JP2012198645A - Information collection method and information collection program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to efficiently use communication resources.
An information collecting apparatus (101) receives probe information (120) from a mobile communication apparatus (102) mounted on a moving body (103). The probe information 120 is information including position information of the mobile communication device 102 and environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102. The information collection device 101 determines whether or not the mobile communication device 102 exists in a specific area A based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102 included in the received probe information 120. When the mobile communication device 102 exists in a specific area A, the information collection device 101 transmits a stop request 130 for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device 102 to the mobile communication device 102.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information collecting method and an information collecting program for collecting information.

  Conventionally, there is a technology (so-called “probe technology”) that collects various information from mobile objects such as vehicles and mobile phone terminals scattered in various places and uses them for various services. For example, there is one that collects information such as vehicle speed, position, and wiper operating status from a running vehicle and uses it for services such as traffic jam information and weather information.

  As a related prior art, for example, there is a technique for calculating the amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere based on a delay time from when a signal is transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite to when it is received by a receiver. . There is also a technique for deriving the amount of precipitable water at the mobile station point by estimating the zenith atmospheric delay amount at the mobile station point from the zenith atmospheric delay amount obtained by the fixed station located around the mobile station.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-10460 JP 2007-85755 A

  However, in the prior art, there is a problem in that a large amount of information that is not used may be included in the information group collected from the mobile body, which may use a lot of communication resources in vain. . For example, when mobile objects are densely located in a certain area, information collected from the mobile object is often not used because its content is often similar to information collected from other mobile objects.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information collecting method and an information collecting program capable of efficiently using communication resources in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, according to one aspect of the present invention, probe information including at least position information of a mobile communication device is received from the mobile communication device, and the probe of the mobile communication device received is received. It is determined whether the information is first probe information including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment or second probe information not including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment, and the probe information is the first probe information. The first probe information is stored in the storage unit, and the mobile communication device exists in a specific area based on the positional information included in the received probe information of the mobile communication device. A stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is present in the specific area. The information collection method to the mobile communication device and the information collection program is proposed.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that communication resources can be used efficiently.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of an example of the information collecting method according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of an example of the information collecting method according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration example of the information collection system 300 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration example of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration example of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the probe information DB 110. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the vehicle DB 700. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the area table 800. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the first probe information. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the second probe information. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the water vapor amount list 1200. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of an information collection processing procedure of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of an information collection processing procedure of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information provision processing procedure of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information collection method and an information collection program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(One example of information collection method)
1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the information collection method according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, an information collection device 101 is a computer that includes a probe information DB (database) 110 and collects probe information from mobile communication devices 102 that are scattered in various places.

  The probe information DB 110 stores probe information collected from a plurality of mobile communication devices 102. The probe information is information including, for example, position information of the mobile communication device 102 and environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102. The contents stored in the probe information DB 110 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The mobile communication device 102 has a function of acquiring position information of the own device. Further, the mobile communication device 102 has a function of acquiring environment information that characterizes the environment around the device itself. In addition, the mobile communication device 102 has a function of transmitting to the information collection device 101 probe information including position information of the device itself and environment information that characterizes the environment around the device. The mobile communication device 102 is, for example, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, a mobile phone terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

  Here, the environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102 is information that characterizes, for example, the temperature, atmospheric pressure, and water vapor amount around the mobile communication device 102. Further, the environment information may include information indicating the speed of the vehicle (for example, the moving body 103) that characterizes the traffic situation around the mobile communication device 102, the use status of the brake, the operating status of the wiper, and the captured image. Good.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information collection method executed by the information collection apparatus 101 will be described.

  (1-1) The information collection device 101 receives the probe information 120 from the mobile communication device 102 mounted on the moving body 103. Here, the probe information 120 is information including position information of the mobile communication device 102 and environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102.

  (1-2) The information collection device 101 associates the position information, time information, and vehicle identifier information of the mobile communication device 102 included in the received probe information 120 with environmental information that characterizes the surrounding environment of the mobile communication device 102. Register in the probe information DB 110.

  (1-3) The information collection device 101 determines whether the mobile communication device 102 exists in a specific area A based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102 included in the received probe information 120. The specific area A is an area within a predetermined range defined in advance. The specific area A is an area including, for example, a main road, a downtown area, and the like in which moving bodies such as vehicles and people are densely packed.

  (1-4) When the mobile communication device 102 exists in the specific area A, the information collection device 101 sends a stop request 130 for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device 102 to the mobile communication device. 102. As a result, the mobile communication device 102 temporarily stops transmission of environment information that characterizes the environment around the device itself.

  Thereby, transmission of environmental information from the mobile communication device 102 to the information collection device 101 in the specific area A can be temporarily stopped.

  (2-1) The information collecting apparatus 101 receives the probe information 140 from the mobile communication apparatus 102 after transmitting a stop request 130 to the mobile communication apparatus 102. Here, the probe information 140 is information including position information of the mobile communication device 102. However, the probe information 140 does not include environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102.

  (2-2) The information collection device 101 determines whether the mobile communication device 102 exists in a specific area A based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102 included in the received probe information 140.

  (2-3) When the mobile communication device 102 exists in the specific area A, the information collection device 101 uses other information among the environment information collected in the specific area A stored in the probe information DB 110. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time T has elapsed since the latest environmental information including the information received from the mobile communication device has been acquired.

  (2-4) When the predetermined time T has elapsed, the information collection apparatus 101 issues a return request 150 from a stop state for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication apparatus 102. Send to. That is, when environmental information has not been received from the mobile communication device 102 for a predetermined time T or longer, the information collection device 101 requests the mobile communication device 102 to transmit environmental information. The mobile communication device 102 transmits the environment information acquired at the same timing as the probe information transmitted immediately before, and transmits the probe information including the environment information at the time of subsequent probe information transmission.

  As a result, in the specific area A, when the environment information is not transmitted from the mobile communication device 102 to the information collection device 101 for a predetermined time T or longer, the environment information is transmitted from the mobile communication device 102 to the information collection device 101. Transmission can be resumed.

  As described above, according to the information collecting apparatus 101, it is possible to temporarily limit the collection of environment information from the mobile communication apparatus 102 traveling in a specific area A. Thereby, for example, by setting a specific area A to a region where the mobile communication device 102 is crowded or a region temporarily excluded from the collection target of environment information, wasteful communication related to collection of unused environment information is performed. Use of resources can be suppressed.

(System configuration example of the information collection system 300)
Next, the information collection system 300 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the information collection apparatus 101 is applied to an information collection system 300 that collects environmental information that characterizes the amount of water vapor around the mobile communication apparatus 102.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration example of the information collection system 300 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the information collection system 300 is configured to include an information collection device 101 and mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m. The information collection device 101 and the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m are connected via a network 210 such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network).

  In the information collection system 300, the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m are mounted on different vehicles 103-1 to 103-m, respectively. The mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m have a function of acquiring position information of the own device by a GPS unit 511 described later. Further, the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m have a function of acquiring a GPS signal delay amount.

  Here, the delay amount of the GPS signal is an index value representing the delay time of the GPS signal transmitted from the GPS satellite. The time until the GPS signal transmitted from the GPS satellite passes through the atmosphere and reaches the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m is delayed by water vapor in the atmosphere. That is, the delay amount of the GPS signal is information characterizing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere between the GPS signal and the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m. The unit of the delay amount is [m: meter], and is calculated by the product of the delay time and the GPS signal propagation speed.

  In the following description, an arbitrary mobile communication device among the mobile communication devices 102-1 to 102-m is expressed as “mobile communication device 102-j” (j = 1, 2,..., M).

(Hardware configuration example of information collecting apparatus 101)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration example of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, an information collecting apparatus 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, and an optical disk. A drive 406, an optical disk 407, a display 408, an I / F (Interface) 409, a keyboard 410, a mouse 411, a scanner 412, and a printer 413 are included. Each component is connected by a bus 400.

  Here, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the information collection apparatus 101. The ROM 402 stores programs such as a boot program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 stores data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. In addition, map data and the like expressed by nodes (intersections) and links (roads connecting the intersections) are stored in the ROM 402, the RAM 403, or the magnetic disk 405.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disk 407 stores data written under the control of the optical disk drive 406, or causes the computer to read data stored on the optical disk 407.

  The display 408 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 408, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The I / F 409 is connected to the network 210 through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 210. The I / F 409 controls an internal interface with the network 210 and controls data input / output from an external device. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter may be employed as the I / F 409.

  The keyboard 410 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. The keyboard 410 may be a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad. The mouse 411 moves the cursor, selects a range, moves the window, changes the size, and the like. A trackball or a joystick may be used as long as they have the same function as a pointing device.

  The scanner 412 optically reads an image and takes in the image data into the information collecting apparatus 101. The scanner 412 may have an OCR (Optical Character Reader) function. The printer 413 prints image data and document data. As the printer 413, for example, a laser printer or an ink jet printer can be adopted.

  The information collecting apparatus 101 may not include the optical disk drive 406, the optical disk 407, the display 408, the keyboard 410, the mouse 411, the scanner 412, the printer 413, and the like.

(Hardware configuration example of mobile communication device 102-j)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration example of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment. In FIG. 5, the mobile communication device 102-j includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a magnetic disk drive 504, a magnetic disk 505, an optical disk drive 506, an optical disk 507, a display 508, an I / F 509, An input device 510, a GPS unit 511, and various sensors 512 are included. Each component is connected by a bus 500.

  Here, the CPU 501 governs overall control of the mobile communication device 102-j. The ROM 502 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The magnetic disk drive 504 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the magnetic disk 505 according to the control of the CPU 501. The magnetic disk 505 stores data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 504. In addition, map data expressed by nodes (intersections) and links (roads connecting the intersections) is stored in the ROM 502, RAM 503, or magnetic disk 505.

  The optical disk drive 506 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 507 according to control of CPU501. The optical disk 507 stores data written under the control of the optical disk drive 506, and causes the computer to read data stored on the optical disk 507.

  The display 508 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 508, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The I / F 509 is connected to the network 210 through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 210. The I / F 509 manages an internal interface with the network 210 and controls input / output of data from an external device. The input device 510 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. The input device 510 may be a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad.

  The GPS unit 511 receives radio waves (GPS signals) from GPS satellites and outputs position information indicating the position of the vehicle (mobile communication device 102-j). The vehicle position information is information for specifying one point on the earth such as latitude / longitude and altitude. Note that the vehicle position information may be corrected using output values of the various sensors 512.

  Various sensors 512 output information characterizing the environment around the vehicle, such as temperature and pressure. Various sensors 512 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle. The output values of the various sensors 512 are used by the CPU 501 for calculating the current position of the mobile communication device 102-j, measuring the amount of change in speed and direction, and the like.

  Further, the various sensors 512 may include, for example, sensors that detect each operation of the vehicle by the driver. Specifically, for example, the various sensors 512 may detect wiper ON / OFF, steering wheel operation, turn signal input, vehicle door opening / closing, vehicle engine ON / OFF, and the like.

(Storage contents of various DBs 110, 600, 700)
Next, the storage contents of various DBs 110, 600, and 700 used by the information collecting apparatus 101 will be described. Various DBs 110, 600, and 700 are realized by storage devices such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407 of the information collection apparatus 101 shown in FIG.

<Storage contents of probe information DB 110>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the probe information DB 110. In FIG. 6, the probe information DB 110 has fields of time, vehicle ID, latitude / longitude, area ID, delay amount, and water vapor amount. By setting information of each field, probe information 600-1 to 600-K is stored as a record.

  Here, the time is the time when the location information of the mobile communication device 102-j is acquired (unit: year / month / day hour: minute: second). The vehicle ID is an identifier of the vehicle on which the mobile communication device 102-j is mounted. The latitude / longitude is position information of the mobile communication device 102-j (unit: degree.minute). The position information of the mobile communication device 102-j indicates the position of the vehicle on which the mobile communication device 102-j is mounted.

The area ID is an identifier of a crowded area where vehicles are present. A crowded area is an area where vehicles (mobile communication devices 102-j) are densely populated, for example, an area including a trunk road, a downtown area, and the like. The delay amount is a delay amount of a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite (unit: [m]). The amount of water vapor is the mass of water vapor contained per 1 [m ³ ] (unit: [g / m ³ ]).

  Taking the probe information 600-1 as an example, the latitude / longitude “35” indicating the position of the mobile communication device 102-j mounted on the vehicle V1 acquired at the time “2010/02/14 12:00:00”. .69 / 139.69 ". Further, in the probe information 600-1, the area ID “A1” of the area where the vehicle V1 exists, the GPS signal delay amount “2” used for calculating the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j, and the GPS signal The water vapor amount “1” calculated from the delay amount is shown.

  In the following description, arbitrary probe information among the probe information 600-1 to 600-K is expressed as “probe information 600-k” (k = 1, 2,..., K).

<Storage contents of vehicle DB 700>
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the vehicle DB 700. In FIG. 7, the vehicle DB 700 has fields for vehicle ID, address, vehicle number, and vehicle type. By setting information in each field, vehicle information (for example, 700-1 and 700-2) is stored as a record.

  Here, the vehicle ID is an identifier of the vehicle on which the mobile communication device 102-j is mounted. The address is an address of the mobile communication device 102-j mounted on the vehicle. As the address, for example, the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the mobile communication device 102-j can be used. The vehicle number is the vehicle number of the vehicle. The vehicle type is the type of vehicle.

  Taking the vehicle information 700-1 as an example, an address “10.10.xx.10”, a car number “11-xx-123”, and a car type “OO” of the vehicle V1 are shown.

<Storage contents of area table 800>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the area table 800. In FIG. 8, an area table 800 has fields of area ID, latitude 1 / longitude 1, latitude 2 / longitude 2, day of the week, and time zone. By setting information in each field, area information 800-1 to 800-n of areas A1 to An are stored as records.

  The area ID is an identifier of a crowded area. Latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2 are the latitude / longitude of diagonal vertices when a dense area is represented by a rectangle. According to latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2, it is possible to specify a region on the earth representing a dense area.

  The day of the week is the day of the week on which vehicles (mobile communication devices 102-j) are crowded in the crowded area. The time zone is a time zone in which vehicles (mobile communication devices 102-j) are crowded in a crowded area. Note that the dense area, day of the week, and time zone in which vehicles are densely estimated are based on past probe information collected from the mobile communication device 102-j.

  Taking area information 800-1 as an example, latitude 1 / longitude 1 “35.50 / 139.50”, latitude 2 / longitude 2 “36.00 / 140.00”, and day of the week “Monday-Friday” in dense area A1. ”And the time zone“ 08: 00-10: 00 ”are shown. “Monday-Friday” represents all days of the week from Monday to Friday. “08: 00-10: 00” represents a time zone from 8:00 to 10:00.

  The size of the dense area described above is set based on, for example, the spatial resolution of the water vapor amount corresponding to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed. Hereinafter, an example of setting the size of the dense area according to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed will be described.

  For example, when the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is local heavy rain (guerrilla heavy rain), the horizontal scale of local heavy rain is an area of about 10 km square, and the spatial resolution of the required water vapor amount is about 1 km. In this case, the size of the dense area is set as, for example, a square having a side of 1 km.

  For example, if the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is convective torrential rain (concentrated torrential rain), the horizontal scale of convective torrential rain will be in the range of about 10 to several tens of kilometers square, and the required spatial resolution of the required water vapor amount is about 2.5 km. Become. In this case, the size of the dense area is set, for example, as a square having a side of 2.5 km.

  For example, when the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is a cold front, the horizontal scale of the cold front is in the region of about 200 to 500 km, and the required spatial resolution of the amount of water vapor is about 20 km. In this case, the size of the dense area is set, for example, as a square with a side of 20 km.

  In the following description, an arbitrary dense area among the dense areas A1 to An is referred to as a “crowded area Ai” (i = 1, 2,..., N).

(Specific examples of probe information)
Next, a specific example of probe information transmitted from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 will be described. Here, the probe information transmitted from the mobile communication device 102-1 mounted on the vehicle V1 to the information collecting device 101 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the first probe information. In FIG. 9, the first probe information 900 includes information on time, vehicle ID, latitude / longitude, and delay amount.

  Here, the time is the time when the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j is acquired. The vehicle ID is an identifier of the vehicle on which the mobile communication device 102-j is mounted. Latitude / longitude is position information of the mobile communication device 102. The delay amount is a delay amount of a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite.

  Specifically, the first probe information 900 includes time “2010/02/14 12:00:00”, vehicle ID “V1”, latitude / longitude “35.69 / 139.69”, and delay amount “2”. Is shown. According to the first probe information 900, the position information of the mobile communication device 102-1 mounted on the vehicle V1, the acquisition time of the position information, and the delay amount of the GPS signal used for calculating the position information are specified. can do.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the second probe information. In FIG. 10, the second probe information 1000 includes information on time, vehicle ID, and latitude / longitude.

  Here, the time is the time when the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j is acquired. The vehicle ID is an identifier of the vehicle on which the mobile communication device 102-j is mounted. Latitude / longitude is position information of the mobile communication device 102.

  Specifically, the second probe information 1000 indicates time “2010/02/14 12:00:10”, vehicle ID “V1”, and latitude / longitude “35.69 / 139.69”. According to the second probe information 1000, it is possible to specify the position information of the mobile communication device 102-1 mounted on the vehicle V1 and the acquisition time of the position information.

(Functional configuration example of the information collecting apparatus 101)
Next, a functional configuration example of the information collecting apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 11, the information collection device 101 includes a reception unit 1101, a registration unit 1102, a first determination unit 1103, a transmission unit 1104, a second determination unit 1105, a calculation unit 1106, and an output unit 1107. It is the structure containing these. Specifically, the functions (reception unit 1101 to output unit 1107) serving as the control unit are, for example, a program stored in a storage device such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407 illustrated in FIG. This function is realized by executing the function or by the I / F 409. The processing result of each functional unit is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407, for example.

  The receiving unit 1101 has a function of receiving the first probe information from the mobile communication device 102-j. Here, the first probe information is probe information including position information, time information, a vehicle identifier, and environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102-j. Specifically, for example, the reception unit 1101 receives the first probe information 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 from the mobile communication device 102-1 via the network 210.

  The registration unit 1102 associates the position information, time information, and vehicle identifier of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the received first probe information with environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102-j. And having a function of storing in the storage device.

  Specifically, for example, the registration unit 1102 sets various information (time, vehicle ID, latitude / longitude, delay amount) included in the first probe information in each field in the probe information DB 110. As a result, the received probe information 600-k regarding the first probe information is stored in the probe information DB 110 as a new record.

  At this time, the area ID field and the water vapor amount field of the probe information 600-k are in an unset state in which no information is set. Here, the time (position information acquisition time) included in the first probe information is set in the time field of the probe information DB 110, but the time at which the first probe information is received is set. You may decide.

  The first determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the received first probe information. It has a function to judge. Specifically, for example, the first determination unit 1103 refers to the area table 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 and determines whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the crowded area Ai.

  More specifically, for example, the first determination unit 1103 determines whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai using the following formulas (1) and (2). Can do. However, latitude x / latitude y is latitude / longitude indicating position information of the mobile communication device 102-j. Latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2 are the latitude / longitude of the diagonal vertices of the dense area Ai.

Latitude 1 ≦ Latitude x ≦ Latitude 2 (1)
Longitude 1 ≦ longitude y ≦ longitude 2 (2)

  The first determination unit 1103 substitutes the latitude x / longitude y of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the first probe information into the above formulas (1) and (2). Further, the first determination unit 1103 substitutes latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2 of the dense area Ai into the above formulas (1) and (2). As a result, when the above expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied, the first determination unit 1103 determines that the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai.

  Here, taking the first probe information 900 shown in FIG. 9 as an example, a case will be described in which it is determined whether or not the mobile communication device 102-1 exists in the dense area A1. The latitude x / longitude y of the mobile communication device 102-1 is “35.69 / 139.69”. Further, latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2 of the dense area A1 are “35.50 / 139.50” and “36.00 / 140.00”.

  Further, the substitution result obtained by substituting the latitude x / longitude y of the mobile communication device 102-1 and the latitude 1 / longitude 1 and latitude 2 / longitude 2 of the dense area A1 into the above formulas (1) and (2) is as follows ( It is as a) and (b). In this case, in order to satisfy the above equations (1) and (2), the first determination unit 1103 determines that the mobile communication device 102-1 exists in the dense area A1.

(A) Latitude 1 “35.50” ≦ Latitude x “35.69” ≦ Latitude 2 “36.00”
(B) Longitude 1 “139.50” ≦ Longitude y “139.69” ≦ Longitude 2 “140.00”

  The first determination unit 1103 sequentially selects any one of the dense areas Ai from the dense areas A1 to An in the area table 800, and performs a determination process using the above formulas (1) and (2). . As a result, it can be determined that the dense area Ai where the mobile communication device 102-j exists or the mobile communication device 102-j does not exist in any of the dense areas Ai to An.

  When it is determined that the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai, the area ID of the dense area Ai is set in the area ID field of the corresponding probe information in the probe information DB 110.

  Further, the first determination unit 1103 may determine whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai at a specific time. Here, the specific time is, for example, a month, a day, a day of the week, or a time zone when the mobile communication device 102-j is crowded in the crowded area Ai.

  Specifically, for example, first, when the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai, the first determination unit 1103 refers to the area table 800, and the day of the week and the time zone corresponding to the dense area Ai. Is identified. This day of the week is the day of the week when vehicles are crowded in the crowded area Ai. This time zone is a time zone in which vehicles are crowded in the crowded area Ai.

  Next, the first determination unit 1103 identifies the day of the week and the time zone when the mobile communication device 102-j was present in the crowded area Ai from the time included in the first probe information. Then, the first determination unit 1103 determines whether the day of the week and the time zone in which the mobile communication device 102-j is present in the dense area Ai are included in the day of the week and the time zone corresponding to the dense area Ai.

  For example, it is assumed that the day of the week when the mobile communication device 102-1 exists in the dense area A1 is “Wednesday” and the time zone is “9:00”. In this case, the first determination unit 1103 determines that the day of the week and the time zone in which the mobile communication device 102-1 exists in the crowded area Ai are the day of the week “Monday-Friday” and the time zone “08: 0- 10:00 ”.

  Then, the first determination unit 1103 determines that the mobile communication device 102-1 exists in the dense area Ai at a specific time. Thereby, the mobile communication device 102-1 can determine whether or not the vehicle is present in the crowded area A1 at the time when the vehicle is crowded (day of the week, time zone).

  In the above description, the time (day of week, time zone) when vehicles are crowded in the crowded area Ai is set in advance, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, the first determination unit 1103 may measure the degree of congestion of vehicles in the dense area Ai and determine whether the current time is included in a specific time.

  More specifically, for example, the first determination unit 1103 refers to the probe information DB 110, and the mobile communication device 102 that exists in the dense area Ai within a certain time (for example, within 5 minutes) including the current time. -Count the number of j. Then, the first determination unit 1103 determines that the current time is included in the specific time when the counted result is equal to or greater than the threshold value α.

  Thereby, the congestion degree of the vehicle in the crowded area Ai can be determined in real time. The threshold value α (for example, 1000) is preset and stored in a storage device such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407, for example.

  The transmission unit 1104 receives the determination result by the first determination unit 1103, and when it is determined that the mobile communication device 102-j is present in the dense area Ai, the environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device 102-j Has a function of transmitting a stop request for stopping the transmission of the message to the mobile communication device 102-j. Here, the stop request is a control signal for temporarily stopping transmission of environment information by the mobile communication device 102-j.

  Specifically, for example, first, the information collection device 101 refers to the vehicle DB 700 shown in FIG. 7 and specifies an address corresponding to the vehicle ID included in the received first probe information. For example, when the vehicle ID included in the first probe information is “V1”, the address “10.10.xx.10” corresponding to the vehicle ID “V1” is specified.

  Then, the transmission unit 1104 transmits a stop request for stopping the transmission of the environment information with the identified address as the destination. Specifically, for example, the transmission unit 1104 stops the transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal that characterizes the water vapor amount around the mobile communication device 102-1 with the address “10.10.xx.10” as the destination. Send a request.

  Thereby, transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai can be temporarily stopped.

  Further, the transmission unit 1104 receives the determination result by the first determination unit 1103, and when it is determined that the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the crowded area Ai at a specific time, the transmission unit 1104 transmits a delay amount of the GPS signal. A stop request to stop may be transmitted to the mobile communication device 102-j. Thereby, transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai at a specific time when the vehicles are dense can be temporarily stopped.

  In the above description, the destination address is specified with reference to the vehicle DB 700, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the address of the mobile communication device 102-j is included in the first probe information, the transmission unit 1104 may transmit a stop request with the address as a destination.

  The receiving unit 1101 has a function of receiving the second probe information from the mobile communication device 102-j after the stop request is transmitted to the mobile communication device 102-j. Here, the second probe information is probe information that does not include environment information that characterizes the environment around the mobile communication device 102-j. Specifically, for example, after a stop request is transmitted to the mobile communication device 102-1, the receiving unit 1101 transmits the second probe information 1000 illustrated in FIG. Receive from 1.

  The registration unit 1102 has a function of storing the position information, time information, and vehicle identifier of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the received second probe information in the storage device. Specifically, for example, the registration unit 1102 sets various information (time, vehicle ID, latitude / longitude) included in the second probe information in each field in the probe information DB 110. As a result, the received probe information 600-k regarding the second probe information is stored in the probe information DB 110 as a new record.

  Further, the first determination unit 1103 determines whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the received second probe information. It has a function to determine whether. Specifically, for example, the first determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the crowded area Ai using the above formulas (1) and (2).

  Further, the first determination unit 1103 determines whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai at a specific time based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the second probe information. It may be determined whether or not. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai at a specific time when the vehicle is dense.

  If the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai, the second determination unit 1105 determines whether a predetermined time T has elapsed since the latest environmental information is acquired from the environmental information of the dense area Ai. It has a function to determine whether or not. The mobile communication device 102-j here is the mobile communication device that is the transmission source of the second probe information, that is, the mobile communication device that is the transmission destination of the stop request.

  Specifically, for example, first, the second determination unit 1105 refers to the probe information DB 110 and goes back from the time information included in the first probe information received from the mobile communication device 102-j for a predetermined time. Information within T is searched, and the presence or absence of probe information located in the dense area Ai where the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request exists is checked.

  When there is probe information located on the dense area Ai, the second determination unit 1105 determines that the predetermined time T has not elapsed since the latest delay amount of the GPS signal is acquired. On the other hand, when there is no probe information located on the dense area Ai, the second determination unit 1105 determines that the predetermined time T has elapsed since the latest delay amount of the GPS signal was acquired.

  The predetermined time T is set based on, for example, the time resolution of the water vapor amount corresponding to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed. Hereinafter, an example of setting the predetermined time T according to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed will be described.

  For example, when the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is local heavy rain (guerrilla heavy rain), the time scale of local heavy rain is about 1 hour, and the time resolution of the required water vapor amount is about 5 minutes. In this case, the predetermined time T is set as, for example, 5 [minutes].

  For example, if the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is convective heavy rain (concentrated heavy rain), the time scale of convective heavy rain is about 1.5 to 3 hours, and the time resolution of the required water vapor amount is about 30 to 45 minutes. Become. In this case, the predetermined time T is set as, for example, 30 to 45 [minutes].

  For example, when the meteorological phenomenon to be observed is a cold front, the time scale of the cold front is about 24 hours, and the time resolution of the required water vapor amount is about 1 hour. In this case, the predetermined time T is set as 1 [hour], for example. The predetermined time T is preset and stored in a storage device such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407, for example.

  In addition, when the predetermined time T has elapsed, the transmission unit 1104 sends a return request from the stop state for stopping the transmission of the environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device 102-j to the destination of the stop request transmission destination. It has a function of transmitting to the mobile communication device 102-j. Here, the return request is a control signal for returning from a stop state in which transmission of environment information is stopped to a normal state in which environment information is transmitted.

  Specifically, for example, first, the information collection device 101 refers to the vehicle DB 700 and specifies an address corresponding to the vehicle ID included in the received second probe information. For example, when the vehicle ID included in the second probe information is “V1”, the address “10.10.xx.10” corresponding to the vehicle ID “V1” is specified.

  Then, the transmission unit 1104 transmits a return request from the stop state in which the transmission of the environment information is stopped with the identified address as the destination. Specifically, for example, the transmission unit 1104 stops the transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal that characterizes the water vapor amount around the mobile communication device 102-1 with the address “10.10.xx.10” as the destination. Send a request to return from the state.

  Thereby, when the delay amount of the GPS signal in the dense area Ai is not continuously acquired for the predetermined time T or longer, the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai is determined. Transmission can be resumed.

  In addition, when the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request exists in the crowded area Ai at a specific time, the second determination unit 1105 stores the latest environment information among the environment information of the crowded area Ai. It may be determined whether or not a predetermined time T has elapsed since the acquisition. Then, when the predetermined time T has elapsed, the transmission unit 1104 may transmit a return request to the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request.

  Thereby, the transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai at a specific time when the vehicles are dense can be resumed.

  In addition, when the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request does not exist in the crowded area Ai, the transmission unit 1104 sends a return request from the stop state for stopping the transmission of the environment information to the mobile communication device 102-j. It has a function to transmit. Thus, when the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request leaves the crowded area Ai, the transmission of the GPS signal delay amount from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 can be resumed. it can.

  In addition, when the mobile communication device 102-j does not exist in the dense area Ai at a specific time, the transmission unit 1104 transmits a return request from the stop state for stopping the transmission of the environment information to the mobile communication device 102-j. You may decide. As a result, even when the mobile communication device 102-j to which the stop request is transmitted is present in the crowded area Ai, the information is collected from the mobile communication device 102-j when a specific time when the vehicle is crowded has passed. Transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal to the apparatus 101 can be resumed.

  The calculation unit 1106 has a function of calculating the amount of water vapor between straight lines connecting the mobile communication device 102-j and the GPS satellite based on the delay amount of the GPS signal included in the received first probe information. Specifically, for example, the calculation unit 1106 can estimate the amount of water vapor between the straight lines connecting the mobile communication device 102-j and the GPS satellites using the relationships of the following formulas (4) to (6). .

  Note that the refractive index is divided into a dry atmosphere and a humid atmosphere, and the integration is performed along the geometric path of the GPS signal. Moreover, the influence (1st term | claim of the right side of following formula (4)) by dry air can be calculated using ground pressure.

The calculation unit 1106 is a straight line connecting the mobile communication device 102-j and the GPS satellite from the relationship obtained by substituting the delay amount of the GPS signal included in the first probe information into ^ΔTrop in the above equation (4). The amount of water vapor between them can be estimated.

  The calculated water vapor amount is stored in the probe information DB 110, for example. Specifically, for example, the calculated water vapor amount is set in the water vapor amount field of the probe information 600-k regarding the first probe information.

  The output unit 1107 outputs the calculated result. Examples of the output format of the output unit 1107 include display on the display 408, print output to the printer 413, and transmission to an external device via the I / F 409. Further, it may be stored in a storage area such as the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407.

  Specifically, for example, the output unit 1107 outputs water vapor amount information indicating the “time”, “latitude / longitude”, and “water vapor amount” of the probe information 600-k in the probe information DB 110 in association with each other. May be. Here, the water vapor amount list 1200 showing the water vapor amount information in a list will be described.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the water vapor amount list 1200. In FIG. 12, a water vapor amount list 1200 is information indicating a plurality of pieces of water vapor amount information (for example, water vapor amount information 1200-1 to 1200-3) in a list.

Here, the time is the time when the delay amount of the GPS signal used for calculating the water vapor amount is acquired, that is, the time when the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j is acquired. The latitude / longitude is the latitude / longitude of the point corresponding to the water vapor amount, that is, the position information of the mobile communication device 102. The amount of water vapor is the amount of water vapor [g / m ³ ] between the straight lines connecting the mobile communication device 102-j and the GPS satellite.

  Thereby, the water vapor amount distribution in the same time zone can be created and the possibility of precipitation in the time zone can be shown. Moreover, it can utilize for precipitation prediction by using water vapor amount distribution and other weather information together.

  In the above description, the information collection apparatus 101 includes the calculation unit 1106 that calculates the water vapor amount, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, another computer different from the information collecting apparatus 101 accesses the probe information DB 110 and calculates the amount of water vapor between the straight lines connecting the mobile communication apparatus 102-j and the GPS satellite. Good.

  In the above description, the dense area Ai is expressed using the latitude / longitude of the diagonal vertex, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the dense area Ai may be expressed as a set of nodes and links. In this case, the first determination unit 1103 determines, for example, whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists on the node or link based on the latitude and longitude information of each node and each link. Then, it is determined whether or not the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai.

  In the above description, when the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai, the transmission of the environment information from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collection device 101 is temporarily stopped. Not limited to this. Specifically, for example, when the mobile communication device 102-j proceeds in a specific area A (not limited to the crowded area Ai), environmental information is transmitted from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101. You may decide to do it. In this case, the information collection device 101 from the mobile communication device 102-j that exists in the specific area A or travels in the area A each time after the elapse of the predetermined time T after acquiring the environment information of the specific area A. To send environmental information to.

(Functional configuration example of mobile communication device 102-j)
Next, a functional configuration example of the mobile communication device 102-j will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment. In FIG. 13, the mobile communication device 102-j includes an acquisition unit 1301, a transmission unit 1302, a reception unit 1303, and a transmission control unit 1304. Specifically, the functions (acquisition unit 1301 to transmission control unit 1304) serving as the control unit are programs stored in a storage device such as the ROM 502, the RAM 503, the magnetic disk 505, and the optical disk 507 shown in FIG. The function is realized by causing the CPU 501 to execute it or by using the I / F 509. The processing result of each functional unit is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 503, the magnetic disk 505, and the optical disk 507, for example.

  The acquisition unit 1301 has a function of acquiring position information of the own device. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 1301 acquires the position information of the own device using the GPS unit 511 mounted on the own device. The time when the position information is acquired is given to the position information of the own apparatus. The acquisition unit 1301 may correct the position information acquired by the GPS unit 511 based on output values of various sensors 512 and DGPS (Differential GPS).

  In addition, the acquisition unit 1301 has a function of acquiring environment information that characterizes the environment around the device itself. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 1301 acquires the delay amount of the GPS signal used for calculating the position information of the own device. The acquisition unit 1301 may acquire output values (such as temperature and pressure) of the various sensors 512.

  Here, the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j is acquired based on GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites (for example, four or more GPS satellites). Thereby, the positioning error due to the atmospheric delay when the GPS signal passes through the atmosphere can be reduced, and the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j can be corrected.

  Here, the acquisition unit 1301 acquires the position of the mobile communication device 102-j acquired based on the GPS signal from any one of the plurality of GPS satellites and the corrected position of the mobile communication device 102-j. Is obtained as a delay amount of the GPS signal from the GPS satellite.

  The transmission unit 1302 has a function of transmitting the first probe information to the information collection device 101. Here, the first probe information is information that is acquired by the acquisition unit 1301 and includes location information, time information, a pre-assigned vehicle identifier, and environment information that characterizes the environment around the device. Yes (see FIG. 9).

  The receiving unit 1303 has a function of receiving, from the information collecting apparatus 101, a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information that characterizes the environment around the own apparatus. Specifically, for example, the receiving unit 1303 receives from the information collecting apparatus 101 a stop request for stopping transmission of a delay amount of a GPS signal that characterizes the amount of water vapor around the device itself.

  The transmission control unit 1304 has a function of controlling the transmission unit 1302 and transmitting the second probe information to the information collecting apparatus 101 when a stop request is received. Here, the second probe information is information including the position information, time information, and vehicle identifier of the device acquired by the acquisition unit 1301 (see FIG. 10). That is, the transmission control unit 1304 performs control so as not to transmit the environment information that characterizes the environment around the device itself to the information collection device 101.

  Thereby, transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 can be temporarily stopped.

  In addition, the receiving unit 1303 has a function of receiving, from the information collecting apparatus 101, a return request from a stop state in which transmission of environment information that characterizes the environment around the own apparatus is stopped. Specifically, for example, the reception unit 1303 receives from the information collection device 101 a return request from a stop state in which transmission of a delay amount of a GPS signal characterizing the amount of water vapor around the device itself is stopped.

  In addition, when a return request is received, the transmission control unit 1304 has a function of transmitting environment information acquired at the same timing as the probe information transmitted immediately before to the information collection apparatus 101. Further, the transmission control unit 1304 has a function of controlling the transmission unit 1302 to transmit the first probe information to the information collecting apparatus 101. Thereby, transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 can be resumed.

Note that the transmission processing of the transmission unit 1302 is executed, for example, at regular time t ₀ intervals (for example, 2 minutes and 10 minutes) under the control of the transmission control unit 1304. The predetermined time t ₀ is set in advance and stored in a storage device such as the ROM 502, the RAM 503, the magnetic disk 505, and the optical disk 507, for example.

(Information Collection Processing Procedure of Information Collection Device 101)
Next, an information collection processing procedure of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment will be described. First, an information collection processing procedure when the information collection apparatus 101 receives the first probe information from the mobile communication apparatus 102-j will be described.

  14 and 15 are flowcharts (part 1) illustrating an example of an information collection processing procedure of the information collection apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the receiving unit 1101 receives probe information from the mobile communication device 102-j (step S1401).

  Then, the information collecting apparatus 101 determines whether the received probe information is the first probe information or the second probe information (step S1402). When the first probe information is received (step S1402: first), the registration unit 1102 registers the received first probe information in the probe information DB 110 (step S1403).

  On the other hand, when the second probe information is received (step S1402: second), the process proceeds to S1501 shown in FIG. Next, based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the first probe information received by the first determination unit 1103, whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai. It is determined whether or not (step S1404).

  Here, when it does not exist in the crowded area Ai (step S1404: No), a series of processing by this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it exists in the crowded area Ai (step S1404: Yes), the time specified by the first determination unit 1103 from the time included in the received first probe information corresponds to the crowded area Ai. It is determined whether it is a specific time (step S1405).

  Here, when it is not a specific time (step S1405: No), a series of processing by this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, in the case of a specific time (step S1405: Yes), the transmission unit 1104 transmits a stop request for stopping the transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal to the mobile communication device 102-j (step S1406). A series of processing ends.

  Thereby, transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai at a specific time when the vehicles are dense can be temporarily stopped.

  Next, the information collection processing procedure when the information collection device 101 receives the second probe information from the mobile communication device 102-j will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 15, the registration unit 1102 registers the received second probe information in the probe information DB 110 (step S1501). Next, based on the position information of the mobile communication device 102-j included in the second probe information received by the first determination unit 1103, whether the mobile communication device 102-j exists in the dense area Ai. It is determined whether or not (step S1502).

  Here, when it does not exist in the dense area Ai (step S1502: No), the process proceeds to step S1506. On the other hand, when it exists in the crowded area Ai (step S1502: Yes), the time specified by the first determination unit 1103 from the time included in the received second probe information corresponds to the crowded area Ai. It is determined whether it is a specific time (step S1503).

  Here, when it is not a specific time (step S1503: No), it transfers to step S1507. On the other hand, if it is a specific time (step S1503: Yes), the second determination unit 1105 refers to the probe information DB 110 to search for probe information located on the dense area Ai within the predetermined time T (step S1505). ).

  When there is probe information located on the dense area Ai (step S1505: No), the series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, if there is no probe information located on the dense area Ai (step S1505: Yes), the transmission unit 1104 transmits a return request from the stop state for stopping the transmission of the GPS signal delay amount to the mobile communication device 102-j. In step S1506, the series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated.

  Thereby, when the delay amount of the GPS signal in the dense area Ai is not continuously acquired for the predetermined time T or longer, the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 in the dense area Ai is determined. Transmission can be resumed. In addition, when the mobile communication device 102-j to which the stop request is transmitted leaves the crowded area Ai, the transmission of the GPS signal delay amount from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collecting device 101 can be resumed. .

(Information provision processing procedure of mobile communication device 102-j)
Next, an information provision processing procedure of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information provision processing procedure of the mobile communication device 102-j according to the embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 16, first, the transmission control unit 1304 determines whether or not a predetermined time t ₀ has elapsed since the last time probe information was transmitted (step S1601). If t ₀ has not elapsed (step 1601: No), a series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated. If t ₀ has elapsed (step 1601: Yes), the acquisition unit 1301 acquires the position information of the device, time information, and the delay amount of the GPS signal (step S1602).

  Next, the receiving unit 1303 determines whether or not a stop request for stopping transmission of the GPS signal delay amount has been received from the information collecting apparatus 101 (step S1603). If no stop request has been received (step S1603: NO), it is determined whether the mobile communication device 102-j is in an environment information transmission state (step S1604).

  When the mobile communication device 102-j is in the environment information transmission state (step 1604: Yes), the transmission control unit 1304 controls the transmission unit 1302 to obtain the acquired position information of the own device and the delay amount of the GPS signal. The included first probe information is transmitted to the information collecting apparatus 101 (step S1605).

  In addition, when the mobile communication device 102-j is not in the environment information transmission state (step 1604: No), the transmission control unit 1304 controls the transmission unit 1302, and the second probe including the acquired position information of the own device. Information is transmitted to the information collecting apparatus 101 (step S1607).

  If a stop request is received in step S1603 (step S1603: Yes), the mobile communication device 102-j is shifted to the environment information non-transmission state (step S1606). Then, the transmission control unit 1304 controls the transmission unit 1302 to transmit the acquired second probe information including the position information of the own device to the information collection device 101 (step S1607).

  Next, the receiving unit 1303 determines whether or not a request for returning from the stopped state for stopping the transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal has been received from the information collecting apparatus 101 (step S1608). If no return request has been received (step S1608: NO), a series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S1608, when a return request is received (step S1608: Yes), environment information acquired at the same timing as the second probe information transmitted immediately before is transmitted to the information collection apparatus 101 (step S1609). Then, the mobile communication device 102-j is shifted to the environment information transmission state (step S1610).

  Thereby, the delay amount of the GPS signal that characterizes the amount of water vapor around the device itself can be provided to the information collection device 101. In addition, when a stop request is received from the information collecting apparatus 101, transmission of the GPS signal delay amount to the information collecting apparatus 101 can be temporarily stopped. In addition, when a return request is received from the information collection device 101, transmission of the GPS signal delay amount to the information collection device 101 can be resumed.

  As described above, according to the information collection system 300 according to the embodiment, the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collection device 101 when the mobile communication device 102-j proceeds in the dense area Ai. The transmission of the delay amount can be temporarily stopped.

  Thereby, information collection from the mobile communication device 102-j existing in an area where vehicles are crowded can be restricted. As a result, it is possible to suppress transmission of data that is not used because information contents overlap or are similar between a plurality of mobile communication devices that regularly upload probe information.

  Moreover, according to the information collection system 300, when the delay amount of the GPS signal collected in the dense area Ai is not continuously acquired for the predetermined time T or more, the information collection system 300-j collects information from the mobile communication device 102-j in the dense area Ai. Transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal to the apparatus 101 can be resumed.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, when the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request leaves the dense area Ai, the delay amount of the GPS signal from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collection device 101 is increased. Transmission can be resumed.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, when the mobile communication device 102-j proceeds in the dense area Ai at a specific time, the GPS signal delay amount is transmitted from the mobile communication device 102-j to the information collection device 101. Can be temporarily stopped. Thereby, it is possible to limit information collection from the mobile communication device 102-j existing in the dense area Ai at a specific time when vehicles are crowded.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, even when the mobile communication device 102-j that is the transmission destination of the stop request exists in the crowded area Ai, the mobile communication device 102-j Transmission of the delay amount of the GPS signal to the information collecting apparatus 101 can be resumed.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, the amount of water vapor between the straight lines connecting the mobile communication device 102-j and the GPS satellite can be calculated based on the delay amount of the GPS signal collected from the mobile communication device 102-j. it can. Thereby, water vapor amount distribution can be known.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, the size of the dense area Ai can be set based on the spatial resolution of the water vapor amount corresponding to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed. Thereby, the water vapor amount satisfying the spatial resolution required when observing a desired meteorological phenomenon can be obtained.

  Further, according to the information collection system 300, the predetermined time T indicating the period during which collection of the GPS signal delay amount in the dense area Ai is stopped is set based on the time resolution of the water vapor amount corresponding to the meteorological phenomenon to be observed. can do. Thereby, the water vapor amount satisfying the time resolution required when observing a desired meteorological phenomenon can be obtained.

  From these facts, according to the information collection system 300 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently use communication resources by suppressing the use of useless communication resources related to communication of data that is not used. Further, according to the information collection system 300, since unused data is not collected, the amount of storage area used in the information collection apparatus 101 can be reduced.

  The information collection method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. The information collection program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The information collection program may be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The following additional notes are disclosed with respect to the embodiment described above.

(Appendix 1) Receiving probe information including at least position information of the mobile communication device from the mobile communication device;
It is determined whether the received probe information of the mobile communication device is first probe information including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment or second probe information not including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment. ,
If the probe information is the first probe information, store the first probe information in a storage unit;
Based on the received location information included in the probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in a specific area,
When the mobile communication device exists in the specific area, a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
A method of collecting information, characterized in that a computer executes the processing.

(Appendix 2) After transmitting the stop request to the mobile communication device, receiving probe information of the mobile communication device from the mobile communication device,
Based on the positional information included in the received probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area,
When the mobile communication device is present in the specific area, the mobile communication device is acquired within a predetermined time from the time information included in the received probe information among the environmental information of the specific area stored in the storage unit. Determine if there is information,
When there is no information acquired within the predetermined time, a return request from a stop state for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
The information collection method according to claim 1, wherein the computer executes processing.

(Additional remark 3) The process which determines the presence or absence of the information acquired within the said predetermined time,
It is acquired within the predetermined time based on the time when the position information stored in association with the environment information is acquired in the storage unit and the time when the received position information of the mobile communication device is acquired. 3. The information collecting method according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein it is determined whether or not there is information.

(Appendix 4) After transmitting the stop request to the mobile communication device, receiving probe information of the mobile communication device from the mobile communication device,
Based on the positional information included in the received probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area,
When the mobile communication device does not exist in the specific area, a return request from a stop state for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
The information collecting method according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the computer executes processing.

(Additional remark 5) The process which determines whether the said mobile communication apparatus exists in the said specific area,
Based on the received location information of the mobile communication device and the time when the location information was acquired, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area at a specific time,
The process of transmitting the stop request includes
The information collection according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein when the mobile communication device exists in the specific area at the specific time, the stop request is transmitted to the mobile communication device. Method.

(Additional remark 6) After transmitting the said stop request | requirement to the said mobile communication apparatus, the process which determines whether the said mobile communication apparatus exists in the said specific area is as follows.
Based on the received location information of the mobile communication device and the time when the location information was acquired, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area at a specific time,
The process of determining whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed is:
When the mobile communication device is present in the specific area at the specific time, the predetermined time after the latest environmental information is acquired from the environmental information of the specific area stored in the storage unit. 4. The information collecting method according to appendix 2 or 3, wherein it is determined whether or not it has elapsed.

(Supplementary note 7) The process of transmitting the return request includes
7. The information collecting method according to appendix 6, wherein the return request is transmitted to the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device does not exist in the specific area at the specific time.

(Supplementary note 8) The information collection according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein the environmental information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device indicates a delay amount of a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. Method.

(Supplementary note 9) The information collecting method according to supplementary note 8, wherein the size of the specific area is set based on a spatial resolution of a water vapor amount corresponding to a meteorological phenomenon to be observed.

(Additional remark 10) The said predetermined time is set based on the time resolution of the water vapor | steam amount corresponding to the weather phenomenon used as an observation object, The information collection method of Additional remark 8 or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned.

(Supplementary note 11) Probe information including at least position information of the mobile communication device is received from the mobile communication device,
It is determined whether the received probe information of the mobile communication device is first probe information including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment or second probe information not including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment. ,
If the probe information is the first probe information, store the first probe information in a storage unit;
Based on the received location information included in the probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in a specific area,
When the mobile communication device exists in the specific area, a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
An information collection program which causes a computer to execute processing.

(Additional remark 12) The receiving part which receives the positional information on a mobile communication apparatus, and the environment information which characterizes the environment around the said mobile communication apparatus from the said mobile communication apparatus,
A determination unit that determines whether or not the mobile communication device exists in a specific area based on position information of the mobile communication device received by the reception unit;
When the determination unit determines that the mobile communication device exists in the specific area, a transmission for transmitting to the mobile communication device a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device And
An information collecting apparatus comprising:

101 Information Collection Device 102, 102-1 to 102-m, 102-j Mobile Communication Device 110 Probe Information DB
800 Area table 1101, 1303 Reception unit 1102 Registration unit 1103 First determination unit 1104, 1302 Transmission unit 1105 Second determination unit 1106 Calculation unit 1107 Output unit 1301 Acquisition unit 1304 Transmission control unit

Claims (8)

Receiving probe information including at least position information of the mobile communication device from the mobile communication device;
It is determined whether the received probe information of the mobile communication device is first probe information including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment or second probe information not including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment. ,
If the probe information is the first probe information, store the first probe information in a storage unit;
Based on the received location information included in the probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in a specific area,
When the mobile communication device exists in the specific area, a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
A method of collecting information, characterized in that a computer executes the processing. After transmitting the stop request to the mobile communication device, the probe information of the mobile communication device is received from the mobile communication device,
Based on the positional information included in the received probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area,
When the mobile communication device is present in the specific area, the mobile communication device is acquired within a predetermined time from the time information included in the received probe information among the environmental information of the specific area stored in the storage unit. Determine if there is information,
When there is no information acquired within the predetermined time, a return request from a stop state for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
The information collecting method according to claim 1, wherein the computer executes processing. After transmitting the stop request to the mobile communication device, the probe information of the mobile communication device is received from the mobile communication device,
Based on the positional information included in the received probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area,
When the mobile communication device does not exist in the specific area, a return request from a stop state for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
The information collecting method according to claim 1, wherein the computer executes processing. The process of determining whether or not the mobile communication device exists in the specific area,
Based on the received location information of the mobile communication device and the time when the location information was acquired, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in the specific area at a specific time,
The process of transmitting the stop request includes
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the mobile communication device exists in the specific area at the specific time, the stop request is transmitted to the mobile communication device. Collection method.   The information collection method according to claim 1, wherein the environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device indicates a delay amount of a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite.   6. The information collecting method according to claim 5, wherein the size of the specific area is set based on a spatial resolution of a water vapor amount corresponding to a meteorological phenomenon to be observed.   The information collecting method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the predetermined time is set based on a temporal resolution of a water vapor amount corresponding to a meteorological phenomenon to be observed. Receiving probe information including at least position information of the mobile communication device from the mobile communication device;
It is determined whether the received probe information of the mobile communication device is first probe information including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment or second probe information not including environment information characterizing the surrounding environment. ,
If the probe information is the first probe information, store the first probe information in a storage unit;
Based on the received location information included in the probe information of the mobile communication device, determine whether the mobile communication device exists in a specific area,
When the mobile communication device exists in the specific area, a stop request for stopping transmission of environment information characterizing the environment around the mobile communication device is transmitted to the mobile communication device.
An information collection program which causes a computer to execute processing.

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