WO2008050409A1 - Information delivery device, information delivery method, information delivery program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An acquisition unit (101) acquires a plurality of information data to be delivered to a predetermined information processing device (120). A determination unit (102) determines the delivery priority of the information data in accordance with each of their contents and data amounts acquired by the acquisition unit (101). A delivery unit (103) sequentially delivers the information data to a plurality of the information processing devices (120) in accordance with the delivery priority determined by the determination unit (102). When the information data acquired by the acquisition unit (110) are image data picked up at a predetermined place, inwhich a predetermined object or event is included, the determination unit (102) makes the delivery priority of the image data and information associated with the image data equal to a predetermined value or more. Further, when there are a plurality of information data with respect to the same content, the determination unit (102) sets a higher delivery priority to a less data amount.

Description

 Information distribution apparatus, information distribution method, information distribution program, and recording medium

 The present invention relates to an information distribution device, an information distribution method, an information distribution program, and a recording medium that distribute information to an information processing terminal device or the like. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the information distribution apparatus, the information distribution method, the information distribution program, and the recording medium described above.

 Background art

 [0002] Conventionally, road traffic information communication systems such as VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) are widely used. In such a road traffic information communication system, road traffic information is generated by an information distribution server using vehicle running state information detected by a roadside sensor installed on the road side, and the navigation system installed in the vehicle is used. Distribute road traffic information to Yeon equipment. In addition, a technology for delivering detailed road traffic information with higher real-time characteristics based on data transmitted (uplink) of the vehicle power actually traveling on the road has been proposed (for example, the following patents). See reference 1.)

 [0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-276209

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0004] However, in the conventional technology described above, if there is a portion where the data transfer speed is slow in the communication path from the information distribution Sano to the navigation device, the information is transferred to the navigation device within a short time. It may not be possible to communicate. For example, if multiple pieces of information are delivered simultaneously or continuously in a short time, the initially delivered information is transmitted to the navigation device in a relatively short time, but the information delivered later is the data transfer rate. A slow part becomes a bottleneck and it takes a long time to be transmitted to the navigation device.

[0005] Here, if the information to be distributed is information with high emergency such as disaster information, it is promptly It is necessary to convey information to the navigation device (user). However, when the information transmission delay as described above occurs, the information cannot be transmitted within a necessary time, and the user cannot use the information.

 Means for solving the problem

 In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information distribution apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of information distributed to a predetermined information processing apparatus, and the acquisition unit. Based on the content and data amount of each of the acquired plurality of information, a determination unit that determines a distribution priority of each of the plurality of information, and a distribution priority determined by the determination unit !, Distribution means for sequentially distributing the plurality of pieces of information to the information processing apparatus.

 [0007] Further, the information distribution method according to the invention of claim 6 includes an acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of pieces of information distributed to a predetermined information processing apparatus, and each of the plurality of pieces of information acquired in the acquisition step. A determination step of determining a distribution priority of each of the plurality of pieces of information on the basis of the content and the amount of data, and a plurality of pieces of the information to the information processing device based on the distribution priority determined in the determination step It is characterized by including a distribution process of sequential distribution.

 [0008] An information distribution program according to the invention of claim 7 causes a computer to execute the information distribution method according to claim 6.

[0009] Further, the recording medium according to the invention of claim 8 is readable by a computer recording the information distribution program according to claim 7.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information distribution apparatus according to an embodiment.

 FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information distribution processing by the information distribution apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a data distribution system according to an embodiment.

 FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a data distribution server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of data distribution processing by the data distribution server. It is.

 FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing information distributed by the data distribution server. Explanation of symbols

[0011] 100 information distribution apparatus

 101 Acquisition Department

 102 Decision part

 103 Distribution Department

 120 Information processing equipment

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 [0012] Exemplary embodiments of an information distribution device, an information distribution method, an information distribution program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

 [0013] (Embodiment)

 First, the functional configuration of the information distribution apparatus 100 that is relevant to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information distribution apparatus that is relevant to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information distribution apparatus 100 includes an acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a distribution unit 103, and distributes information to the information processing apparatus 120.

 [0014] The information processing device 120 is, for example, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, a mobile phone terminal device, a PDA, a personal computer, or the like. The information distribution apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatus 120 are connected by a communication network constituted by, for example, a plurality or a single communication relay device. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of information processing devices 120. The information processing device 120 that is a distribution destination of force information may be single.

The acquisition unit 101 acquires a plurality of pieces of information distributed to the information processing device 120. Here, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is, for example, video data, image data, audio data, text data, or the like. The acquisition unit 101 acquires, for example, image data captured by a roadside camera installed on the roadside and data transmitted (uplink) from a navigation device mounted on a vehicle traveling on the road. In addition, the acquisition unit 101 acquires, for example, output data from a mobile terminal device (not shown) that moves on a route where the information processing device 120 is located, or various sensors installed on the route. Also good. The acquisition unit 101 acquires The information may be acquired by processing the acquired information to generate new information (data), such as by changing the format of the acquired information or extracting the necessary portion of the acquired information power.

 [0016] The determining unit 102 determines the distribution priorities of the plurality of information based on the contents and the data amounts of the plurality of information acquired by the acquiring unit 101, respectively. For example, when the information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is image data captured at a predetermined point, the determination unit 102 captures a predetermined feature or a predetermined event in the image data and V In this case, the distribution priority of the information related to the image data is set to a predetermined value or more.

 Here, the predetermined feature is, for example, a fallen object on the road, snow on the road, rainwater on the road, oil on the road, an object that is stationary on the road or moves at a predetermined speed or less. Is. Predetermined events include, for example, when the surrounding line-of-sight distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance due to smoke or fog, or when precipitation or snowfall exceeds a predetermined amount of precipitation per unit time, between moving objects or between moving objects Such as a collision with an object.

 [0018] When these features and events are imaged, there is a high possibility that an accident or disaster will occur (or has occurred) in the vicinity. Therefore, the determination unit 102 increases the distribution priority of information related to the image data so that the information can be quickly transmitted to the information processing device 120. Here, the information related to the image data includes information generated based on the image data, information acquired at the same point where the image data was captured, and information regarding the point where the image data was captured. (Terrain information, weather information).

 [0019] Note that the determination unit 102 applies not only image data but also other types of data acquired by the acquisition unit 101, such as voice data, text data, and output data of sensor power, to the predetermined feature described above. If information about events or events is included, the distribution priority of information related to the data may be set higher than other data. For example, when impact data is included in the audio data, or when falling objects on the road are detected in the output data from the sensor, or when a certain amount of precipitation is detected by the precipitation sensor on the path For example, the distribution priority of information related to the data is set higher than other data.

[0020] In addition, when there are a plurality of pieces of information regarding the same content, the determination unit 102 has a small amount of data. Increase the delivery priority in order. Further, when there are a plurality of pieces of information regarding the same content, the determination unit 102 sets the distribution priority of information in a predetermined data format higher than information in other data formats.

 Distribution unit 103 sequentially distributes a plurality of information to information processing device 120 based on the distribution priority determined by determination unit 102. For example, the distribution unit 103 distributes a plurality of pieces of information in descending order of distribution priority. In addition, when there is information with the same distribution priority, the distribution unit 103 may distribute the information to the information processing device 120 in the order of information power with the smallest data amount or in the order acquired by the acquisition unit 101, for example. ,.

 As described above, the information distribution apparatus 100 determines the distribution priority in distributing a plurality of pieces of information and distributes the information until the information is transmitted to the user according to the data distribution order. This is because they are different. As described above, highly urgent information needs to be transmitted to the user as soon as possible. For this reason, the information distribution apparatus 100 increases the distribution priority of highly urgent information so that it can be quickly transmitted to the user.

 [0023] However, considering the processing time from when the information processing apparatus 120 receives information until the information is transmitted to the user of the information processing apparatus 120, the degree of urgency is high and the amount of data is large even for information If information is sent, time is required for processing and time is required for transmission to the user. Also, if other non-urgent information is sent immediately before highly urgent information, it takes time to process the previous information, and it is difficult to process high-urgent information. It takes time to transmit highly urgent information to the user.

 [0024] Here, in general, the time until the distributed information is transmitted to the distribution destination becomes longer as the amount of data increases. For this reason, if information with a large amount of data is distributed first, the types of information that can be transmitted within a predetermined time will be reduced. Also, in general, data with different data formats often differ greatly in data volume. For example, image data and video data have a large amount of data compared to text data, etc., while the situation at the site is more convenient and convenient for the user. On the other hand, the amount of information that can be transmitted, such as text data and simple graphic data, is small, but the amount of data is small compared to image data.

[0025] For this reason, the information distribution apparatus 100 uses a predetermined data format, specifically, text data. Like simple graphic data and simple figure data, the amount of data is small, and the distribution priority of data format information is increased and multiple information is distributed. Thereby, information with high priority can be transmitted to the information processing device 120 more quickly. In addition, even when there are a plurality of pieces of information with high priority, information about more contents can be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 120 in a short time. Specifically, for example, when transmitting highly urgent information, the outline of the information is first transmitted quickly using simple graphic data and then detailed information (image data or video data) ) Can be efficiently transmitted to the information processing apparatus 120.

 [0026] It should be noted that, for example, a communication information acquisition unit (not shown) that acquires information on the communication capability of the information delivery path to the information processing device 120 and the data processing capability of the information processing device 120 is provided. The distribution priority may be determined based on the information on the communication capability and the processing capability acquired by the communication information acquisition unit together with the content and data amount of each of the plurality of pieces of information. The communication capability is, for example, the type of communication IZF (interface), data transmission rate, application processing capability, etc. of the devices constituting the communication network connecting the information distribution device 100 and the information processing device 120.

 [0027] Further, the determining unit 102 may determine the distribution priority when the total data amount of the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquiring unit 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. In this case, when the total data amount of the plurality of pieces of information is less than the predetermined amount, the distribution unit 103, for example, in the order in which the information is acquired by the acquisition unit 101, or in the order of the information power with the small amount of data, the information processing device 120 Deliver to.

 [0028] Next, information distribution processing by the information distribution apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information distribution processing by the information distribution apparatus. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the information distribution apparatus 100 first acquires a plurality of pieces of information distributed to the information processing apparatus 120 by the acquisition unit 101 (step S201).

Next, the determination unit 102 determines the distribution priority of the plurality of information based on the contents and the data amounts of the plurality of information acquired in step S201 (step S202). Then, the distribution unit 103 sequentially distributes a plurality of pieces of information to the information processing device 120 based on the distribution priority determined in step S202 (step S203). The process according to the flowchart ends.

 [0030] As described above, according to the information distribution apparatus 100, the distribution priority of a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is determined based on the contents of each information and the data amount. Then, the information distribution apparatus 100 distributes a plurality of pieces of information to the information processing apparatus 120 in descending order of distribution priority. Specifically, for example, according to whether or not a predetermined feature or event is captured in the image data, the distribution urgency of the image data is determined, and the distribution priority is determined. Also, when there are multiple pieces of information related to the same content, the distribution priority is increased in ascending order of data volume. Alternatively, the distribution priority of information in a predetermined data format is set higher than information in other data formats.

 [0031] Thereby, the information distribution apparatus 100 can quickly transmit information having a high distribution priority (urgent level) to the information processing apparatus 120. In addition, the information distribution apparatus 100 can transmit more information regarding the content to the information processing apparatus 120 in a short time even when there are multiple pieces of information with high distribution priority. Information can be transmitted efficiently. In particular, when transmitting highly urgent information, the information distribution device 100 transmits the outline of the information quickly using information with a small amount of data such as text data or simple graphic data, for example. By distributing (image data or video data), it is possible to distribute more detailed information to the information processing apparatus 120 while ensuring immediacy for the minimum information.

 [0032] Note that the information distribution apparatus, information distribution method, information distribution program, and recording medium according to the present invention are realized by the information distribution apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As long as the configuration includes each functional unit shown in FIG. 1, the configuration may be realized using a plurality of devices. When connecting each functional unit as a different device, for example, the connection between the devices may be made by communicating using various communication protocols regardless of wired or wireless! /.

 Example

[0033] Examples of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, for example, force image data such as a roadside camera installed on the roadside is acquired, and various data is distributed to a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle). Data distribution service An example when the information distribution apparatus of the present invention is implemented by a server will be described.

 [0034] (Outline of data distribution system)

 First, the outline of the data distribution system that works on the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a data distribution system according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the data distribution system 300 relays communication between the data distribution server 301, the roadside camera 302, the navigation device 304 mounted on the vehicle, and the data distribution server 301 and the navigation device 304. Beacon 303 (303a, 303b).

 The data distribution server 301 acquires image data on the route from the roadside camera 302.

 The image data includes, for example, a road condition captured by the roadside camera 302 as a moving image or a still image.

 [0036] The data distribution server 301 determines whether or not the image data acquired from the roadside camera 302 includes data to be distributed to a navigation device 304 described later, and includes data to be distributed. In this case, the urgency of data to be distributed is determined by image analysis. The urgency level is determined based on, for example, the type of feature or event included in the image data. Specifically, for example, the urgency level is determined based on the presence or absence of a vehicle, a person, or a falling object, or the urgency level is determined based on the weather around the imaging point.

 [0037] Then, the data distribution server 301 determines the distribution order of each data based on the urgency of the data to be distributed and the format of the data, and the navigation device 304 via the beacon 303 (303a, 303b). Deliver to (downlink).

 [0038] Here, in order to express the contents of one piece of information, a plurality of formats can be used. For example, if there is a rock fall on the road, it can be expressed in text such as “Caution for falling rocks” or in a simplified diagram showing rock fall. Also, for example, it may be an image or video of a site where there was actually a rock fall.

[0039] While images and videos are more intuitive and convenient for the user, it takes time to be transmitted to the navigation device 304, which has a larger amount of data than text. However, it takes time for the navigation device 304 to receive and transmit it to the power user. Also, images and videos can be recognized at a glance. It may be difficult. On the other hand, the amount of information that can be transmitted, such as text data and simple graphics, is small, but it takes less time to be transmitted to the navigation device 304 where the amount of data is less than that of image data. Less power processing time is required. In addition, text data and simple figures are easy to recognize at a glance. Therefore, when transmitting highly urgent information, it is effective to first transmit the outline of the information quickly using text and simple figures, and then distribute detailed information later.

 [0040] By the way, when distributing data in a plurality of formats in this way, if the distribution order is not considered, if the previously distributed data has a large capacity, the data distributed later It may be difficult to transmit to the navigation device 304.

 [0041] In order to prevent this, the data distribution server 301 has a function of generating a plurality of types of data for information of one content and distributing them in combination, and in addition to the urgency of the information Deliver in the order that considers the data format. As a result, for urgent information, the minimum information can be transmitted to the user with immediacy.

 A plurality of roadside cameras 302 are installed on the road, capture road conditions at a predetermined interval, and transmit the captured image data to the data distribution server 301. Also, road conditions can be imaged in the case where an object is detected by a sensor (not shown) or an unnatural behavior of the vehicle is detected instead of a predetermined interval, and road traffic information is acquired. Thus, it is also possible to take an image of road conditions such as an accident or traffic jam.

 In the description of FIG. 3, the image data captured by the roadside camera 302 is transmitted to the data distribution server 301. Instead of the roadside camera 302, a camera mounted on the vehicle and various sensors are used. It is good also as transmitting the probe information acquired by onboard equipment provided with the above to the data delivery server 301. FIG. For example, the probe information (travel history information) is transmitted (uplink) to the data distribution server 301 via the beacons 303 (303a, 303b) by a plurality of in-vehicle devices.

The beacon 303 (303a, 303b) relays communication between the data distribution server 301 and the navigation device 304. This beacon 303 (303a, 303b) is DSRC (Ded In a two-way short-range communication infrastructure such as (icated Short Range Communications), a relay device may be used by a government agency to collect vehicle probe information and use it for a traffic information service. By using such an infrastructure, the data distribution system 300 can be efficiently introduced.

 [0045] The navigation device 304 is mounted on a vehicle, guides the vehicle to a destination, and displays the current location of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the navigation device 304 has a function of communicating with the data distribution server 301 via the beacon 303 (303a, 303b) through which the vehicle passes, and the distribution distributed from the data distribution server 301 is provided. Receive information. The received distribution information can be notified to the user by outputting it via a display or a speaker (not shown).

 Further, the navigation device 304 captures a series of video information by the camera, acquires probe information including output values of various sensors such as a G sensor and a travel history, and transmits the probe information via the beacon 3 03 (303a, 303b). It is also possible to send it to the data distribution server 301.

 [0047] (Hardware configuration of data distribution server 301)

 Here, the hardware configuration of the data distribution server 301 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the data distribution server. In FIG. 4! /, The data “Shinnoshin Sano 301” includes CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk drive 404, magnetic disk 405, optical disk drive 406, optical disk 4 07, and audio IZF. (Interface) 408, speaker 409, input device 410, video IZF 411, display 412, and communication I / F 413 are provided. Each of the constituent parts 401-413 is connected by a nose 420.

 First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the data distribution sano 301. The ROM 402 records various programs such as a boot program, a communication program, an image analysis program, and a data generation program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

The magnetic disk drive 404 controls reading and writing of data to the magnetic disk 405 according to the control of the CPU 401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, For example, HD (node disk) and FD (flexible disk) can be used.

The optical disk drive 406 controls data reading / writing to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. Further, the removable recording medium may be a power MO of the optical disc 407, a memory card, or the like.

The audio IZF 408 is connected to an audio output speaker 409, and audio is output from the speaker 409.

 [0052] Examples of the input device 410 include a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel that are provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like.

 The video IZF 411 is connected to the display 412. Specifically, the video IZF411 is output from the graphic controller, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 412, a buffer memory such as VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and the like. It consists of a control IC that controls the display 412 based on the image data.

 [0054] The display 412 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As this display 412, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display or the like can be adopted.

 The communication I / F 413 is connected to the network via wireless and functions as an interface between the data distribution server 301 and the CPU 401. The communication IZF 413 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via radio, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

 [0056] Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication IZF 413 is configured by an FM tuner, for example.

[0057] The acquisition unit 101, the determination unit 102, and the distribution unit 103 included in the information distribution apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are recorded in the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, the optical disk 407, and the like in the data distribution server 301 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 401 executes a predetermined program using the programmed program and data, and controls each part in the data distribution server 301. Realize its function.

 That is, the data distribution server 301 of the embodiment has a function provided in the information distribution apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 by executing a program recorded in the ROM 402 as a recording medium in the data distribution server 301. Can be executed with the procedure shown in Figure 2

[0059] (Data distribution processing by data distribution server 301)

Next, data distribution processing by the data distribution server 301 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of data distribution processing by the data distribution server. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the data distribution server ₃₀₁ first obtains the video taken by the roadside camera 302 and the attached data from the navigation device 304 mounted on the vehicle traveling on the road (step S501). ). The data acquired at this time may be not only video data but image data as well as text data and audio data.

 [0060] Next, the data distribution server 301 analyzes the content of the acquired data (step S502). The analysis of the data contents is performed by, for example, image analysis using an image analysis program, visual image monitoring, monitoring of output values of sensors installed on the road, and voice recognition using a voice recognition program. Also, for example, whether or not there is a force that has wetness, snow or oil on the road, or a force that causes poor visibility due to smoke or fog, can be determined by image analysis or visual image monitoring. Good. In addition, for example, it may be judged automatically or visually whether or not the precipitation amount detected by the rainfall sensor is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, and whether or not the water level of the river J 11 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value!

 [0061] Then, the information to be transmitted to the navigation device 304 is selected (step S503). Specifically, for example, when there is a possibility that there is an object on the road, or when it is detected that the flow of the vehicle has reached a predetermined speed (or travel time of a predetermined section for a predetermined time or more) For example, the information is selected as information to be transmitted to the navigation device 304.

Next, the data distribution server 301 sets the urgency level of distribution (distribution priority) in the information selected when it is transmitted to the navigation device 304 in step S503 (step S504). Information with a high degree of urgency is, for example, when an object, snow cover, oil, etc. are detected on the road, or when the line-of-sight distance to the point where the object is detected is less than a predetermined distance. It is. Further, even when there is no object, it may be determined that the degree of urgency is high if the surrounding line-of-sight distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Here, the line-of-sight distance to the object is calculated by, for example, forces such as the visibility in the video, the curvature and slope of the road to the object, and the roadside structure (whether or not the curve can be seen).

 [0063] For example, the data distribution server 301 sets the level of urgency to two levels, information with high urgency as "emergency information", and other information as "normal information". Also, for example, the urgency level may be further subdivided, or the urgency level may be set as a continuous value such as “30% urgency” or “90% urgency”.

 [0064] Further, the data distribution server 301 may determine whether or not the data capacity of the data acquired in step S501 exceeds a predetermined capacity before performing the processes of steps S502 to S504. . The predetermined capacity is, for example, a capacity that can quickly deliver data to the navigation device 304 and is a value. If the image data does not exceed the predetermined capacity, steps S502 to S504 are performed. The obtained data may be transmitted as it is without performing the above process.

 [0065] Further, for example, the data distribution server 301 determines whether or not to perform steps S502 to S504 in consideration of the communication environment between the data distribution server 301 and the navigation device 304. Also good. In other words, if all the data acquired in step S501 can be delivered to the navigation device 304 or the user within the required time even if all the data acquired is delivered, the processing of steps S502 to S504 is omitted. Anyway!

 In this way, it is possible to provide information to the user of the navigation device 304 that does not process data that can be quickly distributed, and to simplify processing in the data distribution server 301 and image data. Distribution can be optimized.

[0067] Next, the data distribution server 301 generates (processes) distribution data to be distributed to the navigation device 304 using the information selected when it is transmitted to the navigation device 304 in step S503 (step S505). . Specifically, for example, the data distribution server 301 cuts out a portion where the data force acquired in step S501 is to be distributed, or performs data format conversion in accordance with the navigation device 304. Data that can be distributed in the same format does not need to be processed. [0068] At this time, the data distribution server 301 may determine the data conversion format according to the urgency of the information to be distributed. Specifically, for example, if the degree of urgency is high, data in a format (for example, text format) with a reduced capacity is generated so that it can be delivered more quickly. As a method for reducing the data capacity, for example, there are methods such as converting image data into a higher compression image format and reducing the resolution of the image data. Further, for example, the moving image data may be a single or a plurality of still image data, or the outline of the image data may be traced to create a simple graphic to reduce the amount of data.

 [0069] Further, the data distribution server 301 may determine the conversion format according to the communication environment between the data distribution server 301 and the navigation device 304, for example. In this case, for example, the communication IZF type of the beacon 303 and the navigation device 304, the data transfer speed, the usable application, the application processing capability, etc. are used. The conversion format may be determined for each type of communication IZF of the beacon 303 and the navigation device 304, or may be set in stages according to the transmission speed of each communication IZF. Good.

 [0070] In addition, the data distribution server 301 may generate summary data that summarizes the content of information with high urgency of the information. The summary data is, for example, text data in which the situation reflected in the image data is documented. Specifically, for example, when the line-of-sight distance in the image data is equal to or less than a predetermined value, text data such as “visual attention” is generated as summary data. Also, for example, when falling objects are included in the image data, text data such as “Caution on falling objects” is generated as summary data. In this way, the data distribution server 301 selects the data format of data to be transmitted and converts and generates data so that the contents of information with high urgency can be transmitted more quickly.

On the other hand, information with high urgency is often important information, and more detailed information needs to be transmitted to the navigation device 304. For this reason, the data distribution server 301 may not only reduce the amount of information data but also add auxiliary information for making it easier to understand the contents of the information. Specifically, for example, when the line-of-sight distance in the image data is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the surrounding weather information (alarm's warning information) is added, or the normal image is shown to indicate how much visibility is normally present. And so on. Also, the data information You may send a combination of both the information generated by reducing the amount of information and the information before the reduction.

As described above, the data distribution server 301 may distribute information in a plurality of formats that express one content so that the content of the information can be transmitted more easily. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing information distributed by the data distribution server. In FIG. 6, the information distributed by the data distribution server 301 relates to five contents (content A, content B, content C, content D, and content E). Of these, content A, content B, and content C are set as emergency information, and content D and content E are set as normal information (see step S504 in Fig. 5).

 [0073] Each content information is composed of data in a plurality of formats. Data formats include format 1 (text data), format 2 (audio data), and format 3 (image data). Here, distribution priority is set for each format. In this embodiment, format 2 and format 3 are set in descending order of priority. The distribution priority of the data format may be different for each information content. For example, the information on content A increases the distribution priority in the order of format format 2 and format 3. The information on content B increases in the order of distribution priority in the order of format 3, format 1, and format 2. In addition, if the distribution priority order of the data format is set, the data capacity may be small! / And the data may be preferentially distributed.

 [0074] As shown in FIG. 6, the information of content A is composed of format 1 data al, format 2 data a2, and format 3 data a3. Similarly, the content B information is represented by the data bl of format 1 and the data b2 of format 2, and the information of content C is represented by the data cl of format 1 and the data c2 of format 2 and the data c3 of format 3 The information is composed of data dl of format 1 and data d2 of format 2, and the information of content E is composed of data el of format 1, data e2 of format 2, and data e3 of format 3. It is assumed that these individual data can convey the contents of information to the user alone. There may be multiple pieces of information of the same format related to one content.

Returning to the description of FIG. 5, the data distribution server 301 determines whether or not the information to be distributed this time has high urgency level set in step S 504, that is, whether there is urgent information (step). S506). If there is emergency information (step S506: Yes), the data distribution server 301 Of the urgent information, the data power of the format with the highest delivery priority is also delivered sequentially (Step S507).

 [0076] Referring to the example in FIG. 6, in FIG. 6, contents A, contents B, and contents C are set as emergency information. As mentioned above, the distribution priority for data formats is higher in the order of format 2 and format 3. For this reason, the data distribution server 301 first distributes data in format 1 for content A, content B, and content C, then data in format 2 and finally data in format 3 respectively. Deliver in the order. Specifically, for example, data is distributed in the order of “a 1, bl, cl, a2, b2, c2, a3, c3”.

 [0077] Further, the data distribution server 301 may perform distribution in an order that considers the data capacity for each format, for example. For example, if the capacity of each data is bl <cl <al, c2 <a2 <b2, c3 and a3, the data will be in the order of “bl, cl, al, c2, a2, b2, c3, a3”. To deliver.

 [0078] Also, for example, when the distribution priority is further set for the emergency information, the data distribution server 301 may preferentially distribute the emergency information having a high distribution priority. . For example, content A and content C are set as “highest priority information”, and content B is set as “priority information”. In this case, for example, first, the data distribution server 301 distributes only the contents A and contents C, which are the highest priority information, in the order of “al, cl, a2, c2, a3, c3”. Then, after the distribution of the highest priority information is completed, the contents which are the priority information are distributed in the order of “丄, b2”.

 [0079] Similarly, when content A and content C are set as "highest priority information" and content B is set as "priority information", for example, the highest priority information of content A and content C is first selected. Alternatively, after distributing “al, cl” having a high distribution priority, “bl” having the highest distribution priority among the contents B, which is priority information, may be distributed. In this case, the data distribution server 301 distributes data in the order of “a2, c2, b2, a3, c3”.

[0080] Note that when distributing data, for example, after distributing one piece of data, the time required for the information to be transmitted to the navigation device 304 and the data processing time in the navigation device 304 are taken into account. You can send the next data at a delivery interval. In addition, the data distribution server 301 is connected to, for example, the data distribution server 301. The data distribution interval may be determined in consideration of the communication environment with the device 304.

 [0081] In addition, after data distribution is started, if data with a higher degree of urgency than the currently distributed data is acquired, the data distribution is stopped and data including the data acquired later is included. You can change the delivery order.

 [0082] Returning to the description of FIG. 5, after all emergency information distribution is completed in step S507, or when there is no emergency information in step S506 (step S506: No), the data distribution server 301 stores the normal information. Distribute sequentially (step S508), and the processing according to this flowchart ends. To explain with reference to the example in Fig. 6, in Fig. 6, contents D and E are set as normal information. For this reason, the data distribution server 301 does not consider the data format, for example, “dl, d2, el, e2, e3”. May be transmitted.

 [0083] Also, with regard to the normal information, the distribution order may be determined in the same manner as the priority information described above! /.

 For example, the delivery order may be determined for each data format, or delivery may be performed in an order that considers the data capacity for each format. For example, considering the distribution priority for the data format, data is transmitted in the order of “dl, el, d2, e2, e3” (format 1, format 2, format 3). Furthermore, with regard to normal information, it may be possible to set the distribution priority according to the contents, such as “Express delivery normal information” and “Normal normal information”.

 [0084] In the above description, all of the emergency information is composed of data in a plurality of formats (see Fig. 6), but each emergency information is composed of only one format of data. For example, data is distributed in descending order of urgency of contents. If the urgency of the content is the same, for example, the data is distributed in ascending order of the data capacity.

[0085] As described above, according to the data distribution Sano 301, the distribution priority of the image data captured by the roadside camera 302 and the data uplinked from the navigation device 304 is determined based on the content of each information and the data amount. And is distributed to the navigation device 304 in descending order of distribution priority. Thereby, the data distribution server 301 can transmit information with high priority to the navigation device 304 and the user more quickly. The data distribution server 301 also has a short time when there is a plurality of high priority information. Among them, information on more contents can be transmitted to the navigation device 304 and the user.

 [0086] In particular, when transmitting highly urgent information, the data distribution server 301 promptly transmits an outline of information using information with a small amount of data such as text data and simple graphic data, for example. Later, detailed information (image data and video data) will be distributed. As a result, more detailed information can be delivered to the navigation device 304 while ensuring immediacy for the minimum information.

 Note that the information distribution method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This 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 when the recording medium force is also read by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] An acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of information to be distributed to a predetermined information processing device;  Based on the contents and data amount of each of the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit! /, Determining means for respectively determining the distribution priority of the plurality of pieces of information, and determined by the determining means Based on the distribution priority, a distribution means for sequentially distributing the plurality of pieces of information to the information processing device,  An information distribution apparatus comprising: [2] The acquisition unit acquires image data captured at a predetermined point,  2. The request according to claim 1, wherein, when a predetermined feature is captured in the image data, the determination unit sets the distribution priority of the information related to the image data to a predetermined value or more. Information distribution device. [3] The acquisition unit acquires image data captured at a predetermined point,  The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein, when a predetermined phenomenon is captured in the image data, the distribution priority of the information related to the image data is set to a predetermined value or more. Information distribution device. [4] The information distribution device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, when there are a plurality of pieces of information related to the same content, the determination unit increases the distribution priority in ascending order of data amount.  5. The determination unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when there are a plurality of pieces of information related to the same content, the distribution priority of information in a predetermined data format is set higher than information in another data format. The information distribution apparatus described. [6] An acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of pieces of information distributed to a predetermined information processing device;  A determination step of determining a distribution priority of each of the plurality of pieces of information based on the contents and data amounts of the plurality of pieces of information acquired in the acquisition step;  Based on the distribution priority determined in the determination step !, a distribution step of sequentially distributing a plurality of the information to the information processing device,  An information distribution method characterized by including [7] Information that causes a computer to execute the information distribution method according to claim 6 Delivery program.  A computer-readable recording medium on which the information distribution program according to claim 7 is recorded.