Interference information output device, interference information output method, interference information output system, and interference information output program

Abstract

In order to enable the output of information which serves to make it easier to grasp the likelihood of the occurrence of radio interference, this interference information output device comprises: a reception means for receiving location information that concerns a plurality of wireless communication terminals and relates to the locations of the wireless communication terminals; a calculation means that calculates the degree of congestion of the wireless communication terminals on the basis of the location information; an estimation means that performs estimation regarding the occurrence of radio wave interference on the basis of estimation conditions; and an output means that outputs interference information relating to the result of the estimation. The estimation conditions include a condition relating to the degree of congestion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interference information output device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Radio interference is one of the factors that can reduce throughput in wireless communications. When radio interference occurs and throughput decreases, the quality of the service provided by wireless communications can decrease. Examples of service quality degradation include distortion of the video and audio being played back and a deterioration in the accuracy of remote control.

[0003] Some autonomous driving devices, such as self-driving cars and drones, use wireless communication. Wireless communication is used, for example, to control the operation of the autonomous driving device and to transmit information acquired by the autonomous driving device. Information transmitted by the autonomous driving device includes, for example, information acquired by cameras and sensors installed in the autonomous driving device.

[0004] If radio wave interference occurs in such wireless communications, it may affect operation control and information transmission. For example, it may cause malfunctions in operation control or loss of information transmitted from the automated operation device. Therefore, it is desirable for the automated operation device to move in a way that avoids radio wave interference.

[0005] An investigation into whether radio wave interference is occurring is generally carried out by an investigator visiting the site where the degradation in service quality is occurring and investigating the surrounding radio wave conditions, etc.

[0006] Furthermore, a related technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-026095 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, with the general method of investigating radio wave interference as described above, it is difficult for the automatic operation device or the manager of the automatic operation device to easily grasp the possibility of radio wave interference. As a result, it is difficult to move the automatic operation device while avoiding radio wave interference. Therefore, it is desirable that the automatic operation device and the manager of the automatic operation device can easily grasp the possibility of radio wave interference.

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an interference information output device or the like that is capable of outputting information that makes it easier to understand the possibility of radio wave interference occurring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, an interference information output device includes a receiving means for receiving location information, which is information regarding the location of a plurality of wireless communication terminals, a calculation means for calculating the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information, an estimation means for making an estimation regarding the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions, and an output means for outputting interference information, which is information regarding the results of the estimation, wherein the estimation conditions include conditions regarding the congestion level.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, an interference information output method receives location information for a plurality of wireless communication terminals, which is information regarding the locations of the wireless communication terminals, calculates the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information, estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions, and outputs interference information, which is information regarding the results of the estimation, wherein the estimation conditions include conditions regarding the congestion level.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, an interference information output program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium causes a computer to realize a receiving function for receiving location information, which is information regarding the locations of multiple wireless communication terminals, a calculation function for calculating the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information, an estimation function for making an estimation about the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions, which are conditions, and an output function for outputting interference information, which is information regarding the results of the estimation, wherein the estimation conditions include conditions regarding the congestion level.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, an interference information output system includes a receiving means for receiving location information, which is information regarding the location of a plurality of wireless communication terminals, a calculation means for calculating the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information, an estimation means for making an estimation regarding the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions, and an output means for outputting interference information, which is information regarding the results of the estimation, wherein the estimation conditions include conditions regarding the congestion level. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to output information that allows the possibility of occurrence of radio wave interference to be more easily grasped. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an interference information output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the interference information output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system including an interference information output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an interference information output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the interference information output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image displayed on a display means by an interference information output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of an interference information output device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] A specific example of the interference information output device 10 in the first embodiment is an interference information output device 20 in a second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0018] First, a configuration example of the interference information output device 10 in this embodiment will be described.

[0019] 1 shows an example of the configuration of an interference information output device 10 according to this embodiment. The interference information output device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a calculating unit 12, an estimating unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0020] The receiving unit 11 receives location information for multiple wireless communication terminals. The location information is information relating to the locations of the wireless communication terminals. The calculating unit 12 calculates the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information. The estimating unit 13 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions. The estimation conditions include conditions relating to the congestion level. The output unit 14 outputs the interference information. The interference information is information relating to the result of the estimation.

[0021] Next, an example of the operation flow of the interference information output device 10 in this embodiment will be described.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation flow of the interference information output device 10 of this embodiment.

[0023] The receiving unit 11 receives location information about a plurality of wireless communication terminals (step S101). The calculating unit 12 calculates the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information (step S102). The estimating unit 13 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions (step S103). A specific estimation method will be described in the second embodiment. The output unit 14 outputs the interference information (step S104).

[0024] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the interference information output device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a calculating unit 12, an estimating unit 13, and an output unit 14. The receiving unit 11 receives location information about a plurality of wireless communication terminals. The location information is information about the locations of the wireless communication terminals. The calculating unit 12 calculates the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information. The estimating unit 13 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions. The estimation conditions include conditions related to the congestion level. The output unit 14 outputs interference information. The interference information is information about the results of the estimation.

[0025] In this way, the interference information output device 10 performs estimation based on the degree of congestion of wireless communication terminals. Also, the interference information output device 10 outputs interference information related to the result of estimation. do This allows devices that receive interference information and users that refer to the interference information to more easily understand the possibility of radio wave interference occurring. Therefore, it becomes possible to output information that allows users to more easily understand the possibility of radio wave interference occurring.

[0026] [Second embodiment] Next, a description will be given of an interference information output device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the interference information output device 20 according to the second embodiment is a specific example of the interference information output device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0027] 3 shows an example of the configuration of a system including an interference information output device 20 according to this embodiment. The interference information output device 20 is connected to a position information management device 60. The interference information output device 20 is also connected to a display means 70.

[0028] The location information management device 60 manages location information for a plurality of wireless communication terminals. The location information is information relating to the location of the wireless communication terminal. In this embodiment, the location information includes operation information. The operation information is information relating to the operation of the wireless communication terminal.

[0029] The operation information may include, for example, information on the correspondence between the date and time and the location of the wireless communication terminal. In this case, the date and time may include any of the current, past, and future date and time. For example, the operation information may include information indicating when and where the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass.

[0030] The operation information may include, for example, information on the current location of the wireless communication terminal and information on the moving speed (speed and direction). The operation information may also include, for example, at least one of information on the wireless communication terminal, such as the departure position, departure time, arrival position, arrival time, route, and backup route in case of bad weather or traffic congestion.

[0031] The operation information is registered in advance in the location information management device 60. The operation information is registered in the location information management device 60, for example, by the operator of the wireless communication terminal. The operation information may be updated as needed depending on the operating status of the wireless communication terminal. For example, when the operation information of the wireless communication terminal is updated as the wireless communication terminal moves, the location information management device 60 may receive the operation information from the wireless communication terminal or a terminal management device (not shown) that manages the wireless communication terminal.

[0032] The location information may include information indicating the location of the wireless communication terminal at the current time. The location information may further include at least one of identification information of the wireless communication terminal and frequency information of the wireless communication terminal. The location information does not have to include operation information.

[0033] The wireless communication terminal (not shown) performs wireless communication. The wireless communication terminal of this embodiment is a wireless communication terminal whose location information can be grasped by the location information management device 60. For example, the wireless communication terminal is a drone or an autonomous vehicle.

[0034] The interference information output device 20 receives position information about a plurality of wireless communication terminals. The interference information output device 20 also outputs interference information. The interference information output device 20 will be described later. The position information is information about the location of the wireless communication terminal. The interference information is information about the result of an estimation of the occurrence of radio wave interference.

[0035] In this embodiment, the interference information output device 20 receives position information from the position information managing device 60. The interference information output device 20 may receive position information from each of the wireless communication terminals. Alternatively, for example, the position information managing device 60 may receive position information from each of the wireless communication terminals and transmit the received position information to the interference information output device 20.

[0036] The display means 70 is a man-machine interface such as a display serving as an output device. The display means 70 displays an image. In this embodiment, the interference information output device 20 outputs the interference information to the display means 70. However, the output destination of the interference information is arbitrary. The interference information output device 20 may output the interference information to an output destination other than the display means 70.

[0037] The display means 70 may be a display placed in a monitoring center that monitors radio interference, etc. The display means 70 may also be mounted on a wireless communication terminal.

[0038] 4 shows an example of the configuration of the interference information output device 20 of this embodiment. The interference information output device 20 of this embodiment includes a receiving unit 21, a calculating unit 22, an estimating unit 23, and an output unit 24.

[0039] The receiving unit 21 receives location information for a plurality of wireless communication terminals from the location information management device 60. The receiving unit 21 may receive the location information at predetermined time intervals. In this embodiment, the location information includes operation information. The operation information is information related to the operation of the wireless communication terminals.

[0040] The calculation unit 22 calculates the congestion degree of wireless communication terminals based on the location information. The congestion degree is, for example, the number of wireless communication terminals per unit volume or unit area. In other words, the congestion degree is the density of wireless communication terminals. If the location information includes frequency information of wireless communication terminals, the calculation unit 22 may calculate the congestion degree for wireless communication terminals using a specific frequency or frequency band. If the location information includes frequency information of wireless communication terminals, the calculation unit 22 may calculate the congestion degree for each frequency or frequency band. The calculation unit 22 may calculate the congestion degree for each of one or more multiple regions (spaces or planes). In this case, the regions may be determined according to a predetermined rule. Furthermore, the regions may be, for example, lattice-shaped, circular, spherical, or other shapes.

[0041] The estimation unit 23 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions. The estimation conditions are conditions that are met when it is estimated that radio wave interference is occurring. The estimation conditions include conditions related to the congestion degree. Specific examples of the estimation conditions will be described later.

[0042] When the estimation conditions are satisfied at a specific date and time and a specific location, the estimation unit 23 estimates that radio wave interference will occur at that date and time and location. When the location information is information indicating the location of the wireless communication terminal at the current time, the estimation unit 23 estimates whether radio wave interference is occurring in a specific area at the current time. The estimation unit 23 may also estimate an area where radio wave interference is occurring at the current time. For example, the estimation unit 23 may cause the calculation unit 22 to estimate whether radio wave interference is occurring in each of one or more multiple areas (space or plane). In this case, the area may be determined according to a predetermined rule.

[0043] When the location information includes future operation information, the estimation unit 23 can estimate whether radio wave interference will occur and the area in which it will occur at a future date and time. Also, when the location information includes past operation information, the estimation unit 23 can estimate whether radio wave interference will occur and the area in which it will occur at a past date and time. The estimation unit 23 estimates whether radio wave interference will occur at least at a current, future, or past date and time based on the operation information and estimation conditions.

[0044] The output unit 24 outputs interference information. The interference information is information relating to the estimation result. In this embodiment, the output unit 24 outputs the interference information to the display means 70. Also, in this embodiment, the interference information is image information for causing the display means 70 to display an image showing the information relating to the estimation result. That is, the output unit 24 outputs the interference information to the display means 70, thereby causing the display means 70 to display an image showing the information relating to the estimation result.

[0045] Next, examples of estimation conditions will be described.

[0046] The estimation condition is, for example, that the congestion level of wireless communication terminals is equal to or higher than a threshold. When the congestion level of wireless communication terminals is equal to or higher than a threshold, there is a high possibility that radio wave interference will occur due to radio communication congestion. Therefore, the estimation unit 23 estimates a location where the congestion level of wireless communication terminals is high as a location where radio wave interference is likely to occur.

[0047] The estimation conditions may also be generated based on past history. The history may be, for example, a history of the congestion level of wireless communication terminals. For example, the estimation unit 23 stores the congestion level history in a storage unit (not shown). Then, the condition generation unit 35 generates conditions for the date, time, and location at which the congestion level is estimated to be equal to or greater than a threshold based on the congestion level history. The condition generation unit 35 may be included inside the interference information output device or may be located outside the interference information output device 20. The condition generation unit 35 may also generate the estimation conditions by, for example, machine learning. Note that FIG. 5 shows an example configuration of the interference information output device 30 including the condition generation unit 35.

[0048] The history may also be information about the degree of congestion when radio wave interference actually occurred in the past. In this case, the condition generation unit 35 receives information about the date, time, and location when radio wave interference actually occurred in the past. The condition generation unit 35 may then generate a condition for the degree of congestion that is estimated to be occurring when radio wave interference is occurring. In this case, the condition generation unit 35 can generate an estimation condition based on the history of the degree of congestion at the date, time, and location when radio wave interference actually occurred in the past.

[0049] The estimation condition may be a combination of two or more of the individual estimation conditions described above. Hereinafter, the individual estimation condition will be referred to as an individual condition. For example, the estimation condition may be the satisfaction of one or more of the individual conditions, or the satisfaction of a predetermined number or more of the individual conditions.

[0050] Next, a specific example of an image that the output unit 24 causes the display means 70 to display will be described.

[0051] For example, the image may display on a map an area where the congestion level at a specific date and time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The specific date and time may be the current time, or a time in the past or future. The specific date and time may be changeable in accordance with settings input by the user, etc. The image may also include estimation results for multiple dates and times. For example, the image may display estimation results for multiple dates and times superimposed on a single map. The image may also display multiple maps, each displaying estimation results for a single date and time, side by side for multiple dates and times.

[0052] The image may also be a map displaying an area where the congestion level is equal to or greater than a threshold in a specific frequency or frequency band. The specific frequency or frequency band may be changeable in accordance with a setting input from a user. The specific frequency or frequency band may include a frequency used by a specific wireless communication terminal. The image may also include estimation results for multiple frequencies or frequency bands. For example, the image may display estimation results for multiple frequencies or frequency bands superimposed on a single map. The image may also display estimation results for multiple frequencies or frequency bands side by side.

[0053] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed by a display means. Areas where the congestion level is equal to or greater than a threshold may be displayed in a manner that distinguishes them from one another using a display format according to the congestion level. The display format may be, for example, color or shading. Areas where the congestion level is equal to or greater than a threshold may also be displayed in a manner that distinguishes them from one another using a display format or a displayed image according to the frequency or frequency band. Areas where the congestion level is equal to or greater than a threshold may also be displayed in a manner that distinguishes them from one another using a display format or a displayed image according to the date and time.

[0054] The interference information may also include information regarding the moving direction of a specific wireless communication terminal. The moving direction is a direction that avoids an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. In this case, the estimation unit 23 determines, based on the location information, whether the specific wireless communication terminal passes through an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. Then, the estimation unit 23 calculates, for the wireless communication terminal, a moving direction that avoids the area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur.

[0055] Furthermore, the information regarding the movement direction may include information indicating a movement route. In this case, the estimation unit 23 calculates a movement route for a specific wireless communication terminal that avoids areas where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. The estimation unit 23 can calculate the movement route according to input indicating information about a departure position and an arrival position, or according to location information including information about a departure position and an arrival position. Note that multiple movement directions and movement routes may be calculated. In this case, the interference information may include information about multiple calculated movement directions. Furthermore, the interference information may include information about multiple calculated movement routes.

[0056] Furthermore, the output unit 24 may output the interference information to an output destination other than the display means 70. In this case, the interference information may be data indicating information related to the result of the estimation. For example, the interference information may include one or more of information indicating an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur, information on the frequency or frequency band where radio wave interference is estimated to occur, information on the date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur, etc.

[0057] For example, the output unit 24 may output the interference information to a specific wireless communication terminal. The specific wireless communication terminal may be, for example, a wireless communication terminal that is preset as an output destination of the interference information. In this case, the interference information may be, for example, information indicating that the specific wireless communication terminal is present in an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. Furthermore, the interference information may be, for example, information indicating the date and time when the specific wireless communication terminal will arrive in the area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. Furthermore, in this case, the interference information may be image information for displaying an image on the display means 70. In this case, the image includes information indicating the date and time when the specific wireless communication terminal will arrive in the area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur.

[0058] In this case, the estimation unit 23 may estimate whether radio wave interference is occurring at the location of a specific wireless communication terminal. Then, the output unit 24 may output interference information to the wireless communication terminal or a monitoring device (not shown) installed in a monitoring center. In this case, the interference information may be information indicating that radio wave interference is estimated to be occurring at the location of the wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication terminal may notify the user by using an image, a sound, or the like that radio wave interference is estimated to be occurring.

[0059] Furthermore, the estimation unit 23 may estimate whether radio wave interference is occurring at a location where the wireless communication terminal is to pass on the date and time when the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass, based on the estimation conditions and operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal. Then, the output unit 24 may output interference information to the wireless communication terminal or the monitoring device. In this case, the interference information may be information on the date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur. Furthermore, the interference information may be image information for displaying an image on the display means 70. In this case, the display means 70 may be installed in the wireless communication terminal. Furthermore, the display means 70 may be provided in a monitoring center.

[0060] The interference information may also be control information for controlling the wireless communication terminal, for example, the interference information may be control information for moving the wireless communication terminal in a direction that avoids an area where radio wave interference is expected to occur.

[0061] When the location information includes information about the location of the wireless communication terminal at a future date and time, the estimation unit 23 can estimate an area where radio wave interference may occur based on the congestion level at the future date and time. Therefore, by outputting the interference information, the output unit 24 can notify wireless communication terminals and monitoring devices passing through that area that radio wave interference may occur at a future date and time. This allows the operator of the wireless communication terminal to take measures such as changing the direction or route of movement of the wireless communication terminal to avoid radio wave interference.

[0062] Furthermore, if the location information includes information about the location of the wireless communication terminal at a past date and time, the estimation unit 23 can estimate an area where radio wave interference may have occurred based on the congestion level at the past date and time. Therefore, the output unit 24 can notify information about an area where radio wave interference may have occurred in the past by outputting the interference information.

[0063] Next, FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation flow of the interference information output device 20 of this embodiment.

[0064] The receiving unit 21 receives location information for a plurality of wireless communication terminals (step S201). In this embodiment, the receiving unit 11 receives the location information from the location information managing device 60 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, every predetermined time or when there is a change in the location information.

[0065] The calculation unit 22 calculates the congestion degree of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information (step S202). The estimation unit 23 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions (step S203).

[0066] The output unit 24 outputs the interference information (step S204). In this embodiment, the output unit 24 outputs the interference information at predetermined time intervals. The output unit 24 may output the interference information at any timing other than at predetermined time intervals. For example, the output unit 24 may output the interference information when requested by the device to which the interference information is to be output, when it is estimated that radio wave interference is occurring, or the like.

[0067] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the interference information output device 20 includes a receiving unit 21, a calculating unit 22, an estimating unit 23, and an output unit 24. The receiving unit 21 receives location information about a plurality of wireless communication terminals. The location information is information about the locations of the wireless communication terminals. The calculating unit 22 calculates the congestion level of the wireless communication terminals based on the location information. The estimating unit 23 estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions. The estimation conditions include conditions related to the congestion level. The output unit 24 outputs interference information. The interference information is information about the result of the estimation.

[0068] In this way, the interference information output device 20 performs estimation based on the degree of congestion of wireless communication terminals. Also, the interference information output device 20 outputs interference information related to the result of estimation. do This allows devices that receive interference information and users that refer to the interference information to more easily understand the possibility of radio wave interference occurring. Therefore, it becomes possible to output information that allows users to more easily understand the possibility of radio wave interference occurring.

[0069] The congestion level is the number of wireless communication terminals per unit volume or unit area, which makes it possible to easily estimate locations where radio wave interference is likely to occur.

[0070] The location information may also include operation information of the wireless communication terminal. The operation information is information related to the operation of the wireless communication terminal. Furthermore, the estimation unit 23 estimates at least one of the current, future, and past date and time based on the operation information and estimation conditions. This makes it possible to estimate the possibility of radio wave interference occurring in the future and past as well, and to warn the user.

[0071] Furthermore, the estimation unit 23 may estimate whether radio interference is occurring at a location where the wireless communication terminal is to pass on the date and time when the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass, based on the estimation conditions and operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal. Furthermore, the interference information may include information on the date and time when radio interference is estimated to occur for the wireless communication terminal. This allows the user to easily understand the date and time when radio interference is estimated to occur.

[0072] Furthermore, the output unit 24 may output the interference information to the display means 70 that displays an image. The interference information may be image information for displaying an image on the display means 70. The image is an estimation result displayed on a map. This allows the user to more easily grasp the location where radio wave interference is estimated to occur.

[0073] Furthermore, the estimation unit 23 may calculate, based on the location information, a movement direction for a specific wireless communication terminal that avoids an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur. In this case, the interference information may include information regarding the movement direction of the wireless communication terminal. Furthermore, the interference information may include control information for moving the wireless communication terminal in the movement direction. This makes it possible to reduce the impact of radio wave interference on the wireless communication terminal.

[0074] [Hardware configuration example] An example of the configuration of hardware resources for realizing the interference information output device (10, 20, 30) in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention using one information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the interference information output device may be physically or functionally realized using at least two information processing devices. The interference information output device may also be realized as a dedicated device. Also, only some of the functions of the interference information output device may be realized using an information processing device.

[0075] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device that can realize the interference information output device according to each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, a calculation device 93, a storage device 94, a nonvolatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0076] For example, the receiving unit 11 and the output unit 14 in FIG. 1 can be realized by a communication interface 91 and a computing device, and the calculating unit 12 and the estimating unit 13 can be realized by a computing device 93.

[0077] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the interference information output device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device via a wired or / and wireless connection. When the interference information output device is realized using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected via the communication interface 91 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0078] The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface including a keyboard as an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

[0079] The arithmetic device 93 is realized by a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other arithmetic processing device, and a plurality of electric circuits. The arithmetic device 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in a nonvolatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing in accordance with the read programs.

[0080] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be accessed by the arithmetic device 93, and stores programs, various data, etc. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0081] The nonvolatile storage device 95 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and is capable of storing various programs, data, and the like.

[0082] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 97, which will be described later.

[0083] The recording medium 97 is any recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor flash memory.

[0084] Each embodiment of the present invention may be realized, for example, by configuring an interference information output device using the information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 8 and supplying a program capable of realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments to this interference information output device.

[0085] In this case, the embodiment can be realized by having the arithmetic device 93 execute a program supplied to the interference information output device. Also, it is possible to configure some, but not all, of the functions of the interference information output device in the information processing device 90.

[0086] Furthermore, the interference information output device may be configured so that the program is recorded on a recording medium 97 and is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 95 as appropriate when the interference information output device is shipped or when it is in operation. In this case, the program may be supplied by installing it in the interference information output device using an appropriate jig during the manufacturing stage before shipping or during operation. The program may also be supplied by a general procedure such as downloading it from an external source via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0087] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0088] (Appendix 1) a receiving means for receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; a calculation means for calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation means for estimating occurrence of radio wave interference based on an estimation condition; an output means for outputting interference information which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Equipped with The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output device.

[0089] (Appendix 2) The congestion degree is the number of the wireless communication terminals per unit volume or per unit area. 2. An interference information output device according to claim 1.

[0090] (Appendix 3) the location information includes operation information of the wireless communication terminal, The operation information is information about the operation of the wireless communication terminal. 10. The interference information output device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0091] (Appendix 4) the estimation means performs the estimation for at least one of a present date and time, a future date and time, and a past date and time based on the operation information and the estimation conditions; 4. An interference information output device according to claim 3.

[0092] (Appendix 5) the estimation means estimates whether radio wave interference is occurring at a location through which the wireless communication terminal passes, on a date and time when the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass, based on the estimation conditions and the operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal; The interference information includes information on a date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur for the wireless communication terminal. 5. An interference information output device according to claim 4.

[0093] (Appendix 6) the output means outputs the interference information to a display means that displays an image; the interference information is image information for displaying the image on the display means, The image is a map showing the results of the estimation. An interference information output device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0094] (Appendix 7) the estimation means calculates, based on the location information, a movement direction for the specific wireless communication terminal that avoids an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur; the interference information includes information regarding the moving direction of the wireless communication terminal; 7. An interference information output device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6.

[0095] (Appendix 8) the interference information includes control information for moving the wireless communication terminal in the movement direction; 8. An interference information output device according to claim 7.

[0096] (Appendix 9) receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; Calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; Estimating the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions; outputting interference information that is information about the result of the estimation; The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output method.

[0097] (Appendix 10) The congestion degree is the number of the wireless communication terminals per unit volume or per unit area. 10. The interference information output method according to claim 9.

[0098] (Appendix 11) the location information includes operation information of the wireless communication terminal, The operation information is information about the operation of the wireless communication terminal. 11. The interference information output method according to claim 9 or 10.

[0099] (Appendix 12) performing the estimation for at least one of the current, future, and past date and time based on the operation information and the estimation conditions; 12. The interference information output method according to claim 11.

[0100] (Appendix 13) based on the estimation conditions and the operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal, estimate whether radio wave interference is occurring at a location where the wireless communication terminal is to pass on a date and time when the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass; The interference information includes information on a date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur for the wireless communication terminal. 13. The interference information output method according to claim 12.

[0101] (Appendix 14) outputting the interference information to a display means for displaying an image; the interference information is image information for displaying the image on the display means, The image is a map showing the results of the estimation. An interference information output method according to any one of Supplementary Note 9 to Supplementary Note 13.

[0102] (Appendix 15) calculating a movement direction for the specific wireless communication terminal based on the location information, the direction avoiding an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur; the interference information includes information regarding the moving direction of the wireless communication terminal; An interference information output method according to any one of Supplementary Note 9 to Supplementary Note 14.

[0103] (Appendix 16) the interference information includes control information for moving the wireless communication terminal in the movement direction; 16. The interference information output method according to claim 15.

[0104] (Appendix 17) On the computer, a receiving function for receiving location information, which is information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals, from the wireless communication terminals; a calculation function for calculating a congestion degree of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation function that estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions; an output function for outputting interference information, which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Realize this, The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. A computer-readable recording medium on which an interference information output program is recorded.

[0105] (Appendix 18) The congestion degree is the number of the wireless communication terminals per unit volume or per unit area. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the interference information output program described in Appendix 17.

[0106] (Appendix 19) the location information includes operation information of the wireless communication terminal, The operation information is information about the operation of the wireless communication terminal. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the interference information output program according to Supplementary Note 17 or Supplementary Note 18.

[0107] (Appendix 20) the estimation function performs the estimation for at least one of a current date and time, a future date and time, and a past date and time based on the operation information and the estimation conditions; A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the interference information output program described in Appendix 19.

[0108] (Appendix 21) the estimation function estimates whether radio wave interference is occurring at a location through which the wireless communication terminal passes, on a date and time through which the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass, based on the estimation conditions and the operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal; The interference information includes information on a date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur for the wireless communication terminal. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the interference information output program according to Supplementary Note 20.

[0109] (Appendix 22) the output function outputs the interference information to a display means for displaying an image; the interference information is image information for displaying the image on the display means, The image is a map showing the results of the estimation. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an interference information output program according to any one of Supplementary Note 17 to Supplementary Note 21.

[0110] (Appendix 23) the estimation function calculates, based on the location information, a movement direction for the specific wireless communication terminal that avoids an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur; the interference information includes information regarding the moving direction of the wireless communication terminal; A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an interference information output program according to any one of Supplementary Note 17 to Supplementary Note 22.

[0111] (Appendix 24) the interference information includes control information for moving the wireless communication terminal in the movement direction; A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the interference information output program described in Appendix 23.

[0112] (Appendix 25) a receiving means for receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; a calculation means for calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation means for estimating occurrence of radio wave interference based on an estimation condition; an output means for outputting interference information which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Equipped with The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output system.

[0113] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10, 20, 30 Interference information output device 11, 21 Receiver 12, 22 Calculation section 13, 23 Estimation part 14, 24 Output section 35 Condition generator 60 Location information management device 70 Display means 90 Information processing equipment 91 Communication Interface 92 Input / Output Interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage devices 96 Drive Device 97 Recording Media

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; a calculation means for calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation means for estimating occurrence of radio wave interference based on an estimation condition; an output means for outputting interference information which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Equipped with The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output device.

2. The congestion degree is the number of the wireless communication terminals per unit volume or per unit area. The interference information output device according to claim 1 .

3. the location information includes operation information of the wireless communication terminal, The operation information is information about the operation of the wireless communication terminal.

3. The interference information output device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operation information includes information indicating when and where the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass. The interference information output device according to claim 3 .

5. the estimation means performs the estimation for at least one of a present date and time, a future date and time, and a past date and time based on the operation information and the estimation conditions; 5. The interference information output device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the estimation means estimates whether radio wave interference is occurring at a location through which the wireless communication terminal passes, on a date and time when the wireless communication terminal is scheduled to pass, based on the estimation conditions and the operation information of the specific wireless communication terminal; The interference information includes information on a date and time when radio wave interference is estimated to occur for the wireless communication terminal. The interference information output device according to claim 5 .

7. the output means outputs the interference information to a display means that displays an image; the interference information is image information for displaying the image on the display means, The image is a map showing the results of the estimation.

7. The interference information output device according to claim 1.

8. the estimation means calculates, based on the location information and the estimation conditions, a movement direction for the specific wireless communication terminal that avoids an area where radio wave interference is estimated to occur; the interference information includes information regarding the moving direction of the wireless communication terminal; 8. The interference information output device according to claim 1.

9. receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; Calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; Estimating the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions; outputting interference information that is information about the result of the estimation; The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output method.

10. On the computer, a receiving function for receiving location information, which is information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals, from the wireless communication terminals; a calculation function for calculating a congestion degree of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation function that estimates the occurrence of radio wave interference based on estimation conditions; an output function for outputting interference information, which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Realize this, The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output program.

11. a receiving means for receiving location information relating to the locations of a plurality of wireless communication terminals; a calculation means for calculating a congestion level of the wireless communication terminal based on the location information; an estimation means for estimating occurrence of radio wave interference based on an estimation condition; an output means for outputting interference information which is information relating to the result of the estimation; Equipped with The estimation condition includes a condition related to the congestion degree. Interference information output system.

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