Drone capable of selectively performing remote operation and autonomous navigation to fly toward target

Abstract

To provide a novel technology for navigating a drone toward a target.SOLUTION: A drone 200 that selectively performs remote operation and autonomous navigation to fly toward a target is disclosed. The drone 200 includes a controller 202, a communication device 204, a receiver 210, and a camera 220. The controller 202 selectively performs remote operation of remotely operating navigation of the drone 200 in accordance with an instruction from an administrative server 50 managed or administered by an administrative center 40 and autonomous navigation of navigating the drone 200 based on an intensity of radio waves received by the receiver 210 from a transmitter 32 on the target side. The communication device 204 transmits to the administrative server 50 image pickup data representing an image picked up by the camera 220, so that an operator of the administrative center 40 remotely monitors a situation of a location of the target through the camera 220. The camera 220 is remotely operated by the administrative server 50 through the controller 202.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for determining whether a pedestrian's walking state is abnormal, a technology for guiding a pedestrian during walking using the pedestrian's communication terminal, a technology for searching for a person in distress, a technology for searching for a target, Pedestrian and a technology for rescuing a pedestrian who has encountered distress during walking by using the communication terminal of a companion who is traveling with the pedestrian. or a technology for flying a drone towards a target It relates to.

Background Art

[0002] A technology for guiding a pedestrian during walking by using a communication terminal of the pedestrian and a transmitter installed on a walking route has already been proposed.

[0003] As this type of technology, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a mountain climbing information relay system. In this system, a plurality of short-range wireless communication devices (transmitter + receiver) are arranged side by side along a mountain climbing route. The mountain climbing server receives route information from the user terminal, and based on this, each short-range wireless communication device transmits necessary update information to the user terminal. The mountain climbing server transmits update information to each short-range wireless communication device over a long distance via the user terminal. Each short-range wireless communication device receives the update information from the user terminal and updates the information to be transmitted to the user terminal based on this.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which a plurality of wireless tags (transmitters) are installed on the way to school for students, each student is made to carry a portable reader (portable terminal with a reading function) that receives from each wireless tag at a short distance, and the actual movement route of each student is tracked by the portable reader.

[0005] In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a patient abnormality notification system. This system includes a portable transmitter worn by each patient, a plurality of receivers installed at multiple locations in the ward, and a centralized monitoring device installed at each floor's nurse station. The transmitter is equipped with an acceleration sensor, which determines whether an abnormality in the physical state of the patient has occurred. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, this is transmitted to the centralized monitoring device via the receiver. The receiver has a receiving unit that receives signals from the transmitter and a transmitting unit that transmits the received signals to the centralized monitoring device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In recent years, mountain climbing has attracted attention as a leisure activity and sport, and in fact, the number of climbers is increasing. Among climbers, there are both experienced and inexperienced ones. Also, not only inexperienced climbers but also experienced climbers, when climbing an unexperienced mountain, may fall into an unexpected situation such as getting lost (for example, deviating from the regular route) due to the psychological phenomenon of normality bias occurring even in a situation where some damage is expected.

[0008] However, in the conventional technologies described above, the climber himself / herself who may be in a psychologically panicked state has to make judgments such as whether he / she is lost, whether there is a risk of getting lost, decisions on actions to avoid getting lost, and whether he / she has actually gotten lost.

[0009] Therefore, with this conventional technology, it is impossible to assist the climber himself / herself in calmly judging whether he / she has lost his / her way before getting into trouble, in calmly judging the presence or absence of the risk of getting into trouble, or in appropriately selecting actions to avoid getting into trouble when there is a risk of getting into trouble.

[0010] The problem of route deviation, where a pedestrian deviates from the regular route, can also occur in activities other than mountain climbing. For example, it can occur when a pedestrian walks in an environment where it is easy to lose one's sense of direction, such as a natural environment like a forest or a grassland, when walking along a guided path in an unfamiliar factory, or when a pedestrian himself / herself is inexperienced, such as a child or an elderly person, when walking to school or on a walking path.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a pedestrian abnormality determination technology that detects that a pedestrian's walking state is abnormal during walking and conveys the result to the pedestrian to give a warning.

[0012] In addition, there is a need for a drone deployment type search technology that searches for a pedestrian who has gotten into trouble during walking, and secures communication with the pedestrian by switching the communication method available for the drone according to the communication status of the communication terminal of the pedestrian, and searches for the pedestrian. In addition, a new technology for flying a drone towards a target is also desired.

[0013] In addition, there is a need for a companion deployment type rescue technology that rescues a pedestrian who has gotten into trouble during walking by a companion of the pedestrian, and enables the companion to be deployed to the scene while ensuring the safety of the companion.

[0014] In addition, there is a need for a branch point installation type guidance technology that discretely installs a plurality of transmitters along a walking route to guide a pedestrian during walking, and provides effective guidance information to the pedestrian while reducing the number of transmitters to be installed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0015] <Pedestrian Abnormality Determination Technology>

[0016] In order to solve the problem of providing the pedestrian abnormality determination technology, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian guidance system for guiding a pedestrian during walking, comprising: a plurality of guide transmitters installed discretely and in series along a walking route, each guide transmitter transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID; a user terminal which is a communication terminal of a pedestrian and can receive an identification signal from each guide transmitter by a short-range wireless communication method; a management server capable of communicating with the user terminal; and the user terminal or the management server includes a walking state determination unit for determining whether there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian based on the reception state of the identification signal from each guide transmitter by the user terminal; the user terminal includes a warning unit for issuing a warning to the pedestrian when it is determined by the walking state determination unit that there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian; a confirmation button display unit for continuously displaying on the screen a confirmation button to be operated by the pedestrian until the warning is confirmed by the pedestrian; and the user terminal or the management server includes an emergency determination unit for determining that there is a possibility that the pedestrian has fallen into an emergency when the confirmation button is not operated by the pedestrian even if the continuous display time of the confirmation button exceeds a predetermined limit time; a memory in which other pedestrians accompanying the pedestrian are registered; an emergency information transmission unit for transmitting the emergency information to the communication terminals of other pedestrians registered in the memory when it is determined by the emergency determination unit that there is a possibility that the pedestrian has fallen into an emergency; A pedestrian guidance system including the above is provided.

[0017] This pedestrian guidance system features progressive anomaly determination regarding the presence or absence of abnormal walking conditions, rescue support linked to the severity level of abnormal walking conditions (hereinafter referred to as "severity-level-linked rescue support"), and communication among companions. Each feature will be described in detail below.

[0018] 1. Progressive anomaly determination

[0019] (1) First-stage anomaly determination: Mild severity-level anomaly determination Based on the signal from the guide transmitter, it is determined whether there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian. If it is determined that there is an abnormality (mild anomaly determination), a warning is issued to the pedestrian via the communication terminal.

[0020] (2) Second-stage anomaly determination: Severe severity-level anomaly determination If the pedestrian does not notice the warning, it is determined that the pedestrian may have fallen into an emergency situation (severe anomaly determination).

[0021] Specifically, when the continuous display time of the confirmation button continuously displayed on the screen of the pedestrian's communication terminal exceeds a predetermined limit time and the confirmation button is not operated by the pedestrian, it is determined that the pedestrian may have fallen into an emergency situation.

[0022] 2. Severity-level-linked rescue support

[0023] (1) When mild anomaly determination is made When mild anomaly determination is made, the warning prompts the pedestrian to correct their actions.

[0024] (2) When severe anomaly determination is made When severe anomaly determination is made, since the pedestrian may have fallen into a serious situation where they are physically unable to move, instead of the pedestrian's own communication terminal, the communication terminals of other companions are notified that the pedestrian may be in an emergency situation, prompting other companions to carry out rescue activities.

[0025] 3. Communication among companions

[0026] When a severe abnormality is detected, the user terminal or the management server reports to the communication terminal of the pedestrian's companion instead of the pedestrian's communication terminal, shares with the companion the possibility that the pedestrian is in an emergency, and prompts the companion to carry out rescue activities.

[0027] <Drone-launched search technology>

[0028] In order to solve the problem of providing the above-mentioned drone-launched search technology, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian guidance system for guiding a pedestrian during walking, A plurality of guide transmitters installed discretely and in series along a walking route, each guide transmitter transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID, A pedestrian transmitter worn by a pedestrian, transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID, A user terminal which is a communication terminal of the pedestrian and can receive an identification signal from each guide transmitter by a short-range wireless communication method, A drone flying unmanned, equipped with an air-mobile relay base station for the user terminal and a receiver capable of receiving an identification signal from the pedestrian transmitter, A management server capable of communicating with the user terminal and including, The user terminal or the management server, includes a walking state determination unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian based on the reception state of the identification signal from each guide transmitter by the user terminal, The user terminal, when it is determined by the walking state determination unit that there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian, includes a warning unit that issues a warning to the pedestrian, and a confirmation button display unit that continuously displays on the screen until the confirmation button, which is operated by the pedestrian when the warning is confirmed by the pedestrian, is operated by the pedestrian. and including, The user terminal or the management server includes an emergency determination unit that determines that a pedestrian may have fallen into an emergency when the pedestrian does not operate the confirmation button even if the continuous display time of the confirmation button exceeds a predetermined limit time. When the management server determines that a pedestrian may have fallen into an emergency by the emergency determination unit, a communication terminal utilization type search mode that searches for the pedestrian using the positioning function and the communication function of the user terminal on the condition that a connection between the user terminal and the management server is established, and a transmitter utilization type search mode that searches for the pedestrian using the location authentication function and the communication function of the pedestrian transmitter on the condition that a connection between the pedestrian transmitter and the receiver mounted on the drone is established are selectively executed, and a pedestrian guidance system is provided.

[0029] This pedestrian guidance system is characterized by drone search using a drone, a pedestrian transmitter, and a pedestrian's communication terminal. Hereinafter, its features will be described in detail.

[0030] According to this drone search technology, at the time of the above-described severe abnormality determination, in order to search for a pedestrian, the management server serves as a command center and remotely commands a search using a drone, a pedestrian transmitter, and a pedestrian's communication terminal.

[0031] Specifically, when the management server makes the above-described severe abnormality determination, · A communication terminal utilization type search mode that searches for a pedestrian using the positioning function and the communication function of the user terminal on the condition that a connection between the user terminal and the management server is established, and · A transmitter utilization type search mode that searches for a pedestrian using the location authentication function and the communication function of the pedestrian transmitter on the condition that a connection between the pedestrian transmitter and the receiver mounted on the drone is established are selectively executed.

[0032] In order to solve the problem of providing a new technology for flying a drone towards a target, a drone capable of selectively performing remote control and autonomous flight to fly towards a target, a controller for controlling the flight of the drone, a communication device connected to the controller, which is capable of wireless communication with a management server operated or managed by a management center, a receiver connected to the controller, which is capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter attached to the target in a short-range wireless manner, a camera is included, the controller can selectively perform remote control to remotely operate the flight of the drone according to an instruction from the management server, and autonomous flight to fly the drone in a direction in which the intensity of the radio wave received by the receiver from the transmitter increases moment by moment, and measure the intensity of the radio wave received by the receiver from the transmitter at all times, the communication device can transmit imaging data representing an image captured by the camera to the management server, whereby an operator at the management center can remotely monitor the state of the location of the target through the camera, the camera is provided with a drone that can be remotely operated by the management server via the controller.

[0033] <Companion-activated rescue technology>

[0034] In order to solve the problem of providing the above-described companion-activated rescue technology, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a victim rescue system for rescuing a pedestrian who may have been in distress during walking, a user terminal which is a communication terminal of the pedestrian, a plurality of companion terminals which are communication terminals respectively used by a plurality of companions of the pedestrian, a management server capable of communicating with the user terminal and the plurality of companion terminals, an environment server capable of communicating with the management server, which transmits environment information representing the environment within a geographical area specified by the management server to the management server, and including, the user terminal includes, a victim determination unit that determines whether or not the pedestrian may be a victim based on measurement results by sensors mounted on the user terminal and / or reception results from external devices of the user terminal, the management server, when it is determined that the pedestrian may be a victim, receives companion information regarding each companion from each companion terminal, and based on the received companion information, calculates, for each companion, an individual risk when each companion is dispatched to the location of the victim to rescue the victim, when it is determined that the pedestrian may be a victim, receives the environment information from the environment server, and calculates an environmental risk when any one of the companions is dispatched to the location of the victim based on the received environment information, A rescuer selection unit that selects, as rescuers, among the plurality of companions, those for whom the calculated individual risk does not exceed a first reference value; A rescue permission unit that permits any one of the companions to be dispatched to the location of the victim when the calculated environmental risk does not exceed a second reference value; A rescue request unit that, when any one of the companions is permitted to be dispatched to the location of the victim, transmits information regarding the location of the victim and a message for requesting the rescue of the victim to the companion terminal of the selected rescuer; A victim rescue system including the above is provided.

[0035] <Branch point installation type guidance technology>

[0036] In order to solve the problem of providing the above-described branch point installation type guidance technology, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian guidance system that guides a pedestrian along a walking route having a plurality of branch points during walking, A plurality of transmitters respectively installed at the plurality of branch points, each of which transmits an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID; A user terminal that is a communication terminal of a pedestrian and is capable of receiving signals from each transmitter by a short-range wireless method; A management server capable of communicating with the user terminal; Including; The user terminal: When receiving an identification signal from any one of the transmitters, converts the identification signal into a transmitter ID, and converts the transmitter ID into a branch point ID according to a predetermined relationship between the transmitter ID and the branch point ID stored in a memory, thereby identifying a branch point position specifying unit for specifying the geographical position of the current branch point; A map data receiving unit that receives map data from the management server; A partial map data display unit that displays, on the screen of the user terminal, partial map data covering the geographical position of the specified branch point among the received map data, together with a mark representing a correct route for reaching the destination designated by the pedestrian. A pedestrian guidance system including

[0037] An example of the partial map data display unit starts displaying partial map data corresponding to the installation position of one of the transmitters when the user terminal starts receiving an identification signal from one of the transmitters.

[0038] Another example of the partial map data display unit ends displaying partial map data corresponding to the installation position of one of the transmitters when the user terminal ends receiving an identification signal from one of the transmitters.

[0039] Yet another example of the partial map data display unit starts displaying partial map data corresponding to the installation position of one of the transmitters when the user terminal starts receiving an identification signal from one of the transmitters, and ends displaying partial map data corresponding to the installation position of one of the transmitters when the user terminal ends receiving an identification signal from any of the transmitters.

[0040] The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into paragraphs, each paragraph is numbered, and other paragraph numbers are cited as needed. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof, and it should not be construed that the technical features that the present invention can adopt and combinations thereof are limited to the following aspects. That is, although not described in the following aspects, it should be construed that it is not prohibited to appropriately extract and adopt the technical features described in this specification as the technical features of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, describing each paragraph in a form that cites the numbers of other paragraphs does not necessarily mean that it prevents the technical features described in each paragraph from being separated and made independent from the technical features described in other paragraphs. It should be construed that the technical features described in each paragraph can be appropriately made independent according to their nature.

[0042] (1) A pedestrian guidance system for guiding a pedestrian during walking, A plurality of transmitters that are discretely installed along a walking route and arranged in series, each transmitter transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID, A communication terminal for each pedestrian that can receive an identification signal from each transmitter by a short-range wireless communication method including The communication terminal of each pedestrian When receiving an identification signal from any one of the transmitters, a reference transmitter determination unit that determines that one of the transmitters as a reference transmitter for which the passage of the pedestrian has been confirmed, After the determination of the reference transmitter, by referring to mapping data representing the order in which the plurality of transmitters are arranged along the walking route assigned in advance to the walking route, a target transmitter determination unit that determines, as a target transmitter, one of the plurality of transmitters that is located next to the reference transmitter in the walking route, A walking state determination unit that determines that there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian if an identification signal is not received from the target transmitter even after a predetermined limit time has elapsed since the time when the identification signal was received from the reference transmitter, A warning unit that conveys and warns the pedestrian of the determination result including The reference transmitter determination unit and the target transmitter determination unit are each a pedestrian guidance system that is repeatedly executed.

[0043] (2) A pedestrian guidance system for guiding a pedestrian during walking, A plurality of transmitters that are discretely installed along a walking route and arranged in series, each transmitter transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID, A communication terminal for each pedestrian that can receive an identification signal from each transmitter by a short-range wireless communication method A management server capable of communicating with the communication terminal of each pedestrian including The management server When the communication terminal of each pedestrian receives an identification signal from any one of the transmitters, a reference transmitter determination unit that determines that one of the transmitters as a reference transmitter for which the passage of the pedestrian has been confirmed, After determining the reference transmitter, by referring to mapping data representing the order in which the plurality of transmitters are arranged along the walking route pre-assigned to the walking route, a target transmitter determination unit that determines, as a target transmitter, the one among the plurality of transmitters that is located next to the reference transmitter in the walking route; A walking state determination unit that determines that there is an abnormality in the walking state of the pedestrian if the communication terminal of each pedestrian does not receive an identification signal from the target transmitter even after a predetermined limit time has elapsed since the time when the communication terminal of each pedestrian received the identification signal from the reference transmitter; A transmission unit that transmits the determination result to the communication terminal of the pedestrian including The reference transmitter determination unit and the target transmitter determination unit are each a pedestrian guidance system that is repeatedly executed.

[0044] (3) The pedestrian guidance system according to item (1) or (2), wherein the predetermined limit time has a variable length according to at least one of the distance, altitude difference, gradient, and road surface type (paved road, gravel road, muddy road, cliff road, wide road, narrow road, etc.) between the reference transmitter and the target transmitter in the walking route.

[0045] (4) The pedestrian guidance system according to any one of items (1) to (3), wherein the determination result that the walking state is abnormal is transmitted to the pedestrian visually, auditorily, and / or tactilely.

[0046] (5) The pedestrian guidance system according to any one of items (1) to (4), wherein the abnormality of the walking state includes at least one of the possibility that the pedestrian is lost on the road and the possibility that the pedestrian has deviated from the walking route.

[0047] (6) The communication terminal further includes a display unit that, when receiving an identification signal from any one of the transmitters, displays a map, the current position, and the installation position of the any one of the transmitters in an overlay state on the screen of the communication terminal. The pedestrian guidance system according to any one of items (1) to (5).

[0048] (7) The walking route is at least one of a mountain path, a forest path, a guided tour path within a facility, a school route, a walking path, and a cycling course, each having a determined walking route sequence, and is the pedestrian guidance system according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0049] (8) A program for causing a computer to function as the communication terminal according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0050] Throughout this specification, the term "program" can be interpreted, for example, to mean a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its functions, or to include not only those combinations of instructions but also files and data processed according to each instruction, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] Also, this program can achieve the intended purpose by being executed by a computer alone, or can achieve the intended purpose by being executed by a computer together with other programs, but is not limited thereto. In the latter case, the program according to this item can be mainly data, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] (9) A program for causing a computer to function as the management server according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0053] (10) A recording medium having the program according to (8) or (9) above recorded thereon in a computer-readable manner.

[0054] Throughout this specification, the term "recording medium" can be interpreted to mean various forms of recording media, and such recording media include, for example, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and non-removable storage such as ROMs, but are not limited thereto.

[0055] (11) A pedestrian guidance method for guiding a pedestrian during walking, The method is A plurality of transmitters installed discretely and in series along a walking route, each transmitter transmitting an identification signal representing a unique transmitter ID, A communication terminal of each pedestrian, which can receive an identification signal from each transmitter by a short-range wireless communication method and is executed using The pedestrian guidance method is When a communication terminal of each pedestrian receives an identification signal from any one of the transmitters, a reference transmitter determination step of determining that transmitter as a reference transmitter, After the determination of the reference transmitter, by referring to mapping data representing the order in which the plurality of transmitters are arranged along a walking route assigned in advance to the walking route, determining, as a target transmitter, the one of the plurality of transmitters that is located next to the reference transmitter in the walking route, a target transmitter determination step, If a predetermined limit time has elapsed since the time when a communication terminal of each pedestrian received an identification signal from the reference transmitter and the communication terminal of each pedestrian has not received an identification signal from the target transmitter, a lost state determination step of determining that there is a possibility that the pedestrian is lost, and a warning step of transmitting and warning the determination result to the pedestrian and includes The reference transmitter determination step and the target transmitter determination step are each a pedestrian guidance method that is repeatedly executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0074] Hereinafter, a plurality of more specific and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0075] [First Embodiment]

[0076] Figure 1 conceptually shows the hardware configuration of a mountain trail guidance system 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "system") according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 is designed to implement a pedestrian guidance method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] <Overview of the System>

[0078] Briefly described, as shown in Figure 2, this system 10 determines whether a climber (an example of a "pedestrian"), who is a user, is in an abnormal walking state (such as the possibility of getting lost on the mountain trail 14 (an example of a "walking route", an example of a mountain trail, an example of a mountain route, etc.) in the mountainous area 12, or the possibility of deviating from the mountain trail 14), conveys the result to the climber and warns the climber, and finally assists the climber to be guided along the correct walking route (in the correct direction of travel, along the correct route), thereby having a mountain trail guidance function to prevent accidents.

[0079] <Mountain Trail Guidance Function>

[0080] In this system 10, in order to realize the mountain trail guidance function, a plurality of guide transmitters 30 are installed discretely and in series along the mountain trail 14. These guide transmitters 30 are arranged in series at equal intervals (for example, intervals of 10 m, 50 m, 100 m, 500 m, 1 km), for example. Alternatively, the plurality of guide transmitters 30 may be arranged in series at variable intervals that decrease as they approach the end point of the mountain trail 14.

[0081] Each guide transmitter 30 may be artificially installed on the mountain trail 14, for example, attached to a support or a sign, or may be attached to natural objects growing on the mountain trail 14, for example, natural trees or trees.

[0082] Signals from a plurality of guide transmitters 30 are sequentially received by the climber's mobile terminal 90 (an example of a "user terminal") via a short-range wireless communication method as the climber walks. The mobile terminal 90 can communicate wirelessly with a management server 50 that is operated and managed by a management center 40 installed in a location remote from the mountainous area 12.

[0083] In order to realize the mountain trail guidance function, the mobile terminal 90, either alone or in cooperation with the management server 50, during climbing or descending, warns (such as informing the climber that there is a possibility of getting lost on the trail and arousing the climber's attention) and provides route guidance to the climber so that both the walking route (where to walk) and the walking sequence (which direction to walk) of the climber do not deviate from the normal ones.

[0084] Here, examples of the "warning" include informing the climber that there is a possibility of getting lost in the mountainous area 12, arousing the climber's attention, prompting corrective actions, or notifying the climber that if they continue walking as they are, the radio wave of the mobile terminal 90 will enter an out-of-communication range where it cannot reach other mobile terminals 90. Examples of the out-of-communication range include an area where there is no nearby receivable terrestrial base station 300 (see FIG. 2), or an area where the radio wave of the climber's mobile terminal 90 is blocked due to the presence of tall trees or adjacent mountains around the climber.

[0085] Examples of the "route guidance (path guidance, course guidance, waypoint guidance, etc.)" include providing the climber with position information and orientation information for correcting the actual walking route and heading to the normal walking route and heading. For example, it may include visually, audibly, or tactilely notifying the user of a message such as "Since you are in a lost state, it is desirable to turn back from the current route."

[0086] In this example, when the mobile terminal 90 of a lost climber detects that it is in a lost state using the guide transmitter 30, in order to arouse attention and prompt the decision to turn back from the current route, the message may be output in characters, images or sounds, or the message may be confirmed by the current climber as an operation of a "confirmation button" for having confirmed it. In this case, the mobile terminal 90 of the current climber may continue to display the same button until the "confirmation button" is tapped by the user.

[0087] Nevertheless, even if the continuous display time of the "confirmation button" exceeds a predetermined limit time and the "confirmation button" is not tapped by the user, the mobile terminal 90 of the current climber determines that the climber, who is the user, may have fallen into an emergency situation (e.g., being lost), transmits this to the management server 50, and further transmits it to each mobile terminal 90 of other climbers (companions) belonging to the same party all at once.

[0088] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 of each climber always, or from the time when the warning is issued to the climber, acquires position information by its positioning function (e.g., a positioning function using GPS, a positioning function using a terrestrial base station 300) at discrete times, and sequentially transmits the position information to the management server 50 in order to facilitate the search operation in case of being lost.

[0089] Upon receiving the position information, the management server 50 sequentially stores the position information in the memory 162 (see FIG. 9) in chronological order in association with the user ID / device ID of each mobile terminal 90 of the climbers. When a climber has an accident, the mobile terminal 90 of the climber accesses the management server 50, and the management server 50 extracts the action history of the lost person who is the climber from the memory 162 and transmits it to the mobile terminals 90 of other companions. Therefore, the management server 50 and other companions can track the position of the lost person at least from the time when the warning was given to the lost person.

[0090] The movement history of the victim, i.e., the tracking result, is used, for example, in the search operation of the victim by other fellow travelers or rescue team members. Also, the movement history of the victim is used when the management server 50 determines the flight target point of the drone 200 described later.

[0091] In this system 10, in order to realize the mountain trail guidance function, when the mobile terminal 90 of the climber receives an identification signal from any one of the guide transmitters 30, it determines that one of the guide transmitters 30 as the reference transmitter (start transmitter, departure point transmitter, etc.) where the passage of the climber is confirmed.

[0092] After the determination of the reference transmitter, the mobile terminal 90 refers to the mapping data (see FIG. 7) described later downloaded from the management server 50, and determines, among the plurality of guide transmitters 30, the one located next to the reference transmitter in the walking route (see FIG. 2) as the target transmitter (front transmitter, adjacent transmitter, target point transmitter, etc.).

[0093] When the mobile terminal 90 receives an identification signal from the target transmitter before a predetermined limit time f elapses from the time when it receives the identification signal from the reference transmitter, it determines that the walking state of the climber is normal (not lost on the path). On the other hand, if it does not receive an identification signal from the target transmitter even after the predetermined limit time f has elapsed, it determines that there is an abnormality in the walking state of the climber (there is a possibility of being lost on the path).

[0094] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged extraction of two adjacent ones among the plurality of guide transmitters 30 in FIG. 2. Those two guide transmitters 30 are respectively installed at two adjacent points A and B. In the example shown in FIG. 3, point A is located at the entrance point (starting point, start point) of the mountain trail 14, and point Z is located at the summit point (turning point, end point, finish point) of the mountain trail 14.

[0095] During mountain climbing (when climbing on mountain path 14) (in the walking route during mountain climbing, in the upward direction, in the climbing direction), since point B is in front of point A in the traveling direction, when the guide transmitter 30 at point A is the reference transmitter, the guide transmitter 30 at point B becomes the target transmitter.

[0096] On the contrary, during mountain descent (when descending on mountain path 14) (in the walking route during mountain descent, in the downward direction, in the descending direction), since point A is in front of point B in the traveling direction, when the guide transmitter 30 at point B is the reference transmitter, the guide transmitter 30 at point A becomes the target transmitter.

[0097] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, there is a path distance d between the guide transmitter 30 at point A and the guide transmitter 30 at point B, precisely, not the shortest distance, but the length measured along mountain path 14. Also, there is an altitude difference Δh between the guide transmitter 30 at point A and the guide transmitter 30 at point B.

[0098] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the reception ranges of the respective guide transmitters 30 are set so that the reception circle for the guide transmitter 30 at point A and the reception circle for the guide transmitter 30 at point B do not overlap with each other. Therefore, a single mobile terminal 90 does not receive identification signals from the two guide transmitters 30 simultaneously at each instant.

[0099] In FIG. 6(a), in this system 10, a normal walking state scenario is illustratively represented in a graph in which the same mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the guide transmitter 30 at the adjacent point B before a predetermined limit time f elapses from the time when the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the guide transmitter 30 at point A.

[0100] On the contrary, in FIG. 6(b), in this system 10, an abnormal walking state scenario is illustratively represented in a graph in which the same mobile terminal 90 does not receive a signal from the guide transmitter 30 at the adjacent point B even after a predetermined limit time f elapses from the time when the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from the guide transmitter 30 at point A.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 6(b), in this system 10, if the mobile terminal 90 does not receive a signal from the guide transmitter 30 at the adjacent point B even after a predetermined limit time f has elapsed, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the walking state (such as the traveling direction) of the climber is abnormal (for example, lost on the road), and issues a warning to the climber.

[0102] If the climber does not notice the warning, the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 of the climber transmits to each mobile terminal 90 of other companions that there is a possibility that the current climber may be in distress. Further, in order to implement the above-mentioned missing person search function, the management server 50 executes the missing person search mode.

[0103] FIG. 7 conceptually shows in a table the mapping data that associates the predetermined relationship between the transmitter ID of each guide transmitter 30 and the installation position of each guide transmitter 30 on the map, the order in which a plurality of guide transmitters 30 are arranged along the correct walking route of the mountain path 14, and the length of the above-mentioned limit time f with each other.

[0104] The mapping data is originally stored in the memory 162 of the management server 50. When there is an access from an arbitrary mobile terminal 90, the management server 50 transmits the mapping data to the mobile terminal 90. Thereby, the mobile terminal 90 downloads the mapping data from the management server 50 and stores it in its own memory 132 (see FIG. 5).

[0105] <Regarding the setting of the limit time f>

[0106] In this system 10, as shown in FIG. 7, the limit time f is set for each pair of points composed of two adjacent points. The limit time f is set in advance so as not to be less than the minimum time required for an average climber with normal physical ability to cover the distance between two adjacent points, taking into account the actual distance d and altitude difference Δh between the two adjacent points.

[0107] FIG. 8(a) graphically shows an example in which the altitude gently changes between two adjacent points A and B on the mountain trail 14. FIG. 8(b) graphically shows an example in which the altitude rapidly changes between those points A and B.

[0108] In this system 10, the restricted time f is calculated as the product of the reference time S and the correction coefficient k. FIG. 8(c) exemplarily graphically shows that the length of the reference time S increases according to the distance d of the trail between two points A and B. FIG. 8(d) exemplarily graphically shows that the correction coefficient k increases according to the altitude difference Δh between two points A and B.

[0109] <Function for mutual communication among fellow climbers>

[0110] In addition to the above-described mountain trail guidance function, this system 10 has a function for mutual communication among fellow climbers, in which a plurality of climbers belonging to the same party (team, group, etc.) use their respective mobile terminals 90 to communicate with each other to support mutual assistance. This function for mutual communication among fellow climbers also serves as a function for confirming the safety of a person in distress.

[0111] In this system 10, in the case where a plurality of people climb a mountain as one party, when one climber gets into an emergency situation, information regarding this is shared among the other climbers by the function for mutual communication among fellow climbers (mutual assistance function), and they communicate with each other using the mobile terminals 90 to share information, thereby preventing an accident from occurring, immediately heading for rescue, or enabling immediate search even if an accident has occurred.

[0112] Specifically, for example, in the case where a plurality of people climb a mountain as one party, when it is determined that one of the climbers has gotten into an emergency situation (for example, the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 of that climber infers the existence of the emergency situation), the mobile terminal 90 or the management server 50 of that climber automatically wirelessly transmits the information regarding the emergency situation to each of the mobile terminals 90 of the other climbers in the same party all at once.

[0113] In one example, the mobile terminals 90 of a plurality of climbers belonging to the same party, regardless of whether there is an accident or, if necessary, automatically attempt to establish mutual connection (for example, in a state where the user is not aware), and nevertheless, if there is another mobile terminal 90 for which the connection cannot be established, report this fact to the management server 50. The management server 50 determines that there is a possibility that the climber who is the user of the other mobile terminal 90 for which the connection cannot be established has fallen into an emergency situation, and transmits this fact to each of the mobile terminals 90 of the other climbers for whom the connection is established all at once.

[0114] In another example, the management server 50 periodically attempts to establish a connection with each mobile terminal 90, and if the connection cannot be established with any of the mobile terminals 90, determines that there is a possibility that the climber who should own any of the mobile terminals 90 has fallen into an emergency situation, and transmits this fact to each of the mobile terminals 90 of the other climbers all at once.

[0115] Here, as the "emergency situation", for example, there are cases where the walking route is not corrected even when the warning is issued, or where the connection with a certain mobile terminal 90 cannot be established. In the latter case, for example, there are cases where a certain climber is outside the communication range, or where the battery of a certain climber's mobile terminal 90 is insufficient. In either case, if a climber has an accident, it becomes impossible to search for the climber relying on the mobile terminal 90, and there is a risk that the search will be difficult.

[0116] <Missing Person Search Function>

[0117] In addition to the above-described mountain path guidance function and fellow traveler communication function, this system 10 has a missing person search function for searching for a missing person in the event that a climber has an accident in the mountain area 12. This missing person search function also acts as a function for confirming the safety of the missing person.

[0118] In this system 10, in order to implement the function of searching for victims, before climbing, a climber transmitter 32 is worn by the climber. The climber transmitter 32 moves integrally with the climber who is the wearer, and the position of the climber transmitter 32 coincides with the position of the climber.

[0119] Furthermore, this system 10 is equipped with a small unmanned aircraft, that is, a drone 200, in order to search for victims from the air. The drone 200 can be remotely operated using its own controller 202 and in accordance with instructions from the management server 50, or can perform autonomous navigation using the controller 202.

[0120] When the management server 50 determines that there is a possibility that any climber may be in distress, it transmits the representative spatial coordinate values (for example, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of a specific representative location such as the mountaintop, the entrance of the climbing path 14, etc.) of the mountainous area 12 where the climber is climbing to the communication device 204 of the drone 200 as information representing the flight target location, and instructs the drone 200 to take off (deploy) via the controller 202.

[0121] The drone 200 is equipped with a controller 202 and a communication device 204 connected thereto. The communication device 204 can perform wireless communication with the management server 50. This communication device 204 may function as a normal mobile phone (cellular phone) using a ground base station 300, or may function as a satellite phone using artificial satellites.

[0122] In addition to the communication device 204, the drone 200 is equipped with an airborne mobile (movable) airborne base station (hereinafter referred to as the "relay base station") 206 that replaces the fixed ground base station 300 for the mobile terminal 90. The relay base station 206 receives position information from the mobile terminal 90 within its communication range, and transmits the position information to the ground base station 300 within the communication range of the relay base station 206.

[0123] The drone 200 further has a receiver 210 capable of receiving signals from the distress transmitter 32 of the climber in distress. The controller 202 measures the intensity of the radio waves received by the receiver 210 from the climber transmitter 32 at every moment. The controller 202 navigates the drone 200 in a direction in which the current value of the radio wave intensity measurement increases compared to the previous value.

[0124] In this system 10, in order to search for a climber in distress, there are a mobile terminal usage mode in which the search for the person in distress is carried out relying on the mobile terminal 90 of the person in distress, and a transmitter usage mode in which the search for the person in distress is carried out relying on the climber transmitter 32 of the person in distress.

[0125] First, to explain roughly, the mobile terminal usage mode is executed to search for a person in distress by using the positioning function and communication function of the mobile terminal 90 on the condition that a connection between the mobile terminal 90 and the management server 50 is established. In this search scenario, the mobile terminal 90 as an equipment item of the person in distress is directly used for the search for the person in distress.

[0126] On the other hand, the transmitter usage mode is executed to search for a person in distress by using the location authentication function and transmission function of the climber transmitter 32 in a state where a connection between the mobile terminal 90 of the person in distress and the management server 50 is not established, for example, in a state where the battery of the mobile terminal 90 is insufficient or in a state where the mobile terminal 90 is located outside the communication range.

[0127] Specifically, in this transmitter usage mode, the drone 200 is deployed, and the intensity of the radio waves received by the receiver 210 mounted on the drone 200 from the mountaineer transmitter 32 of the victim is sequentially measured. The flight route of the drone 200 is determined such that the measured value increases with time. As a result, a search scenario of searching for the victim, or a search scenario is realized where, on the condition that the mobile terminal 90 of the victim operates normally (for example, the battery is not depleted and the mobile terminal 90 is not malfunctioning), the mobile terminal 90 is connected to the management server 50 via the relay base station 206 mounted on the drone 200 and further via the nearest ground base station 300.

[0128] In the former search scenario, the mountaineer transmitter 32 as an equipment of the victim is directly used for searching for the victim by the drone 200. On the other hand, in the latter search scenario, the transmitter usage mode is executed to enable the aforementioned mobile terminal usage mode.

[0129] Specifically, in the latter search scenario, the drone 200 is deployed and eventually approaches the victim. When the mobile terminal 90 of the victim enters the communication range of the relay base station 206, a connection is established between the mobile terminal 90 of the victim and the ground base station 300 by the relay function of the relay base station 206, and ultimately a connection is established between the mobile terminal 90 of the victim and the management server 50. In this case, the mobile terminal usage mode is executed, and the victim can communicate with the management server 50. In this case, for example, the victim can also make a call or transmit data (messaging) to the operator of the phone at the management center 40 via their own mobile terminal 90.

[0130] The drone 200 further has a camera 220 that captures the ground from above as still images or videos. The camera 220 generates imaging data representing an image of the ground, and the imaging data is transmitted to the management server 50 via the communication device 204. The operator at the management center 40 can remotely monitor the state of the surface of the mountainous area 12 via the camera 220. As a result, the operator at the management center 40 can visually and remotely search for survivors. The operating state (such as on / off), shooting conditions (such as zoom ratio, exposure), and posture (such as angle) of the camera 220 are remotely controlled by the management server 50 via the controller 202.

[0131] The drone 200 further has a speaker 230 that outputs sound from above. The speaker 230 is remotely controlled by the management server 50 via the controller 202. For example, the controller 202 drives the speaker 230 based on the audio data received from the management server 50, thereby generating and outputting sound. As a result, the operator at the management center 40 can output sound from above toward the mountainous area 12 via the speaker 230.

[0132] Thanks to the sound output, before a survivor is found, the operator at the management center 40 can inform the survivor audibly that a search is currently underway, as well as the presence and current position of the drone 200. After a survivor is found, the operator can confirm the safety of the survivor, provide instructions on the actions the survivor should take for rescue, and provide information on the current status of the rescue operation.

[0133] The drone 200 further has a shooter 240 that drops or throws necessary items from above to a target position on the ground, with a parachute equipped as needed. The shooter 240 is remotely controlled by a management server 50 via a controller 202. Examples of the items to be dropped include rescue supplies (e.g., a spare fully charged battery pack for the mobile terminal 90 of the victim, water, food, etc.) and lighting tools for locally illuminating the vicinity of the victim to facilitate rescue operations.

[0134] When dropping items from the shooter 240, in order to attract the attention of the victim, it is possible to explain the content of the rescue operation by voice using the speaker 230 or drop a lighting tool together. Thanks to the lighting tool, the victim can accurately grasp the landing point of the dropped item and can surely capture the item.

[0135] <Regarding the guide transmitter and the climber transmitter>

[0136] In FIG. 4, the guide transmitter 30 and the climber transmitter 32 shown in FIG. 2, both having a common configuration, are represented by a functional block diagram. Since the guide transmitter 30 and the climber transmitter 32 have a common configuration, hereinafter, the common configuration will be typically described only for the guide transmitter 30.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 4, each guide transmitter 30 transmits a unique signal, and the unique signal represents a unique transmitter ID. Since it is known at which position on the mountain path 14 each guide transmitter 30 is installed, the installation position, that is, the spatial coordinate values (x, y, z), are pre-assigned to the transmitter ID.

[0138] First, conceptually explained, the guide transmitter 30 is a non-contact or contact (proximity) type communication device that locally transmits an identification signal capable of identifying a unique transmitter ID.

[0139] Next, to explain the operation method, the guide transmitter 30 actively, locally, and permanently transmits a unique identification signal without requiring an external trigger signal as long as the power supply is sufficient.

[0140] The guide transmitter 30 is generally a device known by names such as a beacon device that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal, a radio tag, etc. In one example, this guide transmitter 30 generates an identification signal representing the corresponding transmitter ID by modulating the original signal, and locally transmits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, an NFC (Near Field Communication) signal, etc.

[0141] Next, to explain the hardware configuration with reference to FIG. 4, the guide transmitter 30 is mainly composed of a computer 104 having a processor 100 and a memory 102 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 100.

[0142] This guide transmitter 30 further has a replaceable disposable battery 106 as a power source. Instead of the battery 106, it is possible to adopt a rechargeable battery or a commercial power source or a solar cell as an external power source.

[0143] When a solar cell is adopted as an external power source, surplus electrical energy generated by using the solar cell during the day can be stored in the battery, and at night, the battery energy can be taken out from the battery to operate the guide transmitter 30.

[0144] This guide transmitter 30 further has a transmission unit 108 that generates and transmits an identification signal. The transmission unit 108 is operated by the battery 106 and controlled by a controller 110. The controller 110 is controlled by the computer 100.

[0145] To explain the software configuration of the guide transmitter 30, the processor 100 outputs a signal for modulating an original signal (e.g., a carrier signal) to the controller 110 so that the transmitter ID is reflected. The controller 110 controls the transmitter unit 108, and as a result, the transmitter unit 108 generates an identification signal to be transmitted this time. Then, the generated identification signal is transmitted from the transmitter unit 108.

[0146] <Regarding the mobile terminal>

[0147] The mobile terminal 90 of the climber (user) is a device carried by the user and having a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA, etc. Also, the mobile terminal 90 is an example of the user's communication terminal.

[0148] Next, to explain the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 90 with reference to FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 90 is mainly composed of a computer 134 having a processor 130 and a memory 132 that stores a plurality of programs (also referred to as "applications") executed by the processor 130.

[0149] This mobile terminal 90 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 136 for displaying information, a receiving unit 138 for receiving signals from the guide transmitter 30 and the management server 50, and a transmitting unit 140 for generating a signal and transmitting the signal to the management server 50. Here, the receiving unit 138 is also a part for sensing the identification signal from the guide transmitter 30.

[0150] This mobile terminal 90 further has an input unit 150 for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit 150 has, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (such as commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90. As the operation unit, there are a touch screen that displays icons (such as virtual buttons) that can be operated by the user, a physical operation unit (such as a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc.) that can be operated by the user, a microphone that senses sound, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0151] This mobile terminal 90 further has a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives a plurality of GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and measures the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver 152 on the earth by triangulation based on those GPS signals.

[0152] This mobile terminal 90 further incorporates an acceleration sensor 154 for detecting its own acceleration. Since the acceleration sensor 154 is mounted on the mobile terminal 90, it vibrates integrally with the mobile terminal 90. As a result, the acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor 154 itself is detected as equivalent to the acceleration acting on the mobile terminal 90 and the user carrying it.

[0153] Here, to explain a function of the user's mobile terminal 90 in association with the guide transmitter 30, when the mobile terminal 90 receives an identification signal from the guide transmitter 30 and starts (logs in) a certain program pre-installed in the computer of the mobile terminal 90, that is, a dedicated application for guide transmitter processing (hereinafter referred to as the "transmitter application"), it demodulates the received identification signal, thereby decoding the transmitter ID.

[0154] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 90 starts the transmitter application while receiving the identification signal from the guide transmitter 30, based on the received identification signal (for example, the intensity of the identification signal), it also measures the distance between the position of the guide transmitter 30 when the identification signal was transmitted and the position of the mobile terminal 90 when the identification signal was received.

[0155] That is, the mobile terminal 90 is configured to acquire both the transmitter ID unique to the guide transmitter 30 and the distance to the guide transmitter 30 at that time based on the identification signal received from the guide transmitter 30.

[0156] <Transmitter reception range>

[0157] Two types of reception areas are apparently assigned to the guide transmitter 30. They are the receivable area and the effective reception area (hereinafter also referred to as the "reception range" or "reception circle").

[0158] Both of these areas are generally defined by one sphere centered on the installation position of the guide transmitter 30. Some examples of the reception circle are shown in FIG. 3.

[0159] The receivable area of the guide transmitter 30 has a maximum reception radius (for example, about 50 m), while the effective reception area has an effective reception radius (for example, any value within the range from 0 m to about 50 m). The maximum reception radius is a fixed value, while the effective reception radius is a variable value that can be set at any time by the mobile terminal 90 as described later.

[0160] The receivable area means the area where the identification signal from the guide transmitter 30 can reach when the power supply of the guide transmitter 30 is normal, that is, the area within which the mobile terminal 90 can receive the identification signal as long as it exists.

[0161] On the other hand, the effective reception area has an effective reception radius that is smaller than the maximum reception radius of the reception possible area. The maximum reception radius cannot be arbitrarily set, whereas the effective reception radius can be arbitrarily set softy in the mobile terminal 90.

[0162] That is, it is possible to say that the maximum reception radius means the reception limit determined by hardware, whereas the effective reception radius means the reception limit determined by software.

[0163] As described above, the mobile terminal 90 measures the distance to the guide transmitter 30 based on the intensity of the identification signal it has received. The distance measurement value may or may not exceed the effective reception radius. When the distance measurement value does not exceed the reception effective radius, it is when the mobile terminal 90 is within the effective reception area, whereas when the distance measurement value exceeds the reception effective radius, it is when the mobile terminal 90 is within the reception possible area but not within the effective reception area.

[0164] In this embodiment, the reception range of the guide transmitter 30 is set to be, for example, a spherical area with a radius of about 0 m to 5 m. That is, the reception effective radius used in the mobile terminal 90 is set to a fixed value within about 0 m to 5 m. The reception effective radius may be set, for example, so that the reception range of each guide transmitter 30 covers the entire road width of the part of the mountain path 14 where each guide transmitter 30 is installed.

[0165] <Regarding the management server>

[0166] Next, to explain the hardware configuration of the management server 50, in FIG. 9, the management server 50 is represented by a functional block diagram. The management server 50 is mainly configured by a computer 164 having a processor 160 and a memory 162 that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor 160.

[0167] This management server 50 further includes a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 166 for displaying information, a receiving unit 168 for receiving signals from the mobile terminal 90, a transmitting unit 170 for generating signals and transmitting the signals to the mobile terminal 90, and a clock 172. This management server 50 does not directly receive transmissions from the transmitter 30; in fact, it will receive them via the mobile terminal 90.

[0168] <Software Configuration of the Mountain Trail Guidance System>

[0169] In FIG. 10, a plurality of programs for explaining the software configuration of this system 10 are conceptually represented by a flowchart. These programs include a mountain trail guidance application (steps S101 - S122) as a program executed on the mobile terminal 90 of each climber, and a program (steps S151 - S158) executed on the management server 50.

[0170] On the mobile terminal 90 of each climber, prior to climbing the mountain trail 14, when the mountain trail guidance application is launched, first, in step S101, a login request to the management server 50 and personal information of the user who is the current climber are input into the mobile terminal 90 by the user's operation. Examples of the personal information of the current climber include the user ID of the climber, the name and address of the user, and the phone numbers or email addresses of the mobile terminals 90 of other fellow travelers. These login requests and personal information are transmitted to the management server 50 and then received by the management server 50 in step S151.

[0171] Next, in step S102, mountain trail identification information (e.g., the name or ID of the mountain trail 14, the name or ID of the mountain area 12 where the mountain trail 14 is located) for identifying the current mountain trail 14 is input into the mobile terminal 90 by the user's operation. The mountain trail identification information is transmitted to the management server 50 and then received by the management server 50 in step S151.

[0172] Subsequently, in step S152, the management server 50 registers the received personal information and the mountain path identification information in the memory 162. After that, in step S153, the management server 50 reads out from the memory 162 the mapping data (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the mountain path 14 represented by the mountain path identification information received this time from the mobile terminal 90 among the plurality of mapping data stored in the memory 162, and transmits it to the current mobile terminal 90.

[0173] In response to this, the mobile terminal 90 downloads the mapping data corresponding to the mountain path 14 from the management server 50 in step S103. The downloaded mapping data is stored in the memory 132 in association with the mountain path 14 and the date.

[0174] Subsequently, in step S104, the mobile terminal 90 displays a page as shown in FIG. 11(a) on the screen, and the user inputs data for distinguishing whether the action to be taken on the current mountain path 14 from now on is climbing or descending.

[0175] In a typical example, first (for example, at the starting point A of the mountain path 14), as shown in FIG. 11(a), the user operates a button representing "climbing", and in response, the aforementioned mountain path guidance mode in the mobile terminal 90 is activated on the condition that it is climbing and not descending.

[0176] After that, when the user arrives at the end point Z of the mountain path 14 safely and is about to start descending, prior to that, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the user operates a button representing "reset", and further, a button representing "descending" is operated. In response, the aforementioned mountain path guidance mode in the mobile terminal 90 is activated from the first step on the condition that it is descending and not climbing this time.

[0177] Subsequently, in step S105, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive an identification signal from any one of the guide transmitters 30. Thereafter, in step S106, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether it has successfully received an identification signal from any one of the guide transmitters 30. If it has not successfully received the identification signal (the reception has failed), the determination is NO, and the process returns to step S105. On the other hand, if it has successfully received the identification signal (the reception has succeeded), the determination in step S106 is YES.

[0178] If the mobile terminal 90 has successfully received an identification signal from any one of the guide transmitters 30 (the one closest to the user's current position among the plurality of guide transmitters 30), then, subsequently, in step S107, the mobile terminal 90 displays, on the screen, a map representing the mountain path 14 that covers the current position, the installation position of any one of the guide transmitters 30 that has been received, and the current position measured using the built-in GPS described above in an overlay state.

[0179] If the mobile terminal 90 is also equipped with an orientation sensor, when the user holds the mobile terminal 90 horizontally and adjusts the orientation of the mobile terminal 90 so that the direction of the map displayed on the screen and the direction of the mobile terminal 90 coincide with each other, it becomes possible to visually guide the climber's future traveling direction using the screen.

[0180] Thereafter, in step S108, the mobile terminal 90 determines the currently received guide transmitter 30 as the reference transmitter described above.

[0181] Subsequently, in step S109, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether it is currently going downhill. If it is not going downhill but going uphill, the determination is NO, and in step S110, among the plurality of guide transmitters 30, another guide transmitter 30 located immediately adjacent to the currently received guide transmitter 30 when looking in the climbing direction of the mountain path 14 is determined as the target transmitter described above.

[0182] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the reference transmitter is the guide transmitter 30 located at point E (the fifth from the starting point A), the guide transmitter 30 located at point F (the sixth from the starting point A) is determined as the target transmitter.

[0183] On the other hand, in this case, if it is not during climbing but during descending, the determination in step S109 becomes YES, and in step S111, among the plurality of guide transmitters 30, when looking in the downward direction of the climbing path 14, another guide transmitter 30 located immediately adjacent to the guide transmitter 30 received this time is determined as the aforementioned target transmitter.

[0184] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the reference transmitter is the guide transmitter 30 located at point E (the fifth from the starting point A), the guide transmitter 30 located at point D (the fourth from the starting point A) is determined as the target transmitter.

[0185] In any case, thereafter, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive an identification signal from the current target transmitter in step S112. Thereafter, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S113 whether it has successfully received an identification signal from the current target transmitter. If the identification signal has not been successfully received (the reception has failed), the determination becomes NO, and the process proceeds to step S115.

[0186] In this step S115, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the elapsed time from the start time of the first execution of step S112 exceeds the limit time f. If it has not exceeded, the determination becomes YES, and the process returns to step S112.

[0187] On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 90 has successfully received an identification signal from the current target transmitter (the reception has succeeded), the determination in step S113 becomes YES.

[0188] Subsequently, in step S114, the mobile terminal 90, in the same manner as in step S107 described above, displays on the screen, in an overlay state, a map in the vicinity of the current position, the installation position of the received target transmitter, and the measured current position. Then, it returns to step S108, and this time's target transmitter is determined as the next reference transmitter.

[0189] On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 90 does not effectively receive the identification signal from the target transmitter even when the elapsed time from the start time of executing step S112 exceeds the limit time f, the determination in step S115 becomes NO.

[0190] After that, in step S116, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the walking state of the current climber is abnormal. This abnormal determination means, for example, that the current climber cannot reach the current target transmitter in the section from the current reference transmitter to the current target transmitter and may be lost on the way.

[0191] Subsequently, in step S117, the mobile terminal 90 gives a visual warning to the current climber as illustrated in FIG. 11(b). In one example, the mobile terminal 90 displays, on the screen, a message to the effect that "You may be lost. It is recommended that you turn back on the route" and a confirmation button that is operated to confirm that the current climber has read the message, in association with each other.

[0192] After that, in step S118, the mobile terminal 90 measures the current position by using the built-in GPS described above. Subsequently, in step S119, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the position information representing the positioning result to the management server 50 in association with the user ID and the current time.

[0193] In contrast, in step S154, the management server 50 receives the location information from the current mobile terminal 90 in association with the user ID and the current time, and then, in step S155, stores the location information in the memory 162 in association with the user ID and the current time. As a result, the action history of the current climber is stored in the memory 162 in chronological order in association with the time, and this information becomes useful information when tracking the climber.

[0194] Thereafter, in step S120, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether or not the confirmation button has been operated by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 11(b). If the confirmation button has not been operated, the determination is NO, and the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S121 whether or not the elapsed time from the start time of the first execution of step S120 exceeds a predetermined limit time g. If it does not exceed, the determination is YES and the process returns to step S117. Eventually, when the elapsed time exceeds the limit time g, the determination in step S121 becomes NO.

[0195] Thereafter, in step S122, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the current climber is a person in distress, and transmits a request for the above-mentioned person-in-distress search mode for searching for the person in distress to the management server 50. Subsequently, in step S123, as illustrated in FIG. 11(c), the mobile terminal 90 displays a message indicating "Contacting fellow travelers" and a message indicating "Requesting rescue" on the screen.

[0196] In contrast, in step S156, the management server 50 receives a request for the person-in-distress search mode from the current mobile terminal 90, and then, in step S157, sends a message to each of the mobile terminals 90 of the other climbers who are traveling with the current climber and are registered in the memory 162 of the management server 50, informing them that the current climber may be in distress.

[0197] Specifically, for this companion simultaneous transmission service, for each one or more companions (e.g., members of a party climbing the same climbing route 14) for the current climber, personal information, that is, for example, name, address, age, gender, physical condition data (e.g., health data), and motor ability (e.g., number of years of sports experience), and contact information, that is, for example, the phone number, email address, and IP address of the mobile terminal 90 of each companion, are registered in the memory 162 of the management server 50 so as to construct a companion database.

[0198] After that, in step S158, the management server 50 activates the drone 200 with the arrival target point being the current climbing route 14. As described above, the drone 200 searches for the position of the climber relying on the radio wave received from the climber transmitter 32 worn by the current climber. Thereby, the above-described missing person search function is realized.

[0199] As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, it becomes unnecessary for the climber himself / herself who may be in a psychologically panicked state to make judgments such as whether he / she is lost on the route, whether there is a risk of getting lost, selecting the content of actions to avoid getting lost, and whether he / she has actually got lost. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible for the climber to accurately know whether he / she is lost on the route before getting lost, accurately know whether there is a risk of getting lost, and accurately know the actions to avoid getting lost when there is a risk of getting lost.

[0200] In this embodiment, it is possible to consider that the part of the computer 134 of the mobile terminal 90 that executes steps S105, S106, and S108 in FIG. 10 constitutes an example of the reference transmitter determination unit. Also, it is possible to consider that the part of the computer 134 of the mobile terminal 90 that executes steps S109 - S111 in the same figure constitutes an example of the target transmitter determination unit. Further, it is possible to consider that the part of the computer 134 of the mobile terminal 90 that executes steps S115 and S116 in the same figure constitutes an example of the walking state determination unit. Additionally, it is possible to consider that the part of the computer 134 of the mobile terminal 90 that executes step S117 in the same figure constitutes an example of the warning unit.

[0201] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first feature unit that functions as the reference transmitter determination unit, the second feature unit that functions as the target transmitter determination unit, and the third feature unit that functions as the walking state determination unit are all implemented in the computer 134 of the same mobile terminal 90. However, alternatively, the present invention may be implemented in a manner where all three of these feature units are implemented in the computer 164 of the management server 50, or the present invention may be implemented in a manner where a part of these three feature units is implemented in the computer 164 of the management server 50.

[0202] Furthermore, it should be noted that in this embodiment, on the premise that the climber does not slip from the mountain path 14 (the climber does not deviate laterally from the mountain path 14), if the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive a signal from the target transmitter within the limited time f, it is determined that there is a possibility that the climber is lost on the path.

[0203] On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 90 cannot receive the signal from the target transmitter within the restricted time f, the present invention measures the acceleration of the mobile terminal 90, that is, the acceleration of the climber, using the acceleration sensor 154 of the mobile terminal 90. When the absolute value of the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, it may be determined that the climber has deviated from the mountain path 14 and slipped in the vicinity of the reference transmitter. Here, "the possibility that the climber has slipped from the mountain path 14" is an example of the above-mentioned "abnormal walking state".

[0204] [Second Embodiment]

[0205] Next, the distress signal rescue system 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For the elements common to the above-described first embodiment, the same names or reference numerals will be used and cited, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Only the different elements will be described in detail. The distress signal rescue system 10 is designed to implement a distress signal rescue method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0206] As described above, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the management server 50 receives a request for a distress signal search mode from the mobile terminal 90 (an example of a "user terminal") of the current climber in step S156, in step S157, a message for notifying each mobile terminal 90 (an example of a "companion terminal") of the other climbers accompanying the current climber and registered in the memory 162 of the management server 50 that the current climber may be in distress is transmitted all at once. Each companion's mobile terminal 90 is configured to be common to the mobile terminal 90 of the climber.

[0207] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the management server 50 does not unconditionally and simultaneously send the message, that is, the message for requesting the search and rescue of the current climbers or victims, to all of the multiple companions registered in the memory 162. Instead, it narrows down those companions (multiple candidate rescuers) to those for whom the physical risk of sending them to the location of the victim does not exceed the reference value, and sends the message only to each of the selected companions, that is, each rescuer (final rescuer).

[0208] Various methods can be adopted to narrow down a plurality of candidate rescuers to a smaller number of final rescuers.

[0209] In an example shown in FIG. 12, the management server 50 receives, from each of the mobile terminals 90 of a plurality of companions, a plurality of types of personal risks of each companion (accident risks to the companion when the companion is dispatched to the location of the victim).

[0210] As these personal risks, there is the three-dimensional position (latitude x, longitude y, altitude z) measured by the GPS of each companion's mobile terminal 90 for measuring the distance that must be walked until reaching the location of the victim (the farther the distance, the higher the accident risk of the companion during the rescue, such as the risk of injury or death), which represents the geographical information of each companion's current position (an example of "companion information").

[0211] As another personal risk, there is the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of each companion's mobile terminal 90 for determining whether to request rescue for each companion in consideration of the local weather conditions at the location of each companion (another example of "companion information") (the lower the temperature, the higher the accident risk of the companion during the rescue).

[0212] As yet another individual risk, there is the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler in order to determine whether or not to request rescue for each fellow traveler in consideration of yet another local weather condition (yet another example of "fellow traveler information") at the location of each fellow traveler (the darker the outside brightness, the higher the accident risk of the fellow traveler at the time of rescue).

[0213] As yet another individual risk, there is the altitude (z) measured by the GPS of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler in order to determine whether or not to request rescue for each fellow traveler in consideration of the local geographical conditions (yet another example of "fellow traveler information") at the location of each fellow traveler (the higher the altitude, the lower the atmospheric pressure and the lower the oxygen concentration, so the higher the accident risk of the fellow traveler at the time of rescue).

[0214] As yet another individual risk, there is the physical condition data (yet another example of "fellow traveler information") of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler, which is input by the user, in order to determine whether or not to request rescue for each fellow traveler in consideration of the physical condition of each fellow traveler (for example, it is a gradual physical condition level such as good, normal, or bad physical condition, and for example, the lower the physical condition level, the higher the accident risk of the fellow traveler at the time of rescue).

[0215] As yet another individual risk, there is the motor ability data (yet another example of "fellow traveler information") of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler, which is input by the user, in order to determine whether or not to request rescue for each fellow traveler in consideration of the physical condition of each fellow traveler (for example, it is the number of years of personal experience in sports up to that day, and for example, the closer the number of years of experience is to 0, the higher the accident risk of the fellow traveler at the time of rescue).

[0216] In one example shown in FIG. 12, the management server 50 further receives, from a weather server 400 (an example of an "environment server"), a plurality of types of environmental risks of each fellow traveler (the accident risk that would affect that fellow traveler if that fellow traveler were dispatched to the location of the person in distress) based on the weather characteristics (an example of "environment information") of the location of the person in distress.

[0217] As environmental risks, there is a weather risk at the location of the victim (estimated as the position measured by the GPS of the victim's mobile terminal 90). The worse the weather (such as rainy days, snowfall, etc.), the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue).

[0218] As another environmental risk, there is a temperature risk at the location of the victim. The greater the amount by which the temperature deviates from the appropriate range, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue).

[0219] As yet another environmental risk, there is a wind speed risk at the location of the victim. The higher the wind speed, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue).

[0220] In an example shown in FIG. 12, the management server 50 further receives multiple types of environmental risks of each accompanying person from the terrain server 500 (another example of an "environmental server") based on the terrain characteristics of the location of the victim (another example of "environmental information").

[0221] As environmental risks, there is a terrain risk at the location of the victim. For example, the steeper the gradient, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue).

[0222] As another environmental risk, there is a surface risk at the location of the victim. For example, the higher the likelihood of natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches, and debris flows occurring in mountainous areas, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue).

[0223] In an example shown in FIG. 12, the management server 50 calculates the comprehensive personal risk F for each accompanying person as follows from the position of the accompanying person (specifically, the distance D (Distance) between the accompanying person and the victim), the temperature (air temperature) T (Temperature) at the location of the accompanying person, the illuminance L (Lightness) at the location of the accompanying person, the altitude H (Height) at the location of the accompanying person, the physical condition C (Condition) of the accompanying person, and the motor ability M (Motor Skill) of the accompanying person).

[0224] F = D·k1 + T·k2 + L·k3 + H·k4 + C·k5 + M·k6 k1, k2, k3, k4, k5, k6: Weight coefficients (default values) multiplied by each risk variable

[0225] The larger the calculated value of the overall individual risk F, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue.

[0226] In an example shown in FIG. 12, the management server 50 calculates the overall environmental risk G for each victim from the weather risk M1, temperature risk M2, wind speed risk M3, terrain risk S1, and surface risk S2 at the location of the victim as follows:

[0227] G = M1·k7 + M2·k8 + M3·k9 + S1·k 10 + S2·k 11 k7, k8, k9, k 10 , k 11 : Weight coefficients (default values) multiplied by each risk variable

[0228] The larger the calculated value of the overall environmental risk G, the higher the accident risk of the accompanying persons during rescue.

[0229] FIG. 13 conceptually shows the communication between the mobile terminals 90 of multiple accompanying persons, the management server 50, the weather server 400, and the terrain server 500 to implement the above-described simultaneous transmission service for accompanying persons, and the programs executed by the processors of each component.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 10, when the management server 50 receives a request for the victim search mode from the current mobile terminal 90 in step S156, as shown in FIG. 13, in step S1351, the management server 50 simultaneously transmits a request for requesting individual risks from each accompanying person (each candidate rescuer) to all of the multiple mobile terminals 90 of the multiple accompanying persons.

[0231] When the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler receives the request in step S1301, in step S1302, it measures the current position of each mobile terminal 90 by the GPS as the location of each fellow traveler.

[0232] Subsequently, in step S1303, the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler detects the temperature (air temperature) T at the location of each fellow traveler by the temperature sensor of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler. Further, the illuminance L at the location of each fellow traveler is detected by the illuminance sensor of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler. Further, the altitude H of the location of each fellow traveler is detected by the GPS of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler.

[0233] After that, in step S1304, the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler transmits the above-mentioned plurality of detection values T, L, H together with the level of the physical condition C of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler input by the user (for example, the higher the fatigue level of the fellow traveler, the higher the level) and the level of the exercise ability M of the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler input by the user (for example, the lower the exercise ability of the fellow traveler, the higher the level) to the management server 50 as individual risks respectively.

[0234] On the contrary, in step S1352, the management server 50 receives those individual risks from the mobile terminal 90 of each fellow traveler, and then, in step S1353, saves those received individual risks in the memory 162 in association with each fellow traveler.

[0235] Subsequently, in step S1354, the management server 50 reads out from the memory 162 the current position last received from the mobile terminal 90 of the mountaineer who is the victim as the location of the victim, sets that location as the rescue location, and registers it in the memory 162.

[0236] After that, in step S1355, the management server 50 transmits a request for requesting a plurality of environmental risks to the weather server 400 and the terrain server 500 respectively together with the set rescue location.

[0237] In step S1371, each of the weather server 400 and the terrain server 500 receives the request. Subsequently, in step S1372, each of the weather database of the weather server 400 and the database of the terrain server 500 searches for environmental risks for a certain area covering the rescue location.

[0238] Thereafter, in step S1373, each of the weather server 400 and the terrain server 500 transmits the plurality of retrieved environmental risks to the management server 50.

[0239] In contrast, in step S1357, the management server 50 calculates the comprehensive environmental risk G as described above for the plurality of received environmental risks.

[0240] Subsequently, in step S1358, the management server 50 determines whether the calculated value of the comprehensive environmental risk G is equal to or less than a preset upper limit value (an example of the "second reference value"), that is, whether the accident risk of the rescuer is low. If the calculated value is equal to or less than the upper limit value, the determination is YES, and in step S159, rescue by any accompanying person is permitted. However, if the calculated value is higher than the upper limit value, the determination in step S1358 is NO. For example, it returns to step S1351 and waits for the environmental risk to improve at the same rescue location, or determines whether to conduct a rescue at another rescue location.

[0241] After executing step S1359, in step S1360, the management server 50 calculates the comprehensive personal risk F for each candidate rescuer (each accompanying person) from the plurality of received personal risks. Thereafter, in step S1361, among the plurality of candidate rescuers, those for which the calculated comprehensive personal risk F is equal to or less than a preset reference point (an example of the "first reference value") are each selected as the final rescuer.

[0242] Subsequently, in step S1362, the management server 50 transmits a message for requesting the search and rescue of the victim to each selected rescuer's mobile terminal 90, together with the name, estimated location, physical characteristics, and clothing characteristics of the victim.

[0243] On the other hand, in step S1306, each rescuer's mobile terminal 90 displays the received message on the screen (or outputs it as voice), and further displays a confirmation button on the screen. Thereafter, on the condition that the confirmation button is operated by the user of the mobile terminal 90, that is, the rescuer, in step S1307, the corresponding rescuer operates the confirmation button, and thereby transmits to the management server 50 the intention of accepting the rescue request.

[0244] On the other hand, in step S1363, the management server 50 receives information indicating that the confirmation button has been operated from any of the rescuers' mobile terminals 90, identifies the rescuer who has accepted the rescue request, and registers it in the memory 162.

[0245] However, if the management server 50 cannot receive information indicating that the confirmation button has been operated from any of the rescuers' mobile terminals 90 even after the expiration of the time limit, in step S1364, it updates the reference point to decrease by a predetermined amount from the current value, and then returns to step S1361. As a result, by the next execution of this step S1361, the range of multiple rescuers to whom the rescue request is canvassed is expanded, and thereby the probability of finding a rescuer who accepts the rescue request increases.

[0246] As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is possible to consider that the part of the climber's mobile terminal 90 that executes steps S105 - S117 and S120 - S122 in FIG. 10 constitutes an example of a "casualty determination unit". An example of that "casualty determination unit" performs casualty determination using a plurality of guide transmitters 30 as external devices of the mobile terminal 90. Another example of that "casualty determination unit" performs casualty determination as described above using the aforementioned acceleration sensor 154 (an example of a motion sensor that measures the behavior of the climber).

[0247] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the part of the management server 50 that executes steps S1352 and S1360 in FIG. 13 constitutes an example of an "individual risk calculation unit", and the part of the management server 50 that executes steps S1354 - S1357 in the same figure constitutes an example of an "environmental risk calculation unit". Also, the part of the management server 50 that executes step S1359 in the same figure constitutes an example of a "rescue permission unit", and the part of the management server 50 that executes steps S1361 and S1364 in the same figure constitutes an example of a "rescuer selection unit". Additionally, it is possible to consider that the part of the management server 50 that executes step S1362 in the same figure constitutes an example of a "rescue request unit".

[0248] [Third Embodiment]

[0249] Next, the mountain trail guidance system 10 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For elements common to the aforementioned first embodiment, the same names or reference numerals are used for citation, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Only different elements will be described in detail. The system 10 is designed to implement a pedestrian guidance method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0250] As described above, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of guide transmitters 30 are installed along the mountain path 14 from the starting point (beginning) to the target point (end point), regardless of the location. Moreover, when the time required for a climber to walk from one guide transmitter 30 to the next guide transmitter 30 exceeds the time limit, it is determined that there is a possibility that the climber is lost on the path.

[0251] In contrast, generally, the cause of the possibility that a climber gets lost on the mountain path is not the single-path part of the mountain path 14 but the part with a fork. Instead of installing the transmitters 30 as guide transmitters evenly throughout the entire same mountain path 14, it is more advantageous in terms of cost and man-hours to install the transmitters 30 as fork transmitters only at the forks (or only at the forks among a plurality of forks where, statistically or empirically, climbers are highly likely to lose their way).

[0252] In view of this fact, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14, fork transmitters 30 are installed only at the parts of the mountain path 14 with a plurality of forks.

[0253] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 90 of the climber starts receiving from any one of the fork transmitters 30, in response, as illustrated in FIG. 15, an operation is started in which a map image representing only the area near the current fork among the mountain paths 14 is displayed on the screen together with a mark representing the current position of the climber, a mark representing the correct route, and the fork name (in addition to mountain information useful to the climber, etc.).

[0254] After that, when the mobile terminal 90 stops receiving the signal from the same fork transmitter 30, the map image that has been displayed until then disappears from the screen.

[0255] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16, in the memory 162 of the management server 50, a map database representing map data for each destination, that is, for each of the plurality of mountain trails 14 (for example, by mountain range), for the entirety of each mountain trail 14, is constructed. However, in the present embodiment, the map database is constructed to be valid only when a climber climbs the mountain trail 14 towards the summit for the sake of convenience of explanation.

[0256] Therefore, when any destination is specified, one map data is specified.

[0257] Each map data is configured as a collection of a plurality of partial map data. In each map data, each partial map data and a branch point ID representing one branch point included in the partial map data are associated with each other.

[0258] As illustrated in FIG. 15, each partial map data is configured to include a mark that associates and represents, at that position, the correct route determined in relation to the corresponding branch point and at least three paths intersecting at that branch point among the mountain trails 14 and the destination designated by the climber.

[0259] In the memory 162 of the management server 50, although not shown, a predetermined relationship between a transmitter ID represented by an identification signal transmitted by each branch point transmitter 30 and a branch point ID representing the branch point where each branch point transmitter 30 is installed is also stored.

[0260] Therefore, when the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal from any branch point transmitter 30, one transmitter ID is specified, and further, one branch point ID is specified, and thus, one partial map data is specified.

[0261] FIG. 17 conceptually shows the communication that takes place between a plurality of branch point transmitters 30, a climber's mobile terminal 90, and a management server 50 to implement the above-described branch point guidance service, and the programs executed by the processors of the respective components. In the mobile terminal 90, a climber guidance application is installed in the memory 132 as the corresponding program.

[0262] FIG. 18(a) shows in perspective view an example of the state in which a climber walks through a certain branch point during the operation of the system 10. FIG. 18(b) shows in a time chart the time change of the state in which the mobile terminal 90 receives any one of the branch point transmitters 30 in the walking example of FIG. 18(a). FIG. 18(c) shows in a time chart the time change of the display state on the screen of the climber's mobile terminal 90 in the walking example of FIG. 18(a).

[0263] As shown in FIG. 17, when the climber guidance application is launched in the mobile terminal 90, the climber inputs a destination to his / her own mobile terminal 90 in step S1701. Subsequently, in step S1702, the mobile terminal 90 transmits a request for requesting map data corresponding to the input destination together with the destination to the management server 50.

[0264] On the other hand, in step S1731, the management server 50 receives the request. Subsequently, in step S1732, the management server 50 searches for the corresponding map data in the map database using the destination received from the mobile terminal 90 as a key. Thereafter, in step S1733, the management server 50 transmits the searched current map data (a collection of a plurality of partial map data) to the climber's mobile terminal 90.

[0265] On the other hand, in step S1703, the climber's mobile terminal 90 receives the current map data from the management server 50 and stores the map data in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90 in association with the current destination.

[0266] Subsequently, the climber's mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30 in step S1704. Thereafter, in step S1705, the climber's mobile terminal 90 determines whether it has successfully received a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30, that is, whether the mobile terminal 90 is within the reception range (effective reception area) of any one of the branch point transmitters 30. If the reception is not successful, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S1704. If the reception starts successfully, the determination changes to YES.

[0267] In the example of FIG. 18(b), at the timing indicated by time t1, when the determination in step S1705 is YES, the climber's mobile terminal 90 obtains the current transmitter ID from the received signal in step S1706. Subsequently, in step S1707, the obtained transmitter ID is converted into a branch point ID according to the relationship.

[0268] Thereafter, in step S1708, the climber's mobile terminal 90 selects the one corresponding to the current branch point ID from among the plurality of partial map data stored in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90 and reads out the current partial map data from the memory 132. Subsequently, in step S1709, the read partial map data is started to be displayed on the screen at the timing indicated by time t3 in the example of FIG. 18(c) as illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0269] Subsequently, the climber's mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30 in step S1710. Thereafter, in step S1711, the climber's mobile terminal 90 determines whether it has successfully received a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30, that is, whether the mobile terminal 90 is within the reception range (effective reception area) of any one of the branch point transmitters 30.

[0270] When the mobile terminal 90 of the climber effectively receives a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30, the determination in step S1711 becomes YES. Subsequently, in step S1712, it is determined whether the transmitter ID obtained from the received signal matches the transmitter ID obtained at the previous execution of step S1706 described above, that is, whether the mobile terminal 90 continues to effectively receive a signal from the same branch point transmitter 30.

[0271] If the determination in this step S1712 is YES, the process returns to step S1709 and the display of the current partial map data continues. However, if the determination in step S1712 is NO, the process proceeds to step S1706, and for another branch point, the display of the partial map data is started in the same manner as described above.

[0272] On the other hand, in the example of Fig. 18(b), when the mobile terminal 90 of the climber transitions from an effective reception state in which it effectively receives a signal from any one of the branch point transmitters 30 to an ineffective reception state in which it does not effectively receive a signal from any of the branch point transmitters 30 at the timing indicated by time t2, the determination in step S1711 becomes NO.

[0273] Thereafter, the mobile terminal 90 of the climber ends the display of the current partial map data in step S1713 at the timing indicated by time t4 in the example of Fig. 18(c). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1704.

[0274] As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the part of the mobile terminal 90 of the climber that executes steps S1704 - S1707 in Fig. 17 constitutes an example of a "branch point position specifying unit", and the part of the mobile terminal 90 of the climber that executes steps S1701 - S1703 in the same figure constitutes an example of a "map data receiving unit", and it is possible to consider that the part of the mobile terminal 90 of the climber that executes steps S1708 - S1713 in the same figure constitutes an example of a "partial map data display unit".

[0275] Incidentally, several embodiments described above apply the present invention to the use of guiding climbers on the mountain path 14, but it can also be applied to other uses.

[0276] For example, the present invention can be applied to guiding pedestrians on other types of mountain paths, guiding pedestrians on forest paths, guiding the visiting route or monitoring the behavior (such as whether entering a restricted area or a dangerous area) of visitors in facilities (such as factories, art galleries, museums, public facilities, etc.), guiding customers in a store where a plurality of products are displayed, monitoring the behavior of students on their way to school (such as whether deviating from the regular route), guiding pedestrians on a walking path, guiding bicycles on a cycling course, and other uses.

[0277] Furthermore, it should be noted that in some of the embodiments described above, all or part of the processing executed on the mobile terminal 90 may instead be executed on the management server 50, or conversely, all or part of the processing executed on the management server 50 may instead be executed on the mobile terminal 90. This is because which device should execute the processing to be performed is usually determined by the circumstances at that time, for example, the amount and type of data to be handled, the processing speed and memory capacity of each device.

[0278] As described above, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting from the aspects described in the [Summary of the Invention] section.

Claims

1. A drone capable of selectively flying toward a target by remote control and autonomous navigation, A controller that controls the navigation of the drone; a communication device connected to the controller, capable of wireless communication with a management server operated or managed by a management center; a receiver connected to the controller, capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter attached to the target by a short-range wireless method; Camera and Including, The controller is capable of selectively performing remote control, which remotely controls the flight of the drone in accordance with instructions from the management server, and autonomous flight, which measures the strength of the radio waves received by the receiver from the transmitter from moment to moment and navigates the drone in a direction in which the current value of the measured radio wave strength is greater than the previous value; the communication device transmits imaging data representing an image captured by the camera to the management server, thereby enabling an operator at the management center to remotely monitor the state of the target location via the camera; The camera is a drone that can be remotely controlled by the management server via the controller.

2. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the camera can be remotely controlled by the management server via the controller with respect to the on / off state, zoom ratio and / or angle of the camera.

3. Further, the device includes a speaker. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the speaker is remotely controlled by the management server via the controller, thereby enabling an operator at the management center to output audio through the speaker toward the target.

4. In addition, the drone includes a shooter that drops items from the drone. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the shooter is remotely controlled by the management server via the controller, thereby enabling an operator at the management center to drop the item toward the target via the shooter.

5. The target includes a victim; The drone of claim 1 , wherein the items include relief supplies for the victim.

6. The drone of claim 5, wherein the shooter drops lighting equipment along with the relief supplies, thereby enabling the victim to accurately determine the landing point of the dropped items thanks to the lighting equipment.

7. A wireless communication device having a positioning function and a communication function is attached to the target; The drone of claim 1 , wherein the management server receives location information acquired by the positioning function from the wireless communication device and performs the remote control based on the received location information.

8. A wireless communication device having a positioning function and a communication function is attached to the target; The drone of claim 1, wherein the management server executes a wireless communication device-based search mode in which the positioning function is used to search for the target when a connection between the wireless communication device and the management server is established, and executes a transmitter-based search mode in which the signal from the transmitter is used to search for the target when a connection between the wireless communication device and the management server is not established, provided that a connection between the transmitter and the receiver is established.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as the controller according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

Images