Operation management system, operation management method, and program

Abstract

In this operation management system, an acquisition unit acquires, from an integrated management system, a movement plan of a moving body an operation of which is controlled by the operation management system. The acquisition unit acquires area information relating to a communication area of a wireless station. The switching control unit provides, on the basis of the movement plan and the area information, information for recommending, to the moving body, switching of a used communication method of the moving body.

Description

Traffic management system, traffic management method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a traffic management system, a traffic management method, and a program.

[0002] Mobile objects utilizing new technologies, such as drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are becoming increasingly common in our daily lives. These mobile objects exchange information with management systems via wireless communication. Various proposals have been made regarding technologies related to wireless communication between mobile objects. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a mobile object performs handover between multiple terrestrial wireless stations.

[0003] JP 2014-72648 A

[0004] Incidentally, the operating area of ​​mobile objects such as drones may include not only urban areas but also suburban areas. When mobile objects such as drones are operated in suburban areas, there is a possibility that the mobile objects may travel through areas that cannot be covered by a single communication method (e.g., 3GPP (registered trademark) LTE (3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution)). Because Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration, there is a possibility that the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 will not be able to achieve stable wireless communication for mobile objects.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a traffic management system, a traffic management method, and a program that can realize stable wireless communication of mobile objects. Note that this object is only one of multiple objects that multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to achieve. Other objects or problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification or the accompanying drawings.

[0006] In one aspect, the traffic management system includes: a first acquisition unit that acquires a movement plan of a mobile body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; a second acquisition unit that acquires area information regarding each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations that each correspond to at least one of a plurality of communication methods; and a switching control unit that provides information to the mobile body or a control system that controls the mobile body to recommend switching of the communication method used by the mobile body based on the movement plan and the area information.

[0007] In another aspect, a traffic management method executed by a traffic management system includes: acquiring a movement plan for a mobile body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; acquiring area information regarding each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations each corresponding to at least one communication method among a plurality of communication methods; and providing information for recommending a switch of the communication method used by the mobile body to the mobile body or a control system controlling the mobile body based on the movement plan and the area information.

[0008] In another aspect, the program causes a traffic management system to execute processing including: acquiring a movement plan of a mobile body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; acquiring area information regarding the communication areas of a plurality of radio stations each corresponding to at least one of a plurality of communication methods; and providing information for recommending to the mobile body or a control system controlling the mobile body that a switch of the communication method used by the mobile body be made based on the movement plan and the area information.

[0009] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a traffic management system, a traffic management method, and a program that can realize stable wireless communication of moving bodies.

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a traffic management system of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the traffic management system of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a traffic management system of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a traffic management system of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a system of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a traffic management system.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the drawings may relate to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, each element in the drawings may apply to one or more embodiments. Furthermore, in the embodiments, identical or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] <First embodiment> <System overview> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system according to the present disclosure. System 1 is a system that manages the operation of mobile objects 30. In Fig. 1, system 1 includes a traffic management system 2 and an integrated management system 3. Traffic management system 2 includes a traffic management system 10 and radio stations 20-1 and 20-2. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between radio stations 20-1 and 20-2, each of radio stations 20-1 and 20-2 may be referred to as radio station 20, or radio stations 20-1 and 20-2 may be collectively referred to as radio station 20. In Fig. 1, system 1 includes two radio stations 20, but the number of radio stations 20 included in system 1 is not limited to this and may be three or more.

[0013] The radio station 20 may be a radio station that is directly controlled by the traffic management system 10, or may be a radio station that is directly managed (controlled) by another traffic management system (not shown) under the control of the traffic management system 10.

[0014] The wireless station 20 supports at least one of a plurality of communication methods. The plurality of communication methods may include some or all of 3GPP (registered trademark) LTE (3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), LPWA (Low-Power Wide Area), L5G (Local 5G), and satellite communication. That is, the wireless station 20 may be a base station or an access point (including a satellite of a non-terrestrial network) corresponding to the communication method.

[0015] The wireless station 20-1 corresponds to the communication area AR1 and is capable of communicating with a mobile object 30 located within the communication area AR1.

[0016] The wireless station 20-2 corresponds to the communication area AR2 and is capable of communicating with the mobile object 30 located within the communication area AR2.

[0017] Note that, since it is assumed here that each wireless station 20 supports one communication method, in FIG. 1 each wireless station 20 corresponds to one communication area. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and each wireless station 20 may support multiple communication areas corresponding to multiple communication methods. Typically, different communication methods result in different sizes of the corresponding communication areas. Therefore, when a wireless station 20 supports multiple communication methods, the sizes of the multiple communication areas of the wireless station 20 usually differ from one another. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where each wireless station 20 supports one communication method. In other words, the communication method of wireless station 20-1 may be the same as or different from the communication method of wireless station 20-2.

[0018] The integrated management system 3 holds a "movement plan" for the moving object 30. The movement plan may include information regarding the positions of each of a plurality of points on a planned movement route. The movement plan may also include information regarding the planned time to pass each point. The moving object 30 normally moves automatically based on the movement plan. This automatic movement mode may be called an "automatic movement mode."

[0019] The moving body 30 is, for example, an air vehicle called a drone or an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The moving body 30 transmits information about the position and speed of the moving body 30 at a predetermined frequency (for example, at least once per second). The moving body 30 may also transmit information about the time along with the information about the position and speed of the moving body 30. The signal transmitted from the moving body 30 may be a remote ID signal (RID signal).

[0020] The traffic management system 10 can acquire information transmitted from the mobile object 30 via the radio station 20. Then, the traffic management system 10 manages the operation of the mobile object 30 based on the information transmitted from the mobile object 30.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a traffic management system according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 2, a traffic management system 10 includes an acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 11, an acquisition unit (second acquisition unit) 12, and a switching control unit 13.

[0022] The acquisition unit 11 acquires, from the integrated management system 3, a movement plan for the moving object 30 whose operation is managed (controlled) by the traffic management system 10.

[0023] The acquisition unit 12 acquires information relating to the communication area of ​​the wireless station 20 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “area information”).

[0024] The switching control unit 13 provides information to the mobile body 30 or a control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30 to recommend switching the communication method used by the mobile body 30 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "used communication method") based on the movement plan and the area information. For example, the switching control unit 13 identifies a communication area to which the mobile body 30 is to move and the communication method in that communication area based on the movement plan and the area information. For example, the switching control unit 13 identifies a communication area AR2 to which the mobile body 30 is currently residing in the communication area AR1 is to move and the communication method in the communication area AR2 based on the movement plan of a planned movement route from communication area AR1 to communication area AR2 and the area information. Then, the switching control unit 13 provides (transmits) information to the mobile body 30 or a control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30 to recommend switching the communication method used by the mobile body 30 to the communication method of the destination communication area at an appropriate time.

[0025] For example, suppose that the mobile object 30 is scheduled to move from a communication area AR1 of a first communication method to a communication area AR2 of a second communication method different from the first communication method. At this time, the switching control unit 13 may provide information to the mobile object 30 via the wireless station 20-1, or to the control system (not shown) that controls the mobile object 30, recommending that the mobile object 30 or a control system (not shown) that controls the mobile object 30 switch the communication method used from the first communication method to the second communication method. The timing for providing the information recommending the switching to the mobile object 30 is not limited to the above, but the following timing is possible. That is, the switching control unit 13 may identify, from the movement plan, the scheduled time when the mobile object 30 will pass over the boundary between the communication area AR1 and the communication area AR2, and provide information recommending the switching to the mobile object 30 a predetermined time before the scheduled time. Alternatively, the switching control unit 13 may provide information to recommend switching to the mobile body 30 or a control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30 when the position of the mobile body 30, based on information regarding the position of the mobile body 30 transmitted from the mobile body 30, comes within a predetermined distance from the boundary between the communication area AR1 and the communication area AR2.

[0026] In addition, if the radio station 20-2 corresponding to the destination communication area AR2 is a radio station under the operational management system 10, the switching control unit 13 may send a notification signal to the radio station 20-2 notifying it that the mobile body 30 is scheduled to move into the communication area AR2.

[0027] <Example of Operation of Traffic Management System> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation of the traffic management system of the present disclosure.

[0028] The acquisition unit 11 acquires, from the integrated management system 3, a movement plan for the moving body 30 whose operation is controlled by the control system 10 (step S101).

[0029] The acquisition unit 12 acquires area information of the wireless station 20 (step S102).

[0030] The switching control unit 13 provides information for recommending switching of the communication method used by the mobile unit 30 based on the movement plan and the area information (step S103).

[0031] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the switching control unit 13 in the traffic management system 10 controls switching of the communication method used by the mobile object 30 based on the movement plan and area information.

[0032] With this configuration of the traffic management system 10, the traffic management system 10 can identify the communication area to which the mobile unit 30 will move and the communication method to be used in that communication area based on the movement plan and area information. Therefore, the traffic management system 10 can switch the communication method used by the mobile unit 30 to the communication method of the communication area to which the mobile unit 30 will move at an appropriate time, thereby achieving stable wireless communication for the mobile unit 30. <Variation of the First Embodiment> Note that, when the radio wave strength of the communication method after switching is lower than a predetermined level, the traffic management system 10 may provide information recommending to the mobile unit 30 or a control system (not shown) controlling the mobile unit 30 to communicate using multiple communication methods. Furthermore, when the radio wave strength in the current communication area of ​​the mobile unit 30 becomes lower than a predetermined level, the traffic management system 10 may provide information recommending to the mobile unit 30 or a control system (not shown) controlling the mobile unit 30 to communicate using multiple communication methods instead of switching the communication method used by the mobile unit 30.

[0033] Second Embodiment The second embodiment relates to a specific example of obtaining information about a communication area, for example.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of a traffic management system according to the present disclosure. In Fig. 4, the traffic management system 10 includes an acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 11, an acquisition unit (second acquisition unit) 12, and a switching control unit 13. The acquisition unit 12 includes an acquisition unit (third acquisition unit) 12A and a calculation unit (area calculation unit) 12B.

[0035] The acquisition unit 12A acquires radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station 20. For example, the acquisition unit 12A may model the distribution of radio wave intensity of radio station signals transmitted from each radio station 20, taking into account the topography around each radio station 20, and identify (estimate) the radio wave intensity value of each point based on the modeled distribution of radio wave intensity. Note that the reliability of the modeled distribution of radio wave intensity may be confirmed in advance, and an estimated value of radio wave intensity based on the model may be used. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 12A may acquire multiple radio wave intensity values ​​(measured values) from each of a plurality of sensors (not shown) that are distributed around each radio station 20 and measure the radio wave intensity of radio station signals.

[0036] The calculation unit 12B calculates the communication area of ​​each wireless station 20 based on the radio wave intensity value acquired by the acquisition unit 12A. For example, the calculation unit 12B calculates the communication area of ​​a certain wireless station 20 so as to exclude points where the radio wave intensity value for that wireless station 20 is less than a threshold from the communication area of ​​that wireless station 20 and include points where the radio wave intensity value for that wireless station 20 is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0037] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 12A in the traffic management system 10 acquires radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station 20. The calculation unit 12B calculates the communication area of ​​each radio station 20 based on the radio wave intensity values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 12A.

[0038] This configuration of the traffic management system 10 enables the traffic management system 10 to accurately calculate the communication area of ​​each radio station 20.

[0039] Third Embodiment The third embodiment relates to, for example, correcting a movement plan.

[0040] 5 is a block diagram showing another example of a traffic management system according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, the traffic management system 10 includes an acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 11, an acquisition unit (second acquisition unit) 12, a switching control unit 13, an acquisition unit (third acquisition unit) 41, a calculation unit (first calculation unit) 42, a determination unit 43, a calculation unit (second calculation unit) 44, an adjustment control unit 45, and a setting control unit 46.

[0041] The acquisition unit 41 acquires information related to the position and information related to the speed of the mobile body 30. As described above, the mobile body 30 transmits information related to the position and information related to the speed of the mobile body 30, for example, at a predetermined frequency. The acquisition unit 41 may acquire information related to the position and information related to the speed of the mobile body 30 via a wireless station 20 with which the mobile body 30 can communicate at the transmission timing of the mobile body 30.

[0042] The calculation unit 42 calculates the position of the moving body 30 after a predetermined time (hereinafter, may be referred to as an "estimated position") based on the information on the position and speed of the moving body 30 acquired by the acquisition unit 41. The calculation unit 42 may, for example, calculate a distance by multiplying the speed indicated by the most recent speed of the moving body 30 by a predetermined time, and calculate, as the estimated position, a position that is the calculated distance away from the most recent position in the direction indicated by the most recent speed.

[0043] The determination unit 43 determines whether or not the movement plan needs to be revised based on the movement plan and the estimated position. The determination unit 43 may determine that the movement plan needs to be revised, for example, when the distance between the planned movement route of the movement plan and the estimated position is greater than a predetermined threshold. The distance between the planned movement route of the movement plan and the estimated position may be, for example, the distance between the estimated position and a point on the planned movement route that is closest to the estimated position.

[0044] When the determination unit 43 determines that the movement plan needs to be modified, the calculation unit 44 executes a "process for calculating a modified movement plan." In the "process for calculating a modified movement plan," the calculation unit 44 calculates, for example, a movement route starting from the estimated position and each route segment of which is included in the communication area of ​​any wireless station 20, as a "modified planned movement route." The calculation unit 44 then calculates a modified movement plan including the modified planned movement route. Note that, for example, the setting control unit 46 may transmit the modified movement plan to each of the moving object 30 and the integrated management system 3.

[0045] Here, a case may be considered in which the "calculation process of the corrected movement plan" calculates a corrected planned movement path (corrected movement plan) that includes a path outside the communication area that is not included in the communication area of ​​any wireless station. In this case, the adjustment control unit 45 calculates one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the "adjustment-target wireless station" corresponding to the adjustment-target communication area so that the "adjustment-target communication area" includes the path outside the communication area. For example, the adjustment control unit 45 may select the wireless station 20 closest to the path outside the communication area as the adjustment-target wireless station. Alternatively, the adjustment control unit 45 may preferentially select the wireless station 20 that supports LPWA as the adjustment-target wireless station. Then, the adjustment control unit 45 executes control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the adjustment-target wireless station to the calculated transmission power and the beam direction. For example, the adjustment control unit 45 may transmit an adjustment control signal including information on one or both of the calculated transmission power and the beam direction to the adjustment-target wireless station. As a result, the route portion outside the communication area is adjusted so as to be included in the communication area to be adjusted, so that each route portion of the corrected planned travel route can be included in the communication area of ​​any wireless station 20.

[0046] The setting control unit 46 transmits setting information for setting the mobile body 30 to switch to the "autonomous movement mode" when the mobile body 30 is unable to communicate with any of the wireless stations 20, or information recommending switching to the "autonomous movement mode", to the mobile body 30 or a control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30. The "autonomous movement mode" is a mode in which the mobile body 30 moves autonomously based on a movement plan held by the mobile body 30 or the control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30. Note that the setting control unit 46 may transmit setting information for setting the mobile body 30 to switch to the "autonomous movement mode" in advance when a position where communication will be weak is known based on the movement plan, or information recommending switching to the "autonomous movement mode", to the mobile body 30 or the control system (not shown) that controls the mobile body 30.

[0047] Here, the mobile body 30 in the autonomous movement mode is connected to the traffic management system 10 via any of the radio stations 20. Therefore, the mobile body 30 in the autonomous movement mode is under the control of the traffic management system 10. On the other hand, the mobile body 30 in the autonomous movement mode is in a state where it cannot communicate with any of the radio stations 20, and is therefore not under the control of the traffic management system 10. In other words, the autonomous movement mode is a mode to which the mobile body 30 transitions when an abnormality occurs. For example, the mobile body 30 in the autonomous movement mode may detect its position using a GPS function provided in the mobile body 30, and move autonomously along a planned movement route in a movement plan.

[0048] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the determination unit 43 in the traffic management system 10 determines whether or not the movement plan needs to be modified based on the movement plan and the estimated position. If the determination unit 43 determines that the movement plan needs to be modified, the calculation unit 44 executes a "process for calculating a modified movement plan." For example, the calculation unit 44 calculates, as the modified planned movement route, a movement route starting from the estimated position and each route segment of which is included in the communication area of ​​any wireless station 20.

[0049] This configuration of the traffic management system 10 enables the traffic management system 10 to realize stable wireless communication for the mobile object 30. Specifically, the movement of a mobile object such as a drone is easily affected by environmental factors such as wind and rain. Therefore, a mobile object such as a drone may be forced to deviate from its original movement plan. If the estimated position deviates from the movement plan, the traffic management system 10 can determine that the movement plan needs to be revised. If it is determined that the movement plan needs to be revised, the traffic management system 10 can execute a "process for calculating a revised movement plan." In the process of calculating a revised movement plan, the traffic management system 10 attempts to calculate a movement route starting from the estimated position, with each route segment included in the communication area of ​​one of the radio stations 20. This enables the traffic management system 10 to realize stable wireless communication for the mobile object 30.

[0050] Furthermore, in the traffic management system 10, when the calculation process for the corrected movement plan calculates a corrected planned movement route that includes a route portion outside the communication area that is not included in the communication area of ​​any radio station, the adjustment control unit 45 performs the following process. The adjustment control unit 45 calculates one or both of the transmission power and beam direction of the adjustment-target radio station corresponding to the adjustment-target communication area so that the adjustment-target communication area includes the route portion outside the communication area. Then, the adjustment control unit 45 executes control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and beam direction of the adjustment-target radio station to the calculated transmission power and / or beam direction.

[0051] With this configuration of the traffic management system 10, when the calculation process of the corrected movement plan calculates a corrected planned movement route that includes a route portion outside the communication area of ​​any wireless station, the traffic management system 10 adjusts the communication area of ​​the wireless station to be adjusted. This allows the traffic management system 10 to achieve stable wireless communication for the mobile object 30.

[0052] In addition, the setting control unit 46 in the traffic management system 10 sets the mobile object 30 to switch to the "autonomous movement mode" when the mobile object 30 is unable to communicate with any of the radio stations 20.

[0053] With this configuration of the traffic management system 10, the traffic management system 10 can enable the mobile object 30 to move autonomously even when an abnormality occurs.

[0054] Modification of Third Embodiment In the above description, the determination unit 43 determines whether or not the travel plan needs to be revised based on the travel plan and the estimated position, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 43 may predict the weather at multiple points on the travel route of the travel plan and determine whether or not the travel plan needs to be revised based on the predicted weather at each point.

[0055] Fourth Embodiment The fourth embodiment relates to one variation of the system configuration.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the system of the present disclosure. In Fig. 6, the traffic management system 2 has a traffic management system 10, a traffic management system 50, and radio stations 20-1 and 20-2. The traffic management system 50 is a traffic management system that is subordinate to the traffic management system 10. In the traffic management system 2 in Fig. 6, the radio station 20-1 is a radio station that is directly controlled by the traffic management system 10. The radio station 20-2 is a radio station that is directly controlled by the traffic management system 50. In other words, the radio station 20-2 is a radio station that is indirectly controlled by the traffic management system 10.

[0057] Here, it is assumed that the mobile unit 30 is scheduled to move from communication area AR1 to communication area AR2. At this time, the switching control unit 13 in the traffic management system 10 transmits a first notification signal to the radio station 20-2 via the traffic management system 50, notifying that the mobile unit 30 is scheduled to move into communication area AR2. As a result, even if the mobile unit 30 moves across the boundary between the traffic management systems 10 and 50, the radio station 20-2 corresponding to the communication area AR2 to which the mobile unit 30 is moving can prepare to receive the mobile unit 30. This allows stable wireless communication of the mobile unit 30 to be achieved.

[0058] The traffic management system 50 may manage the movement of the mobile object 30 between two communication areas corresponding to any two radio stations 20 directly controlled by the traffic management system 50. In other words, the traffic management system 50 may have a configuration equivalent to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5.

[0059] Fifth Embodiment The fifth embodiment relates to another variation of the system configuration.

[0060] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the system of the present disclosure. In Fig. 7, the traffic management system 2 has a traffic management system 10, traffic management systems 50-1 and 50-2, and radio stations 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3. The traffic management systems 50-1 and 50-2 are traffic management systems subordinate to the traffic management system 10. In the traffic management system 2 in Fig. 7, the radio station 20-1 is a radio station directly controlled by the traffic management system 10. The radio station 20-2 is a radio station directly controlled by the traffic management system 50-1. The radio station 20-3 is a radio station directly controlled by the traffic management system 50-2. In other words, the radio stations 20-2 and 20-3 are radio stations indirectly controlled by the traffic management system 10.

[0061] Here, it is assumed that the mobile unit 30 is scheduled to move from communication area AR2 to communication area AR3. At this time, the Traffic Management System 50-1 transmits a second notification signal to the Traffic Management System 10, notifying that the mobile unit 30 is scheduled to move into communication area AR3. Then, upon receiving the second notification signal from the Traffic Management System 50-1, the switching control unit 13 in the Traffic Management System 10 transfers the second notification signal to the Traffic Management System 50-2. Upon receiving the second notification signal transferred from the Traffic Management System 10, the Traffic Management System 50-2 transfers the second notification signal to the radio station 20-3. As a result, even if the mobile unit 30 moves across the boundary between the Traffic Management Systems 50-1 and 50-2, the radio station 20-3 corresponding to the communication area AR3 to which the mobile unit 30 is moving can prepare to receive the mobile unit 30. This allows stable wireless communication of the mobile unit 30 to be achieved.

[0062] The traffic management system 50-1 may manage the movement of the mobile object 30 between two communication areas corresponding to any two radio stations 20 directly controlled by the traffic management system 50-1. That is, the traffic management system 50-1 may have a configuration equivalent to that shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 5. The same applies to the traffic management system 50-2.

[0063] <Other Embodiments> <1> Each of the traffic management systems 10, 50-1, 50-2 described in the first to fifth embodiments may be configured by one or more devices.

[0064] <2> Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a traffic management system. In Figure 8, the traffic management system 100 has a network interface 101, a processor 102, and a memory 103. The processor 102 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a micro processing unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 102 may include multiple processors. The memory 103 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 103 may include storage located remotely from the processor 102. In this case, the processor 102 may access the memory 103 via an I (Input) / O (Output) interface (not shown). The network interface 101 is used, for example, to communicate with network elements (e.g., other traffic management systems, radio stations, and integrated management systems).

[0065] The traffic management systems 10, 50-1, and 50-2 of the first to fifth embodiments may each have the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 8 . The acquisition unit 11, acquisition unit 12, switching control unit 13, acquisition unit 41, calculation unit 42, determination unit 43, calculation unit 44, adjustment control unit 45, and setting control unit 46 of the traffic management systems 10, 50-1, and 50-2 of the first to fifth embodiments may be realized by the processor 102 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 103. The program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to the traffic management systems 10, 50-1, and 50-2. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, and CD-R / Ws. Further, examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include semiconductor memory. Semiconductor memory includes, for example, mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), flash ROM, and random access memory (RAM). Furthermore, the program may be supplied to the traffic management systems 10, 50-1, and 50-2 by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can supply the program to the traffic management systems 10, 50-1, and 50-2 via wired communication paths such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0066] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0067] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note A1) A traffic management system comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires a movement plan of a moving body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; a second acquisition unit that acquires area information on each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations that each support at least one communication method out of a plurality of communication methods; and a switching control unit that provides information for recommending to the moving body or a control system that controls the moving body to switch the communication method used by the moving body, based on the movement plan and the area information. (Supplementary Note A2) A traffic management system according to Supplementary Note A1, further comprising: a third acquisition unit that acquires a position and speed of the moving body; a first calculation unit that calculates an estimated position of the moving body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the moving body; a determination unit that determines whether the movement plan needs to be modified based on the movement plan and the estimated position; and a second calculation unit that executes a calculation process for a modified movement plan when it is determined that the movement plan needs to be modified. (Supplementary Note A3) The traffic management system of Supplementary Note A2, wherein the second calculation unit calculates the revised movement plan including a movement route where each route portion is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. (Supplementary Note A4) The traffic management system of Supplementary Note A2, further comprising an adjustment control unit that, when the revised movement plan calculation process calculates the revised movement plan including an outside-communication-area route portion that is not included in the communication area of ​​any radio station, calculates one or both of a transmission power and a beam direction of a radio station that corresponds to the adjustment-target communication area so that the outside-communication-area route portion is included in the adjustment-target communication area, and executes control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the radio station that is the adjustment-target communication area to the calculated transmission power and / or beam direction. (Supplementary Note A5) The traffic management system of any one of Supplements A1 to A4, further comprising a setting control unit that transmits to the mobile object setting information for setting the mobile object to switch to an autonomous movement mode based on the movement plan when the mobile object is unable to communicate with any radio station.(Supplementary Note A6) The traffic management system according to any one of Supplements A1 to A4, wherein the switching control unit provides information to the mobile body via the first radio station, when the mobile body is scheduled to move from a first communication area of ​​a first radio station corresponding to a first communication method to a second communication area of ​​a second radio station corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method, to recommend to the mobile body that the communication method in use be switched from the first communication method to the second communication method. (Supplementary Note A7) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note A6, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of the traffic management system, and the switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station notifying that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A8) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note A6, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of a first other traffic management system subordinate to the traffic management system, and the switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station via the first other traffic management system notifying that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A9) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note A8, wherein when the switching control unit receives from the first other traffic management system a second notification signal notifying that the moving object is scheduled to move from the second communication area to a third communication area of ​​a third radio station under the control of a second other traffic management system that supports a third communication method different from the second communication method and is subordinate to the traffic management system, the switching control unit transfers the second notification signal to the second other traffic management system. (Supplementary Note A10) The traffic management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes A1 to A4, wherein the second acquisition unit comprises: a fourth acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station, and an area calculation unit that calculates the communication area of ​​each radio station based on the acquired radio wave intensity values.(Supplementary Note A11) A traffic management method executed by a traffic management system, comprising: acquiring a movement plan of a mobile body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; acquiring area information on each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations each corresponding to at least one communication method out of a plurality of communication methods; and providing information for recommending to the mobile body or a control system controlling the mobile body to switch the communication method used by the mobile body based on the movement plan and the area information. (Supplementary Note A12) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A11, further comprising: acquiring a position and speed of the mobile body; a first calculation unit that calculates an estimated position of the mobile body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the mobile body; determining whether the movement plan needs to be revised based on the movement plan and the estimated position; and executing a calculation process for a revised movement plan when it is determined that the movement plan needs to be revised. (Supplementary Note A13) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A12, wherein executing the calculation process for the revised movement plan includes calculating the revised movement plan including a movement route in which each route portion is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. (Supplementary Note A14) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A12, further including, when the calculation process for the revised movement plan calculates the revised movement plan including an outside-communication-area route portion that is not included in the communication area of ​​any radio station, calculating one or both of a transmission power and a beam direction of a radio station that corresponds to the adjustment-target communication area so that the outside-communication-area route portion is included in the adjustment-target communication area, and executing control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the radio station that is the adjustment-target communication area to the calculated transmission power and / or beam direction. (Supplementary Note A15) The traffic management method according to any one of Supplements A11 to A14, further including transmitting to the mobile object setting information for setting the mobile object to switch to an autonomous movement mode based on the movement plan when the mobile object is unable to communicate with any radio station.(Supplementary Note A16) The traffic management method according to any one of Supplements A11 to A14, further comprising, when the mobile object is scheduled to move from a first communication area of ​​a first radio station corresponding to a first communication method to a second communication area of ​​a second radio station corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method, providing information to the mobile object via the first radio station for recommending to the mobile object that the communication method in use be switched from the first communication method to the second communication method. (Supplementary Note A17) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A16, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of the traffic management system, and further comprises transmitting to the second radio station a notification signal notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A18) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A16, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under a first other traffic management system that is subordinate to the traffic management system, and the traffic management method further comprises transmitting a notification signal to the second radio station via the first other traffic management system, notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A19) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note A18, comprising, when receiving from the first other traffic management system a second notification signal notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move from the second communication area to a third communication area of ​​a third radio station that supports a third communication method different from the second communication method and is subordinate to the traffic management system, transferring the second notification signal to the second other traffic management system. (Appendix A20) The traffic management method according to any one of Appendices A11 to A14, wherein acquiring the area information includes: acquiring radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station; and calculating the communication area of ​​each radio station based on the acquired radio wave intensity values.(Supplementary Note A21) A program that causes a traffic management system to execute processing including: acquiring a movement plan of a mobile body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system; acquiring area information on the communication areas of each of a plurality of radio stations corresponding to at least one of a plurality of communication methods; and providing, based on the movement plan and the area information, information for recommending to the mobile body or a control system that controls the mobile body to switch the communication method used by the mobile body. (Supplementary Note A22) The program according to Supplementary Note A21, wherein the processing further includes: acquiring a position and speed of the mobile body; calculating an estimated position of the mobile body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the mobile body; determining whether or not the movement plan needs to be modified based on the movement plan and the estimated position; and if it is determined that the movement plan needs to be modified, executing a calculation process for a modified movement plan. (Supplementary Note A23) The program according to Supplementary Note A22, wherein executing the calculation process for the modified movement plan includes calculating the modified movement plan including a movement route in which each route segment is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. (Supplementary Note A24) The program according to Supplementary Note A22, wherein the processing further includes, when the calculation process of the revised movement plan calculates the revised movement plan including an outside-communication-area path portion that is not included in the communication area of ​​any wireless station, calculating one or both of a transmission power and a beam direction of a wireless station that corresponds to the adjustment-target communication area so that the adjustment-target communication area includes the outside-communication-area path portion, and executing control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the wireless station that is adjusted to the calculated transmission power and the beam direction. (Supplementary Note A25) The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes A21 to A24, wherein the processing further includes transmitting to the mobile body setting information for setting the mobile body to switch to an autonomous movement mode based on the movement plan when the mobile body is unable to communicate with any wireless station.(Supplementary Note A26) The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes A21 to A24, wherein the processing further includes, when the mobile object is scheduled to move from a first communication area of ​​a first radio station corresponding to a first communication method to a second communication area of ​​a second radio station corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method, providing information to the mobile object via the first radio station for recommending to the mobile object to switch the communication method in use from the first communication method to the second communication method. (Supplementary Note A27) The program according to Supplementary Note A26, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of the traffic management system, and the processing further includes transmitting to the second radio station a notification signal notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A28) The program according to Supplementary Note A26, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under a first other radio traffic management system that is subordinate to the radio traffic management system, and the processing further includes transmitting a notification signal to the second radio station via the first other radio traffic management system, notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note A29) The program according to Supplementary Note A28, wherein the processing includes, when receiving from the first other radio traffic management system a second notification signal notifying that the mobile object is scheduled to move from the second communication area to a third communication area of ​​a third radio station that corresponds to a third communication method different from the second communication method and is subordinate to the radio traffic management system, transferring the second notification signal to the second other radio traffic management system. (Appendix A30) The program described in any one of Appendices A21 to A24, wherein acquiring the area information includes: acquiring radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station; and calculating the communication area of ​​each radio station based on the acquired radio wave intensity values.

[0068] (Supplementary Note B1) A traffic management system comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires a movement plan of a moving body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system, a second acquisition unit that acquires area information on each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations corresponding to at least one of a plurality of communication methods, a third acquisition unit that acquires a position and speed of the moving body, a first calculation unit that calculates an estimated position of the moving body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the moving body, a determination unit that determines whether or not the movement plan needs to be modified based on the movement plan and the estimated position, and a second calculation unit that executes a calculation process for a modified movement plan based on the area information when it is determined that the movement plan needs to be modified. (Supplementary Note B2) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note B1, wherein the second calculation unit calculates the modified movement plan including a movement route in which each route segment is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. (Supplementary Note B3) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note B1, further comprising an adjustment control unit that, when the calculation process of the revised movement plan calculates the revised movement plan including a route portion outside the communication area that is not included in the communication area of ​​any radio station, calculates one or both of a transmission power and a beam direction of the adjustment-target radio station corresponding to the adjustment-target communication area so that the adjustment-target communication area includes the route portion outside the communication area, and executes control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and the beam direction of the adjustment-target radio station to the calculated transmission power and / or beam direction. (Supplementary Note B4) The traffic management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes B1 to B3, further comprising a setting control unit that transmits to the moving body setting information for setting the moving body to switch to a mode of autonomous movement based on the movement plan when the moving body is unable to communicate with any radio station. (Appendix B5) The traffic management system according to any one of Appendices B1 to B4, further comprising a switching control unit that provides information to the mobile body to recommend switching of the communication method used by the mobile body based on the movement plan and the area information.(Supplementary Note B6) The traffic management system of Supplementary Note B5, wherein the switching control unit provides the mobile body with information via the first radio station to recommend to the mobile body that the communication method in use be switched from the first communication method to the second communication method when the mobile body is expected to move from a first communication area of ​​a first radio station corresponding to a first communication method to a second communication area of ​​a second radio station corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method. (Supplementary Note B7) The traffic management system of Supplementary Note B6, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of the traffic management system, and the switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station notifying that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note B8) The traffic management system of Supplementary Note B6, wherein the second radio station is a radio station under the control of a first other traffic management system subordinate to the traffic management system, and the switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station via the first other traffic management system notifying that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. (Supplementary Note B9) The traffic management system according to Supplementary Note B8, wherein when the switching control unit receives from the first other traffic management system a second notification signal notifying that the moving object is scheduled to move from the second communication area to a third communication area of ​​a third radio station under the control of a second other traffic management system that supports a third communication method different from the second communication method and is subordinate to the traffic management system, the switching control unit transfers the second notification signal to the second other traffic management system. (Supplementary Note B10) The traffic management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes B1 to B9, wherein the second acquisition unit comprises: a fourth acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity values ​​of radio station signals at each of a plurality of points around each radio station, and an area calculation unit that calculates the communication area of ​​each radio station based on the acquired radio wave intensity values.(Supplementary Note B11) A traffic management method executed by a traffic management system, comprising: acquiring a movement plan of a moving body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system, acquiring area information on each communication area of ​​a plurality of radio stations corresponding to at least one of a plurality of communication methods, acquiring a position and speed of the moving body, calculating an estimated position of the moving body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the moving body, determining whether or not the movement plan needs to be revised based on the movement plan and the estimated position, and if it is determined that the movement plan needs to be revised, executing a calculation process for a revised movement plan based on the area information. (Supplementary Note B12) The traffic management method according to Supplementary Note B11, wherein executing the calculation process includes calculating the revised movement plan including a movement route in which each route segment is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. (Supplementary Note B13) A program that causes a traffic management system to execute processes including: acquiring a movement plan of a moving body whose operation is controlled by the traffic management system, acquiring area information on the communication areas of each of a plurality of radio stations corresponding to at least one of a plurality of communication methods, acquiring the position and speed of the moving body, calculating an estimated position of the moving body after a predetermined time based on the position and speed of the moving body, determining whether or not the movement plan needs to be revised based on the movement plan and the estimated position, and if it is determined that the movement plan needs to be revised, executing a calculation process for a revised movement plan based on the area information. (Supplementary Note B14) The program according to Supplementary Note B13, wherein executing the calculation process includes calculating the revised movement plan including a movement route in which each route segment is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station.

[0069] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-108217, filed on June 30, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 System 2 Traffic management system 3 Integrated management system 10 Traffic management system 11 Acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 12 Acquisition unit (second acquisition unit) 12A Acquisition unit (third acquisition unit) 12B Calculation unit (area calculation unit) 13 Switching control unit 20 Radio station 30 Mobile body 41 Acquisition unit (third acquisition unit) 42 Calculation unit (first calculation unit) 43 Determination unit 44 Calculation unit (second calculation unit) 45 Adjustment control unit 46 Setting control unit 50 Traffic management system

Claims

1. It is an operation management system, The aforementioned flight management system includes a first acquisition unit that acquires the movement plan of a mobile object whose operation is controlled, A second acquisition unit acquires area information relating to the respective communication areas of multiple radio stations, each corresponding to at least one of multiple communication methods, A switching control unit that provides information to recommend the mobile body or the control system controlling the mobile body to switch the communication method used by the mobile body based on the movement plan and the area information, An air traffic control system equipped with the following features.

2. A third acquisition unit that acquires the position and speed of the moving body, A first calculation unit calculates the estimated position of the moving body after a predetermined time based on the position and velocity of the moving body, A determination unit that determines whether or not the movement plan needs to be modified based on the movement plan and the estimated position, If it is determined that the aforementioned travel plan needs to be modified, a second calculation unit executes a process to calculate the modified travel plan. The flight management system according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The second calculation unit calculates the modified travel plan, which includes a travel route in which each route portion is included in the communication area of ​​any radio station. The flight management system according to claim 2.

4. If the calculation process for the revised movement plan calculates a revised movement plan that includes a portion of the route outside the communication area that is not included in the communication area of ​​any radio station, the system further comprises an adjustment control unit that calculates one or both of the transmission power and beam direction of the adjustment target radio station corresponding to the adjustment target communication area so that the adjustment target communication area includes the portion of the route outside the communication area, and performs control to adjust one or both of the transmission power and beam direction of the adjustment target radio station to the calculated transmission power and beam direction. The flight management system according to claim 2.

5. The system further comprises a setting control unit that transmits setting information to the mobile body for setting it to switch to a mode of autonomous movement based on the movement plan when the mobile body becomes unable to communicate with any radio station. The flight management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the mobile unit is scheduled to move from the first communication area of ​​the first radio station corresponding to the first communication system to the second communication area of ​​the second radio station corresponding to a second communication system different from the first communication system, the switching control unit provides the mobile unit with information via the first radio station to recommend that the mobile unit switch the communication system used from the first communication system to the second communication system. The flight management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The second radio station is a radio station under the control of the flight management system, The switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station indicating that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. The flight management system according to claim 6.

8. The second radio station is a radio station under the control of a first other flight management system which is subordinate to the flight management system, The switching control unit transmits a notification signal to the second radio station via the first other operation management system that the mobile body is scheduled to move into the second communication area. The flight management system according to claim 6.

9. A flight management method performed by a flight management system, The aforementioned flight management system acquires the movement plan of the mobile object whose operation is controlled, To obtain area information regarding the respective communication areas of multiple radio stations, each corresponding to at least one of multiple communication methods, Based on the aforementioned movement plan and the aforementioned area information, information is provided to recommend that the mobile body or the control system controlling the mobile body switch the communication method used by the mobile body. Operational management methods including those mentioned above.

10. In the flight management system, The aforementioned flight management system acquires the movement plan of the mobile object whose operation is controlled, To obtain area information regarding the respective communication areas of multiple radio stations, each corresponding to at least one of multiple communication methods, Based on the aforementioned movement plan and the aforementioned area information, information is provided to recommend that the mobile body or the control system controlling the mobile body switch the communication method used by the mobile body. A program that performs a process that includes this.