JP3891490B2 - Communication method using wireless network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication method using a wireless network. To the law Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, sensor networks have been proposed in which a large number of small sensors manufactured using micromachining technology and wireless networks are fused to transmit environmental information over the network (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 1). .)
[0003]
For example, when a small sensor is attached to a vehicle such as an automobile, it is possible to measure and record the running state and the driving state with the small sensor, so that a drive recorder can be realized. In addition, it is possible to sense the unlocking of the key and notify the security company. Furthermore, a seismometer can be installed in the automobile, and seismic intensity information can be transmitted via a beacon installed on the road during an earthquake.
[0004]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
NIKKEI ELECTRONICS 2002.7.15 p110-116
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-117184 A (paragraph numbers 0007 to 0009, 0011, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it cannot be said that sufficient information can be obtained with only sensors mounted on automobiles, and the services that can be provided are limited. In addition, when transmitting and receiving information to and from sensors mounted on automobiles, using a mobile phone network charges a relatively high communication fee and makes it difficult to secure a sufficient communication speed. is there. If satellite communication is used, the communication speed is fast, but the communication fee is very high, so it is not realistic. In ETC (Automatic Toll Collection System) and DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) for the purpose of providing traffic information, the reach of radio waves is several meters. There is a problem that they must be arranged at regular intervals.
Therefore, the present invention solves the problem that the conventional technology cannot sufficiently collect and distribute information related to the traffic environment centered on automobiles.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a detection device that functions as a large number of sensors is laid on the road, a wireless network is constructed by this detection device and an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, and the at least one detection device is routed. Therefore, we decided to exchange necessary information between moving bodies such as vehicles, or between moving bodies and fixed stations. For example, as a method of notifying the vehicle that a road has failed, information including the detection result of the sensor detecting the obstacle on the road and the information specifying the laying position of the detection device is obtained using a wireless network. Notification to the in-vehicle device can be mentioned. At this time, if the vehicle-mounted device is notified via a relay station arranged along the road or a management server device connected to the relay station, the vehicle is quickly notified even to a distant vehicle. It becomes possible.
[0007]
In addition, as a communication method for providing a service for notifying a space where a vehicle can be parked, the detection device detects a vehicle parked in the parking area and transmits the detection result to the server device using a wireless network. Then, a space that can be parked is specified from the laying position of the detection device by the server device and notified to the in-vehicle device. Note that a light emitting element may be provided in the detection device so that a vehicle to be parked can be guided.
[0008]
As a communication method for performing services for monitoring and managing the running state of a vehicle, if a detection device installed on the road detects a vehicle passing through a specific road, the detection result and detection The detection information including the information specifying the installation position of the device and the detection time is transmitted to the server device using the wireless network, and the server device estimates the traveling state of the vehicle on the road from the plurality of detection information, It is possible to output an estimation result. Various driving conditions include vehicle speed, traffic, and trajectory.
[0009]
In order to perform such communication, it is necessary to specify the position of the detection device as necessary. In addition, when there is a relay station that relays between the wireless network and the server device, it is desirable that the position of such a relay station can be specified. As a server device for adapting to such a case, a communication control device, a database storing the installation position of the detection device, a database storing the installation position of the relay station, and the detection device with reference to the database And a processing device for specifying the installation position of the relay station or the installation position of the relay station.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
The present embodiment relates to a sensor network system intended to notify a vehicle when a road cannot be used or is difficult to use, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. This will be described in detail with reference to the above. The sensor network system is a system that uses a wireless network to realize communication between mobile objects such as vehicles and communication between the mobile object and a fixed computer (fixed station) ( The same applies to each embodiment below).
[0011]
A sensor network system 1 having a schematic configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes a sensor network and a failure handling server device 8 that is a computer including a database. The sensor network 1 includes a number of sensor devices ( (Detection device) 3, roadside device 5 which is a relay station used for relaying information from sensor device 3, and in-vehicle device 7 mounted on vehicle 6 and capable of communicating with sensor device 3. .
[0012]
The sensor device 3 is embedded in the asphalt of the road 2 or laid so that at least a part of the sensor device 3 is exposed. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure receiving element 11, the power supply module 12, the control device 13, and the wireless communication A device 14 and a storage device 15 are provided. The pressure receiving element 11 is used to measure the presence and weight of an object that passes on the road 2 or stops. The power supply module 12 serves as a power source for the sensor device 3 and may be a high-capacity battery. However, the power supply module 12 generates power by receiving light and generating power by vibration generated on the road 2 by passing through the vehicle 6. An element is desirable. The control device 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an electric / electronic circuit, and controls various processes performed by the sensor device 3. The wireless communication device 14 is used for transmitting and receiving information. Other communication devices include other sensor devices 3, roadside devices 5, and in-vehicle devices 7 that are close to each other. The storage device 15 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores a sensor ID, an event table, and a control program.
[0013]
The laying interval of each sensor device 3 on the general road varies depending on the measurement item, the introduction section, the surrounding environment, etc., but is preferably several tens of centimeters to several meters. For example, if the laying interval exceeds 10 m, it is not preferable because the accuracy when using it for specifying the position is low, and the power consumed for communication between the sensor devices 3 is too large, which is not efficient. On the other hand, if the laying interval is smaller than several tens of centimeters, it is not preferable because the frequency of handover processing in transmission / reception of information with the in-vehicle device 7 increases. In addition, since it is anticipated that the traveling speed of the vehicle is high on the highway, the laying interval of each sensor device 3 may be 20 m to 30 m. However, assuming that the vehicle cannot travel at high speed due to traffic jams or the like, the sensor device 3 is laid at intervals of about several tens of centimeters to several meters as described above. Information may be obtained, and handover may be performed every N (N = any positive integer) during high-speed movement. In either case, the laying interval of the sensor device 3 is sufficient to transmit information to the vehicle 6 traveling at a predetermined speed.
[0014]
Here, the sensor device 3, the roadside device 5, and the in-vehicle device 7 establish an ad hoc network and perform communication such as data. An ad hoc network is a wireless ad hoc network (multi-hopping wireless network) in which terminals are connected by peer-to-peer connection to construct a temporary network. Ad hoc routing protocol (OLSR (Optimaized Link State Routing) etc.) is implemented on the means, and each sensor device 3 works as a sensor as well as a router to transmit data to the bucket relay system. Realized.
[0015]
The sensor ID (Identification) stored in the storage device 15 is an authentication number or symbol assigned to the sensor device 3 or a combination thereof. The sensor ID is added to the information detected by the pressure receiving element 11 and transmitted from the wireless communication device 14, and is used to specify the laying position of the sensor device 3 serving as the information transmission source (information source). For this sensor ID, a unique ID may be assigned to each sensor device 3, but a plurality of adjacent sensor devices 3 may be assigned as one group, and a unique ID may be assigned to each group. Examples of the unit of the group include a set of sensor devices 3 arranged between adjacent signals on the road 2 and a set of sensor devices 3 arranged between adjacent signals and for each lane. It can be said that the size of such a group is sufficient to determine whether the road 2 or the lane is allowed to pass. When handled as a group, the number of search targets can be reduced in the process of searching for the location of the source of information to be performed later.
[0016]
In order to perform such management, it is necessary to confirm the installation position of the sensor device 3 in advance. As an example of such a method, when the sensor device 3 is laid in road construction, the sensor ID and the position are matched and registered in a database (corresponding to a sensor position information DB (Data Base) 26 described later). Can be mentioned. Further, the roadside device 5 is specified and installed, and the roadside device 5 is provided with a position detection function so as to grasp the approximate position with the electric field strength of the radio wave from the installed sensor device 3. Also good. As a database creation method, the roadside device 5 extracts the sensor ID from the information transmitted by multi-hopping from the sensor device 3, creates a list of sensor IDs of the sensor device 3 covered by the roadside device 5, and the data Is transmitted to a server device (fault handling server device 8) that manages
[0017]
The event table stored in the storage device 15 is a table that is referred to when the control device 13 determines the presence or absence of a failure according to the detection value of the pressure receiving element 11. For example, when the pressure receiving element 11 detects a load continuously for a predetermined time, when it is considered that a traffic jam occurs or an obstacle exists, the predetermined time and the magnitude of the load are registered.
[0018]
The roadside device 5 shown in FIG. 1 is installed along the road 2 at a predetermined interval, for example, 1 km, and has a role of mediating data communication between the sensor device 3 and the failure handling server device 8. The configuration includes at least a wireless communication device for constructing an ad hoc network with the sensor device 3, and a communication control device for communicating with the failure handling server device 8 via the communication network 4. The communication network used for communication with the failure handling server device 8 may be wired or wireless.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the failure handling server device 8 includes a communication control device 21 that communicates with the roadside device 5 (see FIG. 1), a storage device 22 that stores data and the like, and a failure handling server device 8. A control device 23 such as a CPU that controls processing is a main component, and an input device 24 such as a keyboard and an output device 25 such as a display are added to the control device 23.
[0020]
The storage device 22 is provided with information used to specify the laying position of the sensor device 3 from the sensor ID (sensor position information DB 26) and information necessary for the vehicle 6 in a predetermined area. Information for specifying the roadside device 5 to be transmitted (roadside device position information DB 27) at the installation position and information used for specifying an event occurring on the road based on the information transmitted from the sensor device 3 (event) DB28) is stored. The event DB 28 includes a table in which signals relating to events output from the sensor device 3 and the contents of events corresponding to the signals are arranged.
[0021]
4 includes a wireless communication device 31 used to construct an ad hoc network with the sensor device 3, a storage device 32 that stores data, a CPU that controls processing of the in-vehicle device 7, and the like. The control device 33 is a main component, and an output means 34 such as a display or a speaker for transmitting information to the passenger, and an input means 35 such as a button used when the passenger operates the in-vehicle device 7. It becomes the composition which added.
[0022]
In the storage device 32, in order to specify an event that has occurred on the road 2 based on information (position correspondence table 36) used to specify the position of the sensor device 3 from the sensor ID and information transmitted from the sensor device 3. Information (event DB 37) used in the process is stored. The position correspondence table 36 may have the same contents as the sensor position information DB 26 shown in FIG. 3, or only the sensor ID of the sensor device 3 laid in a specific area where the vehicle 6 may pass from the sensor position information DB 26. It may be a table created by extracting.
[0023]
Next, when the sensor device 3 detects an obstacle as an abnormality of the road 2 in the sensor network system 1, a process until the passenger of the vehicle 6 is notified to that effect will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do.
[0024]
First, the sensor device 3 (sensor device 3a in FIG. 1) detects the presence of an obstacle (step S1). The detection here means that the pressure receiving element 11 outputs a load detection signal, and the control device 13 refers to the event table in the storage device 15 to determine the load and the time from when the detection signal is continuously output. To recognize the existence of a thing. Then, the sensor device 3 transmits detection information, which is a detection result and identifies an occurrence event, a sensor ID, an occurrence time, and the number of hops, as failure detection information on the ad hoc network (step S2). ). The number of hops is the number of relay stations intervening when communication is performed using the sensor device 3 as a relay station on an ad hoc network. The number of hops is set to zero, and thereafter, one for each relay station interposed. The value to be added one by one.
[0025]
The other sensor devices 3 installed around the sensor device 3 that has detected the failure receive the failure detection information and pass the received information to other proximity until the hop count reaches a predetermined number (Yes in step S3). Is transmitted to the sensor device 3 (step S4). The predetermined number here is a number of hops sufficient to cause at least one roadside device 5 to receive information transmitted from the sensor device 3. In step S4, the sensor device 3 transmits information after increasing the number of hops by one in its own control device 13.
[0026]
In this way, the information to be transmitted on the ad hoc network is transmitted until a predetermined number of hops is reached, and the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle 6 located in a relatively close position in the process receives the information (step S5). Yes), the roadside device 5 receives (Yes in step S6).
[0027]
When it is received by the roadside device 5 (Yes in Step S6), the roadside device 5 transmits the failure detection information to the failure handling server device 8 (Step S7). The failure handling server device 8 receives the received sensor ID, The occurrence position of the failure is specified from the sensor position information DB 26 (step S8). Then, in order to inform the vehicle 6 that cannot directly receive the failure detection information due to the limitation of the number of hops and the location of the failure, it is assumed that the vehicle 6 that is approaching the location where the failure will occur will pass. The device 5 is extracted (step S9), and information identifying the occurrence position and its contents and notifying the occurrence of the failure is transmitted to the extracted roadside device 5 (step S10).
[0028]
When the information is transmitted in the step S10 and in the case of Yes in the step S5 (that is, when the information is received by the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle before reaching the predetermined number of hops), the in-vehicle device 7 is Then, the occurrence position and the content of the road abnormality are specified (step S11). At this time, the position correspondence table 36 and the event DB 37 stored in the storage device 32 are referred to. If the in-vehicle device 7 does not include the position correspondence table 36 or the event DB 37, the in-vehicle device 7 inquires of the failure handling server device 8 or the roadside device 5 and specifies the occurrence position and the content of the road abnormality. These pieces of information are notified to the passenger by voice or display (characters, images, etc.) by the output means 34 (step S12).
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the sensor device 3 laid on the road 2 can detect that a failure has occurred on the road 2 and provide information to the vehicle 6 in a range where such information is considered necessary. Thus, the occurrence of a secondary failure that occurs following the failure (for example, a rear-end collision or a traffic jam) is prevented in advance. From such a viewpoint, the sensor network system 1 of the present embodiment can be applied to application examples listed below.
[0030]
For example, when a vibration meter is provided in the sensor device 3 and a vibration profile or intensity different from the vehicle traffic is detected, it is determined that an earthquake has occurred, and information including the sensor ID, the vibration intensity, and the detection time is transmitted. You may make it do. In addition to this, when a sensor device 3 that cannot perform data communication on an ad hoc network or a sensor device 3 with a reduced radio wave intensity occurs, the failure handling server device 8 estimates that the road 2 has cracked. You can also. Furthermore, at least a part of the sensor device 3 is provided with a rainfall sensor to detect precipitation, to detect whether or not the road surface is frozen by the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the transmittance detected by the optical sensor, It may be possible to detect that the vehicle 6 has a risk of slipping by detecting the scattering of oil on the road surface by the transmittance. Incidentally, it is not always necessary to distinguish between freezing and oil. In short, it can be detected by the sensor device 3 that the vehicle 6 is in a state where it cannot pass, the passage is dangerous, or such a possibility, and the necessary vehicle 6 can be notified using the sensor network. What is necessary is just to comprise.
[0031]
(Second embodiment)
The sensor network system of the present embodiment is intended to provide, for each vehicle, a service that matches the running state of the vehicle (including when it is stopped) using a large number of sensor devices laid on the road surface. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a sensor network system 41 that manages the parking lot 40 as an example. In addition, the description which overlaps with said 1st embodiment below is abbreviate | omitted.
[0032]
This sensor network system 41 is mounted on a lot of sensor devices 3 laid on a parking lot 40 and a road 2, a roadside device 5 that receives information from the sensor device 3 using wireless communication technology, and a vehicle 6. An ad hoc sensor network constructed with the in-vehicle device 7, and a parking lot management server device 48 that receives information from the roadside device 5 and manages the parking lot 40. The parking lot 40 may be a parking lot partitioned separately from the road 2 or a parking space provided on the road side along the road 2.
[0033]
The sensor device 3 transmits a detection signal output when the pressure receiving element 11 (see FIG. 2) detects a load corresponding to the vehicle, its own sensor ID, a detection time, and the number of hops as parking information. . In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a light emitting element that is lit to guide the vehicle 6 to be parked to a parking space.
[0034]
The roadside device 5 sends the parking information from each sensor device 3 transmitted using the ad hoc network to the parking lot management server device 48, and as a result, the information sent from the parking lot management server device 48 is detected by the sensor. Or transmitting to the device 3. The roadside device 5 installed in the parking lot 40 and the roadside device 5 installed on the road can have the same configuration.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the parking lot management server device 48 performs processing of the communication control device 21 that performs data communication with the roadside device 5, the storage device 22 that stores data, and the parking lot management server device 48. A control device 23 such as a CPU to be controlled is a main component, and an input device 24 such as a keyboard and an output device 25 such as a display are added thereto.
[0036]
The storage device 22 includes information for specifying the size and usage of the parking space for each parking lot 40 (parking lot DB 46), and information for specifying the size and type of the vehicle 6 to be parked (vehicle type size DB 47). Is remembered.
[0037]
The data for constructing the parking lot DB 46 includes a position where the parking lot 40 is located, a sensor ID of the sensor device 3 installed in the parking lot 40 and its installation position, a usage state of the parking lot 40, billing information, and the like. can give. The usage state of the parking lot 40 is, for example, a sensor that detects a region where the vehicle 6 is parked when the parking lot 40 is viewed in plan and a region where the vehicle 6 is not parked and can be parked. A map specified by the position of the device 3 is given. The billing information includes a billing amount per unit time when billing for each size of the vehicle 6.
[0038]
Processing for managing the parking lot 40 with such a sensor network system 41 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, a large number of sensor devices 3 laid on the ground of the parking lot 40 construct an ad hoc network, and the sensor device 3 that detects a load by stopping the vehicle 6 includes a detection signal, a time at that time, Detection information including the sensor ID and the number of hops is notified to the parking lot management server device 48 via the roadside device 5 (step S21). This process includes multi-hopping between the sensor devices 3 until the number of hops reaches a predetermined number, as in the above-described embodiment. A value equal to or greater than the number of hops that can be transmitted to the roadside device 5 installed in the parking lot 40 is selected. The parking lot management server device 48 estimates the empty state of the parking lot 40 from the information from each sensor device 3 and the information of the parking lot DB 46 and the vehicle type size DB 47 (step S22).
[0039]
The estimation of the vacant state of the parking lot 40 refers to the detection result of the load at the same time for each sensor ID of the sensor device 3, and receives the pressure from the sensor ID registered in the parking lot DB 46 and the position of the sensor device 3. A distance between regions, that is, a distance between tires of the vehicle 6 is estimated. The vehicle size DB 47 is searched from the distance between the tires, and the area occupied by the parked vehicle 6 is estimated. It is assumed that the area corresponding to the estimated area is in use, and the remaining area is in an empty state.
[0040]
The parking lot management server device 48 that has estimated the vacant state includes the position of the parking lot 40, the vacant state, and the time at which this is estimated as an estimation result in the roadside device 5 disposed on the road 2. It transmits as vacant information (step S23).
[0041]
When the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle 6 receives the parking space availability information from the roadside device 5 via the sensor device 3 laid on the road, the output means 34 (see FIG. 4) outputs the parking space availability information to a screen or the like. . The parking lot availability information may be acquired and output only when the passenger operates the input means 35 (see FIG. 4) to request information on the open parking lot 40.
[0042]
Regardless of whether the parking lot availability information is used or not, if the vehicle 6 enters the empty parking lot 40 (Yes in step S24), the sensor device 3 moves from the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle 6 to the vehicle 6 Information about the vehicle type and size is acquired (step S25). In addition, when using parking lot availability information, vehicle type information and size information can be acquired before the vehicle 6 arrives at the parking lot 40 through the sensor device 3 on the road surface by a passenger's operation. .
[0043]
The vehicle type information and the size information are transmitted to the roadside device 5 using an ad hoc network, and are transferred from the roadside device 5 to the parking lot management server device 48. The parking lot management server device 48 performs matching with the vacant information of the parking lot 40 recorded in the parking lot DB 46, and selects an area where the vehicle 6 can be parked (step S26). Then, a sensor ID corresponding to the selected region is extracted (step S27), and guidance information for lighting the light emitting element and guiding the vehicle 6 is transmitted to the sensor device 3 having the corresponding sensor ID (step S28). ), And the process here ends. From the viewpoint of specifying a space where parking is possible, the sensor ID of the present embodiment is preferably an ID assigned to each sensor device 3.
[0044]
In addition, if the vehicle 6 parks according to guidance information, the process from said step S21 will be performed again. That is, since the pressure receiving element 11 of the sensor device 3 at the ground contact position of the tire detects the load and transmits the detection data, the parking lot management server device 48 creates new parking lot availability information that makes the area unparkable. To do.
[0045]
According to this sensor network system 41, it becomes possible to grasp the size and arrangement of the vacant space in the parking lot 40 from the information acquired from the sensor device 3 using the sensor network constructed using the ad hoc network. . In addition, by combining this with the information on the size and type of the vehicle 6 acquired from the vehicle 6, it becomes possible to guide the vehicle 6 that wishes to park to an appropriate location, thereby enabling efficient parking management. become. Since it is not necessary to divide the parking space in advance, it is not necessary to set up a fence or a post for detecting the vehicle 6 in the parking lot 40, so that the land can be used effectively.
[0046]
When the vehicle is parked, the passenger may input the parking timing and the address and phone number of the mobile terminal to the in-vehicle device and register them in the parking lot management server device 48. For example, if the vehicle is moved without permission, it is possible to determine that the vehicle is stolen or abnormal and notify the passenger's mobile phone or the like.
[0047]
When the parked vehicle 6 leaves the parking lot 40, the sensor device 3 detects the departure at the exit of the parking lot 40, and automatically charges according to the time when the parking lot management server device 48 stops. You may calculate. Moreover, it becomes possible to charge according to the parking time in the parking lot 40 contracted monthly. Furthermore, since it is possible to manage the parking lot 40 without dividing the parking space with a line, it is possible to preferentially park large vehicles or park so that large vehicles and small vehicles are mixed. This makes it possible to operate the parking lot with high flexibility and efficiency.
[0048]
In addition, the sensor device 3 monitors that the vehicle 6 that has been parked is continuously parked, and when the vehicle 6 that should have been parked is moved by a third party or the like, that fact is You may make it notify to portable terminals 43, such as a passenger in a certain position. For example, the sensor device transmits the detection signal of the vehicle 6 until the passenger operates the vehicle-mounted device 7 again after the passenger is registered using the vehicle-mounted device 7 during parking. When there is no longer any information, the parking lot management server device 48 notifies the mobile terminal 43 registered in advance via the communication network 42 of information indicating the abnormality and prompting confirmation. In order to realize such processing, the in-vehicle device 7 is configured to transmit the start and end of parking to the parking lot management server device 48. Furthermore, the information of the portable terminal 43 is stored as a notification destination in the storage device 22 of the parking lot management server device 48, or the presence / absence of an abnormality is determined from the parking start / end information and the parking information of the sensor device 3. The control device 23 is made to function so as to be able to do so.
[0049]
This embodiment improves the driving environment as a whole by providing a service that matches the driving state of the vehicle 6 for each vehicle 6. From this point of view, the sensor network system 41 of the present embodiment can be applied to the following application examples.
[0050]
For example, a system for informing a toll near the exit of a toll road can be constructed. In this case, when the vehicle 6 enters the toll road, the sensor device 3 laid at the entry position writes information on a point where the vehicle 6 enters the storage device 32 (see FIG. 4) of the in-vehicle device 7. When the vehicle 6 leaves the toll road, the sensor device 3 laid in front of the toll gate reads the entry point information and the ID of the in-vehicle device 7 from the in-vehicle device 7. The read information is transmitted using at least an ad hoc network to the management server device provided with the fee table in a state where the sensor ID of the sensor device 3 is given. The management server device calculates a fee from the current position specified from the sensor ID, the information on the entry point, and the size of the vehicle determined from the ID of the in-vehicle device 7, and sends the calculation result to the corresponding in-vehicle device 7 in an ad hoc network. Send at least using it. The in-vehicle device 7 receives the calculation result before the toll gate and displays the travel section and the amount on the output unit 34 (see FIG. 4) based on the received information. In this way, charges can be prepared in advance, making payments smooth and contributing to alleviating congestion at the toll booth. The calculation result may be displayed on a display provided in front of the toll gate.
[0051]
Further, from the information (detection information) of the vehicle 6 detected by a large number of sensor devices 3 laid on the road 2, the management server device calculates the travel amount of the road 2 or the number of vehicles stopped on the road 2. Counting may be performed to adjust the signal switching timing at the intersection. In this case, the management server device including a database in which the position of the sensor device 3 and the sensor ID are associated with each other travels on the same route on the same road 2 using the sensor ID of the sensor device 3 that has detected the presence of the vehicle 6 as an index. The amount or the number of the stopped vehicles 6 is estimated from the position of the sensor device 3 corresponding to the head and the position of the sensor device 3 corresponding to the rear end. When the management server device determines that the traffic volume on one of the two intersecting roads is large, a signal switching signal is transmitted to the traffic signal connected through the communication network as an output corresponding to the estimation result. The traffic light is controlled so that the vehicle 6 on the road 2 with a high traffic volume can pass smoothly.
[0052]
Furthermore, on the road 2 that is difficult to face to face such as in the suburbs or narrow roads, the vehicle 6 can pass alternately by using the sensor device 3 laid before and after the entrance of the road 2 and the corner without a traffic light. It becomes possible to organize traffic. That is, when the management server device estimates the presence or absence of the vehicle 6 and the number of vehicles 6 according to the detection result of the sensor device 3 and determines that there is no oncoming vehicle, or the number of oncoming vehicles is greater than the number of vehicles 6 When it is determined that the number is small, a traffic permission notice is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle 6 or is displayed on the indicator installed on the road 2. On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle 6 with the smaller number transmits a notification for urging to stop, or displays that fact on the display. The vehicle 6 can be smoothly passed through the narrow road 2 and the road 2 with poor visibility.
[0053]
(Third embodiment)
The sensor network system of the present embodiment is intended to monitor the running state of a vehicle using a large number of sensor devices laid on the road surface, and to perform control based on traffic regulations and notify dangerous vehicles. FIG. 9A shows a schematic configuration of a sensor network system 51 that warns of overspeed as an example. In addition, below, the description which overlaps with each said embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.
[0054]
The sensor network system 51 is constructed from a large number of sensor devices 3 laid on the road 2, a roadside device 5 disposed at a predetermined interval along the road 2, and an in-vehicle device 7 mounted on the vehicle 6. And a running state management server device 58 which is a management computer having a database and the like. The traveling state management server device 58 estimates the speed of the vehicle 6 from the time difference between the sensor devices 3 and the distance between the sensor devices 3.
[0055]
The sensor device 3 detects a load corresponding to the vehicle 6 by the pressure receiving element 11, acquires information (vehicle ID) for identifying the vehicle assigned to each vehicle 6 from the in-vehicle device 7, The sensor ID, the detection time, and the number of hops are assigned, and data is transmitted as travel information. The definition of the number of hops and the upper limit value of the number of hops during communication are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0056]
The roadside device 6 sends the traveling information from each sensor device 3 transmitted using the ad hoc network to the traveling state management server device 58, and the information sent from the traveling state management server device 58 as a result is the sensor device. 3 or the like. In addition, the display 50 installed on the road 2 is also controlled in order to convey information to the vehicle 6. The display device 50 is a device that enables a passenger of the vehicle 6 to visually recognize characters and the like using lighting of light, and may include a speaker as an auxiliary means.
[0057]
The traveling state management server device 58 is composed of a computer, and can inform the monitoring engine 53 that monitors the traveling state of the vehicle via the communication network 52 of the information on the vehicle 6 in the dangerous traveling state as necessary. . As shown in FIG. 10, the configuration includes a communication control device 21 that performs data communication with the roadside device 5, a storage device 22 that stores data and the like, and a CPU that controls processing of the traveling state management server device 58. The device 23 is a main component, and an input device 24 such as a keyboard and an output device 25 such as a display are added thereto.
[0058]
The storage device 22 transmits information when providing information (sensor position information DB 26) used to specify the position of the sensor device 3 from the sensor ID and information necessary for the vehicle 6 in a predetermined area. Information for identifying the roadside device 5 to be used (roadside device position information DB27) and information used for determining whether or not the estimated vehicle speed is larger than the speed determined for each road 2 (vehicle speed DB54) Is stored. The vehicle speed DB 54 may be a table in which the road 2 and the legal speed are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, or a table in which the road 2 is classified according to several speeds (for example, 100 km / h, 60 km / h, etc.). There may be.
[0059]
As in FIG. 4, the in-vehicle device 7 includes a wireless communication device 31, a storage device 32, and a control device 33 as main components, and also includes an output unit 34 and an input unit 35. In the present embodiment, the storage device 32 also stores a vehicle ID.
[0060]
Processing for checking the speed of the vehicle 6 using such a sensor network system 51 and notifying it as necessary will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the sensor device 3 detects the passage of the vehicle 6, a vehicle ID is acquired, and travel information is created as detection information in which the sensor ID, the detection time, and the number of hops are added to the vehicle ID. Transmit (step S31). This travel information is received by the roadside device 5 while increasing the number of hops every time it is transmitted via the sensor device 3, and is transmitted from the roadside device 5 to the travel state management server device 58 via the communication network 4. (Step S32). When the traveling state management server device 58 receives traveling information about the vehicle 6 and has received traveling information from at least two sensor devices 3 (Yes in step S33), the traveling state management server device 58 calculates between the sensor devices 3 calculated from each sensor ID. The speed of the vehicle 6 is estimated from the distance between the two and the difference in detection time (step S34). For example, in the example of FIG. 9B, the sensor device 3b laid at the position L1 detects the vehicle 6 at time t1, and the sensor device 3c laid at the position L2 sets the same vehicle ID at time t2. When the vehicle 6 is detected, the traveling state management server device 58 searches the sensor position information DB by the sensor ID to obtain the positions L1 and L2, and the distance ΔL between the sensor device 3b and the sensor device 3c. (= L2-L1) is calculated. A value obtained by dividing this by the detection time difference Δt (= t2−t1) is regarded as the speed of the vehicle 6.
[0061]
The traveling state management server device 58 determines whether or not the estimated vehicle has a speed requiring attention (step S35). As the processing here, the legal speed of the road 2 specified by the sensor ID or the speed that is desired to be observed is retrieved from the vehicle speed DB 54, and the magnitude relationship between this and the estimated vehicle speed is examined. When the estimated vehicle speed is high, the vehicle is considered to be traveling at a speed that requires attention.
[0062]
If no attention is required, the process ends here. On the other hand, when attention is required (Yes in step S35), the roadside device 5 arranged on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 6 is searched from the roadside device position information DB 27, and all the roadside devices 5 extracted are searched. As the output corresponding to the estimation result, the caution information including the speed value calculated in step S34, information for calling attention (text data, data for instructing generation of sound, etc.), and the vehicle ID Transmit (step S36). When the roadside device 5 confirms that the corresponding vehicle 6 exists in its own cover area using the ad hoc network, the roadside device 5 notifies the passenger of the vehicle 6 of the received caution information (step S37). The notification uses the ad hoc network to transmit the caution information to the in-vehicle device 7 of the vehicle 6 via the sensor device 3, and the in-vehicle device 7 outputs the caution information or the timing of passing the vehicle 6 is estimated. Or causing the display device 50 to display a warning. Moreover, you may transmit warning information on an ad hoc network from all the extracted roadside apparatuses 5, irrespective of whether the vehicle 6 used as a target exists in a cover area.
[0063]
Furthermore, if the speed is too high and the dangerous speed is registered in the vehicle speed DB 54 as a speed that may cause danger to the vehicle 6 or its surroundings, and the dangerous speed has been reached in the determination process, The warning information may be transmitted to the roadside device 5 and the vehicle 6 may be specified and notified to the monitoring engine 53 that it is dangerous. An example of the monitoring organization 53 is a police that has jurisdiction over the road.
[0064]
The sensor network system 51 may be linked to a traffic light or a stop sign. In this case, the sensor device 3 for detecting the presence of a red signal or a pause is provided at the position where the red signal or the pause is present or in the process. When the traveling state management server device 58 confirms a vehicle 6 that is approaching a red traffic light or is approaching a temporary stop but is traveling at a speed that is unlikely to stop, the traveling state management server device 58 While specifying, the information which calls a passenger's attention is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted apparatus 7 and the indicator 50.
[0065]
According to this embodiment, the traveling state of the vehicle 6 can be monitored. From such a viewpoint, the sensor network system 51 can be applied to application examples listed below.
[0066]
When the detection information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 6 and the position of the sensor device 3 that detects the vehicle ID is acquired over time to create a driving locus of the vehicle 6, and it is determined that the management server device is performing the zigzag driving In addition, the passenger may be notified using the in-vehicle device 7 or the display device 50 to prevent an accident from occurring.
[0067]
In addition, at least some of the sensor devices 3 are provided with light receiving elements, and the management server device determines whether or not the headlight of the vehicle 6 is turned on according to the amount of received light detected by the sensor device 3, and the determination result is shown to the passenger. May be notified. This makes it possible to promptly notify the passenger that the headlight has been forgotten or that one of the headlights has been turned off.
[0068]
Alternatively, the management server device may calculate the weight of the vehicle 6 from the sum of the loads detected by the sensor device 3 that receives the same vehicle ID, and detect and notify overloading of a freight vehicle or the like.
[0069]
(Fourth embodiment)
The sensor network system of the present embodiment is intended to enable a vehicle to use information via a communication network (for example, the Internet) using a large number of sensor devices laid on a road surface. As an example, FIG. 12 shows a case of connecting to the Internet 62. In addition, below, the description which overlaps with each said embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.
[0070]
The sensor device 3 includes at least the power supply module 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, a control device 13, and a wireless communication device 14 that constructs an ad hoc network. The sensor (sensing) in the present embodiment is used to mean that the radio wave transmitted from the in-vehicle device 7 is received (detected).
[0071]
The roadside device 5 mediates communication between the management server device 68 connected to the Internet 62 and the vehicle 6, and includes a communication device for constructing an ad hoc network with the sensor device 3, a management server device 58, And at least a communication device for constructing a network. Further, a global address (for example, IP (Internet Protocol) address) may be assigned to each roadside device 5 so that information can be easily transmitted from the Internet. In this case, the address of the roadside device 5 is stored in the storage device.
[0072]
The management server device 68 has the same configuration as in FIG. That is, the communication control device 21 connected to the communication network 4 or the Internet 62, the storage device 22 that stores data, and the control device 23 such as a CPU that controls the processing of the management server device 68 are main components. In addition, an input device 24 such as a keyboard and an output device 25 such as a display are added. The storage device 22 includes at least a roadside device position information DB 27 in which the address and position of the roadside device 5 are stored. In addition to this, a global address (for example, an IP address) assigned to each in-vehicle device 7 is provided. A database in which (address) is stored may be provided.
[0073]
The in-vehicle device 7 has the same configuration as FIG. That is, the main components are a wireless communication device 31 used to construct an ad hoc network with the sensor device 3, a storage device 32 that stores data, and a control device 33 such as a CPU that controls processing of the in-vehicle device 7. In this configuration, an output means 34 for transmitting information to the passenger and an input means 35 used for the operation are added. The storage device 32 stores a program used for browsing information and a global address (for example, an IP address) assigned to the in-vehicle device 7. The address may be the vehicle ID in the above embodiment.
[0074]
A process for causing the vehicle 6 to exchange information using the Internet 62 in the sensor network system 61 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
First, when the driver of the vehicle 6 operates the input means 35 of the in-vehicle device 7 to request connection of the Internet 62, the in-vehicle device 7 stores the address of the in-vehicle device 7 and the information acquired using the Internet 62. Information (connection request) including a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and the number of hops is created and transmitted to the adjacent sensor device 3 (step S41). The sensor device 3 that has received the connection request passes the information, that is, the connection request to the roadside device 5 using the ad hoc network according to the number of hops as in the first embodiment (step S42). The roadside device 5 creates a new connection request with its own address assigned to the connection request, and transmits it to the management server device 68 (step S43). The management server device 68 is connected to the Internet 62, acquires the data of the corresponding URL, and distributes it to the roadside device 5 (step S44).
[0075]
The data distributed at this time is transmitted to the address of the roadside device 5 that is the source of the connection request, that is, the roadside device 5 included in the connection request. The roadside device 5 transmits it to the corresponding in-vehicle device 7 via the ad hoc network constructed by the sensor device 3 or the like (step S45). And the vehicle equipment 7 outputs applicable data from the output means 34 (step S46).
[0076]
Here, since the vehicle 6 is traveling, the vehicle 6 may have moved to another cover area of the roadside device 5 from the transmission of the first connection request until the corresponding data is received. In addition, it is necessary to change the roadside device 5 that relays data while connected to the Internet 62. In such a case, a process similar to a handover well known in the wireless communication process is performed. For example, when the sensor network system 61 of this embodiment can perform the processing described in the third embodiment, the ad hoc network formed by the sensor device 3, the in-vehicle device 7, and the roadside device 5 may be used. The traveling direction and speed can be estimated. By constructing the system in this way, it becomes possible to identify the roadside device 5 scheduled to be used as the next roadside device 5 that relays data and the timing of switching, so that an efficient handover can be realized. .
[0077]
In the present embodiment, the communication network to which the vehicle 6 is connected via an ad hoc network includes inter-vehicle communication performed between vehicles. This communication includes data communication and telephone calls, and communication using an ad hoc network is possible between vehicles in relatively close proximity.
[0078]
The present invention can be widely applied without being limited to the above-described embodiments.
For example, two or more processes in the above-described four embodiments may be performed at the same time, such as operating a system that notifies the occurrence of a failure and a system that adjusts the traffic volume as one system.
[0079]
Further, the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle 6 may be provided with a sensor or receive information from a sensor attached to the vehicle 6 so that the information on the vehicle 6 can be transmitted via an ad hoc network. The sensors in this case are vehicles 6 such as a sensor that detects drinking, a sensor that detects the remaining amount of fuel, a sensor that detects the concentration of exhaust gas, a sensor that detects air pressure, and a sensor that detects vehicle speed. Sensors for detecting the driving state and the passenger's state. As a result, drunk driving can be prevented, breakdowns can be prevented, and fuel can be prevented from running out.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a plurality of detection devices laid on a road, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the like build a network using wireless transmission technology and perform communication, thereby relating to a traffic environment centering on an automobile. Information can be sufficiently collected and distributed. For example, various services can be provided to a running vehicle such as early detection of a failure, notification to the vehicle, and monitoring of the running state. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor network system in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a failure handling server apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing of the sensor network system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor network system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a parking lot management server device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing of the sensor network system.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor network system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a traveling state management server device.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing of the sensor network system.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor network system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of processing of the sensor network system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 41, 51, 61 Sensor network system
2 roads
3 Sensor device (detection device)
5 Roadside equipment (relay station)
6 Vehicle
7 In-vehicle device
8 Troubleshooting server
11 Pressure sensing element (sensor)
14 Wireless communication device (communication device)
21 Communication control device
26 Sensor position information DB (database)
27 Roadside device position information DB (database)
31 Wireless communication device (communication device)
48 Parking management server device
50 indicator
58 Running state management server device
68 Management server device

Claims (7)

An in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes a communication device, and an ad hoc network of a detection device that is laid on a road surface of a road and includes a sensor using a wireless communication device and a pressure-receiving element, and constructs a wireless network,
When the sensor detects an obstacle on the road, it creates detection information including the detection result and information for specifying the laying position of the detection device, and includes at least one detection device that serves as an information source of the detection information. A communication method using a wireless network for notifying the in-vehicle device of the occurrence of a failure via the detection device,
The detection device includes:
A sensor by a pressure-receiving element that measures the presence of an object that is buried or partially exposed on the road surface and is passing or stopping on the road, and the weight of the object;
A storage device for storing an event table in which a sensor ID for specifying a laying position of the detection device and a load size and a predetermined time for determining the presence or absence of a failure are registered;
A control device for determining the presence or absence of a failure,
At least a wireless communication device,
The control device of the detection device is:
The time when the load is continuously detected from the detection value of the sensor is obtained, and this is compared with the load size registered in the event table and a predetermined time, and continuously for a predetermined time or more. When a load is detected, it is determined that there is an obstacle, detection information including the determination result and the sensor ID is created, and the detection information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device via the wireless communication device. ,
A communication method using a wireless network. Constructing a wireless network including the wireless network and a relay station arranged along the road and connected to the server device for management,
The server device receives the detection information transmitted from the detection device serving as an information source via the relay station, and refers to a sensor position information database using the sensor ID included in the detection information. The location of the failure is identified, the relay station in the vicinity where the vehicle approaching the location of the failure is supposed to pass is extracted with reference to the roadside device location information database, and the extracted relay station Notifying the on-vehicle device of the detection information;
The communication method using the wireless network according to claim 1. On-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and provided with a communication device, ad hoc network of a detection device provided with a sensor using a wireless communication device and a pressure-receiving element, and a server device for management. A wireless network including a relay station connected to the
When the detection device detects a vehicle parked in the area, information including the detection result and information for specifying the laying position of the detection device is created, and includes at least one detection device serving as an information source. This is a communication method using a wireless network that transmits data to the server device via the two detection devices and the relay station, identifies a space that can be parked from the laying position by the server device, and notifies the vehicle-mounted device. And
The detection device includes:
It is laid so as to be scattered throughout the parking area and to be buried or partially exposed on the road surface of the area,
When the detection device detects a vehicle load in the area, the detection information including a detection time and a sensor ID is transmitted to the server device via the ad hoc network and the relay station,
The server device
A parking lot database for storing the laying position of the detection device, a vehicle type database for storing the vehicle type and its size, a control device for determining an empty space in the parking lot, and a communication control device;
The control device acquires a sensor ID and a detection time from among a plurality of detection information transmitted from the relay station, and refers to the parking lot database based on a load detection result at the same time, and a distance between tires Estimating the area required for parking with reference to the vehicle size database based on the distance between the tires,
The estimated area is in use, and it is determined that the area other than the area determined to be in use is free space.
Notifying the free space information to the in-vehicle device via the relay station or the detection device;
A communication method using a wireless network. When the vehicle enters the parking lot, the server device receives the vehicle type and / or vehicle size information acquired by the detection device via the relay station, and refers to the parking lot database and the empty space information. Is selected, an area where the vehicle can be parked is selected, a sensor ID corresponding to the selected area is extracted, and a light-emitting element is turned on to cause the detection device having the corresponding sensor ID to be guided. Sending guidance information,
A communication method using a wireless network according to claim 3. On-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and provided with a communication device, ad hoc network of a detection device provided with a sensor using a wireless communication device and a pressure-receiving element, and a server device for management. A wireless network including a relay station connected to the
When the detection device detects a vehicle passing over the detection device with the sensor, detection information including a detection result, information for specifying a laying position of the detection device, and detection time becomes an information source. The server device is transmitted to the server device via at least one of the detection device including the detection device and the relay station, and the server device estimates a traveling state of the vehicle on the road from a plurality of the detection information. A communication method using a wireless network that outputs in response,
The detection device detects a vehicle load, acquires a vehicle ID for identifying the vehicle from the in-vehicle device, and sends detection information including the vehicle ID, a sensor ID, and a detection time to the server via the relay station. To the device,
The server device estimates the travel amount of the same lane on the same road and / or the number of parked vehicles from the plurality of received detection information, using the sensor ID as an index, to a traffic signal connected through a communication network, Sending control signals for signal switching according to traffic volume,
A communication method using a wireless network. The server device estimates the vehicle speed from the time difference between detection times and the distance between the detection devices corresponding to the sensor ID for the same vehicle ID, and notifies the vehicle occupant of the vehicle speed;
A communication method using a wireless network according to claim 5. The server device estimates, from the detection information, the number of vehicles traveling on the same lane on the same road and / or the number of stopped vehicles as a passing amount, and notifies the in-vehicle device of the passing amount;
A communication method using a wireless network according to claim 5.

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