Method for controlling information processing system and information processing system

Abstract

To control a second terminal in an area based on a communication state of a first terminal.SOLUTION: A control method of an information processing system including a first terminal that acquires first position information, a second terminal that acquires second position information, and a server that sets, as a specific area, a non-communicable area in which communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communicable area in which communication with the second terminal is performed according to communication with the first terminal, the control method comprising: In at least one of a case where it is determined that a first condition that communication is not possible or a communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the position indicated by the first position information is satisfied and a case where it is determined that a second condition that communication is possible or a communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value at the position indicated by the first position information is satisfied, causing the server to set a specific area including the position indicated by the first position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control method for an information processing system and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a tracker terminal is mounted on a vehicle or the like, and the location of the tracker terminal is managed by a server.

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a server unit determines the network communication environment at the vehicle's location based on the strength of a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal received by a communication environment prediction unit installed in the vehicle (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 157076 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology described above, the strength of the GPS signal received by the communication environment prediction unit is used to determine the communication environment of the network, but for example, even if the strength of the GPS signal received from the GPS satellite is sufficient, the communication environment of the network is not necessarily good. Therefore, if the communication environment prediction unit described above erroneously determines that the network environment is good based on the strength of the received GPS signal, communication failures on the network may occur, resulting in a problem of increased power consumption by the communication environment prediction unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, to solve the above problem, there is provided a control method for an information processing system including a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that sets a specific area as a communication unavailable area where communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area where communication with the second terminal is performed, in response to communication with the first terminal, the control method including the steps of: causing the first terminal to acquire the first location information; causing the first terminal to acquire communication information regarding communication with the server at a location indicated by the first location information; causing the first terminal to transmit a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server; causing the server to determine, based on the communication signal, whether communication is possible or not at the location indicated by the first location information or whether communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition; and when it is determined that the first condition, that the communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information, is satisfied, or when it is determined that the first condition, that the communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information, is satisfied, a step of causing the server to set the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when at least one of the following cases is determined: when it is determined that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the specific area is set; a step of causing the server to transmit area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal; a step of causing the second terminal to acquire the second location information; and when the communication unavailable area is set by the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set by the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area.

[0007] In one aspect, to solve the above problem, a control method for an information processing system includes a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal, and sets a specific area in the second terminal according to communication between the first terminal and the server, the method comprising: acquiring first location information of the first terminal; acquiring communication information relating to communication between the server and the first terminal at a location indicated by the first location information of the first terminal; and, when it is determined according to the acquired communication information that a first condition is satisfied that the communication is absent or the communication strength of the communication is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information, or when the communication is absent at the location indicated by the first location information, the method comprises: and when it is determined that the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information is set, and when the second terminal is located within a communication-disabled area that is the specific area set by satisfying the first condition, the second terminal is prevented from communicating with the server, or when the second terminal is located within a communication-enabled area that is the specific area set by satisfying the second condition, the second terminal is allowed to communicate with the server.

[0008] In one aspect, to solve the above problem, there is provided an information processing system including a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that sets a communication unavailable area where communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area where communication with the second terminal is performed as a specific area in response to communication with the first terminal, wherein the first terminal acquires the first location information and acquires communication information regarding communication with the server at a location indicated by the first location information, and transmits a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server, and the server determines whether communication is possible or not or whether communication strength at the location indicated by the first location information satisfies a predetermined condition based on the communication signal, and when it is determined that the first condition that communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, or when it is determined that the first condition that communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value is satisfied at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, and when the second terminal determines that at least one of the first condition, that is, that the communication is possible or that the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, sets the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information and transmits area information including information about the set specific area to the second terminal; the second terminal acquires the second location information, and when the communication unavailable area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area, does not transmit the second location information to the server; or when the communication available area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area, transmits the second location information to the server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a first tracker terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a first tracker terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a second tracker terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of information stored in a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of first-terminal-related data in the first tracker terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a circular area setting for setting communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area according to an embodiment. [Figure 6B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of communication area information including communication-enabled areas and communication-disabled areas using polygonal zones according to an embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area using polygonal zones according to the embodiment. [Figure 6D] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area using a circular zone according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow when uploading from a first tracker terminal to a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow when a second tracker terminal according to an embodiment acquires communication area information from a server. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery base and a direction between the bases according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first table that associates the behavior history of the tracker terminal with the notification range of the communication area according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in which a server changes a notification range of a communication area in accordance with a behavior history of a tracker terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second table that associates individual communication area identification information of the tracker terminal with a reference time according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow for determining whether to use an individual communication area depending on the reference time of the individual communication area in the tracker terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of N tracker terminals, ie, a first tracker terminal A1 to an N-th tracker terminal AN, a server 11, a plurality of M base stations, ie, a first base station B1 to an M-th base station BM, and a communication network 21. In this embodiment, N is an integer of 2 or more. In this embodiment, M is an integer of 2 or more.

[0012] In this embodiment, one server 11 is shown, but as another example, the functions of the server 11 may be distributed among a plurality of devices. In this embodiment, one communication network 21 is shown, but as another example, the communication network 21 may be made up of a plurality of communication networks.

[0013] In this embodiment, M base stations, namely, the first base station B1 to the Mth base station BM, are distributed and each of the first base station B1 to the Mth base station BM communicates wirelessly with tracker terminals present in its respective communication coverage area. In the example of FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that N and M are the same number, and the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN communicate wirelessly with the first base station B1 to the Mth base station BM, respectively. As another example, in a situation where one base station can wirelessly communicate with all tracker terminals, the number of base stations may be one.

[0014] Here, each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN is mounted on a respective tracking target. In this embodiment, the tracking target is a vehicle such as a delivery truck, but is not limited to this and may be another object or a living body. As an example, the technology according to this embodiment may be applied to a child monitoring system, in which each child is a tracking target, and a first tracker terminal A1 to an Nth tracker terminal AN are assigned to each child.

[0015] Furthermore, any wireless communication system may be used as the wireless communication system including the first base station B1 to the M-th base station BM, and as one example, a low power wide area (LPWA) system, which is a wide area communication system, may be used. In this embodiment, each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN and the server 11 can communicate via a communication network 21 and a base station. Each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN and each of the first base station B1 to the Mth base station BM can communicate wirelessly. Each of the first base station B1 to the Mth base station BM and the server 11 can communicate via the communication network 21.

[0016] In this embodiment, when the server 11 receives a signal transmitted from each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN, it determines that each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN is in a communication environment in which data communication is possible. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a signal transmitted from each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN to the server 11 reaches the server 11, a response signal from the server 11 or a response signal from the base station acting on behalf of the server 11 is transmitted to each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN, which is the sender. As a result, when each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN receives the response signal, it determines that it is in a communication environment in which it can communicate data with the base station.

[0017] Here, in this embodiment, the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN each communicate with the server 11 via a base station. However, as another example, a configuration in which the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN each communicate directly with the server 11 may also be used.

[0018] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a first tracker terminal A1 according to an embodiment. The first tracker terminal A1 includes a first location information acquisition unit 111, a first measurement unit 112, a first wireless communication unit 113, a first storage unit 114, and a first control unit 115. The first wireless communication unit 113 includes a first communication information acquisition unit 131 .

[0019] The first location information acquisition unit 111 acquires first location information, which is information about the location of the first tracker terminal A1. Here, the first location information acquisition unit 111 has, for example, a function of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and acquires the first location information by using this function. In this embodiment, the GPS satellite system is used as the GNSS system, but this is not limited to this and other satellite systems may also be used, for example, satellite systems such as BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, or QZSS may also be used.

[0020] The first measuring unit 112 has a predetermined sensor, measures a predetermined physical quantity using the sensor, and acquires the measurement result. As the sensor, various sensors may be used, and in this embodiment, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor is used.

[0021] The first wireless communication unit 113 has a function of performing wireless communication, and in this embodiment, has a function of performing wireless communication with each of the first base station B1 to the M-th base station BM. In this embodiment, the first tracker terminal A1 and the server 11 communicate with each other via this wireless communication. The first communication information acquisition unit 131 acquires predetermined communication information regarding communication with the server 11. The communication information may be, for example, information that can identify at least one of whether communication is possible or not and the communication strength. A communication success indicates successful communication. Communication failure indicates a communication failure. Furthermore, an example of communication information may be a cancellation of communication. In this embodiment, the cancellation of communication indicates that communication was not attempted and was not performed.

[0022] Here, for example, when the first tracker terminal A1 and the server 11 communicate via a base station, the communication strength may be the communication strength of the wireless communication between the first tracker terminal A1 and the base station. As an example, the communication strength may be the strength of the radio waves received by the first tracker terminal A1 from the base station. The strength of the radio wave may also be called the strength of the signal. Also, for example, when the first tracker terminal A1 communicates with a base station via a relay station (not shown), the communication strength of the wireless communication between the first tracker terminal A1 and the relay station may be used.

[0023] The first storage unit 114 stores information. In this embodiment, the first memory unit 114 stores first location information C1, first measurement information C2, first communication information C3, first area information C4, first movement range information C5, a first control program C11, and first terminal-related data F1. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the information stored in the first storage unit 114 is divided, but the information does not necessarily have to be clearly separated.

[0024] Here, the first location information C1 is the first location information acquired by the first location information acquisition unit 111. The first measurement information C2 is information on the measurement result acquired by the first measuring unit 112. The first communication information C3 is communication information acquired by the first communication information acquisition unit 131. The first area information C4 is information relating to the communication area. The first movement range information C5 is information about the movement range of the first tracker terminal A1. In this embodiment, the movement range of the first tracker terminal A1 corresponds to the movement range of the tracked target on which the first tracker terminal A1 is installed. The first control program C11 is a program for performing various processes or controls in the first tracker terminal A1.

[0025] The first control unit 115 performs various processes or controls in the first tracker terminal A1. In this embodiment, the first control unit 115 includes a predetermined processor, and executes a first control program C11 using the processor to perform various processes or controls.

[0026] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the first tracker terminal A1 according to the embodiment. The first tracker terminal A1 includes a first GNSS receiving and positioning device 151, a first IMU sensor 152, a first wireless communication device 153, a first storage 154, and a first MCU 155 which is an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0027] Here, the first GNSS receiving and positioning device 151 implements the function of the first position information acquisition unit 111 . The first IMU sensor 152 constitutes the function of the first measurement unit 112 . The first wireless communication device 153 implements the function of the first wireless communication unit 113 . The first storage 154 provides the function of the first storage unit 114 . The first MCU 155 implements the functions of the first control unit 115 .

[0028] Note that the configuration examples of the first tracker terminal A1 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are merely examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to these.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a second tracker terminal A2 according to the embodiment. The second tracker terminal A2 includes a second location information acquisition unit 211, a second measurement unit 212, a second wireless communication unit 213, a second storage unit 214, and a second control unit 215. The second wireless communication unit 213 includes a second communication information acquisition unit 231 . The second memory unit 214 stores second location information D1, second measurement information D2, second communication information D3, second area information D4, second movement range information D5, a second control program D11, and second terminal-related data F2.

[0030] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of the second tracker terminal A2 are the same as those of the first tracker terminal A1. For ease of explanation, the configuration of the first tracker terminal A1 is labeled "first" and the configuration of the second tracker terminal A2 is labeled "second" to distinguish between them. The hardware configuration of the second tracker terminal A2 is, for example, similar to the hardware configuration of the first tracker terminal A1 shown in FIG. 2B. In this embodiment, the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN each have the same configuration and perform the same operation, but other configurations may also be used.

[0031] In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the server 11 generates communication area information based on the status of communication for uploading from the first tracker terminal A1 to the server 11, and the second tracker terminal A2 uses the communication area information provided by the server 11. However, for example, all of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN each have the function to perform both of these operations. That is, taking the first tracker terminal A1 and the second tracker terminal A2 as an example, the first tracker terminal A1 may have a function to perform an operation using the communication area information provided by the server 11, and the second tracker terminal A2 may have a function to perform a communication operation for uploading to the server 11.

[0032] For this reason, the server 11 may generate communication area information based on the status of communication with two or more tracker terminals among the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN, for example. As an example, the server 11 may generate communication area information based on the status of communication with all tracker terminals, ie, the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN.

[0033] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the server 11 according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, the server 11 is configured using a computer. The server 11 includes an input unit 311 , an output unit 312 , a communication unit 313 , a storage unit 314 , a control unit 315 , and an information processing unit 331 . The information processing unit 331 includes an information acquisition unit 351 , a determination unit 352 , an area processing unit 353 , and a movement range processing unit 354 .

[0034] The input unit 311 may have a function to input instructions, etc. based on operations performed by a user (not shown), and may also have a function to input information output from an external device (not shown). The output unit 312 may have, for example, a function to display and output information to be displayed on a display screen (not shown), or a function to output sound information to a speaker (not shown), or may have a function to output information to an external device (not shown).

[0035] The communication unit 313 has a function of performing communication. In this embodiment, the communication unit 313 is capable of communicating with each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN via the communication network 21 and the base station. In this embodiment, the communication unit 313 is shown separately from the input unit 311 and the output unit 312, but for example, the function of the receiving unit among the functions of the communication unit 313 may be included in the function of the input unit 311, and the function of the transmitting unit among the functions of the communication unit 313 may be included in the function of the output unit 312.

[0036] The storage unit 314 stores information. In this embodiment, the storage unit 314 stores terminal information E1, area information E2, map information E3, and a control program E11. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the information stored in the storage unit 314 is divided, but the information does not necessarily have to be clearly separated.

[0037] The terminal information E1 is information relating to each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN. The terminal information E1 may include, for each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN, for example, identification information for each terminal, location information, information on communication conditions, and the like. Furthermore, the terminal information E1 may include, for example, information about the tracking target on which each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN is mounted, and may include, for example, information about the range of movement of the tracking target.

[0038] The area information E2 includes information about areas in which the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN can move. The area in which the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN can move may be, for example, the entire world, the entire Japan, or a specific region.

[0039] In this embodiment, the area information E2 includes communication area information regarding the availability of communication for uploading from the tracker terminal to the server 11. The communication area information includes, for example, one or both of information on communication-enabled areas indicating areas where communication is possible and information on communication-disabled areas indicating areas where communication is not possible. In this embodiment, the communication-enabled area and the communication-disabled area may be referred to as a specific area. However, in a configuration in which only one of the communication-enabled area and the communication-disabled area is used, the specific area refers to that one.

[0040] The map information E3 includes information on a map that covers the area managed by the area information E2. Here, any map information may be used as the map information. In this embodiment, an area is managed using map information, but as another example, an area may be managed without using map information, in which case map information E3 does not need to be stored in server 11.

[0041] The control program E11 is a program for performing various processes or controls in the server 11. The control unit 315 performs various processes and controls in the server 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 315 includes a predetermined processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a control program E11 using the processor to perform various types of processing or control.

[0042] The information processing unit 331 performs predetermined information processing. The information acquisition unit 351 acquires information necessary for information processing. The information acquisition unit 351 acquires, for example, information stored in the storage unit 314, information received by the communication unit 313, or information input by the input unit 311.

[0043] The determination unit 352 performs a predetermined determination. In this embodiment, the determination unit 352 may determine, for example, whether communication is possible or whether the communication strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0044] The area processing unit 353 performs processing related to areas. In this embodiment, the area processing unit 353 may perform, for example, a process of setting a communication available area or a communication unavailable area, and a process of updating the communication available area or the communication unavailable area.

[0045] The movement range processing unit 354 performs processing related to the movement range of the tracker terminal. In this embodiment, the movement range processing unit 354 may perform processing to identify the movement range for each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN. This identification does not necessarily have to be strict identification, and may be identification by estimation, for example.

[0046] FIG. 4B is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of information stored in the server 11 according to the embodiment. In the server 11, a terminal location management program 431 and an area construction management program 432 are stored in the program storage unit 411 as the control program E11. Furthermore, the server 11 stores in the database 412 terminal information E1, area information E2, and map information E3.

[0047] Here, the terminal location management program 431 is a program for managing the locations of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN. The area construction management program 432 is a program for constructing a specific area and managing the specific area.

[0048] The configuration examples of the server 11 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are merely examples, and the configuration is not necessarily limited to these. For example, the configuration of information processing unit 331 shown in FIG. 4A is an example for the purpose of explanation, and the information processing functional units do not necessarily need to be clearly separated.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of first-terminal-related data F1 in the first tracker terminal A1 according to the embodiment. The term "terminal-related data" is used for convenience of explanation, and the data may be called by any other name.

[0050] The first terminal-related data F1 in the first tracker terminal A1 is stored and managed in the first storage unit 114 of the first tracker terminal A1. The first terminal related data F1 includes information on upload time G1, information on positioning position G2, information on positioning position time G3, information on sensor measurement results G4, and information on communication attributes G5, all of which are associated with each other.

[0051] The information of the upload time G1 includes time information indicating the time when the upload was performed. The information on the measured position G2 includes information on the measured position of the first tracker terminal A1. The information of the positioning time G3 includes time information indicating the time when the position of the positioning position G2 was measured. The information on the sensor measurement result G4 includes information on the measurement result obtained by the first measuring unit 112. The information of the communication attribute G5 includes information on attributes related to communication, such as information on the communication result, such as whether the communication was successful, whether the communication failed, or whether the communication was canceled.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first tracker terminal A1 uploads information about its location to the server 11 by sending a communication signal containing the information to the server 11. Here, the communication signal may include, for example, information on the positioning position G2 as the position information, and may also include information on the positioning position time G3. Furthermore, if the communication signal includes information about the location when upload communication failed in the past, the communication signal also includes information about the communication attribute G5 indicating that the communication failed. Furthermore, if the communication information includes information relating to the location when an upload was canceled in the past, the communication information includes information of the communication attribute G5 indicating that the upload was canceled.

[0053] The communication signal may or may not include, for example, information on the sensor measurement result G4. That is, in this embodiment, it is not essential to upload the information of the sensor measurement result G4 from the tracker terminal to the server 11, but such information may be uploaded and used by the server 11.

[0054] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication signal includes at least information on the positioning position G2 and information on the positioning position time G3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication signal includes information on the communication attribute G5 as needed. In this embodiment, the communication signal does not necessarily have to include information on the sensor measurement result G4, but may include information on the sensor measurement result G4, for example, each time or when a predetermined condition is met.

[0055] FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a circular area setting for setting communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6A, such a circular area setting is shown as circular area setting information H0. FIG. 6A also shows information on a first map P1. FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area using polygonal zones according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6B, such communication area information is shown as first communication area information H1. The first communication area information H1 includes information on a first map P1, which includes a first communication available area K1, a first communication unavailable area L1, and a second communication unavailable area L2. The information of the first map P1 includes, for example, information on roads and buildings. In the example of FIG. 6A, for each communication possible location, a circular area having a predetermined radius is set with the communication possible location as its center. In the example of FIG. 6A, a circular area having a predetermined radius and centered at each communication unavailable position is set for each communication unavailable position.

[0056] The first communication area K1 is estimated based on three or more communication locations. The first communication unavailable area L1 and the second communication unavailable area L2 are each estimated based on three or more communication unavailable positions. Instead of estimation, it may be called guesswork or the like. In this embodiment, if there is information on less than three communication locations, the information is considered to be insufficient and no communication area or no communication area is set, but as another example, even if there is information on less than three communication locations, the communication area or no communication area may be set based on that information.

[0057] In this embodiment, multiple communication locations can be acquired, but in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, only one communication location, the first communication location I1, is labeled with a symbol to simplify the illustration. Also, in this embodiment, a circular area is set for each communication location, but in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, only the first communication location circular area I1a, which is the circular area set for the first communication location I1, is labeled with a symbol to simplify the illustration. In addition, in this embodiment, multiple communication impossible positions can be acquired, but in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, for the sake of simplicity, only one communication impossible position, the first communication impossible position J1, is labeled with a symbol. In this embodiment, a circular area is set for each communication impossible position, but in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, for the sake of simplicity, only the first communication impossible circular area J1a, which is the circular area set for the first communication impossible position J1, is labeled with a symbol. In the examples of FIGS. 6A and 6B, communication possible locations are indicated by "◯" marks, and communication impossible locations are indicated by "X" marks.

[0058] Here, in this embodiment, the communicable location is, for example, the location of the first tracker terminal A1 when upload communication by the first tracker terminal A1 is successful. In addition, in this embodiment, the communication unavailable location is, for example, the location of the first tracker terminal A1 when upload communication by the first tracker terminal A1 fails. Note that locations that satisfy other conditions may be used as communication-enabled locations or communication-disabled locations.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 6B, communication areas such as a first communication enabled area K1, a first communication disabled area L1, and a second communication disabled area L2 are configured as polygonal zones. When, within a predetermined range centered on a communication location, there is another communication location or a predetermined range centered on that other communication location, and when, within the predetermined range centered on that other communication location, there is another communication location or a predetermined range centered on that communication location, other than the communication location or the predetermined range centered on the other communication location, the first communication area K1 is set as a polygonal zone that follows the periphery of the predetermined range centered on each communication location. In other words, for example, when predetermined ranges are set for three or more communication locations, and each of these three or more predetermined ranges overlaps with at least one other communication location or its predetermined range, a communication area that follows the periphery of these three or more predetermined ranges is set. In this embodiment, the predetermined range is a circular area, and may be, for example, a range with a radius of 500 m. Although the polygonal zones are set along the periphery of a predetermined range centered on each communication-enabled location, this is not limiting and the zones may be set to roughly surround the predetermined range. In this case, it is preferable to form the zones so that communication-disabled locations are not included within the zones. FIG. 6C is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area using polygonal zones according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6C, such communication area information is shown as 1a communication area information H1a. The 1a communication area K1a corresponds to a zone that roughly surrounds a predetermined range. Here, the first communication unavailable area L1 and the second communication unavailable area L2 shown in FIG. 6B are set in the same manner as the first communication available area K1. The 1a communication unavailable area L1a and the 2a communication unavailable area L2a shown in FIG. 6C are also set in the same manner as the 1a communication available area K1a.

[0060] FIG. 6D is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of communication area information including a communication available area and a communication unavailable area using a circular zone according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6D, such communication area information is shown as second communication area information H2. The second communication area information H2 includes information on a second map P2, which includes an eleventh communication possible area K11, a twelfth communication possible area K12, an eleventh communication impossible area L11, and a twelfth communication impossible area L12. The information on the second map P2 includes, for example, information on roads and buildings.

[0061] The eleventh communication area K11 and the twelfth communication area K12 are estimated based on three or more communication positions. The eleventh communication unavailable area L11 and the twelfth communication unavailable area L12 are each estimated based on three or more communication unavailable positions. Instead of estimation, it may be called guesswork or the like. In this embodiment, if there is information on less than three communication locations, the information is considered to be insufficient and no communication area or no communication area is set, but as another example, even if there is information on less than three communication locations, the communication area or no communication area may be set based on that information.

[0062] In this embodiment, multiple communication possible positions can be acquired, but in the example of Fig. 6D, only one communication possible position, the eleventh communication possible position I11, is labeled with a reference symbol in order to simplify the illustration. Also, in this embodiment, a circular area is set for each communication possible position, as in the example of Fig. 6A, but in the example of Fig. 6D, only the eleventh communication possible circular area I11a, which is the circular area set for the eleventh communication possible position I11, is labeled with a reference symbol in order to simplify the illustration. In addition, in this embodiment, multiple communication impossible positions can be acquired, but in the example of Fig. 6D, to simplify the illustration, only one communication impossible position, the eleventh communication impossible position J11, is labeled with a reference symbol. In this embodiment, a circular area is set for each communication impossible position, as in the example of Fig. 6A, but in the example of Fig. 6D, to simplify the illustration, only the eleventh communication impossible circular area J11a, which is the circular area set for the eleventh communication impossible position J11, is labeled with a reference symbol. In the example of FIG. 6D, communication possible locations are indicated by a "◯" mark, and communication impossible locations are indicated by an "X" mark.

[0063] Here, in this embodiment, the communicable location is, for example, the location of the first tracker terminal A1 when upload communication by the first tracker terminal A1 is successful. In addition, in this embodiment, the communication unavailable location is, for example, the location of the first tracker terminal A1 when upload communication by the first tracker terminal A1 fails. Note that locations that satisfy other conditions may be used as communication-enabled locations or communication-disabled locations.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 6D, communication areas such as an eleventh communication enabled area K11, a twelfth communication enabled area K12, an eleventh communication disabled area L11, and a twelfth communication disabled area L12 are configured as circular zones. When there is another communication location or a predetermined range centered on that other communication location within a predetermined range centered on that other communication location, and when there is another communication location or a predetermined range centered on that communication location within the predetermined range centered on that other communication location, the central communication location is determined, and a zone is set as a circle centered on the determined communication location. In other words, for example, when predetermined ranges for three or more communication locations are set, and each of these three or more predetermined ranges overlaps with at least one other communication location or its predetermined range, a communication area is set. In this embodiment, the predetermined range is a circular area, and may be, for example, a range with a radius of 500 m. The central communication location described above is set, for example, based on the coordinates of each communication location. The coordinates may be expressed in longitude and latitude. In the example of FIG. 6D, the server 11 sets a circular zone centered on the eleventh communication location I11. The circular zone thus set is set so as not to include non-communication locations and zones based on the non-communication locations. In the example of FIG. 6D, there is an overlap between the eleventh communication area K11 and the twelfth communication area K12, but the size of the circle may be set so that the eleventh communication area K11 and the twelfth communication area K12 do not overlap. The twelfth communication area K12 is set in the same manner as the eleventh communication area K11. Similarly to the eleventh communication unavailable area L11 and the twelfth communication unavailable area L12, circular zones are set up so as not to include communication available positions and zones based on the communication available positions.

[0065] 6A to 6D, the server 11 performs one or both of the following processes: estimating an area where communication success is concentrated to a certain extent as a communication enabled area, and estimating an area where communication failure is concentrated to a certain extent as a communication disabled area, based on the information on communication results collected from the first tracker terminal A1. Then, the server 11 generates communication area information using polygonal zones, circular zones, etc., based on the estimation results. Here, such a communication area estimation process may be performed by the area processing unit 353 of the server 11, for example.

[0066] In addition, the server 11 may reevaluate the communication area information that has been generated, for example, at regular intervals or when a certain amount of communication result information has been added, and update the communication area information as necessary. The server 11 may, for example, prioritize the most recent information in the communication area information by weighting it more heavily based on the recency of the information in the communication result. Here, such a communication area update process may be performed by the area processing unit 353 of the server 11, for example.

[0067] In this embodiment, the specific area includes a communication enabled area and a communication disabled area, but for example, only one of these may be used. For example, in a configuration in which only the communication area is used and upload communication is attempted when the second tracker terminal A2 is in the communication area, unnecessary communication can be reliably suppressed and power consumption in the second tracker terminal A2 can be reduced. In contrast, in a configuration in which only the communication unavailable area is used and upload communication is attempted when the second tracker terminal A2 is outside the communication unavailable area, the possibility of data communication failure may be higher, but the time lag in data communication can be reduced. Generally, the quality of communication depends on the installation status of base stations, the status of obstacles such as buildings, and the status of the terrain such as flat land or mountains in the area to be evaluated.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow when uploading from the first tracker terminal A1 to the server 11 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a first tracker terminal A1 and a server 11. The first tracker terminal A1 is shown to have a first communication module R1 having the functionality of a first wireless communication unit 113. FIG. 7 also shows first location information C1, first measurement information C2, and first area information C4 of the first tracker terminal A1. FIG. 7 also shows terminal information E1 and area information E2 in the server 11. The example in FIG. 7 shows a case where information on the sensor measurement result G4 is also uploaded.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 7, processes T1 to T4 and processes T11 to T12 are shown as processes performed by the first tracker terminal A1. In the example of FIG. 7, the processes performed by the server 11 are shown as processes T21 to T23.

[0070] In process T1, the first tracker terminal A1 acquires the position and the like using GNSS, etc. In this embodiment, in the first tracker terminal A1, the first position information acquisition unit 111 acquires the first position information, and the first measurement unit 112 acquires the first measurement result information. Here, the first tracker terminal A1 stores the acquired first location information and first measurement information.

[0071] In process T2, the first tracker terminal A1 refers to the latest position of the first tracker terminal A1 and the first area information C4 to determine whether communication can be performed. Here, the latest location may be, for example, the current location of the first tracker terminal A1.

[0072] In process T3, if the determination result of whether communication is possible indicates that communication is possible, the first tracker terminal A1 uploads the first location information and first measurement information stored in the first tracker terminal A1 to the server 11. In this case, the process T11 and the process T12 are performed.

[0073] On the other hand, in process T4, if the result of the determination on whether communication is possible is that communication is impossible, the first tracker terminal A1 assigns "upload impossible" to the communication attribute G5 of the current first location information and first measurement information.

[0074] In process T11, the first tracker terminal A1 establishes a communication connection with the base station. It should be noted that the base station may be any base station that can communicate with the first tracker terminal A1.

[0075] In process T12, the first tracker terminal A1 uploads the data to be uploaded to the server 11 via the base station.

[0076] In process T21, the server 11 registers the terminal information E1 based on the uploaded data in a predetermined database.

[0077] In process T22, the server 11 adds the communication result to the area information E2 based on the communication data with the first tracker terminal A1 and the first location information. Here, the communication data is, for example, data that can determine whether communication is possible or the communication strength.

[0078] In process T23, the server 11 estimates the communication area from the communication results up to that point, and sets or updates the communication area in the area information E2 based on the estimation result.

[0079] Here, in the above-mentioned process T21, the server 11 registers the location information received from the first tracker terminal A1 in the terminal information E1. In this case, the server 11 may adopt the first location information as the terminal information E1 as the location information when communication was successful only when it determines that the time of the positioning location time G3 of the first location information uploaded from the first tracker terminal A1 is close to the current time. Furthermore, in the above-described process T22, the server 11 may register, in the area information E2, a communication-enabled location based on the location information when such communication is successful.

[0080] The determination as to whether the time of the positioning position time G3 of the first position information is close to the current time may be performed by the determination unit 352, for example. As an example, the judgment unit 352 may determine that the time in question and the current time are close to each other if the difference between the time in question and the current time is less than a predetermined time, and may determine that the time in question and the current time are far apart in other cases.

[0081] The server 11 may also register the area information E2 based on the information of the communication attribute G5 included in the communication signal uploaded from the first tracker terminal A1. As an example, when the communication attribute G5 indicates a communication failure, the server 11 may register a communication unavailable location based on the corresponding location information in the area information E2. In other words, the server 11 may register a communication unavailable location based on the location information when communication fails in the area information E2. As another example, when the communication attribute G5 indicates a communication cancellation, the server 11 may register reference information based on the corresponding location information in the area information E2. That is, the server 11 may register reference information based on the location information at the time the communication was canceled in the area information E2. The reference information may or may not be used in any manner by the server 11.

[0082] Also, in the above-mentioned process T23, if the server 11 determines that it can estimate a specific area based on the communication-enabled locations and communication-disabled locations registered in the area information E2, it generates communication area information including the specific area. Here, the specific area is, for example, a communication-enabled area or an uncommunicable area. Any method may be used to estimate the communication area or the communication unavailable area.

[0083] Here, for example, if the server 11 determines that the location information uploaded from the first tracker terminal A1 matches a location within an existing communication area or communication-impaired area, the server 11 may review the corresponding communication area or communication-impaired area according to the content of the uploaded data, and as a result, may change or delete it as necessary.

[0084] Here, we have shown a case where server 11 estimates a communication-enabled area or a communication-disabled area based on communication-enabled locations and communication-disabled locations, but as another example, instead of communication-enabled locations and communication-disabled locations, the communication-enabled area or communication-disabled area may be estimated based on first location information and information on the communication strength at that location. As an example, the server 11 may determine that communication is possible if the communication strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and may designate the location as a communication possible location, or may determine that communication is not possible if the communication strength is less than the predetermined value, and may designate the location as a communication impossible location. As another example, the server 11 may collect communication strength at each of a plurality of locations, and estimate a communication available area or a communication unavailable area based on the tendency of communication strength at these locations. Here, the information about communication strength notified from the first tracker terminal A1 to the server 11 may be, for example, information representing the communication strength itself, or information representing the result of determining whether the communication strength is larger or smaller than a predetermined threshold. In other words, the determination about communication strength may be made, for example, by the server 11, or by the first tracker terminal A1, or by both.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow when the second tracker terminal A2 according to the embodiment acquires communication area information from the server 11. FIG. 8 shows a second tracker terminal A2 and a server 11. The second tracker terminal A2 is shown to have a second communication module R2 having the functionality of a second wireless communication unit 213. FIG. 8 also shows second area information D4 in the second tracker terminal A2. FIG. 8 also shows area information E2 in the server 11.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 8, steps T101 to T102 and steps T111 to T112 are shown as the processes performed by the second tracker terminal A2. In the example of FIG. 8, a process T121 is shown as a process performed by the server 11.

[0087] In process T101, the second tracker terminal A2 determines whether to update the elapsed time and the like for the second area information D4 that it holds. Here, in determining whether to update the elapsed time or the like, a process is performed to determine whether to update the second area information D4 based on the elapsed time or the like for the specific area included in the second area information D4. As an example, the second tracker terminal A2 may determine to update the second area information D4 when the elapsed time of the second area information D4 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0088] In process T102, the second tracker terminal A2 performs a process of acquiring communication area information from the server 11 when updating the second area information D4. In this case, the process T111 and the process T112 are performed.

[0089] In process T111, the second tracker terminal A2 establishes a communication connection with the base station. Note that the base station may be any base station that can communicate with the second tracker terminal A2.

[0090] In operation T112, the second tracker terminal A2 sends a request for communication area information to the server 11 via the base station, and after operation T121, receives a response from the server 11. The response includes the communication area information sent from the server 11.

[0091] In process T121, the server 11 transmits the latest communication area information to the second tracker terminal A2 in response to the request for communication area information received from the second tracker terminal A2. As the latest communication area information, for example, information stored in the area information E2 may be used.

[0092] Here, the second tracker terminal A2 acquires the current location by the second location information acquisition unit 211 at regular intervals or at any timing, such as when the movement of the tracking target is detected by an IMU or the like. The second tracker terminal A2 saves the acquired location information as second location information in its internal storage. The periodic timing may be any timing, for example, every 10 minutes. The second tracker terminal A2 determines whether to perform upload communication at its current location based on the communication available area or non-communicable area based on the second area information D4 stored inside and the location of the acquired second location information.

[0093] If the second tracker terminal A2 determines based on the second area information D4 that upload communication is possible, it starts upload communication by turning on the power of the wireless communication device that constitutes the second wireless communication unit 213. If the communication is successful, the second tracker terminal A2 may delete the transmitted data from its internal storage. On the other hand, if the communication fails, the second tracker terminal A2 updates the second terminal-related data F2 in its internal storage so as to assign a communication attribute G5 of "communication failed" to the positioning position G2 corresponding to the position acquired this time. Furthermore, if the second tracker terminal A2 determines based on the second area information D4 that upload communication is impossible and therefore decides to cancel the communication, it updates the second terminal-related data F2 in its internal storage so as to assign a communication attribute G5 of "communication canceled" to the positioning position G2 corresponding to the position acquired this time. The second-terminal related data F2 is similar to the first-terminal related data F1 shown in FIG.

[0094] In this embodiment, the second tracker terminal A2 keeps the power of the second wireless communication unit 213 off when not performing upload communication, turns the power of the second wireless communication unit 213 on when performing upload communication, and turns the power off again when the communication is completed. This allows the second tracker terminal A2 to reduce the power consumed by the second wireless communication unit 213. Instead of turning off the power supply of the second wireless communication unit 213, a mode in which the power supply of the second wireless communication unit 213 is set to a low power consumption state between off and on may be used.

[0095] Note that various timings may be used as the timing for updating the second area information D4 in the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the second tracker terminal A2 may request communication area information from the server 11 at any time, such as after a successful upload communication, and may receive a response message from the server 11 to update the second area information D4. The response message includes the communication area information provided by the server 11. The second tracker terminal A2 stores the acquired communication area information in its internal storage.

[0096] Here, the communication area information set, updated, or deleted by the server 11, the communication area information transmitted from the server 11 to the second tracker terminal A2, and the communication area information set, updated, or deleted on the second tracker terminal A2 may each be, for example, an inseparable piece of information, or may be information including multiple components.

[0097] When communication area information including multiple components is used, each component may be set, updated, or deleted, for example. The components may be, for example, one communication area or one non-communication area. That is, when the communication area information includes a plurality of individual communication areas each consisting of a communication-enabled area or a communication-disabled area, for example, each individual communication area may be set, updated, or deleted. The term "individual communication area" is used for convenience of explanation, and any other name may be used.

[0098] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of directions between delivery bases according to the embodiment. In FIG. 9, a first base U1, a second base U2, a third base U3, and a fourth base U4, which are delivery bases, are shown on a predetermined map. In this example, a delivery vehicle 611 equipped with a second tracker terminal A2 starts from a first base U1.

[0099] In this example, the second base U2 is a base to which the delivery vehicle 611 is to deliver. On the other hand, in this example, the third base U3 and the fourth base U4 are not bases to which the delivery vehicle 611 is to deliver. In this case, for example, it is necessary to set communication area information for an area corresponding to a first direction Dr1 from the first location U1 to the second location U2. On the other hand, in this case, for example, communication area information does not need to be set for the area corresponding to the second direction Dr2 from the first location U1 to the third location U3, and the area corresponding to the third direction Dr3 from the first location U1 to the fourth location U4.

[0100] In this example, the case where the delivery vehicle 611 has one delivery base is shown, but if there are multiple delivery bases for the delivery vehicle 611, communication area information may be set to correspond to the areas of all of these multiple bases.

[0101] In the example of FIG. 9, a map of Japan is shown in schematic form. In this case, for example, a unit area such as a prefecture or a city, town, or village may be used as a unit area of ​​the communication area. Furthermore, the delivery base unit may be, for example, an area unit such as a prefecture or a city, town, or village. Note that this area unit is just an example and is not necessarily limited to this.

[0102] 9, the server 11 can notify the second tracker terminal A2 of a necessary and sufficient range of communication-enabled areas or communication-disabled areas depending on the direction of movement of the second tracker terminal A2 relative to the delivery base. This makes it possible to omit, for example, the process of setting unnecessary communication area information that is not used by the second tracker terminal A2 in the second tracker terminal A2, thereby reducing the load on the processor and memory of the second tracker terminal A2.

[0103] Here, in the server 11, as an example, the communication areas in which the second tracker terminal A2 needs to receive notifications or the communication areas in which it does not need to receive notifications may be determined based on delivery information regarding deliveries assigned to the delivery vehicle 611 on which the second tracker terminal A2 is mounted. In this case, the server 11 stores delivery information corresponding to the second tracker terminal A2 as part of the terminal information E1. The delivery information may be notified to the server 11 by uploading from the second tracker terminal A2, for example, or may be set in the server 11 by a user (not shown) or an external device (not shown).

[0104] The delivery information may include, for example, information about the delivery base that is the destination of delivery made by the delivery vehicle 611 equipped with the second tracker terminal A2, and may also include information about the delivery base that is the starting point of the delivery. In general, for areas that the server 11 determines that the second tracker terminal A2 will pass through on its way to the delivery destination, a communication enabled area or a communication disabled area is set for the second tracker terminal A2. On the other hand, for areas that the server 11 determines that the second tracker terminal A2 will not pass through on its way to the delivery destination, a communication enabled area or a communication disabled area is not set for the second tracker terminal A2.

[0105] In this example, the delivery information of the delivery vehicle 611 on which the second tracker terminal A2 is mounted is used as the delivery information of the second tracker terminal A2. Delivery management information including the delivery information is managed by, for example, the terminal information E1 of the server 11. The delivery management information may include, for example, identification information of the delivery vehicle 611 on which the second tracker terminal A2 is mounted, identification information of the second tracker terminal A2 attached to the delivery vehicle 611, delivery information for each delivery vehicle 611, and information on the current location of the delivery vehicle 611. The current location of the second tracker terminal A2 is used as the current location.

[0106] In this embodiment, the identification information of the delivery vehicle 611 is linked to the identification information of the second tracker terminal A2 mounted on the delivery vehicle 611. Note that, for example, the identification information of a device such as a sensor possessed by the second tracker terminal A2 may be used as the identification information of the second tracker terminal A2. In addition, in this embodiment, the delivery information includes information on the date of delivery, such as "Delivery to which base on XX / XX date," and information identifying the delivery base to which the delivery will be made.

[0107] If the server 11 is configured to know the current location of the delivery vehicle 611, it may extract communication area information including communication-enabled areas or communication-disabled areas from the database for the area existing between the current location of the delivery vehicle 611 equipped with the second tracker terminal A2 and the delivery base that is the delivery destination based on the delivery management information, and transmit the extracted communication area information to the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the server 11 extracts an area including a route that is preset to travel from the first base U1 as the starting point to the second base U2 as the delivery destination as an area that exists between the current location of the delivery vehicle 611 and the delivery base that is the delivery destination. Here, the preset route may be a route set by the car navigation system of the delivery vehicle 611, or may be a route instructed by the company to which the driver of the delivery vehicle 611 belongs. The server 11 also draws a straight line from the first base U1, the starting point, to the second base U2, the delivery destination, and extracts the area within a 100-km range centered on the line as the area between the current location and the delivery base that will be the delivery destination. While a 100-km range is used as an example, this is not limiting. For example, a 50-km range, which is shorter than the 100-km range, may also be used. By setting the range to 50 km, the amount of communication area information held by the second tracker terminal A2 can be reduced. In addition, a 100 km range centered on a straight line means, for example, in the case of a vertical straight line, a range up to 100 km to the left and 100 km to the right of the straight line, as well as a range up to 100 km above and below the straight line. In this case, for example, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication area information held by the second tracker terminal A2 compared to when communication area information for all areas from the delivery base that is the starting point to the delivery base that is the destination is set on the second tracker terminal A2.

[0108] Here, in the above, we have shown a case where the delivery information of the second tracker terminal A2 is known in advance and the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2 is known in advance, but as another example, the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2 may be estimated by the server 11. As another such example, a configuration may be used in which the server 11 determines the area in which the second tracker terminal A2 needs to receive notifications by estimating activity range information, which is information regarding the activity range of the second tracker terminal A2.

[0109] The movement range information may include, for example, the location information uploaded from the second tracker terminal A2 as is, or may include information based on the location. The position-based information may be, for example, information resulting from determining the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2 based on changes in the position of the second tracker terminal A2. This determination may be, for example, an inferential determination.

[0110] For example, the server 11 may determine the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2 based on changes in the position of the second tracker terminal A2, extract communication area information including communication-enabled areas or communication-disabled areas suitable for the determined movement range from the database, and transmit the extracted communication area information to the second tracker terminal A2. Here, the communication area information including a communication-enabled area or a communication-disabled area suitable for the determined movement range may be, for example, communication area information including a communication-enabled area or a communication-disabled area that exists in the determined movement range.

[0111] As a specific example, the server 11 may initially transmit wide-area communication area information to the second tracker terminal A2, and then determine the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2 and transmit communication area information narrowed down to the determined movement range to the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the server 11 determines that the area of ​​the communication area information that the second tracker terminal A2 actually used to control communications is the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2, and determines that the area of ​​the communication area information that the second tracker terminal A2 did not use to control communications is outside the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2. In this case, for example, the second tracker terminal A2 transmits and notifies the server 11 of the communication area information that was used to control communications and the communication area information that was not used to control communications. As a result, the server 11 specifies the range of movement of the second tracker terminal A2 to be a narrower range as time passes, so that the communication area information set in the second tracker terminal A2 gradually narrows from the initially set range and gradually approaches only the necessary range, which is efficient.

[0112] In such a case, the server 11 can narrow down the communication area information to areas within the movement range estimated from the location information uploaded from the second tracker terminal A2, rather than the communication area information about all areas present in the database, and notify the second tracker terminal A2 of the communication area information in a response to the second tracker terminal A2. The second tracker terminal A2 acquires and uses the communication area information with such a narrowed range. In this case, the amount of data in the communication between the server 11 and the second tracker terminal A2 can also be reduced.

[0113] As described above, in the example of FIG. 9, the server 11 can initially set communication area information covering the entire country of Japan to the second tracker terminal A2, and then narrow that area based on delivery management information set at any timing or movement range information obtained by estimation. Furthermore, compared to using movement range information obtained by estimation, using delivery management information that represents the actual delivery situation can more reliably identify, for example, the movement range of the second tracker terminal A2. In this embodiment, the processing relating to the movement range is performed by the movement range processing unit 354 in the server 11.

[0114] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first table Ta1 that associates the behavior history of the tracker terminal with the notification range of the communication area according to the embodiment. The first table Ta1 stores terminal identification information, behavior history, and notification range of communication area in association with each other. The information in the first table Ta1 may be stored in the server 11 as part of the terminal information E1, for example.

[0115] Here, the terminal identification information is information that identifies each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN. The behavior history is a history of the behavior of each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the Nth tracker terminal AN, and may be set based on, for example, the status of changes in each of their positions. The status of changes in each of their positions represents, for example, the status of their movements. The notification range of the communication area indicates the range of the communication area for which communication area information should be notified to each of the first tracker terminal A1 to the N-th tracker terminal AN.

[0116] In the example of FIG. 10, the first behavior history is a behavior history in which the range of behavior is the entire area on a predetermined map. Therefore, when the behavior history of the second tracker terminal A2 is the first behavior history, for example, control is performed to set communication area information of the entire region in the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the first behavioral history is a behavioral history when the delivery vehicle 611 moves between the first base U1 and the second base U2, and also moves between the first base U1 and the fourth base U4, that is, a behavioral history from which the notification range of the communication area cannot be identified.

[0117] In the example of FIG. 10, the second behavior history is a behavior history having a part of the aa region on a predetermined map as the behavior range. Therefore, when the behavior history of the second tracker terminal A2 is the second behavior history, for example, control is performed to set communication area information of the aa-th region in the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the second behavioral history is a behavioral history when the delivery vehicle 611 moves only between the first base U1 and the second base U2, that is, a behavioral history in which the aa area can be identified as the notification range of the communication area because the delivery vehicle 611 moves only between the first base U1 and the second base U2.

[0118] 10, the third behavior history is a behavior history having a behavior range that is a part of the predetermined map, area bb. Area bb represents an area different from area aa. Therefore, when the behavior history of the second tracker terminal A2 is the third behavior history, for example, control is performed to set communication area information of the bb-th region in the second tracker terminal A2. For example, the third behavioral history is a behavioral history when the delivery vehicle 611 moves only between the first base U1 and the fourth base U4, that is, a behavioral history in which the bb area can be identified as the notification range of the communication area because the delivery vehicle 611 moves only between the first base U1 and the fourth base U4.

[0119] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in which the server 11 changes the notification range of the communication area in accordance with the behavior history of the tracker terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a second tracker terminal A2 and a server 11. The second tracker terminal A2 is shown to have a second communication module R2 having the functionality of a second wireless communication unit 213. FIG. 11 also shows second area information D4 in the second tracker terminal A2. FIG. 11 also shows terminal information E1 and area information E2 in the server 11.

[0120] In the example of FIG. 11, steps T201 to T202 and steps T211 to T214 are shown as the processes performed by the second tracker terminal A2. In the example of FIG. 11, the processes performed by the server 11 are shown as processes T221 to T224.

[0121] In operation T201, the second tracker terminal A2 uploads the second location information to the server 11 via the base station. In this case, the process T211 and the process T212 are performed.

[0122] In process T211, the second tracker terminal A2 establishes a communication connection with the base station. Note that the base station may be any base station that can communicate with the second tracker terminal A2.

[0123] In process T212, the second tracker terminal A2 uploads the data to be uploaded to the server 11 via the base station.

[0124] In process T221, the server 11 registers the terminal information E1 based on the uploaded data in a predetermined database.

[0125] In process T222, the server 11 acquires the behavior history for each tracker terminal. In this example, the server 11 may acquire the behavior history based on the terminal information E1.

[0126] In process T223, the server 11 generates or updates the notification range of the communication area for each tracker terminal based on the acquired behavior history.

[0127] In process T202, it is assumed that the second tracker terminal A2 has reached the timing to update the second area information D4. In this case, the second tracker terminal A2 performs a process to obtain communication area information from the server 11. In this case, the process T213 and the process T214 are performed.

[0128] In process T213, the second tracker terminal A2 establishes a communication connection with the base station. Note that the base station may be any base station that can communicate with the second tracker terminal A2.

[0129] In operation T214, the second tracker terminal A2 sends a request for communication area information to the server 11 via the base station, and after operation T224, receives a response from the server 11. The response includes the communication area information from the server 11.

[0130] In process T224, the server 11 transmits the latest communication area information to the second tracker terminal A2 in response to the request for communication area information received from the second tracker terminal A2.

[0131] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a second table Ta2 that associates individual communication area identification information of the tracker terminal with a reference time according to the embodiment. The information in the second table Ta2 may be stored in the server 11 as part of the area information E2, for example. The second table Ta2 stores individual communication area identification information and reference times in association with each other.

[0132] Here, the individual communication area identification information is information that identifies an individual communication area. The individual communication area may be, for example, a communication area where communication is possible or an area where communication is not possible, or may include both of these. In this example, the individual communication area represents a communication area that is a unit for new setting, updating, or deletion.

[0133] The reference time associated with the individual communication area may be, for example, the update date and time, which is the date and time when the previous new setting or update was performed. Note that in this example, for convenience of explanation, the update date and time is also used when the previous setting was a new setting rather than an update.

[0134] As the update date and time, for example, the date and time when the original data when the individual communication area is generated by the server 11 is acquired by the first tracker terminal A1 may be used. The original data may be, for example, data on communication-enabled or communication-disabled points as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. Furthermore, when one individual communication area is generated based on multiple pieces of original data, the update date and time associated with the individual communication area may be, for example, the date and time of the oldest piece of original data among these multiple pieces of original data. In this example, it is assumed that for individual communication areas whose update dates are older than a predetermined period, the communication environment may have changed over time.

[0135] Here, the update date and time of the original data of the individual communication area may be notified to the second tracker terminal A2 from the server 11, for example. This notification may be made, for example, when the server 11 transmits communication area information including the individual communication area to the second tracker terminal A2. In this example, with such notification, the information in the second table Ta2 shown in Fig. 12 is stored as second area information D4 in the second tracker terminal A2. As another example, the information of the second table Ta2 shown in FIG. 12 may be stored in the server 11, and the information may be notified to the second tracker terminal A2 from the server 11 in response to a request from the second tracker terminal A2 to the server 11.

[0136] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow for determining whether to use an individual communication area depending on the reference time of the individual communication area in a tracker terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a second tracker terminal A2. FIG. 13 also shows second area information D4 and second reference time information V2 in the second tracker terminal A2. Here, the second reference time information V2 includes the information of the second table Ta2 shown in FIG.

[0137] In the example of FIG. 13, steps T301 to T302 are shown as the processes performed by the second tracker terminal A2.

[0138] In process T301, the second tracker terminal A2 references the second reference time information V2 to detect an individual communication area with an older reference time. Here, in this example, the second tracker terminal A2 determines that an individual communication area whose elapsed time from the reference time exceeds a predetermined period is an old individual communication area, while determining that an individual communication area whose elapsed time from the reference time is less than the predetermined period is not an old individual communication area.

[0139] In process T302, the second tracker terminal A2 determines that some or all of the individual communication areas that are deemed to be out of date are unused individual communication areas. Note that unused individual communication areas may also be called, for example, unused individual communication areas. Then, the second tracker terminal A2 updates the second area information D4 so that the individual communication area that has been decided not to be used is not used. This allows the second tracker terminal A2 to not use outdated individual communication areas.

[0140] In this way, the second tracker terminal A2 stores the date and time when the original data for setting the communication area information was acquired, and when using the communication area information, it determines whether a predetermined period has passed since the date and time when the original data was acquired.The second tracker terminal A2 does not use communication area information for which a predetermined period has already passed since the date and time when the original data was acquired.In this case, the second tracker terminal A2 may request the server 11 to notify it of the latest communication area information in order to update the communication area information set on itself with new information. For example, even in the same area, the installation status of base stations may change, so it is effective to update the communication area information at predetermined intervals. Here, the predetermined period may be any period, for example, a period in years, such as one year.

[0141] As another example, the reference time associated with an individual communication area may be the date and time when the individual communication area is newly set, and further, for example, in a configuration in which the individual communication area is updated, the date and time of the previous update may be used. In other words, the reference time associated with an individual communication area may be, for example, the date and time related to the original data used to generate the individual communication area, or the date and time when the individual communication area itself was generated.

[0142] Here, in the examples of Figures 12 and 13, a configuration example is shown in which the second tracker terminal A2 is controlled so as not to use old communication area information, but as another example, a configuration in which the server 11 is controlled so as not to use old communication area information may be used. In this case, the server 11 updates the communication area information included in the area information E2 based on the information in the second table Ta2 shown in FIG. 12 so as to make the old individual communication area unavailable.

[0143] As another example, the server 11 may store, for each individual communication available point or communication unavailable point, the date and time when it was set as a reference time in association with the communication available point or communication unavailable point. The server 11 may then perform control to not use communication enabled points or communication disabled points for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the reference time. In this case, the server 11 may, for example, not use a communication enabled area or communication disabled area that was set based on information including the communication enabled point or communication disabled point that has been set as unused, and instead set and use a new communication enabled area or communication disabled area based on information excluding the communication enabled point or communication disabled point that has been set as unused.

[0144] The above describes the case where the first tracker terminal A1 notifies the server 11 of the success, failure, or cancellation of data communication for uploading, but the notification may also include, for example, information about the base station that was able to be connected during the data communication. The information about the base station includes, for example, identification information of the base station, and may also include the reception strength of radio waves from the base station. The server 11 may set a communication area or a communication-impaired area based not only on information such as communication success, communication failure, or communication cancellation at each location of the first tracker terminal A1, but also, for example, on the identification information of the base station to which the first tracker terminal A1 was able to connect. Furthermore, the server 11 may set a communication area or a communication-impaired area based not only on this information at each location of the first tracker terminal A1, but also, for example, on the strength of radio waves received by the first tracker terminal A1 from the base station. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the communication available area and the communication unavailable area.

[0145] The above describes a case where the influence of movement is not taken into consideration when a tracker terminal communicates data while moving, but for example, each tracker terminal may use GNSS or other functions to perform processing to correct its own position information, etc., according to its own speed or acceleration, etc. Note that such corrections do not necessarily have to be performed if there is no practical problem with accuracy.

[0146] In the above, a case has been described in which the server 11 acquires information from the tracker terminal and generates communication area information including a communication available area or a communication unavailable area based on the acquired information. In another configuration example, the tracker terminal may have a function to generate communication area information including communication-enabled areas or communication-disabled areas based on information about the location and communication status of the tracker terminal. Such a tracker terminal may also have a function of notifying the server 11 of the generated communication area information. In this case, the server 11 may, for example, use the communication area information received from the tracker terminal as is, or may use the communication area information received from the tracker terminal to generate or update communication area information managed by the server 11.

[0147] For example, if a configuration is used in which both the server 11 and the tracker terminal each generate communication area information including areas where communication is possible or not, the server 11 and the tracker terminal may notify each other of the communication area information they have generated, thereby making the communication area information held by both parties common. As an example, the communication area information of the server 11 and the tracker terminal may be configured to complement each other to generate comprehensive communication area information. The generation of the comprehensive communication area information may be performed by the server 11, for example.

[0148] As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the server 11 generates and manages communication area information based on information acquired by the first tracker terminal A1, and the server 11 uses the communication area information to prevent the second tracker terminal A2 from performing upload communication in areas where communication is likely to fail. In the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, by suppressing such communication, it is possible to reduce unnecessary communication that is likely to fail, and reduce power consumption in the second tracker terminal A2.

[0149] As a specific example, in an information processing system 1 that manages the locations of logistics trucks, etc., an area can be set in which a second tracker terminal A2 attached to a second truck does not communicate with a server 11, based on communication information linked to location information transmitted from a first tracker terminal A1 attached to a first truck. For example, in the operation of a tracker terminal for a tracking service aimed at tracking the location or route of logistics materials, logistics cargo, or people, the ability to operate for a long period of time using built-in power such as a battery or other cell may expand the scope of use of the tracker terminal, extend the maintenance-free period, and increase convenience, thereby significantly improving the value of the tracker terminal.

[0150] The tracker terminal has, for example, a GNSS positioning receiver for acquiring the current location, a sensor for measuring temperature or acceleration, etc., an MCU for controlling these, and a wireless communication device used to upload the acquired location information and to acquire various setting information. The tracker terminal uploads the location information or measurement result information obtained using the GNSS function or sensor to the server 11. A user of the tracking service can, for example, refer to the information registered in the database of the server 11 to confirm the location or route of the tracker terminal.

[0151] Most tracker devices use built-in batteries to operate on limited power, but the proportion of power consumed by wireless communication devices is higher than that consumed by GNSS receiver / positioning devices, sensors, and MCUs. Therefore, reducing unnecessary power consumption in wireless communication devices is highly effective in reducing the overall power consumption of the tracker terminal and contributes greatly to extending its operating time.

[0152] Here, examples of cases in which unnecessary power consumption occurs in a wireless communication device include when, in an environment in which communication with a base station is not possible or is difficult, the wireless communication device is turned on and operated to attempt communication in order to upload, but the upload fails, or the upload succeeds but the communication time is longer than necessary. However, in most cases, it is not possible to determine whether uploading is possible without operating the wireless communication device, connecting to a base station, and then attempting to upload. In order to make such a determination, the tracker terminal must attempt to upload each time.

[0153] In this embodiment, to solve this problem, communication area information including communication possible areas or communication impossible areas stored inside the tracker terminal and location information acquired by the GNSS function are referenced to determine whether uploading can be performed, and whether upload communication is to be performed is controlled based on the determination result, thereby making it possible to reduce opportunities for wasted communication. In this embodiment, the server 11 builds communication area information by referring to the results of upload communications performed by tracker terminals operated by the tracking service. The tracker terminals can acquire and use the communication area information provided by the server 11.

[0154] In this way, a tracker terminal with GNSS functionality attached to logistics materials, etc. receives communication area information about the communication environment with server 11 regarding the route along which the materials will be transported, etc., and when transmitting location information to server 11, determines whether the current location is in a location with a poor communication environment based on the communication area information. If the current location is in a location with a poor communication environment, the tracker terminal controls itself so as not to communicate with server 11. In this way, in this embodiment, the data communication efficiency of the tracker terminal can be improved.

[0155] Here, the problems with the technology of Patent Document 1 will be explained. In other words, in the relationship between the position of the satellite transmitting the GPS signal and the position of the receiver, the reception status of the GPS signal and the positioning quality are affected by the surrounding environment, such as the presence or absence of obstructions in the line of sight of the receiver.On the other hand, in the transmission and reception status of a data communication network, communication quality is affected by the distance between the base station and the receiver, and the influence of obstructions between the base station and the receiver. For this reason, even when GPS signal reception conditions are good, the data communication environment is not necessarily good. For example, in an open-sky location such as a mountainous region, the GPS signal reception environment is good, but if there is no wireless communication base station near the receiver, data communication is impossible. In this case, for example, the receiver will waste power by operating the wireless communication device to attempt data communication with the server despite the poor data communication environment. Also, for example, in a semi-indoor location in an urban area, it may be difficult for the receiver to receive GPS signals but the data communication environment may be good. In this case, the receiver may miss an opportunity for data communication, and a discrepancy may occur between the actual communication situation and the communication situation registered on the server. In contrast, this embodiment can solve this problem.

[0156] In this embodiment, in a tracker terminal equipped with a receiver such as a GNSS and a wireless communication device, efficient data communication can be performed regarding wireless communication performed by the wireless communication device, and power consumption can be reduced. In this embodiment, for example, instead of determining communication information using the reception environment of GNSS signals from GNSS satellites, communication area information indicating whether communication is possible or not is constructed based on past performance of data communications actually performed by the tracker terminal at or near each location.The tracker terminal can then perform efficient data communications by, for example, performing data communications only in locations where communication is possible or by avoiding data communications in locations where communication is not possible, by referring to this communication area information. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tracker terminal can use communication area information generated based on communication information of other tracker terminals.

[0157] For example, it is possible to predict to some extent the areas in which communication is possible if the location coordinates of the base station are known, but since communication information is also affected by environmental factors such as topography, communication area information generated from actual communication results is more reliable.

[0158] In this embodiment, the data uploaded by the tracker terminal includes location information, and the server 11 can refer to the received data to identify the location where the upload was successful or failed. In this case, the server 11 may refer to, for example, the relationship between the positioning time and the upload time, or the content of the uploaded data.

[0159] As an example, the server 11 can estimate the area where communication is possible and generate the communication area by aggregating information on successful communication obtained from one or more tracker terminals by location, such as a specified region. In this case, the tracker terminal acquires such communication area information and compares its current or recent positioning with the communication area based on the communication area information.The tracker terminal then determines whether its position is within the communication area and, depending on the result, controls whether or not to execute data communication, thereby avoiding unnecessary communication.

[0160] As another example, if a tracker terminal attempts to upload data after acquiring its own location information and fails, it marks the data containing the location information whose upload failed as a communication failure and stores the data internally.The tracker terminal then uploads the data to the server 11 in the next or subsequent data communication. The server 11 can estimate areas where communication is not possible by aggregating the uploaded information on locations where communication has failed, and generate the communication failure areas. In this case, the tracker terminal acquires such communication area information and compares its current or recent positioning with the communication-prohibited area based on the communication area information.The tracker terminal then determines whether its own position is within the communication-prohibited area and, depending on the result, controls whether or not to execute data communication, thereby avoiding unnecessary communication.

[0161] In this embodiment, for example, compared to when a tracker terminal performs uploads according to conventional technology or when a tracker terminal performs periodic uploads regardless of area, the number of times upload data communication fails can be reduced, improving communication efficiency, thereby reducing the power consumption of the tracker terminal and extending its power lifespan. In order to reduce the time lag between the status of the tracker terminal and the data registered in the server 11, it is necessary to increase the frequency of uploads from the tracker terminal, but doing so may result in frequent uploads even in areas where communication is not possible, causing the tracker terminal to consume more power than necessary. In contrast, this embodiment makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption by the tracker terminal. In this embodiment, by suppressing unnecessary power consumption in the tracker terminal, it is possible to extend the operating time of the tracker terminal with the same battery size as before, or to reduce the battery size compared to before to make the product more compact, thereby improving design freedom and expanding the range of use.

[0162] 1 shows a configuration example according to an embodiment. As an example configuration, the method for controlling an information processing system includes the following steps. Here, the information processing system includes a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that sets a specific area as a communication-prohibited area where communication with the second terminal is not possible or a communication-enabled area where communication with the second terminal is possible, in response to communication with the first terminal. The control method includes the steps of causing a first terminal to acquire first location information, causing the first terminal to acquire communication information regarding communication with a server at a location indicated by the first location information, and causing the first terminal to transmit a communication signal to the server, the communication signal including at least the first location information out of the first location information and the communication information. The control method also includes the steps of: having the server determine, based on the communication signal, whether communication is possible or not at the location indicated by the first location information or whether the communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition; having the server set a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when it determines that the first condition, that communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value, is met at the location indicated by the first location information; or when it determines that the second condition, that communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, is met at the location indicated by the first location information; and having the server transmit area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal. The control method also includes at least one of the following steps: causing the second terminal to acquire second location information; and, when a communication unavailable area is set in the second terminal as a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying a first condition, not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to a server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area; or, when a communication available area is set in the second terminal as a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying a second condition, causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to a server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area.

[0163] Therefore, in the control method for an information processing system, the second terminal is controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal. In other words, in the control method for an information processing system, the second terminal can be controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal. In the control method for an information processing system, for example, communication by a second terminal can be suppressed in a location where communication is likely to fail based on the communication status of a first terminal, thereby suppressing unnecessary communication by the second terminal and reducing power consumption in the second terminal.

[0164] Here, in the example of Figure 1, the information processing system 1 is an example of an information processing system, the first tracker terminal A1 is an example of a first terminal, the second tracker terminal A2 is an example of a second terminal, and the server 11 is an example of a server.

[0165] The communication information may be, for example, information that can identify at least one of whether communication is possible and the communication strength. Furthermore, the communication signal may include, for example, both the first location information and the communication information, or may include the first location information but not the communication information. Furthermore, any value may be used as the predetermined value related to communication strength, and may be set in advance, for example.

[0166] In the process of determining in the server based on the communication signal from the first terminal whether communication is possible or whether the communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition at the location indicated by the first location information, the server may, for example, determine whether communication is possible or whether the communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition. The possibility of communication may be determined, for example, by receiving a communication signal from the first terminal. The absence of communication may be determined, for example, by receiving communication information indicating that communication has occurred from the first terminal. The absence of communication may be referred to as, for example, communication being impossible. For example, the strength of radio waves received by the first terminal from a base station may be used as the communication strength, and in this case, communication information including the communication strength may be transmitted from the first terminal to the server.

[0167] Furthermore, the specific area may include, for example, either an area where communication is possible or an area where communication is not possible, or may include both of these areas. For example, if both communication-enabled areas and communication-disabled areas are used and there is an area that does not belong to either of these, the second terminal may or may not attempt communication in that area.

[0168] As one configuration example, a control method for an information processing system includes at least one of the following steps: when a communication-prohibited area is set on a second terminal as a specific area including the location indicated by first location information by satisfying a first condition, not causing the second terminal to send the second location information to a server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication-prohibited area, but causing the second terminal to send the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication-prohibited area; or when a communication-enabled area is set on a second terminal as a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying a second condition, causing the second terminal to send the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication-enabled area, but not causing the second location information to be sent to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication-enabled area.

[0169] Therefore, the control method of the information processing system can specify whether communication by the second terminal occurs between the inside and outside of a communication-prohibited area, or whether communication occurs between the inside and outside of a communication-enabled area.

[0170] As one configuration example, a control method of an information processing system causes a first terminal to report that communication with a server has failed as communication information, and to transmit the acquired first location information and the communication information to the server at another time.

[0171] Therefore, in the control method for an information processing system, when the first terminal fails to communicate with the server, the first location information at that time can be notified to the server, which enables the server to set an area including the location where the communication by the first terminal failed, for example.

[0172] As one configuration example, the control method of the information processing system causes the server to re-define the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server outside the communication-disabled area set by satisfying the first condition. In addition, the control method of the information processing system causes the server to re-define the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server within the communication area set by satisfying the second condition.

[0173] Therefore, in the control method of the information processing system, when the communication environment changes, the specific area can be redefined, thereby maintaining high accuracy of the specific area information. In this way, the server can review the area settings based on new information. The review of the specific area may be called, for example, an update of the specific area.

[0174] In one configuration example, a control method for an information processing system causes a server to set a specific area using map information stored in the server.

[0175] Therefore, in the control method for the information processing system, an area including roads and the like can be set.

[0176] As one configuration example, a control method of an information processing system has a server manage a delivery point of a second terminal and set a specific area when the delivery point of the second terminal is in the direction of the delivery point to which the first terminal delivered.

[0177] Therefore, in the control method of the information processing system, for example, when the delivery direction of the second terminal is different from the delivery direction of the first terminal, it is possible not to set areas other than the area corresponding to the delivery direction of the second terminal. As a result, in the control method of the information processing system, unnecessary areas do not need to be set in the second terminal, and it is possible to prevent, for example, pressure on the memory unit of the second terminal.

[0178] The delivery base of the first terminal may be, for example, a delivery base for deliveries made by a vehicle or the like to be tracked and to which the first terminal is attached. Similarly, the delivery base of the second terminal may be, for example, a delivery base for deliveries made by a vehicle or the like to be tracked and to which the second terminal is attached. An example of a case where the delivery bases are in different directions is when the delivery direction of the first terminal is from the Kanto region to the Tohoku region and the delivery direction of the second terminal is from the Kanto region to the Kansai region.

[0179] As one configuration example, the control method of the information processing system causes the second terminal to change the range of the specific area stored in the second terminal based on the action history of the second terminal.

[0180] Therefore, in the control method of the information processing system, it is possible to narrow the range of the specific area stored in the second terminal so that it becomes an area according to the behavioral history of the second terminal, for example. As a result, in the control method of the information processing system, it is not necessary to set unnecessary areas in the second terminal, and it is possible to prevent pressure on the memory unit of the second terminal, for example.

[0181] In one configuration example, the control method for the information processing system causes the second terminal to stop using a specific area when a predetermined period of time has passed since a reference time corresponding to the specific area.

[0182] Therefore, in the control method of the information processing system, by making outdated specific areas unused, it is possible to, for example, update the specific areas stored in the second terminal to the latest ones in response to possible changes in the communication environment.

[0183] As an example of configuration, the control method for the information processing system performs the following process. Here, the information processing system uses a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal to set a specific area in the second terminal according to communication between the first terminal and the server. The control method includes acquiring first location information of a first terminal, and acquiring communication information related to communication between a server and the first terminal at a location indicated by the first location information of the first terminal. In addition, the control method sets a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when, depending on the acquired communication information, it is determined that a first condition is met that the communication is not possible at the location indicated by the first location information or the communication strength of the communication is less than a predetermined value, or when it is determined that a second condition is met that the communication is possible at the location indicated by the first location information or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. In addition, the control method performs at least one of the following: when the second terminal is located inside a communication-prohibited area, which is a specific area set by satisfying a first condition, the second terminal is prevented from communicating with the server; or when the second terminal is located inside a communication-enabled area, which is a specific area set by satisfying a second condition, the second terminal is allowed to communicate with the server.

[0184] Therefore, in the control method for an information processing system, the second terminal is controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal. In other words, in the control method for an information processing system, the second terminal can be controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal. The specific area may be set by the server, by the first terminal, or by both the server and the first terminal, for example.

[0185] As an example of a configuration, the information processing system has the following configuration. That is, the information processing system includes a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that sets a specific area as a communication-prohibited area in which communication with the second terminal is not possible or a communication-enabled area in which communication with the second terminal is possible, depending on communication with the first terminal. The first terminal acquires first location information, acquires communication information regarding communication with the server at the location indicated by the first location information, and transmits a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server. Based on the communication signal, the server determines whether communication is possible or not at the location indicated by the first location information, or whether the communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition. In addition, the server sets a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when it determines that the first condition is met, that the communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value, at the location indicated by the first location information, or when it determines that the second condition is met, that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, at least in one of the cases. The server also transmits area information including information about the set specific area to the second terminal. The second terminal acquires the second location information. Furthermore, the second terminal performs at least one of the following: when a communication-prohibited area is set as a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, and the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication-prohibited area, not sending the second location information to the server; or when a communication-enabled area is set as a specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, and the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication-enabled area.

[0186] Therefore, in the control method for the information processing system, the second terminal is controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal. That is, in the information processing system, the second terminal can be controlled in an area based on the communication status of the first terminal.

[0187] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components of any of the above-described devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and loaded into a computer system for execution. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an operating system or peripheral devices. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs (Read Only Memory), and CDs (Compact Discs)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. "Computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Such volatile memory may be RAM. The recording medium may also be non-transitory.

[0188] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The above program may be for realizing some of the above functions. The above program may be a so-called differential file that can realize the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system. The differential file may also be called a differential program.

[0189] The functions of any of the components in any of the above-described devices may be implemented by a processor. Each process in the embodiments may be implemented by a processor operating based on information such as a program and a computer-readable recording medium storing information such as the program. The functions of each unit of the processor may be implemented by separate hardware, or may be implemented by integrated hardware. The processor includes hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit for processing digital signals and a circuit for processing analog signals. The processor may be configured using one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board, or one or both of one or more circuit elements. An integrated circuit (IC) or the like may be used as the circuit device, and a resistor or a capacitor may be used as the circuit element.

[0190] The processor may be a CPU. However, the processor is not limited to a CPU, and various types of processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be used. The processor may be a hardware circuit using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may be configured with multiple CPUs, or may be configured with a hardware circuit using multiple ASICs. The processor may be configured with a combination of multiple CPUs and a hardware circuit using multiple ASICs. The processor may include one or more of an amplifier circuit or a filter circuit that processes analog signals.

[0191] Although the embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of this disclosure.

[0192] [Note] Below, <Configuration Example 1> to <Configuration Example 10> are shown. Note that the lower-level configuration example may or may not be applied to the higher-level configuration example. Furthermore, a lower-level configuration example that is applicable to any of the two or more higher-level configuration examples may be applied to any of the two or more higher-level configuration examples, and furthermore, when two or more application examples arise in this way, a configuration example that is even lower than the lower-level configuration example may be applied to any of these two or more application examples.

[0193] <Configuration example 1> A control method for an information processing system including a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that, in response to communication with the first terminal, sets a communication unavailable area in which communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area in which communication with the second terminal is performed as a specific area, causing the first terminal to acquire the first location information; causing the first terminal to acquire communication information regarding communication with the server at the location indicated by the first location information; causing the first terminal to transmit a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server; a step of causing the server to determine, based on the communication signal, whether communication is possible or not at the location indicated by the first location information or whether communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition; causing the server to set the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when it is determined that a first condition is met, that is, the communication is unavailable or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value, at the location indicated by the first location information, or when it is determined that a second condition is met, that is, the communication is available or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, at the location indicated by the first location information; causing the server to transmit area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal; causing the second terminal to acquire the second location information; and at least one of the steps of: when the communication unavailable area is set in the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, not causing the second location information to be transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set in the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, causing the second location information to be transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication available area. A method for controlling an information processing system.

[0194] <Configuration example 2> the second terminal is provided with at least one of the following steps: when the communication unavailable area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area, but causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area, but not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication available area. A control method for the information processing system described in <Configuration Example 1>.

[0195] <Configuration example 3> The first terminal is caused to receive the communication information indicating that communication with the server has failed, and is caused to transmit the acquired first location information and the acquired communication information to the server at another timing. A control method for the information processing system according to <Configuration Example 1> or <Configuration Example 2>.

[0196] <Configuration Example 4> causing the server to reset the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server outside the communication-disabled area that has been set by satisfying the first condition; causing the server to reset the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server within the communication available area that has been set by satisfying the second condition; A control method for the information processing system described in <Configuration Example 3>.

[0197] <Configuration example 5> causing the server to set the specific area using map information stored in the server; A control method for the information processing system according to any one of <Configuration Example 1> to <Configuration Example 4>.

[0198] <Configuration Example 6> The server manages the delivery base of the second terminal, and sets the specific area when the delivery base of the second terminal is in the direction of the delivery base to which the first terminal delivered. A control method for the information processing system according to any one of <Configuration Example 1> to <Configuration Example 5>.

[0199] <Configuration Example 7> causing the second terminal to change the range of the specific area stored in the second terminal based on the behavior history of the second terminal; A control method for the information processing system according to any one of <Configuration Example 1> to <Configuration Example 6>.

[0200] <Configuration Example 8> causing the second terminal to cease using the specific area for which a predetermined period has elapsed since a reference time corresponding to the specific area; A control method for the information processing system according to any one of <Configuration Example 1> to <Configuration Example 7>.

[0201] <Configuration Example 9> A control method for an information processing system, which uses a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal to set a specific area in the second terminal according to communication between the first terminal and the server, acquire first location information of the first terminal; acquire communication information regarding communication between the server and the first terminal at the location indicated by the first location information of the first terminal; When it is determined according to the acquired communication information that a first condition that the communication is not possible or the communication strength of the communication is less than a predetermined value is satisfied at the location indicated by the first location information, or when it is determined that a second condition that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value is satisfied at the location indicated by the first location information, the specific area is set to include the location indicated by the first location information; When the second terminal is located within a communication unavailable area that is the specific area set by satisfying the first condition, the device at least one of: not allowing the second terminal to communicate with the server; and when the second terminal is located within a communication available area that is the specific area set by satisfying the second condition, the device at least one of: A method for controlling an information processing system.

[0202] <Configuration Example 10> An information processing system comprising: a first terminal that acquires first location information; a second terminal that acquires second location information; and a server that, in response to communication with the first terminal, sets a communication unavailable area in which communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area in which communication with the second terminal is performed as a specific area, The first terminal acquiring the first location information; acquiring communication information regarding communication with the server at the location indicated by the first location information; transmitting a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server; The server determining whether communication is possible or not or whether communication strength at the location indicated by the first location information satisfies a predetermined condition based on the communication signal; When it is determined that a first condition that the communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, or when it is determined that a second condition that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, the specific area is set to include the location indicated by the first location information; transmitting area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal; The second terminal acquiring the second location information; When the communication unavailable area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area, the second location information is not transmitted to the server; or when the communication available area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area, the second location information is transmitted to the server. Information processing system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1...information processing system, 11...server, 21...communication network, 111...first position information acquisition unit, 112...first measurement unit, 113...first wireless communication unit, 114...first memory unit, 115...first control unit, 131...first communication information acquisition unit, 151...first GNSS receiving and positioning device, 152...first IMU sensor, 153...first wireless communication device, 154...first storage, 155...first MCU, 171...first antenna, 211...second position information acquisition unit, 212...second measurement unit, 213...second wireless communication unit, 214...second memory unit, 215...second control unit, 231...second communication information acquisition unit, 311...input output unit, 312...output unit, 313...communication unit, 314...storage unit, 315...control unit, 331...information processing unit, 351...information acquisition unit, 352...determination unit, 353...area processing unit, 354...activity range processing unit, 411...program storage unit, 412...database, 431...terminal location management program, 432...area construction management program, 611...delivery vehicle, A1...first tracker terminal, A2...second tracker terminal, AN...Nth tracker terminal, B1...first base station, B2...second base station, BM...Mth base station, C1...first location information, C2...first measurement information, C3...first communication information, C 4...First area information, C5...First movement range information, C11...First control program, D1...Second location information, D2...Second measurement information, D3...Second communication information, D4...Second area information, D5...Second movement range information, D11...Second control program, Dr1...First direction, Dr2...Second direction, Dr3...Third direction, E1...Device information, E2...Area information, E3...Map information, E11...Control program, F1...First device related data, F2...Second device related data, G1...Upload time, G2...Positioning position, G3...Positioning position time, G4...Sensor measurement results, G5...Communication attributes, H0...Circular area area setting information, H1...first communication area information, H1a...1a communication area information, H2...second communication area information, I1...first communication possible position, I1a...first communication possible circular area, I11...11th communication possible position, I11a...11th communication possible circular area, J1...first communication impossible position, J1a...first communication impossible circular area, J11...11th communication impossible position, J11a...11th communication impossible circular area, K1...first communication possible area, K1a...1a communication possible area, K11...11th communication possible area, K12...12th communication possible area, L1...first communication impossible area, L1a...1a communication impossible area,L2...second communication unavailable area, L2a...second a communication unavailable area, L11...eleventh communication unavailable area, L12...twelfth communication unavailable area, P1...first map, P2...second map, R1...first communication module, R2...second communication module, Ta1...first table, Ta2...second table, U1...first base, U2...second base, U3...third base, U4...fourth base, V2...second reference time information,

Claims

1. A control method for an information processing system including a first terminal that acquires first location information, a second terminal that acquires second location information, and a server that, in response to communication with the first terminal, sets a communication unavailable area in which communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area in which communication with the second terminal is performed as a specific area, causing the first terminal to acquire the first location information; causing the first terminal to acquire communication information regarding communication with the server at the location indicated by the first location information; causing the first terminal to transmit a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server; a step of causing the server to determine, based on the communication signal, whether communication is possible or whether communication strength at the location indicated by the first location information satisfies a predetermined condition; causing the server to set the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information when it is determined that a first condition is satisfied, that is, the communication is unavailable or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value, at the location indicated by the first location information, or when it is determined that a second condition is satisfied, that is, the communication is available or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, at the location indicated by the first location information; causing the server to transmit area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal; causing the second terminal to acquire the second location information; and at least one of the steps of: when the communication unavailable area is set in the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, not causing the second location information to be transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set in the second terminal as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, causing the second location information to be transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication available area. A method for controlling an information processing system.

2. the second terminal is provided with at least one of the following steps: when the communication unavailable area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication unavailable area, but causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is inside the communication available area, but not causing the second terminal to transmit the second location information to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is outside the communication available area. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

3. causing the first terminal to transmit the acquired first location information and the acquired communication information to the server at another timing, 3. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

4. causing the server to reset the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server outside the communication-disabled area that has been set by satisfying the first condition; causing the server to reset the specific area based on the fact that the second terminal is unable to communicate with the server within the communication available area that has been set by satisfying the second condition; The method for controlling the information processing system according to claim 3.

5. causing the server to set the specific area using map information stored in the server; 3. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

6. The server manages the delivery base of the second terminal, and sets the specific area when the delivery base of the second terminal is in the direction of the delivery base to which the first terminal delivers.

3. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

7. causing the second terminal to change the range of the specific area stored in the second terminal based on the action history of the second terminal; 3. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

8. causing the second terminal to cease using the specific area when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a reference time corresponding to the specific area; 3. A method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1.

9. A control method for an information processing system, which uses a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal to set a specific area in the second terminal according to communication between the first terminal and the server, comprising: acquiring first location information of the first terminal; acquire communication information regarding communication between the server and the first terminal at a location indicated by the first location information of the first terminal; When it is determined that a first condition that the communication is not possible or the communication strength of the communication is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied according to the acquired communication information, or when it is determined that a second condition that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, the specific area is set to include the location indicated by the first location information; When the second terminal is located inside a communication unavailable area that is the specific area set by satisfying the first condition, the control unit 100 at least one of the following is executed: when the second terminal is located inside a communication available area that is the specific area set by satisfying the second condition, the control unit 100 causes the second terminal to communicate with the server; and when the second terminal is located inside a communication available area that is the specific area set by satisfying the second condition, the control unit 100 causes the second terminal to communicate with the server. A method for controlling an information processing system.

10. An information processing system comprising: a first terminal that acquires first location information; a second terminal that acquires second location information; and a server that, in response to communication with the first terminal, sets a communication unavailable area in which communication with the second terminal is not performed or a communication available area in which communication with the second terminal is performed as a specific area, The first terminal acquiring the first location information; acquiring communication information regarding communication with the server at the location indicated by the first location information; transmitting a communication signal including at least the first location information of the first location information and the communication information to the server; The server determining whether communication is possible or not or whether communication strength at the location indicated by the first location information satisfies a predetermined condition based on the communication signal; When it is determined that a first condition that the communication is not possible or the communication strength is less than a predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, or when it is determined that a second condition that the communication is possible or the communication strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined value at the location indicated by the first location information is satisfied, the specific area is set to include the location indicated by the first location information; transmitting area information including information on the set specific area to the second terminal; The second terminal acquiring the second location information; When the communication unavailable area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the first condition, the second location information is not transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication unavailable area; or when the communication available area is set as the specific area including the location indicated by the first location information by satisfying the second condition, the second location information is transmitted to the server if the location indicated by the second location information is within the communication available area. Information processing system.

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