Location information providing device, location information providing method, and computer program

Abstract

To improve the integrity of location information for moving objects. [Solution] The location information acquisition unit acquires location reference information, including information representing the location of the moving object, from each of several different types of location information sources. The surrounding situation acquisition unit acquires surrounding situation information representing the conditions around the mobile object being monitored. The location identification unit identifies the location of the mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from the acquired location reference information and detection situation information representing the conditions detected from the acquired surrounding situation information. The output unit outputs the location identification information of the mobile object being monitored.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a position information providing device, a position information providing method, and a computer program for providing position information of a moving object.

Background Art

[0002] The utilization of moving objects (mobility) equipped with an automatic driving function such as drones and flying cars has been under consideration. When a service using such a moving object is provided, the dynamic management of the moving object will be performed. Dynamic management means acquiring and managing the position and state of the moving object in real time.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-42218) discloses a technique for estimating the current position of an aircraft when the current position information of the aircraft cannot be obtained due to deterioration of the communication situation or the like in a system for monitoring the position of the aircraft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When providing services using mobile objects, safety is required so that the objects can move without trouble, and accuracy is required so that the objects can move according to plan. To obtain the safety and accuracy required to meet these requirements, one of the technical challenges is to improve the integrity of the object's location information, that is, the accuracy and reliability of the location information. In the technology shown in Patent Document 1, if the current location information of the aircraft (mobile object) cannot be obtained, the current location of the aircraft can be estimated to compensate for the gap in current location information. However, it is thought that further improvements in the integrity of the object's location information will be required in the future. That is, with the provision of services using mobile objects, the number of mobile objects in motion will increase, and it is assumed that mobile objects will come into close proximity to each other more often. Therefore, the risk of collisions between mobile objects will increase, and further improvements in the integrity of the object's location information are required to avoid such risks.

[0006] This disclosure was devised to solve the problems described above. In other words, the main objective of this disclosure is to provide a technology that improves the integrity of location information representing the position of a moving object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the location information providing device relating to this disclosure, in one aspect, A location information acquisition unit that obtains location reference information, including information representing the position of a moving object, from each of several different types of location information sources, A surrounding conditions acquisition unit acquires surrounding conditions information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A location identification unit identifies the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information. An output unit that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. It is equipped with.

[0008] One aspect of the method for providing location information related to this disclosure is: By computer, Location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, is obtained from each of several different types of location information sources. Obtain surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, The location of the monitored moving object is determined by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the monitored moving object extracted from the acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from the acquired surrounding situation information. It outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored.

[0009] The computer program relating to this disclosure, in one aspect, A process for obtaining location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, from multiple different types of location information sources, A process to acquire surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A process to identify the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information, A process that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. Have the computer execute it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the integrity of positional information representing the position of a moving object. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the configuration of the location information providing device related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a display device that uses location information output from a location information providing device. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of a position information providing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the position information providing device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining yet another embodiment of the position information providing device. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of a position information providing device.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <First Embodiment> The position information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that provides position information representing the position of a monitored moving object. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes a position information providing device 2, a plurality of types of position information sources 3, and a situation information source 4. Here, the monitored object is an object whose position is monitored. The moving object monitored by the position information providing system 1 is a moving object that can move by autonomous driving using position information. Examples include flying objects such as unmanned aerial vehicles and flying cars, and moving objects that move on the ground such as autonomous driving buses other than flying objects. Note that unmanned aerial vehicles are also referred to as drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Also, flying cars are also referred to as eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off And Landing), AAM (Advanced Air Mobility), UAM (Urban Air Mobility), etc. Furthermore, unmanned aerial vehicles and flying cars may sometimes be referred to as next-generation air mobility (Advanced Air Mobility).

[0014] As described above, the moving object to be monitored by the position information providing system 1 may include not only flying objects but also moving objects other than flying objects, or may be only moving objects other than flying objects. However, for the sake of convenience, in the following description, it is assumed that the moving object to be monitored by the position information providing system 1 is a flying object such as an unmanned aircraft or a flying car. In the following description, the "moving object to be monitored by the position information providing system 1" is also referred to as the "monitored moving object". Furthermore, the monitored moving object is not limited to one type, and may include a plurality of types of moving objects with different body sizes, performances such as moving speeds, and uses. Examples of the use of the monitored moving object include material transportation, infrastructure inspection, and monitoring of important facilities.

[0015] The position information source 3 is an information source capable of outputting position reference information. The position reference information here is information including information representing the position of the moving object and is information used for the specific processing of the position of the monitored moving object by the position information providing device 2. The position information providing system 1 uses a plurality of different types of position information sources 3.

[0016] Examples of the position information source 3 include the following. The monitored moving object has a position calculation function for calculating its own position using a satellite positioning system in order to detect its own position. In addition, an unmanned aircraft such as a drone has a remote ID (Identification) transmission function. The remote ID transmission function is a function of wirelessly transmitting the position information calculated by the position calculation function in association with the remote ID. The remote ID is identification information assigned to an unmanned aircraft registered according to the aircraft registration system. An unmanned aircraft equipped with a remote ID transmission function is one example of the position information source 3. That is, it can also be said that the unmanned aircraft is a position information source that transmits position reference information including information (position information) representing the position of the unmanned aircraft in association with the remote ID. Note that the remote ID may also be abbreviated as RID (Remote Identification).

[0017] Furthermore, aircraft are equipped with a function (system) called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). ADS-B is a function that periodically transmits information such as the aircraft's own position and altitude calculated using satellite positioning systems, as well as speed measured by an airspeed indicator. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B can be cited as an example of a location information source 3 that transmits location reference information including location information representing its own position. It should be noted that the location information of a moving object included in the location reference information from ADS-B or the remote ID transmission function is not necessarily the location information of the monitored mobile object. The determination of whether or not the location information of a moving object included in the location reference information is the location information of the monitored mobile object is made, for example, using identification information such as the remote ID of the monitored mobile object that is pre-registered in the location information provision system 1.

[0018] Furthermore, primary and secondary radars are installed at airports and other locations for air traffic control. When the location information provision system 1 can acquire radar output (in other words, location reference information) that includes location information representing the position of a moving object (unmanned aerial vehicle) detected by these primary and secondary radars, the primary and secondary radars can also be listed as examples of location information sources 3. It is assumed that the location information of unmanned aerial vehicles output by primary and secondary radars does not include information to identify the corresponding unmanned aerial vehicle. Therefore, when primary and secondary radars are used as location information sources 3, the location information provision system 1 is equipped with the following moving object identification function. That is, the moving object identification function using radar output is a function that determines whether or not a moving object detected by primary or secondary radar is a monitored moving object, and if it is a monitored moving object, identifies the monitored moving object using the flight plan (movement plan) of the monitored moving object which has been registered in advance. The flight plan (movement plan) of the monitored mobile object includes the planned date and time of movement (planned flight date and time) and the planned route (planned flight route). There are several methods for implementing mobile object identification using the flight plan (movement plan), and these are not limited to this explanation, so their details are omitted.

[0019] Furthermore, a camera can also be cited as an example of a position information source 3. The camera, as a position information source 3, is installed to photograph the airspace in which the monitored mobile object is moving. The captured image of the mobile object taken by such a camera can be said to be position reference information that includes the mobile object's position information. When the camera is used as a position information source 3, the position information provision system 1 is equipped with the following mobile object identification function. That is, the mobile object identification function using the captured image is a function that detects the monitored mobile object, calculates the position of the detected monitored mobile object, and identifies (identifies) the detected monitored mobile object by processing the captured image. In this function, similar to the mobile object identification function using radar output, for example, the flight plan (movement plan) of the monitored mobile object is used. Note that there are various methods for detecting the monitored mobile object in the captured image and for calculating the position of the mobile object from the captured image, and these methods are not limited here, so their explanation is omitted.

[0020] Furthermore, LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) can also be cited as an example of location information source 3. LiDAR as location information source 3 is installed in a manner that allows measurement of the airspace in which the monitored mobile object is moving. If the measurement results from such LiDAR include information about the monitored mobile object, then the measurement results can also be said to be location reference information that includes the location information of the mobile object. When LiDAR is used as location information source 3, the location information provision system 1 is equipped with the following mobile object identification function. That is, the mobile object identification function using LiDAR measurement results is a function that detects the monitored mobile object, calculates the position of the detected monitored mobile object, and identifies (identifies) the detected monitored mobile object from the LiDAR measurement results. In this function, similar to the mobile object identification function using radar output, for example, the flight plan (movement plan) of the monitored mobile object is used. Note that there are various methods for performing the mobile object identification function using LiDAR measurement results, and these methods are not limited here, so their explanation is omitted.

[0021] As mentioned above, there are several types of location information sources 3. Here, from among these multiple types of location information sources 3, several types are appropriately selected by the designer of the location information provision system 1, taking into consideration factors such as whether or not they can be connected to the location information provision system 1, whether or not they can be newly installed, and how to improve the integrity of the location of the monitored mobile object. These selected types of location information sources 3 are then adopted by the location information provision system 1. In the following explanation, the information representing the location of the monitored mobile object obtained using the location reference information acquired from the location information source 3 will also be referred to as the location source information. The location source information can also be described as information extracted from the acquired location reference information.

[0022] Situation information source 4 is a source of information capable of transmitting surrounding situation information. Surrounding situation information is information that describes the conditions around the mobile object being monitored. In this context, surrounding conditions include, in particular, the conditions related to obtaining the mobile object's location information and the mobile object's movement. Specific examples include weather conditions and the propagation conditions of radio waves used for wireless communication (wireless communication conditions). An example of a situation information source 4 that transmits such surrounding situation information is a weather information provider. A weather information provider is a computer managed by, for example, a weather information provider company, and is capable of outputting weather information (weather information) for the airspace in which the mobile object being monitored is moving.

[0023] Another example of situation information source 4 is a detection device mounted on the monitored mobile object. This detection device is a device that can be used to detect the surrounding environment of the monitored mobile object on which it is mounted, and examples include a camera, LiDAR, and sensors that detect weather conditions (temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, etc.). The information from the detection results of such a detection device is output by a wireless communication device mounted on the monitored mobile object.

[0024] Furthermore, if it is possible to obtain information on the reception status of radio waves at base stations of wireless communication networks used by receivers that receive remote IDs, or portable communication devices, then receivers and base stations can also be cited as examples of information sources 4.

[0025] As mentioned above, there are several types of situation information sources 4. Here, the type of situation information source 4 is adopted by the location information provision system 1, as appropriately selected by the designer of the location information provision system 1, taking into consideration factors such as whether it can be connected to the location information provision system 1, whether it can be newly installed, and the improvement of the integrity of the location of the monitored mobile object. There is no limit to the number of types of situation information sources 4 that can be adopted.

[0026] The location information providing device 2 has the function of determining the location of a monitored moving object using location reference information obtained from the location information source 3 and surrounding situation information obtained from the situation information source 4. This location information providing device 2 is a computer device and, as shown in Figure 1, comprises an arithmetic unit 20 and a storage device 30. The storage device 30 has a storage medium for storing data and computer programs (hereinafter also referred to as programs) 31. There are many types of storage devices, such as magnetic disk devices and semiconductor memory elements, and furthermore, there are many types of semiconductor memory elements, such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Computer devices are equipped with multiple types of storage devices depending on their purpose, but here, these storage devices will be referred to collectively as storage device 30 without distinction. Furthermore, the types and number of storage devices 30 equipped in the location information providing device 2 are not limited, and their explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the location information providing device 2 may be connected to a separate storage device (database) 5, and that data may be read and written to the storage device 5 as well. However, here, we will omit any explanation of the cases in which data may be read and written to the storage device 5.

[0027] Here, the storage device 30 stores the following information (data) used by the arithmetic unit 20 for processing. For example, the storage device 30 stores information about each monitored mobile object. The information about a monitored mobile object includes identification information to identify the monitored mobile object and information indicating the type of aircraft of the mobile object. In addition, if necessary, the information about a monitored mobile object may also include information about the flight plan (movement plan) of the monitored mobile object. If the monitored mobile object is equipped with a remote ID transmission function, the remote ID is stored in the storage device 30 as identification information for the monitored mobile object. Furthermore, if the monitored mobile object is equipped with ADS-B functionality, the identification information of the monitored mobile object used by the ADS-B functionality is stored in the storage device 30.

[0028] The computing unit 20 is composed of processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The computing unit 20 can perform various functions based on the program 31 stored in the storage device 30 by reading and executing the program 31. In this case, the computing unit 20 includes a location information acquisition unit 21, a surrounding situation acquisition unit 22, a location identification unit 23, and an output unit 24 as functional units related to identifying the location of the monitored moving object.

[0029] The location information acquisition unit 21 acquires location reference information moment by moment from each of the multiple types of location information sources 3 connected to the location information providing device 2. Furthermore, once the location information acquisition unit 21 acquires location reference information, it also has a function to extract location source information (i.e., information representing the location of the monitored mobile object) from the acquired location reference information. The process of extracting location source information from location reference information is performed according to the type of location information source 3 as described above. In addition, the location information acquisition unit 21 stores the location source information in the storage device 30. The location source information stored in the storage device 30 is associated with identification information of the monitored mobile object related to the location source information and information about the time when the monitored mobile object is believed to be at the location represented by the location source information (for example, time information included in the location reference information).

[0030] The surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 acquires surrounding situation information from the situation information source 4. The timing for acquiring surrounding situation information from the situation information source 4 is set appropriately by the designer of the location information provision system 1, taking into consideration the expected speed of changes in the airspace in which the monitored mobile object is flying (moving). The surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 detects the conditions of the airspace in which the monitored mobile object is flying (moving) (the conditions around the monitored mobile object) from the surrounding situation information. For example, the surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 detects the weather and brightness of the airspace in which the monitored mobile object is flying, or the communication status of radio waves used for wireless communication. The surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 stores detection status information representing the detected conditions in the storage device 30. The detection status information stored in the storage device 30 is associated with area identification information representing the relevant airspace (area) and information on the time of detection.

[0031] The location identification unit 23 uses multiple types of location source information from the location information acquisition unit 21 and detection status information from the surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 to perform a predetermined location identification process. The location identification process is a process to identify (calculate) the location of the monitored mobile object in order to improve the integrity of the location information of the monitored mobile object. In the location identification process in the first embodiment, first, location source information to be used for location identification is selected from the location source information associated with each of the multiple types of location information sources 3. Then, the location of the monitored mobile object is identified (calculated) using the selected location source information.

[0032] In the process of selecting location source information in such location identification processing, predetermined selection criteria are used. The selection criteria are the criteria for selecting the location source information to be used for location identification from among the location source information associated with each of the multiple types of location information sources 3. Here, the selection criteria involve selecting location source information using multiple pieces of information as shown below. Specifically, one piece of information used to select location source information is, for example, information on the time interval at which the location information source 3 acquires information representing the location of the monitored moving object. Specific examples of this time interval information include the time interval at which the unmanned aerial vehicle transmits RID (e.g., 1 second) and the time interval at which information is transmitted by the ADS-B function. Another piece of information used to select location source information is, for example, information representing the coverage area of ​​the location information source 3. Specific examples of coverage area information include information representing the area in which primary radar, secondary radar, and LiDAR can detect moving objects, and the area in which imaging devices can capture images. Furthermore, another piece of information used to select location source information is, for example, information representing the surrounding conditions of the monitored moving object. Specific examples of information that describes the surrounding environment include weather information and information on the communication status of radio waves for wireless communication.

[0033] The selection criteria consist of at least one piece of information related to the function of the location information source 3 and at least one piece of situational information concerning the surrounding conditions of the monitored mobile object, selected from the multiple pieces of information described above. For example, in the case of poor visibility due to nighttime, the location source information extracted from the image captured by the camera (location information source 3) (location reference information) is not selected, and instead the location source information from the remote ID transmission function of the unmanned aerial vehicle (location information source 3) is selected. The content of the selection criteria is not limited to those specified above, and may be set appropriately to improve the integrity of the location information of the monitored mobile object, taking into consideration the performance of the monitored mobile object, such as its speed, and the environment in which the monitored mobile object moves (flies), such as whether it is in an urban area. The location source information selected by the selection criteria may be all of the multiple location source information options, or it may be just one.

[0034] In the location determination process executed by the location determination unit 23, a process is further executed to determine (calculate) the location of the monitored moving object using the location source information selected according to the selection criteria described above. In this process, a determination method is predetermined according to the combination of types of location source information selected. One example of a determination method is to set a primary location source information from among the multiple types of location source information selected, and use the remaining location source information to improve the accuracy of the primary location source information. The method for improving the accuracy of the location source information is determined, for example, by using combinations of types of location source information or simulation results of location calculation with various changes in the surrounding conditions of the monitored moving object.

[0035] Here, the information representing the location of the monitored moving object, which is identified (calculated) by the location identification process described above, is also referred to as location identification information. The location identification information identified by the location identification unit 23 is stored in the storage device 30, for example, associated with the identification information of the related monitored moving object and the identified (calculated) time information.

[0036] The output unit 24 outputs location identification information. The output location identification information is associated with the identification information of the monitored mobile object and the identified (calculated) time information. The destination for outputting such location identification information is predetermined. For example, the flight management device 7 shown in Figure 1 is an example of an output destination. The flight management device 7 is a computer operated by the flight manager who manages the operation of the monitored mobile object, and for example, it uses the received location identification information to display information representing the location of the monitored mobile object on the display screen of the display device 70. Figure 2 shows an example of a display screen showing the location of the monitored mobile object. In the example of the display screen shown in Figure 2, a map of the flight area of ​​the monitored mobile object is displayed, and information representing the location of the monitored mobile object using the location identification information is superimposed on this map, for example, as marks or text. In the example of Figure 2, the information representing the location of the monitored mobile object is a star-shaped mark, and its explanation is shown in text.

[0037] Another example of a destination for location information output is a portable information device 6, as shown in Figure 1, used by the owner of the monitored mobile object. Furthermore, another example of a destination for location information output is a computer device of a business operator (for example, a business operator transporting goods using a borrowed monitored mobile object) that performs the process of monitoring the location of the monitored mobile object using the location information. In these portable information devices 6 and the business operator's computer device, for example, the received location information is used to display information representing the location of the monitored mobile object on the display screen of the display device. Yet another example of a destination for location information output is the monitored mobile object corresponding to the location information being output.

[0038] The location information providing device 2 in the first embodiment is configured as described above. Next, an example of the operation of the location information providing device 2 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 3. Figure 3 can also be said to represent an example of a location information providing method.

[0039] For example, the location information acquisition unit 21 and the surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 of the location information providing device 2 each acquire information from the location information source 3 and the situation information source 4 (step 101 in Figure 2). In other words, the location information acquisition unit 21 acquires location reference information from the location information source 3, and the surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 acquires surrounding situation information from the situation information source 4. The location information acquisition unit 21 then extracts the location source information of the monitored moving object from the location reference information. The surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 also generates detection situation information representing the detected situation from the surrounding situation information.

[0040] Subsequently, the location identification unit 23 uses the location source information obtained from the location information acquisition unit 21 and the detection status information obtained from the surrounding situation acquisition unit 22 to perform a predetermined location identification process. As a result, the location identification unit 23 identifies the location of the moving object being monitored (step 102). Then, the output unit 24 outputs the location identification information to a predetermined output destination (step 103).

[0041] As described above, the location information providing device 2 of the first embodiment is configured to determine (calculate) the location of a monitored mobile object by using location reference information transmitted from multiple types of location information sources 3 and by performing location determination processing that takes into account the surrounding conditions of the monitored mobile object. By having this configuration, the location information providing device 2 can improve the integrity of the location information of the monitored mobile object compared to location information that simply uses information output from one type of location information source 3.

[0042] Furthermore, since the location information provider 2 can provide location information of the monitored mobile object with improved integrity to the flight management device 7, it can contribute to improving the reliability of flight management by the flight management device 7.

[0043] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment and can take various forms. For example, in the first embodiment, the location identification unit 23 performs a process as a location identification process in which it selects location source information to be used for location identification from among multiple types of location source information using selection criteria, and identifies (calculates) the location of the monitored mobile object using the selected location source information. Alternatively, for example, the location identification unit 23 may perform a process using AI (Artificial Intelligence) as a location identification process. In this case, the location identification unit 23 uses an AI-based location identification model. This location identification model is generated by learning the following data. The data to be learned includes, for example, combinations of location source information related to each of the multiple types of location information sources 3 and the surrounding conditions of the monitored mobile object, and relational data representing the relationship between multiple location information (location identification information) calculated by multiple different identification methods and the certainty of said location information. The AI-based location identification model takes location source information from the location information acquisition unit 21 and detection status information from the surrounding conditions acquisition unit 22 as input information, and outputs location identification information for the monitored mobile object.

[0044] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 21 extracts location source information from each of the location reference information acquired from multiple types of location information sources 3. Alternatively, the location information acquisition unit 21 may extract only the location source information selected in the location source information selection process by the location identification unit 23 from the location reference information.

[0045] Furthermore, the location information providing device 2 may have the following configuration. That is, even if the location of the monitored mobile object is identified by the location identification process described in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the accuracy of the location information (location identification information) of the monitored mobile object may fall below a predetermined acceptance standard depending on the surrounding circumstances. The location information providing device 2 may have a configuration that detects areas where the accuracy of such location identification information falls below the acceptance standard (also referred to as quality degradation areas). That is, the location information providing device 2 may have a quality degradation detection unit 25 as shown in Figure 4. The quality degradation detection unit 25 detects areas where the accuracy of the location identification information by the location identification unit 23 falls below the acceptance standard (quality degradation areas), as described above. This information from the quality degradation detection unit 25 (quality degradation area information) is output by the output unit 24 to a predetermined output destination, such as the flight management device 7. In the case of the flight management device 7, for example, by receiving such quality degradation area information, it may change the travel route of the mobile object being operated to a travel route that bypasses the quality degradation area. Furthermore, upon receiving information about the degraded quality area, the flight management device 7 outputs an instruction to the mobile object under its flight management to move further away from other mobile objects than the normal distance.

[0046] Furthermore, the location information providing device in this disclosure may also take the configuration shown in Figure 5. The location information providing device 50 shown in Figure 5 is, for example, a computer device and comprises a location information acquisition unit 51, a surrounding situation acquisition unit 52, a location identification unit 53, and an output unit 54 as functional units realized by executing a computer program. The location information acquisition unit 51 acquires location reference information, including information representing the location of a moving object, from each of several different types of location information sources. The surrounding situation acquisition unit 52 acquires surrounding situation information representing the surrounding conditions of the mobile object to be monitored. The location identification unit 53 identifies the location of the mobile object to be monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object to be monitored extracted from the acquired location reference information and detection situation information representing the conditions detected from the acquired surrounding situation information. The output unit 54 outputs location identification information representing the identified location of the mobile object to be monitored. The location information acquisition unit 21, surrounding situation acquisition unit 22, location identification unit 23, and output unit 24 described in the first embodiment are examples of the location information acquisition unit 51, surrounding situation acquisition unit 52, location identification unit 53, and output unit 54, respectively.

[0047] The location information providing device 50 shown in Figure 5 has the configuration described above. Next, an example of the operation of the location information providing device 50 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the location information providing device 50. Figure 6 can also be said to be a diagram illustrating an example of a communication resource management method.

[0048] For example, the location information acquisition unit 51 and the surrounding situation acquisition unit 52 each acquire predetermined information (step 201 in Figure 6). In other words, the location information acquisition unit 51 acquires location reference information from each of several types of location information sources. The surrounding situation acquisition unit 52 acquires surrounding situation information.

[0049] Then, the position identification unit 53 identifies the position of the monitored moving object (step 202). In other words, the position identification unit 53 identifies the position of the monitored moving object by performing a position identification process using the information representing the position of the monitored moving object extracted from the position reference information and the detection status information. After that, the output unit 54 outputs the position identification information (step 203).

[0050] The location information providing device 50 has the configuration described above and uses multiple types of information representing the location of the monitored mobile object and information about the surrounding conditions of the monitored mobile object to determine the location of the monitored mobile object, thereby improving the integrity of the location information of the monitored mobile object.

[0051] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: (Note 1) A location information acquisition unit that obtains location reference information, including information representing the position of a moving object, from each of several different types of location information sources, A surrounding conditions acquisition unit acquires surrounding conditions information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A location identification unit identifies the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information. An output unit that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. A location information providing device equipped with the following features. (Note 2) The aforementioned location determination process involves selecting information from multiple types of information representing the location of a monitored moving object, extracted from location reference information obtained from each of multiple types of location information sources, according to predetermined selection criteria, and determining the location of the monitored moving object using a determination method determined according to the selected information and detection status information. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The aforementioned location identification process is a process that uses a location identification model generated by learning relationship data between location identification information calculated by multiple different identification methods and the certainty of said location identification information. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 4) The system further includes a quality degradation detection unit that detects a quality degradation region where the accuracy of the location information determined by the location determination unit falls below the acceptance standard. The output unit outputs quality degradation area information representing the detected quality degradation area. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 5) The aforementioned selection criteria are based on information relating to the function of the location information source and situational information relating to the surrounding conditions of the mobile object being monitored. The location information providing device described in Appendix 2. (Note 6) The output destination to which the output unit outputs location information includes a computer device that performs a process to monitor the position of the moving object being monitored using the location information. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 7) The location reference information acquired by the location information acquisition unit includes location information associated with the remote ID (Identification) as information representing the location of the moving object. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 8) The aforementioned mobile objects under surveillance include mobile objects other than flying vehicles. The location information providing device described in Appendix 1. (Note 9) By computer, Location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, is obtained from each of several different types of location information sources. Obtain surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, The location of the monitored moving object is determined by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the monitored moving object extracted from the acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from the acquired surrounding situation information. Output location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. Location information provision method. (Note 10) A process for obtaining location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, from multiple different types of location information sources, A process to acquire surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A process to identify the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information, A process that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. A computer program that causes a computer to execute a command.

[0052] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 8, which are subordinate to Appendice 1 above, may also be subordinate to Appendices 9 and 10 in the same way as those described in Appendices 2 to 8. Moreover, not limited to Appendices 1, 9, and 10, some or all of the configurations described as appendices may also be subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, without departing from the embodiments described above.

[0053] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 2,50 Location information providing device 21,51 Location information acquisition unit 22,52 Surrounding Condition Acquisition Unit 23,53 Location identification part 24,54 Output section

Claims

1. A location information acquisition unit that obtains location reference information, including information representing the position of a moving object, from each of several different types of location information sources, A surrounding conditions acquisition unit acquires surrounding conditions information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A location identification unit identifies the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information. An output unit that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. A location information providing device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned location determination process involves selecting information from multiple types of information representing the location of a monitored moving object, extracted from location reference information obtained from each of multiple types of location information sources, according to predetermined selection criteria, and determining the location of the monitored moving object using a determination method determined according to the selected information and detection status information. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned location identification process is a process that uses a location identification model generated by learning relationship data between location identification information calculated by multiple different identification methods and the certainty of said location identification information. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a quality degradation detection unit that detects a quality degradation region where the accuracy of the location information determined by the location determination unit falls below the acceptance standard. The output unit outputs quality degradation area information representing the detected quality degradation area. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned selection criteria are based on information relating to the function of the location information source and situational information relating to the surrounding conditions of the mobile object being monitored. The location information providing device according to claim 2.

6. The output destination to which the output unit outputs location information includes a computer device that performs a process to monitor the position of the moving object being monitored using the location information. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

7. The location reference information acquired by the location information acquisition unit includes location information associated with the remote ID (Identification) as information representing the location of the moving object. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned mobile objects under surveillance include mobile objects other than flying vehicles. The location information providing device according to claim 1.

9. By computer, Location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, is obtained from each of several different types of location information sources. Obtain surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, The location of the monitored moving object is determined by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the monitored moving object extracted from the acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from the acquired surrounding situation information. Output location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. Location information provision method.

10. A process for obtaining location reference information, which includes information representing the position of a moving object, from multiple different types of location information sources, A process to acquire surrounding situation information that represents the conditions around the mobile object being monitored, A process to identify the location of a mobile object being monitored by a predetermined location identification process using information representing the location of the mobile object being monitored extracted from acquired location reference information and detection status information representing the situation detected from acquired surrounding situation information, A process that outputs location information representing the position of the identified mobile object being monitored. A computer program that causes a computer to execute a command.

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