Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Method

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store setting information representing an association among port identification information, usage conditions for using a port, and an available duration for using the port. The information processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive user information related to an aircraft and / or a user, and a usage date and time, from a user terminal; a determining unit configured to determine that a port identified by the port identification information is available for the aircraft when the user information satisfies the usage conditions and the usage date and time is included in the available duration; and an output unit configured to output, to the user terminal, information about the port determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021 - 013587, filed on January 29, 2021, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, which are designed to process information regarding ports used for takeoff or landing of an aircraft. Background Art

[0004] Patent Document 1 (i.e., WO2018 / 198313A1) discloses an unmanned aircraft action plan creation system, which is configured to receive a flight area and a flight target in which an aircraft such as a drone flies in the air, generate a flight path based on the flight area and the flight target, and control the aircraft according to the flight path.

[0005] Generally, an aircraft is designed to take off or land at a designated port, where the port used by the aircraft is managed by an individual or an organization. For example, two types of ports can be provided for an aircraft, namely, a dedicated port available to limited users and a public port managed by a state or local municipality for general users. Conventionally, a dedicated port available to limited users may not allow users other than the limited users to use it. For this reason, a problem that may occur is that the dedicated port is likely to waste useless time when not used by others.

[0006] The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems and aims to improve the convenience for various users to use a port for takeoff or landing of an aircraft. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive user information related to at least one of an aircraft and a user, and a planned use date and time for using a port by the aircraft, from a user terminal that is operated by the user to control takeoff or landing of the aircraft at the port, and the receiving unit is configured to receive port identification information for identifying the port, an available duration for using the port, and use conditions set for each available duration, from a manager terminal that is operated by a manager to manage the port; a setting unit configured to store setting information on a storage unit, the setting information indicating an association between the port identification information, the available duration, and the use conditions set for each available duration received by the receiving unit; a determining unit configured to determine whether the port identified by the port identification information is available for the aircraft, based on a determination as to whether the user information satisfies the use conditions set for each available duration and a determination as to whether the use date and time is included in the available duration; and an output unit configured to output, to the user terminal, information on the port determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft.

[0008] In the above, the output unit may output, to the user terminal, a route from the position of the aircraft to the position of the port determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft.

[0009] In addition, the output unit may output, to the user terminal, information on the port determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft and belonging to a predetermined area range that includes a flight path along which the aircraft is planned to fly.

[0010] The storage unit may store use conditions indicating multiple uses of the port, wherein when the use of the aircraft is included in the uses indicated by the use conditions, the determining unit may determine that the port is available for the aircraft.

[0011] The storage unit may store use conditions indicating the priority of each of the multiple uses, wherein when the aircraft competes with a second aircraft for the use of the port, the determining unit may determine that the port is available for the aircraft and not available for the second aircraft when the priority of the use of the aircraft is higher than the priority of the use of the second aircraft.

[0012] In addition, the storage unit may store use conditions indicating user attributes applicable to the port, wherein when the user attributes of the user attempting to control the aircraft are included in the user attributes indicated by the use conditions, the determining unit may determine that the port is available for the aircraft.

[0013] In addition, the storage unit may store usage conditions indicating airframe characteristics applicable to a port, and when the airframe characteristics of the aircraft are included in the airframe characteristics indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit may determine that the port is available for the aircraft.

[0014] The information processing apparatus may further include a charging unit configured to determine an amount of payment to be charged to a user based on at least one of a stay time of the aircraft at the port and an amount of power consumed by the aircraft at the port, and thereby generate charging information including the amount of payment.

[0015] In a second aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes the steps of: receiving, from a user terminal, user information related to at least one of an aircraft and a user, and a planned usage date and time for using a port by the aircraft, the user terminal being operated by the user to control takeoff or landing of the aircraft at the port; receiving, from a manager terminal, port identification information for identifying the port, an available duration for using the port, and usage conditions for using the port set for each available duration, the manager terminal being operated by a manager to manage the port; storing, in a storage unit, setting information indicating an association between the received port identification information, the available duration, and the usage conditions set for each available duration; determining whether the port identified by the port identification information is available for the aircraft based on a determination as to whether the user information satisfies the usage conditions set for each available duration and a determination as to whether the usage date and time are included in the available duration; and outputting, to the user terminal, information about the port determined by the determination unit to be available for the aircraft.

[0016] According to the present invention, an advantageous effect that can be achieved is that ports for takeoff or landing of an aircraft are utilized by various users who aim to control the aircraft for different purposes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus included in the information processing system.

[0019] Figure 3 is a screen shot showing a setting screen for accepting input of setting information on a manager terminal.

[0020] Figure 4 is a screen shot showing a flight plan screen for accepting input of flight plan information on a user terminal.

[0021] Figure 5 is a screen shot showing a port information screen for displaying available ports on a user terminal.

[0022] Figure 6 is a screen shot that shows a flight status screen for displaying information about alternative ports on a user terminal.

[0023] Figure 7 is a timing chart of an information processing method to be executed by an information processing system.

[0024] Figure 8 is a screen shot that shows a flight status screen for booking a port by means of a user terminal during flight of an aircraft. Detailed implementation mode

[0025] The present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in relation to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, wherein components identical to those shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals; thus, repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system includes an information processing apparatus 1, a manager terminal 2, a user terminal 3, an aircraft 4, and a port 5. In this regard, the information processing system may include other terminals or devices.

[0027] The information processing apparatus 1 is a computer configured to determine whether to allow the aircraft 4 to use the port 5 according to setting information set by a manager when a user operates the aircraft 4 to fly. The information processing apparatus 1 may be constituted by a single device or multiple devices. In this regard, the information processing apparatus 1 may be constituted by a single virtual server or by multiple virtual servers that can run as a set of computer resources on a cloud system.

[0028] The manager terminal 2 is a computer used by a manager. For example, the manager terminal 2 is an information terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a personal computer. For example, a manager is a person who can own, manage, or provide the port 5. The manager terminal 2 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit such as a touch pad. The display unit is configured to display various types of information, and the operation unit is configured to input manager operations performed by the manager. The manager terminal 2 is configured to transmit or receive various types of information to / from the information processing apparatus 1 wirelessly.

[0029] The user terminal 3 is a computer used by a user. For example, the user terminal 3 is an information terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a personal computer. The user is a person who can own, manage, or operate the aircraft 4. The user terminal 3 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit such as a touch pad. The display unit is configured to display various types of information, and the operation unit is configured to input user operations performed by the user. The user terminal 3 is configured to transmit or receive various types of information to or from the information processing device 1 via radio.

[0030] The aircraft 4 is an unmanned aircraft such as a drone, which is configured to fly along a flight path designated by the user and perform a predetermined operation (e.g., a mission or an activity). In this regard, the aircraft 4 may be a manned aircraft such as an airplane and a flyable vehicle capable of flying in the air. The aircraft 4 is equipped with a rechargeable battery so that the aircraft 1 can operate using the power of the battery. For example, the activities to be performed by the aircraft 4 may include transporting an object along the flight path, capturing images of various situations along the flight path, distributing articles (e.g., agricultural chemicals) along the flight path, and emitting information (e.g., sound or light) along the flight path. The aircraft 4 is configured to perform communication using a communication service provided by a communication carrier (or a public carrier).

[0031] The port 5 is used as a takeoff / landing facility for the aircraft 4 to take off or land. For example, the port 5 may be a drone port for a drone (e.g., the aircraft 4) to take off or land. For example, the port 5 may be equipped with a charger so as to supply power to the aircraft 4 and charge the battery of the aircraft 4 when connected to the aircraft 4 that has landed at the port 5.

[0032] Next, an overview of the process executed by the information processing device 1 of the exemplary embodiment will be described below. The information processing device 1 is configured to receive setting information from the manager terminal 2 and store the setting information in the storage unit (see Figure 1 (1) of the present specification), where the setting information represents the association between the port identification information for identifying the port 5, the usage conditions for using the port 5, and the available duration during which the port 5 can be used for the aircraft 4 to take off or land. In addition, the information processing device 1 is configured to receive user information related to at least one of the user and the aircraft 4 and the date and time when the aircraft 4 uses the port 5 from the user terminal 3 (see Figure 1 (2) of the present specification). For example, the user information may be regarded as information about the organization to which the user belongs and the use of the aircraft 4 that is to use the port 5.

[0033] The information processing device 1 is configured to determine whether the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4 to take off or land based on a determination as to whether the user information satisfies the usage conditions and a determination as to whether the use date and time are included in the available duration (seeFigure 1 (3)). When it is determined that Port 5 is available for the aircraft 4, the information processing device 1 is configured to output to the aircraft 4 information for identifying Port 5 determined to be available for the aircraft 4.

[0034] As described above, after receiving the settings of the usage conditions and available duration of Port 5 from the administrator, the information processing device 1 can determine whether to allow the aircraft 4 to use Port 5 based on a decision regarding: user information related to the user of the aircraft 4 or the aircraft 4 to use Port 5 and whether the usage date and time satisfy the usage conditions and available duration. That is, the administrator can switch the availability of Port 5 for each time period and for each of the aircraft 4 to use Port 5 and the user of the aircraft 4. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can provide an opportunity to use Port 5 for various users (not limited to specific users) when taking off or landing the aircraft 4.

[0035] [Configuration of Information Processing Device 1]

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the information processing device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2 , various lines with arrow symbols represent the main data flows between the components. However, other data flows other than Figure 2 the data flows shown can be conceived. In this regard, Figure 2 each block is not necessarily shown in units of hardware (or in units of devices), but is shown in units of functions. For this reason, any number of blocks should be concentrated and embedded in a single device or separately embedded in multiple devices. The sending and receiving of data between the blocks can be achieved through a data bus, a network, a portable storage medium, or any arbitrary device.

[0037] The information processing device 1 includes a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 11 is configured to pre-store a program executable by the control unit 12. In addition, the storage unit 11 pre-stores port information, which represents the association between port identification information for identifying Port 5, the location of Port 5, and the characteristics of Port 5.

[0038] The storage unit 11 prestores user information, which represents the association between user identification information for identifying a user and user attributes. In addition, the storage unit 11 prestores airframe information, which represents the association between airframe identification information for identifying the aircraft 4 and the airframe type. In addition, the storage unit 11 stores setting information set by the administrator, where the setting information represents the association between port identification information for identifying the port 5, the usage conditions for using the port 5, and the available duration for which the port 5 is available to the aircraft 4.

[0039] The control unit 12 includes a receiving unit 121, a setting unit 122, a determining unit 123, an output unit 124, and a charging unit 125. For example, the control unit 12 is constituted by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and is configured to execute a program stored on the storage unit 11 to implement the functions of the receiving unit 121, the setting unit 122, the determining unit 123, the output unit 124, and the charging unit 125.

[0040] Next, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with respect to the detailed configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 that processes information about the port 5 used by the aircraft 4 during takeoff or landing. First, the receiving unit 121 receives setting information from the administrator terminal 2, the setting information representing the association between port identification information (or port ID (identification)) for identifying the port 5, the usage conditions for using the port 5, and the available duration for which the port 5 is available to the aircraft 4, where the port 5 is used by the aircraft 4 for takeoff or landing. That is, the usage conditions indicated by the setting information are for whether to use the port 5 for each time period corresponding to the available duration.

[0041] For example, the available duration is a time range set for each date or a time range set for each day of the week. For example, the usage conditions include at least one of the following: user attributes representing the attributes of users who are permitted to use the port 5, the airframe characteristics of the aircraft 4 that are permitted to use the port 5, and the purpose of using the port 5 by the aircraft 4. For example, the user attributes may indicate whether the user of the aircraft 4 belongs to a specific organization. For example, the airframe characteristics indicate the type (or kind) of the aircraft 4. The type of the aircraft 4 can be represented by the airframe weight, the airframe size, the volume generated by the propellers, the specifications of the airframe (e.g., wind resistance function), or other characteristics of the airframe. For example, the purpose may represent the purpose of using the port 5 by the aircraft 4, such as logistics, leisure, and emergency landing. In this regard, the usage conditions may include the upper limit number of airframes that are permitted to use the port 5 when the port 5 is available to multiple aircraft 4 simultaneously.

[0042] In addition, the usage conditions may include the priority for each use. In this case, for example, the usage conditions may enable aircraft 4 that needs to use port 5 for emergency landing purposes to use port 5 with priority compared to other aircraft using port 5 for other purposes.

[0043] Figure 3 is a screen shot that shows a setting screen for receiving input of setting information on the administrator terminal 2. When the administrator logs in to the information processing device 1 using administrator identification information (or an administrator ID for identifying the administrator), the administrator terminal 2 displays the setting screen on its display screen.

[0044] The administrator terminal 2 receives input of setting information including usage conditions and available duration on the setting screen. The administrator terminal 2 receives input of usage conditions specified by the administrator for each available duration on the setting screen. In Figure 3 this, the administrator should select the set port IDs from among multiple port IDs associated with the administrator ID in order to classify the available duration for each time period and each day of the week using the symbols "○" or "×". Subsequently, the administrator sets usage conditions such as user attributes for each available time classified by the symbols "○" or "×".

[0045] The administrator terminal 2 may accept input of setting a specific date and its time period as the available duration, which is not necessarily limited to a certain date and its time period in a week. In addition, the administrator terminal 2 may accept input of setting the airframe type of aircraft 4 or the purpose of port 5 used by aircraft 4 as the usage conditions for each available duration, which is not necessarily limited to user attributes. Furthermore, the administrator terminal 2 may accept input of setting the usage fee for using port 5 charged to the user operating aircraft 4. Alternatively, the administrator terminal 2 may accept input of setting information according to other methods.

[0046] In the information processing device 1, a receiving unit 121 is configured to receive setting information that represents the information input to the administrator terminal 2. A setting unit 122 is configured to store, on a storage unit 11, the setting information that represents the association between the available duration, usage conditions, and port IDs received by the receiving unit 121.

[0047] Next, the receiving unit 121 is configured to receive flight plan information from the user terminal 3, the flight plan information including user information representing at least one of aircraft 4 and the user of aircraft 4 and the date and time when aircraft 4 uses port 5.

[0048] Figure 4is a screenshot that shows a flight plan screen on the user terminal 3 for receiving input of flight plan information. In the case triggered by a user login to the information processing device 1 using user identification information (i.e., the user ID for identifying the user), the user terminal 3 is configured to display the flight plan screen on its display screen.

[0049] For example, the user terminal 3 can enter the user's designation of the flight area R indicated by the planar range specified on the map displayed on the flight plan screen. Additionally, the user terminal 3 can enter the user's designation of the flight path F indicated by the linear path specified within the flight area R on the map displayed on the flight plan screen. In this regard, the user terminal 3 can enter the user's designation of the flight path F or the flight area R. Alternatively, the user terminal 3 can enter the user's three-dimensional designation of the flight area R or the flight path F, including the position and altitude of the aircraft 4.

[0050] The user terminal 3 is configured to enter the user's designation of the following: the scheduled date / time for the aircraft 4 to use the port 5, the purpose of the port 5 used by the aircraft 4, and the airframe identification information (i.e., the airframe ID for identifying the aircraft 4 flying in the air). For example, the use date / time is defined as the duration specified between the start date / time and the end date / time. The user terminal 3 can accept input of other information. For example, the user terminal 3 can accept input of the number of airframes corresponding to multiple aircraft 4 and the airframe IDs of multiple aircraft 4.

[0051] In the information processing device 1, the receiving unit 121 is configured to receive flight plan information from the user terminal 3, the flight plan information including the user ID representing the user using the user terminal 3 and the input information of the user terminal 3.

[0052] The determining unit 123 is configured to determine user information and the use date and time based on the flight plan information received by the receiving unit 121. The determining unit 123 is configured to obtain the user attribute associated with the user ID included in the flight plan information stored on the storage unit 11. The determining unit 121 is configured to obtain the airframe type associated with the airframe ID included in the flight plan information stored on the storage unit 11, thereby obtaining the characteristics of the airframe corresponding to the obtained airframe type. Subsequently, the determining unit 123 is configured to determine the user information including the purpose, the airframe characteristics, and the obtained user attribute. In addition, the determining unit 123 is configured to determine the use date and time included in the flight plan information.

[0053] The determination unit 123 is configured to determine the usage conditions and available duration associated with the port ID for a single port ID or multiple port IDs indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit 11. Subsequently, the determination unit 123 is configured to determine whether the port 5 identified by the port ID is available for the aircraft 4 based on the determination of whether the user information meets the usage conditions and the determination of whether the usage date and time are included in the available duration.

[0054] That is, under the condition that the user information meets the usage conditions and the usage date and time are included in the available duration, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 identified by the port ID associated with the usage conditions and the available duration is available for the aircraft 4.

[0055] When a single port ID or multiple port IDs are indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit 11, the determination unit 123 can separately use the port ID of a single port 5 or the port IDs of multiple ports 5 located within a predetermined area range including the flight path (for example, a range at a distance of 1 kilometer (1 km) from the flight path). Therefore, the information processing device 1 can notify the user only of the available ports 5 near the flight path planned for the aircraft 4 to fly in the air.

[0056] Specifically, when the user attribute included in the user information is included in the usage attribute indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4; however, when the airframe characteristics of the aircraft 4 included in the user information are not included in the airframe characteristics indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can switch the availability of the port 5 for each time period and for each airframe characteristic of the aircraft 4, and the airframe characteristics indicate the large / small size of the aircraft 4 and the heavy / light weight of the aircraft 4.

[0057] In addition, when the usage included in the user information is included in the usage indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4; however, when the usage included in the user information is not included in the usage indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can switch the availability of the port 5 for each time period and for each usage of the port 5 used by the aircraft 4 (for example, logistics performed by the aircraft 4 and an emergency landing of the aircraft 4 at the port 5).

[0058] Furthermore, under the condition that the number of airframes included in the user information is equal to or less than the upper limit number of airframes indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4; however, when the number of airframes included in the user information is greater than the upper limit number of airframes indicated by the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4.

[0059] The above description refers to an example of the usage conditions that allow the aircraft 4 to use the port 5; however, usage conditions that do not allow the aircraft 4 to use the port 5 can also be adopted. In this case, when various types of information of the user information are not included in the usage conditions (i.e., conditions that do not allow usage), the determination unit 123 can determine that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4; however, when various types of information of the user information are included in the usage conditions, the determination unit 123 can determine that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4.

[0060] When determining that any port 5 is available for the aircraft 4, the determination unit 123 can determine the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the port 5. For example, the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path can be the point on the flight path closest to the available port 5, or the point specified by the user on the flight path. The position of the port 5 is obtained from the port information pre-stored in the storage unit 11.

[0061] In this regard, the determination unit 123 can determine the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the available port 5 by performing a known path search process, so as to notify the output unit 124 of the determined route associated with the available port 5. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can provide the user with a suggestion on the route along which the aircraft 4 is controlled to fly towards the available port 5.

[0062] When multiple ports 5 are available for the aircraft 4, the determination unit 123 can determine the routes to the multiple ports 5. In addition, the determination unit 123 can select a single port 5 suitable for the selection conditions specified by the user from the multiple ports 5 based on the routes determined for the multiple ports 5. In this case, the user can specify the selection conditions to select the route along which the aircraft 4 is controlled to fly and reach its destination in the shortest time, a route that requires a low usage fee (where the usage fee refers to the payment amount required to use the route or the port 5), or a safe route (a route that can bypass urban areas or is less likely to be affected by weather).

[0063] Subsequently, the determination unit 123 selects a single port 5 from the multiple ports 5 according to the selection conditions specified by the user, so as to notify the output unit 124 of the selected port 5 and the determined route. That is, the information processing device 1 can provide a suggestion on a single port 5 among the multiple available ports 5 that is suitable for the selection conditions specified by the user.

[0064] The output unit 124 outputs to the user terminal 3 information indicating a single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available for the aircraft 4, and information indicating the flight path planned for the aircraft 4 to fly in the air. For example, the information indicating the available port 5 includes the port ID indicated by the port information pre-stored in the storage unit 11, as well as the location and characteristics of the port 5. For example, the location of the port 5 is represented by the coordinates of the port 5 or the address of the station. For example, the characteristics of the port 5 include various types of information related to the facilities of the port 5, such as charging ability / cannot charge, chargeable airframe type, charging time, and usage fee. In addition, the output unit 124 outputs to the user terminal 3 the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the available port 5. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can notify the user of the available port 5 available when the aircraft 4 attempts to fly in the air.

[0065] Figure 5 is a screenshot showing a port information screen on the user terminal 3 for displaying information about the available port 5, where the symbol "Pt" represents "port". In Figure 5 it, the user terminal 3 is configured to display on the map the flight path F, the port symbol P1 representing the port 5, and the route R1 towards the port 5 based on the information output from the information processing device 1. In this regard, the user terminal 3 can display the available port 5 alone on the map, or display the available port 5 and the unavailable port 5 in different ways. When the user selects any port symbol P1 on the map, the user terminal 3 is configured to display information I associated with the selected port symbol P1, and the information I represents the characteristics of the port 5 corresponding to the selected port symbol P1 (i.e., charging ability / cannot charge, chargeable airframe type, charging time, usage fee, etc.).

[0066] When the user performs a reservation operation on any one of the ports 5 on the map displayed on the user terminal 3 (for example, the user can select the reservation button on the screen), the receiving unit 121 of the information processing device 1 is configured to receive from the user terminal 3 reservation information including the usage date and time and the port ID of the reserved port 5. The receiving unit 121 stores the reservation information received from the user terminal 3 in association with the user ID of the user using the user terminal 3 and the airframe ID of the aircraft 4 in the storage unit 11. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can receive the reservation of the user to use the port 5 when providing the user with information about the available port 5.

[0067] In addition, the output unit 124 may perform control of using Port 5 based on the reservation information stored in the storage unit 11. For example, the output unit 124 may output to Port 5 control information that enables a user to use Port 5 at the start time of the use date and time indicated by the reservation information, or another control information that prevents the user from using Port 5 at the end time of the use date and time indicated by the reservation information. According to the control information output from the information processing device 1, Port 5 may switch the availability of charging or the availability of using the port by opening or closing a hidden cover or the like.

[0068] Specifically, when the aircraft 4 lands at Port 5, Port 5 may open the hidden cover under the condition that the condition for verifying the airframe ID of the aircraft 4 is passed when the communication device associated with Port 5 receives the airframe ID from the aircraft 4. Alternatively, when the aircraft 4 lands at Port 5, the aircraft 4 may use a camera to read the port ID indicated by the code (or two-dimensional bar code) attached to Port 5, and thus send the port ID to the information processing device 1. In this case, under the condition that the port ID included in the reservation information of the aircraft 4 matches the port ID read by the aircraft 4, the information processing device 1 sends control information for opening the hidden cover to Port 5 corresponding to the port ID read by the aircraft 4. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can perform control to use Port 5 according to the reservation of the user using Port 5.

[0069] After the user completes the reservation of using Port 5 (for example, during the flight of the aircraft 4), the determination unit 123 may determine the availability of Port 5 again. For example, the following situation may be assumed: after the first user reserves the use of Port 5 for "logistics" purposes, the second user may attempt to reserve the use of Port 5 for "emergency landing" purposes. In this regard, the usage conditions of Port 5 may stipulate that the priority of the "emergency landing" purpose is higher than the priority of the "logistics" purpose.

[0070] For example, when the usage conditions stipulate that the priority of the purpose of the first aircraft 4a is higher than the priority of the purpose of the second aircraft 4b, the determination unit 123 determines that Port 5 is available for the first aircraft 4a, while Port 5 is not available for the second aircraft 4b. In the case where the priority of the "emergency landing" purpose is higher than the priority of the "logistics" purpose as described above, the determination unit 123 determines that Port 5 is available for the aircraft 4 of the second user, while Port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4 of the first user. Subsequently, the receiving unit 121 displays Figure 5 the port information screen on the user terminal 3 of the second user so as to accept the reservation of the second user to use Port 5.

[0071] When Port 5 becomes unavailable to the second user due to a reservation made by the first user for Port 5, the output unit 124 may provide a suggestion to the first user to use an alternative port 5a different from Port 5. In this case, the output unit 124 may select the alternative port 5a as another port 5 among the single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available for the aircraft 4, which is different from the original port 5 reserved by the first user and is within a predetermined area range including the flight path (for example, a range within one kilometer (1 km) from the flight path).

[0072] The output unit 124 is configured to output the selected information about the alternative port 5a and the information about the flight path planned for the aircraft 4 to fly in the air to the user terminal 3 of the first user. The user terminal 3 displays the output information of the information processing device 1 on its display screen. This enables the first user to use the alternative port 5a even if it is determined that Port 5 is unavailable for the aircraft 4 after the reservation for using Port 5 is completed.

[0073] In addition, the output unit 124 may automatically store the reservation information (including the port ID of the alternative port 5 and the use date and time) in association with the user ID of the first user and the airframe ID of the aircraft 4 on the storage unit 11.

[0074] Furthermore, the determination unit 123 may determine the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the alternative port 5a. For example, the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path is defined as the current position of the aircraft 4 during flight. The position of the alternative port 5a may be obtained from the port information pre-stored on the storage unit 11. The determination unit 123 may determine the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the alternative port 5a by performing a known path search process, and thereby notify the output unit 124 of the determined route associated with the alternative port 5a. The output unit 124 outputs the route from the position of the aircraft 4 on the flight path to the position of the alternative port 5a to the user terminal 3.

[0075] Figure 6 is a screenshot showing the flight status screen on the user terminal 3 for displaying information about the alternative port 5a, where the symbol "PT" represents "port". Figure 6 Shows an example of a screen image for providing a suggestion to the user to use the alternative port 5a because Port 5 becomes unavailable for the aircraft 4 during flight regardless of whether the user has reserved the use of Port 5. In Figure 6In this case, the user terminal 3 displays the current position and flight path F of the aircraft 4 on a map based on the information output from the information processing device 1. In addition to the port symbol P1 of the "unavailable" port 5, the user terminal 3 also displays the port symbol P2 representing the alternative port 5a and the route R2 to the alternative port 5a on the map.

[0076] According to the above configuration, for example, when the aircraft 4 that requests an emergency landing after the user reserves the use of the port 5 appears near the port 5, the information processing device 1 can automatically switch the availability of the port 5 according to the priority of each use. In addition, the information processing device 1 can provide advice on the alternative port 5a to users who may no longer use the port 5 whether they have reserved or not, so as to smoothly perform the navigation of the aircraft 4.

[0077] When the port 5 is used by the aircraft 4, the port 5 will send performance information to the information processing device 1, which includes the airframe ID of the aircraft 4, the stay time of the aircraft 4 at the port 5 or the time the aircraft 4 has stayed at the port 5, and the power consumed by the aircraft 4 that has stayed at the port 5. In the information processing device 1, the receiving unit 121 receives the performance information from the port 5 and stores the performance information in the storage unit 11 in association with the port ID of the port 5.

[0078] When the stay time of the aircraft 4 at the port 5 exceeds the date and time reserved by the user for using the port 5, the output unit 124 can notify the manager terminal 2 of the information indicating the association between the user ID, the airframe ID, and the port ID. In addition, when the reservation of another user to use the port 5 exceeds the use date and time, the output unit 124 can output information about the alternative port 5a to the user terminal 3 of another user. Therefore, in the case where the aircraft 4 stays at the port 5, the port 5 can be used smoothly by preventing an accident where another aircraft 4 attempts to land at the port 5.

[0079] Since the use date and time have been exceeded, the port 5 can use a camera or sensor to detect the removal of the aircraft 4 from the port 5, and thus send information notifying the removal of the aircraft 4 from the port 5 to the information processing device 1. In addition, the manager can use the management terminal 2 to send information notifying the removal of the aircraft 4 from the port 5 to the information processing device 1. In the information processing device 1, when the receiving unit 121 receives the information notifying the removal of the aircraft 4 from the port 5, the output unit 124 can send the information notifying the removal of the aircraft 4 from the port 5 to the manager terminal 2 or the user terminal 3. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can quickly resume the use of the port 5 that has exceeded the use date and time.

[0080] The charging unit 125 is configured to determine the payment amount to be charged to the user based on the performance information stored in the storage unit 11. For example, the charging unit 125 is configured to calculate the payment amount based on at least one of the stay time of the aircraft 4 at the port 5 and the power consumption of the aircraft 4 at the port 5. Alternatively, the charging unit 125 may change the way of calculating the payment amount based on the use of the port 5 by the aircraft 4.

[0081] The charging unit 125 is configured to generate charging information including the determined payment amount, and store the charging information on the storage unit 11 in association with the user ID of the user indicating that the aircraft 4 is flying in the air. The charging unit 125 may generate the charging information and send the charging information to a charging server or the like, which is configured to charge the user for the payment amount. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can charge the user of the aircraft 4 for the payment amount according to the actual situation of the use of the port 5 by the aircraft 4.

[0082] [Sequence of the information processing method]

[0083] Figure 7 It is a timing chart of an information processing method to be executed by the information processing system, and the information processing method includes a series of steps S11 to S19. The manager terminal 2 accepts the input of setting information including usage conditions and available duration on the setting screen (S11). In the information processing device 1, the receiving unit 121 receives the setting information, that is, the information input to the manager terminal 2. The setting unit 122 stores the setting information on the storage unit 11, and the setting information represents the association between the usage conditions, the available duration, and the port ID received by the receiving unit 121.

[0084] The user terminal 3 accepts the input of the following items (S12): user information representing at least one of the user of the aircraft 4 and the aircraft 4, the date and time when the aircraft 4 uses the port 5, the use of the port 5 used by the aircraft 4, and the airframe ID of the aircraft 4 flying in the air. In addition, the user terminal 3 may accept the input of the flight path or flight area. In the information processing device 1, the receiving unit 121 receives the flight plan information from the user terminal 3, including the user ID of the user using the user terminal 3 and the input information of the user terminal 3.

[0085] The determination unit 123 determines user information and the usage date and time based on the flight plan information received by the reception unit 121. The determination unit 123 determines the usage conditions and available duration associated with each of the single port ID or multiple port IDs indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit 11. Among them, the determination unit 123 determines whether port 5 corresponding to the port ID is available for the aircraft 4 based on the determination of whether the user information meets the usage conditions and the determination of whether the usage date and time are included in the available duration (S13).

[0086] The output unit 124 outputs information to the user terminal 3 (S14), and this information indicates the single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available for the aircraft 4. The user terminal 3 displays the output information of the information processing device 1 on its display screen. The user terminal 3 can receive a user operation for reserving any one of the available ports 5 (S15).

[0087] Due to the user operation on the user terminal 3 for reserving any one of the ports 5, the reception unit 121 of the information processing device 1 receives reservation information from the user terminal 3. This reservation information includes the port ID of the reserved port 5 and the usage date and time. The reception unit 121 stores the reservation information received from the user terminal 3 in association with the user ID of the user using the user terminal 3 and the airframe ID of the aircraft 4 in the storage unit 121 (S16).

[0088] After the user reserves the usage of port 5 (for example, during the flight of the aircraft 4), the determination unit 123 determines the availability of port 5 again (S17). For example, according to the usage condition that the priority of the use of the first aircraft 4a is higher than the priority of the use of the second aircraft 4b, the determination unit 123 determines that port 5 is available for the first aircraft 4a, but port 5 is not available for the second aircraft 4b.

[0089] For example, when the port 5 reserved by the user becomes unavailable for the aircraft 4, the output unit 124 can select an alternative port 5a from the single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available for the aircraft 4. This alternative port 5a is different from the original port 5 reserved by the user and is located within the range of a predetermined area including the flight path (for example, within a range of one kilometer (1 km) from the flight path), so as to output information about the alternative port 5a to the user terminal 3 (S18). The user terminal 3 displays the output information of the information processing device 1 on its display screen.

[0090] When the port 5 is used by the aircraft 4, the port 5 transmits performance information to the information processing device 1, where the performance information includes the airframe ID of the aircraft 4, the stay time of the aircraft 4 at the port 5, and the power consumption of the aircraft 4 at the port 5. In the information processing device 1, the receiving unit 121 receives the performance information from the port 5 to store the performance information in association with the port ID of the port 5 on the storage unit 11. The charging unit 125 determines the payment amount to be charged to the user based on the performance information stored on the storage unit 11. The charging unit 125 generates charging information including the determined payment amount, and stores the charging information in association with the user ID of the user indicating that the aircraft 4 is flying in the air on the storage unit 11 (S19).

[0091] [Advantages of the Exemplary Embodiment]

[0092] According to the exemplary embodiment, the information processing device 1 receives the settings of the administrator regarding the usage conditions and available duration of the port 5, so as to determine whether the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4 based on the decisions regarding the usage date and time related to the aircraft 4 or the user of the aircraft 4 attempting to use the port and whether the user information meets the available duration and usage conditions respectively. Therefore, the administrator can switch the availability of the port 5 for each time period and for each aircraft 4 attempting to use the port 5 or for each user of the aircraft 4. Thus, the information processing device 1 can make the port 5 where the aircraft 4 takes off or lands available to various users, not limited to specific users.

[0093] In this regard, it can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiated by the United Nations (UN), namely Goal 9, "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure".

[0094] Various variations and modifications of the information processing device 1 described below can be envisioned.

[0095] [First Variation]

[0096] Compared with the foregoing embodiment of the information processing device 1 configured to receive a reservation for using the port 5 before the aircraft 4 starts flying in the air, a first variation of the information processing device 1 can be envisioned, which is configured to receive a reservation for using the port 5 after the aircraft 4 starts flying in the air. In the first variation, the receiving unit 121 is configured to receive the position information of the aircraft 4 during flight from the aircraft 4.

[0097] The determination unit 123 is configured to select, from the single port ID or multiple port IDs indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit 11, the port ID of a single port 5 or the port IDs of multiple ports 5 that are located within a predetermined selection range including the position of the aircraft 4. For example, the predetermined selection range is defined as a circular area, the center point of which corresponds to the position of the aircraft 4, and the radius of which corresponds to the continuous flight distance of the aircraft 4. The continuous flight distance can be determined and input by the user, or the continuous flight distance can be determined based on the characteristics of the aircraft 4 (e.g., flight speed and fuel efficiency) and the power of the battery installed in the aircraft 4. Using the single port ID or multiple port IDs selected from the predetermined selection range, the determination unit 123 can perform the above determination similar to the foregoing embodiments.

[0098] The output unit 124 is configured to output to the user terminal information about the single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available to the aircraft 4 during flight, as well as information representing the flight path and the selection range. The user terminal 3 is configured to display the output information of the information processing device 1 on its display screen. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can provide the user with information representing the available ports 5 (i.e., the reachable ports 5 that the aircraft 4 can reach from the current position).

[0099] Figure 8 is a screenshot showing a flight status screen for the user terminal 3 to reserve a port 5 during the flight of the aircraft 3, where the symbol "Pt" represents "port". In Figure 8 the user terminal 3 displays the flight path F and the current position of the aircraft 4 on the map based on the output information of the information processing device 1. In addition, the user terminal 3 displays on the map the selection range A and the port symbol P3 representing the port 5 located within the selection range A, which is a circular area centered around the center point corresponding to the current position of the aircraft 4. The user terminal 3 can display the available ports 5 separately, or the user terminal 3 can display the available ports and the unavailable ports in different ways.

[0100] When the user operates the user terminal 3 to reserve any port 5 (e.g., when the user operates the reservation button), the receiving unit 121 of the information processing device 1 receives the reservation information from the user terminal 3, which includes the port ID of the reserved port 5 and the usage date and time. After receiving the reservation information from the user terminal 3, the receiving unit 121 stores the reservation information in the storage unit 11 in association with the user ID of the user operating the user terminal 3 and the airframe ID of the aircraft 4. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can receive reservations for using the port 5 during the flight of the aircraft 4.

[0101] After receiving the battery power of the battery installed in the aircraft 4 during flight, under the condition that the battery power becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, the output unit 124 can output information about the single port 5 or multiple ports 5 determined by the determination unit 123 to be available for the aircraft 4 to the user terminal 3. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can provide a suggestion to the user to charge the battery of the aircraft 4 at the port 5.

[0102] [Second Variant]

[0103] The second variant is designed such that the determination unit 123 is configured to determine whether the port 5 with the port ID is available for the aircraft 4 based on external information other than the user information in addition to the determination of whether the user information meets the usage conditions.

[0104] As the external information, the determination unit 123 can use the information indicating the vacant state, which is about the vacant situation of the shed (or warehouse) for storing the products (or goods) to be transported by the aircraft 4. In this case, the manager can set the vacant situation of the shed for storing the products as the usage condition. The receiving unit 121 receives the vacant information indicating the vacant state of the shed for storing the products to be transported by the aircraft 4 from a predetermined server. When the vacant situation of the shed for storing the products has been set as the usage condition, under the condition that the vacant state of the shed indicates that the shed is vacant, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4.

[0105] As the external information, the determination unit 123 can use the area information corresponding to the usage conditions of each area. For example, the usage information of each area can prevent the aircraft 4 from flying over a specific area (e.g., a residential area), prevent the aircraft 4 from flying during a specific time period (e.g., midnight and morning), or prevent the aircraft 4 with a fuselage size higher than a predetermined reference value from flying over a designated area. In this case, after obtaining the usage conditions of the area where the port 5 is located, under the condition that the area information corresponding to the usage conditions of the area (e.g., the time period or fuselage size that prevents the aircraft 4 from flying in the area) meets the usage conditions of the area, the determination unit 123 determines that the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4.

[0106] In addition, the determination unit 123 may determine that the port 5 is not allowed to be used by the aircraft 4 based on external information (for example, weather information about a typhoon and a restriction order issued by a public agency such as a local authority), regardless of the decision on whether the user information meets the usage conditions. For example, the restriction order indicates restrictions on the flight or takeoff / landing of the aircraft 4 in a specific area. For example, the weather information indicates adverse weather, such as strong winds and typhoons in a specific area or any other weather that makes it impossible for the aircraft 4 to fly or take off / land. The receiving unit 121 is configured to receive weather information or a restriction order from a predetermined server.

[0107] When the weather information or the restriction order received by the receiving unit 121 indicates an event that makes it impossible for the aircraft 4 to fly or take off / land in the area where the port 5 is located, the determination unit 123 determines that the port is not available for the aircraft 4. In this case, the output unit 124 outputs unavailable information indicating that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4 to the user terminal 3 operated by the user who has reserved the use of the port 5, thereby invalidating the reservation information representing the reservation of the use of the port 5 on the storage unit 11. In addition, the output unit 124 may output unavailable information indicating that the port 5 is not available for the aircraft 4 to a flight management system for controlling the flight of the aircraft 4.

[0108] According to the second variant, in addition to the user information related to the aircraft 4 or the user of the aircraft 4, the information processing apparatus 1 may also determine whether the port 5 is available for the aircraft 4 based on various types of external information.

[0109] In the foregoing, the present invention has been described by way of the foregoing embodiments (for example, exemplary embodiments and their variants), wherein the technical scope of the present invention need not be limited to the foregoing embodiments; therefore, it is feasible to create and introduce any other variants and modifications within the subject matter of the present invention. For example, part or all of the foregoing devices may be physically or functionally dispersed or integrated in any component unit. In addition, the present invention may include any new examples generated by arbitrarily combining the foregoing embodiments. It can be said that the new examples generated by the combination of the foregoing embodiments will provide the same advantageous effects as the exemplary embodiments.

[0110] Each processor that implements the functions of the information processing apparatus 1, the manager terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 may be used as the main body for executing various steps (or various processes) included in Figure 7 the flight management method shown. That is, the processors of the information processing apparatus 1, the manager terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 may read a program for implementing Figure 7 the information processing method from a memory to execute the program for implementing Figure 7 the information processing method. In this regard, part of the program included in Figure 7The foregoing steps in the information processing method, changing the order of the foregoing steps, or executing the foregoing steps in parallel.

[0111] Although the exemplary embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that they are examples of the present invention and should not be considered as limitations of the present invention. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not considered to be limited by the foregoing description and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive, before an unmanned aircraft starts flying along a flight path, a flight path specified by a user, user information related to at least one of the aircraft and the user, and a planned use date and time for using a port by the aircraft, the user terminal being operated by the user, the aircraft taking off or landing at the port, and the receiving unit being configured to receive, from a manager terminal, port identification information for identifying the port, an available duration for using the port, and use conditions set for each available duration, the manager terminal being operated by a manager to manage the port, the use conditions indicating information related to at least one of the aircraft and the user and being used to determine whether to allow the aircraft to use the port; a setting unit configured to store setting information on a storage unit, the setting information representing an association between the port identification information, the available duration, and the use conditions set for each available duration received by the receiving unit; a determining unit configured to determine whether the port identified by the port identification information is available for the aircraft based on a decision on whether the user information satisfies the use conditions set for each available duration and a decision on whether the use date and time are included in the available duration; and an output unit configured to output to the user terminal information on ports that are determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft and belong to a predetermined area range, the predetermined area range including the flight path along which the aircraft is planned to fly.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The output unit is configured to output to the user terminal a route from the position of the aircraft to the position of the port determined by the determining unit to be available for the aircraft.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The storage unit is configured to store use conditions representing multiple uses of the port, and wherein, the determining unit is configured to determine that the port is available for the aircraft when the use of the aircraft is included in the multiple uses indicated by the use conditions.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The storage unit is configured to store use conditions representing the priority of each use in the multiple uses, and wherein, when the aircraft competes with a second aircraft for using the port, the determining unit is configured to determine that the port is available for the aircraft and not available for the second aircraft when the priority of the use of the aircraft is higher than the priority of the use of the second aircraft.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The storage unit is configured to store use conditions representing user attributes applicable to the port, and wherein, the determining unit is configured to determine that the port is available for the aircraft when the user attributes of the user attempting to control the aircraft are included in the user attributes indicated by the use conditions.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The storage unit is configured to store use conditions representing airframe characteristics applicable to the port, and wherein, the determining unit is configured to determine that the port is available for the aircraft when the airframe characteristics of the aircraft are included in the airframe characteristics indicated by the use conditions.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A charging unit configured to determine an amount of payment to be charged to a user based on at least one of a stay time of the aircraft at the port and an amount of power consumed by the aircraft at the port, and thereby generate charging information including the amount of payment.

8. An information processing method, comprising: Before the unmanned aircraft starts flying along a flight path, receiving from a user terminal a flight path designated by the user, user information related to at least one of the aircraft and the user, and a planned use date and time for using a port by the aircraft, the user terminal being operated by the user, and the aircraft taking off or landing at the port; Receiving from a manager terminal port identification information for identifying the port, an available duration for using the port, and usage conditions set for each available duration, the manager terminal being operated by a manager to manage the port, the usage conditions indicating information about at least one of the aircraft and the user and being used to determine whether to allow the aircraft to use the port; Storing setting information in a storage unit, the setting information representing an association between the received port identification information, the available duration, and the usage conditions set for each available duration; Determining whether the port identified by the port identification information is available for the aircraft based on a decision on whether the user information satisfies the usage conditions set for each available duration and a decision on whether the use date and time are included in the available duration; And Outputting to the user terminal information about the port determined to be available for the aircraft and belonging to a predetermined area range, the predetermined area range including the flight path along which the aircraft is planned to fly.

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