JP7733619B2 - Installation area management system, management server, installation area management method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for identifying areas (hereinafter referred to as "installation areas") where aquaculture rafts, fish cage nets, fixed nets, fences, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "floating objects") are moored with anchors and installed on the water, and for providing installation area information indicating the identified installation areas to ships, etc.

Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation support system that shares information on vessel movements, providing a useful function for preventing vessel collisions. Paragraph [0050] of Patent Document 1 discloses that an administrator can designate multiple points on a map of a water area to set up a monitoring area, for example, an area where fixed nets are installed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-201912

In coastal waters, many floating objects are installed by people involved in fishing and other water-based activities. These floating objects are then removed depending on the season when they are no longer needed. When using the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, administrators must repeatedly perform the cumbersome task of designating and setting the installation areas for the numerous floating objects on a map, and then canceling the setting when the floating objects are removed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The management server disclosed in (5) above may further include an unreceived information determination unit and a fault notification unit. The unreceived information determination unit determines that at least one of the multiple pieces of terminal location information containing identification information associated by the group information has not been received. The fault notification unit considers the communication terminal identified by the identification information included in the unreceived terminal location information to be faulty, and notifies a predetermined destination of the fault.

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

(8) The management server disclosed in (5) above may further include an abnormality determination unit and an abnormality notification unit. The abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality exists if the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information is further away than a predetermined threshold from the location indicated by terminal location information previously received with the same identification information. If the abnormality notification unit determines that an abnormality exists, it notifies a predetermined destination of the abnormality.

(9) A fourth aspect of the present specification provides an installation area management method for managing installation areas on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed. The method stores group information that associates multiple pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices, receives terminal location information from communication terminal devices placed at multiple locations on the floating object, including the identification information and location information indicating the current location of the communication terminal device, determines an area shape indicating the shape of the installation area based on the multiple pieces of terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information, generates installation area information identifying one or more tiles including the area shape, stores the installation area information, and transmits the stored installation area information upon request.

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

By using an installation area management system, which is one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the need for administrators to perform tedious manual input operations, automatically collect location information on floating objects, and provide users with installation area information identified based on the location information.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an installation area management system 10. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication terminal device 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management server 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of group information 33. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of terminal location information 34. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a map display device 6. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of installation area management processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the installation state of an oyster raft. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a simulated installation state of a floating object 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 are plotted on a map 50. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an area shape determined based on group information 33. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape are identified. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 60 displayed on a map display device 6. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a method for determining an area shape. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape determined in a modified example are identified. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the installation position of the communication terminal device 1 and the tile size. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an area shape determined based on group information 33. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which tiles including an area shape are identified. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of tile sizes identified from area shapes. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of determining the area shape of a fish cage, which is a floating object 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a method for determining an area shape.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that identical components (functional parts) depicted in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

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

The map display device 6 is a computer equipped with an acquisition function for acquiring its own location information, a display function for displaying the installation area 30 (described below) and its own location on a map 50, and a communication function for sending and receiving data. The map display device 6 is, for example, a smartphone or an electronic chart display system (ECDIS: Electronic Chart Display and Information System) installed on the vessel 5.

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

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

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

For example, when sailing the ship 5 at night or during foggy weather, it can be difficult to visually confirm floating objects 2. In such cases, the user can check the relative position of the device displayed on the map display device 6 and the installation area 30, allowing the user to steer the ship 5 to avoid colliding with the floating objects 2.

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

A string of around 40 collectors (shells) with oyster larvae attached to wires is hung from the frame of the oyster raft. One oyster raft has 600 to 700 strings hanging from it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although not shown, the communication terminal device 1 may be a computer equipped with a CPU and memory. The communication terminal device 1 may also be equipped with various sensors that detect air temperature, humidity, water temperature, wind speed, vibration, sunlight intensity, etc., and may transmit the detected sensor information to the management server 3.

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

The solar panel unit 11 is a panel-shaped unit consisting of multiple solar cells that convert light energy into electrical energy (power) using the photovoltaic effect. The solar panel unit 11 is connected to the battery unit 12, and the generated power is used to charge the battery unit 12.

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

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

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

The device communication unit 15 has the function of communicating using a specified communication method. The device communication unit 15 communicates using the LPWA communication method. LPWA communication allows for communication over a wide range with low power consumption, but there are limitations on the amount of data that can be sent at one time, the number of times it can be sent, etc.

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

Under the control of the terminal control unit 17, the acquisition unit 16 has the function of sequentially receiving GPS signals from multiple GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and calculating and acquiring location information indicating the current location from the multiple received GPS signals. The acquisition unit 16 inputs the acquired location information to the terminal control unit 17.

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

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

The timing for generating and transmitting terminal location information 34 may be, for example, once a day at 12:00, twice a day at 12:00 and midnight, or the timing may be set arbitrarily. For example, if a comparison of the acquired location information with the previously acquired location information reveals that the device has moved a distance greater than a predetermined threshold, the timing may be switched from once a day in normal mode to every hour in abnormal mode.

The terminal control unit 17 may further generate transmission information including other sensor information and identification information and transmit it to the terminal communication unit 15. The other sensor information may be, for example, sensor information related to the surrounding air temperature, water temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

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

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

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

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

Group information 33 is information for identifying the installation area 30. Group information 33 associates identification information for multiple communication terminal devices 1. As shown in FIG. 4, group information 33 includes group identification information that identifies the group, identification information for the communication terminal devices 1, and area shape information that specifies the area shape.

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

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

The terminal location information 34 is information received from the communication terminal device 1 and includes identification information and location information. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal location information 34 received from each communication terminal device 1 is stored in the memory unit 32 in association with the time of reception.

Map information 35 is, for example, a digital map created by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. In addition to information about the map itself, which is a reduced-scale representation of a certain area on the Earth, map information 35 includes one or more pieces of point information, which is information about a point or area on the Earth. Point information is expressed in position coordinates such as latitude and longitude.

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

For example, zoom level 0 may represent the entire Earth map projected using a specific map projection method, expressed as a single square tile. The specific map projection method is a method of converting an area excluding some polar regions using the Mercator projection formula so that the longitude and latitude of the World Geodetic System are converted into a square.

Tile coordinates are expressed in the format "X, Y," with east being the positive X direction and south being the positive Y direction. The information indicating a tile can be determined arbitrarily as long as it does not contradict the objectives of the invention. The information indicating a tile can be converted into the latitude and longitude information corresponding to that tile using a specified calculation.

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

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

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

The generation unit 372 has the function of generating installation area information 36 that identifies tiles that include the determined area shape. The generated installation area information 36 is stored in the storage unit 32.

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

The unreceived information determination unit 374 has the function of determining whether or not there is any unreceived terminal location information 34 among the multiple pieces of terminal location information 34 that include identification information associated by the group information 33.

The abnormality determination unit 375 has the function of determining that an abnormality has occurred if the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information 34 is further away by a predetermined threshold than the location indicated by the location information included in the terminal location information 34 with the same previously received identification information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Note that the display of an icon representing an object on the map 50 based on the object's location information, and the process of successively updating and displaying the position of the icon 70 on the map 50, are realized using publicly known technology. Therefore, detailed explanations of the map display operations will be omitted.

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

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

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

In the processing of S4, the determination unit 371 determines an area shape indicating the shape of the installation area 30 based on multiple pieces of terminal position information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33, and proceeds to S5.

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

If, in the processing of S7, the communication unit 31 receives a request for installation area information 36 from the map display device 6 (S7: Yes), proceed to S8. If the communication unit 31 does not receive a request for installation area information 36 (S7: No), return to S1.

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

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

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

In the processing of S11, the notification unit 376 notifies a predetermined destination of the abnormality determination for the communication terminal device 1 determined to be abnormal. After processing of S11, proceed to S7.

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

Figure 10 shows the positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 received from each communication terminal device 1 plotted on a map 50. Two communication terminal devices 1 are placed at diagonally opposite corners of the floating object 2. Therefore, plots 20, which are the positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 sent by each communication terminal device 1, are displayed at diagonally opposite corners of each floating object 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the determination unit 371 determines the area shape 21 indicating the shape of the installation area 30 based on multiple pieces of terminal position information 34 including identification information associated by the group information 33. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the group information 33 specifies that the area shape 21 is a rectangle, and therefore the determination unit 371 determines the area shape 21 to be a rectangle whose diagonal is the position of each communication terminal device 1 associated by the group information 33.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the generation unit 372 identifies the installation area 30 (the blacked-out tile portion) that includes the area shape 21, and generates installation area information 36. The installation area 30 is identified by the zoom level and tile coordinates, and this information is included in the installation area information 36.

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

When checking the installation area 30 at a location other than the current location of the map display device 6, such as a destination, a request for installation area information 36 with the location specified by the user as the first location information 67 can be sent to the management server 3, and the user's own icon 70 can be omitted, and only the installation area 30 can be superimposed on the map 50.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 17, the determination unit 371 may determine the area shape 21 as an area enclosed by lines connecting the positions indicated by the terminal position information 34 of the communication terminal device 1 placed in the oyster raft group. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an installation area 30 identified based on the area shape 21 determined in the example of FIG. 17.

Note that while the larger the size of the tiles making up the map 50, the smaller the amount of information in the installation area information 36 can be, the larger the size of the tiles. However, this makes it harder to see the outline of the installation area 30, so it is necessary to appropriately set the zoom level that determines the tile size. For example, as shown in Figure 19, the installation area information 36 may be generated with a tile size that is one zoom level higher to match the size of the floating object 2.

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

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications and alternative forms of the above embodiments. For example, these include embodiments in which the components are modified and embodied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, embodiments in which multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments are appropriately combined, and embodiments in which some components are deleted from all of the components shown in the embodiments, or some components are added to the components shown in the embodiments.

In the above embodiment, group information 33 was stored in the memory unit 32 of the management server 3, but group identification information indicating that the groups belong to the same group may be stored in the terminal memory unit 18 of each communication terminal device 1, and the management server 3 may associate the terminal location information 34 with the group by including the group identification information in the terminal location information 34 and transmitting it. Depending on the method of operation, storing group identification information in the communication terminal device 1 in advance may reduce the work of setting group information 33 on the management server 3.

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

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

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

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication terminal device 2 Floating object 3 Management server 4 Base station 5 Ship 6 Map display device 11 Solar panel unit 12 Battery unit 13 Light sensor unit 14 Light emitting unit 15 Terminal communication unit 16 Acquisition unit 17 Terminal control unit 18 Terminal memory unit 20 Plot 21 Area shape 30 Installation area 31 Communication unit 32 Memory unit 33 Group information 34 Terminal position information 35 Map information 36 Installation area information 37 Server control unit 50 Map 60 Screen 61 First communication unit 62 First memory unit 63 App 64 Position information acquisition unit 65 Input acceptance unit 66 Display unit 70 Own icon

Claims (6)

An installation area management system including communication terminal devices arranged at a plurality of locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area in which the floating object is installed,
The communication terminal device
an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the communication terminal device;
a terminal communication unit that transmits identification information for identifying the communication terminal device and terminal location information including the location information to the management server;
The management server
a storage unit that stores group information in which a plurality of pieces of identification information are associated with each other;
a communication unit that receives the terminal location information from the communication terminal device;
a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on the plurality of pieces of terminal position information including the identification information associated by the group information;
the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape;
The storage unit stores the installation area information,
The communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the storage unit in response to a request.
Installation area management system. The installation area management system of claim 1, wherein the group information further includes area shape information that specifies the placement relationship of the communication terminal devices within the area shape. An installation area management system including communication terminal devices arranged at a plurality of locations on a floating object floating on water, and a management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area in which the floating object is installed,
The communication terminal device
an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the communication terminal device;
a terminal communication unit that transmits terminal location information to the management server, the terminal location information including identification information that identifies the communication terminal device, the location information, and group identification information that identifies a group to which the communication terminal device belongs;
Equipped with
The management server
a communication unit that receives the terminal location information from the communication terminal device;
a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on a plurality of pieces of terminal position information that include the same group identification information;
the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape;
Installation area management system. The installation area management system of claim 3, wherein the terminal location information further includes area shape information that specifies the placement relationship of the communication terminal devices within the area shape. A management server that manages an installation area on a map representing an area where a floating object is installed,
a storage unit that stores group information in which a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying communication terminal devices are associated;
a communication unit that receives terminal position information including the identification information and position information indicating a current position of the communication terminal device from the communication terminal device placed at a plurality of locations on the floating object;
a determination unit that determines an area shape indicating a shape of the installation area based on the plurality of pieces of terminal position information including the identification information associated by the group information;
the map is configured with a plurality of tiles divided into a mesh shape, and a generation unit is provided that generates installation area information that identifies one or more of the tiles and includes the area shape;
The storage unit stores the installation area information,
The communication unit transmits the installation area information stored in the storage unit in response to a request.
Management server. The management server further
a non-reception determination unit that determines that at least one piece of the terminal location information including the identification information associated by the group information has not been received;
a failure notification unit that determines that the communication terminal identified by the identification information included in the unreceived terminal location information is malfunctioning and notifies a predetermined destination of the malfunction;
The management server according to claim 5 , comprising: