system

Abstract

We will improve the technology for collecting event information from multiple vehicles. [Solution] The system comprises a plurality of vehicles and an information processing device. Each of the plurality of vehicles generates event information indicating the occurrence of an event, determines the probability of the event information, transmits the generated event information and probability information indicating the determined probability to other vehicles, and if the generated event information is about the same event as the event information received from the other vehicles, and the determined probability is higher than the probability indicated by the probability information received from the other vehicles, the generated event information is transmitted to the information processing device, which receives and stores the event information from each of the plurality of vehicles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for collecting event information from a plurality of vehicles is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a driving record system, event information is transmitted from a plurality of vehicles to a server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When similar event information is transmitted from a plurality of vehicles to a server, there is a risk of increasing an unnecessary load on the server side. There is room for improvement in the technology for collecting event information from a plurality of vehicles.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for collecting event information from a plurality of vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system including a plurality of vehicles and an information processing device, where each of the plurality of vehicles generates event information indicating the occurrence of an event, determines the accuracy of the event information, transmits the generated event information and accuracy information indicating the determined accuracy to other vehicles, If the generated event information is about the same event as the event information received from another vehicle, and the determined accuracy is higher than the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information received from the other vehicle, the generated event information is transmitted to the information processing device. The information processing device receives and stores the event information from each of the multiple vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for collecting event information from multiple vehicles is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the system's schematic configuration. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing how the system works. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described. System 1 comprises an information processing device 10 and a plurality of vehicles 20. For simplicity, only one representative vehicle from the plurality of vehicles 20 is shown in Figure 1. The information processing device 10 and each of the plurality of vehicles 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30. In System 1, each of the plurality of vehicles 20 communicates with each other.

[0010] The information processing device 10 is installed in a facility such as a data center. The information processing device 10 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The information processing device 10 collects and stores event information from each of the multiple vehicles 20. Based on the event information, the information processing device 10 can perform various processes related to traffic management, such as extracting dangerous areas on roads or predicting traffic congestion.

[0011] Each vehicle 20 is, for example, an automobile. Automobiles include BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles), etc. Each vehicle 20 may be automated to any level. The level of automation is, for example, one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) classification. Each vehicle 20 may also be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS (Mobility as a Service).

[0012] Network 30 includes the Internet, at least one WAN (wide area network), at least one MAN (metropolitan area network), or a combination thereof. Network 30 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. Wireless networks include, for example, ad hoc networks, cellular networks, wireless LANs, satellite communication networks, or terrestrial microwave networks. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. Each of the multiple vehicles 20 provided in System 1 generates event information indicating the occurrence of an event, determines the probability of the event information, and transmits the generated event information and probability information indicating the determined probability to the other vehicles 20. If the generated event information of each of the multiple vehicles 20 is information about the same event as the event information received from the other vehicles 20, and the determined probability is higher than the probability indicated by the probability information received from the other vehicles 20, then each of the multiple vehicles 20 transmits the generated event information to the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 receives and stores the event information from each of the multiple vehicles 20. According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the information processing device 10 from accumulating or processing event information for the same event. Therefore, the technology for collecting event information from multiple vehicles is improved.

[0014] Next, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of each device will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The control unit 11 controls each part of the information processing device 10 and executes processing related to the operation of the information processing device 10. The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, etc. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory or auxiliary memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the information processing device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The storage unit 12 stores event information received from the vehicle 20. The communication unit 13 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, LAN (local area network) or USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as 5G or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication. The communication unit 13 receives data used for the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0015] The vehicle 20 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a positioning unit 24, and a sensor unit 25. The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, at least one ECU (electronic control unit), or any combination thereof. The control unit 21 controls each part of the vehicle 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the vehicle 20. The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the vehicle 20 and data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 20. The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface connected to the network 30. The positioning unit 24 includes a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System) or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The sensor unit 25 is provided on the vehicle 20 and includes a camera, radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), acceleration sensor, speed sensor, etc., capable of photographing or detecting the area around the vehicle 20. The sensor unit 25 outputs the detected information as sensor information to the control unit 21. The sensor information includes video footage captured by the camera, which acts as the sensor.

[0016] The functions of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 11 or control unit 21. In other words, the functions of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20. In other words, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 by performing the operations of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 according to the program. In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-temporary computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices and semiconductor memory. Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 11 or control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 or vehicle 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0017] Referring to Figure 2, the operation of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following, the information processing device 10 transmits and receives information with each of the multiple vehicles 20 via the communication unit 13 and the network 30. Each vehicle 20 transmits and receives information with the information processing device 10 via the communication unit 23 and the network 30. For simplicity, Figure 2 will describe one of the multiple vehicles 20 as a representative example.

[0018] In S1, the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 generates event information indicating the occurrence of an event. Any method may be used to generate the event information. For example, the control unit 21 analyzes the video captured by the camera, which is the sensor unit 25, using any image analysis method and generates event information indicating the occurrence of an event such as a collision, an obstacle on the road, or a moving object on the road. For example, the control unit 21 may generate event information indicating the occurrence of a collision event of its own vehicle when the value detected by the acceleration sensor or speed sensor, which is the sensor unit 25, is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. However, the event information may also be information indicating the occurrence of an event such as traffic congestion, snow on the road, or icy road surface. A collision includes collisions of the vehicle 20 itself or surrounding vehicles. Obstacles include fallen objects or fragments. Moving objects include stolen cars, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, or people or animals. The event information may include the type of event, the coordinates of the location where the event occurred, or the time the event occurred. The event information may include characteristics such as the color, shape, or size of the colliding surrounding vehicle, obstacle, or moving object. The event type may indicate the event itself, such as "collision," "obstacle," or "moving object," or it may be a classification of events based on arbitrary criteria. The control unit 21 may estimate the coordinates of the event location based on the vehicle 20's position information and the sensor unit 25's detection distance. When the control unit 21 generates event information indicating the occurrence of a collision event of its own vehicle, it may estimate the position of the vehicle 20 itself, as detected by the positioning unit 24, as the coordinates of the event location. In S2, the control unit 21 sets an effective time for the generated event information and starts counting down the effective time. The effective time may be determined arbitrarily.

[0019] In S3, the control unit 21 determines the accuracy of the generated event information. Any method may be adopted for determining the accuracy. For example, the control unit 21 may calculate a higher score as the detection distance to the event of the sensor unit 25 is shorter, and may also calculate a higher score as the results detected by multiple types of sensor units 25 match more, and determine the total value of each calculated score as the accuracy. Specifically, the control unit 21 uses an arbitrary image analysis method to estimate the distance to a peripheral vehicle collision, an obstacle, or a moving object outside the vehicle 20 reflected in the video captured by the camera, and calculates a higher score as the distance is closer. The control unit 21 also calculates a higher score as the difference between the distance to a peripheral vehicle collision, an obstacle, or a moving object estimated by radar or LiDAR, etc. and the distance estimated by the camera is smaller. The control unit 21 may determine the total value of the two calculated scores as the accuracy. For example, the control unit 21 may analyze the video captured by the camera using an arbitrary image analysis method and determine a higher accuracy as there are fewer blind spots in the video.

[0020] In S4, the control unit 21 shares the generated event information and the accuracy information indicating the accuracy of the event information with other vehicles 20. Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits the event information and the accuracy information generated by its own vehicle to other vehicles 20 via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The control unit 21 may transmit the event information and the accuracy information to each of the plurality of other vehicles 20 existing within a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may be preset and stored in the storage unit 12. In S5, the control unit 21 receives the event information and the accuracy information generated by other vehicles 20 among the plurality of vehicles 20 from those other vehicles 20 via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The control unit 21 may receive the event information and the accuracy information from each of the plurality of other vehicles 20 existing within a predetermined distance.

[0021] In S6, the control unit 21 determines whether the event indicated by the event information received from another vehicle 20 in S5 (hereinafter referred to as external event information) is the same as the event indicated by the event information generated by the host vehicle in S1 (hereinafter referred to as host vehicle event information). If they are the same, the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to S7. If they are not the same, the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to S9. Any method may be adopted for the determination. For example, when the type of the event is the same between the external event information and the host vehicle event information, and the difference in the coordinates of the event occurrence location and the difference in the event occurrence time are each less than a predetermined value, the control unit 21 may determine that the event indicated by the external event information and the event indicated by the host vehicle event information are the same. The predetermined value may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 22. When the features such as the color, shape, or size of the surrounding vehicle, obstacle, or moving object, etc. that collided, which are included in the event information, are the same, the control unit 21 may also determine that the event indicated by the external event information and the event indicated by the host vehicle event information are the same.

[0022] In S7, the control unit 21 determines whether the accuracy of the host vehicle event information determined in S3 is higher than the accuracy of the external event information based on the received accuracy information. If the accuracy of the host vehicle event information is higher than the accuracy of the external event information, the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to S9. If the accuracy of the host vehicle event information is less than or equal to the accuracy of the external event information, the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to S8. In S8, the control unit 21 discards the host vehicle event information. Then the operation of the system 1 ends.

[0023] In S9, the control unit 21 determines whether the effective time has become 0. If it is determined that the effective time has become 0, that is, the effective time has elapsed, the process of the control unit 21 proceeds to S10. If it is determined that the effective time has not become 0, that is, the effective time has not elapsed, the process of the control unit 21 returns to S5.

[0024] In S10, the control unit 21 transmits the vehicle event information to the information processing device 10. The control unit 21 may also transmit accuracy information to the information processing device 10. In S11, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives the event information from the vehicle 20 and stores the event information in the storage unit 12. After that, the operation of system 1 ends.

[0025] As one variation, if the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 indicates that an event has occurred in the vehicle's own collision, it may transmit the vehicle's event information to the information processing device 10 before the validity period expires, without waiting for the validity period to reach 0.

[0026] As one variation, the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 may proceed to S10 if it determines in S6 above that the type of event is different between the external event information and the vehicle's event information. That is, if the type of event is different between the external event information and the vehicle's event information, the control unit 21 may transmit the vehicle's event information to the information processing device 10 before the validity period expires, without waiting for the validity period to reach 0. This allows the information processing device 10 to collect only highly accurate event information for the same event, while also efficiently collecting event information of different types.

[0027] As one variation, if the event information generated in S1 above indicates the occurrence of an event involving a moving object, the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 may transmit the vehicle event information to the information processing device 10 before the validity period expires, without waiting for the validity period to reach zero. The moving object includes a stolen car. In this case, the control unit 21 analyzes the video captured by the camera using an arbitrary image analysis method based on information indicating the characteristics of the stolen car that has been previously stored in the memory unit 22, and detects the stolen car as a moving object. The control unit 21 may also receive information indicating the characteristics of the stolen car from the information processing device 10. The characteristics of the stolen car include the license plate, the color or shape of the vehicle body, etc. This allows the information processing device 10 to quickly collect, store, and update event information related to stolen cars and other events that are of high urgency and for which updating the information is important.

[0028] As one variation, the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 may, in S7 described above, determine whether the accuracy of the vehicle's event information is higher than the accuracy of the external event information and is also higher than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 22. If the control unit 21 determines that the accuracy of the vehicle's event information is less than or equal to the accuracy of the external event information, or if it determines that the accuracy of the vehicle's event information is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit 21 may proceed to S8 described above and discard the vehicle's event information. If the control unit 21 determines that the accuracy of the vehicle's event information is higher than the accuracy of the external event information and is also higher than the predetermined value, the control unit 21 may proceed to S9 described above, and then in S10, the vehicle's event information may be transmitted to the information processing device 10. This allows the information processing device 10 to collect event information more efficiently by focusing only on event information with high accuracy.

[0029] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1: System, 10: Information processing device, 11: Control unit, 12: Memory unit, 13: Communication unit, 20: Vehicle, 21: Control unit, 22: Memory unit, 23: Communication unit, 24: Positioning unit, 25: Sensor unit, 30: Network

Claims

1. A system comprising multiple vehicles and an information processing device, Each of the aforementioned vehicles is Generate event information indicating the occurrence of an event, and determine the accuracy of the event information. The generated event information and the accuracy information indicating the determined accuracy are transmitted to other vehicles. If the generated event information is about the same event as the event information received from another vehicle, and the determined accuracy is higher than the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information received from the other vehicle, the generated event information is transmitted to the information processing device. The information processing device receives and stores the event information from each of the multiple vehicles. system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vehicles sets an effective period for the generated event information, and transmits the generated event information to the information processing device when the effective period has elapsed.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of vehicles transmits the generated event information to the information processing device before the effective time elapses, if the generated event information indicates the occurrence of an event of a moving object.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the moving object is a stolen car.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of vehicles discards the generated event information if the generated event information is about the same event as the event information received from the other vehicle, and the determined accuracy is less than or equal to the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information received from the other vehicle.

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