JP5569564B2 - Network system, network control method, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system, a network control method, and an information processing device, and more particularly, to a network system, a network control method, and an information processing device that are constructed by a vehicle or the like traveling on a backbone transportation network.

  In the information society, there is a need to collect a variety of information related to specific areas, build a database, and provide the information collected in such a database to specific customers who have contracted. Can be.

  For example, various information including the temperature (air temperature), humidity, noise level, CO2 concentration, exhaust gas (for example, nitrogen oxide NOx) concentration, photochemical smog, cedar pollen amount, traffic congestion, etc. And knowing in a timely manner is a concern for many people. For example, noise level and exhaust gas are important information for formulating urban traffic improvement measures. Pharmacy, etc., together with weather information, has a great influence on sales results, so we will investigate and collect various information that changes from time to time, build a database, and provide it to customers via communication means such as the Internet and mobile phones. A business model is established.

  In addition, monitoring targets such as people (for example, children and elderly people), animals (for example, pets such as dogs and cats), and objects (for example, bicycles) escape the monitoring of their supervisors or owners. It can be moved, escaped or lost. It is difficult to investigate such a monitoring target (a person, an animal or an object), and not only time and cost are required, but also an accident may be encountered. A system for notifying a management supervisor of the position of a monitoring target by providing (or attaching) a portable communication terminal having a position display function has been developed and put into practical use. However, the mobile communication terminal is relatively large and cannot be applied to all people and things, and does not function when the built-in battery is exhausted. Therefore, it has been proposed to monitor by attaching or embedding an IC tag using an ultra-small IC chip to a monitoring target. However, since the detection (or communication) area of the IC tag is relatively small, a detailed investigation or detection network is required to investigate or detect it.

  Prior art related to such technology is disclosed in several documents. The physical quantity inside and outside the vehicle is collected as primary data by multiple sensors mounted on the vehicle, and these collected data are classified and used as secondary data for handling after an accident at the vehicle and / or data utilization organization. An information providing system and an information providing method to be utilized are disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, a bus air conditioner that detects the outside air temperature with a temperature sensor attached to the bus and uses it for opening the door of the bus, operating the air-conditioning air, and the like is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-304699 A (page 4, FIG. 1) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-24245 (Page 2, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, the conventional technology as described above has the following problems to be solved. First, the area where information is collected is limited. Next, information collection in some areas is interrupted due to failure of vehicles used as information collection means, wireless communication devices (communication means) mounted on vehicles, or those vehicles being involved in traffic jams, etc. There was a possibility. Furthermore, when the information collection target is position positioning information, it has been limited to the use of GPS (Global Positioning System).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a network system, a network control method, and an information processing apparatus that can eliminate or reduce the above-described problems of the conventional technique.

The network system, the network control method, and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention employ the following characteristic configuration.
(1) A network having a wireless communication device and communicating with a plurality of mobile bodies that move on a trunk transportation network and the communication devices mounted on the plurality of mobile bodies selected from the plurality of mobile bodies A network system that changes an area to be covered in accordance with movement of the plurality of moving bodies.
(2) The network system according to (1), wherein when the center side device detects a trouble of the moving body, the network repairs the network by communicating with an alternative moving body that travels in the vicinity of the moving body where the trouble has occurred.
(3) The plurality of mobile units further include a sensor that collects information in the area, the communication device transmits information collected by the sensor to the center device, and the center device includes: The network system according to (1) or (2), wherein information collected by the sensor is stored.
(4) The network system according to (3), wherein the sensor is a detector of a wireless tag.
(5) The network system according to (3) or (4), wherein the communication device transmits a position where the information is collected together with the information collected by the sensor to the center side device.
(6) The center side device has a wireless communication device, and constructs a network by communicating with the communication device mounted on the selected plurality of moving bodies among the plurality of moving bodies moving on the backbone transportation network. And a network control method including a step of changing an area to be covered in accordance with movement of the plurality of moving bodies.
(7) The center side device further includes a step of repairing the network by communication with an alternative mobile body that travels in the vicinity of the mobile body in which the trouble has occurred when the center side device detects the trouble of the mobile body (6) Network control method.
(8) The center side device further includes a step of receiving, from the communication device, information in the area collected by the mobile body sensor, and a step of storing the information collected by the sensor (6). Or the network control method of (7).
(9) The network control method according to (8), wherein the sensor is a wireless tag detector.
(10) The network control method according to (8) or (9), wherein, in the receiving step, the center side device receives a position where the information is collected together with information collected by the sensor from the communication device.
(11) means for receiving data including information for specifying a mobile body, means for selecting data for specifying a plurality of mobile bodies for constructing a network from the plurality of received data, and the selected An information processing apparatus comprising: a network based on data; and a means for changing an area to be covered according to movement of the plurality of moving objects.
(12) The information according to (11), further comprising means for repairing the network based on data specifying an alternative moving body that travels in the vicinity of the moving body in which the trouble has occurred when a trouble of the moving body is detected. Processing equipment.
(13) The information processing apparatus according to (11) or (12), further including: means for receiving information in the area collected by the plurality of moving bodies using sensors; and means for storing the received information.
(14) The information processing apparatus according to (13), wherein the means for receiving the information in the area receives the information in the area collected by the plurality of moving bodies by the detector of the wireless tag.
(15) The information processing apparatus according to (13) or (14), wherein the means for receiving the information in the area receives the information collected by the sensor and the position where the information is collected.

  The network system, the network control method, and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention have the following practical specific effects. In other words, it moves within a certain area and networking (network construction) using a plurality of mobile bodies (for example, buses, taxis, etc.) each equipped with communication means and detection means (sensors). It is possible to construct a flexible network that covers an area that changes over time according to the movement of the body. In addition, it is possible to network by selecting different moving bodies (alternative moving bodies) according to the expansion, reduction, movement and other needs of the area. Furthermore, it is possible to select an alternative mobile body due to a trouble of a part of a plurality of mobile bodies selected for networking or movement out of a desired area.

  With the network system, the network control method, and the information processing apparatus as described above, it is possible to collect various information on a desired area in detail, accurately, and efficiently. In addition, it is possible to quickly investigate or detect a monitoring target attached with an IC tag in an area covered by such a flexible network system. Since the information collection and detection area is not fixed, it is possible to collect and detect information that cannot be dealt with in the fixed area.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the flexible network system by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the time change of the flexible network system shown in FIG. 1, (A) and (B) show the change of the area of the network by the some mobile body in a respectively different time. It is a figure explaining the partial switching of the some mobile body which comprises the flexible network system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the flexible network system by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the flexible network system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the center side process among the flowcharts of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows detailed operation | movement by the side of a vehicle with a radio equipment among the flowcharts of FIG.

  The configuration and operation of preferred embodiments of a network system, network control method, and information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a first embodiment of a flexible network system according to the present invention. The flexible network system 10A selects a plurality of buses 30a to 30m and taxis 32a to 32n such as a plurality of buses 30a to 30m and taxis 32a to 32n that move or travel on a backbone transportation network (roads, train tracks, etc.) 20 Networking center (center side device) 40. In FIG. 1, a relatively small number of mobile units are shown for convenience of drawing, but in actual networking, the center 40 can select a larger number of mobile units 30 and 32 to construct a network. is there.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, each of the mobile bodies 30 and 32 preferably includes a wireless communication device (communication means) having a position information acquisition function using GPS or the like and various sensors (detection means). . In addition, the center 40 classifies and stores a communication device that communicates with the wireless communication terminals mounted on the mobile bodies 30 and 32 described above and various information collected and transmitted by the mobile bodies 30 and 32 to store a database. Storage means for creating.

  In the flexible network system 10A shown in FIG. 1, the center 40 constructs a network that covers a desired area by limiting or appropriately selecting the above-described plurality of moving bodies 30 and 32 that travel on the backbone traffic network. For example, a network covering area A by selecting mobile bodies 30a and 32a to 32c, a network covering area B by selecting mobile bodies 30a-30b and 32c to 32e, or mobile bodies 30b-30m and 32d to 32n To construct a network covering area C. In other words, the center 40 can flexibly construct a network by limiting the plurality of mobile bodies 30 and 32 that travel on the backbone transportation network.

  According to the flexible network system 10A configured as described above, each mobile unit 30 and 32 that configures this network collects the information as described above at predetermined intervals by various sensors mounted thereon. The center 40 is notified via the wireless device. On the center 40 side receiving these information, the database is constructed by appropriately processing the information. Then, the updated database information is made available by the contractor accessing it through communication means such as the Internet or e-mail.

  In the flexible network system 10A described above, the areas A to C change from moment to moment as the limited moving bodies 30 and 32 move. The change or movement of the information collection area by the moving bodies 30 and 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows an area A1 covered by a network constructed by the mobile bodies 30a-30b and 32a-32b selected by the center 40 at a specific time T1.

  However, since the mobile bodies 30 and 32 can move on the trunk transportation network 20 as described above, the mobile bodies 30 and 32 are constructed by the same mobile bodies 30a-30b and 32a-32b at a time T2 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time T1 described above. The area covered by the network is area A2. Accordingly, even if there is a part that partially overlaps the above-described area A1, the area A2 is a different area and is flexible (not fixed).

  Next, further features of the flexible network system 10A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. When networking is performed by selecting a large number of mobile bodies 30 and 32, trouble occurs in the mobile bodies 30 and 32 constituting the network or a part of communication devices and information collecting sensors mounted on the mobile bodies 30 and 32, or the mobile body There is a possibility of moving outside the desired area for some reason. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a network covering the area A1 is constructed by the moving bodies 30a-30b and 32a-30b selected at a specific time T1. However, for example, when a trouble occurs in the moving body 30b, the range of the area A1 is limited, and information collection around the moving body 30b becomes impossible. Therefore, when the center 40 detects a trouble (for example, disconnection of communication) of the moving body 30b, the center 40b switches the moving body 30b to the alternative moving body 32c that travels in the vicinity. Thereby, a network covering substantially the same area A1 ′ as the above-described area A1 is obtained. That is, even if there is a problem or the like in a part of the mobile bodies 30 and 32 that constitute the network, the network can be immediately repaired and maintained.

  Next, a flexible network system 10B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, in this flexible network system 10B, similar reference numerals are used for the requirements corresponding to the configuration requirements of the flexible network system 10A of the first embodiment described above.

  This flexible network system 10 </ b> B is also composed of a plurality of moving bodies (for example, buses) 30 a to 30 b and (for example, taxis) 32 a to 32 f that travel on the main transportation network 20 and the center 40. Each of the mobile bodies 30 and 32 is equipped with, for example, detectors (sensors) of wireless tags (or IC tags) 50a to 50c together with communication devices having a position information collecting function such as GPS. Further, the center 40 has a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the communication devices of the mobile units 30 and 32 and a storage unit that records information (such as detection signals and position information) received from the mobile units 30 and 32.

  The detectors of the mobile bodies 30 and 32 described above have a function of detecting by communicating with an IC tag in a fixed service area 33 surrounding the detectors. By combining the service areas or detection areas 33 of the plurality of mobile bodies 30 and 32, the IC tags 50a to 50c in the area A substantially surrounded by a dotted line as a whole can be searched or searched and detected.

  In a specific application example of the present invention, the school children in the area A can be monitored using the flexible network system 10B by providing the school children with the above-described IC tags (or wireless tags) 50a to 50c. . In the example of FIG. 4, the IC tags 50a to 50c indicated by asterisks (*) are in the service area 33 of the mobile bodies 32c, 32d, and 32e, respectively, and can be detected by these mobile bodies. Then, the detected IC tags 50a to 50c are notified to the center 40 by the wireless communication device mounted on each moving body together with the position information thereof.

  These IC tags 50 do not necessarily have to be held by people such as school children, and can be attached to animals (pets such as dogs and cats) and bicycles. When a person or object to which the IC tag 50 is attached is lost or lost, it is possible to investigate using the flexible network system 10B. In addition, since the area A of the flexible network system 10B changes from moment to moment as the moving bodies 30 and 32 move, it can be monitored or tracked by changing the investigation range of the IC tag 50.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7, the operations (information collection operation and IC tag monitoring) of the flexible networks 10A and 10B according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. / Tracking operation) will be described.

  First, a description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The left side of FIG. 4 shows the processing on the center 40 side, and the right side shows the operation of the mobile bodies 30 and 32 that are vehicles equipped with communication devices and various information collecting sensors.

  On the center 40 side, the position information is received by communicating with the communication devices mounted on the mobile bodies (or vehicles) 30 and 32 constituting the network, and the position of the information transmission vehicle is specified (step A1). ). Next, a network is configured by limiting or selecting a desired plurality of vehicles (moving bodies) 30 and 32 (step A2). Thereafter, information is collected by receiving information from the vehicle selected for the network configuration (step A3).

  On the other hand, on the vehicle (moving body) 30 and 32 side selected for the network configuration, information collection by various sensors mounted on the vehicle (step B1) or information collection by a wireless device or detection means wirelessly communicating with the IC tag 50 (Step B2) is performed. The position information to be added to the information collected in step B1 or B2 is measured (step B3). Further, a time stamp indicating the information collection time is added (step B4). Finally, position information and time information (time stamp) are added to the information collected by the vehicles (moving bodies) 30 and 32 and transmitted to the center 40 by the communication device (step B5).

  Next, the detailed operation of the center side processing in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C respectively show details of an information transmission vehicle position specifying operation, a network configuration operation, and an information collecting operation.

  6A includes the reception of each vehicle position information (step C1), a position information map (step C2), and information provision (step C3). Here, the position information map displays the position of each vehicle based on position information included in information received from a plurality of vehicles, for example, together with map information including a backbone transportation network on a display panel, thereby forming a network. A plurality of vehicles or moving bodies 30 and 32 are limited or selected. Here, the optimal number of vehicles to be selected is selected in consideration of the speed of signal processing, the reliability of collected information, and the information collection area (range or area).

  Next, the network configuration process of FIG. 6B includes the reception of the location information map (step C4), the construction of the latest network (NW) (step C5), and the provision of the NW configuration (step C6). . Here, the construction of the latest NW is a process of changing the network area from time to time according to the required needs.

  Next, the information collection processing in FIG. 6C includes reception of the NW configuration (step C7) and processing for associating the NW with information (step C8). By the process of associating the NW with information, it is possible to organize the information obtained from which position in the network and store it in the storage means.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of processing on the wireless device-equipped vehicle (moving body) 30 and 32 side in FIG. FIG. 7A shows processing operations of various sensors for collecting information mounted on the vehicle, and FIG. 7B shows information collection by a wireless device that is a detection unit mounted on the vehicle and wirelessly communicates with an IC tag. Processing operation is shown.

  In the information collecting operation by the on-vehicle equipment in FIG. 7A, information is collected from the on-board equipment (step D1), a time stamp is added (step D2), data is totaled and recorded (step D3), and information is provided. (Step D4). In addition, the information collection operation by the wireless device includes an in-area wireless tag (or IC tag) search (step D5), wireless tag position information collection (step D6), time stamp assignment (step D7), and information provision (step D5). D8). Such information provision includes not only display on a display panel such as a monitor but also information provision by communication means such as the Internet and electronic mail.

  The preferred embodiments of the network system, the network control method, and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention have been described in detail above. However, it should be noted that such embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made in accordance with a specific application without departing from the gist and spirit of the present invention.

  By applying the present invention to, for example, an urban area of a city, the present invention can be used in many fields such as collection of various information necessary for city planning (construction, modification and improvement of various facilities) and safety management of school roads. is there.

10A, 10B Flexible network system 20 Basic transportation network 30 Mobile body (bus)
32 Mobile (Taxi)
40 Center side equipment 50 Wireless tag (IC tag)

Claims (12)

A plurality of moving bodies having wireless communication devices and moving on a backbone transportation network;
Of the plurality of mobile units, comprising a center side device that constructs a network by communication with the communication device mounted on the selected plurality of mobile units,
The center-side device changes an area to be covered according to the movement of the plurality of moving bodies, and detects a trouble of the moving body. A network system for repairing the network by communication . The plurality of moving bodies further include a sensor that collects information in the area,
The communication device transmits information collected by the sensor to the center side device,
The center side device, network system according to claim 1 for storing information the sensor is collected. The sensor is a wireless tag detector.
The network system according to claim 2 . The network system according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the communication device transmits the position where the information is collected together with the information collected by the sensor to the center device. Center side equipment
A step of constructing a network by communication with the communication devices mounted on the plurality of selected mobile bodies among the plurality of mobile bodies having a wireless communication device and moving on the backbone traffic network;
Changing an area to be covered according to movement of the plurality of moving bodies ;
A network control method comprising: a step of repairing the network by communication with an alternative mobile body that travels in the vicinity of the mobile body in which the trouble has occurred when a trouble of the mobile body is detected . The center side device is
Receiving the information in the area collected by the mobile sensor from the communication device;
The network control method according to claim 5 , further comprising: storing information collected by the sensor. The sensor is a wireless tag detector.
The network control method according to claim 6 . In the receiving step,
The network control method according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the center side device receives the position where the information is collected together with the information collected by the sensor from the communication device. Means for receiving data containing information identifying a mobile;
Means for selecting, from the plurality of received data, data specifying a plurality of the moving bodies for constructing a network;
Means for constructing a network based on the selected data and changing an area to be covered according to movement of the plurality of moving objects ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: means for repairing the network based on data specifying an alternative moving body that travels in the vicinity of the moving body in which the trouble has occurred when a trouble of the moving body is detected . Means for receiving information in the area collected by sensors by the plurality of moving bodies;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising: means for storing the received information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the means for receiving the information in the area receives the information in the area collected by the plurality of moving bodies by a detector of a wireless tag. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the means for receiving information in the area receives a position where the information is collected together with information collected by the sensor.

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