Information collection device, information collection method, and computer program for collecting information

Abstract

To appropriately select data for reducing a data communication quantity when data of different kinds are acquired in a prescribed target area.SOLUTION: An information collection device 1 collects information by using a plurality of data acquisition devices for acquiring data of different kinds in a prescribed target area. The information collection device includes: a data receiving unit 15 for receiving data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; and a determination unit 17 for determining whether or not a data communication quantity for collecting information in the target area is required to be limited. When the determination unit determines that the data communication quantity needs to be limited, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data related to a person rather than data related to a moving body from among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information collection device, an information collection method, and a computer program for collecting information. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to make people's lives more comfortable using information and communication technology, effective use of a large amount of data acquired by a data acquisition device has been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 describes collecting sensor data acquired by an in-vehicle sensor and sensor data acquired by an infrastructure sensor such as a surveillance camera, and using the analysis results of these sensor data to provide driving assistance to the driver of the vehicle.

[0003] Patent document 1 also describes how, in traffic conditions where there are many wireless communication terminals (such as vehicle-mounted sensors), in order to prevent a shortage of communication resources, communication of sensor data with a high level of urgency is given priority depending on the surrounding traffic conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-095504 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a given target area such as a smart city, not only traffic data but also other types of data are acquired. In this case, it is necessary not only to determine the priority of communication according to the traffic situation but also to determine the priority among different types of data and select the data to be used.

[0006] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to appropriately select data in order to reduce data communication volume when different types of data are acquired in a specified target area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0008] (1) An information collection device that collects information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a specified target area, comprising: a data receiving unit that receives data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; and a judgment unit that judges whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area, and when the judgment unit judges that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data regarding people over data regarding moving objects among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0009] (2) The information collection device described in (1) above, wherein the data receiving unit preferentially receives data acquired in a second area over data acquired in a first area among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices, and the density of people in the second area is higher than the density of people in the first area.

[0010] (3) The information collection device described in (1) or (2) above, wherein when the determination unit determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data regarding people who have a specified attribute among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices, over data regarding people who do not have the specified attribute.

[0011] (4) The information collection device according to (3) above, wherein the person having the specified attribute is at least one of a person of a specified age group and a physically disabled person.

[0012] (5) The information collection device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the data relating to a person includes at least one of human health data and human safety data.

[0013] (6) An information collection method for collecting information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a specified target area, the information collection method including: receiving data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; determining whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area; and, if it is determined that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, preferentially receiving data relating to people over data relating to moving objects among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0014] (7) A computer program for collecting information using multiple data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a specified target area, the computer program causing a computer to receive data from each of the multiple data acquisition devices, determine whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area, and, if it is determined that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, receive data related to people over data related to moving objects among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, when different types of data are acquired in a predetermined target area, data can be appropriately selected to reduce data communication volume. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information collecting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the server in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the processor of the server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine executed in the server in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine executed in the server in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0018] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information collection system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The information collection system 10 includes a server 1 and a plurality of data acquisition devices. The server 1 is an example of an information collection device that collects information using the plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0020] The multiple data acquisition devices are each placed within a predetermined target area and acquire data within the predetermined target area. The target area is an area surrounded by a predetermined boundary, and is, for example, a smart city, which is defined as "a sustainable city or district where management (planning, development, management, operation, etc.) is carried out while utilizing new technologies such as ICT to address various problems facing the city and overall optimization is achieved."

[0021] 1 are examples of data acquisition devices. Each of these data acquisition devices can communicate with the server 1 via a wireless base station 7 such as a macrocell or a small cell, and a communication network 8 such as the Internet network or a carrier network.

[0022] The vehicle 2 includes a communication module (e.g., a Data Communication Module (DCM)) capable of communicating with the wireless base station 7, and at least one sensor. The vehicle 2 travels within a predetermined target area and acquires data using the at least one sensor. The data acquired by the vehicle 2 is transmitted from the vehicle 2 to the server 1 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 8. The at least one sensor mounted on the vehicle 2 includes, for example, a sensor (e.g., a GNSS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, a SOC sensor, etc.) that detects the state quantity of the vehicle 2 (current position, vehicle speed, battery charge rate (SOC: State Of Charge), etc.), a sensor (e.g., an exterior camera, a LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging)), a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor (sonar), etc.) that detects the surrounding situation of the vehicle 2, an in-vehicle camera that monitors the occupants (e.g., the driver) of the vehicle 2, and the like.

[0023] The vehicle 2 is, for example, a private car, a taxi, a bus, a truck, a personal mobility vehicle, etc. The vehicle 2 may be an autonomous vehicle in which some or all of the acceleration, steering, and deceleration (braking) of the vehicle 2 are performed automatically.

[0024] The drone 3 includes a communication module capable of communicating with the wireless base station 7, and at least one sensor. The drone 3 flies within a predetermined target area and acquires data using the at least one sensor. The data acquired by the drone 3 is transmitted from the drone 3 to the server 1 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 8. The at least one sensor includes, for example, a sensor (GNSS receiver, air pressure sensor, SOC sensor, etc.) that detects the state quantity (current position, altitude, battery SOC, etc.) of the drone 3, a sensor (camera, thermal camera, etc.) that detects the surrounding situation of the drone 3, and the like.

[0025] The surveillance camera 4 is installed at a predetermined position within a predetermined target area, and generates images by capturing images of the surroundings of the surveillance camera 4. The surveillance camera 4 is equipped with a communication module capable of communicating with a wireless base station 7, and the images generated by the surveillance camera 4 are transmitted from the surveillance camera 4 to the server 1 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 8. The surveillance camera 4 may be connected to the communication network 8 via a wired line, a Wi-Fi router, or the like.

[0026] The mobile terminal 5 includes a communication module capable of communicating with the wireless base station 7, and at least one sensor. The mobile terminal 5 is owned by a user, and acquires data using the at least one sensor. The data acquired by the mobile terminal 5 is transmitted from the mobile terminal 5 to the server 1 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 8. The at least one sensor includes, for example, a GNSS receiver that detects the position of the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0027] The wearable terminal 6 includes a communication module capable of communicating with the wireless base station 7 and at least one sensor. The wearable terminal 6 is worn by a user and acquires data of the user using the at least one sensor. The data acquired by the wearable terminal 6 is transmitted from the wearable terminal 6 to the server 1 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 8. The at least one sensor includes, for example, a GNSS receiver that detects the current position of the user, and a sensor that detects the user's health data (vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate), blood oxygen concentration, electrocardiogram, blood glucose level, number of steps, calorie consumption, fatigue level, sleep state, etc.). The wearable terminal 6 is, for example, a watch-type terminal (smart watch), a wristband-type terminal, a clip-type terminal, a glasses-type terminal, etc. The wearable terminal 6 may communicate with the mobile terminal 5 by short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.) and be connected to the communication network 8 via the mobile terminal 5.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 1 in Fig. 1. The server 1 includes a communication interface 11, a storage device 12, a memory 13, and a processor 14. The communication interface 11, the storage device 12, and the memory 13 are connected to the processor 14 via signal lines. The server 1 may further include input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display. The server 1 may also be composed of multiple computers.

[0029] The communication interface 11 has an interface circuit for connecting the server 1 to the communication network 8. The server 1 communicates with the outside of the server 1 (such as a plurality of data acquisition devices) via the communication network 8. The communication interface 11 is an example of a communication unit of the server 1.

[0030] The storage device 12 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SDD), or an optical recording medium and an access device therefor. The storage device 12 stores various data, for example, map information, information on the data acquisition device (identification information, location information, etc.), data acquired by the data acquisition device, computer programs for the processor 14 to execute various processes, etc. The storage device 12 is an example of a storage unit of the server 1.

[0031] The memory 13 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM). The memory 13 temporarily stores various data and the like used when various processes are executed by the processor 14. The memory 13 is another example of a storage unit of the server 1.

[0032] The processor 14 has one or more CPUs and their peripheral circuits, and executes various processes. The processor 14 may further include other arithmetic circuits, such as a logic unit, a numerical calculation unit, or a graphics processing unit.

[0033] 3 is a functional block diagram of the processor 14 of the server 1. In this embodiment, the processor 14 has a data receiving unit 15, a data analyzing unit 16, and a determining unit 17. The data receiving unit 15, the data analyzing unit 16, and the determining unit 17 are functional modules that are realized by the processor 14 of the server 1 executing a computer program stored in the storage device 12 of the server 1. Note that each of these functional modules may be realized by a dedicated arithmetic circuit provided in the processor 14.

[0034] The multiple data acquisition devices acquire different types of data, and the data receiving unit 15 receives data from each of the multiple data acquisition devices. In this embodiment, the data receiving unit 15 receives data from the vehicle 2, the drone 3, the surveillance camera 4, the mobile terminal 5, and the wearable terminal 6 via the communication interface 11.

[0035] The data analysis unit 16 analyzes the data received by the data receiving unit 15, i.e., the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices. For example, the data analysis unit 16 analyzes the data to create predetermined information (traffic information, disaster information, people flow information, weather information, health information, etc.), and transmits the predetermined information to residents, managers, etc. of the target area. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the data acquired in the target area, and to increase the satisfaction of the lives of people in the target area.

[0036] However, when a situation occurs in which the communication load is high in the target area, it becomes necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection. Therefore, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area.

[0037] When it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection, it is necessary to reduce the amount of data transmitted from the multiple data acquisition devices to the server 1. In other words, it is necessary to determine the priority of the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices and select the data. Regarding the selection of data, in a target area such as a smart city where people live, the health and safety of people should be given the highest priority.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the determination unit 17 determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection, the data receiving unit 15 preferentially receives data related to people over data related to moving objects among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices. This makes it possible to avoid the interruption of acquisition of data related to people when the amount of data communication is limited in the target area. Therefore, in this embodiment, when different types of data are acquired in a specified target area, it is possible to appropriately select data to reduce the amount of data communication.

[0039] The above-mentioned control flow will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine executed in the server 1 in the first embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the processor 14 of the server 1.

[0040] First, in step S101, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in a predetermined target area. For example, the determination unit 17 determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication when the amount of traffic to the server 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The determination unit 17 may also determine that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication when the free space of a storage unit (e.g., storage device 12) of the server 1 in which data acquired by the data acquisition device is stored is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The determination unit 17 may also determine that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication when the bandwidth usage rate of the network used for communication between the server 1 and the data acquisition device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The determination unit 17 may also determine that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication when the communication speed of the network used for communication between the server 1 and the data acquisition device is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The determination unit 17 may also determine that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication when the CPU usage rate of the server 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0041] If it is determined in step S101 that there is no need to limit the amount of data communication, this control routine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that there is a need to limit the amount of data communication, this control routine proceeds to step S102.

[0042] In step S102, the data receiving unit 15 determines the priority of the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices. Specifically, the data receiving unit 15 prioritizes data related to people higher than data related to moving objects.

[0043] The data relating to people is data indicating the condition of people, and includes, for example, an image of the occupant of vehicle 2 acquired by vehicle 2, an image of the person acquired by drone 3, a current position or body temperature, an image of the person acquired by surveillance camera 4, a current position of the person acquired by mobile terminal 5, a current position or health data of the person acquired by wearable terminal 6, etc. On the other hand, the data relating to moving objects is data indicating the condition of the moving object, and includes, for example, a state quantity of vehicle 2 or an image of another vehicle acquired by vehicle 2, a state quantity of drone 3 or an image of the vehicle acquired by drone 3, etc. Vehicle 2 and drone 3 are each an example of a moving object.

[0044] Next, in step S103, the data receiving unit 15 notifies the plurality of data acquisition devices of the priority of data via the communication network 8 and the wireless base station 7. That is, the data receiving unit 15 instructs the plurality of data acquisition devices to transmit data related to people to the server 1 with priority over data related to moving objects. As a result, for example, the data acquisition device that acquires data related to moving objects reduces the frequency of data transmission or stops transmitting data. Note that, when a data acquisition device such as the vehicle 2 acquires data related to moving objects (e.g., state quantities of the vehicle 2) and data related to people (e.g., images of occupants of the vehicle 2), the frequency of transmission of data related to moving objects is reduced compared to the frequency of transmission of data related to people, or transmission of data related to moving objects is stopped. After step S103, this control routine ends.

[0045] In step S103, the data receiving unit 15 may instruct only the data acquisition device that acquires data related to a moving object to reduce the data transmission frequency or stop transmitting data. In this case, the data acquisition device that acquires data related to a person maintains the data transmission frequency.

[0046] In addition, there are cases where the administrator of the target area or the like desires to acquire data on people with a specific attribute. For this reason, in step S102, the data receiving unit 15 may give a higher priority to data on people with a specific attribute among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices than to data on people without the specific attribute. That is, the data receiving unit 15 may preferentially receive data on people with a specific attribute among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices than data on people without the specific attribute. In this case, for example, the frequency of transmission of data on people without the specific attribute to the server 1 is set lower than the frequency of transmission of data on people with the specific attribute to the server 1. This makes it possible to avoid the interruption of acquisition of desired data when the amount of data communication is restricted.

[0047] A person having a certain attribute may be, for example, a single person. Also, data on a person whose safety or health is likely to be threatened in daily life should be acquired preferentially over data on other people. For this reason, a person having a certain attribute may be either a person in a certain age group (for example, a young child (for example, 6 years old or younger) or an elderly person (for example, 65 years old or older)) or a physically disabled person. In these cases, the user's attributes are registered in advance by the user in a data acquisition device such as the mobile terminal 5 or the wearable terminal 6. Also, a classifier such as a neural network model may be installed in the data acquisition device, and the attributes (particularly age) of a person included in data (for example, an image) acquired by the data acquisition device may be estimated by the classifier.

[0048] Furthermore, the data relating to people preferentially transmitted from the data acquisition device to the server 1 may be human health data and human safety data (for example, images of the occupants of the vehicle 2 acquired by the vehicle 2, images of people acquired by the drone 3, images of people acquired by the surveillance camera 4, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent the acquisition of data directly related to people's health and safety from being hindered when the amount of data communication is restricted. In this case, for example, the frequency of transmission of data other than the human health data and the human safety data to the server 1 is reduced, or the transmission of data other than the human health data and the human safety data to the server 1 is stopped. Note that the data relating to people preferentially transmitted from the data acquisition device to the server 1 may be either the human health data or the human safety data.

[0049] Second Embodiment The information collection system and information collection device according to the second embodiment are basically similar in configuration and control to those according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0050] Even in a situation where the amount of data communication for information collection is not limited, the amount of power consumption for communication increases if data is frequently transmitted from a large number of data acquisition devices to the server 1. Furthermore, in places with few people, the demand for data acquisition is lower than in places with many people.

[0051] For this reason, in the second embodiment, the data receiving unit 15 preferentially receives data acquired in the second area over data acquired in the first area among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices. The density of people in the second area is higher than the density of people in the first area. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumption for communication while suppressing a shortage of data that is in high demand.

[0052] 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine executed in the server 1 in the second embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the processor 14 of the server 1.

[0053] First, in step S201, the data receiving unit 15 determines whether or not there is an area where the human density is less than a predetermined value. For example, the data receiving unit 15 calculates the human density in a predetermined range based on the current position of the user acquired by a data acquisition device such as the mobile terminal 5 or the wearable terminal 6. If it is determined in step S201 that there is an area where the human density is less than the predetermined value, this control routine proceeds to step S202.

[0054] In step S202, the data receiving unit 15 instructs the data acquisition device located in the area (first area) where the human density is less than a predetermined value to reduce the frequency of data transmission. As a result, the frequency of data transmission from the data acquisition device that has received the instruction from the server 1 to the server 1 is reduced.

[0055] After step S202, this control routine proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that there is no area where the person density is less than the predetermined value, this control routine skips step S202 and proceeds to step S203. Steps S203 to S205 are executed in the same manner as steps S101 to S103 in Fig. 4, and after step S205, this control routine ends.

[0056] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the data acquisition device may include an automatic ticket gate device, an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system, a traffic light, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Server 14 processors 15 Data receiving section 17 Judgment section 2 Vehicles 3. Drone 4. Surveillance cameras 5. Mobile devices 6. Wearable devices

Claims

1. An information collection device that collects information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a predetermined target area, a data receiving unit that receives data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; a determination unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area; Equipped with When the determination unit determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data related to a person among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices over data related to a moving body, which is a vehicle or a drone; The information collecting device, wherein the data relating to the person includes at least one of person health data and person safety data.

2. 2. The information collection device of claim 1, wherein the data receiving unit preferentially receives data acquired in a second area over data acquired in a first area among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices, and the density of people in the second area is higher than the density of people in the first area.

3. 3. The information collection device of claim 1 or 2, wherein when the determination unit determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data regarding people who have a specified attribute among the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition devices, over data regarding people who do not have the specified attribute.

4. An information collection device that collects information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a predetermined target area, a data receiving unit that receives data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; a determination unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area; Equipped with When the determination unit determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data related to a person among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices over data related to a moving body, which is a vehicle or a drone; When the determination unit determines that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, the data receiving unit preferentially receives data relating to a person having a predetermined attribute over data relating to a person not having the predetermined attribute, among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices; An information collecting device, wherein the people having the specified attributes are at least one of people in a specified age group and people with physical disabilities.

5. The information collection device of claim 4 , wherein the data relating to people includes at least one of person health data and person safety data.

6. 1. An information collection method for collecting information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a predetermined target area, comprising: receiving data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; determining whether it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area; When it is determined that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, data relating to a person is preferentially received over data relating to a moving body, which is a vehicle or a drone, among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices. Including, The method of collecting information, wherein the data relating to a person includes at least one of person health data and person safety data.

7. 1. A computer program for collecting information using a plurality of data acquisition devices that acquire different types of data in a predetermined target area, comprising: receiving data from each of the plurality of data acquisition devices; determining whether it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication for information collection in the target area; When it is determined that it is necessary to limit the amount of data communication, data relating to a person is preferentially received over data relating to a moving body, which is a vehicle or a drone, among the data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition devices. on the computer, The computer program for collecting information, wherein the data about the person includes at least one of human health data and human safety data.

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