Display control device, display control method, and display control program

Abstract

To provide a display control device that can ensure the safety of drone flights. [Solution] Based on location data indicating the drone's position and route data indicating its flight route, a feature image MG corresponding to the features around the drone is displayed on the display D, and multiple route rings R1, etc., which indicate the flight route and have a shape that surrounds the flight route, are displayed on the display D along the flight route.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the technical fields of a display control device, a display control method, and a display control program. More specifically, the present application relates to the technical fields of a display control device and a display control method for controlling display on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and a display control program for the display control device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, unmanned small aircraft such as drones have become increasingly common, and as a result, research and development into flight management methods for such unmanned small aircraft has been active. Patent Document 1 listed below is an example of a prior art document that describes such conventional technology. The technology described in Patent Document 1 provides a map corresponding to the flight area of ​​a designated unmanned small aircraft, specifies a flight route for the unmanned small aircraft on the map, including the altitude of the unmanned small aircraft, and, if at least a portion of the specified flight route overlaps with the flight route of another unmanned small aircraft that has already been registered, displays the other flight route on the map. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-117018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this case, the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Prior Art Document 1 is merely a technology related to specifying and changing the flight route of an unmanned small aircraft. Furthermore, the technology disclosed in Prior Art Document 1 does not take into consideration presenting the flight status of an unmanned small aircraft corresponding to the flight mode of the unmanned small aircraft (in other words, its piloting mode) and the corresponding surrounding environment to the manager or pilot in real time. In this regard, in order to ensure the safe flight of an unmanned small aircraft, it is desirable to provide such a display to the manager or pilot.

[0005] Therefore, this application has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned demands, and one example of its objective is to provide a display control device and display control method that can ensure the flight safety of unmanned small aircraft, as well as a display control program for the display control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 comprises a feature image display control means for causing a display means to display feature images corresponding to features around the flying object based on position information indicating the position of the flying object and route information indicating the route along which the flying object should fly, and a route indicator display control means for causing the display means to display a plurality of route indicators along the route that indicate the route and have a shape that surrounds the route based on the position information and the route information.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 9 provides a display control method executed in a display control device connected to display means and equipped with feature image display control means and route indicator display control means, comprising: a feature image display control step of causing the feature image display control means to display, on the display means, feature images corresponding to features around the flying object, based on position information indicating the position of the flying object and route information indicating the route along which the flying object should fly; and a route indicator display control step of causing the route indicator display control means to display, on the display means, a plurality of route indicators that indicate the route and have a shape that surrounds the route, based on the position information and the route information.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 10 causes a computer connected to a display means to function as a feature image display control means that causes the display means to display feature images corresponding to features around the flying object based on position information indicating the position of the flying object and route information indicating the route along which the flying object should fly, and a route indicator display control means that causes the display means to display a plurality of route indicators that indicate the route and have a shape that surrounds the route, along the route, based on the position information and the route information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display control device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a flight management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a flight status display process according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a flight route image of an embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram illustrating the entire flight route image, and (b) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the route ring of the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams illustrating curve display control according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating display color control according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating size control according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating thickness control in the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams illustrating marker display control according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display control device according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the display control device S of the embodiment is configured to include a feature image display control means 10 and a route indicator display control means 11, and the feature image display control means 10 and the route indicator display control means 11 are connected to a display means D.

[0012] In this configuration, the feature image display control means 10 causes the display means D to display feature images corresponding to the features around the flying object based on location information indicating the position of the flying object and route information indicating the route along which the flying object should fly.

[0013] On the other hand, the route indicator display control means 11 causes the display means D to display a plurality of route indicators along the route, each of which indicates the route and has a shape that surrounds the route, based on the position information and the route information.

[0014] As described above, according to the operation of the display control device S of the embodiment, a feature image and a plurality of route indicators having a shape that surrounds the route and that follow the route are displayed on the display means D, so that the flight status of the flying object and the corresponding surrounding features are displayed on a single display means D, thereby ensuring the safe flight of the flying object. [Example]

[0015] Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 9. The examples described below are examples in which the present application is applied to a flight status display process that displays the flight status of an unmanned small aircraft in a flight management system that manages the flight of the unmanned small aircraft, such as a drone.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a flight management system of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing flight status display processing of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flight route image of the embodiment. Also, FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing curve display control of the embodiment, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing display color control of the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing size control of the embodiment, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing thickness control of the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing sign display control of the embodiment. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the same component numbers as those of the respective components in the display control device S of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are used for the respective components of the embodiment.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the flight management system SS of the embodiment is composed of a drone DR as an example of the flying object of the embodiment and the unmanned small aerial vehicle of the embodiment, and a terminal device T operated by a pilot manager who pilots or manages the drone DR. Note that Figure 2 shows a case where one drone DR is controlled by the operation of the pilot manager on one terminal device T, but in addition to this, the flights of multiple drones DR may also be controlled by the operation of the pilot manager on one terminal device T.

[0018] On the other hand, the drone DR of the embodiment is composed of a sensor unit 20 including a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 20A, various sensors 20B and a camera 20C, a control unit 21 consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and a transmission / reception unit 22, and these sensor unit 20, control unit 21 and transmission / reception unit 22 are connected via a bus 23 so that they can exchange data with each other.

[0019] In the above configuration, the GPS receiver 20A, under the control of the control unit 21, generates position data indicating the current position of the drone DR based on navigation radio waves received from a navigation satellite (not shown) included in the GPS and outputs the generated position data to the control unit 21. This current position is the current position of the drone DR expressed, for example, using latitude, longitude, and altitude. Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 21, the camera 20C captures images of features within its imaging range, generates image data including the imaging results, and outputs the image data to the control unit 21. In this case, the features include, for example, facilities and topography surrounding the drone DR. Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 21, the various sensors 20B detect the rotation state of propellers (not shown) provided on the drone DR, the speed and attitude of the drone DR itself, and the like, generate sensor data including the detection results, and output the sensor data to the control unit 21. Meanwhile, the transmitter / receiver 22, under the control of the control unit 21, controls the exchange of data with the terminal device T, for example, wirelessly. As a result, the control unit 21 controls the flight of the drone DR based on command information etc. received from the terminal device T via the transceiver unit 22, and executes the flight status display process of the embodiment.

[0020] The terminal device T of the embodiment includes a control unit 1 including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.; a recording unit 2 including a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD); a transceiver 3; an operation unit 4 including, for example, a control stick and operation buttons; a display control unit S; and a display D including a liquid crystal display or the like. The control unit 1, recording unit 2, transceiver 3, operation unit 4, and display control unit S are connected via a bus 5 to enable mutual data exchange. The display control unit S also includes a feature image display control unit 10 and a ring display control unit 11. The feature image display control unit 10 and ring display control unit 11 may be realized by a hardware logic circuit such as a CPU constituting the display control unit S, or may be realized by software by reading and executing a program corresponding to the flight status display process of the embodiment described below. The recording unit 2 non-volatilely stores map data MD indicating at least features on the ground below the airspace in which the flight route of the drone DR is preset. Furthermore, link data LD indicating the flight routes is non-volatilely recorded in the recording unit 2. This link data LD includes, for each flight route, flight limit number data indicating the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously in parallel, and speed limit data indicating the flight speed limit if a flight speed limit is preset for the flight course. The feature image display control unit 10 corresponds to an example of the feature image display control means 10 of the embodiment, the ring display control unit 11 corresponds to an example of the route indicator display control means 11 of the embodiment, the display D corresponds to an example of the display means D of the embodiment, and the display control unit S corresponds to an example of the display control device S of the embodiment.

[0021] In the above configuration, the transceiver 3, under the control of the control unit 1, controls the exchange of data between the terminal device T and the connected drone DR. The recording unit 2, under the control of the control unit 1, also reads out the map data MD and link data LD as necessary and outputs them to the control unit 1. The feature image display control unit 10 of the display control unit S, under the control of the control unit 1, generates a feature image MG of an embodiment described below and displays it on the display D. Additionally, the ring display control unit 11 of the display control unit S, under the control of the control unit 1, generates route rings R1 and the like and route lines RL1 of an embodiment described below and displays them on the display D where the map image MG is displayed. The operation unit 4 generates an operation signal corresponding to an operation performed by the pilot manager on the operation unit 4 and outputs it to the control unit 1. Based on the operation signal from the operation unit 4 and, for example, the position data received from the drone DR via the transceiver 3, the control unit 1 controls the flight of the drone DR and executes a flight status display process of an embodiment.

[0022] Next, the flight status display process of the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9. The flight status display process of the embodiment is initiated on the premise that the flight route along which the drone DR should fly is set in advance, and link data LD indicating the flight route is pre-recorded in the recording unit 2. This flight route includes straight sections along which the drone DR should fly, ascending sections along which the drone DR should ascend, descending sections along which the drone DR should descend, and curved sections along which the drone DR should turn. Map data MD indicating at least the features on the ground below the airspace containing the flight route is also pre-recorded in the recording unit 2. This map data MD includes, for example, data for three-dimensionally displaying buildings, roads, or the ground below the airspace on the display D, and data for displaying the weather conditions of the airspace on the display D. Furthermore, material data serving as material for generating images of the route ring R1, etc. and the route line RL1, etc., of the embodiment is also pre-recorded in the recording unit 2. Furthermore, while the drone DR is flying, sensor data such as the image data and the position data are transmitted from the drone DR to the terminal device T as needed under the control of the control unit 21.

[0023] As shown in the flowchart corresponding to FIG. 3, the flight status display process of the embodiment is started, for example, when the power of each of the drone DR and the terminal device T is turned on and the drone DR takes off under the control of the terminal device T. When the flight status display process of the embodiment is started, the control unit 1 of the terminal device T reads map data MD indicating ground features corresponding to the current position of the drone DR from the recording unit 2 based on the position data received from the drone DR, and outputs the map data MD to the display control unit S. In parallel with this, the control unit 1 reads link data LD indicating the current position of the drone DR and the flight route from the current position from the recording unit 2 based on the position data, and outputs the link data LD to the display control unit S. As a result, the feature image display control unit 10 and the ring display control unit 11 of the display control unit S use the material data and the like recorded in the recording unit 2 to generate a flight route image G of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4(a) corresponding to the current position of the drone DR, and perform flight route image display control to display the image on the display D (step S1).

[0024] Here, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the flight route image G of the embodiment is a feature image MG corresponding to features visible from the drone DR's current position, displayed, for example, in a fisheye view, based on the map data MD. This feature image MG includes at least images of buildings, facilities, etc. below and ahead of the current position, and an image of the sky ahead in the flight direction. At this time, the sky image may be changed to match the weather at the time of flight, for example, based on meteorological data acquired by the terminal device T. In addition to these, the flight route image G includes a route image RT showing the drone DR's current position and upcoming flight route, a plurality of route rings R1, R2, ..., which show the flight route continuously, for example, in a cylindrical (tubular) shape, as viewed from an internal viewpoint (in other words, a viewpoint on the drone DR along the flight route), and route lines RL1 to RL4 displayed to connect the route rings R1, etc. along the flight route. In the map route image G of the embodiment, the route rings R1, R2, ..., route lines RL1 to RL4, and route image RT display the flight route of the drone DR in a three-dimensional, cylindrical form. Then, in response to changes in the drone DR's current position as it flies, the route rings R1, etc. and the map image MG are displayed, for example, flowing from the back of the center to the front as shown in FIG. 4(a). That is, in the flight route image G of the embodiment, as conceptually shown in FIG. 4(b), the cylindrical flight route (corresponding to the route image RT) formed by the multiple route rings R1, R2, ..., continuing along the drone DR's flight direction is displayed while changing the route rings R1, etc., route lines RL1 to RL4, route image RT, and feature image MG as if the drone DR were flying as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 4(b). At this time, the route rings R1, etc., route lines RL1 to RL4, and route image RT are displayed in the same color, for example, green. In addition, for flight routes that are further away from the drone DR's current position, the flight route is displayed as an overhead image from the outside, as shown, for example, in the center to the back right of Figure 4(a).In the following description, when matters common to the root ring R1, root ring R2, root ring R3, . . . are described, these will be collectively referred to as the "root ring R."

[0025] In addition to these, the speed data SPD and altitude data ALT shown in Fig. 4(a) are displayed on the left and right edges of the flight route image G. The speed data SPD and altitude data ALT are displayed based on the position data and sensor data received from the drone DR.

[0026] Furthermore, for example, if there is another drone ADR flying in opposition at a different altitude, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the flight route image G displays an image of the drone ADR together with a route image ART showing the flight route of the drone ADR. In this case, the display colors of the image of the drone ADR and the corresponding route image ART are preferably warning colors such as red or yellow, different from the display colors of the route ring R1, the route lines RL1 to RL4, and the route image RT. The control unit 1 and the display control unit S acquire position data indicating the position of the drone ADR and data indicating its flight route, for example, from another terminal device T connected to the drone ADR via a network such as the Internet, and use the data to display the drone ADR, etc.

[0027] When the flight route image G of the embodiment is displayed, the display control unit S determines whether to perform the curve display control of the embodiment (step S2). More specifically, the display control unit S determines whether the current position and the flight route beyond it include any of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section based on the link data LD corresponding to the current position of the drone DR. Then, if the determination in step S2 is that none of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section is included (step S2: NO), the display control unit S determines whether to end the flight status display process of the embodiment due to reasons such as the drone DR having landed (step S12). If the determination in step S12 is to end the flight status display process of the embodiment (step S12: YES), the display control unit S and the control unit 1 end the flight status display process as is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S12 is to continue the flight status display process of the embodiment (step S12: NO), the display control unit S returns to step S1 and repeats the transition process.

[0028] On the other hand, if the determination in step S2 is that the current position and the flight route ahead include any of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section (step S2: YES), the display control unit S performs curve display control of an embodiment in which the density of the route ring R1, etc. along the flight route in the flight route image G during flight over any of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section is higher than the density in the straight sections of the flight route before and after any of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section (step S3), as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 5. The display control unit S may also display the density of the route ring R1, etc. along the flight route in any of the ascending section, the descending section, or the curved section lower than the density in the straight sections, thereby differentiating the two. The display control unit S then proceeds to step S12.

[0029] Next, in parallel with the determination of step S2, the display control unit S determines whether to perform the display color control of the embodiment (step S4). More specifically, the display control unit S determines whether a feature such as a building is located at a position within a predetermined threshold distance from the flight route based on the link data LD and map data MD corresponding to the flight route of the drone DR. If the determination of step S3 determines that there is no building or the like at the position (step S4: NO), the display control unit S proceeds to step S12. The threshold distance used in the determination of step S4 is preset based on, for example, the aviation law or the average height of features near the flight route. The threshold distance data indicating the threshold distance is, for example, associated with position data indicating the position of the corresponding feature and pre-recorded in the recording unit 2 as the link data LD.

[0030] On the other hand, if the determination in step S4 determines that a feature is located at a position within the threshold distance from the flight route of the drone DR (step S4: YES), the display control unit S performs display color control of an embodiment in which the display mode (e.g., display color) of at least the route ring R3 and route ring R4 (in the example shown in FIG. 6) displayed corresponding to the position on the flight route closest to the feature BD is different from the other route rings R1, R2, R5, and R6, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 6 (step S5). In this case, the display control unit S may be configured to display the route ring R3 and route ring R4 shown in FIG. 6 in a warning color, such as red or yellow. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to controlling the display mode of the route ring R3 and route ring R4, the display control unit S may also cause the display mode (e.g., display color) of the feature BD itself to be different from that of other features. The display control unit S then proceeds to step S12.

[0031] Next, the display control unit S determines whether or not to perform size control of the embodiment in parallel with the determinations of steps S2 and S4 (step S6). More specifically, the display control unit S determines whether or not the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously within the flight route will increase based on the flight-capable number data included in the link data LD corresponding to the flight route of the drone DR. Then, if the number remains unchanged in the determination of step S6 (step S6: NO), the display control unit S proceeds to step S12.

[0032] On the other hand, if the determination in step S6 indicates that the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously within the flight route of the drones DR increases (step S6: YES), the display control unit S performs size control of an embodiment in which the sizes (more specifically, for example, their diameters) of the route rings RR1, RR2, RR3, ... after the increase in the number are displayed larger than the route rings R1, R2, R3, and R4 before the increase in the number, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 7 (step S7). In this case, for example, if the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously is doubled, the display control unit S performs size control to double the size of the route rings RR1, etc. compared to the route rings R1, etc. before the increase in the number. Thereafter, the display control unit S proceeds to step S12. Note that, as the size control of the embodiment, if the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously within the flight route of the drones DR decreases based on the flyable number data, the display control unit S may control the size of the route rings after the decrease in the number to be smaller than the route rings before the decrease in the number.

[0033] Next, the display control unit S determines whether to perform the thickness control of the embodiment in parallel with the determinations of steps S2, S4, and S6 (step S8). More specifically, the display control unit S determines whether the flight speed limit for the flight route of the drone DR will increase based on the speed limit data included in the link data LD corresponding to the flight route of the drone DR. Then, if the flight speed limit remains unchanged in the determination of step S8 (step S8: NO), the display control unit S proceeds to step S12.

[0034] On the other hand, if the determination in step S8 is that the flight speed limit will be increased (step S8: YES), the display control unit S performs thickness control of an embodiment, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the thickness of the route rings RS1, RS2, and RS3, ... after the flight speed limit is increased is displayed thicker than the route rings R1 to R5 and R10 to R14 before the flight speed limit was increased (step S9). In this case, for example, if the flight speed limit is doubled, the display control unit S performs thickness control, for example, to double the thickness of the route rings RS1, etc., compared to the route rings R1, etc. before the flight speed limit was increased. Thereafter, the display control unit S proceeds to step S12. Note that as the thickness control of the embodiment, if the flight speed limit on the flight route of the drone DR is decreased based on the speed limit data, the display control unit S may control the thickness of the route rings after the flight speed limit is decreased to be thinner than the route rings before the flight speed limit was decreased.

[0035] Finally, the display control unit S determines whether to perform the sign display control of the embodiment in parallel with the determinations of steps S2, S4, S6, and S8 (step S10). More specifically, the display control unit S determines whether the flight route ahead of the current position of the drone DR includes any of the ascent section, descent section, curved section resulting from a left or right turn, a flight route confluence, or a weather change, based on the link data LD corresponding to the flight route of the drone DR and the weather data. Then, if the determination of step S10 does not include any of the ascent section, descent section, curved section resulting from a left or right turn, a flight route confluence, or a weather change (step S10: NO), the display control unit S proceeds to step S12.

[0036] On the other hand, if the determination in step S10 indicates that the flight route ahead of the current position includes, for example, an ascending section (step S10: YES), the display control unit S displays a marker S1 indicating the ascending section at a position corresponding to the upper part of the route ring R just before the ascending section, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 9(a) (step S11). Also, if the determination in step S10 indicates that the flight route ahead of the current position includes, for example, a descending section (step S10: YES), the display control unit S displays a marker S2 indicating the descending section at a position corresponding to the lower part of the route ring R just before the descending section, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 9(b) (step S11). Furthermore, if the determination in step S10 indicates that the flight route ahead of the current position includes, for example, a junction (step S10: YES), the display control unit S displays a marker S3 indicating the junction at a position indicating the direction of another route on the route ring R just before the junction, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 9(c) (step S11). Note that the sign S3 shown in FIG. 9(c) indicates that there is another route that flies to the right and merges with the flight route ahead of the current position.

[0037] Furthermore, if the judgment in step S10 is that the flight route beyond the current position includes a portion that changes course, for example, to the upper right (or upper left, lower right, or lower left) (step S10: YES), the display control unit S displays a sign indicating that the flight route will change course to the upper right (or upper left, lower right, or lower left) at a position equivalent to the upper right (or upper left, lower right, or lower left) of the route ring R just before the portion that will change course (step S11), although illustrations are omitted.

[0038] On the other hand, if the determination in step S10 indicates that there is a weather change on the flight route ahead of the current position (step S10: YES), the display control unit S displays a sign indicating the weather change in correspondence with the portion of the route ring R where the weather change is occurring or just before that portion, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 9(d) (step S11). More specifically, the example illustrated in FIG. 9(d) shows an example of a sign display when a wind of 15 meters per second is blowing from the left on the flight route ahead of the current position. The display control unit S displays wind speed data V, a sign W2 indicating the direction from which the wind is blowing, and a sign W1 intuitively indicating the state of the wind, along with the corresponding route ring R. At this time, the display control unit S displays the wind speed data V and the sign W2 at a position on the route ring R corresponding to the direction from which the wind is blowing. The display control unit S also displays the signs W1 so that they are scattered in the direction from which the wind is blowing. As the sign indicating a change in weather, it is preferable to use a sign indicating the presence of rain, snow, or lightning, in addition to the wind sign exemplified in Fig. 9(d). Furthermore, it is preferable that the sign S1 etc. shown in Fig. 9 is displayed using the material data etc. pre-recorded in the recording unit 2. Furthermore, when the sign indicating a change in weather is displayed in correspondence with the route ring R just before the part where the change in weather occurs, it is preferable that the distance to the part where the change in weather occurs is also displayed.

[0039] As described above, according to the flight status display processing of the embodiment, a feature image MG and a plurality of route rings R having a shape (ring shape) surrounding the flight route and extending along the flight route are displayed on a single display D (see Figure 4(a)). As a result, the flight status of the drone DR and the corresponding surrounding features are displayed on a single display D, thereby ensuring the safe flight of the drone DR.

[0040] In addition, the density of the route rings R along the flight route is made different for the straight and curved sections of the flight route, and each route ring R is displayed on the display D (see Figure 5), so that the difference between the straight and curved sections can be displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner.

[0041] Furthermore, at least when the display color of the route ring R displayed at the position closest to a feature whose distance from the flight route is less than a predetermined threshold distance is displayed in a different color from the display color of other route rings R (see Figure 6), the presence of the feature can be displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner.

[0042] Furthermore, even if the display color of features whose distance from the flight route is less than the above-mentioned predetermined threshold distance is displayed in a different color from the display color of other features, the presence of the features can be displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner.

[0043] Furthermore, the larger the number of drones DR that can fly simultaneously along the flight route, the larger the route ring R is displayed, so that the possibility of other drones DR flying can be intuitively displayed (see Figure 7), ensuring safe flight.

[0044] Furthermore, the thickness of the route ring R is changed according to the flight speed limit along the flight route (see FIG. 8), so that the change in the flight speed limit can be displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner.

[0045] Furthermore, route lines RL1, etc. are displayed along the extension direction of the flight route and connecting each route ring R displayed corresponding to the flight route (see Figure 4(a)), so the flight route can be displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner.

[0046] In addition, the image MG of the feature ahead in the direction of travel of the drone DR and the image MG of the feature below it are displayed (see Figure 4(a)), so that the situation of the surrounding features can be displayed in a more concrete and recognizable manner.

[0047] Furthermore, multiple route rings R having a shape that surrounds the flight route and signs S1, etc., that indicate the flight status of the drone DR on the flight route are displayed on the display D (see Figure 9), so that the flight status on the flight route is displayed in an intuitively recognizable manner, thereby ensuring the safe flight of the drone DR.

[0048] Furthermore, since the signs S1 and the like are displayed at positions in the shape of the route ring R that indicate the flight status (see FIG. 9), the flight status can be displayed in a more intuitively recognizable manner.

[0049] Furthermore, when the drone DR ascends along the flight route, a sign S1 indicating the ascent is displayed at the top of the shape of the route ring R (see Figure 9(a)), making it possible to display the fact that the drone DR is ascending in a more intuitive manner.

[0050] Furthermore, when the drone DR descends along the flight route, a sign S2 indicating the descent is displayed at the bottom of the shape of the route ring R (see Figure 9(b)), making it possible to display the descent of the drone DR in a more intuitive manner.

[0051] Furthermore, when the drone DR flies in a manner that merges with another flight route, a sign S3 indicating the merge is displayed in a position in the shape of the route ring R that indicates the direction of the other route (see Figure 9(c)), making it possible to display the fact that the drone DR is merging with another route in a more intuitive manner.

[0052] In addition, signs W1, W2 and wind speed data V are displayed in a manner that allows changes in weather conditions along the flight route to be recognized (see Figure 9(d)), allowing users to intuitively recognize changes in weather conditions, etc. that may affect the flight of the drone DR.

[0053] Furthermore, since the wind speed data V is displayed as an indicator indicating a change in weather conditions, etc., the change in weather conditions can be specifically recognized.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the present application was applied to the display processing of the flight status of a drone DR as an example of an unmanned small aircraft, but the present application can also be applied to the display of the flight status in the cockpit of a manned small aircraft.

[0055] Furthermore, when displaying the flight status of multiple drones DR in a unified manner, when displaying the entirety, each flight route can be displayed as an image seen from above from the outside, and when displaying the flight status of a drone DR flying a selected flight route, the present application can be applied to the display.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the root ring R has a ring shape, but it may also have a rectangular shape such as a triangle or square, or may have a shape with a missing part, for example, a U shape.

[0057] Furthermore, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 can be recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk or obtained via a network such as the Internet, and then read and executed by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like, thereby causing the microcomputer or the like to function as the control unit 1 and display control unit S according to the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10. Feature image display control means (feature image display control unit) 11 Route indicator display control means (ring display control unit) D. Display means (display) R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 Route Ring DR, ADR drones T terminal device S1, S2, S3, W1, W2 signs V Wind speed data

Claims

[Claim 1] a feature image display control means for displaying, on a display means, feature images corresponding to features around the flying object based on location information indicating the location of the flying object and route information indicating the route along which the flying object should fly; a route indicator display control means for causing the display means to display a plurality of route indicators along the route, the route indicators having a shape that indicates the route and surrounds the route, based on the location information and the route information; A display control device comprising:

Images