Installation area management system, management server, installation area management method and program

Abstract

To automatically collect position information relating to a floating object and provide a user with installation area information generated based on the collected position information.SOLUTION: A management server for managing an installation area on a map representing an area in which a floating object is installed stores group information corresponding to a plurality of pieces of identification information each identifying a communication terminal device, receives, from communication terminal devices disposed in a plurality of locations of the floating object, terminal position information including the identification information and position information indicating present positions of the communication terminal devices, determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information including the identification information which is associated by the group information, the map consisting of a plurality of tiles divided in a mesh shape, generates and stores installation area information identifying one or more tiles including the area shape, and transmits the stored installation area information in response to a request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for identifying an area (hereinafter referred to as an "installation area") where aquaculture rafts, fish pond nets, fixed nets, fences, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "floating objects") are installed on the water by mooring them with anchors, and providing installation area information indicating the identified installation area to a ship, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation support system that shares ship movements and provides a function that is useful for preventing ship collisions. Paragraph

[0050] of Patent Document 1 discloses that an administrator can designate multiple points on a map of a water area to set, for example, an area where fixed nets are installed as a monitoring area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-201912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, many floating objects are installed in coastal waters by people involved in fishing and other water-based businesses. These floating objects are then removed depending on the season. When using the system disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the administrator must repeatedly perform the cumbersome task of designating and setting the installation areas for the numerous floating objects on a map, and then canceling the setting when the floating objects are removed.

[0005] This specification discloses an installation area management system, management server, installation area management method, and program that automatically collects location information about floating objects and provides installation area information generated based on the collected location information to consumers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An installation area management system according to a first aspect disclosed in this specification includes communication terminal devices placed at multiple locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages the installation area on a map representing the area where the floating object is installed. The communication terminal devices include an acquisition unit and a terminal communication unit. The acquisition unit acquires location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal devices. The terminal communication unit transmits terminal location information including identification information for identifying the communication terminal devices and location information to the management server. The management server includes a storage unit, a communication unit, a determination unit, and a generation unit. The storage unit stores group information associated with multiple pieces of identification information. The communication unit receives the terminal location information from the communication terminal devices. The determination unit determines an area shape indicating the shape of the installation area based on the multiple pieces of terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information. The map is composed of multiple tiles divided into a mesh shape. The generation unit generates installation area information that identifies one or more tiles including the area shape. The storage unit stores the installation area information, and the communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the storage unit in response to a request.

[0007] (2) In the installation area management system disclosed in (1) above, the group information may further include area shape information that specifies the layout relationship of the communication terminal devices in the area shape.

[0008] (3) An installation area management system according to a second aspect disclosed in this specification includes communication terminal devices placed at multiple locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages the installation area on a map that represents the area where the floating object is installed. The communication terminal devices include an acquisition unit and a terminal communication unit. The acquisition unit acquires location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal devices. The terminal communication unit transmits terminal location information to the management server, the terminal location information including identification information that identifies the communication terminal devices, the location information, and group identification information that identifies the group to which the communication terminal devices belong. The management server includes a communication unit, a determination unit, and a generation unit. The communication unit communicates the terminal location information from the communication terminal devices. The determination unit determines an area shape that indicates the shape of the installation area based on multiple pieces of terminal location information that include the same group identification information. The generation unit generates installation area information that identifies one or more tiles including the area shape, where the map is composed of multiple tiles divided into a mesh shape.

[0009] (4) In the installation area management system disclosed in (3) above, the terminal location information may further include area shape information that specifies the layout relationship of the communication terminal devices in the area shape.

[0010] (5) A management server according to a third aspect disclosed in this specification is a management server that manages installation areas on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed. The management server includes a memory unit, a communication unit, a determination unit, and a generation unit. The memory unit stores group information that associates multiple pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices. The communication unit receives terminal location information including identification information and location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal device from communication terminal devices placed at multiple locations on the floating object. The determination unit determines an area shape that indicates the shape of the installation area based on the multiple pieces of terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information. The map is composed of multiple tiles divided into a mesh. The generation unit generates installation area information that identifies one or more tiles including the area shape. The memory unit stores the installation area information, and the communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the memory unit in response to a request.

[0011] (6) The management server disclosed in (5) above may further include a non-reception determination unit and a malfunction notification unit. The non-reception determination unit determines that at least one of the multiple pieces of terminal location information including identification information associated by the group information has not been received. The malfunction notification unit considers that the communication terminal identified by the identification information included in the unreceived terminal location information is malfunctioning, and notifies a predetermined destination of the malfunction.

[0012] (7) In the management server disclosed in (6) above, the installation area information may further include reliability information indicating the reliability of the data, and when the non-reception determination unit detects that at least one piece of terminal location information has not been received, the generation unit may change the reliability information to a value that is less reliable than usual and generate the installation area information.

[0013] (8) The management server disclosed in (5) above may further include an abnormality determination unit and an abnormality notification unit. The abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred if the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information is further away than the location indicated by previously received terminal location information with the same identification information by a predetermined threshold or more. If an abnormality has been determined, the abnormality notification unit notifies a predetermined destination of the abnormality.

[0014] (9) An installation area management method according to a fourth aspect disclosed in this specification is an installation area management method for managing an installation area on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed, which method includes: storing group information associated with a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices; receiving terminal location information including the identification information and location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal devices from the communication terminal devices placed at a plurality of locations on the floating object; determining an area shape indicating the shape of the installation area based on the plurality of pieces of terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information; the map being composed of a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh; generating installation area information identifying one or more tiles including the area shape; storing the installation area information; and transmitting the stored installation area information upon request.

[0015] (10) A program according to a fifth aspect of the present specification is a program that causes a computer to execute an installation area management process that manages installation areas on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed. The computer includes a storage unit that stores group information that associates multiple pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices. The installation area management process includes the steps of: periodically receiving terminal location information, including the identification information and location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal device, from the communication terminal devices placed at multiple locations on the floating object; determining an area shape that indicates the shape of the installation area based on the multiple pieces of terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information; generating installation area information that identifies one or more tiles including the area shape, where the map is composed of multiple tiles divided into a mesh; storing the installation area information in the storage unit; and transmitting the stored installation area information in response to a request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] By using the installation area management system, which is one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the cumbersome manual input operations required by administrators, automatically collect location information of floating objects, and provide consumers with installation area information identified based on the location information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an installation area management system 10. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication terminal device 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management server 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of group information 33. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of terminal location information 34. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a map display device 6. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of installation area management processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the installation state of an oyster raft. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a simulated installation state of a floating object 2. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the positions indicated by terminal position information 34 are plotted on a map 50. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an area shape determined based on group information 33. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape are identified. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 60 displayed on a map display device 6. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a method for determining an area shape. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape determined in a modified example are identified. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the installation position of the communication terminal device 1 and the tile size. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which an area shape is determined based on group information 33. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape are identified. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of tile sizes identified from area shapes. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram showing an example of determining the area shape of a fish cage, which is a floating object 2. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a method for determining an area shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components (functional components) shown in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0019] [Configuration of installation area management system 10] The configuration of an installation area management system 10 will be described using Figures 1 to 3. The installation area management system 10 shown in Figure 1 is composed of a plurality of communication terminal devices 1 placed on a floating object 2 and a management server 3. The communication terminal devices 1 and the management server 3 communicate via a base station 4 and a network 100. Each communication terminal device 1 and the base station 4 communicate using a wireless communication method called LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The network 100 is composed of the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, a mobile communication network, etc.

[0020] The map display device 6 is a computer equipped with an acquisition function for acquiring its own position information, a display function for displaying the installation area 30 (described later) and its own position on a map 50, and a communication function for transmitting and receiving data. The map display device 6 is, for example, a smartphone or an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) installed on the ship 5.

[0021] The following is a brief overview of the operation of the installation area management system 10. First, at least two communication terminal devices 1 are placed at multiple locations on a floating object 2 installed on the water. The placed communication terminal devices 1 acquire location information indicating their own locations, and transmit terminal location information 34 including their own identification information and the acquired location information to the management server 3.

[0022] The management server 3 receives terminal location information 34 from each communication terminal device 1. The management server 3 stores group information 33 that associates the identification information of each communication terminal device 1. The management server 3 determines an area shape 21 that indicates the shape of an installation area 30 of the floating object 2 based on the group information 33 and the terminal location information 34. The map 50 that is managed by the management server 3 is made up of multiple tiles divided into a mesh shape. The management server 3 generates installation area information 35 that identifies the tiles that include the area shape 21.

[0023] The management server 3 receives a request for installation area information 36 around the location of the management server 3 from the map display device 6. In response to the request, the management server 3 transmits the corresponding installation area information 36 to the map display device 6. The map display device 6 can display the installation area 30 of the floating object 2 on the map 50 based on the received installation area information 36.

[0024] For example, when sailing the ship 5 at night or during foggy weather, it is difficult to visually confirm the floating object 2. In such cases, the user can steer the ship 5 so as not to collide with the floating object 2 by checking the positional relationship between the location of the device itself displayed on the map display device 6 and the installation area 30.

[0025] The floating object 2 includes a buoyant float member, and is installed so that a portion of the floating object 2 floats on the water and remains in a predetermined area on the water by anchor mooring. The floating object 2 is, for example, an oyster raft. The oyster raft has a skeleton made of rod-shaped members such as bamboo or wood arranged in a lattice pattern. Float members are attached to the skeleton of the oyster raft in several places, so the skeleton part floats on the water surface.

[0026] Hanging from the oyster raft's frame are strings of wires each made up of about 40 collectors (shells) with oyster larvae attached. Each oyster raft has 600 to 700 strings of wires.

[0027] The shape of an oyster raft is rectangular relative to the water surface on which it is installed. Each oyster raft is approximately 20m long and 10m wide. Oyster rafts are generally installed on the water in groups of several oyster rafts connected in a row. The group of oyster rafts is installed in a designated area on the water, with each raft connected by wire and the first and last oyster rafts moored with anchors.

[0028] The floating object 2 is, for example, a fixed net. There are many types of fixed nets, and they come in a variety of sizes. A fixed net is composed of a buoy (buoy) which is a floating member, an anchor, a main net and a main net, and ropes connecting these. In the case of a large fixed net, the main net portion is approximately 300m long and 70m wide, and the main net portion is approximately 2km to 4km long. The net is set in a water depth range of 27m to 70m. In the case of a small fixed net, it is smaller in size than a large one, but the net is set in a water depth range of 6m to 20m.

[0029] The vessel 5 is prohibited from entering the fixed net installation area 30. If the vessel 5 enters the installation area 30, the vessel 5 may get caught on the submerged net or the ropes connecting the net to the buoys, or the vessel 5 may be damaged by the water currents generated by the vessel's passage.

[0030] The floating object 2 may be, for example, a fish cage net or a fence. Fish cage nets are enclosures for cultivating fish and come in various shapes, such as round or hexagonal. Similar to oyster rafts, fish cage nets are often operated by connecting multiple nets with wires and arranging them in an array. A fence is an enclosure intended to confine marine pollution, such as an oil leak, within a specified area to prevent it from spreading.

[0031] A plurality of communication terminal devices 1 are arranged on the floating object 2 to identify the installation area 30 of the floating object 2. For example, it is desirable that at least two communication terminal devices 1 be arranged. The communication terminals 1 are desirably arranged at the edge of the installation area, for example, at a buoy connected to an anchor or at the corner of a floating structure. Specific examples of arrangements will be described later.

[0032] [Configuration of communication terminal device 1] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal device 1 includes, as functional units, a solar panel unit 11, a battery unit 12, a light sensor unit 13, a light emitting unit 14, a terminal communication unit 15, an acquisition unit 16, a terminal control unit 17, and a terminal memory unit 18.

[0033] Although not shown, the communication terminal device 1 may be a computer equipped with a CPU and memory. The communication terminal device 1 may further include various sensors for detecting air temperature, humidity, water temperature, wind speed, vibration, amount of sunlight, etc., and may transmit the detected sensor information to the management server 3.

[0034] The communication terminal device 1 may have an attachment part for attaching it to the floating object 2. The communication terminal device 1 may have a housing that is waterproof, pressure-resistant, and heat-resistant. The housing of the communication terminal device 1 may have a certain degree of buoyancy so that it does not become submerged even if it falls off the floating object 2 to which it is attached.

[0035] The solar panel unit 11 is a panel-shaped unit made up of multiple solar cells that convert light energy into electrical energy (power) using the photovoltaic effect. The solar panel unit 11 is connected to the battery unit 12, and the generated power is charged into the battery unit 12.

[0036] The battery unit 12 is a secondary battery that can be used repeatedly by charging. For example, the battery unit 12 may be a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-cadmium storage battery, or another type of secondary battery, or may be configured as a combination of multiple types. The battery unit 12 receives power generated by the solar panel unit 11 to charge itself, and discharges it to supply power to operate other functional units.

[0037] The optical sensor unit 13 is a sensor that detects the amount of light. The optical sensor unit 13 may be, for example, a CdS (cadmium sulfide) cell or a photodiode. Information on the amount of light detected by the optical sensor unit 13 is input to the terminal control unit 17.

[0038] The light emitting unit 14 has a function of emitting light when power is supplied from the battery unit 12. The light emitting unit 14 is, for example, an LED (light-emitting diode). The light emitting unit 14 starts flashing light and stops emitting light based on the light on / off determination of the terminal control unit 17.

[0039] The terminal communication unit 15 has a function of communicating using a predetermined communication method. The terminal communication unit 15 communicates using the LPWA communication method. LPWA communication can communicate over a wide range with low power consumption, but there are limitations on the amount of data that can be transmitted at one time, the number of transmissions, etc.

[0040] The communication method adopted by the terminal communication unit 15 may be, for example, Sigfox (registered trademark), Eltres (registered trademark), LoRaWAN (registered trademark), or LTE-M. The information transmitted by the terminal communication unit 15 is received by the base station 4 and then by the management server 3 via the network 100.

[0041] The acquisition unit 16 has a function of successively receiving GPS signals from multiple GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and calculating and acquiring location information indicating the current location from the multiple received GPS signals under the control of the terminal control unit 17. The acquisition unit 16 inputs the acquired location information to the terminal control unit 17.

[0042] The terminal control unit 17 has a function of controlling each functional unit of the communication terminal device 1. Based on the amount of light detected by the light sensor unit 13, the terminal control unit 17 determines whether the amount of light is sufficient for charging and whether the light emitting unit 14 is turned on or off.

[0043] When it is time to transmit the location information, the terminal control unit 17 generates terminal location information 34 including identification information for identifying the communication terminal device 1 stored in the terminal memory unit 18 and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 16, and causes the terminal communication unit 15 to transmit the information.

[0044] The timing for generating and transmitting terminal location information 34 may be, for example, once a day at 12 o'clock, or twice a day at 12 o'clock and midnight, or the timing may be set arbitrarily. For example, if it is determined by comparing acquired location information with previously acquired location information that the device has moved a distance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the timing for transmitting the information may be switched from once a day in normal mode to every hour in abnormal mode.

[0045] The terminal control unit 17 may further generate transmission information including other sensor information and identification information, and transmit the information to the terminal communication unit 15. The other sensor information is, for example, sensor information related to the ambient air temperature, water temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

[0046] The terminal storage unit 18 stores programs, identification information, and acquired location information for controlling each functional unit of the communication terminal device 1. The storage medium, which is hardware of the terminal storage unit 18, may be, for example, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-on memory (ROM), or a combination of these.

[0047] [Administration Server 3 Configuration] 3, the management server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a server control unit 37. The management server 3 is a computer, and the CPU executes a program to realize various functions of the management server 3. The management server 3 is realized by installing a program in the computer that causes the CPU to execute the installation area management process described below.

[0048] The communication unit 31 has a function of receiving terminal location information 34 from each communication terminal device 1 via the base station 4 and the network 100. The communication unit 31 receives a request for installation area information 36 from the map display device 6, and transmits the installation area information 36 extracted by the extraction unit 373 in response to the request to the map display device 6. The request includes first location information 67 acquired by the map display device 6. The request is information requesting installation area information 36 that exists in a predetermined area around the location indicated by the first location information 67.

[0049] The storage unit 32 stores group information 33, terminal location information 34, map information 35, installation area information 36, and, although not shown, a program for controlling each functional unit of the management server 3. The storage medium, which is the hardware of the storage unit 32, may be, for example, a hard disk, SSD, flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, ROM, or a combination of these.

[0050] The group information 33 is information for specifying the installation area 30. The group information 33 associates identification information of a plurality of communication terminal devices 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the group information 33 includes group identification information for identifying a group, identification information of the communication terminal devices 1, and area shape information for specifying the area shape.

[0051] For example, there are two pieces of identification information associated with group information 33 including group identification information F_01, and the area shape is rectangular. The positions indicated by each piece of terminal position information 34 including the two pieces of identification information represent the diagonals of the rectangular area shape. The area shape may be, for example, circular. In this case, the positions indicated by each piece of terminal position information 34 including the two pieces of identification information represent the diameter of the circular area shape.

[0052] For example, six pieces of identification information are associated with group information 33 including group identification information F_11, and no area shape is specified. In this case, the area shape is determined to be a shape formed by connecting the positions indicated by terminal position information 34 including the identification information with lines in the order in which the identification information is listed in group information 33. In other words, group information 33 is information indicating the positional relationship of each communication terminal device 1 in the area shape. Specific examples of area shapes will be described later.

[0053] The terminal location information 34 is information including identification information and location information received from the communication terminal device 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal location information 34 received from each communication terminal device 1 is stored in the storage unit 32 in association with the time of reception.

[0054] The map information 35 is, for example, a digital map created by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The map information 35 includes information on the map itself, which is a reduced representation of a certain area on the earth, as well as one or more pieces of point information, which are information on a point or area on the earth. The point information is expressed in position coordinates such as (latitude, longitude).

[0055] The map 50 displayed on the display unit 66 of the map display device 6 based on the map information 35 is made up of multiple tiles divided into a mesh. The tiles are specified, for example, by the zoom level and tile coordinates. The zoom level is a numerical indicator that indicates the display magnification of the map 50. When the zoom level increases by 1, the display magnification of the map 50 becomes four times larger, and the vertical and horizontal lengths of the actual area corresponding to the tile are each halved.

[0056] For example, zoom level 0 may represent a map of the entire Earth projected in a single square tile using a predetermined map projection, where the Mercator projection formula is used to convert the longitude and latitude of the World Geodetic System into a square, excluding some polar regions.

[0057] Tile coordinates are expressed in the format "X,Y," with east being the positive X direction and south being the positive Y direction. The information indicating a tile can be determined arbitrarily as long as it does not conflict with achieving the object of the invention. The information indicating a tile can be converted into latitude and longitude information corresponding to the tile using a predetermined calculation.

[0058] The installation area information 36 is information that identifies one or more tiles including an area shape that indicates the shape of the installation area 30, and includes a zoom level and tile coordinates.

[0059] The server control unit 37 includes a determination unit 371, a generation unit 372, an extraction unit 373, a non-reception determination unit 374, an abnormality determination unit 375, and a notification unit 376. Each functional unit included in the server control unit 37 is realized by the CPU executing a program.

[0060] The determination unit 371 has a function of determining the area shape indicating the shape of the installation area 30 based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33.

[0061] The generating unit 372 has a function of generating installation area information 36 that identifies tiles including the determined area shape. The generated installation area information 36 is stored in the storage unit 32.

[0062] The extraction unit 373 has a function of extracting, based on the first location information 67 included in the received request, installation area information 36 that exists within a predetermined range around the location indicated by the first location information 67. The extracted installation area information 36 is transmitted to the map display device 6 by the communication unit 31.

[0063] The unreceived information determining unit 374 has a function of determining whether or not there is any unreceived terminal location information 34 among the plurality of terminal location information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33 .

[0064] The abnormality determination unit 375 has the function of determining that an abnormality has occurred when the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information 34 is further away than a predetermined threshold value from the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information 34 with the same identification information received in the past.

[0065] The notification unit 376 has a failure notification function that, when the unreceived determination unit 374 determines that specific terminal location information 34 has not been received, determines that the communication terminal device 1 identified by the identification information included in the terminal location information 34 has malfunctioned and notifies a predetermined destination of the malfunction determination, and an abnormality notification function that, when the abnormality determination unit 375 determines that an abnormality has occurred, notifies a predetermined destination of the abnormality determination.

[0066] The terminal location information 34 is transmitted at regular intervals, and for example, if terminal location information 34 including specific identification information has not been received for a predetermined period of time, the non-reception determination unit 374 may determine that the corresponding communication terminal device 1 is malfunctioning.

[0067] The installation area information 36 may further include reliability information indicating the reliability of the data. When the unreceived information determining unit 374 determines that at least one piece of terminal location information 34 has not been received, the generating unit 372 may change the reliability information to a value that is less reliable than usual and generate the installation area information 36.

[0068] [Configuration of map display device 6] 6, the map display device 6 includes a first communication unit 61, a first storage unit 62, a location information acquisition unit 64, an input reception unit 65, and a display unit 66. The map display device 6 is a computer, and the CPU executes an application 63, which is a program, to realize various functions of the map display device 6.

[0069] The first communication unit 61 has a function of communicating with the management server 3 via the network 100. The first communication unit 61 transmits a request for installation area information 36 to the management server 3 and receives the installation area information 36 from the management server 3. The first communication unit 61 may receive the app 63 and the map information 35 from the management server 3 or another app server, or may receive update information of the app 63 and the map information 35.

[0070] The first storage unit 62 stores the app 63, the map information 35, the first location information 67, and the installation area information 36. The storage medium, which is the hardware of the first storage unit 62, may be, for example, a hard disk, an SSD, a flash memory, a DRAM, an SRAM, a ROM, or a combination of these.

[0071] The location information acquisition unit 64 has a function of successively receiving a plurality of GPS signals and calculating and acquiring first location information 67 indicating the current location from the received plurality of GPS signals. The location information acquisition unit 64 acquires the first location information 67 at predetermined intervals, for example, at one-second intervals, and the acquired first location information 67 is stored in the first storage unit 62. The first storage unit 62 may store the stored first location information 67 for a predetermined time prior to the current time as history, and may sequentially delete stored information prior to the predetermined time.

[0072] Note that the first location information 67 is not limited to the current location, but may be information indicating a location acquired by the user specifying a predetermined location on the map 50. For example, the user may want to know the installation area 30 around the destination, in addition to the area around the current location.

[0073] The input accepting unit 65 has a function of accepting input operations from a user who uses the map display device 6. The input accepting unit 65 may be, for example, a touch panel display or a physical operation button. The input operation accepted from the user is, for example, an input operation to instruct the launch of the app 63. The input operation to instruct the launch of the app 63 may be, for example, an input operation to launch the map display device 6, or an input operation to click on the icon of the app 63 displayed on the home screen or menu screen of the display unit 66.

[0074] The app 63 is a program that starts up when the input receiving unit 65 receives an operation from the user instructing it to start up, and causes the display unit 66 to display a screen 60 on a map 50 in which the device's own icon 70 indicating the device's location and the installation area 30 are superimposed, based on the map information 35, the first location information 67, and the received installation area information 36.

[0075] The display unit 66 has a function of displaying a home screen, a menu screen, or a screen 60 in which the device's own icon 70 and the installation area 30 are superimposed on the map 50 based on an input operation from the user. The device's own icon 70 is displayed on the map 50 based on the latest first position information 67 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 64. Therefore, when the map display device 6 is moving, the position of the device's own icon 70 displayed on the map 50 is updated successively.

[0076] Note that the display of an icon representing an object on the map 50 based on the object's location information and the successive updating and display of the icon 70's location on the map 50 are realized using known technology, and therefore detailed explanation of the map display operation will be omitted.

[0077] [Management Server 3 Operation] Here, the installation area management process executed by the management server 3 will be described according to the flow shown in Fig. 7. The symbol "S" in the figure denotes a step. First, if the management server 3 receives terminal location information 34 from each communication terminal device 1 (S1: Yes), it proceeds to S2. If the management server 3 does not receive terminal location information 34 (S1: No), it returns to S1.

[0078] In the process of S2, the unreceived information determining unit 374 determines whether or not there is any unreceived terminal location information 34 among the multiple pieces of terminal location information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33. As a result, if the unreceived information determining unit 374 determines that there is no unreceived terminal location information 34 (S2: No), the process proceeds to S3. If the unreceived information determining unit 374 determines that there is unreceived terminal location information 34 (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to S9.

[0079] In the process of S3, if the abnormality determination unit 375 determines that the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information 34 is not further away than a predetermined threshold from a location indicated by terminal location information 34 with the same identification information received in the past (S3: No), the process proceeds to S4. If the abnormality determination unit 375 determines that there is a location that is further away than a predetermined threshold (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to S11.

[0080] In the process of S4, the determination unit 371 determines the area shape indicating the shape of the installation area 30 based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information 34 including the identification information associated by the group information 33, and then proceeds to S5.

[0081] In the process of S5, the generation unit 372 generates installation area information 36 that identifies tiles including the determined area shape, and proceeds to S6. In the process of S6, the generated installation area information 36 is stored in the storage unit 32, and proceeds to S7.

[0082] In the process of S7, if the communication unit 31 receives a request for the installation area information 36 from the map display device 6 (S7: Yes), the process proceeds to S8. If the communication unit 31 does not receive a request for the installation area information 36 (S7: No), the process returns to S1.

[0083] In the processing of S8, the extraction unit 373 extracts the installation area information 36 that exists within a predetermined range around the position indicated by the first location information 67, based on the first location information 67 included in the request for the installation area information 36. The communication unit 31 transmits the extracted installation area information 36 to the map display device 6. After performing the processing of S8, the management server 3 returns to S1.

[0084] In the process of S9, the notification unit 376 determines that the communication terminal device 1 that has not received the message is malfunctioning, and notifies the malfunction determination to a predetermined destination. After the process of S9, the process proceeds to S10.

[0085] In the process of S10, if the terminal location information 34 has not been received, the generation unit 372 changes the reliability information included in the installation area information 36 to a value that is less reliable than usual. After the process of S10, the process proceeds to S7.

[0086] In the process of S11, the notification unit 376 notifies a predetermined destination of the abnormality determination for the communication terminal device 1 determined to be abnormal. After the process of S11, the process proceeds to S7.

[0087] [Examples of installation area information 36] 8 to 21, specific examples of installation area information 36 generated by management server 3 will be described. As shown in Fig. 8, oyster rafts, which are an example of floating objects 2, are connected together and installed in waters near the coast. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the installation state of some of the floating objects 2 shown in Fig. 8, viewed from directly above.

[0088] 10 is a diagram in which the positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 received from each communication terminal device 1 are plotted on a map 50. Two communication terminal devices 1 are placed at diagonally opposite corners of a floating object 2. Therefore, plots 20, which are positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 transmitted from each communication terminal device 1, are displayed at diagonally opposite corners of each floating object 2.

[0089] 11, the determination unit 371 determines the area shape 21 indicating the shape of the installation area 30 based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the group information 33 specifies that the area shape 21 is a "rectangle," so the determination unit 371 determines the area shape 21 to be a rectangle whose diagonals are the positions of the communication terminal devices 1 associated by the group information 33.

[0090] 12, the generation unit 372 identifies the installation area 30 (the blacked-out tile portion) including the area shape 21, and generates installation area information 36. The installation area 30 is identified by the zoom level and tile coordinates, and the installation area information 36 includes this information.

[0091] 13 is an example of a screen 60 displayed on the display unit 66 of the map display device 6 based on the installation area information 36, the map information 35, and the first location information 67. As shown in the figure, the display unit 66 displays the installation area 30 and a user icon 70 superimposed on a map 50.

[0092] In addition, when checking the installation area 30 at a location other than the current location of the map display device 6, such as a destination, a request for installation area information 36 with the location specified by the user as the first location information 67 can be sent to the management server 3, and the user's own icon 70 can be not displayed, but only the installation area 30 can be superimposed on the map 50.

[0093] [Variations of Area Shape 21] The area shape 21 may be specified not only as a rectangle but also as a circle, for example. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the group information 33 specifies that the area shape 21 is a circle, and therefore a circle having a diameter equal to the position of each communication terminal device 1 associated by the group information 33 is determined as the area shape 21. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the installation area 30 is specified based on the circular area shape 21 determined in the example shown in Fig. 14.

[0094] [Modification 1 of Arrangement of Communication Terminal Devices 1 and Area Shape Designation] 16 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement in which, rather than placing a communication terminal device 1 on each individual floating object 2, a number of floating objects 2 that are connected together, such as an oyster raft, are grouped together to set up an installation area 30. The diagram shows an example in which communication terminal devices 1 are placed at four anchor buoys connected to the beginning and end of the oyster raft, and communication terminal devices 1 are placed at two corners of an oyster raft located in the middle of the group of connected oyster rafts.

[0095] 17, the determination unit 371 may determine an area surrounded by lines connecting positions indicated by terminal position information 34 of the communication terminal devices 1 placed on the oyster rafts as the area shape 21. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which an installation area 30 is specified based on the area shape 21 determined in the example of Fig. 17.

[0096] Note that, while the larger the size of the tiles constituting the map 50, the smaller the amount of information in the installation area information 36 can be, which is an advantage, the contours of the installation area 30 become less clear, so it is necessary to appropriately set the zoom level that determines the tile size. For example, as shown in Fig. 19, the installation area information 36 may be generated with a tile size that is one zoom level higher in accordance with the size of the floating object 2.

[0097] [Modification 2 of Arrangement of Communication Terminal Devices 1 and Area Shape Designation] In the example shown in FIG. 20, multiple floating objects 2 are arranged in a square. In this example, communication terminal devices 1 are respectively arranged on four anchor buoys. In this case, two diagonal lines are formed connecting the positions of communication terminal devices 1 arranged at diagonal positions, but the determination unit 371 may determine the area shape 21 to be a circle with the longer diagonal line as its diameter. By using the longer diagonal line as the diameter, the installation area 30 of the floating objects 2 is set wide, thereby improving the effectiveness of collision prevention. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example in which the installation area 30 is specified based on the area shape 21 determined in the example of FIG. 20.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications and alternative forms of the above embodiments. For example, the present invention includes embodiments in which the components are modified and embodied within the scope of the present invention, embodiments in which multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments are appropriately combined, and embodiments in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments or some components are added to the components shown in the embodiments.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the group information 33 is stored in the storage unit 32 of the management server 3, but it is also possible to store group identification information indicating that the communication terminal devices 1 belong to the same group in the terminal storage unit 18 of each communication terminal device 1, and transmit the group identification information together with the terminal location information 34, so that the management server 3 associates the terminal location information 34 as a group. Although it depends on the method of operation, storing the group identification information in the communication terminal device 1 in advance can reduce the work of setting the group information 33 in the management server 3.

[0100] The area shape 21 may be automatically specified by setting the floating object 2. For example, when used for oyster rafts, the number of communication terminal devices 1 required, their installation locations, and the area shape 21 may be automatically specified by setting whether to group individual oyster rafts or groups of connected oyster rafts.

[0101] The present invention may be an installation area management method performed by the management server 3, a program that causes a computer to execute the installation area management process, or a storage medium that stores such a program.

[0102] The program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CDR / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)).

[0103] The program may be provided to the computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media may provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electrical wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Communication terminal equipment 2. Floating objects 3 Management Server 4 base station 5 Ships 6 Map display device 11 Solar panel section 12 Battery section 13 Optical sensor unit 14 Light-emitting part 15 Terminal communication unit 16 Acquisition Department 17 Terminal control unit 18 Terminal memory section 20 Plot 21 Area Shape 30 Installation Area 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Group Information 34 Device location information 35 Map Information 36 Installation area information 37 Server control unit 50 Map 60 screens 61 First Communications Department 62 1st memory section 63 apps 64 Location information acquisition unit 65 Input reception section 66 Display section 70 Self Icon

Claims

1. An installation area management system including communication terminal devices arranged at a plurality of locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area in which the floating object is installed, The communication terminal device an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the communication terminal device; a terminal communication unit that transmits identification information for identifying the communication terminal device and terminal location information including the location information to the management server; The management server a storage unit that stores group information in which a plurality of pieces of identification information are associated with each other; a communication unit that receives the terminal location information from the communication terminal device; a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on the plurality of pieces of terminal position information including the identification information associated by the group information; the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape; The storage unit stores the installation area information, The communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the storage unit in response to a request. Installation area management system.

2. 2. The installation area management system according to claim 1, wherein the group information further includes area shape information that specifies the layout relationship of the communication terminal devices in the area shape.

3. An installation area management system including communication terminal devices arranged at a plurality of locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area in which the floating object is installed, The communication terminal device an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the communication terminal device; a terminal communication unit that transmits terminal location information to the management server, the terminal location information including identification information that identifies the communication terminal device, the location information, and group identification information that identifies a group to which the communication terminal device belongs; Equipped with The management server a communication unit that receives the terminal location information from the communication terminal device; a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information that include the same group identification information; the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape; Installation area management system.

4. 4. The installation area management system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal location information further includes area shape information that specifies the layout relationship of the communication terminal devices in the area shape.

5. A management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed, a storage unit that stores group information in which a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices are associated; a communication unit that receives terminal position information including the identification information and position information indicating a current position of the communication terminal device from the communication terminal device placed at a plurality of locations on the floating object; a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on the plurality of pieces of terminal position information including the identification information associated by the group information; the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape; The storage unit stores the installation area information, The communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the storage unit in response to a request. Management server.

6. The management server further a non-reception determination unit that determines that at least one piece of the terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information has not been received; a failure notification unit that determines that the communication terminal identified by the identification information included in the unreceived terminal location information is malfunctioning and notifies a predetermined destination of the malfunction; The management server according to claim 5 , comprising:

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