Server system, server, information providing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to reduce amount of information sent to a server, which is the transmission destination of information, without requiring a high-processing capacity information processing device at the source of information transmission. A receiving means (21) receives information from at least one of a mobile body (40), a roadside unit (50), and on-road equipment (60). A determination means (22) determines, on the basis of the information that has been received, whether to send the information to a second server (30). A transmission means (23) sends the information to the second server (30) if it was determined that the information is to be sent to the second server (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server system, a server, an information providing method, and a computer-readable medium. [Background technology]

[0002] As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device mounted on a moving body such as an automobile. The information processing device acquires sensor information from a sensor such as an imaging device. The information processing device recognizes scenes of the moving body based on the acquired sensor information. Scenes of the moving body include scenes related to the traveling conditions of the moving body, such as traveling on a public road, and scenes related to the environmental conditions of the moving body, such as weather and road surface conditions.

[0003] When the information processing device recognizes a scene of a moving object, it sets one or more labels corresponding to element information included in the scene information to scene information including sensor information used to recognize the scene.The information processing device determines whether to hold the scene information to which the labels are set based on the set labels.The information processing device stores the scene information decided to hold in a storage unit.The information processing device also transmits the scene information held in the storage unit to an information processing server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-101960 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the information processing device can select scene information to be saved based on set labels, thereby reducing the amount of data for the scene information to be saved. Furthermore, the information processing device transmits the scene information selected based on the labels to an information processing server, thereby reducing the amount of data managed by the information processing server. However, in Patent Document 1, scenes must be recognized in each vehicle. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, each vehicle must be equipped with an information processing device with high processing power.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a server system, a server, an information providing method, and a computer-readable medium that can reduce the amount of information sent to a server that is the destination of the information, without requiring an information processing device with high processing power at the source of the information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides, as a first aspect, a server system. The server system includes a first server that receives information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device, and a second server that receives the information from the first server. The first server includes a receiving means that receives information from at least one of the mobile object, the roadside facility, and the roadside device, a determining means that determines whether to transmit the received information to the second server based on the information, and a transmitting means that transmits the information to the second server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the second server.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a server including: a receiving means for receiving information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; a determining means for determining whether to transmit the received information to another server based on the information; and a transmitting means for transmitting the information to the other server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server.

[0009] The present disclosure provides, as a third aspect, an information providing method, which includes receiving information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device, determining whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information, and transmitting the information to the other server if it is determined to transmit the information to the other server.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to receive information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside unit, determine whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information, and, if it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server, transmit the information to the other server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The server system, server, information providing method, and computer-readable medium disclosed herein can reduce the amount of information sent to the server that is the destination of the information, without requiring a high-performance information processing device at the source of the information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a server system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an L-MEC server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a U-MEC server. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure in the server system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an L-MEC server used in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure in the server system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Prior to describing embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a server system according to the present disclosure. The server system 10 includes a first server 20 and a second server 30. The first server 20 receives information from at least one of a mobile object 40, a roadside device 50, and an on-road facility 60. The second server 30 receives information from the first server 20.

[0014] The first server 20 has a receiving means 21, a determining means 22, and a transmitting means 23. The receiving means 21 receives information from a mobile object 40, a roadside device 50, or an on-road facility 60. The determining means 22 determines whether or not to transmit the received information to the second server 30, based on the information received by the receiving means 21. When the determining means 22 determines to transmit the information to the second server 30, the transmitting means 23 transmits the information received by the first server 20 to the second server 30.

[0015] In the present disclosure, the first server 20 determines whether to transmit the received information to the second server 30, depending on the received information. The second server 30 receives the information that the first server 20 has determined to transmit from the first server 20. In the present disclosure, because the first server 20 determines whether to transmit information to the second server, the mobile object 40, the roadside device 50, and the road facility 60 do not need to have an information processing device for determining whether to transmit information to the server. Therefore, the server system according to the present disclosure can reduce the amount of information received by the second server 30 even if the information sender does not have an information processing device with high processing power. Furthermore, the present disclosure can suppress unnecessary information transmission to the second server 30, thereby reducing the network load due to information transmission and the processing load on the second server 30.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in the following drawings, the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a server system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The server system 100 has a plurality of hierarchical servers. The plurality of hierarchical servers includes first-level servers 110-1 to 110-5, second-level servers 130-1 to 130-2, and a third-level server 150. In this embodiment, the server system 100 is configured as a road maintenance management system or other system. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example in which the server system 100 has five first-level servers, two second-level servers, and one third-level server, but this embodiment is not limited thereto. The server system 100 may have a desired number of first-level servers, a desired number of second-level servers, and a desired number of third-level servers.

[0018] In the following description, it is assumed that MEC (Multi-access / Mobile Edge Computing) servers are used as servers in each layer. The MEC servers have a multi-layer structure, i.e., a multi-stage configuration. Servers 110-1 to 110-5 in the first layer are also called lower layer MEC servers or L-MEC (Lower MEC) servers. Servers 130-1 to 130-2 in the second layer are also called middle layer MEC servers or M-MEC (Middle MEC) servers. Server 150 in the third layer is also called upper layer server or U-MEC (Upper MEC) server. In the following description, when no distinction is necessary, L-MEC servers 110-1 to 110-5 and M-MEC servers 130-1 to 130-2 are also called L-MEC server 110 and M-MEC server 130, respectively.

[0019] In a multi-tiered MEC configuration, placing application servers near terminals can reduce communication latency. It can also reduce backhaul traffic, improve processing efficiency, and improve security. In a multi-tiered configuration, MEC servers with fewer available resources are placed closer to the user, i.e., in lower tiers, and MEC servers with more available resources, i.e., higher performance, are placed in higher tiers. This is because the MEC servers in higher tiers can perform detailed analysis processing, i.e., analysis processing with a high processing load.

[0020] The L-MEC server 110 receives information from the mobile object 200, the roadside unit 210, and the traffic light 220. The mobile object 200, the roadside unit 210, and the traffic light 220 transmit, for example, video data to the L-MEC server 110. The mobile object 200 is configured as a land vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bus, a taxi, or a truck. The mobile object 200 may be a train, a ship, an aircraft, or a mobile robot such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle). The mobile object 200 may be configured to be capable of automatic or autonomous driving based on information from sensors mounted on the mobile object.

[0021] The mobile object 200 transmits, for example, video data from an on-board camera to the L-MEC server 110. For example, the mobile object 200 transmits video data of the moving direction of the mobile object to the L-MEC server 110. Alternatively, the mobile object 200 may transmit video data of the interior of the mobile object to the L-MEC server 110. The mobile object 200 may have multiple on-board cameras with different shooting directions, and may transmit video data from the multiple on-board cameras to the L-MEC server 110. The mobile object 200 may transmit information such as position information and speed information to the L-MEC server 110 instead of or in addition to the video data. The mobile object 200 corresponds to the mobile object 40 shown in FIG. 1 .

[0022] The roadside unit 210 is a communication device installed on a road. The roadside unit 210 can communicate with mobile objects traveling on the road and with terminal devices of pedestrians. The roadside unit 210 includes a camera that captures images of mobile objects traveling on the road. The roadside unit 210 transmits, for example, video data captured using the camera to the L-MEC server 110. The roadside unit 210 may include roadside sensors other than cameras, and may transmit sensor data of the roadside sensors to the L-MEC server 110. The roadside unit 210 corresponds to the roadside unit 50 shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] The traffic light 220 is a road facility installed at an intersection or the like. The traffic light 220 includes a camera that captures images of moving objects and pedestrians passing through the intersection. The traffic light 220 transmits, for example, video data captured using the camera to the L-MEC server 110. The traffic light 220 may include sensors other than cameras, and may transmit sensor data acquired by the sensors to the L-MEC server 110. The traffic light 220 may also transmit information indicating the lighting status of the traffic light to the L-MEC server 110. The traffic light 220 corresponds to the road facility 60 shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] The L-MEC server 110 receives information from mobile objects 200, roadside devices 210, and traffic lights 220 via a network. The network may include, for example, a wireless communication network using a communication line standard such as a fourth generation mobile communication system or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The network may also include a wireless communication network such as WiFi (registered trademark), a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G: 5th Generation), or local 5G. The video data received by the L-MEC server 110 may be moving images or still images.

[0025] Each L-MEC server 110 is arranged corresponding to, for example, a base station in a wireless communication network. For example, the L-MEC server 110 is connected to a base station (gNB: next generation NodeB) in a 5G wireless communication network via a UPF (User Plane Function). Each base station is connected to a 5th Generation Core network (5GC) via the UPF. The 5GC can be connected to an external network.

[0026] The mobile object 200 or a communication device mounted thereon connects to a base station with which it can communicate from among multiple base stations. The mobile object 200 transmits information such as video data to the L-MEC server 110 corresponding to the base station to which the mobile object is connected. For example, the mobile object 200 travels along a road while accumulating camera images. When the mobile object 200 enters the communication range of a base station, it transmits the camera images accumulated up to that point to the L-MEC server 110 associated with that base station. The timing at which the mobile object 200 transmits information to the L-MEC server 110 is not particularly limited to the timing described above.

[0027] The roadside device 210 and the traffic light 220 connect to a base station with which they can communicate, out of multiple base stations. The roadside device 210 and the traffic light 220 transmit information such as video data to the L-MEC server 110 corresponding to the connected base station. The roadside device 210 and the traffic light 220 may transmit images to the L-MEC server 110 that is geographically closest to them, for example. The roadside device 210 and the traffic light 220 may transmit information to the L-MEC server 110 via a wireless network, or may transmit information to the L-MEC server 110 via a wired network.

[0028] The M-MEC server 130 is a middle-level server that controls one or more L-MEC servers 110. The U-MEC server 150 is a higher-level server that controls one or more M-MEC servers 130. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 may be servers connected to the 5GC, or may be servers connected to an external network, such as cloud servers.

[0029] The L-MEC server 110 determines whether to transmit information received from the mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, and the traffic light 220 to a higher-level server, i.e., the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 perform analysis processing on the information received from the L-MEC server 110. The analysis processing performed by the M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 includes, for example, analysis processing of road surface conditions. In this embodiment, the L-MEC server 110 corresponds to the first server 20 shown in FIG. 1. The M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 corresponds to the second server 30 shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] 3 shows an example configuration of the L-MEC server 110. The L-MEC server 110 has a receiving unit 111, a determining unit 112, and a transmitting unit 113. The L-MEC server 110 includes, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories. At least some of the functions of each unit in the L-MEC server 110 can be realized by the processor performing processing in accordance with a program read from the memory.

[0031] The receiving unit 111 receives information from at least one of the mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, and the traffic light 220. The receiving unit 111 may receive information from a plurality of the mobile objects 200. The receiving unit 111 may also receive information from a plurality of the roadside devices 210, or may receive information from a plurality of the traffic lights 220. The receiving unit 111 corresponds to the receiving means 21 shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] Based on the information received by receiving unit 111, determining unit 112 determines whether or not to transmit the information to a server in a higher hierarchy. Based on, for example, video data included in the received information, determining unit 112 determines whether or not to transmit the information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. When determining that the information is to be transmitted by determining unit 112, transmitting unit 113 transmits the information received by receiving unit 111 to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. Determining unit 112 corresponds to determining means 22 shown in Fig. 1. Transmitting unit 113 corresponds to transmitting means 23 shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] For example, determination unit 112 determines whether or not a road surface is shown in the video data. If determination unit 112 determines that a road surface is shown in the video data, it determines to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. If determination unit 112 determines that a road surface is not shown in the video data, it determines not to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. In this case, transmission unit 113 can transmit data that enables M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150 to analyze the road surface condition, to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0034] The decision unit 112 may obtain the proportion of the road surface that appears in the video data, and may decide, based on the proportion, whether to transmit information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. If the proportion of the road surface is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the decision unit 112 may decide to transmit the information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. If the proportion of the road surface is less than the predetermined threshold, the decision unit 112 may decide not to transmit the information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. In this case, the transmission unit 113 can transmit information that has a high proportion of the road surface and is therefore useful for road surface analysis to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150.

[0035] The decision unit 112 may determine whether or not a person is shown in the video data, and may decide whether or not to transmit information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 depending on whether or not a person is shown in the video data. For example, when the decision unit 112 determines that a person is shown in the video data, the decision unit 112 decides not to transmit the information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. When the video data shows a person in a manner that allows an individual to be identified, the decision unit 112 may decide not to transmit the information. When the decision unit 112 determines that a person is not shown in the video data, the decision unit 112 may decide to transmit the information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. If video data that allows an individual to be identified is transmitted to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150, strict information management at the server is required from the viewpoint of protecting personal information. When the transmitting unit 113 determines whether or not to transmit information depending on whether or not a person is shown in the video data, it can transmit information that does not require personal information protection to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150.

[0036] If the information received by receiving unit 111 is information that requires consideration of privacy, transmitting unit 113 may mask the privacy-sensitive portions of the information and transmit the partially masked information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. For example, if the video data clearly shows a person's face or shows information that can identify an individual's name, such as a name tag, transmitting unit 113 may mask the area of ​​the face or name tag. Alternatively, transmitting unit 113 may mask the entire area of ​​the person in the video data. If the video data shows a vehicle license plate, transmitting unit 113 may mask the area of ​​the license plate.

[0037] Although the above describes an example in which processing for protecting personal information is performed in the L-MEC server 110 in a lower hierarchy, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The determination of whether or not the information transmitted from the mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, and the traffic light 220 includes information that requires consideration of privacy, and the processing of the information that requires consideration of privacy, may be performed in a server in a higher hierarchy. For example, if the U-MEC server 150 is located on a cloud, the M-MEC server 130 may perform the above-mentioned determination and processing.

[0038] The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 receive information transmitted by the transmitting unit 113 of the L-MEC server 110. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 can receive information from multiple L-MEC servers 110. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 perform analysis processing on the received information. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 can perform analysis processing by utilizing, for example, video data from in-vehicle cameras transmitted from many mobile objects 200.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows an example configuration of the U-MEC server 150. The U-MEC server 150 has an analysis unit 151 and an information storage unit 152. The configuration of the M-MEC server 130 may be similar to the configuration of the U-MEC server 150 shown in Fig. 4. The M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 each include, for example, one or more processors and one or more memories. At least some of the functions of the units in the M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 can be realized by the processor performing processing in accordance with a program read from the memory.

[0040] The analysis unit 151 performs analysis processing on information received from the L-MEC server 110. The analysis unit 151 analyzes, for example, at least one of road surface conditions, accident situations, and disaster occurrence situations. The analysis unit 151 may also be called analysis means. The information storage unit 152 stores information received from the L-MEC server 110. The information storage unit 152 also stores the analysis results of the analysis unit 151. The information storage unit 152 may also be called information storage means.

[0041] For example, in analyzing the road surface condition, the analysis unit 151 analyzes the video data included in the received information and identifies locations where deterioration has occurred on the road surface. For example, the analysis unit 151 stores location information of locations where deterioration has occurred on the road surface and the video data of those locations in the information storage unit 152 as information on locations that require repair. Furthermore, for example, in analyzing the accident situation, the analysis unit 151 analyzes the video data included in the received information and analyzes whether or not an accident has occurred. The analysis unit 151 may also analyze the scale of the accident. For example, the analysis unit 151 stores location information of the location where the accident occurred and the video data of that location in the information storage unit 152 as accident occurrence situation information.

[0042] In analyzing the disaster occurrence situation, analysis unit 151 analyzes the video data included in the received information to determine whether or not a fire, flood damage, wind damage, or the like has occurred. Analysis unit 151 stores, for example, location information of the location where the disaster occurred and video data of that location as disaster occurrence situation information in information storage unit 152. Analysis unit 151 may transmit the analysis results and the video data to an external server. Furthermore, when the analysis process is performed by M-MEC server 130, M-MEC server 130 may transmit the analysis results and the video data to U-MEC server 150. In that case, U-MEC server 150 may store the analysis results and the video data transmitted from M-MEC server 130 in information storage unit 152.

[0043] In the L-MEC server 110, the determination unit 112 (see FIG. 3 ) may determine whether the information received by the receiving unit 111 is information related to a known analysis result analyzed by the analysis unit 151. If the received information is information related to a known analysis result, it is considered that an analysis result similar to the known analysis result will be obtained by an analysis process on the information. Therefore, it is considered that further analysis process on the information related to the known analysis result is unnecessary. If the received information is information related to a known analysis result, the determination unit 112 may determine not to transmit the received information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. In this case, it is possible to prevent redundant execution of analysis processes that obtain analysis results similar to the known analysis result in the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. If the received information is not information related to a known analysis result, the determination unit 112 may determine to transmit the received information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150.

[0044] For example, after transmitting the information, determination unit 112 may receive information about the analysis result, such as location information about a location requiring repair, from M-MEC server 130 and U-MEC server 150. Determination unit 112 may compare the location information about the location where the information was acquired with the location information included in the information about the analysis result, and may decide not to transmit the information if the location where the information received by receiving unit 111 was acquired is the same as a location for which an analysis result has already been obtained. In this case, information about a location for which an analysis result has already been obtained is transmitted to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150, and it is possible to prevent duplicate analysis from being performed by M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0045] Furthermore, determination unit 112 may determine whether to transmit information depending on whether the video data included in the received information is video data useful for analysis by analysis unit 151. For example, shadows and puddles on the road surface can hinder road surface analysis. Determination unit 112 may check whether there are shadows or puddles on the road surface reflected in the video data, and determine whether to transmit information depending on the presence or absence of shadows or puddles. If there are shadows or puddles reflected in the video data, determination unit 112 may determine not to transmit information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. If there are no shadows or puddles reflected in the video data, determination unit 112 may determine to transmit information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0046] Furthermore, determination unit 112 may check the size of the shadow area and the puddle area on the road surface, and may determine whether or not to transmit information depending on the size of the shadow area or the puddle area. For example, if the shadow area or the puddle area is large, determination unit 112 may determine not to transmit information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. For example, if the shadow area or the puddle area is small, determination unit 112 may determine to transmit information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. In this case, transmission unit 113 can transmit information that does not interfere with road surface analysis to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0047] Determination unit 112 may determine whether or not the video data is video data that analysis unit 151 can analyze, and may determine whether or not to transmit information depending on the result of the determination. For example, if the video data is video data that analysis unit 151 can analyze, determination unit 112 determines to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. If the video data is not video data that analysis unit 151 can analyze, determination unit 112 determines not to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. In this case, transmission unit 113 can transmit information that can be used for road surface analysis to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0048] Determination unit 112 may estimate the accuracy of analysis when analysis unit 151 performs analysis processing on the video data, and determine whether to transmit information depending on the estimation result. If analysis unit 151 can analyze the video data with an accuracy equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, determination unit 112 determines to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. If analysis unit 151 cannot analyze the video data with an accuracy equal to or higher than the predetermined accuracy, determination unit 112 determines not to transmit the received information to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. For example, determination unit 112 determines not to transmit video data that shows a road surface but is estimated to have a low level of deterioration due to the influence of rain or shadow to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150. In this case, transmission unit 113 can transmit video data that can be analyzed with high accuracy to M-MEC server 130 or U-MEC server 150.

[0049] The decision unit 112 may further decide whether to transmit information based on information acquired from an external source. For example, the decision unit 112 acquires sensor information from a weather sensor and weather information. The sensor information and weather information can be acquired, for example, from an external server that manages weather-related information. If the weather is sunny or cloudy, the decision unit 112 decides to transmit information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. If the weather is rainy or snowy, for example, the decision unit 112 decides not to transmit information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. In this case, the transmission unit 113 does not transmit, to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150, video data in which the road surface is wet due to rain or the like and which may prevent correct analysis of road surface deterioration.

[0050] Next, the operation procedure will be explained. Figure 5 shows the operation procedure in the server system. The mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, or the traffic light 220 transmits information including video data to the L-MEC server 110 (step S1). In the L-MEC server 110, the receiving unit 111 receives the information such as the video data transmitted in step S1 (step S2).

[0051] The decision unit 112 decides whether or not to transmit the information received in step S2 to a higher hierarchical server (step S3). If it is decided in step S3 that the information should be transmitted, the transmission unit 113 transmits the information including the video data to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 (step S4). Steps S2 to S4 correspond to an information providing method implemented by the L-MEC server 110.

[0052] The M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 receives information including video data from the L-MEC server 110. Here, it is assumed that the U-MEC server 150 has received the information. The analysis unit 151 of the U-MEC server 150 performs an analysis process on the received information (step S5). In step S5, the U-MEC server 150 performs, for example, an image analysis process on the video data, and detects road surface deterioration and the like from the video data. The analysis unit 151 stores the analysis results and the video data in the information storage unit 152.

[0053] In the future, it is expected that 5G wireless communication will be utilized to transmit various data to a server such as a cloud server, and the data will be utilized in the cloud server. For example, it is expected that the cloud server will collect video data from moving objects 200, roadside devices 210, and traffic lights 220, and perform data processing such as analysis of road surface conditions on the cloud. In this case, if all the video data were transmitted to the cloud server, a huge amount of data would accumulate on the cloud server, and it is expected that the cloud server would not be able to process all the video data.

[0054] In this embodiment, the L-MEC server 110 receives information including, for example, video data from the mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, and the traffic light 220. In the L-MEC server 110, the decision unit 112 decides whether or not to transmit the information to a higher hierarchical server based on the received information. The M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 receives from the L-MEC server 110 the information that the L-MEC server 110 has decided to transmit to the higher hierarchical server. In this embodiment, the L-MEC server 110 can select the information to transmit to the higher hierarchical server, thereby preventing a huge amount of information from being transmitted to the higher hierarchical server.

[0055] In this embodiment, the L-MEC server 110 determines whether or not to transmit information such as video data to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. For this reason, in this embodiment, the mobile object 200, roadside device 210, or traffic light 220 that is the information transmission source does not need to have an information processing device for determining whether or not to transmit information to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. The server system 100 according to this embodiment can reduce the amount of information received by a higher-level server even if the information transmission source is not equipped with an information processing device with high processing power.

[0056] This embodiment can reduce the communication load between the L-MEC server 110 and the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 compared to when all information is transmitted to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 does not need to analyze road surface deterioration and the like for all video data, and the processing load of the analysis process can be reduced.

[0057] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the server system according to the second embodiment may be similar to the configuration of the server system 100 shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the configurations of the second layer server 130 and the third layer server 150 may be similar to the configuration of the U-MEC server 150 shown in Fig. 4.

[0058] Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of an L-MEC server in this embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the L-MEC server 110 shown in Fig. 3, the L-MEC server 110a has an analysis unit 114. The analysis unit 114 performs analysis processing on the information received by the receiving unit 111. The analysis unit 114 analyzes, for example, at least one of the road surface condition, the accident situation, and the disaster occurrence situation. The analysis processing in the analysis unit 114 may be the same as the analysis processing performed in the analysis unit 151 of the U-MEC server 150 (see Fig. 4).

[0059] In this embodiment, in addition to or instead of the operation described in the first embodiment, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not the received information should be processed by the L-MEC server 110a. In other words, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not analysis processing needs to be performed immediately on the received information. If the determination unit 112 determines that analysis processing needs to be performed immediately, it decides not to transmit the information received by the receiving unit 111 to a server in a higher hierarchical level. In this case, the determination unit 112 causes the analysis unit 114 to perform analysis processing. The analysis unit 114 performs analysis processing on the information received by the receiving unit 111.

[0060] As an example, when highly real-time information is required, the decision unit 112 determines to immediately perform the analysis process. An example of a case when highly real-time information is required is the provision of information related to the driving control of an autonomous vehicle. For example, when providing information related to the driving control of an autonomous vehicle, the L-MEC server 110a performs an analysis process on information such as image data, and the results of the analysis process are transmitted to the autonomous vehicle. On the other hand, when the information is intended to collect information on roads or the surrounding areas of the roads, the decision unit 112 determines that it is not necessary to immediately perform the analysis process. For example, when the received information is information used for road maintenance and management, the decision unit 112 determines that it is not necessary to immediately perform the analysis process.

[0061] When determining that it is not necessary to perform the analysis process immediately, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not to transmit the information received by the receiving unit 111 to a server in a higher hierarchy, by the operation described in the first embodiment. When determining that it is not necessary to perform the analysis process immediately, the determination unit 112 may decide to transmit the information to a server in a higher hierarchy. When the information is transmitted to a server in a higher hierarchy, the analysis process is performed by the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150.

[0062] Next, the operation procedure in this embodiment will be explained. Fig. 7 shows the operation procedure in the server system according to this embodiment. The mobile object 200, the roadside device 210, or the traffic light 220 transmits information including video data to the L-MEC server 110a (step S11). In the L-MEC server 110a, the receiving unit 111 receives the information such as the video data transmitted in step S11 (step S12). Steps S11 and S12 may be the same as steps S1 and S2 shown in Fig. 5.

[0063] The determination unit 112 determines whether or not analysis processing should be performed immediately on the information received in step S12 (step S13). If the determination unit 112 determines that analysis processing should be performed immediately, it decides to perform analysis processing within the L-MEC 110a without transmitting the information to a higher-level server. If it is determined in step S13 that analysis processing should be performed immediately, the analysis unit 114 performs analysis processing on the information received in step S12 (step S14). If analysis processing is performed by the analysis unit 114, the transmission unit 113 may transmit the results of the analysis processing to the mobile object 200, roadside device 210, or traffic light 220 that is the source of the information.

[0064] If the determination unit 112 determines in step S13 that there is no need to perform the analysis process immediately, it determines whether or not to transmit the information received in step S12 to a server in a higher hierarchy (step S15). If the determination unit 112 determines to transmit the information to a server in a higher hierarchy, the transmission unit 113 transmits the information transmitted in step S12 to the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 (step S16). The M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150 receives information including video data from the L-MEC server 110a. Here, it is assumed that the U-MEC server 150 has received the information. The analysis unit 151 of the U-MEC server 150 performs analysis on the received information (step S17). Steps S15 to S17 may be the same as steps S3 to S5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0065] In this embodiment, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not analysis processing needs to be performed immediately. If the determination unit 112 determines that analysis processing needs to be performed immediately, the analysis unit 114 of the L-MEC server 110a performs analysis processing on the received information. In this embodiment, analysis processing on information that needs to be analyzed immediately is performed by the L-MEC server 110a that receives the information from the mobile object 200 or the like. In this case, the time required from receiving the information to obtaining the analysis results can be shortened compared to when analysis processing is performed by the M-MEC server 130 or the U-MEC server 150. Other effects are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the L-MEC server 110 is the first server that performs the process of determining whether to transmit information to a server in a higher hierarchical level, and the M-MEC server 130 and the U-MEC server 150 are the second servers that perform the analysis process. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the present disclosure, the process of determining whether to transmit information may be performed using servers in multiple hierarchical levels. In other words, the functions of the first server may be implemented by servers in multiple hierarchical levels. For example, in FIG. 2, the L-MEC server 110 and the M-MEC server 130 may correspond to the first server that performs the process of determining whether to transmit information to a server in a higher hierarchical level.

[0067] In a multi-tiered server system such as that shown in FIG. 2, the tiered servers may share functions among the tiers. For example, when a multi-tiered MEC configuration is applied to a road maintenance system, a first-tier server may determine whether a person is present in the video data, and a second-tier server may determine whether the information is related to a known analysis result. Furthermore, a third-tier server may perform analysis processing. If a person is not present in the video data, the first-tier server, i.e., the L-MEC server, transmits the received information to a second-tier server. If a person is present in the video data, the L-MEC server does not transmit the information. If the received information is not related to a known anomaly, the second-tier server, i.e., the M-MEC server, transmits the information to a third-tier server. If the information is related to a known anomaly, the M-MEC server does not transmit the information. The third-tier server, i.e., the U-MEC server, analyzes the received information to determine whether an anomaly exists. The U-MEC server, for example, performs image analysis to analyze whether or not cracks have occurred in the road surface and whether or not there are portholes.

[0068] However, it is unrealistic to centrally collect maintenance-related information from devices that transmit the information in one location. When centrally collecting information in one location, if the received information includes information that requires urgent processing, it may take a long time to collect the information. Furthermore, when a large amount of data is transmitted to one location, communication traffic may increase. Another problem is that the server where the information is centrally collected must process the large amount of data. When functions are assigned to each layer in a multi-tier MEC configuration as described above, the server system can meet various requirements. For example, security can be improved by determining in a lower-tier MEC server that sensitive privacy information will not be transmitted to a higher-tier MEC server or cloud server. Alternatively, by analyzing information that requires urgent analysis in a lower-tier MEC server and returning the analysis results to the tiered source, the physical transmission distance can be shortened, resulting in low communication latency. A multi-tier MEC configuration also has the advantage of scalability, as it allows the number of intermediate-tier servers to be increased or decreased depending on the scale of the system.

[0069] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the L-MEC server 110, M-MEC server 130, and U-MEC server 150. Fig. 8 shows an example configuration of a computer device that can be used as an MEC server. The computer device 500 has a control unit (CPU) 510, a storage unit 520, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 530, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 540, a communication interface (IF: Interface) 550, and a user interface 560.

[0070] The communication interface 550 is an interface for connecting the computer device 500 to a communication network via wired communication means or wireless communication means, etc. The user interface 560 includes a display unit such as a display, and an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0071] The storage unit 520 is an auxiliary storage device that can store various types of data. The storage unit 520 does not necessarily have to be a part of the computer device 500, but may be an external storage device or a cloud storage connected to the computer device 500 via a network.

[0072] The ROM 530 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory with a relatively small capacity is used for the ROM 530. The programs executed by the CPU 510 can be stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530. The storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 stores various programs for realizing the functions of each unit of the L-MEC server 110, the M-MEC server 130, or the U-MEC server 150, for example.

[0073] The program includes instructions or software code that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include RAM, ROM, flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray discs or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0074] The RAM 540 is a volatile storage device. Various semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) are used for the RAM 540. The RAM 540 can be used as an internal buffer for temporarily storing data, etc. The CPU 510 loads a program stored in the storage unit 520 or the ROM 530 into the RAM 540 and executes it. The CPU 510 executes the program, thereby realizing the functions of each unit in the server. The CPU 510 may have an internal buffer for temporarily storing data, etc.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. For example, the matters described in the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0076] For example, some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0077] [Appendix 1] a first server that receives information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside unit; a second server that receives the information from the first server; The first server receiving means for receiving information from at least one of the mobile object, the roadside equipment, and the roadside device; a decision means for deciding whether to transmit the received information to the second server based on the received information; a transmitting means for transmitting the information to the second server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the second server.

[0078] [Appendix 2] the information includes video data; The server system according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether or not to transmit the information to the second server based on the video data.

[0079] [Appendix 3] The server system described in Appendix 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the road surface is shown in the video data, and if it determines that the road surface is shown, decides to send the information to the second server.

[0080] [Appendix 4] The server system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the determination means calculates the proportion of the road surface that is captured in the video data, and determines whether or not to transmit the information to the second server based on the calculated proportion.

[0081] [Appendix 5] The server system according to any one of appendices 2 to 4, wherein the decision means checks whether or not there are shadows on the road surface and / or puddles on the road surface reflected in the video data, and decides whether or not to send the information to the second server depending on whether or not there are shadows on the road surface and / or puddles on the road surface.

[0082] [Appendix 6] The server system according to any one of appendices 2 to 5, wherein the decision means determines whether or not a person is shown in the video data, and if it determines that a person is shown, decides not to send the information to the second server.

[0083] [Appendix 7] 7. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the second server has an analysis means for analyzing the received information.

[0084] [Appendix 8] The server system according to claim 7, wherein the determining means determines whether to transmit the information to the second server depending on whether the information is information that can be analyzed by the analyzing means.

[0085] [Appendix 9] The server system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the determination means determines whether to send the information to the second server depending on whether the analysis means can analyze the information with an accuracy equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy.

[0086] [Appendix 10] 10. The server system according to claim 7, wherein the analysis means analyzes at least one of road surface conditions, accident situations, and disaster occurrence situations.

[0087] [Appendix 11] 11. The server system according to claim 7, wherein the second server further comprises a storage means for storing the received information and the analysis result of the analysis means.

[0088] [Appendix 12] The server system according to any one of appendices 7 to 11, wherein the decision means determines whether the information is related to a known analysis result analyzed by the analysis means, and if it is determined that the information is related to a known analysis result, decides not to send the information to the second server.

[0089] [Appendix 13] 13. The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the decision means decides whether or not to transmit the information to the second server based further on information acquired from an external source.

[0090] [Appendix 14] The server system according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the server system is a road maintenance management system.

[0091] [Appendix 15] The server system of any one of appendices 1 to 14, wherein the server system is configured as a server system including a plurality of servers arranged in a hierarchy of multiple hierarchies, and the first server is a server at a lower hierarchy than the second server.

[0092] [Appendix 16] 16. The server system according to claim 15, wherein the first server is located closer to a source of the information than the second server.

[0093] [Appendix 17] 17. The server system according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of servers arranged in a hierarchy of multiple hierarchical layers share functions among the plurality of hierarchical layers.

[0094] [Appendix 18] the first server further comprises an analysis means; The decision means further determines whether to process the information in the first server based on the received information; 18. The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the analysis means of the first server performs processing on the received information when the decision means determines that the information should be processed within the first server.

[0095] [Appendix 19] receiving means for receiving information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; a determining means for determining whether to transmit the received information to another server based on the received information; a transmitting means for transmitting the information to the other server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server.

[0096] [Appendix 20] the information includes video data; 20. The server according to claim 19, wherein the determining means determines whether or not to transmit the information to the other server based on the video data.

[0097] [Appendix 21] The server described in Appendix 20, wherein the decision means determines whether the video data shows a road surface, and if it determines that the video data shows a road surface, decides to send the information to the other server.

[0098] [Appendix 22] The server described in Appendix 20 or 21, wherein the decision means determines whether or not a person is shown in the video data, and if it determines that a person is shown, decides not to send the information to the other server.

[0099] [Appendix 23] receiving information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside unit; determining whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information; An information providing method comprising, when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server, transmitting the information to the other server.

[0100] [Appendix 24] receiving information from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside unit; determining whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information; a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to transmit the information to the other server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server; [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10: Server system 20: First server 21: Receiving means 22:Decision making method 23: Transmission method 30: Second server 40: Mobile 50: Roadside machine 60: Road equipment 100: Server system 110, 130, 150: Server 111: Receiving unit 112: Decision section 113: Transmitter 114:Analysis Department 151:Analysis Department 152: Information storage section 200: Mobile 210: Roadside machine 220: Traffic light 500: Computer equipment 510:CPU 520: Storage section 530:ROM 540:RAM 550: Communication interface 560: User Interface

Claims

1. a first server that receives information including video data from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; a second server that receives the information from the first server; The first server receiving means for receiving information from at least one of the mobile object, the roadside equipment, and the roadside device; a decision means for deciding whether to transmit the received information to the second server based on the received information; a transmitting means for transmitting the information to the second server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the second server; The server system, wherein the determining means determines whether a road surface is captured in the video data, and if it determines that a road surface is captured, determines to transmit the information to the second server.

2. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the decision means checks whether or not there are at least one of shadows on the road surface and puddles on the road surface reflected in the video data, and if there are at least one of shadows and puddles on the road surface, decides not to send the information to the second server.

3. 3. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the second server comprises an analyzing means for analyzing the received information.

4. 4. The server system according to claim 3, wherein the determining means determines whether the information is information related to a known analysis result analyzed by the analyzing means, and if it determines that the information is information related to a known analysis result, determines not to transmit the information to the second server.

5. 5. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the server system is configured as a server system including a plurality of servers arranged in a hierarchy of multiple hierarchies, and the first server is a server in a lower hierarchy than the second server.

6. a receiving means for receiving information including video data from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; a determining means for determining whether to transmit the received information to another server based on the received information; a transmitting means for transmitting the information to the other server when it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server; The determining means determines whether or not a road surface is captured in the video data, and if it determines that a road surface is captured, determines to transmit the information to the other server.

7. receiving information including video data from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; determining whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information; If it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server, transmitting the information to the other server; The information providing method determines whether or not a road surface is captured in the video data, and if it is determined that a road surface is captured, determines to transmit the information to the other server.

8. receiving information including video data from at least one of a mobile object, a roadside facility, and a roadside device; determining whether to transmit the information to another server based on the received information; If it is determined that the information should be transmitted to the other server, transmitting the information to the other server; A program for causing a computer to determine whether the road surface is shown in the video data, and if it is determined that the road surface is shown, to decide to transmit the information to the other server.

Images