Information notification device and information notification method using weather radar

Abstract

To provide an information notification device and an information notification method using a weather radar, capable of notifying of information about a degree of risk according to a weather phenomenon for a specific region in which a business operator conducts business activities on the basis of data observed by the weather radar.SOLUTION: An information notification device acquires data observed by a weather radar, acquires weather observation data for a target region that is included within an observation range of the weather radar and is preset as a target of information notification for a weather phenomenon, predicts the state of weather that may occur in the target region for the weather phenomenon on the basis of the data observed by the weather radar and the acquired weather observation data for the target region, determines a degree of risk for the predicted state of weather that may occur in the target region, and notifies a user's communication terminal of the information about the determined degree of risk as a screen that shows the target region in a display format corresponding to the degree of risk on an image of a map including the target region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information notification device and an information notification method using a weather radar. [Background technology]

[0002] Several systems and devices have been developed that analyze data observed by weather radar, and when there is a possibility of dangerous weather phenomena such as heavy rain, lightning, wind gusts, or hail occurring within the observation range of the weather radar, notify the user's communication terminal of the possible weather phenomena and the level of danger thereof (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-134062 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-138736 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-101034 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional systems and devices, when data observed by a weather radar is analyzed and, for example, rainfall intensity is notified to a user's communication terminal, the observed raincloud area is displayed as a raincloud image with a hierarchical color according to the rainfall intensity superimposed on a map image including the observation range. The communication terminal shows the current position obtained by its own GPS on the displayed map image, so that the user can know the rainfall intensity at the current position. In addition, conventional systems and devices can also display a raincloud image with predicted rainfall intensity by analyzing other meteorological observation data such as temperature, humidity, wind direction, and wind speed.

[0005] On the other hand, it is desirable for businesses in various industries, such as the national government, local governments, regional public organizations, railway operators, road operators, transport operators, construction operators, and retail sales operators, to be able to take swift measures to prevent their operations from being disrupted by notifying them of specific risk information that could lead to flooding damage, etc., for the specific areas in which they conduct business.

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an information notification device and information notification method using weather radar that can notify a specific area in which a business operator conducts business of information on the level of risk corresponding to meteorological phenomena based on data observed by the weather radar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information notification device using the weather radar according to the embodiment includes: A radar observation data acquisition means for acquiring data observed by a weather radar; a meteorological observation data acquisition means for acquiring meteorological observation data for a target area that is included in the observation range of the weather radar and that is preset as a target for information notification of meteorological phenomena; a weather condition prediction means for predicting a weather condition that may occur in the target area with respect to the weather phenomenon based on the data observed by the weather radar acquired by the radar observation data acquisition means and the weather observation data of the target area acquired by the weather observation data acquisition means; a risk determination means for determining a risk of a weather condition that may occur in the target area predicted by the weather condition prediction means; The device is also equipped with a danger level notification means for notifying a user's communication terminal of information on the danger level determined by the danger level determination means in the form of a screen showing the target area in a display form corresponding to the danger level on an image of a map including the target area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information notification system 1 using a weather radar according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of an information notification server 10 in the information notification system 1 using a weather radar. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram showing an example of target area-specific weather parameter data 12e stored in the information-managing server 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a danger information notification process executed in the information notification server 10 according to a server control program. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing a risk level information notification screen displayed on a user's communication terminal (personal computer 20P) in accordance with the risk information notification process of the information-notifying server 10. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a risk level information notification screen displayed on a user's communication terminal (tablet terminal 20T) in accordance with the risk information notification process of the information notification server 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an information notification device and an information notification method using a weather radar according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information notification system 1 using a weather radar according to an embodiment.

[0011] The information notification system 1 of the embodiment treats a business operator who is the subject of the information notification as a user, and notifies the business operator of information on the degree of danger according to a meteorological phenomenon based on data observed by a weather radar WR for a specific area (target area) in which the business operator is conducting business. The target area includes, for example, a river that is the object of monitoring for the degree of danger of water level, and when the object of monitoring is a river, the target area is the regional range where water flows into the river, that is, the basin of the river.

[0012] The information notification system 1 using a weather radar includes a weather radar WR, an information notification server (information notification device) 10, a database DB, and a user's communication terminal (a personal computer 20P or a tablet terminal 20T) that is communicatively connected via a telecommunications carrier's base station BS.

[0013] The weather radar WR, the information-managing server 10, the database DB, and the base station BS all have a communication function, and are connected to a communication network N such as the Internet.

[0014] As the weather radar WR of the embodiment, for example, a multi-parameter phased array weather radar (MP-PAWR) is used.

[0015] MP-PAWR performs observations in the azimuth direction mechanically by rotating once, and simultaneously or at high speed by electronic scanning in the elevation direction, and performs dense observations of precipitation distribution, mainly consisting of rain clouds, in a three-dimensional space with a radius of 60 km and an altitude of about 15 km without gaps, in a time required of about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Note that the weather radar WR is not limited to MP-PAWR, and may be an X-band MP radar or a large C-band MP radar with an observation range of a radius of 120 km, or a combination of these may be used.

[0016] The database DB stores, for example, current water level data measured by water level gauges installed at multiple points on rivers in various locations within the observation range of the weather radar WR, and current flow rate data measured by flow meters, for each location at a preset time interval and accumulates them in a chronological order. Also, for example, current rainfall (precipitation) data measured by rain gauges in various locations within the observation range is stored, for each location at a preset time interval and accumulates them in a chronological order. Other meteorological observation data may also be stored in the same manner.

[0017] The database DB stores various meteorological observation data including accumulated water level, flow rate, rainfall (precipitation) and the like as statistical data that, for example, associates the water level at each point of each river with a stepwise flood danger water level. Based on such statistical data, it is possible to obtain meteorological observation data for each point related to the water level at a certain point of a river, including the point corresponding to the time when the water level at that point reached the flood danger water level and to any point in the past, and to analyze, for example, the relationship between the meteorological observation data for each point during the process in which the water level at a certain point reaches the flood danger water level.

[0018] In addition, the measuring instruments for meteorological observation data installed in various locations, such as water level gauges, flow meters, and rain gauges, may be those installed by the national government, local governments, meteorological observation companies, etc., and the meteorological observation data from these measuring instruments is obtained via dedicated communication lines or communication network N and stored in the database DB.

[0019] The information notification server (information notification device) 10 has (1) a weather information acquisition function for acquiring data including precipitation distribution observed by a weather radar WR, (2) a precipitation analysis and prediction function for calculating rainfall (precipitation), aerial rainfall, and predicted rainfall at a resolution of, for example, 250 m for a specific area (target area) where a user (business operator) is conducting business based on the data including precipitation distribution acquired by the weather information acquisition function, and for calculating a predicted water level of a monitored object in the target area, for example, a river, based on the calculated rainfall (precipitation) and predicted rainfall data and meteorological observation data for the target area acquired from a database DB, and (3) a risk determination and notification function for determining the risk (low / medium / high) of whether the predicted water level of the monitored object calculated by the precipitation analysis and prediction function has reached a hierarchically defined flood danger water level (for example, low / medium / high) and notifying the risk information to the user's communication terminals 20P, 20T.

[0020] The risk level determination and notification function generates risk level information as an image on a map including the target area, in a display form that allows the target area to be identified according to the risk level, and notifies the user's communication terminal 20P, 20T.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the information notification server 10 of the information notification system 1 using a weather radar.

[0022] The information notification server 10 includes a control unit, ie, a CPU (central processing unit) 11. The CPU 11 controls the operation of each circuit unit according to a server control program prestored in a storage unit 12, or a server control program read from an external storage medium 13 such as a CD-ROM by a storage medium reading unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 12, or a server control program downloaded from a Web server (not shown) on a communication network N (a program server in this case) via a communication unit 15 and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0023] To the CPU 11, in addition to a storage unit 12, a recording medium reading unit 14, and a communication unit 15, an input unit 16 such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and a display unit 17 such as a liquid crystal display are connected.

[0024] The server control programs stored in the memory unit 12 include a server system program 12a that controls the basic operation of the information notification server 10, as well as a weather information acquisition program 12b for causing the CPU 11 to execute the function (1) described above, a precipitation analysis and forecast program 12c for causing the CPU 11 to execute the function (2) described above, and a risk level and judgment notification program 12d for causing the CPU 11 to execute the function (3) described above.

[0025] The storage unit 12 also stores various data including target area weather parameter data 12e, target area display data 12f, and information notification destination data 12g.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the target area-specific weather parameter data 12e stored in the information-managing server 10. As shown in FIG.

[0027] The meteorological parameter data 12e for each target area is data indicating items of meteorological observation parameters required to calculate predicted water levels at points to be monitored in each target area set within the observation range of the weather radar WR based on data observed by the weather radar WR.

[0028] For example, if the monitored object is points a, b, c, ... of the "AB River" and the target area is the "AB River Basin," the meteorological observation parameters required to calculate the predicted water levels at the points a, b, c, ... are the water level, flow rate, etc. of the points a, b, c, ..., and in accordance with the meteorological observation parameters, the necessary meteorological observation data, such as the water level, flow rate, etc. of each of the points a, b, c, ... of the "AB River," is obtained from the database DB.

[0029] In addition, the meteorological parameter data 12e for each target area may store data on flood danger water levels set at points to be monitored for each target area, sorted by risk hierarchy (1: low / 2: medium / 3: high) as 1: ○m / 2: △m / 3: ×m, and the risk may be determined by comparing with the calculated predicted water level.

[0030] In Figure 3, when the monitoring object is the station entrance (water collection point) of the "CD Water Purification Plant" and the target area is the "CD Water Purification Plant," the meteorological observation parameters required to calculate the predicted water level at the station entrance (water collection point) are the water level, flow rate, etc. of the sewer pipes a, b, c, ... In this case, the regional range of the target area "CD Water Purification Plant" is the range that includes the monitoring object "station entrance (water collection point)" and the installation locations of the sewer pipes a, b, c, ... into which sewage flows into the monitoring object "station entrance."

[0031] In addition, if the monitoring target is point c of the AB River, which is directly connected to the flood damage of "EF Subway Station," and the target area is "EF Subway Station," the meteorological observation parameters required to calculate the predicted water level at point c of the AB River are the water level, flow rate, etc. at points a, b, and c of the AB River. In this case, the regional range of the target area "EF Subway Station" is the range that includes the monitoring target "point c of the AB River" and points a, b, and c of the AB River into which water flows into the monitoring target "point c of the AB River." Of course, the target area is not limited to these, and may be, for example, a park, a commercial facility, a construction site, and the like.

[0032] The target area display data 12f is, for example, data of an image of a map including the observation range of the weather radar WR, and includes an image of a frame for identifiably displaying the boundary of the target area on the map.

[0033] The information notification destination data 12g is the communication address of the communication terminal 20P, 20T of the user to which the information is to be notified.

[0034] In the information notification server 10 configured in this manner, the CPU (control unit) 11 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with instructions written in the server control program (including 12a to 12d), and the software and hardware operate in cooperation to realize various functions (including weather information acquisition function, precipitation analysis and prediction function, and risk assessment and notification function) as described in the operation explanation below.

[0035] Next, the operation of the information notification system 1 using the weather radar of the embodiment will be described.

[0036] Here, we will explain the case assuming that the user is a railway operator that owns a railway along the "AB River" and is at risk of being adversely affected (such as flood damage) if the flood danger water level of the "AB River" reaches multiple points a, b, c, ..., and that the target area is the "AB River basin."

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the danger information notification process executed in the information-managing server 10 according to the server control program.

[0038] In the information notification server 10, the CPU 11 acquires data including precipitation distribution corresponding to the observation range of the weather radar WR, which is observed by the weather radar WR and received via the communication network N, at a time interval that is preset according to, for example, the observation time interval of the weather radar WR (approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute) (step S1) <radar observation data acquisition means>.

[0039] Based on data including precipitation distribution observed by the weather radar WR, the CPU 11 calculates the rainfall (precipitation amount), the overhead rainfall, and the predicted rainfall amount corresponding to each point of the monitored object "AB River" in the target area "AB River Basin" (step S2) <weather condition prediction means <first prediction means>>.

[0040] In addition, the CPU 11 acquires meteorological observation data such as water level, flow rate, etc. at each of points a, b, c, ... of the monitored object "AB River" from the database DB in accordance with the items of meteorological observation parameters associated with the target area "AB River Basin" in the meteorological parameter data by target area 12e (see Figure 3) (step S3) <meteorological observation data acquisition means>.

[0041] The CPU 11 calculates the predicted water levels for each of the points a, b, c, ... of the monitored object "AB River" based on the rainfall (precipitation) and predicted rainfall data corresponding to the points a, b, c, ... of the monitored object "AB River" calculated in step S2, and the meteorological observation data such as the water level, flow rate, etc. of each of the points a, b, c, ... of the monitored object "AB River" acquired in step S3 (step S4) <weather condition prediction means <second prediction means>>.

[0042] The CPU 11 compares the predicted water levels for each of the points a, b, c, ... of the monitored object "AB River" calculated in step S4 with the flood danger water levels (1: ○m / 2: △m / 3: ×m) for each danger level hierarchy (1: low / 2: medium / 3: high) associated with the target area "AB River Basin" in the target area-specific meteorological parameter data 12e, and determines the danger of flooding of the monitored object "AB River" (step S5) <danger determination means>.

[0043] In other words, if the predicted water level is below the flood danger level (1: ○ m), the risk is determined to be (0: none); if it is equal to or greater than the flood danger level (1: ○ m) but less than (2: △ m), the risk is determined to be (1: low); if it is equal to or greater than the flood danger level (2: △ m) but less than (3: × m), the risk is determined to be (2: medium); and if it is equal to or greater than the flood danger level (3: × m), the risk is determined to be (3: high) (step S5).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, for example, based on an image of a map including the observation ranges R1 (60 km) and R2 (30 km) of the weather radar WR stored as target area display data 12f and an image of a frame indicating the boundary TT of the target area "AB River Basin" on the map, the CPU 11 generates a danger information notification screen (here, "AB River Basin Danger Information") for identifiably displaying the boundary TT (or the area) in an alert notation AL in a color corresponding to the danger level determined in step S5 (for example, low danger: yellow-green / medium danger: yellow / high danger: red) (step S6).

[0045] On the risk information notification screen, the monitoring target "AB River" KR of the target area "AB River Basin" is also displayed in a identifiable manner by highlighting and displaying in color. Also, on the risk information notification screen, the precipitation area is displayed in a hierarchical manner with a display color of light and shade according to the rainfall intensity (here, [light color: 0.0-1.0-5.0-10.0-20.0-30.0-50.0-80.0-(mm / h): dark color) based on the data including the precipitation distribution observed by the weather radar WR.

[0046] The CPU 11 transmits the generated danger information notification screen (here, "AB River Basin Danger Information") to the user's communication terminal 20P, 20T in accordance with the communication address of the communication terminal 20P, 20T stored in the information notification destination data 12g, and displays it (step S6) <danger notification means>.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a risk level information notification screen displayed on the user's communication terminal (personal computer 20P) in accordance with the risk information notification process of the information-managing server 10. As shown in FIG.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a risk level information notification screen displayed on the user's communication terminal (tablet terminal 20T) in accordance with the risk information notification process of the information-managing server 10. As shown in FIG.

[0049] The risk level information notification screen on the communication terminal (tablet terminal 20T) shown in FIG. 6 shows a state in which the range indicating the boundary TT of the target area "AB river basin" is enlarged and displayed in response to a user operation.

[0050] In addition, in step S2 of the above-mentioned danger information notification process, if the predicted rainfall calculated based on the data observed by the weather radar WR is calculated along with its probability value, and in step S4 the predicted water level of the monitored object is calculated along with its probability value, in step S6, the color of the alert notation AL corresponding to the danger level on the danger level information notification screen displayed on the user's communication terminal 20P, 20T (low danger: yellow-green / medium danger: yellow / high danger: red) may be displayed in a hierarchical manner according to the probability value by, for example, gradually changing the shade.

[0051] Therefore, according to the information notification system 1 using the weather radar of the embodiment, the user, that is, a business operator (here, a railway operator who owns a railway along the "AB River" and who is at risk of being adversely affected (such as flood damage) if the flood danger water level reaches multiple points a, b, c, ... of the "AB River"), can quickly and easily check the danger level of the predicted water levels at "points a, b, c, ... of the AB River," which are monitored in the target area "AB River Basin" in which they carry out their business, through the alert notification AL on the danger level information notification screen notified to the communication terminals 20P, 20T by the information notification server 10, and can take measures in advance to minimize the adverse effects on railway operations.

[0052] Therefore, based on the data observed by the weather radar, it becomes possible to notify information on the degree of danger according to weather phenomena to a specific area in which a business operator is conducting business.

[0053] In the information notification system 1 of the above embodiment, the water level of the monitored object is predicted from the predicted rainfall in the target area based on data including precipitation distribution observed by the weather radar WR and other meteorological observation data related to the target area obtained from the database DB, and risk information of the predicted water level is notified. However, the meteorological phenomenon to be predicted is not limited to this, and the occurrence of lightning or gusts of wind may be predicted and risk information thereof notified using a method similar to that of the above embodiment.

[0054] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1...information notification system using weather radar, 10...information notification server, 11...CPU (control unit), 12b...weather information acquisition program, 12c...precipitation analysis and forecast program, 12d...risk level and judgment notification program, 12e...weather parameter data by target area, 12f...target area display data, 12g...information notification destination data, WR...weather radar, DB...database, 20P, 20T...user's communication terminal, N...communication network, R1, R2...weather radar observation range, TT...area boundary of target area, KR...monitoring target "AB River", AL...alert notation.

Claims

1. A radar observation data acquisition means for acquiring data observed by a weather radar; a meteorological observation data acquisition means for acquiring meteorological observation data for a target area that is included in the observation range of the weather radar and that is preset as a target for information notification of meteorological phenomena; a weather condition prediction means for predicting a weather condition that may occur in the target area with respect to the weather phenomenon based on the data observed by the weather radar acquired by the radar observation data acquisition means and the weather observation data of the target area acquired by the weather observation data acquisition means; a risk determination means for determining a risk of a weather condition that may occur in the target area predicted by the weather condition prediction means; a risk level notifying means for notifying a user's communication terminal of information on the risk level determined by the risk level determining means in the form of a screen showing the target area in a display form corresponding to the risk level on an image of a map including the target area; An information notification device using a weather radar equipped with the above.

2. The danger level notification means displays the boundary of the target area or the inside of the target area in a display form corresponding to the danger level. An information notification device using the weather radar according to claim 1.

3. The danger level notification means displays the boundary of the target area or the inside of the target area in a display color corresponding to the danger level. An information notification device using the weather radar according to claim 2.

4. The weather condition prediction means includes: a first prediction means for predicting a weather condition including at least a precipitation amount in the target area based on the data observed by the weather radar acquired by the radar observation data acquisition means; a second prediction means for predicting a water level at a monitoring target point based on meteorological conditions including at least a precipitation amount predicted by the first prediction means and meteorological observation data including at least a water level at the monitoring target point in the target area acquired by the meteorological observation data acquisition means; having The risk determination means determines the risk of the water level at the monitoring point predicted by the second prediction means.

4. An information notification device using the weather radar according to claim 1.

5. The risk determination means comparing the water level at the monitoring target point predicted by the second prediction means with a flood danger water level hierarchically determined for the monitoring target point, and determining a hierarchical risk level for the monitoring target point; An information notification device using the weather radar according to claim 4.

6. The control unit of the information notification device Obtaining data observed by a weather radar; Obtaining meteorological observation data for a target area that is included in an observation range of the weather radar and that is preset as a target for information notification regarding meteorological phenomena; predicting a weather condition that may occur in the target area with respect to the weather phenomenon based on the data observed by the weather radar and meteorological observation data of the target area; determining a risk of the predicted weather conditions that may occur in the target area; notifying a user's communication terminal of information on the determined degree of danger in the form of a screen showing the target area in a display form corresponding to the degree of danger on an image of a map including the target area; A method of notifying information, including:

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