Information processing apparatus, aircraft control method, and maas providing method

Abstract

To reduce impacts on an operational schedule of an aircraft due to equipment changes.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 10 comprises a storage unit 12 for storing an operational schedule of an aircraft, and a control unit 11 for acquiring a request for equipment changes to the aircraft. If a content of the equipment change corresponds to minor maintenance, the control unit adds work items related to the equipment change to a maintenance / inspection period or a heavy equipment / airworthiness certification inspection period defined in the operational schedule. If the content of the equipment change does not correspond to minor maintenance, the control unit determines a first amount as a work cost when work items related to the equipment change are added to the maintenance / inspection period, and determines a second amount, which is lower than the first amount, as a work cost when the work items related to the equipment change are added to the heavy equipment / airworthiness certification inspection period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a MaaS providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for shortening the period of aircraft downtime due to the replacement of aircraft parts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flight support system that identifies the replacement timing of aircraft parts based on the cumulative flight time of the aircraft or the cumulative engine operating time, and determines the timing of ordering the parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-066358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Air vehicles such as eVTOL (electric vertical take off and landing) are expected to be used for a variety of purposes in the future, including passenger transportation, cargo transportation, and emergency services. Therefore, it is conceivable to make the equipment of the air vehicle changeable depending on the purpose, but there are concerns that this may affect the operation schedule. Patent Document 1 does not consider the impact of changing the equipment of the air vehicle on the operation schedule.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of these circumstances, is to reduce the impact on operational schedules caused by equipment changes on aircraft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that manages the operation schedule of an aircraft, and includes: a memory unit that stores the operation schedule of the aircraft; and a control unit that acquires a request for an equipment change of the aircraft, and, if the content of the equipment change corresponds to minor maintenance, adds a work item related to the equipment change to a maintenance and inspection period or a heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period specified in the operation schedule; and, if the content of the equipment change does not correspond to minor maintenance, determines a first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the maintenance and inspection period, and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period.

[0007] In an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing device that manages an operation schedule for an aircraft stores the operation schedule for the aircraft, acquires a request for an equipment change for the aircraft, and, if the content of the equipment change corresponds to minor maintenance, adds a work item related to the equipment change to a maintenance and inspection period or a heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period specified in the operation schedule, and, if the content of the equipment change does not correspond to minor maintenance, determines a first amount as the work cost for adding the work item related to the equipment change to the maintenance and inspection period, and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost for adding the work item related to the equipment change to the heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period.

[0008] A MaaS providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure provides MaaS using the above-described information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the impact of equipment changes on aircraft operation schedules. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation schedule stored in an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration of information processing device> The configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The information processing device 10 is a device that manages the operation schedule of an air vehicle such as an eVTOL, and may be a server.

[0013] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0014] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 13 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the information processing device 10. The input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external input device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As the connection interface, any interface compatible with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be used.

[0015] The output unit 14 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video, or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescent) display. The output unit 14 outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The output unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external output device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As the connection interface, any interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI, Bluetooth, etc. may be used.

[0016] The communication unit 15 includes at least one communication interface for communicating with any device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal, an aircraft, etc. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface.

[0017] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The flash memory is, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD). The magnetic memory is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The storage unit 12 also stores an operation schedule for the flying object in advance. The operation schedule is updated every time a given period of time elapses.

[0019] The air vehicle is, for example, an eVTOL. The eVTOL has a cabin that is approximately the same size as a passenger car and can accommodate one or more passengers, and at least one of fixed wings and rotary wings for generating lift and thrust. Note that the air vehicle is not limited to an eVTOL, and may be an eSTOL (electric short take off and landing), a helicopter, a drone, or the like.

[0020] The equipment of an aircraft can be changed depending on the intended use. Changing the equipment includes, for example, removing seats or changing the interior. When the aircraft is used for cargo transport, removing unnecessary seats allows the space to be emptied and used to carry cargo. When the aircraft is used for emergency care, removing unnecessary seats allows the space to be emptied and used to place medical equipment or to accommodate patients on stretchers. In addition, the seats of the aircraft can be changed to seats with massage functions or seats with heating functions according to the user's wishes.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of an aircraft operation schedule. Once an airworthiness certificate is issued for an aircraft, it can be operated. An aircraft must undergo maintenance and inspection each time it is operated, or after it has operated for a specified period of time or a specified number of times. Therefore, after an airworthiness certificate is issued, an "operation period" and a "maintenance and inspection period" alternate. In addition, an airworthiness certificate has an expiration date (for example, one year), and the airworthiness certificate must be renewed before the expiration date expires. Therefore, a "heavy maintenance and airworthiness certificate inspection period" is set before the expiration date for the airworthiness certificate renewal. The "heavy maintenance and airworthiness certificate inspection period" is longer than the "maintenance and inspection period." Note that periods in the operation schedule for which the schedule is unknown may be left blank.

[0022] The control unit 11 acquires a request for an equipment change due to a change in the use of the aircraft, etc., and identifies a work category according to the content of the equipment change. General examples of work categories are shown below. Work categories are classified into maintenance and alterations. Maintenance is classified into maintenance and repair. Alterations are classified into minor alterations and major alterations. Maintenance is classified into minor maintenance and general maintenance. Repairs are classified into minor repairs, minor repairs, and major repairs.

[0023] In other words, the work categories in this example are divided into seven categories: "minor maintenance," "general maintenance," "minor repair," "minor repair," "major repair," "minor alteration," and "major alteration." "Minor maintenance" refers to the replacement of standard equipment or parts and other simple preventive maintenance work that does not involve complex integration work. "General maintenance" refers to maintenance work other than minor maintenance. "Minor repair" refers to repair work that has only a minor impact on the weight, center of gravity, strength, powerplant function, flying characteristics, and other aspects of the aircraft's airworthiness (hereinafter simply referred to as "airworthiness") and is not complex, and does not require a powerplant operation inspection or other complex inspection to confirm the work. "Minor repair" refers to repair work other than minor repair and major repair. "Major repair" refers to repair work that has a significant impact on airworthiness. "Minor alteration" refers to alteration work other than major alteration. "Major alteration" refers to alteration work that has a significant impact on airworthiness.

[0024] The storage unit 12 may store in advance a correspondence table that associates the details of equipment changes with work categories. The control unit 11 may identify a work category corresponding to the details of equipment changes based on the correspondence table stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 may also identify a work category corresponding to the details of equipment changes using a trained model (machine learning model) that outputs a work category when the details of equipment changes are input.

[0025] Then, if the content of the equipment change corresponds to "minor maintenance," the control unit 11 adds a work item related to the equipment change to the "maintenance and inspection period" or the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period" defined in the operation schedule. If the identified work category does not correspond to "minor maintenance," the control unit 11 determines a first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the "maintenance and inspection period," and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period."

[0026] The "maintenance and inspection period" is shorter than the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period." Therefore, adding a work item that does not fall under "minor maintenance" may increase the number of workers, resulting in increased labor costs and affecting the operation schedule. In the present invention, by setting the second amount lower than the first amount, it is possible to motivate the user of the aircraft to select the second amount. Therefore, there is a higher possibility that equipment changes that do not fall under "minor maintenance" will be performed during the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period," making it possible to reduce the impact on the operation schedule.

[0027] <Operation of information processing device> Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The user of the aircraft may be a person who rents the aircraft. The user of the information processing device 10 may be a rental company of the aircraft.

[0028] In step S101, the control unit 11 acquires a request for an equipment change due to a change in the use of the aircraft, etc. The control unit 11 may acquire the equipment change request from the user of the aircraft via the communication unit 15. The control unit 11 may acquire the equipment change request via the input unit 13 in response to an operation by the user of the information processing device 10.

[0029] In step S102, the control unit 11 identifies a work category according to the details of the equipment change.

[0030] In step S103, the control unit 11 determines whether the identified work category is "minor maintenance." If the identified work category is "minor maintenance" (step S103-Yes), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S104. If the identified work category is other than "minor maintenance" (step S103-No), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S105.

[0031] In step S104, the control unit 11 adds a work item relating to the equipment change to the "maintenance and inspection period" or "heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period" defined in the operation schedule.

[0032] In step S105, the control unit 11 determines a first amount as the work cost when a work item related to an equipment change is added to the "maintenance and inspection period" defined in the operation schedule. Also, the control unit 11 determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when a work item related to an equipment change is added to the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period" defined in the operation schedule.

[0033] While "maintenance and inspection periods" are frequently set during the airworthiness certificate renewal period, the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period" is set only once, immediately before the airworthiness certificate renewal deadline. Therefore, if a work item related to an equipment change is added to the "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period," the user may have to wait until the aircraft is available for use. However, if there are multiple aircraft, the user can select an aircraft whose "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period" is approaching and perform the equipment change. Therefore, the user of the aircraft can compare the work costs (first amount and second amount) with the equipment change schedule and decide whether to accept the first amount or the second amount.

[0034] In step S106, the control unit 11 acquires the user's preferences regarding the work cost and flight schedule. If the control unit 11 determines that the user desires a first amount as the work cost (step S106-Yes), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S107. If the control unit 11 determines that the user desires a second amount as the work cost (step S106-No), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S108.

[0035] In step S107, the control unit 11 adds a work item relating to the equipment change to the "maintenance and inspection period" defined in the operation schedule.

[0036] In step S108, the control unit 11 adds a work item relating to the equipment change to the "heavy equipment / airworthiness certificate inspection period" defined in the operation schedule.

[0037] <Modification> In step S104, the control unit 11 may further determine a third amount lower than the second amount as the operation cost.

[0038] In step S105, the control unit 11 may select an aircraft from the plurality of aircraft whose airworthiness certificate renewal deadline is approaching (i.e., whose "heavy equipment / airworthiness certificate inspection period" is approaching), and determine a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when a work item related to equipment change is added to the "heavy equipment / airworthiness certificate inspection period" specified in the operation schedule of the aircraft. Note that the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount may differ depending on the type of aircraft, the date and time of use of the aircraft, etc.

[0039] In one example, the information processing device 10 may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service), which is a service that utilizes mobility. In one example, the above processing procedure may be executed when providing a service (MaaS) using the information processing device 10. In this case, the information processing method according to the above processing procedure is an example of a method for providing a service (MaaS) using the information processing device 10.

[0040] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a memory unit 12 that stores the operation schedule of the aircraft, and a control unit 11 that acquires a request for an equipment change of the aircraft, and if the content of the equipment change corresponds to minor maintenance, adds a work item related to the equipment change to the maintenance and inspection period or the heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period specified in the operation schedule, and if the content of the equipment change does not correspond to minor maintenance, determines a first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the maintenance and inspection period, and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when the work item related to the equipment change is added to the heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period.

[0041] In a typical operating schedule for an aircraft, "minor maintenance" is performed during a "maintenance and inspection period" after each operating period, and work other than "minor maintenance" is performed during a "heavy maintenance and airworthiness certificate inspection period" before renewal of the airworthiness certificate. Here, if the requested equipment change does not fall under "minor maintenance," performing the equipment change during a "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period" has less of an impact on the operating schedule than performing the equipment change during a "maintenance and inspection period." In the present invention, by setting the second amount lower than the first amount, it is possible to motivate the user of the aircraft to select the second amount. Therefore, there is a higher possibility that equipment changes that do not fall under "minor maintenance" will be performed during a "heavy equipment and airworthiness certificate inspection period," thereby reducing the impact on the operating schedule.

[0042] <Program> The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0043] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), on which the program is stored. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in a server's storage and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0044] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP (application service provider) type service that achieves functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring a program from a server to the computer. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes anything equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0045] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0046] Although the above-described embodiments have been described as representative examples, various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, with regard to the constituent blocks or processing steps described in the embodiments, multiple blocks or processing steps may be combined into one, or one block or step may be divided into multiple blocks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Input section 14 Output section 15 Communications Department

Claims

1. An information processing device for managing an operation schedule of an aircraft, a storage unit that stores an operation schedule of the aircraft; Obtaining a request for equipment change of the air vehicle; If the equipment change is minor maintenance, add a work item related to the equipment change to the maintenance and inspection period or heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period specified in the operating schedule. a control unit that, when the content of the equipment change does not fall under minor maintenance, determines a first amount as a work cost when a work item related to the equipment change is added to the maintenance and inspection period, and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as a work cost when a work item related to the equipment change is added to the heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein, if the content of the equipment change does not constitute minor maintenance, the control unit selects from among multiple aircraft an aircraft whose airworthiness certificate renewal deadline is approaching, and determines the second amount as the work cost when a work item related to the equipment change is added to the heavy equipment / airworthiness certificate inspection period specified in the operation schedule of the aircraft.

3. An information processing device that manages the operation schedule of an aircraft, Store the aircraft's operation schedule, Obtaining a request for equipment change of the air vehicle; If the equipment change is minor maintenance, add a work item related to the equipment change to the maintenance and inspection period or heavy equipment and airworthiness certification inspection period specified in the operating schedule. When the content of the equipment change does not constitute minor maintenance, an information processing method determines a first amount as the work cost when a work item related to the equipment change is added to the maintenance / inspection period, and determines a second amount lower than the first amount as the work cost when a work item related to the equipment change is added to the heavy equipment / airworthiness certification inspection period.

4. A method for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using the information processing device according to claim 1.

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