Flight control device and information processing method

Abstract

Removes dirt and other contaminants from aircraft without human intervention. [Solution] The flight control device 1 includes an acquisition unit 131 that acquires detection status information indicating the rainfall detection status from a rainfall sensor that detects rainfall at a waiting location where the aircraft 2 is waiting; a determination unit 132 that determines whether the aircraft 2 will be washed by the rain based on the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit 131; and a flight control unit 133 that controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that the aircraft 2 is hit by the rain when the determination unit 132 determines that the aircraft 2 will be washed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flight control device and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an aircraft has been autonomously flown to inspect facilities and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When an aircraft is used at sea or near the sea, it may not be possible to perform maintenance by humans over a long period of time. In this case, seawater may adhere to the aircraft, causing corrosion of the aircraft and possibly hindering the flight of the aircraft.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to be able to remove dirt and the like adhering to an aircraft without human intervention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a flight control device. This flight control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires detection status information indicating the detection status of rainfall from a rainfall sensor that detects rainfall at a standby location where the aircraft is waiting, a determination unit that determines whether to wash the aircraft with rain based on the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a flight control unit that controls the flight of the aircraft so that the aircraft is exposed to rain when the determination unit determines to wash the aircraft.

[0007] The detection status information may include rainfall amount information indicating the amount of rainfall detected by the rainfall sensor, and the flight control unit may determine the time the aircraft will be exposed to rain based on the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit, and may control the flight of the aircraft so that the aircraft is exposed to rain for the determined time.

[0008] If the determination unit determines that the aircraft needs to be washed, the flight control unit may fly the aircraft from the waiting area to a predetermined landing site for exposure to rain and then land it, or it may wait for a predetermined period of time and then fly the aircraft from the predetermined landing site back to the waiting area.

[0009] The flight control unit may control the flight of the aircraft so that each of the multiple parts of the aircraft is hit by rain.

[0010] The flight control unit may control the flight of the aircraft so that each of the multiple parts of the aircraft faces upward for a predetermined period of time.

[0011] The detection status information may include rainfall amount information indicating the amount of rainfall detected by the rainfall sensor, and the determination unit may determine that the aircraft will be washed by rain if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0012] The acquisition unit may further acquire weather information at the waiting location that is different from the rainfall at the waiting location, and the determination unit may determine that the aircraft will not be washed by rain even if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, if the weather information indicates predetermined weather conditions.

[0013] The acquisition unit may acquire dirt location information indicating the location of dirt on the aircraft, and the flight control unit may control the flight of the aircraft so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft indicated by the dirt location information is hit by rain.

[0014] The flight control unit may control the flight of the aircraft so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft, as indicated by the dirt location information, is exposed to rain for a predetermined period of time.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing method. This information processing method includes the steps of: obtaining detection status information indicating the rainfall detection status from a rainfall sensor, which is executed by a computer and detects rainfall at a waiting location where an aircraft is waiting; determining whether the aircraft will be washed by the rain based on the obtained detection status information; and, if it is determined that the aircraft will be washed, controlling the flight of the aircraft so that it is hit by the rain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, dirt and other contaminants attached to an aircraft can be removed without human intervention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of the flight control system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the flight control system. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the processing flow related to the flight control system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] [Overview of Flight Control System 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the flight control device 1. The flight control device 1 is installed in or near the hangar facility 3 where the aircraft 2 is stored, and is a computer for washing the aircraft 2 with rain. The hangar facility 3 is, for example, a drone port, which is a waiting area where the aircraft 2 waits. The aircraft 2 is, for example, an autonomously flying drone.

[0019] The storage facility 3 is provided with a rain gauge 4 as a rain sensor for detecting rainfall at the waiting location of the aircraft 2. The flight control device 1 acquires detection status information indicating the detection status of rainfall around the storage facility 3 from the rain gauge 4 ((1) in FIG. 1). Based on the detection status information, the flight control device 1 determines whether to wash the aircraft 2 with rain ((2) in FIG. 1). When it is determined that the aircraft 2 is to be washed, the flight control device 1 controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that the aircraft 2 is exposed to rain ((3) in FIG. 1). By doing so, the flight control device 1 can remove dirt and the like adhering to the aircraft 2 without manual intervention.

[0020] [Functional Configuration of Flight Control Device 1] Subsequently, the functional configuration of the flight control device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the flight control device 1. The flight control device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0021] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the aircraft 2 and the like via a communication network such as a mobile phone line or the Internet. The storage unit 12 is a storage medium for storing various types of data, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 13. For example, the storage unit 12 stores programs that cause the control unit 13 to function as an acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, a flight control unit 133, and a storage control unit 134.

[0022] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 functions as an acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, a flight control unit 133, and a storage control unit 134 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 12.

[0023] The acquisition unit 131 acquires detection status information indicating the rainfall detection status from the rain gauge 4, which detects rainfall around the hangar facility 3, which serves as a waiting area for the aircraft 2. The detection status information includes rainfall amount information indicating the amount of rainfall per unit time (e.g., 10 minutes) detected by the rain gauge 4.

[0024] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 acquires weather information around the storage facility 3 that is different from rainfall around the storage facility 3. The weather information includes, for example, observational information on the weather around the storage facility 3, such as current wind, yellow dust, and temperature in the area including the waiting area, and forecast information indicating the weather forecast.

[0025] The determination unit 132 determines whether or not to wash the aircraft with rain based on the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. First, the determination unit 132 determines whether or not the aircraft 2 has been washed within a predetermined period from the current time. For example, the storage unit 12 stores washing history information, including the date on which the aircraft 2 was washed. The determination unit 132 refers to the washing history information stored in the storage unit 12 and determines whether or not the aircraft 2 has been washed within a predetermined period from the current time.

[0026] If the determination unit 132 determines that the aircraft 2 has not been washed, it determines whether or not to wash the aircraft with rain based on the detected status information. For example, the determination unit 132 determines to wash the aircraft 2 with rain if the amount of rainfall per unit time indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detected status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0027] Here, the determination unit 132 may refer to the flight history information and cleaning history of the aircraft 2, and if it determines that the aircraft 2 has not been cleaned since a flight other than the one involved in cleaning took place, it may determine whether or not to clean the aircraft with rain based on the detected status information. In this way, the flight control device 1 can prevent the aircraft 2 from being cleaned more than necessary.

[0028] The determination unit 132 may, if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, further determine whether to wash the aircraft 2 with rain based on weather information other than rainfall. For example, even if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the determination unit 132 will determine not to wash the aircraft 2 with rain if the weather information indicates predetermined weather conditions.

[0029] The predetermined weather conditions are those that indicate weather conditions that are predetermined as unsuitable for cleaning the aircraft 2. For example, the predetermined weather conditions include cases where weather information indicates the occurrence of yellow dust in the area including the waiting area, where the wind speed in the area is above a predetermined wind speed that is unsuitable for the flight of the aircraft 2, where the temperature in the area is below a predetermined temperature that is unsuitable for cleaning the aircraft 2, or where there is a risk of lightning in the area. In addition, the determination unit 132 may determine not to clean the aircraft 2 if the amount of rainfall is above a predetermined amount and the amount of rainfall is above the amount that may cause a disaster.

[0030] When the determination unit 132 determines that the aircraft 2 should be washed, the flight control unit 133 controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that it is exposed to rain. Specifically, first, the flight control unit 133 determines the amount of rain that the aircraft 2 will be exposed to rain based on the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the flight control unit 133 determines the amount of rain that the aircraft 2 will be exposed to rain for a longer period of time, the less rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information. Then, the flight control unit 133 controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that it is exposed to rain for the determined period of time.

[0031] Furthermore, when the determination unit 132 determines that the aircraft 2 needs to be washed, the flight control unit 133 flies the aircraft 2 from the waiting area to a predetermined landing site for exposure to rain, and lands it at that landing site. After the aircraft 2 has landed at the landing site, the flight control unit 133 waits for a predetermined period of time determined based on the amount of rainfall, and then flies the aircraft 2 from the predetermined landing site back to the waiting area.

[0032] For example, the flight control unit 133 generates a flight plan that involves flying the aircraft 2 from a waiting area to a predetermined landing site, landing at that site, having the aircraft 2 wait for a predetermined period based on the amount of rainfall, and then flying the aircraft 2 from the landing site back to the waiting area and landing there. The flight control unit 133 then transmits the generated flight plan to the aircraft 2 and controls the flight of the aircraft 2 by instructing it to perform the flight according to the flight plan. In this way, the flight control device 1 can wash the aircraft 2 with rain without keeping the aircraft 2 flying, thus reducing the power consumption of the aircraft 2 when it is washed with rain.

[0033] Furthermore, the flight control unit 133 may control the flight of the aircraft 2 so that each of its multiple parts is exposed to rain. For example, the flight control unit 133 generates a flight plan that causes the aircraft 2 to assume a flight attitude such that each of its multiple parts faces upward for a predetermined period of time. The flight control unit 133 then controls the flight of the aircraft 2 by instructing it to perform the flight based on the flight plan, so that each of its multiple parts faces upward for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the flight control device 1 can have parts of the aircraft 2 that would not be exposed to rain when the aircraft 2 is flying in a normal flight attitude washed by the rain.

[0034] The flight control unit 133 controlled the flight of the aircraft 2 so that each of its various parts would be exposed to rain, but is not limited to this. The flight control unit 133 may also identify the location of dirt adhering to the aircraft 2 and ensure that those locations are exposed to rain.

[0035] In this case, the acquisition unit 131 acquires dirt location information indicating the location of dirt on the aircraft 2. The dirt location information is, for example, the name of the part or a code indicating the part that identifies the part to which dirt is attached, which is identified by analyzing the image captured when the aircraft 2 is photographed by an imaging device (not shown) installed in the hangar facility 3. Note that the dirt location information may also be the image captured when the aircraft 2 is photographed.

[0036] The flight control unit 133 identifies the parts of the aircraft 2 that are covered in dirt, based on the dirt location information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. If the dirt location information is an image, the flight control unit 133 identifies the parts covered in dirt by analyzing the image. For example, an image taken when the aircraft is free of dirt is stored in the storage unit 12 beforehand, and the flight control unit 133 identifies the parts covered in dirt by comparing this image with the image acquired by the acquisition unit 131.

[0037] The flight control unit 133 then controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft, as indicated by the dirt location information, is hit by rain. For example, the flight control unit 133 controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft 2, as indicated by the dirt location information, is in an attitude where it is hit by rain, and that location is hit by rain for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the flight control device 1 can have parts of the aircraft 2 that would not be hit by rain when the aircraft 2 is flying in a normal flight attitude cleaned by rain.

[0038] The memory control unit 134 stores the flight history of the aircraft 2 in the memory unit 12 in response to the aircraft 2's flight. For example, after the aircraft 2's flight, the memory control unit 134 stores in the memory unit 12 the flight history, which includes the aircraft 2's flight plan, the time of the flight, and information indicating whether the flight was for the purpose of cleaning. The memory control unit 134 also stores the aircraft 2's cleaning history in the memory unit 12. For example, in response to the aircraft 2 being cleaned by rain by the flight control unit 133, the memory control unit 134 stores in the memory unit 12 the cleaning history, which includes the time the aircraft 2 was cleaned.

[0039] [Processing flow in the flight control device 1] Next, we will explain the processing flow in the flight control device 1. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to the flight control device 1.

[0040] First, the acquisition unit 131 acquires detection status information from the rain gauge 4 (S1). Next, the determination unit 132 refers to the cleaning history information stored in the memory unit 12 and determines whether or not the aircraft 2 has been cleaned during a certain period of time (S2). If the determination unit 132 determines that the aircraft 2 has not been cleaned during a certain period of time (YES in S2), it moves to S3. If it determines that the aircraft 2 has been cleaned during a certain period of time (NO in S2), it terminates the process related to this flowchart.

[0041] Next, the determination unit 132 determines whether the amount of rainfall per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information (S3). If the determination unit 132 determines that the amount of rainfall per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (YES in S3), it proceeds to S4. If it determines that the amount of rainfall per unit time is less than a predetermined amount (NO in S3), it terminates the process related to this flowchart.

[0042] Next, the determination unit 132 determines, based on the weather information, whether or not predetermined weather conditions unsuitable for washing the aircraft 2 are met (S4). If the determination unit 132 determines that the predetermined weather conditions are met (YES in S4), it terminates the process related to this flowchart. If the weather information determines that the predetermined weather conditions are not met (NO in S4), it moves to S5. Subsequently, the flight control unit 133 controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that it is exposed to rain (S5).

[0043] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, the flight control device 1 determines whether to wash the aircraft 2 with rain based on detection status information obtained from the rain gauge 4 which detects rainfall at the waiting area where the aircraft 2 is waiting, and controls the flight of the aircraft 2 so that it is hit by rain. In this way, the flight control device 1 can remove dirt and other contaminants attached to the aircraft 2 without human intervention.

[0044] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1. Flight control system 2 flying objects 3. Storage facilities 4 Rain gauge 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Judgment section 133 Flight Control Unit 134 Memory Control Unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires detection status information indicating the rainfall detection status from a rainfall sensor that detects rainfall at a waiting area where an aircraft is waiting, Based on the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit determines whether the aircraft is washed by rain, When the determination unit determines that the aircraft should be washed, the flight control unit controls the flight of the aircraft so that it is exposed to rain, A flight control system that includes [unspecified].

2. The aforementioned detection status information includes rainfall amount information indicating the amount of rainfall detected by the rainfall sensor. The flight control unit determines the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls the flight of the aircraft so that the aircraft is exposed to rain for the determined period of time. The flight control device according to claim 1.

3. When the determination unit determines that the aircraft needs to be washed, the flight control unit flies the aircraft from the waiting area to a predetermined landing site for exposure to rain and lands it, waits for a predetermined period of time, and then flies the aircraft from the predetermined landing site back to the waiting area. The flight control device according to claim 1.

4. The flight control unit controls the flight of the aircraft so that each of the multiple parts of the aircraft is hit by rain. The flight control device according to claim 1.

5. The flight control unit controls the flight of the aircraft so that each of the multiple parts of the aircraft faces upward for a predetermined period of time. The flight control device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned detection status information includes rainfall amount information indicating the amount of rainfall detected by the rainfall sensor. The determination unit determines that the aircraft will be washed by rain if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The flight control device according to claim 1.

7. The acquisition unit further acquires weather information at the waiting location that is different from the rainfall at the waiting location. Even if the amount of rainfall indicated by the rainfall amount information included in the detection status information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the determination unit determines that the aircraft will not be washed by rain if the weather information indicates predetermined weather conditions. The flight control device according to claim 6.

8. The acquisition unit acquires dirt location information indicating the location of dirt on the aircraft, The flight control unit controls the flight of the aircraft so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft, as indicated by the dirt location information, is hit by rain. The flight control device according to claim 1.

9. The flight control unit controls the flight of the aircraft so that the location of the dirt on the aircraft, as indicated by the dirt location information, is exposed to rain for a predetermined period of time. The flight control device according to claim 8.

10. A computer executes The steps include: obtaining detection status information indicating the rainfall detection status from a rainfall sensor that detects rainfall at a waiting area where an aircraft is stationed; Based on the acquired detection status information, a step is to determine whether the aircraft will be washed by rain. When it is determined that the aircraft needs to be washed, the steps include controlling the aircraft's flight so that it is hit by rain, An information processing method having

Images