Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To enable a flying body to communicate using a communication protocol which is suitable for each flying body.SOLUTION: A management server 1 includes: an acquisition unit 121 that acquires flight plan information indicating the planned flight path of a flying body that captures images during flight and communication quality information indicating the communication quality for each location; a selection unit 123 that selects either a first communication protocol or a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used by the flying body for communication, on the basis of the communication quality along the planned flight path indicated by the communication quality information; and a transmission unit 124 that transmits control information to the flying body to cause the flying body to transmit images according to the selected communication protocol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for processing information relating to communications of an air vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) to distribute audio and video from an aircraft such as a drone to an information terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-51540 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The WebRTC communication protocol has the advantage of being able to deliver video with low latency, but it has characteristics such as low tolerance for packet loss and requires a large communication bandwidth due to peer-to-peer connections (making it difficult to deliver to multiple destinations). Conventionally, low-latency video delivery and video delivery to multiple destinations are required for each air vehicle, but it has not been easy for users to select and configure the appropriate communication protocol for each air vehicle.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to enable aircraft to communicate using a communication protocol that is suitable for each aircraft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device of a first aspect of the present invention has an acquisition unit that acquires flight plan information that indicates a planned flight path of an aircraft that captures images during flight and communication quality information that indicates communication quality for each location, a selection unit that selects either a first communication protocol or a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft based on the communication quality on the planned flight path indicated by the communication quality information, and a transmission unit that transmits control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to transmit the images in accordance with the selected communication protocol.

[0007] The transmitter may transmit the control information to the air vehicle in accordance with the selected communication protocol.

[0008] The selection unit may select the first communication protocol on the condition that the communication quality of the entire planned flight route meets a predetermined standard, and may select the second communication protocol on the condition that the communication quality of at least a portion of the planned flight route does not meet the standard.

[0009] The selection unit may select the selected communication protocol before the aircraft begins flying along the planned flight path, and the transmission unit may transmit the control information for setting the selected communication protocol to the aircraft before the aircraft begins flying along the planned flight path.

[0010] The communication quality may include at least one of a packet loss rate and a communication speed.

[0011] The first communication protocol may be a communication protocol that is more tolerant to packet loss than the second communication protocol.

[0012] The second communication protocol may be a communication protocol with a smaller communication delay than the first communication protocol.

[0013] The transmitting unit may transmit the control information to limit the number of destinations to which the aircraft transmits the image to a predetermined number or less, on the condition that the selecting unit selects the second communication protocol, which has a lower communication delay than the first communication protocol, as the selected communication protocol.

[0014] The information processing device may further have an identification unit that identifies, based on the flight plan information, whether or not there is an assistant to assist the flying vehicle while it is flying along the planned flight path, and the selection unit may select the selected communication protocol based on the communication quality on the planned flight path indicated by the communication quality information and the presence or absence of the assistant identified by the identification unit.

[0015] The selection unit may select the second communication protocol, which has less communication delay than the first communication protocol, on the condition that the identification unit has identified that there is no assistant, and may select the first communication protocol on the condition that the identification unit has identified that there is an assistant.

[0016] The acquisition unit may acquire information indicating the number of destinations to which the air vehicle will send the image, and the selection unit may select the first communication protocol, which has a higher tolerance for packet loss than the second communication protocol, on the condition that the number of destinations is greater than or equal to a threshold, and select the second communication protocol on the condition that the number of destinations is less than the threshold.

[0017] An information processing method of a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of an aircraft that captures images during flight; acquiring communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location; selecting either a first communication protocol or a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft based on the communication quality on the planned flight path indicated by the communication quality information; and transmitting control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to transmit the images in accordance with the selected communication protocol.

[0018] A third aspect of the program of the present invention causes a processor to perform the following steps: acquiring flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of an aircraft that captures images during flight; acquiring communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location; selecting either a first communication protocol or a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used by the aircraft for communication based on the communication quality on the planned flight path indicated by the communication quality information; and transmitting control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to transmit the images in accordance with the selected communication protocol. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the effect that aircraft can communicate using a communication protocol suitable for each aircraft. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a management system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary flight plan information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining exemplary communication quality information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method in which a selection unit selects a communication protocol. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method executed by the management server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [Overview of Management System S] 1 is a schematic diagram of a management system S according to this embodiment. The management system S includes a management server 1, an aircraft 2, and an information terminal 3. The management system S may also include other terminals, devices, etc.

[0022] The management server 1 is a computer that processes information related to communications with the aircraft 2. The management server 1 transmits control information to the aircraft 2, causing the aircraft 2 to transmit data such as captured images in accordance with a specific communication protocol. The management server 1 may be a single computer or multiple computers. The management server 1 may also be one or multiple virtual servers operating on a cloud, which is a collection of computer resources.

[0023] The aircraft 2 is an unmanned flying device such as a drone that flies in the air. The aircraft 2 flies along a predetermined planned flight path according to the operation of a pilot. Alternatively, the aircraft 2 may fly automatically along a predetermined planned flight path without the operation of a pilot. The aircraft 2 has an imaging unit for capturing images during flight to generate captured images, and a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information between the management server 1 and the aircraft 2 via wireless communication.

[0024] The information terminal 3 is a computer used by a user. The information terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or other information terminal. The user is, for example, a pilot who pilots the aircraft 2, a manager who manages the flight of the aircraft 2, or an assistant who assists in the flight of the aircraft 2. The information terminal 3 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display for displaying information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel for receiving operations by the user.

[0025] An overview of the processing executed by the management system S according to this embodiment will be described below. The management server 1 acquires flight plan information indicating the planned flight path of the flying object 2 and communication quality information indicating the communication quality for each location. The communication quality is, for example, the loss rate of packets used for communication.

[0026] The management server 1 selects either the first communication protocol or the second communication protocol as the selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft 2 based on the planned flight route indicated by the flight plan information and the communication quality on the planned flight route indicated by the communication quality information. The first communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol that has high tolerance for packet loss but a relatively large communication delay. The second communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol that has low tolerance for packet loss but a relatively small communication delay.

[0027] The management server 1 transmits control information to the aircraft 2 to cause the aircraft 2 to transmit captured images in accordance with the selected communication protocol. Based on the control information transmitted by the management server 1, the aircraft 2 transmits captured images captured during flight to at least one of the management server 1 and the information terminal 3 in accordance with the selected communication protocol, the first communication protocol or the second communication protocol.

[0028] In this way, the management system S selects a communication protocol based on communication quality information indicating the communication quality along the planned flight path of the aircraft 2, and controls the aircraft 2 to communicate using the selected communication protocol. This allows the management system S to communicate using a communication protocol appropriate for each aircraft 2.

[0029] [Administration Server 1 Configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 2, arrows indicate the main data flows, and data flows other than those shown in FIG. 2 may also exist. In FIG. 2, each block indicates a functional configuration rather than a hardware (device) configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in FIG. 2 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data may be exchanged between blocks via any means, such as a data bus, a network, or a portable storage medium.

[0030] The management server 1 has a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 11 stores in advance a program to be executed by the control unit 12. The storage unit 11 may also store in advance flight plan information indicating a planned flight path along which the aircraft 2 is to fly, and communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location.

[0031] The control unit 12 has an acquisition unit 121, an identification unit 122, a selection unit 123, a transmission unit 124, and a reception unit 125. The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the acquisition unit 121, the identification unit 122, the selection unit 123, the transmission unit 124, and the reception unit 125 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 11. In addition, the processor of the aircraft 2 may function as at least a part of the acquisition unit 121, the identification unit 122, the selection unit 123, the transmission unit 124, and the reception unit 125.

[0032] The processing executed by the management system S will be described in detail below. Before the aircraft 2 begins flight, the acquisition unit 121 acquires flight plan information from the memory unit 11 or other storage device. The flight plan information is information related to the flight of the aircraft 2, including the planned flight path of the aircraft 2. The flight plan information is designated in advance by, for example, a pilot or an administrator, and is stored in the memory unit 11 or other storage device.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary flight plan information. Fig. 3 shows each piece of information indicated by the flight plan information on a map. The flight plan information includes a planned flight route R, which is the route along which the aircraft 2 is planned to fly. The flight plan information represents the planned flight route R using at least one of, for example, points along which the aircraft 2 is planned to pass, a line along which the aircraft 2 is planned to fly, and an area along which the aircraft 2 is planned to fly.

[0034] The flight plan information may also include beyond visual line of sight flight information indicating whether the aircraft 2 will fly beyond visual line of sight, assistant information indicating whether or not an assistant is present to assist the aircraft 2 while it is flying along its planned flight path, and destination information indicating the number of destinations to which the aircraft 2 will send captured images while it is flying.

[0035] The beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight information is information indicating whether the pilot will not have direct visual contact with the aircraft 2 while the aircraft 2 is flying along the planned flight route R. The assistant information is information indicating whether there is an assistant other than the pilot who will monitor the area around the planned flight route R while the aircraft 2 is flying along the planned flight route R. The destination information is information indicating the destination (ID (Identifier), IP address, etc.) of the information terminal 3 to which the aircraft 2 will send captured images while the aircraft 2 is flying along the planned flight route R, and the number of information terminals 3 to which the aircraft 2 will send captured images.

[0036] The acquisition unit 121 acquires communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location from the storage unit 11 or other storage device. The communication quality includes, for example, at least one of a packet loss rate (also called packet loss) corresponding to the rate at which communication packets do not reach their destination when communicating at a specific location, and a communication speed corresponding to the speed at which data is transmitted and received when communicating at a specific location. The communication quality is measured in advance by a predetermined information terminal or the like, or calculated using a known simulation method, and stored in the storage unit 11 or other storage device.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining exemplary communication quality information. Fig. 4 shows each piece of information indicated by the communication quality information on a map. The communication quality information is, for example, information that associates a point (coordinates, etc.) or an area (cell, etc.) with the communication quality at that point or that area.

[0038] The identification unit 122 identifies the presence or absence of an assistant assisting the aircraft 2 while it is flying along the planned flight path R, based on the flight plan information acquired by the acquisition unit 121. When the flight plan information includes assistant information, the identification unit 122 may, for example, identify that an assistant is present if the assistant information indicates that an assistant is present, or identify that an assistant is not present if the assistant information does not indicate that an assistant is present. When the flight plan information does not include assistant information but includes beyond visual line of sight flight information, the identification unit 122 may, for example, identify that an assistant is present if the beyond visual line of sight flight information indicates that the aircraft 2 will perform beyond visual line of sight flight, or identify that an assistant is not present if the beyond visual line of sight flight information does not indicate that the aircraft 2 will perform beyond visual line of sight flight.

[0039] Before the aircraft 2 begins flying along the planned flight route R, the selection unit 123 selects either the first communication protocol or the second communication protocol as the selected communication protocol to be used by the aircraft 2 for communication based on the flight plan information and communication quality information acquired by the acquisition unit 121.

[0040] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for the selection unit 123 to select a communication protocol. The first communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol that has stronger tolerance for packet loss but larger communication delays than the second communication protocol. The first protocol is, for example, SRT (Secure Reliable Transport). In SRT, the aircraft 2 transmits captured images to the management server 1, and the management server 1 transfers the captured images received from the aircraft 2 to multiple information terminals 3. Therefore, in SRT, the communication bandwidth required for the aircraft 2 to distribute captured images to multiple information terminals 3 tends to be relatively small.

[0041] The second communication protocol is, for example, a communication protocol that has weaker tolerance for packet loss than the first communication protocol but has smaller communication delays. The second communication protocol is, for example, WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). In WebRTC, the aircraft 2 and each information terminal 3 are connected one-to-one (also called a peer-to-peer connection), and the aircraft 2 transmits captured images to each of the multiple information terminals 3. Therefore, in WebRTC, the communication bandwidth required for the aircraft 2 to distribute captured images to the multiple information terminals 3 tends to be relatively large.

[0042] The first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are not limited to the specific communication protocols shown here, and may be other communication protocols with different communication characteristics.

[0043] The selection unit 123 selects the first communication protocol on the condition that the overall communication quality of the planned flight route R satisfies a predetermined selection criterion, and selects the second communication protocol on the condition that the communication quality of at least a part of the planned flight route R does not satisfy the selection criterion. The selection criterion is, for example, specified in advance by the pilot or the administrator and stored in the storage unit 11.

[0044] The selection criteria may include, for example, a packet loss rate, which is communication quality, being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the selector 123 can reduce the risk of communication packet loss by selecting a first communication protocol with high packet loss tolerance when the packet loss rate is high on the planned flight route R, and can reduce communication delays by selecting a second communication protocol with low packet loss tolerance when the packet loss rate is low.

[0045] The selection criteria may include, for example, that the communication speed, which is the communication quality, is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold. As a result, the selector 123 can enable stable communication by selecting a first communication protocol with a small communication bandwidth for delivering captured images when the communication speed is low on the planned flight route R, and can reduce communication delays by selecting a second communication protocol with a large communication bandwidth for delivering captured images when the communication speed is fast.

[0046] If the communication quality information does not include the communication quality at each position on the planned flight route R, the selection unit 123 may use the communication quality of the position closest to each point on the planned flight route R, among the multiple positions whose communication quality information includes the communication quality. Furthermore, the selection unit 123 may use the average value of the communication quality of a predetermined number of positions in descending order of proximity to each point on the planned flight route R, among the multiple positions whose communication quality information includes the communication quality.

[0047] Furthermore, the selection unit 123 may select a communication protocol based on the communication quality on the planned flight route R indicated by the communication quality information and the presence or absence of an assistant identified by the identification unit 122. In this case, in addition to the above-described selection criteria, the selection unit 123 may, for example, select the second communication protocol on the condition that the identification unit 122 identifies that there is no assistant, and select the first communication protocol on the condition that the identification unit 122 identifies that there is an assistant. In this way, the selection unit 123 selects the second communication protocol, which has a smaller communication delay than the first communication protocol, on the condition that there is no assistant, thereby making it easier for the pilot to recognize early on that the aircraft 2 is approaching an obstacle, etc., even in a situation where the pilot is piloting the aircraft 2 without an assistant.

[0048] The selection unit 123 may also select a communication protocol based on the communication quality along the planned flight route R indicated by the communication quality information and the number of destinations indicated by the flight plan information. In this case, the selection unit 123 may, for example, select a first communication protocol on the condition that the number of destinations is equal to or greater than a threshold, in addition to the above-mentioned selection criteria, and select a second communication protocol on the condition that the number of destinations is less than the threshold. In this way, the selection unit 123 selects the first communication protocol, which has a smaller communication bandwidth for delivering captured images than the second communication protocol, on the condition that the number of destinations is large, thereby enabling stable communication.

[0049] Before the aircraft 2 starts flying along the planned flight path R, the transmitter 124 transmits to the aircraft 2 control information for causing the aircraft 2 to transmit captured images in accordance with the selected communication protocol selected by the selector 123. The control information is, for example, information for setting the selected communication protocol in the aircraft 2.

[0050] The transmitting unit 124 may transmit the control information to the aircraft 2 in accordance with the selected communication protocol selected by the selecting unit 123. This allows the management server 1 to transmit the control information to the aircraft 2 in the selected communication protocol used by the aircraft 2 to transmit captured images, and to confirm that the aircraft 2 is capable of communication using the selected communication protocol.

[0051] The aircraft 2 sets the selected communication protocol in the communication unit in accordance with the control information received from the management server 1, and transmits captured images in accordance with the selected communication protocol while flying along the planned flight route R. This allows the management system S to communicate using a communication protocol appropriate for each aircraft 2 in accordance with the communication quality along the planned flight route R of the aircraft 2.

[0052] The transmitter 124 may transmit control information for limiting the number of destinations to which the air vehicle 2 transmits captured images to an upper limit or less, on the condition that the selector 123 selects the second communication protocol as the selected communication protocol. The air vehicle 2 sets the upper limit number of destinations in the communication unit in accordance with the control information received from the management server 1, and transmits captured images to destinations that are equal to or less than the upper limit while flying along the planned flight route R. If the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit, the air vehicle 2 will not transmit captured images to destinations that exceed the upper limit. This allows the management system S to prevent a situation in which the air vehicle 2 cannot successfully transmit captured images to each destination due to a large number of destinations when the second communication protocol, which has a large communication bandwidth for distributing captured images, is selected.

[0053] When the selected communication protocol is the first communication protocol, the flying object 2 transmits images captured during flight to the management server 1 in accordance with the first communication protocol. In the management server 1, the receiving unit 125 receives the images transmitted by the flying object 2. The transmitting unit 124 transmits the images received by the receiving unit 125 to one or more information terminals 3 preset as destinations.

[0054] When the selected communication protocol is the second communication protocol, the flying object 2 transmits, in accordance with the second communication protocol, images captured during flight to one or more information terminals 3 that have been preset as destinations.

[0055] One or more information terminals 3 display on a display unit the captured image received from the management server 1. This allows the management system S to display on the information terminal 3 the captured image transmitted from the aircraft 2 using a communication protocol suitable for each aircraft 2.

[0056] [Information processing method flow] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method executed by the management server 1 according to this embodiment. The management server 1 starts the subsequent processing when a predetermined start condition (such as a user performing a start operation on the information terminal 3) is satisfied.

[0057] The acquisition unit 121 acquires flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of the aircraft 2 from the memory unit 11 or another storage device (S11). The acquisition unit 121 acquires communication quality information indicating communication quality for each position from the memory unit 11 or another storage device (S12).

[0058] The identification unit 122 identifies, based on the flight plan information acquired by the acquisition unit 121, whether or not there is an assistant to assist the flying object 2 flying along the planned flight route R (S13).

[0059] Before the aircraft 2 starts flying along the planned flight path R, the selection unit 123 selects either the first communication protocol or the second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft 2 based on the flight plan information and communication quality information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 (S14). Here, the selection unit 123 may select the selected communication protocol based on the presence or absence of an assistant identified by the identification unit 122, in addition to the flight plan information and communication quality information acquired by the acquisition unit 121.

[0060] Before the aircraft 2 starts flying along the planned flight path R, the transmission unit 124 transmits control information to the aircraft 2 to cause the aircraft 2 to transmit captured images according to the selected communication protocol selected by the selection unit 123 (S15).

[0061] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the management system S of this embodiment, the management server 1 selects a communication protocol based on communication quality information indicating the communication quality of the aircraft 2 on the planned flight route R, and controls the aircraft 2 to communicate using the selected communication protocol. This allows the management system S to communicate using a communication protocol appropriate for each aircraft 2, depending on the communication quality of the aircraft 2 on the planned flight route R.

[0062] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation and resilience."

[0063] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] S Management System 1 Management Server 11 Storage section 12 Control Unit 121 Acquisition Department 122 Specific part 123 Selection Section 124 Transmitter 125 Receiver 2. Aircraft 3. Information terminals

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of an aircraft that captures images during flight and communication quality information indicating communication quality for each position; a selection unit that selects one of a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft based on the communication quality on the planned flight route indicated by the communication quality information; a transmitter that transmits control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to transmit the image in accordance with the selected communication protocol; An information processing device having the above.

2. The transmitter transmits the control information to the aircraft in accordance with the selected communication protocol. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the selection unit selects the first communication protocol on the condition that the communication quality of the entire planned flight route satisfies a predetermined standard, and selects the second communication protocol on the condition that the communication quality of at least a part of the planned flight route does not satisfy the standard.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the selection unit selects the selected communication protocol before the aircraft starts flying the planned flight path; the transmitting unit transmits the control information for setting the selected communication protocol to the aircraft before the aircraft starts flying along the planned flight path.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The communication quality includes at least one of a packet loss rate and a communication speed.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The first communication protocol is a communication protocol having a stronger tolerance for packet loss than the second communication protocol.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The second communication protocol is a communication protocol having a smaller communication delay than the first communication protocol.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the transmitting unit transmits the control information for limiting the number of destinations to which the aircraft transmits the image to a predetermined number or less, on the condition that the selecting unit selects the second communication protocol having a smaller communication delay than the first communication protocol as the selected communication protocol.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Further, a determination unit is provided that determines whether or not there is an assistant to assist the flying object while flying the planned flight path based on the flight plan information, The selection unit selects the selected communication protocol based on the communication quality on the planned flight route indicated by the communication quality information and the presence or absence of the assistant identified by the identification unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. the selection unit selects the second communication protocol having a smaller communication delay than the first communication protocol on condition that the identification unit has identified that the assistant is not present, and selects the first communication protocol on condition that the identification unit has identified that the assistant is present. The information processing device according to claim 9 .

11. the acquisition unit acquires information indicating the number of destinations to which the aircraft will transmit the image; the selection unit selects the first communication protocol, which has stronger packet loss tolerance than the second communication protocol, on condition that the number of destinations is equal to or greater than a threshold, and selects the second communication protocol on condition that the number of destinations is less than a threshold.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The processor executes acquiring flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of an aircraft that will capture images during flight; acquiring communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location; selecting one of a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft based on the communication quality along the planned flight route indicated by the communication quality information; transmitting control information to the air vehicle to cause the air vehicle to transmit the image in accordance with the selected communication protocol; An information processing method comprising:

13. The processor acquiring flight plan information indicating a planned flight path of an aircraft that will capture images during flight; acquiring communication quality information indicating communication quality for each location; selecting one of a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol as a selected communication protocol to be used for communication by the aircraft based on the communication quality along the planned flight route indicated by the communication quality information; transmitting control information to the air vehicle to cause the air vehicle to transmit the image in accordance with the selected communication protocol; A program that executes.

Images