JP2022035198A - Moving vehicle, communication system, communication control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system which enables a moving vehicle to obtain an appropriate processing response even during movement across regions when an information processing apparatus which communicates information with the moving vehicle is provided in each of the regions.SOLUTION: Geographic positions of a plurality of regions are set such that adjacent parts adjacent to each other in a direction along a movement path of a moving vehicle overlap each other. When the moving vehicle is located in an area where adjacent parts of regions overlap each other, a communication device of the moving vehicle communicates information which is objects of the same information processing, with a plurality of information processing apparatuses corresponding to the regions where the adjacent parts overlap each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to communication between a communication device of a mobile body such as a vehicle and an information processing device via a mobile communication network.

Conventionally, in the automatic operation of a vehicle which is a moving body moving on a road, a configuration in which an in-vehicle device (communication device) mounted on the vehicle and a server communicate with each other via a base station of a mobile communication network (cellular network) is known. ing. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a server that performs map matching processing on GPS information uploaded from a vehicle. Further, in Non-Patent Document 2, the in-vehicle device of each vehicle is in-vehicle such as the current position and vehicle speed acquired by the sensor of the in-vehicle device via the base station of the LTE or 5G mobile communication network (cellular network). Communication systems such as V2N (Vehicle-to-Network) that upload sensor information (vehicle information) to a server that performs MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) at any time, and download in-vehicle sensor information of other vehicles from the server. (See Non-Patent Document 1).

Takashi Miura, Yui Noma, "Map matching processing using similar search", [online], DEIM Forum 2016 D8-6, [Search on July 30, 2020], Internet <URL: https: // db-event. jpn.org/deim2016/papers/359.pdf ＞ 5GAA (Automotive Association) _T-170219-White Paper, "Towerd full connected vegetables: Edge computing for advanced automobile" Internet 20th month, 20th month, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year, 20th year : Http://5gaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/5GAA_T-170219-whitepaper-EdgeComputing_5GAA.pdf ＞

In the above-mentioned conventional communication system, the server (information processing device) often handles the GNSS information (location information) of the vehicle. A server is set up for each region corresponding to each of a plurality of regions preset so as to include a vehicle road (movement route), and each server distributes GNSS information of vehicles existing in the corresponding region. Therefore, the delay in the processing response of the server can be reduced.

However, if a server is provided for each region, when a vehicle moves across regions, the server that processes it changes depending on the position of the vehicle, and it is not possible to guarantee the continuity of common information processing on each server. There is a problem (first problem) that an appropriate processing response may not be obtained from the server not only for the vehicle concerned but also for the vehicles in the vicinity thereof.

In addition, when a server is provided for each region, when the vehicle moves across the region, it is possible to know the connection address information (for example, IP address) of the server for accessing the server corresponding to the region after the movement. There is a problem (second problem) that it cannot be done.

The communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention corresponding to the first problem includes an information processing device for communicating information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and the movement It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the body. In this communication system, the geographical positions of the plurality of regions are set so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in a direction along the movement path, and the communication device of the mobile body is an adjacent portion of the region. When the moving body is located in the area where the two are overlapped, information communication that is the target of the same information processing is performed between a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to a plurality of areas where the adjacent portions are overlapped. conduct.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention corresponding to the first problem is a communication device provided for a moving body moving on a moving path. This communication device corresponds to each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the travel route, including the travel route of the mobile body. It is provided with an information communication means for communicating information with an information processing device provided for each via a mobile communication network. When the moving body is located in a region where adjacent portions of the regions are overlapped, the information communication means has the same information with a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to the plurality of regions where the adjacent portions are overlapped. Communicates information that is the target of processing.

The communication method according to the third aspect of the present invention corresponding to the first problem is a plurality of communication devices having a mobile body and a plurality of geographical positions preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. This is a communication method for communicating via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each region corresponding to each region. In this communication method, the geographical positions of the plurality of areas are set so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement route, and the communication method is described in the area where the adjacent portions of the regions are overlapped. When the moving body is located, information that is the target of the same information processing is communicated between a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to a plurality of areas in which the adjacent portions are overlapped and the communication device. ,including.

The program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the first problem is a program executed by a computer or a processor provided in a communication device provided for a moving body moving along a moving path. This program corresponds to each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement route, including the movement route of the moving body. When the moving body is located in an area where an adjacent portion of the area is overlapped with a program code for communicating information with an information processing device provided in the area via a mobile communication network. It has a program code for communicating information that is the target of the same information processing with a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to a plurality of areas in which adjacent portions are overlapped.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, at least one of the average speed of the moving body, the link of the moving path, the attributes of the moving body, and the type of information processing performed by the information processing device. Based on this, the length of the area where the adjacent portions of the area overlap may be changed.

In the communication system and the communication device, the mobile communication device includes a virtual network connection means logically defined on the mobile communication network and connected to a plurality of virtual networks constructed for each region. When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross multiple areas, the address information acquisition request is sent to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area. An information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area may be provided from the individual DNS.

In the communication system and the communication device, the mobile communication device includes a virtual network connection means logically defined on the mobile communication network and connected to a plurality of virtual networks constructed for each region. When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected to the plurality of address information acquisition requests including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network. It may be provided with an information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DSN by transmitting to a DNS common to the virtual network.

The communication system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem includes an information processing device that communicates information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and the movement It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the body. In this communication system, the mobile communication device is a virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and is connected to a plurality of virtual networks constructed for each region, and the movement of the mobile. When it is expected to cross multiple areas, the individual DNS can connect to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area and send an address information acquisition request to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network. The information acquisition means for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area is provided.

The communication device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a communication device provided for a moving body moving on a moving path. This communication device communicates with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. An information communication means for communicating information via a network, a virtual network connection means for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and the mobile body. When it is expected that the movement will cross multiple areas, the individual DSN is connected to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area and an address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DSN provided for each virtual network. The information acquisition means for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area is provided.

The communication method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a plurality of communication devices having a mobile body and a plurality of geographical positions preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. This is a communication method for communicating via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each region corresponding to each region. This communication method is to construct a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network for each area, and the communication device of the mobile body straddles a plurality of areas by the movement of the mobile body. If it is expected, by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area and transmitting the address information acquisition request to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network, the destination area is transmitted from the individual DNS. Acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the above.

The program according to the eighth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a program executed by a computer or a processor provided in a communication device provided for a moving body moving along a moving path. This program is a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. A program code for communicating information via the mobile communication network, a program code for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and the mobile body. When it is expected that the movement will cross multiple areas, the individual DSN is connected to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area and an address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DSN provided for each virtual network. It has a program code for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area.

The communication system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem includes an information processing device that communicates information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and the movement It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the body. In this communication system, the mobile communication device is a virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and is connected to a plurality of virtual networks constructed for each region, and the movement of the mobile. When it is expected to cross a plurality of regions, the virtual network corresponding to the destination region is connected, and the address information acquisition request including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network is common to the plurality of virtual networks. It is provided with an information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DSN by transmitting to the DSN.

The communication device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a communication device provided for a moving body moving on a moving path. This communication device communicates with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. An information communication means for communicating information via a network, a virtual network connection means for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and the mobile body. When it is expected that the movement will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and an address information acquisition request including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network is sent to the plurality of virtual networks. An information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DSN by transmitting to a common DSN is provided.

The communication method according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a plurality of communication devices having a mobile body and a plurality of geographical positions preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. This is a communication method for communicating via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each region corresponding to each region. This communication method is to construct a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network for each area, and the communication device of the mobile body straddles a plurality of areas by the movement of the mobile body. If it is expected, connect to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area, and send the address information acquisition request including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network to the DSN common to the plurality of virtual networks. This includes acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DNS.

The program according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention corresponding to the second problem is a program executed by a computer or a processor provided in a communication device provided for a moving body moving along a moving path. This program is a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. A program code for communicating information via the mobile communication network, a program code for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and the mobile body. When it is expected that the movement will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and an address information acquisition request including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network is sent to the plurality of virtual networks. It has a program code for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DSN by transmitting to a common DSN.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, the virtual network may be a network slice that establishes and communicates with a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session with the mobile communication device. good.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, the virtual network is a network slice that establishes and communicates with a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session with the mobile communication device. The client information of the communication device in the virtual network may be the extended DNS client subnet IP address information in the IP subnet of the PDU session allocated to the communication device in the virtual network.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, the tracking areas of the first base station and the second base station corresponding to the portions other than the overlapped areas of the plurality of regions, and the overlap. The tracking areas of the third base stations corresponding to the above areas are set so as to be different from each other, and among the plurality of virtual networks, the first virtual network is the base station of the first tracking area and the third. The second virtual network may be constructed by the base station of the tracking area of the above, and the second virtual network may be constructed by the base station of the second tracking area and the base station of the third tracking area.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, the information processing performed by the information processing device may be a process of specifying the current position of the moving body on a map.

In the communication system, the communication device, the communication method, and the program, the moving body is a vehicle moving on the ground, and information communicated between the moving body and the information processing device is automatically obtained by the vehicle. Information on the current position and speed of the vehicle used for driving control may be included.

The moving body according to still another aspect of the present invention is a moving body that moves on a moving path, and includes any of the above-mentioned communication devices.

In the communication system, the communication device, the moving body, and the program, the moving body may be a moving body moving on the ground, in the ground, in the air, on the water, or in the water, and the information of the moving body is. Information on the current position and speed of the moving body used for controlling the automatic operation of the moving body may be included. Further, the moving body may be a vehicle moving on the ground, and the information on the moving body may include information on the current position and speed of the vehicle used for controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle.

According to the present invention, when an information processing device for communicating information with a mobile body is provided for each area, the mobile body obtains an appropriate processing response even when the mobile body moves across the area. Can be done.
Further, according to the present invention, when an information processing device for communicating information with a moving body is provided for each area, the moving body that has moved across the areas has information processing corresponding to the area after the movement. It is possible to know the connection address information of the information processing device for accessing the device.

Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the whole structure of the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of variable control of an overlapping region between a plurality of regions in the communication system according to the present embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a network slice configuration in the communication system according to the present embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing another example of a network slice configuration in the communication system according to the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the main function of the MEC server which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the main function of the communication device of the vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the control of the information communication with the MEC server in the communication device of the moving vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the control of the acquisition of the IP address of the MEC server corresponding to the destination area in the communication device of the moving vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the other example of the control of the acquisition of the IP address of the MEC server corresponding to the destination area in the communication device of the moving vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between a region, a network slice, and a tracking area in the communication system according to the present embodiment. (A) and (b) are explanatory views showing an example of the procedure of detecting the change of the tracking area in the communication system of FIG. 10 and forming a PDU session with the network slice of the destination area B.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment. In the communication system of the present embodiment, each of the vehicles 30 as a plurality of moving bodies traveling on the lanes 91 and 92 of the road 90 as a moving route is provided with an in-vehicle device including a communication device, and is provided with a mobile communication network (cellular). Information on other vehicles in the vicinity (for example, from the servers 10A and 10B as information processing devices provided for each area 800A and 800B via the base station 160 constituting the radio access network (RAN) 16 of the network). It has an automatic operation function that controls operation by acquiring information on the current position and speed).

Areas 800A and 800B as a plurality of managed areas are areas whose geographical positions are set so as to include the road 90 on which the vehicle 30 moves, respectively. Regions 800A and 800B may be defined to have a two-dimensional outer edge shape (eg, quadrangle, hexagon) or may be defined to have a three-dimensional outer edge shape (eg, cube, rectangular parallelepiped). It may be defined to have any other outer edge shape. The geographical position of the areas 800A and 800B can be set by the latitude and longitude (or latitude, longitude and altitude) at which the position information can be acquired by GNSS or the like.

Table 1 is an example of setting an area as a plurality of managed areas stored as an area setting table in the database of the in-vehicle device or the server of the vehicle 30. This example is an example of a quadrangle defined so that the outer edge shape of a plurality of regions extends along the road 90 and surrounds one or more road sections (road links), and the geographical position of each region. Is set by the latitude and longitude of the diagonal points 1 and 2 of the rectangular area.

Table 2 is another setting example of the area as a plurality of management target areas stored as the area setting table in the database of the in-vehicle device or the server of the vehicle 30. In particular, in this example, the identifier (s-NSSAI: Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) as a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, or , Sub-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) is further set. In the network slice (NS), the communication device as a terminal of the present embodiment can be connected to a different virtual network for each s-NSSAI, and can have a different terminal IP address for each virtual network.

In the case of an area having an arbitrary outer edge shape, the outer edge shape of a plurality of areas is defined by three or more line segments so as to extend along the road 90 and surround one or a plurality of road sections (road links). You may. The geographical position of the connection point of each line segment can be set by the latitude and longitude (or latitude, longitude and altitude) such as GNSS.

The regional setting tables such as Tables 1 and 2 may be created by the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 30 and stored in the database in the own device, or may be created by the server 10 and stored in the database of the vehicle 30. The in-vehicle device (communication device) may be downloaded and stored in the database in the own device.

The area setting table can be created, for example, based on the node position data at both ends of one or more road sections (road links) included in the map data. Both ends of each road section (road link) are nodes where intersections and connection points with other roads are located.

In the example of FIG. 1, the case where two areas 800A and 800B are adjacent to each other is shown, but in the present invention, three or more areas as managed areas are continuously adjacent to each other along the road 90. It can also be applied to cases.

Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the case where six vehicles 30 having an automatic driving function are running is shown, but the number of vehicles 30 having an automatic driving function may be one to five, or seven. It may be more than one. Further, although the case where the vehicle 30 has an automatic driving function is described in the present embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a moving body such as a vehicle 30 which does not have the automatic driving function.

The vehicle 30 is, for example, an automobile, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, or the like traveling on a road 90, which is a movement route on the ground. The moving body to which the present invention can be applied may be a moving body such as a vehicle 30 on the ground or a moving body that can fly and move in a moving path over a predetermined altitude. In addition, the moving body moves an underground moving body that moves in an underground movement path, a water moving body such as a ship that can move in a moving path on water (for example, at sea), or a moving body in water (for example, underwater). It may be an underwater moving object such as a diving robot.

In FIG. 1, the communication system of the present embodiment includes servers 10A and 10B as a plurality of information processing devices so as to correspond to each of the plurality of regions 800A and 800B. The servers 10A and 10B receive vehicle information (moving body information) of each vehicle 30 uploaded at a predetermined cycle, for example, from a plurality of vehicles 30 traveling on the road 90 in the areas 800A and 800B, respectively. Further, the servers 10A and 10B provide information on other vehicles in the vicinity (for example, information on the current position and speed) to each of the plurality of vehicles 30 traveling on the road 90 in the areas 800A and 800B, respectively. For example, it is transmitted at a predetermined cycle.

The vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle identification information (vehicle identification information) and vehicle-mounted sensor information. The in-vehicle sensor information includes in-vehicle sensor information such as information on the current position of the vehicle 30 acquired by receiving radio waves from the GNSS satellite by the GNSS receiver and information on the speed of the vehicle 30 acquired by the speed sensor. The vehicle information may include control information for remote control such as automatic driving of the vehicle 30.

Further, the server 10 has, for example, a vehicle database that stores vehicle management data (moving object management data) in which vehicle identification information of each vehicle 30, current position information, and speed information are associated with each other, and a map including road 90 information. Have data. The map data may include the data of the regional setting table.

The servers 10A and 10B of the present embodiment are MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) devices capable of performing various data processing transmitted and received via the base station 160 to and from the communication device of the vehicle 30, for example. Each of the servers 10A and 10B consisting of MEC devices (hereinafter, also referred to as "MEC servers") distributes the processing load of information transmitted and received between a large number of vehicles 30 and reduces the delay in the processing response of the server. It is provided for each area corresponding to the areas 800A and 800B so that the information processing can be performed and the transmission delay of communication can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the MEC servers 10A and 10B are provided in the core network 15 of the mobile communication network, but the MEC servers 10A and 10B are provided for each base station 160 of the wireless access network (RAN) 16 in the mobile communication network. It may be provided by connecting to the base station 160, or may be provided at a node between the base station 160 and the core network 15.

The MEC servers 10A and 10B may have a function of a remote control device that transmits control information to each vehicle 30 and remotely controls automatic driving and the like of each vehicle 30. Further, the MEC servers 10A and 10B may have a function of a map server that manages map information including information about the road such as the position, shape, width, lanes 91, 92, and signal installation position of the road 90. In addition, the MEC servers 10A and 10B process in-vehicle camera images and large-capacity information of various in-vehicle sensors such as LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) and RADAR (Radar Detection And Ranging) from each vehicle 30 and contribute to the control of each vehicle. It may have a function.

The base station 160 forms one or more cells (also referred to as sectors or sector cells). The cell may be formed two-dimensionally on the ground or the sea, or may be formed three-dimensionally from the sky toward the ground or the sea. The cell may be a macro cell, a small cell, a femto cell, a pico cell, a large cell, or the like. The plurality of cells may form a cellular structure that is distributed so as to be two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally adjacent to each other, or may form a hierarchical cell structure in which some or all of them are hierarchically overlapped. .. The base station 160 is a macrocell base station, a small cell base station, a femtocell base station, a picocell base station, a large cell base station, a fixed base station fixedly installed on the ground, etc. It may be a type base station or the like. The base station 160 may be a wireless communication device called an eNodeB (evolved Node B: eNB), gNodeB (gNB), en-NodeB (en-gNB), access point, or the like. Communication between the vehicle 30 and the base station 160 may be performed via a roadside communication relay device RSU (Road Side Unit) provided around the road 90.

The communication device of the vehicle 30 includes a user device (hereinafter referred to as "UE") that constitutes a network communication unit that can be used as a subscriber of the mobile communication service. The UE may be a wireless communication device called a user terminal, a terminal, a terminal device, a mobile station, a mobile device, or the like. Each UE of the vehicle 30 may be a device used in a state of being carried by a user in each vehicle, or a device installed in each vehicle (for example, a device incorporated as a part of a navigation device). You may.

Further, the communication device of the vehicle 30 has a function of directly performing wireless communication (vehicle-to-vehicle communication) with other vehicles in the vicinity. For vehicle-to-vehicle communication, for example, radio waves such as microwaves and millimeter waves are used. The frequency of vehicle-to-vehicle communication may be, for example, several hundred MHz lower than 1 GHz, or may be a high frequency band of 1 GHz or higher. The frequency of vehicle-to-vehicle communication is 700 MHz band (715 MHz to 725 MHz) or 5.8 GHz band (5770 MHz to 5850 MHz) or LTE-used in ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and CACC (Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control). It may be the 5.9 GHz band (5850 MHz to 5925 MHz) used in PC-5), the frequency used in NR-V2X Sidelink (PC-5), and the like. Further, a plurality of antennas having a predetermined beam width may be provided for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. For example, the vehicle 30 has a directional antenna for vehicle-to-vehicle communication with a vehicle in front, a directional antenna for vehicle-vehicle communication with a rear vehicle, and a directional antenna for vehicle-vehicle communication with a vehicle on the right side. And a directional antenna for inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle on the left side may be provided. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication may be performed via the roadside communication relay device RSU provided around the road 90.

In the communication system of the present embodiment, when the MEC servers 10A and 10B are provided for each region corresponding to a plurality of regions 800A and 800B, when the vehicle 30 moves across the regions 800A and 800B, the position of the vehicle 30 Depending on the MEC server to be processed, the continuity of common information processing (for example, vehicle mapping processing) on each MEC server 10A and 10B cannot be guaranteed, and not only the vehicle 30 but also the surrounding vehicles 30 can be used. Very, there is a possibility that an appropriate processing response (for example, a response of vehicle mapping processing) cannot be obtained from the MEC servers 10A and 10B.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the geographical positions of the plurality of areas 800A and 800B are respectively adjacent to each other in the direction along the road 90 by a predetermined distance (for example, several hundred meters). ) Is set to overlap. When the vehicle 30 is located in the overlapping region (cross-hatching region in FIG. 1) 800X in which the adjacent portions of the regions 800A and 800B are overlapped, the communication device of the vehicle 30 has a plurality of regions in which the adjacent portions are overlapped. Information that is the target of the same information processing is communicated with a plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B corresponding to 800A and 800B. In this way, the vehicle 30 communicates information that is the target of the same information processing with the MEC servers 10A and 10B corresponding to the plurality of areas 800A and 800B before and after the movement in the overlapping area 800X, so that the vehicle 30 is in the area 800A. The information processing can be continued without interruption when exiting from, and the vehicle 30 can obtain an appropriate processing response from the MEC server corresponding to the area after the movement for the information processing.

The length of the overlapping region 800X is the average speed of the vehicle 30, the road link of the road 90 (the direction and length of the road section which is the basic unit of the road in the map data), and the attributes of the moving body (for example, the vehicle, etc.). It may be changed based on at least one of the type of moving object such as a pedestrian) and the type of information processing performed by the MEC servers 10A and 10B (for example, the time interval of processing response). By changing the length of the overlapping area 800X, the load increase due to the communication of information between the vehicle 30 and the plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B in the overlapping area 800X is suppressed, and the MEC server corresponding to the area after the movement is used. An appropriate processing response can be obtained.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of variable control of the overlapping region 800X between a plurality of regions 800A and 800B in the communication system according to the present embodiment. The area 800X'shown by the broken line in the figure is the overlapped area before the change.

In FIG. 2, when the vehicle 30 traveling in the upper lane of the road 90 approaches the overlapping region _800X at an average speed V1 _avg , the destination area is the distance DB set according to the average speed V1 _avg . The left end of the 800B is moved to the left so that the overlapping area 800X is expanded to the left in the figure. The distance DB that extends the area _800B is a function of the average speed V1 _avg of the vehicle 30, and its calculation formula is expressed by _{DB = f (V1 avg )} .

On the other hand, in FIG. 2, when the vehicle 30 traveling in the lower lane of the road 90 approaches the overlapping region 800X at an average speed V2 _avg , it moves by a distance _DA set according to the average speed V2 _avg . The right end of the previous area 800A is moved to the right so that the overlapping area 800X is expanded to the right side in the figure. The distance _DA that extends the area 800A is a function of the average speed V2 _avg of the vehicle 30, and the calculation formula is expressed by _DA = f (V2 _avg ).

According to the example of FIG. 2, regardless of the average speed of the vehicle 30 traveling on the road 90, the load increase due to the communication of information between the vehicle 30 and the plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B in the overlapping region 800X is suppressed. At the same time, an appropriate processing response can be obtained from the MEC server corresponding to the area after the movement.

Further, the length of the overlapping region 800X may be changed based on the road link (direction and length of the road section in the map data) of the road 90 on which the vehicle 30 is traveling. For example, when the change in the direction of the road section, which is the basic unit of the target road 90 in the map data, is larger than the predetermined angle, or the length of the road section is shorter than the predetermined threshold, there are many intersections and intersections with other roads. In this case, since it is assumed that the time interval of the processing response is short, the overlapping region 800X is shortened. On the other hand, when the change in the direction of the road section is less than a predetermined angle, or when the length of the road section is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, it is assumed that the processing response reception interval is long, so that the overlapping region 800X is lengthened. do. In this case, regardless of the condition of the road link (direction and length of the road section in the map data) of the road 90 on which the vehicle 30 is traveling, between the vehicle 30 and the plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B in the overlapping area 800X. It is possible to obtain an appropriate processing response from the MEC server corresponding to the area after the movement while suppressing the load increase due to the communication of the information.

Further, the length of the overlapping area 800X may be changed based on the attributes of the mobile body that communicates information with the MEC servers 10A and 10B. For example, the overlapping region 800X is lengthened when the moving body communicating information with the MEC servers 10A and 10B is a vehicle moving at a speed larger than a predetermined threshold, and the pedestrian moving at a speed less than the predetermined threshold. In the case of, it may be shortened. In this case, regardless of the type of mobile body that communicates information with the MEC server, the vehicle moves while suppressing the load increase due to information communication between the vehicle 30 and the plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B in the overlapping area 800X. An appropriate processing response can be obtained from the MEC server corresponding to the later region.

Further, the length of the overlapping region 800X may be changed based on the type of information processing performed by the MEC servers 10A and 10B. For example, the overlap region 800X is shortened when the information processing performed by the MEC servers 10A and 10B is information processing in which the time interval of the processing response is shorter than the predetermined threshold value, and the information processing in which the time interval of the processing response is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value. In the case of, it may be lengthened. In this case, regardless of the type of information processing (time interval of processing response) performed by the MEC servers 10A and 10B, the load increase due to the communication of information between the vehicle 30 and the plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B in the overlapping area 800X. It is possible to obtain an appropriate processing response from the MEC server corresponding to the area after the movement while suppressing the movement.

Further, in the communication system of the present embodiment, when the vehicle 30 moves across the areas 800A and 800B, the IP address as the connection address information of the MEC server for accessing the MEC server corresponding to the moved area is used. I need to know. The IP addresses of the MEC servers corresponding to each region are different from each other, but the domain name of the server application on the MEC server is common.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, as a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network, which correspond to each of the plurality of regions 800A and 800B, they are different from each other. Network slices 150A and 150B are constructed for each region. When the vehicle 30 is expected to straddle a plurality of areas 800A and 800B due to the movement of the vehicle 30, the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 is connected to the network slice 150B corresponding to the destination area 800B. The IP address (IP_MEC B) as the connection address information of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area is acquired.

For example, in the example of FIG. 3, when the vehicle 30 is expected to straddle a plurality of regions 800A and 800B, the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 is connected to the network slice 150B at the destination and the network slice 150B thereof. When establishing a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session with UPF (User Plane Connection) 18B, which is a node that transfers user data packets, the individual DNS server 17B provided in the destination network slice 150B is used. An address information acquisition request for the domain name of the server application on the MEC server is transmitted (DNS Query), and the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area 800B is acquired from the individual DSN server 17B.

Further, for example, in the example of FIG. 4, when the vehicle 30 is expected to straddle a plurality of areas 800A and 800B, the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 is connected to the network slice 150B of the destination and is connected to the UPF18B. When establishing a PDU session between the networks, an address information acquisition request including client information of the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 in the network slice 150B is transmitted to the DSN server 17 common to the plurality of network slices 150A and 150B. By doing so, the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area 800A is acquired from the common DNS server 17. In the common DSN server 17, information on the subnet of the terminal IP address assigned in each network slice and information on the IP addresses of the MEC servers 10A and 10B are stored in association with each other.

Here, the client information of the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 is, for example, the extended DNS client subnet in the IP subnet of the PDU session allocated to the in-vehicle device (communication device) in the network slice 150B of the destination. EDNS Client Subnet) IP address. The extended DNS client subnet can transmit the client information of the inquiry source to the DNS server. In advance, the DNS server is associated with the IP subnet information that each network slice issues to the client. As a result, when the DNS server receives an address information acquisition request for the domain name of the server application on the MEC server from the client in the extended DSN client subnet, the DNS server knows which region (network slice) the client belongs to. Therefore, the IP address of an appropriate MEC server can be notified to the client.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the in-vehicle device (communication device) of the vehicle 30 acquires the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area 800A by connecting to the destination network slice 150B. can do. The in-vehicle device can connect to the MEC server suitable for each region only by transmitting the DNS query with the domain name of the server application on the MEC server as before.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functions of the MEC server 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the server 10 includes an information transmission / reception unit 100, a storage unit 110, an information processing unit 120, and a control unit 130. The information transmission / reception unit 100 has a function of communicating with communication devices of a plurality of vehicles 30 located in the corresponding area via the base station 160. Further, the information transmission / reception unit 100 may start downloading information to the communication device of the vehicle 30 based on an instruction output by the information processing unit 120 or the control unit 130 based on the occurrence of some event.

The storage unit 110 stores map data of the area corresponding to the MEC server, vehicle identification information of a plurality of vehicles 30 located in the area, vehicle management data in which information on the current position and speed information are associated with each other. It has the function of a vehicle database as a means. Further, the storage unit 110 may store the regional setting tables such as Table 1 and Table 2 described above. Further, the storage unit 110 may further store the setting information of the cycle Td for downloading the vehicle information.

The information processing unit 120 performs map matching processing for specifying the position of each vehicle 30 on the map of the area based on the information received from the plurality of vehicles 30 located in the area corresponding to the MEC server. The result of the map matching process is transmitted to all or a part of the plurality of vehicles 30 located in the corresponding area.

The control unit 130 reads and executes a predetermined control program to control each unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a main function of the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the communication device 300 includes a first wireless communication unit 301, a second wireless communication unit 302, a storage unit 303, a vehicle information acquisition unit 304, and a control unit 305. The second wireless communication unit 302 is not essential in this embodiment.

The first wireless communication unit 301 can perform cellular network communication that communicates with the MEC servers 10A and 10B via the mobile communication base station 160. The second wireless communication unit 302 can perform direct wireless communication such as PC-5 communication with other vehicles in the vicinity. The second radio communication unit 302 may perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication with other vehicles in the vicinity via the roadside communication relay device RSU provided around the road 90.

The storage unit 303 stores the vehicle information of other vehicles downloaded from the MEC servers 10A and 10B, and the vehicle information of the own vehicle uploaded to the MEC servers 10A and 10B. The storage unit 303 further stores the regional setting tables such as Table 1 and Table 2 described above. Further, the storage unit 303 may further store the setting information of the cycle Tu for uploading the vehicle information to the MEC servers 10A and 10B and the cycle Td for downloading the vehicle information from the MEC servers 10A and 10B. The upload cycle Tu and the download cycle Td may be a common cycle T.

The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 is composed of, for example, a GNSS receiver and various sensors (for example, a speed sensor), and acquires vehicle information such as the current position (for example, latitude, longitude and altitude) and speed of the vehicle.

The control unit 305 reads and executes a predetermined control program, and controls each unit. Further, the control unit 305 functions as the next means of A11 to A15 by cooperating with the first wireless communication unit 301 and the storage unit 303.
A11: Each region corresponds to each of a plurality of regions 800A and 800B whose geographical positions are preset so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the road 90 including the road 90 on which the vehicle 30 moves. Means for communicating information with MEC servers 10A and 10B provided in the above A12: The vehicle 30 is located in an overlapping area 800X in which adjacent portions of the plurality of areas 800A and 800B are overlapped. A13: A means for communicating information that is the target of the same information processing with a plurality of MEC servers 10A and 10B corresponding to a plurality of regions 800A and 800B in which the adjacent portions are overlapped. A13: Mobile communication network Means for connecting to multiple network slices (virtual networks) 150A, 150B logically defined above and constructed for each region A14: When it is expected that the movement of the vehicle 30 will cross multiple regions 800A, 800B. By connecting to the network slices 150A and 150B corresponding to the destination area 800B and transmitting an address information acquisition request to the individual DSN server 17B provided for each network slice, the destination area 800B is transmitted from the individual DSN server 17B. Means for acquiring the IP address (connection address information) of the MEC server 10B corresponding to A15: When it is expected that the movement of the vehicle 30 will cross a plurality of areas 800A and 800B, the network slice 150B corresponding to the destination area 800B By transmitting an address information acquisition request including client information of the communication device in the network slice 150B to the DNS server 17 common to a plurality of network slices, the common DSN server 17 can be used to move to the destination area 800B. Means for acquiring the IP address (connection address information) of the MEC server 10B corresponding to

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of control of information communication with MEC servers 10A and 10B in the communication device 300 of the moving vehicle 30 according to the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 7 is an example of the case where the vehicle 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2 moves on the road 90 from the area 800A to the area 800B. In the description of FIG. 7, the region 800A is referred to as “region A”, the region 800B is referred to as “region B”, and the overlapping region 800X is referred to as “overlapping region X” (also in FIGS. 8 and 9). Similarly).

In FIG. 7, when the vehicle 30 is moving in the area A, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 communicates information with the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area A (S101). Further, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 periodically acquires the current position of the own vehicle output from the GNSS receiver.

When the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 determines that it has entered the overlapping area X with the adjacent area B based on the current position of the own vehicle (YES in S102), the IP address information of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the area B is input. It is acquired and information communication with the MEC server 10B is started (S103).

When the vehicle 30 is moving in the overlapping area X, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 is the same between both the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area A and the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area A. Communication of information that is the target of information processing (for example, map matching processing) is performed (S104). Further, even when the vehicle 30 is moving in the overlapping region X, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 periodically acquires the current position of the own vehicle output from the GNSS receiver.

When the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 determines that the overlap region X has been exited based on the current position of the own vehicle (YES in S105), the communication device 300 terminates the communication of information with the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area A (S106). After this end, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 continuously communicates the information subject to the same information processing (for example, map matching processing) with the MEC server 10B corresponding to the area B. (S107), the vehicle 30 can obtain an appropriate processing response from the MEC server 10B without interruption.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of control of acquisition of the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area 800B in the communication device 300 of the moving vehicle 30 according to the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 8 is an example of the case where the vehicle 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2 moves from the area 800A to the area 800B on the road 90, and corresponds to the network configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 8, when the vehicle 30 is moving in the area A, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 periodically acquires information on the current position, road link, and average speed of the own vehicle (S201), and obtains information on them. Based on the information, it is predicted and determined whether or not to enter the adjacent area (adjacent area) B after a predetermined time (for example, T seconds) set in advance has elapsed (S202). Here, the predetermined time (T seconds) is set longer than, for example, the time required to acquire the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the adjacent area B shown below.

If the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 predicts that it will enter the area B after a predetermined time (for example, T seconds) has elapsed (YES in S202), the network slice (NS) 150B preliminarily constructed to correspond to the area B is used. Acquire the identifier (s-NSSAI) of (S203).

Here, there are mainly two methods for the communication device 300 to acquire the identifier. The first method is 4. If the communication device 300 determines YES in the above S202, the communication device 300 performs a procedure for changing the PDU session (PDU Session Modification) (for example, 3GPP TS 23.502 V16.5.0 (2020-07)). This is a method of starting (see Section 3.3) and acquiring the identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B in the procedure.

In the second method, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described later, the third tracking area (TA) of the base station covering the area where the area A and the area B are adjacent to each other covers the area A and the area B. A base station that is defined to be different from the first tracking area and the second tracking area of the base station, and the communication device 300 covers the adjacent area while the communication device 300 is about to move to the area B. When the communication device 300 detects that the tracking area has changed by handing over to, the procedure for updating the mobility registration (for example, 3GPP TS 23.502 V16.5.0 (2020-07)). The second method is to start (see Sections 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2) and obtain the identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B in the procedure. In the case of the above method, the communication device 300 does not need the function of determining S202.

Next, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 establishes a PDU session with the UPF18B of the network slice (NS) 150B corresponding to the region B by using the acquired network slice (NS) 150B identifier (s-NSSAI). Then, the IP address of the individual DNS server specified by the network slice (NS) 150B corresponding to the region B is acquired together with the terminal IP address in the IP subnet of the PDU session assigned to the communication device 300 (S204).

Next, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 sends an A / AAAA Query inquiring about the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the region B to the individual DNS server 17B designated by the network slice (NS) 150B (S205). , The IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the area B is acquired from the individual DNS server 17B (S206).

The communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 can communicate information with the MEC server 10B of the area B based on the IP address acquired from the individual DNS server 17B while traveling on the road of the area B (). S207).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of control of acquisition of the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the destination area 800B in the communication device of the moving vehicle 30 according to the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 9 is an example of the case where the vehicle 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2 moves from the area 800A to the area 800B on the road 90, and corresponds to the network configuration of FIG. Further, since S301 to S303 in FIG. 9 are the same as S201 to S203 in FIG. 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 uses the acquired network slice (NS) 150B identifier (s-NSSAI) to hold a PDU session with the UPF18B of the network slice (NS) 150B corresponding to the region B. Acquires the IP address of the DNS server 17 established and common to the plurality of network slices (NS) 150A and 150B, as well as the terminal IP address in the IP subnet of the PDU session assigned to the communication device 300 (S304).

Next, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 assigns the terminal IP address as the source IP address to the DSN server 17 common to the plurality of network slices (NS) 150A and 150B by the ENS DNS request. Sends an A / AAAA Qery inquiring about the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to (S305), and acquires the IP address of the MEC server 10B corresponding to the region B from the common DSN server 17 (S306).

The communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 can communicate information with the MEC server 10B of the area B based on the IP address acquired from the common DNS server 17 when traveling on the road of the area B. (S307).

In the example of the IP address acquisition control of the MEC server shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, if it is predicted and determined that the user will enter the area B after a predetermined time (for example, T seconds) has elapsed (YES in S202 and S302), the area B Although the identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B constructed in advance corresponding to the above S202 is acquired, the mobility determination when the change in the tracking area is detected without making the prediction judgment of the above S202. The identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B corresponding to the region B may be acquired by the procedure of Update.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the area, the network slice, and the tracking area in the communication system according to the present embodiment. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are explanatory views showing an example of a procedure for detecting a change in the tracking area in the communication system of FIG. 10 and forming a PDU session with a network slice of the destination area B, respectively. .. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 10, the third tracking area (TA) 900X of the base station 160X as the third base station covering the overlapping area 800X, which is an area where the region A (800A) and the region B (800B) are adjacent to each other, is defined as a region. Tracking area (TA) 900A as a first virtual network of base station 160A as a first base station covering a portion other than the overlapped area 800X of each of A and region B and base station 160B as a second base station. It is defined in advance so as to be different from each of the tracking areas (TA) 900B as the second virtual network. The network slice 150A of the area A is constructed by the base station 160A of the tracking area 900A and the base station 160X of the tracking area 900X. Further, the network slice 150B in the area B is constructed by the base station 160B in the tracking area 900B and the base station 160X in the tracking area 900X.

As shown in FIG. 11A, before the vehicle 30 travels on the road in the area A and enters the overlapping region 800X, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 has the UPF18A of the network slice (NS) 150A corresponding to the area A. A PDU session 151A is established between the two, and the IP address of the DSN server is acquired together with the terminal IP address in the IP subnet of the PDU session assigned to the communication device 300. As a result, the communication device 300 can communicate information with the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area A.

As the vehicle 30 moves to the overlapping region 800X shown in FIG. 11B, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 performs a handover from the base station 160A to the base station 160X. As a result of the handover, when the communication device 300 detects the TA change from the tracking area 900A to the tracking area 900X, the communication device 300 starts the procedure of updating the mobility registration. In this procedure, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 additionally detects the identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B of the region B, and between the network slice (NS) 150B of the region B and the UPF18B. The PDU session 151B is established in the above, and the IP address of the DSN server is acquired together with the terminal IP address in the IP subnet of the PDU session assigned to the communication device 300. As a result, in the overlapping area 800X, the communication device 300 can communicate information not only with the MEC server 10A corresponding to the area B but also with the MEC server 10B corresponding to the area B.

Further, as the vehicle 30 moves to the area B (800B), the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 performs a handover from the base station 160X to the base station 160B. As a result of the handover, when the communication device 300 detects the TA change from the tracking area 900X to the tracking area 900B, the communication device 300 starts the procedure of updating the mobility registration. In this procedure, the communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 detects only the identifier (s-NSSAI) of the network slice (NS) 150B of the region B and the UPF18A of the network slice (NS) 150A of the region A. Cancel the PDU session 151A. As a result, the vehicle 30 that has moved to the area B can communicate information only with the MEC server 10B corresponding to the area B.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the MEC server 10 for communicating information with the vehicle 30 is provided for each area 800, the vehicle 30 moves across the areas 800A and 800B. An appropriate processing response can be obtained from the MEC server 10. For example, in a state where the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 30 is in the application layer and an application involving communication of information with the MEC server 10 and use of the map matching processing result of the MEC server 10 is activated, the vehicle 30 is in the area 800A, 800B. Communication with the MEC server 10 can be continued in the communication layer of the communication device 300 even when moving across the communication device 300. Therefore, the application started by the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 30 can obtain information necessary for information processing such as map matching processing on the MEC server 10 without being affected by the movement of the vehicle 30 across the areas 800A and 800B. It can be transmitted to the server 10 and the result of information processing such as map matching processing can be received from the MEC server 10.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the MEC server 10 for communicating information with the vehicle 30 is provided for each area 800, the vehicle 30 that has moved across the areas 800A and 800B is the area after the movement. It is possible to know the IP address of the MEC server 10B for accessing the MEC server 10B corresponding to the 800B.

In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not a moving body such as a vehicle 30 is located in the overlapping region 800X, the average speed of the vehicle 30, the road link, the attributes of the moving body, and the information processing performed by the MEC server 10. The communication device 300 of the vehicle 30 performs processing such as changing the length of the overlapping region 800X based on at least one of the types of the above, and predicting whether or not a moving object such as the vehicle 30 straddles a plurality of areas A and B. It may be performed by the MEC server 10, or it may be performed by another node device or server in the mobile communication network.

In addition, the processing steps described herein and the components of mobile communication systems, servers, base stations and communication devices (terminals, terminal devices, user devices (UEs), mobile stations, mobile devices) are by various means. Can be implemented. For example, these processes and components may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

Regarding hardware implementation, means such as a processing unit used to realize the above steps and components in an entity (for example, various wireless communication devices, Node Bs, terminals, hard disk drive devices, or optical disk drive devices) One or more application-specific ICs (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors , Controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, computers, or combinations thereof.

Further, for firmware and / or software implementation, means such as a processing unit used to realize the above components are programs (eg, procedures, functions, modules, instructions) that execute the functions described herein. , Etc.) may be implemented. In general, any computer / processor readable medium that clearly embodies the firmware and / or software code is a means such as a processing unit used to implement the steps and components described herein. May be used to implement. For example, the firmware and / or software code may be stored in memory and executed by a computer or processor, for example, in a control device. The memory may be mounted inside the computer or processor, or it may be mounted outside the processor. The firmware and / or software code may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), or an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM). ), Flash memory, floppy (registered trademark) discs, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), magnetic or optical data storage devices, etc. good. The code may be executed by one or more computers or processors, or the computers or processors may be made to perform functional embodiments described herein.

Further, the medium may be a non-temporary recording medium. Further, the code of the program may be read and executed by a computer, a processor, or another device or device machine, and the format thereof is not limited to a specific format. For example, the code of the program may be any of source code, object code, and binary code, or may be a mixture of two or more of these codes.

Also, the description of the embodiments disclosed herein is provided to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to manufacture or use the present disclosure. Various amendments to this disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art and the general principles defined herein are applicable to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be recognized in the broadest range consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

10, 10A, 10B: MEC server 15: Mobile communication network core network 16: Radio access network (RAS)
160: Base station 17: Common DSN servers 17A, 17B: Individual DSN server 30: Vehicle 100: Information transmission / reception unit 110: Storage unit 120: Control unit 300: Communication device 301: First wireless communication unit 302: Second wireless communication Unit 303: Storage unit 304: Vehicle information acquisition unit 305: Control unit 800, 800A, 800B: Area (managed area)

Claims (21)

An information processing device for communicating information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and a plurality of areas in which geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the regions.
The geographical locations of the plurality of regions are set so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement path.
When the mobile body is located in an area where adjacent portions of the area are overlapped, the communication device of the mobile body is used between a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to a plurality of areas where the adjacent parts are overlapped. A communication system characterized by communicating information that is the target of the same information processing. In the communication system of claim 1,
The length of the area where the adjacent parts of the area overlap is changed based on at least one of the average speed of the moving body, the link of the moving path, the attribute of the moving body, and the type of information processing performed by the information processing apparatus. A communication system characterized by providing means for processing. In the communication system of claim 1 or 2,
The mobile communication device is
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area. , A communication system comprising:, an information acquisition means for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the individual DNS. In the communication system of claim 1 or 2,
The mobile communication device is
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and the plurality of address information acquisition requests including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network are requested. It is characterized by comprising an information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DNS by transmitting to a DNS common to the virtual network of the above. Communications system. An information processing device for communicating information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and a plurality of areas in which geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the regions.
The mobile communication device is
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area. , A communication system comprising:, an information acquisition means for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the individual DNS. An information processing device for communicating information with a communication device of a mobile body via a mobile communication network, and a plurality of areas in which geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication system in which the information processing apparatus is provided for each of the regions.
The mobile communication device is
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and the plurality of address information acquisition requests including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network are requested. It is characterized by comprising an information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DNS by transmitting to a DNS common to the virtual network of the above. Communications system. In the communication system of claim 3 or 5,
The virtual network is a communication system characterized by being a network slice that establishes and communicates with a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session with the mobile communication device. In the communication system of claim 4 or 6,
The virtual network is a network slice that establishes and communicates with a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session with the mobile communication device.
A communication system characterized in that the client information of the communication device in the virtual network is the extended DNS client subnet IP address information in the IP subnet of the PDU session issued to the communication device in the virtual network. In the communication system according to any one of claims 3 to 8.
The tracking area of the first base station and the second base station corresponding to the portion other than the overlapped area in each of the plurality of areas and the tracking area of the third base station corresponding to the overlapped area are mutually arranged. Set differently,
Of the plurality of virtual networks, the first virtual network is constructed by the base station in the first tracking area and the base station in the third tracking area, and the second virtual network is the second virtual network. A communication system constructed by a base station in a tracking area and a base station in the third tracking area. In the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The information processing performed by the information processing apparatus is a communication system characterized in that it is a process of specifying the current position of the moving body on a map. In the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The moving body is a vehicle that moves on the ground.
A communication system characterized in that the information communicated between the moving body and the information processing device includes information on the current position and speed of the vehicle used for controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle. It is a communication device provided for a moving body that moves on a moving route.
Each of the regions is provided so as to correspond to each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement route including the movement route of the moving body. Equipped with an information communication means for communicating information with an information processing device via a mobile communication network.
When the moving body is located in a region where adjacent portions of the regions are overlapped, the information communication means has the same information with a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to the plurality of regions where the adjacent portions are overlapped. A communication device characterized by communicating information that is the target of processing. It is a communication device provided for a moving body that moves on a moving route.
Information via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. Information communication means for communicating with
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area. , A communication device comprising:, an information acquisition means for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the individual DNS. It is a communication device provided for a moving body that moves on a moving route.
Information via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. Information communication means for communicating with
A virtual network connection means that is logically defined on the mobile communication network and connects to a plurality of virtual networks constructed in each region.
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and the plurality of address information acquisition requests including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network are requested. It is characterized by comprising an information acquisition means for acquiring connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DNS by transmitting to a DNS common to the virtual network of the above. Communication device. It is a moving body that moves along the movement path.
A mobile body comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 12 to 14. Between the communication device of the mobile body and the information processing device provided for each of the plurality of areas whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication method that communicates via a mobile communication network.
The geographical positions of the plurality of regions are set so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement route.
When the moving body is located in a region where adjacent portions of the regions are overlapped, the same information processing target is used between the plurality of information processing devices corresponding to the plurality of regions where the adjacent portions are overlapped and the communication device. A communication method characterized by including and communicating information in the information processing. Between the communication device of the mobile body and the information processing device provided for each of the plurality of areas whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication method that communicates via a mobile communication network.
Building a plurality of logically defined virtual networks on the mobile communication network for each region, and
When the communication device of the mobile body is expected to cross a plurality of areas due to the movement of the mobile body, it connects to a virtual network corresponding to the destination area and addresses to an individual DNS provided for each virtual network. A communication method comprising, by transmitting an information acquisition request, acquisition of connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the individual DNS. Between the communication device of the mobile body and the information processing device provided for each of the plurality of areas whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement path of the mobile body. It is a communication method that communicates via a mobile communication network.
To construct a plurality of logically defined virtual networks on the mobile communication network for each region.
When the mobile communication device is expected to cross a plurality of areas due to the movement of the mobile body, it connects to a virtual network corresponding to the destination area and includes client information of the communication device in the virtual network. By transmitting the address information acquisition request to the DNS common to the plurality of virtual networks, the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area can be acquired from the common DNS. A communication method characterized by including. A program executed by a computer or processor provided in a communication device provided in a moving body moving along a moving path.
Each of the regions is provided so as to correspond to each of a plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to overlap adjacent portions adjacent to each other in the direction along the movement route including the movement route of the moving body. A program code for communicating information with an information processing device via a mobile communication network,
When the moving body is located in a region where adjacent portions of the regions are overlapped, the same information processing is performed between a plurality of information processing devices corresponding to a plurality of regions where the adjacent portions are overlapped. A program characterized by having a program code for communicating information. A program executed by a computer or processor provided in a communication device provided in a moving body moving along a moving path.
Information via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. Program code for communication and
Program code for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the address information acquisition request is transmitted to the individual DNS provided for each virtual network by connecting to the virtual network corresponding to the destination area. , The program code for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the individual DNS.
A program characterized by having. A program executed by a computer or processor provided in a communication device provided in a moving body moving along a moving path.
Information via a mobile communication network with an information processing device provided for each of the plurality of regions whose geographical positions are preset so as to include the movement route of the mobile body. Program code for communication and
Program code for connecting to a plurality of virtual networks logically defined on the mobile communication network and constructed for each region, and
When it is expected that the movement of the moving object will cross a plurality of areas, the virtual network corresponding to the destination area is connected, and the plurality of address information acquisition requests including the client information of the communication device in the virtual network are requested. The program code for acquiring the connection address information of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the destination area from the common DNS by transmitting to the DNS common to the virtual network of the above.
A program characterized by having.

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