Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

An information processing device (100) according to the present application is a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). Specifically, the information processing device (100) comprises a storage unit (121), an acquisition unit (131), and an estimation unit (133). The storage unit (121) stores association information in which position information of a first mobile device and a first control message, which is a control message used for maintaining wireless communication between the first mobile device and a base station, are associated with each other. The acquisition unit (131) acquires a second control message, which is a control message between the base station and a second mobile device different from the first mobile device. The estimation unit (133) uses the second control message and the association information to estimate position information of the second mobile device.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

[0002] Conventionally, when a base station can obtain location information of a terminal device from the terminal device itself, there is known a technique for obtaining the location information of the terminal device without going through a server.

[0003] Patent No. 6240655

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology only acquires location information of a terminal device that corresponds to a specific system, and there is room for improvement in terms of scalability toward the fifth generation mobile communication system (5th Generation; 5G).

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to estimate location information of a mobile device based on a predetermined control message.

[0006] The information processing device of the present application includes a memory unit that stores linking information linking location information of a first mobile device with a first control message, which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the first mobile device and a base station; an acquisition unit that acquires a second control message, which is the control message between a second mobile device different from the first mobile device and the base station; and an estimation unit that estimates location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide an effect of estimating location information of a mobile device based on a predetermined control message.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of estimation processing executed by an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a linked information storage unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an estimated position information storage unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of generation processing executed by an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of estimation processing executed by an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of an information processing device.

[0009] Hereinafter, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing content is not contradictory. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. Introduction] First, an overview of the embodiment will be described using Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an automobile (an example of a mobile device) 10, a base station 20, and an information processing device 100. The automobile 10, the base station 20, and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a network N such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate wirelessly.

[0011] The automobile 10 is a connected vehicle that communicates with various other devices via wireless communication. The automobile 10 also has an on-board device. For example, the on-board device has a communication module, and communicates with a base station 20 and an information processing device 100 via the communication module. In the example of FIG. 1 , the automobile 10 communicates with various other devices via a network N. In the example of FIG. 1 , the automobile 10 is traveling on a road RO1.

[0012] The in-vehicle device also has a function of detecting the current position of the in-vehicle device at predetermined intervals (e.g., once per second or more) using a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor or the like. In this way, the in-vehicle device detects the current position of the automobile 10. Here, the current position is indicated by latitude and longitude, etc. For example, the in-vehicle device is a car navigation system, a drive recorder, etc. Note that the position information shown below is position information detected by a GPS sensor.

[0013] The base station 20 is an information processing device that operates the cell CE1 based on a wireless communication method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, NR (New Radio), 6G, etc. In this case, the base station 20 provides wireless communication to the automobile 10 located within the cell CE1.

[0014] The information processing device 100 is realized by, for example, a server device such as MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing), a cloud system, etc. Specifically, the information processing device 100 estimates the location information of the automobile 10 whose location information is unknown, using linking information linking the location information of the automobile 10 with a first control message which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the automobile 10 and the base station 20, and a second control message which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the automobile 10 whose location information is unknown and the base station 20.

[0015] The information processing device 100 is a RAN (Radio Access Network) Intelligent Controller (RIC). The RIC is an information processing device that estimates various types of information based on the RAN and predetermined computational resources such as AI (Artificial Intelligence). The information processing device 100 may be an information processing device located within a core network.

[0016] Conventionally, methods for acquiring location information of terminal devices and the like located within a cell operated by a base station 20 have been limited, such as acquiring location information of the terminal device based on a specific method, etc. Specifically, when using the above acquisition method in a fifth generation mobile communication system (5th Generation; 5G), it has been necessary to add a new function to the terminal device.

[0017] For example, 3GPP (registered trademark) TS38.305 defines specific methods such as DL (DownLink)-TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), DL-AoD (Arrival of Departure), Multi-RTT (Multiple-Round Trip Time), NR E-CID (Enhanced Cell-ID), UL (UpLink)-TDOA, and UL-AoA. Therefore, when acquiring location information based on the above methods, additional functional support is required for the terminal device. As described above, in the past, it was necessary to add new functions to the terminal device, leaving room for improvement in terms of scalability. Furthermore, even if one of the above methods were adopted, there was a possibility that its adoption in terminal devices would be limited due to the dependency on each method.

[0018] Therefore, the present application provides a solution to the above problem by estimating location information using a function already supported by a terminal device. For example, a control message (e.g., a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message) used to maintain wireless communication between a vehicle 10, which is an example of a terminal device, and a base station 20 is used. More specifically, a measurement report is used as such a control message. In this way, the present application provides a solution for estimating location information of a vehicle 10 based on an existing control message.

[0019] Below, we will explain an example in which the information processing device 100 estimates the location information of a vehicle 10 whose location information is unknown using linking information that links the location information of the vehicle 10 with a measurement report obtained from the vehicle 10, and a measurement report obtained from the vehicle 10 whose location information is unknown.

[0020] In the following description, each different vehicle will be referred to as vehicle 1N, and when there is no need to distinguish between vehicles 1N, they will be referred to as vehicle 10.

[0021] 2. Example of estimation process executed by information processing device Next, an example of estimation process executed by the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of estimation process executed by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0022] 2, the information processing system 1 includes an automobile 11, an automobile 12, a base station 20, an external server 30, and an information processing device 100. Here, the automobiles 11 and 12, the base station 20, the external server 30, and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a network (not shown) so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. Here, a description of the automobiles 11 and 12, the base station 20, and the information processing device 100 will be omitted.

[0023] The external server 30 is an information processing device that controls various applications, and is realized by, for example, a server device or a cloud system, etc. Specifically, when the external server 30 acquires the position information of the automobile 12 from the information processing device 100, the external server 30 uses the acquired position information in various applications.

[0024] In the example of Fig. 2, base station 20 provides wireless communication to automobiles 11 and 12 located within cell CE1. Also, in the example of Fig. 2, automobiles 11 and 12 are traveling on road RO2. In such a case, a generation process for generating linking information that links the location information of automobile 11 with a measurement report acquired from automobile 11 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Then, an estimation process for estimating the location information of automobile 12, whose location information is unknown, will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0025] First, steps S1 to S2 of Fig. 2 will be used to explain the generation process for generating linked information that links the location information of the automobile 11 with a measurement report acquired from the automobile 11. In the example of Fig. 2, the information processing device 100 acquires location information and a measurement report (an example of a first measurement report) from the automobile 11 (step S1).

[0026] For example, the information processing device 100 acquires, as the location information, location information of the automobile 11 detected by a GPS sensor included in an on-board device mounted on the automobile 11. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 acquires, from the measurement report, information such as a cell ID (Identifier) ​​that is an identifier for identifying the cell CE1, information indicating Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) that is the received power of a reference signal, and information indicating Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) that is the reception quality of the reference signal. For example, the information processing device 100 may acquire, as various application data, information such as the GPS location information, the cell ID, and the RSRP from the external server 30. In this case, the external server 30 acquires and stores the GPS location information, the cell ID, and the RSRP.

[0027] The information processing device 100 also acquires a PCI (Physical Cell Identifier), which is a physical cell ID, from the measurement report. The information processing device 100 also acquires an NRCGI (New Radio Cell Global Identifier), which is a cell ID that can uniquely identify a cell worldwide, from the core network. For example, the information processing device 100 acquires the NRCGI by querying a NEF (Network Exposure Function) based on an identifier such as a SUPI (Subscription Permanent Identifier) ​​of the automobile 11.

[0028] Next, the information processing device 100 generates association information in which the location information and the measurement report are associated with each other (step S2). For example, the information processing device 100 generates association information in which the location information of the automobile 10 is associated with a cell ID, an RSRP, or the like.

[0029] Next, an estimation process for estimating the location information of the vehicle 12, whose location information is unknown, will be described using steps S3 and S4 in Fig. 2. In the example of Fig. 2, the information processing device 100 acquires a measurement report (an example of a second measurement report) from the vehicle 12 (step S3). For example, the information processing device 100 acquires the measurement report from the vehicle 12 using MeasurementReport defined in RRC of TS38.331.

[0030] For example, the information processing device 100 acquires, from the measurement report, a cell ID that is an identifier for identifying the cell CE1, information indicating the RSRP, information indicating the RSRQ, PCI, etc. In addition, the information processing device 100 further acquires the NRCGI, etc. from the core network.

[0031] Next, the information processing device 100 estimates the location information of the vehicle 12 using the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 12 and the linking information (step S4). For example, if the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 12 is within a predetermined value range, the information processing device 100 determines the location information corresponding to the RSRP included in the linking information as the location information of the vehicle 12. In this way, the information processing device 100 estimates the location information of the vehicle 12.

[0032] In this case, the information processing device 100 provides the external server 30 with the location information of the automobile 12 (step S5). At this time, when the information processing device 100 provides the location information of the automobile 12, the external server 30 uses the acquired location information of the automobile 12 in various applications.

[0033] In the past, when a base station can obtain the location information of a terminal device from the terminal device itself, a technique for obtaining the location information of the terminal device without going through a server has been known. However, the above-mentioned conventional technique only obtains the location information of a terminal device corresponding to a specific method, and there is room for improvement in terms of scalability toward 5G.

[0034] Therefore, the information processing device 100 estimates the location information of the automobile 10 using the measurement report acquired from the automobile 12 and linking information linking the location information of the automobile 11 with the measurement report acquired from the automobile 11. In this way, the information processing device 100 can estimate the location information of the automobile 10 based on the measurement report. This allows the information processing device 100 to improve usability for users of the automobile 10. For example, by estimating the location information, the information processing device 100 can determine whether the automobile 10 is indoors (i.e., the range of movement of the automobile 10 is small) or whether the automobile 10 is on a road (i.e., the range of movement of the automobile 10 is large). In this way, the information processing device 100 can determine where the automobile 10 is located.

[0035] In this case, the information processing device 100 provides the base station 20 with information about the location of the automobile 10. At this time, the base station 20 can preferentially allocate a band suitable for the automobile 10. For example, the base station 20 allocates a small band to an automobile 10 with a large range of movement, and allocates a high band to an automobile 10 with a small range of movement. In this way, the information processing device 100 can contribute to improving usability.

[0036] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can contribute to improving the stability of the carrier network. For example, the information processing device 100 can obtain the density of the automobiles 10 for each region where the automobiles 10 are located by estimating the location information of the automobiles 10. In this case, the information processing device 100 provides the base station 20 with information regarding the density of the automobiles 10 for each region. At this time, the base station 20 can direct a beam toward a region where the density of the automobiles 10 is high. In this way, the information processing device 100 can contribute to improving the capacity of the automobiles 10.

[0037] 3. Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0038] (Regarding the Communication Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 110 transmits and receives information to and from various devices via the network N.

[0039] (Regarding the storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 120 includes a linking information storage unit 121 and an estimated position information storage unit 122.

[0040] (Regarding the association information storage unit 121) The association information storage unit 121 stores association information that associates the location information of the automobile 10 with a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the automobile 10 and the base station 20. For example, the association information storage unit 121 stores association information that associates the location information of the automobile 10 with a measurement report acquired from the automobile 10.

[0041] An example of the association information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the association information storage unit 121 has items such as "association information ID" and "association information".

[0042] For example, the "association information" includes items such as "time," "measurement report," "NRCGI," "vehicle speed," and "location information." The "measurement report" includes items such as "cell ID," "RSRP," "RSRQ," and "PCI."

[0043] The "linked information ID" is an identifier that identifies the linked information. For example, the linked information ID is an identifier that identifies the automobile 10 in the 5G system. To give a more specific example, the linked information ID is SUPI or GPSI (Generic Public Subscription Identifier). The "time" is information about the time when the measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "linked information ID" was obtained.

[0044] The "cell ID" is an identifier that identifies a cell included in a measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "association information ID." The base station included in the measurement report here is a base station that performs wireless communication with the automobile 10, another base station adjacent to the base station that performs wireless communication with the automobile 10, etc. In other words, the cell ID is an identifier that identifies a cell operated by a base station that performs wireless communication with the automobile 10, or an identifier that identifies a cell operated by another adjacent base station.

[0045] "RSRP" is information indicating the received power of the reference signal included in the measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "association information ID." "RSRQ" is information indicating the received quality of the reference signal included in the measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "association information ID."

[0046] "PCI" is a physical cell ID included in the measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "association information ID." "NRCGI" is a cell ID that can uniquely identify a cell worldwide and is included in the measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "association information ID."

[0047] "Vehicle speed" is information about the vehicle speed obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "associated information ID." Note that the information about the vehicle speed may include not only information about the speed of the automobile 10 but also information about the direction of travel. "Location information" is information about the location obtained from the automobile 10 associated with the "associated information ID."

[0048] 4, for example, "D1" identified by the association information ID has a time of "DA1" and a cell ID of "CI1." Furthermore, "D1" has an RSRP of "PV1," an RSRQ of "QV1," a PCI of "PCI1," an NRCGI of "CGI1," a vehicle speed of "VE1," and location information of "PS1."

[0049] In the example shown in Figure 4, time and the like are expressed using abstract symbols, but time and the like may also be expressed using specific numerical values ​​indicating time and the like, or a specific file format including time and the like.

[0050] (Regarding the estimated position information storage unit 122) The estimated position information storage unit 122 stores the estimated position information of the automobile 10. Here, Fig. 5 shows an example of the estimated position information storage unit 122 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the estimated position information storage unit 122 has items such as "estimated position information ID," "automobile ID," and "position information."

[0051] The "estimated location information ID" is an identifier that identifies the estimated location information. The "vehicle ID" is an identifier that identifies the vehicle 10 that corresponds to the estimated location information associated with the "estimated location information ID." For example, the vehicle ID is SUPI, GPSI, etc. The "location information" is the estimated location information associated with the "estimated location information ID."

[0052] For example, in Fig. 5, "E1" identified by the estimated location information ID has a vehicle ID of "V1" and location information of "EP1." Note that in the example shown in Fig. 5, the location information is expressed by an abstract code, but the location information may be expressed by a specific numerical value or the like.

[0053] (Regarding the control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) using RAM as a work area to execute various programs (examples of information processing programs) stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100. The control unit 130 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a generation unit 132, an estimation unit 133, and a provision unit 134, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Furthermore, the connection relationships between the processing units included in the control unit 130 are not limited to the connection relationships shown in Fig. 3, and may be other connection relationships.

[0055] (Regarding the Acquisition Unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires various types of information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 131 acquires location information and a measurement report from the automobile 10. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, as location information, location information of the automobile 10 detected by a GPS sensor included in an in-vehicle device mounted on the automobile 10. The acquisition unit 131 then stores the acquired location information in the storage unit 120.

[0056] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, from the measurement report, a cell ID, information indicating RSRP, information indicating RSRQ, PCI, etc. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 further acquires NRCGI, etc. from the core network. Then, the acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired cell ID, information indicating RSRP, information indicating RSRQ, PCI, NRCGI, etc. in the storage unit 120.

[0057] The acquisition unit 131 also acquires the vehicle speed of the automobile 10 from the automobile 10. For example, it is assumed that the in-vehicle device has a speed sensor. In this case, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the vehicle speed detected by the speed sensor from the automobile 10. Then, the acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired vehicle speed in the storage unit 120.

[0058] (Regarding the generation unit 132) The generation unit 132 generates various types of information. Specifically, based on the location information of the automobile 10 and the measurement report acquired from the automobile 10, the generation unit 132 generates linking information that links the location information and the measurement report. For example, the generation unit 132 generates linking information that links the location information of the automobile 10 with a cell ID, RSRP, or the like in the measurement report. The generation unit 132 then stores the generated linking information in the linking information storage unit 121.

[0059] (Regarding the estimation unit 133) The estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the automobile 10 using a measurement report obtained from the automobile 10 whose location information is unknown and the linking information stored in the linking information storage unit 121 by the generation unit 132.

[0060] For example, if the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 10 whose location information is unknown is within a predetermined value range, the estimation unit 133 determines the location information corresponding to the RSRP included in the linking information as the location information of the vehicle 10. In this way, the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the vehicle 10. Then, the estimation unit 133 stores the estimated location information of the vehicle 10 in the estimated location information storage unit 122.

[0061] In another example, when the cell ID included in the correlation information is the same as the cell ID included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 10 whose location information is unknown, and when the difference between the RSRP included in the correlation information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 10 is within a predetermined value range, the estimation unit 133 may determine the location information corresponding to the RSRP included in the correlation information as the location information of the vehicle 10. In this way, the estimation unit 133 may estimate the location information of the vehicle 10. In this case, the estimation unit 133 stores the estimated location information of the vehicle 10 in the estimated location information storage unit 122.

[0062] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the vehicle 10 based on the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 10 whose location information is unknown, but this is not limiting. For example, in the estimation process performed by the estimation unit 133, RSRQ or the like may be adopted instead of RSRP.

[0063] (Providing Unit 134) The providing unit 134 provides various information. For example, the providing unit 134 provides the external server 30 with the location information of the automobile 10 stored in the estimated location information storage unit 122 by the estimating unit 133.

[0064] 4. Processing Procedure (1) Next, the procedure of the generation process executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the generation process executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0065] 6, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the location information of the automobile 11 from the automobile 11 (step S101). Subsequently, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the cell ID and RSRP of the measurement report from the automobile 11 (step S102).

[0066] Then, the generating unit 132 generates linking information that links the location information of the automobile 11 acquired by the acquiring unit 131 with the measurement report that the automobile 11 transmits to the base station 20 (step S103).

[0067] In the above example, steps S101 and S102 are described as separate steps, but this is not limiting. For example, steps S101 and S102 may be executed in the same step.

[0068] 5. Processing Procedure (2) Next, the procedure of the estimation process executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the estimation process executed by the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0069] 7, the information processing device 100 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S201). The predetermined time here refers to, for example, the time interval at which the automobile 10 transmits a measurement report to the base station 20.

[0070] For example, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S201; No), the information processing device 100 waits until the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0071] On the other hand, if the information processing device 100 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S201; Yes), the acquisition unit 131 acquires a measurement report from the vehicle 12 whose position information is unknown (step S202).

[0072] For example, if the acquisition unit 131 has not acquired a measurement report from the vehicle 12 (step S202; No), the process returns to before step S201.

[0073] On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 131 acquires a measurement report from the automobile 12 (step S202; Yes), the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the automobile 12, whose location information is unknown, using the measurement report and the linking information generated by the generation unit 132 (step S203).

[0074] 6. Modifications The information processing device 100 described above may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments of the information processing device 100 will be described below.

[0075] 6-1. Mobile Device In the above embodiment, an automobile is used as an example, but the present invention can be applied to other mobile devices instead of automobiles. Examples of other mobile devices include bicycles, motorbikes, bicycles provided through bicycle sharing services, automobiles provided through car sharing services, and drones. Furthermore, the mobile device may be an automobile or the like that is a non-connected vehicle that has been converted into a connected vehicle by being retrofitted with a communication device, an information processing device, or the like. Furthermore, the mobile device may be an autonomous vehicle or the like.

[0076] 6-2. In-Vehicle Device Although the above embodiment has been described using an in-vehicle device as an example, other terminal devices may be used instead of the in-vehicle device. Specifically, the terminal device may be a terminal device used by a user to access content such as a web page displayed in a browser or content for an application. For example, the terminal device may be a desktop personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wearable device, or the like.

[0077] [6-3. Other Base Stations] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the base station 20 performs wireless communication with the automobiles 11 and 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the automobiles 11 and 12 perform wireless communication with different base stations 20, the location information of the automobile 12 may be estimated.

[0078] Hereinafter, each different base station will be referred to as a base station 2N, and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the base stations 2N, they will be referred to as a base station 20.

[0079] For example, it is assumed that base station 21 performs wireless communication with automobile 11, and base station 22 performs wireless communication with automobile 12. It is also assumed that automobile 12 is automobile 10 whose location information is unknown. In this case, acquisition unit 131 acquires a measurement report from automobile 12. Then, estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of automobile 12 using the measurement report and the linking information.

[0080] To give a more specific example, when the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 12 is within a predetermined value range, the estimation unit 133 determines the location information corresponding to the RSRP included in the linking information as the location information of the vehicle 12. In this way, the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the vehicle 12.

[0081] This allows the estimation unit 133 to estimate the position information of the automobile 12 that is communicating wirelessly with the base station 22 based on the measurement report.

[0082] [6-4. Location Information] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the in-vehicle device detects the current location using GPS, but this is not limiting. For example, the in-vehicle device may estimate the current location of the automobile 10 using location information from a base station 20 that is communicating wirelessly, radio waves from Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity), or the like.

[0083] 6-5. Road Position Information In the above embodiment, the location information is detected by a GPS sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the location information may be road position information indicated by the road on which the automobile 10 is located.

[0084] Here, road location information will be explained. Road location information is location information obtained when map information and road network data are associated with each other. For example, when the road on which the automobile 10 travels is expressed by connecting nodes indicating characteristic points of the road with links indicating the road, a different road location information ID is assigned in advance to each link. At this time, road location information corresponding to such ID is set in advance.

[0085] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 converts the GPS position information (latitude and longitude information) acquired by the automobile 10 into link IDs and node IDs through map matching processing. This has the effect of suppressing GPS positioning errors. Note that this map matching processing may be executed by the automobile 10. For example, an advantage of having the information processing device 100 execute the processing is that the automobile 10 does not need to have a map matching processing function or map information storage, thereby reducing the load on the automobile 10. Furthermore, execution by the information processing device 100 makes it possible to apply the processing to terminal devices other than the automobile 10 (e.g., smartphones, etc.). Furthermore, because the map information is centralized, differences due to the type of map information and whether it is new or old can be eliminated.

[0086] In such a case, the generation unit 132 generates linking information linking the road position information and the measurement report acquired from the automobile 10, based on the road position information and the measurement report. For example, the generation unit 132 generates linking information linking the road position information of the automobile 10 with the cell ID, RSRP, etc., of the measurement report.

[0087] Then, when the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 10 whose road position information is unknown is within a predetermined value range, the estimation unit 133 determines the road position information corresponding to the RSRP included in the linking information as the position information of the vehicle 10. In this way, the estimation unit 133 estimates the position information of the vehicle 10. This allows the estimation unit 133 to estimate the road position information of the vehicle 10 based on the measurement report.

[0088] 6-6. Learning Model Furthermore, the generation unit 132 further generates a learning model that is trained to output the location information of the automobile 12 based on the location information of the automobile 11 and the measurement report acquired from the automobile 11 by inputting the measurement report acquired from the automobile 12.

[0089] To give a more specific example, the generation unit 132 inputs a cell ID and an RSRP from the measurement report acquired from the vehicle 12, and generates a learning model that outputs the location information of the vehicle 12. Then, the generation unit 132 stores the generated learning model in the storage unit 120.

[0090] For example, the generation unit 132 performs a learning process using a technique such as backpropagation (backpropagation method). For example, the generation unit 132 adjusts weight values ​​that are taken into account when values ​​are transmitted between nodes through the learning process. In this way, the generation unit 132 learns the learning model through a process such as backpropagation that corrects parameters so as to reduce the error between the output of the learning model and the correct answer corresponding to the input. For example, the generation unit 132 generates the learning model by performing a process such as backpropagation so as to minimize a predetermined loss function. In this way, the generation unit 132 performs a learning process to learn the parameters of the learning model.

[0091] As a result, the generation unit 132 according to the embodiment estimates the position information of the automobile 12 based on the learning model, and is therefore able to estimate the position information of the automobile 12 based on the measurement report.

[0092] The learning model is not limited to the above-described modified example. For example, the learning model may be a learning model that outputs location information of the vehicle 12 by inputting a cell ID, an RSRP, and map information from a measurement report acquired from the vehicle 12. Here, the map information is acquired by the acquisition unit 131 from a predetermined information providing server that provides map information.

[0093] The learning model may also be a learning model that outputs the location information of the vehicle 12 by inputting the cell ID and RSRQ from the measurement report obtained from the vehicle 12.

[0094] The learning model may also be a learning model that outputs the location information of the automobile 12 by inputting the cell ID, RSRQ, and map information from the measurement report obtained from the automobile 12.

[0095] In this way, the learning model may be any learning model that outputs location information when information related to location information in a measurement report is input.

[0096] 6-7. Handover Probability The estimation unit 133 further estimates a handover probability, which is the probability that the automobile 10 will perform a handover to a base station other than the base station 20, using the measurement report and the association information.

[0097] For example, the linking information associates the location information of the automobile 10 at a certain time with the base station 20 that performed wireless communication at the location of the automobile 10 based on a cell ID or the like. That is, the linking information includes information on the location information of the automobile 10 at a certain time and the correspondence relationship with the base station 20. Specifically, the linking information includes the location and time at which handover is performed from the base station 21 with which the automobile 10 performs wireless communication to a base station 22 adjacent to the base station 21.

[0098] In such a case, the estimation unit 133 estimates the handover probability that the automobile 10 located at such a location will perform a handover from base station 21 to base station 22 based on the correspondence between the location information of the automobile 10 at a certain time and the base station 20 in the linking information.

[0099] To take a more specific example, assume that automobile 10 is an automobile whose location information is unknown. In this case, if the difference between the RSRP included in the linking information and the RSRP included in the measurement report acquired from automobile 10 whose location information is unknown is within a predetermined value range, estimation unit 133 determines the location information corresponding to the RSRP included in the linking information as the location information of automobile 10. In this way, estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of automobile 10.

[0100] Then, the estimation unit 133 estimates the handover probability that the automobile 10 will perform a handover from base station 21 to base station 22 based on the estimated location information of the automobile 10 and the correspondence between the location information at a certain time in the linking information and the base station 20.

[0101] In this way, the estimation unit 133 can estimate the handover probability of the automobile 12 based on the measurement report. This allows the estimation unit 133 to suppress unnecessary handovers. For example, the base station 20 can suppress unnecessary handovers by activating only a specific band for the automobile 10. Furthermore, unnecessary handovers can be suppressed by controlling whether or not handovers are permitted for adjacent base stations 20 (e.g., the destination base station 20 that is changed by handover). In this way, the information processing device 100 can reduce momentary interruptions due to handovers. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can contribute to suppressing TAU (Tracking Area Update) signaling.

[0102] 7. Hardware Configuration The automobile 10, base station 20, external server 30, and information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiments are realized by, for example, a computer 1000 configured as shown in FIG. 8. The following description will be given using the information processing device 100 as an example. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 1000 that realizes the functions of the information processing device 100. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1300, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0103] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0104] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the network N.

[0105] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0106] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0107] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. The HDD 1400 also stores data in the storage unit 120. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may also obtain these programs from another device via the network N.

[0108] [8. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown.

[0109] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, the base station 20 may have each of the components of the information processing device 100. In this case, the base station 20 may execute various information processes executed by the information processing device 100.

[0111] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0112] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an estimation unit can be read as an estimation means or an estimation circuit.

[0113] 9. Effects As described above, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment includes the association information storage unit 121 (an example of a storage unit), the acquisition unit 131, and the estimation unit 133. The association information storage unit 121 stores association information in which location information of a first mobile device is associated with a first control message, which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the first mobile device and the base station 20. The acquisition unit 131 acquires a second control message, which is a control message between a second mobile device different from the first mobile device and the base station 20. The estimation unit 133 estimates location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the association information.

[0114] In this way, the information processing device 100 of the embodiment estimates the location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information, and can therefore estimate the location information of the second mobile device based on a specified control message.

[0115] In addition, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, as a first control message, a first measurement report which is a measurement report transmitted by a first mobile device to a base station 20, and, as a second control message, a second measurement report which is a measurement report transmitted by a second mobile device to a base station 20.

[0116] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to acquire the control message required to estimate the position information of the second mobile device.

[0117] In addition, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment further includes a generation unit 132 that generates linking information linking the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report based on the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report, and the linking information storage unit 121 stores the linking information generated by the generation unit 132.

[0118] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to suitably generate association information for estimating the position information of the second mobile body device.

[0119] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the generation unit 132 further generates a learning model trained to output the location information of the second mobile device by inputting a second measurement report based on the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report of the first mobile device, the linking information storage unit 121 further stores the learning model generated by the generation unit 132, and the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the second mobile device by inputting the second measurement report to the learning model.

[0120] As a result, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment estimates the location information of the second mobile device based on the learning model, and is therefore able to estimate the location information of the second mobile device based on a predetermined control message.

[0121] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the estimation unit 133 estimates, as the position information of the second mobile body device, position information detected by a predetermined sensor included in the second mobile body device.

[0122] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to estimate the position information detected by a predetermined sensor of the second mobile device based on the predetermined control message.

[0123] Furthermore, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the estimation unit 133 estimates, as the position information of the second mobile device, road position information indicated by the road on which the second mobile device is located.

[0124] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to estimate road position information of the second mobile device based on the predetermined control message.

[0125] In addition, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the estimation unit 133 further estimates the handover probability, which is the probability that the second mobile device will perform a handover to another base station 20 different from the base station 20, using the second control message and the linking information.

[0126] This allows the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment to estimate the handover probability of the second mobile device based on the predetermined control message.

[0127] In addition, in the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment, the acquisition unit 131 acquires a second control message from a second mobile device that performs wireless communication with another base station 20 different from the base station 20, and the estimation unit 133 estimates the location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

[0128] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can estimate the location information of the second mobile device that performs wireless communication with another base station based on the predetermined control message.

[0129] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0130] N Network 1 Information processing system 10, 11, 12 Automobile 20, 21, 22 Base station 30 External server 100 Information processing device 110 Communication unit 120 Storage unit 121 Linked information storage unit 122 Estimated position information storage unit 130 Control unit 131 Acquisition unit 132 Generation unit 133 Estimation unit 134 Provision unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a memory unit that stores linking information linking the location information of a first mobile device with a first control message, which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the first mobile device and a base station; an acquisition unit that acquires a second control message, which is the control message between a second mobile device different from the first mobile device and the base station; and an estimation unit that estimates the location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the first control message, a first measurement report which is a measurement report transmitted by the first mobile device to the base station, and, as the second control message, a second measurement report which is the measurement report transmitted by the second mobile device to the base station.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 2, further comprising a generation unit that generates linking information linking the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report based on the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report, and the memory unit stores the linking information generated by the generation unit.

4. The information processing device described in claim 3, wherein the generation unit further generates a learning model trained to output location information of the second mobile device by inputting the second measurement report based on the location information of the first mobile device and the first measurement report of the first mobile device; the memory unit further stores the learning model generated by the generation unit; and the estimation unit estimates the location information of the second mobile device by inputting the second measurement report to the learning model.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates, as the position information of the second mobile device, position information detected by a predetermined sensor possessed by the second mobile device.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates road position information indicated by a road on which the second mobile device is located as the position information of the second mobile device.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit further estimates a handover probability, which is the probability that the second mobile device will perform a handover to a base station other than the base station, using the second control message and the linking information.

8. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the second control message from the second mobile device that performs the wireless communication with another base station different from the base station, and the estimation unit estimates location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

9. An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a storage step of storing linking information linking location information of a first mobile device with a first control message, which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the first mobile device and a base station; an acquisition step of acquiring a second control message, which is the control message between a second mobile device different from the first mobile device and the base station; and an estimation step of estimating location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

10. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a storage procedure for storing linking information linking the location information of a first mobile device with a first control message, which is a control message used to maintain wireless communication between the first mobile device and a base station; an acquisition procedure for acquiring a second control message, which is a control message between a second mobile device different from the first mobile device and the base station; and an estimation procedure for estimating the location information of the second mobile device using the second control message and the linking information.

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