Flight vehicle, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Abstract

To stably control the flight of a flight vehicle even if communication status of wireless communication of the flight vehicle changes.SOLUTION: A flight vehicle 1 includes: a detection unit 121 which detects status of communication during flight; a selection unit 122 which selects, based on the communication status, at least one of a first flight control protocol and a second flight control protocol, as a selected flight control protocol which is to be used by the flight vehicle for flight control, the first flight control protocol performing flight control according to information received by using SMS (Short Message Service), the second flight control protocol performing flight control according to information received by using a communication service different from the SNS; and a receiving unit 124 which receives, from an information processing apparatus, control information to control the flight vehicle to fly according to the selected flight control protocol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aircraft, an information processing device, and an information processing method for processing information related to flight control of the aircraft. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a control device controls the flight of an aircraft by transmitting control signals to the aircraft via a communication service using a communication method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G (Generation). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-135562 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because aircraft fly away from the ground where base stations that relay wireless communications are installed, the communication conditions for wireless communications between the control device and the aircraft may deteriorate. When the communication speed of wireless communications slows down, the aircraft is unable to promptly receive control signals from the control device. When wireless communications become impossible, the aircraft is unable to receive control signals from the control device at all. In this way, when the communication conditions for wireless communications between the aircraft deteriorate, there is a problem in that the aircraft cannot be stably controlled.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to enable stable control of the flight of an aircraft even when the communication conditions of the wireless communication conducted by the aircraft change. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the aircraft of the present invention is an aircraft that communicates with an information processing device, and has a detection unit that detects the communication status of communications taking place during flight, a selection unit that selects, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS (Short Message Service) or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control, and a receiving unit that receives control information from the information processing device for flying the aircraft in accordance with the selected flight control protocol.

[0007] The first flight control protocol may be a method of transmitting and receiving information using SMS via satellite communication using a communication satellite, and the second flight control protocol may be a method of transmitting and receiving information using a communication service different from SMS via terrestrial communication using terrestrial communication equipment.

[0008] The first flight control protocol may be a method of transmitting and receiving information using SMS via ground communication using ground communication facilities, and the second flight control protocol may be a method of transmitting and receiving information via the ground communication using a communication service different from SMS.

[0009] The aircraft may further have a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the selected flight control protocol to the information processing device, and the receiving unit may receive the control information from the information processing device after the transmitting unit transmits the selected flight control protocol.

[0010] The selection unit may select the first flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol when a predetermined condition corresponding to poor communication conditions is met while the aircraft is flying in accordance with the second flight control protocol.

[0011] The selection unit may select the second flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol when a predetermined condition corresponding to good communication conditions is met while the aircraft is flying in accordance with the first flight control protocol.

[0012] The flying object may further have an imaging unit that generates an image by capturing an image while the flying object is in flight, a verbalization unit that generates an explanatory text by verbalizing the contents of the captured image, and a transmission unit that transmits the explanatory text to the information processing device, provided that the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol.

[0013] The transmission unit may transmit the explanatory text to the information processing device without transmitting the captured image to the information processing device, provided that the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol.

[0014] An information processing method of a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of detecting the communication status of communications performed during flight by an aircraft communicating with an information processing device, selecting, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control, and receiving control information from the information processing device for flying the aircraft according to the selected flight control protocol.

[0015] An information processing device of a third aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that communicates with an aircraft, and has a receiving unit that receives from the aircraft information indicating a selected flight control protocol to be used for flight control by the aircraft, selected from a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS based on the communication status of communications being conducted by the aircraft while it is flying, and a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS, and a transmitting unit that transmits control information to the aircraft for flying the aircraft according to the selected flight control protocol.

[0016] An information processing device of a fourth aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that communicates with an aircraft, and has a detection unit that detects the communication status of communications between the aircraft and the information processing device while the aircraft is flying, a selection unit that selects, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control, and a transmission unit that transmits control information to the aircraft for flying the aircraft according to the selected flight control protocol.

[0017] The information processing device may further include a data processing unit that reduces the amount of data of the control information when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol compared to when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol.

[0018] An information processing method of a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: detecting the communication status of communication between the aircraft and an information processing device communicating with the aircraft while the aircraft is flying; selecting, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control; and transmitting control information to the aircraft for flying the aircraft according to the selected flight control protocol. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably control the flight of an aircraft even when the communication conditions of wireless communication performed by the aircraft change. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flight control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flight control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method in which a detection unit detects a communication situation. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method in which a selection unit selects a flight control protocol. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for transmitting a description of a captured image by an aircraft. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method executed by an aircraft according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a flight control system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [Flight Control System S Overview] 1 is a schematic diagram of a flight control system S according to this embodiment. The flight control system S includes an aircraft 1 and a control server 2. The flight control system S may also include other terminals, devices, etc.

[0022] The aircraft 1 is an unmanned flying device such as a drone that flies in the air. The aircraft 1 flies according to control information received from the control server 2 via wireless communication. The aircraft 1 flies along a predetermined planned flight path or in response to operations by a pilot. The aircraft 1 has an imaging unit for capturing images during flight to generate captured images, and a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the control server 2 via wireless communication.

[0023] The control server 2 is an information processing device that processes information related to flight control of the aircraft 1. The control server 2 flies the aircraft 1 by sending control information to the aircraft 1. The control server 2 is a single computer or multiple computers. The control server 2 may also be one or multiple virtual servers operating on a cloud, which is a collection of computer resources.

[0024] The aircraft 1 and the control server 2 can switch their communication methods between terrestrial communication using terrestrial communication equipment 3 and satellite communication using a communication satellite 4. The communication equipment 3 is, for example, a base station installed on the ground that relays communication signals transmitted by the aircraft 1 and the control server 2. The communication equipment 3 supports communication standards such as 3G, 4G / LTE, and 5G. The communication satellite 4 is, for example, an artificial satellite deployed in space that relays communication signals transmitted by the aircraft 1 and the control server 2. The communication satellite 4 supports a predetermined satellite communication standard.

[0025] The aircraft 1 and the control server 2 can switch the flight control protocol used for flight control. The flight control protocols that the aircraft 1 and the control server 2 can use include, for example, a first flight control protocol that transmits and receives control information using SMS, and a second flight control protocol that transmits and receives control information using a communication service (packet communication, etc.) different from SMS.

[0026] The process executed by the flight control system S according to this embodiment will be outlined below. The aircraft 1 detects the communication status of the communication being performed during flight ((1) in FIG. 1). The aircraft 1 detects whether the communication status is good or bad based on, for example, whether communication is possible or the communication speed of the communication being performed with the control server 2.

[0027] Based on the detected communication conditions, the aircraft 1 selects either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS, or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS ((2) in Figure 1).

[0028] The aircraft 1 transmits selection information indicating the selected flight control protocol to the control server 2 ((3) in Figure 1), and receives control information from the control server 2 for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol ((4) in Figure 1).

[0029] In this way, in the flight control system S, the aircraft 1 selects a flight control protocol based on the communication conditions of the communications being performed during flight, and the control server 2 transmits control information to the aircraft 1 for flying the aircraft 1 according to the selected flight control protocol. This allows the flight control system S to stably control the flight of the aircraft 1 even if the communication conditions of the wireless communications performed by the aircraft 1 change.

[0030] [Configuration of Flight Control System S] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a flight control system S 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.

[0031] The aircraft 1 has a memory unit 11 and a control unit 12. The memory unit 11 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The memory unit 11 stores in advance programs to be executed by the control unit 12.

[0032] The control unit 12 has a detection unit 121, a selection unit 122, a transmission unit 123, a reception unit 124, and a language generation unit 125. The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the detection unit 121, the selection unit 122, the transmission unit 123, the reception unit 124, and the language generation unit 125 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 11.

[0033] The control server 2 includes a storage unit 21 and a control unit 22. The storage unit 21 is a storage medium including a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 21 stores in advance programs to be executed by the control unit 22.

[0034] The control unit 22 has a receiving unit 221, a data processing unit 222, and a transmitting unit 223. The control unit 22 is a processor such as a CPU, and functions as the receiving unit 221, the data processing unit 222, and the transmitting unit 223 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 21.

[0035] The following describes in detail the processing executed by the aircraft 1 and the control server 2. During flight, the aircraft 1 communicates with the control server 2 via communication equipment 3 or communication satellite 4. In the aircraft 1, the detection unit 121 detects the communication status of the communication being performed by the aircraft 1 during flight.

[0036] 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method by which the detection unit 121 detects the communication status. The aircraft 1 periodically transmits and receives predetermined data for maintaining a communication connection with the control server 2 via wireless communication. The aircraft 1 also receives control information for flying the aircraft 1 from the control server 2 via wireless communication. The control information is information indicating control signals that control the direction or speed of the aircraft 1 in flight in accordance with a first flight control protocol or a second flight control protocol described below.

[0037] The communication status detected by the detection unit 121 includes at least one of whether communication is possible and the communication speed. If the aircraft 1 moves out of the communication area of ​​the communication facility 3 or the communication satellite 4 while communicating using the communication facility 3 or the communication satellite 4, it will be unable to communicate with the control server 2. The detection unit 121 detects that communication is not possible if, for example, the aircraft 1 is unable to receive data periodically transmitted by the control server 2 for a predetermined period of time or more, and detects that communication is possible if the aircraft 1 is unable to receive data periodically transmitted by the control server 2 for a period of time that does not continue for more than the predetermined period of time.

[0038] While the aircraft 1 is communicating using the communication facility 3 or the communication satellite 4, the communication speed with the control server 2 decreases as the aircraft 1 moves away from the communication facility 3 or the communication satellite 4. The detection unit 121 detects the communication speed, for example, by measuring the time it takes to complete reception of data periodically transmitted by the control server 2, or the time it takes to complete transmission of data periodically transmitted to the control server 2. The detection unit 121 is not limited to the specific method shown here, and may use other methods to detect the communication status of communication performed by the aircraft 1 while in flight.

[0039] The detection unit 121 may detect the communication status of only one of terrestrial communication or satellite communication corresponding to the first flight control protocol or the second flight control protocol used for flight control by the aircraft 1. Alternatively, the detection unit 121 may detect the communication status of both terrestrial communication and satellite communication regardless of whether the aircraft 1 uses the first flight control protocol or the second flight control protocol for flight control.

[0040] Based on the communication conditions detected by the detection unit 121, the selection unit 122 selects either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS as the selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft 1 for flight control.

[0041] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for selecting a flight control protocol by the selection unit 122. The flight control protocol is information indicating, for example, the communication method (terrestrial communication or satellite communication) used by the aircraft 1 to receive control information from the control server 2 and the control method (contents of the control signal) used to control the aircraft 1.

[0042] The first control protocol is a method of sending and receiving information using SMS via terrestrial communication using communication equipment 3 or satellite communication using communication satellite 4. SMS is a communication method that uses the telephone network, and can send and receive data stably via either terrestrial communication or satellite communication. In the control method of the first control protocol, the character string represented by the message sent and received by SMS indicates the content of the control signal.

[0043] The second control protocol is a method of transmitting and receiving information using a communication service different from SMS via ground communication using communication equipment 3. The communication service different from SMS is, for example, network communication such as packet communication. Network communication is a communication method using a computer network, and is capable of transmitting and receiving large amounts of data relatively quickly. In the control method of the second control protocol, the data transmitted and received via network communication indicates the content of the control signal.

[0044] Because satellite communication has limited communication speeds, there are cases where the aircraft 1 cannot stably communicate with the network via satellite communication. Therefore, in this embodiment, a first control protocol using SMS is available for both terrestrial communication and satellite communication, and a second control protocol using network communication is available only for terrestrial communication. In other words, the first flight control protocol is a method of transmitting and receiving information using SMS via terrestrial communication using communication equipment 3 or satellite communication using communication satellite 4, and the second flight control protocol is a method of transmitting and receiving information via terrestrial communication using communication equipment 3 using a communication service different from SMS.

[0045] For example, when the aircraft 1 is flying in accordance with the second flight control protocol, the selection unit 122 selects the first flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol on the condition that a predetermined condition corresponding to poor communication conditions detected by the detection unit 121 is satisfied. The condition corresponding to poor communication conditions is, for example, that the communication conditions indicate that communication is not possible for the communication method (network communication) of the second flight control protocol, or that the communication speed is below a reference value. As a result, in response to a deterioration in the communication conditions of network communication, the flight control system S can select the first flight control protocol, which can more stably send and receive information using SMS, instead of the second flight control protocol, which sends and receives information using network communication.

[0046] For example, when the aircraft 1 is flying in accordance with the first flight control protocol, the selection unit 122 selects the second flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol on the condition that a predetermined condition corresponding to good communication conditions is satisfied. The condition corresponding to good communication conditions is, for example, that the communication conditions indicate that communication is possible for the communication method (network communication) of the second flight control protocol, or that the communication conditions indicate that the communication speed is equal to or greater than a reference value. As a result, the flight control system S can select the second flight control protocol, which can send and receive more information using network communication, instead of the first flight control protocol, which sends and receives information using SMS, in response to the normalization of the communication conditions of the network communication.

[0047] The transmitter 123 transmits selection information indicating the selected flight control protocol (the first flight control protocol or the second flight control protocol) selected by the selector 122 to the control server 2. The transmitter 123 transmits the selection information to the control server 2 using the communication method (SMS or network communication) of the selected flight control protocol.

[0048] In the control server 2, the receiver 221 receives selection information from the aircraft 1. The data processor 222 generates control information for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol indicated in the selection information received by the receiver 221, based on route information indicating the planned flight route pre-stored in the memory 21, or operation information indicating an operation input by a user on an information terminal, etc.

[0049] For example, when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, the data processing unit 222 generates, as control information, a message that includes a string indicating the contents of a control signal for controlling the direction or speed, etc. of the aircraft 1 in accordance with route information or operation information, etc., and that can be sent and received via SMS.

[0050] For example, when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol, the data processing unit 222 generates control information that indicates the contents of a control signal for controlling the orientation or speed, etc. of the aircraft 1 in accordance with route information or operation information, etc., and that can be sent and received via network communication.

[0051] When the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, it is desirable for the data processing unit 222 to reduce the amount of data in the control information compared to when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol. The data processing unit 222 reduces the amount of data in the control information, for example, by dividing, compressing, or simplifying the content of the control signals for controlling the orientation, speed, etc. of the aircraft 1.

[0052] As a result, the control information generated by data processing unit 222 when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol has a smaller data volume than the control information generated by data processing unit 222 when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol. This allows flight control system S, when transmitting control information using SMS under the first flight control protocol, to adjust the control information to match the SMS, which has a small transmittable data volume.

[0053] The transmitter 223 transmits the control information generated by the data processor 222 to the aircraft 1. The transmitter 123 transmits the control information to the aircraft 1 using the communication method (SMS or network communication) of the selected flight control protocol.

[0054] In the aircraft 1, the receiving unit 124 receives control information from the control server 2 for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol. The aircraft 1 flies based on the control information received by the receiving unit 124. When the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, the aircraft 1 flies according to the direction, speed, etc. indicated by the message sent by SMS. When the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol, the aircraft 1 flies according to the direction, speed, etc. indicated by the data sent by network communication.

[0055] The aircraft 1 may perform different processing depending on the selected flight control protocol when transmitting captured images captured using the imaging unit during flight to the control server 2. For example, when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, the aircraft 1 transmits a description of the captured image to the control server 2 instead of the captured image itself.

[0056] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for the flying object 1 to transmit a description of a captured image. The verbalization unit 125 generates the description by verbalizing the content of the captured image generated by the imaging unit capturing images during flight. The verbalization unit 125 generates the description indicating the name and position of the subject by, for example, detecting the name and position of the subject in the captured image using a known image analysis process.

[0057] When the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol, the transmitter 123 transmits the captured image to the control server 2. In the control server 2, the receiver 221 receives the captured image from the flying object 1 and stores the received captured image in the memory 21 or displays it on a predetermined information terminal.

[0058] When the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, the transmitting unit 123 transmits a message including the explanatory text generated by the verbalizing unit 125 to the control server 2 without transmitting the captured image to the control server 2. In the control server 2, the receiving unit 221 receives the message from the aircraft 1 and stores the explanatory text included in the received message in the memory unit 21 or displays it on a predetermined information terminal. As a result, even when control information is transmitted and received between the aircraft 1 and the control server 2 using SMS, which cannot transmit and receive captured images, the flight control system S can notify a predetermined user of the content of the captured image captured by the aircraft 1 by causing the aircraft 1 to transmit the explanatory text for the captured image to the control server 2 using SMS.

[0059] When the selected flight control protocol is switched from the first flight control protocol to the second flight control protocol, the transmitter 123 may transmit captured images that were not transmitted to the control server 2 while the selected flight control protocol was the first flight control protocol to the control server 2 after the selected flight control protocol becomes the second flight control protocol. This enables the flight control system S to transmit captured images, for which only explanatory text was transmitted to the control server 2 in the first flight control protocol, to the control server 2 again after switching back to the second flight control protocol.

[0060] [Information processing method flow] 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an information processing method executed by the aircraft 1 according to this embodiment. During flight, the aircraft 1 communicates with the control server 2 via the communication equipment 3 or the communication satellite 4. In the aircraft 1, the detection unit 121 detects the communication status of the communication being performed by the aircraft 1 during flight (S11).

[0061] Based on the communication conditions detected by the detection unit 121, the selection unit 122 selects either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS as the selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft 1 for flight control (S12).

[0062] The transmitter 123 transmits selection information indicating the selected flight control protocol (the first flight control protocol or the second flight control protocol) selected by the selector 122 to the control server 2 (S13).

[0063] In the control server 2, the receiving unit 221 receives selection information from the aircraft 1. The data processing unit 222 generates control information for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol indicated in the selection information received by the receiving unit 221, based on route information indicating a planned flight route pre-stored in the storage unit 21, or operation information indicating an operation input by a user on an information terminal, etc. The transmitting unit 223 transmits the control information generated by the data processing unit 222 to the aircraft 1.

[0064] In the aircraft 1, the receiver 124 receives control information for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol from the control server 2 (S14). The aircraft 1 flies based on the control information received by the receiver 124 (S15).

[0065] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the flight control system S of this embodiment, the aircraft 1 selects a flight control protocol based on the communication conditions of the communications being performed during flight, and the control server 2 transmits control information to the aircraft 1 for flying the aircraft 1 according to the selected flight control protocol. This allows the flight control system S to stably control the flight of the aircraft 1 even if the communication conditions of the wireless communications performed by the aircraft 1 change.

[0066] <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, the flight control protocol is selected by the aircraft 1, whereas in this modification, the flight control protocol is selected by the control server 2. The following mainly describes the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0067] 7 is a block diagram of a flight control system S according to this modification. The control unit 12 of the aircraft 1 has the above-mentioned transmission unit 123, reception unit 124, and language unit 125. The control unit 22 of the control server 2 has a detection unit 224 and a selection unit 225 in addition to the above-mentioned reception unit 221, data processing unit 222, and transmission unit 223.

[0068] The control server 2 communicates with the flying object 1 via communication equipment 3 or a communication satellite 4. In the control server 2, the detection unit 224 detects the communication status of the communication being performed by the flying object 1. The communication status detected by the detection unit 224 includes at least one of whether communication is possible or not and the communication speed.

[0069] The detection unit 224 detects, for example, that communication is not possible if the control server 2 is unable to receive data periodically transmitted by the aircraft 1 for a predetermined period of time or more, and detects that communication is possible if the control server 2 is unable to receive data periodically transmitted by the aircraft 1 for a period of time that does not continue for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0070] The detection unit 224 detects the communication speed, for example, by measuring the time it takes to complete reception of data periodically transmitted by the air vehicle 1, or the time it takes to complete transmission of data periodically transmitted to the air vehicle 1. The detection unit 224 is not limited to the specific method shown here, and may use other methods to detect the communication status of communication performed by the air vehicle 1 while it is flying.

[0071] Based on the communication conditions detected by the detection unit 224, the selection unit 225 selects either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control according to information received using a communication service other than SMS, as the selected flight control protocol to be used for flight control by the aircraft 1. The criteria by which the selection unit 225 selects the selected flight control protocol are the same as the criteria used by the selection unit 122 in the above-described embodiment.

[0072] The data processing unit 222 generates control information for flying the aircraft 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol selected by the selection unit 225, based on route information indicating the planned flight route pre-stored in the storage unit 21, or operation information indicating operations input by the user on the information terminal. Here, when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, the data processing unit 222 desirably reduces the amount of data in the control information compared to when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol. The method by which the data processing unit 222 generates the control information is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

[0073] The transmitting unit 223 transmits the control information generated by the data processing unit 222 to the flying object 1. In the flying object 1, the receiving unit 124 receives control information from the control server 2 for flying the flying object 1 in accordance with the selected flight control protocol. The flying object 1 flies based on the control information received by the receiving unit 124. The transmitting unit 123 transmits to the control server 2 captured images captured using the imaging unit or descriptions of the captured images generated by the verbalization unit 125.

[0074] According to this modified example, the flight control system S can stably control the flight of the aircraft 1 even if the communication conditions of the wireless communication performed by the aircraft 1 change, and the control server 2 selects the flight control protocol, thereby reducing the computational load on the aircraft 1.

[0075] 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."

[0076] 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]

[0077] S Flight Control System 1. Aircraft 11 Storage section 12 Control Unit 121 Detector 122 Selection section 123 Transmitter 124 Receiver 125 Verbalization Department 2 Control Server 21 Memory section 22 Control Unit 221 Receiving unit 222 Data Processing Unit 223 Transmitter 224 Detector 225 Selection Section

Claims

1. An air vehicle that communicates with an information processing device, a detection unit that detects the communication status of communication being performed during flight; a selection unit that selects, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS (Short Message Service) or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control; a receiving unit that receives control information for flying the aircraft in accordance with the selected flight control protocol from the information processing device; An aircraft having:

2. the first flight control protocol is a method of transmitting and receiving information using SMS via satellite communication using a communication satellite; the second flight control protocol is a method for transmitting and receiving information via ground communication using a communication service different from SMS, the second flight control protocol being a method for transmitting and receiving information via ground communication equipment using a communication service different from SMS, The flying vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. the first flight control protocol is a method of transmitting and receiving information using SMS via ground communication using ground communication equipment, the second flight control protocol is a method for transmitting and receiving information via the ground communication using a communication service different from SMS; The flying vehicle according to claim 1 .

4. a transmitter that transmits information indicating the selected flight control protocol to the information processing device; the receiving unit receives the control information from the information processing device after the transmitting unit transmits the selected flight control protocol. The flying vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the selection unit selects the first flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol when a predetermined condition corresponding to poor communication conditions is satisfied while the aircraft is flying in accordance with the second flight control protocol. The flying vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the selection unit selects the second flight control protocol as the selected flight control protocol when a predetermined condition corresponding to good communication conditions is satisfied while the aircraft is flying in accordance with the first flight control protocol. The flying vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. an imaging unit that captures images of the flying object while it is flying and generates captured images; a verbalization unit that generates an explanatory sentence by verbalizing the content of the captured image; a transmitter that transmits the explanatory text to the information processing device on the condition that the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol; The flying vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:

8. the transmission unit transmits the explanatory text to the information processing device without transmitting the captured image to the information processing device, on condition that the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol. The flying vehicle according to claim 7.

9. The air vehicle in communication with the information processing device executes: A step of detecting a communication status of communication being performed during flight; selecting, based on the communication status, either one of a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control; receiving control information from the information processing device for flying the air vehicle in accordance with the selected flight control protocol; An information processing method comprising:

10. An information processing device that communicates with an air vehicle, a receiving unit that receives, from the aircraft, information indicating a selected flight control protocol to be used for flight control by the aircraft, the selected flight control protocol being selected from a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS based on the communication status of communications being performed by the aircraft during flight, and a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS; a transmitter that transmits control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to fly in accordance with the selected flight control protocol; An information processing device having the above.

11. An information processing device that communicates with an air vehicle, a detection unit that detects a communication status of communication between the aircraft and the aircraft during flight; a selection unit that selects, based on the communication status, either a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control; a transmitter that transmits control information to the aircraft to cause the aircraft to fly in accordance with the selected flight control protocol; An information processing device having the above.

12. a data processing unit that, when the selected flight control protocol is the first flight control protocol, reduces the amount of data of the control information compared to when the selected flight control protocol is the second flight control protocol; The information processing device according to claim 10 or 11.

13. An information processing device that communicates with the aircraft executes detecting a communication status of communication between the aircraft and the aircraft during flight of the aircraft; selecting, based on the communication status, either one of a first flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using SMS or a second flight control protocol that performs flight control in accordance with information received using a communication service other than SMS, as a selected flight control protocol to be used by the aircraft for flight control; transmitting control information to the air vehicle to fly the air vehicle in accordance with the selected flight control protocol; An information processing method comprising:

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