JP4961330B2 - Vehicle communication terminal device and communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle communication terminal device and a communication system.

Conventionally, when an abnormality of a vehicle is detected, for example, when an accident occurs, image data obtained by imaging by a vehicle-mounted camera, audio data detected by a microphone, biometric information data of a vehicle occupant, etc. A system for transmitting to an external emergency call center is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Further, conventionally, for example, when an accident occurs, a system for notifying an operator of a communication state with an emergency call center is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Conventionally, when disaster information is distributed to a plurality of disaster prevention related organizations, for example, in the event of a disaster, a packet of disaster information depends on the number of terminals of the distribution destination, the number of lines used for distribution, and the line capacity. A system system for setting the length and the packet transmission interval is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-236586 A JP 2000-222665 A JP 2006-125910 A

By the way, according to the system according to the above prior art, the transmission state of predetermined data such as image data is simply changed according to the number of lines used for communication, the line capacity, and the like. If the communication state changes, there is a possibility that transmission / reception of the predetermined data cannot be properly completed, and any information related to the predetermined data cannot be transmitted.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle communication terminal device and a communication system capable of appropriately transmitting desired information.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the vehicle communication terminal device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a transmission / reception unit (for example, transmitting and receiving information to and from an emergency call center by wireless communication). Communication control unit 27 and communication device 15) in the embodiment, and the wireless communication detected by the emergency call center in response to transmission of the information by the wireless communication to the emergency call center via the transmission / reception means communication state acquiring means for acquiring information of the communication status from the emergency notification center (e.g., communication status acquisition unit 23 in the embodiment) the emergency call center in accordance with the communication state and was acquired by the communication state acquiring means Transmission information control means for controlling transmission information to be transmitted to the vehicle (for example, image transmission control unit 22 and vehicle state transmission control unit 28 in the embodiment) Wherein the transmitting and receiving means, when the occurrence of an emergency condition of the vehicle is detected, transmits the captured image of the external world, or passenger compartment of the position information and the vehicle of the vehicle with respect to the emergency notification center, the transmission The information control means changes the type, resolution, or frame rate of the still image and the moving image in the captured image, which is a state quantity for the image information constituting the transmission information, according to the communication state.

  Furthermore, the vehicle communication terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention is an information state quantity storage for storing an information state quantity corresponding to the communication capacity of the wireless communication, which is a state quantity for the image information forming the transmission information. Means (for example, the image state storage unit 24 in the embodiment), and the transmission information control unit is configured to transmit the information from the information state amount storage unit according to the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition unit. A state quantity is extracted and set as an information state quantity for the transmission information.

  Furthermore, the vehicle communication terminal device according to the third aspect of the present invention stores the communication capacity allocation state quantity corresponding to the communication capacity of the wireless communication, which is a communication capacity allocation state quantity for a plurality of the transmission information. An allocation state amount storage unit (for example, an allocation storage unit 25 in the embodiment), wherein the transmission information control unit is configured to store the allocation state amount storage unit according to the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition unit. The communication capacity allocation state quantity is extracted from the information and set as the communication capacity allocation state quantity for the plurality of transmission information.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle communication terminal device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transmission information control unit is configured to transmit the communication capacity allocation state from the allocation state amount storage unit according to a transmission state for each of the plurality of transmission information. An amount is extracted and set as a communication capacity allocation state amount for the plurality of transmission information.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle communication terminal device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the communication state acquisition means is configured to change the communication state of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the information was started by the transmission / reception means. Start acquiring information.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle communication terminal device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the transmission information includes first information less than a predetermined capacity and second information greater than a predetermined capacity, and the communication status acquisition means includes the transmission / reception means After the transmission of the second information is started by the means, acquisition of the communication state information of the wireless communication is started.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle communication terminal device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the communication state acquisition means is configured to perform the communication of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the second information was started by the transmission / reception means. Acquisition of status information starts.

  A communication system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle communication terminal apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention (for example, the vehicle communication terminal apparatus according to the embodiment). 1) and a communication center (for example, the emergency call center 3 in the embodiment) that transmits and receives information to and from the vehicle communication terminal device by wireless communication, the communication center Is a center side communication state acquisition means (for example, communication state detection unit 33, communication state prediction unit 35 in the embodiment) for acquiring the communication state of the wireless communication with the vehicle communication terminal device; Transmission control means for transmitting the communication state information acquired by the center-side communication state acquisition means to the vehicle communication terminal device (for example, the communication control unit 36 and the communication device 32 in the embodiment) Wherein the communication state acquiring means detects the communication state.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle communication terminal apparatus transmits at least position information or time information to the communication center by wireless communication via the transmission / reception means (for example, implementation). A communication speed state quantity storage means (for example, in the embodiment) that stores at least the communication speed state quantity according to the position information or the time information. The communication speed storage unit 34), and the center side communication state acquisition means receives the communication speed from the communication speed state quantity storage means according to at least the position information or the time information received from the vehicle communication terminal device. A state quantity is extracted, and the communication state is predicted based on the communication speed state quantity.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the center-side communication status acquisition means is configured to receive the information from the vehicle communication terminal device via wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed. Detection of the communication state of wireless communication is started.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the transmission information includes first information less than a predetermined capacity and second information greater than a predetermined capacity. The detection of the communication state of the wireless communication is started after reception of the second information is started with respect to the vehicle communication terminal device.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the center side communication state acquisition means is configured to receive the second information from the vehicle communication terminal device via wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed. The detection of the communication state of the wireless communication is started.

According to the vehicle communication terminal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the transmission information transmitted to the outside is controlled according to the communication state, for example, even when the communication state such as the communication speed fluctuates, For example, by changing the specification of the transmission information, the desired content of the transmission information can be accurately transmitted to the outside by making maximum use of the communication capacity.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the information state quantity extracted from the information state quantity storage means according to the communication state, for example, the image resolution, image quality, frame rate, bit rate, etc. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately transmit the desired content of the transmission information to the outside by making the best use of the communication capacity.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device of the third aspect of the present invention, the communication capacity allocation state quantity extracted from the allocation state quantity storage means according to the communication state, for example, the allocation ratio of the communication capacity for a plurality of transmission information, etc. Therefore, the importance and priority of each piece of transmission information can be reflected in the communication capacity. Even when multiple pieces of information are transmitted, the communication capacity depends on the priority of the information. And the desired content of the transmission information can be accurately transmitted to the outside.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the communication capacity allocation state quantity is extracted from the allocation state quantity storage means according to the transmission state for each of the plurality of pieces of transmission information. If the total number of transmission information to be transmitted changes (that is, decreases) due to the completion of transmission of the appropriate transmission information among the transmission information, the communication capacity allocation state amount corresponding to the new total number is allocated. Even if transmission of appropriate data is completed in the middle of transmission, it is extracted from the state quantity storage means, and the desired content of the transmission information is always utilized with an appropriate communication capacity by making the best use of the communication capacity. Can be accurately transmitted to the outside.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since acquisition of information on the communication state of wireless communication is started after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of information transmission, for example, immediately after the start of transmission. As described above, it is possible to prevent the communication state information from being acquired during a period in which the change in the communication state is relatively large, and to start acquiring appropriate information after the communication state is stabilized.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the acquisition of the wireless communication state is started after the transmission of the second information having a predetermined capacity or more is started. Information on the communication state in a state where it is determined that there is no need to make maximum use of the communication capacity or communication speed during the period in which the first information less than the capacity is transmitted, and the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Information acquisition can be started, and the acquisition of information can be started in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is utilized to the maximum.
Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication terminal device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, acquiring communication state information during a period in which the change in communication state is relatively large, such as immediately after the start of transmission, It is determined that there is no need to make maximum use of the communication capacity or communication speed during the period in which the first information less than the predetermined capacity is transmitted, and the communication state is reduced in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Acquisition of information can be prevented, and acquisition of information can be started in a state in which communication capacity or communication speed is utilized to the maximum.

Further, according to the communication system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the communication state of the wireless communication with the vehicle communication terminal device is detected by the communication state acquisition means of the communication center, the communication state with high accuracy is detected. This information can be transmitted to the vehicle communication terminal device.
Furthermore, according to the communication system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the communication state acquisition unit of the communication center communicates with the vehicle communication terminal device according to at least the position information or the time information transmitted from the vehicle communication terminal device. For example, even in the initial communication state, or when the communication state of the wireless communication with the vehicle communication terminal device cannot be detected in the communication center, for example. In addition, it is possible to transmit communication state information with desired accuracy to the vehicle communication terminal device.

Further, according to the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the communication state of the wireless communication is detected after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of information is started, It is possible to prevent detection of the communication state during a period in which the fluctuation is relatively large, and to perform appropriate detection after the communication state is stabilized.
Furthermore, according to the communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the communication state of the wireless communication is detected after the reception of the second information having a predetermined capacity or more is started, for example, the first information having a capacity less than the predetermined capacity is detected. It is determined that there is no need to make maximum use of the communication capacity or communication speed during the reception period, and the communication state is prevented from being detected in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Detection can be performed in a state where the capacity or communication speed is utilized to the maximum.
Further, according to the communication system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the communication state is detected during a period in which the fluctuation of the communication state is relatively large, for example, immediately after the start of reception, and It is judged that there is no need to make the most of the communication capacity or communication speed during the period in which one information is received, and the communication state is prevented from being detected when the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Thus, detection can be performed in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is utilized to the maximum.

Hereinafter, a vehicle communication terminal device and a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to the emergency call center 3 via a communication network 2 so as to be able to communicate with each other. 2 and the emergency call center 3 constitute a communication system 10.
The communication network 2 transmits and receives information by wireless communication such as a mobile communication network.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 includes an external sensor 11, an in-vehicle sensor 12, a vehicle state sensor 13, an occupant protection device 14, a communication device 15, and a processing device 16. It is configured.

The external sensor 11 includes an external camera 11a and an image processing unit 11b that can image the external environment of the host vehicle in, for example, a visible light region or an infrared region.
The in-vehicle sensor 12 includes, for example, an in-vehicle camera 12a and an image processing unit 12b that can image the interior of the host vehicle in a visible light region or an infrared region.
Then, the image processing units 11b and 12b perform predetermined image processing such as filtering and binarization processing on the images obtained by the cameras 11a and 12a, respectively, and use the two-dimensional array of pixels. Each image data is generated and output to the processing device 16.

  The vehicle state sensor 13 uses, for example, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed (vehicle speed) of the host vehicle, an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the host vehicle, and a position of the vehicle using, for example, an artificial satellite. A position sensor that detects the current position of the vehicle based on a positioning signal such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal for measuring (for example, latitude and longitude), or a detection result of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like; A deformation sensor for detecting deformation of the vehicle is provided.

The occupant protection device 14 includes, for example, an airbag device that deploys an airbag in the passenger compartment and a seat belt retractor that forcibly winds up the seat belt.
The communication device 15 performs an emergency call by communication with the emergency call center 3 via the communication network 2 and transmits and receives various types of information.

The processing device 16 includes, for example, an emergency state detection unit 21, an image transmission control unit 22, a communication state acquisition unit 23, an image state storage unit 24, an assignment storage unit 25, an image storage unit 26, and a communication control unit 27. And a vehicle state transmission control unit 28.
For example, the emergency state detection unit 21 detects the operation of the occupant protection device 14 and detects the occurrence of an emergency state such as an accident.

When the occurrence of an emergency state is detected by the emergency state detection unit 21, the image transmission control unit 22 uses the communication control unit 27 and the communication device 15 to send an emergency image via the communication control unit 27 and the communication device 15. Sent to Notification Center 3.
The image transmission control unit 22 is, for example, communication state information acquired from the emergency call center 3 by the communication state acquisition unit 23 via the communication control unit 27 and the communication device 15, that is, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center. 3 from the image state storage unit 24 according to the information on the communication state (for example, communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) of the wireless communication with the device 3, for example, the type, resolution, and frame rate of still images and moving images. And the like, and the allocation ratio of the communication capacity for the plurality of images is acquired from the allocation storage unit 25, and the imaging obtained by imaging the sensors 11 and 12, for example, according to these image state quantities and allocation ratios. The image and the past captured image stored in the image storage unit 26 are transmitted to the emergency call center 3.

  The communication state acquisition unit 23 transmits the communication state (for example, communication capacity and communication speed) of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 via the communication control unit 27 and the communication device 15. Information is acquired from the emergency call center 3.

  For example, as shown in Table 1 below, the image state storage unit 24 is configured to set a communication state of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 (for example, communication capacity and communication speed). ) And image state quantities (for example, types of still images and moving images, resolution, frame rate, etc.) are stored.

  For example, as shown in Table 2 below, the assignment storage unit 25 is a wireless communication state between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 that is set in advance (for example, communication capacity, communication speed, etc.). And correspondence information with the allocation ratio of communication capacity for a plurality of pieces of information transmitted to the emergency call center 3 is stored.

In Table 2 below, for example, data A is a real-time captured image (for example, a still image or a moving image at predetermined intervals) obtained by imaging by the sensors 11 and 12, and data B is image storage. It is a past captured image (for example, a still image or a moving image at a predetermined cycle) stored in the unit 26, and the sensors 11 and 12 have a predetermined period before and after the occurrence of an emergency state such as an accident. The captured image obtained by the imaging, and the data C are various information detected by the vehicle state sensor 13, for example, the positional information related to the position of the own vehicle, the time information related to the time, and the emergency state such as an accident This includes the acceleration, vehicle speed, fuel remaining amount, temperature, etc.
Note that the allocation ratio of the communication capacity for a plurality of data is appropriately switched according to the total number of data to be transmitted during the transmission operation. For example, in Table 2 below, the image storage unit 26 stores Before and after transmission of a predetermined amount of stored data B is completed, the communication capacity allocation ratio for a plurality of data (for example, data A and data C) is switched.

  For example, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2A, the communication capacity (or communication speed) of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is relatively large after the connection time T0. When the relatively large communication capacity (or communication speed) is maintained after time T1, the time variation of the data amount (transmission data) of each data is, for example, shown in FIG. ).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, for example, in the period from the connection time T0 to the time T1, for example, position information, time information, etc. are transmitted from the data C.
For example, in the period from the time T1 to the time T2, the data C includes, for example, various information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, acceleration, vehicle speed, fuel remaining amount, etc. before and after the occurrence of the emergency state). Sent.
For example, in the period from time T2 to time T4, among real-time captured images (for example, moving images) of data A, past captured images (for example, moving images) of data B, and data C, for example, Various types of information (for example, the remaining amount of fuel) of the host vehicle and various types of information (for example, temperature) around the host vehicle are transmitted according to an appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.
For example, after time T4 when transmission of data B is completed, for example, various information (for example, remaining amount of fuel) of the vehicle state of the host vehicle among the real-time captured image (for example, moving image) of data A and data C, for example. Etc.) and various types of information around the host vehicle (for example, temperature) are transmitted according to the newly set appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2A, the communication capacity (or communication speed) of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is relatively high after the connection time T0. When the communication capacity (or communication speed) of this relatively small value is maintained after time T1, the time change of the data amount (transmission data) of each data is, for example, FIG. It changes as shown in (c).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, first, for example, position information, time information, etc., are transmitted from the data C during the period from the connection time T0 to the time T1.
For example, in the period from time T1 to time T3, among the data C, for example, various information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, acceleration, vehicle speed, fuel remaining amount, etc. before and after the occurrence of the emergency state). Sent.
For example, after time T3, a real-time captured image of data A (for example, a still image at a predetermined cycle), a past captured image of data B (for example, a still image at a predetermined cycle), and data C For example, various types of information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, the remaining amount of fuel) and various types of information around the host vehicle (for example, temperature) are transmitted according to an appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.

  For example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3A, the communication capacity (or communication speed) of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is relatively high after the connection time T0. After the time T1, the communication capacity (or communication speed) having a relatively large value is maintained for a predetermined period, and then decreased to a communication capacity (or communication speed) having a relatively small value. When the relatively small communication capacity (or communication speed) is maintained after time T4, the time variation of the data amount (transmission data) of each data is shown in FIG. 3B, for example. To change.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, first, for example, position information, time information, etc., are transmitted from the data C during the period from the connection time T0 to the time T1.
For example, in the period from the time T1 to the time T2, the data C includes, for example, various information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, acceleration, vehicle speed, fuel remaining amount, etc. before and after the occurrence of the emergency state). Sent.
For example, in the period from time T2 to time T4, among real-time captured images (for example, moving images) of data A, past captured images (for example, moving images) of data B, and data C, for example, Various types of information (for example, the remaining amount of fuel) of the host vehicle and various types of information (for example, temperature) around the host vehicle are transmitted according to an appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.
Then, after time T4 when the communication capacity (or communication speed) decreases, for example, the image state quantities of data A and data B are switched, and real-time captured images of data A (for example, still images at predetermined intervals) and , Past captured images of data B (for example, still images at predetermined intervals) and data C, for example, various information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, the remaining amount of fuel, etc.) and various information on the periphery of the host vehicle ( For example, the temperature is transmitted according to the newly set appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.

  On the other hand, for example, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3A, the communication capacity (or communication speed) of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is relatively higher after the connection time T0. When the communication capacity (or communication speed) of this relatively large value is maintained for a predetermined period after time T1, for example, when the connection is temporarily disconnected due to deterioration of the radio wave condition, etc. After the communication capacity (or communication speed) is reduced to zero at time T0 and the communication capacity (or communication speed) is maintained at zero from time T3 to time T5, a relatively large value before time T3 after time T5. When the relatively large communication capacity (or communication speed) is maintained after time T5, the time of the data amount (transmission data) of each data Of changes, for example, as shown in Figure 3 (c).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3C, first, for example, position information, time information, etc., are transmitted from the data C during the period from the connection time T0 to the time T1.
For example, in the period from the time T1 to the time T2, the data C includes, for example, various information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, acceleration, vehicle speed, fuel remaining amount, etc. before and after the occurrence of the emergency state). Sent.
For example, in the period from time T2 to time T3, among real-time captured images (for example, moving images) of data A, past captured images (for example, moving images) of data B, and data C, for example, Various types of information (for example, the remaining amount of fuel) of the host vehicle and various types of information (for example, temperature) around the host vehicle are transmitted according to an appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.
For example, in the period from time T3 when the communication capacity (or communication speed) reaches zero to time T5, the transmission operation is interrupted.
For example, in the period from time T5 to time T6, the real-time captured image (for example, moving image) of data A and the past captured image (for example, moving image) of data B are the same as before time T3. In the data C, for example, various types of information on the vehicle state of the host vehicle (for example, the remaining amount of fuel) and various types of information around the host vehicle (for example, temperature) are transmitted in accordance with an appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio. Is done.
For example, after the time T6 when the transmission of the data B is completed, the real-time captured image (for example, a moving image) of the data A and the data C, for example, various types of information (for example, the remaining fuel amount) of the own vehicle. Etc.) and various types of information around the host vehicle (for example, temperature) are transmitted according to the newly set appropriate communication capacity allocation ratio.

The image storage unit 26 stores captured images obtained by imaging of the sensors 11 and 12 in the past over a predetermined time interval.
The communication control unit 27 receives, for example, information on the communication state (for example, communication capacity and communication speed) of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 from the emergency call center 3, and images Each captured image according to the control of the transmission control unit 22 and the vehicle state quantity of the host vehicle according to the control of the vehicle state transmission control unit 28 are transmitted to the emergency call center 3.
The vehicle state transmission control unit 28 includes at least position information related to the position of the host vehicle detected by the vehicle state sensor 13 or time information related to time when the occurrence of an emergency state is detected by the emergency state detection unit 21. Various information is transmitted to the emergency call center 3 through the communication control unit 27 and the communication device 15.

The emergency call center 3 includes, for example, a processing device 31 and a communication device 32. The processing device 31 further includes, for example, a communication state detection unit 33, a communication speed storage unit 34, a communication state prediction unit 35, and communication control. And a portion 36.
The communication state detection unit 33 of the processing device 31 performs wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 by transmitting and receiving appropriate data between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3. The communication state (for example, communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) is detected.
The communication speed storage unit 34 includes, for example, position information and time information set in advance based on information detected by the communication state detection unit 33 in the past, and between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3. Information on the correspondence relationship with the communication state (for example, communication speed) of wireless communication is stored.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication speed storage unit 34 sets a plurality of areas (for example, each area α, β, γ, etc.) corresponding to the communication speed that changes according to the date and time on appropriate map data. The communication speed corresponding to the position information (for example, the point P) acquired from the vehicle communication terminal device 1 is extracted.

The communication state prediction unit 35 is, for example, information on the communication state of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 according to the position information or time information acquired from the vehicle communication terminal device 1. Is obtained from the communication speed storage unit 34 and set as a predicted value of the communication state.
For example, the communication control unit 36 acquires position information and time information from the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and outputs the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 output from the communication state detection unit 33 or the communication state prediction unit 35. Information on the communication state (for example, communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) of the wireless communication with is transmitted to the vehicle communication terminal device 1.

The vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment have the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the communication system 10 will be described.
First, the operation of the vehicle communication terminal device 1 will be described below.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the vehicle emergency call device 1 detects the occurrence of an emergency state such as an accident or an occupant abnormality, first, in step S01, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 Start a wireless communication connection between.
In step S02, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 has been completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S02 is repeated.
On the other hand, if the determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, data transmission / reception is started in accordance with a predetermined initial state quantity (for example, a predetermined communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) set in advance.
And in step S04, the information (for example, communication speed etc.) of the communication state of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the emergency call center 3.
In step S05, it is determined whether or not the communication speed range has changed.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 08 described later.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 06.

In step S06, an image state quantity corresponding to information (eg, communication speed) obtained from the emergency call center 3 is obtained from the image state storage unit 24, and the image state quantity is changed.
In step S07, the communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) corresponding to the information (for example, the communication speed) acquired from the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the allocation storage unit 25. The communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) is changed.

In step S08, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 04 described above.

The operation of the emergency call center 3 will be described below.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in response to the connection request transmitted from the vehicular emergency call device 1, the emergency call center 3, first, between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 in step S <b> 11. Start the wireless communication connection.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 has been completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S12 is repeated.
On the other hand, if the determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, data transmission / reception is started in accordance with a predetermined initial state quantity (for example, a predetermined communication capacity or communication speed) set in advance.
And in step S14, the detection of the communication state (for example, communication speed etc.) of the radio | wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S15, it is determined whether or not the detection of the communication state has ended.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S15 is repeated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S16.
And in step S16, the information (for example, communication speed etc.) of the detected communication state are transmitted to the communication terminal device 1 for vehicles.
In step S17, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 14 described above.

As described above, according to the vehicle communication terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment, transmission information to be transmitted to the outside according to the communication state of wireless communication (that is, a captured image obtained by imaging of the sensors 11 and 12). And various vehicle state quantities detected by the vehicle state sensor 13, for example, even when the communication state such as the communication speed fluctuates, for example, the specification of transmission information (for example, still image and The desired content of the transmission information can be accurately transmitted to the outside by changing the type of the moving image, the resolution, the frame rate, and the like (communication capacity and communication speed for each information).
In addition, when transmission of appropriate transmission information among a plurality of pieces of transmission information is completed and the total number of transmission information to be transmitted changes (that is, decreases), a specification corresponding to the new total number (that is, By setting the communication capacity allocation ratio, etc., it is possible to accurately transmit the desired content of the transmission information to the outside always with an appropriate communication capacity.

In addition, communication utilizing the communication capacity to the maximum can be performed regardless of the communication capacity of the line secured when the line is connected.
For example, when the communication capacity of the secured line is relatively large, transmission with the highest specifications (for example, transmission of real-time video, transmission of stored video before and after the occurrence of an accident, transmission of vehicle state quantities, etc.) Can be executed.
On the other hand, for example, when the communication capacity of the secured line is relatively small, for example, the specification of a moving image (for example, resolution, frame rate, etc.) is reduced with respect to a real-time image, or a still image is replaced with a moving image. By performing transmission at a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), transmission is performed with a minimum necessary specification for a limited communication capacity.

  Further, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, the emergency call center 3 detects the communication state (for example, communication speed) of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3. Therefore, accurate communication state information can be transmitted to the vehicle communication terminal device 1.

  In the above-described embodiment, immediately after the start of the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3, a predetermined initial state quantity (for example, a predetermined communication capacity) is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the first modified example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the emergency call center 3 is connected from the vehicle communication terminal device 1. An initial state quantity (for example, a predetermined communication capacity, a communication speed, etc.) may be set according to at least the position information or time information transmitted to.

For example, in the operation of the vehicle communication terminal apparatus 1 according to the first modification shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S21, connection of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal apparatus 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S22, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 has been completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S22 is repeated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, data transmission / reception is permitted.
In step S24, the position information is transmitted to the emergency call center 3.
In step S <b> 25, information on the communication state of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 (for example, communication speed) is acquired from the emergency call center 3.
Then, in step S26, it is determined whether or not it is in an initial state.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 29 described later.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S27.

In step S27, an image state quantity corresponding to information obtained from the emergency call center 3 (for example, communication speed) is obtained from the image state storage unit 24 and set as an initial state quantity of the image state quantity.
In step S28, the communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) corresponding to the information (for example, the communication speed) acquired from the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the allocation storage unit 25. It is set as the initial state quantity of the communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed). And it progresses to step S32 mentioned later.

In step S29, it is determined whether or not the communication speed range has changed based on information (for example, communication speed) acquired from the emergency call center 3.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 32 described later.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, an image state quantity corresponding to information (for example, communication speed) obtained from the emergency call center 3 is obtained from the image state storage unit 24, and the image state quantity is changed.
In step S31, the allocation ratio of the communication capacity (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) corresponding to the information (for example, the communication speed) acquired from the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the allocation storage unit 25, The communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) is changed.

In step S32, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 25 described above.

For example, in the operation of the emergency call center 3 according to the first modification shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S41, connection of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S42, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S42 is repeated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the start of data transmission / reception is permitted.
And in step S44, position information is acquired from the communication terminal device 1 for vehicles.
And in step S45, based on the acquired position information, the predicted value of the communication state (for example, communication speed etc.) of the wireless communication between the communication terminal device 1 for vehicles and the emergency call center 3 is set.
In step S46, communication state information (for example, communication speed) is transmitted to the vehicle communication terminal device 1.

In step S47, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 48.
And in step S48, the detection of the communication state (for example, communication speed etc.) of the wireless communication between the communication terminal device 1 for vehicles and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S49, it is determined whether or not the detection of the communication state has ended.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S49 is repeated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow returns to step S 46 described above.

  According to the first modification, the initial communication speed until the communication speed is detected after the establishment of the communication line is set to an appropriate value based on the past communication speed history instead of the predetermined value. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, various information (for example, a captured image obtained by imaging of each of the sensors 11 and 12 and the vehicle state sensor 13 are detected from the vehicle communication terminal device 1 to the emergency call center 3. When transmitting various types of information), the image of the captured image is determined according to information on the communication state (for example, communication capacity and communication speed) of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3. The state quantity (for example, the type of still image and moving image, the resolution, the frame rate, etc.) is set, and the allocation ratio of the communication capacity for a plurality of pieces of information is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When transmitting various information (for example, control commands, image data, voice data, etc.) from the vehicle communication terminal device 1 to the vehicle communication terminal device 1, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center Depending on the information of the communication state (for example, communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) of the wireless communication between and the state amount of various information (for example, image state amount, etc.) It may be set.

  In the embodiment described above, the vehicular emergency call device 1 is connected to the vehicular communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 after starting transmission / reception of data, for example, as shown in steps S03 to S04 in FIG. 6 is obtained from the emergency call center 3, for example, as shown in step S13 to step S14 in FIG. Although the detection of the communication state (for example, communication speed, etc.) of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started after starting transmission / reception of the mobile phone, the present invention is not limited to this. 9 and the second modification shown in FIG. 10, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission / reception of data exceeding a predetermined capacity, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call Communication state of the wireless communication between the centers 3 (e.g., transmission speed, etc.) may acquire the start and information of the communication state detection.

For example, in the operation of the vehicle communication terminal device 1 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S01, connection of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S02, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 has been completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S02 is repeated.
On the other hand, if the determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, data transmission / reception is started in accordance with a predetermined initial state quantity (for example, a predetermined communication capacity or communication speed) set in advance, and the process proceeds to step S51.
In step S51, it is determined whether transmission / reception of data having a predetermined capacity or more has been started.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S51 is repeatedly executed.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S52.
In step S52, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission / reception of data having a predetermined capacity or more.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S52 is repeatedly executed.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 04.

And in step S04, the information (for example, communication speed etc.) of the communication state of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the emergency call center 3.
In step S05, it is determined whether or not the communication speed range has changed.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 08 described later.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 06.

In step S06, an image state quantity corresponding to information (eg, communication speed) obtained from the emergency call center 3 is obtained from the image state storage unit 24, and the image state quantity is changed.
In step S07, the communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) corresponding to the information (for example, the communication speed) acquired from the emergency call center 3 is acquired from the allocation storage unit 25. The communication capacity allocation ratio (that is, the state quantity related to the communication speed) is changed.

In step S08, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 04 described above.

For example, in the operation of the emergency call center 3 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S11, connection of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication connection between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 has been completed.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S12 is repeated.
On the other hand, if the determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, data transmission / reception is started in accordance with a predetermined initial state quantity (for example, predetermined communication capacity, communication speed, etc.) set in advance, and the process proceeds to step S61.
In step S61, it is determined whether transmission / reception of data having a predetermined capacity or more has been started.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S61 is repeatedly executed.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S62.
In step S62, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission / reception of data having a predetermined capacity or more.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S62 is repeatedly executed.
On the other hand, if the determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S14.

And in step S14, the detection of the communication state (for example, communication speed etc.) of the radio | wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is started.
In step S15, it is determined whether or not the detection of the communication state has ended.
If the determination result is “NO”, the determination process of step S15 is repeated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S16.
And in step S16, the information (for example, communication speed etc.) of the detected communication state are transmitted to the communication terminal device 1 for vehicles.
In step S17, it is determined whether there is an instruction to end data transmission / reception.
If the determination result is “YES”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 14 described above.

  For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, first, transmission of data C, which is data less than a predetermined capacity, is started by the vehicle communication terminal device 1 (transmission side) after the connection time T0. When transmission of data A and data B, which is data larger than the capacity (large capacity data), is started, and reception of data A and data B is started by the emergency call center 3 (receiving side) as after time T1, After a time T2 after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time T1, the measurement of the communication state (for example, communication speed) of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 is measured by the emergency call center 3 (reception The measurement result by the emergency call center 3 (reception side) is transmitted, and this measurement result is received by the vehicle communication terminal device 1 (transmission side).

According to the second modification, the vehicle communication terminal device 1 receives the communication state information during a period in which the change in the communication state is relatively large, such as immediately after the start of transmission of various data, and the like. For example, in a period when data less than a predetermined capacity is being transmitted, it is determined that there is no need to make the most of the communication capacity or communication speed, and the communication status information is suppressed in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Can be received, and information can be acquired in a state where the communication capacity or communication speed is utilized to the maximum.
In addition, the emergency call center 3 detects the communication state in a period in which the fluctuation of the communication state is relatively large, for example, immediately after the start of reception of various data, and for example, data less than a predetermined capacity is received. It is determined that there is no need to make the best use of the communication capacity or communication speed during the period, and the communication capacity or communication speed is prevented from being detected when the communication capacity or communication speed is suppressed. Detection can be performed in a state where the maximum is utilized.

In the second modification of the embodiment described above, step S51 in FIG. 9 and step S61 in FIG. 10 or step S52 in FIG. 9 and step S62 in FIG. 10 may be omitted.
That is, after starting transmission / reception of data exceeding a predetermined capacity, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of data transmission / reception, the communication state of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device 1 and the emergency call center 3 ( For example, the detection of the communication speed or the like) may be started and the communication state information may be acquired.

1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle communication terminal device and a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram showing the change over time of the communication capacity of the wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device and the emergency call center, and FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c) show the emergency from the vehicle communication terminal device. It is a figure which shows the time change of the data amount (transmission data) of each data transmitted to a report center. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a change over time in the communication capacity of wireless communication between the vehicle communication terminal device and the emergency call center, and FIGS. 3B and 3C are diagrams showing an emergency from the vehicle communication terminal device. It is a figure which shows the time change of the data amount (transmission data) of each data transmitted to a report center. It is a figure which shows the several area | region corresponding to the communication speed which changes according to a date on map data. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle communication terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the emergency call center which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle communication terminal device which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the emergency call center which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle communication terminal device which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the emergency call center which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time change of the communication speed of the radio | wireless communication between the communication terminal device for vehicles (transmission side) and an emergency call center (reception side).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle communication terminal device 3 Emergency call center 10 Communication system 15 Communication device (transmission / reception means)
27 Communication control unit (transmission / reception means)
22 Image transmission control unit (transmission information control means)
23 Communication status acquisition unit (communication status acquisition means)
24 Image state storage unit (information state amount storage means)
25 Allocation storage unit (allocation state quantity storage means)
28 Vehicle state transmission control unit (transmission information control means, transmission means)
32 Communication device (transmission control means)
33 Communication state detection unit (center side communication state acquisition means)
34 Communication speed storage unit (communication speed state quantity storage means)
35 Communication state prediction unit (center side communication state acquisition means)
36 Communication control unit (transmission control means)

Claims (12)

Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the emergency call center by wireless communication;
Communication state acquiring means for acquiring the information of the communication state of the wireless communication detected by the emergency call center in response to the transmission of the information by the wireless communication with the emergency call center via said transceiver means from said emergency call center When,
Transmission information control means for controlling transmission information to be transmitted to the emergency call center according to the communication state acquired by the communication state acquisition means ,
When the occurrence of an emergency state of the vehicle is detected, the transmission / reception means transmits the position information of the vehicle and a captured image of the outside of the vehicle or a vehicle interior to the emergency call center,
The transmission information control means changes the type, resolution, or frame rate of a still image and a moving image in the captured image, which is a state quantity with respect to image information constituting the transmission information, according to the communication state. A vehicle communication terminal device. An information state quantity storage means for storing an information state quantity corresponding to a communication capacity of the wireless communication, which is a state quantity for the image information constituting the transmission information;
The transmission information control means extracts the information state quantity from the information state quantity storage means according to the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition means, and sets the information state quantity for the transmission information. The vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A communication capacity allocation state quantity for a plurality of the transmission information, comprising allocation state quantity storage means for storing the communication capacity allocation state quantity according to the communication capacity of the wireless communication;
The transmission information control unit extracts the communication capacity allocation state quantity from the allocation state quantity storage unit according to the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition unit, and allocates a communication capacity for the plurality of transmission information. The vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle communication terminal device is set as a state quantity. The transmission information control means extracts the communication capacity allocation state quantity from the allocation state quantity storage means according to the transmission state for each of the plurality of transmission information, and sets the communication capacity allocation state quantity for the plurality of transmission information. The vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle communication terminal device is set as follows. The communication state acquisition unit starts acquiring the communication state information of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission / reception unit starts transmitting the information. The vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of 4. The transmission information includes first information less than a predetermined capacity and second information greater than a predetermined capacity,
5. The communication state acquisition unit starts acquisition of the communication state information of the wireless communication after the transmission of the second information is started by the transmission / reception unit. The vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of the above. The communication state acquisition unit starts acquiring the communication state information of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the second information was started by the transmission / reception unit. The communication terminal device for vehicles as described. A vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A communication system comprising a communication center for transmitting and receiving information to and from the vehicle communication terminal device by wireless communication,
The communication center includes a center-side communication state acquisition unit that acquires the communication state of the wireless communication with the vehicle communication terminal device;
Transmission control means for transmitting the communication state information acquired by the center side communication state acquisition means to the vehicle communication terminal device,
The communication state acquiring means detects the communication state. The vehicle communication terminal device includes transmission means for transmitting at least position information or time information to the communication center by wireless communication via the transmission / reception means,
The communication center includes communication speed state quantity storage means for storing a communication speed state quantity corresponding to at least the position information or the time information,
The center side communication state acquisition means extracts the communication speed state quantity from the communication speed state quantity storage means according to at least the position information or the time information received from the vehicle communication terminal device, and the communication speed state The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the communication state is predicted based on a quantity. The center-side communication state acquisition means starts detecting the communication state of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of the information to the vehicle communication terminal device was started by wireless communication. The communication system according to claim 8. The transmission information includes first information less than a predetermined capacity and second information greater than a predetermined capacity,
The center-side communication state acquisition means starts detecting the communication state of the wireless communication after reception of the second information is started to the vehicle communication terminal device by wireless communication. The communication system according to claim 8. The center-side communication state acquisition means starts detecting the communication state of the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of the second information to the vehicle communication terminal device by wireless communication. The communication system according to claim 11.

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