Data transmission failure area estimation system
The data transmission failure area estimation system accurately identifies areas with transmission issues by calculating failure frequencies, reducing confusion and improving data quality by excluding problematic areas.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems fail to accurately estimate areas where data transmission from vehicles to servers becomes abnormal, leading to confusion with data from other areas.
A data transmission failure area estimation system that calculates failure frequency based on time differences and measurement intervals, using a malfunction frequency calculation unit and a failure area estimation unit to determine areas with excessive failure durations.
Effectively estimates data transmission failure areas, reducing inappropriate data collection by excluding identified failure areas from further information collection.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a data transmission failure area estimation system.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as a technical document related to a data transmission failure area estimation system, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-052607 is known. This publication shows an information processing system that determines whether unstable behavior is caused by a driver when a target vehicle for information collection exhibits unstable behavior.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, when collecting information from a vehicle to a server of an information collection system, the existence of an area where data transmission from the vehicle to the server becomes abnormal is known. Since problems occur when confusing data in such an area with data in other areas, a technique for estimating an area where data transmission becomes abnormal is required.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a data transmission failure area estimation system that estimates whether a pre-set area is a data transmission failure area where data transmission from a vehicle to a server is unsuccessful, comprising: a failure frequency calculation unit that calculates the frequency of data transmission failures based on the time difference between the vehicle measurement time of data in the vehicle and the vehicle transmission time when the vehicle sends data to the server, the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time when the server receives the data, and the measurement interval of the vehicle measurement time of data repeatedly acquired from the vehicle; and a failure area estimation unit that estimates an area to be a data transmission failure area when the duration for which the failure frequency in the area is equal to or greater than a frequency determination threshold exceeds a continuation determination threshold. A vehicle remaining time determination unit determines whether the remaining time inside the vehicle, which is the time difference between the vehicle measurement time and the vehicle transmission time of the data, is greater than or equal to a remaining time determination threshold; a congestion time determination unit determines whether the congestion time, which is the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time of the data, is greater than or equal to a congestion determination threshold; and a fragmentation determination unit determines whether the measurement interval is greater than or equal to a fragmentation determination threshold. Equipped with The malfunction frequency calculation unit calculates the malfunction frequency based on the determination result of the remaining time in the vehicle determination unit, the determination result of the congestion time determination unit, and the determination result of the fragmentation determination unit. .
[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, the data transmission failure area estimation system calculates the frequency of data transmission failures in an area from the time difference between the vehicle measurement time of data in the vehicle and the vehicle transmission time when the vehicle sends the data to the server, the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time when the server receives the data, and the measurement interval of the vehicle measurement time of the target vehicle data that is repeatedly acquired. As a result, the data transmission failure area estimation system can appropriately estimate data transmission failure areas based on the duration of the failure frequency. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to appropriately estimate data transmission failure areas where data transmission from the vehicle to the server is unsuccessful. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a data transmission failure area estimation system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the areas where data transmission problems are estimated to occur. [Figure 3] This is an example of an area estimation server. [Figure 4]This flowchart shows an example of the process by which an area estimation server estimates areas with data transmission problems. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0010] Figure 1 shows a data transmission failure area estimation system 100 according to one embodiment. The data transmission failure area estimation system 100 is a system that estimates whether or not a pre-set area is a data transmission failure area where data transmission from a vehicle to a server is unsuccessful. The data transmission failure area estimation system 100 shown in Figure 1 includes an area estimation server 10. The area estimation server 10 will be described in more detail later.
[0011] In the data transmission failure area estimation system 100, target vehicles 2 (target vehicles 2A to 2Z) are connected to the area estimation server 10 via network N in a communicative manner. Network N is a wireless communication network. Any well-known wireless communication network can be used for network N.
[0012] Target vehicle 2 is a vehicle targeted for information collection by the data transmission failure area estimation system 100. Target vehicle 2 is assigned an ID [identification] (vehicle identification number) for vehicle identification. There may be only one target vehicle. Target vehicle 2 does not need to be a vehicle with the same configuration, and may be of a different make and model. The target vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle or a vehicle without autonomous driving capabilities.
[0013] The target vehicle data collected by the data transmission malfunction area estimation system 100 includes location information of target vehicle 2. The location information is generated in association with time. The target vehicle data may include an ID. The target vehicle data may include vehicle speed information of target vehicle 2, acceleration information, steering angle information, and yaw rate information. The target vehicle data may include object measurement information regarding objects around target vehicle 2 measured by the sensors of target vehicle 2, and may include information on the vehicle's driving position relative to the lane. The target vehicle data may include information on the driver's driving operations.
[0014] The target vehicle data includes the vehicle measurement time and the vehicle transmission time. The vehicle measurement time is the time when the target vehicle data was measured. Since the target vehicle data is generated according to the clock frequency of the processing unit of target vehicle 2, the vehicle measurement time is also determined according to the clock frequency. If the measurement time (measurement timing) differs depending on the type of data, such as location information or vehicle speed information, the vehicle measurement time may be aligned with, for example, the measurement time of the location information. In this case, the vehicle measurement time may include the measurement time for each type of data, such as the measurement time of the location information and the measurement time of the vehicle speed information.
[0015] The vehicle transmission time is the time when the target vehicle data is transmitted from target vehicle 2 to the area estimation server 10. The vehicle transmission time is the time when target vehicle 2 recognizes that it has transmitted the data. Target vehicle 2 repeatedly transmits the target data to the area estimation server 10 at predetermined intervals. These predetermined intervals are determined, for example, according to the clock frequency of the processing unit of target vehicle 2.
[0016] The estimation of whether or not an area is experiencing data transmission problems is performed for each pre-defined area. Here, Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the areas. As shown in Figure 2, areas are defined, for example, by dividing them into mesh-like sections on a map. Areas may be defined in 10km meshes (10km squares), 5km meshes, 3km meshes, or even meshes of 10km or more. Areas do not need to be the same shape and may be defined as regions where the environment tends to be uniform depending on the terrain. Areas may also be defined as mesh codes. Mesh codes are defined from latitude and longitude information, and a unique code is assigned to each mesh.
[0017] [Configuration of the data transmission failure area estimation system] The configuration of the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 has an area estimation server 10 that manages the system.
[0018] The area estimation server 10 is installed in a facility such as an information management center and is configured to communicate with the target vehicles 2A to 2Z. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the area estimation server 10. The area estimation server 10 shown in Figure 3 is configured as a general-purpose computer equipped with a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a user interface 14.
[0019] Processor 11, for example, operates an operating system to control area estimation server 10. Processor 11 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU [Central Processing Unit] including a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, and the like. Processor 11 supervises storage unit 12, communication unit 13, and user interface 14. Storage unit 12 is configured to include at least one of a memory and a storage. The memory is a recording medium such as a ROM [Read Only Memory] and a RAM [Random Access Memory]. The storage is a recording medium such as a HDD [Hard Disk Drive].
[0020] Communication unit 13 is a communication device for performing communication via network N. Network devices, network controllers, network cards, etc. can be used for communication unit 13. User interface 14 is a device including output devices such as displays and speakers, and input devices such as touch panels. Note that area estimation server 10 does not necessarily have to be provided in a facility and may be mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship. Area estimation server 10 may be composed of a plurality of servers.
[0021] Area estimation server 10 is connected to target vehicle database 15 that stores past target vehicle data of target vehicle 2. Target vehicle database 15 has a storage device such as a HDD and can have the same configuration as a well-known database.
[0022] The target vehicle database 15 may store target vehicle data in association with a number of pre-defined areas. Areas are defined, for example, by dividing them into certain ranges on a map. Areas may be defined using, for example, a 10km mesh (10km square), a 5km mesh, or a 3km mesh. They may also be defined using meshes of 10km or more. Areas do not need to be the same shape and may be defined as regions where the environment tends to be uniform depending on the terrain. Areas may also be defined as mesh codes. Mesh codes are defined from latitude and longitude information, and each mesh is assigned a unique code.
[0023] The location information of target vehicle 2 can be obtained as latitude and longitude information from the GPS (Global Positioning System) or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) installed on target vehicle 2. This also contributes to cost reduction by eliminating the need for maps. The target vehicle database 15 may be integrated with the area estimation server 10, or it may be located in a facility separate from the area estimation server 10.
[0024] Next, the functional configuration of the processor 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the processor 11 includes a target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a, an in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b, a congestion time determination unit 11c, a fragmentation determination unit 11d, a malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e, and a malfunction area estimation unit 11f.
[0025] The target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a acquires target vehicle data transmitted from target vehicle 2. The target vehicle data is as described above. The target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a acquires target vehicle data, including location information and time, through communication with target vehicle 2. The target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a also acquires the server reception time, which is the time when the area estimation server 10 acquired the target vehicle data. The target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a recognizes the server reception time, for example, using the timer circuit of the processor 11.
[0026] The target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a aggregates target vehicle data acquired from within the area to be estimated as being a data transmission failure area for each target period. The target period may be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, or 1 day. The target period is not particularly limited.
[0027] The in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b determines whether the in-vehicle remaining time of the target vehicle data, which has been aggregated by the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a, is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold. The in-vehicle remaining time is the delay time (remaining time) from measurement to transmission of the target vehicle data on the target vehicle 2 side. The in-vehicle remaining time corresponds to the time difference between the vehicle measurement time and the vehicle transmission time of the target vehicle data. The remaining time determination threshold is a threshold value that has been set in advance. The remaining time determination threshold may be set to a different value depending on the type of target vehicle 2 (e.g., processing power).
[0028] The in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b calculates the in-vehicle remaining time of the target vehicle data in the estimated target area based on the vehicle measurement time and vehicle transmission time of the target vehicle data. The in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b determines whether the calculated in-vehicle remaining time is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold. The in-vehicle remaining time becomes longer, for example, when the ignition switch is turned off before the data measured on the target vehicle 2 is transmitted. Therefore, the in-vehicle remaining time will be longer in areas where many target vehicles 2 are parked, refueled, or charged. In areas where the in-vehicle remaining time is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold, the number of target vehicle data with inappropriate transmission timing increases, and it can be assumed that the occurrence rate of data transmission malfunctions is high. Data transmission malfunctions include the transmission of inappropriate target vehicle data.
[0029] The congestion time determination unit 11c determines whether the congestion time of the target vehicle data aggregated by the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold. Congestion time is the time that data remains on the network N. Congestion time corresponds to the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time of the target vehicle data.
[0030] The congestion detection threshold is a pre-set threshold value. The congestion detection threshold may be set to different values depending on the location of the area to be estimated. The congestion detection threshold may be set to a larger value the further the area is from the area estimation server 10. This allows for proper detection of data transmission problems, taking into account communication delays due to distance.
[0031] The congestion detection threshold may be set to different values depending on the time period in which the target vehicle data was aggregated. The congestion detection threshold may be set to a larger value when the vehicle transmission time falls within a predetermined network N congestion period compared to when the vehicle transmission time does not fall within a congestion period. This allows for appropriate detection of data transmission problems by considering changes in communication congestion depending on the time of day. Note that congestion periods may also be determined based on the server reception time rather than the vehicle transmission time.
[0032] The congestion time determination unit 11c calculates the congestion time of the target vehicle data in the estimated area based on the vehicle transmission time and server reception time of the target vehicle data. The congestion time determination unit 11c determines whether the calculated congestion time is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold. In areas where the congestion time is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold, it can be assumed that the target vehicle data is stagnating on the network N, and that the occurrence rate of data transmission problems is high.
[0033] The fragmentation determination unit 11d determines whether the measurement interval of the target vehicle data aggregated by the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a is equal to or greater than the fragmentation determination threshold. The measurement interval corresponds to the interval of vehicle measurement times for target vehicle data repeatedly acquired from the same target vehicle 2. In other words, the measurement interval corresponds to the time difference between the vehicle measurement time of the target vehicle data acquired this time and the vehicle measurement time acquired just before.
[0034] The fragmentation threshold is a pre-set threshold value. The fragmentation threshold may be set to different values depending on the time period in which the target vehicle data was aggregated. The fragmentation threshold may be set to a higher value when the vehicle transmission time falls within a predetermined network N's congested time period compared to when the vehicle transmission time does not fall within a congested time period.
[0035] The fragmentation determination unit 11d calculates the measurement interval of the target vehicle data in the estimated area based on the vehicle measurement time of the target vehicle data transmitted from the same target vehicle 2. The fragmentation determination unit 11d determines whether the calculated measurement interval is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold. In areas where the measurement interval is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold, it can be considered that there is a high rate of data transmission problems due to fragmentation of the target vehicle data.
[0036] The malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e calculates the frequency of malfunctions in data transmission to the target vehicle data based on the determination results of the in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b, the congestion time determination unit 11c, and the fragmentation determination unit 11d.
[0037] Specifically, the malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e counts a data transmission malfunction in the target vehicle data if the in-vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b determines that the remaining time in the vehicle is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold, or the congestion time determination unit 11c determines that the congestion time is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold, or the fragmentation determination unit 11d determines that the measurement interval is equal to or greater than the fragmentation determination threshold. The malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e counts the number of malfunction occurrences in the target vehicle data of the estimated target area. The malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e calculates the number of malfunction occurrences during the target period aggregated by the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a as the malfunction frequency.
[0038] The malfunction area estimation unit 11f estimates an area as a data transmission malfunction area when the duration for which the frequency of malfunctions in that area exceeds the frequency determination threshold exceeds the duration for which the duration for which the frequency of malfunctions exceeds the frequency determination threshold exceeds the duration for which the duration for which the frequency of malfunctions exceeds the frequency determination threshold exceeds the duration for which the duration for which the frequency of malfunctions exceeds the frequency determination threshold (tendency for frequent malfunctions) continues.
[0039] The frequency threshold and the continuation threshold are preset threshold values. The frequency threshold and the continuation threshold may be set to different values depending on the area. The frequency threshold and the continuation threshold may be set to smaller values the more times an area has been estimated to be a data transmission failure area in the past. If the failure area estimation unit 11f finds that the failure frequency calculated for each target period falls below the frequency threshold even once, it resets the duration count and starts counting from zero.
[0040] If the malfunction area estimation unit 11f estimates an area to be a data transmission malfunction area, it may exclude that area from the collection of target vehicle data for a certain period of time. If the area estimation server 10 or another server is performing vehicle support processing (for example, processing to determine the reproducibility of unstable behavior such as slipping according to the location on the map) based on the target vehicle data, the malfunction area estimation unit 11f may exclude the area estimated to be a data transmission malfunction area from the vehicle support processing. For example, the determination of the reproducibility of unstable behavior is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-187683 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-145185.
[0041] [Estimation Method for Data Transmission Failure Area Estimation System] Next, the estimation method of the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the data transmission failure area estimation process (estimation method) by the area estimation server 10. The data transmission failure area estimation system 100 performs the estimation process, for example, each time the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a aggregates target vehicle data.
[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the area estimation server 10 of the data transmission failure area estimation system 100, in S10, aggregates target vehicle data for the target area within the target period using the target vehicle information acquisition unit 11a. After that, the area estimation server 10 proceeds to S11.
[0043] In S11, the area estimation server 10 calculates various features from the aggregated target vehicle data. These features are the remaining time inside the vehicle, the congestion time, and the measurement interval. The area estimation server 10 calculates the remaining time inside the vehicle using the remaining time inside vehicle determination unit 11b. The area estimation server 10 calculates the congestion time using the congestion time determination unit 11c. The area estimation server 10 calculates the measurement interval using the fragmentation determination unit 11d. After that, the area estimation server 10 proceeds to S12.
[0044] In S12, the area estimation server 10 uses the vehicle remaining time determination unit 11b to determine whether the remaining time inside the vehicle for the target vehicle data is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the remaining time inside the vehicle is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold (S12: YES), it proceeds to S13. If the area estimation server 10 does not determine that the remaining time inside the vehicle is equal to or greater than the remaining time determination threshold (S12: NO), it proceeds to S18.
[0045] In S13, the area estimation server 10 uses the congestion time determination unit 11c to determine whether the congestion time of the target vehicle data is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the congestion time is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold (S13: YES), it proceeds to S14. If the area estimation server 10 does not determine that the congestion time is equal to or greater than the congestion determination threshold (S13: NO), it proceeds to S18.
[0046] In S14, the area estimation server 10 uses the fragmentation determination unit 11d to determine whether the measurement interval of the target vehicle data is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the measurement interval is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold (S14: YES), it proceeds to S15. If the area estimation server 10 does not determine that the measurement interval is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold (S14: NO), it proceeds to S18.
[0047] In S15, the area estimation server 10 uses the malfunction area estimation unit 11f to determine whether the frequency of malfunctions in the target vehicle data is equal to or greater than the frequency determination threshold. The malfunction frequency is calculated by the malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e. The malfunction frequency calculation unit 11e counts a malfunction as occurring if S14 is YES. The malfunction frequency is determined from the number of malfunctions during the target period. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the malfunction frequency is equal to or greater than the frequency determination threshold (S15: YES), it proceeds to S16. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the malfunction frequency is not equal to or greater than the frequency determination threshold (S15: NO), it proceeds to S18.
[0048] In S16, the area estimation server 10 determines whether the duration of the frequent malfunction trend is equal to or greater than the continuation determination threshold using the malfunction area estimation unit 11f. If the area estimation server 10 determines that the duration of the frequent malfunction trend is equal to or greater than the continuation determination threshold (S16: YES), it proceeds to S17. If the area estimation server 10 does not determine that the duration of the frequent malfunction trend is equal to or greater than the continuation determination threshold (S16: NO), it proceeds to S18.
[0049] In S17, the area estimation server 10 estimates the area to be estimated as an area with data transmission problems. Subsequently, the area estimation server 10 terminates the estimation process for that area.
[0050] In S18, the area estimation server 10 estimates that the area to be estimated is not an area with data transmission problems. Subsequently, the area estimation server 10 terminates the estimation process for that area.
[0051] According to the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 and the estimation method of the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 described above, the frequency of data transmission failures in an area is calculated from the time difference between the vehicle measurement time when the vehicle performed measurements related to data and the vehicle transmission time when the vehicle sent data to the server, the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time when the server received the data, and the measurement interval of the vehicle measurement time of the target vehicle data that is repeatedly acquired. As a result, the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 and its estimation method can appropriately estimate data transmission failure areas based on the duration of the failure frequency.
[0052] Furthermore, the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 can suppress the collection of inappropriate data due to data transmission failures by setting areas estimated to be data transmission failure areas as areas excluded from information collection.
[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention can be implemented in various forms, starting with the embodiments described above, by making various changes and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.
[0054] The area estimation server 10 of the data transmission failure area estimation system 100 does not necessarily need to be directly connected to the target vehicle 2 by communication. The area estimation server 10 may acquire target vehicle data via another server.
[0055] The data transmission failure area estimation system 100 may calculate the server reception interval for target vehicle data based on the server reception time of target vehicle data repeatedly transmitted from the same target vehicle 2, rather than the vehicle measurement time of target vehicle data repeatedly transmitted from the same target vehicle 2. If the server reception interval is greater than or equal to the fragmentation determination threshold, it may also be determined that fragmentation due to data transmission failure has occurred. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0056] 10... Area estimation server, 11... Processor, 11a... Target vehicle information acquisition unit, 11b... In-vehicle remaining time determination unit, 11d... Fragmentation determination unit, 11c... Congestion time determination unit, 11e... Malfunction occurrence frequency calculation unit, 11f... Malfunction area estimation unit, 100... Data transmission malfunction area estimation system.
Claims
1. A data transmission failure area estimation system that estimates whether or not a pre-defined area is a data transmission failure area where data transmission from a vehicle to a server is unsuccessful, A malfunction frequency calculation unit calculates the frequency of malfunctions in data transmission based on the time difference between the vehicle measurement time of the data in the vehicle and the vehicle transmission time when the vehicle transmits the data to the server, the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time when the server receives the data, and the measurement interval of the vehicle measurement time of the data repeatedly acquired from the vehicle. A malfunction area estimation unit estimates that an area is a data transmission malfunction area when the duration for which the frequency of malfunctions in the area exceeds a frequency determination threshold exceeds a duration determination threshold, A vehicle remaining time determination unit determines whether the remaining time inside the vehicle, which is the time difference between the vehicle measurement time and the vehicle transmission time of the data, is equal to or greater than a remaining time determination threshold. A congestion time determination unit determines whether the congestion time, which is the time difference between the vehicle transmission time and the server reception time in the aforementioned data, is greater than or equal to a congestion determination threshold. A fragmentation determination unit that determines whether the measurement interval is equal to or greater than a fragmentation determination threshold, Equipped with, The malfunction frequency calculation unit calculates the malfunction frequency based on the determination result of the in-vehicle remaining time determination unit, the determination result of the congestion time determination unit, and the determination result of the fragmentation determination unit, in this data transmission malfunction area estimation system.
2. The data transmission failure area estimation system according to claim 1, wherein the area estimated to be a data transmission failure area is set as an area excluded from information collection.