Flight service system

Abstract

The present application relates to a flight service system for increasing the utilization opportunity of a flight service using eVTOL. The flight service system provides a flight service using the eVTOL. A flight service system holds a database in which information about a recommended location group recommended by a user group using a flight service is stored. A flight service system acquires information of a designated recommended location designated by a target user who wants to use a flight service from among recommended location groups stored in a database. The flight service system determines a flight route of the target user via the designated recommended location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing a flight service using an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOL). Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for providing a travel service using eVTOL: A trip including a flight from a first take-off point to a second take-off point is created in response to a reservation request from a user.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019193

[0004] It is hoped that opportunities for utilization of flight services utilizing eVTOL will increase. Summary of the invention

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flight service system that provides a flight service using eVTOL.

[0006] The flight service system includes one or more processors and one or more storage devices.

[0007] One or more storage devices store a database storing information on a group of recommended spots recommended by a user group that has utilized the flight service.

[0008] The one or more processors obtain information of a designated recommended spot designated by a target user who wishes to use the flight service from a recommended spot group stored in a database, and determine a flight route of the target user so as to pass through the designated recommended spot.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a recommended location database is prepared that stores information on a group of recommended locations recommended by a user group that has utilized a flight service. A target user who wishes to utilize the flight service can specify one or more of the recommended location groups stored in the recommended location database. Furthermore, a flight route for the target user is determined in a manner that passes through the specified recommended locations. The target user can travel from a departure point to a destination via the specified recommended location. That is, the target user can have an experience that cannot be experienced by a normal passenger aircraft and that is only possible with an eVTOL. As a result, user satisfaction with the flight service that utilizes eVTOL is improved. As a result, the opportunities for utilizing the flight service that utilizes eVTOL increase. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the flight service system.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the recommended spot database.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining recommended location reservations and schedule adjustments.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the recommended spot reservation information.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a management system.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a processing example related to flight service reservation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1. Overview of the flight service system

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of a flight service system 1 according to the present embodiment. The flight service system 1 provides a flight service using an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOL) 10 .

[0019] eVTOL10 is a small and light VTOL driven by an electric motor. In more detail, eVTOL10 has a rotor, a power unit and a control unit. The power unit includes an electric motor that rotates the rotor, a battery that supplies power to the electric motor, and the like. The battery is, for example, a storage battery such as an all-solid battery. Alternatively, the battery may also be a fuel cell. The control device controls the flight of eVTOL10 by controlling the power unit. Such eVTOL10 has features such as space saving, low cost, and low noise compared to general aircraft. In addition, eVTOL10 can stop in the air and rotate there. Therefore, eVTOL10 can create new experiences that cannot be experienced through ordinary passenger aircraft.

[0020] The take-off and landing place 20 is a place for the eVTOL 10 to take off or land. The take-off and landing place 20 may include charging facilities, battery replacement facilities, maintenance facilities, etc. Examples of the take-off and landing place 20 include an airport, an airport, a heliport, the roof of a building, an eVTOL storage depot, etc. As another example, the take-off and landing place 20 may also be a car dealer. By using a dealer as the take-off and landing place 20, the ground travel service using a car and the flight service using the eVTOL 10 can be seamlessly connected. In addition, the travel services of both parties can be provided in one stop.

[0021] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the take-off and landing site 20 - 1 is the departure site, and the take-off and landing site 20 - 2 is the destination. A user U of the flight service boarded the eVTOL 10 at the take-off and landing site 20 - 1 . The eVTOL 10 carrying the user U took off from the take-off and landing site 20 - 1 , flew toward the take-off and landing site 20 - 2 , and landed at the take-off and landing site 20 - 2 . The user U disembarked from the eVTOL 10 that landed at the take-off and landing site 20 - 2 .

[0022] The user terminal 30 is a terminal used by the user U. Examples of the user terminal 30 include a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a PC.

[0023] The management system 100 manages the entire flight service. For example, the management system 100 manages the eVTOL 10, the take-off and landing site 20, accepts flight reservations from the user U, and determines the itinerary (flight route and flight schedule) for the user U. The management system 100 can communicate with the eVTOL 10, the terminal installed at the take-off and landing site 20, and the user terminal 30. Typically, the management system 100 performs wireless communication. The management system 100 can be composed of a single management server or a plurality of management servers that perform distributed processing.

[0024] As described above, the eVTOL 10 can stop in the air and rotate there. Therefore, the eVTOL 10 can create new experiences that cannot be experienced through ordinary passenger aircraft. For example, the eVTOL 10 can visit a place where you can see beautiful scenery while flying from the take-off and landing place 20-1 (departure place) to the take-off and landing place 20-2 (destination). The user U riding on the eVTOL 10 can enjoy the beautiful scenery from the place from the angle he likes.

[0025] According to the present embodiment, the user U who uses the eVTOL 10 can register a place that can be recommended to others based on his / her own experience as a "recommended place" in the management system 100. The management system 100 accumulates the information of the recommended places collected from various users U in a database. Hereinafter, such a database is referred to as a "recommended place database 200".

[0026] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the recommended location database 200. The recommended location database 200 is a database that stores information on a group of recommended locations recommended by one or more users U (hereinafter referred to as "user group") who have used the flight service. The recommended location database 200 has an entry for each recommended location. Each entry includes identification information (ID), name, location (latitude, longitude, altitude), time period, photo, video, word of mouth, evaluation, etc. of the recommended location.

[0027] The user U who has utilized the flight service can register information related to the recommended location to the recommended location database 200 by operating the user terminal 30. For example, the user U starts the flight service application on the user terminal 30 and inputs information related to the recommended location. The location of the recommended location can be obtained from the current location information of the eVTOL 10 or the data of the flight route. For example, during the flight, the user U presses a prescribed button of the application at the location to be recommended. The application cooperates with the eVTOL 10 to obtain the current location information. As another example, the application can obtain the information of the flight route from the management system 100 and display the flight route on the display device of the user terminal 30. The user U can specify the recommended location by viewing the displayed flight route. The user terminal 30 sends the information related to the recommended location input by the user U to the management system 100. The management system 100 adds the information related to the recommended location transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the recommended location database 200.

[0028] The recommended spot database 200 created and updated in this way can be used by the user U who will use the flight service in the future, that is, the user U who wants to use the flight service. Hereinafter, the user U who will use the flight service in the future, that is, the user U who wants to use the flight service is referred to as a "target user".

[0029] The management system 100 presents (recommends) one or more of the recommended spot groups accumulated in the recommended spot database 200 to the target user via the user terminal 30. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to designate a recommended spot that the target user wants to visit.

[0030] For example, the target user first operates the user terminal 30 to specify the departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1) and the destination (take-off and landing point 20-2). The management system 100 obtains the information of the departure point and the destination specified by the target user. The management system 100 extracts the recommended location candidates existing in the specified area between the departure point and the destination from the recommended location group accumulated in the recommended location database 200. The specified area between the departure point and the destination is, for example, an area that can be reached within a certain time from the shortest route between the departure point and the destination. The specified area between the departure point and the destination may be an area within a certain distance from the shortest route between the departure point and the destination. The management system 100 prompts (recommends) the recommended location candidates to the target user via the user terminal 30 of the target user. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify the recommended location that he or she wants to visit from the recommended location candidates. Hereinafter, the recommended location specified by the target user is referred to as a "specified recommended location". The management system 100 obtains the information of the specified recommended location. Furthermore, the management system 100 determines the flight route for the target user in a manner that passes through the specified recommended location specified by the target user.

[0031] As another example, the management system 100 may also prompt (recommend) the recommended location group accumulated in the recommended location database 200 to the target user via the user terminal 30 of the target user. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify the recommended location that he or she wants to visit from the recommended location group. The management system 100 obtains information on the designated recommended location specified by the target user. The management system 100 selects a departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1) and a destination (take-off and landing point 20-2) that are easy to access to the designated recommended location. In addition, the management system 100 determines the flight route for the target user in a manner that passes through the designated recommended location.

[0032] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a recommended location database 200 is prepared that stores information on a group of recommended locations recommended by a user group that utilizes the flight service. A target user who wishes to utilize the flight service can specify one or more of the recommended location groups stored in the recommended location database 200. Furthermore, a flight route for the target user is determined in a manner that passes through the specified recommended locations. The target user can travel from the departure point to the destination via the specified recommended location. That is, the target user can experience something that cannot be experienced by a normal passenger aircraft and that is only possible with the eVTOL 10. As a result, the user U's satisfaction with the flight service utilizing the eVTOL 10 is improved. As a result, the opportunity to utilize the flight service utilizing the eVTOL 10 will increase.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 3 , consider the reservation of recommended locations. There is a concern that many eVTOL10s will rush to popular recommended locations and wait in line in the air. For example, Figure 3 (A) in the figure shows a situation where many eVTOLs 10 gather around a popular recommended location S2. While a certain eVTOL 10 is staying at the recommended location S2, other eVTOLs 10 waiting in line will wait (hover) around the recommended location S2. Therefore, during this period, the VTOLs 10 waiting in line will consume power meaninglessly. In addition, it is not preferable in terms of safety that a large number of eVTOLs 10 gather in a narrow area.

[0034] In view of this, the recommended places can be made reservation-based. Figure 3 In the example shown in (B), regarding the recommended spot S2, the time 12:00-12:20 is allocated to the user Ua, and the time 12:30-12:50 is allocated to the user Ub. That is, the reservation time of the recommended spot S2 is 12:00-12:20 for the user Ua, and 12:30-12:50 for the user Ub.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the management system 100 may store recommended spot reservation information 300 for managing reservations of recommended spots. The recommended spot reservation information 300 shows the current reservation status for each recommended spot. A target user who wishes to use the flight service can reserve free time by referring to the recommended spot reservation information 300.

[0036] Specifically, the management system 100 extracts the free time (available time) related to the designated recommended place designated by the target user from the recommended place reservation information 300. Furthermore, the management system 100 prompts the target user via the user terminal 30 with the information of the free time related to the designated recommended place. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify a desired reservation time from the prompted free time. The user terminal 30 sends the information related to the reservation time designated by the target user to the management system 100. The management system 100 allocates the designated reservation time to the target user and updates the recommended place reservation information 300.

[0037] Alternatively, the management system 100 may automatically allocate appropriate free time to the target user as the reservation time.

[0038] When determining the flight schedule of the target user, the management system 100 obtains information on the reservation time allocated to the designated recommended location of the target user from the recommended location reservation information 300. Furthermore, the management system 100 determines the flight schedule of the target user so that the target eVTOL boarded by the target user arrives at the designated recommended location before the reservation time.

[0039] In this way, by making the recommended location a reservation system, it is possible to prevent multiple eVTOLs 10 from gathering at the same recommended location at the same time. This can prevent the occurrence of waiting in the sky. Since hovering for waiting in the sky can also be suppressed, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed. In addition, it is also possible to prevent a large number of eVTOLs 10 from gathering in a narrow area. This is preferred in terms of safety.

[0040] The management system 100 may determine the flight schedule of the target user so that the target eVTOL boarded by the target user arrives at the designated recommended location at the scheduled time without waiting in the air. In this case, unnecessary power consumption can be most suppressed.

[0041] The process of determining the flight schedule of the target user in consideration of the reservation time assigned to the designated recommended location of the target user as described above is referred to as "schedule adjustment processing". For the schedule adjustment processing, it may also be necessary to change the departure time of the target eVTOL from the initial departure time desired by the target user. In the event that it is necessary to change the departure time of the target eVTOL from the initial departure time desired by the target user, the management system 100 may provide benefits to the target user via the user terminal 30 of the target user. Discounts, points, coupons, etc. may be exemplified as benefits. By providing benefits to the target user, it is possible to encourage the target user to agree to the schedule adjustment processing. As a result, the possibility of suppressing unnecessary power consumption is increased.

[0042] The reservation fee of the recommended spot can be changed according to the season and time period (dynamic pricing). For example, the reservation fee of the recommended spot where the sunset looks beautiful becomes higher in the evening time period.

[0043] 2. Example of management system configuration

[0044] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management system 100 . The management system 100 includes one or more processors 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as processors 101 ), one or more storage devices 102 (hereinafter simply referred to as storage devices 102 ), and a communication interface 103 .

[0045] The processor 101 performs various processes. For example, the processor 101 manages the eVTOL 10, manages the take-off and landing site 20, accepts flight reservations from the user U, and determines the itinerary (flight route and flight schedule) for the user U. Examples of the processor 101 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0046] The storage device 102 stores various information. Examples of the storage device 102 include a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0047] The communication interface 103 is communicatively connected to each eVTOL 10 , a terminal installed at each landing site 20 , each user terminal 30 , etc. The processor 101 communicates with each eVTOL 10 , a terminal installed at each landing site 20 , each user terminal 30 , etc. via the communication interface 103 .

[0048] The management program PROG is a computer program executed by the processor 101. The functions of the management system 100 can be realized by the cooperation between the processor 101 executing the management program PROG and the storage device 102. The management program PROG is stored in the storage device 102. Alternatively, the management program PROG can also be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0049] The storage device 102 stores eVTOL management information 110 , take-off and landing site information 120 , user information 130 , itinerary information 140 , a recommended location database 200 , recommended location reservation information 300 , and the like.

[0050] The eVTOL management information 110 is information used to manage each eVTOL 10. For example, the eVTOL management information 110 includes the fuselage ID, location information, performance information, status information, schedule information, etc. of each eVTOL 10. The location information is measured by the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and the altimeter carried by the eVTOL 10, and is sent from the eVTOL 10 to the management system 100. The performance information includes the cruising range, the maximum flight speed, the battery performance, etc. The status information includes the operating status (standby, in flight), the flight speed, etc., and is sent from the eVTOL 10 to the management system 100. The schedule information indicates the flight schedule and flight route of the eVTOL 10.

[0051] The landing and take-off point information 120 is information related to each landing and take-off point 20. For example, the landing and take-off point information 120 includes the ID, location information, facility information, schedule information, etc. of each landing and take-off point 20. The location information (latitude, longitude) of each landing and take-off point 20 is known information. The facility information indicates the presence or absence of charging facilities, the presence or absence of maintenance facilities, etc. The schedule information indicates what kind of eVTOL 10 exists (is available) at each landing and take-off point 20 and when.

[0052] The user information 130 is information related to the flight service user U. For example, the user information 130 includes the user ID of each user U, registration information, reservation information, use history information, and the like.

[0053] The itinerary information 140 is information related to the itinerary of the flight reserved by the user U. For example, the itinerary information 140 includes a itinerary ID, a user ID of the user U, an airframe ID of the eVTOL 10 used, a departure point (a first take-off and landing point 20-1), a destination (a second take-off and landing point 20-2), a flight route, a flight schedule (departure time, arrival time, required time), flight fees, etc. The itinerary information 140 may include a designated recommended location and its reservation time.

[0054] The recommended spot database 200 is the same as that described above (see Figure 2 The recommended spot database 200 is a database storing information of a group of recommended spots recommended by a user group using the flight service. The user terminal 30 sends information related to the recommended spots input by the user U to the management system 100. The processor 101 adds information related to the recommended spots transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the recommended spot database 200.

[0055] The recommended spot reservation information 300 is the same as that described above (see Figure 3). The recommended location reservation information 300 indicates the current reservation status for each recommended location. A target user who wishes to use the flight service can reserve a free time by referring to the recommended location reservation information 300. The user terminal 30 sends information related to the reservation time specified by the target user to the management system 100. The processor 101 allocates the specified reservation time to the target user and updates the recommended location reservation information 300.

[0056] 3. Processing example

[0057] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to flight service reservation. A target user who wishes to use the flight service starts up a flight service application on the user terminal 30.

[0058] In step S110, the processor 101 accepts a flight service request from a target user who wishes to use the flight service. For example, the flight service request includes the desired date of use, the desired departure time, the desired arrival time, the departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1), the destination (take-off and landing point 20-2), etc. The flight service request is equivalent to the search information used by the target user to search for flight services. In more detail, the target user uses the user terminal 30 to input the flight service request. The user terminal 30 sends the input flight service request to the management system 100. The processor 101 of the management system 100 receives the flight service request via the communication interface 103. The processor 101 stores the received flight service request in the storage device 102.

[0059] Furthermore, the processor 101 may accept a reservation from the target user for a recommended spot that the target user wants to visit during the flight (step S115 ).

[0060] For example, the processor 101 extracts recommended location candidates existing in a specified area between the departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1) and the destination (take-off and landing point 20-2) from the recommended location group accumulated in the recommended location database 200. The information of the departure point and the destination is included in the above-mentioned flight service request. The specified area between the departure point and the destination is, for example, an area that can be reached within a certain time from the shortest route between the departure point and the destination. The specified area between the departure point and the destination may be an area within a certain distance from the shortest route between the departure point and the destination. The processor 101 sends the information of the extracted recommended location candidates to the user terminal 30 of the target user via the communication interface 103. The user terminal 30 prompts the recommended location candidates to the target user. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify the recommended location that he or she wants to visit from the recommended location candidates. The user terminal 30 sends the information of the specified recommended location to the management system 100. The processor 101 receives the information of the specified recommended location via the communication interface 103. The processor 101 stores the information of the specified recommended location in the storage device 102.

[0061] As another example, the processor 101 may send information of the recommended location group accumulated in the recommended location database 200 to the user terminal 30 of the target user via the communication interface 103. The user terminal 30 prompts the recommended location group to the target user. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify the recommended location that he or she wants to visit from the recommended location group. The user terminal 30 sends the information of the designated recommended location to the management system 100. The processor 101 receives the information of the designated recommended location via the communication interface 103. Then, the processor 101 may select a departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1) and a destination (take-off and landing point 20-2) that are easy to access to the designated recommended location. The processor 101 stores the information of the departure point, the destination, and the designated recommended location in the storage device 102.

[0062] The recommended location may be a reservation system. In this case, the processor 101 extracts the free time (available time) related to the designated recommended location from the recommended location reservation information 300. The processor 101 sends the information of the free time related to the designated recommended location to the user terminal 30 of the target user via the communication interface 103. The user terminal 30 prompts the target user with the free time related to the designated recommended location. The target user operates the user terminal 30 to specify the desired reservation time from the prompted free time. The user terminal 30 sends the information related to the reservation time specified by the target user to the management system 100. The processor 101 receives the information related to the specified reservation time via the communication interface 103. The processor 101 allocates the specified reservation time to the target user and updates the recommended location reservation information 300.

[0063] In step S120, the processor 101 executes a "trip creation process" to create one or more trips from the departure point (take-off and landing point 20-1) to the destination (take-off and landing point 20-2) in response to the flight service request. For example, the processor 101 selects an eVTOL that can be used at the departure point at the desired departure time on the desired use day based on the eVTOL management information 110 and the take-off and landing point information 120. In addition, the processor 101 obtains the location information of the departure point and the destination based on the take-off and landing point information 120. Moreover, the processor 101 determines one or more flight routes from the departure point to the destination.

[0064] When the target user designates a designated recommended spot, the processor 101 determines one or more flight routes so as to pass through the designated recommended spot.

[0065] When the reservation time for the designated recommended location is assigned to the target user, the processor 101 performs a schedule adjustment process (step S125). In the schedule adjustment process, the processor 101 determines one or more flight schedules in consideration of the reservation time for the designated recommended location assigned to the target user. In more detail, the processor 101 determines one or more flight schedules in such a way that the target eVTOL carried by the target user arrives at the designated recommended location before the reservation time. The processor 101 can determine one or more flight schedules in such a way that the target eVTOL arrives at the designated recommended location at the reservation time without waiting in the air. In the case where the departure time of the target eVTOL needs to be changed from the initial departure time desired by the target user, the processor 101 can provide a discount to the target user via the user terminal 30 of the target user.

[0066] In step S130, the processor 101 prompts the target user with the temporary journey information. The temporary journey information includes the departure place, destination, flight route, flight schedule (departure time, arrival time, required time), information of the target eVTOL, etc. The temporary journey information may include a designated recommended location and its reservation time. The temporary journey information may include cost information. The processor 101 sends the temporary journey information to the user terminal 30 of the target user via the communication interface 103. The user terminal 30 prompts the target user with the temporary journey information.

[0067] In step S140, the target user studies the presented temporary itinerary information to determine whether to confirm the reservation. In the case where multiple itineraries are presented, the target user selects one from the multiple itineraries. For example, the target user makes a judgment and selection based on the required time and the cost. In the case where the target user disagrees with the presented temporary itinerary information, the target user can change the flight service request. In this case, the process returns to step S110.

[0068] When confirming the reservation, the target user uses the user terminal 30 to instruct the reservation confirmation. When multiple itineraries are prompted, the target user specifies one from the multiple itineraries. The user terminal 30 sends a reservation confirmation request to the management system 100. The processor 101 of the management system 100 receives the reservation confirmation request via the communication interface 103. The processor 101 determines the itinerary information related to the target user in response to the reservation confirmation request. In addition, the processor 101 updates the eVTOL management information 110, the take-off and landing site information 120, the user information 130, and the itinerary information 140 based on the itinerary information related to the target user.

Claims

1. A flight service system that provides flight services using eVTOL, wherein: have: 1 or more processors; and One or more storage devices store a database storing information of a group of recommended spots recommended by a user group using the flight service, The one or more processors are configured as follows: acquiring information of a designated recommended spot designated by a target user who wishes to use the flight service from among the recommended spot groups stored in the database, The flight route of the target user is determined in a manner of passing through the designated recommended location.

2. The flight service system according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured as: obtaining information on the departure point and destination specified by the target user, extracting recommended spot candidates existing in a predetermined area between the departure point and the destination from the recommended spot group accumulated in the database, The recommended point candidates are presented to the target user via a user terminal of the target user.

3. The flight service system according to claim 1, wherein: Each recommended location included in the recommended location group is a reservation-based location. The one or more processors are further configured as: obtaining information on a reservation time assigned to the designated recommended spot for the target user, A flight schedule for the target user is determined so that the target eVTOL boarded by the target user arrives at the designated recommended location before the reservation time.

4. The flight service system according to claim 3, wherein: The one or more processors determine the flight schedule of the target user in such a manner that the target eVTOL arrives at the designated recommended location at the scheduled time without waiting in the air.

5. The flight service system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: When it is necessary to change the departure time of the target eVTOL from the departure time desired by the target user, the one or more processors provide the benefit to the target user via the user terminal of the target user.

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