Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The system will be designed to allow aircraft to switch communication methods based on the risks in the area where they are flying. [Solution] The flight management server 1 includes: an aircraft information acquisition unit that acquires route information indicating the planned flight path the aircraft is scheduled to take and location information indicating the aircraft's current position; an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality for each area using a ground communication method and risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the aircraft's flight; and an aircraft control unit that transmits switching information to switch the communication method used by the aircraft from a ground communication method to a satellite communication method, provided that the combination of communication quality and risk in the planned movement area where the aircraft is scheduled to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is a predetermined combination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for processing information related to the control of a flying object.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that enables continuous communication while maintaining a predetermined communication quality by switching a communication method before reaching a position where the communication quality deteriorates in a moving object capable of performing communication by switching a plurality of communication methods.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The communication speed required by a flying object may vary depending on the area in which the flying object flies. For example, in an area with a large number of people, there is a risk of the flying object colliding with people, so a high communication speed may be required to transmit the captured images around the flying object in real time. On the other hand, in an area with few people, the risk of the flying object colliding with people is small, so a low communication speed sufficient to confirm the state of the flying object may be sufficient. The system described in Patent Document 1 can switch the communication method based on communication quality such as the communication speed, but cannot switch the communication method in consideration of the risk in the area where the moving object moves.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to enable switching of the communication method used by a flying object in consideration of the risk in the area where the flying object flies.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device for managing information about an aircraft configured to be able to use a ground communication system, which is a communication system that uses ground communication equipment, and a satellite communication system, which is a communication system that uses a communication satellite, and comprises: an aircraft information acquisition unit that acquires route information indicating the planned flight path that the aircraft is scheduled to fly and location information indicating the current position of the aircraft; an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality for each area using the ground communication system and risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aircraft; and an aircraft control unit that transmits switching information for switching the communication system used by the aircraft from the ground communication system to the satellite communication system, on the condition that the combination of the communication quality and the risk in the planned movement area to which the aircraft is scheduled to be located after moving from the current area which includes the current position along the planned flight path is a predetermined combination.

[0007] The aircraft control unit may transmit the switching information on the condition that the communication quality value in the planned movement area is lower than a predetermined communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than a predetermined risk standard value.

[0008] The environmental information acquisition unit may acquire the communication quality information and the risk information after the aircraft enters the current area.

[0009] The aircraft control unit may transmit the switching information after the aircraft has entered the current area but before it has entered the planned movement area.

[0010] The aircraft control unit may transmit change information to change the aircraft's planned flight path, provided that the communication quality value in the planned travel area is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is equal to or greater than the risk standard value.

[0011] The aforementioned change information may modify the planned flight path so that the aircraft moves to a destination area where the communication quality value is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value, or to a destination area where the communication quality value is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than the risk standard value.

[0012] The aircraft control unit may transmit both the change information and the switching information, provided that the communication quality value in the destination area is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than the risk standard value.

[0013] The information processing device may further include a decision unit that selects one of the candidate routes from which the aircraft can fly from the current area as the revised planned flight route, based on the flight distance or flight time when the aircraft flies each of the candidate routes.

[0014] The information processing device further includes a receiving unit for receiving the designation of the flight purpose of the aircraft, and the aircraft control unit may switch between transmitting the switching information and transmitting the change information based on the flight purpose in addition to the combination of the communication quality and the risk.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides an information processing method for switching the communication method used by an aircraft from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, provided that the information processing device manages information about an aircraft configured to be able to use a ground communication method, which is a communication method that uses ground communication equipment, and a satellite communication method, which is a communication method that uses communication satellites. The method is executed by the device and includes the steps of: acquiring route information indicating the planned flight path of the aircraft; acquiring location information indicating the current position of the aircraft; acquiring communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality for each area using the ground communication method; acquiring risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aircraft; and transmitting switching information for switching the communication method used by the aircraft from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, provided that the combination of the communication quality and the risk in the planned area to which the aircraft is to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is a predetermined combination.

[0016] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes an information processing device that manages information about an aircraft configured to be able to use a ground communication system, which is a communication system that uses ground communication equipment, and a satellite communication system, which is a communication system that uses communication satellites, to execute the following steps: acquire route information indicating the planned flight path that the aircraft is scheduled to fly; acquire location information indicating the current position of the aircraft; acquire communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality for each area using the ground communication system; acquire risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aircraft; and transmit switching information for switching the communication system used by the aircraft from the ground communication system to the satellite communication system, provided that the combination of the communication quality and the risk in the planned area to which the aircraft is scheduled to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is a predetermined combination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the communication method used by the aircraft can be switched in consideration of the risk in the area where the aircraft flies.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a flight management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram of a flight management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the process in which the aircraft information acquisition unit acquires route information and position information. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the process in which the environment information acquisition unit acquires communication quality information and risk information. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the process in which the determination unit determines the change condition. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a flowchart of an information processing method executed by the flight management server.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [Overview of Flight Management System S] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flight management system S according to the present embodiment. The flight management system S includes a flight management server 1 and an aircraft 2. The flight management system S may include other terminals, devices, etc.

[0020] The flight management server 1 is an information processing device that processes information related to the control of the aircraft 2. The flight management server 1 makes the aircraft 2 fly by transmitting control information to the aircraft 2. The flight management server 1 is a single computer or a plurality of computers. Further, the flight management server 1 may be one or more virtual servers operating on a cloud that is a collection of computer resources.

[0021] The aircraft 2 is an aerial device such as a drone that flies through the air. The aircraft 2 flies along a designated flight path based on control information received wirelessly from the flight management server 1. The aircraft 2 has a communication unit for sending and receiving information to and from the flight management server 1 via wireless communication, a position measuring unit for measuring the current position of the aircraft 2, and an imaging unit for taking images.

[0022] The aircraft 2 is configured to utilize both a ground-based communication method, which uses ground-based communication equipment 3, and a satellite-based communication method, which uses a communication satellite 4. The communication equipment 3 is, for example, a base station installed on the ground that relays communication signals transmitted by the aircraft 2. The communication equipment 3 supports communication standards such as 3G, 4G / LTE, and 5G. The communication satellite 4 is, for example, an artificial satellite placed in space that relays communication signals transmitted by the aircraft 2. The communication satellite 4 supports a predetermined satellite communication standard. The aircraft 2 can switch the communication method used for communication based on switching information received from the flight management server 1.

[0023] The following outlines the processes performed by the flight management system S according to this embodiment. The flight management server 1 acquires route information indicating the planned flight path that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to fly, and position information indicating the current position of the aircraft 2. The flight management server 1 acquires, for example, route information that is pre-stored in a predetermined storage unit. The flight management server 1 receives position information from the aircraft 2, whose current position has been measured using, for example, a position measurement unit.

[0024] The flight management server 1 acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality in each area using a ground communication method, and risk information indicating the level of risk in each area regarding the flight of the aircraft 2. The level of communication quality is represented, for example, by a value of communication speed determined by actual measurement or simulation. The level of risk is represented, for example, by a value determined according to the possibility that the aircraft 2 will come into contact with people, buildings, vehicles, other aircraft, etc., on the ground or in the air.

[0025] The flight management server 1 transmits switching information to switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from a ground communication method to a satellite communication method, provided that the combination of communication quality and risk in the planned area where the aircraft 2 is expected to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the aircraft 2's current position is a predetermined combination.

[0026] Flight management server 1 transmits switching information, for example, when the communication quality value in the planned travel area is lower than a predetermined communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than a predetermined risk standard value. In accordance with the switching information transmitted by flight management server 1, aircraft 2 switches the communication method it uses from ground communication to satellite communication.

[0027] In this way, the flight management system S transmits switching information to the aircraft 2 to switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2 based on the combination of communication quality and risk for each area. As a result, the flight management system S can switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2, taking into account the risks in the area in which the aircraft 2 is flying.

[0028] [Configuration of Flight Management System S] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the flight management system S according to this embodiment. In Figure 2, the arrows indicate the main data flows, and there may be other data flows besides those shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, each block represents a functional unit configuration, not a hardware (device) unit configuration. Therefore, the blocks shown in Figure 2 may be implemented in a single device, or they may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data exchange between blocks may be performed via any means, such as a data bus, network, or portable storage medium.

[0029] The flight management server 1 comprises a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11 is a storage medium including ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 11 pre-stores programs to be executed by the control unit 12.

[0030] The control unit 12 includes a reception unit 121, an aircraft information acquisition unit 122, an environmental information acquisition unit 123, a decision unit 124, and an aircraft control unit 125. The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and by executing a program stored in the storage unit 11, it functions as the reception unit 121, the aircraft information acquisition unit 122, the environmental information acquisition unit 123, the decision unit 124, and the aircraft control unit 125.

[0031] The following describes in detail the processes performed by the flight management server 1. The user specifies the planned flight path that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to fly on a designated information terminal. The planned flight path is represented, for example, by the path (location) that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to fly and the date and time that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to fly that path. The information terminal transmits information indicating the planned flight path specified by the user to the flight management server 1. The receiving unit 121 receives the planned flight path indicated by the information transmitted by the information terminal and stores the route information indicating the received planned flight path in the storage unit 11 or other storage device. The route information may also be generated by a computer.

[0032] The reception unit 121 may also accept from the user the designation of the flight purpose of the aircraft 2, in addition to the planned flight path. The flight purpose may be, for example, inspection or measurement around the planned flight path, or transport of cargo along the planned flight path. The reception unit 121 stores the purpose information indicating the accepted flight purpose in the storage unit 11 or other storage device.

[0033] The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires route information indicating the planned flight path of the aircraft 2, and position information indicating the current position of the aircraft 2. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process by which the aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires route information and position information.

[0034] The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires route information indicating the flight path P specified by the user from, for example, the storage unit 11 or other storage device. The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires the route information before the aircraft 2 starts flying. If the route information may change during the flight of the aircraft 2, the aircraft information acquisition unit 122 may acquire the latest route information periodically or irregularly after the aircraft 2 has started flying.

[0035] The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires, for example, position information from the aircraft 2 indicating its current position L, which was measured by the aircraft 2 using the position measurement unit. The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 receives the latest position information from the aircraft 2 periodically or irregularly after the aircraft 2 has started flying.

[0036] The area in which the aircraft 2 flies is divided into multiple areas A of a predetermined size (a rectangle or regular hexagon, etc., with sides of 50m). Figure 3 schematically shows the planned flight path P and current position L of the aircraft 2 in flight on the multiple areas A. The current position L of the aircraft 2 is located within one of the multiple areas A.

[0037] The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality in each area using the ground communication method, and risk information indicating the level of risk in each area related to the flight of the aircraft 2. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process by which the environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires communication quality information and risk information.

[0038] The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires communication quality information from, for example, the storage unit 11 or other storage device, which indicates the level of communication quality for each of the multiple areas A using the respective terrestrial communication system. The level of communication quality is represented by a value that is larger when the communication quality is high and smaller when the communication quality is low. The communication quality value is, for example, communication speed or radio wave strength. The communication quality information is determined in advance, for example, by actual measurement or simulation, and stored in the storage unit 11 or other storage device.

[0039] The communication quality information may further indicate the high quality of communication provided by the satellite communication system. This allows the flight management system S to switch to the latest communication system based on the latest satellite communication quality, even if the communication quality of the satellite communication system changes depending on the time of day or weather conditions.

[0040] The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires communication quality information before the aircraft 2 begins flight. If there is a possibility that the communication quality information may change during the flight of the aircraft 2, the environmental information acquisition unit 123 may acquire the latest communication quality information periodically or irregularly after the aircraft 2 has begun flight. In this case, the environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires the communication quality information, for example, after the aircraft 2 enters one of the multiple areas A (current area A1, described later).

[0041] The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires risk information indicating the level of risk for each of the multiple areas A, for example, from the storage unit 11 or other storage device. The risk information is received, for example, from a server that provides risk information and stored in the storage unit 11 or other storage device. The risks include, for example, ground risk, which indicates the possibility that the aircraft 2 may come into contact with objects such as people, buildings, or vehicles on the ground, and air risk, which indicates the possibility that the aircraft 2 may come into contact with objects such as other aircraft in the air.

[0042] The level of risk is represented by a value that is larger for higher risk and smaller for lower risk. The risk value may include, for example, a ground risk value and an air risk value. Alternatively, the risk value may be a single value that reflects both ground risk and air risk.

[0043] Ground risk values ​​are determined, for example, by actual measurements or simulations, such that a larger value corresponds to a greater number of objects (people, buildings, vehicles, etc.) that may exist in area A on the ground, and a smaller value corresponds to a smaller number of objects that may exist in area A on the ground. Air risk values ​​are determined, for example, by actual measurements or simulations, such that a larger value corresponds to a greater number of objects (other flying objects, etc.) that may exist in area A in the air, and a smaller value corresponds to a smaller number of objects that may exist in area A in the air.

[0044] The risk value may be a value determined for each of the multiple areas A on a daily basis. This allows the flight management system S to switch the communication method described later based on dynamically changing risks, such as the flight schedules of other aircraft, the holding of events, the occurrence of specific weather conditions, or the occurrence of disasters.

[0045] The risk value is not limited to the specific method shown herein, but may be determined by other methods that can indicate the risk for each area A that occurs during the flight of aircraft 2.

[0046] The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires risk information before the aircraft 2 begins flight. If the risk information may change during the flight of the aircraft 2, the environmental information acquisition unit 123 may acquire the latest risk information periodically or irregularly after the aircraft 2 has begun flight. In this case, the environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires the risk information, for example, after the aircraft 2 enters one of the multiple areas A (current area A1, described later).

[0047] The decision unit 124 determines the content of changes to at least one of the communication method and the planned flight path P by determining whether the communication quality information and risk information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 123 meet predetermined change conditions.

[0048] Figures 5(a) to 5(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the process by which the decision unit 124 determines the change conditions. The decision unit 124 determines, based on the communication quality information and risk information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 123, whether the combination of communication quality and risk in the planned movement area A2, where the aircraft 2 is expected to be located after moving from the current area A1, which includes the current location, along the planned flight path P, is a predetermined combination. The planned movement area A2 is an area adjacent to the current area A1.

[0049] The determination unit 124 obtains predetermined communication quality criteria values ​​and risk criteria values ​​from the storage unit 11 in order to determine the change conditions. The communication quality criteria value is a value of communication quality that serves as the criterion for changing at least one of the communication method and the planned flight path P, and is, for example, a specific value predetermined by the user. The risk criteria value is a value of risk that serves as the criterion for changing at least one of the communication method and the planned flight path P, and is, for example, a specific value predetermined by the user.

[0050] The decision unit 124, for example, determines that the communication method and the planned flight path P will not be changed, provided that the communication quality value in the planned travel area A2 is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value (Figure 5(a)).

[0051] The decision unit 124 determines, for example, that the change will be to switch the communication method from a ground communication method to a satellite communication method, provided that the communication quality value in the planned movement area A2 is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value in the planned movement area A2 is lower than the risk standard value (Figure 5(b)). If the communication method used by the aircraft 2 is already a satellite communication method, the decision unit 124 determines that the change will be not to change the communication method.

[0052] If the communication quality value includes both the communication quality value for the terrestrial communication system and the communication quality value for the satellite communication system, the determination unit 124 may decide to switch the communication system from the terrestrial communication system to the satellite communication system as a change, provided that the communication quality value for the terrestrial communication system in the planned travel area A2 is lower than the communication quality standard value, the communication quality value for the satellite communication system is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value, and the risk value in the planned travel area A2 is lower than the risk standard value. If the communication quality value for the satellite communication system is lower than the communication quality standard value, the determination unit 124 determines the conditions for changing the planned flight path P, which will be described later. The communication quality standard value for the terrestrial communication system and the communication quality standard value for the satellite communication system may be different values ​​from each other.

[0053] If the risk value includes both a ground risk value and an air risk value, the determination unit 124 may make a determination on the ground risk value and the air risk value individually, or it may make a determination on the average value of the ground risk value and the air risk value.

[0054] Conditional on the decision unit 124 deciding to switch the communication method from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, the aircraft control unit 125 transmits switching information to the aircraft 2 to switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it enters the planned area A2. Conditional on the aircraft 2 receiving the switching information from the flight management server 1, the aircraft 2 switches the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method.

[0055] As a result, when the aircraft 2 enters an area with low communication quality and low risk, the flight management system S can switch to a satellite communication method that allows for relatively slow but stable communication and continue flight.

[0056] The decision unit 124 may also decide to change the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from a ground communication method to a satellite communication method, and then, when the aircraft 2 enters any of the current areas A1, to switch the communication method from a satellite communication method to a ground communication method, provided that the communication quality value in the planned area A2 is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value.

[0057] Conditional on the decision unit 124 deciding to switch the communication method from satellite communication to ground communication, the aircraft control unit 125 transmits switching information to the aircraft 2 to switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from satellite communication to ground communication after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it enters the planned area A2. Conditional on the aircraft 2 receiving the switching information from the flight management server 1, the aircraft 2 switches the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from satellite communication to ground communication.

[0058] As a result, the flight management system S can switch from a ground communication system to a satellite communication system, and then, when the aircraft 2 enters an area with high communication quality, switch back to a relatively high-speed ground communication system to continue its flight.

[0059] The decision unit 124 determines, for example, that the planned flight path P should be changed, provided that the communication quality value in the planned travel area A2 is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value in the planned travel area A2 is equal to or greater than the risk standard value (Figure 5(c)).

[0060] If it is decided to change the planned flight path P, the decision unit 124 determines the changed planned flight path P. Instead of the planned area A2, the decision unit 124 determines the destination area A3, which is the area A that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to move to after the current area A1.

[0061] The decision unit 124 determines, for example, among multiple areas A adjacent to the current area A1, an area A whose communication quality value is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value, or an area A whose communication quality value is lower than the communication quality standard value and whose risk value is lower than the risk standard value, as the destination area A3. The decision unit 124 then executes a known route determination process to determine the route for the aircraft 2 to reach its destination from the current area A1 through the destination area A3 as the changed planned flight path P.

[0062] If there are multiple candidate routes for the aircraft 2 to reach its destination from the current area A1 through the new area A3, the decision unit 124 may select one of the candidate routes as the new planned flight route P based on the flight distance or flight time for each of the candidate routes. In this case, the decision unit 124 may, for example, select the route with the shortest flight distance or flight time among the candidate routes.

[0063] Conditional on the decision unit 124 deciding to change the planned flight path P, the aircraft control unit 125 transmits change information to the aircraft 2 to change the planned flight path P of the aircraft 2 after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it enters the planned movement area A2. The change information indicates, for example, the changed planned flight path P determined by the decision unit 124.

[0064] Furthermore, the change information may also indicate the imaging parameters (azimuth angle, field of view, etc.) of the imaging unit of the aircraft 2 to be used on the revised flight path P. This allows the flight management system S to enable the aircraft 2 to photograph areas on the revised flight path P that were originally planned to be photographed on the original flight path P, in the case of flights for inspection purposes.

[0065] Subject to receiving change information from the flight management server 1, aircraft 2 begins flying along the revised planned flight path P indicated by the change information. Aircraft 2 also sets the imaging parameters indicated by the change information and begins imaging using its imaging unit.

[0066] This allows the flight management system S to fly the aircraft 2 along a route that avoids areas with low communication quality and high risk.

[0067] The decision unit 124 may decide to change both the communication method from a ground communication method to a satellite communication method and the planned flight path P, provided that the communication quality value in the destination area A3 is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value in the destination area A3 is lower than the risk standard value. In this case, the aircraft control unit 125 transmits the switching information and the change information to the aircraft 2 after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it enters the planned area A2.

[0068] Upon receiving switching information and change information from flight management server 1, aircraft 2 switches its communication method from ground communication to satellite communication and begins flying along the revised flight path P indicated by the change information.

[0069] As a result, when the flight management system S changes the planned flight path P, if the communication quality in the destination area A3 is poor, it can switch to a satellite communication method that allows for relatively slow but stable communication and continue the flight.

[0070] The decision unit 124 may determine the changes to at least one of the communication method and the planned flight path P based on the flight purpose received by the reception unit 121, in addition to the combination of communication quality and risk. For example, the decision unit 124 may determine different change conditions depending on the flight purpose received by the reception unit 121, and use the determined change conditions to determine the changes described above. The aircraft control unit 125 switches between transmitting switching information and transmitting change information based on the changes determined by the decision unit 124.

[0071] As a result, the flight management system S can flexibly switch the control of the aircraft 2 according to the purpose of the flight. For example, if the purpose of the flight is inspection or measurement, the planned flight path P will not be changed because the route to the destination is important, but if the purpose of the flight is cargo transport, the planned flight path P will be changed because the route to the destination is not important.

[0072] The aircraft control unit 125 may change the timing of transmitting at least one of the switching information and the change information depending on the speed of the aircraft 2. In this case, the aircraft control unit 125 calculates the flight speed of the aircraft 2 based on, for example, the time change of the current position indicated by the position information acquired by the aircraft information acquisition unit 122. The aircraft control unit 125 transmits at least one of the switching information and the change information to the aircraft 2 after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it has entered the planned area A2, at a timing that is earlier the greater the flight speed and later the greater the less the flight speed.

[0073] This allows the flight management system S to instruct the aircraft 2 to switch communication methods or change its planned flight path P at an appropriate timing according to the aircraft 2's speed.

[0074] [Information Processing Method Flowchart] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the information processing method executed by the flight management server 1 according to this embodiment. The user specifies the planned flight path that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to fly on a predetermined information terminal. The information terminal transmits information indicating the planned flight path specified by the user to the flight management server 1. The receiving unit 121 receives the planned flight path indicated by the information transmitted by the information terminal and stores the route information indicating the received planned flight path in the storage unit 11 or other storage device (S11). In addition to the planned flight path, the receiving unit 121 may also accept the specification of the flight purpose of the aircraft 2.

[0075] The aircraft information acquisition unit 122 acquires route information indicating the planned flight path that the aircraft 2 is scheduled to take, and location information indicating the current position of the aircraft 2 (S12). The environmental information acquisition unit 123 acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality for each area using the ground communication method, and risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aircraft 2 (S13).

[0076] The decision unit 124 determines the content of the change to at least one of the communication method and the planned flight path P by determining whether the communication quality information and risk information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 123 meet predetermined change conditions (S14). The content of the change is, for example, at least one of switching the communication method and changing the planned flight path P.

[0077] The aircraft control unit 125 transmits to the aircraft 2, after the aircraft 2 has entered area A1 but before it enters the planned area A2, at least one of the following to the aircraft 2: switching information to switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2 from satellite communication to ground communication, and change information to change the planned flight path P of the aircraft 2 (S15).

[0078] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the flight management system S of this embodiment, the flight management server 1 transmits switching information to the aircraft 2 for switching the communication method used by the aircraft 2 based on a combination of communication quality and risk for each area. As a result, the flight management system S can switch the communication method used by the aircraft 2, taking into account the risks in the area in which the aircraft 2 is flying.

[0079] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0080] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] S Flight Management System 1. Flight Management Server 2 flying objects 3. Communication equipment 4. Communications satellites 11 Storage section 12 Control Unit 121 Reception Department 122 Aircraft information acquisition section 123 Environmental Information Acquisition Department 124 Decision Section 125 Flight Control Unit

Claims

1. An information processing device for managing information about an aircraft configured to be able to use a ground communication system, which is a communication method that uses ground-based communication equipment, and a satellite communication system, which is a communication method that uses communication satellites, An aircraft information acquisition unit acquires route information indicating the planned flight path of the aircraft and position information indicating the current position of the aircraft. An environmental information acquisition unit that acquires communication quality information indicating the level of communication quality in each area using the aforementioned ground communication system, and risk information indicating the level of risk in each area related to the flight of the aircraft, A flight control unit transmits switching information to the flight unit to switch the communication method used by the flight unit from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, provided that the communication quality value in the planned area to which the flight unit is to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is lower than a predetermined communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than a predetermined risk standard value. An information processing device having

2. The environmental information acquisition unit acquires the communication quality information and the risk information after the aircraft enters the current area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aircraft control unit transmits the switching information after the aircraft has entered the current area but before it has entered the planned movement area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aircraft control unit transmits change information to the aircraft for changing the aircraft's planned flight path, provided that the communication quality value in the planned travel area is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is equal to or greater than the risk standard value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned change information modifies the planned flight path so that the aircraft moves to a destination area where the communication quality value is equal to or greater than the communication quality standard value, or to a destination area where the communication quality value is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than the risk standard value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aircraft control unit transmits both the change information and the switching information on the condition that the communication quality value in the destination area is lower than the communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than the risk standard value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a decision unit that selects one of the candidate routes as the revised planned flight route based on the flight distance or flight time when the aircraft flies each of the candidate routes that it can fly from the current area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The system further includes a reception section for receiving designations for the flight purpose of the aforementioned aircraft, The aircraft control unit switches between transmitting the switching information and transmitting the change information based on the flight purpose in addition to the combination of the communication quality and the risk. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

9. An information processing device manages information about an aircraft configured to utilize both a ground-based communication system, which uses ground-based communication equipment, and a satellite communication system, which uses communication satellites. The steps include: obtaining route information indicating the planned flight path of the aircraft; The steps include: obtaining position information indicating the current position of the aforementioned aircraft; The steps include: acquiring communication quality information that indicates the level of communication quality in each area using the aforementioned terrestrial communication system; The steps include: obtaining risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aforementioned aircraft; The steps include transmitting switching information to the aircraft to switch the communication method used by the aircraft from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, provided that the communication quality value in the planned area to which the aircraft is to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is lower than a predetermined communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than a predetermined risk standard value, An information processing method having the following characteristics.

10. An information processing device that manages information about an aircraft configured to utilize both a ground-based communication system, which uses ground-based communication equipment, and a satellite communication system, which uses communication satellites, The steps include: obtaining route information indicating the planned flight path of the aircraft; The steps include: obtaining position information indicating the current position of the aforementioned aircraft; The steps include: acquiring communication quality information that indicates the level of communication quality in each area using the aforementioned terrestrial communication system; The steps include: obtaining risk information indicating the level of risk for each area related to the flight of the aforementioned aircraft; The steps include transmitting switching information to the aircraft to switch the communication method used by the aircraft from the ground communication method to the satellite communication method, provided that the communication quality value in the planned area to which the aircraft is to be located after moving along the planned flight path from the current area which includes the current position is lower than a predetermined communication quality standard value and the risk value is lower than a predetermined risk standard value, A program that executes something.

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