Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To enable a base station, which is no longer supplied with power due to a power outage, to extend the state in which it can communicate with a terminal. [Solution] The information processing device 1 has a first identification unit 132 that refers to remaining power storage information indicating the remaining power storage of a storage battery 3 that is installed in each of multiple base stations 2 related to wireless communication and can supply power to the base station 2, and identifies a first base station 2A that is the base station 2 corresponding to a storage battery 3 whose remaining power storage amount is below a predetermined threshold, a second identification unit 133 that identifies a second base station 2B that is a base station 2 that can wirelessly supply power to the first base station 2A based on base station location information indicating the positions of each of the multiple base stations 2 and the remaining power storage amount information, and an instruction unit 134 that instructs the second base station 2B to supply power to a power receiving equipment 4 installed in the first base station 2A that receives wireless power and supplies it to at least one of the first base station 2A and the storage battery 3 installed in the first base station 2A.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been known in which a storage battery is provided at a base station related to communication with mobile terminals, and when a failure occurs at the base station due to a power outage or disaster and power cannot be supplied to the base station from a commercial power source or the like, power is supplied to the base station from the storage battery (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-74631 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a disaster causes a power outage and a base station is no longer supplying power, users may use their mobile terminals to check on the safety of others. For this reason, it is desirable for the base station to be able to communicate with the mobile terminals for as long as possible.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has an object to enable a base station that has lost power due to a power outage to extend the period during which it can communicate with terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a first identification unit that refers to remaining power storage information indicating the remaining power storage of a storage battery that is provided in each of a plurality of base stations related to wireless communication and can supply power to the base station, and identifies a first base station that is a base station corresponding to a storage battery whose remaining power storage is below a predetermined threshold, a second identification unit that identifies a second base station that is a base station that can wirelessly supply power to the first base station based on base station location information indicating the positions of each of a plurality of base stations and the remaining power storage information, and an instruction unit that instructs the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to a power receiving equipment provided in the first base station that receives wireless power and supplies power to at least one of the first base station and a storage battery provided in the first base station.

[0007] The second identification unit may identify a power supply efficiency to the power receiving equipment of each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and identify a candidate base station among the plurality of candidate base stations having a relatively high identified power supply efficiency as the second base station.

[0008] The second identification unit may transmit radio waves from each of the plurality of candidate base stations, and identify the power supply efficiency of each of the plurality of candidate base stations to the power receiving equipment based on the power intensity of the radio waves received by the first base station when the first base station receives the radio waves.

[0009] The second identification unit may identify a distance between each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station and the first base station based on the base station location information, and identify a candidate base station among the plurality of candidate base stations that is relatively close to the identified first base station as the second base station.

[0010] The second identification unit may identify the number of terminals that are communicatively connected to each of a plurality of candidate base stations that are capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and may identify the second base station from among the plurality of candidate base stations based on the identified number of terminals.

[0011] The second identification unit may identify a predicted connection number, which is the number of terminals predicted to communicate with each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and identify the second base station from among the plurality of candidate base stations based on the identified predicted connection number.

[0012] The instruction unit may identify the number of terminals that are communicatively connected to the second base station identified by the second identification unit, instruct the power receiving equipment to supply power when the number of identified terminals is equal to or less than a predetermined number, and instruct the power receiving equipment to stop supplying power when the number of identified terminals exceeds the predetermined number.

[0013] The second base station has a first antenna that transmits radio waves of a first frequency used for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and a second antenna that transmits radio waves of a second frequency different from the first frequency, and the instruction unit may instruct the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to the power receiving equipment using the second antenna.

[0014] The instruction unit may instruct the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to the power receiving equipment using the second antenna, and may also instruct the second base station to reduce the output of radio waves from the first antenna.

[0015] The first base station and the second base station are capable of transmitting radio waves corresponding to each of a plurality of frequency bands, and the instruction unit may instruct the second base station to supply power to the power receiving equipment and instruct at least one of the first base station and the second base station to transmit radio waves in one frequency band.

[0016] The instruction unit may identify a frequency band with the lowest power consumption among the multiple frequency bands corresponding to radio waves that a base station that is instructed to transmit radio waves in a frequency band can transmit, and instruct the base station to transmit radio waves in the identified frequency band.

[0017] The instruction unit may identify a frequency band having the largest number of terminals connected to it in communication with the base station among the plurality of frequency bands corresponding to radio waves that the base station is instructed to transmit radio waves in one frequency band can transmit, and instruct the base station to transmit radio waves in the identified frequency band.

[0018] When the instruction unit has instructed the first base station to transmit radio waves in one frequency band, if a remaining amount of power stored in a storage battery provided in the first base station exceeds the predetermined threshold, the instruction unit may instruct the first base station to transmit radio waves in multiple frequency bands.

[0019] The information processing device may further include a notification unit that identifies a time when operation of the first base station will end based on the amount of power supplied to the power receiving equipment, the remaining power storage capacity of a storage battery provided in the first base station, and the amount of power consumption in the first base station, and notifies information related to the identified time.

[0020] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: executing a computer, referring to remaining power storage information indicating the remaining power storage of a storage battery installed in each of a plurality of base stations related to wireless communication and capable of supplying power to the base station, and identifying a first base station which is a base station corresponding to a storage battery whose remaining power storage is below a predetermined threshold; identifying a second base station which is a base station capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station based on base station location information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of base stations and the remaining power storage information; and instructing the second base station to supply power to a power receiving equipment installed in the first base station which receives wireless power and supplies power to at least one of the first base station and the storage battery installed in the first base station. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to extend the period during which a base station that has lost power due to a power outage can communicate with a terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of base station position information. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing related to an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [Overview of information processing device 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 is a computer for wirelessly feeding power to a base station 2 that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile terminal. Hereinafter, the wireless communication terminal will be simply referred to as a terminal.

[0024] The information processing device 1 is communicably connected to a plurality of base stations 2 related to wireless communication. Each of the plurality of base stations 2 is a base station related to wireless communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), and performs wireless communication with terminals existing around itself. Each of the plurality of base stations 2 operates with power provided from an external power source such as a commercial power source.

[0025] Each of the base stations 2 is provided with a power supply antenna, a storage battery 3, and a power receiving facility 4. The power supply antenna is an antenna for wirelessly supplying power to other base stations 2, and is intended to supply power wirelessly in the future by, for example, transmitting highly directional high-frequency radio waves to the power receiving destination. The storage battery 3 is, for example, a rechargeable battery, and supplies the base station 2 with power stored therein when power is not provided to the base station 2 from an external power source due to a power outage or disaster. The power receiving facility 4 is a facility that receives wireless power, which is power supplied wirelessly from other base stations 2, and supplies the received power to at least one of the base station 2 and the storage battery 3.

[0026] In this embodiment, it is assumed that wireless power supply is performed by the power receiving equipment receiving radio waves supplied from the power supply antenna, but it is also possible to provide a light emitting device for supplying power wirelessly using laser light in the base station 2, and a conversion device for receiving the laser light and converting it into electricity, and to realize wireless power supply between the base stations by using these light emitting device and conversion device.

[0027] The information processing device 1 refers to remaining power storage information indicating the remaining power storage capacity of the storage batteries 3 provided in each of the multiple base stations 2, and identifies a first base station 2A, which is the base station 2 corresponding to the storage battery 3 whose remaining power storage capacity is below a predetermined threshold.

[0028] The information processing device 1 identifies a second base station 2B that is a base station 2 capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A, based on base station location information indicating the location of each of the multiple base stations 2 and the remaining power storage information. Then, the information processing device 1 instructs the identified second base station 2B to supply power to a power receiving facility provided in the first base station 2A via a power supply antenna. In this way, the information processing device 1 can extend the state in which a base station 2 that is no longer supplied with power due to a power outage caused by a failure, disaster, or the like can communicate with a terminal.

[0029] [Functional configuration of information processing device 1] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0030] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the base station 2 via a communication network such as a mobile phone line, the Internet, or a wireless LAN. The storage unit 12 is a storage medium that stores various data, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 stores a program that causes the control unit 13 to function as an acquisition unit 131, a first identification unit 132, a second identification unit 133, an instruction unit 134, and a notification unit 135.

[0031] The storage unit 12 also stores base station position information indicating the position of each of the multiple base stations 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of base station position information. As shown in Fig. 3, the base station position information is information that associates a base station ID for identifying a base station 2 with position information of the base station 2. The position information is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude of the base station 2. In addition to the information indicating the latitude and longitude of the base station 2, the position information may also include information indicating the altitude at which the base station 2 is located.

[0032] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12 to function as an acquisition unit 131, a first identification unit 132, a second identification unit 133, an instruction unit 134, and a notification unit 135.

[0033] Before describing the details of each function of the control unit 13, the base station 2 will be described. Each of the multiple base stations 2 has multiple first antennas and a second antenna which is a power supply antenna. The first antenna is an antenna that transmits radio waves of a first frequency which is a frequency used for wireless communication with terminals. Each of the multiple base stations 2 has multiple first antennas, and is therefore capable of transmitting radio waves corresponding to each of multiple frequency bands. The second antenna is an antenna that is used for wireless power supply and transmits radio waves of a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0034] Each of the multiple base stations 2 operates on power supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power source different from the storage battery 3 provided in the base station 2. When power is not supplied from an external power source, each of the multiple base stations 2 operates on power supplied from the storage battery 3 provided in the base station 2 itself, or from a power receiving facility 4 that receives power from another base station 2.

[0035] Furthermore, each of the plurality of base stations 2 acquires remaining power storage information of the storage battery 3 from the storage battery 3. Then, each of the plurality of base stations 2 transmits to the information processing device 1, at predetermined time intervals, a base station ID for identifying the base station 2 and the remaining power storage information in association with each other.

[0036] Next, each function of the control unit 13 will be described in detail. The acquisition unit 131 acquires remaining battery information indicating the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 3 provided in each of the base stations 2 related to the multiple wireless communication. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the remaining battery capacity information corresponding to each of the multiple base stations 2 by receiving a base station ID and the remaining battery capacity information transmitted from each of the multiple base stations 2.

[0037] The first identifying unit 132 refers to the remaining power storage information acquired by the acquiring unit 131 from each of the multiple base stations 2, and identifies the first base station 2A, which is the base station 2 corresponding to the storage battery 3 whose remaining power storage amount is below the first threshold as a predetermined threshold. The first identifying unit 132 refers to the latest remaining power storage information acquired by the acquiring unit 131 from each of the multiple base stations 2, for example, at predetermined time intervals, and identifies the remaining power storage information whose remaining power storage amount is below the first threshold. The first identifying unit 132 identifies the base station 2 indicated by the base station ID acquired by the acquiring unit 131 together with the identified remaining power storage information, as the first base station 2A corresponding to the storage battery 3 whose remaining power storage amount is below the first threshold.

[0038] The second identification unit 133 identifies the second base station 2B, which is a base station 2 capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A, based on base station location information indicating the location of each of the multiple base stations 2 and remaining power storage information corresponding to each of the multiple base stations 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the second identification unit 133 refers to the base station location information stored in the storage unit 12, and identifies the location of the first base station 2A based on the location information associated with the base station ID of the first base station 2A identified by the first identification unit 132.

[0039] Furthermore, the second identifying unit 133 refers to base station location information and identifies multiple base station IDs different from the base station ID of the first base station 2A identified by the first identifying unit 132. The second identifying unit 133 identifies the base station ID of the base station 2 located within a predetermined distance from the location of the first base station 2A, based on location information associated with the multiple identified base station IDs. Then, based on remaining power storage information acquired by the acquiring unit 131 for the base station 2 of the identified base station ID, the second identifying unit 133 identifies the base station 2 whose remaining power storage amount of the storage battery 3 exceeds a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value as the second base station 2B capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A.

[0040] When there are a plurality of base stations 2 that are located within a predetermined distance from the position of the first base station 2A and whose remaining power storage amount of the storage battery 3 indicated by the remaining power storage amount information exceeds a second threshold, the second identification unit 133 may determine these base stations 2 as candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A. Then, the second identification unit 133 may identify the second base station 2B from among the plurality of candidate base stations. Here, the predetermined distance is, for example, the same as or shorter than the distance at which wireless power supply is feasible.

[0041] In this case, the second identification unit 133 identifies the distance between the first base station 2A and each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A based on the base station position information, and identifies, among the plurality of candidate base stations, a candidate base station that is relatively close to the identified first base station 2A as the second base station 2B. In this way, the information processing device 1 can determine, as the second base station 2B, a candidate base station that is relatively close to the first base station 2A and has a high probability of efficiently supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4.

[0042] The second identifying unit 133 may identify one of the multiple candidate base stations as the second base station 2B based on the power supply efficiency of each of the multiple candidate base stations to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. In this case, the second identifying unit 133 identifies the power supply efficiency of each of the multiple candidate base stations to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. The second identifying unit 133 causes each of the multiple candidate base stations to transmit radio waves toward the first base station 2A, and identifies the power intensity of the received radio waves when the first base station 2A receives the radio waves.

[0043] The second identifying unit 133 identifies the power supply efficiency of each of the multiple candidate base stations to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A based on the power intensity of the identified radio wave. Then, the second identifying unit 133 identifies the candidate base station having the relatively high identified power supply efficiency as the second base station 2B from among the multiple candidate base stations.

[0044] When there is an obstacle such as a building between the first base station 2A and the second base station 2B, even if the first base station 2A and the second base station 2B are close to each other, the second base station 2B may not be able to efficiently supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 of the first base station 2A. In response to this, the information processing device 1 selects the second base station 2B from among the candidate base stations based on the power supply efficiency determined based on the power intensity of the radio waves received by the first base station 2A, and therefore it is possible to suppress a decrease in power supply efficiency due to the presence of an obstacle between the second base station 2B and the first base station 2A.

[0045] The second identification unit 133 may also identify the number of connected terminals, which is the number of terminals that are connected to and communicating with each of the multiple candidate base stations. In this case, the acquisition unit 131 acquires connected terminal number information indicating the number of connected terminals from each of the multiple base stations 2, and the second identification unit 133 identifies the number of connected terminals based on the connected terminal number information. The second identification unit 133 may identify the second base station 2B from among the multiple candidate base stations based on the identified number of connected terminals. For example, the second identification unit 133 identifies the second base station 2B from among the multiple candidate base stations whose number of connected terminals is less than a predetermined number. The predetermined number is, for example, the number of connected terminals when the candidate base station can secure a minimum amount of power for power supply.

[0046] The greater the number of terminals connected to the base station 2, the greater the power consumption of the base station 2, and there is a risk that the base station 2 may not be able to secure power for power supply or may not be able to maintain a communication connection with the terminal during power supply. In response to this, the second identification unit 133 identifies the second base station 2B from among the candidate base stations that can secure power for supply based on the number of connected terminals, and therefore it is possible to prevent a shortage of power required for communication connections with terminals and power for power supply while the second base station 2B is supplying power.

[0047] The second identification unit 133 may also identify a predicted connection number, which is the number of terminals predicted to be connected to each of the multiple candidate base stations. In this case, for example, a management device (not shown) is provided that stores the number of terminals connected in the past in each of the multiple time periods for each of the multiple base stations 2, and predicts the predicted number of terminals connected in the past in each of the multiple time periods based on the number of terminals connected in the past.

[0048] The second identification unit 133 transmits the base station ID of each of the multiple candidate base stations to the management device, and acquires from the management device prediction information indicating the predicted connection number for one or more time slots after the current time corresponding to each of the multiple candidate base stations, thereby identifying the predicted connection number for each of the multiple candidate base stations. The second identification unit 133 may then identify the second base station 2B from among the multiple candidate base stations based on the identified predicted connection number. In this manner, the information processing device 1 can prevent a shortage of power required for communication connections with terminals and power for power supply, which occurs when the number of terminals connected to the second base station 2B during power supply from the second base station 2B increases.

[0049] The instruction unit 134 instructs the second base station 2B identified by the second identification unit 133 to feed power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A, which receives wireless power and feeds power to at least one of the first base station 2A and the storage battery 3 provided in the first base station 2A. The instruction unit 134 transmits instruction information to the second base station 2B to feed power to the power receiving equipment 4 using the second antenna for wireless power feeding. The instruction information includes, for example, direction information indicating the direction of the first base station 2A when the position of the second base station 2B is used as a reference. When the second base station 2B receives the instruction information, for example, it performs tilt control to change the direction of the second antenna, so that the radio waves transmitted from the second antenna are transmitted in the direction of the direction information, and starts feeding power to the power receiving equipment 4 by the second antenna.

[0050] Furthermore, the instruction unit 134 specifies the number of connected terminals, which is the number of terminals that are communicatively connected to the second base station 2B. In this case, the acquisition unit 131 acquires connected terminal number information indicating the number of connected terminals from the second base station 2B, and the instruction unit 134 specifies the number of connected terminals corresponding to the second base station 2B based on the connected terminal number information.

[0051] Then, the instruction unit 134 may instruct the second base station 2B to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 of the first base station 2A when the identified number of connected terminals is equal to or less than a predetermined number, and may instruct the second base station 2B to stop supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4 of the first base station 2A when the identified number of terminals exceeds the predetermined number. In this manner, the information processing device 1 can prevent a shortage of power required for communication with a terminal connected for communication with the second base station 2B due to power supply to the power receiving equipment 4, which causes unstable communication with the terminal.

[0052] The instruction unit 134 may instruct the second base station 2B to feed power to the power receiving equipment 4 using the second antenna, and may also instruct the second base station 2B to reduce the output of radio waves from the first antenna. Furthermore, when the second base station 2B is transmitting radio waves of each of a plurality of frequency bands, the instruction unit 134 may instruct the second base station 2B to reduce the frequency to one frequency band and transmit the radio waves.

[0053] When instructing the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves in one frequency band, the instruction unit 134 may identify a frequency band with the lowest power consumption among a plurality of frequency bands corresponding to radio waves transmitted by the second base station 2B, and instruct the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves in the identified frequency band. In this way, the information processing device 1 can cause the second base station 2B to secure power for feeding to the power receiving equipment 4.

[0054] The instruction unit 134 may also instruct the first base station 2A to reduce the output of radio waves from the first antenna. When the first base station 2A transmits radio waves of each of a plurality of frequency bands, the instruction unit 134 may instruct the first base station 2A to reduce the number of frequency bands to one and transmit the radio waves. In this case, the instruction unit 134 may specify a frequency band with the lowest power consumption among a plurality of frequency bands corresponding to the radio waves transmitted by the first base station 2A, and instruct the first base station 2A to transmit radio waves of the specified frequency band. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the power consumption per unit time of the first base station 2A and extend the operation time of the first base station 2A.

[0055] In addition, when the instruction unit 134 instructs the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves of one frequency band, the instruction unit 134 instructs the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves of the frequency band with the lowest power consumption, but is not limited to this. The instruction unit 134 may specify a frequency band with the largest number of terminals connected to the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B, which is instructed to transmit radio waves of one frequency band, among a plurality of frequency bands corresponding to radio waves that the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B can transmit, and instruct the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves of the specified frequency band. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the number of terminals that cannot communicate by causing the first base station 2A or the second base station 2B to transmit radio waves of one frequency band.

[0056] Furthermore, when the instruction unit 134 instructs the first base station 2A to transmit radio waves in one frequency band, the instruction unit 134 may determine whether the remaining amount of stored power of the storage battery 3 provided in the first base station 2A exceeds a third threshold, which is a threshold equal to or greater than the first threshold, based on the latest remaining amount of stored power information of the first base station 2A acquired by the acquisition unit 131. Then, when the instruction unit 134 determines that the remaining amount of stored power of the storage battery 3 exceeds the third threshold, the instruction unit 134 may instruct the first base station 2A to transmit radio waves in a plurality of frequency bands. In this manner, the information processing device 1 can restore the communication environment in the first base station 2A when the remaining amount of stored power of the storage battery 3 corresponding to the first base station 2A is restored.

[0057] The notification unit 135 notifies a terminal connected to the first base station 2A of information indicating that the first base station 2A may become unavailable. For example, in response to the start of power supply to the power receiving equipment 4 of the first base station 2A, the notification unit 135 identifies the amount of power supplied to the power receiving equipment 4, the remaining amount of power stored in the storage battery 3 provided in the first base station 2A, and the amount of power consumed in the first base station 2A.

[0058] In this case, the acquisition unit 131 receives from the first base station 2A power supply amount information indicating the amount of power supplied to the power receiving equipment 4, remaining power storage amount information corresponding to the first base station 2A, and power consumption information indicating the amount of power consumed in the first base station 2A. The notification unit 135 determines whether the remaining power storage amount of the first base station 2A is decreasing based on the power supply amount indicated by the power supply amount information and the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information. Note that the notification unit 135 may cause the acquisition unit 131 to acquire remaining power storage amount information corresponding to the first base station 2A at predetermined time intervals, and determine whether the remaining power storage amount of the first base station 2A is decreasing based on the multiple pieces of remaining power storage amount information.

[0059] When the notification unit 135 determines that the remaining amount of stored power in the first base station 2A is decreasing, the notification unit 135 specifies the time when the operation of the first base station 2A will end based on the amount of power fed to the power receiving equipment 4 indicated by the power feed amount information, the remaining amount of stored power in the storage battery 3 of the first base station 2A, and the amount of power consumed in the first base station 2A indicated by the power consumption information. Then, the notification unit 135 notifies the terminal connected to the first base station 2A of prediction information indicating that the first base station 2A will become unable to communicate at the specified time. In this way, the information processing device 1 can make the user of the terminal connected to the first base station 2A aware that the first base station 2A will become unable to communicate.

[0060] Furthermore, the notification unit 135 may notify surrounding coverage area information related to the coverage area of ​​the base station 2 corresponding to the storage battery 3 whose remaining power storage amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold and is present within a predetermined range from the first base station 2A. For example, the notification unit 135 notifies the surrounding coverage area information to a terminal that is communicatively connected to the first base station 2A by instructing the first base station 2A to notify the surrounding coverage area information to the terminal. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prompt the user of the mobile terminal connected to the first base station 2A to move to the surrounding coverage area in order to continue communication.

[0061] [Operation flow] Next, a description will be given of a process flow related to the information processing device 1. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow related to the information processing device 1.

[0062] First, the acquisition unit 131 acquires remaining power storage information indicating the remaining power storage amount of the storage battery 3 provided in each of the multiple base stations 2 (S1). Next, the first identification unit 132 identifies, from among the multiple base stations 2, a first base station 2A that is a base station 2 whose remaining power storage amount is below a first threshold, based on the remaining power storage information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 from each of the multiple base stations 2 (S2).

[0063] Next, the second identification unit 133 identifies a second base station 2B that can wirelessly supply power to the first base station 2A based on the base station position information stored in the memory unit 12 and the remaining power storage information corresponding to each of the multiple base stations 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 131 (S3).

[0064] Next, the instruction unit 134 instructs the second base station 2B specified in S3 to wirelessly feed power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A (S4).

[0065] Next, the acquisition unit 131 acquires remaining power storage information corresponding to each of the first base station 2A and the second base station 2B (S5). Next, the instruction unit 134 determines whether the first remaining power storage amount, which is the remaining power storage amount of the storage battery 3 corresponding to the first base station 2A, has exceeded a third threshold value based on the remaining power storage information of the first base station 2A (S6). If the instruction unit 134 determines that the first remaining power storage amount has exceeded the third threshold value (YES in S6), the process proceeds to S8, and the instruction unit 134 instructs the end of power supply to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. If the instruction unit 134 determines that the first remaining power storage amount has not exceeded the third threshold value (NO in S6), the process proceeds to S7.

[0066] Next, the instruction unit 134 determines whether the second remaining power storage amount, which is the remaining power storage amount of the storage battery 3 corresponding to the second base station 2B, has fallen below the first threshold based on the remaining power storage amount information of the second base station 2B (S7). When the instruction unit 134 determines that the second remaining power storage amount has fallen below the first threshold, that is, that the second base station 2B has run out of power supply (YES in S7), the instruction unit 134 proceeds to S8 and instructs the end of power supply to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. When the instruction unit 134 determines that the second remaining power storage amount exceeds the first threshold (NO in S7), the instruction unit 134 proceeds to S5.

[0067] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the instruction unit 134 instructs the second base station 2B to wirelessly feed power to the first base station 2A, but this is not limiting. When the second base station 2B and the first base station 2A are connected by a wired electric path for feeding power, the instruction unit 134 may instruct the second base station 2B to feed power to the first base station 2A via a wire.

[0068] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the second base station 2B identified by the second identification unit 133 uses the second antenna to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A, but this is not limited thereto. For example, one or more flying objects, such as a drone, provided corresponding to the second base station 2B and capable of supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4 may supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. In this case, the flying object has a storage battery different from the storage battery provided in the second base station 2B, and is waiting at a charging station provided adjacent to the base station, which is a charging station capable of charging the storage battery of the flying object. Here, the storage battery provided in the second base station 2B may have a charging control unit that functions as the charging station. Surplus power at the second base station 2B is stored in the storage battery of the flying object via the charging station. The charging control unit may supply power to the storage battery of the flying object in a non-contact manner. The flying object is waiting at the charging station, but this is not limited thereto. The aircraft may be flying or landing at a location different from the second base station 2B, such as in the vicinity of the second base station 2B.

[0069] The instruction unit 134 instructs the flying object waiting at the charging station attached to the second base station 2B identified by the second identification unit 133 to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A. Note that the instruction unit 134 may instruct the second base station 2B to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 of the first base station 2A, and the second base station 2B may instruct the flying object waiting at the charging station attached to itself to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A.

[0070] The flying object has a reception unit that receives a power supply instruction from the instruction unit 134 of the information processing device 1 or the second base station 2B to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A, a position determination unit that determines its own position, a flight control unit that flies to the installation location of the power receiving equipment 4 in response to the reception unit receiving the power supply instruction, and a power supply control unit that determines whether or not the flying object has arrived at the installation location of the power receiving equipment 4 based on its own position determined by the position determination unit, and supplies power from the storage battery to the power receiving equipment 4 in response to determining that the flying object has arrived at the installation location of the power receiving equipment 4.

[0071] The power supply control unit specifies the stored power, which is the power stored in the storage battery of the flying object, and specifies the power consumption required for the flying object to travel back and forth between the charging station and the power receiving equipment 4. Then, the power supply control unit supplies power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A, with the power obtained by subtracting the power consumption from the specified stored power as the upper limit. Note that the power supply control unit may supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 in a non-contact manner. Also, if the storage battery provided in the first base station 2A is a storage battery that can supply power in a non-contact manner, the power supply control unit may supply power to the storage battery in a non-contact manner. In this way, it is possible to use the flying object to supply power to the first base station 2A that has lost power supply due to a power outage, and therefore it is possible to extend the state in which the first base station 2A can communicate with the terminal.

[0072] When the aircraft is flying or landing at a position near the second base station 2B, the instruction unit 134 or the second base station 2B may instruct the aircraft to charge at a charging station provided adjacent to the second base station 2B. After the charging of the storage battery of the aircraft is completed, the instruction unit 134 or the second base station 2B may instruct the aircraft to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A.

[0073] In addition, the charging station is assumed to be installed next to the base station, but this is not limiting and may be installed at a location different from the base station. In this case, the acquisition unit 131 of the information processing device 1 acquires the remaining charge amount information corresponding to each of the multiple flying objects by receiving the flying object ID for identifying the flying object and the remaining charge amount information transmitted from each of the multiple flying objects. The second identification unit 133 acquires flying object position information indicating the current position of each of the multiple flying objects from the flying object.

[0074] Then, the second identification unit 133 identifies an aircraft capable of flying to the installation position of the first base station 2A and capable of wirelessly supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A, based on the aircraft position information and the remaining power information of each of the multiple aircraft acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, based on the aircraft position information and the remaining power information of each of the multiple aircraft acquired by the acquisition unit 131, the second identification unit 133 identifies an aircraft capable of wirelessly supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4, the aircraft having a storage battery with a storage capacity greater than the power required for a round trip between the charging station and the installation position of the first base station 2A and a chargeable capacity from the storage battery to the power receiving equipment 4 equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, as an aircraft capable of wirelessly supplying power to the power receiving equipment 4. The instruction unit 134 instructs the aircraft identified by the second identification unit 133 to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A.

[0075] [Effects of information processing device 1] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment refers to the remaining power information indicating the remaining power of the storage battery 3 provided in each of the multiple base stations 2 related to wireless communication, identifies the first base station 2A that is the base station 2 corresponding to the storage battery 3 whose remaining power is below a predetermined threshold, identifies the second base station 2B that is the base station capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station 2A based on the base station location information and the remaining power information, and instructs the identified second base station 2B to supply power to the power receiving equipment 4 provided in the first base station 2A that receives wireless power and supplies power to at least one of the first base station 2A and the storage battery 3 provided in the first base station 2A. In this way, the information processing device 1 can extend the state in which the first base station 2A, which is no longer supplied with power due to a power outage, can communicate with the terminal.

[0076] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote industry, innovation and infrastructure."

[0077] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Information processing device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 1st Specific Part 133 Second Specific Part 134 Instruction section 135 Notification Department 2 base station

Claims

1. a first identification unit that refers to remaining power storage information indicating remaining power storage amounts of storage batteries that are provided in each of a plurality of base stations related to wireless communication and that can supply power to the base station, and identifies a first base station that is a base station corresponding to a storage battery whose remaining power storage amount is below a predetermined threshold; a second identification unit that identifies a second base station that is a base station capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, based on base station location information indicating a location of each of a plurality of base stations and the remaining power storage information; an instruction unit that instructs the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to a power receiving facility provided in the first base station, the power receiving facility receiving wireless power and supplying power to at least one of the first base station and a storage battery provided in the first base station; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. the second identification unit identifies a power supply efficiency to the power receiving equipment of each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and identifies a candidate base station having a relatively high identified power supply efficiency as the second base station from among the plurality of candidate base stations. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the second identification unit transmits radio waves from each of the plurality of candidate base stations, and identifies a power supply efficiency of each of the plurality of candidate base stations to the power receiving equipment based on a power intensity of the radio waves received by the first base station when the first base station receives the radio waves; The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the second identification unit identifies a distance between each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station and the first base station based on the base station location information, and identifies, among the plurality of candidate base stations, a candidate base station that is relatively close to the identified first base station as the second base station; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the second identification unit identifies a number of terminals communicatively connected to each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and identifies the second base station from among the plurality of candidate base stations based on the identified number of terminals; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the second identification unit identifies a predicted number of connections, which is the number of terminals predicted to be communicatively connected to each of a plurality of candidate base stations capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station, and identifies the second base station from among the plurality of candidate base stations based on the identified predicted number of connections. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The instruction unit identifies a number of terminals that are communicatively connected to the second base station identified by the second identification unit, and instructs the power receiving equipment to supply power when the number of the identified terminals is equal to or less than a predetermined number, and instructs the power receiving equipment to stop supplying power when the number of the identified terminals exceeds the predetermined number. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. the second base station has a first antenna for transmitting radio waves of a first frequency used for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and a second antenna for transmitting radio waves of a second frequency different from the first frequency; The instruction unit instructs the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to the power receiving equipment using the second antenna. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. The instruction unit instructs the second base station identified by the second identification unit to supply power to the power receiving equipment using the second antenna and to reduce an output of radio waves from the first antenna. The information processing device according to claim 8.

10. the first base station and the second base station are capable of transmitting radio waves corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands, The instruction unit instructs the second base station to supply power to the power receiving equipment and instructs at least one of the first base station and the second base station to transmit radio waves in one frequency band. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. the instruction unit identifies a frequency band with the lowest power consumption among the plurality of frequency bands corresponding to radio waves that a base station that is instructed to transmit radio waves in one frequency band can transmit, and instructs the base station to transmit radio waves in the identified frequency band. The information processing device according to claim 10.

12. the instruction unit identifies a frequency band having the largest number of terminals connected for communication among the plurality of frequency bands corresponding to radio waves that a base station instructed to transmit radio waves of one frequency band can transmit, and instructs the base station to transmit radio waves of the identified frequency band. The information processing device according to claim 10.

13. the instruction unit instructs the first base station to transmit radio waves in a plurality of frequency bands when a remaining amount of power stored in a storage battery provided in the first base station exceeds the predetermined threshold in a case where the instruction unit has instructed the first base station to transmit radio waves in one frequency band. The information processing device according to claim 10.

14. a notification unit that specifies a time when the operation of the first base station will end based on an amount of power supplied to the power receiving equipment, a remaining amount of power stored in a storage battery provided in the first base station, and an amount of power consumed in the first base station, and notifies information related to the specified time; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

15. The computer executes a step of referring to remaining power storage amount information indicating remaining power storage amounts of storage batteries provided in each of a plurality of base stations related to wireless communication and capable of supplying power to the base station, and identifying a first base station that is a base station corresponding to a storage battery whose remaining power storage amount is below a predetermined threshold; Identifying a second base station that is a base station capable of wirelessly supplying power to the first base station based on base station location information indicating the locations of each of a plurality of base stations and the remaining power storage information; instructing the second base station to supply power to a power receiving facility provided in the first base station, the power receiving facility receiving wireless power and supplying power to at least one of the first base station and a storage battery provided in the first base station; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

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