Communication control system, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To allow the quality of wireless communication to be dynamically controlled according to a user's purpose of use.SOLUTION: A communication control system includes an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a wireless communication device and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality, a prediction unit that predicts future wireless communication quality based on the information related to the wireless communication device and the environmental information, a control unit that controls a target device so as to achieve wireless communication quality according to a purpose of a user who uses wireless communication based on the future wireless communication quality, and a coordination unit that operates the acquisition unit, the prediction unit, and the control unit to carry on a cycle consisting of the acquisition of the information by the acquisition unit, the prediction of the future wireless communication quality by the prediction unit, and the control of the target device by the control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a technology for dynamically controlling the quality of wireless communication according to the user's intended use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the disclosed technology, a prediction unit predicts future wireless communication quality based on information about wireless communication equipment and environmental information, Based on the aforementioned future wireless communication quality, a control unit controls the target device to realize wireless communication quality that is appropriate for the purpose of the user utilizing the wireless communication, The cycle consists of the prediction of future wireless communication quality by the prediction unit and the control unit controlling the target device. Furthermore, the control result of the control unit for the target device is reflected in the prediction and control of the next cycle. The prediction unit and the control unit are operated in such a manner. In addition, the prediction unit and the control unit are operated in combination in response to requests from other systems. The cooperation department, A communication control system having the following is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, it will be possible to dynamically control the quality of wireless communication according to the user's intended use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the communication control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation in Example 1. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation in Example 2. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation in Example 3. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation in Example 4. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the device's hardware configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0010] (Example of the overall configuration of the communication control system 10) Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the communication control system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the communication control system 10 has one or more recognition / visualization function units 110, one or more prediction / estimation function units 120, one or more design / control function units 130, a cooperation function unit 140, and a data store group 150. The communication control system 10 may also be referred to as a control system.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0019] The cooperative function unit 140 can operate the grasping / visualization function unit 110, the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and the design / control function unit 130 in such a way that they perform a cycle consisting of acquiring information by the grasping / visualization function unit 110, predicting future wireless communication quality by the prediction / estimation function unit 120, and controlling at least one of the target equipment and the target system by the design / control function unit 130. By performing such a cycle periodically, for example, it is possible to continuously configure the network to always meet the communication quality requirements of the user. The target equipment includes wireless equipment 40, environmental information acquisition equipment / DB60, control equipment 50, etc., and the target system includes the autonomous vehicle control system, control video system, autonomous vehicle driving system, etc., which will be described later. Alternatively, the term "target equipment" may be broadly interpreted to include wireless equipment 40, environmental information acquisition equipment / DB60, control equipment 50, etc., and the autonomous vehicle control system, control video system, autonomous vehicle driving system, etc.

[0020] In other words, in a given cycle, the understanding / visualization function unit 110 acquires the current wireless state and actual environment information realized by wireless equipment 40, reflectors 50, etc., which have been designed and controlled by the design / control function unit 130 based on predictions of future wireless communication quality. In the next cycle, based on this current information, if the prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts, for example, that future wireless communication quality will deteriorate with the current settings of the reflectors 50, the design / control function unit 130 controls the radio wave reflection direction and radio wave reflection power of the reflectors 50 to improve future wireless communication quality. By repeating this cycle, it is possible to continuously configure the network to always meet the communication quality requirements of the user.

[0021] As mentioned above, API 160 has predefined APIs for calling individual functional units from the three functional units described above, and APIs for calling scenarios that coordinate the operation of multiple functional units. When a scenario that coordinates the operation of multiple functional units is called, the cooperative functional unit 140 uses its internal APIs to call the multiple functional units in a predetermined order based on this scenario, and returns the final output result to the caller of the scenario.

[0022] The above API 160 is made public to other systems 30 and vendors developing applications for them, allowing each vendor to develop systems and applications that provide various services using API 160.

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

[0024] The communication control system 10 according to this embodiment has the above-described functional units, and the information gathering / visualization unit 110, the prediction / estimation unit 120, and the design / control unit 130 work in cooperation to continuously configure the wireless communication network to always meet the communication quality requirements of the user terminal. As described above, by continuously running the cycle of acquiring various information by the information gathering / visualization unit 110, predicting or estimating wireless parameters by the prediction / estimation unit 120, and controlling the control device 50 by the design / control unit 130, the wireless communication network to always meet the communication quality requirements of the user terminal is continuously configured. As a result, the user can use wireless communication with the optimal quality according to their purpose.

[0025] The communication control system 10 may be implemented on a physical machine (computer) or on a virtual machine in the cloud. Furthermore, the comprehension / visualization function unit 110, prediction / estimation function unit 120, design / control function unit 130, cooperation function unit 140, and data store group 150 that constitute the communication control system 10 may each be installed on separate physical machines or virtual machines.

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

[0027] For example, if the communication control system 10 has a configuration that includes only a prediction / estimation function unit 120, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts the future wireless communication quality in a given cycle based on information about wireless communication equipment and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality. Then, based on the future wireless communication quality predicted by the prediction / estimation function unit 120, other devices and systems control the target equipment, and the information obtained from the controlled target equipment is used by the prediction / estimation function unit 120 to predict the next cycle.

[0028] Examples 1 to 4 of the technology according to this embodiment will be described below. Examples 1 to 4 can be combined as appropriate.

[0029] (Example of operation in Example 1) Referring to the sequence diagram in Figure 2, an example of the operation of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment describes a case in which the communication control system 10 controls the wireless area quality in response to a request from another system 30, with the aim of optimizing the wireless area quality. In the following, the wireless equipment 40, control equipment 50, and environmental information acquisition equipment / DB 60 are assumed to be equipment related to the wireless area that is the target of optimal control.

[0030] The cooperative function unit 140 receives an optimal control request from another system 30 (for example, a wireless area quality control system) (S101). This optimal control request is transmitted periodically from the other system 30. This optimal control request is made using API 160, which invokes a scenario for optimal control of wireless area quality. Subsequently, the cooperative function unit 140 invokes each function unit based on this scenario.

[0031] The cooperative function unit 140 calls the sensing / visualization function unit 110 (S102). The sensing / visualization function unit 110 transmits a wireless information collection request to the wireless device 40 (S103). In response, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 acquires wireless information such as the received power of the wireless device 40, and object information detected by wireless sensing (i.e., information about objects present around the wireless device 40) (S104).

[0032] Next, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request to the environmental information acquisition device / DB60 to collect real-world information that affects wireless quality (S105). In response, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 acquires real-world information (for example, video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, map information, etc.) (S106).

[0033] Next, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request to the control device 50 to collect real-world information affecting wireless quality (S107). In response, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 acquires installation status information (S108). Installation status information includes, for example, the location information of the mobile base station, the angle and orientation of the reflector, or information such as the direction of radio wave reflection and radio wave reflection power.

[0034] Next, the information gathering / visualization unit 110 stores the information acquired in S104, S106, and S108 (hereinafter referred to as "information gathering / visualization of real-world information") in the data store group 150 and sends a completion notification to the cooperation unit 140 (S109-S110).

[0035] Next, the cooperative function unit 140 calls the prediction / estimation function unit 120 (S111). The prediction / estimation function unit 120 sends a request for information on understanding / visualizing real-world information to the data store group 150 (S112). Then, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 acquires information on understanding / visualizing real-world information in response (S113). Note that the information on understanding / visualizing real-world information may include not only the information stored in S109 above, but also past information on understanding / visualizing real-world information necessary for predicting or estimating wireless quality.

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

[0037] The prediction or estimation of wireless parameters can be achieved by any predetermined method. For example, wireless parameters can be predicted or estimated using a machine learning model trained using a predetermined machine learning method. It is also possible to predict the propagation conditions of radio waves arriving at the wireless device 40 using a ray tracing method with real-world environmental information (such as high-resolution 3D map information), and then predict or estimate wireless parameters based on those propagation conditions.

[0038] Next, the Coordination Function Unit 140 calls the Design / Control Function Unit 130 (S116). The Design / Control Function Unit 130 sends a request for prediction / estimation results to the data store group 150 (S117). Then, as a response, the Design / Control Function Unit 130 retrieves the prediction / estimation results saved in S114 (S118). After that, the Design / Control Function Unit 130 calculates the optimal wireless parameters and optimal reflector design values ​​based on the retrieved prediction / estimation results, and sends them back to the other system 30 via the Coordination Function Unit 140 (S119~S120). Optimal wireless parameters are, for example, parameters used to control the wireless device 40 so that the wireless quality expressed by the wireless parameters included in the prediction / estimation results meets a predetermined standard (i.e., the standard for wireless quality required by the user terminal) when the wireless quality expressed by the wireless parameters is lower than this standard. Similarly, the optimal reflector design values ​​are design values ​​used to control the radio wave reflection direction and reflected power of the reflector so that the radio quality represented by the radio parameters included in the prediction / estimation results is lower than a predetermined standard. In addition to these, for example, optimal design values ​​for controlling the position of a mobile base station to achieve radio quality that meets the aforementioned standard may also be calculated.

[0039] Next, the other system 30 sets the optimal radio parameters and optimal reflector design values, which have been returned from the coordination function unit 140, to the radio equipment 40 and the control equipment 50 (reflector), respectively (S121-S122). If the optimal design values ​​for controlling the position of the mobile base station are also returned from the coordination function unit 140 at this time, the other system 30 also sets these design values ​​to the control equipment 50 (mobile base station).

[0040] As described above, the communication control system 10 in this embodiment predicts or estimates future wireless quality based on various information acquired from the wireless equipment 40, control equipment 50, and environmental information acquisition equipment / DB 60 in response to periodic optimal control requests, and then calculates optimal wireless parameters and design values ​​so that the future wireless quality meets predetermined standards. This makes it possible to continuously configure the wireless communication network to always meet the wireless communication requirements of user terminals.

[0041] (Example of operation in Example 2) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 3, an example of the operation of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment describes a case in which the communication control system 10 continuously controls the wireless area quality in response to a request from the wireless area management terminal, with the aim of optimizing the wireless area quality. In the following, as in Embodiment 1, the wireless equipment 40, control equipment 50, and environmental information acquisition equipment / DB 60 are assumed to be equipment related to the wireless area that is the target of optimal control.

[0042] The cooperative function unit 140 receives an optimal control request from the wireless area management officer (more precisely, the PC used by the wireless area management officer) (S201). Upon receiving the optimal control request, the communication control system 10 periodically repeats steps S202 to S221.

[0043] Steps S202 to S218 are the same as steps S102 to S118 in Example 1, so their explanation will be omitted. Following S118, the design / control function unit 130 calculates the optimal radio parameters and optimal reflector design values ​​based on the acquired prediction / estimation results, sets the optimal radio parameters to the radio equipment 40, and sets the optimal reflector design values ​​to the control equipment 50 (reflector) (S219 to S220). If the optimal design values ​​for controlling the position of the mobile base station are also calculated at this time, the design / control function unit 130 also sets these design values ​​to the control equipment 50 (mobile base station).

[0044] The design / control function unit 130 then sends a completion notification to the coordination function unit 140 (S221). The coordination function unit 140 sends the control execution results to the information / visualization function unit 110 (S222). The control execution results include, for example, information indicating that the control was completed successfully. The information / visualization function unit 110 displays the control execution results to the wireless area management personnel (S223).

[0045] As described above, once the communication control system 10 in this embodiment receives an optimal control request, it predicts or estimates future wireless quality based on various information acquired from the wireless device 40, control device 50, and environmental information acquisition device / DB 60, and then continuously calculates the optimal wireless parameters and design values ​​so that the future wireless quality meets predetermined standards. This makes it possible to continuously configure the wireless communication network to always meet the wireless communication requirements of the user terminal, similar to Embodiment 1.

[0046] (Example of operation in Example 3) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 4, an example of the operation of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment describes a case in which the wireless quality necessary for optimal control of an autonomous vehicle is predicted or estimated, and control related to autonomous driving is realized based on the prediction or estimation result.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 4, the communication system 10 may be equipped only with a prediction / estimation function unit 120, and may not be equipped with a comprehension / visualization function unit 110, a design / control function unit 130, a coordination function unit 140, and a data store group 150. In this case, the function groups corresponding to the comprehension / visualization function unit 110, the design / control function unit 130, the coordination function unit 140, and the data store group 150 may be provided on the other system 30 (in this case, the automobile driver control system), and the other system 30 (autonomous vehicle control system) may use the prediction / estimation function unit 120 to carry out the cycle described above.

[0048] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 receives various information about the autonomous vehicle (e.g., onboard radio information, sensor information, location information, driving information, etc.) and a prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality from another system 30 (autonomous vehicle control system) (S301). Here, the autonomous vehicle control system is a system that controls the entire autonomous vehicle. The various information about the autonomous vehicle is information obtained from wireless devices 40 and environmental information acquisition devices / DB60 installed in the autonomous vehicle. For example, onboard radio information is information such as the received power of wireless devices installed in the autonomous vehicle, sensor information is information sensed from the environment around the autonomous vehicle, location information is information indicating the driving position of the autonomous vehicle and 3D map information of the vicinity of the driving position, and driving information is information such as the speed of the autonomous vehicle. These various types of information and the prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality are transmitted periodically from the other system 30. The transmission of these various types of information and the prediction / estimation request for wireless communication quality are performed by calling individual function units (prediction / estimation function unit 120) using API 160.

[0049] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 predicts or estimates future wireless quality based on the various information of the autonomous vehicle described above, and returns the result (prediction / estimation result) to the other system 30 (S302). This allows the other system 30 to control the coding rate of the video for the control video system based on the prediction / estimation result, or to perform driving control on the autonomous vehicle driving system based on the prediction / estimation result (S303-S304). Here, the control video system is a system that codes video for controlling the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle driving system is a system that controls the driving of the autonomous vehicle. As for controlling the coding rate of the video based on the prediction / estimation result, for example, if the wireless quality is lower than a predetermined standard (i.e., the wireless quality is poor), the coding rate is lowered, and if not, the coding rate is not changed (or the coding rate is increased). The control target may be bitrate instead of coding rate. Furthermore, as a driving control method based on prediction / estimation results, for example, if the wireless quality is lower than a predetermined standard, the driving speed may be reduced or the driving route may be changed, and if it is not, the driving speed and driving route may not be changed.

[0050] As described above, the communication control system 10 in this embodiment responds to periodic information provision and prediction / estimation requests from other systems 30 (autonomous vehicle control system) by sending back prediction / estimation results of future wireless quality to the other systems 30. This makes it possible to control changes such as the coding rate of the video for autonomous vehicle control and changes in the driving state based on these prediction / estimation results, and as a result, it becomes possible to continue autonomous driving in accordance with the quality of wireless communication.

[0051] (Example of operation in Example 4) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 5, an example of the operation of the communication control system 10 in this embodiment will be described. This embodiment describes a case in which the information gathering / visualization function unit 110 acquires various information about the autonomous vehicle when predicting or estimating the wireless quality necessary for optimal control of the autonomous vehicle. In other words, in Embodiment 3, various information about the autonomous vehicle was provided by another system 30, but Embodiment 4 is an example in which the information gathering / visualization function unit 110 acquires this information.

[0052] The cooperative function unit 140 receives a wireless quality prediction / estimation request from another system 30 (for example, an autonomous vehicle control system) (S401). This wireless quality prediction / estimation request is transmitted periodically from the other system 30. This wireless quality prediction / estimation request is made using API 160, which calls a scenario for predicting or estimating the wireless quality necessary for optimal control of the autonomous vehicle. Subsequently, the cooperative function unit 140 calls each function unit based on this scenario.

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

[0054] Next, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request to collect real-world information affecting wireless quality to the environmental information acquisition device / DB60 (e.g., an in-vehicle sensor, a map information DB, etc.) (S405). The map information DB may be a DB installed in the vehicle or a DB installed externally (e.g., in the cloud). In response, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 acquires external environmental information, which is information about the environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle's location information (S406).

[0055] Next, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 transmits a request to the control device 50 (for example, an autonomous vehicle driving system, etc.) to collect real-world information that affects wireless quality (S407). Then, the sensing / visualization function unit 110 acquires driving information in response (S408).

[0056] Next, the information gathering / visualization unit 110 stores the information acquired in S404, S406, and S408 (hereinafter referred to as "information gathering / visualization of real-world information") in the data store group 150 and sends a completion notification to the cooperation unit 140 (S409-S410).

[0057] Next, the cooperative function unit 140 calls the prediction / estimation function unit 120 (S411). The prediction / estimation function unit 120 sends a request for information on understanding / visualizing real-world information to the data store group 150 (S412). Then, the prediction / estimation function unit 120 acquires information on understanding / visualizing real-world information in response (S413). Note that the information on understanding / visualizing real-world information may include not only the information stored in S409 above, but also past information on understanding / visualizing real-world information necessary for predicting or estimating wireless quality.

[0058] The prediction / estimation function unit 120 then predicts or estimates wireless parameters representing future wireless quality, etc., based on the understanding / visualization information of the actual environment acquired in S413, and saves the results (hereinafter referred to as "prediction / estimation results") in the data store group 150, and also sends them back to other systems 30 via the cooperation function unit 140 (S414~S416). The prediction or estimation of wireless parameters is achieved by any predetermined method. For example, wireless parameters can be predicted or estimated using a machine learning model trained by a predetermined machine learning method.

[0059] As a result, the other system 30 can perform driving control on the autonomous vehicle driving system based on the prediction / estimation results (S417).

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

[0061] (Example hardware configuration) The communication control system 10 according to this embodiment can be realized, for example, by having a computer execute a program that describes the processing content described in this embodiment.

[0062] The above program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium (such as portable memory), saved, and distributed. It can also be provided via a network, such as the internet or email.

[0063] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the computer described above. The computer in Figure 6 has a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, etc., all of which are interconnected by bus B.

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

[0065] The memory device 1003 reads and stores a program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when a program startup command is received. The CPU 1004 implements the functions related to each part described in this embodiment according to the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 1006 displays a GUI or the like using a program. The input device 1007 consists of a keyboard and mouse, buttons, or a touch panel, and is used to input various operation commands. The output device 1008 outputs the calculation results. Note that the communication control system 10 may be configured without the display device 1006, the input device 1007, or both.

[0066] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the technology of this embodiment, it is possible to dynamically control the quality of wireless communication according to the user's purpose of use.

[0067] (Summary of the embodiments) This specification discloses at least the following communication control systems, communication control methods, and programs. (Section 1) An acquisition unit that acquires information about wireless communication equipment and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality, A prediction unit that predicts future wireless communication quality based on information about the wireless communication equipment and the environmental information, Based on the aforementioned future wireless communication quality, a control unit controls the target device to realize wireless communication quality that is appropriate for the purpose of the user utilizing the wireless communication, A coordination unit that operates the acquisition unit, the prediction unit, and the control unit to rotate a cycle consisting of acquiring information by the acquisition unit, predicting the future wireless communication quality by the prediction unit, and controlling the target device by the control unit, A communication control system having (Section 2) The aforementioned communication control system further comprises a data storage unit, The acquisition unit stores the acquired information in the data storage unit. The communication control system according to paragraph 1, wherein the prediction unit predicts the future wireless communication quality using information read from the data storage unit. (Section 3) The aforementioned target equipment includes at least one of either a base station or a terminal. The control unit, A communication control system according to paragraph 1 or 2, which controls at least one radio parameter of either the base station or the terminal. (Section 4) The aforementioned equipment includes a reflector, The control unit, A communication control system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, which controls at least one of the radio wave reflection direction and radio wave reflected power of the reflector. (Section 5) The aforementioned target equipment includes a mobile base station. The control unit, A communication control system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, for controlling the position of the aforementioned mobile base station. (Section 6) The communication control system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the environmental information includes at least one of the following: video information captured by a camera, sensor information sensed by a sensor, and map information obtained from a map information database. (Section 7) The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information relating to the wireless communication device includes received power information of the wireless communication device and object information obtained by wireless sensing of objects in the vicinity of the wireless communication device. (Section 8) Procedures for obtaining information on wireless communication equipment and environmental information that affects wireless communication quality, A prediction procedure for predicting future wireless communication quality based on information about the wireless communication equipment and the environmental information, A control procedure for controlling the target device to achieve wireless communication quality according to the purpose of the user utilizing wireless communication, based on the aforementioned future wireless communication quality, A coordinated procedure that causes the acquisition procedure, the prediction procedure, and the control procedure to execute in order to run a cycle consisting of acquiring information by the acquisition procedure, predicting the future wireless communication quality by the prediction procedure, and controlling the target device by the control procedure. A communication control method performed by a computer. (Section 9) A program that causes a computer to function as a communication control system as described in any one of paragraphs 1 through 7.

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

[0069] 10. Communication control system 20 Display section 30 Other Systems 40 Wireless equipment 50 Control equipment 60 Environmental information acquisition equipment / DB 110 Grasping / Visualization Function Department 111 1st understanding / visualization function section 112 2nd grasp / visualization function section 120 Prediction / Estimation Function Unit 121 First Prediction / Estimation Function Unit 122 Second Prediction / Estimation Function Unit 130 Design / Control Function Unit 131 First Design / Control Function Unit 132 Second Design / Control Function Unit 140 Coordination Function Department 150 Datastore Groups 160 API 1000 drive unit 1001 Recording media 1002 Auxiliary storage 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input device 1008 Output device

Claims

1. A prediction unit that predicts future wireless communication quality based on information about wireless communication equipment and environmental information, Based on the aforementioned future wireless communication quality, a control unit controls the target device to realize wireless communication quality that is appropriate for the purpose of the user utilizing the wireless communication, A coordination unit operates the prediction unit and the control unit in such a way that a cycle consisting of the prediction of the future wireless communication quality by the prediction unit and the control unit controlling the target device is performed, and the result of the control unit's control of the target device is reflected in the prediction and control of the next cycle, and also operates the prediction unit and the control unit in combination in response to requests from other systems. A communication control system having

2. The aforementioned communication control system further comprises a data storage unit, The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit predicts the future wireless communication quality using information read from the data storage unit.

3. The aforementioned target equipment includes at least one of either a base station or a terminal. The control unit, The communication control system according to claim 1 or 2, which controls at least one radio parameter of the base station and the terminal.

4. The aforementioned equipment includes a reflector, The control unit, A communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls at least one of the radio wave reflection direction and radio wave reflected power of the reflector.

5. The aforementioned target equipment includes a mobile base station. The control unit, A communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the position of the aforementioned mobile base station.

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

7. A predictive procedure for predicting future wireless communication quality based on information about wireless communication equipment and environmental information, A control procedure for controlling the target device to achieve wireless communication quality according to the purpose of the user utilizing wireless communication, based on the aforementioned future wireless communication quality, A cooperative procedure that runs a cycle consisting of predicting the future wireless communication quality using the prediction procedure and controlling the target device using the control procedure, and executes the prediction procedure and the control procedure so that the control result of the target device using the control procedure is reflected in the prediction and control of the next cycle, and also executes the prediction procedure and the control procedure in combination in response to requests from other systems, A communication control method performed by a computer.

8. A program that causes a computer to function as a communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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