Management device, program, system, wireless communication terminal, and control method

Abstract

To provide a system, management device, program, wireless communication terminal, and control method for notifying a user of information on an area currently provided with the present service, causes of the service unavailability, expected recovery, a communication recovery method, and an emergency bulletin by separate means.SOLUTION: In a system 10, a management device 400 includes an area-related information acquiring unit for acquiring area-related information related to a wireless communication area 204 formed on the ground by a flying body 200, functioning as a stratospheric platform, and a transmission control unit that controls a GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information together with GPS signals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a program, a system, a wireless communication terminal, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an aircraft that stores power generated by a solar panel in a battery and flies using the battery power and provides wireless communication services. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-170888 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a management device. The management device may include an area-related information acquisition unit that acquires area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by an air vehicle functioning as a stratospheric platform. The management device may include a transmission control unit that controls a GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information along with a GPS signal.

[0004] The area-related information may include area location information indicating the location of the wireless communication area and service-related information indicating the status of wireless communication service in the wireless communication area. The service-related information may include information indicating a schedule for stopping wireless communication service in the wireless communication area. The area-related information may include information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by another air vehicle adjacent to the wireless communication area. The area-related information may include information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by a terrestrial wireless base station adjacent to the wireless communication area. The transmission control unit may control the GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information together with the GPS signal by transmitting the area-related information to a control device of the GPS satellite. The area-related information acquisition unit may acquire the area-related information related to the wireless communication area in which a malfunction has occurred. The transmission control unit may, when a malfunction has occurred in any of the multiple air vehicles, control the GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information related to the wireless communication area in which the malfunction has occurred together with the GPS signal. The transmission control unit may control the area-related information to be transmitted from each of the multiple GPS satellites. The transmission control unit may control each of the plurality of divided information pieces obtained by dividing the area-related information to be transmitted from each of the plurality of GPS satellites. The management device may include an emergency alert data acquisition unit that acquires emergency alert data, and the transmission control unit may control each of the GPS satellites to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a management device. The management device may include an emergency alert data information acquisition unit that acquires emergency alert data. The management device may also include a transmission control unit that controls a GPS satellite to transmit the emergency alert data together with a GPS signal.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as the management device.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system including the management device and a user terminal. The user terminal may have a first receiving unit that is present in the wireless communication area of ​​the air vehicle and receives the area-related information from the air vehicle. The user terminal may have a second receiving unit that receives the area-related information from the GPS satellite. The user terminal may have a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the area-related information received by the first receiving unit and the area-related information received by the second receiving unit. The display control unit may cause the display unit to display the area-related information received by the first receiving unit while the user terminal is present in the wireless communication area, and may cause the display unit to display the area-related information received by the second receiving unit in response to the user terminal being unable to communicate with the air vehicle. The user terminal may have an information comparison unit that compares the area-related information received by the first receiving unit with the area-related information received by the second receiving unit, and a result transmission unit that transmits a comparison result by the information comparison unit to the management device.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication terminal may include a first receiving unit that receives, from an air vehicle functioning as a stratospheric platform, area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by the air vehicle. The wireless communication terminal may include a second receiving unit that receives the area-related information from a GPS satellite. The wireless communication terminal may include a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the area-related information received by the first receiving unit and the area-related information received by the second receiving unit.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication terminal.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a computer. The control method may include an area-related information acquisition step of acquiring area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by an air vehicle functioning as a stratospheric platform. The control method may include a transmission control step of controlling a GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information along with a GPS signal.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a computer. The control method may include a first receiving step of receiving, from an air vehicle functioning as a stratospheric platform, area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by the air vehicle. The control method may include a second receiving step of receiving the area-related information from GPS satellites. The control method may include a display control step of displaying, on a display unit, the area-related information received in the first receiving step and the area-related information received in the second receiving step.

[0012] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also constitute inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] An example of a system 10 is shown schematically. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of processing in the system 10. [Figure 3] 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reception of area-related information 206, a GPS signal 404, and area-related information 406 by a user terminal 300. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B show an example of a display on the user terminal 300. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of a flow of processing information received from a GPS satellite 500 by a user terminal 300. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of a HAPS management device 100. [Figure 7] 2 shows an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 300. [Figure 8] An example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as the HAPS management device 100, the disaster management device 200, or the user terminal 300 is shown in schematic form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In areas where only High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), which function as stratospheric platforms, provide wireless communication services (outside of terrestrial mobile service areas), the inability to receive wireless communication services via HAPS and the display of an out-of-service message can be frustrating for users. Furthermore, users may be unable to receive emergency alerts, such as those issued in the event of an earthquake, which could compromise their safety. In such cases, if users could be notified by other means of information about the current service area, the cause of the service outage, the recovery forecast, how to restore communication, and emergency alert information, their frustration could be reduced and their safety could be improved. The system 10 according to this embodiment provides such an alternative means.

[0015] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a system 10. The system 10 includes a HAPS management device 100. The system 10 may include a HAPS 200. The system 10 may include a user terminal 300. The system 10 may include a control device 400. The system 10 may include a GPS satellite 500. The system 10 may include a disaster management device 600. The system 10 may include a gateway 30. The system 10 may include a gateway 40.

[0017] The HAPS management device 100 manages the HAPS 200. The HAPS 200 may be an example of an air vehicle that functions as a stratospheric platform. While flying in the stratosphere, the HAPS 200 forms a feeder link 202 with a ground-based gateway 30 and forms a wireless communication area 204 on the ground.

[0018] The HAPS 200 includes a main body 210, wing sections 220, and solar panels 230. Electricity generated by the solar panels 230 is stored in one or more batteries disposed in at least one of the main body 210 and the wing sections 220. The electricity stored in the batteries is used by each component of the HAPS 200.

[0019] A control unit 212 is disposed on the main body 210. The control unit 212 controls the flight and communications of the HAPS 200.

[0020] The control device 212 controls the flight of the HAPS 200 by controlling, for example, the rotation of the propellers and the angles of the flaps and elevators. The control device 212 may manage various sensors included in the HAPS 200. Examples of sensors include positioning sensors such as GPS sensors, gyro sensors, acceleration sensors, wind sensors, and air pressure sensors. The control device 212 may manage the position, attitude, movement direction, and movement speed of the HAPS 200 based on the outputs of the various sensors.

[0021] The control device 212 may use a Feeder Link (FL) antenna to form a feeder link 202 with the gateway 30. The control device 212 may access the network 20 via the gateway 30.

[0022] The control device 212 may use a service link (SL) antenna to form a wireless communication area 204 on the ground. The control device 212 may use the SL antenna to form a service link with a user terminal 300 on the ground.

[0023] The user terminal 300 may be any communication terminal that can communicate with the HAPS 200 and receive GPS signals from the GPS satellites 500. For example, the user terminal 300 may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone. The user terminal 300 may also be a tablet terminal or a PC (Personal Computer). The user terminal 300 may also be a communication terminal mounted on an automobile or the like. The user terminal 300 may also be a so-called IoT (Internet of Things) device. The user terminal 300 may include anything that falls under the so-called IoE (Internet of Everything).

[0024] The HAPS 200 relays communication between the network 20 and the user terminal 300, for example, via the feeder link 202 and the service link. The HAPS 200 may provide wireless communication services to the user terminal 300 by relaying communication between the user terminal 300 and the network 20.

[0025] The network 20 includes a mobile communication network. The mobile communication network may conform to any of the following communication methods: 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G (5th Generation), and 6G (6th Generation) or later. The network 20 may include the Internet.

[0026] For example, the HAPS 200 transmits data received from a user terminal 300 within the wireless communication area 204 to the network 20. Furthermore, for example, when the HAPS 200 receives data addressed to a user terminal 300 within the wireless communication area 204 via the network 20, the HAPS 200 transmits the data to the user terminal 300.

[0027] The HAPS management device 100 may communicate with the HAPS 200 via the network 20 and the gateway 30. The HAPS management device 100 may control the HAPS 200 by sending various instructions.

[0028] For example, the HAPS management device 100 may cause the HAPS 200 to circle above a target area on the ground to cover the target area with the wireless communication area 204. For example, while flying in a circular orbit above the target area, the HAPS 200 adjusts the direction of orientation of the FL antenna to maintain the feeder link 202 with the gateway 30, and adjusts the direction of orientation of the SL antenna to maintain coverage of the target area with the wireless communication area 204.

[0029] The HAPS 200 can provide wireless communication services to the user terminal 300 even in areas where terrestrial wireless base stations are not available. However, as described above, in an area where only the HAPS 200 provides wireless communication services, the user of the user terminal 300 may be frustrated if the HAPS 200 undergoes maintenance or breaks down and the user is unexpectedly placed out of communication range.

[0030] The HAPS management device 100 according to this embodiment controls the GPS satellites 500 to transmit area-related information related to the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200 along with the GPS signals. The HAPS management device 100 may control the GPS satellites 500 to transmit the area-related information along with the GPS signals by transmitting the area-related information to the control device 400 of the GPS satellites 500 via the network 20. The control device 400 may transmit the area-related information received from the HAPS management device 100 to the GPS satellites 500 via the gateway 40, causing the GPS satellites 500 to transmit the area-related information along with the GPS signals.

[0031] The area-related information may include area location information indicating the location of the wireless communication area 204 and service-related information indicating the status of the wireless communication service in the wireless communication area 204. The service-related information may include information indicating a schedule for stopping the wireless communication service provided by the wireless communication area 204. The service-related information may include, for example, information about planned maintenance work for the HAPS 200. The service-related information may also include, for example, information about a failure of the HAPS 200. The service-related information may include, for example, information about the expected recovery of the HAPS 200.

[0032] As a result, for example, in a situation where a malfunction occurs in the HAPS 200 and the area-related information cannot be transmitted to the user terminal 300 via the HAPS 200, the HAPS management device 100 can transmit the area-related information via the GPS satellite 500. By having the user terminal 300 display the area-related information received from the GPS satellite 500 on the display unit, the user of the user terminal 300 can learn the reason why the wireless communication service of the HAPS 200 is no longer available and the expected recovery time. This can contribute to reducing user frustration.

[0033] Furthermore, if the user terminal 300 goes out of communication range in an area where only the HAPS 200 provides wireless communication services, the user terminal 300 will lose the means to receive emergency alert data. Therefore, the disaster management device 600 according to this embodiment controls the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data along with the GPS signal.

[0034] The disaster management device 600 may transmit emergency alert data to the control device 400 of the GPS satellite 500 via the network 20, thereby controlling the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal. The control device 400 may transmit the emergency alert data received from the disaster management device 600 to the GPS satellite 500 via the gateway 40, causing the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the data together with the GPS signal. This can improve the safety of users.

[0035] Note that, although the following description mainly takes as an example a case where the HAPS management device 100 and the disaster management device 600 are separate entities, this is not limiting. The HAPS management device 100 and the disaster management device 600 may also be integrated. In other words, the HAPS management device 100 may have the functions of the disaster management device 600.

[0036] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the processing flow in the system 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the HAPS management device 100 includes a HAPS management DB 102. The HAPS management DB 102 stores HAPS data 104 related to the HAPS 200. The HAPS data 104 may include area-related information related to a wireless communication area 204 generated by the HAPS 200. The HAPS data 104 stored in the HAPS management DB 102 is updated as appropriate by an administrator of the HAPS management device 100, or is automatically updated based on data received from the HAPS 200.

[0037] The HAPS management device 100 acquires the HAPS data 104 from the HAPS management DB 102 according to a predetermined timing, for example, and transmits the data to the control device 400. The HAPS management device 100 may also acquire the HAPS data 104 from the HAPS management DB 102 and transmit the data to the control device 400 in response to new HAPS data 104 being stored in the HAPS management DB 102.

[0038] 2, the disaster management device 600 includes a disaster management DB 602. The disaster management DB 602 stores emergency alert data. The disaster management DB 602 appropriately stores the emergency alert data received from the source of the emergency alert data. For example, when new emergency alert data is stored in the disaster management DB 602, the disaster management device 600 acquires the emergency alert data from the disaster management DB 602 and transmits the emergency alert data to the control device 400.

[0039] The control device 400 includes a GPS signal generator 402. The GPS signal generator 402 generates a GPS signal. The GPS signal may include time information and position information of the GPS satellite 500. The GPS signal generator 402 transmits the GPS signal, the HAPS data 104 received from the HAPS management device 100, and the emergency warning data 604 received from the disaster management device 600 to the GPS satellite 500 via the gateway 40, and causes the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the HAPS data 104 and the emergency warning data 604 along with the GPS signal.

[0040] Since the communication speed of a GPS line is slow (for example, 50 bps), it is desirable to reduce the amount of data of the HAPS data 104 and the emergency warning data 604. In the system 10 according to this embodiment, the communication volume may be reduced by storing complementary data in advance in the user terminal 300. Examples of complementary data include map data, data indicating the basic area of ​​the wireless communication area, and a code table.

[0041] When the HAPS management device 100 transmits the HAPS data 104 via the GPS satellites 500, it may transmit a code corresponding to the content of the HAPS data 104. The user terminal 300 can obtain the content of the HAPS data 104 by interpreting the received code according to a code table.

[0042] The disaster management device 600 may transmit the emergency alert data 604 via the GPS satellite 500 by transmitting a code corresponding to the content of the emergency alert data 604. The user terminal 300 can obtain the content of the emergency alert data 604 by interpreting the received code according to a code table.

[0043] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating reception of the area-related information 206, the GPS signal 404, and the area-related information 406 by the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 may include an antenna 302, a GPS receiver 304, a DBP (Digital Baseband Processor) 306, an antenna 312, an SL receiver 314, a memory 316, and a HAPS application 320.

[0044] The GPS receiver 304 receives GPS signals 404 from GPS satellites 500 using the antenna 302. The DBP 306 may identify the location of the user terminal 300 based on the GPS signals 404 received by the GPS receiver 304 and notify the HAPS app 320. If the GPS signals 404 received by the GPS receiver 304 include area-related information 406, the DBP 306 may extract the area-related information 406 and notify the HAPS app 320. If the GPS signals 404 include emergency alert data, the DBP 306 may extract the emergency alert data and notify the HAPS app 320.

[0045] The SL receiver 314 receives various types of information from the HAPS 200 using the antenna 312. The SL receiver 314 receives, for example, the area-related information 206 from the HAPS 200 using the antenna 312. The HAPS management device 100 transmits the area-related information to the user terminal 300 via the HAPS 200, for example, periodically. The SL receiver 314 may also receive emergency alert data from the HAPS 200. The memory 316 stores the information received by the SL receiver 314.

[0046] For example, under normal circumstances, the HAPS application 320 presents to the user area-related information received by the SL receiver 314 and stored in the memory 316. When the HAPS application 320 goes out of the service area provided by the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200, the HAPS application 320 presents to the user the latest area-related information stored in the memory 316. This allows the user to know the latest situation before going out of the service area.

[0047] The HAPS application 320 then presents the area-related information received by the GPS receiver 304 and acquired by the DBP 306 to the user. This allows the area-related information sent by the HAPS management device 100 to be presented to the user after the user has left the service area, allowing the user to grasp more up-to-date information.

[0048] The HAPS application 320 may normally compare the area-related information received by the SL receiver 314 with the area-related information received by the GPS receiver 304 and notify the HAPS management device 100 of the comparison result. The HAPS management device 100 may verify the normality of its functions based on the comparison result. If the comparison result indicates a mismatch, the HAPS management device 100 may notify the administrator of the HAPS management device 100 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the administrator of the HAPS management device 100 may check whether there is a problem with transmission via the HAPS 200 or the GPS satellite 500.

[0049] 4 shows a schematic example of a display on the user terminal 300. Here, an example of displaying area-related information is shown. The user terminal 300 may display area information 322 and notice information 324.

[0050] The area information 322 may indicate the current location of the user terminal 300, whether the wireless communication area 204 of each of the multiple HAPS 200 is in operation or out of range, and whether the wireless communication area of ​​each of the multiple terrestrial wireless base stations is in operation or out of range. This allows the user of the user terminal 300 to easily understand the status of the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200 that he or she is using. It also allows the user to understand, for example, in which direction to move to find an alternative wireless communication area.

[0051] The notification information 324 includes information related to the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200 in which the user terminal 300 was located. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the schedule of the planned work and area information are displayed. By viewing the notification information 324, the user of the user terminal 300 can learn the period during which the user terminal 300 was out of range, etc.

[0052] The user terminal 300 may launch an application for displaying area-related information in accordance with a user instruction, and display the information as shown in Fig. 4. The user terminal 300 may also launch the application automatically when it goes out of communication range.

[0053] 5 shows an example of the flow of processing information received from GPS satellites 500 by the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 receives signals from the GPS satellites 500 using the GPS receiver 304.

[0054] The DBP 306 acquires the location information 308 of the user terminal 300, the HAPS data 104, and the emergency warning data 604 from the GPS signals received by the GPS receiver 304. The HAPS data 104 is provided with target area location information 105. The target area location information 105 indicates the location of the target wireless communication area 204. The emergency warning data 604 is provided with target area location information 605. The target area location information 605 indicates the location of the area where the disaster occurred.

[0055] The user terminal 300 performs a query operation to query the location information 308 and the target area location information 105, and determines whether the user terminal 300 is located within the target area. If the location indicated by the location information 308 is included in the area indicated by the target area location information 105, the user terminal 300 may determine that the user terminal 300 is located in the target area; if not, the user terminal 300 may determine that the user terminal 300 is not located in the target area. If the user terminal 300 determines that the user terminal 300 is located in the target area, the user terminal 300 may display the HAPS data 104 on the display unit 301. If the user terminal 300 determines that the user terminal 300 is not located in the target area, the user terminal 300 may discard the HAPS data 104.

[0056] The user terminal 300 performs a query operation to query the location information 308 and the target area location information 605, and determines whether the user terminal 300 is located in the target area. If the location indicated by the location information 308 is included in the area indicated by the target area location information 605, the user terminal 300 may determine that the user terminal 300 is located in the target area, and if not, may determine that the user terminal 300 is not located in the target area. If the user terminal 300 determines that the user terminal 300 is located in the target area, the user terminal 300 may display the target area location information 605 on the display unit 301. If the user terminal 300 determines that the user terminal 300 is not located in the target area, the user terminal 300 may discard the emergency alert data 604.

[0057] 5, the processing of information received from GPS satellite 500 may be performed by any device capable of receiving GPS signals. For example, this processing may be performed by a vehicle equipped with a GPS-equipped car navigation system. This allows emergency alert data to reach vehicles traveling outside of communication ranges, for example.

[0058] 6 shows an example of the functional configuration of the HAPS management device 100. The HAPS management device 100 includes a storage unit 112, an area-related information acquisition unit 114, an emergency alert data acquisition unit 116, and a transmission control unit 118. The HAPS management device 100 does not necessarily have to include the emergency alert data acquisition unit 116.

[0059] The area-related information acquisition unit 114 acquires area-related information related to the wireless communication area 204 formed on the ground by the HAPS 200. The area-related information acquisition unit 114 acquires area-related information input by, for example, the administrator of the HAPS management device 100 and the administrator of the HAPS 200. The area-related information acquisition unit 114 may receive the area-related information from the HAPS 200. The area-related information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired area-related information in the storage unit 112.

[0060] The emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 acquires emergency alert data. For example, the emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 receives the emergency alert data from a generator of the emergency alert data via the network 20. The emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 may acquire emergency alert data input by an administrator of the HAPS management device 100, for example. The emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 stores the acquired emergency alert data in the storage unit 112.

[0061] The transmission control unit 118 controls the transmission of the area-related information acquired by the area-related information acquisition unit 114. For example, the transmission control unit 118 transmits the area-related information to the HAPS 200 via the feeder link 202, and causes the HAPS 200 to transmit the area-related information to the user terminal 300 located within the coverage area of ​​the HAPS 200.

[0062] The transmission control unit 118 may cause the HAPS 200 to transmit area-related information to the user terminal 300 located within the range of the HAPS 200 at a predetermined timing. The transmission control unit 118 may cause the HAPS 200 to transmit area-related information to the user terminal 300 located within the range of the HAPS 200, for example, periodically. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 118 causes the HAPS 200 to transmit area-related information to the user terminal 300 located within the range of the HAPS 200 in response to the area-related information acquisition unit 114 acquiring new area-related information.

[0063] The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information along with the GPS signal. The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information along with the GPS signal by transmitting the area-related information to the control device 400 of the GPS satellite 500 via the network 20.

[0064] The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information together with the GPS signal according to a predetermined timing. The transmission control unit 118 controls the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information together with the GPS signal, for example, periodically. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 118 controls the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the area-related information together with the GPS signal in response to the area-related information acquisition unit 114 acquiring new area-related information.

[0065] The transmission control unit 118 may not provide area-related information via the GPS satellites 500 as long as no malfunction occurs in any of the multiple HAPSs 200 managed by the HAPS management device 100 and wireless communication services are provided normally. If a malfunction occurs in any of the multiple HAPSs 200 managed by the HAPS management device 100, the transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellites 500 to transmit area-related information related to the wireless communication area 204 of the malfunctioning HAPS 200 along with the GPS signals. This reduces the amount of data transmitted via the GPS satellites 500 and the load on the GPS satellites 500. Furthermore, if communication via the GPS satellites 500 is pay-per-use, costs can be reduced.

[0066] The transmission control unit 118 may control the area-related information to be transmitted from each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. When the multiple GPS satellites 500 are managed by a single control device 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the area-related information to the control device 400 and cause the control device 400 to transmit the area-related information to each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. When the multiple GPS satellites 500 are managed by each of the multiple control devices 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the area-related information to each of the multiple control devices 400 and cause the area-related information to be transmitted to each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. This makes it possible to transmit the area-related information from the multiple GPS satellites 500, thereby improving the probability that the area-related information will be received by the user terminal 300.

[0067] The transmission control unit 118 may control the transmission of each of the plurality of divided information pieces obtained by dividing the area-related information from each of the plurality of GPS satellites 500. When the plurality of GPS satellites 500 are managed by a single control device 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the plurality of divided information pieces and instruction information instructing the control device 400 from which of the plurality of GPS satellites 500 each of the plurality of divided information pieces is to be transmitted, and cause the control device 400 to transmit each of the plurality of divided information pieces to each of the plurality of GPS satellites 500. When the plurality of GPS satellites 500 are managed by each of the plurality of control devices 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit each of the plurality of divided information pieces to each of the plurality of control devices 400. This allows the area-related information to be distributed and transmitted to the plurality of GPS satellites 500, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

[0068] The transmission control unit 118 controls the transmission of the emergency alert data acquired by the emergency alert data acquisition unit 116. For example, the transmission control unit 118 transmits the emergency alert data to the HAPS 200 via the feeder link 202, and causes the HAPS 200 to transmit the emergency alert data to the user terminal 300 within the coverage area of ​​the HAPS 200.

[0069] The transmission control unit 118 may cause the HAPS 200 to transmit the emergency alert data to the user terminal 300 within the range of the HAPS 200 according to a predetermined timing. The transmission control unit 118 causes the HAPS 200 to transmit the emergency alert data to the user terminal 300 within the range of the HAPS 200, for example, periodically. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 118 causes the HAPS 200 to transmit the emergency alert data to the user terminal 300 within the range of the HAPS 200 in response to the emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 acquiring new emergency alert data.

[0070] The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal. The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal by transmitting the emergency alert data to the control device 400 of the GPS satellite 500 via the network 20.

[0071] The transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal according to a predetermined timing. The transmission control unit 118 controls the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal, for example, periodically. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 118 controls the GPS satellite 500 to transmit the emergency alert data together with the GPS signal in response to the emergency alert data acquisition unit 116 acquiring new emergency alert data.

[0072] The transmission control unit 118 may not provide emergency alert data via the GPS satellites 500 as long as no malfunction occurs in any of the multiple HAPSs 200 managed by the HAPS management device 100 and wireless communication services are provided normally. If a malfunction occurs in any of the multiple HAPSs 200 managed by the HAPS management device 100, the transmission control unit 118 may control the GPS satellites 500 to transmit emergency alert data related to the wireless communication area 204 of the malfunctioning HAPS 200 along with the GPS signals. This reduces the amount of data transmitted via the GPS satellites 500 and the load on the GPS satellites 500. Furthermore, if communication via the GPS satellites 500 is charged on a pay-per-use basis, costs can be reduced.

[0073] The transmission control unit 118 may control the transmission of emergency alert data from each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. When the multiple GPS satellites 500 are managed by a single control device 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the emergency alert data to the control device 400 and cause the control device 400 to transmit the emergency alert data to each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. When the multiple GPS satellites 500 are managed by each of the multiple control devices 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the emergency alert data to each of the multiple control devices 400 and cause the emergency alert data to be transmitted to each of the multiple GPS satellites 500. This allows the emergency alert data to be transmitted from the multiple GPS satellites 500, thereby improving the probability that the emergency alert data will be received by the user terminal 300.

[0074] The transmission control unit 118 may control the transmission of each of the plurality of divided information pieces obtained by dividing the emergency alert data from each of the plurality of GPS satellites 500. When the plurality of GPS satellites 500 are managed by a single control device 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit the plurality of divided information pieces and instruction information instructing the control device 400 from which of the plurality of GPS satellites 500 each of the plurality of divided information pieces should be transmitted, and cause the control device 400 to transmit each of the plurality of divided information pieces to each of the plurality of GPS satellites 500. When the plurality of GPS satellites 500 are managed by each of the plurality of control devices 400, the transmission control unit 118 may transmit each of the plurality of divided information pieces to each of the plurality of control devices 400. This allows the emergency alert data to be distributed and transmitted to the plurality of GPS satellites 500, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

[0075] The disaster management device 600 may have the same configuration as the storage unit 112 , the area-related information acquisition unit 114 , and the transmission control unit 118 .

[0076] 7 shows an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 includes a storage unit 332, a receiving unit 334, a receiving unit 336, a display control unit 338, an information comparison unit 340, and a result transmission unit 342.

[0077] The receiving unit 334 receives area-related information from the HAPS 200. The receiving unit 334 may receive emergency warning data from the HAPS 200. The receiving unit 334 may be the SL receiver 314. The receiving unit 334 may be an example of a first receiving unit.

[0078] The receiving unit 336 receives area-related information from the GPS satellite 500. The receiving unit 336 may receive the area-related information along with the GPS signal from the GPS satellite 500. The receiving unit 336 may receive emergency alert data from the GPS satellite 500. The receiving unit 336 may receive the emergency alert data along with the GPS signal from the GPS satellite 500. The receiving unit 336 may be the GPS receiver 304. The receiving unit 336 may be an example of a second receiving unit.

[0079] The display control unit 338 causes the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 334. The display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 334. The display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 336. The display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 336.

[0080] The display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 334 while the user terminal 300 is within the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200, and may cause the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 336 when the user terminal 300 is no longer able to communicate with the HAPS 200. For example, the display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 334 while the HAPS 200 is within the communication range of the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200, and may automatically cause the display unit 301 to display the area-related information received by the receiving unit 336 when the HAPS 200 goes out of the communication range.

[0081] The display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 334 while the user terminal 300 is within the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200, and may cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 336 when the user terminal 300 is no longer able to communicate with the HAPS 200. For example, the display control unit 338 may cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 334 while the HAPS 200 is within the communication range of the wireless communication area 204 of the HAPS 200, and may automatically cause the display unit 301 to display the emergency alert data received by the receiving unit 336 when the HAPS 200 goes out of the communication range.

[0082] The information comparison unit 340 compares the area-related information received by the receiving unit 334 with the area-related information received by the receiving unit 336. The information comparison unit 340 may also compare the early warning data received by the receiving unit 334 with the early warning data received by the receiving unit 336.

[0083] The result transmitter 342 transmits the comparison result by the information comparator 340 to the HAPS management apparatus 100. The result transmitter 342 may transmit the comparison result by the information comparator 340 between the area-related information received by the receiver 334 and the area-related information received by the receiver 336 to the HAPS management apparatus 100. The result transmitter 342 may also transmit the comparison result by the information comparator 340 between the emergency alert data received by the receiver 334 and the emergency alert data received by the receiver 336 to the disaster management apparatus 600.

[0084] 8 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as the HAPS management device 100 or the disaster management device 600. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the device according to the above embodiments, or can cause the computer 1200 to perform operations or one or more "parts" associated with the device according to the above embodiments, and / or can cause the computer 1200 to perform a process or steps of the process according to the above embodiments. Such a program can be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0085] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, and input / output units such as a DVD drive and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via the input / output controller 1220. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230 and a legacy input / output unit such as a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0086] The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or into the graphics controller itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 1218.

[0087] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0088] The ROM 1230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 1200 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0089] The programs are provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, and causes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0090] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 1214 and instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in the RAM 1214, the storage device 1224, a DVD-ROM, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0091] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the storage device 1224, a DVD drive (DVD-ROM), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 1214, and may perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0092] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 1212 may search for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a specified condition from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0093] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0094] The blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams in the present embodiments may represent stages of a process in which an operation is performed or "parts" of an apparatus responsible for performing the operation. Particular stages and "parts" may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, including integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs), including AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0095] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture, including instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0096] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0097] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or over a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or programmable circuitry, such that the processor or programmable circuitry executes the computer-readable instructions to generate means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0098] 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. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0099] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 System, 20 Network, 30 Gateway, 40 Gateway, 100 HAPS management device, 102 HAPS management DB, 104 HAPS data, 105 Target area location information, 112 Storage unit, 114 Area-related information acquisition unit, 116 Emergency warning data acquisition unit, 118 Transmission control unit, 200 HAPS, 202 Feeder link, 204 Wireless communication area, 206 Area-related information, 210 Main unit, 220 Wing unit, 230 Solar panel, 300 User terminal, 301 Display unit, 302 Antenna, 304 GPS receiver, 306 DBP, 308 Location information, 312 Antenna, 314 SL receiver, 316 Memory, 320 HAPS app, 322 Area information, 324 Notification information, 332 Storage unit, 334 Receiving unit, 336 Receiving unit, 338 Display control unit, 340 information comparison unit, 342 result transmission unit, 400 control device, 402 GPS signal generator, 404 GPS signal, 406 area-related information, 500 GPS satellite, 600 disaster management device, 602 disaster management DB, 604 emergency report data, 605 target area position information, 1200 computer, 1210 host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 graphic controller, 1218 display device, 1220 input / output controller, 1222 communication interface, 1224 storage device, 1230 ROM, 1240 input / output chip

Claims

1. an area-related information acquisition unit that acquires area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by an aircraft functioning as a stratospheric platform; a transmission control unit that controls a GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information together with a GPS signal; A management device comprising:

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the area-related information includes area location information indicating a location of the wireless communication area, and service-related information indicating a status of a wireless communication service in the wireless communication area.

3. The management device according to claim 2 , wherein the service-related information includes information indicating a schedule for stopping wireless communication services in the wireless communication area.

4. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the area-related information includes information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by another flying object adjacent to the wireless communication area.

5. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the area-related information includes information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by a terrestrial wireless base station adjacent to the wireless communication area.

6. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission control unit controls the GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information together with the GPS signal by transmitting the area-related information to a control device of the GPS satellite.

7. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the area-related information acquisition unit acquires the area-related information related to the wireless communication area in which a malfunction has occurred.

8. The management device of claim 7, wherein the transmission control unit controls the GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information related to the wireless communication area in which the malfunction occurs together with the GPS signal when a malfunction occurs in any of the multiple flying objects.

9. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission control unit controls the area-related information to be transmitted from each of the plurality of GPS satellites.

10. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission control unit controls each of a plurality of pieces of divided information obtained by dividing the area-related information to be transmitted from each of the plurality of GPS satellites.

11. An emergency news data acquisition unit that acquires emergency news data Equipped with The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission control unit controls the GPS satellite to transmit the emergency warning data together with the GPS signal.

12. An emergency news data information acquisition unit that acquires emergency news data; a transmission control unit that controls a GPS satellite to transmit a code corresponding to the content of the emergency warning data together with a GPS signal; Equipped with The transmission control unit is a management device that does not perform the provision of the emergency warning data via the GPS satellite while no malfunction is occurring in any of a plurality of flying objects that function as a plurality of managed stratospheric platforms to form wireless communication areas on the ground and provide wireless communication services and the wireless communication service is being provided normally, and when a malfunction occurs in any of the plurality of flying objects under management, controls the GPS satellite to transmit the code corresponding to the content of the emergency warning data related to the wireless communication area of ​​the flying object where the malfunction occurs along with the GPS signal.

13. An emergency news data information acquisition unit that acquires emergency news data; a transmission control unit that controls each of a plurality of GPS satellites to transmit each of a plurality of pieces of divided information obtained by dividing the emergency warning data together with a GPS signal; Equipped with The transmission control unit is a management device that does not perform the provision of the emergency warning data via the GPS satellite while no malfunction is occurring in any of a plurality of flying objects that function as a plurality of managed stratospheric platforms to form wireless communication areas on the ground and provide wireless communication services and the wireless communication service is being provided normally, and when a malfunction occurs in any of the plurality of managed flying objects, controls the GPS satellite to transmit each of the plurality of divided information pieces obtained by dividing the emergency warning data related to the wireless communication area of ​​the flying object that has experienced the malfunction together with the GPS signal.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; User terminal and Equipped with The user terminal, A first receiving unit that receives the area-related information from the flying object; A second receiving unit that receives the area-related information from the GPS satellites; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the area-related information received by the first receiving unit and the area-related information received by the second receiving unit; The system has:

16. The system described in claim 15, wherein the display control unit causes the area-related information received by the first receiving unit to be displayed on the display unit while the user terminal is within the wireless communication area, and causes the area-related information received by the second receiving unit to be displayed on the display unit in response to the user terminal being unable to communicate with the aircraft.

17. The user terminal, an information comparison unit that compares the area-related information received by the first receiving unit with the area-related information received by the second receiving unit; a result transmission unit that transmits a comparison result by the information comparison unit to the management device; 17. The system according to claim 15 or 16, comprising:

18. a first receiving unit that receives area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by an aircraft functioning as a stratospheric platform, from the aircraft; a second receiving unit that receives the area-related information from a GPS satellite; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the area-related information received by the first receiving unit and the area-related information received by the second receiving unit; A wireless communication terminal comprising:

19. A program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication terminal according to claim 18.

20. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: an area-related information acquisition stage for acquiring area-related information related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by the flying object functioning as a stratospheric platform; a transmission control step of controlling a GPS satellite to transmit the area-related information together with a GPS signal; A control method comprising:

21. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: a first receiving step of receiving area-related information from an aircraft functioning as a stratospheric platform, the area-related information being related to a wireless communication area formed on the ground by the aircraft; a second receiving step of receiving the area-related information from a GPS satellite; a display control step of displaying the area-related information received in the first receiving step and the area-related information received in the second receiving step on a display unit; A control method comprising:

22. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: An emergency news data information acquisition stage for acquiring emergency news data; a transmission control step of controlling a GPS satellite to transmit a code corresponding to the content of the emergency report data together with a GPS signal; Equipped with The transmission control step is a control method in which, while no malfunction is occurring in any of a plurality of flying objects that function as a plurality of managed stratospheric platforms to form wireless communication areas on the ground and provide wireless communication services, and the wireless communication service is being provided normally, the emergency warning data is not provided via the GPS satellite, and when a malfunction occurs in any of the plurality of flying objects under management, the control method controls the GPS satellite to transmit the code corresponding to the content of the emergency warning data related to the wireless communication area of ​​the flying object that has the malfunction, together with the GPS signal.

23. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: An emergency news data information acquisition stage for acquiring emergency news data; a transmission control step of controlling each of a plurality of GPS satellites to transmit each of a plurality of pieces of divided information obtained by dividing the emergency warning data together with a GPS signal; Equipped with The transmission control step is a control method in which, while no malfunction is occurring in any of a plurality of flying objects that function as a plurality of managed stratospheric platforms to form wireless communication areas on the ground and provide wireless communication services, and the wireless communication service is being provided normally, the provision of the emergency warning data via the GPS satellite is not performed, and, when a malfunction occurs in any of the plurality of flying objects under management, each of the plurality of divided information obtained by dividing the emergency warning data related to the wireless communication area of ​​the flying object that has experienced the malfunction is controlled to be transmitted to the GPS satellite together with the GPS signal.

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