Communication management device, communication management method, and program

Abstract

In order to enable avoidance of a cause of a communication disturbance in communication apparatus disposed at an intersection, a communication management device (1) comprises: an acquisition means (12) for acquiring traffic information of the intersection as a video; an analysis means (13) for analyzing the video acquired by the acquisition means (12); and a control means (15) for, when the analysis means (13) has identified the cause of a communication disturbance in a communication means (11), causing a drive means (14) to change the orientation of the communication means (11) in accordance with the cause of the communication disturbance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication management device, a communication management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, communication devices have been developed that detect obstacles and change the orientation of a directional antenna to avoid the obstacles. As a related technology, there is an invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication device including an obstacle detection unit that detects that a communication obstacle has entered a wireless propagation path between a host vehicle and a communication partner, an edge detection unit that detects an edge of an outer edge shape of the communication obstacle when the communication obstacle that has entered the wireless propagation path is viewed from the host vehicle, and a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit so that when a communication obstacle has entered the wireless propagation path, the orientation of a directional beam by a directional antenna is changed from the orientation toward the communication partner to the orientation toward the edge of the communication obstacle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventionally, efforts have been made to enhance traffic control by arranging communication equipment and cameras at traffic signals. However, depending on changes in the surrounding environment, the communication state of the communication equipment may deteriorate. Specifically, there is a risk that a tree may grow between the antenna and the base station, or that the communication state may deteriorate due to an obstacle such as a truck stopping in front of the antenna.

[0006] The communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects when a communication obstacle enters the wireless propagation path between the vehicle and the communication partner, and changes the direction of the directional beam from the directional antenna toward the edge of the communication obstacle. Therefore, it is assumed that the communication device moves with the movement of the vehicle and that a communication obstacle is present in front of the vehicle. Consequently, in a system where communication equipment is installed at an intersection, if there is an obstacle between the antenna of the communication equipment and the base station, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has the objective of providing a technology that can avoid factors causing communication interference in communication equipment placed at intersections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A communication management device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a directional communication means capable of communicating with a base station and positioned at an intersection; an acquisition means for acquiring traffic information of the intersection as video; an analysis means for analyzing the video acquired by the acquisition means; a driving means for changing the orientation of the communication means; and a control means for causing the driving means to change the orientation of the communication means in accordance with the cause of the communication failure when the analysis means recognizes the cause of the communication failure.

[0009] A communication management method according to one aspect of the present invention involves acquiring traffic information at an intersection as video, analyzing the acquired video, and, if a cause of communication failure in a directional communication means that is capable of communicating with a base station and is located at the intersection is recognized, changing the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring traffic information of an intersection as video; analyzing the acquired video; and, when a cause of communication failure in a directional communication means that is capable of communicating with a base station and is located at the intersection is recognized, changing the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid factors that cause communication interference in communication equipment placed at an intersection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a communication management device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the flow of a communication management method for a communication management device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an intersection where a communication management device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is located. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a communication management device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows the configuration of a computer that functions as a communication management device according to each exemplary embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [Exemplary Embodiment 1] <Communication management device 1 according to exemplary embodiment 1> A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is the basic form of the exemplary embodiments described later. The reference numerals in the drawings appended to this summary are added for convenience to each element as an example to aid understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated form. In addition, the connection lines between blocks in the drawings and other references in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Furthermore, the input and output connection points of each block in the figures may be configured to include ports or interfaces, but these configurations are omitted from the illustration.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication management apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication management apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a communication unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, an analysis unit 13, a driving unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0015] The communication unit 11 can communicate with a base station and is arranged at an intersection and has directivity. The communication unit 11 is, for example, a directional antenna or the like. The communication unit 11 may cause a communication failure due to a plurality of factors, such as when there is an obstacle between the communication unit 11 and the base station causing a communication failure, or when a communication failure is caused by radio wave interference or the like.

[0016] The base station is, for example, a gNB (next generation Node B) in a 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system) core network (5GC) defined by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project for Mobile Communication Systems), or an eNB (evolved Node B) in a 4G (fourth generation mobile communication system) core network (4GC).

[0017] The communication unit 11 is arranged on a traffic signal or the like at an intersection and is installed at a position where communication with the base station is not blocked by ordinary vehicles, pedestrians, etc., but communication with the base station may be blocked by large vehicles such as trucks.

[0018] The acquisition unit 12 acquires traffic information of the intersection as video. The acquisition unit 12 acquires, for example, video captured by one or more cameras arranged at the intersection. The one or more cameras may capture video of the entire intersection or only video of a part of the intersection.

[0019] The analysis means 13 analyzes the video acquired by the acquisition means 12. The analysis means 13 performs object recognition using deep learning such as a convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify the objects in the video. For example, the analysis means 13 is configured to identify a vehicle and its vehicle type from the video. Then, the analysis means 13 determines whether the vehicle is a large vehicle based on the vehicle type, and recognizes whether the object can be a factor (obstacle) causing a communication failure. Further, the analysis means 13 may be configured to recognize objects such as trees and buildings other than vehicles that can be factors (obstacles) causing communication failures.

[0020] The driving means 14 changes the direction of the communication means. The driving means 14 is constituted by, for example, a servo motor or the like, and can change the direction of the communication means 11 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

[0021] When the control means 15 recognizes, by the analysis means 13, a factor causing a communication failure of the communication means 11, the control means 15 causes the driving means 14 to change the direction of the communication means 11 according to the factor causing the communication failure. For example, when an obstacle is recognized by the analysis means 13, the control means 15 causes the driving means 14 to change the direction of the communication means 11 so as to avoid the direction in which the obstacle is present.

[0022] Note that the communication means 11, the acquisition means 12, the analysis means 13, the driving means 14, and the control means 15 are configured to be communicable via a network as an example. Here, the specific configuration of the network does not limit this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a public line network, a mobile data communication network, or a combination of these networks can be used.

[0023] Furthermore, each function of the communication management device 1 may be implemented on the cloud or on MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing). For example, the communication means 11 and the driving means 14 may be in a single device, and the acquisition means 12, analysis means 13, and control means 15 may be in a single device. These may be implemented within a single device or in separate devices. For example, if they are implemented in separate devices, information from each part is transmitted and received via a network to proceed with processing.

[0024] <Effects of Communication Management Device 1> As described above, according to the communication management device 1 of this exemplary embodiment, when the analysis means 13 recognizes a cause of communication failure in the communication means 11, the control means 15 causes the drive means 14 to change the orientation of the communication means 11 according to the cause of the communication failure. Therefore, the communication management device 1 can avoid causes of communication failure in the communication means 11 that are located at an intersection.

[0025] <Flowchart of communication management method S1 by communication management device 1> The flow of the communication management method executed by the communication management device 1 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the communication management method. As shown in Figure 2, the communication management method S1 includes steps S11 to S13.

[0026] First, the acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information of the intersection as video (S11). The acquisition means 12 acquires video footage taken by, for example, one or more cameras placed at the intersection. One or more cameras may capture video footage of the entire intersection, or they may capture video footage of only a part of the intersection.

[0027] Next, the analysis means 13 analyzes the acquired video (S12). For example, the analysis means 13 is configured to identify a vehicle and its make and model from the video. The analysis means 13 then determines whether the vehicle is a large vehicle or not based on its make and model, and recognizes whether it is an object that could cause a communication disruption (obstacle). The analysis means 13 may also be configured to recognize other objects that could cause a communication disruption (obstacle), such as trees or buildings.

[0028] Finally, the control means 15 is capable of communicating with the base station, and if the analysis means 13 recognizes a cause of communication interference in the directional communication means 11 located at the intersection, it changes the orientation of the communication means 11 according to the cause of the communication interference (S13). For example, if the analysis means 13 recognizes an obstacle, the control means 15 causes the drive means 14 to change the orientation of the communication means 11 so as to avoid the direction in which the obstacle is located.

[0029] <Effects of communication management method S1> As described above, according to the communication management method S1 of the communication management device 1 in this exemplary embodiment, when the analysis means 13 recognizes a cause of communication failure in the communication means 11, the control means 15 causes the drive means 14 to change the orientation of the communication means 11 according to the cause of the communication failure. Therefore, the communication management device 1 can avoid causes of communication failure in the communication means 11 that are located at intersections.

[0030] [Exemplary Embodiment 2] <Example configuration of communication management device 1A according to exemplary embodiment 2> Figure 3 shows an example of an intersection where a communication management device 1A according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed. As shown in Figure 3, four traffic lights 40-1 to 40-4 are installed at the intersection. Traffic light 40-1 is equipped with a communication unit 11-1 (communication management device) and a camera 20-1. Traffic light 40-2 is equipped with a communication unit 11-2 (communication management device) and a camera 20-2. Traffic light 40-3 is equipped with a communication unit 11-3 (communication management device) and a camera 20-3. In addition, traffic light 40-4 is equipped with a base station 30 and a camera 20-4.

[0031] For example, the communication management device, including the communication unit 11-1, may acquire video from camera 20-1 and analyze only a portion of the intersection's video, or it may acquire four videos from cameras 20-1 to 20-4 and analyze the video of the entire intersection.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, when the communication management device, including the communication unit 11-2, recognizes that there is an obstacle 50 between the communication unit 11-2 and the base station 30, it changes the orientation of the communication unit 11-2 to avoid the direction of the obstacle 50.

[0033] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a communication management device 1A according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The communication management device 1A includes a communication unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, an analysis unit 13, a drive unit 14, a control unit 15, and a storage unit 16. The communication unit 11 is configured to implement communication means in this exemplary embodiment. The acquisition unit 12 is configured to implement acquisition means in this exemplary embodiment. The analysis unit 13 is configured to implement analysis means in this exemplary embodiment. The drive unit 14 is configured to implement drive means in this exemplary embodiment. The control unit 15 is configured to implement control means in this exemplary embodiment. The storage unit 16 is configured to implement storage means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0034] The communication unit 11 is capable of communicating with the base station 30 and is positioned at an intersection and has directionality. The communication unit 11 is, for example, a directional antenna. The communication unit 11 may experience communication failures due to multiple factors, such as obstacles between it and the base station 30 causing communication failures, or radio interference causing communication failures.

[0035] The acquisition unit 12 acquires traffic information of the intersection as video from cameras 20 placed at the intersection. The acquisition unit 12 acquires video captured by one or more cameras 20-1 to 20-4 placed at the intersection, for example, as shown in Figure 3.

[0036] The analysis unit 13 analyzes the video acquired by the acquisition unit 12. For example, the analysis unit 13 is configured to identify a vehicle and its make and model from the video. The analysis unit 13 then determines whether the vehicle is a large vehicle or not based on its make and model, and recognizes whether it is an object that could cause a communication failure (an obstacle that hinders communication by the communication unit 11).

[0037] Furthermore, the analysis unit 13 may not identify the vehicle type, but instead analyze whether the vehicle is stopped and blocking the wireless communication path. Also, when the analysis unit 13 determines whether a vehicle is a large vehicle, it may determine this based on the size of the vehicle in the image rather than the vehicle type.

[0038] The drive unit 14 changes the orientation of the communication unit 11. The drive unit 14 is composed of, for example, a servo motor, and is capable of changing the orientation of the communication unit 11 in the vertical or horizontal direction.

[0039] When the analysis unit 13 recognizes the cause of a communication failure in the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 instructs the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 according to the cause of the communication failure. For example, if the analysis unit 13 recognizes an obstacle, the control unit 15 instructs the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 so as to avoid the direction of the obstacle.

[0040] Furthermore, the analysis unit 13 predicts the movement of obstacles. For example, the analysis unit 13 identifies the direction of movement of the large vehicle from the video (multiple frame images) acquired from the camera 20. Then, even if the large vehicle is not currently an obstacle, the analysis unit 13 predicts whether it could become an obstacle in the future based on its direction of movement.

[0041] The control unit 15 instructs the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 according to the predicted movement of an obstacle. For example, if the analysis unit 13 predicts that a large vehicle may become an obstacle, the control unit 15 instructs the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 in advance.

[0042] The memory unit 16 stores past images of the intersection. These past images may be, for example, images of the intersection when communication quality was poor, or images of the intersection when communication quality was good.

[0043] The analysis unit 13 compares past images of the intersection with images of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 to analyze the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11. For example, if the past images of the intersection are images of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated, the analysis unit 13 performs a matching process between the past images of the intersection and the images of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12, and identifies the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11 if the similarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0044] The memory unit 16 stores multiple past images of the intersection when communication quality deteriorated, and for each image, it also stores the cause of the communication failure and the direction of the communication unit 11 to avoid that failure. The analysis unit 13 performs a matching process between the past images of the intersection when communication quality deteriorated stored in the memory unit 16 and the current image of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12. Then, if there is a past image with a similarity of a predetermined value or higher, the analysis unit 13 identifies the cause of the communication failure corresponding to that past image as the cause of the current communication failure.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 15 acquires the direction of the communication unit 11 to avoid the communication failure and causes the drive unit 14 to change the direction of the communication unit 11. Note that the past video may be past video of the intersection immediately before the communication quality deteriorated.

[0046] Thus, the analysis unit 13 determines that an event likely to cause a communication failure is likely to occur if the current video of the intersection is similar to past video of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated. For example, if past video of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated shows a truck entering a position that would interrupt communication, the analysis unit 13 can detect that the current state of the intersection is similar to that state and predict that a truck is likely to enter a position that would interrupt communication.

[0047] Furthermore, if past video footage of the intersection when communication quality deteriorated is from a time when communication problems occurred due to radio wave interference or the like, the analysis unit 13 can detect that the current state of the intersection is similar to that state and predict that communication problems are likely to occur due to factors other than obstacles.

[0048] The control unit 15 causes the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 according to the cause of the communication failure. In this way, the communication management device 1A can predict the cause of a communication failure and change the orientation of the communication unit 11 before the communication quality deteriorates.

[0049] If the past video footage of the intersection is from a time when communication quality was good, the analysis unit 13 compares the video footage of the intersection from when communication quality was good with the video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 when communication quality deteriorated, in order to identify the cause of the communication failure.

[0050] For example, if there is a difference between past video footage of an intersection when communication quality is good and video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 when communication quality deteriorates, the analysis unit 13 can identify the portion of the video footage acquired by the acquisition unit 12 that shows this difference as the cause of the communication failure.

[0051] Furthermore, if the analysis unit 13 cannot identify the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 will not allow the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11. For example, if the analysis unit 13 cannot identify the cause of the communication failure by comparing past video footage of the intersection when communication quality is good with video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 when communication quality deteriorates, it can determine that the deterioration in communication quality is not due to an object in the intersection, but rather to a network failure or the like. In the event of a network failure, there is no need to change the orientation of the communication unit 11, so the control unit 15 will not allow the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11.

[0052] <Effects of communication management device 1A> As described above, according to the communication management device 1A of this exemplary embodiment, the analysis unit 13 predicts the movement of an obstacle, and the control unit 15 causes the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11 according to the predicted movement of the obstacle. Therefore, the control unit 15 can change the orientation of the communication unit 11 before the obstacle interrupts communication.

[0053] Furthermore, the analysis unit 13 compares past images of the intersection with the images of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 to analyze the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11. Therefore, since the analysis unit 13 does not need to perform object recognition, the processing load can be reduced.

[0054] Furthermore, the analysis unit 13 performs a matching process between past images of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated and the images of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12. If the similarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the analysis unit 13 identifies the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11. Therefore, if the current images of the intersection are similar to past images of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated, the analysis unit 13 can determine that this is likely to be an event that caused the communication failure.

[0055] Furthermore, if past video footage of the intersection when communication quality deteriorated is from a time when communication problems occurred due to radio wave interference or the like, the analysis unit 13 can detect that the current state of the intersection is similar to that state and predict that communication problems are likely to occur due to factors other than obstacles.

[0056] Furthermore, the analysis unit 13 compares past video footage of the intersection when communication quality was good with video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition unit 12 when communication quality deteriorated, in order to identify the cause of the communication failure. Therefore, the analysis unit 13 can identify the parts of the video that show differences as the cause of the communication failure.

[0057] Furthermore, if the analysis unit 13 does not identify the cause of the communication failure in the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 will not allow the drive unit 14 to change the orientation of the communication unit 11. Therefore, if it can be determined that the deterioration of communication quality is not due to an object in the intersection but rather to a network failure or the like, changing the orientation of the communication unit 11 can be made unnecessary.

[0058] [Examples of implementation using software] Some or all of the functions of the communication management devices 1 and 1A may be implemented by hardware such as integrated circuits (IC chips), or by software.

[0059] In the latter case, the communication management devices 1 and 1A are implemented by a computer that executes instructions for a program, which is software that implements each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in Figure 5. Computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P that causes computer C to operate as communication management devices 1 and 1A. In computer C, the processor C1 reads program P from memory C2 and executes it, thereby realizing each function of the communication management devices 1 and 1A.

[0060] Processor C1 can include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPU (Floating Point Number Processing Unit), PPU (Physics Processing Unit), microcontroller, or a combination thereof. Memory C2 can include, for example, flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof.

[0061] Computer C may also be equipped with RAM for loading program P at runtime and for temporarily storing various data. Furthermore, computer C may be equipped with communication interfaces for sending and receiving data with other devices. Additionally, computer C may be equipped with input / output interfaces for connecting input / output devices such as keyboards, mice, displays, and printers.

[0062] Furthermore, program P can be recorded on a non-temporary, tangible recording medium M that is readable by computer C. Such a recording medium M could be, for example, tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuitry. Computer C can acquire program P via such a recording medium M. Program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium could be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. Computer C can also acquire program P via such a transmission medium.

[0063] [Additional Note 1] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the embodiments described above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] [Additional Note 2] Some or all of the embodiments described above may also be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0065] (Note 1) A directional communication means capable of communicating with a base station and positioned at an intersection, A means for acquiring traffic information at the aforementioned intersection as video, An analysis means for analyzing the video acquired by the acquisition means, A driving means for changing the orientation of the communication means, If the analysis means identifies the cause of the communication failure of the communication means, the control means causes the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure, A communication management device equipped with the following features.

[0066] According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid factors that could cause communication failures in communication devices placed at intersections.

[0067] (Note 2) The cause of the aforementioned communication failure is an obstacle that hinders communication by the communication means. The communication management device described in Appendix 1.

[0068] (Note 3) The analysis means predicts the movement of the obstacle, The control means causes the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means in accordance with the predicted movement of the obstacle. The communication management device described in Appendix 2.

[0069] According to the above configuration, the control means can change the orientation of the communication means before an obstacle interrupts communication.

[0070] (Note 4) The system further includes a memory means for storing past images of the aforementioned intersection. The analysis means compares past video footage of the intersection with video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means to analyze the cause of the communication failure of the communication means. The communication management device described in Appendix 1.

[0071] With the above configuration, the analysis means does not need to perform object recognition, thus reducing the processing load.

[0072] (Note 5) The past video footage of the aforementioned intersection is footage of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated. The analysis means identifies the cause of the communication failure of the communication means when the similarity between past video footage of the intersection and video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The control means causes the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure. The communication management device described in Appendix 4.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the analysis means can determine if the current video of the intersection is similar to past video of the intersection when communication quality deteriorated, as this indicates an event likely to cause a communication failure. Furthermore, the analysis means can predict that a communication failure is likely to occur due to factors other than obstacles.

[0074] (Note 6) The past video footage of the aforementioned intersection is footage of the intersection when the communication quality was good. The analysis means compares the video of the intersection when the communication quality is good with the video of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means when the communication quality deteriorates, in order to identify the cause of the communication failure. The communication management device described in Appendix 4.

[0075] According to the above configuration, the analysis means can identify the portion of the video that shows a difference as the cause of the communication failure.

[0076] (Note 7) If the analysis means does not identify the cause of the communication failure of the communication means, the control means will not allow the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means. The communication management device described in Appendix 6.

[0077] According to the above configuration, if it can be determined that the deterioration of communication quality is not due to an object in the intersection but rather to a network failure or the like, it is not necessary to change the orientation of the communication means.

[0078] (Note 8) Traffic information at intersections is acquired as video, The acquired video footage is analyzed, If a cause of communication interference is recognized for a directional communication means that is capable of communicating with a base station and is located at the intersection, the orientation of the communication means will be changed according to the cause of the communication interference. Communication management methods.

[0079] According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid factors that could cause communication failures in communication devices placed at intersections.

[0080] (Note 9) On the computer, The process of acquiring traffic information at intersections as video, The process involves analyzing the acquired video footage, When a cause of communication failure in a directional communication means that is capable of communicating with a base station and is located at the intersection is recognized, the process of changing the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure is performed. A program that executes the command.

[0081] According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid factors that could cause communication failures in communication devices placed at intersections.

[0082] (Note 10) It comprises at least one processor, the processor being, The process of acquiring traffic information at intersections as video, The process involves analyzing the acquired video footage, When a cause of communication failure in a directional communication means that is capable of communicating with a base station and is located at the intersection is recognized, the process of changing the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure is performed. A communication management device that performs the following actions.

[0083] Furthermore, this communication management device may also be equipped with memory, and this memory may store a program that causes the processor to execute the acquisition process, the analysis process, and the modification process. This program may also be recorded on a computer-readable, non-temporary, tangible recording medium. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1,1A communication management device 11. Communications Section (Means of Communication) 12 Acquisition unit (acquisition means) 13 Analysis section (analysis means) 14. Drive unit (driving means) 15 Control Unit (Control Means) 16 Memory section 20 cameras 30 base station 40 Traffic lights 50 Obstacles

Claims

1. A communication means located at an intersection, A means for acquiring traffic information at the aforementioned intersection as video, An analysis means for analyzing the video acquired by the acquisition means, A storage means for storing past images of the aforementioned intersection, Equipped with, The analysis means compares the past video footage with the video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means to analyze the cause of the communication failure of the communication means. Communication management device.

2. A driving means for changing the orientation of the communication means, When the cause of the communication failure of the communication means is analyzed by the analysis means, a control means is provided to cause the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure, Equipped with, The communication management device according to claim 1.

3. The cause of the aforementioned communication failure is an obstacle that hinders communication by the communication means. The communication management device according to claim 2.

4. The analysis means predicts the movement of the obstacle, The control means causes the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means in accordance with the predicted movement of the obstacle. The communication management device according to claim 3.

5. The past video footage of the aforementioned intersection is footage of the intersection when the communication quality deteriorated. The analysis means identifies the cause of the communication failure of the communication means when the similarity between past video footage of the intersection and video footage of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The control means causes the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means according to the cause of the communication failure. The communication management device according to claim 2.

6. The past video footage of the aforementioned intersection is footage of the intersection when the communication quality was good. The analysis means compares the video of the intersection when the communication quality is good with the video of the intersection acquired by the acquisition means when the communication quality deteriorates, in order to identify the cause of the communication failure. The communication management device according to claim 2.

7. If the analysis means does not identify the cause of the communication failure of the communication means, the control means will not allow the drive means to change the orientation of the communication means. The communication management device according to claim 6.

8. A communication management method performed by a communication management device, To acquire traffic information at intersections as video, The acquired video footage is analyzed, To record past images of the aforementioned intersection, Includes, Analyzing the aforementioned video includes comparing the aforementioned past video with the acquired video of the intersection to analyze the factors causing communication failures of the communication means installed at the intersection. Communication management methods.

9. On the computer, The process of acquiring traffic information at intersections as video, The process involves analyzing the acquired video footage, A process to record past images of the aforementioned intersection, Make it run, The process for analyzing the aforementioned video includes comparing the aforementioned past video with the acquired video of the intersection to analyze the cause of the communication failure of the communication means installed at the intersection. program.

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