JP2023077925A - Communication device and control method of the same as well as program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of continuing wireless communication regardless of a shielding state of an electric wave on a transmission path between devices.SOLUTION: A base station device 101 comprises: an antenna 206 which can control the directivity; and a camera 102 which captures an image of the periphery of the base station device. A control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 such that the directivity direction of the antenna 206 becomes the direction of a direct path between the antenna and a specific region. The control unit 202 performs processing of recognizing a shielding object that shields the direct path between the antenna 206 and the specific region on the basis of a photographed image obtained by imaging by the camera 102. The control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so as to switch the directivity direction of the antenna 206 to the direction of the transmission path of transmitting the electric wave to the specific region from the antenna 206 while avoiding the shielding object when the shielding object is recognized in the processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device that performs wireless communication by controlling the directivity of an antenna, a control method therefor, and a program.

In recent years, research and development of low-delay communication technology has been conducted in 5G and local 5G, which are wireless communication standards. Low-latency communication technology is being considered for use in automatic driving of automobiles, robot control in factories, and unmanned work in harbors.

In the 5G standard, in addition to FR (Frequency Range) 1 that uses a frequency band of 6 GHz or less, wireless communication is performed in FR2 that uses a millimeter wave band that is a frequency band of 28 GHz or more. Electromagnetic waves (radio waves) in the millimeter wave band have a larger propagation loss in space than radio waves in the microwave band. To compensate for the attenuation of radio waves due to such propagation losses, for example, directional antennas may be used or beamforming may be used at the base station to direct the beam of the transmitted radio waves toward the device with which it communicates. can be done. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100000, the surrounding situation of a wireless communication device is acquired as image information, the direction of the wireless communication device of the communication partner is specified from the acquired image information, and the beam pattern of the antenna is adjusted so that the beam is directed in the direction. has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-204955

However, in order to compensate for the attenuation of radio waves in the millimeter wave band, for example, an antenna having sharp directivity is used to transmit highly straight radio waves. In this case, if radio waves are blocked on the transmission path between the devices due to changes in the environment around the devices on the sending and receiving sides, the communication between the devices may become unstable or momentarily interrupted. . However, when communication requiring low delay is performed as described above, it is necessary to perform communication more stably and continuously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that allows wireless communication to continue regardless of the state of radio wave shielding on a transmission path between devices.

A communication device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an antenna whose directivity is controllable, and controls the directivity of the antenna so that the directivity direction of the antenna is the direction of a direct path between the antenna and a specific area. a control means for capturing an image around the communication device; a processing means for recognizing a shielding object that blocks the direct path based on the captured image obtained by the capturing by the capturing means; wherein, when the blocking object is recognized by the processing means, the control means switches the pointing direction to a direction of a transmission path that avoids the blocking object and transmits radio waves from the antenna to the specific area. and controlling the directivity of the antenna.

According to the present invention, wireless communication can be continued regardless of the state of radio wave shielding on the transmission path between devices.

Conceptual diagram showing an application example of antenna directivity control Block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a base station device Block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a base station device Flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the base station apparatus (first embodiment) A diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of directivity control of an antenna (first embodiment); Flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the base station apparatus (second embodiment) The figure which shows the example of directivity control of an antenna (2nd Embodiment) Block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a base station apparatus (another embodiment) Block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a base station apparatus (another embodiment) FIG. 11 shows an example of the operation of the reflection device and the velocity measurement device (other embodiment)

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[First embodiment]
<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an application example of antenna directivity control in a base station apparatus 101, which is an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, a base station device 101 includes a camera (image pickup unit) 102 that captures an image around the device. In this example, the camera 102 is configured to capture images (temporally continuous still images or moving images) of an area including the specific area 104 . Base station apparatus 101 further includes an antenna (antenna 206 in FIG. 2) whose directivity can be controlled. In this example, the base station apparatus 101 sets the directivity direction of the antenna (the direction of the main lobe (main beam) 103 of the radio waves emitted from the antenna) to the specific area 104 so that radio waves with sufficient strength can be received in the specific area 104 . 104. That is, the base station apparatus 101 controls the directivity of the antenna so that the directivity direction of the antenna is the direction of the direct path 105 between the antenna and the specific area 104 . The direct path 105 is a path along which a direct wave radiated (transmitted) from the antenna and directed to the specific area 104 propagates.

The base station device 101 of this embodiment performs processing for recognizing an obstructing object that blocks the direct path 105 between the base station device 101 and the specific area 104 based on the image captured by the camera 102 . In the example of FIG. 1B, a shielding object 106 is an object that blocks a direct path 105 between the base station device 101 and the specific area 104 (that is, blocks direct waves from the base station device 101 to the specific region 104). existence is recognized.

Upon recognizing the existence of the shielding object 106, the base station apparatus 101 switches the pointing direction of the antenna to the direction of the transmission path that avoids the shielding object 106 and transmits radio waves from the antenna to the specific area 104 (where the radio waves can reach). so that the directivity of the antenna is controlled. As such a transmission path, the base station apparatus 101 uses, for example, a transmission path using surrounding buildings or objects as reflecting objects (reflection reflected by surrounding buildings or objects) by a predetermined calculation based on images captured by the camera 102. Identify the path through which the wave reaches the specific region 104). FIG. 1C shows a transmission path 108 in which the base station device 101 utilizes the reflection of radio waves from the building 107 (the radio waves transmitted from the antenna of the base station device 101 reach the building 107 and are reflected by the building 107). 1 shows an example of identifying a path through which a reflected wave reaches a specific area 104).

The base station apparatus 101 controls the directivity of the antenna so as to switch the directivity of the antenna to the direction of the transmission path 108 . As a result, it is possible to receive radio waves from the base station apparatus 101 in the specific area 104 that are strong enough to perform wireless communication with the base station apparatus 101 . In this way, wireless communication can be performed between the base station device 101 and the terminal device located in the specific area 104 regardless of the shielding state of radio waves on the direct path 105 between the base station device 101 and the specific area 104. can be performed stably and continuously.

<Configuration of base station device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the base station apparatus 101 according to this embodiment. Base station apparatus 101 includes control section 202 , storage section 203 , wireless communication section 204 , antenna control device 205 , antenna 206 , and imaging section (camera) 102 . The control unit 202 can be configured with one or more processors (CPU or processing circuit, etc.). The storage unit 203 can be composed of one or more nonvolatile storage media. As shown in FIG. 2, antenna 206 may be comprised of multiple antenna elements.

The control unit 202 controls the entire apparatus by reading a control program stored in the storage unit 203 into a RAM (not shown) and executing it. The storage unit 203 stores various programs such as a control program executed by the control unit 202 and various data used by the control unit 202 . Processing and operations in base station apparatus 101 , which will be described later, can be realized by control unit 202 executing a control program stored in storage unit 203 .

The wireless communication unit 204 performs wireless communication conforming to a wireless communication standard such as the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard, 5G (or local 5G) standard, or wireless LAN standard (Wi-Fi standard). In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 204 is configured to perform wireless communication with terminal devices located in the specific area 104 . The antenna control device 205 controls the antenna 206 used for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 204 (for example, controls the directivity of the antenna 206). A camera 102 captures an image around the base station device 101 and outputs the captured image. In this embodiment, the camera 102 is configured to capture images (temporally continuous still images or moving images) of an area including the specific area 104 .

The method by which antenna controller 205 controls the directivity of antenna 206 may depend on the configuration of antenna 206 . For example, the directivity of the antenna 206 can be controlled by controlling the direction of the antenna 206 itself, or by controlling the switching of antenna elements to be used among a plurality of antenna elements configured to radiate radio waves in different directions. may be Alternatively, if the antenna 206 is configured as an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, control of the directivity of the antenna 206 may be achieved by controlling the weight for each antenna element.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the base station apparatus 101 according to this embodiment. The base station apparatus 101 includes a signal transmission section 302 , a signal reception section 303 , a data storage section 304 , a connection control section 305 , an image processing section 306 and an antenna control section 307 . Functions of each block shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented by the control unit 202 executing a control program stored in the storage unit 203 .

A signal transmission unit 302 and a signal reception unit 303 transmit and receive wireless signals to and from a terminal device in compliance with a wireless communication standard such as the LTE standard, 5G standard, or Wi-Fi standard. The data storage unit 304 holds various programs and various data (various information) by storing them in the storage unit 203 . The connection control unit 305 performs processing related to connection and disconnection of the terminal device, such as transmission and reception of RRC (Radio Resource Control) messages with the terminal device or core network function. The connection control unit 305 further performs processing related to connection with core network functions. An image processing unit 306 performs image processing for recognizing a shielding object and estimating the moving speed of the shielding object on the captured image obtained by the camera 102 . Antenna control section 307 controls the directivity of antenna 206 by controlling antenna control device 205 .

<Processing procedure>
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing for maintaining wireless communication with terminal devices located in the specific area 104, which is executed by the base station device 101 of this embodiment. The processing of each step in FIG. 4 can be realized by the control unit 202 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 203 .

4, the control unit 202 acquires an image captured by the camera 102 (captured image) in S401. Next, in S402, the control unit 202 determines whether or not there is a shielding object on the direct path between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104, based on the acquired captured image. . A shielding object is an object that blocks direct waves propagating between base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206 ) and specific area 104 , and shields specific area 104 from direct waves radiated from antenna 206 .

When a shielding object is recognized by the image processing performed on the captured image obtained by the image processing unit 306, the control unit 202 determines that the shielding object exists ("Yes" in S402), and proceeds to S403. Proceed with processing. On the other hand, when the shielding object is not recognized by the image processing, the control unit 202 determines that the shielding object does not exist (“No” in S403), and returns the processing to S401. In this way, the control unit 202 repeats the processing of S401 and S402 as long as there is no blocking object, and advances the processing to S403 if it is determined that there is a blocking object.

Here, an example of recognizing a shielding object based on an image captured by the camera 102 in the base station apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 5A and 5B show examples of images taken by the camera 102, and the image taken in FIG. It was obtained later.

In the photographed image of FIG. 5A, the entire specific area 104 is visible. In this case, the image processing unit 306 outputs a processing result indicating that no shielding object blocking the direct path between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104 is recognized. On the other hand, in the captured image of FIG. 5B , part of the specific region 104 is blocked by the object 500 as the object 500 moves. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the image processing unit 306 recognizes the object 500 as a blocking object when a predetermined ratio or more of the entire specific region 104 is blocked by the object 500 . In this case, the image processing unit 306 outputs a processing result indicating that a shielding object blocking the direct path between the base station device 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104 has been recognized.

Note that the image processing unit 306 may recognize the object as a shielding object when the entire specific region 104 is shielded by an object in the captured image. Alternatively, when the image processing unit 306 detects an object that shields at least part of the entire specific region 104 in the captured image, the image processing unit 306 may recognize the object as a shielding object.

When the process proceeds from S402 to S403, in S403, the control unit 202 performs a process of identifying a transmission route for transmitting radio waves from the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) to the specific area 104 while avoiding obstructing objects. Here, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of directivity control of the antenna 206 in this embodiment. FIG. 6A shows an example in which a shielding object 600 exists on a direct path 601 between base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and specific area 104. FIG. By the processing of S403, for example, as shown in FIG. ) can be identified.

The identification of the transmission path in S403 may be performed by a predetermined calculation based on the image captured by the camera 102. FIG. In this case, information indicating a plurality of transmission routes obtained by calculations performed in advance may be held in the storage unit 203, and the transmission route may be selected based on the information held in the storage unit 203. . In another example, a plurality of directivity patterns that can be set for the antenna 206 are prepared, and information indicating the plurality of directivity patterns and the plurality of transmission paths respectively corresponding to the plurality of directivity patterns is stored. It is held in the section 203 . In this case, the transmission route may be selected based on information held in the storage unit 203 . Control section 202 controls the directivity of antenna 206 using the directivity pattern corresponding to the selected transmission path. Further, the intensity of the radio wave received in the specific area 104 is measured in advance when each of the plurality of directivity patterns is used, and the measurement result is stored in the storage unit 203 and used for selecting the transmission path. You may For example, among one or more transmission paths that can avoid the shielding object 600, a transmission path corresponding to a directivity pattern that maximizes the intensity of radio waves received in the specific area 104 may be selected.

Next, in S404, the control unit 202 uses the antenna control device 205 to change the directivity direction of the antenna 206 (the direction of the main lobe 103 of the radio wave) to the transmission path specified in S403 (the transmission path in the example of FIG. 6B). A process for switching to the direction of the route 602) is performed. That is, the control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so that the directivity pattern of the antenna 206 corresponds to the transmission path identified in S403.

When the switching of the pointing direction of the antenna 206 is completed, in S405, the control unit 202 acquires a photographed image obtained by photographing by the camera 102, as in S401. Furthermore, in S406, the control unit 202 performs image processing on the acquired photographed image by the image processing unit 306 to detect objects blocking the direct path 601 between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104, as in S402. exists. If the control unit 202 determines that a shielding object exists (“Yes” in S406), the control unit 202 returns the processing to S405, and repeats the acquisition of the captured image in S405 and the determination processing in S406. On the other hand, if the control unit 202 determines that there is no shielding object (that is, there is no shielding object blocking the direct path 601) (“No” in S406), the process proceeds to S407.

In S407, the control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so that the directivity of the antenna 206 returns from the direction of the transmission path identified in S403 to the original direction of the direct path. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, when there is no blocking object blocking the direct path 601, the control unit 202 directs the main lobe 103 of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 206 toward the direct path 601. Control the directivity of the antenna 206 . In this way, if the blocking object is no longer recognized by the image processing unit 306 after switching the pointing direction of the antenna 206 in S404, the control unit 202 causes the pointing direction of the antenna 206 to return to the direction of the direct path 601. control sex.

After that, the control unit 202 returns the processing to S401. As a result, the control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 to avoid the shielding object as described above each time a shielding object appears on the direct path 601 again.

As described above, the communication apparatus (base station apparatus 101) of this embodiment includes the antenna 206 whose directivity can be controlled, and the camera 102 that captures an image around the base station apparatus 101. FIG. The control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so that the directivity of the antenna 206 is the direction of the direct path between the antenna and the specific area 104 . The image processing unit 306 performs processing for recognizing a shielding object that blocks the direct path between the antenna 206 and the specific area 104 based on the captured image obtained by the camera 102 . When the shielding object is recognized by the image processing unit 306, the control unit 202 switches the pointing direction of the antenna 206 to the direction of the transmission path for transmitting radio waves from the antenna 206 to the specific area 104 while avoiding the shielding object. 206 directivity.

As a result, even if the direct path between the antenna 206 and the specific area 104 is blocked by a shielding object, the base station apparatus 101 can prevent the wireless communication with the terminal apparatus located in the specific area 104 from becoming unstable or instantaneous. Disconnection can be prevented, and wireless communication can be continued. As described above, according to the present embodiment, wireless communication can be continued regardless of the shielding state of radio waves on the transmission path from the antenna 206 .

It should be noted that this embodiment can be modified in various ways. For example, the camera 102 may not be integrated with the base station device 101 and may be connected to the base station device 101 so as to be communicable. Also, the antenna 206 of the base station apparatus 101 may be configured by, for example, an array antenna, a reflector antenna, or a lens antenna. The configuration and processing of this embodiment may be applied not only to the base station apparatus but also to, for example, a terminal apparatus.

[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, before the direct path between the antenna 206 of the base station apparatus 101 and the specific area 104 is blocked by the blocking object, the blocking object moving toward the position blocking the direct path is recognized, and the antenna An example of switching the directivity direction of 206 will be described. Below, mainly different parts from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing for maintaining wireless communication with terminal devices located in the specific area 104, which is executed by the base station device 101 of this embodiment. The processing of each step in FIG. 7 can be realized by the control unit 202 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 203 . FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of directivity control of the antenna 206 in this embodiment. 8B to 8D show how an object 800 moves in the direction of the arrow over time and traverses a direct path 801 between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104. is shown.

7 is started, in step S701, the control unit 202 (image processing unit 306) acquires still images or moving images continuously captured by the camera 102 as captured images. Next, in S702, the control unit 202 (image processing unit 306) acquires the movement vector of the object (target object) in the captured image from the acquired captured image. For example, the control unit 202 acquires a motion vector indicating the moving state of the object 800 from the captured image corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 8A and the captured image corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 8B. .

After acquiring the motion vector, in S703, the control unit 202 determines whether the moving target object is on the direct path between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104 based on the captured image and the motion vector. It is determined whether or not to move (to shield the specific area 104). When the control unit 202 determines that the target object does not move on the direct path, the control unit 202 returns the processing to S701 and executes the processing of S701 to S703 again. On the other hand, when the control unit 202 determines that the target object moves on the direct path, the processing proceeds to S704. In this way, the control unit 202 detects the target object moving toward the position blocking the direct path between the base station device 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104 based on the image captured by the camera 102. Recognize as an obstructing object.

In S704, the control unit 202 (image processing unit 306) acquires the moving speed and acceleration of the target object (object 800) based on the temporally continuous captured images. Next, in S705, the control unit 202 specifies the shielding timing at which the target object (object 800) shields the specific region 104 (that is, moves on the direct path 801) based on the acquired moving speed and acceleration.

After that, in S706, the control unit 202 performs a process of identifying a transmission route for transmitting radio waves from the base station apparatus 101 to the specific area 104 while avoiding the target object (object 800) that will shield the specific area 104, in S403. Do the same. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, a transmission route 802 using a reflector 810 (a route in which radio waves transmitted from the antenna 206 reach the specific area 104 after being reflected by the reflector 810) can be identified. .

After that, the control unit 202 switches the pointing direction of the antenna 206 according to the specified shielding timing. Specifically, in S<b>707 , the control unit 202 sets the timing for switching the directivity direction of the antenna 206 . For example, the control unit 202 sets the switching timing of the pointing direction of the antenna 206 to a timing a predetermined time before the timing at which the target object (object 800) shields the specific region 104, or a timing just before the timing to shield. good too. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may set the switching timing to the timing when the target object (object 800 ) passes through a position a predetermined distance before the specific region 104 .

After that, in S708, if the switching timing set in S707 has not been reached ("No" in S708), the control unit 202 returns the processing to S701. As a result, for example, when the target object (object 800) stops or changes its moving direction before switching the pointing direction of the antenna 206, unnecessary switching of the pointing direction becomes unnecessary. can be avoided.

On the other hand, when the switching timing set in S707 is reached ("Yes" in S708), the control unit 202 advances the process to S709. In S709, the control unit 202 uses the antenna control device 205 to perform processing for switching the pointing direction of the antenna 206 to the direction of the transmission path identified in S706 (the transmission path 802 in the example of FIG. 8C). That is, the control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so that the directivity pattern of the antenna 206 corresponds to the transmission path identified in S706.

When the directivity switching of the antenna 206 is completed, in S710, the control unit 202 acquires an image captured by the camera 102, as in S701. Furthermore, in step S711, the control unit 202 performs image processing on the acquired photographed image by the image processing unit 306 so that a shielding object (object 800) blocking the direct path 801 between the base station apparatus 101 (antenna 206) and the specific area 104 is detected. exists. If the control unit 202 determines that a shielding object exists (“Yes” in S711), the control unit 202 returns the processing to S710, and repeats the acquisition of the captured image in S710 and the determination processing in S711. On the other hand, if the control unit 202 determines that there is no shielding object (that is, there is no shielding object blocking the direct path 801) (“No” in S711), the process proceeds to S712.

In S712, the control unit 202 controls the directivity of the antenna 206 so as to return the directivity direction of the antenna 206 from the direction of the transmission path identified in S706 to the original direction of the direct path. For example, as shown in FIG. 8D, when there is no blocking object blocking the direct path 801, the control unit 202 directs the main lobe 103 of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 206 toward the direct path 801. Control the directivity of the antenna 206 . After that, the control unit 202 returns the processing to S701.

As described above, the base station apparatus 101 of this embodiment recognizes a shielding object moving toward a position on the direct path between the antenna 206 of the base station apparatus 101 and the specific area 104, Controls the timing of switching pointing directions. This makes it possible to switch the pointing direction of the antenna 206 at a more appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the wireless communication with the terminal device located in the specific area 104 from becoming unstable or being interrupted. As described above, according to the present embodiment, wireless communication can be continued regardless of the shielding state of radio waves on the transmission path from the antenna 206 .

[Other embodiments]
Various modifications are possible for each of the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a hardware configuration example of the base station apparatus 101 according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a functional configuration example of the base station apparatus 101 according to another embodiment. The base station device 101 further includes at least one of the velocity measuring device 901 and the reflecting device 902 in the hardware configuration of the first and second embodiments (FIG. 2).

When the base station apparatus 101 is provided with the speed measurement apparatus 901, as shown in FIG. 10, the base station apparatus 101 further includes a measurement control section 1001 in the functional configuration (FIG. 3) of the first and second embodiments. A measurement control unit 1001 controls a speed measurement device 901 . As shown in FIG. 11A, speed measuring device 901 is configured to measure the moving speed of object 1100 moving around base station device 101 . In S704, the control unit 202 may perform processing of acquiring the moving speed and acceleration of the target object using the speed measuring device 901 instead of the captured image. Alternatively, the control unit 202 performs a process of acquiring the moving speed and acceleration of the target object based on the captured image and a process of acquiring the moving speed and acceleration of the target object based on the captured image using the speed measuring device 901. They may be used together.

In addition, when the base station apparatus 101 is provided with the reflector 902, the functional configuration (FIG. 3) of the first and second embodiments is further provided with the reflection control section 1002. FIG. A reflection control unit 1002 controls the reflection device 902 . As shown in FIG. 11B, the reflecting device 902 is configured to be able to control the direction of reflection of radio waves, and reflects radio waves transmitted from the antenna 206 . The reflection control unit 1002 is configured to control the reflection direction of radio waves transmitted from the antenna 206 by controlling the movement and rotation of the reflection device 902 . The reflection control unit 1002 controls the reflection device 902 by electrical control if the reflection device 902 uses a metamaterial.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 202 controls the reflection direction of the radio waves of the reflection device 902 using the reflection control unit 1002, and transmits radio waves from the antenna 206 to the specific area 104 while avoiding the shielding object. A transmission path 1101 is set. By controlling the direction of the reflector 902 in this way, it becomes possible to more flexibly select the transmission path from the antenna 206 (switch the directivity of the antenna 206) in S403 or S706. In local 5G use cases, for example in factories or ports, such reflectors can be set up relatively easily.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims are appended to make public the scope of the invention.

101: base station device, 102: camera (imaging unit), 202: control unit, 203: storage unit, 204: wireless communication unit, 205: antenna control device, 206: antenna

Claims (12)

A communication device,
an antenna whose directivity can be controlled;
Control means for controlling the directivity of the antenna so that the directivity direction of the antenna is the direction of a direct path between the antenna and a specific area;
a photographing means for photographing an image around the communication device;
a processing means for recognizing a shielding object that blocks the direct path based on a photographed image obtained by photographing by the photographing means;
When the processing means recognizes the blocking object, the control means controls the antenna so as to switch the pointing direction to a direction of a transmission path for transmitting radio waves from the antenna to the specific area while avoiding the blocking object. A communication device characterized by controlling the directivity of the The control means controls the directivity of the antenna so as to return the directivity direction to the direction of the direct path when the blocking object is no longer recognized by the processing means after the directivity direction is switched. The communication device according to claim 1. The control means identifies a transmission path for transmitting radio waves from the antenna to the specific area while avoiding the shielding object based on the captured image, and switches the directivity direction to the direction of the identified transmission path, 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the directivity of said antenna is controlled. The control means controls a route in which radio waves transmitted from the antenna reach a reflecting object around the communication device and a reflected wave reflected by the reflecting object reaches the specific area while avoiding the shielding object. 4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a transmission path for transmitting radio waves from an antenna to the specific area is specified. further comprising storage means for holding information indicating a plurality of directivity patterns that can be set for the antenna and a plurality of transmission paths respectively corresponding to the plurality of directivity patterns;
2. The control means controls the directivity of the antenna using a directivity pattern corresponding to a transmission path selected from among the plurality of transmission paths held in the storage means. 5. The communication device according to any one of items 1 through 4. 6. The processing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when an object that shields at least part of the specific area is detected in the captured image, the processing unit recognizes the object as the shielding object. The communication device according to . the processing means, based on the captured image, recognizes an object moving toward a position blocking the direct path as the blocking object, and obtains a moving speed of the object;
The control means specifies a timing at which the shielding object recognized by the processing means blocks the direct path based on the moving speed, and switches the pointing direction according to the specified timing. Item 7. The communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. 8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the control means switches the pointing direction at a timing a predetermined time before the specified timing. further comprising reflecting means configured to be able to control the direction of reflection of radio waves and reflecting the radio waves transmitted from the antenna;
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means controls the reflection direction of the reflection means to set a transmission route for transmitting radio waves from the antenna to the specific area while avoiding the shielding object. A communication device according to any one of the preceding claims. The communication device is a base station device,
10. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a terminal device located in said specific area via said antenna. A control method for a communication device having an antenna whose directivity can be controlled,
a first control step of controlling the directivity of the antenna so that the directivity direction of the antenna is the direction of a direct path between the antenna and a specific area;
a photographing step of photographing an image around the communication device;
a processing step of recognizing a shielding object that blocks the direct path based on the photographed image obtained by photographing in the photographing step;
When the shielding object is recognized in the processing step, the directivity of the antenna is controlled so as to switch the directivity direction to the direction of a transmission path that avoids the shielding object and transmits radio waves from the antenna to the specific area. a second control step to
A method of controlling a communication device, comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the communication device control method according to claim 11 .

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