JP7290501B2 - INFORMATION COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD AND INFORMATION COLLECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information collection device and method, and an information collection system.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become popular to install an information collecting device in a vehicle and use the information collected by the information collecting device in various ways. For example, a drive recorder, which is one type of information collecting device, collects image information (video information) of the exterior or interior of a vehicle. Such image information is used for accident cause analysis and the like when an accident occurs.

In this type of information gathering device, not only image information acquired using a camera, but also vehicle information such as vehicle speed information and brake information, and position information obtained using GPS may be collected. A telematics service that uses the information obtained from the telematics has also been put into practical use.

“Telematics Service (e-Telematics/e-Telematics PRO)”, [online], ORIX Auto Corporation, [searched on June 27, 2019], Internet <URL: https://www.orix.co. jp/auto/hojin/telema/index.htm>

A recording medium such as a memory card is provided in an information collecting device mounted on each vehicle, and collected information is recorded in this recording medium. Since the recording capacity of a recording medium is finite, in order to store collected information over a long period of time without erasing it, it is necessary to transfer the information to a server device having a large-capacity recording unit. Further, information collected by a plurality of information collecting devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles may be aggregated in a server device, and useful secondary information (for example, near-miss map) may be generated in the server device.

At this time, the recording medium such as a memory card is removed from the information collection device before the free space of the recording medium runs out, and the recorded information on the recording medium is sent to the server device via a terminal device such as a personal computer, or the recording is performed. A method of directly inserting a medium into a server device and providing the recording information of the recording medium to the server device is conceivable. However, this method is labor intensive.

In order to reduce such human effort, a system is conceivable in which when a vehicle enters a certain communication area, the information recorded on the recording medium is automatically transferred to the server device by radio.

However, since it takes a finite amount of time to transfer information, it is not efficient to transfer information without devising any means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an information collection apparatus, method, and information collection system that contribute to efficient transfer of collected information.

An information gathering device according to the present invention is an information gathering device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an information acquisition unit for acquiring information from a device provided inside or outside the information gathering device; a recording medium for recording all or part of the received information as target information; a recording control unit for controlling a recording operation of the recording medium; a transfer processing unit that transfers the target information recorded on a medium to an external device using a specific communication line, and the recording control unit transfers a plurality of types of target information as the target information to the recording medium. When recording, different priorities are set for the plurality of types of target information, and the transfer processing unit sets a higher priority when the vehicle is located within the specific communication area. It is a configuration (first configuration) for transferring the received target information to the external device.

In the information collecting device according to the first configuration, the information acquisition unit includes first acquired information having a relatively large amount of information per unit time and second acquired information having a relatively small amount of information per unit time. , and the transfer processing unit determines that the vehicle is located outside the specific communication area, but communication with the external device is not possible using a predetermined communication line different from the specific communication line. If possible, the configuration (second configuration) may be such that the sequentially acquired second acquired information is sequentially transferred to the external device using the predetermined communication line.

In the information collecting device according to the first or second configuration, when a predetermined notification condition is satisfied, a notification process is executed to prompt passengers of the vehicle to move the vehicle to the specific communication area. A configuration (third configuration) further including a notification processing unit may be employed.

In the information collecting device according to the third configuration, the notification processing unit may be configured to determine whether the notification condition is satisfied based on the state of the recording medium (fourth configuration).

In the information collecting device according to any one of the fourth configurations, the notification processing unit is configured such that the notification condition is satisfied when the free space of the recording medium becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity (fifth configuration). It can be.

In the information collecting device according to any one of the third to fifth configurations, there are a plurality of communication areas as the specific communication area, and the notification processing unit performs the notification processing on the basis of a predetermined selection index. prompts the vehicle to move to a communication area selected from among the communication areas, and the selection indicator transfers the target information recorded on the recording medium to the external device using the specific communication line or the required transfer time when transferring the target information recorded on the recording medium to the external device using the specific communication line (sixth configuration ) may be

The information collection device according to any one of the first to sixth configurations further includes an event detection unit that determines whether a predetermined event condition is satisfied, and the plurality of types of target information are detected when the event condition is established. and a second type of target information other than the first type of target information to be recorded on the recording medium, and the recording control unit controls the first type of target information to record the second type of target information. A configuration (seventh configuration) in which priority is set higher than that of the target information may be employed.

An information gathering system according to the present invention is an information gathering system comprising n information gathering devices according to any one of the first to seventh configurations and the external device, wherein n is an integer of 2 or more. and the first to n-th information collection devices are mounted on the first to n-th vehicles, and the external device detects when the i-th vehicle and the j-th vehicle are located within the specific communication area (i and j are different integers less than or equal to n), any one of the i-th information collection device mounted on the i-th vehicle and the j-th information collection device mounted on the j-th vehicle a vehicle-to-vehicle priority setting unit for setting a higher transfer priority than the other; and a higher transfer priority when the i-th vehicle and the j-th vehicle are located within the specific communication area a transfer arbitration unit that controls the i-th information collection device and the j-th information collection device so that the target information is transferred from the set information collection device to the external device first, The inter-vehicle priority order setting unit is configured based on the state of the i-th recording medium, which is the recording medium of the i-th information collection device, and the state of the j-th recording medium, which is the recording medium of the j-th information collection device. Then, the transfer priority order may be set (eighth configuration).

In the information collection system according to any one of the eighth configurations, the inter-vehicle priority order setting unit determines which of the used capacity of the i-th recording medium and the used capacity of the j-th recording medium has the larger used capacity. A configuration (ninth configuration) in which a higher transfer priority order is set for the information collecting device corresponding to .

In the information collection system according to any one of the eighth configurations, the inter-vehicle priority order setting unit selects the smaller free space between the free space of the i-th recording medium and the free space of the j-th recording medium. A configuration (tenth configuration) in which a higher transfer priority order is set for the information collecting device corresponding to .

In the information gathering system according to any one of the eighth configurations, each of the first to n-th information gathering devices is the information gathering device according to the seventh configuration, and the inter-vehicle priority order setting unit comprises , out of the total information amount of the first type target information recorded on the i-th recording medium and the total information amount of the first type target information recorded on the j-th recording medium, A configuration (an eleventh configuration) may be used in which a higher transfer priority is set for an information collecting device that handles a large total amount of information.

An information gathering method according to the present invention is an information gathering method used in an information gathering device mounted on a vehicle, comprising an information acquiring step of acquiring information from a device provided inside or outside the information gathering device; a recording control step for recording all or part of the information obtained in the information obtaining step as target information on a recording medium; and recording on the recording medium when the vehicle is positioned within a specific communication area and a transfer processing step of transferring the target information stored in the target information to an external device using a specific communication line, wherein the recording control step includes recording a plurality of types of target information as the target information on the recording medium. In this case, different priorities are set for the plurality of types of target information, and when the vehicle is located within the specific communication area, the transfer processing step selects the target information with the higher priority. This is a configuration (a twelfth configuration) in which information is transferred to the external device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information collection apparatus, method, and information collection system that contribute to efficient transfer of collected information.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an information collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device and peripheral devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a recording medium provided in an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining event recording control that is performed when an event occurs according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server device; FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an in-vehicle device focusing on information transfer when a vehicle is located within a communication area according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of transition of used capacity in a recording medium of an in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total recording capacity, used capacity, and free capacity regarding the recording medium of the in-vehicle device; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a plurality of vehicles and a plurality of in-vehicle devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a plurality of recording media in a plurality of in-vehicle devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention; It is a figure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the internal structure of a server control part. FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of an information collection system focusing on transfer processing using a high-speed communication line, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a situation assumed in the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a management table held in a server storage unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In each figure referred to, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of the same parts are omitted in principle. In this specification, for simplification of description, by describing symbols or codes that refer to information, signals, physical quantities, or members, etc., the names of information, signals, physical quantities, or members, etc. corresponding to the symbols or codes are It may be omitted or abbreviated. For example, an in-vehicle device 1 (see FIG. 2) referred to by reference numeral “1” described later may be written as in-vehicle device 1 or may be abbreviated as device 1, but they are all the same. point to something

<<First Embodiment>>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1(a) and 1(b) respectively show schematic overall configuration diagrams of an information collection system SS according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The information collection system SS includes an in-vehicle device 1 that is an example of an information collection device mounted on a vehicle CR, and a server device 2 that is an external device for the in-vehicle device 1 . The in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are configured to allow two-way communication between them via an arbitrary communication line. The in-vehicle device 1 may be, for example, a device classified as a drive recorder. The server device 2 may be composed of a plurality of server devices separated from each other.

The vehicle CR may be any vehicle (automobile, etc.) that can travel on the road surface, but here, it is assumed that the vehicle CR is a taxi. Driver refers to the driver of the vehicle CR. Further, in the following description, the passenger of the vehicle CR mainly refers to the driver, but may be a person other than the driver among the persons on board the vehicle CR. The information collection system SS may be configured with a plurality of in-vehicle devices 1 mounted on a plurality of vehicles CR, but in the first embodiment, only one vehicle CR is considered as the vehicle CR, As the in-vehicle device 1, only one in-vehicle device 1 mounted on the focused vehicle CR is focused.

In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), AP represents an access point for forming a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). It may be considered that the access point AP is also included in the components of the information collection system SS. The connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the access point AP is a wireless connection, but the connection between the server device 2 and the access point AP may be a wireless connection or a wired connection. The server device 2 and the access point AP may be connected via an Internet network or the like. A wireless LAN formed by the access point AP may conform to Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

A predetermined communication area AR (specific communication area) including the installation position of the access point AP is formed by the access point AP. are wirelessly connected to enable wireless communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the access point AP. The connection between the server device 2 and the access point AP is always possible. Therefore, when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are interconnected via the access point AP, and the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are connected via the access point AP. Two-way communication by radio becomes possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 1(a), when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the vehicle CR is connected via a specific communication line (hereinafter referred to as communication line CL _A ) formed using the access point AP. Thus, wireless two-way communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 becomes possible.

The access point AP is installed, for example, at a taxi office that operates a taxi business using a vehicle CR, a garage of a taxi company, or a taxi stand. Although only one access point AP is shown in FIGS. 1(a) and (b), an access point AP may be installed at each of a plurality of locations. In this case, each access point AP installed A communication area AR is formed.

When the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR, the in-vehicle device 1 and the access point AP are disconnected, and therefore the in-vehicle device 1 via the access point AP (in other words, via the communication line CL _A ) and Two-way wireless communication between the server device 2 is disabled, but two-way wireless communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 is possible using a predetermined communication line CL _B different from the communication line CL _A. . However, depending on the radio wave condition of the communication line _CLB , wireless two-way communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 using the communication line _CLB may not be possible. The communication line CL _B may be a mobile communication line forming a mobile communication network including base stations, for example, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication standard, the third generation mobile communication system communication standard, or It may be a mobile communication line conforming to the communication standards of the third generation or later mobile communication systems.

Here, the communication speed of the communication line CL _A is assumed to be higher than the communication speed of the communication line CL _B. Therefore, hereinafter, the communication line CL _A may be referred to as a high-speed communication line CL _A , and the communication line CL _B is sometimes referred to as a low-speed communication line CL _B. However, the relationship between the communication speed of the communication line CL _A and the communication speed of the communication line CL _B may be reversed.

Further, in the following description, for the sake of simplification of explanation, when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the two-way communication between the devices 1 and 2 via the high-speed communication line CL _A is always possible and the device Transmission and reception of signals and information between 1 and 2 shall be carried out via the high-speed communication line CL _A , and when the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR, the device 1 and the device 1 via the low-speed communication line CL _B at all times. 2 is capable of two-way communication and the transmission and reception of signals and information between devices 1 and 2 is through the low speed communication line CL _B. Since the in-vehicle device 1 is installed with respect to the vehicle CR, the fact that the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR is synonymous with the fact that the in-vehicle device 1 is located within the communication area AR. , that the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR is synonymous with that the in-vehicle device 1 is located outside the communication area AR. Moreover, the position of the vehicle CR is also the position of the in-vehicle device 1 .

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the in-vehicle device 1 together with peripheral devices of the in-vehicle device 1 . The in-vehicle device 1 includes an in-vehicle controller 10 and a recording medium 20 . The recording medium 20 is an arbitrary recording medium from which arbitrary information can be read and written. The recording medium 20 may be a recording medium that can be arbitrarily attached to and detached from the in-vehicle device 1, and is, for example, a memory card typified by an SD card.

A plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the in-vehicle device 1 . A plurality of peripheral devices here are also installed in the vehicle CR in the same manner as the in-vehicle device 1 . The plurality of peripheral devices include a camera section 31 , an on-vehicle sensor section 32 , a GPS processing section 33 , a timer section 34 , a license card reader 35 and an interface device 40 . Information is exchanged between each peripheral device and the in-vehicle device 1 through a CAN (Controller Area Network) formed in the vehicle CR.

The camera unit 31 consists of one or more cameras installed on the vehicle CR. Each camera constituting the camera unit 31 sequentially captures the situation within its own imaging range at a predetermined frame rate, and sequentially transmits camera information including image information (image data) of a captured image showing the imaging result to the in-vehicle device 1 . send to The camera unit 31 includes at least a front camera that captures a situation in front of the vehicle CR. In addition to the front camera, the camera unit 31 may further include a rear camera that captures the state behind the vehicle CR, an in-vehicle camera that captures the state inside the vehicle CR, and the like. In the vehicle CR, the direction from the driver's seat of the vehicle CR to the steering wheel of the vehicle CR is "forward", and the direction from the steering wheel of the vehicle CR to the driver's seat is "rear". The camera unit 31 may have a microphone. In this case, audio information (audio data) representing sounds outside or inside the vehicle CR is also generated by the camera unit 31, and the generated audio information is also converted into image information. It is sent from the camera unit 31 to the in-vehicle device 1 in the added mode. In the following, camera information shall include image information and audio information.

The vehicle-mounted sensor unit 32 is composed of a plurality of vehicle-mounted sensors installed in the vehicle CR, and detects and acquires vehicle information using each vehicle-mounted sensor. Vehicle information is sequentially acquired at a predetermined cycle, and the acquired vehicle information is sequentially sent to the in-vehicle device 1 . The vehicle information includes vehicle speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle CR, accelerator information indicating the depression amount of an accelerator pedal provided in the vehicle CR, brake information indicating the depression amount of the brake pedal provided in the vehicle CR, and It includes steering angle information representing the steering angle of the provided steering wheel. The plurality of in-vehicle sensors include an acceleration sensor, and acceleration information output from the acceleration sensor is also included in the vehicle information. The acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of the vehicle CR in directions of three axes or two axes orthogonal to each other, and outputs acceleration information indicating the detection results.

The GPS processing unit 33 detects the position (current location) of the vehicle CR by receiving signals from a plurality of GPS satellites forming a GPS (Global Positioning System), and obtains position information indicating the detected position. In the position information, the position (current location) of the vehicle CR is represented by longitude and latitude on the earth. Position information is sequentially acquired at a predetermined cycle, and the acquired position information is sequentially sent to the in-vehicle device 1 .

The clock unit 34 generates time information indicating the current date and time and sends it to the in-vehicle device 1 . Time information may be generated or corrected using the reception signal of the GPS processing unit 33 .

A license card reader 35 acquires driver ID information by reading the information in the IC chip embedded in the driver's license. The driver of the vehicle CR holds his license (driver's license) over the license card reader 35 before getting into the vehicle CR and starting to drive the vehicle CR. As a result, personal information specifying the driver is read from the IC chip by the license card reader 35 as driver ID information. The driver ID information is sent to the in-vehicle device 1 .

The interface device 40 is a man-machine interface between the in-vehicle device 1 and a passenger (mainly a driver) of the vehicle CR, and includes a display section 41 , a speaker 42 and an operation section 43 . The display unit 41 is a display device configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and can display any image under the control of the in-vehicle control unit 10 . The speaker 42 can output any sound under the control of the in-vehicle controller 10 . The operation unit 43 receives an arbitrary operation from a passenger (mainly a driver) of the vehicle CR. A touch panel may be configured by the display unit 41 and the operation unit 43 . The display unit 41, the speaker 42, and the operation unit 43 may be components of a car navigation system (not shown) that can be installed in the vehicle CR.

An in-vehicle control unit 10 in the in-vehicle device 1 includes an information acquisition unit 11 , a recording control unit 12 , a transfer processing unit 13 , an event detection unit 14 and a notification processing unit 15 . The in-vehicle control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read only memory), a RAM (Random access memory), etc., and the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM to obtain the information acquisition unit 11, Functions of the recording control unit 12, the transfer processing unit 13, the event detection unit 14, and the notification processing unit 15 may be realized. In addition, the in-vehicle control unit 10 has a communication function that realizes two-way communication with the server device 2 via the communication line CL _A or CL _B. Transfer processing, which will be described later, is realized using this communication function.

The information acquisition unit 11 acquires a predetermined type of information generated by a predetermined device from the predetermined device. The information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 includes camera information from the camera unit 31, vehicle information from the in-vehicle sensor unit 32, position information from the GPS processing unit 33, time information from the clock unit 34, and a driver's license card. Includes driver ID information from reader 35 .

A recording control unit 12 controls the recording operation of the recording medium 20 . That is, under the control of the recording control unit 12, the recording medium 20 records designated information in a designated recording area, and erases recorded information in the designated recording area. All or part of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 is to be recorded on the recording medium 20 .

The transfer processing unit 13 executes transfer processing for transferring information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 via the communication line CL _A or CL _B. Details of the transfer process will be described later.

The event detection unit 14 continuously monitors whether a predetermined event condition is met, and determines that an event has occurred when the event condition is met. It can be considered that the establishment of the event condition and the occurrence of the event are synonymous.
The event detection unit 14 may determine whether an event has occurred based on vehicle information. For example, the event detection unit 14 calculates the absolute value of the acceleration generated in the vehicle CR as a G value based on the acceleration information, and when a G value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is observed, a G event, which is one of the events, is detected. It is determined that the event has occurred (that is, the event condition is satisfied). Further, for example, the event detection unit 14 calculates the absolute value of the amount of change in the increasing direction of the speed of the vehicle CR based on the vehicle speed information, and observes that the absolute value of the amount of change is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration upper limit value. Then, it is determined that a sudden acceleration event, which is one of the events, has occurred (that is, the event condition is satisfied). Further, for example, the event detection unit 14 calculates the absolute value of the amount of change in the decreasing direction of the speed of the vehicle CR based on the vehicle speed information, and observes that the absolute value of the amount of change is equal to or greater than the predetermined deceleration upper limit. Then, it is determined that a sudden deceleration event, which is one of the events, has occurred (that is, the event condition is satisfied). In addition, various events that occur in the vehicle CR, such as a sudden steering event in which the steering angle of the steering wheel suddenly changes, and a sudden braking event in which a sudden brake is applied, may be detected as events based on vehicle information.
The event detection unit 14 may determine success or failure of event conditions based on camera information. For example, based on camera information, it may be determined whether or not a swaying event in which the vehicle CR wobbles to the left or right has occurred, or based on camera information, it may be determined whether or not a signal ignoring event has occurred in which the vehicle CR enters an intersection at a red light. .

The notification processing unit 15 executes predetermined notification processing for passengers (mainly the driver) of the vehicle CR when predetermined notification conditions are satisfied (details will be described later).

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the structure of the recording medium 20. As shown in FIG. The recording medium 20 includes a normal recording area 21 in which normal information is to be recorded, and an event recording area 22 in which event information is to be recorded. Normal information and event information consist of camera information and non-camera information, respectively. The camera information is as described above. The non-camera information is information other than the camera information among the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, and includes the above-described vehicle information, position information, time information and driver ID information. However, part of the vehicle information, position information, time information, and driver ID information may not be recorded on the recording medium 20 .

The recording control unit 12 can perform normal recording control and event recording control. The recording control unit 12 can start the normal recording control when the engine of the vehicle CR is started, and can continue executing the normal recording control until the engine of the vehicle CR stops. After starting the normal recording control with the engine start of the vehicle CR as a trigger, even if the engine of the vehicle CR stops, the normal recording control is continued for a certain period of time, and if the engine has stopped beyond the certain period of time. As long as the normal recording control is terminated, the normal recording control may be terminated.

In normal recording control, camera information sequentially obtained from the camera unit 31 is recorded in the normal recording area 21 in chronological order. At this time, the non-camera information is also recorded in the normal recording area 21 in association with the camera information. That is, in the normal recording control, the camera information and the non-camera information acquired at a certain time are recorded in the normal recording area 21 while being associated with each other. Thus, the normal information consists of camera information and non-camera information recorded in the normal recording area 21 during normal recording control. The normal recording area 21 has a recording capacity sufficient to record normal information for a certain period of time. overwrite the information.

While normal recording control is always executed except when the engine is stopped, event recording control is executed only when an event occurs. As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that a predetermined event condition is established at a certain timing _TE . In this case, the recording control unit 12 executes event recording control when the event condition is met. In the event recording control, the recording control unit 12 sets an event protection period based on the timing _TE , and records information consisting of camera information and non-camera information during the event protection period in the event recording area 22 as event information. . The event protection period is, for example, a period that starts at a timing that is a predetermined time Δt1 before the timing _TE and ends at a timing that is a predetermined time Δt2 after the timing _TE . The in-vehicle control unit 10 may have a buffer memory that temporarily holds camera information and non-camera information for at least a predetermined time Δt1, and the buffer memory may be used to realize event recording control.

The event recording area 22 has a recording capacity sufficient to record event information for a certain period of time. In event recording control, overwriting of event information in the event recording area 22 is prohibited. Therefore, when a new event occurs while the event recording area 22 has no free space, the event information about the newly occurring event is not recorded in the event recording area 22 .

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the server device 2. As shown in FIG. The server device 2 includes a server control section 210 and a server recording section 220 . The server control unit 210 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read only memory), RAM (Random access memory), etc. Various functions are realized by the CPU executing programs stored in the ROM. do. The server control unit 210 has a communication function for realizing two-way communication with the in-vehicle device 1 via the communication line CL _A or CL _B , and also performs various processes using normal information and event information provided from the in-vehicle device 1. It can be performed. The server recording unit 220 is a large-capacity recording medium provided in the server device 2 . The server recording unit 220 can record arbitrary information transferred from the in-vehicle device 1 .

The server device 2 can generate a daily report for a taxi driver based on the normal information, and can generate a so-called near-miss map based on the event information. Before the free space of the recording medium 20 runs out, the recording medium 20 composed of a memory card or the like is removed from the in-vehicle device 1 and inserted into a terminal device (not shown), and the recorded information of the recording medium 20 is transferred from the terminal device to the server device 2. It is also possible to send to However, this method is labor intensive. Therefore, in the information collection system SS (see FIGS. 1(a) and (b)), the communication line CL _A or CL _B is used, and the recording medium 20 can be retrieved by wireless communication without the need to insert or remove the recording medium 20. Recording information is sent to the server device 2 . At this time, considering that the data amount of the camera information is considerably large, the camera information is transferred to the server device 2 using the high-speed communication line _CLA .

Here, the event information is information of a higher degree of importance than the normal information from the viewpoint of safe driving support, accident analysis, etc., and is preferably transferred to the server apparatus 2 with priority over the normal information. On the other hand, the length of time during which the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR during the working hours of the taxi service is indefinite, and even if the high-speed communication line _CLA is used, the communication from the in-vehicle device 1 to the server device 2 is limited. Information transfer takes a finite amount of time. Considering this, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the event information is transferred from the in-vehicle device 1 to the server device 2 with priority over the normal information.

This will be explained in more detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the in-vehicle device 1 focusing on information transfer when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR. When the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are wirelessly connected to each other via the access point AP, and the server control unit 210 transmits a predetermined transfer request signal to the in-vehicle device 1. do. After the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are wirelessly connected, in step S11, the in-vehicle control unit 10 waits for reception of a transfer request signal. It is transferred to the server device 2 . However, at this time, among the information recorded on the recording medium 20, the information to which the higher priority is set is transferred to the server apparatus 2. FIG.

Here, the recording control section 12 of the in-vehicle control section 10 sets a priority for each piece of information at the stage of recording the information on the recording medium 20 . Specifically, the recording control unit 12 sets higher priority to event information than to normal information. Event information with a relatively high priority is recorded in the event recording area 22 , and normal information with a relatively low priority is recorded in the normal recording area 21 . Instead of setting the priority by dividing the recording area, the priority may be set by giving a flag or the like indicating the priority to each piece of information recorded on the recording medium 20. .

Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. When the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, when the transfer processing unit 13 receives a transfer request signal from the server control unit 210 (Y in step S11), the transfer processing unit 13 responds to the transfer request signal. , the event information recorded in the recording medium 20 is transferred to the server device 2 . The event information transferred in step S12 includes camera information and non-camera information in the event information. The server device 2 records the transferred event information in the server recording section 220 . The transfer processing unit 13 erases the event information from the recording medium 20 when the transfer of certain event information is completed. Since event information is generated and recorded each time an event occurs, for example, if a total of five events have occurred before reaching step S12, the five pieces of event information are independently recorded on the recording medium 20. It is Of the five pieces of event information, the information that has been transferred may be erased from the recording medium 20 . The transfer of the event information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 progresses, and when the transfer of all the event information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 is completed, steps S12 to S13 are performed. to step S14.

In step S<b>14 , the transfer processing unit 13 transfers the normal information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 . The normal information transferred in step S14 includes camera information and non-camera information in the normal information. The server device 2 records the transferred normal information in the server recording section 220 . For example, in normal recording control, a file containing camera information for a certain period of time and non-camera information corresponding to the camera information for the certain period of time is stored in the recording medium 20 as one file of normal information. Recorded. If normal recording control is continuously executed for a long time, normal information for a plurality of files will be recorded on the recording medium 20 . In step S<b>14 , the transfer processing unit 13 transfers the normal information in file units, and when the transfer of the normal information for one file is completed, the normal information for the one file whose transfer is completed is erased from the recording medium 20 . The transfer of the normal information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 progresses, and when the transfer of all the normal information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 is completed (Y in step S15). , the transfer process in response to the transfer request signal is completed.

When the vehicle CR is positioned within the communication area AR and the normal recording control is continuously executed, the normal information for one file is recorded on the recording medium 20 by the normal recording control. The normal information for that one file may be transferred to the server device 2 each time. Further, when the transfer request signal from the server control unit 210 is received by the in-vehicle control unit 10, if no event information is recorded in the recording medium 20, nothing is performed in steps S12 and S13. The process directly proceeds to step S14 to transfer normal information. Although the method of transferring the normal information in units of files has been described, any method of transferring the normal information may be used.

In this way, in the in-vehicle device 1, all or part of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 is recorded on the recording medium 20 as target information (for example, normal information or event information including camera images and non-camera images). , the transfer processing unit 13 transfers the target information recorded in the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 using the communication line CL _A (specific communication line) when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR. do. The recording control unit 12 may cause a plurality of types of target information (for example, normal information and event information) to be recorded on the recording medium 20 as target information. A different priority is set for each type of target information. Then, when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the transfer processing unit 13 transfers information to the server device 2 from the target information set with higher priority.

When normal information is recorded on the recording medium 20, the target information includes normal information recorded on the recording medium 20, and when event information is recorded on the recording medium 20, the target information is recorded on the recording medium 20. contains event information. Since the normal information and event information respectively include camera information and non-camera information, the target information includes non-camera information in addition to camera information. However, in the present invention, the target information may include only camera information and may not include non-camera information.

As examples of the plurality of types of target information, in the present embodiment, there are a first type of target information that is event information and a second type of target information that is normal information. A higher priority than the second type of target information is set for the target information. However, there may be three or more types of target information for which different priorities are set.

If the priority is determined in consideration of the importance of information (in other words, usefulness), target information with higher importance is preferentially transferred to the server device 2. Efficient information aggregation in By quickly analyzing highly important information in the server device 2, it is possible to quickly generate useful secondary information (so-called near-miss map, guidance information for drivers, etc.). For example, when the vehicle CR is a taxi as assumed in the present embodiment, the analysis of event information is more useful for creating near-miss maps and the like than analysis of normal information, supporting safe driving and providing guidance to drivers. etc. will be beneficial.

FIG. 7 shows an example of transition of the used capacity of the recording medium 20. In FIG. In FIG. 7, the shaded area schematically represents the capacity used for recording information (that is, the used capacity) out of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 . In the example of FIG. 7, starting from a state in which the used capacity is zero, taxis using the vehicle CR are operated continuously for three hours. As a result, the capacity for 3 hours becomes the used capacity, and then the vehicle CR moves to the office where the access point AP is installed. After moving to the business office, the driver takes a break while the vehicle CR is parked in the parking lot of the business office. The parking lot of the business office is located within the communication area AR. Therefore, during this rest period, the information recorded on the recording medium 20 is transferred to the server apparatus 2 according to the procedure shown with reference to FIG. After that, based on the dispatch instruction, taxis using the vehicle CR are operated continuously for one hour. As a result, the capacity for one hour becomes the used capacity.

After that, the vehicle CR moves to a taxi stand where another access point AP is installed, and waits at the taxi stand for a taxi user. This taxi stand is located within the communication area AR. Therefore, while the vehicle CR is stopped at the taxi stand, the recorded information of the recording medium 20 is transferred to the server device 2 by the procedure shown with reference to FIG. After that, a taxi using the vehicle CR is operated continuously for two hours. As a result, the capacity for two hours becomes the used capacity.

After that, the vehicle CR moves to a garage in which another access point AP is installed, and the driver finishes work for the day. The garage is located within the communication area AR. Therefore, while the vehicle CR is parked in the garage, the recorded information of the recording medium 20 is transferred to the server device 2 in the procedure shown with reference to FIG.

The transfer of information to the server device 2 does not require the driver's work including insertion and removal of the recording medium 20, and the transfer of the necessary information is completed without any trouble for the driver. Taxi companies have employees who are equivalent to drivers of vehicle CRs create daily reports containing operation management information such as when, what kind of person, and from where to where they got on a taxi. Employees are often asked to create monthly reports summarized by unit. Since the creation of these documents increases the work burden on employees, automation is expected.

The server control unit 210 in the server device 2 analyzes the normal information transferred from the in-vehicle device 1 and accumulated in the server recording unit 220, thereby requiring manual work by an employee equivalent to the driver of the vehicle CR. It is also possible to create the above-mentioned daily reports and monthly reports without having to do so, and it is also possible to greatly reduce the work burden on the employees. Apart from this, by analyzing the normal information accumulated in the server recording unit 220, it is also possible to manage the attendance of the employee (driver). In addition, by analyzing the accumulated event information, the server control unit 210 can generate notes and advice regarding driving for the employee (driver), and can also create a near-miss map.

The first embodiment includes the following examples EX1_1 to EX1_4 based on the configuration and operation described above. As long as there is no contradiction, the matter described in any of the examples EX1_1 to EX1_4 can be applied to any other example (that is, any two of the examples EX1_1 to EX1_4 It is also possible to combine the above embodiments).

[Example EX1_1]
Example EX1_1 will be described. Of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, the amount of camera information is considerably larger than the amount of information of other information. Thus, it is reasonable or advantageous for camera information to be transferred using the high speed communication line _CLA . On the other hand, among the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, information other than the camera information can be sufficiently transferred even by the low-speed communication line CL _B , and the driving assistance of the employee (driver of the vehicle CR) is possible. It is desirable to transfer the information to the server device 2 in real time from the viewpoint of alerting, etc.

Therefore, the transfer processing unit 13 divides the information sequentially acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 into first acquisition information having a relatively large amount of information per unit time and second acquisition information having a relatively small amount of information per unit time. 2 Acquisition information, and in a state where the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR but communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 is possible using the low-speed communication line CL _B , the information is sequentially acquired. The second acquired information is sequentially transferred to the server device 2 in real time using the low-speed communication line CL _B.

As a result, although the amount of information per unit time is relatively small, information that should be quickly sent to the server device 2 from the viewpoint of assisting the driver of the vehicle CR or alerting the driver is transferred to the server device 2 in real time. It is possible and useful.

Here, the first acquired information is camera information, and the information amount of the first acquired information per second is, for example, several megabits. The second acquired information includes vehicle information and location information, and may further include time information and driver ID information. The second acquired information does not include camera information. The information amount of the second acquired information per second is, for example, about several kilobits. That is, the amount of information per unit time of the second acquired information is much smaller than the amount of information per unit time of the first acquired information. When the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR, the vehicle information and the position information are added and associated with the time information and the driver ID information using the low-speed communication line CL _B. It is preferable that the position information is sequentially transferred to the server device 2 in real time. The camera information as the first acquisition information is transferred to the server device 2 using the high-speed communication line CL _A only when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, as described above.

The second acquired information transferred in real time to the server device 2 using the low-speed communication line CL _B is recorded in the recording medium 20 under normal recording control, and the recording medium 20 is recorded in real time even though it has been transferred to the server device 2 in real time. 20 is not immediately deleted. The second acquired information that is sequentially acquired is recorded in a predetermined recording area provided in the normal recording area 21 in chronological order. The second acquired information is overwritten with new second acquired information.

When the vehicle CR moves from outside the communication area AR into the communication area AR, the connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 is switched from the communication line CL _B to the communication line CL _A. When the vehicle CR moves from within the communication area AR to outside the communication area AR, the connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 is switched from the communication line CL _A connection to the communication line CL _B connection. Since such a communication line switching method is well known, the explanation thereof is omitted.

[Example EX1_2]
Example EX1_2 will be described. In Example EX1_2, an operation example of the notification processing unit 15 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

As described above, the notification processing unit 15 executes predetermined notification processing for passengers (mainly the driver) of the vehicle CR when predetermined notification conditions are satisfied. In the predetermined notification process, a notification is sent to the passengers of the vehicle CR to prompt them to move the vehicle CR to the communication area AR. This notification may be a visual notification, an audible notification, or a combination of both. In the notification process, for example, an image prompting to move the vehicle CR to the communication area AR is displayed on the display unit 41, or a voice prompting to move the vehicle CR to the communication area AR is output from the speaker 42. In the notification process, the display unit 41 may display a map image clearly showing the current location of the vehicle CR and the point where the communication area AR exists.

If the above-described notification process can be executed, passengers (mainly the driver) of the vehicle CR can be notified of this fact in situations where there is a request to promptly transfer information using the high-speed communication line _CLA . It is expected that the above requirements will be met in practice.

Specifically, the notification processing unit 15 can determine whether the notification condition is satisfied based on the state of the recording medium 20 .

In a situation where the free space of the recording medium 20 is tight, there is a possibility that normal information before transfer will be lost from the recording medium 20 due to overwriting, or new event information will not be able to be recorded on the recording medium 20 . The above possibility can be reduced by judging whether or not the notification condition is met based on the state of the recording medium 20, and performing notification processing as necessary.

More specifically, for example, in the notification processing unit 15, it is preferable that the notification condition is satisfied when the free space of the recording medium 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity.

As shown in FIG. 8, the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 is classified into used capacity and free capacity. The total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 here refers to the total size of the recording area that can be allocated for recording normal information and event information among the total recording area of the recording medium 20 . Although the entire recording area of the recording medium 20 may include a management area that cannot be assigned to recording normal information and event information, it is assumed here that such a management area does not exist. The used capacity of the recording medium 20 refers to the capacity (the size of the recording area) that is actually used for recording information out of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 . The free space of the recording medium 20 refers to the capacity (the size of the recording area) that is not used for recording information among the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 .

The total recording capacity, used capacity, and free capacity of the recording medium 20 are represented by symbols “M _T ”, “M _A ”, and “M _B ”, respectively. Then, for example, starting from a situation in which no information is recorded on the recording medium 20 (i.e., a situation in which the used capacity of the recording medium 20 is zero), information for the information amount M _S (normal information or event information) is recorded, "M _A =M _S " and "M _B =M _T -M _S ". After that, when the information amount M _S is transferred to the server device 2 by the information transfer processing using the high-speed communication line CL _A , and the information amount M _S is erased from the recording medium 20, "M _A =0" and "M _B =M _T ".

When a plurality of communication areas AR exist within an area in which the vehicle CR can move, when the notification condition is satisfied, the notification processing unit 15 simply selects an arbitrary communication area AR in the notification process without specifying any particular communication area AR. A notification may be sent to prompt the vehicle CR to move to the communication area AR. Among them, a notification prompting the vehicle CR to move to the nearest communication area AR from the current location of the vehicle CR may be sent.

Alternatively, the following first area selection method may be adopted. That is, when a plurality of communication areas AR exist within an area in which the vehicle CR can move and the notification condition is established, the notification processing unit 15 related to the first area selection method 1 A recommended communication area is selected from the plurality of communication areas AR based on the selection index, and a notification is sent to the passengers of the vehicle CR to prompt them to move the vehicle CR to the recommended communication area. The first selection index is the transfer information amount _IIA when transferring the normal information and event information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server apparatus 2 using the high-speed communication line CL _-A . The transfer information amount II _A corresponds to the used capacity of the recording medium 20 .

A description of the first area selection method will be added. It is assumed that the plurality of communication areas AR includes a communication area AR1 and a communication area AR2 as different types of communication areas. Here, the maximum information transfer speed that can be achieved by the access point AP installed in the communication area AR2 is higher than the maximum information transfer speed that can be achieved by the access point AP installed in the communication area AR1. For example, the communication area AR1 is assumed to be a taxi stand, and the communication area AR2 is assumed to be a taxi office that operates taxi services using vehicles CR.

When the transfer information amount _IIA is relatively large, it is more efficient to perform the transfer processing in the communication area AR2. On the other hand, when the transfer information amount _IIA is relatively small, even if the transfer processing is performed in the communication area AR1, no significant problem occurs. Considering this, when a plurality of communication areas AR exist within an area in which the vehicle CR can move and the notification condition is established, the notification processing unit 15 related to the first area selection method performs the following in the notification process: The transfer information amount _IIA is compared with a predetermined information amount, and if the transfer information amount _IIA is less than the predetermined information amount, the communication area _AR1 is selected as the recommended communication area. For example, the communication area AR2 is selected as the recommended communication area.

When the notification condition is satisfied and the communication area AR1 is selected as the recommended communication area, if there are a plurality of communication areas AR1 within the area in which the vehicle CR can move, the notification processing unit 15 according to the first area selection method In the notification process, a notification may be made to simply move the vehicle CR to an arbitrary communication area AR1 without specifying any one of the plurality of communication areas AR1. A notification prompting the vehicle CR to move to the closest communication area AR1 from the current location of the vehicle CR among a plurality of communication areas AR1, based on the existing position of the area AR1 and the position information obtained using the GPS processing unit 33. may be performed. At this time, the display unit 41 displays a map image clearly showing the current location of the vehicle CR and points where one or more communication areas AR1 (including at least the communication area AR1 closest to the current location of the vehicle CR) exist. Also good. The same applies when a plurality of communication areas AR2 exist within the area in which the vehicle CR can move when the notification condition is satisfied and the communication area AR2 is selected as the recommended communication area.

Further alternatively, the following second area selection method may be employed. That is, when a plurality of communication areas AR exist within an area in which the vehicle CR can move and the notification condition is established, the notification processing unit 15 related to the second area selection method 2. A recommended communication area is selected from among the plurality of communication areas AR based on the selection index, and a notification is sent to the passengers of the vehicle CR to prompt them to move the vehicle CR to the recommended communication area. The second selection index is the required transfer time II _B when transferring the normal information and event information recorded on the recording medium 20 to the server device 2 using the high-speed communication line CL _A (that is, the time required for the transfer ). The required transfer time II _B corresponds to a value (quotient) obtained by dividing the transfer information amount _IIA by a predetermined transfer speed, and is actually obtained by multiplying the transfer information amount _IIA by a predetermined coefficient. can be a value.

A description of the second area selection method will be added. It is assumed that the plurality of communication areas AR includes a communication area ARa and a communication area ARb as different types of communication areas. Of the communication areas ARa and ARb, it is expected that the vehicle CR stays longer in the communication area ARb. That is, the expected value of the time assumed that the vehicle CR will remain in the communication area ARa continuously after moving into the communication area ARa, and When comparing the expected value of the time assumed to stay continuously, the expected value of the latter (eg, 1 hour) is larger than the expected value of the former (eg, 10 minutes). For example, the communication area ARa is assumed to be a taxi stand, and the communication area ARb is assumed to be a lunch place where the driver takes a meal break.

If the required transfer time _IIB is relatively long, there is a high possibility or possibility that the free space of the recording medium 20 will not be sufficiently increased unless the transfer process is performed in the communication area ARb. On the other hand, if the required transfer time _IIB is relatively short, it is possible to secure a suitable amount of free space on the recording medium 20 even if the transfer process is for a short period of time. Considering this, when a plurality of communication areas AR exist within an area in which the vehicle CR can move and the notification condition is met, the notification processing unit 15 related to the second area selection method performs the following in the notification process: The required transfer time _IIB is compared with a predetermined time, and if the required transfer time _IIB is less than the predetermined time, the communication area ARa is selected as the recommended communication area _. Select ARb as the recommended communication area.

When the notification condition is satisfied and the communication area ARa is selected as the recommended communication area, if there are a plurality of communication areas ARa within the area in which the vehicle CR can move, the notification processing unit 15 according to the second area selection method In the notification process, a notification may be made to simply move the vehicle CR to an arbitrary communication area ARa without specifying any one of the plurality of communication areas ARa. A notification prompting the vehicle CR to move to the closest communication area ARa from the current location of the vehicle CR among a plurality of communication areas ARa based on the existing position of the area ARa and the position information obtained using the GPS processing unit 33. may be performed. At this time, the display unit 41 displays a map image clearly showing the current location of the vehicle CR and points where one or more communication areas ARa (including at least the communication area ARa closest to the current location of the vehicle CR) exist. Also good. The same applies to the case where a plurality of communication areas ARb exist within the area in which the vehicle CR can move when the notification condition is satisfied and the communication area ARb is selected as the recommended communication area.

By using such a first or second area selection method, it becomes possible to encourage movement to a communication area AR (that is, a recommended communication area) more suitable for the transfer information amount II _A or the required transfer time II _B. .

In addition, when the notification condition is established when the first area selection method is adopted and the communication area AR1 as a taxi stand is selected as the recommended communication area, or when the second area selection method is adopted When the conditions are satisfied and the communication area ARa as the taxi stand is selected as the recommended communication area, the greater the amount of transfer information II _A or the required transfer time II _B , the more the number of people waiting in the notification process increases. It is also possible to encourage movement. This is because, as the number of people waiting increases, the time required to transfer information using the high-speed communication line _CLA at the taxi stand is expected to increase. In this case, the server device 2 has a function of aggregating the number of people waiting at each taxi stand (the number of people waiting at the taxi stand while wishing to board a taxi), and provides the in-vehicle device 1 with the aggregation result. shall be

[Example EX1_3]
Example EX1_3 will be described. When the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the server device 2 transmits a predetermined event condition setting signal to the in-vehicle device 1 via the access point AP, so that the event conditions can be arbitrarily set. good.

The event condition setting signal is a signal that defines the content of the event condition whose success or failure is determined by the event detection unit 14 (see FIG. 2). Then, the event detection unit 14 updates and sets the event condition according to the received event condition setting signal. This makes it possible to collect event information in a situation desired by the manager of the server device 2 (for example, the manager of a taxi company).

[Example EX1_4]
Example EX1_4 will be described. There may be multiple types of event conditions for which success/failure is determined by the event detection unit 14 (see FIG. 2). In this case, if any one type of event condition out of a plurality of types of event conditions is established, the event detecting section 14 determines that an event has occurred, and the recording control section 12 executes event recording control.

For example, assume that there are first to third event conditions as multiple types of event conditions, and in a situation where it is determined that a G event, a sudden acceleration event, and a sudden deceleration event have occurred, the first, second, and third It is assumed that the event condition is satisfied. In this case, the non-camera information in each piece of event information recorded on the recording medium 20 through event recording control includes event type information that specifies what type of event the event information is about. good. The event information about the G event, the event information about the sudden acceleration event, and the event information about the sudden deceleration event are called first event information, second event information, and third event information, respectively.

Then, when the vehicle CR is located within the communication area AR, the server device 2 may transmit a transfer request signal including the priority event type value to the in-vehicle device 1 (see FIG. 6). The priority event type value specifies which of the first to third event information should be preferentially transferred. In this case, in the transfer processing in step S12 of FIG. The first event information is preferentially transferred to the server device 2 over the second and third event information (that is, prior to the second and third event information), and then the second and third event information are transferred to the server device. 2, and if the priority event type value is "2", the second event information among the first to third event information recorded on the recording medium 20 has priority over the first and third event information. (that is, prior to the first and third event information), and then the first and third event information are transferred to the server device 2 . The same applies when the priority event type value is "3". By such a method, the server device 2 can preferentially collect the type of event information desired to be collected.

<<Second Embodiment>>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. A second embodiment and a third embodiment to be described later are embodiments based on the first embodiment. The description applies to the second and third embodiments. In interpreting the description of the second embodiment, the description of the second embodiment may take precedence over any contradictory matters between the first and second embodiments (the same applies to the third embodiment described later). Any of the first to third embodiments may be combined as long as there is no contradiction.

In the second embodiment, a plurality of in-vehicle devices 1 mounted in a plurality of vehicles CR will be considered as the in-vehicle device 1 . As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of vehicles CR are n vehicles CR different from each other, and when the n vehicles CR are distinguished from each other, they are represented by vehicles CR[1] to CR[n]. A plurality of in-vehicle devices 1 are represented by in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n]. n is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more. It is assumed that one in-vehicle device 1 is installed in each vehicle CR, and in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n] are installed in the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n], respectively. The information collection system SS according to the second embodiment includes n in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n] and a server device 2. FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording media 20 provided in the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n] may be referred to as recording media 20[1] to 20[n], respectively.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the technical explanation was given on the premise that there are multiple communication areas AR corresponding to multiple access points AP. Focusing only on a single communication area AR corresponding to a single access point AP, the access point AP and communication area AR in the following description of the second embodiment refer to the particular one being focused on, unless otherwise specified. It shall refer to one access point AP and one communication area AR formed by one access point AP of interest.

As shown in FIG. 11, a server control unit 210 (see also FIG. 5) according to the second embodiment is provided with an inter-vehicle priority order setting unit 211 and a transfer arbitration unit 212 . Note that the inter-vehicle priority order setting unit may be read as the inter-vehicle device priority order setting unit.

When two or more vehicles CR among the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n] are simultaneously located within the communication area AR, the inter-vehicle priority setting unit 211 (hereinafter abbreviated as the setting unit 211) Different transfer priorities are set for two or more in-vehicle devices 1 mounted on two or more vehicles CR located within the communication area AR based on a predetermined priority order setting index, and the transfer arbitration unit 212 ( The arbitration unit 212 hereinafter) controls the two or more in-vehicle devices 1 so that the target information is transferred to the server device 2 in order from the in-vehicle device 1 with the highest transfer priority. The significance of the target information is as described in the first embodiment. Also, the priority order setting index will be explained later.

FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the information collection system SS focusing on transfer processing using the high-speed communication line CL _A. In FIG. 12, in step S21, it is assumed that the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n] have entered the communication area AR at the same time, and thereafter, until all the processes in FIG. 12 are completed, the vehicle CR It is assumed that [1] to CR[n] remain within the communication area AR. When the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n] are located within the communication area AR, the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n] are wirelessly connected to the server device 2 via the access point AP. 1[1] to 1[n] and the server device 2 can perform two-way communication using the high-speed communication line CL _A.

In step S22 following step S21, the setting unit 211 performs transfer priority order setting processing. In the transfer priority order setting process, the setting unit 211 selects the in-vehicle devices 1[1] installed in the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n] located within the communication area AR based on a predetermined priority order setting index. To 1[n], different transfer priorities are set. At this time, one of the first to n-th transfer priorities is set for each of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[n]. Among the first to n-th transfer priorities, the first transfer priority is the highest transfer priority, and the transfer priority decreases from the first transfer priority to the n-th transfer priority. I will go.

After the process of step S22, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, "1" is substituted for the variable k managed by the setting unit 211, and then the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the transfer arbitration unit 212 transmits a transfer request signal to the in-vehicle device 1 to which the k-th transfer priority is set. In subsequent step S25, the transfer request signal is received by the in-vehicle device 1 to which the k-th transfer priority is set, and the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal (i.e., the in-vehicle device to which the k-th transfer priority is set) The transfer processing unit 13 of 1) transfers the target information to the server device 2 . The target information transferred in step S25 includes normal information and event information, and the event information is transferred before the normal information as shown in the first embodiment. That is, the operation of step S25 by the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal is the same as the operation of steps S12 to S15 in FIG. When the transfer in step S25 is completed, the process proceeds to step S26.

More specifically, for example, if the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal (that is, the in-vehicle device 1 to which the k-th transfer priority is set) is the in-vehicle device 1 [1], in step S25, the in-vehicle device The transfer processing unit 13 of the device 1[1] first transfers the event information among the normal information and the event information recorded on the recording medium 20[1] to the server device 2, and the transfer of the event information is completed. When completed, the normal information is transferred to the server device 2 . As in the first embodiment, information that has been transferred is erased from the recording medium 20[1]. When all of the event information and normal information recorded in the recording medium 20[1] have been transferred, the process proceeds to step S26. The same applies when the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal (that is, the in-vehicle device 1 to which the k-th transfer priority is set) is any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[2] to 1[n].

In step S26, the value of the variable k managed by the setting unit 211 and the number of vehicles CR located within the communication area AR (that is, the number of vehicle-mounted devices 1 located within the communication area AR) are If they are compared and they match, that is, if "k=n", then the process of FIG. 12 ends. If they do not match (i.e., "k<n"), the setting unit 211 adds "1" to the variable k in step S27, then returns to step S24, and the processes after step S24 are executed. Repeated. At the stage where "k=n" in step S26, all the event information and normal information recorded in the recording media 20[1] to 20[n] have been transferred to the server device 2. become.

In the following, the situation α shown in FIG. 13 may be assumed as appropriate for convenience of explanation or for specificity. In situation α, vehicles CR[i] and CR[j] are simultaneously located within the communication area AR. i and j represent arbitrary integers equal to or smaller than n and different from each other. Most simply, it can be considered that "(n, i, j)=(2, 1, 2)".

The inter-vehicle priority order setting unit 211 is installed in the vehicle CR[i] based on a predetermined priority order setting index when the vehicles CR[i] and CR[j] are simultaneously located within the communication area AR. One of the on-vehicle device 1[i] mounted on the vehicle CR[j] and the on-vehicle device 1[j] mounted on the vehicle CR[j] is given a higher transfer priority than the other. When the vehicles CR[i] and CR[j] are located in the communication area AR at the same time, the transfer arbitration unit 212 sets the higher transfer priority among the vehicle-mounted devices 1[i] and 1[j]. The vehicle-mounted devices 1[i] and 1[j] are controlled so that the target information is transferred to the server device 2 first from the vehicle-mounted device 1 that receives the target information.

Since the on-vehicle device 1[p] is installed for the vehicle CR[p], it does not mean that the vehicle CR[p] is located within the communication area AR[p]. is located within the communication area AR[p]. p]. Further, the position of the vehicle CR[p] is also the position of the in-vehicle device 1[p]. p represents any natural number.

The second embodiment includes the following examples EX2_1 to EX2_8. As long as there is no contradiction, the matter described in any of Examples EX2_1 to EX2_8 can also be applied to any other example (that is, any two or more of Examples EX2_1 to EX2_8 It is also possible to combine examples). In the embodiments EX2_1 to EX2_8, the transfer priority setting method is illustrated, but the operation after the setting priority is set may be as described above with reference to FIG.

[Example EX2_1]
Example EX2_1 will be described. When two or more vehicles CR among the vehicles CR[1] to CR[n] are located in the communication area AR at the same time, the setting unit 211, as described above, based on the predetermined priority order setting index , different transfer priorities are set for two or more vehicle-mounted devices 1 mounted on two or more vehicles CR located within the communication area AR. The states of the two or more recording media 20 provided are used as a priority order setting index. Therefore, in the situation α of FIG. 13, the setting unit 211 performs transfer based on the state of the recording medium 20[i] of the in-vehicle device 1[i] and the state of the recording medium 20[j] of the in-vehicle device 1[j]. You will have to set priorities.

As a result, for example, a higher transfer priority is given to the in-vehicle device 1 for which it is determined that the transfer process should be performed first from the used capacity or the free capacity of the recording medium 20, and the transfer process is actually performed first. It is possible to make the Alternatively, for example, a higher transfer priority may be given to the in-vehicle device 1 holding more information (for example, event information) that is highly requested to be collected, and the transfer process may be actually performed first. It becomes possible.

[Example EX2_2]
Example EX2_2 will be described. Example EX2_2 shows a specific example of a transfer priority setting method based on the state of the recording medium 20 shown in Example EX2_1.

Assume situation α in FIG. In the situation α, the setting unit 211 according to the example EX2_2 sets the used capacity of the recording medium 20[i] of the in-vehicle device 1[i] and the used capacity of the recording medium 20[j] of the in-vehicle device 1[j] as evaluation values. , and among the in-vehicle apparatuses 1[i] and 1[j], the in-vehicle apparatus 1 corresponding to the larger evaluation value (that is, the used capacity) is set with a higher transfer priority.

More specifically, in situation α, the setting unit 211 according to Example EX2_2 sets the used capacity of the recording medium 20[i] as the evaluation value EV _A [i] and evaluates the used capacity of the recording medium 20[j]. The value EV _A [j] is referred to, and if “EV _A [i]>EV _A [j]”, a higher transfer priority is set to the on-vehicle device 1 [i] than the on-vehicle device 1 [j]. , and "EV _A [i]<EV _A [j]", a higher transfer priority is set for the vehicle-mounted device 1[j] than for the vehicle-mounted device 1[i]. When "EV _A [i]=EV _A [j]", any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j] may be set with a higher transfer priority than the other.

In order to realize this, during the transfer priority order setting process in step S22 of FIG. It is assumed that the indicated value is transmitted to the server device 2 .

The same is true when three or more vehicles CR are located within the communication area AR. That is, for example, when the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are located within the communication area AR, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_2 sets the recording media 20 of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. The used capacities of [1] to 20[3] are referred to as evaluation values EV _A [1] to EV _A [3], respectively, and correspond to the larger evaluation value among the in-vehicle devices 1 [1] to 1 [3]. A higher transfer priority may be set for the in-vehicle device 1 which

A vehicle CR that has entered the communication area AR will move out of the communication area AR when receiving a dispatch instruction or the like. Therefore, a vehicle CR corresponding to a relatively low transfer priority may leave the communication area AR before the information is transferred to the server device 2 even though it has entered the communication area AR. become more. On the other hand, when the free space of the recording medium 20 is tight, the normal information before transfer may be lost from the recording medium 20 due to overwriting, or new event information may not be recorded on the recording medium 20 . In consideration of these, in the embodiment EX2_2, information transfer processing is performed in order from the in-vehicle device 1 that has a relatively large storage capacity of the recording medium 20 and a high possibility that the free space of the recording medium 20 is tight. there is This reduces the above possibility.

Incidentally, in the embodiment EX2_2, it may be assumed that the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 is the same among the recording media 20[1] to 20[n]. In this case, if “(used capacity of recording medium 20[i])>(used capacity of recording medium 20[j])”, then “(free space of recording medium 20[i])<( The free space of the recording medium 20[j])”. However, the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 is wholly or partially different among the recording media 20[1] to 20[n] (for example, the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20[i] and that of the recording medium 20[j]). may be different from each other).

[Example EX2_3]
Example EX2_3 will be described. Example EX2_3 shows another specific example of the transfer priority setting method based on the state of the recording medium 20 shown in Example EX2_1.

Assume situation α in FIG. In the situation α, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_3 sets the free space of the recording medium 20[i] of the in-vehicle device 1[i] and the free space of the recording medium 20[j] of the in-vehicle device 1[j] as evaluation values. , and among the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j], a higher transfer priority is set to the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to the smaller evaluation value (that is, free space).

More specifically, in situation α, the setting unit 211 according to Example EX2_3 sets the free space of the recording medium 20[i] as the evaluation value EV _B [i] and evaluates the free space of the recording medium 20[j]. Refer to the value EV _B [j], and if “EV _B [i]<EV _B [j]”, set a higher transfer priority to the on-vehicle device 1 [i] than the on-vehicle device 1 [j]. , and “EV _B [i]>EV _B [j]”, a higher transfer priority is set for the vehicle-mounted device 1[j] than for the vehicle-mounted device 1[i]. When "EV _B [i]=EV _B [j]", any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j] may be set with a higher transfer priority than the other.

In order to realize this, during the transfer priority setting process of step S22 in FIG. It is assumed that the indicated value is transmitted to the server device 2 .

The same is true when three or more vehicles CR are located within the communication area AR. That is, for example, when the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are located within the communication area AR, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_3 sets the recording media 20 of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. [1] to 20[3] are referred to as evaluation values EV _B [1] to EV _B [3], respectively, and correspond to the smaller evaluation value among the in-vehicle devices 1 [1] to 1 [3]. A higher transfer priority may be set for the in-vehicle device 1 which

A vehicle CR that has entered the communication area AR will move out of the communication area AR when receiving a dispatch instruction or the like. Therefore, a vehicle CR corresponding to a relatively low transfer priority may leave the communication area AR before the information is transferred to the server device 2 even though it has entered the communication area AR. become more. On the other hand, when the free space of the recording medium 20 is tight, the normal information before transfer may be lost from the recording medium 20 due to overwriting, or new event information may not be recorded on the recording medium 20 . In consideration of these, in the embodiment EX2_3, information transfer processing is performed in order from the in-vehicle device 1 whose free space in the recording medium 20 is tight. This reduces the above possibility.

In Example EX2_3, the total recording capacity of the recording medium 20 is the same among the recording media 20[1] to 20[n], or all or part of the recording media 20[1] to 20[n] is the same. It is arbitrary whether they differ from each other in terms of

[Example EX2_4]
Example EX2_4 will be described. Example EX2_4 shows still another specific example of the transfer priority setting method based on the state of the recording medium 20 shown in Example EX2_1.

Assume situation α in FIG. In the situation α, the setting unit 211 according to the example EX2_4 determines the total amount of event information recorded in the recording medium 20[i] of the in-vehicle device 1[i] and the recording medium 20[ of the in-vehicle device 1[j]. j] is referred to as an evaluation value, and the evaluation value corresponding to the larger evaluation value (that is, the total amount of event information) of the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j] is A higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 . The total information amount of the event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i] is the information amount of one event information when only one event information is recorded on the recording medium 20[i]. When a plurality of pieces of event information are recorded on the recording medium 20[i] based on the establishment of the event condition a plurality of times, the total amount of information of the plurality of pieces of event information is indicated. The total amount of event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i] may be expressed by the number of pieces of event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i]. The same applies to the total amount of event information recorded on the recording medium 20[j].

More specifically, in situation α, the setting unit 211 according to Example EX2_4 sets the total information amount of the event information recorded in the recording medium 20[i] as the evaluation value EV _C [i] and The total information amount of the event information recorded in [j] is referred to as the evaluation value EV _C [j], and if "EV _C [i]>EV _C [j]", the in-vehicle device 1 [i] If "EV _C [i]<EV _C [j]", the transfer priority is set higher than that of the on-vehicle device 1[j]. Set a high transfer priority. When "EV _C [i]=EV _C [j]", any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j] may be set with a higher transfer priority than the other.

In order to realize this, during the transfer priority order setting process of step S22 of FIG. It is assumed that a value indicating the total amount of information of the event information stored is transmitted to the server device 2 .

The same is true when three or more vehicles CR are located within the communication area AR. That is, for example, when the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are located within the communication area AR, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_4 sets the recording media 20 of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. The total amount of event information recorded in [1] to 20[3] is referred to as evaluation values EV _C [1] to EV _C [3], respectively, and the in-vehicle devices 1 [1] to 1 [3] Among them, a higher transfer priority may be set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to a higher evaluation value.

The event information is highly important information that is useful for driving safety support, guidance to drivers, and the like. Therefore, it is preferable to preferentially transfer information from the in-vehicle device 1 that records more event information, and to use the information for driving safety support and the like. In addition, as the total amount of event information recorded on the recording medium 20 increases, the possibility that new event information cannot be recorded on the recording medium 20 increases. In the embodiment EX2_4, proper transfer priority can be set in consideration of these.

[Example EX2_5]
Example EX2_5 will be described. Example EX2_5 shows still another specific example of the transfer priority setting method based on the state of the recording medium 20 shown in Example EX2_1.

As already described, there may be a plurality of types of event conditions for which success/failure is determined by the event detection unit 14 (see FIG. 2). In this case, if any one type of event condition out of a plurality of types of event conditions is established, the event detecting section 14 determines that an event has occurred, and the recording control section 12 executes event recording control. Non-camera information in each piece of event information recorded on the recording medium 20 through event recording control includes event type information that specifies what type of event the event information is about. Here, in order to make the description concrete, attention is paid to the G event, the sudden acceleration event, and the sudden deceleration event, and the event information about the G event, the event information about the sudden acceleration event, and the event information about the sudden deceleration event are They are referred to as first event information, second event information, and third event information.

The setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_5 sets a higher transfer priority to the in-vehicle device 1 holding more specific event information. An administrator of the server device 2 (for example, an administrator of a taxi company) can arbitrarily specify specific event information by giving a predetermined instruction to the server device 2 . The specific event information may be any one of the first to third event information.

Assuming situation α in FIG. In situation α, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_5 determines the total amount of specific event information recorded in the recording medium 20[i] of the in-vehicle device 1[i] and the recording medium of the in-vehicle device 1[j]. 20[j] is referred to as an evaluation value, and the larger evaluation value (that is, the total amount of specific event information A higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to the information amount). The total information amount of the specific event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i] means that when only one piece of specific event information is recorded on the recording medium 20[i], Refers to the information amount of event information, and when a plurality of specific event information based on the establishment of event conditions multiple times is recorded on the recording medium 20[i], the total information amount of the plurality of specific event information point to The total amount of specific event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i] may be expressed by the number of pieces of specific event information recorded on the recording medium 20[i]. The same applies to the total amount of specific event information recorded on the recording medium 20[j].

More specifically, in situation α, the setting unit 211 according to Example EX2_5 sets the total information amount of the specific event information recorded in the recording medium 20[i] as the evaluation value EV _D [i] and records The total information amount of the specific event information recorded on the medium 20[j] is referred to as the evaluation value EV _D [j], and if "EV _D [i]>EV _D [j]", the in-vehicle device 1 [ i] is set to a higher transfer priority than the in-vehicle device 1[j], and if “EV _D [i]<EV _D [j]”, the in-vehicle device 1 [ i] to set a higher transfer priority. When "EV _D [i]=EV _D [j]", any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[i] and 1[j] may be set with a higher transfer priority than the other.

In order to realize this, during the transfer priority order setting process of step S22 of FIG. It is assumed that a value indicating the total amount of information of specific event information that is stored is transmitted to the server device 2 .

The same is true when three or more vehicles CR are located within the communication area AR. That is, for example, when the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are located within the communication area AR, the setting unit 211 according to the embodiment EX2_5 sets the recording media 20 of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. The total information amount of specific event information recorded in [1] to 20[3] are referred to as evaluation values EV _D [1] to EV _D [3], respectively, and the in-vehicle devices 1 [1] to 1 [3] ], a higher transfer priority may be set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to a higher evaluation value.

According to the embodiment EX2_5, when the administrator of the server device 2 desires to collect specific event information, information is preferentially transferred from the in-vehicle device 1 that records more specific event information. Therefore, desired specific event information can be quickly collected in the server device 2 .

In the embodiment EX2_5, in step S25 of FIG. 12, the transfer processing unit 13 of the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal from the server device 2 receives specific event information, event information different from the specific event information (hereinafter referred to as , non-specific event information) and normal information to the server device 2 in that order. More specifically, for example, if the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal is the in-vehicle device 1[1], in step S25, the transfer processing unit 13 of the in-vehicle device 1[1] transfers the recording medium 20[ 1], specific event information (e.g., first event information), non-specific event information (e.g., second and third event information), and normal information recorded in the server. transfer to the device 2, transfer the non-specific event information to the server device 2 after the transfer of the specific event information is completed, and transfer the normal information to the server device 2 after the transfer of the non-specific event information is completed You can As in the first embodiment, information that has been transferred is erased from the recording medium 20[1]. When the specific event information, the non-specific event information, and the normal information recorded in the recording medium 20[1] are all transferred, the process proceeds to step S26. The same applies when the in-vehicle device 1 that has received the transfer request signal is any one of the in-vehicle devices 1[2] to 1[n].

[Example EX2_6]
Example EX2_6 will be described. Example EX2_6 shows another example of the transfer priority setting method. To put it simply, in the embodiment EX2_6, a higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 of a driver who has a lot of experience in waiting for information transfer, based on the past transfer priority setting history.

FIG. 14 shows the management table TBL recorded in the recording medium 220 of the server device 2. As shown in FIG. The management table TBL is a management table of a taxi company that manages taxi business using a plurality of vehicles CR, and stores various information about a plurality of drivers belonging to the taxi company. Among the plurality of drivers belonging to the taxi company, the p-th driver is referenced by the symbol "DRV[p]" (p is any natural number). Driver ID information having a numerical value “p” is assigned to the p-th driver, and management information for each driver is stored in the table TBL. The management information for each driver includes the driver's age, gender, attendance status, etc., and further includes a transfer waiting evaluation value and a scheduled operation time zone. The transfer waiting evaluation value for the driver DRV[p] is referenced by the symbol "EV _E [p]". Note that the scheduled operation time zone is referred to in Example EX2_7, which will be described later.

The transfer wait evaluation value can be referenced and updated in the transfer priority order setting process in step S22 of FIG. For the sake of specificity, the transfer priority order setting method and the transfer standby evaluation value update method will be described assuming that vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] have entered the communication area AR. Drivers of vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are assumed to be drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3], respectively.

When vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] enter the communication area AR and the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] and the server device 2 are wirelessly connected to each other via the high-speed communication line CL _A. , in step S22 of FIG. 12, the setting unit 211 transmits an ID transmission request signal requesting transmission of driver ID information to the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. Upon receiving the ID transmission request signal, the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] transmit the corresponding driver ID information to the server device 2, respectively. Thereby, the setting unit 211 recognizes that the drivers of the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are the drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3], respectively.

After that, the setting unit 211 reads the transfer standby evaluation values EV _E [1] to EV _E [3] associated with the drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3] from the management table TBL, and Based on the values EV _E [1] to EV _E [3], different transfer priorities are set for the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. Here, it is assumed that a higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to a higher transfer standby evaluation value. Now, assuming that "EV _E [1]>EV _E [2]>EV _E [3]", the first, Second and third transfer priorities are set. In Example EX2_6, the transfer waiting evaluation value functions as a priority order setting index.

The flow of information transfer processing after the transfer priority order is set is as described above _. [1] to EV _E [3] are updated as follows. That is, the transfer standby evaluation value EV _E [1] of the driver DRV[1] corresponding to the in-vehicle device 1[1] to which the first transfer priority is set is decreased by a positive predetermined value Q1 (for example, 2). , the transfer standby evaluation value EV _E [2] of the driver DRV [2] corresponding to the in-vehicle device 1 [2] to which the second transfer priority is set is increased by a positive predetermined value Q2 (for example, 1), The transfer standby evaluation value EV _E [3] of the driver DRV[3] corresponding to the in-vehicle device 1[3] set with the third transfer priority is increased by a predetermined positive value Q3 (for example, 2). Here, "Q2<Q3".

As a result, when a similar situation occurs next time, the first transfer priority is likely to be set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to the driver DRV[2] or DRV[3]. You get fairness.

[Example EX2_7]
Example EX2_7 will be described. Embodiment EX2_7 shows still another example of the transfer priority setting method. To put it simply, in the embodiment EX2_7, a higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 for the driver whose scheduled operation time slot is nearing the end, based on the scheduled operation time slot of each driver.

Refer to FIG. 14 again. The table TBL stores scheduled operation time zones for each driver. The scheduled operation time zone is the time zone in which the driver is scheduled to engage in taxi business, and may differ from driver to driver. Here, the scheduled operating hours for a given day are 9:00 to 18:00 for driver DRV[1] and 12:00 to 20:00 for driver DRV[2] in 24-hour notation. and for driver DRV[2] from 16:00 to 22:00.

For the sake of specificity, the transfer priority setting method according to the embodiment EX2_7 will be described on the assumption that vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] enter the communication area AR. Drivers of vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are assumed to be drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3], respectively.

When vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] enter the communication area AR and the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] and the server device 2 are wirelessly connected to each other via the high-speed communication line CL _A. , in step S22 of FIG. 12, the setting unit 211 transmits an ID transmission request signal requesting transmission of driver ID information to the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3]. Upon receiving the ID transmission request signal, the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] transmit the corresponding driver ID information to the server device 2, respectively. Thereby, the setting unit 211 recognizes that the drivers of the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] are the drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3], respectively.

After that, the setting unit 211 reads the scheduled operation time periods associated with the drivers DRV[1] to DRV[3] from the management table TBL, The difference from the end time of the scheduled operation time zone is obtained as time evaluation values EV _F [1] to EV F [3], and the in-vehicle device is based on the time evaluation values EV _F [1] to _{EV F [} 3]. Different transfer priorities are set for 1[1] to 1[3]. At this time, a higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to a smaller time evaluation value. Assuming that the current time is just before 18:00 _{, in} the numerical example shown in FIG _. , 1[2], and 1[3] are assigned first, second, and third transfer priorities, respectively. In Example EX2_7, the time evaluation value functions as a priority order setting index.

If a low transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 corresponding to a small time evaluation value, the waiting time for transfer may affect the driver corresponding to the in-vehicle device 1, so-called overtime. be. According to Example EX2_7, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of such overtime.

[Example EX2_8]
Example EX2_8 will be described. Embodiment EX2_8 shows still another example of the transfer priority setting method. To put it simply, in the embodiment EX2_8, a higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 with a high radio wave intensity for communication with the access point AP.

To make the explanation concrete, the method of setting the transfer priority in the embodiment EX2_8 will be explained assuming that the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] have entered the communication area AR. When vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] enter the communication area AR and the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] and the server device 2 are wirelessly connected to each other via the high-speed communication line CL _A. , in step S22 of FIG. 12, the setting unit 211 sets the radio field strength in communication between the access point AP and the in-vehicle device 1[1], the radio field strength in communication between the access point AP and the in-vehicle device 1 [2], the access point AP and the in-vehicle device 1 [3] are obtained as radio field strength evaluation values EV _G [1], EV _G [2], and EV _G [3], respectively, and correspond to larger radio field strength evaluation values. A higher transfer priority is set for the in-vehicle device 1 that For example, assuming that "EV _G [1]>EV _G [2]>EV _G [3]", first and second 2. A third transfer priority is set. In Example EX2_8, the radio field strength evaluation value functions as a priority order setting index.

If the access point AP has a function of detecting radio wave intensity in communication between the access point AP and the in-vehicle device 1[1], the setting unit 211 obtains information on the radio wave intensity from the access point AP. Alternatively, if the in-vehicle device 1 [1] has a function of detecting the radio wave intensity in communication between the access point AP and the in-vehicle device 1 [1], the setting unit 211 detects the radio wave intensity information. It may be obtained from the in-vehicle device 1[1] via the access point AP. The same applies to other radio wave intensities.

The higher the radio wave intensity, the more stable high-speed communication becomes possible. By performing information transfer processing from the in-vehicle device 1 that supports higher radio wave intensity, accumulation of information in the server device 2 is facilitated. For example, in a situation where each of the in-vehicle devices 1[1] to 1[3] records 20 megabytes of information on the recording medium 20, the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] enter the communication area AR at the same time. It is assumed that the vehicles CR[1] to CR[3] move out of the communication area AR at the same time after a predetermined time. In this case, when “EV _G [1]>EV _G [2]>EV _G [3]”, the first , 2nd, and 3rd are set, there is a possibility that the transfer of 20 megabytes of information for the in-vehicle device 1[1] will be completed even if the predetermined time is short. On the other hand, when “EV _G [1]>EV _G [2]>EV _G [3]”, the third , 2nd and 1st transfer priorities are set, only 10 megabytes worth of information about the in-vehicle device 1[3] may be transferred within the predetermined time.

<<Third Embodiment>>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, annotations, deformation techniques, etc. applicable to the first and second embodiments will be described.

<<Third Embodiment>>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, annotations, deformation techniques, etc. applicable to the first and second embodiments will be described.

When the vehicle CR is located outside the communication area AR, the transfer processing unit 13 sequentially transfers the second acquired information (vehicle information, etc.) sequentially acquired to the server device 2 in real time using the low-speed communication line CL _B. Then, as mentioned above, it is not mandatory to perform such a transfer.

The information collection system SS includes an information collection device mounted on the vehicle CR. The in-vehicle device 1 described above is an example of an information collection device. In the first and second embodiments, the camera unit 31, the vehicle-mounted sensor unit 32, the GPS processing unit 33, the timer unit 34, the license card reader 35, and the interface device 40 are all provided outside the vehicle-mounted device 1. All or any part of the camera section 31, the vehicle-mounted sensor section 32, the GPS processing section 33, the clock section 34, the license card reader 35, and the interface device 40 are provided in the vehicle-mounted device 1. Also good.

In summary, the information acquisition unit 11 in the information gathering device acquires information from a device provided inside or outside the information gathering device. That is, for example, if the camera section 31 is a device provided in the information gathering device, the information acquisition section 11 acquires camera information from the camera section 31 provided in the information gathering device, and the camera section 31 Assuming that it is a device provided outside the information gathering device, the information acquisition section 11 acquires camera information from the camera section 31 provided outside the information gathering device. The in-vehicle sensor unit 32, the GPS processing unit 33, the clock unit 34, and the driver's license card reader 35 are the same.

The embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea indicated in the scope of claims. The above embodiments are merely examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the meanings of the terms of the present invention and each constituent element are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. The specific numerical values given in the above description are merely examples and can of course be changed to various numerical values.

1 In-vehicle device (information collection device)
2 Server device (external device)
10 vehicle control unit 11 information acquisition unit 12 recording control unit 13 transfer processing unit 14 event detection unit 15 notification processing unit 20 recording medium 31 camera unit 32 in-vehicle sensor unit 33 GPS processing unit 34 timer unit 35 license card reader 210 server control unit 211 inter-vehicle priority order setting unit 212 transfer arbitration unit 220 server recording unit SS information collection system CR vehicle CL _A , CL _B communication line

Claims (13)

An information gathering device mounted on a vehicle,
Acquiring first acquired information and second acquired information having a smaller amount of information than the first acquired information and recording them as target information on a recording medium ;
When the vehicle is located within a first communication area where a specific communication line is available ,
transferring the target information to an external device using the specific communication line ;
When the vehicle is located in a second communication area where the specific communication line cannot be used,
transferring the second acquired information to the external device using a communication line different from the specific communication line;
Information gathering device. An information gathering device mounted on a vehicle,
Acquiring information and recording it on a recording medium as target information,
When the vehicle is located within a first communication area where a specific communication line is available,
transferring the target information to an external device using the specific communication line;
Under a predetermined notification condition that the vehicle is located in a second communication area in which the specific communication line cannot be used,
Notifying passengers of the vehicle to move the vehicle to the first communication area;
Information gathering device. making the notification when the free space of the recording medium becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity;
The information collection device according to claim 2 . When there are multiple first communication areas,
A first communication area selected from the plurality of first communication areas based on a transfer information amount or a transfer time when the target information is transferred to the external device using the specific communication line send a notification urging to move the vehicle to
The information collecting device according to claim 2 or 3 . The specific communication line is a local area line, the first communication area is a local area network area, and the second communication area is an area where a mobile communication line is available.
An information collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . When multiple types of target information are recorded as the target information,
Different priorities are set for the plurality of types of target information, and when the vehicle is located within the first communication area, the target information with a higher priority is transferred to the external device. I do,
The information collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The plurality of types of target information includes target information recorded on the recording medium triggered by an event based on vehicle information and other target information ,
Setting a higher priority than the other target information for the target information recorded on the recording medium triggered by the event ;
The information collection device according to claim 6. An information collection system comprising n information collection devices according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and the external device,
n is an integer of 2 or more, the first to n-th information collection devices are mounted on the first to n-th vehicles,
The external device is
When the i-th vehicle and the j-th vehicle are located within the first communication area (i and j are mutually different integers equal to or smaller than n), i-th information collection carried on the i-th vehicle setting a higher transfer priority to one of the device and the j-th information collecting device mounted on the j-th vehicle than the other;
When the i-th vehicle and the j-th vehicle are located within the first communication area , an information collection device having a higher transfer priority is first transferred to the external device for the target information. controlling the i-th information gathering device and the j-th information gathering device so that the transfer is performed;
Setting the transfer priority based on the state of the i-th recording medium that is the recording medium of the i-th information gathering device and the state of the j-th recording medium that is the recording medium of the j-th information gathering device to do
Information gathering system. setting a higher transfer priority to the information collecting device corresponding to the smaller free space among the free space of the i-th recording medium and the free space of the j-th recording medium;
The information collection system according to claim 8 . Each of the first to n-th information collection devices is the information collection device according to claim 7,
total information amount of target information to be recorded on a recording medium triggered by the event recorded on the i-th recording medium; setting a higher transfer priority to an information collecting device corresponding to a larger total amount of information among the total amount of information to be recorded;
The information collection system according to claim 8 . An information gathering method used in an information gathering device mounted on a vehicle,
Acquiring first acquired information and second acquired information having a smaller amount of information than the first acquired information and recording them as target information on a recording medium;
When the vehicle is located within a first communication area where a specific communication line is available,
transferring the target information to an external device using the specific communication line;
When the vehicle is located in a second communication area where the specific communication line cannot be used,
transferring the second acquired information to the external device using a communication line different from the specific communication line;
How we collect information. An information gathering method used in an information gathering device mounted on a vehicle,
Acquiring information and recording it on a recording medium as target information,
When the vehicle is located within a first communication area where a specific communication line is available,
transferring the target information to an external device using the specific communication line;
Under a predetermined notification condition that the vehicle is located in a second communication area in which the specific communication line cannot be used,
Notifying passengers of the vehicle to move the vehicle to the first communication area;
How we collect information. When a plurality of types of target information are recorded on the recording medium as the target information,
Different priorities are set for the plurality of types of target information, and when the vehicle is located within the first communication area, the target information having a higher priority is sent to the external device. make a transfer,
The information collection method according to claim 11.

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