Mobile body management device, mobile body management method, and mobile body management program

Abstract

A mobile body management device 60 can steadily execute work that uses a mobile body 80 at low cost by being provided with: an acceptance unit 61 for accepting work information 600 indicating a usage application, a usage time, and a usage location of the mobile body 80 in the work that uses the mobile body 80; a determination unit 62 for collating the usage time and the usage location indicated by the work information 600 with mobile body management information 620 indicating a storage location and an available time for the mobile body 80, and determining, as a work execution mobile body for executing the work, a mobile body 80 which is available for the usage time and for which the relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies a criterion; a control information generation unit 63 for generating control information 630 for controlling the movement of the work execution mobile body in the work in accordance with the usage application indicated by the work information 600; and, a control information transmission unit 64 for transmitting the generated control information 630 to a mobile body control device 70 for controlling the movement of the work execution mobile body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile body management device, a mobile body management method, and a recording medium storing a mobile body management program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, devices that can move automatically or by human operation, such as drones or robots (hereinafter referred to as mobile bodies in this application), have been used in various scenarios. And technologies for using such mobile bodies in various businesses, such as the logistics business and the advertising business, have been evolving.

[0003] As a technology related to such technologies, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery drone equipped with a motor-driven unmanned aircraft. This delivery drone is provided with a wireless communication module that enables transmission of information to the delivery drone and reception of information from the delivery drone. This delivery drone is provided with at least one position identification receiver that acquires position data indicating the position of the drone in real time or almost in real time, and a signal receiver that receives a customer identification transmission signal. And this delivery drone is attached to the delivery drone so as to store one or more items during delivery, and when the delivery drone arrives at the delivery position and the customer identification transmission signal is received and authenticated, it is provided with a delivery unit for delivering the stored items to the customer.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a flight-type in-store advertising system that flies an unmanned aircraft on which in-store advertisements are displayed according to flight route data of in-store passages transmitted from a flight control terminal. The unmanned aircraft in this system has aircraft-side communication means and aircraft flight means for flying the unmanned aircraft according to the flight route data. And the flight control terminal in this system has flight route setting means, flight route data storage means, terminal-side communication means, and terminal-side control means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As the opportunities for mobile bodies such as drones to be used in business operations increase, in order to avoid opportunity losses in business and carry out operations steadily, it is necessary to store and manage drones so that they can be used at any time. However, for example, if a large number of drones are stored by business operators, the management cost of the drones will increase. Therefore, it is an issue to be able to carry out operations using mobile bodies such as drones steadily at low cost. Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not particularly mention this issue.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to steadily carry out operations using mobile bodies at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A mobile body management device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a reception unit that receives business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the mobile body in operations using the mobile body; a collation unit that collates the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with mobile body management information representing a storage location and available time related to the mobile body, and determines, as a business execution mobile body for carrying out the operation, the mobile body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies a standard; a control information generation unit that generates control information for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the operation according to the usage purpose represented by the business information; and a control information transmission unit that transmits the generated control information to a mobile body control device that controls the movement of the business execution mobile body.

[0009] In another aspect for achieving the above object, a mobile body management method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method in which an information processing apparatus receives business information representing a usage purpose, a usage time, and a usage location of a mobile body in a business using the mobile body, collates the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with mobile body management information representing a storage location and an available time related to the mobile body, determines, as a business execution mobile body for performing the business, the mobile body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies a standard, generates control information for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the business according to the usage purpose represented by the business information, and transmits the generated control information to a mobile body control apparatus that controls the movement of the business execution mobile body.

[0010] Further, in a further aspect for achieving the above object, a mobile body management program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute a reception process of receiving business information representing a usage purpose, a usage time, and a usage location of a mobile body in a business using the mobile body, a determination process of collating the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with mobile body management information representing a storage location and an available time related to the mobile body, and determining, as a business execution mobile body for performing the business, the mobile body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies a standard, a control information generation process of generating control information for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the business according to the usage purpose represented by the business information, and a control information transmission process of transmitting the generated control information to a mobile body control apparatus that controls the movement of the business execution mobile body.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a computer-readable non-volatile recording medium storing such a mobile body management program (computer program).

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a mobile body management device and the like that enable a business using a mobile body to be steadily carried out at low cost can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drone management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The drone management system 1 according to the present embodiment manages one or more drones 50 (an example of a mobile body) used in various businesses such as a logistics business and an advertising business, and controls the performance of a business using the drones 50. The drone management system 1 may also be targeted at operations such as assisting in the evacuation of residents in the area where a disaster or accident has occurred using the drones 50.

[0016] In the drone management system 1, the drone 50 to be managed is, for example, an aircraft owned (stored) by an individual or a business operator. That is, the drone management system 1 is a system that procures the drone 50 owned by an individual or a business operator for a person (business operator) who desires to use the drone 50 for the performance of a certain business and does not store the drone 50.

[0017] The drone 50 shall transmit (send) a remote ID 500. The remote ID is a mechanism that enables the identification of the aircraft from the drone and remotely collects the identification information transmitted from the drone. The remote ID 500 includes, as information that can identify the drone 50, for example, a registration mark, a manufacturing number, position information, time, etc. Note that the information included in the remote ID 500 is not limited to the information described above, and may include, for example, information indicating the state of the drone 50.

[0018] The drone management system 1 generally includes a drone management device 10, an information processing terminal device 20, a drone control device 30, and an information processing terminal device 40. The drone management device 10 and the drone control device 30 are, in order, examples of a mobile body management device and a mobile body control device. The information processing terminal device 20, the drone control device 30, and the information processing terminal device 40 are communicably connected to the drone management device 10 via, for example, a wireless or wired communication network.

[0019] The information processing terminal device 20 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone. The information processing terminal device 20 receives an input operation of business information 200 representing the business by a user who desires to use the drone 50, for example, in a business such as a logistics business or an advertising business, or in a business of assisting residents in the area where a disaster or an accident has occurred.

[0020] The business information 200 represents the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the drone 50 in the business that uses the drone 50. The business information 200 may also represent the movement capabilities (such as flight endurance and flight speed, etc.) of the drone 50 required for the performance of the business. When multiple drones 50 are required for the performance of the business, the business information 200 may include the number of drones 50 that are desired to be used.

[0021] When the usage purpose of the drone 50 in the business is the delivery service in the logistics business, the business information 200 includes information representing, for example, the locations of the delivery origin and destination, the transportation capabilities required for the drone 50 (such as the weight and size of the goods to be delivered, etc.). When the usage purpose of the drone 50 in the business is the advertising business in the advertising business, the business information 200 includes information representing, for example, the location where the advertisement is to be carried out, and information on what kind of advertisement is to be carried out using the drone 50. When the usage purpose of the drone 50 in the business is the business of assisting in the evacuation of residents in the area where a disaster or accident has occurred, the business information 200 includes information representing, for example, the location where the disaster or accident has occurred, and information on how to communicate the situation of the disaster or accident to the residents using the drone 50 and how to guide the evacuation of the residents.

[0022] The information processing terminal device 20 transmits the business information 200 input by the user who wants to use the drone 50 in the business to the drone management device 10.

[0023] The drone management device 10 is an information processing device such as a server, and includes a reception unit 11, a determination unit 12, a control information generation unit 13, a control information transmission unit 14, a charging and reward control unit 15, a reception unit 16, and a storage unit 17. The reception unit 11, the determination unit 12, the control information generation unit 13, the control information transmission unit 14, the charging and reward control unit 15, and the reception unit 16 are examples of a reception means, a determination means, a control information generation means, a control information transmission means, a charging and reward control means, and a reception means, respectively.

[0024] The storage unit 17 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disk 904, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. The storage unit 17 stores drone management information 171 and control information 172. These pieces of information stored in the storage unit 17 will be described later.

[0025] The reception unit 11 receives (receives) the business information 200 transmitted from the information processing terminal device 20. The reception unit 11 may store the received business information 200 in the storage unit 17.

[0026] The determination unit 12 collates the time and location for using the drone 50 represented by the business information 200 received by the reception unit 11 with the drone management information 171. The drone management information 171 is information representing the storage location (takeoff and landing location) and available time regarding the drone 50 that is the management target of the drone management device 10. The drone management information 171 may include, as information for identifying each individual drone 50, for example, a registration symbol included in the remote ID 500 regarding each individual drone. The drone management information 171 may also include information representing the movement ability, carrying ability, etc. regarding the drone 50 that is the management target of the drone management device 10.

[0027] The drone management information 171 is updated at any time, for example, by an individual or a business operator who owns the drone 50.

[0028] The decision-making unit 12 searches for the drone 50 that is in an available state at the time of using the drone 50 indicated by the business information 200 in the drone management information 171, and whose relationship between the storage location of the drone 50 indicated by the business information 200 and the location where the drone 50 indicated by the business information 200 is used meets the criteria. More specifically, the decision-making unit 12 searches for the drone 50 that satisfies, for example, that the distance between the usage location and the storage location of the drone 50 is equal to or less than the threshold value, or that the time required to move from the storage location to the usage location is equal to or less than the threshold value. Note that the decision-making unit 12 can calculate the time required for the drone 50 to move from the storage location to the usage location from the distance between the usage location and the storage location and the flight speed of the drone 50.

[0029] For example, when the business information 200 represents a goods delivery business, the decision-making unit 12 determines the drone 50 stored in a location close to the delivery source that is available at the time of delivery as a candidate for the business execution drone (an example of a business execution moving body) that executes the business represented by the business information 200. For example, when the business information 200 represents an advertising business, the decision-making unit 12 determines the drone 50 stored in a location close to the location where the advertisement is to be made that is available at the time of advertising as a candidate for the business execution drone. For example, when the business information 200 represents a business of assisting residents in the area where a disaster or accident has occurred, the decision-making unit 12 determines the drone 50 stored in a location close to the area where the disaster or accident has occurred that is available at the time of assisting the residents as a candidate for the business execution drone. Then, based on the moving ability and carrying ability, etc. of the drone 50 required for the execution of the business represented by the business information 200 among the drones 50 that are candidates for the business execution drone, the decision-making unit 12 determines the most suitable drone 50 for the execution of the business as the business execution drone.

[0030] The control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling the movement of the business execution drone in the business indicated by the business information 200 according to the usage purpose of the drone 50 included in the business information 200.

[0031] For example, when the use of the drone 50 represented by the business information 200 is for goods delivery services, the control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling the business execution drone to move from the storage location of the business execution drone, via the delivery origin and destination, back to the storage location of the business execution drone. In this case, the control information 172 includes information representing the time when the business execution drone moves during goods delivery and its movement route.

[0032] For example, when the use of the drone 50 represented by the business information 200 is for advertising services, the control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling a plurality of business execution drones in flight to display at least one of characters and pictures representing an advertisement in the air by forming a formation as indicated by the business information 200. In this case, the control information 172 includes information representing the positional relationship of the plurality of drones 50 for displaying characters and pictures representing an advertisement in the air. Alternatively, the control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling the business execution drone to fly along a predetermined flight route with a hanging curtain representing an advertisement or to stop in a floating state at a certain location.

[0033] When the drone 50 performs the advertising service represented by the business information 200, the receiving unit 16 of the drone management device 10 may receive the remote ID 500 transmitted from the drone 50 via the information processing terminal device 40.

[0034] The information processing terminal device 40 is a device (hereinafter may be referred to as a remote identification terminal in this embodiment) having a function capable of collecting the remote ID 500. The information processing terminal device 40 includes an identification information receiving unit 41 and an identification information transmitting unit 42. The identification information receiving unit 41 receives the remote ID 500 transmitted from the drone 50. However, the drone 50 transmits the remote ID 500 using a communication method that can be received by the information processing terminal device 40. The identification information transmitting unit 42 transmits the remote ID 500 received by the identification information receiving unit 41 to the drone management device 10.

[0035] The charging and reward control unit 15 of the drone management device 10 grants a reward such as bonus points as a token of gratitude to the owner of the information processing terminal device 40 that transmitted the remote ID 500 received by the reception unit 16 for viewing the advertisement performed by the drone 50. However, it is assumed that the drone management device 10 can communicate with a system that manages rewards such as bonus points of the owner of the information processing terminal device 40.

[0036] For example, when the usage of the drone 50 represented by the business information 200 is a business that supports the evacuation of residents in the area where a disaster or accident has occurred, the control information generation unit 13 collects information representing the occurrence status of the disaster or accident indicated by the business information 200 from above the sky and generates control information 172 for controlling the business execution drone to fly so as to present the collected information to the residents. However, it is assumed that the drone 50 is equipped with a camera capable of imaging the occurrence status of a disaster or accident and a sensor capable of collecting meteorological information.

[0037] The control information generation unit 13 may also generate control information 172 for controlling the business execution drone so as to present the collected information representing the occurrence status of the disaster or accident to the residents by voice or by displaying characters in the air by forming a formation. Alternatively, the control information generation unit 13 may generate control information 172 for controlling the business execution drone so as to generate an evacuation route for the residents and guide the evacuation of the residents by moving along the evacuation route. However, it is assumed that the control information generation unit 13 can obtain information necessary for generating the evacuation route in the area where a disaster or accident has occurred from an external device capable of communication.

[0038] The control information generation unit 13 may also generate control information 172 for controlling the task-performing drone so as to add the remote ID 500 to the video imaging the occurrence status of disasters and accidents and transmit it to a management system (installed in, for example, local governments or transportation operation companies) for managing disasters and accidents. In this case, the management system shall have a function of identifying the detailed location of the disaster or accident occurrence site from the remote ID 500 and notifying the residents in the neighboring areas of the disaster or accident occurrence site of the information on the occurrence status of the disaster or accident via the Internet or broadcasting.

[0039] The control information transmission unit 14 transmits the control information 172 generated by the control information generation unit 13 as described above to the drone control device 30 that controls the movement of the task-performing drone (drone 50). The drone control device 30 may be a device that automatically performs flight control of the drone 50 or a controller that receives an input operation by an operator who operates the drone 50. However, when the drone control device 30 is the controller, the drone control device 30 shall transmit the remote ID 500 of the drone 50 to be controlled to the drone management device 10 so that the drone management device 10 can identify the drone 50 to be controlled.

[0040] When the drone control device 30 is a controller that receives an input operation by an operator who operates the drone 50, it includes a display control unit 31 and a display screen 32.

[0041] When the drone control device 30 is a device that automatically performs flight control of the drone 50, the control information generation unit 13 generates the control information 172 in a data format that enables the drone control device 30 to perform flight control of the drone 50. In this case, the drone control device 30 may be included in the drone management device 10.

[0042] When the drone control device 30 is the controller described above, the control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for instructing the input operation. In this case, the display control unit 31 of the drone control device 30 displays the control information 172 received from the drone management device 10 on the display screen 32. In this case, the operator may operate the drone 50 so as to perform the operation represented by the service information 200 according to the control information 172 displayed on the display screen 32.

[0043] The charging and reward control unit 15 of the drone management device 10 charges the user who uses the drone 50 in the operation represented by the service information 200, and gives a reward to the owner of the drone 50 that provided the drone 50 for the performance of the operation. However, it is assumed that the drone management device 10 is communicable with a system that manages the charging of the user of the drone 50 and the giving of the reward to the owner of the drone 50.

[0044] Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the operation (processing) of the drone management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0045] The reception unit 11 of the drone management device 10 receives the service information 200 transmitted from the information processing terminal device 20 (step S101). The determination unit 12 determines, from the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the drone 50 indicated by the service information 200 received by the reception unit 11 and the drone management information 171, the drone 50 most suitable for performing the operation represented by the service information 200 as the operation execution drone (step S102).

[0046] When the drone 50 is an autopilot (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104. When the drone 50 is not an autopilot (i.e., is operated by an operator) (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0047] The control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling the movement of the drone 50 to perform the operation represented by the service information 200 by automatic piloting (step S104). The control information transmission unit 14 transmits the control information 172 generated by the control information generation unit 13 to the drone control device 30 (step S105). The drone control device 30 controls the movement of the drone 50 based on the control information 172 received from the drone management device 10 (step S106), and the process proceeds to step S110.

[0048] The control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 representing the operation procedure of the drone 50 for manually operating the operation represented by the service information 200 (step S107). The control information transmission unit 14 transmits the control information 172 generated by the control information generation unit 13 to the drone control device 30 (step S108). The display control unit 31 of the drone control device 30 displays the control information 172 received from the drone management device 10 on the display screen 32 (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S110.

[0049] After the completion of the execution of the operation represented by the service information 200 by the drone 50, the charging and reward control unit 15 of the drone management device 10 performs charging on the user of the drone 50 that has performed the operation and grants a reward to the owner of the drone 50 that has provided the drone 50 for the execution of the operation (step S110), and the overall process ends.

[0050] The drone management device 10 (mobile body management device) according to the present embodiment can realize the reliable execution of the operation using the drone 50 (mobile body) at low cost. The reason is that the drone management device 10 receives the service information 200 representing the operation using the drone 50, determines the most suitable drone 50 for the execution of the operation from the usage method of the drone 50 indicated by the service information 200 and the drone management information 171, generates control information 172 for controlling the movement of the drone 50 to perform the operation, and transmits the control information 172 to the drone control device 30.

[0051] The effects achieved by the drone management device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0052] As the opportunities for mobile bodies such as drones to be used in business operations increase, in order to avoid business opportunity losses and steadily carry out operations, it is necessary to store and manage drones so that they can be used at any time. However, for example, if a large number of drones are stored by business operators, the drone management costs will increase. Therefore, it is an issue to enable the operations using mobile bodies such as drones to be steadily carried out at low cost.

[0053] In response to such problems, the drone management device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a reception unit 11, a determination unit 12, a control information generation unit 13, and a control information transmission unit 14, and operates as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2B. That is, the reception unit 11 receives business information 200 representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the drone 50 in the operation using the drone 50. The determination unit 12 collates the usage time and usage location of the drone 50 represented by the business information 200 with the drone management information 171 representing the storage location and available time regarding the drone 50, and determines the drone 50 that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard as the operation execution drone. The control information generation unit 13 generates control information 172 for controlling the movement of the operation execution drone in the operation according to the usage purpose represented by the business information 200. Then, the control information transmission unit 14 transmits the generated control information 172 to the drone control device 30 that controls the movement of the operation execution drone.

[0054] That is, when, for example, an operator who does not store the drone 50 conducts a task using the drone 50, the drone management device 10 according to this embodiment determines, among the drones 50 registered in the drone management information 171, the drone 50 suitable for the execution of the task, and realizes that the determined drone 50 executes the task. Thereby, since the operator can procure the drone 50 necessary for the execution of the task at any time without storing the drone 50 by himself / herself, the drone management device 10 can realize the reliable execution of the task using the drone 50 at low cost.

[0055] Also, the drone management device 10 according to this embodiment determines, as the task execution drone, the drone 50 that satisfies the movement ability and the transportation ability from the task information 200 representing the movement ability and the transportation ability of the drone 50 required for the execution of the task. Thereby, the drone management device 10 can accurately determine the drone 50 suitable for the execution of the task.

[0056] Also, when the task information 200 represents an advertising task, the drone management device 10 according to this embodiment generates control information 172 for controlling a plurality of flying drones 50 so as to display at least one of characters and pictures representing an advertisement in the air by forming a formation. Further, the drone management device 10 receives the remote ID 500 from the information processing terminal device 40 that has received the remote ID 500 transmitted from the drone 50, and gives a reward such as bonus points to the owner of the information processing terminal device 40 that has transmitted the remote ID 500. Thereby, the drone management device 10 can enhance the advertising effect in the advertising task using the drone 50.

[0057] Further, when the business information 200 represents the assistance to the residents in the disaster-stricken area, the drone management device 10 according to the present embodiment generates control information 172 for controlling the flying drone 50 to collect information representing the disaster occurrence situation from above and present the collected information to the residents. Further, the drone management device 10 generates control information 172 for controlling the drone 50 to present the information collected regarding the disaster to the residents by voice or by displaying characters in the air by forming a formation. Then, the drone management device 10 generates control information 172 for controlling the drone 50 to generate an evacuation route for the residents and move along the evacuation route. Therefore, the drone management device 10 can realize accurately assisting the residents in the disaster-stricken area by using the drone 50.

[0058] Further, the information that can identify the drone 50 collected by the information processing terminal device 40 is not limited to the remote ID 500. The information processing terminal device 40 may collect information that can identify a drone 50 with a specification different from the remote ID 500.

[0059] Further, the drone management system 1 (mobile body management system) may manage mobile bodies other than the drone 50. The drone management system 1 may, for example, manage a robot or the like that is movable and capable of performing the business indicated by the business information 200 as a management target.

[0060] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile body management device 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mobile body management device 60 includes a reception unit 61, a determination unit 62, a control information generation unit 63, and a control information transmission unit 64. However, the reception unit 61, the determination unit 62, the control information generation unit 63, and the control information transmission unit 64 are examples of reception means, determination means, control information generation means, and control information transmission means in order.

[0061] The reception unit 61 receives business information 600 representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the mobile body 80 in the business using the mobile body 80. The mobile body 80 is a moving device such as the drone 50 according to the first embodiment, for example. The business information 600 is information similar to the business information 200 according to the first embodiment, for example. The reception unit 61 operates in the same manner as the reception unit 11 according to the first embodiment, for example.

[0062] The determination unit 62 collates the usage time and usage location of the mobile body 80 represented by the business information 600 with the mobile body management information 620 representing the storage location and available time related to the mobile body 80, and determines the mobile body 80 that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard as the business execution mobile body for performing the business. The mobile body management information 620 is information similar to the drone management information 171 according to the first embodiment, for example. The determination unit 62 operates in the same manner as the determination unit 12 according to the first embodiment, for example.

[0063] The control information generation unit 63 generates control information 630 for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the business according to the usage purpose represented by the business information 600. The control information 630 is information similar to the control information 172 according to the first embodiment, for example. The control information generation unit 63 operates in the same manner as the control information generation unit 13 according to the first embodiment, for example.

[0064] The control information transmission unit 64 transmits the generated control information 630 to the mobile body control device 70 that controls the movement of the business execution mobile body. The mobile body control device 70 is a device that operates in the same manner as the drone control device 30 according to the first embodiment, for example. The control information transmission unit 64 operates in the same manner as the control information transmission unit 14 according to the first embodiment, for example.

[0065] The mobile body management device 60 according to this embodiment can steadily perform the operations using the mobile body 80 at low cost. The reason is that the mobile body management device 60 receives the operation information 600 representing the operations using the mobile body 80, determines the most suitable mobile body 80 for performing the operation from the usage method of the mobile body 80 indicated by the operation information 600 and the mobile body management information 620, generates the control information 630 for controlling the movement of the mobile body 80 to perform the operation, and transmits the control information 630 to the mobile body control device 70.

[0066] <Hardware Configuration Example> In each of the above-described embodiments, each unit in the drone management device 10, the drone control device 30, the information processing terminal device 40 shown in FIG. 1, or the mobile body management device 60 shown in FIG. 3 can be realized by dedicated HW (HardWare) (electronic circuit). Further, in FIGS. 1 and 3, at least the following configurations can be regarded as functional (processing) units (software modules) of a software program. · Reception units 11 and 61, · Decision units 12 and 62, · Control information generation units 13 and 63, · Control information transmission units 14 and 64, · Billing and reward control unit 15, · Reception unit 16, · Storage control function in the storage unit 17, · Display control unit 31, · Identification information reception unit 41, · Identification information transmission unit 42.

[0067] However, the classification of each unit shown in these drawings is a configuration for convenience of explanation, and various configurations can be assumed in actual implementation. An example of the hardware environment in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplarily explaining the configuration of an information processing apparatus 900 (computer system) capable of realizing the drone management apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention or the mobile body management apparatus 60 according to the second embodiment. That is, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of at least one computer (information processing apparatus) capable of realizing each of the above-described apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and represents a hardware environment capable of realizing each function in the above-described embodiments.

[0069] The information processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 4 includes the following as components, but may not include some of the following components. · CPU (Central_Processing_Unit) 901, · ROM (Read_Only_Memory) 902, · RAM (Random_Access_Memory) 903, · Hard disk (storage device) 904, · Communication interface with external devices 905, · Bus 906 (communication line), · Reader / writer 908 capable of reading and writing data stored in a recording medium 907 such as a CD-ROM (Compact_Disc_Read_Only_Memory), · Input / output interface 909 such as a monitor, speaker, keyboard, etc.

[0070] That is, the information processing apparatus 900 including the above components is a general computer in which these components are connected via a bus 906. The information processing apparatus 900 may include a plurality of CPUs 901, or may include a CPU 901 configured by a multi-core. The information processing apparatus 900 may include a GPU (Graphical_Processing_Unit) (not shown) in addition to the CPU 901.

[0071] Then, the present invention described by taking the above-described embodiments as examples provides a computer program capable of realizing the following functions for the information processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 4. The functions are the above-described configurations in the block diagrams (FIGS. 1 and 3) referred to in the description of the embodiments, or the functions of the flowcharts (FIGS. 2A and 2B). The present invention is then achieved by reading out, interpreting, and executing the computer program by the CPU 901 of the hardware. Further, the computer program supplied into the apparatus may be stored in a readable and writable volatile memory (RAM 903), or a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM 902 or a hard disk 904.

[0072] Also, in the above case, a general procedure currently available can be adopted as a method for supplying the computer program into the hardware. Examples of such procedures include a method of installing the program into the apparatus via various recording media 907 such as a CD-ROM, and a method of downloading from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet. In such a case, the present invention can be regarded as being constituted by the code constituting such a computer program or the recording medium 907 storing the code.

[0073] The present invention has been described above by taking the above-described embodiments as exemplary examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, the present invention can be applied to various aspects understandable by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] Note that part or all of the above-described embodiments may also be described as follows in the appended claims. However, the present invention exemplified by the above-described embodiments is not limited to the following.

[0075] (Appended Claim 1) In a business using a moving body, reception means for receiving business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the moving body; Collate the usage time and usage location represented by the business information with the mobile body management information representing the storage location and available time related to the mobile body, and determine, as the business execution mobile body for performing the business, the mobile body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard; a determination means; Control information generation means for generating control information for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the business according to the usage purpose represented by the business information; Control information transmission means for transmitting the generated control information to a mobile body control device that controls the movement of the business execution mobile body; A mobile body management device comprising:

[0076] (Appendix 2) The determination means determines, as the business execution mobile body, the mobile body that satisfies the condition that the distance between the usage location and the storage location is equal to or less than a threshold value, or the time required to move from the storage location to the usage location is equal to or less than a threshold value. The mobile body management device according to Appendix 1.

[0077] (Appendix 3) The business information further represents the movement ability of the mobile body required for performing the business, The determination means determines, as the business execution mobile body, the mobile body that satisfies the movement ability. The mobile body management device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0078] (Appendix 4) Further comprising charging and reward control means for charging the user who used the business execution mobile body in the business and giving a reward to the owner of the business execution mobile body that provided the business execution mobile body. The mobile body management device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0079] (Appendix 5) The mobile body is a drone, The mobile body management information includes a remote ID capable of identifying the mobile body. The mobile body management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4.

[0080] (Supplementary Note 6) When the use represented by the business information is goods delivery, the determination means determines the mobile body stored at the location closest to the available delivery source at the time of delivery as the business execution mobile body. The control information generation means generates control information for controlling the business execution mobile body so as to move from the storage location of the business execution mobile body, via the delivery source and the delivery destination, back to the storage location of the business execution mobile body. The mobile body management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0081] (Supplementary Note 7) The business information further represents the transportation capacity of the mobile body required for the execution of the business. The determination means determines the mobile body that satisfies the transportation capacity as the business execution mobile body. The mobile body management device according to Supplementary Note 6.

[0082] (Supplementary Note 8) When the use represented by the business information is an advertising business, the control information generation means generates control information for controlling a plurality of flying business execution mobile bodies so as to display at least one of characters and pictures representing an advertisement in the air by forming a formation. The mobile body management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5.

[0083] (Supplementary Note 9) When the use represented by the business information is an advertising business, there is provided a receiving means for receiving the mobile body identification information from an information processing terminal device that has received the mobile body identification information capable of identifying the business execution mobile body and transmitted from the business execution mobile body. The charging and reward control means grants a reward to the owner of the information processing terminal device that has transmitted the mobile body identification information. The mobile body management device according to Supplementary Note 4.

[0084] (Appendix 10) When the use represented by the business information is the support for residents in the disaster-stricken area, the determination means determines the mobile body stored at the location closest to the disaster-stricken area that can be used at the time of providing support to residents as the business execution mobile body for performing the business. The control information generation means generates control information for controlling the business execution mobile body in flight so as to collect information representing the disaster occurrence situation from the sky and present the collected information to the residents. The mobile body management device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0085] (Appendix 11) The control information generation means generates control information for controlling the business execution mobile body so as to present the collected information to the residents by voice or by displaying characters in the air by forming a formation. The mobile body management device according to Appendix 10.

[0086] (Appendix 12) The control information generation means generates control information for controlling the business execution mobile body so as to generate an evacuation route for the residents and move along the evacuation route. The mobile body management device according to Appendix 10 or Appendix 11.

[0087] (Appendix 13) By an information processing device In a business using a mobile body, receive business information representing the use, use time, and use location of the mobile body. Compare the use time and use location represented by the business information with mobile body management information representing the storage location and available time related to the mobile body, and determine the mobile body that is available at the use time and whose relationship between the use location and the storage location satisfies the standard as the business execution mobile body for performing the business. Generate control information for controlling the movement of the business execution mobile body in the business according to the use represented by the business information. Transmit the generated control information to a movement control device that controls the movement of the business operation mobile body. Mobile body management method.

[0088] (Appendix 14) In a business that uses a mobile body, a reception process for receiving business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the mobile body, Compare the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with mobile body management information representing the storage location and available time related to the mobile body, and determine, as a business operation mobile body that performs the business, the mobile body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard. A determination process; A control information generation process for generating control information for controlling the movement of the business operation mobile body in the business according to the usage purpose represented by the business information; A control information transmission process for transmitting the generated control information to a movement control device that controls the movement of the business operation mobile body; A recording medium storing a mobile body management program for causing a computer to execute the above.

Explanation of symbols

[0089] 1 Drone management system 10 Drone management device 11 Reception unit 12 Determination unit 13 Control information generation unit 14 Control information transmission unit 15 Billing and reward control unit 16 Reception unit 17 Storage unit 171 Drone management information 172 Control information 20 Information processing terminal device 200 Business information 30 Drone control device 31 Display control unit 32 Display screen 40 Information processing terminal device 41 Identification information reception unit 42 Identification information transmission unit 50 drones 500 remote IDs 60 mobile body management device 600 business information 61 reception unit 62 decision-making unit 620 mobile body management information 63 control information generation unit 630 control information 64 control information transmission unit 70 mobile body control device 80 mobile body 900 information processing device 901 CPU 902 ROM 903 RAM 904 hard disk (storage device) 905 communication interface 906 bus 907 recording medium 908 reader / writer 909 input / output interface

Claims

1. In a business using a moving body, a receiving means for receiving business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the moving body; a determining means for collating the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with moving body management information representing a storage location and available time related to the moving body, and determining, as a business execution moving body for performing the business, the moving body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies a standard; a control information generating means for generating control information for controlling the movement of the business execution moving body in the business based on the business information; a control information transmitting means for transmitting the generated control information to a movement control device that controls the movement of the business execution moving body; a receiving means for receiving the moving body identification information from an information processing terminal that has received the moving body identification information capable of identifying the business execution moving body transmitted from the business execution moving body; a charging and reward control means for granting a reward to the owner of the information processing terminal that transmitted the moving body identification information; comprising; wherein the usage purpose represented by the business information is an advertising business; the moving body management device, wherein the reward is a reward for viewing an advertisement.

2. The determining means determines, as the business execution moving body, the moving body that satisfies the condition that the distance between the usage location and the storage location is equal to or less than a threshold value, or the time required to move from the storage location to the usage location is equal to or less than a threshold value. The moving body management device according to Claim 1.

3. The business information further represents the moving ability of the moving body required for performing the business; the determining means determines, as the business execution moving body, the moving body that satisfies the moving ability; The moving body management device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The charging and reward control means further charges a user who uses the business execution moving body in the business, and grants a reward to the owner of the business execution moving body that provided the business execution moving body. The moving body management device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The control information generating means generates the control information for controlling a plurality of flying business execution moving bodies so as to display at least one of characters and pictures representing an advertisement in the air by forming an arrangement. The moving body management device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The control information includes information representing the positional relationship of the plurality of the moving bodies. The moving body management device according to claim 5.

7. The control information generation means generates the control information for controlling the business execution moving body to fly along a predetermined route. The moving body management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The control information generation means generates the control information for controlling the business execution moving body to stop at a predetermined location. The moving body management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. By an information processing device, in a business using a moving body, receives business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the moving body, the usage purpose represented by the business information is an advertising business, compares the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with moving body management information representing the storage location and available time related to the moving body, and determines the moving body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard as the business execution moving body for performing the business, generates control information for controlling the movement of the business execution moving body in the business based on the business information, transmits the generated control information to a movement control device that controls the movement of the business execution moving body, receives the moving body identification information that can identify the business execution moving body and is transmitted from the business execution moving body from an information processing terminal device that has received the moving body identification information, gives a thank-you gift for viewing the advertisement to the owner of the information processing terminal device that transmitted the moving body identification information. A moving body management method.

10. In a business using a moving body, a reception process for receiving business information representing the usage purpose, usage time, and usage location of the moving body, a determination process for comparing the usage time and the usage location represented by the business information with moving body management information representing the storage location and available time related to the moving body, and determining the moving body that is available at the usage time and whose relationship between the usage location and the storage location satisfies the standard as the business execution moving body for performing the business, a control information generation process for generating control information for controlling the movement of the business execution moving body in the business based on the business information, a control information transmission process for transmitting the generated control information to a movement control device that controls the movement of the business execution moving body. A receiving process of receiving the mobile body identification information that can identify the business execution mobile body from an information processing terminal device that has received the mobile body identification information transmitted from the business execution mobile body, A charging reward control process of giving a gratuity to the owner of the information processing terminal device that transmitted the mobile body identification information, To be executed by a computer, The usage represented by the business information is an advertising business, In the charging reward control process, a mobile body management program that further gives a gratuity for viewing an advertisement to the owner of the information processing terminal device that transmitted the mobile body identification information.

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