Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

Provided is a communication device comprising: a selection unit that selects either a first communication method or a second communication method that is different from the first communication method as a selection method on the basis of the type of transmission data to a communication partner; and a transmission control unit that performs control so that the transmission data is transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

Description

Communication device, communication method, and program

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

[0002] In recent years, various communication methods have been conceivable for use in transmitting data from a communication device to a communication partner. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology in which data is transmitted from a communication device to a communication partner by communication using a communication method selected from a plurality of communication methods. The communication method used for transmitting data from a communication device to a communication partner is generally selected by a user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-318678

[0004] However, when the communication method is selected by the user, the user has to take the time and effort to select the communication method.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a technology that allows an appropriate communication method to be selected without relying on manual operation by the user.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided that includes a selection unit that selects either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method as a selection method based on the type of data to be transmitted to a communication partner, and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

[0007] Communication using the second communication method may be less likely to be disconnected than communication using the first communication method.

[0008] The communication according to the second communication method may include multi-hop wireless communication via one or more mobile objects.

[0009] The communication speed according to the first communication method may be higher than the communication speed according to the second communication method.

[0010] The communication device may be a mobile object, and the communication partner may be a control device that controls the mobile object.

[0011] The selection unit may select the second communication method when the transmission data includes data indicating location information, status, or a communication available state of the mobile unit.

[0012] The selection unit may select the first communication method when the transmission data includes a remaining charge of a battery that supplies power to the mobile object.

[0013] The transmission control unit may control communication using the first communication method to be performed via a first access point, and when the strength of the radio waves received from a second access point is greater than the strength of the radio waves received from the first access point, may control communication using the first communication method to be performed via the second access point.

[0014] The communication device may be a control device that controls a mobile object, and the communication partner may be the mobile object.

[0015] The selection unit may select the second communication method when the transmission data includes control data for the mobile object.

[0016] The control data may include an instruction to start or stop movement of the moving body.

[0017] The selection unit may select the first communication method when the transmission data includes route information of the moving body, information for identifying a task to be executed by the moving body, or information indicating the timing at which the moving body will light up an indicator light.

[0018] The selection unit may select the first communication method as the selection method, and when communication using the first communication method is disconnected, determine whether to switch the selection method from the first communication method to the second communication method based on the type of transmission data.

[0019] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure to solve the above problem, there is provided a communication method executed by a computer, which includes selecting either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method as a selection method based on the type of data to be transmitted to a communication partner, and controlling the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

[0020] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in order to solve the above problem, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a selection unit that selects either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method as a selection method based on the type of data to be transmitted to a communication partner, and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

[0021] As described above, the present disclosure provides a technique that allows an appropriate communication method to be selected without manual intervention by a user.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a mobile body 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a map editing terminal 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a request input terminal 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a database server 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of area data 641. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of mobile body data 643. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of request data 645. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation from map creation to navigation of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation related to switching of access points of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0024] In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral will be used.

[0025] (0. Overview) First, an overview of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. This specification mainly describes a technology that enables an appropriate communication method to be selected without manual user intervention. In particular, it can be assumed that the appropriate communication method differs depending on the type of data to be transmitted to the communication partner.

[0026] For example, there may be cases where high-speed communication is required to transmit more data per unit time to the communication partner, while there may be cases where highly secure communication is required to ensure that data arrives at the communication partner.

[0027] Therefore, this specification mainly proposes a communication device that includes a selection unit that selects either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method as a selection method based on the type of data to be transmitted to the communication partner, and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method selected by the selection unit.

[0028] Here, there may be variations in the combination of a communication device and a communication partner. For example, a case may be assumed in which the communication device is a mobile body and the communication partner is a control device that controls the mobile body. Alternatively, a case may be assumed in which the communication device is a control device that controls the mobile body and the communication partner is also a mobile body. In the following description, these two cases will be described.

[0029] The outline of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0030] (1-1. Configuration of Information Processing System) With reference to FIG. 1, an example configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1 includes mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N (N is an integer of 1 or more), a control device 20, a map editing terminal 30, a map storage location 40, a request input terminal 50, a database server 60, and access points 70-1 to 70-M (M is an integer of 1 or more).

[0031] In the following description, the mobile units 10-1 to 10-N may be referred to as "mobile unit 10" without any particular distinction, and the access points 70-1 to 70-M may be referred to as "access point 70" without any particular distinction.

[0032] (Mobile body 10) The mobile body 10 is realized by a computer and moves autonomously. Here, it is mainly assumed that the mobile body 10 has wheels, and the mobile body 10 moves autonomously by rotating the wheels that come into contact with the ground. However, the mobile body 10 does not necessarily have to have wheels. For example, the mobile body 10 may be an object that moves on caterpillars or an object that flies using propellers or the like (a so-called drone). Alternatively, the mobile body 10 may be an object that moves by walking on multiple legs.

[0033] In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the mobile body 10 has a function of executing a desired task. The mobile body 10 that executes a task may also be referred to as a "robot." In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the task executed by the mobile body 10 is the transport of luggage. However, the type of task executed by the mobile body 10 does not have to be limited to the transport of luggage.

[0034] In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the area in which the mobile object 10 moves is a factory. However, the area in which the mobile object 10 moves does not have to be limited to a factory.

[0035] The mobile object 10 can communicate with the control device 20 using a first communication method. Communication using the first communication method is faster than communication using the second communication method. Therefore, the first communication method is mainly suitable for cases where high-speed communication is required to transmit a large amount of data per unit time to the communication partner.

[0036] The first communication method can also be referred to as a high-speed communication method. In the following description, it is mainly assumed that Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication is used as the first communication method. However, the first communication method does not have to be limited to Wi-Fi communication. Wi-Fi communication can be performed via an access point 70.

[0037] Furthermore, the mobile object 10 can communicate with the control device 20 using a second communication method. Communication using the second communication method is less likely to be interrupted than communication using the first communication method. In other words, communication using the second communication method can be said to be more secure than communication using the first communication method. Therefore, the second communication method is primarily suitable for cases where it is required that data arrive at the communication partner more reliably.

[0038] The second communication method may also be referred to as a highly secure communication method. For example, the second wireless method may be a multi-hop wireless communication method via one or more mobile units 10. In particular, the following description mainly assumes that the second communication method uses 920 MHz communication. However, the second communication method does not have to be limited to 920 MHz communication.

[0039] The communication distance when using 920 MHz radio waves is approximately three times that when using Wi-Fi radio waves. Furthermore, the amount of interference when using 920 MHz radio waves is approximately ten times that when using Wi-Fi radio waves. Furthermore, communication using 920 MHz radio waves is less likely to interfere with other wireless communications. Due to these characteristics, when using 920 MHz radio waves, particularly secure communication can be achieved.

[0040] Furthermore, the mobile object 10 can communicate with the map editing terminal 30 via Wi-Fi communication. Also, the mobile object 10 can communicate with the map editing terminal 30 via 920 MHz communication.

[0041] (Control device 20) The control device 20 is realized by a computer and controls the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N. The control device 20 is capable of communicating with each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via Wi-Fi communication. The control device 20 is also capable of communicating with each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via 920 MHz communication. The control device 20 is connected to each of the map storage location 40 and the database server 60 via wired or wireless communication.

[0042] (Map Editing Terminal 30) The map editing terminal 30 is realized by a computer and is a terminal that edits maps created by the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N based on operations by a maintenance person. The map editing terminal 30 is capable of communicating with each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via Wi-Fi communication. The map editing terminal 30 is also capable of communicating with each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via 920 MHz communication. The map editing terminal 30 is connected to the map storage location 40 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0043] (Map storage location 40) The map storage location 40 is realized by a memory, and stores the edited map input from the map editing terminal 30. The map storage location 40 also outputs the stored edited map to the control device 20.

[0044] (Request Input Terminal 50) The request input terminal 50 is realized by a computer, and is a terminal that accepts requests input by a requester regarding task execution by the mobile object 10. The request input terminal 50 is also connected to the database server 60 via a wired or wireless connection, and transmits the accepted requests to the database server 60.

[0045] (Database Server 60) The database server 60 is realized by a computer and stores various databases. More specifically, the database server 60 is connected to the request input terminal 50 by wire or wirelessly, and upon receiving a request from the request input terminal 50, stores the received request. Furthermore, the database server 60 is connected to the control device 20 by wire or wirelessly, and provides various data to the control device 20.

[0046] The configuration example of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0047] (1-2. Configuration of Mobile Body 10) An example configuration of the mobile body 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the mobile body 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile body 10 includes a sensor unit 110, a control unit 120, a Wi-Fi communication unit 131, a 920 MHz communication unit 132, a memory unit 140, a drive unit 170, and a wheel unit 180.

[0048] (Sensor Unit 110) The sensor unit 110 is realized by a sensor, which senses the environment around the mobile object 10 to obtain sensor data. Here, the type of sensor does not need to be limited. As an example, the sensor may be a depth sensor. Examples of depth sensors include a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor and a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor. Alternatively, the sensor may be an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) camera.

[0049] The sensor data obtained by the sensor unit 110 is used to create a map by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. The created map may include the positions of obstacles, etc. After the created map is edited, the sensor data obtained by the sensor unit 110 is output to the self-location estimation unit 123, and self-location estimation is performed based on the edited map and the sensor data.

[0050] (Control Unit 120) The control unit 120 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by the calculation device. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0051] The control unit 120 includes a received data acquisition unit 122, a self-position estimation unit 123, a navigation unit 124, a transmitted data acquisition unit 126, a selection unit 127, and a transmission control unit 128. The functions of these blocks will be described in detail later.

[0052] (Wi-Fi communication unit 131) The Wi-Fi communication unit 131 performs Wi-Fi communication between the control device 20 and the map editing terminal 30. More specifically, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 receives data from the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication and outputs the received data to the received data acquisition unit 122. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 transmits data output from the transmission control unit 128 to the control device 20 or the map editing terminal 30 via Wi-Fi communication.

[0053] (920 MHz communication unit 132) The 920 MHz communication unit 132 performs 920 MHz communication with the control device 20. More specifically, the 920 MHz communication unit 132 receives data from the control device 20 via 920 MHz communication and outputs the received data to the received data acquisition unit 122. The 920 MHz communication unit 132 also transmits data output from the transmission control unit 128 to the control device 20 via 920 MHz communication.

[0054] (Storage Unit 140) The storage unit 140 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 120. The storage unit 140 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 120. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0055] (Drive unit 170) The drive unit 170 is realized by a motor that drives the wheel unit 180, and controls the start of rotation of the wheel unit 180 based on an instruction from the control unit 120 to start moving the mobile body 10. The drive unit 170 also controls the direction of the wheel unit 180 based on an instruction from the control unit 120 to stop the movement of the mobile body 10. The drive unit 170 also controls the stop of rotation of the wheel unit 180 based on an instruction from the control unit 120 to stop the movement of the mobile body 10.

[0056] (Wheel unit 180) The wheel unit 180 is configured to include a wheel, and starts rotating in accordance with rotation start control by the drive unit 170. This causes the moving body 10 to start moving. The wheel unit 180 also changes direction in accordance with direction control by the drive unit 170. This causes the moving direction of the moving body 10 to change. The wheel unit 180 also stops rotating in accordance with rotation stop control by the drive unit 170. This causes the moving body to stop moving.

[0057] The configuration example of the moving body 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0058] (1-3. Configuration of control device 20) An example configuration of the control device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the control device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 20 includes a control unit 220, a Wi-Fi communication unit 231, a 920 MHz communication unit 232, a server-side communication unit 233, a map receiving unit 234, and a storage unit 240.

[0059] (Control Unit 220) The control unit 220 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by the calculation device. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0060] The control unit 220 includes a server-side acquisition unit 221, a selection unit 222, a transmission control unit 223, a mobile unit-side acquisition unit 224, and a provision unit 225. The functions of these blocks will be described in detail later.

[0061] (Wi-Fi communication unit 231) The Wi-Fi communication unit 231 performs Wi-Fi communication with the mobile object 10. More specifically, the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 receives data from the mobile object 10 via Wi-Fi communication and outputs the received data to the mobile object side acquisition unit 224. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 transmits data output from the transmission control unit 223 to the mobile object 10 via Wi-Fi communication.

[0062] (920 MHz communication unit 232) The 920 MHz communication unit 232 performs 920 MHz communication with the mobile body 10. More specifically, the 920 MHz communication unit 232 receives data from the mobile body 10 via 920 MHz communication and outputs the received data to the mobile body-side acquisition unit 224. The 920 MHz communication unit 232 also transmits data output from the transmission control unit 223 to the mobile body 10 via 920 MHz communication.

[0063] (Server-side communication unit 233) The server-side communication unit 233 communicates with the database server 60. More specifically, the server-side communication unit 233 transmits data output from the providing unit 225 to the database server 60. The server-side communication unit 233 also receives data from the database server 60 and outputs the received data to the server-side acquisition unit 221.

[0064] (Map Receiving Unit 234) The map receiving unit 234 receives the edited map from the map storage location 40. The map receiving unit 234 outputs the edited map received from the map storage location 40 to the server-side acquiring unit 221.

[0065] (Storage Unit 240) The storage unit 240 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 220. The storage unit 240 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 220. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0066] The configuration example of the control device 20 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0067] (1-4. Configuration of Map Editing Terminal 30) An example configuration of the map editing terminal 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the map editing terminal 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the map editing terminal 30 includes an input unit 310, a control unit 320, a receiving unit 331, a transmitting unit 332, a storage unit 340, and a presentation unit 350.

[0068] (Input Unit 310) The input unit 310 accepts operational inputs from a maintenance person. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is mainly assumed that the input unit 310 is configured with a keyboard and a mouse. However, the input unit 310 may be configured with an input device other than a keyboard and a mouse (for example, a touch panel).

[0069] (Control Unit 320) The control unit 320 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by the calculation device. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0070] The control unit 320 includes an acquisition unit 322, a processing unit 323, and an output unit 324. The functions of these blocks will be described in detail later.

[0071] (Receiving Unit 331) The receiving unit 331 receives a map transmitted from the mobile object 10. The receiving unit 331 outputs the received map to the control unit 320.

[0072] (Transmitting Unit 332) The transmitting unit 332 outputs the edited map output from the control unit 320 to the map storage location 40. The edited map output to the map storage location 40 is stored in the map storage location 40.

[0073] (Storage Unit 340) The storage unit 340 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 320. The storage unit 340 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 320. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0074] (Presenting Unit 350) The presenting unit 350 has a function of making a presentation under the control of the control unit 320. The content presented by the presenting unit 350 can be visually confirmed by a maintenance person. Here, the form of the presenting unit 350 is not particularly limited. For example, the presenting unit 350 may be realized by a display, which may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, or a display device such as a lamp.

[0075] The configuration example of the map editing terminal 30 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0076] (1-5. Configuration of the Request Input Terminal 50) An example configuration of the request input terminal 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the request input terminal 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the request input terminal 50 includes an input unit 510, a control unit 520, a communication unit 530, a storage unit 540, and a presentation unit 550.

[0077] (Input Unit 510) The input unit 510 accepts operation input from a requester. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is mainly assumed that the input unit 510 is configured with a keyboard and a mouse. However, the input unit 510 may be configured with an input device other than a keyboard and a mouse (for example, a touch panel).

[0078] (Control Unit 520) The control unit 520 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by the calculation device. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0079] (Communication Unit 530) The communication unit 530 communicates with the database server 60.

[0080] (Storage Unit 540) The storage unit 540 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 520. The storage unit 540 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 520. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0081] (Presenting Unit 550) The presenting unit 550 has a function of making a presentation under the control of the control unit 520. The content presented by the presenting unit 550 can be visually recognized by the request inputter. Here, the form of the presenting unit 550 is not particularly limited. For example, the presenting unit 550 may be realized by a display, which may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, or a display device such as a lamp.

[0082] The configuration example of the request input terminal 50 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0083] (1-6. Configuration of Database Server 60) An example configuration of the database server 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the database server 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, the database server 60 includes a control unit 620, a terminal-side communication unit 631, a control device-side communication unit 632, and a storage unit 640.

[0084] (Control Unit 620) The control unit 620 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by the calculation device. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0085] (Terminal-Side Communication Unit 631) The terminal-side communication unit 631 communicates with the request input terminal 50.

[0086] (Control Device Side Communication Unit 632) The control device side communication unit 632 communicates with the control device 20.

[0087] (Storage Unit 640) The storage unit 640 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 620. The storage unit 640 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 620. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0088] The configuration example of the database server 60 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0089] (2. Detailed Functions of Information Processing System) Next, detailed functions of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. First, a configuration example of area data 641 stored by the storage unit 640 included in the database server 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 7, and a configuration example of mobile object data 643 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The area data 641 and mobile object data 643 may be stored in advance by the storage unit 640.

[0090] (Area Data 641) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the area data 641. As shown in Fig. 7, the area data 641 is configured by associating an area number with an area name.

[0091] The area number is a number for identifying an area to which the mobile object 10 moves. The area name is the name of the area to which the mobile object 10 moves. For example, if the area to which the mobile object 10 moves is a factory, the area name may be "Factory A, Building B."

[0092] (Mobile object data 643) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile object data 643. As shown in Fig. 8, the mobile object data 643 is configured by associating a mobile object number, a mobile object name, an area number, a type, location information, a status, and a remaining battery level.

[0093] The mobile unit number is a number for identifying the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit name is the name of the mobile unit 10. The area number is a number for identifying the area in which the mobile unit 10 moves. The type is the type of the mobile unit 10. For example, the tasks that the mobile unit 10 can execute may differ depending on the type of the mobile unit 10.

[0094] The location information is information indicating the location of the mobile object 10 on the edited map. The status is the status of the mobile object 10. The status of the mobile object 10 may include information indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the mobile object 10. The remaining battery capacity is the remaining capacity of the battery that supplies power to the mobile object 10.

[0095] (Map Creation by Mobile Object 10) Before a task is actually executed by the mobile object 10, a map of the area is created by at least one of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N. Such a technique for simultaneously creating a map and estimating the mobile object's own position can be realized by SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology.

[0096] Here, when the transmission data is a map, it is required that a large amount of transmission data per unit time be transmitted to the map editing terminal 30 through high-speed communication. Therefore, the selection unit 127 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the map being created by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Then, the transmission control unit 128 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 so that the map is transmitted to the map editing terminal 30 via Wi-Fi communication.

[0097] (Map Editing by Map Editing Terminal 30) In the map editing terminal 30, the receiving unit 331 receives a map transmitted from the mobile object 10, and the acquiring unit 322 acquires the map received by the receiving unit 331. The processing unit 323 controls the presenting unit 350 so that the presenting unit 350 presents the map to the maintainer. The maintainer inputs operations for map editing into the input unit 310 while viewing the map. The processing unit 323 edits the map based on the operations input by the maintainer.

[0098] For example, the processing unit 323 may delete unnecessary drawings on the map based on a deletion operation input by the maintenance person. Alternatively, the processing unit 323 may adjust the angle of the map based on an angle adjustment operation input by the maintenance person. Alternatively, the processing unit 323 may trim unnecessary parts of the map based on a trimming operation input by the maintenance person.

[0099] Furthermore, the processing unit 323 may perform partial replacement of the map based on a replacement operation input by the maintenance person, or may perform merging of the map received by the receiving unit 331 with the base map based on a merging operation input by the maintenance person.

[0100] Furthermore, the processing unit 323 may add multiple vertical grid lines and multiple horizontal grid lines to the map transmitted from the mobile object 10 based on a grid line addition operation input by the maintenance operator. By adding such grid lines, multiple rectangular areas separated by these grid lines are formed in a lattice pattern. In the following description, each of these multiple rectangular areas will also be referred to as a "block."

[0101] The processing unit 323 can assign various rules to blocks based on a rule assignment operation input by an administrator. Examples of rules that can be assigned to blocks include permitted passage blocks, prohibited entry blocks, permitted movement directions, and stopping directions. However, the rules that can be assigned to blocks do not have to be limited.

[0102] The output unit 324 outputs the map edited by the processing unit 323 to the transmission unit 332. The edited map may include the positions of obstacles, the positions of blocks (for example, the positions of the centers of gravity of blocks), and rules assigned to the blocks. The transmission unit 332 then transmits the edited map to the map storage location 40. The map storage location 40 stores the edited map transmitted from the transmission unit 332. When the control device 20 is started by the map editing terminal 30, the server-side acquisition unit 221 in the control device 20 acquires the edited map stored in the map storage location 40 via the map receiving unit 234.

[0103] Here, when the transmission data is an edited map, it is required that a large amount of transmission data per unit time be transmitted to the mobile object 10 through high-speed communication. Therefore, the selection unit 222 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the fact that the edited map has been acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 so that the edited map is transmitted to each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via Wi-Fi communication.

[0104] In each of the mobile bodies 10-1 to 10-N, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 receives the edited map from the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication, and outputs the received edited map to the received data acquisition unit 122. The received data acquisition unit 122 outputs the edited map to the self-position estimation unit 123 and the navigation unit 124.

[0105] (Navigation) The self-location estimation unit 123 performs self-location estimation based on the sensor data obtained by the sensor unit 110 while referring to the edited map. The self-location estimation unit 123 outputs the self-location estimation result to the navigation unit 124. The navigation unit 124 performs navigation based on the edited map and the self-location estimation result. Navigation can be achieved by outputting various instructions (such as a movement start instruction, a direction instruction, and a movement stop instruction) to the drive unit 170.

[0106] The self-location estimation result obtained by the self-location estimation unit 123 is acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126 and transmitted to the control device 20 as the location information of the mobile object 10. Furthermore, the status of the mobile object 10 is also acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126 and transmitted to the control device 20.

[0107] Here, when the transmission data is the location information and status of the mobile unit 10, it is required that the transmission data arrive reliably at the control device 20 through highly secure communication. Therefore, the selection unit 127 selects 920 MHz communication as the selection method based on the location information and status of the mobile unit 10 acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Then, the transmission control unit 128 controls the 920 MHz communication unit 132 so that the mobile unit number, location information, and status of the mobile unit 10 are transmitted to the control device 20 via 920 MHz communication.

[0108] In the control device 20, the 920 MHz communication unit 232 receives the mobile unit number, location information, and status of the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit-side acquisition unit 224 acquires the mobile unit number, location information, and status of the mobile unit 10. The provision unit 225 outputs the mobile unit number, location information, and status of the mobile unit 10 to the server-side communication unit 233, and the server-side communication unit 233 transmits the mobile unit number, location information, and status of the mobile unit 10 to the database server 60.

[0109] In the database server 60, the control device side communication unit 632 receives the mobile unit number, location information and status of the mobile unit 10, and the control unit 620 updates the location information and status of the mobile unit 10 associated with the mobile unit number received by the control device side communication unit 632 in the mobile unit data 643 with the location information and status of the mobile unit 10 received by the control device side communication unit 632.

[0110] The remaining capacity of the battery that supplies power to the mobile object 10 is also acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126 and transmitted to the control device 20 .

[0111] Here, when the transmission data is the remaining charge of a battery that supplies power to the mobile object 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "remaining battery charge of the mobile object 10"), it is required that a larger amount of transmission data be transmitted per unit time to the control device 20 through high-speed communication. Therefore, the selection unit 127 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the remaining battery charge of the mobile object 10 acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 so that the mobile object number and remaining battery charge of the mobile object 10 are transmitted to the control device 20 through Wi-Fi communication.

[0112] In the control device 20, the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 receives the mobile unit number and remaining battery level of the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit-side acquisition unit 224 acquires the mobile unit number and remaining battery level of the mobile unit 10. The provision unit 225 outputs the mobile unit number and remaining battery level of the mobile unit 10 to the server-side communication unit 233, and the server-side communication unit 233 transmits the mobile unit number and remaining battery level of the mobile unit 10 to the database server 60.

[0113] In the database server 60, the control device side communication unit 632 receives the mobile unit number and remaining battery capacity of the mobile unit 10, and the control unit 620 updates the remaining battery capacity of the mobile unit 10 associated with the mobile unit number received by the control device side communication unit 632 in the mobile unit data 643 with the remaining battery capacity of the mobile unit 10 received by the control device side communication unit 632.

[0114] Furthermore, when the mobile object 10 is in a communication-enabled state, data indicating the communication-enabled state is acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126 and transmitted to the control device 20. For example, the data indicating the communication-enabled state may be an echo-back signal in response to the data transmitted from the control device 20.

[0115] Here, when the transmission data indicates the communication-enabled status of the mobile unit 10, it is required that the transmission data arrive reliably at the control device 20 through highly secure communication. Therefore, the selection unit 127 selects 920 MHz communication as the selection method based on the data indicating the communication-enabled status of the mobile unit 10 acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the 920 MHz communication unit 132 so that the data indicating the communication-enabled status of the mobile unit 10 is transmitted to the control device 20 via 920 MHz communication. In this way, the control device 20 can grasp the communication-enabled status of the mobile unit 10.

[0116] In the database server 60 , the terminal-side communication unit 631 transmits the mobile object data 643 to the request input terminal 50 .

[0117] (Request Input to Request Input Terminal 50) In the request input terminal 50, the communication unit 530 receives the mobile object data 643, and the control unit 520 controls the presentation unit 550 so that the mobile object data 643 is presented to the request inputter. The request inputter inputs a request to the input unit 510 while viewing the mobile object data 643. For example, the request includes a task, a location where the task is to be performed, and the number of the mobile object that will perform the task.

[0118] The control unit 520 generates request data 645 ( FIG. 6 ) based on the request input by the requester, and controls the communication unit 530 so that the generated request data 645 is transmitted to the database server 60. In the database server 60, the terminal-side communication unit 631 receives the request data 645, and the control unit 620 stores the request data 645 in the storage unit 640. An example of the configuration of the request data 645 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 .

[0119] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of request data 645. As shown in Fig. 9, the request data 645 is configured by associating a request ID, a task execution location, a task ID, and a mobile unit number. The request ID is an ID assigned to a request. The task execution location is a block where a task is executed, and is associated with a block ID. The task ID is an ID for identifying a task. The mobile unit number is a number for identifying a mobile unit that executes a task.

[0120] In the database server 60, the control device side communication unit 632 transmits request data 645 to the control device 20. In the control device 20, the server side communication unit 233 receives the request data 645 and outputs the request data 645 to the server side acquisition unit 221.

[0121] (Scenario Delivery to Mobile Object 10) The server-side acquisition unit 221 calculates the movement route of the mobile object 10 based on the rule assigned to the block, the location information of the mobile object 10 identified by the mobile object number included in the request data 645, and the task execution location included in the request data 645. For example, the movement route of the mobile object 10 may be information indicating the shortest route from the location of the mobile object 10 to the task execution location taking into account the rule assigned to the block.

[0122] Then, a scenario including the route information and the task ID is acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221, and the scenario acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221 is transmitted to the mobile body 10. Note that, in a case where the mobile body 10 is equipped with an indicator light, the server-side acquisition unit 221 may include in the scenario the timing at which the mobile body 10 turns on the indicator light. The timing at which the mobile body 10 turns on the indicator light may be determined arbitrarily.

[0123] Here, when the transmission data is a scenario, it is required that a large amount of transmission data per unit time be transmitted to the mobile body 10 through high-speed communication. Therefore, the selection unit 222 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the scenario acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 so that the scenario is transmitted to the mobile body 10 via Wi-Fi communication.

[0124] In the mobile object 10, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 receives a scenario from the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication, and outputs the received scenario to the navigation unit 124. The navigation unit 124 performs navigation based on the scenario.

[0125] (Transmission of Emergency Control Signal) If the control device 20 detects that an emergency has occurred in the moving body 10 while the moving body 10 is moving, the control device 20 may transmit control data (hereinafter also referred to as an "emergency control signal") to the moving body 10. For example, the emergency control signal may include an instruction to stop moving or an instruction to start moving the moving body 10. Note that the instruction to stop moving may be transmitted when there is a risk of multiple moving bodies 10 colliding with each other, and the instruction to start moving may be transmitted when the risk has disappeared.

[0126] Here, when the transmission data is an emergency control signal, highly secure communication is required to ensure that the transmission data reaches the mobile body 10. Therefore, the selection unit 222 selects 920 MHz communication as the selection method based on the detection of an emergency situation for the mobile body 10 by the control unit 220. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the 920 MHz communication unit 232 so that the emergency control signal for the mobile body 10 is transmitted to the mobile body 10 via 920 MHz communication.

[0127] In the moving body 10, the 920 MHz communication unit 132 receives the emergency control signal and outputs the received emergency control signal to the navigation unit 124. If the emergency control signal is an instruction to start moving, the navigation unit 124 outputs an instruction to the drive unit 170 to control the start of rotation of the wheel unit 180. On the other hand, if the emergency control signal is an instruction to stop moving, the navigation unit 124 outputs an instruction to the drive unit 170 to control the stop of rotation of the wheel unit 180.

[0128] (Switching of Access Points) As described above, Wi-Fi communication can be performed via the access point 70. For example, assume that in the mobile object 10, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 is connected to the access point 70-1 (first access point), and the transmission control unit 128 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 so that Wi-Fi communication is performed via the access point 70-1.

[0129] Furthermore, it is assumed that not only radio waves transmitted from access point 70-1 but also radio waves transmitted from access point 70-2 (second access point) are received by Wi-Fi communication unit 131. In this case, selection unit 127 compares the strength of the radio waves transmitted from access point 70-1 and received by Wi-Fi communication unit 131 with the strength of the radio waves transmitted from access point 70-2 and received by Wi-Fi communication unit 131.

[0130] Assume that the selection unit 127 determines that the strength of the radio waves transmitted from the access point 70-2 and received by the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 is greater than the strength of the radio waves transmitted from the access point 70-1 and received by the Wi-Fi communication unit 131. In this case, the selection unit 127 selects the access point 70-2 as the connection destination of the Wi-Fi communication unit 131.

[0131] The transmission control unit 128 connects the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 to the access point 70-2. Then, the transmission control unit 128 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 so that Wi-Fi communication is performed via the access point 70-2. This allows for more stable Wi-Fi communication.

[0132] The detailed functions of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure have been described above.

[0133] (3. Operation Example of Information Processing System) Next, an operation example of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 (and also with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 as appropriate). Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example from map creation to navigation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0134] 10 , in at least one of the mobile bodies 10-1 to 10-N, the transmission data acquisition unit 126 creates a map of the area (S11). The selection unit 127 included in the mobile body 10 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the map created by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Then, the transmission control unit 128 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 so that the map is transmitted to the map editing terminal 30 via Wi-Fi communication.

[0135] In the map editing terminal 30, the receiving unit 331 receives the map transmitted from the mobile object 10, and the acquiring unit 322 acquires the map received by the receiving unit 331 (S12). The processing unit 323 controls the presenting unit 350 so that the presenting unit 350 presents the map to the maintainer. The maintainer inputs operations for editing the map into the input unit 310 while viewing the map. The processing unit 323 edits the map based on the operations input by the maintainer (S13).

[0136] The output unit 324 outputs the map edited by the processing unit 323 to the transmission unit 332. Then, the transmission unit 332 transmits the edited map to the map storage location 40. The map storage location 40 stores the edited map transmitted from the transmission unit 332. When the control device 20 is started by the map editing terminal 30 (S14), the server-side acquisition unit 221 in the control device 20 acquires the edited map stored in the map storage location 40 via the map receiving unit 234.

[0137] The selection unit 222 selects Wi-Fi communication as the selection method based on the fact that the edited map has been acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221. Then, the transmission control unit 223 controls the Wi-Fi communication unit 231 so that the edited map is transmitted to each of the mobile objects 10-1 to 10-N via Wi-Fi communication (S15).

[0138] In each of the mobile bodies 10-1 to 10-N, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 receives the edited map from the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication, and outputs the received edited map to the received data acquisition unit 122. The received data acquisition unit 122 outputs the edited map to the self-position estimation unit 123 and the navigation unit 124.

[0139] The self-location estimation unit 123 performs self-location estimation based on the sensor data obtained by the sensor unit 110 while referring to the edited map. The self-location estimation unit 123 outputs the self-location estimation result to the navigation unit 124. The navigation unit 124 performs navigation based on the edited map and the self-location estimation result.

[0140] The result of self-location estimation obtained by the self-location estimation unit 123 is acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126 as location information of the mobile object 10. The status of the mobile object 10 is also acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. Data indicating the communication available state of the mobile object 10 is also acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. The location information, status, and information indicating the communication available state of the mobile object 10 are transmitted from the mobile object 10 to the control device 20 via 920 MHz communication, and then transmitted from the control device 20 to the database server 60, where the location information and status of the mobile object 10 are stored.

[0141] The remaining battery power of the mobile object 10 is also acquired by the transmission data acquisition unit 126. The remaining battery power of the mobile object 10 is transmitted from the mobile object 10 to the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication, and then transmitted from the control device 20 to the database server 60, where it is stored.

[0142] In the database server 60, the terminal-side communication unit 631 transmits mobile object data including the position information and status of the mobile object 10 to the request input terminal 50. In the request input terminal 50, the communication unit 530 receives the mobile object data 643, and the control unit 520 controls the presentation unit 550 so that the mobile object data is presented to the request inputter. The request inputter inputs a request into the input unit 510 while viewing the mobile object data.

[0143] The control unit 520 generates request data based on the request input by the requester, and controls the communication unit 530 so that the generated request data is sent to the database server 60. In the database server 60, the terminal-side communication unit 631 receives the request data, and the control unit 620 stores the request data in the storage unit 640.

[0144] In the database server 60, the control device side communication unit 632 transmits request data 645 to the control device 20. In the control device 20, the server side communication unit 233 receives the request data 645 and outputs the request data 645 to the server side acquisition unit 221.

[0145] The server-side acquisition unit 221 calculates the movement route of the mobile object 10 based on the rules assigned to the blocks in the map editing, the position information of the mobile object 10, and the task execution location, and the server-side acquisition unit 221 acquires a scenario including the route information and the task ID. The scenario acquired by the server-side acquisition unit 221 is transmitted to the mobile object 10 via Wi-Fi communication (S16). In the mobile object 10, the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 receives the scenario from the control device 20 via Wi-Fi communication and outputs the received scenario to the navigation unit 124.

[0146] The navigation unit 124 starts navigation based on the scenario (S17). If the control device 20 detects that an emergency has occurred in the mobile object 10 while the mobile object 10 is moving, the control device 20 may transmit an emergency control signal to the mobile object 10 via 920 MHz communication. When the navigation based on the scenario ends, the operations of the information processing system 1, from map creation to navigation, are completed.

[0147] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to access point switching in the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the mobile object 10 starts the control system and initiates network communication (S21). Next, in the mobile object 10, the selector 127 measures the radio wave strength (hereinafter, this radio wave strength will also be referred to as "D0") of the access point 70 to which the mobile object 10 is currently connected (S22), and measures the radio wave strength (hereinafter, this radio wave strength will also be referred to as "D1") of another access point 70 (S23). The selector 127 determines whether D1 is greater than D0 (S24).

[0148] If the transmission control unit 128 determines that D1 is greater than D0 (YES in S24), it switches the connection partner of the Wi-Fi communication unit 131 to the other access point 70 (S25). On the other hand, if the transmission control unit 128 determines that D1 is equal to or less than D0 (NO in S24), it does not switch the connection partner of the Wi-Fi communication unit 131.

[0149] If the control system is to be continued in the mobile object 10 ("NO" in S26), the operation proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the control system is to be terminated in the mobile object 10 ("YES" in S26), the operation related to switching the access point of the mobile object 10 ends.

[0150] (4. Effects) As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided that selects, as a selection method, either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method based on the type of data to be transmitted to a communication partner, and controls the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method. This provides the effect of enabling an appropriate communication method to be selected without manual user intervention.

[0151] For example, the first communication method may be suitable for a case where high-speed communication is required to transmit a large amount of data per unit time to the communication partner. On the other hand, the second communication method may be suitable for a case where highly secure communication is required to ensure that data arrives at the communication partner. This allows data transmission that takes into account both high-speed communication and highly secure communication. The first communication method may be Wi-Fi communication, and the second communication method may be 920 MHz communication.

[0152] Furthermore, the access point to which the communication device is connected may be switched based on the strength of the radio waves received by the communication device from the access point, thereby enabling communication with a higher level of security.

[0153] (5. Various Modifications) While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0154] For example, in the above description, it is mainly assumed that either the first communication method or the second communication method is selected as the selected method. However, the first communication method may be selected as the selected method immediately after the information processing system 1 starts operating. Then, when communication using the first communication method is disconnected, it may be determined whether to switch the selected method from the first communication method to the second communication method based on the type of transmission data. The correspondence between the type of transmission data and the communication method may be the same as the correspondence described above.

[0155] In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first communication method and the second communication method are different communication methods. In the above description, it is mainly assumed that the first communication method is Wi-Fi communication and the second communication method is 920 MHz communication. Here, the first communication method and the second communication method are each considered to be a set including one or more communication methods. In such a case, even if there is a communication method common to the first communication method and the second communication method, if there is a communication method included in one of the first communication method and the second communication method but not included in the other, it can be said that the first communication method and the second communication method are different.

[0156] As an example, a case may be assumed in which the first communication method is Wi-Fi communication and the second communication method is both Wi-Fi communication and 920 MHz communication. In such a case, Wi-Fi communication is a communication method common to the first and second communication methods, but 920 MHz communication is included in the second communication method but not included in the first communication method, and therefore the first communication method and the second communication method are different.

[0157] When transmission data is transmitted from a transmitting side to a receiving side via both Wi-Fi communication and 920 MHz communication, the receiving side may constantly evaluate the reception status of radio waves via each of Wi-Fi communication and 920 MHz communication and operate an algorithm that ranks the evaluation results. An example of an evaluation method may be to measure the strength of the received radio waves and evaluate the status level (which may also be referred to as "rank") as better the higher the strength. Another example of an evaluation method may be to measure the reception interval of periodic communication and evaluate the status level as better the shorter the reception interval. In this case, the receiving side may perform processing using data with a better status level.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising: a selection unit that selects, as a selection method, either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method based on the type of data to be transmitted to the communication partner; and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein communication by the second communication method is less likely to be disconnected than communication by the first communication method.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication according to the second communication method includes multi-hop wireless communication via one or more mobile objects.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein communication by the first communication method is faster than communication by the second communication method.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a mobile object, and the communication partner is a control device that controls the mobile object.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit selects the second communication method when the transmission data includes data indicating the location information, status, or communication availability state of the mobile unit.

7. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit selects the first communication method when the transmission data includes the remaining charge of a battery that supplies power to the mobile unit.

8. The communication device described in claim 5, wherein the transmission control unit controls communication so that communication is performed using the first communication method via a first access point, and controls communication so that communication is performed using the first communication method via the second access point when the strength of the radio waves received from the second access point is greater than the strength of the radio waves received from the first access point.

9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a control device that controls a mobile object, and the communication partner is the mobile object.

10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the selection unit selects the second communication method when the transmission data includes control data for the mobile unit.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the control data includes an instruction to start or stop movement of the mobile object.

12. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the selection unit selects the first communication method when the transmission data includes route information of the mobile body, information for identifying a task to be executed by the mobile body, or information indicating the timing at which the mobile body will light up an indicator light.

13. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects the first communication method as the selected method, and when communication using the first communication method is disconnected, determines whether to switch the selected method from the first communication method to the second communication method based on the type of transmission data.

14. A communication method executed by a computer, comprising: selecting, as a selection method, either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method, based on the type of data to be transmitted to the communication partner; and controlling so that the transmission data is transmitted to the communication partner using the selection method.

15. A program that causes a computer to function as: a selection unit that selects, based on the type of data to be transmitted to a communication partner, either a first communication method or a second communication method different from the first communication method; and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission of the transmission data to the communication partner using the selection method.

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