Information processing system, information processing method, on-board device, and communication apparatus

Abstract

This information processing system comprises: an on-board device comprising a position information acquisition unit for acquiring position information and a communication unit for performing wireless communication; a communication apparatus for performing wireless communication with the on-board device; and a processing apparatus for processing information received from the on-board device. The communication apparatus transmits determination information for determining a communication range, and, when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the determination information received from the communication apparatus, the on-board device periodically transmits probe data including identification information and the position information to the communication apparatus.

Description

Information processing system, information processing method, vehicle-mounted device, and communication device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, an in-vehicle device, and a communication device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a traffic volume measurement system in which a probe device refers to an observation point database in which predetermined observation points such as intersections are registered, and when the probe device is located near an observation point, the probe device transmits directional information indicating the direction in which the probe device is traveling to a base station.

[0003] JP 2015-222494 A

[0004] In the traffic volume measurement system described in Patent Document 1, information transmission from a probe device to a base station is limited to cases where the probe device is located near a predetermined observation point. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted can be reduced compared to when this limitation is not imposed. However, there is a problem in that information about the observation point must be registered in an observation point database in advance, which can make the system less user-friendly.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, an in-vehicle device, and a communication device that can easily reduce communication volume.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing system of the present disclosure includes an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, a communication device that performs wireless communication with the on-board device, and a processing device that processes information received from the on-board device, wherein the communication device transmits decision information that determines a communication range, and when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the decision information received from the communication device, the on-board device periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the communication device.

[0007] The information processing method of the present disclosure includes a step of transmitting determination information for determining a communication range from an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, a communication device that performs wireless communication with the on-board device, and a processing device that processes information received from the on-board device, and a step of periodically transmitting probe data including identification information and location information from the on-board device to the communication device when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the determination information received from the communication device.

[0008] The vehicle-mounted device according to the present disclosure includes a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a specified communication device, and when the vehicle-mounted device is located within a communication range based on determination information received from the communication device, the vehicle-mounted device periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the communication device.

[0009] The communication device of the present disclosure sends a message to an on-board device that has a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, requesting the on-board device to transmit probe data including identification information and location information of the on-board device, and includes determination information for determining the communication range in which the on-board device can transmit the probe data.

[0010] According to the information processing system, information processing method, vehicle-mounted device, and communication device disclosed herein, communication traffic can be easily reduced.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.

[0012] An information processing system, an information processing method, an in-vehicle device, and a communication device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5 to 7 are schematic diagrams showing other example configurations of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. Note that the same or corresponding components in each figure are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] 1 shows an example in which an information processing system 50 according to the present disclosure is configured as a system for analyzing the traffic volume of vehicles 4 near an intersection 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the intersection 1 is a location where roadways 10a and 10b intersect. In the example shown in FIG. 1, vehicles 4a to 4k are located near the intersection 1. Note that vehicles 4a to 4k are collectively referred to as vehicle 4.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , an information processing system 50 of this embodiment includes a data processing device 3, a wireless communication antenna device 2, and a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices 40. The wireless communication antenna device 2 and the vehicle-mounted devices 40 can use, for example, DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communications) as a wireless communication method, but are not limited to this. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the data processing device 3 and the wireless communication antenna device 2 are placed near an intersection 1 (roadside), and the vehicle-mounted device 40 is mounted on a vehicle 4. The wireless communication antenna device 2 is an example of a communication device that wirelessly communicates with the vehicle-mounted device according to the present disclosure, and the data processing device 3 is an example of a processing device that processes information received from the vehicle-mounted device according to the present disclosure.

[0015] The data processing device 3 processes the information received from the vehicle-mounted device 40 .

[0016] The wireless communication antenna device 2 is equipped with an antenna, a processing device that processes signals transmitted and received by the antenna, etc., and performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 40, transmitting information instructed by the data processing device 3, for example, and outputting received information to the data processing device 3.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle-mounted device 40 includes a location information acquisition unit 41, a data processing unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The location information acquisition unit 41 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna 411 and acquires location information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) using the GNSS. The communication unit 43 transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the wireless communication antenna device 2, for example, under instructions from the data processing unit 42. Note that the location information acquisition unit 41 may acquire the location based on detection signals from a vehicle speed sensor, an angular velocity sensor, etc., instead of (or in addition to) using the GNSS.

[0018] For example, when the communication unit 43 receives a message requesting transmission of probe data from the wireless communication antenna device 2, the data processing unit 42 creates probe data including the latest position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 41 and identification information set in the vehicle-mounted device 40, and repeatedly transmits the probe data, for example, at a predetermined interval, to the wireless communication antenna device 2 via the communication unit 43. The probe data (probe information) is information such as position, speed, and vehicle type acquired from the vehicle 4 using, for example, a mobile communication system.

[0019] In this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device 40 periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information (or further information indicating the vehicle model) to the wireless communication antenna device 2 within a communication range based on determination information received from the wireless communication antenna device 2. In this embodiment, the determination information is information for determining the range within which the vehicle-mounted device 40 transmits probe data (hereinafter referred to as the communication range). In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the determination information includes location information of the reference point PR, information for determining a first communication range 6, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device 40 approaches the reference point PR, and information for determining a second communication range 7, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device 40 moves away from the reference point PR. In this case, the reference point PR is set at a position corresponding to the installation location of the antenna used by the wireless communication antenna device 2. Note that in FIG. 1 , a communication region 5 is an area within which the vehicle-mounted device 40 can communicate with the wireless communication antenna device 2. The first communication range 6 is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device 40 approaches the reference point PR. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , vehicles 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are traveling (or stopped) in a direction approaching reference point PR and are located within first communication range 6. Second communication range 7 is a communication range when on-board devices 40 are moving away from reference point PR. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , vehicles 4f and 4g are traveling (or stopped) in a direction away from reference point PR and are located within second communication range 7. In this case, when each on-board device 40 mounted on vehicles 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e and each on-board device 40 mounted on vehicles 4f and 4g receives a message requesting transmission of probe data from wireless communication antenna device 2, the on-board devices 40 periodically transmit probe data including identification information set in each on-board device 40 and location information of each on-board device 40 to wireless communication antenna device 2.

[0020] On the other hand, vehicle 4h is located outside the communication area 5 and does not transmit probe data. Vehicles 4j and 4k are located within the communication area 5, but are traveling away from reference point PR and are located outside the second communication range 7, so they do not transmit probe data even if they receive a message requesting the transmission of probe data from the wireless communication antenna device 2. Vehicle 4i is located within the communication area 5, but is located outside the first communication range 6, so they do not transmit probe data even if they receive a message requesting the transmission of probe data from the wireless communication antenna device 2.

[0021] 1, the first communication range 6 and the second communication range 7 are circular, and the determination information can be composed of position information of the reference point PR, the radius value of the first communication range 6, and the radius value of the second communication range 7. However, the first communication range 6 and the second communication range 7 can be ellipses, for example, and in that case, the determination information can be composed of, for example, position information of two focal points (in this case, the two focal points are reference points) and the value of the sum of the distances to the focal points.

[0022] Next, referring to FIG. 4, an example of the operation of the information processing system 50 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described. Note that the example of operation shown in FIG. 4 is a case where the vehicle-mounted device 40 transmits probe data once. In the example of operation shown in FIG. 4, first, determination information is set (step S101). The determination information can be composed of the position of the reference point PR, the radius value of the first communication range 6, and the radius value of the second communication range 7. These values ​​may be fixed values, or may be dynamically changed depending on, for example, the time of day, traffic volume, etc.

[0023] Next, the wireless communication antenna device 2 periodically and repeatedly transmits a probe data transmission request (message) including the determination information (continuously after step S102). The probe data transmission request can be transmitted, for example, by broadcasting.

[0024] The on-board device 40 periodically and repeatedly receives GNSS signals via the GNSS antenna 411 to acquire location information (continuously after step S103). In the on-board device 40, the data processing unit 42 determines whether a new probe data transmission request has been received (step S104). If a new transmission request has been received (step S104: YES), the data processing unit 42 determines whether the on-board vehicle is located within a communication range based on the determination information included in the probe data transmission request (step S105). If the on-board vehicle is located within the communication range based on the determination information, the on-board device 40 transmits probe data including an on-board device ID (identification information), vehicle model, and location information to the wireless communication antenna device 2 (step S106). The data processing device 3 receives the probe data via the wireless communication antenna device 2 and calculates the number of vehicles present at the intersection 1 based on the location information included in the probe data (step S107). Next, the data processing device 3 calculates traffic volume (the number of vehicles passing per unit time) (step S108).

[0025] As described above, the information processing system 50 of this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 40 including a location information acquisition unit 41 that acquires location information and a communication unit 43 that performs wireless communication, a wireless communication antenna device 2 (communication device) that performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 40, and a data processing device 3 (processing device) that processes information received from the in-vehicle device 40. The wireless communication antenna device 2 (communication device) transmits determination information that determines a communication range, and when the in-vehicle device 40 is located within a communication range (first communication range 6 or second communication range 7 corresponding to the driving direction) based on the determination information received from the wireless communication antenna device 2 (communication device), the in-vehicle device 40 periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the wireless communication antenna device 2 (communication device). According to this configuration, even if the in-vehicle device 40 is located within the communication area 5, if it is not located within the first communication range 6 or second communication range 7 corresponding to the driving direction, the in-vehicle device 40 does not transmit the probe data. Therefore, according to the information processing system, information processing method, vehicle-mounted device, and communication device disclosed herein, it is possible to limit the vehicle-mounted devices 40 that transmit data to those located within a desired range, for example, without using a database in which observation points are registered, thereby easily reducing communication volume.

[0026] In addition, in this embodiment, the communication range can be varied depending on the traveling direction of the vehicle 4, so that the in-vehicle devices 40 that transmit data can be further limited, thereby further reducing the communication volume. Also, the data processing volume of the data processing device 3 can be appropriately suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, since the determination information is expressed as information indicating the reference point PR, information (e.g., radius) defining the first communication range 6 based on the reference point PR, and information (e.g., radius) defining the second communication range 7 based on the reference point PR, the number of digits required can be reduced compared to when multiple pieces of latitude and longitude information are included, thereby reducing the amount of communication traffic.

[0028] Furthermore, since the reference point PR is set at a position corresponding to the installation location of the antenna (wireless communication antenna device 2), the communication range (first communication range 6 or second communication range 7) can be easily set within the communication area 5.

[0029] (Effects) According to the information processing system, information processing method, on-board device, and communication device of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily reduce communication traffic. Furthermore, since the number of on-board devices that transmit data can be reduced, collisions caused by multiple on-board devices communicating simultaneously are less likely to occur. Furthermore, there is no need to process communication packets from undesired on-board devices, which reduces the data processing load.

[0030] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, instead of the DSRC using frequencies in the GHz band described above, wireless communication using frequencies below 1 GHz may be used, or a combination of multiple communication methods may be used.

[0031] 5, the reference point PR may be set within the intersection 1 (for example, near the center of the intersection 1). In this case, the first communication range 6 and the second communication range 7 may be set to be, for example, equidistant from the center of the intersection 1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6 , multiple sets of wireless communication antenna devices 2 (wireless communication antenna devices 2a and 2b in FIG. 6 ) and data processing devices 3 (data processing devices 3a and 3b in FIG. 6 ) may be installed at one intersection 1. Furthermore, the communication ranges 6a and 6b may have any shape (rectangular in the example shown in FIG. 6 ) within the communication area 5a of the wireless communication antenna device 2a and the communication area 5b of the wireless communication antenna device 2b. A driving direction may also be set for each of the communication ranges 6a and 6b. In this case, the determination information may include, for example, information for determining the communication range using multiple position coordinates and information indicating the driving direction for each communication range. For example, if the driving direction for the communication range 6a is limited to left to right and the driving direction for the communication range 6b is limited to right to left, then vehicles 4a, 4b, 4d, and 4f are located within the communication range and are traveling in the specified direction. On the other hand, vehicle 4e is located within the communication range but is traveling in an unspecified direction. In this case, when a message requesting the transmission of probe data is received from the wireless communication antenna device 2, each of the on-board units 40 of vehicles 4a, 4b, 4d and 4f transmits the probe data, but the on-board unit 40 of vehicle 4e does not transmit the probe data.

[0033] 7, depending on the shape of the intersection 1, a set of a wireless communication antenna device 2 (wireless communication antenna devices 2a to 2d in FIG. 7) and a data processing device 3 (data processing devices 3a to 3d in FIG. 7) may be installed for each road that intersects at the intersection 1. In the example shown in FIG. 7, communication ranges 6a to 6d are set for each of the wireless communication antenna devices 2a to 2d in areas that do not overlap with each other within the ranges of the communication regions 5a to 5d.

[0034] <Computer Configuration> Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. The computer 90 includes a processor 91, a main memory 92, a storage 93, and an interface 94. The above-described wireless communication antenna device 2, data processing device 3, and the like are implemented in the computer 90. The operations of the above-described processing units are stored in the storage 93 in the form of a program. The processor 91 reads the program from the storage 93, loads it into the main memory 92, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program. The processor 91 also allocates storage areas in the main memory 92 corresponding to the above-described storage units in accordance with the program.

[0035] The program may be for realizing some of the functions to be performed by the computer 90. For example, the program may be combined with other programs already stored in storage or implemented in other devices to perform the functions. In other embodiments, the computer may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor may be realized by the integrated circuit.

[0036] Examples of storage 93 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and a semiconductor memory. Storage 93 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of computer 90, or an external medium connected to computer 90 via interface 94 or a communication line. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to computer 90 via a communication line, computer 90 that receives the program may load the program into main memory 92 and execute the above-described processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 93 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0037] <Additional Notes> The information processing system, the information processing method, the vehicle-mounted device, and the communication device (wireless communication antenna device) described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0038] (1) An information processing system according to a first aspect includes an on-board device including a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, a communication device that performs wireless communication with the on-board device, and a processing device that processes information received from the on-board device, wherein the communication device transmits determination information that determines a communication range, and when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the determination information received from the communication device, the on-board device periodically transmits probe data that includes identification information and location information to the communication device. According to this aspect and each of the following aspects, it is possible to easily reduce communication traffic.

[0039] (2) The information processing system according to the second aspect is the information processing system of (1), wherein the determination information includes information for determining a first communication range, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device approaches a predetermined reference point, and a second communication range, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device moves away from the reference point.

[0040] (3) The information processing system according to the third aspect is the information processing system according to (2), wherein the reference point is set within an intersection or at a location corresponding to the installation location of an antenna used by the communication device.

[0041] (4) An information processing system according to a fourth aspect is the information processing system according to (1) to (3), wherein the determination information includes information for determining the communication range using a plurality of position coordinates.

[0042] (5) An information processing method according to a fifth aspect includes the steps of: transmitting determination information for determining a communication range from an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit for acquiring location information and a communication unit for wireless communication; a communication device for wireless communication with the on-board device; and a processing device for processing information received from the on-board device; and, when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the determination information received from the communication device, periodically transmitting probe data including identification information and location information from the on-board device to the communication device.

[0043] (6) The vehicle-mounted device according to the sixth aspect includes a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a predetermined communication device, and when the vehicle-mounted device is located within a communication range based on the determination information received from the communication device, periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the communication device.

[0044] (7) A communication device according to a seventh aspect transmits a message to an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, requesting the on-board device to transmit probe data including identification information and location information of the on-board device, and includes determination information for determining a communication range within which the on-board device can transmit the probe data.

[0045] According to each aspect of the present invention, the amount of communication traffic can be easily reduced.

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 intersection 2 wireless communication antenna device 3 data processing device 4 vehicle 6 first communication range 7 second communication range 40 vehicle-mounted device 50 information processing system

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising: an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication; a communication device that performs wireless communication with the on-board device; and a processing device that processes information received from the on-board device, wherein the communication device transmits decision information that determines a communication range; and when the on-board device is located within the communication range based on the decision information received from the communication device, the on-board device periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the communication device.

2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the determination information includes information for determining a first communication range, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device approaches a predetermined reference point, and a second communication range, which is the communication range when the vehicle-mounted device moves away from the reference point.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the reference point is set within an intersection or at a position corresponding to the installation location of an antenna used by the communication device.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the determination information includes information for determining the communication range using a plurality of position coordinates.

5. An information processing method comprising the steps of: using an on-board device having a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication; a communication device that performs wireless communication with said on-board device; and a processing device that processes information received from said on-board device, transmitting decision information that determines a communication range from said communication device; and when said on-board device is located within said communication range based on the decision information received from said communication device, periodically transmitting probe data including identification information and location information from said on-board device to said communication device.

6. An on-board device comprising a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a predetermined communication device, and that periodically transmits probe data including identification information and location information to the communication device when the on-board device is located within a communication range based on determination information received from the communication device.

7. A communication device that transmits a message to an on-board device that has a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information and a communication unit that performs wireless communication, requesting the on-board device to transmit probe data including the identification information and location information of the on-board device, and that includes determination information for determining the communication range within which the on-board device can transmit the probe data.

Images