Communication control system, communication control method, and program

Abstract

This communication control system comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a wireless communication device and environment information which affects wireless communication quality; a prediction unit that predicts future wireless communication quality on the basis of the information regarding the wireless communication device and the environment information; a control unit that controls, on the basis of the future wireless communication quality, a target device so as to realize wireless communication quality corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication; and a coordination unit that executes, by combining, at least one of the acquisition of information by the acquisition unit, the prediction by the prediction unit, and the control by the control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for dynamically controlling the quality of wireless communication according to the usage purpose of a user.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the importance of social transformation due to digitization has increased, the traffic of smartphones and the like has increased, and with the development of the IoT (Internet of Things), various devices are connected, and the role played by wireless communication has increased significantly in all aspects of life. On the other hand, various wireless communication standards have emerged in accordance with the diversifying applications of wireless communication, and the wireless frequency bands used have also expanded to high frequency bands from several 100 MHz to several 10 GHz. It has become necessary to appropriately use radio waves in different frequency bands and various wireless communication standards according to the situation. In such a complex heterogeneous wireless communication environment, it is ideal that an appropriate wireless communication standard can be used at any time with a natural sense of use without the user being aware of it.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the quality of wireless communication changes moment by moment according to the situation, and the quality may not be stable due to the influence from the surrounding environment such as the user and the base station. Therefore, in order to enable wireless communication to be used with optimal quality according to the user's purpose, a technique for dynamically controlling the quality of wireless communication is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for dynamically controlling the quality of wireless communication according to the usage purpose of a user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the disclosed technique, Composing a multi-radio system an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a wireless communication device and environmental information that affects the quality of wireless communication; a prediction unit that predicts the future quality of wireless communication based on the information related to the wireless communication device and the environmental information; a control unit that controls a target device so as to achieve the quality of wireless communication corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future quality of wireless communication; a coordination unit that operates the acquisition unit, the prediction unit, and the control unit so as to cycle through the acquisition of information by the acquisition unit, the prediction by the prediction unit, and the control by the control unit; Regularly and a communication control system having the above is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed technique, it becomes possible to dynamically control the quality of wireless communication according to the usage purpose of a user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments (this embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] (Overall Configuration Example of Communication Control System 10) FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of a communication control system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control system 10 includes one or more grasping / visualization function units 110, one or more prediction / estimation function units 120, one or more design / control function units 130, a cooperation function unit 140, and a data store group 150. Note that the communication control system 10 may also be referred to as a control system.

[0011] The grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires various information from wireless devices 40 (e.g., user terminals, base stations, etc.), environment information acquisition devices / DBs 60 (e.g., cameras, sensors, LiDAR / TOF, DBs storing external data such as map information DBs, etc.), and control devices 50 (e.g., reflectors, movable base stations, etc.). Note that DB is an abbreviation for Database. Also, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 visualizes the acquired information on a display unit 20 (e.g., a GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc.). Examples of the information acquired by the grasping / visualization function unit 110 include wireless information such as received power in the wireless device 40, object information detected by wireless sensing, video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, installation state information of reflectors and movable base stations, and the like. Note that the grasping / visualization function unit 110 may also be referred to as an acquisition unit. Also, when there are multiple grasping / visualization function units 110 and each is to be distinguished, they are denoted as "first grasping / visualization function unit 111", "second grasping / visualization function unit 112", etc.

[0012] The set of the above-described wireless devices 40 constitutes a multi-radio system. In this multi-radio system, for example, a 3G-compatible base station provides a 3G wireless service, a 4G-compatible base station provides a 4G wireless service, a 5G-compatible base station provides a 5G wireless service, a 6G-compatible base station provides a 6G wireless service, and a wireless LAN base station provides a wireless LAN service. Also, one base station may provide any plurality of wireless services among 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, and wireless LAN.

[0013] In the multi-radio system, the user terminal communicates while switching the radio mode as it moves or according to the radio quality situation. For example, when the user terminal moves from the area of a 4G-compatible base station to the area of a 5G-compatible base station, it switches the radio mode from 4G to 5G and continues communication.

[0014] The communication control system 10 in the present embodiment can acquire information from each wireless device 40 that constitutes the multi-radio system as described above and perform optimal radio parameter settings for each wireless device 40.

[0015] Also, the map information stored in the map information DB, which is an example of the environment information acquisition device / DB 60, may be high-precision 3D map information representing the shape of structures, the types of trees, etc. By using such high-precision 3D map information, it is possible to perform a wireless network design considering the effects of propagation loss and shielding by buildings, trees, etc.

[0016] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts or estimates radio parameters such as radio quality (quality of wireless communication) based on the information acquired by the grasping / visualization function unit 110. Note that the prediction / estimation function unit 120 may be referred to as a prediction unit. When there are a plurality of prediction / estimation function units 120 and each of them is to be distinguished, they are denoted as "first prediction / estimation function unit 121", "second prediction / estimation function unit 122", etc.

[0017] Based on the information acquired by the grasping / visualization function unit 110 and the wireless parameters predicted or estimated by the prediction / estimation function unit 120, the design / control function unit 130 derives optimal wireless parameters, derives design values for control devices 50 such as reflectors, controls the control devices 50, etc. Note that the design / control function unit 130 may also be referred to as the control unit. When there are multiple design / control function units 130 and each of them needs to be distinguished, they are denoted as "the first design / control function unit 131", "the second design / control function unit 132", etc.

[0018] In response to requests from other systems 30 (for example, operation / control system, etc., social systems such as video distribution, autonomous driving, weather information, etc.), the coordination function unit 140 appropriately combines and executes the three function units of the grasping / visualization function unit 110, the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and the design / control function unit 130 according to the situation (that is, the coordination function unit 140 functions as an orchestrator that realizes the coordinated control of multiple function units). Also, in this case, the coordination function unit 140 appropriately performs IF conversions such as data type conversion. Other systems 30 can call the above three function units by using the API (Application Programming Interface) 160. The coordination function unit 140 may also be referred to as the coordination unit.

[0019] The coordination function unit 140 can operate the grasping / visualization function unit 110, the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and the design / control function unit 130 so as to cycle through the acquisition of information by the grasping / visualization function unit 110, the prediction of future wireless communication quality by the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and the control of at least one of the target device and the target system by the design / control function unit 130. By cycling through such a cycle, for example, periodically, it is possible to continuously configure the network so as to always satisfy the communication quality required by the user. The target devices include wireless devices 40, environment information acquisition devices / DBs 60, control devices 50, etc., and the target systems include an autonomous vehicle control system, a control video system, an autonomous vehicle driving system, etc., which will be described later. Note that, taking the "target device" broadly, the "target device" may include wireless devices 40, environment information acquisition devices / DBs 60, control devices 50, etc., and an autonomous vehicle control system, a control video system, an autonomous vehicle driving system, etc.

[0020] That is, in a certain cycle, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires the current wireless state, actual environment information, etc. realized by the wireless device 40, the reflector 50, etc. designed and controlled by the design / control function unit 130 based on the prediction of future wireless communication quality. In the next cycle, if the prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts, based on the current information, that the future wireless communication quality will deteriorate, for example, in the current setting state of the reflector 50, etc., the design / control function unit 130 controls the radio wave reflection direction, radio wave reflection power, etc. of the reflector 50 so that the future wireless communication quality improves. By repeating such a cycle, it is possible to continuously configure the network so as to always satisfy the communication quality required by the user.

[0021] As the above-described API 160, APIs for calling individual functional units among the above three functional units and APIs for calling scenarios for causing a plurality of functional units to operate in cooperation are defined in advance. When a scenario for causing a plurality of functional units to operate in cooperation is called, the cooperation functional unit 140 calls the plurality of functional units in a determined order using internal APIs based on this scenario, and returns the final output result to the caller of this scenario.

[0022] The above API 160 is disclosed to other systems 30 and vendors developing their applications, etc., and each vendor can develop a system or application that realizes various services using the API 160.

[0023] The data store group 150 holds various data necessary for the execution of the three functional units of the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, and the design / control functional unit 130. The data store group 150 may be called a data storage unit.

[0024] The communication control system 10 according to the present embodiment has each of the above functional units, and the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, and the design / control functional unit 130 operate in cooperation to continuously configure a wireless communication network so as to always satisfy the communication quality required by the user terminal. As described above, by continuously repeating cycles such as acquisition of various information by the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, prediction or estimation of wireless parameters by the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, and control of the control device 50 by the design / control functional unit 130, a wireless communication network that always satisfies the communication quality required by the user terminal is continuously configured. As a result, the user can use wireless communication with optimal quality according to his / her purpose.

[0025] Note that the communication control system 10 may be implemented by a physical machine (computer) or a virtual machine on the cloud. Also, each of the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, prediction / estimation functional unit 120, design / control functional unit 130, cooperation functional unit 140, and data store group 150 that constitute the communication control system 10 may be installed on a separate physical machine or virtual machine.

[0026] Further, the communication control system 10 may be configured not to include any one or more of the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, prediction / estimation functional unit 120, design / control functional unit 130, cooperation functional unit 140, and data store group 150. For example, the communication control system 10 may have a configuration that includes only the prediction / estimation functional unit 120. When the communication control system 10 has a configuration that includes only the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, the grasping / visualization functional unit 110, design / control functional unit 130, cooperation functional unit 140, and data store group 150 may be provided in devices or systems other than the communication control system 10.

[0027] For example, when the communication control system 10 has a configuration that includes only the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, in a certain cycle, the prediction / estimation functional unit 120 predicts the future wireless communication quality based on information about the wireless communication device and environmental information that affects the wireless communication quality. Then, based on the future wireless communication quality predicted by the prediction / estimation functional unit 120, control is performed on the target device in other devices or systems, and the information obtained from the controlled target device is used by the prediction / estimation functional unit 120 for the prediction of the next cycle.

[0028] Hereinafter, as examples of the technology according to the present embodiment, Examples 1 to 4 will be described. Note that Examples 1 to 4 can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0029] (Operation example in Example 1) Referring to the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, an operation example of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment describes a case where the communication control system 10 controls the radio area quality in response to a request from another system 30, targeting the optimal control of the radio area quality. Note that hereinafter, it is assumed that the wireless device 40, the control device 50, and the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 are devices related to the radio area to be optimally controlled.

[0030] The cooperation function unit 140 receives an optimal control request from another system 30 (for example, a radio area quality control system) (S101). Note that this optimal control request is periodically transmitted from another system 30. Also, this optimal control request is made using the API 160, whereby a scenario for performing optimal control of the radio area quality is called. Hereinafter, the cooperation function unit 140 will call each function unit based on this scenario.

[0031] The cooperation function unit 140 calls the grasping / visualization function unit 110 (S102). The grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a wireless information collection request to the wireless device 40 (S103). Then, as a response, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires wireless information such as the received power of the wireless device 40 and object information detected by wireless sensing (that is, information on objects existing around the wireless device 40) (S104).

[0032] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a real environment information collection request that affects the wireless quality to the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 (S105). Then, as a response, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires real environment information (for example, video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, map information, etc.) (S106).

[0033] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request for collecting actual environment information that affects radio quality to the control device 50 (S107). Then, as a response thereto, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires installation state information (S108). Note that the installation state information is, for example, information such as the position information of a movable base station, the angle and direction of a reflector, or the radio wave reflection direction and radio wave reflection power.

[0034] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 stores the information acquired in S104, S106, and S108 above (hereinafter referred to as "grasping / visualization information of actual environment information") in the data store group 150, and transmits a completion notification to the cooperation function unit 140 (S109 to S110).

[0035] Subsequently, the cooperation function unit 140 calls the prediction / estimation function unit 120 (S111). The prediction / estimation function unit 120 transmits a request for grasping / visualization information of actual environment information to the data store group 150 (S112). Then, as a response thereto, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 acquires the grasping / visualization information of actual environment information (S113). Note that the grasping / visualization information of actual environment information is not limited to that stored in S109 above, and the grasping / visualization information of past actual environment information necessary for predicting or estimating radio quality may also be acquired.

[0036] Then, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts or estimates radio parameters representing future radio quality and the like based on the grasping / visualization information of actual environment information acquired in S113 above, stores the result (hereinafter referred to as "prediction / estimation result") in the data store group 150, and transmits a completion notification to the cooperation function unit 140 (S114 to S115).

[0037] Note that the prediction or estimation of radio parameters is realized by an arbitrary method determined in advance. For example, radio parameters can be predicted or estimated by a machine learning model learned by a machine learning method determined in advance. Also, it is possible to predict the propagation state of radio waves arriving at the radio device 40 by the ray tracing method using actual environment information (such as high-definition 3D map information), and predict or estimate radio parameters based on the propagation state of radio waves.

[0038] Subsequently, the cooperation function unit 140 calls the design / control function unit 130 (S116). The design / control function unit 130 sends a request for the prediction / estimation result to the data store group 150 (S117). Then, as a response, the design / control function unit 130 acquires the prediction / estimation result stored in S114 above (S118). After that, based on the acquired prediction / estimation result, the design / control function unit 130 calculates the optimal radio parameters and the optimal reflector design values, and then returns them to the other system 30 via the cooperation function unit 140 (S119 - S120). The optimal radio parameters are, for example, parameters for controlling the radio device 40 so that the radio quality represented by the radio parameters included in the prediction / estimation result becomes a radio quality that satisfies a predetermined standard (i.e., the standard of the radio quality required for the user terminal) when the radio quality is lower than the predetermined standard. Similarly, the optimal reflector design value is, for example, a design value for controlling the radio wave reflection direction, radio wave reflection power, etc. of the reflector so that the radio quality represented by the radio parameters included in the prediction / estimation result becomes a radio quality that satisfies this standard when the radio quality is lower than the predetermined standard. In addition to these, for example, an optimal design value for controlling the position of the mobile base station so that the radio quality satisfies the standard may also be calculated.

[0039] Next, the other system 30 sets the optimal radio parameters and the optimal reflector design values returned from the cooperation function unit 140 to the radio device 40 and the control device 50 (reflector), respectively (S121 - S122). At this time, if an optimal design value for controlling the position of the mobile base station is also returned from the cooperation function unit 140, the other system 30 also sets this design value to the control device 50 (mobile base station).

[0040] As described above, the communication control system 10 in this embodiment predicts or estimates the future radio quality based on various information obtained from the radio device 40, the control device 50, and the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 in response to a periodic optimal control request, and then calculates optimal radio parameters and design values so that the future radio quality satisfies a predetermined standard. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously configure a radio communication network so as to always satisfy the radio communication required by the user terminal.

[0041] (Operation example in Embodiment 2) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 3, an operation example of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment will describe the case where the communication control system 10 continuously controls the radio area quality in response to a request from the radio area management terminal, targeting the optimal control of the radio area quality. In the following, as in Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the radio device 40, the control device 50, and the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 are devices related to the radio area to be optimally controlled.

[0042] The cooperation function unit 140 receives an optimal control request from a radio area management person (more precisely, a PC or the like used by the radio area management person) (S201). When the optimal control request is received, the communication control system 10 periodically repeats the execution of S202 to S221.

[0043] Since S202 to S218 are the same as S102 to S118 in Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted. Following S118, the design / control function unit 130 calculates optimal radio parameters and optimal reflector design values based on the obtained prediction / estimation results, and then sets the optimal radio parameters in the radio device 40 and sets the optimal reflector design value in the control device 50 (reflector) (S219 to S220). At this time, if an optimal design value for controlling the position of the mobile base station is also calculated, the design / control function unit 130 also sets this design value in the control device 50 (mobile base station).

[0044] Then, the design / control function unit 130 transmits a completion notification to the cooperation function unit 140 (S221). The cooperation function unit 140 transmits the control execution result to the grasp / visualization function unit 110 (S222). The control execution result includes, for example, information indicating that the control has been completed normally. The grasp / visualization function unit 110 displays the control execution result to the wireless area management staff (S223).

[0045] As described above, once the communication control system 10 in this embodiment receives an optimal control request, it predicts or estimates the future wireless quality based on various information obtained from the wireless device 40, the control device 50, and the environment information acquisition device / DB 60, and then continuously repeats calculating optimal wireless parameters and design values so that the future wireless quality meets a predetermined standard. Thus, similar to Embodiment 1, it is possible to continuously configure the wireless communication network so as to always satisfy the necessary wireless communication for the user terminal.

[0046] (Operation example in Embodiment 3) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 4, an operation example of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment will describe the case of predicting or estimating the wireless quality required for the optimal control of an autonomous vehicle and realizing the control related to the autonomous driving based on the prediction or estimation result.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the communication system 10 may be provided with only the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and it may be assumed that the grasp / visualization function unit 110, the design / control function unit 130, the cooperation function unit 140, and the data store group 150 are not provided in the communication system 10. In this case, function groups corresponding to the grasp / visualization function unit 110, the design / control function unit 130, the cooperation function unit 140, and the data store group 150 are provided on the side of another system 30 (here, the vehicle driving control system of an autonomous vehicle), and the other system 30 (the autonomous vehicle control system) may use the prediction / estimation function unit 120 to perform the cycles described so far.

[0048] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 receives various information of the autonomous vehicle (e.g., in-vehicle wireless device information, sensor information, position information, driving information, etc.) and a prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality from another system 30 (autonomous vehicle control system) (S301). Here, the autonomous vehicle control system is a system that controls the entire autonomous vehicle. Also, the various information of the autonomous vehicle is information obtained from the wireless device 40 and the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 mounted on the autonomous vehicle. For example, the in-vehicle wireless device information is information such as the received power of the wireless device mounted on the autonomous vehicle, the sensor information is information sensed about the environment around the autonomous vehicle, the position information is information indicating the driving position of the autonomous vehicle and 3D map information near the driving position, and the driving information is information such as the speed of the autonomous vehicle. Note that these various information and the prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality are periodically transmitted from another system 30. Also, the transmission of this various information and the prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality are performed by calling an individual function unit (prediction / estimation function unit 120) using the API 160.

[0049] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts or estimates the future wireless quality based on the various information of the above-mentioned autonomous vehicle, and returns the result (prediction / estimation result) to another system 30 (S302). As a result, the other system 30 can perform video coding rate control of the video based on the prediction / estimation result for the control video system, or perform driving control based on the prediction / estimation result for the autonomous vehicle driving system (S303 to S304). Here, the control video system is a system that codes the control video of the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle driving system is a system that controls the driving of the autonomous vehicle. Note that, as the video coding rate control based on the prediction / estimation result, for example, when the wireless quality is lower than a predetermined standard (that is, when the wireless quality is poor), the coding rate is decreased, and when it is not, the coding rate is not changed (or the coding rate is increased), and the like of control can be considered. Note that, instead of the coding rate, the bit rate may be used as the control target. Also, as the driving control based on the prediction / estimation result, for example, when the wireless quality is lower than a predetermined standard, the driving speed is decreased or the driving route is changed, and when it is not, the driving speed and the driving route are not changed, and the like of control can be considered.

[0050] As described above, the communication control system 10 in the present embodiment returns the prediction / estimation result of the future wireless quality to the other system 30 in response to the periodic information provision and prediction / estimation request from the other system 30 (autonomous vehicle control system). As a result, based on this prediction / estimation result, it becomes possible to control the change of the coding rate of the video for autonomous vehicle control, the change of the driving state, etc., and as a result, it becomes possible to continue autonomous driving in accordance with the quality of wireless communication.

[0051] (Operation example in Embodiment 4) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 5, an operation example of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment will describe the case where the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires various types of information of the autonomous vehicle when predicting or estimating the wireless quality required for the optimal control of the autonomous vehicle. That is, in Embodiment 3, various types of information of the autonomous vehicle were provided from another system 30, but in Embodiment 4, this is an example of the case where the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires these various types of information.

[0052] The cooperation function unit 140 receives a prediction / estimation request for wireless quality from another system 30 (for example, an autonomous vehicle control system) (S401). Note that this prediction / estimation request for wireless quality is periodically transmitted from another system 30. Also, this prediction / estimation request for wireless quality is made using the API 160, and as a result, a scenario for predicting or estimating the wireless quality required for the optimal control of the autonomous vehicle will be called. Hereinafter, based on this scenario, the cooperation function unit 140 will call each function unit.

[0053] The cooperation function unit 140 calls the grasping / visualization function unit 110 (S402). The grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a wireless information collection request to the wireless device 40 (for example, a wireless device for autonomous driving control, etc.) (S403). Then, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires wireless information such as the received power of the wireless device 40 as its response (S404).

[0054] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a real environment information collection request that affects the wireless quality to the environment information acquisition device / DB 60 (for example, an in-vehicle sensor, a map information DB, etc.) (S405). Note that the map information DB may be a DB provided in the vehicle or a DB provided externally (such as in the cloud). Then, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires, as its response, out-of-vehicle environment information, which is information about the environment around the autonomous vehicle, and the position information of the autonomous vehicle (S406).

[0055] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request for collecting real environment information that affects radio quality to the control device 50 (for example, an automated driving vehicle driving system, etc.) (S407). Then, as a response thereto, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 acquires driving information (S408).

[0056] Next, the grasping / visualization function unit 110 stores the information acquired in S404, S406, and S408 above (hereinafter referred to as "grasping / visualization information of real environment information") in the data store group 150, and transmits a completion notice to the cooperation function unit 140 (S409~S410).

[0057] Subsequently, the cooperation function unit 140 calls the prediction / estimation function unit 120 (S411). The prediction / estimation function unit 120 transmits a request for grasping / visualization information of real environment information to the data store group 150 (S412). Then, as a response thereto, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 acquires the grasping / visualization information of real environment information (S413). Note that the grasping / visualization information of real environment information is not limited to that stored in S409 above, and the grasping / visualization information of past real environment information necessary for predicting or estimating radio quality may also be acquired.

[0058] Then, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts or estimates radio parameters representing future radio quality, etc. based on the grasping / visualization information of real environment information acquired in S413 above, stores the result (hereinafter referred to as "prediction / estimation result") in the data store group 150, and returns it to the other system 30 via the cooperation function unit 140 (S414~S416). Note that the prediction or estimation of radio parameters is realized by an arbitrary method determined in advance. For example, the radio parameters may be predicted or estimated by a machine learning model learned by a predetermined machine learning method.

[0059] Thereby, the other system 30 can perform driving control based on the prediction / estimation result on the automated driving vehicle driving system (S417).

[0060] As described above, the communication control system 10 in the present embodiment predicts or estimates future wireless quality based on various information obtained from a wireless device for autonomous driving, in-vehicle sensors, and an autonomous vehicle driving system in response to a periodic prediction / estimation request from another system 30 (autonomous driving vehicle control system), and returns the prediction / estimation result to the other system 30. As a result, similar to Embodiment 3, based on the prediction / estimation result, it becomes possible to control changes in the driving state of the autonomous vehicle, and as a result, it becomes possible to continue autonomous driving according to the quality of wireless communication.

[0061] (Hardware configuration example) The communication control system 10 according to the present embodiment can be realized, for example, by causing a computer to execute a program describing the processing contents described in the present embodiment.

[0062] The above program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as a portable memory), saved, or distributed. It is also possible to provide the above program through a network such as the Internet or email.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the above computer. The computer in FIG. 6 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, etc., which are mutually connected by a bus B.

[0064] A program for realizing the processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, for example. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 via the drive device 1000 into the auxiliary storage device 1002. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, and it may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files, data, and the like.

[0065] When an instruction to start the program is given, the memory device 1003 reads out and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002. The CPU 1004 realizes the functions related to each part described in the present embodiment according to the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 1006 displays a GUI or the like by the program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, or a touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the calculation result. Note that in the communication control system 10, it may be configured not to include either or both of the display device 1006 and the input device 1007.

[0066] (Effect of the Embodiment) According to the technology of the present embodiment, it is possible to dynamically control the quality of wireless communication according to the usage purpose of the user.

[0067] (Summary of the Embodiment) This specification discloses at least the following communication control systems, communication control methods, and programs. (Item 1) An acquisition unit that acquires information related to a wireless communication device and environmental information that affects the quality of wireless communication, A prediction unit that predicts the future quality of wireless communication based on the information related to the wireless communication device and the environmental information A control unit that controls a target device so as to achieve a wireless communication quality corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future wireless communication quality; An interface unit that receives requests from other systems connected via a network; A cooperation unit that, in response to the request, executes at least one or more of information acquisition by the acquisition unit, prediction by the prediction unit, and control by the control unit in combination; A communication control system having the above. (Paragraph 2) The cooperation unit The communication control system according to claim 1, which sequentially executes at least one or more of information acquisition by the acquisition unit, prediction by the prediction unit, and control by the control unit according to a scenario corresponding to the request. (Paragraph 3) The target device includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The control unit The communication control system according to claim 1 or 2, which controls at least one of the wireless parameters of at least one of the base station and the terminal. (Paragraph 4) The target device includes a reflector, The control unit The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls at least one of the radio wave reflection direction and the radio wave reflection power of the reflector. (Paragraph 5) The target device includes a movable base station, The control unit The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls the position of the movable base station. (Paragraph 6) The environmental information includes at least one of video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, and map information obtained from a map information database. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Paragraph 7) The information on the wireless communication device includes the received power information of the wireless communication device and the object information detected by wireless sensing of the objects around the wireless communication device. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Claim 8) An acquisition procedure for acquiring information on a wireless communication device and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality, A prediction procedure for predicting future wireless communication quality based on the information on the wireless communication device and the environmental information, A control procedure for controlling a target device so as to achieve a wireless communication quality corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future wireless communication quality, An interface procedure for receiving a request from another system connected via a network, A cooperation procedure for executing, in combination, at least one or more of the acquisition of information by the acquisition procedure, the prediction by the prediction procedure, and the control by the control procedure in response to the request, A communication control method executed by a computer. (Claim 9) A program for causing a computer to function as the communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0068] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 10 Communication control system 20 Display unit 30 Other system 40 Wireless device 50 Control device 60 Environmental information acquisition device 110 Grasping / visualization function unit 111 First grasping / visualization function unit 112 Second grasping / visualization function unit 120 Prediction / estimation function unit 121 First Prediction / Estimation Function Unit 122 Second Prediction / Estimation Function Unit 130 Design / Control Function Unit 131 First Design / Control Function Unit 132 Second Design / Control Function Unit 140 Coordination Function Unit 150 Data Store Group 160 API 1000 Drive Device 1001 Recording Medium 1002 Auxiliary Storage Device 1003 Memory Device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface Device 1006 Display Device 1007 Input Device 1008 Output Device

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a wireless communication device constituting a multi-radio system and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality; A prediction unit that predicts future wireless communication quality based on the information regarding the wireless communication device and the environmental information; A control unit that controls a target device so as to achieve a wireless communication quality corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future wireless communication quality; A coordination unit that operates the acquisition unit, the prediction unit, and the control unit so as to periodically cycle through the acquisition of information by the acquisition unit, the prediction by the prediction unit, and the control by the control unit; A communication control system having the above.

2. The communication control system further includes a data storage unit, The acquisition unit stores the acquired information in the data storage unit, The prediction unit predicts the future wireless communication quality using the information read from the data storage unit. The communication control system according to claim 1.

3. The target device includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The control unit, Controls at least one of the wireless parameters of at least one of the base station and the terminal. The communication control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The target device includes a reflector, The control unit, Controls at least one of the radio wave reflection direction and the radio wave reflection power of the reflector. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The target device includes a mobile base station, The control unit, Controls the position of the mobile base station. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the environmental information includes at least one of video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, and map information acquired from a map information database.

7. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information regarding the wireless communication device includes reception power information of the wireless communication device and object information detected by wireless sensing of an object around the wireless communication device.

8. An acquisition procedure for acquiring information regarding a wireless communication device constituting a multi-radio system and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality, A prediction procedure for predicting future wireless communication quality based on the information regarding the wireless communication device and the environmental information, A control procedure for controlling a target device so as to realize a wireless communication quality corresponding to the purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future wireless communication quality, A cooperation procedure for operating the acquisition procedure, the prediction procedure, and the control procedure so as to periodically repeat a cycle including acquisition of information by the acquisition procedure, prediction by the prediction procedure, and control by the control procedure, A communication control method executed by a computer.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as the communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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