JP4207842B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND CENTER DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a communication system in which a first communication device and a second communication device are configured to enable narrow-area wireless communication, and a center device and a second communication device are configured to enable wide-area wireless communication. The present invention relates to a communication device and a center device used in the communication system.

  For example, as one of vehicle operation management systems for managing vehicle operation, an in-vehicle communication device installed in the vehicle and a center device installed in the center are connected to each other through a wide area wireless communication network (such as a cellular telephone network). It is configured to be able to communicate, and the in-vehicle communication device periodically transmits position information indicating the current position of the vehicle to the center device by wide area wireless communication, and the center device transmits the vehicle information based on the position information transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device. There is something that periodically checks the current position.

  However, in such a vehicle operation management system, if the vehicle is located within the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network, the in-vehicle communication device can periodically transmit the position information to the center device by wide area wireless communication. However, if the vehicle is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network (if it is located outside the communication area), it becomes impossible for the in-vehicle communication device to periodically transmit the position information to the center device. It becomes difficult for the device to periodically check the current position of the vehicle. In addition, even when the wide area wireless communication unit of the in-vehicle communication device does not operate normally due to some trouble, the in-vehicle communication device cannot periodically transmit the position information to the center device, and the center device It becomes difficult to periodically check the current position of the vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is when the communication device is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network or the wide area wireless communication unit of the communication apparatus does not operate normally. Even so, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a communication device, and a center device that can appropriately transmit and receive information between the communication device and the center device.

According to the communication system described in claim 1, if the first communication device is capable of narrow-area wireless communication with the second communication device, the future movement of the second communication device is possible. The second communication device is inquired about the destination and route that are the movement information regarding the second communication device, and the second communication device moves from outside the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication range based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device. Uplink transmission to be transmitted to the center apparatus when the second communication device satisfies a predetermined condition when the second communication device satisfies the predetermined condition when moving from the outside of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area Information is transmitted to the second communication device by narrow-area wireless communication. The second communication device stores the received uplink transmission information when the uplink transmission information transmitted from the first communication device is received by the narrow area wireless communication, and the own communication device communicates with the center device. If wide area wireless communication is possible, the stored uplink transmission information is transmitted to the center apparatus by wide area wireless communication.

As a result, the first communicator is in a wide area between itself and the center device because it is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network or the wide area wireless communication unit of the own apparatus does not operate normally. Even if wireless communication is not possible, if the local device is capable of narrow-area wireless communication with the second communication device, the upstream communication information to be transmitted to the center device by the own device is transmitted to the second communication device. After that, the second communication device is transmitted (deposited) from the first communication device when the second communication device can perform wide area wireless communication with the center device. ) Since uplink transmission information destined for the center device is transmitted to the center device, uplink transmission information can be appropriately transmitted and received between the first communication device and the center device. In addition, since the first communication device transmits uplink transmission information to the second communication device that has the possibility of moving from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area (highly likely), The time (delay time) required until uplink transmission information to be transmitted from the second communication device to the center device can be suppressed as much as possible, and the first communication device to the center device in the entire system can be suppressed. It is possible to efficiently transmit / receive uplink transmission information to / from.

According to the communication system described in claim 2, the first communication device specifies a second communication device previously grouped as the same group as the own device from among an unspecified number of second communication devices. Then, the second communication device is inquired of the second communication device for a destination and a route that are movement information related to the future movement of the second communication device, and the movement obtained from the second communication device. Based on the information, it is determined whether or not the second communication device may move from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area, and the second communication apparatus moves from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area. When the possibility satisfies a predetermined condition, the transmission information to be transmitted from the own device to the center device is transmitted to the second communication device by the narrow area wireless communication .

  As a result, the first communication device does not transmit uplink transmission information to all of the unspecified many second communication devices, but is identical to the own device in advance from among the unspecified many second communication devices. Since the uplink transmission information is transmitted only to the second communication device grouped (limited) as a group, even if the information is difficult to be leaked to the outside, such as personal information, the communication device in advance By forming the same group with each other, convenience can be improved, and transmission / reception of uplink transmission information from the first communication device to the center device in the entire system can be efficiently performed. In addition, as a group here, for example, a corporation-related or a school-related specific organization etc. are mentioned.

According to the communication system described in claim 3 , the second communication device acquires the position information and time information of the own device at the acquisition timing of the position information indicating the current position of the own device, If wide area wireless communication is possible with the center device, the acquired position information and time information of the own device are transmitted to the center device by wide area wireless communication, and then transmitted from the first communication device. The uplink transmission information stored in this way is transmitted to the center device by wide area wireless communication.

  Accordingly, the second communication device transmits the uplink transmission information transmitted from the first communication device and stored immediately after transmitting the position information and time information of the own device to the center device by wide-area wireless communication. Since the transmission is promptly transmitted to the center apparatus by wireless communication, the process of transmitting the position information and time information of the own apparatus to the center apparatus and the uplink transmission information transmitted (deposited) from the first communication apparatus Can be continuously and efficiently performed.

According to the communication apparatus of claim 4, the control means, the apparatus itself if a short range wireless communication by the short range wireless communication means with other communication devices, future other communication device It is possible to inquire other communication devices about destinations and routes that are movement information related to movement, and other communication devices can move from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area based on the movement information obtained from other communication apparatuses. If the possibility that another communication device moves from the outside of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area satisfies a predetermined condition, the uplink transmission information that the own apparatus should transmit to the center device is narrowed. Transmission from the wireless communication means to another communication device. Thereby, it can act as the first communication device in the communication system according to the first aspect, that is, the own device is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network or the wide area wireless communication unit of the own apparatus. If the device itself is capable of narrow-area wireless communication with other communication devices, even if the device does not operate normally and the device is not capable of wide-area wireless communication with the center device, It is possible to transmit (deposit) uplink transmission information to be transmitted from the own device to the center device to another communication device.

According to the communication system described in claim 5 , if the center device is capable of wide area wireless communication with the second communication device, the center device uses the movement information on the future movement of the second communication device. Inquire the second communication device for a certain destination or route, determine whether or not the second communication device may approach the first communication device based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device, When the possibility that the second communication device approaches the first communication device satisfies a predetermined condition, the second communication device transmits the downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first communication device by wide area wireless communication. Send to. Then, when the downlink transmission information transmitted from the center device is received by the wide area wireless communication, the second communication device stores the received downlink transmission information, and the own communication device communicates with the first communication device. If narrow area wireless communication is possible, the stored downlink transmission information is transmitted to the first communication device by narrow area wireless communication.

As a result, the center device is not connected to the first communication device because the first communication device is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network or the wide area wireless communication unit of the first communication device does not operate normally. Even if wide area wireless communication is not possible with the communication device, if the local device can perform wide area wireless communication with the second communication device, the local device should transmit to the first communication device. The transmission information will be transmitted (deposited) to the second communication device, and after that, the second communication device will be able to communicate with the first communication device when the local device becomes capable of narrow area wireless communication. Since the downlink transmission information transmitted from the device (deposited) to the first communication device is transmitted to the first communication device, the downlink is transmitted between the center device and the first communication device. Transmission information can be appropriately transmitted and received. In addition, since the center apparatus transmits downlink transmission information to the second communication apparatus that has a possibility of approaching (highly likely) to the first communication apparatus, the own apparatus transmits to the first communication apparatus. The time (delay time) required until the downlink transmission information to be transmitted is transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device can be suppressed as much as possible, and the center device in the entire system is transferred from the first communication device to the first communication device. Transmission / reception of downlink transmission information can be performed efficiently.

According to the communication system described in claim 6 , the second communication device specifies the first communication device previously grouped as the same group as the own device from among an unspecified number of first communication devices. Then, the downlink transmission information is transmitted to the identified first communication device by the narrow area wireless communication.

  Thus, the second communication device does not transmit downlink transmission information to all unspecified first communication devices, but is identical to the own device in advance from the unspecified first communication devices. Since the downlink transmission information is transmitted only to the first communication device grouped (limited) as a group, even in this case, for example, information that is difficult to be leaked to the outside such as personal information In addition, by forming the same group between the communication devices in advance, the convenience can be improved, and transmission / reception of downlink transmission information from the center device to the first communication device in the entire system is efficiently performed. Can do.

According to the communication system described in claim 7 , the second communication device acquires the position information and time information of the own device at the acquisition timing of the position information indicating the current position of the own device. If wide area wireless communication is possible with the center device, the acquired position information and time information of the own device are transmitted to the center device by wide area wireless communication, and then transmitted from the center device by wide area wireless communication. Received downlink transmission information is received.

  Thus, the second communication device transmits the downlink transmission information that the center device should transmit to the first communication device immediately after transmitting the position information and time information of the own device to the center device by wide area wireless communication. Can be quickly received from a wide area wireless communication, and the process of transmitting its own location information and time information to the center apparatus and the process of receiving downlink transmission information from the center apparatus are performed efficiently and continuously. Can do.

According to the center device described in claim 8 , when the own device cannot perform wide area wireless communication with the first communication device, the own device performs wide area wireless communication with the second communication device. If possible, the second communication device is inquired about a destination and a route that are movement information related to future movement of the second communication device, and the second communication is performed based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device. The device determines whether or not the first communication device may approach the first communication device, and when the second communication device satisfies the predetermined condition, the first device communicates with the first communication device. Downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the device is transmitted to the second communication device by wide area wireless communication. Thereby, it can act as a center device in the communication system described in claim 5 , that is, the first communication device is out of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network or the first communication device is in the wide area. Even if the wireless communication unit does not operate normally and the device itself cannot perform wide area wireless communication with the first communication device, the device itself performs wide area wireless communication with the second communication device. Can transmit (deposit) downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first communication device to the second communication device.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle operation management system configured such that an in-vehicle communication device periodically transmits position information indicating the current position of a vehicle to a center device. The description will be given with reference.
First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 schematically show the overall configuration of the vehicle operation management system. The vehicle operation management system 1 is installed in a first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 mounted on a first vehicle 11, a second vehicle-mounted communication device 22 mounted on a second vehicle 21, and a center 31. The center device 32 is provided. In this case, the first vehicle 11 is assigned a vehicle ID “001” for distinguishing the own vehicle from other vehicles, and the second vehicle 21 is distinguished from the other vehicles. A vehicle ID “002” is assigned. In the present embodiment, the relationship between the two in-vehicle communication devices of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 will be described hereinafter. The same applies to the case where there are two or more in-vehicle communication devices corresponding to the in-vehicle communication device 22, and the relationship thereof is 1 to n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), n to 1 and n to n. The same applies to either one.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of each of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 as a functional block diagram. The first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 have the same configuration. Here, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 will be described as a representative.
The first in-vehicle communication device 12 includes a control unit 101 (control unit as used in the present invention), a wide area wireless communication unit 102 (a wide area wireless communication unit as used in the present invention), and a narrow area wireless communication unit 103 (a narrow area as used in the present invention). Wireless communication means), position information acquisition unit 104, time information acquisition unit 105, vehicle ID storage unit 106, group ID storage unit 107, uplink transmission information storage unit 108 (uplink transmission information storage unit in the present invention), and downlink transmission information The storage unit 109 (downlink transmission information storage means in the present invention) is provided.

  The control unit 101 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O bus, and the like, and executes a control program to control the overall operation of the first in-vehicle communication device 12. The wide area wireless communication unit 102 performs wide area wireless communication with the center apparatus 32 (base station 33) through the wide area wireless communication network. The wide area wireless communication network here is, for example, a cellular telephone network. The narrow area wireless communication unit 103 performs narrow area wireless communication (inter-vehicle communication) through a narrow area wireless communication network with other in-vehicle communication devices. The narrow-area wireless communication network here is, for example, a wireless LAN network or a DSRC network.

  The position information acquisition unit 104 acquires the current position of the first vehicle 11. In this case, there are several methods for the position information acquisition unit 104 to acquire the current position of the first vehicle 11. For example, if the position information acquisition unit 104 includes a GPS receiver, The parameter of the GPS satellite signal transmitted from the satellite is calculated and the current position of the first vehicle 11 is acquired. For example, the car navigation system in which the position information acquisition unit 104 is mounted on the first vehicle 11 is used. If it is the structure provided with the interface function with an apparatus, the present position of the 1st vehicle 11 acquired with the car navigation apparatus will be diverted.

  The time information acquisition unit 105 has a timekeeping function and acquires time information (time stamp). The vehicle ID storage unit 106 stores a vehicle ID “001” uniquely assigned to the first vehicle 11 described above. The group ID storage unit 107 stores a preset group ID. In this case, the group ID is an index for distinguishing the group to which the in-vehicle communication device 12 belongs from other groups, and may be arbitrarily set by the user, for example, providing a service that provides a specific service It may be set centrally by a person. Moreover, as a group here, for example, the specific organization of a corporate relation, a school relation, etc. are mentioned.

  The uplink transmission information storage unit 108 temporarily stores the uplink transmission information transmitted from other in-vehicle communication devices and received by the narrow area wireless communication unit 103. In this case, the uplink transmission information is information transmitted in a direction from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 or the second in-vehicle communication device 22 toward the center device 32, and represents position information and time indicating the current position of the vehicle. Not only the time information but also, for example, vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle speed, operation information of the in-vehicle device (such as turning on / off the headlight), or diagnosis information of the in-vehicle device may be used.

  The downlink transmission information storage unit 109 temporarily stores downlink transmission information transmitted from the center device 32 and received by the wide area wireless communication unit 102. In this case, the downlink transmission information is information transmitted in a direction from the center device 32 toward the first in-vehicle communication device 12 or the second in-vehicle communication device 22, for example, transmission instruction information for instructing transmission of information, vehicle It may be travel instruction information for instructing traveling, an application program for providing a control program for controlling an in-vehicle device, an application, or the like.

  In the above-described configuration, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 may be partially configured from a car navigation device or another in-vehicle device. Further, reference numerals 201 to 209 in FIG. 3 correspond to components of the second in-vehicle communication device 22.

  In the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the acquisition timing for acquiring the position information indicating the current position of the first vehicle 11 is set in advance at a predetermined cycle (for example, “10 minutes” cycle), and the acquisition of the position information is performed. At the timing, the current position of the first vehicle 11 at that time is acquired as position information by the position information acquisition unit 104, and the time at that time is acquired as time information by the time information acquisition unit 105. If the first vehicle 11 is located within the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network at that time, the acquired position information and time information are periodically transmitted from the wide area wireless communication unit 102 to the center apparatus 32 by wide area wireless communication. Send to.

  Similarly, in the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the acquisition timing for acquiring the position information indicating the current position of the second vehicle 21 is set in advance at a predetermined cycle (for example, “10 minutes” cycle), When the position information acquisition timing is reached, the current position of the second vehicle 21 at that time is acquired as position information by the position information acquisition unit 204, and the time at that time is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 205 as time information. If the second vehicle 21 is located in the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network at that time, the acquired position information and time information are transmitted from the wide area wireless communication unit 202 to the center apparatus by the wide area wireless communication. 32 periodically.

  The center device 32 receives the position information and the time information periodically transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 in this way, so that the first vehicle 11 and the current position of the second vehicle 21 are periodically checked to perform operation management. Further, the center device 32 periodically receives position information and time information from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22, so that the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 are received. Is confirmed to be located within the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network, but the position information and the time information are not periodically received from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 or the second in-vehicle communication device 22 (reception) Therefore, it is confirmed that the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 have moved from the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the outside of the communication area (that they are located outside the communication area). The predetermined cycle for acquiring the position information in the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the predetermined cycle for acquiring the position information in the second in-vehicle communication device 22 are not necessarily set to be the same. For example, per unit time It may be set to be different from each other based on the running state of the vehicle, such as a shorter setting if the moving distance of the vehicle is larger, and a longer setting if the moving distance of the vehicle per unit time is small.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Here,
(1) The first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 approach each other and are located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, and then the second vehicle 21 communicates from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network. (2) The second vehicle 21 is located in the communication area, and then the second vehicle 21 moves from the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the outside of the communication area. The case where the vehicle and the second vehicle 21 approach each other will be sequentially described.

(1) The first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 approach each other and are located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, and then the second vehicle 21 communicates from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network. First, “the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 approach each other and are located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, and then the second vehicle 21 communicates with the wide area wireless communication. The case of moving from outside the communication area of the network to the communication area will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.

  The first in-vehicle communication device 12 acquires the position information and time information of the own device at the acquisition timing of the position information. Here, in the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the first vehicle 11 is located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, that is, the self apparatus cannot perform wide area wireless communication with the center device 32. When in the state, a transmission request signal including the vehicle ID and the group ID of the own machine is transmitted.

  The second in-vehicle communication device 22 monitors (searches) a transmission request signal transmitted from any of the in-vehicle communication devices. Here, as for the 2nd vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 22, the 1st vehicle 11 and the 2nd vehicle 21 are approaching, that is, the own apparatus is a narrow area wireless communication between the 1st vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 12. When the transmission request signal transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is received, the transmission request signal transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is received. Then, a transmission response signal including the vehicle ID and group ID of the own device is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12.

  When the transmission response signal transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is received, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is transmitted from the own vehicle ID and group ID and the second in-vehicle communication device 22. The vehicle ID and group ID included in the transmission response signal, that is, the vehicle ID and group ID of the second in-vehicle communication device 22 are collated. Here, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 has a positive vehicle ID collation result (vehicle IDs are normal to each other) and a group ID collation result is positive (group IDs are mutually different). If they match, a narrow-area wireless communication link is established with the second in-vehicle communication device 22. Then, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 transmits an authentication request signal including the password to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 and calculates the password according to a predetermined arithmetic expression.

When the authentication request signal transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is received, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 calculates the password included in the received authentication request signal according to a predetermined arithmetic expression. Then, an authentication response signal including the calculation result is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12.
When the authentication response signal transmitted from the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22 is received, the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 calculates the calculation result included in the received authentication response signal and the device itself. Authentication is performed by comparing the calculation result. When the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 matches, the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 determines that the authentication result is positive and sends a movement information request signal to the second vehicle-mounted communication device to inquire about future movement of the second vehicle 21. To 22.

  When the movement information request signal transmitted from the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 is received, the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22 receives the second vehicle such as a destination or a route set in the car navigation device, for example. A movement information response signal including movement information on the future movement of 21 is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12.

  When the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 receives the movement information response signal transmitted from the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22, the first vehicle 21 analyzes the received movement information and the second vehicle 21 The possibility of moving from outside the communication range to the communication range is determined. In this case, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 stores, for example, a map representing the communication range and the outside of the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network, and the stored map and the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22 transmit the map. By collating the destination and the route, the possibility that the second vehicle 21 moves from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area is determined. In addition, the traveling direction (history) of the second vehicle 21 may be used to predict the traveling direction of the second vehicle 21 and the second vehicle 21 may move from outside the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication range. May be determined. And if the possibility that the second vehicle 21 moves from the outside of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area satisfies the predetermined condition (the possibility is equal to or higher than a preset ratio). If it exists, the position information and time information of the own device acquired before this are transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 as uplink transmission information.

When the second in-vehicle communication device 22 receives the position information and the time information transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 as the uplink transmission information, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits the received uplink transmission information to the uplink transmission information storage unit 108. And a receipt response signal is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12.
When the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 receives the reception response signal transmitted from the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22, the first vehicle-mounted communication device 12 transmits a downlink transmission information request signal to the second vehicle-mounted communication device 22.

  When the second in-vehicle communication device 22 receives the downlink transmission information request signal transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 searches the downlink transmission information storage unit 109 and transmits it from the center device 32 (deposited). It is determined whether or not downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is stored, and if downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is stored, The downlink transmission information is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12.

  When the first in-vehicle communication device 12 receives the downlink transmission information transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 performs processing based on the received downlink transmission information and sends a reception response signal to the first transmission information. 2 is transmitted to the in-vehicle communication device 22, the narrow-area wireless communication link established with the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is released, and the series of processing ends.

  Through the series of processes described above, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 receives the location information (“Pa” in FIG. 1) and time information (“Pa” in FIG. "Ta", even if wide area wireless communication with the center device 32 is impossible at that time, if narrow area wireless communication is possible with the second in-vehicle communication device 22, The acquired location information and time information of the own device are transmitted (deposited) to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 by narrow-band wireless communication as uplink transmission information.

  Now, after that, the second vehicle 21 in which the position information and the time information of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 are deposited has moved from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 to the communication range from outside the communication range of the wide area wireless communication network. Assume that The second in-vehicle communication device 22 acquires the location information and time information of its own device at the acquisition timing of the location information, and sends a transmission request signal including its own vehicle ID and group ID to the center device. 32.

  When receiving the transmission request signal transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the center device 32 transmits a transmission response signal including the center ID of the own device 32 to the second in-vehicle communication device 22. .

  When the transmission response signal transmitted from the center device 32 is received, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 collates the vehicle ID of the second in-vehicle communication device 22 with the center ID of the center device 32, and the vehicle ID and When the collation result with the center ID is positive (when the vehicle ID and the center ID are normal), a wide area wireless communication link is established with the center device 32. Then, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits an authentication request signal including a password to the center device 32 and calculates the password according to a predetermined calculation formula.

  When the authentication request signal transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is received, the center device 32 calculates the password included in the received authentication request signal according to a predetermined arithmetic expression, and the calculation An authentication response signal including the result is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22, and then a movement information request signal is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 in order to inquire about the future movement of the second vehicle 21. Send.

  When the authentication response signal and the movement information request signal transmitted from the center device 32 are received, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 calculates the calculation result included in the received authentication response signal and the own device. Authentication is performed by comparing with the calculated result. Then, if both match, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 determines that the authentication result is positive, and in this case also, for example, the second vehicle such as the destination or course set in the car navigation device 21. A movement information response signal including movement information regarding future movements of 21 is transmitted to the center apparatus 32, and then the position information and time information of the own device acquired earlier are transmitted to the center apparatus 32. To do.

  When the center device 32 receives the position information and time information of the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the received position information of the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is received. And the time information are analyzed to confirm the current position of the second vehicle 21 and a reception response signal is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22.

  When the receipt response signal transmitted from the center device 32 is received, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 searches the upstream transmission information storage unit 108 and is transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 (deposited). ) It is determined whether or not the uplink transmission information is stored, and if the uplink transmission information transmitted (deposited) from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is stored, the uplink transmission information is transmitted to the center device 32. To do.

When the center device 32 receives the uplink transmission information transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22, that is, the position information and time information of the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the received second in-vehicle information is received. The position information and time information of the communication device 22 are analyzed to confirm the current position of the first vehicle 11 and a reception response signal is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22.
When the receipt response signal transmitted from the center device 32 is received, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits a downlink transmission information request signal to the center device 32.

  When the center device 32 receives the downlink transmission information request signal transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the center device 32 determines whether there is downlink transmission information to be transmitted from the own device to the first in-vehicle communication device 12. If there is downlink transmission information to be determined and transmitted from the own device to the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the downlink transmission information is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22.

  When the second in-vehicle communication device 22 receives the downlink transmission information transmitted from the center device 32, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 stores the received downlink transmission information in the downlink transmission information storage unit 109, and also receives a reception response signal. The transmission is transmitted to the center apparatus 32, the wide area wireless communication link established with the center apparatus 32 is released, and the series of processes is terminated.

  Through the series of processes described above, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 receives the location information (“Pb” in FIG. 1) and the time information (“Pb” in FIG. 1) at the acquisition timing of the location information of the own device. Tb "), and if it is possible to perform wide area wireless communication with the center apparatus 32 at that time, the acquired position information and time information of the own device are transmitted to the center apparatus 32 by wide area wireless communication. Subsequently, the position information and time information of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 with the center device 32 transmitted (deposited) transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 as a transmission destination before this are uploaded. The transmission information is transmitted to the center device 32 by wide area wireless communication.

(2) The second vehicle 21 is located in the communication area, and then the second vehicle 21 moves from the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the outside of the communication area, and the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle. The case where 21 and 21 approach each other will be described sequentially.

  Next, “the second vehicle 21 is located in the communication area, and then the second vehicle 21 moves from the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the outside of the communication area, and the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle "When 21 and 21 approach each other" is demonstrated with reference to FIG.2, FIG.6 and FIG.7.

  In this case, “the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 21 approach each other and are located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, and then the second vehicle 21 communicates with the wide area wireless communication. Compared to “when moving from outside the network communication area to the communication area”, first, position information, time information, upstream transmission information, and downstream transmission by wide area wireless communication between the second in-vehicle communication device 22 and the center device 32. Information is transmitted / received, and subsequently, position information, time information, uplink transmission information, and downlink transmission information are transmitted / received between the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 by narrowband wireless communication. It will be.

  Here, when the movement information response signal transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is received, the center device 32 analyzes the received movement information, and the second vehicle 21 becomes the first vehicle 11. When the possibility that the second vehicle 21 approaches the first vehicle 11 satisfies a predetermined condition (when the possibility is equal to or higher than a preset ratio), the device itself Downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is transmitted to the second in-vehicle communication device 22.

  Through the series of processes described above, the center device 32 transmits the position information (“Pc” in FIG. 2) and time information (in FIG. 2) of the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmitted from the second in-vehicle communication device 22. "Tc") is received, wide area wireless communication with the second in-vehicle communication device 22 is possible even if wide area wireless communication with the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is impossible at that time. If it is possible, the own apparatus transmits (deposits) the downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 to the second in-vehicle communication device 22.

  Then, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits the position information (“Pd” in FIG. 2) and the time information (“Td” in FIG. 2) of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12. ) Is received, the first in-vehicle transmission information is transmitted by the narrow area wireless communication using the first in-vehicle communication device 12 transmitted (deposited) from the center device 32 as a transmission destination. It is transmitted to the communication device 12.

  By the way, the above describes the case where position information, time information, uplink transmission information and downlink transmission information are continuously transmitted / received by establishing a single narrow area wireless communication link or establishing a wide area wireless communication link. These position information, time information, uplink transmission information, and downlink transmission information can be transmitted and received by establishing a separate narrow area wireless communication link or a wide area wireless communication link. In addition, when the time period during which the first vehicle 11 is located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network is long, it is also possible to transmit / receive position information and time information corresponding to a plurality of times as uplink transmission information. It is.

  In addition, as described above, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 includes both the wide area wireless communication unit 102 and the narrow area wireless communication unit 103, and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 also includes the wide area wireless communication unit 202 and the narrow area wireless communication. By providing both of the unit 203, the positions of the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and the second in-vehicle communication device 22 may be switched. However, as shown in FIG. If a dedicated vehicle 41 that moves back and forth between the communication range and the outside of the communication range and a dedicated vehicle 51, 61, 71 that moves only outside the communication range of the wide-area wireless communication network are specified, installed in the vehicle 41 The in-vehicle communication device 42 is provided with both a wide-area wireless communication unit and a narrow-area wireless communication unit, and the in-vehicle communication devices 52, 62, 72 mounted on the vehicles 51, 61, 71 are included in the narrow-area wireless communication unit. Can be configured to have only That.

  Furthermore, the above describes the operation of the in-vehicle communication device mounted on the vehicle located outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network, but the wide area wireless communication unit of the in-vehicle communication device is caused by some trouble. The same applies to the case where it does not operate normally.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle operation management system 1, the first in-vehicle communication device 12 is not capable of performing wide area wireless communication with the center device 32.
If the own device is capable of narrow-area wireless communication with the second in-vehicle communication device 22, the second in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits the uplink transmission information to be transmitted to the center device 32 by the narrow-area wireless communication. The second in-vehicle communication device 22 moves the second vehicle 21 from the outside of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area, and the own apparatus performs wide area wireless communication with the center device 32. When it becomes possible, the uplink transmission information transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device 12 and sent to the center device 32 (deposited) is transmitted to the center device 32 by wide area wireless communication. Up-and-down transmission information can be appropriately transmitted and received between the in-vehicle communication device 12 and the center device 32.

  In the vehicle operation management system 1, the center device 32 is connected to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 even if the own device cannot perform wide area wireless communication with the first in-vehicle communication device 22. If wide area wireless communication is possible, the device transmits the downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 to the second in-vehicle communication device 22 by wide area wireless communication (deposited), and the second When the second vehicle 21 approaches the first vehicle 11 and the own vehicle becomes capable of narrow-area wireless communication with the first in-vehicle communication device 12, the in-vehicle communication device 22 transmits from the center device 32. Since the downlink transmission information destined for the received (deposited) first in-vehicle communication device 12 is transmitted to the first in-vehicle communication device 12 by narrow-area wireless communication, the center device 32 and the first Appropriate transmission / reception of downlink transmission information to / from the in-vehicle communication device 12 Door can be.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The communication device is not limited to the in-vehicle communication device mounted on the vehicle, but may be a portable communication device that can be carried by a person.
The configuration is not limited to the configuration applied to the vehicle operation management system that periodically transmits the position information to the center device, but may be configured to be applied to other communication systems.

The uplink transmission information and the downlink transmission information are not limited to information in the text data format, but may be information processed as information in the image data format.
The method of collating the group is not limited to the method of collating the group ID of the own device and the group ID of the partner included in the transmission response signal transmitted from the partner in the in-vehicle communication device that has transmitted the transmission request signal. In the in-vehicle communication device that has received the transmission request signal, the group ID of the own device is collated with the group ID of the other party included in the transmission request signal transmitted from the other party, and only when the collation result is positive A method of transmitting a transmission response signal may be used.

The figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention roughly 1 equivalent diagram Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle communication device Sequence Diagram 4 equivalent diagram 4 equivalent diagram 4 equivalent diagram The figure which shows other embodiment schematically

Explanation of symbols

In the drawings, 1 is a vehicle operation management system (communication system), 12 is a first in-vehicle communication device (first communication device), 22 is a second in-vehicle communication device (second communication device), and 32 is a center device. , 42, 52, 62, 72 are in-vehicle communication devices (communication devices), 101 is a control unit (control means), 102 is a wide area wireless communication unit (wide area wireless communication means), and 103 is a narrow area wireless communication unit (narrow area wireless communication). 108) an uplink transmission information storage unit (uplink transmission information storage unit), 109 a downlink transmission information storage unit (downlink transmission information storage unit), 201 a control unit (control unit), and 202 a wide area wireless communication unit ( Wide-area wireless communication means), 203 a narrow-area wireless communication section (narrow-area wireless communication means), 208 an uplink transmission information storage section (uplink transmission information storage means), and 209 a downlink transmission information storage section (downlink transmission information storage means) It is.

Claims (8)

Between the first communicator and the first communicator capable of performing wide area radio communication between the center apparatus and the first communicator capable of performing narrow area radio communication between the center apparatus and the second communicator. A communication system including a second communication device capable of narrow-area wireless communication,
The first communicator is a destination or route that is movement information regarding future movement of the second communicator, provided that the local communicator is capable of narrow-area wireless communication with the second communicator. To determine whether or not the second communication device may move from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area based on the movement information obtained from the second communication apparatus, When the possibility that the second communication device moves from the outside of the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area satisfies a predetermined condition, the second transmission apparatus transmits the second transmission information to be transmitted to the center apparatus by the second area wireless communication. To the communication device
When the uplink transmission information transmitted from the first communication device is received by the narrow area wireless communication, the second communication device stores the received uplink transmission information, and the own device communicates with the center device. A communication system characterized by transmitting the stored uplink transmission information to a center device by wide area wireless communication on condition that wide area wireless communication is possible. The communication system according to claim 1,
The first communication device specifies a second communication device grouped in advance as the same group as the own device from an unspecified number of second communication devices, and designates the second communication device as the specified second communication device . The second communication device is inquired of the second communication device for a destination and a route that are movement information related to future movement of the second communication device, and the second communication device is based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device. If there is a possibility that the second communication device moves from outside the communication area of the communication network to the communication area and the possibility that the second communication device moves from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network satisfies the predetermined condition, A communication system characterized by transmitting uplink transmission information to be transmitted to a center device to a second communication device by narrow area wireless communication . The communication system according to claim 1 or 2,
The second communicator acquires the position information and time information of the own device at the acquisition timing of the position information indicating the current position of the own device, and the own device can perform wide-area wireless communication with the center device. If there is a certain condition, the acquired location information and time information of the own device are transmitted to the center device by wide area wireless communication, and then the uplink transmission information transmitted from the first communication device and stored is stored. A communication system characterized by transmitting to a center apparatus by wide area wireless communication . A communication device used in a communication system including a center device and another communication device capable of performing wide-area wireless communication between the center device and the self-device. ,
Narrow-area wireless communication means for performing narrow-area wireless communication with other communication devices;
Provided that the local device is capable of narrow-area wireless communication using the narrow-area wireless communication means with other communication devices, the destination and the route that are the movement information regarding the future movement of the other communication devices are changed. To determine whether or not there is a possibility that another communication device may move from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area based on the movement information obtained from the other communication device. When the possibility of moving from outside the communication area of the wide area wireless communication network to the communication area satisfies a predetermined condition, the upstream transmission information to be transmitted to the center apparatus from the narrow area wireless communication means is transmitted to the other communication apparatus. And a control means for controlling the communication device. Between the first communicator and the first communicator capable of performing wide area radio communication between the center apparatus and the first communicator capable of performing narrow area radio communication between the center apparatus and the second communicator. A communication system including a second communication device capable of narrow-area wireless communication,
On the condition that the center device can perform wide-area wireless communication with the second communication device, the center device determines the destination and the route that are the movement information regarding the future movement of the second communication device in the second The communication device is inquired, and based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device, the second communication device determines whether or not there is a possibility of approaching the first communication device. When the possibility of approaching the communication device satisfies a predetermined condition, the device transmits downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first communication device to the second communication device by wide area wireless communication,
When the downlink transmission information transmitted from the center apparatus is received by the wide area wireless communication, the second communication device stores the received downlink transmission information, and the own communication device narrows itself with the first communication device. A communication system characterized by transmitting the stored downlink transmission information to the first communication device by narrow-area wireless communication on condition that regional wireless communication is possible. The communication system according to claim 5,
The second communication device specifies a first communication device grouped in advance as the same group as the own device from among an unspecified number of first communication devices, and the first communication device is identified. A communication system, wherein downlink transmission information is transmitted by narrow area wireless communication. The communication system according to claim 5 or 6,
The second communicator acquires the position information and time information of the own device at the acquisition timing of the position information indicating the current position of the own device, and the own device can perform wide-area wireless communication with the center device. On the condition that the acquired position information and time information of the own device is transmitted to the center device by wide area wireless communication, and subsequently, downlink transmission information transmitted by the wide area wireless communication from the center device is received. A communication system characterized by the above. Wide-area wireless communication is possible between the first communication apparatus capable of performing narrow-area wireless communication with the second communication apparatus and the own apparatus, and narrow-area wireless communication with the first communication apparatus. A center device used in a communication system comprising a second communication device capable of
If the local device cannot perform wide area wireless communication with the first communication device, the second communication is performed on the condition that the local device can perform wide area wireless communication with the second communication device. The second communication device is inquired about the destination and route which are the movement information related to the future movement of the device, and the second communication device approaches the first communication device based on the movement information obtained from the second communication device. If the possibility that the second communication device approaches the first communication device satisfies a predetermined condition, downlink transmission information to be transmitted to the first communication device by the own device is determined. A center apparatus which transmits to a second communication device by wide area wireless communication.

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