Loudspeaker system, loudspeaker command device, loudspeaker method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately deliver information about events occurring at a given facility to those outside of the facility.SOLUTION: A loudspeaker system 100 includes: an unmanned aerial vehicle 5 having a loudspeaker 53; an event notification unit 1 that outputs event-related information about an event occurring at a predetermined facility; and a loudspeaker command device 33 that commands the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to fly to a predetermined location outside the predetermined facility and loudly announce the event from the loudspeaker 53 at the predetermined location when the event notification unit 1 detects the output of the event-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a public address system that amplifies information about a specified facility, a public address command device that commands the amplifying of information about a specified facility, a public address method for amplifying information about a specified facility, and a program for causing a computer to execute the public address method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a system that amplifies information about an event (for example, a disaster such as a fire, or an event such as a sale) that occurs in a specific facility such as a specific building, a commercial facility, or an exhibition facility such as a pavilion. For example, there is known a system that outputs an abnormality occurrence signal when an abnormality occurs in equipment included in a building (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-20361 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional public address systems such as those described above can amplify information about an event occurring at a specific facility to people within the facility, but may not be able to amplify sufficient information to people outside the facility, even if they are related to the event.

[0005] For example, if a fire breaks out in a certain facility, a loudspeaker can be used to instruct people in the facility to evacuate, and people can evacuate outside the facility. On the other hand, sufficient information about the fire is not loudly broadcast to people outside the facility where the fire is occurring. As a result, people outside the facility are unable to understand what is happening in the facility and / or are unable to determine what action to take next after evacuating outside the facility.

[0006] It is also possible to use a megaphone or the like to announce the status of an event taking place at a specific facility to people outside the facility. However, in this case, the sound announced by the megaphone or the like may be drowned out by noise outside the facility (e.g., people talking, etc.), and may not be fully conveyed to people outside the facility.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately transmit information regarding an event occurring at a specified facility to outside the specified facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the loudspeaker system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit, an event notification unit that outputs event-related information related to an event occurring at a specified facility, and a loudspeaker command unit that, when it detects the output of the event-related information by the event notification unit, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified location outside the specified facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified location.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a loudspeaker command device that commands an unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit to amplify sound has an information processing unit that, when it detects output of event-related information regarding an event occurring at a specified facility, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified location outside the specified facility and amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified location.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for amplifying sound using an unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit includes the steps of detecting whether event-related information regarding an event occurring at a specified facility has been output, and, when the output of the event-related information is detected, instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified location outside the specified facility and amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified location. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the public address system, public address command device, and public address method according to the present disclosure, an unmanned aerial vehicle is used to provide clear public address over a wide area. In addition, in the present disclosure, when event-related information about an event occurring in a specific facility is output, the unmanned aerial vehicle is commanded to fly to a specific location outside the specific facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the public address unit at the specific location. In this way, when an event occurs in a specific facility, information about the event can be appropriately transmitted to people outside the specific facility where the event occurred. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a public address system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the loudspeaker command device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the unmanned aerial vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sound amplification operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0014] Hereinafter, with regard to events occurring at a specified facility, "an event occurring" shall include cases where the event has already occurred at the current stage (i.e., when the event has occurred) and cases where the event is scheduled to occur in the future.

[0015] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Sound reinforcement system configuration The public address system 100 of the present invention will be described below. The public address system 100 is a system for amplifying a predetermined sound from the sky above a predetermined location using an unmanned aerial vehicle. When an event occurs in a facility managed by the public address system 100, or when an event is scheduled to be held in the facility, the public address system 100 flies the unmanned aerial vehicle to a predetermined location outside the facility and causes the unmanned aerial vehicle to amplify sound related to the event from the sky above the predetermined location. This makes it possible to communicate information about an event that has occurred or is scheduled to occur in the facility to people outside the facility.

[0016] The loudspeaker system 100 can be applied to, for example, buildings (office buildings, apartment complexes, and other collective housing), commercial facilities, pavilions exhibited at expositions, and the like. The loudspeaker system 100 can amplify events that have occurred or are scheduled to occur in, for example, buildings, commercial facilities, and pavilions. "The occurrence of an event" refers to, for example, the occurrence of a disaster such as a fire, the holding of an event such as an exhibition or presentation, the holding of a sale, the occurrence of a specific business-related event, and the like.

[0017] The configuration of the public address system 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the public address system 100. The public address system 100 includes an event notification unit 1 and a parking facility 3. The event notification unit 1 is provided for each facility for which public address will be amplified by the public address system 100, or for a facility that manages multiple facilities for which public address will be amplified. The event notification unit 1 notifies those within the facility of various information related to events that have occurred or are scheduled to occur at the facility.

[0018] The event notification unit 1 has a loudspeaker system 11. The loudspeaker system 11 is a system for loudspeaking within the facility audio related to an event that has occurred / is scheduled to occur there. The loudspeaker system 11 has, for example, a speaker provided on the ceiling or the like within the facility, an audio source that provides the audio to be loudspeaked, and a device that converts the audio provided from the audio source into an audio signal and outputs it to the speaker. The loudspeaker system 11 may also have a device for acquiring the audio to be loudspeaked, such as a microphone.

[0019] When the loudspeaker system 100 loudspeaks information related to a disaster that has occurred at or around the facility, the event notification unit 1 has an alarm facility 13. The alarm facility 13 is a facility that issues an alarm within the facility related to a disaster that has occurred at or around the facility (for example, a fire, an earthquake, heavy rain, a typhoon, etc.). The alarm facility 13 is, for example, a fire alarm that detects a fire and issues an alarm, or a device that collects information related to a disaster from outside and issues an alarm when a disaster occurs.

[0020] When the event notification unit 1 amplifies audio related to an event that has occurred / is scheduled to occur at the facility, or when it issues an alert for a disaster that has occurred at or around the facility, it outputs a signal indicating that the audio has been amplified and the alert has been issued to the outside. Specifically, when the loudspeaker equipment 11 amplifies audio related to an event, it outputs a broadcast signal indicating that the audio has been amplified to the outside. Moreover, when the alert equipment 13 issues an alert for a disaster, it outputs an alert signal indicating that the alert has been issued to the outside.

[0021] The parking facility 3 is provided for each facility that is to be amplified by the loudspeaker system 100, or within an area that includes multiple facilities that are to be amplified within a predetermined range. The parking facility 3 has an aircraft parking spot 31 and a loudspeaker command device 33. The aircraft parking spot 31 is a facility for parking the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that will perform loudspeaker outside the facility. The number of aircraft parking spots 31 provided in the parking facility 3 can be any number. A charging device 35 is provided in the aircraft parking spot 31. The charging device 35 is a device for charging the battery 56 (FIG. 4) of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5.

[0022] The number of unmanned aerial vehicles 5 equipped in the public address system 100 can be any number depending on the number of facilities to be publicized by the public address system 100, the size of the area in which the facilities to be publicized are located, etc.

[0023] The command device 33 is a computer device that includes a CPU, a storage device (RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, etc.), and various interfaces such as a communication interface. The command device 33 is capable of communicating with the event notification unit 1 (the loudspeaker equipment 11, the notification equipment 13) and the unmanned aerial vehicle 5.

[0024] The loudspeaker command device 33 detects whether the event notification unit 1 has made a loudspeaker or an announcement regarding the event, and when the loudspeaker or announcement is detected, issues a command regarding loudspeaker to the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. Specifically, when the loudspeaker command device 33 detects that the loudspeaker equipment 11 of the event notification unit 1 has made an event-related announcement within the facility, or when the announcement equipment 13 has made an announcement regarding a disaster within the facility, the loudspeaker command device 33 commands the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to fly to a specified position outside the facility and loudspeak the sound related to the event at the specified position.

[0025] When the loudspeaker command device 33 receives a broadcast signal from the loudspeaker equipment 11 indicating that an event has been loudspeaked, or when it receives a disaster-related notification signal from the notification equipment 13, it can detect that an event has been loudspeaked or notified in the event notification unit 1. In this case, the above-mentioned broadcast signal and notification signal can be called event-related information regarding an event that has occurred / is scheduled to occur in the facility.

[0026] Furthermore, the loudspeaker command device 33 monitors the loudspeaker equipment 11 and the notification equipment 13, and can directly detect that the event notification unit 1 has made a loudspeaker or notified about the event. Specifically, for example, the loudspeaker command device 33 analyzes the contents of the loudspeaker made by the loudspeaker equipment 11, and when the analysis result shows that the contents of the loudspeaker relate to an event, it can detect that the event notification unit 1 has made a loudspeaker about the event. Furthermore, for example, the loudspeaker command device 33 analyzes the contents of the notification made by the notification equipment 13, and when the analysis result shows that the contents of the notification relate to a disaster that has actually occurred (not a training or the like), it can detect that the event notification unit 1 has made a notification about the event.

[0027] In the above case, the public address regarding the event made by the public address system 11 and the announcement regarding the event made by the announcement system 13 can be called event-related information regarding the event that has occurred / is scheduled to occur in the facility.

[0028] 1-2. Configuration of the public address system The configuration of the loudspeaker command device 33 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the loudspeaker command device 33. The loudspeaker command device 33 has an information processing unit 331, a communication unit 333, and a storage unit 335.

[0029] The information processing unit 331 is configured by the CPU of the loudspeaker command device 33, and executes various controls and information processing in the loudspeaker system 100. When the information processing unit 331 detects the output of the above-mentioned event-related information, it commands the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to fly to a predetermined position outside the facility and loudspeak sound related to the event at the predetermined position.

[0030] The information processing unit 331 also manages the facilities for which sound amplification is performed by the sound amplification system 100, and manages the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 equipped in the sound amplification system 100. The information processing unit 331 manages the facilities and the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, for example, using information on the facilities for which sound amplification is performed and information on the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The information on the facilities includes, for example, the identification number of each facility and the location of each facility (for example, address, latitude and longitude, etc.). The information on the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 includes, for example, the identification information of each unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and the status of each unmanned aerial vehicle 5 (sound amplification command possible, sound amplification in progress, charging, broken, etc.). The information on the facilities and the information on the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 are stored in the memory unit 335.

[0031] The information processing unit 331 realizes the above-mentioned various controls and information processing by executing various programs stored in the storage device of the loudspeaker command device 33.

[0032] The communication unit 333 is configured by a communication interface of the loudspeaker command device 33, and communicates with the loudspeaker command device 33 and the outside (the event notification unit 1, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5). The communication unit 333 is, for example, an interface for communication by wired or wireless LAN (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface). In addition, the communication unit 333 may be an interface for communication using a speaker line, a dedicated line, etc., a wireless communication such as a radio-controlled radio, a telemeter / telecontrol radio, a 2.4 GHz band data communication radio, or a radio for transmitting images of an unmanned mobile object, or an interface for communication using a mobile line (4G, 5G, etc.). As a result, the loudspeaker command device 33 can be connected to the event notification unit 1 and the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 using a wired or wireless LAN, a speaker line, a dedicated line, the above-mentioned wireless communication, a mobile line (4G, 5G, etc.), etc.

[0033] For example, when one parking facility 3 is installed within an area including multiple facilities that are the target of loudspeaker broadcasting, i.e., when an unmanned aerial vehicle 5 belonging to the parking facility 3 is responsible for loudspeaker broadcasting in an area including multiple facilities, communication between the event notification unit 1 and the loudspeaker command device 33 may be performed via a management server connected to an Internet line.

[0034] The communication unit for communicating with the event notification unit 1 and the communication unit for communicating with the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may be a common communication interface, or may be separate communication interfaces. When separate communication interfaces are provided, the loudspeaker command device 33 and the event notification unit 1 can be connected using a wired LAN, a speaker line, or a dedicated line, and the loudspeaker command device 33 and the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 can be connected using wireless communication such as radio control radio, telemeter / telecontrol radio, 2.4 GHz band data communication radio, or unmanned mobile vehicle image transmission radio, or a mobile line.

[0035] The storage unit 335 is configured by a storage device of the loudspeaker command device 33, and stores various settings, parameters, data, and programs executed by the information processing unit 331 related to the loudspeaker system 100. The storage unit 335 stores the route data D1 and the loudspeaker data D2.

[0036] The route data D1 is data representing a route from the parking facility 3 to a location where the amplified speech is to be performed when the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is to be made to make amplified speech. The route data D1 is, for example, data including the coordinate points (latitude, longitude) of the location where the amplified speech is to be performed. The route data D1 may also be data representing a flight route from the parking facility 3 to that location. As will be described later, there are multiple types of amplified speech and notifications related to events, i.e., there are multiple types of event-related information, and the flight route of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is set according to the type of event-related information. Therefore, multiple types of route data D1 are stored in the memory unit 335.

[0037] The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may not only fly according to the route data D1, but may also fly according to the operation of the user of the loudspeaker system 100, without relying on the route data D1. In other words, the user may be able to set the flight route of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 as appropriate. This allows the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to be placed in a more appropriate position.

[0038] The amplified sound data D2 is audio data representing audio content that is desired to be amplified by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The amplified sound data D2 can be data in a predetermined format, such as MP3. As described above, there are multiple types of event-related information, and different contents are amplified depending on the type of event-related information. Therefore, multiple types of amplified sound data D2 are stored in the memory unit 335.

[0039] The amplified data D2 can be generated, for example, by converting content input as text into audio data using a program that converts text into audio data. The amplified data D2 can also be generated by recording human voice as audio data. The amplified data D2 may contain data representing audio content in Japanese and data representing audio content in a language other than Japanese. The information processing unit 331 may have a function of translating audio content in a predetermined language included in the amplified data D2 into another language to generate new amplified data.

[0040] The loudspeaker data D2 is not limited to data stored in the storage unit 335, and may be acquired from an external database or server via the communication unit 333.

[0041] Furthermore, the audio data to be amplified by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may be, for example, audio data obtained by converting a voice uttered by a user or the like into an external microphone or the like. This allows the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to amplified information uttered by a user or the like in real time according to the situation.

[0042] The storage unit 335 further stores a loudspeaker command table T. The loudspeaker command table T stores, in association with each other, the type of detected event-related information, information on route data D1 representing the flight route of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 when the event-related information was detected (e.g., information for identifying the route data D1, such as an identification number or a file name), and information on loudspeaker data D2 to be louded by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 when the event-related information was detected (e.g., information for identifying the loudspeaker data D2, such as an identification number or a file name).

[0043] When the information processing unit 331 detects the output of event-related information, it refers to the amplification command table T to determine the type of event-related information detected, and accordingly determines the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and the content to be amplified by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5.

[0044] The command device 33 may have an input device for inputting various information. The input device is, for example, a microphone, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. This allows various information to be input to the command device 33 using the input device, and various commands to be issued.

[0045] The loudspeaker command device 33 may have a display device that displays various information. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. This allows the user to visually check the contents displayed on the display device and to check the status of the loudspeaker command device 33 and the loudspeaker system 100.

[0046] 1-3. Configuration of unmanned aerial vehicles Next, the configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is an unmanned aircraft that can be remotely controlled, and performs flight operations such as ascending, moving forward, rotating, and descending in response to flight instructions from a loudspeaker command device 33. The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is, for example, a drone.

[0047] The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 comprises a main body 5a, a plurality of arms 5b extending horizontally radially from the main body 5a, a plurality of legs 5c extending downward, and rotors 51 attached to the upper end of each leg 5c.

[0048] The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 flies using lift generated by rotating the rotors 51 using the rotation of the motor 52. The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 also generates a reaction by changing the rotation direction of some of the rotors 51, preventing the main body 5a itself from rotating.

[0049] A loudspeaker unit 53 is attached to the main body 5a of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 facing downward. The loudspeaker unit 53 is, for example, a speaker, and amplifies sound while the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is flying. The angle of the loudspeaker unit 53 can be changed in the up and down directions indicated by the arrows by a direction control mechanism 53a. This allows the direction in which the loudspeaker unit 53 amplifies sound to be changed downward or forward and backward.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is equipped with a sensor group 54, a GPS receiver 55, a battery 56, a wireless communication device 57, a memory device 58, and a control device 59 as components for flight.

[0051] The sensor group 54 includes an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor for detecting acceleration and angular velocity for controlling the attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, an air pressure sensor for detecting the altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, and a geomagnetic sensor for detecting the direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The GPS receiver 55 includes an antenna and a signal processing unit, and receives signals from GPS satellites to detect the position information of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The battery 56 stores the power required for the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and supplies it to each part. The wireless communication device 57 includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with an external device (loudspeaker command device 33). The storage device 58 is, for example, a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory. The ROM and flash memory store programs, parameters, etc. used by the control device 59.

[0052] The control device 59 is configured with a CPU and the like, and functions as an arithmetic processing device and control device of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. The control device 59 controls the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 according to various programs. Specifically, the control device 59 controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 by controlling the number of rotations and the rotation speed of the motor 52 according to the route data D1 received from the loudspeaker command device 33. In addition, the control device 59 acquires the inclination and rotation direction of the main body 5a based on the output data of the above-mentioned sensor group 54 and GPS receiver 55, acquires position information including latitude and longitude during flight, altitude, and azimuth angle of the main body 5a, and controls the motor 52 based on these to control the position, attitude, etc. of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5.

[0053] The control device 59 controls the loudspeaker unit 53 to loudspeak the loudspeaker data D2 received from the loudspeaker command device 33 via the wireless communication device 57. The control device 59 controls the direction control mechanism 53a so as to orient the loudspeaker unit 53 in a desired direction.

[0054] The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may also have a camera that captures images of the surroundings of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. In this case, the control device 59 can transmit the video and images captured by the camera to the loudspeaker command device 33. The loudspeaker command device 33 can determine the situation around the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 based on the video and images, and can issue commands to the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 depending on the determined situation. The control device 59 can also control the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 based on the video and images acquired by the camera.

[0055] The unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may have a sound collection device such as a microphone that collects sounds around the unmanned aerial vehicle 5. In this case, the control device 59 can transmit the voice data collected by the sound collection device to the loudspeaker command device 33. The loudspeaker command device 33 can determine the situation around the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 based on this voice data, and can also issue commands to the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 depending on the determined situation. The control device 59 can also control the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 based on the voice data collected by the sound collection device.

[0056] 1-4. Operation of the public address system Hereinafter, the sound amplification operation using the sound amplification system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the sound amplification operation. First, the information processing unit 331 of the sound amplification command device 33 detects whether or not there has been output of event-related information regarding an event occurring in a facility to be amplified by the sound amplification system 100 (step S1).

[0057] Specifically, when the information processing unit 331 receives a broadcast signal from the loudspeaker equipment 11 of the event notification unit 1 or an alarm signal from the alarm equipment 13 via the communication unit 333, it can detect that event-related information has been output in the event notification unit 1.

[0058] In addition, the information processing unit 331 can detect that event-related information has been output by the event notification unit 1 when it monitors the loudspeaker equipment 11 and detects that the loudspeaker equipment 11 has made a sound within the facility, and when it monitors the alarm equipment 13 and detects that the alarm equipment 13 has made a disaster-related alarm within the facility.

[0059] If the output of the event-related information has not been detected ("No" in step S1), the information processing unit 331 waits until the output of the event-related information is detected. In this case, the information processing unit 331 may execute other processes related to the loudspeaker system 100.

[0060] On the other hand, when the output of event-related information is detected ("Yes" in step S1), the information processing unit 331 determines the type of the detected event-related information, i.e., the content of the event amplified within the facility by the loudspeaker equipment 11 and the content of the disaster-related notification within the facility by the notification equipment 13 (step S2). The information processing unit 331 can determine the type of event-related information based on, for example, the type of broadcast signal and / or notification signal received from the event notification unit 1 (e.g., signal waveform, output pattern, etc.) and information indicating the content of the event included in the broadcast signal and notification signal (e.g., event identification number).

[0061] In addition, the information processing unit 331 can determine the type of event-related information output by the event notification unit 1 by analyzing the voice amplified by the loudspeaker equipment 11 and the notification output by the notification equipment 13 and determining the content of the event that was amplified / notified.

[0062] After determining the type of event-related information, the information processing unit 331 determines the position (referred to as the amplified position) at which the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 is to make amplified sound, and the amplified sound content to be made by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, based on the determined type of event-related information (step S3). Specifically, the information processing unit 331 can refer to the amplified sound command table T and determine the route data D1 associated with the determined type of event-related information as the flight route of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 from the parking lot 31 to the amplified sound position. Furthermore, the information processing unit 331 can determine the amplified sound data D2 associated with the determined type of event-related information in the amplified sound command table T as the audio data to be made by the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to make amplified sound.

[0063] The information processing unit 331 can determine the loudspeaker position based on information about the facility and its surroundings (e.g., the number of floors and emergency exits of the facility, surrounding information, weather, wind speed and direction, etc.). In this case, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may, for example, fly according to the route data D1 and arrive at the target position, and then move further to the loudspeaker position determined as described above.

[0064] Furthermore, when multiple types of sound are to be amplified, that is, when there are multiple pieces of sound data D2 to be amplified, the information processing unit 331 may determine the order in which to amplified the different sound contents based on information about the facility and its surroundings.

[0065] The information processing unit 331 may issue a command to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 in response to an operation by a user, etc. For example, the information processing unit 331 may notify the user, etc. of information about the location where the event occurred (e.g., the address, map, etc. of the location), and the user, etc. may fly the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 based on the information.

[0066] After determining the amplification position and content, the information processing unit 331 checks the status of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, and transmits the route data D1 determined in step S3 to an unmanned aerial vehicle 5 capable of amplification (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that is not broken and is not performing other amplification), and commands it to fly up to the sky above the amplification position determined in step S3 (step S4). The control device 59 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that receives the route data D1 controls the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 according to the received route data D1 or an operation by a user or the like, and flies the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 up to the sky above the amplification position.

[0067] Thereafter, the information processing unit 331 checks whether the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 has reached the sky above the amplified position (step S5). For example, when a notification is received from the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that flight according to the route data D1 has ended, or when a flight operation by a user or the like has ended, the information processing unit 331 can determine that the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 has reached the sky above the amplified position. In addition, the information processing unit 331 can receive the current position of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 acquired by the GPS receiver 55 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, and when the received current position matches the amplified position, can determine that the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 has reached the sky above the amplified position.

[0068] If the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 has not yet reached the loudspeaker position ("No" in step S5), the information processing unit 331 waits until the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 reaches the loudspeaker position. In this case, the information processing unit 331 may execute other processes related to the loudspeaker system 100.

[0069] On the other hand, if the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 has reached the amplification position ("Yes" in step S5), the information processing unit 331 transmits the amplification data D2 determined in step S3 to the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, and commands it to amplify the amplification data D2 above the amplification position determined in step S3 (step S6). The control device 59 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that has received the amplification data D2 can amplify the content indicated in the amplification data D2 by outputting the received amplification data D2 from the amplification unit 53.

[0070] The timing of amplifying the amplified data D2 may differ depending on the type of event-related information, the content of the amplified data, etc. For example, there may be cases where it is desired to amplify the data immediately after the event-related information is output. Alternatively, there may be cases where it is desired to amplify the data when the situation of the event changes after the event-related information is output, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the event-related information. Such timing of amplifying the data may be adjusted, for example, by the timing of transmitting the amplifying data D2 from the information processing unit 331. Alternatively, the control device 59 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 that receives the amplifying data D2 may determine the timing of amplifying the data.

[0071] Furthermore, when the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 reaches the voice amplification position, the information processing unit 331 may command the user or the like to speak the content to be amplified. When this command is given, the user or the like speaks the content to be amplified into a microphone or the like, and the information processing unit 331 can receive the voice data acquired by the microphone or the like and amplify the received voice data. In this case, it is not necessary to determine the voice amplification data D2 to be amplified in the above step S3.

[0072] If the loudspeaker operation is to be continued after the loudspeaker data D2 is amplified ("No" in step S7), the above steps S1 to S6 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the loudspeaker operation is to be ended ("Yes" in step S7), for example, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 in flight is flown to the parking lot 31, and after the unmanned aerial vehicle is parked at the parking lot 31, the loudspeaker operation is ended.

[0073] By executing the above-mentioned sound amplification operation in the sound amplification system 100, the following sound amplification can be performed.

[0074] For example, if a fire breaks out in a facility that is the subject of a public address system 100, the public address system 11 and / or the notification system 13 will issue a public address / notification regarding the fire within the facility, and output event-related information such as "fire breaks out." After this, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 will fly up to an evacuation site outside the facility where people in the facility are to evacuate, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the public address / notification regarding the fire was issued (at a time when it can be determined that people have evacuated from the facility), it will issue a public address saying, "Please evacuate to ■■ Park in the direction of ●● Station," or "Those who have evacuated from the facility, please follow this unmanned aerial vehicle." This allows people who have evacuated from the facility to be guided to a more appropriate evacuation site.

[0075] In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sound / alert regarding the fire was made and the event-related information "fire has broken out" was output, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 can sound out in the air above the evacuation site messages such as "The managers of each department should take a head count and report to the head of the self-defense fire brigade", "The fire brigade will be on its way soon, so please wait without worry", and "Please wait here until the next announcement", for example, to people who have evacuated to the roof of a facility and are in a situation where they cannot evacuate further on their own. This allows people who have evacuated from the facility to feel at ease, as they can properly grasp the situation regarding the fire that has broken out in the facility.

[0076] For example, if a fire breaks out in a facility that is the subject of a public address system 100, and a public address / notification regarding the fire is made within the facility, event-related information "fire breaks out" is output. After that, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 flies outside the facility to the sky above the periphery of the facility, and can then issue a public address message saying "There is a fire in this facility, so please do not enter," or "There is currently a fire in this facility. Please detour in the direction ▼▲ and do not pass through the vicinity of this facility." This allows people in the vicinity of the facility to understand that there is a fire in the facility and it is dangerous to approach.

[0077] For example, if a fire breaks out in a facility that is the target of public address system 100, but the fire is extinguished, public address / alert regarding the extinguishing of the fire is made within the facility, and event-related information "fire extinguished" is output. After this, unmanned aerial vehicle 5 can make a public announcement above an evacuation site outside the facility where people in the facility are evacuating, saying "The fire has been extinguished, so the evacuation alert has been lifted." This allows people who have evacuated from the facility to understand that the fire has been extinguished.

[0078] For example, if an event such as a sale or an exhibition is being held in a facility to be amplified by the public address system 100, and public address related to the event is being amplified within the facility, event-related information such as "event in progress" is output. After this, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 flies up to the sky surrounding the facility and can amplify information such as "●● department store is currently holding an □△ exhibition", "×◇'s work is being exhibited for the first time in Japan", and "□〇 store is holding a huge summer sale. We have a wide selection of products at a special corner on the third floor at up to 40% off". This allows people around the facility to know that an event is being held in a nearby facility.

[0079] For example, when a child gets lost in a facility where the public address system 100 is used to amplify a message, and a message about the lost child is sent out within the facility, event-related information "child lost" is output. After this, the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 flies up to the sky around the facility and can amplify a message at that location saying, "We have an announcement about a lost child. A boy around 4 years old wearing a red T-shirt and blue shorts is being looked after at the reception desk on the first floor of the ●● department store." This allows people around the facility (for example, a parent who has gone outside the facility without noticing that the child is lost) to know that a child has gotten lost within the facility.

[0080] For example, if an event such as an exhibition is scheduled to be held in the future at a facility that is the target of public address system 100, and public address related to the event is made within the facility, event-related information such as "Event to be held" is output. After this, unmanned aerial vehicle 5 can fly up to the sky surrounding the facility and, at that position, can publicly announce, "At ●●, we are planning to hold △□ exhibition from ○ month × day. Please come and visit." This allows people around the facility to know that a future event is scheduled to be held at a nearby facility.

[0081] 2. Other embodiments As described above, one embodiment has been described as an example of the technology in the present disclosure. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately performed. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment to create a new embodiment. For example, the following embodiment is possible.

[0082] (1) Depending on information from the camera, sound collection device, etc. of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5, the contents of the amplified voice data D2 may be appropriately changed, or further data may be added to the amplified voice data D2 for amplified voice. This operation can be executed by the information processing unit 331 of the amplified voice command device 33 and / or the control device 59 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5.

[0083] For example, if it is determined from information from cameras, sound collection devices, etc. that people are crowded around the facility, it can guide them to an open evacuation route. For example, if it is determined from information from cameras, sound collection devices, etc. that people have stopped standing around the facility or that someone has collapsed around the facility, it can amplify the voice to call an ambulance.

[0084] For example, the flow of people around a facility can be detected from information from cameras, sound collection devices, etc., and based on the detected flow of people, it can be determined whether the detected person is someone who has evacuated from the facility or someone who happened to be around the facility, and the amplification data D2 to be amplified can be determined.

[0085] (2) When an event occurring in a facility is detected by a sensor (e.g., a surveillance camera, a microphone, etc.) installed inside or outside the facility, the content of the amplified data D2 may be appropriately changed, or further data may be added to the amplified data D2 and amplified.

[0086] (3) Amplification within the facility may be performed based on information from sensors (e.g., cameras, sound collection devices, etc.) of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and information from sensors installed outside the facility (e.g., surveillance cameras, microphones, etc.). For example, the information processing unit 331 may determine the situation outside the facility based on information from the sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and information from sensors installed outside the facility, transmit audio data representing the content based on this determination result to the audio amplification equipment 11, and the audio amplification equipment 11, which receives the audio data, may amplify the sound within the facility.

[0087] For example, if information from the sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 and sensors installed outside the facility indicates that there are a lot of people outside the facility, a message can be broadcast to people outside the facility saying "Please wait inside the facility," and a message can be broadcast to people inside the facility saying "People are flowing in from outside the facility."

[0088] In this way, by broadcasting appropriate information both inside and outside the facility according to the situation inside and outside the facility, the loudspeaker system 100 can prevent secondary accidents, such as people spilling out of the facility and falling.

[0089] (4) For example, a facility manager may possess a device capable of outputting sound (e.g., a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal) and may be able to change the flight target position (route data D1) of the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 in the loudspeaker operation and the loudspeaker content (loudspeaker data D2) based on the sound content output using the device. This allows the manager to use the unmanned aerial vehicle 5 as a substitute for a megaphone.

[0090] (5) In response to one piece of event-related information, multiple unmanned aerial vehicles 5 may cooperate to amplify different contents. For example, it may be determined in advance which amplifying location and / or what type of amplifying information each of the multiple unmanned aerial vehicles 5 will amplify, and when a certain piece of event-related information is output, each unmanned aerial vehicle 5 may amplify the predetermined contents at the predetermined amplifying location. This allows, for example, one unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to exclusively amplify the information encouraging evacuation at an evacuation site in a facility, and another unmanned aerial vehicle 5 to exclusively amplify the information instructing people to the evacuation site at predetermined locations around the facility and / or along the evacuation route.

[0091] Each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices. Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in the one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0092] In the above embodiments, the term "device" or "system" includes cases where it means a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), regardless of whether the components are in the same housing. In addition, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device in which multiple modules are housed in a single housing, may both be called a system.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the control unit or control device of each device or equipment may include a processor configured with a dedicated electronic circuit designed to realize a predetermined function according to the function required for each device or equipment. The control unit or control device may be realized by various processors or electronic circuits such as a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, an ASIC, etc. The control unit or control device may be configured with one or more processors.

[0094] Part or all of the memory unit or storage device of each device or equipment may be composed of any computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disk, magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, HDD, SD card, SSD, etc., depending on the functions required for each device or equipment.

[0095] The various programs that operate the above-mentioned loudspeaker system 100 are not limited to those recorded on a recording medium, but may be obtained via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, or the like.

[0096] Each process in the above-described embodiment may be realized by hardware or software (including the case where it is realized together with an OS (operating system), middleware, or a predetermined library). Furthermore, each process may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0097] The order of operations of the system, device or equipment in the above embodiments is not necessarily limited to that described in the above embodiments, and the order of operations can be changed or multiple operations can be executed simultaneously without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0098] 3. Features The above embodiment can also be described as follows. (1) A public address system (e.g., public address system 100) includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicle 5) having a public address unit (e.g., public address unit 53), an event notification unit (e.g., event notification unit 1) that outputs event-related information regarding an event occurring in a specified facility, and a public address command unit (e.g., public address command device 33) that, when it detects the output of the event-related information by the event notification unit, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified position outside the specified facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the public address unit at the specified position.

[0099] In the above-mentioned public address system, the unmanned aerial vehicle is used to provide clear public address over a wide area. When event-related information about an event occurring at a specific facility is outputted from the public address command device of the public address system, the public address command device commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specific location outside the specific facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the public address unit at the specific location. In this way, when an event occurs at a specific facility, information about the event can be properly conveyed to people outside the specific facility where the event occurred.

[0100] (2) In the public address system of (1) above, there may be multiple types of event-related information. In this case, the public address command unit may command the unmanned aerial vehicle to amplify information according to the type of event-related information. This allows information according to an event that has occurred at the facility to be amplified for people outside the facility. As a result, information about the event can be appropriately conveyed to people outside the facility.

[0101] (3) In the public address system of (1) or (2) above, the event-related information may be information about a disaster that has occurred at a specific facility or in its surroundings. This allows information about a disaster that has occurred at a specific facility or in its surroundings to be appropriately communicated to people outside the facility.

[0102] (4) In the loudspeaker system of (3) above, the event notification unit may include an alarm device (e.g., alarm device 13) that notifies of a disaster that occurs at a specific facility or in its surroundings. This makes it possible to notify of a disaster that occurs at the facility or in its surroundings.

[0103] (5) In any of the loudspeaker systems (1) to (4) above, the event notification unit may include loudspeaker equipment (e.g., loudspeaker equipment 11) that broadcasts information about events in a specific facility. This makes it possible to broadcast information about various events, including disasters.

[0104] (6) The loudspeaker command device (e.g., loudspeaker command device 33) is a device that commands an unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicle 5) having a loudspeaker unit (e.g., loudspeaker unit 53) to make loud noises. The loudspeaker command device has an information processing unit (e.g., information processing unit 331) that, when it detects output of event-related information about an event occurring in a specified facility, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified position outside the specified facility and to loudspeak sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified position.

[0105] The above-mentioned loudspeaker command device uses an unmanned aerial vehicle to provide clear loudspeakers over a wide area. When the information processing unit outputs event-related information about an event occurring in a specified facility, the information processing unit commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified location outside the specified facility and loudspeak the sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified location. This allows information about an event occurring in a specified facility to be properly transmitted to people outside the specified facility where the event occurred.

[0106] (7) A method for amplifying sound using an unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicle 5) having a loudspeaker unit (e.g., loudspeaker unit 53) includes a step of detecting whether event-related information regarding an event occurring at a specified facility has been output (e.g., step S1), and, if the output of the event-related information is detected, a step of instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified position outside the specified facility and amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified position (e.g., steps S2 to S7).

[0107] In the above-mentioned sound amplification method, the unmanned aerial vehicle is used to perform clear sound amplification over a wide area. Also, when event-related information about an event occurring in a specified facility is output, the unmanned aerial vehicle is commanded to fly to a specified position outside the specified facility and amplify sound related to the event from the sound amplifier at the specified position. In this way, when an event occurs in a specified facility, information about the event can be properly transmitted to people outside the specified facility where the event occurred. [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] The present disclosure is broadly applicable to the amplification of information relating to a given facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 100: Public address system 1: Event notification section 11: Public address system 13: Notification equipment 3: Parking facilities 31: Tarmac 33: Public address system 331: Information Processing Department 333: Communications Department 335: Storage section D1: Route data D2: Amplification data T: Public address table 35: Charging device 5: Unmanned aerial vehicle 5a: Main body 5b: Arm 5c: Legs 51: Rotor 52: Motor 53: Public address section 53a: Directional control mechanism 54: Sensor group 55: GPS receiver 56: Battery 57: Wireless communication equipment 58:Storage device 59: Control device

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit; an event notification unit that outputs event-related information regarding an event occurring in a predetermined facility; a loudspeaker command unit that, when detecting an output of the event-related information by the event notification unit, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a predetermined position outside the predetermined facility and to loudspeak the sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the predetermined position; A public address system comprising:

2. There are multiple types of the event-related information, The public address system according to claim 1 , wherein the public address command unit commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to make a public announcement according to a type of the event-related information.

3. The loudspeaker system according to claim 1 , wherein the event-related information is information relating to a disaster that has occurred in or around the specified facility.

4. The loudspeaker system according to claim 3 , wherein the event notification unit includes an alarm device that notifies a disaster occurring in the predetermined facility or in the vicinity thereof.

5. The loudspeaker system according to claim 1 , wherein the event notification unit includes loudspeaker equipment for broadcasting information about the event within the predetermined facility.

6. A loudspeaker command device that commands an unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit to make a loudspeaker, and an information processing unit that, when detecting an output of event-related information related to an event occurring in a specified facility, commands the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a specified position outside the specified facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the specified position. Public address system.

7. A method for amplifying sound using an unmanned aerial vehicle having a loudspeaker unit, comprising: detecting whether event-related information relating to an event occurring in a predetermined facility has been output; a step of instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle, when the output of the event-related information is detected, to fly to a predetermined position outside the predetermined facility and to amplify sound related to the event from the loudspeaker unit at the predetermined position; A sound amplification method comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the sound amplification method according to claim 7.

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