Information processing device, method, and program

Abstract

To improve a technology about pest control of a farm field using an unmanned aircraft.SOLUTION: In an information processing device 30 provided with a control part 33, the control part 33 predicts the scattering range of a chemical to be sprayed to a farm field by a first unmanned aircraft 10, and controls a three-dimensional position or a moving route of a second unmanned aircraft 20 so as to prevent the chemical from being scattered to surroundings of the farm field by downwash of the second unmanned aircraft 20 in the case of determining that the chemical is scattered to the surroundings of the farm field on the basis of the scattering range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for pest control in farm fields using unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for a drone system that controls the flight altitude on the edge route of a farm field to be lower than the flight altitude on the central route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 140657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional technology involves controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle itself that sprays pesticides through the air, but it is unable to fully reduce the risk of the sprayed pesticide scattering outside the field (so-called drift) and having a detrimental effect on the surrounding area, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the purpose of the present disclosure is to improve technology relating to field pest control using unmanned aerial vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is The first step is to predict the dispersion range of the pesticide sprayed on the field by the unmanned aerial vehicle. If it is determined based on the dispersion range that the pesticide will scatter around the field, the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled by the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprises: A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Predicting the dispersion range of a pesticide sprayed on a field by a first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined based on the scattering range that the pesticide will scatter around the field, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. Includes.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: In the information processing device, Predicting the dispersion range of a pesticide sprayed on a field by a first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined based on the scattering range that the pesticide will scatter around the field, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. It is a program that executes the following. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques for field pest control using unmanned aerial vehicles are improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] A block diagram showing the general configuration of a first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Diagram 3] A block diagram showing the general configuration of a second unmanned aerial vehicle. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device; [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing device. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a processing procedure for predicting a scattering range. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of deployment of the first unmanned aerial vehicle and the second unmanned aerial vehicle of this embodiment, viewed from the Z-axis direction. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of deployment of the first unmanned aerial vehicle and the second unmanned aerial vehicle according to this embodiment, viewed from the X-axis direction. [Figure 9] A figure showing an example of deployment of a first unmanned aerial vehicle and a second unmanned aerial vehicle group in one variant of this embodiment, viewed from the Z-axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] <Overview of the embodiment> An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, a second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, and an information processing device 30. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, and the information processing device 30 are communicatively connected to a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0013] The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is any aircraft that does not have a human on board. For example, an aircraft such as a drone or a multicopter can be employed as the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can move or stand still (e.g., hover) along a predetermined movement path above the field or above the periphery of the field by autonomous flight or by cooperation with at least one of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 or the information processing device 30. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may also be manually operated by a user of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 (e.g., a worker in the field) on at least a part of the movement path. In this embodiment, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is used for pest control work in the field. The pest control work in the field is carried out by aerial spraying (hereinafter also simply referred to as "spraying") of a pesticide from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to a spraying area of ​​the field. However, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is not limited to pest control work, and can be used for any work such as fertilizer spreading, sowing, etc. The number of first unmanned aerial vehicles 10 provided in the system 1 is one in this embodiment, but is not limited to this and can be determined arbitrarily.

[0014] The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is any aircraft that does not have a person on board. For example, an aircraft such as a drone or a multicopter can be adopted as the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can move or stand still (e.g., hover) along a predetermined movement path above the field or the periphery of the field by autonomous flight or by cooperation with at least one of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 or the information processing device 30. The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may also be manually operated by a user of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 (e.g., a worker in the field) in at least a part of the movement path. In this case, the user of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be the same as or different from the user of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is used to prevent the pesticide sprayed by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from scattering outside the field. While the role of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is to protect the field itself, the role of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is to protect the surrounding area of ​​the field (e.g., other fields, residential areas, public facilities, etc.) from adverse effects caused by the scattering of the pesticide outside the field (hereinafter also referred to as "drift"), which is sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. Hereinafter, among the areas around the field, the area where the scattering of the pesticide should be prevented (i.e., the area to be protected by the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20) is also referred to as the "protected area," and the remaining areas are also referred to as the "non-protected area." The number of second unmanned aerial vehicles 20 provided in the system 1 is one in this embodiment, but is not limited to this and may be determined arbitrarily.

[0015] The information processing device 30 is, for example, a computer such as a server device. The information processing device 30 is capable of communicating with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via a network 40.

[0016] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 30 predicts the scattering range of the pesticide sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. When the information processing device 30 determines that the pesticide will scatter around the field based on the scattering range, it controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20.

[0017] Thus, according to this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is placed in a three-dimensional position or travel path that prevents the chemical from scattering around the field. By utilizing the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 placed in this manner, it becomes easier to reduce the risk that the chemical sprayed by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 on the field will scatter around the field. In addition, due to the presence of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 performing the pest control work is less likely to interrupt the spraying of the chemical, making it easier to concentrate on the pest control work. Therefore, the technology related to field pest control using unmanned aerial vehicles is improved in that the risk of adverse effects due to drift extending to the periphery of the field is reduced and the efficiency of the field pest control work is easily improved.

[0018] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0019] <Configuration of the first unmanned aerial vehicle> As shown in Figure 2, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a detection unit 14, a memory unit 15, a control unit 16, a drive mechanism 17, and a drug dispersal mechanism 18.

[0020] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interface corresponds to a mobile communication standard such as, but is not limited to, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). For example, the communication interface may include an interface that corresponds to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 communicates with the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 and the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may also directly communicate with the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via the communication unit 11 and the short-range wireless communication.

[0021] The positioning unit 12 includes one or more devices that acquire position information of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 12 includes, for example, a receiver compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS), but is not limited thereto and may include a receiver compatible with any satellite positioning system. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can acquire its own position information (hereinafter also referred to as "first position information") using the positioning unit 12. The first position information may include absolute position information such as three-dimensional coordinate data including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, relative position information indicating the positional relationship between the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 by distance or direction, or both.

[0022] The imaging unit 13 includes one or more cameras. Each camera included in the imaging unit 13 is a so-called digital camera having an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The imaging unit 13 captures an image of a subject at a predetermined frame rate and outputs image data of the captured image obtained by the imaging. The image data obtained via the imaging unit 13 can be used to configure a moving image as frame images. In the embodiment, the imaging unit 13 can capture an image of the surroundings of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The imaging unit 13 is also used to detect obstacles existing around the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. For example, a camera having a certain angle of view or an omnidirectional camera can be adopted as the imaging unit 13.

[0023] The detection unit 14 includes various sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a ground altitude sensor, a wind direction and speed sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and a drug sensor. In this embodiment, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can use the detection unit 14 to acquire information indicating the direction in which the vehicle is facing, the inclination of the vehicle, the altitude of the vehicle, the surrounding wind direction and speed, the surrounding atmospheric pressure, and the presence or absence of a drug attached to the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as "first detection information").

[0024] The storage unit 15 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, but not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 15 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 15 stores any information used in the operation of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 15 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, map information, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 15 may be updatable, for example, with information acquired from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0025] The control unit 16 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 16 controls the operation of the entire first unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0026] In this embodiment, the control unit 16 receives a pest control work plan from the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40. The "pest control work plan" refers to information indicating details of the pest control work, such as location information of the field to be pest-controlled, the area where the pesticide is sprayed, the work start time, the movement path of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and related location information. In this embodiment, the location information of the field includes two-dimensional coordinate data including latitude and longitude, but may include three-dimensional coordinate data including altitude in addition to latitude and longitude. However, the pest control work plan is not limited to these examples and may include any data. The control unit 16 may store the received pest control work plan in the storage unit 15. The control unit 16 moves the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 according to the movement path indicated in the pest control work plan. The control unit 16 controls the drive mechanism 17 described later to autonomously maintain the flight state of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. For example, the control unit 16 maintains the distance from the ground at a predetermined distance. If the position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 deviates from the rest position or from the route due to an external factor such as wind, the control unit 16 controls the drive mechanism 17 to return it to the route. In addition, if an unexpected obstacle is detected, the control unit 16 may control the drive mechanism 17 to avoid it. In this embodiment, the control unit 16 may perform at least a part of the control of the drive mechanism 17 in accordance with instructions from the information processing device 30.

[0027] The drive mechanism 17 is a mechanism for moving the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and includes a plurality of rotors and a drive device for each rotor. The number of rotors is four in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, six or eight. As an example, the plurality of rotors are arranged radially in a horizontal plane from the center of the body of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The drive mechanism 17 can adjust the rotation speed of each rotor under the control of the control unit 16 to cause the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to perform various operations such as stopping, ascending, descending, moving forward, retreating, and turning. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is configured to form a downwash (hereinafter, also referred to as the "first downwash") by the rotation of the rotors of the drive mechanism 17. For example, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can be configured to form a first downwash W1, which is a vertically downward airflow (here, downward in the Z direction) as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the control of the drive mechanism 17 can be performed by the control unit 16 alone or in accordance with an instruction from the information processing device 30.

[0028] The chemical spraying mechanism 18 includes a tank filled with the chemical, and a number of nozzles that discharge the chemical filled in the tank. Each nozzle is provided directly below the corresponding rotor so that the chemical discharged from the nozzle is blown down by the first downwash formed by the rotor of the drive mechanism 17. In this way, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 utilizes the first downwash formed by the rotor of the drive mechanism 17 to spray the chemical discharged from the chemical spraying mechanism 18 onto the spraying area of ​​the field, thereby carrying out pest control work.

[0029] <Configuration of the second unmanned aerial vehicle> As shown in FIG. 3, second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 includes a communication unit 21, a positioning unit 22, an imaging unit 23, a detection unit 24, a memory unit 25, a control unit 26, and a drive mechanism 27.

[0030] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interface corresponds to a mobile communication standard such as, but is not limited to, 4G or 5G. For example, the communication interface may include an interface that corresponds to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 communicates with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may also directly communicate with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the communication unit 21 and the short-range wireless communication.

[0031] The positioning unit 22 includes one or more devices that acquire position information of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. Specifically, the positioning unit 22 includes, for example, a receiver compatible with GPS, but is not limited thereto, and may include a receiver compatible with any satellite positioning system. The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can acquire its own position information (hereinafter also referred to as "second position information") using the positioning unit 22. The second position information may include absolute position information such as three-dimensional coordinate data including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, relative position information indicating the positional relationship between the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 and the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 by distance or direction, or both.

[0032] The imaging unit 23 includes one or more cameras. Each camera included in the imaging unit 23 is a so-called digital camera having an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor. The imaging unit 23 captures an image of a subject at a predetermined frame rate and outputs image data of the captured image obtained by the imaging. The image data obtained via the imaging unit 23 can be used to configure a moving image as frame images. In the embodiment, the imaging unit 23 can capture an image of the surroundings of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. The imaging unit 23 is also used to detect obstacles present around the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. For example, a camera having a certain angle of view or an omnidirectional camera can be adopted as the imaging unit 23.

[0033] The detection unit 24 includes various sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a wind direction and speed sensor, a ground altitude sensor, an air pressure sensor, and a drug sensor. In this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can use the detection unit 24 to acquire information indicating the direction in which the vehicle is facing, the inclination of the vehicle, the altitude of the vehicle, the surrounding wind direction and speed, the surrounding air pressure, and the presence or absence of a drug attached to the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as "second detection information").

[0034] The storage unit 25 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, but not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 25 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 25 stores any information used in the operation of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. For example, the storage unit 25 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, map information, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 25 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0035] The control unit 26 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a particular process. The programmable circuit may be, but is not limited to, an FPGA. The dedicated circuit may be, but is not limited to, an ASIC. The control unit 26 controls the operation of the entire second unmanned aerial vehicle 20.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control unit 26 receives a pest control work plan from the information processing device 30 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The contents of the pest control work plan are the same as those received by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In other words, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 shares detailed information on the pest control work with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The control unit 26 may store the received pest control work plan in the memory unit 25. The control unit 26 controls the drive mechanism 27 described later to autonomously maintain the flight state of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. For example, the control unit 26 maintains the distance from the ground at a predetermined distance. When the position of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 deviates from the stationary position or the route due to an external factor such as wind, the control unit 26 controls the drive mechanism 27 described later to return it to the route. In addition, when an unexpected obstacle is detected, the control unit 26 may control the drive mechanism 27 to avoid the obstacle. In this embodiment, the control unit 26 may perform at least a part of the control of the drive mechanism 27 according to an instruction from the information processing device 30.

[0037] The drive mechanism 27 is a mechanism for moving the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, and includes a plurality of rotors and a drive device for each rotor. The number of rotors is four in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, six or eight. As an example, the plurality of rotors are arranged radially in a horizontal plane from the center of the body of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. The drive mechanism 27 can adjust the rotation speed of each rotor under the control of the control unit 26 to cause the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to perform various operations such as stopping, ascending, descending, moving forward, retreating, and turning. The second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is configured to form a downwash (hereinafter, also referred to as a "second downwash") by the rotation of the rotors of the drive mechanism 27. For example, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can be configured to form a second downwash W2, which is a vertically downward airflow (here, downward in the Z direction) as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the control of the drive mechanism 27 can be performed by the control unit 26 alone or in accordance with an instruction from the information processing device 30.

[0038] <Configuration of information processing device> As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0039] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 30 communicates with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 40.

[0040] The storage unit 32 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 32 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 30. For example, the storage unit 32 may store a system program, an application program, a database, map information, information indicating weather conditions, and the like. In this embodiment, the storage unit 32 stores, as weather data, data indicating the weather conditions of the field in which the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 performs pest control work, particularly data indicating the wind direction, wind speed, air pressure, rainfall, and precipitation probability of the field. In this embodiment, the weather data includes data indicating the weather provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency or a meteorological station, but is not limited to this, and may include data indicating the weather provided from any source in any area. In addition, the weather data may include not only current information but also past history information. The information stored in the storage unit 32 may be updateable, for example, with information acquired from the network 40 via the communication unit 31.

[0041] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The control unit 33 controls the operation of the information processing device 30 as a whole.

[0042] In this embodiment, the control unit 33 generates the above-mentioned control work plan and transmits the generated control work plan to the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 40. This allows the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to share the control work plan. Note that the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may not share the control work plan and may be instructed to each have their own independent flight plan.

[0043] The control unit 33 also acquires work environment information and stores it in the memory unit 32. The "work environment information" refers to information including information on the field where the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 performs the pest control work (hereinafter also referred to as "field information") and information on the area around the field (hereinafter also referred to as "surrounding area information"). The field information includes, for example, information indicating the position information, area, and agricultural products of the field. The surrounding area information includes information indicating the position information, area, distance to the field (for example, distance between boundary lines), and the impact when the pesticide is scattered (hereinafter also referred to as "drift severity"). The drift severity may be indicated, for example, by a score that serves as an evaluation criterion. The score may be a numerical value (for example, an integer from 0 to 100) or a grade (for example, "low", "medium", or "high"). In this case, the score may be calculated according to the geographical conditions of each area (whether it is a residential area, public facility, or water source, etc.) or the cultivation conditions (whether it is another field that has crops close to harvest time or is an organic farm, etc.) of the pest control work environment. For example, the score may be calculated so that the more serious the impact of the agent being dispersed (e.g., the greater the adverse effect on people or agricultural products), the higher the value.

[0044] Any method can be used to acquire the work environment information. For example, the information processing device 30 may have a database inside or outside the device that stores the field information and the surrounding area information, and the control unit 33 may acquire the work environment information by searching the necessary information from the database. Alternatively, the control unit 33 may acquire the work environment information by receiving information indicating the location of the field and the surrounding area specified by the user of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0045] <Operation flow of information processing device> The operation of the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The operation of Fig. 5 corresponds to a method according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the operation of Fig. 5 is started at the work start time indicated in the pest control work plan, but is not limited to this. For example, the operation of Fig. 5 may be started at any time designated by the user of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 or the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20.

[0046] In the following description, the movement path indicated in the pest control work plan is assumed to be three-dimensional positions P1, . . . , P10 as shown in FIG. 7. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 performs pest control work by spraying a pesticide in the first spraying area A1 and the second spraying area A2 of the field F while flying along the movement path. Specifically, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 moves to the three-dimensional position P1 by the work start time indicated in the pest control work plan. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 sprays the pesticide at the three-dimensional position P1 at the work start time, thereby starting the pest control work in the field F. The first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 sprays the pesticide over the entire first spraying area A1 while moving in the order of three-dimensional positions P2, . . . , P5 along the X direction. When spraying of the pesticide at the three-dimensional position P5 is completed, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 turns in the Y direction and moves to the three-dimensional position P6 to start the pest control work in the second spraying area A2. First unmanned aerial vehicle 10 sprays the pesticide throughout second spraying area A2 while moving in the X direction to three-dimensional positions P6, . . . , P10 in that order. When spraying of the pesticide at three-dimensional position P10 is completed, the pest control work in field F is completed.

[0047] In the following description, it is assumed that the storage unit 32 of the information processing device 30 stores a database that accumulates the field information of the field F and the surrounding area information of each area around the field F as the work environment information. The drift severity included in the surrounding area information is indicated by a score as described above, and the score is calculated so that the more serious the impact of the drug being scattered, the higher the value. The control unit 33 sets the protection area based on the calculated score. Any method can be adopted for setting the protection area. For example, the control unit 33 may extract an area whose score is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold from among multiple areas around the field F, and set the extracted area as the protection area by attaching a flag. As a result (here, depending on the presence or absence of the flag), the areas around the field F are classified into a protection area and a non-protection area. In the example shown in FIG. 7, one area G adjacent to the field F in the Y direction (for example, the south side) is set as the protection area, but the number of protection areas is not limited to this. For example, the four areas on all four sides of the field F may be set as protection areas. Furthermore, the protection area is not limited to areas adjacent to the field F, and any neighboring area that exists within a predetermined distance from the boundary of the field F may be set as a protection area.

[0048] Step S100: Control unit 33 of information processing device 30 executes scattering range prediction. Scattering range prediction is a process of predicting the scattering range of the medicine ejected from medicine scattering mechanism 18 of first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The scattering range identified by the scattering range prediction is also referred to as the "predicted scattering range" below. Based on the predicted scattering range, control unit 33 can predict whether the medicine will scatter to the protected area, and if so, where in the protected area it will scatter.

[0049] Specifically, the control unit 33 performs scattering range prediction by executing the operation shown in Fig. 6. A specific example of scattering range prediction will be described below with reference to Fig. 6.

[0050] Step S200: The control unit 33 of the information processing device 30 acquires work environment information.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 33 acquires the work environment information by reading it out from the database stored in the storage unit 32. As described above, the work environment information includes the field information of the field F and surrounding area information of each area existing around the field F.

[0052] Step S201: The control unit 33 acquires the first position information.

[0053] Specifically, the control unit 33 acquires the first position information by repeatedly receiving the position information of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 acquired via the positioning unit 12 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from the communication unit 11 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. This allows the control unit 33 to monitor the position information of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 flying along the movement route.

[0054] Step S202: The control unit 33 acquires the first detection information.

[0055] Specifically, the control unit 33 acquires the first detection information by repeatedly receiving information indicating the wind direction, wind speed, etc. around the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 acquired via the detection unit 14 from the communication unit 11 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. This allows the control unit 33 to monitor the state of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the situation around the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0056] Step S203: The control unit 33 calculates the scattering probability based on the information acquired in steps S200 to S202.

[0057] Specifically, the control unit 33 refers to the field information (position information and area of ​​the field F, etc.) and surrounding area information (position information, area, and distance to the field F, etc.) included in the work environment information acquired in step S200. The control unit 33 also refers to the state (three-dimensional position, etc.) of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 indicated by the first position information acquired in step S201. The control unit 33 also refers to the surrounding conditions (wind direction, wind speed, etc.) of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 indicated by the first detection information acquired in step S202. Based on this information, the control unit 33 calculates the probability of the drug scattering at each point in the field F, the protected area, and the non-protected area.

[0058] The scattering probability is data indicating the location and amount of the medicine sprayed from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 during a specified period of time that will float or land. The scattering probability can be, for example, associated with each position (e.g., three-dimensional coordinates or two-dimensional coordinates) and indicated as a continuous value from 0 to 1 or 0% to 100%. Any method can be used to calculate the scattering probability, but it may be calculated according to the positional relationship between the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the protected area at each spraying time and external factors such as wind. For example, if the wind direction at a certain point in time is such that the medicine is blown in a direction approaching the boundary line of the protected area as seen from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, the scattering probability can be calculated so that the value exceeds 0 over a wide range of the protected area as the wind speed increases. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the X direction, which is the traveling direction of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, is east, when the wind direction is from the north (the wind blows from the top to the bottom of the paper), the wind direction is such that the medicine is blown in a direction approaching the boundary line of the area G as seen from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In this case, the scattering probability can be calculated so that the greater the wind speed, the greater the value of the scattering probability will be beyond the boundary line of zone G from the three-dimensional position of first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and over a wider range of zone G. In other words, the predicted scattering range, which will be described later, will be wider.

[0059] The wind speed may be any value, for example, at least one of the following: 10-minute average wind speed, maximum wind speed (maximum value of 10-minute average wind speed), instantaneous wind speed (3-second average value of measurements at 0.25-second intervals), or maximum instantaneous wind speed (maximum value of instantaneous wind speed). The wind direction may be any direction, for example, it may be indicated by 16 or 36 directions, with the north as the base, and the entire circumference divided into 16 or 36 parts.

[0060] The control unit 33 may also calculate the scattering probability based on the dosage form of the drug, such as a liquid drug or a powder drug. For example, when the drug is a powder drug, it is more likely to scatter due to external factors such as wind than a liquid drug, and the scattering range tends to be wider. Therefore, the control unit 33 may calculate the scattering probability when the drug is a powder drug so that the value is greater than 0 over a wider range than when the drug is a liquid drug.

[0061] The dispersion probability may be calculated in real time or at predetermined time intervals at each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and updated at each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0062] Based on the scattering probability calculated in this way, the control unit 33 identifies a position (e.g., three-dimensional coordinates or two-dimensional coordinates) where the scattering probability is greater than 0, and determines whether the medicine will scatter to the protected area at each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. If it is determined that the medicine will scatter, the control unit 33 may estimate to which location in the protected area the medicine will scatter (e.g., three-dimensional coordinates or two-dimensional coordinates). The control unit 33 may predict the scattering range based on the estimated position. Any method can be adopted for predicting the scattering range. For example, the control unit 33 may predict the scattering range by estimating the state of the medicine discharged from the nozzle of the medicine dispersing mechanism 18 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from physical laws or observation data. Alternatively, the control unit 33 may construct a prediction model of the scattering range using machine learning such as deep learning, analyze the state of the medicine discharged from the nozzle of the medicine dispersing mechanism 18 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 based on the constructed model, and predict the scattering range based on the analysis results.

[0063] Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the following description will be given.

[0064] Step S101: Based on the scattering range predicted in step S100 (predicted scattering range), control unit 33 determines whether or not the pesticide sprayed by first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to field F will scatter to the surrounding area of ​​field F. If it is determined that the pesticide will scatter to the surrounding area of ​​field F (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the pesticide will not scatter to the surrounding area of ​​field F (step S101-No), the process ends.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 33 determines whether the predicted scattering range at each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 crosses the boundary line of the field F and extends into the protected area. Depending on the determination result, the control unit 33 can determine whether the pesticide sprayed from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 will scatter around the field F at each three-dimensional position. For example, an example of a visualized predicted scattering range (dashed line) is shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the predicted scattering range at the three-dimensional position P2 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 crosses the boundary line of the field F and extends into area G, which is the protected area. In this case, the control unit 33 determines that the pesticide sprayed from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 will scatter around the field F.

[0066] Step S102: If it is determined that the pesticide will scatter around field F (Step S101-Yes), control unit 33 controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around field F due to the downwash of second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, and places second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 in an optimal position. The process then ends.

[0067] Any method can be used to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, but first to third examples are shown below as specific examples.

[0068] In the first example, the control unit 33 controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. Specifically, the control unit 33 controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is interposed between the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the protected area, which is a three-dimensional position or movement path included in the predicted scattering range, and generates the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 at a desired position. For example, the control unit 33 may control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to the protected area side, which is an area where scattering of the drug should be prevented, among the areas around the field F. This makes it easier for the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to immediately respond to changes in the probability of dispersion, which can be updated in real time at each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and makes it easier to prevent the drug from entering the protected area by using the downwash (second downwash) of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, as described below.

[0069] In the second example, the control unit 33 controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the weather conditions of the field F. Specifically, before the start of the pest control work, the control unit 33 creates a flight plan for the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the pest control work plan (the movement path of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, etc.) and the weather conditions of the field F on the day of the pest control work (wind direction and wind speed of the field F, etc.) predicted from the weather data read from the memory unit 32. The flight plan of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 indicates the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 in this example, but is not limited to this and may include any information. The control unit 33 transmits the created flight plan to the communication unit 21 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. The control unit 26 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 controls the drive mechanism 27 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to move the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to a three-dimensional position or fly along a movement path indicated in the received flight plan.

[0070] In addition, while the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is stationary at the three-dimensional position indicated in the flight plan or flying along the movement path, the control unit 33 may make minor corrections to the flight plan in response to changes in external factors such as the actual wind speed in the field F. For example, the control unit 33 may acquire information indicating the wind direction and wind speed around the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 acquired via the detection unit 14 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from the communication unit 11 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. The control unit 33 may revise the flight plan of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 by analyzing the weather conditions indicated by the acquired information as the weather conditions of the field F. For example, it is assumed that the wind speed increases suddenly at a certain point in time, and the difference between the scattering range predicted at time T1 when the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is moving from the three-dimensional position P1 to P2 and the scattering range predicted at time T2 when the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 arrives at the three-dimensional position P2 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the scattering range is predicted to spread further backward (closer to the three-dimensional position Q1) in the traveling direction (here, the X direction) of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 than the predicted scattering range (dashed line). In this case, the control unit 33 corrects the predicted scattering range, and based on the corrected predicted scattering range, controls the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to a three-dimensional position where the three-dimensional position Q2 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is changed closer to Q1, and the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can be generated at a desired position. Then, the control unit 33 repeats this process for each three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, thereby correcting the flight plan of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 according to the weather conditions of the field F. In this way, the control unit 33 can control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the weather conditions of the field F. This makes it easier to prevent the entry of the drug into the protected area by using the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 described later.

[0071] In the third example, the control unit 33 controls the three-dimensional position or the movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the environmental information indicating the environment around the field F. Specifically, the control unit 33 acquires, as environmental information, an image (or video) of the surroundings of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 acquired via the imaging unit 13 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from the communication unit 11 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the network 40 and the communication unit 31. The environmental information may include the situation downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as "downwind information"). For example, the downwind information may include information indicating the presence or absence of a protected area, living things (humans or animals, etc.), or obstacles (electric poles, flying objects, etc.) downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The presence or absence of a protected area downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be determined by the control unit 33 analyzing the position information and map information of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 stored in the memory unit 32 of the information processing device 30. The presence or absence of a living thing or an obstacle downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can be determined by the control unit 33 analyzing an image (or video) of the downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 detected via the imaging unit 13 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, the imaging unit 23 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, or both, which are acquired via the network 40. The detection of the obstacle may be performed by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 or the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 alone, or may be performed by the information processing device 30 that has acquired an image (or video) from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 or the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 via the network 40. Any image recognition method, such as template matching or machine learning, can be adopted for the detection of the obstacle. The control unit 33 can control the three-dimensional position or the movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so as to bypass the detected obstacle, and can generate a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 at a desired position. In this way, the control unit 33 can control the three-dimensional position or the movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 based on the environmental information. This makes it easier to prevent drugs from entering the protected area by utilizing the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, which will be described later.

[0072] 7, based on the predicted scattering range at three-dimensional position P2, it is determined that three-dimensional position Q2 is the optimal three-dimensional position for preventing the entry of the medicine into area G. In this case, control unit 33 transmits, via network 40, an instruction to move to three-dimensional position Q2, together with a movement route, to second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 at three-dimensional position Q1, for example. Second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 moves from three-dimensional position Q1 to Q2 according to the received instruction and movement route.

[0073] In this embodiment, the control unit 33 may control the drive mechanism 27 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 moves parallel to the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 with a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 toward the protected area. This allows the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to immediately respond to changes in external factors such as wind, making it easier to prevent the spray of the pesticide into the protected area. However, the deployment form of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is not limited to this. For example, if it is determined from the analysis result of the weather data that the spray of the pesticide into the protected area will not occur (for example, below a predetermined threshold) under the weather conditions of the field F on the day of the pest control work, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be made to wait at the three-dimensional position Q1 during the flight of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In this case, it is easier to reduce the power consumption of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20.

[0074] As described above, the control unit 33 can prevent the scattering of the pesticide to the periphery of the field F by generating the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, whose three-dimensional position or movement path is controlled in step S102 so as to prevent the scattering of the pesticide to the periphery of the field F, at a desired position. For example, the control unit 33 controls the drive mechanism 27 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to form the second downwash W2 as shown in FIG. 8. The control unit 33 can adjust the strength or direction of the second downwash W2 by controlling the drive mechanism 27. For example, the control unit 33 can adjust the strength of the second downwash W2 relative to the ground by changing the altitude (hovering height, etc.) of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. Also, for example, a pesticide sensor as the detection unit 24 may be provided on the upper surface of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, and when adhesion of the pesticide to the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is detected, the control unit 33 may increase the altitude of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 by controlling the drive mechanism 27. Also, for example, the control unit 33 may adjust the direction of the second downwash W2 within a predetermined angle range from the vertical direction by changing the flight speed of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. The pesticide sprayed from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and scattered from the field F in the direction of the protected area is blown down toward the ground by the vertical downward force (downward in the Z direction in the example of FIG. 7) of the second downwash W2 of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20. This may limit the scattering range of the pesticide to within the boundary line of the field F. For example, the scattering range of the pesticide may be limited more than the predicted scattering range at the three-dimensional position P2 specified in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 8, the scattering range of the pesticide may be limited to within the boundary line of the field F. Therefore, scattering of the pesticide to the periphery of the field F is prevented, and the risk of adverse effects due to drift extending to the periphery of the field F is easily reduced.

[0075] As described above, the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment predicts the scattering range of the pesticide to be sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. When the information processing device 30 determines, based on the scattering range, that the pesticide will scatter around the field, it controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20.

[0076] According to this configuration, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is placed in a three-dimensional position or travel path that prevents the chemical from scattering around the field. By utilizing the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 placed in this manner, it becomes easier to reduce the risk that the chemical sprayed by the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 on the field will scatter around the field. In addition, due to the presence of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20, the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 performing the pest control work is less likely to interrupt the spraying of the chemical, making it easier to concentrate on the pest control work. Therefore, the technology for pest control in fields using unmanned aerial vehicles is improved in that the risk of adverse effects due to drift extending to the periphery of the field is reduced and the efficiency of pest control work in the field is easily improved.

[0077] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0078] For example, in one modified example of this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be a plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles 20. The control unit 33 may arrange the plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles 20 in a row at a predetermined interval toward the protected area from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, in a three-dimensional position or movement path that prevents the drug from scattering into the protected area. In this case, the control unit 33 may control the second downwash while keeping the plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles 20 arranged in a row stationary (e.g., hovering), forming a wall of the second downwash, so to speak, to prevent the drug from scattering into the protected area.

[0079] In this modified example, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be arranged at three-dimensional positions Q1, . . . , Qn as shown in FIG. 9, as three-dimensional positions or movement paths that prevent the chemical from scattering into the protected area, with a predetermined interval from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The number n of the three-dimensional positions Q of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is an integer of 2 or more. If it is determined that the chemical will scatter around the field F (step S101-Yes), in step S102, the control unit 33 arranges the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 in a row at a three-dimensional position or movement path that prevents the chemical from scattering into the protected area, with a predetermined interval from the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, so that the downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 forms a wall, so to speak. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 forms a second unmanned aerial vehicle group 50. When the position of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 deviates from the rest position or from the route due to an external factor such as wind, the control unit 26 of each second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 controls the drive mechanism 27 to return the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to the rest position or to the route. The control unit 33 of the information processing device 30 can prevent the chemical from scattering around the field by utilizing the downwash (second downwash) of the multiple second unmanned aerial vehicles 20.

[0080] Thus, according to this modification, the second unmanned aerial vehicle group 50 is deployed at a three-dimensional position between the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and the protected area. For example, if there is a high risk (for example, exceeding a predetermined threshold) of the spread of the pesticide to the protected area under the weather conditions of the field F on the day of the pest control work, one second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may not be able to deal with the spread of the pesticide over a wide area while the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is moving. According to this modification, even in such a case, the second downwash (wall of the second downwash) of the multiple second unmanned aerial vehicles 20 can be used to more reliably prevent the pesticide from spreading to the protected area. Therefore, the risk of adverse effects caused by drift extending to the periphery of the field is further reduced, and the efficiency of the pest control work in the field is further improved.

[0081] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 does not have a pesticide spraying mechanism, but in another modified example of this embodiment, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be provided with a pesticide spraying mechanism similar to the pesticide spraying mechanism 18 of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10. In this case, the control unit 33 controls the drive mechanism 27 and the pesticide spraying mechanism of the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 to spray the pesticide discharged from the pesticide spraying mechanism onto the target spraying area of ​​the field F with the second downwash formed by the drive mechanism 27, thereby performing part of the pest control work. For example, if it is determined that the pesticide will not be scattered into the protected area under the weather conditions of the field F on the day of the pest control work, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 is unlikely to be required to protect the periphery of the field. Under such circumstances, the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 can be made to support the pest control work of the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10, thereby making it easier to shorten the pest control work time.

[0082] In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 30 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. In addition, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 30 are provided in the first unmanned aerial vehicle 10 or the second unmanned aerial vehicle 20 may be provided.

[0083] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 30 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the information processing device 30 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program.

[0084] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is The first step is to predict the dispersion range of the pesticide sprayed on the field by the unmanned aerial vehicle. An information processing device that, when it is determined based on the dispersion range that the pesticide will be dispersed around the field, controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so as to prevent the pesticide from being dispersed around the field by using a downwash from the second unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 2] 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 3] The information processing device according to claim 2, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle on the side of a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering. [Appendix 4] An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions in the field. [Appendix 5] An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicating the environment surrounding the field. [Appendix 6] The information processing device according to claim 5, An information processing device, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 7] The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, the second unmanned aerial vehicle is a plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles; The control unit is an information processing device that arranges the multiple second unmanned aerial vehicles in a row at a three-dimensional position or movement path that prevents the pesticide from scattering around the field, with a predetermined distance between the first unmanned aerial vehicle and a protected area on the side of the area around the field, which is an area where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering. [Appendix 8] A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Predicting the dispersion range of a pesticide sprayed on a field by a first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined based on the scattering range that the pesticide will scatter around the field, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. A method comprising: [Appendix 9] 9. The method according to claim 8, comprising: A method comprising controlling a three-dimensional position or a path of movement of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 10] 10. The method according to claim 9, A method comprising: controlling the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle toward a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering. [Appendix 11] 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising: A method comprising controlling a three-dimensional position or path of movement of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions of the field. [Appendix 12] 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, comprising: A method comprising controlling a three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicative of an environment surrounding the field. [Appendix 13] 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: A method, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 14] 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, the second unmanned aerial vehicle is a plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles; The method includes arranging the plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles in a row at a predetermined interval from the first unmanned aerial vehicle toward a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering, in a three-dimensional position or along a movement path that prevents the pesticide from scattering around the field. [Appendix 15] In the information processing device, Predicting the range of a pesticide sprayed on a field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined based on the scattering range that the pesticide will scatter around the field, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. A program to execute. [Appendix 16] 16. The program of claim 15, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Appendix 17] 17. The program of claim 16, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle on the side of a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering. [Appendix 18] 18. The program according to any one of appendices 15 to 17, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions of the field. [Appendix 19] 19. The program according to any one of appendices 15 to 18, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicating the environment surrounding the field. [Appendix 20] 20. The program of claim 19, A program, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 System 10 1st unmanned aerial vehicle 11 Communications Department 12 Positioning unit 13 Imaging unit 14 Detection unit 15 Storage section 16 Control section 17 Drive mechanism 18 Drug dispersal mechanism 20 2nd Unmanned Aircraft 21 Communications Department 22 Positioning unit 23 Imaging unit 24 Detection unit 25 Memory section 26 Control Unit 27 Drive mechanism 30 Information processing device 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 40 Network 50 2nd Unmanned Aircraft Group P1, P2,..., P10 3D position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle Q1, Q2, . . . , Qn 3D position of the second unmanned aerial vehicle

Claims

1. An information processing device including a control unit, The control unit is predicting the dispersion range of the pesticide to be sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; An information processing device that, when it is determined based on the dispersion range that the pesticide will be dispersed around the field, controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so as to prevent the pesticide from being dispersed around the field by using a downwash from the second unmanned aerial vehicle.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle on the side of a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions of the field.

5. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicating the environment surrounding the field.

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, An information processing device, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

7. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, the second unmanned aerial vehicle is a plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles; The control unit is an information processing device that arranges the multiple second unmanned aerial vehicles in a row at a three-dimensional position or movement path that prevents the pesticide from scattering around the field, with a predetermined distance between the first unmanned aerial vehicle and a protected area on the side of the area around the field, which is an area where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering.

8. A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: Predicting the dispersion range of the pesticide sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined that the pesticide will scatter around the field based on the scattering range, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. A method comprising:

9. 9. The method of claim 8, A method comprising controlling a three-dimensional position or path of movement of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, A method comprising: controlling the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle toward a protected area, which is an area around the field where the spray of the pesticide should be prevented.

11. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising: The method includes controlling a three-dimensional position or path of movement of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions in the field.

12. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising: A method comprising controlling a three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicative of an environment surrounding the field.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, A method, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

14. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, the second unmanned aerial vehicle is a plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles; The method includes arranging the plurality of second unmanned aerial vehicles in a row at a predetermined interval from the first unmanned aerial vehicle toward a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering, in a three-dimensional position or along a movement path that prevents the pesticide from scattering around the field.

15. In the information processing device, Predicting the dispersion range of the pesticide sprayed on the field by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and When it is determined that the pesticide will scatter around the field based on the scattering range, a three-dimensional position or a movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled so as to prevent the pesticide from scattering around the field by a downwash of the second unmanned aerial vehicle. A program to execute.

16. The program according to claim 15, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on the three-dimensional position of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

17. The program according to claim 16, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle so that the second unmanned aerial vehicle moves in parallel with the first unmanned aerial vehicle, leaving a predetermined distance from the first unmanned aerial vehicle on the side of a protected area, which is an area around the field where the pesticide should be prevented from scattering.

18. 18. The program according to claim 15, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on weather conditions of the field.

19. 18. The program according to claim 15, A program that causes the information processing device to control the three-dimensional position or movement path of the second unmanned aerial vehicle based on environmental information indicating the environment surrounding the field.

20. 20. The program of claim 19, A program, wherein the environmental information includes conditions downwind of the first unmanned aerial vehicle.

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