later. Note that Fig. 7 shows three examples (first example, second example, and third example) of the communication areas A of four wireless access points 31: a first access point AP1, a second access point AP2, a third access point AP3, and a fourth access point AP4.

[0027] The predicted value of radio wave strength included in the observation point radio wave strength information is calculated based on layout information and arrangement information. By calculating the strength of radio waves provided to each observation point P for each wireless access point 31 using a propagation model, the predicted value of radio wave strength for each observation point P can be obtained. Here, the layout information includes information on the shape (planar or three-dimensional shape) of the target area TA and information on the arrangement of objects that affect the propagation of radio waves in the target area TA (for example, the rails 4, facilities 5, and walls 6 that constitute the travel route 3 in the example shown in FIG. 1 ). The arrangement information is information that indicates the arrangement of multiple wireless access points 31. The arrangement information may be information that indicates the arrangement of multiple wireless access points 31 set for simulation, or information that indicates the arrangement of multiple wireless access points 31 that are actually installed. In this embodiment, the rails 4, facilities 5, and walls 6 each correspond to an "object."

[0028] When the observation point radio wave strength information acquired by the radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 includes a predicted value of radio wave strength, the radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 acquires the predicted value of radio wave strength after calculation, or acquires layout information and arrangement information and performs calculation based on the acquired layout information and arrangement information to acquire the predicted value of radio wave strength. Figure 3 illustrates the latter case. In this case, the layout information and arrangement information are transmitted to the radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 from, for example, a computer operated by a person such as an operator (for example, a computer for displaying the verification results by the verification system 40). The radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 may also be configured to acquire the layout information and arrangement information from the control device 7 (see Figure 1).

[0029] When the observation point radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 41 includes an actual measured value of radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 41 acquires actual measured radio wave intensity information, which is information on the actual measured value of radio wave intensity, as shown in FIG. 3. The actual measured value of radio wave intensity may be measured by the mobile object 10 (specifically, a communication module mounted on the mobile object 10) or by a device separate from the mobile object 10. In the former case, for example, the actual measured value of radio wave intensity for each observation point P can be acquired by referring to a log storage device that stores a log of the location of the mobile object 10, a log of the wireless access point 31 to which the mobile object 10 has connected, and a log of the intensity of radio waves received by the mobile object 10 from the wireless access point 31 to which the mobile object 10 has connected. This log storage device is provided, for example, in the control device 7 (see FIG. 1).

[0030] The reference radio wave strength setting unit 42 is a functional unit that sets the reference radio wave strength. The step of setting the reference radio wave strength corresponds to the "reference radio wave strength setting step" in the verification method for the wireless communication system 30, and the execution of this step realizes the "reference radio wave strength setting function." The reference radio wave strength setting unit 42 sets the reference radio wave strength, which is a reference value of the radio wave strength from the wireless communication system 30 at each of multiple observation points P within the target area TA. The reference radio wave strength is, for example, the lower limit of the allowable radio wave strength. The reference radio wave strength setting unit 42 sets, for example, a preset value as the reference radio wave strength, or a value input by a person such as an operator as the reference radio wave strength.

[0031] The reference radio wave intensity may be set to the same value for all observation points P, or may be set to a different value for each observation point P. In the latter case, for example, the reference radio wave intensity can be set to a different value depending on the characteristics of each observation point P. For example, the characteristics of an observation point P may be whether it is a point along the travel route 3, or whether it is a point along a main line section of the travel route 3 or a point along a section other than the main line section of the travel route 3. As an example, the reference radio wave intensity setting unit 42 may be configured to set multiple stages for each section S of the travel route 3, and to set the reference radio wave intensity to a different value depending on the stage. These stages may be, for example, stages that correspond to the travel speed of the mobile object 10, or stages that correspond to the traffic volume of the mobile object 10.

[0032] Specifically, the travel route 3 shown in FIG. 4 includes, as sections S, a first section S1 that does not pass through the facility 5 (see FIG. 1) and a second section S2 that passes through the facility 5. In this case, the first section S1 is a trunk section, and the second section S2 is a section other than the trunk section. Furthermore, as the travel speed (average travel speed) of the mobile object 10 increases in the first section S1, the radio wave strength required in the first section S1 may increase. In view of this, the reference radio wave strength setting unit 42 may be configured to set multiple stages according to the travel speed of the mobile object 10 for each section S of the travel route 3, and to set the reference radio wave strength to a higher value as the travel speed of the mobile object 10 increases in accordance with the stage. In this case, the stage set for the first section S1 is a stage with a higher travel speed than the stage set for the second section S2, and a higher reference radio wave strength is set for a first point P1, which is an observation point P along the first section S1, than for a second point P2, which is an observation point P along the second section S2.

[0033] 4, an observation point P that is not along the travel route 3 is designated as a third point P3, and in order to distinguish between the first point P1, the second point P2, and the third point P3, the third point P3 is shown as a solid line, and the first point P1 and the second point P2 are shown with different types of hatching. A reference signal strength lower than that of the second point P2 can be set for the third point P3, or the reference signal strength set for the third point P3 can be set to zero (in other words, the third point P3 can be excluded from the observation points P).

[0034] 4, an increase in the traffic volume (average traffic volume) of mobile objects 10 in the first section S1 may result in an increase in the radio wave intensity required in the first section S1. In consideration of this, the reference radio wave intensity setting unit 42 may set a plurality of stages according to the traffic volume of mobile objects 10 for each section S of the travel route 3, and may set the reference radio wave intensity to a higher value according to the stage as the traffic volume of mobile objects 10 increases. In this case, the stage set for the first section S1 has a higher traffic volume than the stage set for the second section S2, and a higher reference radio wave intensity is set for the first point P1, which is the observation point P along the first section S1, than for the second point P2, which is the observation point P along the second section S2.

[0035] The access point number threshold setting unit 43 is a functional unit that sets the access point number threshold. The step of setting the access point number threshold corresponds to the "access point number threshold setting step" in the verification method for the wireless communication system 30, and the execution of this step realizes the "access point number threshold setting function." The access point number threshold setting unit 43 sets the access point number threshold, which is the threshold for the number of wireless access points 31 that provide radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength, at each of multiple observation points P. The access point number threshold may be set to "1," but a value of "2" or greater is preferable for stabilizing communication. The access point number threshold may be set to the same value for all observation points P, or may be set to a different value for each observation point P. The access point number threshold setting unit 43 sets the access point number threshold to, for example, a preset value or a value input by a person, such as an operator, as the access point number threshold.

[0036] The verification processing unit 44 is a functional unit that performs verification processing on the placement of multiple wireless access points 31. The step of performing the verification processing corresponds to the "verification processing step" in the verification method for the wireless communication system 30, and the execution of this step realizes the "verification processing function." The verification processing unit 44 performs verification processing on the placement of multiple wireless access points 31 based on observation point radio wave intensity information. The verification processing includes a removable access point extraction process described below. The verification processing may include processing other than the removable access point extraction process. For example, the verification processing may be configured to include an addition point extraction process that extracts a point to which a wireless access point 31 should be added, and a destination point extraction process that extracts a point to which the wireless access point 31 should be moved.

[0037] The removable access point extraction process is a process for extracting, from a plurality of wireless access points 31, wireless access points 31 that can be removed while satisfying a radio wave strength condition that radio wave strength equal to or greater than a reference radio wave strength is ensured at all of a plurality of observation points P. Although it is possible to extract removable wireless access points 31 after moving or adding the wireless access points 31, in the removable access point extraction process in this embodiment, wireless access points 31 that can be removed without moving or adding the wireless access points 31 are extracted.

[0038] In this embodiment, the removable access point extraction process extracts removable wireless access points 31 so as to satisfy not only the radio wave strength condition but also the access point number condition, which requires that the number of wireless access points 31 providing radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength at all of the observation points P is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold. Note that if the access point number threshold is set to "1" for all of the observation points P, the radio wave strength condition is satisfied, and therefore the access point number condition is also satisfied. Therefore, in this case, by extracting wireless access points 31 that are removable and satisfy the radio wave strength condition, it is possible to extract removable wireless access points 31 that satisfy both the radio wave strength condition and the access point number condition.

[0039] Hereinafter, the pre-processing and verification processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 5, as pre-processing, a radio wave strength information acquisition process for acquiring observation point radio wave strength information is executed by the radio wave strength information acquisition unit 41 (step #01), and a reference radio wave strength setting process for setting a reference radio wave strength at each of the plurality of observation points P is executed by the reference radio wave strength setting unit 42 (step #02). In this embodiment, as pre-processing, an access point number threshold setting process for setting an access point number threshold at each of the plurality of observation points P is further executed by the access point number threshold setting unit 43 (step #03). Note that the execution order of these three processes (steps #01 to #03) shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and these three processes may be executed in any order, or two or three processes may be executed in parallel. Then, after the pre-processing, a removable access point extraction process is executed by the verification processing unit 44 as verification processing (step #04).

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, in the removable access point extraction process, the verification processing unit 44 repeatedly executes a non-removable access point setting process and a target point setting process, starting from a state in which all of the multiple wireless access points 31 are set as target access points and all of the multiple observation points P are set as target points TP (see Fig. 8, etc.). That is, the verification processing unit 44 sets all of the wireless access points 31 as target access points (step #10) and sets all of the observation points P as target points TP (step #11). Note that the execution order of the two processes (steps #10 and #11) shown in Fig. 6 is an example, and either of these two processes may be executed first, or these two processes may be executed in parallel.

[0041] The non-removable access point setting process is a process in which, among the wireless access points 31 set as target access points, a wireless access point 31 (hereinafter referred to as a "maximum covering access point") that provides radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to the largest number of target points TP is set as a non-removable access point and excluded from the target access points when the wireless access point 31 provides radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to one or more target points TP (steps #12 to #14). That is, the verification processing unit 44 searches for a maximum covering access point that covers the largest number of target points TP from among the target access points (step #12). Here, "covering" means providing radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength. Then, if the maximum covering access point covers one or more target points TP (step #13: Yes), the verification processing unit 44 sets the maximum covering access point as a non-removable access point and excludes it from the target access points (step #14).

[0042] The target point setting process is a process in which, each time a new non-removable access point is set, observation points P set at the target point TP that are provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength by non-removable access points whose number is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold are set as radio wave secured points PX and excluded from the target point TP (step #15). That is, after setting the maximum covering access point as a non-removable access point (step #14), the verification processing unit 44 excludes from the target point TP any observation point P that is covered by non-removable access points whose number is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (step #15).

[0043] The target points TP initially include all observation points P, and the number of target points TP gradually decreases as the removable access point extraction process progresses (specifically, as some observation points P are excluded from the target points TP in the target point setting process). The verification processing unit 44 repeatedly executes the non-removable access point setting process and the target point setting process (steps #12 to #15) while the target points TP exist (step #16: Yes). Then, in the non-removable access point setting process, the verification processing unit 44 extracts target access points for which there are no target points TP providing radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength as removable wireless access points 31 (hereinafter referred to as "removable access points") (step #17). That is, when the target points TP no longer exist (step #16: No), the verification processing unit 44 extracts target access points that no longer cover the target points TP (i.e., wireless access points 31 that are currently set as target access points) as removable access points (step #17). Furthermore, when the target point TP no longer exists (step #16: No), if there are no target access points (i.e., if all wireless access points 31 are set as non-removable access points), it is determined that there are no removable access points.

[0044] In the arrangement of multiple wireless access points 31 that are the subject of the verification process, there may be an observation point P where radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength is not provided by wireless access points 31 that are equal to or greater than the access point number threshold. In this case, it is determined that there are not at least one target point TP covered by the maximum coverage access point (step #13: No) until there are no more target points TP (step #16: Yes). In other words, it is determined that the remaining wireless access points 31 that have not been determined as non-removable access points at that time cannot reduce the number of target points TP (in other words, cannot increase the number of radio wave-secured points PX). If this determination is made (step #13: No), the verification processing unit 44 determines that there is a point PY with insufficient radio wave strength among the multiple observation points P (step #18) and terminates the removable access point extraction process. In step #18, the observation point P that is currently set as the target point TP is determined to be a point PY with insufficient radio wave strength.

[0045] In the present embodiment, as an example, the verification process includes, when it is determined based on the observation point signal strength information that there is a signal strength insufficient point PY among the multiple observation points P that is not provided with signal strength equal to or greater than the reference signal strength (in the present embodiment, the observation point P is not provided with signal strength equal to or greater than the reference signal strength from wireless access points 31 with a number of access points equal to or greater than the access point threshold), generating data for correction to add a new wireless access point 31 to a position where signal strength equal to or greater than the reference signal strength can be provided for the signal strength insufficient point PY. This correction data may be, for example, data identifying the signal strength insufficient point PY or data of location information modified to add a wireless access point 31 to the location. The verification system 40 then executes the signal strength information acquisition process and the verification process (removable access point extraction process) again using, for example, the modified location information.

[0046] Next, a specific example of the removable access point extraction process will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 19. Here, it is assumed that the removable access point extraction process is executed for four wireless access points 31 (first access point AP1, second access point AP2, third access point AP3, and fourth access point AP4), and FIG. 7 shows the communication areas A of the four wireless access points 31 for three examples (first example, second example, and third example). In these examples, the target area TA is divided into 64 (= 8 × 8) meshes as shown in FIG. 8, and an observation point P is set in each of the 64 meshes. The communication area A shown in FIG. 7 represents the arrangement area of ​​the observation points P that provide radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength, which is determined for each wireless access point 31 based on the observation point radio wave strength information.

[0047] 8 to 19, the numbers (circled numbers) attached to the observation points P (specifically, within the mesh in which the observation points P are set) represent the wireless access points 31 that provide radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to each observation point P. Specifically, the observation point P marked with a circled "1" is provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength from the first access point AP1, the observation point P marked with a circled "2" is provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength from the second access point AP2, the observation point P marked with a circled "3" is provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength from the third access point AP3, and the observation point P marked with a circled "4" is provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength from the fourth access point AP4. An observation point P that is provided with radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength from multiple wireless access points 31 is marked with multiple circled numbers.

[0048] 8 to 19, the number of target points TP covered by each wireless access point 31 (AP1 to AP4) in the state shown in each figure is shown on the right side. Also, in Figures 8 to 19, the observation points P that are set as target points TP out of the multiple observation points P are surrounded by a thick frame to distinguish between the observation points P that are set as target points TP and the observation points P that are set as radio wave secured points PX and are excluded from the target points TP.

[0049] <Example 1> 8 to 11 are explanatory diagrams of the process of extracting removable access points for the first example (see FIG. 7). In the first example, it is assumed that the access point number threshold is set to "1" for all observation points P. The following explanation will be given with reference to the steps shown in FIG.

[0050] First, as shown in Fig. 8, all four wireless access points 31 (AP1 to AP4) are set as target access points (step #10), and all 64 observation points P are set as target points TP (step #11). In this state, the third access point AP3 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12). Because the number of target points TP covered by the third access point AP3 (=40) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the third access point AP3 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, observation points P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, observation points P covered by the third access point AP3) are set as signal-guaranteed points PX and are excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in Fig. 9.

[0051] In the state shown in FIG. 9, target points TP still exist (step #16: Yes), and three wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP2, AP4) are set as target access points. Note that, as a result of excluding some observation points P from the target points TP, the number of target points TP covered by these three wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP2, AP4) has decreased compared to the state shown in FIG. 8. Then, the second access point AP2 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12). Because the number of target points TP covered by the second access point AP2 (=19) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the second access point AP2 is set as a non-removable access point and is removed from the target access points (step #14). Then, observation points P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, observation points P covered by the second access point AP2) are set as signal-guaranteed points PX and are removed from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG. 10.

[0052] 10 also has a target point TP (step #16: Yes), and in this state, two wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP4) are set as target access points. Then, the first access point AP1 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12), and because the number of target points TP covered by the first access point AP1 (=5) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the first access point AP1 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, an observation point P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation point P covered by the first access point AP1) is set as a radio wave-secured point PX and is excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0053] In the state shown in Fig. 11, there is no target point TP (step #16: No), and in this state, one wireless access point 31 (AP4) is set as the target access point. Therefore, the fourth access point AP4, which is a target access point that no longer covers the target point TP, is extracted as a removable access point (step #17). As is clear from Fig. 11, even if the fourth access point AP4 is removed (see the x marks in Fig. 11), radio wave strengths equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength are provided to all observation points P from wireless access points 31 equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (in this example, one or more).

[0054] <Example 2> 12 to 15 are explanatory diagrams of the process of extracting removable access points for the second example (see FIG. 7). In the second example, it is assumed that the access point number threshold is set to "1" for all observation points P. The following explanation will be given with reference to the steps shown in FIG.

[0055] First, as shown in Fig. 12, all four wireless access points 31 (AP1 to AP4) are set as target access points (step #10), and all 64 observation points P are set as target points TP (step #11). In this state, the third access point AP3 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12). Because the number of target points TP covered by the third access point AP3 (=32) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the third access point AP3 is set as a non-removable access point and excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, the observation points P covered by the non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation points P covered by the third access point AP3) are set as signal-guaranteed points PX and excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in Fig. 13.

[0056] 13 also has a target point TP (step #16: Yes), and in this state, three wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP2, AP4) are set as target access points. Then, the second access point AP2 is selected as the maximum coverage access point (step #12), and because the number of target points TP covered by the second access point AP2 (=21) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the second access point AP2 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, an observation point P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation point P covered by the second access point AP2) is set as a radio wave secured point PX and excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0057] 14 also has a target point TP (step #16: Yes), and in this state, two wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP4) are set as target access points. Then, the first access point AP1 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12), and because the number of target points TP covered by the first access point AP1 (=10) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the first access point AP1 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, an observation point P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation point P covered by the first access point AP1) is set as a radio wave-secured point PX and is excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0058] 15, a target point TP exists (step #16: Yes), and in this state, one wireless access point 31 (AP4) is set as the target access point. Then, the fourth access point AP4 is selected as the maximum coverage access point (step #12), and since the number of target points TP (=0) covered by the fourth access point AP4 is not one or more (step #13: No), the target point TP is determined to be a point PY with insufficient signal strength (step #18).

[0059] <Example 3> 16 to 19 are explanatory diagrams of the process of extracting removable access points for the third example (see FIG. 7). In the third example, it is assumed that the access point number threshold is set to "2" for all observation points P. The following explanation will be given with reference to the steps shown in FIG.

[0060] First, as shown in FIG. 16, all four wireless access points 31 (AP1 to AP4) are set as target access points (step #10), and all 64 observation points P are set as target points TP (step #11). In this state, the third access point AP3 is selected as the maximum coverage access point (step #12). Because the number of target points TP covered by the third access point AP3 (=53) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the third access point AP3 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). In this state, the number of wireless access points 31 set as non-removable access points is "1," which is less than the access point number threshold, so there is no observation point P that is covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold. Therefore, the observation point P is not excluded from the target points TP, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 17.

[0061] 17 also has a target point TP (step #16: Yes), and in this state, three wireless access points 31 (AP1, AP2, AP4) are set as target access points. Then, the first access point AP1 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12), and because the number of target points TP covered by the first access point AP1 (=49) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the first access point AP1 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, an observation point P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation point P covered by the first access point AP1 and the third access point AP3) is set as a radio wave-secured point PX and excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0062] 18 also has a target point TP (step #16: Yes), and in this state, two wireless access points 31 (AP2, AP4) are set as target access points. Then, the second access point AP2 is selected as the maximum-coverage access point (step #12). Because the number of target points TP covered by the second access point AP2 (=26) is one or more (step #13: Yes), the second access point AP2 is set as a non-removable access point and is excluded from the target access points (step #14). Then, an observation point P covered by non-removable access points equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (here, the observation point P covered by at least one of the first access point AP1 and the third access point AP3 and the second access point AP2) is set as a radio wave-secured point PX and excluded from the target points TP (step #15), resulting in the state shown in FIG. 19.

[0063] In the state shown in Fig. 19, there is no target point TP (step #16: No), and in this state, one wireless access point 31 (AP4) is set as the target access point. Therefore, the fourth access point AP4, which is a target access point that no longer covers the target point TP, is extracted as a removable access point (step #17). As is clear from Fig. 19, even if the fourth access point AP4 is removed (see the x marks in Fig. 19), radio wave strengths equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength are provided to all observation points P from wireless access points 31 equal to or greater than the access point number threshold (in this example, two or more).

[0064] The embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects, and various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] [Summary of this embodiment] The following provides a summary of the embodiment of the verification system described above.

[0066] The verification system is a verification system for a wireless communication system that has a plurality of wireless access points arranged to provide radio waves to a target area and that performs wireless communication with a mobile object moving within the target area, and includes a reference radio wave intensity setting unit that sets a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area, using layout information that includes information including information on the shape of the target area and information on the arrangement of objects that affect radio wave propagation in the target area, and arrangement information that indicates the arrangement of the plurality of wireless access points; and a verification processing unit that performs verification processing on the placement of the plurality of wireless access points based on the observation point radio wave strength information, wherein the verification processing includes a removable access point extraction processing that extracts, from the plurality of wireless access points, a wireless access point that is removable while satisfying a radio wave strength condition that the radio wave strength is maintained at or above the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points.

[0067] According to this configuration, the verification process for the placement of multiple wireless access points can be performed based on observation point radio wave strength information, which is the radio wave strength for each observation point, and therefore, removable wireless access points can be appropriately extracted in the removable access point extraction process included in the verification process. In this case, since the observation point radio wave strength information is at least one of a predicted radio wave strength value calculated for each observation point and an actual radio wave strength value measured for each observation point, removable wireless access points can be appropriately extracted regardless of whether or not a wireless access point is actually installed. As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to verify the placement of multiple wireless access points and appropriately extract removable wireless access points.

[0068] Here, it is preferable to further include an access point number threshold setting unit that sets an access point number threshold, which is a threshold for the number of wireless access points that provide radio wave strengths equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength, at each of the plurality of observation points, and in the removable access point extraction process, to extract the removable wireless access points so as to satisfy, in addition to the radio wave strength condition, also an access point number condition that the number of wireless access points that provide radio wave strengths equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold.

[0069] According to this configuration, in the removable access point extraction process, removable wireless access points can be extracted while satisfying the access point number condition in addition to the radio wave strength condition at all of the multiple observation points. Therefore, removable wireless access points can be appropriately extracted while ensuring stable wireless communication at all of the multiple observation points.

[0070] Furthermore, in the removable access point extraction process, the verification processing unit repeatedly executes a non-removable access point setting process and a target point setting process from a state in which all of the plurality of wireless access points are set as target access points and all of the plurality of observation points are set as target points, and the non-removable access point setting process is configured to set the wireless access point as non-removable when the wireless access point that provides the radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to one or more of the target points is the wireless access point that provides the radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to one or more of the target points. The target point setting process is a process in which, each time a non-removable access point is newly set, an observation point among the observation points set at the target point that is provided with a radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength by non-removable access points that are equal to or greater than the access point number threshold is set as a radio wave secured point and excluded from the target points, and it is preferable that, in the non-removable access point setting process, the verification processing unit extracts, as a removable wireless access point, a target access point that is no longer provided with a radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength.

[0071] According to this configuration, wireless access points that provide radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to many observation points can be left behind with priority, while wireless access points that can be removed can be appropriately extracted.

[0072] Preferably, the mobile body is configured to move along a predetermined movement route, and the observation point is set at a point at least along the movement route.

[0073] According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately extract removable wireless access points while ensuring stable wireless communication between the mobile body and the wireless access points.

[0074] Preferably, the reference radio wave intensity setting unit sets a plurality of stages for each section of the travel route, and sets the reference radio wave intensity to a different value according to the stage.

[0075] According to this configuration, even if the required radio wave strength differs depending on the section of the travel route, by setting the reference radio wave strength to a different value depending on the stage of each section, it is possible to appropriately extract wireless access points that can be removed while ensuring stable wireless communication between the mobile body and the wireless access points.

[0076] Furthermore, it is preferable that the verification process includes a process of generating data for correction to add a new wireless access point to a position where a radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength can be provided to the radio wave strength insufficient point when it is determined based on the observation point radio wave strength information that there is an observation point among the plurality of observation points where a radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength is not provided.

[0077] According to this configuration, when there is a point where signal strength is insufficient, data for making corrections to add new wireless access points so that signal strength equal to or greater than the reference signal strength can be generated in the verification process. Therefore, when it is determined in the verification process that there is a point where signal strength is insufficient, the data can be used to correct the placement of multiple wireless access points, thereby placing multiple wireless access points so that the signal strength conditions are met at all of the multiple observation points.

[0078] It is sufficient for the verification system according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 3: Travel route 4: Rail (object) 5: Equipment (object) 6: Wall (object) 10: Moving object 30: Wireless communication system 31: Wireless access point 40: Verification system 41: Radio field strength information acquisition section 42: Reference radio wave strength setting unit 43: Access point number threshold setting section 44: Verification processing unit P: Observation point PX: Location with secured signal PY: Points with insufficient signal strength S: Section TA: Target area TP: Target point

Claims

1. A verification system for a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of wireless access points arranged to provide radio waves to a target area and that performs wireless communication with a mobile object moving through the target area, information including information on the shape of the target area and information on the arrangement of objects that affect radio wave propagation in the target area is defined as layout information, and information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of wireless access points is defined as arrangement information, a reference radio wave intensity setting unit that sets a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area; a radio wave strength information acquisition unit that acquires observation point radio wave strength information, which is at least one of a predicted value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points, calculated for each of the observation points based on the layout information and the arrangement information, and an actual measured value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points, measured for each of the observation points; a verification processing unit that performs a verification process on the placement of the plurality of wireless access points based on the observation point radio wave intensity information, The verification system includes a removable access point extraction process, in which the verification process extracts, from among the plurality of wireless access points, wireless access points that can be removed while satisfying the radio wave strength condition that the radio wave strength is maintained at or above the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points.

2. an access point number threshold setting unit that sets an access point number threshold, which is a threshold for the number of wireless access points that provide radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength, at each of the plurality of observation points; The verification system described in claim 1, wherein the removable access point extraction process extracts the removable wireless access points so that in addition to the radio wave strength condition, the removable wireless access points also satisfy an access point number condition that the number of wireless access points providing radio wave strengths equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength at all of the multiple observation points is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold.

3. the verification processing unit repeatedly executes a non-removable access point setting process and a target point setting process from a state in which all of the plurality of wireless access points are set as target access points and all of the plurality of observation points are set as target points in the removable access point extraction process, the non-removable access point setting process is a process of setting a wireless access point that is set as a non-removable access point and excluding it from the target access points when the wireless access point that provides the radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to the largest number of target points provides the radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength to one or more target points, among the wireless access points set as the target access points, the target point setting process is a process of setting, each time the non-removable access point is newly set, the observation points set at the target point, at which the radio wave intensity equal to or greater than the reference radio wave intensity is provided by the non-removable access points whose number is equal to or greater than the access point number threshold, as radio wave assured points and excluding the observation points from the target point; The verification system described in claim 2, wherein the verification processing unit extracts, in the non-removable access point setting process, the target access points from which the target points providing radio wave strength greater than the reference radio wave strength no longer exist as the wireless access points that can be removed.

4. The moving body is configured to move along a predetermined movement path; The verification system according to claim 1 , wherein the observation points are set at least at points along the travel route.

5. The verification system according to claim 4 , wherein the reference radio wave intensity setting unit sets a plurality of stages for each section of the travel route, and sets the reference radio wave intensity to a different value depending on the stage.

6. The verification system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the verification process includes, when it is determined based on the observation point radio wave strength information that there is a radio wave strength insufficient point among the plurality of observation points, which is an observation point where radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength is not provided, generating data for correction to add a new wireless access point to a position where radio wave strength equal to or greater than the reference radio wave strength can be provided to the radio wave insufficient point.

7. A verification method for a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of wireless access points arranged to provide radio waves to a target area and that performs wireless communication with a mobile object moving in the target area, the method comprising: information including information on the shape of the target area and information on the arrangement of objects that affect radio wave propagation in the target area is defined as layout information, and information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of wireless access points is defined as arrangement information, a reference radio wave intensity setting step of setting a reference radio wave intensity, which is a reference value of radio wave intensity from the wireless communication system at each of a plurality of observation points within the target area; a radio wave strength information acquisition step of acquiring observation point radio wave strength information, which is at least one of a predicted value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points, calculated for each of the observation points based on the layout information and the arrangement information, and an actual measured value of the radio wave strength provided from each of the plurality of wireless access points, measured for each of the observation points; a verification process for verifying the placement of the plurality of wireless access points based on the observation point radio wave intensity information, The verification method includes a removable access point extraction process for extracting, from among the plurality of wireless access points, wireless access points that can be removed while satisfying a radio wave strength condition that the radio wave strength is maintained at or above the reference radio wave strength at all of the plurality of observation points.

Images