Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

An aircraft flying on battery power can stably communicate wirelessly while a charging device is charging the battery. An information processing device (1) includes: a flight information acquisition unit (121) for acquiring a predetermined flight path of the aircraft operating on battery power; a radio wave information acquisition unit (122) for acquiring radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used for communication by the aircraft within a specified range based on the flight path; and a determination unit (123) for determining a candidate charging device as a charging device used by the aircraft to charge the battery based on the intensity of at least one of an area including a candidate charging device capable of charging the battery and an area between the flight path and the candidate charging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method for determining the configuration of a charging device for charging a battery of an aerial device.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-10329 filed in Japan on January 26, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 198313 discloses a system that accepts input of a flight area and flight purpose of an aerial device such as a drone, creates a flight path based on the received area and purpose, and controls the flight of the aerial device according to the created flight path. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] Drones and other aerial devices are equipped with rechargeable batteries. They use the battery's power to fly along their flight paths while transmitting and receiving various data with the outside world via wireless communications and performing prescribed operations. To prevent low battery levels, aerial devices can recharge their batteries by stopping at charging facilities such as drone landing pads midway along their flight paths.

[0006] However, even though the conditions of radio waves for wireless communications on the flight path have always been taken into consideration, the conditions of radio waves around the charging device are not taken into consideration in this case. Therefore, the flying device cannot perform wireless communications when flying to the charging device, which may have an adverse effect on operations during the flight.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a flying device that flies using battery power to perform stable wireless communication while the battery is being charged by a charging device.

[0008] Technical solutions to problems

[0009] The information processing device of the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a flight information acquisition unit for acquiring a predetermined flight path flown by an aircraft operated by battery power; a radio wave information acquisition unit for acquiring radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used by the aircraft for communication within a prescribed range based on the flight path; and a determination unit for determining the candidate charging device as a charging device used by the aircraft to charge the battery based on the intensity of at least one of an area including a candidate charging device capable of charging the battery and an area between the flight path and the candidate charging device.

[0010] When the charging device cannot be determined based on the strength of at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device, the determination unit may determine the setting position for newly setting the charging device from the candidate area based on the strength of at least one of the candidate area where the charging device can be set and the area between the flight path and the candidate area.

[0011] The identification unit may identify the charging facility based on the strength along a path of the flying device from the flight path to the candidate charging facility.

[0012] The determination unit may determine the charging device based on at least one of a distance from the flight path to the candidate charging device and a characteristic of the flying device, in addition to the strength.

[0013] The determination unit may determine the charging device based on at least one of an environment including a region including the candidate charging device and a region between the flight path and the candidate charging device, in addition to the intensity.

[0014] The identifying unit identifies the charging facility on the condition that the flying device can be seen from a predetermined position while the flying device is flying to the candidate charging facility, in addition to the strength.

[0015] In addition to the strength, the determination unit may determine as the charging device a first candidate charging device whose length of the path from the flying device to the candidate charging device is a first value, prioritizing a second candidate charging device whose length is a second value greater than the first value.

[0016] The flight information acquisition unit can obtain performance information including at least one of the actual time spent by the flying device when flying on the flight path and the actual intensity of the radio waves measured when the flying device flies on the flight path. The determination unit determines the candidate charging device that is different from the charging device as the charging device based on the performance information.

[0017] The information processing device may also have a notification unit, which notifies the information terminal associated with the flying device of a judgment result of whether the intensity of at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device meets the conditions for determining the candidate charging device as the charging device.

[0018] The information processing method of the second aspect of the present invention has the following steps executed by a processor: obtaining a predetermined flight path flown by an aircraft operated by battery power; obtaining radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used by the aircraft for communication within a specified range based on the flight path; and determining the candidate charging device as a charging device used by the aircraft to charge the battery based on the intensity of at least one of an area including a candidate charging device capable of charging the battery and an area between the flight path and the candidate charging device.

[0019] The information processing device of the third aspect of the present invention comprises: a flight information acquisition unit for acquiring a predetermined flight path flown by an aircraft operated by battery power; a radio wave information acquisition unit for acquiring radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used by the aircraft for communication within a prescribed range based on the flight path; and a determination unit for determining a setting position for newly setting the charging device from the candidate area based on the intensity of at least one of a candidate area where a charging device capable of charging the battery can be set up and an area between the flight path and the candidate area.

[0020] The determination unit may determine the installation position based on the strength of the flying device on a path from the flight path to the candidate area.

[0021] The determination unit may determine the charging facility based on at least one of a distance from the flight path to the candidate area and a characteristic of the flying device in addition to the strength.

[0022] The determination unit may determine the charging device based on an environment of at least one of the candidate area and an area between the flight path and the candidate area, in addition to the intensity.

[0023] The information processing method of the fourth aspect of the present invention has the following steps executed by a processor: obtaining a predetermined flight path for a flying device operated by battery power; obtaining radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used for communication by the flying device within a specified range based on the flight path; and determining a setting position for newly setting the charging device from the candidate area based on the intensity of at least one of a candidate area where a charging device capable of charging the battery can be set up and an area between the flight path and the candidate area.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an effect that a flying device that flies using battery power can stably perform wireless communication while a charging device is charging the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an information processing system involved in an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an information processing device according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a flight reservation screen for accepting input of flight reservation information in a user terminal according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of specifying a charging facility by a specifying unit in this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of specifying the installation position of the charging equipment by the specifying unit in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a front view of a user terminal displaying information in this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the sequence of the information processing method executed by the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Captions

[0034] 1: Information processing device

[0035] 11: Storage

[0036] 12: Control Department

[0037] 121: Flight Information Acquisition Department

[0038] 122: Radio information acquisition unit

[0039] 123: Determine the department

[0040] 124: Notification Department

[0041] 2: User terminal

[0042] 3: Flying device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] [Overview of Information Processing Systems]

[0044] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system includes an information processing device 1, a user terminal 2, an aircraft 3, and a charging device 4. The information processing system may also include other terminals, devices, etc.

[0045] Information processing device 1 is a computer that determines the location of charging equipment 4 for charging the battery of an aircraft 3, or a new location of charging equipment 4, based on the strength of radio waves around the flight path. Information processing device 1 can be a single device or multiple devices. Furthermore, information processing device 1 can be one or more virtual servers running on a collection of computer resources, namely, the cloud.

[0046] User terminal 2 is a computer used by a user. For example, user terminal 2 is an information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. A user is, for example, someone who operates, manages, or owns aerial device 3. User terminal 2 is associated with aerial device 3. User terminal 2 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying information and an operation unit such as a touch panel for accepting user operations. User terminal 2 communicates with information processing device 1 to send and receive information.

[0047] Aircraft 3 is an unmanned aerial device, such as a drone, that flies along a flight path specified by the user and performs specified operations. Alternatively, aircraft 3 may be a manned aerial device, such as an airplane or a flying vehicle. Aircraft 3 is equipped with a rechargeable battery and operates using battery power. Operations performed by aircraft 3 include, for example, transporting objects along the flight path, imaging the area surrounding the flight path, releasing objects (such as pesticides) along the flight path, and outputting information (such as sound and light) along the flight path. Aircraft 3 communicates using communications services provided by telecommunications operators (also known as communication carriers).

[0048] Charging equipment 4 is used to charge the batteries of the aerial device 3. For example, charging equipment 4 is a landing pad where the aerial device 3, i.e., a drone, can take off and land. Charging equipment 4 is connected to, for example, an aerial device 3 that has landed on charging equipment 4 and charges the batteries of the aerial device 3 by supplying power to the aerial device 3.

[0049] The following describes an overview of the processing performed by the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 1 receives flight plan information (including a planned flight path to be flown by the flying device 3) from the user terminal 2. Figure 1 (1)). The information processing device 1 obtains radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used for communication by the flying device 3 within a predetermined range based on the flight path included in the flight schedule information ( Figure 1 (2)).

[0050] The information processing device 1 determines the charging device 4 used by the flying device 3 to charge the battery, or the installation location for newly installing the charging device 4, based on the intensity of the radio wave in the area related to the charging device 4 or the candidate area where the charging device 4 can be installed. Figure 1 (3)). The information processing device 1 notifies the user terminal 2 of the information indicating the determined charging device 4 or the installation location, and the result of the determination of whether the intensity of the radio wave in the area related to the charging device 4 satisfies the conditions ( Figure 1 (4)).

[0051] In this manner, information processing device 1 determines the charging facility 4 to be used by aerial device 3 to charge its battery, or determines the location for a new charging facility 4, based on the radio wave intensity in an area associated with charging facility 4 or a candidate area where charging facility 4 can be installed. Consequently, information processing device 1 can maintain stable wireless communication while aerial device 3 is flying toward charging facility 4, and can prevent adverse effects on aerial device 3's in-flight operations due to deterioration in communication conditions.

[0052] [Configuration of Information Processing Device 1]

[0053] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 In the figure, the arrows represent the main data flow, and there may also be Figure 2 The flow of data other than the flow of data shown. Figure 2 In the example, each box represents the composition of functional units, not the composition of hardware (device) units. Figure 2 The blocks shown may be installed in a single device or may be installed in multiple devices. Data transmission and reception between the blocks may be performed via any means such as a data bus, a network, or a portable storage medium.

[0054] The information processing device 1 includes a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11 is a storage medium including a ROM (read-only memory), a RAM (random access memory), a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 11 pre-stores programs executed by the control unit 12. The storage unit 11 also pre-stores radio wave information, including radio wave intensity, within a predetermined range based on the flight path included in the scheduled flight information.

[0055] The storage unit 11 also pre-stores charging facility information including the locations of one or more charging facilities 4. The storage unit 11 also pre-stores candidate area information indicating areas where charging facilities 4 can be installed. The candidate area information includes, for example, a range of coordinates or addresses of locations (such as open spaces) where charging facilities 4 can be installed.

[0056] The control unit 12 includes a flight information acquisition unit 121, a radio wave information acquisition unit 122, a determination unit 123, and a notification unit 124. The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the flight information acquisition unit 121, the radio wave information acquisition unit 122, the determination unit 123, and the notification unit 124 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 11. The various components of the control unit 12 may be separately implemented in multiple devices constituting the information processing device 1.

[0057] The following describes a configuration for executing the processing according to this embodiment by the information processing device 1. The flight information acquisition unit 121 receives flight schedule information including a scheduled flight path to be flown by the flying device 3 from the user terminal 2.

[0058] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a flight plan screen for accepting input of flight plan information on user terminal 2. For example, user terminal 2 accepts a planar range (flight area) specified on a map displayed on the flight plan screen as flight range R. Furthermore, user terminal 2 accepts a linear path specified within flight range R on the map displayed on the flight plan screen as flight path F. Alternatively, user terminal 2 may accept designation of flight path F instead of flight range R.

[0059] The user terminal 2 may also accept the designation of a scheduled flight period for the aerial device 3 to be flown. For example, the scheduled flight period is a period specified by a start date and an end date. Furthermore, the user terminal 2 may also accept the designation of the type of operation to be performed by the aerial device 3 along the flight path. Examples of such operations include photography, surveillance, and delivery. Operations may be specified for the entire flight path or for individual locations within the flight path. The user terminal 2 may also accept input of other information.

[0060] In the information processing device 1 , the flight information acquisition unit 121 acquires flight plan information including a flight route from the user terminal 2 based on the information input on the flight plan screen. The flight information acquisition unit 121 stores the flight plan information received from the user terminal 2 in the storage unit 11 .

[0061] The radio wave information acquisition unit 122 acquires radio wave information, including the strength of radio waves used by the aerial device 3 for communication, within a predetermined range (e.g., within 1 km of the flight path) based on the flight path, pre-stored in the storage unit 11. The radio waves used by the aerial device 3 for communication are, for example, radio waves in a predetermined frequency band used in communication standards such as 3G (third generation mobile communication network), LTE (long term evolution), and 5G (fifth generation mobile communication network). The strength of the radio waves is represented, for example, by signal strength or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0062] The radio wave information includes, for example, a map showing the measured or simulated radio wave strength at various locations within a predetermined range based on the flight path. The radio wave information may also be represented by other methods, such as a list of radio wave strengths by coordinates or addresses.

[0063] Based on the radio wave information, the identification unit 123 identifies the charging device 4 used by the flying device 3 to charge the battery, or identifies the installation location for a new charging device 4. The following describes the process of identifying the charging device 4 and the process of identifying the installation location by the identification unit 123 in order.

[0064] First, the process of identifying the charging facility 4 by the identification unit 123 will be described. Based on the charging facility information pre-stored in the storage unit 11, the identification unit 123 extracts charging facilities 4 already located within a predetermined range based on the flight path (e.g., within 1 km of the flight path) as candidate charging facilities 4 a to be used as the charging facility 4 for charging the battery of the flying device 3.

[0065] The identification unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 for charging the battery of the flying device 3 based on the radio wave intensity of at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a. Hereinafter, at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a is referred to as the area related to the candidate charging device 4a.

[0066] The determination unit 123 determines the strength of at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a based on the radio wave information obtained by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122. The determination unit 123 may determine the charging device 4 using the strength of both the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a, or may determine the charging device 4 using the strength of either the area containing the candidate charging device 4a or the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a.

[0067] Then, if the determined intensity is greater than a predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 determines the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery. If the determined intensity is less than the predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 does not determine the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery. Thus, the information processing device 1 can determine, based on the intensity of the radio waves, that the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery is capable of stable wireless communication when the aerial device 3 is flying toward the charging device 4.

[0068] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for specifying the charging facility 4 by the specifying unit 123 . Figure 4 The region R1 including the candidate charging device 4a and the region R2 between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a are shown. Region R2 is, for example, a region including a straight path (i.e., the shortest distance) from the flight path to the candidate charging device 4a. The determination unit 123 determines the strength of at least one of region R1 and region R2 based on the radio wave information acquired by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122. Then, if the strength of at least one of region R1 and region R2 associated with a candidate charging device 4a is greater than a predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used by the flying device 3 to charge the battery.

[0069] In addition, the determination unit 123 may be configured to determine the path ( Figure 4 The determination unit 123 determines the intensity of the path P1) along which the charging device 4 is to be charged. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines a linear path between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a, or a path from the flight path to the candidate charging device 4a obtained through simulation. The determination unit 123 determines the intensity along the determined path based on the radio wave information obtained by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122.

[0070] Then, if the strength on the path to a candidate charging device 4a is greater than a predetermined reference value, the identification unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery. This prevents the aerial device 3 from being unable to communicate wirelessly on the path to the charging device 4.

[0071] In addition to the intensity of the radio wave, the determination unit 123 may also determine the distance from the flight path to the candidate charging device 4a ( Figure 4The charging device 4 is determined based on at least one of the distance L1) and the characteristics of the aerial device 3. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines the characteristics of the aerial device 3 based on the aircraft information of the aerial device 3 pre-stored in the storage unit 11. The characteristics of the aerial device 3 are properties related to the flight of the aerial device 3, such as flight speed, weight, and battery capacity. The determination unit 123 calculates the upper limit distance based on the characteristics of the aerial device 3. The upper limit distance is, for example, the distance that the aerial device 3 can reach, calculated based on the flight speed, weight, and battery capacity.

[0072] Then, if the radio wave intensity in the area associated with a candidate charging device 4a satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and the distance from the flight path to the candidate charging device is below an upper limit distance, the identification unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery. Thus, the information processing device 1 can identify a charging device 4 within the reach of the aerial device 3, taking into account the radio wave intensity.

[0073] Furthermore, in addition to radio wave intensity, the determination unit 123 may determine the charging device 4 based on at least one of the following environmental factors: the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines the environment of the area associated with the candidate charging device 4a based on environmental information pre-stored in the storage unit 11. Examples of environmental conditions include the number or size of obstacles such as buildings meeting specified conditions, an index indicating the degree of radio wave interference meeting specified conditions, the absence of an attribute indicating that flight is prohibited over the land, and the landowner meeting specified conditions (such as state-owned land).

[0074] Then, if the intensity of the radio waves in the area associated with a candidate charging device 4a satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and the environment in the area associated with the candidate charging device 4a satisfies a predetermined condition, the identification unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 to be used by the flying device 3 to charge the battery. Thus, the information processing device 1 can identify a charging device 4 whose surrounding environment satisfies the predetermined conditions, taking into account the intensity of the radio waves.

[0075] Furthermore, in addition to the intensity of the radio waves, the determination unit 123 may determine the charging device 4 based on the condition that the aerial device 3 is visible from a predetermined location while the aerial device 3 is in flight. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines a linear path between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a, or a path from the flight path to the candidate charging device 4a obtained through simulation. The determination unit 123 uses simulation to determine whether the determined path is visible from a predetermined location (e.g., the location where the user is operating the aerial device 3).

[0076] Then, if the radio wave intensity in the area associated with a candidate charging device 4a satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and if it is determined that the aircraft 3 is visible from a predetermined position while the aircraft 3 is flying toward the candidate charging device 4a, the identification unit 123 identifies the candidate charging device 4a as the charging device 4 used to charge the battery of the aircraft 3. Thus, the information processing device 1 can identify the charging device 4 so that the aircraft 3 is visible from the operator during the flight toward the charging device 4, for example, in situations where regulations require that the aircraft 3 be constantly visible to the operator.

[0077] Furthermore, if there are multiple candidate power supply devices 4a within a predetermined range (e.g., within a circle with a radius of 1 km), the determination unit 123 may select any candidate power supply device 4a based on the flight path of the flying device 3 to the candidate power supply device 4a. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines, for each of the multiple candidate power supply devices 4a, a linear path between the flight path and the candidate power supply device 4a, or a path from the flight path to the candidate power supply device 4a obtained through simulation.

[0078] Then, the identifying unit 123 identifies, among the plurality of candidate charging devices 4a, a first candidate charging device 4a for which a path length has been determined to be a first value, as the charging device 4 to be used by the flying device 3 to charge the battery, in preference to a second candidate charging device 4a for which a path length has been determined to be a second value greater than the first value. Thus, when the information processing device 1 has a plurality of candidate charging devices 4a located close to each other, it can preferentially identify the charging device 4 that the flying device 3 can reach via a shorter path.

[0079] Next, the process of determining the installation location by the determination unit 123 will be described. Based on the candidate area information pre-stored in the storage unit 11, the determination unit 123 extracts locations (such as open spaces) where the charging device 4 can be installed within a predetermined range based on the flight path (for example, within 1 km of the flight path) as candidate areas A. The candidate areas A are specified, for example, by the coordinate range or address of the location where the charging device 4 can be installed.

[0080] The determining unit 123 determines a location for the new charger 4 from within candidate area A based on the radio wave intensity of at least one of candidate area A and the area between the flight path and candidate area A. Hereinafter, at least one of candidate area A and the area between the flight path and candidate area A is referred to as an area related to candidate area A.

[0081] The determination unit 123 determines the intensity of at least one of the candidate area A and the area between the flight path and the candidate area A based on the radio wave information acquired by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122. The determination unit 123 may determine the installation position using both the intensity of the candidate area A and the area between the flight path and the candidate area A, or may determine the installation position using either the intensity of the candidate area A or the area between the flight path and the candidate area A.

[0082] Then, if the determined intensity is greater than a predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 determines a location for the new charging device 4 from candidate area A. If the determined intensity is less than the predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 does not determine a location for the new charging device 4 from candidate area A. Thus, the information processing device 1 can determine the location for the charging device 4 in consideration of the intensity of the radio waves, and can perform stable wireless communication when the flying device 3 flies toward the charging device 4.

[0083] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for specifying the installation position of the charging equipment 4 by the specifying unit 123 . Figure 5 The candidate area A and the area R3 between the flight path and the candidate area A are represented. Area R3 is, for example, an area that includes a straight path (i.e., the shortest distance) from the flight path to the candidate area A. The determination unit 123 determines the intensity of at least one of the candidate area A and the area R3 based on the radio wave information obtained by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122. Then, when the intensity of at least one of the candidate area A and the area R3 is greater than a predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 determines the installation location for the new charging device 4 from the candidate area A. The installation location can be the candidate area A itself or a location selected from the candidate area A (e.g., a central location).

[0084] In addition, the determination unit 123 may determine the path of the flying device 3 from the flight path to the candidate area A in the area between the flight path and the candidate area A ( Figure 5 The installation location of the charging device 4 is determined based on the intensity along the flight path (P2). In this case, the determination unit 123 determines a linear path between the flight path and the candidate area A, or a path from the flight path to the candidate area A obtained through simulation. The determination unit 123 determines the intensity of the determined path based on the radio wave information obtained by the radio wave information acquisition unit 122.

[0085] Then, when the strength of the path to a certain candidate area A is greater than a predetermined reference value, the determination unit 123 determines the installation location for the new charging device 4 from the candidate area A. Thus, the information processing device 1 can prevent the flying device 3 from being unable to perform wireless communication on the path to the charging device 4.

[0086] In addition to the intensity of the radio wave, the determination unit 123 may also determine the distance from the flight path to the candidate area A ( Figure 5 The location of the charging device 4 is determined based on at least one of the distance L2) and the characteristics of the aerial device 3. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines the characteristics of the aerial device 3 based on the aircraft information of the aerial device 3 pre-stored in the storage unit 11. The characteristics of the aerial device 3 are properties related to the flight of the aerial device 3, such as flight speed, weight, and battery capacity. The determination unit 123 calculates the upper limit distance based on the characteristics of the aerial device 3. The upper limit distance is, for example, the distance that the aerial device 3 can reach, calculated based on the flight speed, weight, and battery capacity.

[0087] Then, if the radio wave intensity in an area associated with a certain candidate area A satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and the distance from the flight path to the candidate area A is below the upper limit distance, the determination unit 123 determines a location for a new charging device 4 within the candidate area A. Thus, the information processing device 1 can determine a location for a charging device 4 within the reach of the flying device 3, taking into account the radio wave intensity.

[0088] Furthermore, in addition to radio wave intensity, the determination unit 123 may determine the location of the charging device 4 based on at least one of the environment of the candidate area A and the area between the flight path and the candidate area A. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines the environment of the area associated with the candidate area A based on environmental information pre-stored in the storage unit 11. Examples of environmental conditions include the number or size of obstacles such as buildings meeting specified conditions, an index indicating the degree of radio wave interference meeting specified conditions, the absence of an attribute indicating that flight is prohibited relative to the land, and the landowner meeting specified conditions (such as state-owned land).

[0089] Then, if the radio wave intensity in an area associated with a candidate area A satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and the environment in the area associated with the candidate area A satisfies a predetermined condition, the determination unit 123 determines a location for a new charger 4 within the candidate area A. Thus, the information processing device 1 can determine a location for a charger 4 where the surrounding environment satisfies the predetermined condition, taking into account the radio wave intensity.

[0090] Furthermore, in addition to the intensity of the radio waves, the determination unit 123 may determine the installation location of the charging device 4 based on the condition that the aerial device 3 is visible from a predetermined location while the aerial device 3 is flying to the candidate area A. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines a linear path between the flight path and the candidate area A, or a path from the flight path to the candidate area A obtained through simulation. The determination unit 123 determines through simulation whether the determined path is visible from a predetermined location (e.g., the location where the user operates the aerial device 3).

[0091] Then, if the radio wave intensity in an area associated with a certain candidate area A satisfies a predetermined radio wave condition and it is determined that the aircraft 3 will be visible from a predetermined position until the aircraft 3 reaches the candidate area A, the determination unit 123 determines a location within the candidate area A for the new charging device 4. Thus, the information processing device 1 can determine the location of the charging device 4 so that the aircraft 3 can be seen from the operator during the flight to the charging device 4, for example, in situations where regulations require that the aircraft 3 be constantly visible to the operator.

[0092] Furthermore, when there are multiple candidate areas A within a predetermined range (e.g., within a circle with a radius of 1 km), the determination unit 123 may select an arbitrary candidate area A based on the path taken by the flying device 3 to reach the candidate area A. In this case, the determination unit 123 determines, for each of the multiple candidate areas A, a linear path between the flight path and the candidate area A, or a path from the flight path to the candidate area A obtained through simulation.

[0093] Then, the determination unit 123 prioritizes, among the multiple candidate areas A, a first candidate area A for which a path length has been determined to be a first value over a second candidate area A for which a path length has been determined to be a second value greater than the first value, as the location of the charging device 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge the battery. Thus, when multiple candidate areas A are located close together, the information processing device 1 can prioritize the location of the charging device 4 that the aerial device 3 can reach via a shorter path.

[0094] Alternatively, the determination unit 123 may combine the process of determining the charging device 4 with the process of determining the installation location. In this case, for example, if the determination unit 123 cannot determine the charging device 4 based on the radio wave strength of at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device 4a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4a, the determination unit 123 may determine the installation location for the new charging device 4 from within candidate area A based on the radio wave strength of at least one of candidate area A where the charging device 4 can be installed and the area between the flight path and candidate area A. This allows the information processing device 1 to propose a new installation location for the charging device 4 even when the radio wave strength in the area associated with the existing charging device 4 is insufficient.

[0095] The notification unit 124 associates the information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location determined by the determination unit 123 with the flight path and notifies the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 associates the information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location notified from the information processing device 1 with the flight path and displays it on the display unit.

[0096] Figure 6A This is a front view of user terminal 2 showing information about a charging facility 4 or its installation location. User terminal 2 displays a marker M1 indicating the charging facility 4 identified by identification unit 123 and a marker M2 indicating the installation location identified by identification unit 123 on a map including flight path F. This allows the user to identify charging facilities 4 or installation locations with sufficient radio wave strength, allowing them to select a charging facility 4 to use during flight of the aerial device 3 or to relocate a charging facility 4 to a new installation location.

[0097] Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location, the notification unit 124 may associate the flight path determination result (evaluation result) with the flight path and notify the user terminal 2. In the process of identifying the charging device 4, the determination result is, for example, information indicating whether the intensity of the radio waves in at least one of the area containing the candidate charging device 4 a and the area between the flight path and the candidate charging device 4 a satisfies the condition for identifying the candidate charging device 4 a as the charging device 4.

[0098] In the process of determining the installation location, the determination result is, for example, information indicating whether the intensity of the radio waves in at least one of candidate area A and the area between the flight path and candidate area A satisfies the conditions for determining the installation location for the new installation of charging device 4 from candidate area A. User terminal 2 associates the determination result notified from information processing device 1 with the flight path and displays it on the display unit.

[0099] Figure 6BThis is a front view of user terminal 2 displaying the determination result. User terminal 2 displays a map including flight path F and a message M3 [Lys1] indicating the determination result for flight path F. This allows the user to easily determine whether there are charging devices 4 or locations with sufficient radio wave strength around the designated flight path. If there are no charging devices 4 or locations with sufficient radio wave strength, the user can consider changing the flight path.

[0100] Furthermore, if the determination unit 123 cannot determine the charging device 4 or the installation location, that is, if the radio wave intensity in the area related to the charging device 4 or the area related to the candidate area A does not meet the radio wave conditions described above, the notification unit 124 may notify the user terminal 2 of an alternative flight path that is different from the designated flight path. In this case, the determination unit 123 performs a known path determination process to determine that the designated flight path has the same starting point and end point as the designated flight path and that the intermediate path is a different alternative flight path.

[0101] The determination unit 123 determines the charging facility 4 or the installation location for the alternative flight path by performing at least one of the process of determining the charging facility 4 by the determination unit 123 and the process of determining the installation location by the determination unit 123 for the determined alternative flight path. If the determination unit 123 cannot determine the charging facility 4 or the installation location for the alternative flight path, it may further change the alternative flight path and repeat the process.

[0102] If the determining unit 123 is able to determine the charging device 4 or the installation location for the alternative flight path, it associates information indicating the determined charging device or installation location with the alternative flight path and notifies the user terminal 2. Thus, even if there is no charging device 4 or installation location with sufficient radio wave strength around the designated flight path, the user can still be aware of the alternative flight path determined by the information processing device 1 and can cause the flying device 3 to fly along the alternative flight path.

[0103] After the notification unit 124 notifies the user terminal 2 of information indicating the charging device 4 or its installation location, if the aerial device 3 flies along the designated flight path, the determination unit 123 may change the charging device 4 or its installation location based on the actual flight performance information of the aerial device 3. In this case, the flight information acquisition unit 121 acquires performance information from the aerial device 3, including at least one of the actual time the aerial device 3 spent flying along the flight path and the actual radio wave intensity measured by the aerial device 3 while flying along the flight path.

[0104] Based on the performance information, the determination unit 123 re-determines a candidate charging device 4a different from the already determined charging device 4 as the charging device 4, or re-determines the installation location from a candidate area A different from the candidate area A to which the already determined installation location belongs. For example, the determination unit 123 changes the charging device 4 or the installation location if the performance time indicated by the performance information is longer than a predetermined reference time. Furthermore, the determination unit 123 changes the charging device 4 or the installation location if the performance intensity indicated by the performance information is less than a predetermined reference value.

[0105] The notification unit 124 notifies the user terminal 2 of information indicating the newly determined charging device 4 or installation location. Thus, the information processing device 1 can propose a more suitable charging device 4 or installation location so that the aerial device 3 can fly to the charging device 4 in a short time or receive radio waves of sufficient strength when flying toward the charging device 4.

[0106] [Time series of information processing method]

[0107] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a sequence of information processing methods executed by an information processing system. User terminal 2 receives input of flight schedule information on a flight schedule screen (S11). Specifically, user terminal 2 receives, for example, a planar range (flight area) specified on a map displayed on the flight schedule screen as a flight range. Furthermore, user terminal 2 receives a linear path specified within the flight range on the map displayed on the flight schedule screen as a flight path.

[0108] In the information processing device 1 , the flight information acquisition unit 121 acquires flight schedule information including a flight route from the user terminal 2 . The flight information acquisition unit 121 stores the flight schedule information received from the user terminal 2 in the storage unit 11 .

[0109] The radio wave information acquisition unit 122 acquires radio wave information, including the intensity of radio waves used by the aerial device 3 for communication, within a predetermined range based on the flight path, pre-stored in the storage unit 11 (S12). The determination unit 123 determines the charging facility 4 used by the aerial device 3 to charge its battery, or determines the location where a new charging facility 4 should be installed, based on the radio wave information (S13).

[0110] The notification unit 124 associates information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location determined by the determination unit 123 with the flight path and notifies the user terminal 2 (S14). Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location, the notification unit 124 may associate the determination result (evaluation result) of the flight path with the flight path and notify the user terminal 2.

[0111] After the notification unit 124 notifies the user terminal 2 of information indicating the charging device 4 or the installation location, if the aerial device 3 flies along the designated flight path, the aerial device 3 transmits performance information including at least one of the actual time the aerial device 3 spent flying along the flight path and the actual intensity of the radio waves measured while the aerial device 3 was flying along the flight path to the information processing device 1 (S15). The flight information acquisition unit 121 acquires the performance information from the aerial device 3.

[0112] The determination unit 123 changes the charging device 4 or the installation location by re-determining a candidate charging device 4a different from the already determined charging device 4 based on the performance information, or re-determining the installation location from a candidate area A different from the candidate area A to which the already determined installation location belongs (S16). The notification unit 124 notifies the user terminal 2 of information indicating the re-determined charging device 4 or installation location (S17).

[0113] [Effects of the embodiment]

[0114] If the communication conditions of the aerial device 3 deteriorate while it is flying toward the charging facility 4 to charge its batteries, the aerial device 3 will be unable to transmit and receive data related to monitoring, measurement, and other operations, potentially stalling the aerial device 3's in-flight operations. To address this issue, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment determines the charging facility 4 that the aerial device 3 should use to charge its batteries, or determines the location of a new charging facility 4, based on the radio wave intensity of the charging facility 4 or an area where the charging facility 4 can be installed. Consequently, the information processing device 1 enables stable wireless communication while the aerial device 3 is flying toward the charging facility 4, and prevents adverse effects on the aerial device 3's in-flight operations caused by deteriorating communication conditions.

[0115] While the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be functionally or physically dispersed or integrated into any unit. The embodiments of the present invention also include new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination are equivalent to those of the original embodiments.

[0116] The processors of the information processing device 1, the user terminal 2 and the flying device 3 become Figure 7 The main body of each step (process) included in the information processing method shown. That is, the processors of the information processing device 1, the user terminal 2 and the flying device 3 read the data for execution from the storage unit. Figure 7The information processing method shown in the program is executed and the program is executed to perform Figure 7 The information processing method shown. Figure 7 Some of the steps included in the information processing method shown may be omitted, the order of the steps may be changed, and a plurality of steps may be executed in parallel.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that have: a flight information acquisition unit that acquires a planned flight path of the flying device operated by battery power; a radio wave information acquisition unit that acquires radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used for communication by the aerial device within a predetermined range based on the flight path; as well as a determination unit that determines the candidate charging device as a charging device used by the flying device to charge the battery based on the strength of at least one of a first area including the candidate charging device capable of charging the battery and a second area between the flight path and the candidate charging device, which is different from the first area; When the determining unit cannot determine the charging device based on the strength of at least one of the first area and the second area, the determining unit determines a setting position for setting a new charging device different from the candidate charging device from the candidate area based on the strength of at least one of the first area and the second area where the charging device can be set, and a third area between the flight path and the candidate area.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The identification unit identifies the charging facility based on the strength along a path of the flying device from the flight path to the candidate charging facility.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The identification unit identifies the charging facility based on at least one of a distance from the flight path to the candidate charging facility and a characteristic of the flying device in addition to the strength.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The determination section determines the charging device based on an environment of at least one of the first area and a second area different from the first area, in addition to the intensity.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The identifying unit identifies the charging facility on the condition that, in addition to the strength, the flying device is visible from a predetermined position while the flying device is flying to the candidate charging facility.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein In addition to the strength, the determination unit determines as the charging facility a first candidate charging facility having a first value as the length of the path from the flying device to the candidate charging facility, prioritizing a second candidate charging facility having a second value as the length greater than the first value.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The flight information acquisition unit acquires performance information including at least one of a performance time spent by the aerial device while flying the flight path and a performance intensity of radio waves measured while the aerial device was flying the flight path. The specifying unit specifies the candidate charging facility different from the charging facility as the charging facility based on the performance information.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein It also has a notification unit that notifies the information terminal associated with the flying device of a determination result of whether the intensity of at least one of the first area and a second area different from the first area meets the conditions for determining the candidate charging device as the charging device.

9. An information processing method, characterized in that: The following steps are performed by the processor: obtaining a predetermined flight path for a flying device operated by battery power; obtaining radio wave information including the intensity of radio waves used for communication by the aerial device within a predetermined range based on the flight path; as well as determining the candidate charging device as a charging device used by the flying device to charge the battery based on the strength of at least one of a first area including a candidate charging device capable of charging the battery and a second area between the flight path and the candidate charging device, which is different from the first area; In which, when the charging device cannot be determined based on the strength of at least one of the first area and the second area, based on the strength of at least one of the candidate area different from the first area and the second area where the charging device can be set, and the third area between the flight path and the candidate area, a setting position for setting a new charging device different from the candidate charging device as the charging device is determined from the candidate area.

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