Subscription service system for model aircraft

Abstract

To provide a subscription service system that enables a service such as an automatic electric charge to a model aircraft, flight plan thereof, POP or message card thereof and the like to be selected remotely in real time in accordance with a request of a user through payment of a periodic use fee.SOLUTION: A subscription service system comprises: an air base 11 provided with an automatic electric charger 20; a flying type model aircraft 13; a management server 15 provided with contract management means 47, electric charger use management means 48, flight pattern management means 49, and advertisement body management means 50; an application 16 for a subscription service of the model aircraft 13; and a smartphone 17 installed with the application 16. Thereby, a service such as an automatic electric charge of the model aircraft 13, flight pattern thereof, POP or message card thereof and the like can be freely selected remotely in real time in accordance with a request of a user through payment of a periodic use fee.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a subscription service system for model aircraft that allows a user to receive a service of using a model aircraft for a fixed period of time by paying a fee periodically. [Background technology]

[0002] Model aircraft weighing less than 200g, called toy drones or hobby drones, are not only used for personal hobbies because of their ease of use, but are also used for store sales promotion (for example, Patent Document 1), advertising at event venues, and events such as public events, company events, and celebrations. They are also used as teaching materials for programming education. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6080143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional model aircraft have a short flight time of only a few minutes to a dozen minutes per battery, and the charging time is about 5 to 10 times the flight time. Therefore, if you want to use a model aircraft for a long time, you need to prepare many spare batteries and change the batteries frequently, and if you fly multiple model aircraft at the same time, you need to change the batteries even more frequently.

[0005] Furthermore, with model aircraft, unless one had specialized knowledge, it was difficult to set up a flight plan that would allow a safe flight at a desired location and time. Furthermore, for example, when a model aircraft is used for sales promotion at a store or advertising at an event venue, trial and error is required for the shape, size, and attachment position (hanging position) of POP displays or message cards attached to the model aircraft so that they do not interfere with the flight.

[0006] In addition, in order to obtain services such as the automatic charging of model aircraft, flight plans, POP displays, message cards, etc., it was necessary to purchase these separately (or pay a usage fee), which was expensive. Moreover, if you wanted to use any of these services, you generally had to go to a model aircraft dealer or apply to the dealer by mail, which took time and effort before the service could begin. The same inconvenience was also felt when canceling a service.

[0007] As a result of extensive research, the inventor discovered that all of the above-mentioned problems could be solved by providing a subscription service system that allows users to freely choose automatic charging for model aircraft, flight plans, POP and message cards, etc. for a fixed fee, and allows applications for each service and settings to be changed after delivery to be made remotely and in real time, and thus completed the invention.

[0008] The present invention has been developed to address such conventional problems, and aims to provide a subscription service system that allows users to freely select services such as automatic charging of model aircraft, flight plans, POP and message cards, etc., remotely and in real time according to their needs by paying a periodic usage fee. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention as described in claim 1 is a subscription service system for model aircraft, in which a user pays a periodic usage fee to fly a model aircraft, which takes off and lands at an airport and has an advertising object attached thereto, according to flight plan data transmitted from a management server via an Internet line, said airport being provided with an automatic charger for said model aircraft, said model aircraft being provided with aircraft-side communication means for communicating using said Internet line, aircraft-side flight means for flying said model aircraft according to said flight plan data, an aircraft-side memory unit for storing said flight plan data, and aircraft-side control means for controlling said model aircraft, said management server being provided with server-side communication means for communicating using said Internet line, and A subscription service system for model aircraft is provided with a contract management means, a charger usage management means for managing the use of the automatic charger, a flight plan management means for creating and managing flight plan data for flying the model aircraft, an advertising object management means for managing advertising object data related to the advertising objects, a server-side memory unit for storing the advertising object data, the flight plan data, and the contract data for the subscription service obtained from the contract management means, and a server-side control means for controlling the management server, the system having an application for using the subscription service, the system being owned by the user and comprising a user-side communication means for communicating using the Internet line, a user-side memory unit for storing the installed application, and a user-side control means for controlling the user-side information communication terminal.

[0010] The "model aircraft subscription service system" referred to here is a system that provides users with a service of using model aircraft for a certain period of time in exchange for paying a fee on a regular basis (e.g., monthly, yearly, etc.). The term "service" here refers to anything related to the use of model aircraft, but is not limited to this. For example, it may include the use of model aircraft, the use of an automatic charger, the use of a communication terminal with the application installed, the use of the application only, the creation and modification of flight plans (including formation flights), the creation and modification of advertising bodies, and the use of area restriction devices. In the present invention, the service contract can be concluded or terminated for each service collectively or individually. After the subscription service contract is terminated, the model aircraft, automatic chargers, information and communication terminals, etc. that are subject to the contract may not only be returned to the service provider, but each of the target devices and services may also be purchased and a new rental or lease contract may be concluded.

[0011] A model aircraft is a flying drone weighing less than 200g, also known as a toy drone or hobby drone, that is not regulated by the revised Aviation Act (enforced on December 10, 2015), and can, for example, use a propeller flight system. The definition of a model aircraft and regulations regarding its weight, etc. shall conform to the latest Aviation Law. Model aircraft can be used, for example, for store promotions (advertising), advertising at event venues, and for public events, company events, celebrations, and other events. The store may be, for example, a department store, a supermarket, or a general merchandise store (shopping center).

[0012] The airbase can be any location, such as a store, an event venue, or any other mobile stage. The charging method of the automatic charger is arbitrary. It may be wireless, non-contact, or contact. However, the wireless type is preferable so as not to interfere with or restrict the flight of the model aircraft. Also, the non-contact type is preferable to prevent deterioration due to contact between the power transmitting unit and the power receiving unit. The type of the non-contact automatic charger is not limited. For example, an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic field resonance type, an electric field coupling type, a radio wave receiving type, etc. can be adopted.

[0013] The type of advertising medium is arbitrary. For example, various types of advertising paper media, various types of three-dimensional advertising media, etc. can be used. Examples of advertising paper media that can be used include POP sheets, message cards, posters, leaflets, flyers, labels, etc. The advertising body may be hung (attached) to the model aircraft at any position. For example, it may be on the top, periphery, or bottom of the model aircraft. There is no limitation on the means for fastening the advertising body to the model aircraft, and for example, various types of fasteners (clips, hooks, etc.) and hanging members (strings, threads, etc.) can be used.

[0014] Flight plan data is data for flying a model aircraft, and may include, for example, flight route data for flying the model aircraft along a specified flight path to a destination, flight speed data, and flight pattern data for causing the model aircraft to fly in a patterned manner. The aircraft-side flight means is a program for flying the model aircraft according to the flight plan data. The type of flight method of the model aircraft is not limited. For example, it may be an autonomous flight method that performs image recognition of the store aisles based on the camera images from a camera mounted on the model aircraft. For example, it may have four ultrasonic sensors that detect obstacles in the front, left, right, and sky, and each ultrasonic sensor detects surrounding obstacles, and when the model aircraft approaches an obstacle during flight, the model aircraft automatically moves to avoid a collision (contact). The aircraft side storage unit (the same applies to the user side storage unit) may be, for example, a main memory (RAM, ROM) or the like. As the aircraft side control means (the same applies to the user side control means), for example, various CPUs (Central Processing Units) can be adopted.

[0015] The management server may be, for example, any of various computers owned by the company that operates the subscription service, or any of various cloud computers. Service providers and users of model aircraft may be private individuals or legal entities. The contract management means is a program that manages the contract for the subscription service regarding the use of the model aircraft. For example, the contract management means exchanges contract-related information with the user on behalf of the service provider to conclude the contract, and manages the contract data after the conclusion. The charger usage management means is a program that manages the usage and cancellation of an automatic charger.

[0016] The flight plan management means is a program that creates and manages flight plan data for flying a model aircraft in accordance with the user's requests within the scope of the subscription service. The advertising entity management means is a program for managing advertising entity data relating to advertising entities. The advertising object data referred to here may include, for example, the shape and size of the advertising object, the position at which it is attached to the model aircraft, and the contents of the advertisement. As the server-side storage unit, for example, the main memory (RAM, ROM) of the database can be adopted. As the server side control means, for example, a CPU mounted on a computer constituting the management server can be used. The user's information communication terminal may be a PC, a smartphone, a tablet, or any other mobile device.

[0017] The application is software for using the subscription service for model aircraft. This application has an access program that accesses the management server from the user's information communication terminal via an Internet line, a usage contract program that concludes and terminates a usage contract for the subscription service with the user on behalf of the service provider, a flight plan designation program that designates the flight plan (flight conditions) desired by the user to the management server, a charger usage designation program that designates to the management server whether or not to use an automatic charger, and an advertising object data designation program that designates to the management server the conditions for creating advertising objects to be attached to model aircraft. There is no limitation on the method of inputting various data from the user's information communication terminal. For example, in addition to key input (including software key input), simple voice input can be adopted.

[0018] The present invention described in claim 2 is the subscription service system for model aircraft described in claim 1, characterized in that there are multiple advertising objects, each of which differs in at least one of shape, size, and hanging position on the model aircraft, and the management server is provided with a flight plan correction means for correcting the flight plan data in accordance with the selected shape, size, and hanging position on the model aircraft to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles.

[0019] The number of advertising bodies is arbitrary as long as it is two or more. The advertising bodies may differ from one another only in shape, only in size, only in the hanging position of the advertising body, or in two or all three of these. The shape of the advertising material may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle or a polygon having more than one side, or any other shape. The size of the advertising material may be, for example, business card size or postcard size. The flight plan correction means is a program which corrects flight plan data in accordance with the shape and size of the advertising body and the position at which the advertising body is attached to the model aircraft in order to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention described in claim 3 is a subscription service system for model aircraft as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it has a flight area restriction device for ensuring safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles by limiting the flight area of ​​the model aircraft to the vicinity of the flight base.

[0021] The structure of the flight area restriction device is not limited as long as it can ensure the safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles around the flight base. For example, it is possible to use a type that is suspended by a thin wire (such as a fishing line) placed above the airbase, or a type in which the airbase is surrounded by multiple vertical frames and each frame is connected to the model aircraft by multiple strings (such as fishing line).

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention described in claim 4 is a subscription service system for model aircraft described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of model aircraft are used, and the flight plan management means is added with a function for creating and managing formation flight data for flying each of the model aircraft in formation. The number of model aircraft flown in formation can be any number, provided it is two or more. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 1, first, the user installs the application on the user-side information communication terminal, and then the user launches the application and accesses the management server from the user-side communication means of the user-side information communication terminal via the Internet line. After the server-side communication means receives this access, information (data) regarding the conclusion of the service is exchanged between the user-side information communication terminal and the management server via the Internet line, and a subscription service contract for the model aircraft is concluded between the user and the service provider. The obtained subscription service contract data is then stored in the server-side storage unit and managed by the contract management means, while being transmitted to the user-side information communication terminal via the Internet line.

[0024] After the contract is concluded, the user can use the subscription service by periodically paying the usage fee. That is, for example, a signal to provide a model aircraft and an automatic charger (when necessary) according to the flight plan and charging plan of the model aircraft desired by the user, data specifying the flight plan of the model aircraft, data specifying the conditions for creating an advertising object, etc. are transmitted from the user's information communication terminal to the management server via an Internet line. Note that if voice input is used for data input on the user's information communication terminal, the input operation of each data will be simplified. Thereafter, these signals and data are received by the management server, and the charger usage management means permits use of the automatic charger, the flight plan management means creates and manages flight plan data for the model aircraft, and the advertising body management means creates and manages advertising body data for creating the advertising body.

[0025] The service provider then provides (transports and delivers) to the user, for example, a model aircraft with the user's desired flight plan data stored in the aircraft's memory unit, an automatic charger that has been set up for use, an advertising body produced based on the advertising body data, and, if requested by the user, an information and communications terminal with an application installed. Next, the user takes off the model aircraft charged by the automatic charger from the airport base, and flies the model aircraft by the aircraft's flight means on a flight plan desired by the user in accordance with the flight plan data stored in the aircraft's memory unit.

[0026] Furthermore, if the user wishes to change the flight plan, charging plan, or advertising plan after delivery of the model aircraft or the like, the user starts the application as described above and accesses the management server from the user's information communication terminal. Thereafter, data specifying the flight plan of the model aircraft, data specifying the conditions for creating the advertising object, advertising object data, etc., according to the plan to be changed, are transmitted to the management server via the Internet line, and the corresponding plan is changed. The obtained changed flight plan data and a signal to stop (or allow) use of the automatic charger are sent from the management server to the user's information and communications terminal via an Internet line, thereby changing the model aircraft's flight plan, charging plan, and usage status of the automatic charger.

[0027] On the other hand, when the advertising plan is changed, the advertising entity management means creates changed advertising entity data, and based on this, a new advertising entity is created and provided to the user. When canceling the subscription service, a service cancellation signal is transmitted from the user's information communication terminal to the management server, and upon receiving this, the management server cancels the subscription service contract by the contract management means. As described above, in the present invention, services such as automatic charging of model aircraft, flight plans, POP and message cards can be freely selected remotely and in real time according to the user's needs by paying a periodic usage fee.

[0028] In particular, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the plurality of advertising bodies are different from each other in at least one of the shape, size, and hooking position on the model aircraft. Therefore, when the advertising body attached to the model aircraft is changed, the model aircraft with the advertising body attached after the change will have a different overall shape and size compared to the one before the change, and there is a risk that the safe flight of the model aircraft will not be able to be ensured if the flight plan before the change is maintained. Therefore, after changing the advertising object, the flight plan correction means corrects the flight plan data in accordance with the overall shape and overall size of the model aircraft with the advertising object, so as to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with surrounding obstacles. This makes it possible to ensure the safe flight of the model aircraft at all times, regardless of changes in the advertising material.

[0029] In addition, according to the present invention described in claim 3, the flight area of ​​the model aircraft is limited to the periphery of the airbase by the flight area limiting device, thereby physically ensuring safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, since the formation flight data is created and managed by the flight plan management means, a plurality of model aircraft can be flown in formation at the user's request. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view of a subscription service system for a model aircraft according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion showing an automatic charger for a model aircraft used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an electrical system of a service system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of another flight area restriction device used in the service system of the first embodiment in a used state. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A is a perspective view showing a landing state of a model aircraft in yet another flight area restriction device used in the service system of Example 1. FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a flying state of a model aircraft in yet another flight area restriction device used in the service system of Example 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a model aircraft used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of a set of four advertising elements used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pair of large-sized advertising materials used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another model aircraft used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an application used in the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a flow chart showing the process of concluding a contract for use of a subscription service using the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flow chart showing a process for canceling a contract for a subscription service using the service system of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an overall schematic diagram showing an electrical system of a subscription service system for a model aircraft according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. EXAMPLES

[0033] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a subscription service system for model aircraft (hereinafter, referred to as a subscription service system) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This subscription service system 10 allows a model aircraft 13, which takes off and lands from an airbase 11 and has an advertising object 12 attached to it, to fly according to flight pattern data (flight plan data) transmitted from a management server 15 via an Internet line 14 in exchange for a periodic fee paid by the user, and is equipped with a smartphone (user's information and communication terminal) 17 on which an application 16 for using the subscription service has been installed.

[0034] These components will now be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the airfield 11 has a vertically long rectangular stand 18. Advertisements may be displayed on the peripheral side of this stand 18. The top surface of the stand 18 is a raised surface that is lowered by one step (several tens of centimeters). A plastic, bowl-shaped takeoff and landing stage 19 is stored in this sunken space. Meanwhile, directly below the center of the takeoff and landing stage 19, a non-contact automatic charger 20 that charges battery B of the model aircraft 13 is provided.

[0035] The automatic charger 20 is a common non-contact type (electromagnetic induction type) and has a power transmitting unit (power transmitting coil) 21 arranged in the center of the takeoff and landing stage 19, and a power receiving unit (power receiving coil) 22 arranged in the lower center of the model aircraft 13 (see Figure 2). In addition, a cradle-side information communication terminal (personal computer) 23 connected to the automatic charger 20 so as to be capable of data communication is housed in the internal space of the cradle 18. As shown in Figure 3, the gantry-side information communication terminal 23 is provided with a gantry-side information communication means 24 that communicates using the Internet line 14, a gantry-side memory unit 25, and a gantry-side control means 26 that controls the personal computer 23. The stand-side information communication means 24 receives a command to use or cancel the use of the automatic charger 20 sent from the management server 15 via the Internet line 14, and based on that, the stand-side control means 26 sends a command to turn charging ON / OFF to the automatic charger 20.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, a frame-type flight area limiting device 27 that limits the flight area of ​​the model aircraft 13 to the periphery of the flight base 11 is provided on the upper side of the stand 18 . This flight area restriction device 27 is composed of a rectangular frame 30 formed by assembling four long vertical frames 28 erected at the four corners of the upper surface of the stand 18 and four short horizontal frames 29 connecting the upper ends of adjacent vertical frames 28 into a rectangular frame shape, and a transparent net 31 covering this rectangular frame 30. The model aircraft 13 is only allowed to fly within this rectangular frame 30. As another type of flight area restriction device 27A, for example, a fishing line type device in which the model aircraft 13 shown in FIG. 4 is suspended by a single fishing line wire T can be used.

[0037] Alternatively, another flight area restriction device 27B shown in Fig. 5 may be used. This flight area restriction device 27B is a four-wire type in which four vertical frames 28, each having a ring 32 for thread insertion fixed to its upper end, are erected at the four corners of the upper surface of the stand 18, and four thread wires T of the same length, each having a rod-shaped stopper 33 fixed to its base end, are inserted into the corresponding ring 32, and the tips of these thread wires T are connected to the four corners of the model aircraft 13A, which has a different shape here. When the model aircraft 13A lands, each stopper 33 is pulled down while being disposed near the corresponding ring 32, and when flying, the model aircraft 13A rises within the range of the length of each fishing line wire T.

[0038] Next, the model aircraft 13 will be described. 6, the model aircraft 13 has an airplane body 34 disposed in the center, and four support arms 35 extend radially at 90° intervals from the airplane body 34. A battery B is built into the airplane body 34. A total of four propulsion units 38 each having a propeller 36 and a motor 37 for rotating the propeller 36 are provided at the tip of each support arm 35. A landing leg 39 is provided at the bottom of each propulsion unit 38.

[0039] The model aircraft 13 has a dome-shaped bumper 40 in the shape of a roughly hemispherical frame that collectively houses each of the propulsion units 38. The dome-shaped bumper 40 is connected to the airplane body 34 via two elongated support frames 41 that extend radially from the tips of the corresponding support arms 35. Incidentally, by covering the dome-shaped bumper 40 with a net (not shown), it is possible to prevent fingers from being injured by the rotating propeller 36.

[0040] Four advertising bodies 12, each consisting of a narrow (height) kamaboko-shaped advertising paper sheet with its upper end cut into an arc, are hung on the upper peripheral side of the dome-shaped bumper 40 (see also FIG. 7). A pair of hooking protrusions 12c is integrally formed on both ends of the lower side of each advertising paper sheet 12, each of which has a tip claw 12a protruding from its tip end and a base end slit 12b formed at its base end into which the tip claw 12a is hooked. When each advertising body 12 is hung, each hooking protrusion 12c is folded inward to enclose the opposing portion of the middle ring frame 40a of the dome-shaped bumper 40, and in this state, each tip claw 12a is inserted into the corresponding base end slit 12b, whereby each advertising paper sheet (advertising body) 12 is hung on the model aircraft 13. As a fastening means for fastening each advertising paper sheet-like advertising body 12 to the model aircraft 13, a plurality of clips (not shown) arranged on the dome-shaped bumper 40 may be used in place of each fastening piece 12c.

[0041] Also, instead of the four-sheet advertising paper sheet 12, another advertising element 12A consisting of a two-sheet large-format advertising paper sheet in a wide (high) kamaboko shape as shown in Fig. 8 may be used. In addition, instead of this advertising element 12, for example, a hanging POP sheet (not shown), a character doll, a product package, or other three-dimensional object may be used. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, instead of the dome-shaped bumper 40, four arcuate bumpers 40A may be used to individually guard each propulsion unit 38. Here, instead of the four advertising paper sheets 12, a single horizontally long card-like advertising body 12B is hung in an inclined state on the top surface of the airplane body 34 via Y-shaped clips 42 facing upside down.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the model aircraft 13 is equipped with aircraft-side communication means 43 that communicates using the Internet line 14, aircraft-side flight means 44 that flies the model aircraft 13 in accordance with flight pattern data, an aircraft-side memory unit 45 that stores the flight pattern data, and aircraft-side control means 46 that controls the model aircraft 13. The aircraft flight means 44 is a program for flying the model aircraft 13 .

[0043] The aircraft-side flight means 44 here has an attitude control unit (not shown) that flies the model aircraft 13 according to predetermined flight pattern data based on commands from the aircraft-side control means 46, and controls the attitude in the air by moving the center of gravity using a linear actuator (not shown) mounted on the model aircraft 13. That is, based on commands from the aircraft-side control means 46, the aircraft-side flight means 44 controls the motors 37 of the four propulsion units 38, the obstacle avoidance means (not shown), and the linear actuator of the attitude control unit. The aircraft side storage unit 45 is a main memory (RAM, ROM). The aircraft side control means 46 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire electrical system of the model aircraft 13.

[0044] Next, the management server 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 15 is a large computer owned by the operating company of the subscription service. This management server 15 has a server-side communication means 53 for communicating using the Internet line 14, a contract management means 47 for managing a subscription service contract for the use of the model aircraft 13 concluded between the user and the service provider of the model aircraft 13, a charger usage management means 48 for managing the use of the automatic charger 20, a flight pattern management means (flight plan management means) 49 for creating and managing flight pattern data for flying the model aircraft 13, an advertising object management means 50 for managing advertising object data related to the advertising object 12, a server-side memory unit 51 for storing the advertising object data, the flight pattern data, and the contract data for the subscription service obtained from the contract management means 47, and a server-side control means 52 for controlling the management server 15.

[0045] The contract management means 47 is a program that manages the contract for the subscription service regarding the use of the model aircraft 13. For example, it exchanges contract-related information with the user on behalf of the service provider, creates the contract and concludes the contract, or conversely, cancels the contract, and manages the contract data after it is concluded. The charger usage management means 48 is a program that manages the use and cancellation of the automatic charger 20. That is, the charger usage management means 48 permits or prohibits the use of the automatic charger 20 based on a usage request signal or a usage stop request signal of the automatic charger 20 from the smartphone 17. The flight pattern management means 49 is a program that creates and manages flight pattern data for flying the model aircraft 13 in accordance with the user's requests. That is, the flight pattern management means 49 creates flight pattern data based on flight pattern designation data from the smartphone 17, and manages this flight pattern data.

[0046] The advertising object management means 50 is a program that creates and manages advertising object data such as the size of the advertising object 12, the shape of the advertising object 12, the hanging position of the advertising object 12 on the model aircraft 13, and the advertising content. That is, the advertising object management means 50 creates advertising object data based on advertising object designation data from the smartphone 17, and manages this advertising object data. The server-side storage unit 51 is the main memory (RAM) of the database. The server side control means 52 is a CPU installed in the computer that constitutes the management server 15 .

[0047] Next, the application 16 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 10, the application 16 has an access program 54 that accesses the address of the management server 15 obtained by installing the application 16 on the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 from the smartphone 17, a contract program 55 that concludes and terminates the service contract by exchanging contract-related information for the subscription service with the user on behalf of the service provider, a flight pattern designation program (flight plan designation program) 56 that designates the flight pattern (flight conditions) desired by the user to the management server 15, a charger usage designation program 57 that designates to the management server 15 whether or not to use the automatic charger 20 of the model aircraft 13, and an advertising object creation designation program 58 that designates the creation conditions of the advertising object 12 to be hung on the model aircraft 13. The program configurations of the access program 54, the contract program 55, the flight pattern designation program 56, the charger use designation program 57, and the advertising body creation designation program 58 are not limited as long as they perform their respective functions.

[0048] Next, the smartphone 17 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the smartphone 17 is provided with a user-side communication means 59 owned by the user and used for communication using the Internet line 14, a user-side memory unit 60 for storing installed applications 16, and a user-side control means 61 for controlling the smartphone 17. The smartphone 17 also has a digital camera 62, a display 63, and a microphone 64 for voice input. If voice input is used for data input on the smartphone 17, the input operation of each piece of data becomes simple.

[0049] In addition, in this subscription service, examples of the service menu (including the configurable range of each menu) that can be remotely operated using the smartphone 17 include (1) flight commands (15 types), (2) editable flight patterns (3 types), (3) flight space size (size of enclosure: 0.2 m), and (4) flight speed (up to 100 sq. m). 2(default) ~5m 2 , ceiling height: 0.93m (default) to 4.60m, (4) interval operation (off (default), 1 to 15 minutes in 30 second increments), (5) timer (start date and time, end date and time), (6) automatic charging (ON / OFF), (7) POP / message card (set of 4, set of 2, 1 card), (8) formation flight (set of 2 to 4 generations of formation flight using one smartphone 17), (9) general menu (insurance, repairs, inquiries, etc.).

[0050] Here, (1) examples of flight commands include the following: command: This must be called at the beginning of script execution (in the case of voice input using the microphone 64 of the smartphone 17). takeoff: takeoff Land: Landing up: Rise (hereinafter, rise according to the "ceiling height" setting) down: Descending (hereinafter, descending according to the "ceiling height" setting) left: Move to the left (hereinafter, move according to the "enclosure size" setting) right: Move to the right (hereinafter, move according to the "enclosure size" setting) forward: Move forward (hereinafter, move according to the "enclosure size" setting) back: Move backwards (hereinafter, move according to the "enclosure size" setting) cw: rotate 360 ​​degrees clockwise ccw: rotate 360 ​​degrees counterclockwise flip l: somersault to the left flip r: somersault to the right flip f: somersault forward flip b: somersault backwards sleep: pause for 1 second

[0051] In addition, (2) examples of flight patterns include the following three types: <Pattern 1 default behavior> "command", "takeoff", "up", "forward", "cw", "sleep", "sleep", "sleep","left", "ccw", "sleep", "sleep", "sleep","back", "cw", "sleep", "sleep", "sleep","right", "ccw", "sleep", "sleep", "sleep","land" <Default behavior of pattern 2> "command", "takeoff", "up", "land" <Default behavior of pattern 3> "command", "takeoff", "up", "right", "flip r", "back", "flip b", "left", "flip l", "forward", "land"

[0052] Next, a method of using the subscription service system 10 for the model aircraft 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, first, the user installs the application 16 on the smartphone 17, and then the user launches the application 16 and accesses the management server 15 from the user-side communication means 59 of the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14. After the server-side communication means 53 receives this access, information (data) regarding the service contract is exchanged between the smartphone 17 and the contract management means 47 of the management server 15 via the Internet line 14, and a contract for the subscription service regarding the model aircraft 13 is concluded between the user and the service provider. The subscription service contract data thus obtained is stored in the server-side memory unit 51 and managed by the contract management means 47, while being transmitted to the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 and stored in the user-side memory unit 60.

[0053] After the contract is concluded, the user can use the subscription service by periodically paying the usage fee. That is, for example, a designation signal for the model aircraft 13 and automatic charger 20 desired by the user, data designating the flight pattern of the model aircraft 13, data designating the conditions for creating the advertising body 12, etc. are transmitted from the smartphone 17 to the management server 15 via the Internet line 14. Thereafter, when the management server 15 receives these signals and data, the charger usage management means 48 authorizes the use of the automatic charger 20 (issuance of charger usage permission), the flight pattern management means 49 creates and manages flight pattern data for the model aircraft 13, and the advertising object management means 50 creates and manages advertising object data for creating a specified advertising object 12. These data are stored in the server-side storage unit 51. It should be noted that the advertising object 12 is created by the service provider based on this advertising object data.

[0054] Next, the service provider mails (home delivers) to the user a model aircraft set with an automatic charger, which is the model aircraft 13 with the automatic charger 20 . The model aircraft set with automatic charger referred to here is a package including a model aircraft 13 with the user's desired flight pattern data stored in the aircraft's on-board memory unit 45, a flight area restriction device 27, an automatic charger 20 that is set up for use using the base-side information and communication terminal 23 built into this device, an advertising body (here, four advertising paper sheets) 12 produced based on data specifying the production conditions for the advertising body 12, a battery B, and an instruction manual. Thereafter, the user who has received the model aircraft set with automatic charger installs the flight area restriction device 27 at the desired location, causes the model aircraft 13 charged by the automatic charger 20 to take off from the flight base 11, and flies the model aircraft 13 by the aircraft's flight means 44 in the flight pattern desired by the user within the area of ​​the flight area restriction device 27, in accordance with the flight pattern data stored in the aircraft's memory unit 45. In addition, a plurality of model aircraft 13 may be used, and the plurality of model aircraft 13 may be flown in formation at the user's request by utilizing flight pattern management means 49 that creates and manages formation flight data. After use, the model aircraft 13 is landed on the takeoff and landing stage 19 of the airbase 11, and the power receiving section 22 of the model aircraft 13 is charged contactlessly from the power transmitting section 21 of the takeoff and landing stage 19 to prepare for the next flight.

[0055] Furthermore, if the user wishes to change the flight pattern, charging plan, or advertising plan after delivery of the model aircraft 13 or the like, the user launches the application 16 and accesses the management server 15 from the smartphone 17 . Thereafter, flight pattern designation data for each of the model aircraft 13, creation condition designation data for the advertising body 12, advertising body data, etc., according to the plan contents to be changed, are transmitted to the management server 15 via the Internet line 14, and the corresponding plan is changed. The obtained changed flight pattern data and a signal to stop (or allow) use of the automatic charger 20 are sent from the management server 15 to the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14, thereby changing the original flight pattern of the model aircraft 13, the charging plan, the usage status of the automatic charger 20, etc.

[0056] On the other hand, when the advertising plan is changed, the advertising element management means 50 creates advertising element data after the change, and based on this, a new advertising element 12 is created and mailed to the user. Furthermore, when canceling the subscription service, a service cancellation signal is sent from the smartphone 17 to the management server 15, and upon receiving this, the management server 15 cancels the subscription service contract by the contract management means 47. In this way, in the subscription service system 10, services such as automatic charging of the model aircraft 13, flight patterns, POP and message cards, etc. can be freely selected remotely and in real time according to the user's wishes by paying a periodic usage fee. Furthermore, since the flight area of ​​the model aircraft 13 is limited to the periphery of the flight base 11 by the flight area limiting device 27, it is possible to physically ensure the safe flight of the model aircraft 13 without coming into contact with any obstacles.

[0057] Here, an example of remotely concluding and canceling a subscription service contract will be specifically described with reference to the flow charts of FIG. 11 and FIG. First, as shown in the flow chart of Fig. 11, when starting to use the service, the application 16 on the smartphone 17 is started, the management server 15 is accessed via the Internet line 14, and the subscription service is applied for by key operation (S100). At this time, the provision of the model aircraft 13 and the automatic charger 20 desired by the user, data specifying the flight pattern of the model aircraft 13, data specifying the conditions for creating the advertising body 12, etc. are transmitted.

[0058] Next, the management server 15 that has accepted the application (S101) performs a credit check to check the creditworthiness of the user's repayment ability (S102), and if the check passes, the process proceeds to a step of confirming the payment of the initial usage fee (S103). On the other hand, if the check does not pass, a service unavailable notice is sent to the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 (S104), and the smartphone 17 receives this notice, and the user accepts the service unavailable notice (S105). Next, if the initial payment is confirmed in S103, the model aircraft set with automatic charger desired by the user is mailed (delivered) to the user (S106), and the start date of use of the model aircraft 13 is transmitted to the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 (S107).

[0059] Thereafter, when the model aircraft 13 with the automatic charger 20 arrives at the user's site (S108), an operation check of the automatic charger 20 and the model aircraft 13 is performed according to the notified start date of use (S109). If there is no problem with the operation of these devices, an operation check (OK) signal is sent to the management server 15 via the Internet line 14. Next, if the management server 15 receives this and confirms that there is no problem with the operation (S110), it notifies the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 that the service usage has begun (S111). After that, the user starts using the model aircraft 13 and the automatic charger 20, etc. If any defects are found in the operation check of S109 (S112), the model aircraft set with automatic charger is returned to the service provider.

[0060] Next, when terminating the use of the subscription service shown in the flow sheet of Fig. 12, the application 16 of the smartphone 17 is started, the management server 15 is accessed via the Internet line 14, and an operation to terminate the use of the subscription service is performed using keys on the screen of the display 63 of the smartphone 17 (S200). After that, the application 16 checks whether or not to terminate this service (S201). If there is no problem with the operation, the end signal is sent to the management server 15 via the Internet line 14, and the management server 15, upon receiving this, confirms the end of the service (S203), and then sends an end signal for the service usage to the smartphone 17 via the Internet line 14 (S204). On the other hand, if there is a problem with the operation, the end operation fails (S202). After the service is terminated, the equipment such as the model aircraft 13 and the automatic charger 20 that are subject to the termination may be returned to the service provider, or the equipment and services that are subject to the termination may be purchased and a new rental or lease contract may be concluded.

[0061] Second Embodiment Next, a subscription service system 10A for a model aircraft according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, a feature of the subscription service system 10A of the second embodiment of the present invention is that a plurality of advertising bodies 12 are prepared for one model aircraft 13, and these advertising bodies 12 are different from each other in at least one of their shape, size, and hanging position on the model aircraft 13, and the management server 15A is provided with a flight pattern correction means (flight plan correction means) 65 that corrects flight pattern data according to the shape, size, and hanging position on the model aircraft 13 (of its exposed surface) of the selected advertising body 12 to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft 13 without coming into contact with obstacles.

[0062] That is, here, as "advertising objects", four narrow kamaboko-shaped advertising paper sheets 12 shown in Fig. 7 are hung on the peripheral side of the model aircraft 13, two wide kamaboko-shaped large-format advertising paper sheets 12A shown in Fig. 8 are also hung on the peripheral side of the model aircraft 13, and one business card-shaped advertising card 12B shown in Fig. 9 is hung on the top surface of the model aircraft (see Fig. 9) 13A via a downward Y-shaped clip 42. In addition, three-dimensional objects such as character dolls and product packages (not shown) hung on the top surface of the model aircraft 13 may be used. In addition, the flight pattern correction means 65 is a program for correcting flight pattern data according to the shape and size of the advertising bodies 12, 12A, 12B and the hanging positions of the advertising bodies 12, 12A, 12B relative to the model aircraft 13, 13A in order to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft 13, 13A without coming into contact with obstacles.

[0063] In this way, the multiple advertising bodies 12, 12A, 12B are different from each other in at least one of the shape, size, and hanging position on the model aircraft 13, 13A. Therefore, when the advertising bodies 12, 12A, 12B hung on the model aircraft 13, 13A are changed, the model aircraft 13, 13A with the changed advertising bodies will have a different overall shape and overall size compared to the model aircraft 13, 13A before the change, and there is a risk that the safe flight of the model aircraft 13, 13A cannot be ensured if the flight pattern before the change is maintained. Therefore, in this embodiment 2, after the advertising objects 12, 12A, 12B are changed, the flight pattern correction means 65 corrects the flight pattern data to an adjusted one that ensures safe flight of the model aircraft 13, 13A without coming into contact with surrounding obstacles, depending on the overall shape and overall size of the model aircraft 13, 13A with the changed advertising object. This makes it possible to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft 13, 13A at all times, regardless of changes to the advertising objects 12, 12A, 12B. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY This invention is a useful technique for a subscription service system for model aircraft, which allows a user to receive a service of using a model aircraft for a fixed period of time by paying a fee periodically. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10,10A Subscription service system for model aircraft 11. Airbase 12, 12A, 12B Advertising body 13,13A model aircraft 14 Internet connection 15,15A Management Server 16 Applications 17 Smartphone (user's information and communication terminal) 20 automatic charger 27, 27A, 27B Flight area restriction device 43 Aircraft communication means 44 Aircraft flight means 45 Aircraft side memory section 46 Aircraft Control Means 47 Contract management measures 48 Charger usage management means 49 Flight pattern management means (flight plan management means) 50 Advertiser management measures 51 Server side storage unit 52 Server-side control means 53 Server-side communication means 59 User communication means 60 User side storage unit 61 User-side control means 65 Flight pattern correction means (flight plan correction means)

Claims

1. A subscription service system for model aircraft, in which a user pays a periodic usage fee to fly a model aircraft that takes off and lands from an airfield and has an advertising object attached thereto, according to flight plan data transmitted from a management server via an internet line, comprising: The air base is provided with an automatic charger for the model aircraft; The model aircraft includes: an aircraft-side communication means for performing communication using the Internet line; an aircraft flight means for flying the model aircraft in accordance with the flight plan data; an aircraft side storage unit that stores the flight plan data; an aircraft side control means for controlling the model aircraft is provided; The management server includes: A server-side communication means for performing communication using the Internet line; a contract management means for managing a subscription service contract for use of the model aircraft concluded between the user and a service provider of the model aircraft; A charger usage management means for managing usage of the automatic charger; a flight plan management means for creating and managing flight plan data for flying the model aircraft; an advertising entity management means for managing advertising entity data relating to said advertising entities; a server-side storage unit that stores the advertising object data, the flight plan data, and the contract data of the subscription service acquired from the contract management means; a server side control means for controlling the management server; An application for using the subscription service, A subscription service system for model aircraft, characterized in that the user-side information and communications terminal is owned by the user and is equipped with a user-side communication means for communicating using the Internet line, a user-side memory unit for storing the installed applications, and a user-side control means for controlling the user-side information and communications terminal.

2. The advertising bodies are multiple, and the advertising bodies are different from each other in at least one of shape, size, and hooking position on the model aircraft; The model aircraft subscription service system described in claim 1, characterized in that the management server is provided with a flight plan correction means for correcting the flight plan data in accordance with the shape and size of the selected advertising object and its hanging position on the model aircraft to ensure safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles.

3. A subscription service system for model aircraft as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it has a flight area restriction device for ensuring safe flight of the model aircraft without coming into contact with obstacles by restricting the flight area of ​​the model aircraft to the periphery of the flight base.

4. The model aircraft used are a plurality of A subscription service system for model aircraft as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flight plan management means is added with a function for creating and managing formation flight data for flying each of the model aircraft in formation.

Images