Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This makes it easier to understand how long it will take for an aircraft to complete its flight according to its flight plan. [Solution] The information processing device 3 includes an acquisition unit 331 that acquires a flight plan including a flight route for the aircraft to fly and a flight type which is one of several flight types determined according to the level of risk to the aircraft's flight, and which is the flight type that corresponds to the aircraft's flight on the flight route; an estimation unit 332 that estimates the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information and estimates the adjustment duration required for the aircraft to fly in the relevant flight type by referring to adjustment period information which is determined for each flight type, and an output unit 333 that outputs information based on a total duration which is the sum of the flight duration and adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit 332.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, unmanned aircraft (hereinafter simply referred to as "aircraft") have become widespread and are being used in various applications. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for managing an aircraft based on a flight plan.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a flight plan, it may be difficult to grasp how much time is required until the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan is completed. Regarding the time required until the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan is completed, it is related to the assignment of the person in charge of managing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan and the fee for the service providing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, etc. Therefore, it is required to make it easier to grasp how much time is required until the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan is completed.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it easier to grasp how much time is required until the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan is completed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a flight plan including a flight route for an aircraft to fly and a corresponding flight type which is one of a plurality of flight types determined according to the level of risk to the flight of the aircraft that corresponds to the flight of the aircraft on the flight route; an estimation unit that estimates the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information and estimates the adjustment duration required for the aircraft to fly in the corresponding flight type by referring to adjustment period information which defines the duration required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the corresponding flight type for each flight type; and an output unit that outputs information based on a total duration obtained by summing the flight duration and the adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit.

[0007] The information processing device may further include a fee determination unit that determines a service fee for the service of providing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, based on the total period and a predetermined unit price, and the output unit may output information indicating the service fee determined by the fee determination unit as information based on the total period.

[0008] The unit price may be determined for each flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft, the information processing device may further have a selection unit that selects a flight manager from among a plurality of flight managers to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, and the fee determination unit may determine the service fee based on the total period and the unit price determined for the flight manager selected by the selection unit.

[0009] The selection unit may select from among the multiple flight managers an authorized flight manager who is permitted to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the applicable category.

[0010] The flight plan may further include information for specifying the work period during which work related to the flight of the aircraft will be carried out, or the selection unit may refer to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and select a flight manager from among the multiple flight managers who has available time during the work period.

[0011] The aircraft may be equipped with an autonomous flight function, the flight plan may further include information for specifying the work period during which work related to the flight of the aircraft is carried out, the acquisition unit may acquire multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap, the information processing device may further include a determination unit that refers to the schedules of multiple flight managers who manage the flight of the aircraft and determines whether there is a flight manager among the multiple flight managers who has a gap in the work period equal to the sum of the total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, and the longest flight period among the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, and the output unit may further output the determination result determined by the determination unit.

[0012] The information processing device may further include: a calculation unit that, for each flight plan, refers to the flight plan and the map information and calculates an attention score indicating the degree to which the flight manager responsible for managing the flight of the aircraft pays attention to the flight of the aircraft along the flight route included in the flight plan; and a selection unit that selects from a plurality of flight plans a plurality of flight plans whose total attention score does not exceed an upper limit set as the upper limit of the degree to which the flight manager pays attention, and whose total adjustment period is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the plurality of flight plans and the longest flight period among the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the plurality of flight plans, and whose total adjustment period is the sum of the total adjustment period and the longest flight period among the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the plurality of flight plans, respectively, does not exceed the work implementation period. Alternatively, the determination unit may refer to the schedules of each of the plurality of flight managers and determine whether there is a flight manager among the plurality of flight managers who has a period of free time during the work implementation period that is the sum of the total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the plurality of flight plans selected by the selection unit, and the longest flight period among the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the plurality of flight plans.

[0013] The adjustment period information may include, for each type of flight, one or more target adjustment organizations that are subject to adjustments for flying the aircraft in that type of flight, and one or more periods corresponding to each of the one or more target adjustment organizations. Alternatively, the estimation unit may refer to the adjustment period information to identify one or more target adjustment organizations that are subject to adjustments for flying the aircraft in the relevant type, and estimate the required adjustment period by summing the one or more periods associated with each of the identified target adjustment organizations.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing method which includes the steps of: obtaining a flight plan executed by a computer, which includes a flight route for an aircraft to fly and a corresponding flight type, which is one of a plurality of flight types determined according to the level of risk to the flight of the aircraft, and which is the flight type that corresponds to the flight of the aircraft on the flight route; estimating the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information, estimating the adjustment duration required for the aircraft to fly in the corresponding flight type by referring to adjustment period information which specifies the period required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the corresponding flight type for each flight type; and outputting information based on a total duration obtained by summing the estimated flight duration and the adjustment duration.

[0015] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires a flight plan including a flight route for an aircraft to fly and a corresponding flight type, which is one of a plurality of flight types determined according to the level of risk to the aircraft's flight, and corresponds to the flight of the aircraft on the flight route; an estimation unit that estimates the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information and estimates the adjustment duration required for the aircraft to fly in the corresponding flight type by referring to adjustment period information which defines the period required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the corresponding flight type for each flight type; and an output unit that outputs information based on a total duration obtained by summing the flight duration and the adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention has the effect of making it easier to understand how long it will take for an aircraft to complete its flight based on a flight plan. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2]It is a diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of an information processing apparatus. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing an example of a process for calculating a plurality of working periods. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow of an information processing apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] [Outline of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system used to provide an information processing service. The information processing service is a service that provides flight of an aircraft based on a flight plan. The aircraft is an unmanned aircraft equipped with an autonomous flight function, a so-called drone. The information processing system S includes a user terminal 1, a flight manager terminal 2, and an information processing apparatus 3.

[0019] The user terminal 1 is a terminal used by a user of the information processing service, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like.

[0020] The flight manager terminal 2 is a terminal used by a flight manager, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The flight manager is a person who manages the flight of an aircraft based on a flight plan. For example, as management of the flight of an aircraft based on a flight plan, the flight manager monitors the autonomous flight status of the aircraft and manually operates the aircraft according to the status.

[0021] The information processing apparatus 3 is an apparatus that manages the information processing service, and is, for example, a server. The information processing apparatus 3 manages map information. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the information processing system S will be described.

[0022] First, when a user inputs a flight plan into user terminal 1 to fly the aircraft, user terminal 1 transmits the flight plan entered by the user to information processing device 3 (Figure 1, (1)). The flight plan includes the flight route in which the aircraft will fly and the applicable flight type, which is one of several flight types that corresponds to the flight of the aircraft on the flight route. The flight route is indicated, for example, by multiple waypoints, which are two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinate systems of the points where the aircraft will fly. The flight type is an index determined by a designated organization such as a government agency or private company according to the level of flight risk for the aircraft's flight. Flight types are classified, for example, into Type 1 (no specific flight, no flight over third parties), Type 2 (specific flight, no flight over third parties), and Type 3 (specific flight, flight over third parties).

[0023] When the information processing device 3 obtains a flight plan, it estimates the flight duration based on the map information and the flight route included in the flight plan (Figure 1, (2)). The flight duration is the time required for the aircraft to fly along the flight route.

[0024] Furthermore, the information processing device 3 estimates the adjustment period based on the applicable type included in the flight plan (Figure 1, (3)). The adjustment period is the time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the applicable type.

[0025] The information processing device 3 then transmits information based on the total period, which is the sum of the flight duration and the adjustment period, to the flight manager terminal 2 (Figure 1, (4)). Subsequently, the flight manager confirms the information based on the total period on the flight manager terminal 2, initiates procedures to have the aircraft fly according to the flight plan with the designated agency, and manages the flight of the aircraft according to the flight plan.

[0026] In this way, the information processing system S can easily determine how long it will take for the flight of an aircraft based on a flight plan to be completed. The following describes the functional configuration of the information processing device 3.

[0027] [Functional Configuration of Information Processing Device 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 3. The information processing device 3 comprises a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. In Figure 2, the arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may be other data flows not shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, each functional block shows a functional unit configuration, not a hardware (device) unit configuration. Therefore, the functional blocks shown in Figure 2 may be implemented in a single device, or they may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data exchange between functional blocks may be performed via any means, such as a data bus, network, or portable storage medium.

[0028] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface for connecting to a network and has a communication controller for receiving data from external devices.

[0029] The memory unit 32 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that implements the information processing device 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of ​​the information processing device 3, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed. The memory unit 32 stores map information, information about aircraft, and information about flight managers.

[0030] Map information may, for example, be information showing a two-dimensional map or information showing a three-dimensional map. Map information may further include information showing the radio wave conditions in a wireless communication system provided by a predetermined communication service. The wireless communication system is a wireless communication system used by the aircraft to communicate, and communication between the aircraft and the information processing device 3 is also conducted via this wireless communication system. Information about the aircraft includes, for example, an aircraft ID for identifying the aircraft, the type of aircraft, the performance of the aircraft, etc. Information about the flight manager includes, for example, a flight manager ID for identifying the flight manager, the flight manager's schedule (e.g., attendance sheet, flight schedule for assigned flight plans, etc.), and the flight types among multiple flight types to which the flight manager is authorized to manage the aircraft's flight. The authorization to manage the aircraft's flight based on the flight type may be authorized by the administrator of the information processing device 3 or by a predetermined organization.

[0031] The control unit 33 is a processor such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit) of the information processing device 3, and by executing the program stored in the storage unit 32, it functions as the acquisition unit 331, estimation unit 332, output unit 333, price determination unit 334, selection unit 335, judgment processing unit 336, and calculation unit 337.

[0032] The acquisition unit 331 acquires a flight plan that includes the flight route on which the aircraft will fly and the applicable flight type, which is one of several flight types determined according to the level of risk to the aircraft's flight, and which corresponds to the flight of the aircraft on the flight route. For example, first, when a user accesses the information processing service site on the user terminal 1, the user terminal 1 displays the information processing service display screen. The information processing service display screen is provided with various input fields for entering a flight plan, and when the user enters information into the input fields, the user terminal 1 sends a flight request to the information processing device 3, which is a flight request to request the aircraft to fly based on the flight plan and includes the information entered by the user as the flight plan. The acquisition unit 331 then acquires the flight request including the flight plan from the user terminal 1.

[0033] The estimation unit 332 estimates the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information. The estimation unit 332 calculates the flight duration based, for example, on map information, the flight route included in the flight plan acquired by the acquisition unit 331, and the flight speed at which the aircraft flies. The flight speed may be, for example, a speed predetermined in the information processing device 3 (for example, a speed common to all aircraft, or a speed specific to the performance of each aircraft), or a speed specified in the flight plan. The estimation unit 332 can estimate the flight duration using, for example, known technology.

[0034] The estimation unit 332 further estimates the adjustment period required for making adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight category by referring to the adjustment period information. The adjustment period information is information that specifies the period required for making adjustments to fly the aircraft in each flight category. For example, for each flight category, one or more target adjustment organizations corresponding to that flight category and one or more organization adjustment periods corresponding to each of the one or more target adjustment organizations are associated with it. The target adjustment organizations are organizations that are subject to adjustments for flying the aircraft in a given flight category, for example, government agencies or private organizations. The organization adjustment period is an estimated period required for making adjustments to fly the aircraft in a given flight category with respect to the target adjustment organizations. For example, it is the sum of the time required to prepare documents to be submitted to the target adjustment organizations, the time required for the procedures (applications) to fly the aircraft in a given flight category with respect to the target adjustment organizations, and the time until the target adjustment organizations approve the flight of the aircraft in a given flight category.

[0035] In this case, first, the estimation unit 332 refers to the adjustment period information and identifies one or more target adjustment organizations that are subject to adjustment for flying the aircraft of the relevant type. Then, the estimation unit 332 estimates the adjustment period by summing the one or more adjustment periods associated with each of the identified target adjustment organizations. For example, the estimation unit 332 stores the estimated flight period and adjustment period in the storage unit 32 in association with the flight plan.

[0036] The output unit 333 outputs information based on the total period, which is the sum of the flight duration and adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit 332. The output unit 333 displays the information based on the total period on the flight manager terminal 2, for example. For example, when the flight manager performs an operation on the flight manager terminal 2 to display the contents of the flight plan, the output unit 333 displays the flight plan and the information based on the total period corresponding to the flight plan. The output unit 333 may also display the information based on the total period on the user terminal 1.

[0037] The output unit 333 outputs the total period as information based on the total period. The output unit 333 may further output the flight duration and the adjustment duration in an identifiable manner. The output unit 333 may also output information indicating the fee for the service that provides the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan as information based on the total period.

[0038] Specifically, the fare determination unit 334 determines the service fee based on the total period and a predetermined unit price. The service fee is the fee for the service of providing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. The fare determination unit 334 calculates the service fee, for example, by multiplying the total period by the unit price. If the unit price for the flight fee and the unit price for the adjustment fee are different, the fare determination unit 334 may calculate the service fee by adding the fee obtained by multiplying the flight period by the unit price for the flight fee and the fee obtained by multiplying the adjustment period by the unit price for the adjustment fee.

[0039] The output unit 333 then outputs information indicating the service fee determined by the fee determination unit 334, as information based on the total period. In this way, the information processing device 3 can present a service fee based on the time required for the flight of the aircraft according to the flight plan to be completed.

[0040] The output unit 333 may output information indicating service fees corresponding to the flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. For example, the unit price is determined for each flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft. The information processing device 3 outputs information indicating service fees corresponding to the flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan by performing, for example, the following three steps.

[0041] As the first step, the selection unit 335 selects a flight manager from among multiple flight managers to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. For example, the selection unit 335 selects a flight manager from among multiple flight managers according to the applicable type. Specifically, the selection unit 335 refers to information about flight managers and selects a flight manager from among multiple flight managers who is authorized to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the applicable type of flight plan. In this way, the information processing device 3 can have the aircraft's flight managed by an operations manager who has the skills to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the applicable type of flight plan.

[0042] The selection unit 335 may select a flight manager from among multiple flight managers according to the availability of each flight manager's schedule. For example, the flight plan further includes information to specify the work period for performing work related to the flight of the aircraft. Work related to the flight of the aircraft includes, for example, coordination and flight management. The information to specify the work period may be a period designated by the user as the period for performing work related to the flight of the aircraft, a period for flying the aircraft, or a deadline for completing the flight of the aircraft. When the information to specify the work period is a period for flying the aircraft or a deadline for completing the flight of the aircraft, the work period is, for example, the period from the current time or the start of business on the day the work related to the flight of the aircraft is performed, to the time when the period for flying the aircraft has elapsed or the deadline for completing the flight of the aircraft has elapsed.

[0043] In this case, the selection unit 335 refers to the schedules of multiple flight managers and selects a flight manager from among the multiple flight managers who has available time during the work period. In this way, the information processing device 3 can have an available flight manager manage the flight of the aircraft.

[0044] In the second step, the fare determination unit 334 determines the service fee based on the total period and the unit price set for the flight manager selected by the selection unit 335. For example, the flight manager information includes the unit price set for that flight manager. In this case, the fare determination unit 334 refers to the flight manager information selected by the selection unit 335 and determines the service fee by multiplying the total period by the unit price corresponding to the flight manager selected by the selection unit 335.

[0045] As a third step, the output unit 333 outputs information indicating the service fee determined by the fare determination unit 334 according to the flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, as information based on the total period. The output unit 333 may further output information indicating the flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. In this way, the information processing device 3 can present the service fee based on the flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan.

[0046] If the acquisition unit 331 acquires multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap, the output unit 333 may output information based on the total period indicating whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on each of the multiple flight plans. The information processing device 3 outputs information indicating whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on each of the multiple flight plans by, for example, performing the following four steps.

[0047] As the first step, the acquisition unit 331 acquires multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap. As the second step, the determination processing unit 336 determines whether there is a flight manager who has available time for the multiple work periods required for adjusting each flight plan and managing the flight of the aircraft in each flight plan. The multiple work periods are, for example, the sum of the time it would take to adjust each flight plan sequentially and the time it would take to manage the flight of the aircraft in each flight plan simultaneously.

[0048] Specifically, first, the determination processing unit 336 calculates the multiple work period by summing the total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, and the longest flight period among the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans. Then, the determination processing unit 336 refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and determines whether or not there is a flight manager among the multiple flight managers who has an available slot for the calculated multiple work period.

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the process for calculating multiple work periods. In the example shown in Figure 3, dashed lines indicate work execution periods, solid lines that are filled in black indicate adjustment periods, and solid lines that are not filled in black indicate flight periods. In the example shown in Figure 3, flight plan A has an adjustment period of 1 hour and a flight period of 1 hour, flight plan B has an adjustment period of 0.5 hours and a flight period of 1 hour, and flight plan C has an adjustment period of 1 hour and a flight period of 1.5 hours. The work execution period for all three flight plans is from 13:00 to 17:00 on January 10, 2026.

[0050] In this case, first, the decision processing unit 336 calculates a total adjustment period of 2.5 hours, which is the sum of the adjustment period of 1 hour for flight plan A, the adjustment period of 0.5 hours for flight plan B, and the adjustment period of 1 hour for flight plan C. The decision processing unit 336 also selects the flight period of flight plan C, which is the longest of the flight periods of 1 hour for flight plan A, 1 hour for flight plan B, and 1.5 hours for flight plan C. The decision processing unit 336 then calculates a multiple work period of 4 hours, which is the sum of the 2.5 hours calculated as the total adjustment period and the 1.5 hours of the flight period of flight plan C, which was selected as the longest flight period. The determination processing unit 336 refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and determines whether there is a flight manager among them who has the calculated 4 hours of free time during the work period from 13:00 to 17:00 on January 10, 2026.

[0051] The determination processing unit 336 determines, for example, whether there is a flight manager with available time slots for multiple work periods corresponding to multiple flight plans, triggered by the acquisition unit 331 acquiring multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap. The determination processing unit 336 may also determine whether the flight manager has available time slots for multiple work periods corresponding to multiple flight plans, triggered by the flight manager selecting multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap. For example, when a flight manager selects multiple flight plans whose work periods overlap on the flight manager terminal 2, the determination processing unit 336 determines whether the flight manager has available time slots for multiple work periods corresponding to those flight plans.

[0052] In the third step, the output unit 333 further outputs the determination result determined by the determination processing unit 336. For example, if the determination result determined by the determination processing unit 336 indicates that there are flight managers with multiple available work periods, the output unit 333 outputs information indicating multiple flight plans and information indicating available flight managers. The output unit 333 may also notify the flight manager terminal 2 of the available flight manager of the information indicating multiple flight plans.

[0053] If the determination result determined by the determination processing unit 336 indicates that there are no flight managers with available time slots for multiple work periods, the output unit 333 outputs a message indicating that there are no flight managers who can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on multiple flight plans. In this case, the flight manager may adjust the work periods for each of the multiple flight plans so that they can manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on each of the multiple flight plans, or they may coordinate the distribution of multiple flight plans with other flight managers. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily determine whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on multiple flight plans.

[0054] The output unit 333 further outputs information indicating whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on each of the multiple flight plans, taking into account the flight risks associated with the flights of aircraft based on each flight plan. The information processing device 3 outputs information indicating whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on each of the multiple flight plans, taking into account the flight risks associated with the flights of aircraft based on each flight plan, by, for example, performing the following four steps.

[0055] As the first step, the calculation unit 337 calculates an attention score corresponding to each flight plan by referring to the flight plan and map information. The attention score is an index value that indicates the degree to which the flight manager, who is in charge of managing the flight of the aircraft, pays attention to the flight of the aircraft along the flight route. For example, the higher the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the flight of the aircraft, the higher the value. For example, the higher the flight risk to the flight of the aircraft (for example, the risk of affecting the autonomous flight of the aircraft, the risk of affecting the surrounding area if the autonomous flight of the aircraft is affected, etc.), the higher the value of the attention score.

[0056] The calculation unit 337 calculates a caution score, for example, according to the performance of the aircraft used in the flight plan. For example, the flight plan further includes information to identify the performance of the aircraft flying the flight route. This information to identify the aircraft's performance includes, for example, the aircraft ID and information indicating the aircraft's performance.

[0057] Specifically, the calculation unit 337 calculates an attention score indicating that the lower the performance of the aircraft identified by the information included in the flight plan, the higher the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the higher the performance of the aircraft, the lower the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight. For example, the information processing device 3 has predetermined reference scores for each aircraft, aircraft type, or aircraft performance, indicating that the lower the performance of the aircraft, the higher the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the higher the performance of the aircraft, the lower the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight.

[0058] In this case, first, the calculation unit 337 refers to at least the flight plan among the flight plan and aircraft information to identify the aircraft, the type of aircraft, or the performance of the aircraft used in the flight plan. Then, the calculation unit 337 calculates a reference score corresponding to the identified aircraft, the type of aircraft, or the performance of the identified aircraft as a caution score.

[0059] The reference score may be defined as a common index value for multiple aircraft with different performance characteristics. In this case, for example, the information processing device 3 has predetermined coefficients for each aircraft, aircraft type, or aircraft performance, such that the lower the aircraft's performance, the higher the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the higher the aircraft's performance, the lower the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight. In this case, the calculation unit 337 calculates the attention score by adding or multiplying the reference score by a coefficient associated with the aircraft's performance used in the flight plan. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate an attention score according to the aircraft's performance.

[0060] The calculation unit 337 may calculate a caution score according to the level of flight risk for the aircraft's flight based on the flight plan. For example, the flight plan may further include information indicating the applicable flight type, which is one of several flight types that corresponds to the aircraft's flight along the flight route.

[0061] Specifically, the calculation unit 337 calculates an attention score indicating that the higher the flight risk indicated by the relevant flight type, the greater the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the lower the flight risk indicated by the relevant flight type, the less attention the flight manager pays to the aircraft's flight. For example, the information processing device 3 has predetermined coefficients for each flight type, such that the higher the flight risk indicated by the relevant flight type, the greater the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the lower the flight risk indicated by the relevant flight type, the less attention the flight manager pays to the aircraft's flight.

[0062] In this case, the calculation unit 337 calculates the attention score by adding or multiplying the reference score by the coefficient associated with the relevant category. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate the attention score corresponding to the relevant category.

[0063] The calculation unit 337 may calculate a caution score based on the content of the specific flight in the flight plan. Specific flights are flights in airspace and using methods that require permission or approval from a designated authority, such as flights over densely populated areas, night flights, flights beyond visual line of sight, flights over airports and other surrounding airspace, flights over event venues, and the transport of dangerous goods. For example, the flight plan may include the content of the specific flight.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 3 has predetermined coefficients for each specific flight, such that the higher the flight risk indicated by the specific flight, the greater the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the lower the flight risk indicated by the specific flight, the less attention the flight manager pays to the aircraft's flight. In this case, the calculation unit 337 calculates the attention score by adding or multiplying the coefficient associated with the specific flight included in the flight plan to the reference score. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate an attention score corresponding to the specific flight in the flight plan.

[0065] The calculation unit 337 may calculate a caution score based on the flight purpose. The flight purpose is the reason for flying the aircraft, such as logistics, inspection, or surveying. For example, a flight plan includes the flight purpose for which the aircraft is flown.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 3 has predetermined coefficients for each flight purpose, such that the higher the flight risk indicated by the flight purpose, the greater the degree to which the flight manager pays attention to the aircraft's flight, and the lower the flight risk indicated by the flight purpose, the less attention the flight manager pays to the aircraft's flight. In this case, the calculation unit 337 calculates the attention score by adding or multiplying the reference score by the coefficient associated with the flight purpose included in the flight plan. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate an attention score corresponding to the flight purpose in the flight plan.

[0067] In the second step, the selection unit 335 selects from among multiple flight plans multiple flight plans in which the sum of the attention scores does not exceed the upper limit, and in which the sum of the work periods does not exceed the work implementation period. The upper limit is a numerical value defined as the upper limit of the degree of attention that one flight manager should pay. For example, the selection unit 335 selects multiple flight plans in which the sum of the attention scores does not exceed the upper limit, and in which the difference between the sum of the attention scores and the upper limit is smallest.

[0068] In the third step, the determination processing unit 336 refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and determines whether there are any flight managers among the multiple flight managers who have free time in the multiple work periods based on the multiple flight plans selected by the selection unit 335 during the overlapping work periods of the multiple flight plans selected by the selection unit 335. Subsequently, the output unit 333 outputs the determination result determined by the determination processing unit 336. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily determine whether one flight manager can simultaneously manage the flights of multiple aircraft based on multiple flight plans, within the range of attention that one flight manager can manage the flights of multiple aircraft simultaneously.

[0069] [Processing by Information Processing Device 3] Next, we will explain the processing flow executed by the information processing device 3. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the processing flow of the information processing device 3. This process starts when the acquisition unit 331 acquires a flight plan including the flight route and the corresponding type (S1).

[0070] The estimation unit 332 estimates the flight duration by referring to map information (S2). The estimation unit 332 also estimates the adjustment duration by referring to adjustment duration information (S3).

[0071] The fare determination unit 334 determines the service fee for the service of providing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, based on the total period and a predetermined unit price (S4). Then, the output unit 333 outputs information indicating the service fee determined by the fare determination unit 334 as information based on the total period (S5).

[0072] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, first, the information processing device 3 acquires a flight plan including the flight route and the applicable type. It then refers to map information to estimate the flight duration required for the aircraft to fly the flight route, and refers to adjustment period information to estimate the adjustment period required for the aircraft to fly in the applicable type. The information processing device 3 then outputs information based on the total duration, which is the sum of the estimated flight duration and adjustment period. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily grasp how long it will take for the aircraft to complete its flight based on the flight plan.

[0073] 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."

[0074] 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]

[0075] 1. User terminal 2. Flight Administrator Terminal 3. Information Processing Device 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 331 Acquisition Department 332 Estimation Department 333 Output section 334 Pricing Section 335 Selection Section 336 Determination Processing Unit 337 Calculation Section S Information Processing System

Claims

1. A flight plan planned for the flight of an aircraft, comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring a flight plan which includes a flight route for the aircraft to fly; a first type which is a combination of no specific flight and no overflight by a third party, a second type which is a combination of the specific flight and no overflight by a third party, and a third type which is a combination of the specific flight and the overflight by a third party, and which is the flight type that corresponds to the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, among a plurality of flight types: An estimation unit that, by referring to map information, estimates the flight time required for the aircraft to fly the flight route, and by referring to adjustment period information which specifies the time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight type, estimates the adjustment time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight type. An output unit outputs information based on the total period obtained by summing the flight duration and adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit, An information processing device having

2. The information processing device further includes a fee determination unit that determines a service fee for the service of providing the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan, based on the total period and a predetermined unit price. The output unit outputs information indicating the service charge determined by the charge determination unit, as information based on the total period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned unit price is determined for each flight manager who manages the flight of the aircraft, The information processing device further includes a selection unit that, based on the flight plan, selects a flight manager from among a plurality of flight managers to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. The fare determination unit determines the service fee based on the total period and the unit price set by the flight manager selected by the selection unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The selection unit selects from among the multiple flight managers the flight manager authorized to manage the flight of the aircraft based on the applicable type. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The flight plan further includes, as information for identifying the work period, which is the period during which work including adjustments for flying the aircraft in the applicable category and management of the aircraft's flight should be carried out, one of the following: the period designated as the work period by the user who planned the flight plan, the period during which the aircraft will be flown, and the deadline for completing the aircraft's flight. The selection unit refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and selects from among the multiple flight managers who have available time during the work implementation period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned flying object is equipped with autonomous flight capabilities, The flight plan further includes, as information for identifying the work period, which is the period during which work including adjustments for flying the aircraft in the applicable category and management of the aircraft's flight should be carried out, one of the following: the period designated as the work period by the user who planned the flight plan, the period during which the aircraft will be flown, and the deadline for completing the aircraft's flight. The acquisition unit acquires multiple flight plans whose work execution periods overlap, The information processing device further includes a determination unit that refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers who manage the flight of the aircraft, and determines whether there is a flight manager among the multiple flight managers who has a period of free time during the work implementation period that is the sum of the total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, and the longest of the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans. The output unit further outputs the determination result determined by the determination unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned information processing device is For each of the aforementioned flight plans, a calculation unit calculates an attention score that indicates the degree to which the flight manager responsible for managing the flight of the aircraft pays attention to the flight of the aircraft along the flight route included in the flight plan, by referring to the said flight plan and the said map information. A selection unit selects from among the multiple flight plans the multiple flight plans whose total attention score does not exceed the upper limit set as the upper limit of the degree of attention required by the flight manager, and whose total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, and the longest of the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans, does not exceed the work implementation period. It further possesses, The determination unit refers to the schedules of each of the multiple flight managers and determines whether there is a flight manager among the multiple flight managers who has a period of free time equal to the sum of the total adjustment period, which is the sum of the multiple adjustment periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans selected by the selection unit during the work implementation period, and the longest of the multiple flight periods corresponding to each of the multiple flight plans. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned adjustment period information includes, for each type of flight, one or more target adjustment organizations that are subject to adjustments for flying the aircraft in that type of flight, and one or more periods corresponding to each of the one or more target adjustment organizations. The estimation unit, by referring to the adjustment period information, identifies one or more target adjustment organizations that are subject to adjustments for flying the aircraft in the applicable category, and estimates the required adjustment period by summing the one or more periods associated with each of the identified one or more target adjustment organizations. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. A computer executes A step of obtaining a flight plan which includes a flight route for the aircraft to fly, and a corresponding flight type which is the flight type of the aircraft based on the flight plan, from among a plurality of flight types which are classified into a first type which is a combination of no specific flight and no overflight of third parties that is a flight in airspace and by a method that requires permission or approval by a prescribed agency, a second type which is a combination of the specific flight and no overflight, and a third type which is a combination of the specific flight and the overflight. The steps include: estimating the flight time required for the aircraft to fly the flight route by referring to map information; and estimating the adjustment time required for the aircraft to fly in the relevant flight type by referring to adjustment period information which specifies the time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight type; The steps include outputting information based on the total period obtained by summing the estimated flight duration and the adjustment duration, An information processing method having

10. Computers, An acquisition unit that acquires a flight plan, which includes a flight route for the aircraft to fly, and a corresponding flight type among a plurality of flight types classified into a first type, which is a combination of no specific flight and no overflight of third parties, which is a combination of the specific flight and no overflight of third parties, and a third type, which is a combination of the specific flight and the overflight of third parties, the flight type that corresponds to the flight of the aircraft based on the flight plan. An estimation unit that, by referring to map information, estimates the flight time required for the aircraft to fly the flight route, and by referring to adjustment period information which specifies the time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight type, estimates the adjustment time required for adjustments to fly the aircraft in the relevant flight type, and An output unit outputs information based on the total period obtained by adding the flight duration and adjustment duration estimated by the estimation unit. A program designed to function as such.

Images