JP7844018B2 - Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alert system, UAV alert system alert method, program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alert system for managing UAVs flying using a drone information infrastructure system, an alert method for the UAV alert system, and a program.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which oversees unmanned aircraft, approved a bill to amend the Aviation Act to allow beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights (Level 4) in populated areas. Based on this cabinet decision, the law regarding drones was revised. This amendment includes a provision for establishing a new "pilot license system" for unmanned aircraft. The reason for introducing this pilot license system is to prevent unforeseen accidents caused by BVLOS flights in populated areas. For this reason, organizations known as unmanned aircraft training centers are offering numerous license acquisition courses and recruiting trainees.

Patent Document 1, described below, describes "a reservation management system for unmanned aerial vehicles that allows for easy use of aircraft capable of performing necessary tasks when needed, by having a server device manage reservation information for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles via a network."

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes "an airspace utilization promotion system comprising an information terminal and a server device that can communicate freely with the information terminal and issues a sky domain that identifies airspace and consists of at least first to third domain information, in order to promote airspace utilization and improve flight safety by matching airspace registrants and airspace users."

Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes that, "In order to construct a system that ensures an aircraft flies according to pre-approved flight conditions, the server device 50, specifically the determination unit 53, determines whether the flight conditions included in the flight permission information acquired by the flight permission information acquisition unit 51 and the flight conditions included in the flight plan information acquired by the flight plan information acquisition unit 52 are consistent. If the determination unit 53 determines that they are consistent, the authorization information generation unit 54 generates authorization information that is difficult to tamper with by applying an electronic signature to the information including the flight conditions included in the flight permission information exemplified in Figure 5 and the flight conditions in the flight plan information exemplified in Figure 6. Based on this authorization information, it is confirmed whether the drone 10 is flying according to the approved flight conditions before and during flight."

Furthermore, as mentioned in reference 3, flight clearance information is also generated by DIPS (Drone/UAS Information Platform System).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-181556 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-168867 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-111695

Following the recent amendments to the laws concerning unmanned aircraft, in order to ensure the safe operation of unmanned aircraft, terms of use and flight rules have been established, and pilot registration, aircraft registration, and the display of the registered aircraft number are now mandatory.

Even after successfully completing these procedures, the reality is that UAV owners who wish to fly their drones or improve their piloting skills cannot freely fly their drones due to restrictions on airspace. On the other hand, there are environments where drones can be safely flown, such as certain plots of land not designated as residential areas, hillsides, and recreational areas. Furthermore, enclosed spaces with a certain height and size, such as gymnasiums and concert halls, also exist, but these have specific days throughout the year when they are not available for rent.

Meanwhile, on June 20, 2022, the Aviation Act was amended, making it mandatory to register aircraft and owner information with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for outdoor flights of drones weighing 100g or more. Consequently, unmanned aircraft (drones) are now legally required to have a function to transmit identification information to identify themselves during flight. However, some drones do not have built-in transmitters, requiring the attachment of an external transmitter to the drone body.

In this way, by obtaining permission from the owners (including managers) of rest areas or unused land and buildings to use the airspace for unmanned aerial vehicles (including inside buildings and the airspace above buildings and land), it may be possible to provide unmanned aerial vehicle owners with a safe environment for flight.

However, there is no established system in place for registered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators to accept applications for UAV flight training from landowners or building owners, nor is there a system that provides such a service. Therefore, in reality, securing flight training grounds is difficult.

Furthermore, for landowners and building owners (including individuals, the national government, prefectures, and municipalities), there is little justification for accepting applications from registered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators to use their land as UAV airspace free of charge.

Furthermore, the airspace utilization promotion system described in Patent Document 2 is a system that collects fees from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that fly through airspace registered by landowners (including individuals, the national government, prefectures, and municipalities). It determines whether the UAV's flight path includes the airspace and then processes the payment accordingly. It does not employ any reservation system for providing UAV training grounds, nor does it intend to provide indoor spaces within buildings as UAV training grounds.

Meanwhile, with the revision of the Aviation Act, development is underway on applications that allow users to check, via a portable data terminal, whether a currently flying drone matches a registered drone by equipping it with equipment to receive identification signals emitted by drones in flight. However, standardized specifications have not yet been finalized, resulting in a trial-and-error development environment with numerous competing approaches.

Furthermore, while some drones have larger batteries allowing for longer flight times than existing models, it has been pointed out that the power consumed by the transmission circuit that emits the identification signal increases power consumption when the signal is continuously transmitted at regular intervals, thus shortening flight time.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has released the Drone Information Infrastructure System 2.0, and has also released the DIPS specifications to enable the processing of procedures related to unmanned aircraft under the Aviation Act using data terminals.

Furthermore, the DIPS-based system described in Reference 3 involves a server device and multiple data terminals communicating to register flight plans (including flight conditions) in DIPS. When a prospective pilot inputs flight conditions that match the pre-registered conditions, the server device transmits flight permission information to the data terminal operated by the drone pilot. This information is then transmitted via multiple data terminals, and the pilot's terminal receives the flight permission information from the server device, enabling drone flight. The system also restricts drone flight by determining whether the registrant is fraudulent, the flight plan is fraudulent, or the flight area is within the designated flight zone.

However, in systems that utilize multiple data terminals in this way, the system configuration becomes complex, forcing drone owners to deal with DIPS and cumbersome data communication tasks. For example, in situations where drone schools conduct simultaneous training on operating multiple drones, this becomes an even greater challenge, requiring them to dedicate themselves to processing a massive amount of data before drone operation.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The objective of this invention is to establish a mutually beneficial business model between those who operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and those who provide airspace for UAVs, thereby creating a flight environment where UAVs can be safely flown through cooperation between operators and providers. Furthermore, it provides an UAV alert system, an alert method, and a program that can receive a remote ID compliant with DIPS specifications transmitted from a flying drone, determine whether a drone other than the one with the reservation is encroaching on the flight area, and notify a data terminal in the enhanced flight area of the unauthorized drone's flight status as an alert.

The unmanned aerial vehicle alert system of the present invention, which achieves the above objective, has the following configuration.

The unmanned aircraft alert system according to the present invention is an unmanned aircraft alert system in which a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered operator piloting an unmanned aircraft equipped with a remote ID device compliant with the DIPS specification, a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies, and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft communicate via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the server device acquires a flight plan including first identification information that identifies the unmanned aircraft in the airspace and a first flight area from the first data terminals and registers it in a reservation table. The system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from the remote ID device, and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area; a first determination means for determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent; and a first notification means for alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft, if it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information are inconsistent.

According to this invention, it is possible to establish a flight environment in which unmanned aerial vehicles can be safely flown, and by receiving a remote ID compliant with the DIPS specification transmitted from a flying drone, it is possible to determine whether a drone other than the one with the reservation is encroaching on the flight area and to notify the data terminal in the enhanced flight area as an alert regarding the flight status of the unauthorized drone.

The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments.
A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system shown in this embodiment. Figure 1 shows an example of a drone flight management list managed by the server device shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows an example of an airspace registration form submitted to the server device. A block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the server device shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows an example of a flight airspace registration table created by the creation unit. Figure 4 shows an example of a reservation management table created by the creation unit. Figure 4 shows an example of a flight management airspace registered in external memory by the registration unit. Figure 7 illustrates a drone management screen that displays the real-time position of a drone practicing flight control within the designated flight control airspace. A flowchart illustrating the drone passport issuance process in the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system of this embodiment. A flowchart illustrating the drone passport issuance process in the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system of this embodiment. A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the alert system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as shown in this embodiment. A perspective view showing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with an external remote ID device, illustrating this embodiment. A block diagram illustrating the hardware of the external remote ID device shown in Figure 12. A flowchart illustrating the alerting method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alert system.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<System Configuration Description>
[First Embodiment]
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the unmanned aircraft passport system shown in this embodiment. This example describes an unmanned aircraft passport system in which multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N operated by registrants who pilot registered unmanned aircraft, multiple second data terminals 30 operated by providers who provide airspace for unmanned aircraft flights, and a server device 10 that manages the usage status of the airspace for drone flights applied for by the provider communicate via the Internet network 3 as a predetermined communication medium. Here, the provider includes individuals, corporations, countries, cities, towns, and villages.

The scope of application of this invention to unmanned aerial vehicles in general includes drones, radio-controlled helicopters, and radio-controlled airplanes. However, the following description will focus on the example of a drone. Therefore, any instances of "drone" should be replaced with the definitions described above.

Furthermore, the unmanned aircraft subject to regulation under Chapter 9 of the Aviation Act are defined as "airplanes, rotary-wing aircraft, gliders, and airships that are structurally incapable of carrying a person, and that can be flown by remote control or autopilot (excluding those weighing 100g or more (total weight of the aircraft body and battery))." This includes, depending on the structure, so-called drones (multicopters), radio-controlled aircraft, and agricultural pesticide spraying helicopters.

Furthermore, the drone flight areas include parks, gymnasiums, privately owned hillsides, and vacant lots managed by the providing national, municipal, town, or village government. Each drone's flight area is divided into designated sections of a predetermined size to allow for the flight of a specified number of drones.

Furthermore, the number of airspace divisions will be determined according to the shape of the available airspace, and each airspace will be defined using GPS information.

Furthermore, while we accept electronic payments such as PayPay®, PayPal®, and LINE Pay®, we are not limited to these electronic payment methods.

In Figure 1, the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system is configured to include a server device 10, first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, a second data terminal 30, and a third data terminal 70 for administrators. The server device 10 is located at the management base of the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system. The third data terminal 70 is used, for example, by administrators designated by the drone association to patrol and monitor the provided airspace.

Furthermore, the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N are equipped with the same hardware as the second data terminal 30, including the CPU 32, memory unit 34, RAM 36, display unit 38, communication unit 40, and bus 49.

Here, the memory unit 34 is composed of non-volatile RAM 36 and stores the OS launched on the smartphone, SIM information, and various downloaded applications.

Furthermore, the various applications include a drone passport program downloaded from the server device 10, and a passport management application that displays the drone passport form (a flight certificate with an expiration date, as shown in Figure 1) issued by the server device 10.

The first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N are used by users entering each designated flight airspace. Users entering each managed flight airspace are, for example, drone pilots conducting drone flight practice in a gymnasium, which serves as the provided drone flight airspace.

The number of drones associated with the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N in the unmanned aircraft passport system corresponds to the number of users entering each airspace. For example, if there are three users entering the airspace, the unmanned aircraft passport system includes three first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N (any three of these). The server device 10, the second data terminal 30, and the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N are connected to the internet network 3. The second data terminal 30 is operated by the provider offering the drone airspace.

For example, the server device 10 is connected to the internet network 3 via a wired connection, while the second data terminal 30 and the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N are connected to the internet network 3 wirelessly.

In the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system, user IDs and passwords are associated and stored in the server device 10. The user ID is identification information corresponding to the user who possesses the flight permit, and the password is authentication information corresponding to this user ID. The association and storage of user IDs and passwords are performed, for example, as follows:

In other words, users who own the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N operate the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N and purchase a drone passport (flight permit) sold on the website using an electronic payment system, following the procedure shown in the flowchart described later.

The purchased flight permits are downloaded to the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N. These first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N have, for example, a dedicated application program installed that corresponds to the unmanned aircraft passport system.

In this embodiment, the aforementioned application program installed on the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N is referred to as the "program for flight permits (drone passports)." The downloaded permits are registered in the permit program. The permit program becomes active upon registration of the permits. Subsequently, the initial setup of the user ID and password begins on the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N.

Users of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N enter their user ID and password. The entered user ID and password are transmitted from the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N to the server device 10. The server device 10 stores the user IDs and passwords from the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N in association with each other (see the access permission management table shown in Figure 6).

The methods described above for associating and storing user IDs and passwords are illustrative. Therefore, in an unmanned aerial vehicle passport system, the association and storage of user IDs and passwords may be performed using methods different from those described above.

<Server equipment>
As shown in Figure 1, the server device 10 includes hardware resources such as a CPU 12, a storage unit 14, a RAM 16, a communication unit 18, and a timing unit 23. The CPU 12, storage unit 14, RAM 16, communication unit 18, and timing unit 23 are connected to a bus 22.

The CPU 12 performs arithmetic processing. The storage unit 14 is a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of storage units 14 include hard disks and/or flash memory. In addition, the storage unit 14 may include ROM. Various programs are stored in the storage unit 14. For example, the OS (operating system) and various application programs are stored in the storage unit 14. The application programs stored in the storage unit 14 include management programs. These management programs are pre-installed in the storage unit 14 when building the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system.

The memory unit 14 stores the first, second, and third flight area data in the drone flight management list shown in Figure 2, corresponding to the management program. Here, the purposes of flying in the flight area include training flights for practicing the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle, aerial photography flights for taking aerial photographs using the imaging device on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and through flights for the unmanned aerial vehicle to pass through the flight area.

The third data terminal 70 is operated by a manager who verifies whether the drone pilot operating within the flight airspace C-1 to C-3 shown in Figure 8 (described later) is the person who made the reservation. The CPU 72, memory unit 74, RAM 76, display unit 78, and communication unit 80 are connected to the bus 82.

The memory unit 74 has the drone passport management application issued by the server device 10 installed. The drone passport management application compares the identification information of the reserved drone with the identification signal transmitted by the drone flying in the provided airspace to determine whether the drone is eligible for flight practice. Furthermore, the drone passport management application also determines whether the flight is within the reserved drone's permitted flight time, based on the identification signal transmitted by the drone flying in the provided airspace.

Furthermore, the drone passport management application includes a function to send a message such as "Land the drone and move it outside the flight area" to the display unit of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N shown in Figure 1 if it determines that the flight is not within the reserved flight permit time.

Furthermore, the third data terminal 70 is equipped with a camera function (not shown), which allows it to photograph and record suspicious individuals (including pilots who exceed their reserved practice time) and issue instructions to temporarily suspend the use of their issued drone passport.

Figure 2 shows an example of a drone flight management list managed by the server device 10 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the drone flight management list is created in association with locations provided by the provider as drone flight airspace (parks, athletic fields, sports facilities, buildings (gymnasiums, community centers, etc.)). This example corresponds to a list created using a municipal or prefectural gymnasium as the flight airspace.

Furthermore, the first to third flight areas are envisioned as airspace divided into three sections, similar to a gymnasium. Each flight area has a predetermined capacity, with a maximum of three people. The examples shown illustrate this with capacities of two, one, and three people in the first to third flight or photography spaces, respectively.

Figure 3 shows an example of an airspace registration form submitted to the server device 10 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3, 21 is the airspace registration form, consisting of postal code 21-1, provider name 21-2, GPS code 21-3, prefecture 21-4, municipality 21-5, airspace identification information 21-6, building name 21-7, open days of the week 21-8, open dates and times 21-9, registration button 21-10, and channel 21-11. Here, the channel is configured to allow selection between analog and digital channels. For FPV, 5705MHz, 5740MHz, 5800MHz (frequency band used in drone racing), etc., are provided as digital channels, along with 8 other channels. These channels are expected to be changed and added as needed to adapt to future radio wave usage environments, thus expanding the range of channels that can be registered as channel 21-11.

Users, corporations, national, prefectural, municipal, or village representatives who wish to provide airspace for flight access connect to the website configured by the server device 10 using their data terminals. They then access the registration application form, enter the required information into the application form shown in Figure 3, and press the registration button 21-10. This registers the airspace within a building or over a managed park, etc., to be provided as airspace in the server device 10's external memory 43.

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the server device 10 shown in Figure 1. Components identical to those in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In Figure 4, 41 is the input unit, consisting of a keyboard, pointing device, etc. By operating the menus and icons displayed on the display unit 42, instructions can be given to launch Drone Passport-related applications.

The memory unit 14 functions as a work memory where various applications stored in the external memory 43 are loaded. In this embodiment, it indicates that the registration unit 44, creation unit 45, determination unit 46, settlement unit 47, issuance unit 48, identification unit 51, confirmation unit 52, and notification unit 53, which function as applications related to the drone passport, are in a state where they can be started. The external memory 43 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk or SSD, and is configured to allow for capacity expansion as needed.

Here, the identification unit 51 performs a process to identify the aircraft number of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying in each airspace. The confirmation unit 52 performs a process to determine whether the flight of the UAV within the airspace is permitted or denied, based on whether the aircraft number identified by the identification unit 51 matches the aircraft number listed on the flight permit issued by the issuing means.

The confirmation unit 52 includes a notification unit 53 that warns the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, which control the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) whose flight within the flight airspace has been confirmed as unauthorized, to move outside the flight airspace.

In the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system configured in this way, multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, a second data terminal 30, and a third data terminal 70 are connected to each other via a predetermined communication medium.

Here, the multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N are operated by the registered operator of the registered drone. The multiple second data terminals 30 are operated by the provider of the drone's flight airspace.

Here, the determination unit 46 performs a process to determine the usage fee, which is formulated based on the drone flight airspace information applied for by the provider via the second data terminal 30. The settlement unit 47 then performs a process to electronically settle the payment of the usage fee determined by the determination unit 46 to the registered user operating any of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N. Here, the flight airspace information includes the rental amount for the requested flight airspace.

Furthermore, the issuing unit 48, in response to the registered user operating the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N on which the settlement unit 47 performed electronic payment, executes a process in which the determination unit 46 issues a flight permit for the airspace where the electronic payment has been completed.

Furthermore, the server device 10 manages flight permits (address, name, age, mobile phone number, permitted flight time slot, flight location, aircraft registration number, payment recipient, payment status, and usage fee) linked to the pilot's registration ID.

Furthermore, when the registration unit 44 receives the flight airspace registration form 21 shown in Figure 3, transmitted from multiple second data terminals 30, it extracts the data entered in each cell and registers it in the external memory 43.

This allows operators of multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N to refer to the flight airspace information published on the server device 10 via the website provided by the Drone Passport application, specify a desired date and time and location, select an available flight airspace, and reserve, for example, a flight practice day for unmanned aircraft training flights.

Furthermore, the creation unit 45 executes the process of creating the flight airspace registration table and the reservation management table, which are shown as examples in Figures 5 and 6, described later.

Furthermore, the identification unit 51 shown in Figure 4 identifies the aircraft number of the drone flying in each airspace. The confirmation unit 52 determines whether the drone's flight is permitted or denied based on whether the aircraft number identified by the identification unit 51 matches the aircraft number listed on the flight permit issued by the issuing unit 48.

Figure 5 shows an example of a flight airspace registration table created by the creation unit 45 shown in Figure 4. In Figure 5, BNo. X is the registration number, and for each number, the provider ID and GPS code identifying the land, building, registration status, and flight airspace are managed in conjunction with the DATE, passenger capacity, time, reservation ID, aircraft registration number (DrNo.), and channel (band).

The registration unit 44 shown in Figure 4, upon receiving the flight area registration form 21 shown in Figure 3 transmitted from multiple second data terminals 30, registers the necessary information in the flight area registration table shown in Figure 5 in the external memory 43. This allows the registrants operating the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N to be managed as users (pilots) of the first drone flight area.

Figure 6 shows an example of a reservation management table created by the creation unit 45 shown in Figure 4. In this example, the registration number BNo. X is linked to the provider ID, and reservation information is managed on a monthly basis for flights or photographic flights.

Specifically, for Feb1-1, Feb1-N, and Feb28, the time slots AA:BB to CC:DD, when the provider identified by registration number BNo. X opens the practice range, are registered. The system is configured so that reservations are confirmed upon payment of an hourly usage fee within the start time (OPEN) NN:OO to the end time (CLOSE) PP:QQ.

Furthermore, the display unit 38 of the registered user operating the second data terminal 30 will show the Drone Passport screen issued by the Drone Passport application. This screen can display selected information such as the reserved pilot's address, name, age, mobile phone number, date (Month/Day), time (Time), channel (Channel XX), location (within XX Park, Tokyo), aircraft type (XX-XXX-XXX), number (XX-XXX-XXX), payment recipient (XX Tourism Association), payment completed, and usage fee (XX yen/day). Since Drone Passports can be issued on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis, it is also possible to enter into an annual contract with a specific drone association.

Figure 7 shows an example of a flight management airspace registered in the external memory 43 by the registration unit 44 shown in Figure 4. For example, it shows an example where flight management spaces C-1 to C-3, which are three sections of a building or gymnasium, are registered. Although flight management spaces C-1 to C-3 are adjacent airspaces, safety measures have been implemented to prevent drones from flying across these airspaces by using netting (partitioning nets) to demarcate them.

Furthermore, the flight areas designated in parks and other similar areas shall be set up to avoid obstacles, and each flight area shall be positioned so as to be flanked by no-fly zones, with drones programmed (including GPS-based flight control programs) to prevent them from flying in those zones.

Figure 8 illustrates a drone management screen that displays the real-time position of drones practicing flight in the flight management airspace C-1 to C-3 shown in Figure 7. This screen is displayed on a data terminal that can communicate with the server device 10 shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the drone management screen shown in Figure 8 is created by the server device 10 based on position information (GPS) acquired from each drone, and is controlled to link to and display a real-time web page provided by the server device 10 or a third data terminal 70 operated by the administrator managing the drone's flight status.

By setting up a system in the gymnasium that simultaneously displays two separate images—one from a camera capturing the drone's flight and another from the drone's onboard imaging device (camera)—it would be possible to view the drone's flight in an even more immersive way.

This allows users who want to try flying a drone or see a drone in flight in action to experience its flight by referring to the real-time webpage mentioned above.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the drone passport issuance process in the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system illustrating this embodiment. Steps (1) to (13) represent the respective steps, each of which is achieved by loading the application program stored in the external memory 43 shown in Figure 4 into the RAM 16 and executing it on the CPU 12.

The operators of multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N access the website provided by the server device 10 and download the Drone Passport program (DL) (1), then install the downloaded Drone Passport program into the storage unit (2).

Next, each operator selects the icon of the application registered to the first data terminal 20-1 to 20-N on the display unit. Once the downloaded drone passport program is launched (3), the CPU of the first data terminal 20-1 to 20-N displays the passport issuance application screen on the display unit (4).

Here, when the operator enters the practice location and practice date and time displayed on the display unit of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N (5), (6), the CPU of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N transmits the input information to the server device 10. The system then waits for the server device 10 to display a reservation confirmation screen (7). When the operator presses the reservation confirmation button displayed on the display unit of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, the CPU of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N accesses the registered electronic payment system for the usage fee payment screen received from the server device 10. Once the payment of the usage fee presented by the server device 10 is completed (8), the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N receive an OK from the server device 10 indicating that the payment has been completed (9).

This confirms the drone flight reservation between the provider offering the drone flight airspace and the pilot who will operate the drone (10).

Next, the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, operated by each operator, wait to receive the drone passport issued by the server device 10 (11), and then display the drone passport screen issued by the server device 10 on the display units of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N (12).

Next, the CPUs of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N register the drone passport screen received from the server device 10 with the installed drone passport application (13), and then terminate this process.

In this way, drone flight reservations can be completed with simple operations between providers offering drone flight airspace and drone operators. This allows operators to secure a safe environment for flying their drones in stadiums, parks, and gymnasiums managed by the national, prefectural, or municipal governments. The national, prefectural, or municipal governments can then collect revenue from the airspace provision fees for the stadiums, parks, and gymnasiums they manage, which are determined by deducting the system usage fees operated by the server device 10 from the usage fees collected from drone operators. Furthermore, since the usage fees are automatically transferred to designated accounts by the national, prefectural, or municipal governments, or individuals, these entities can secure stable revenue without having to perform cumbersome procedures or verification work.

[Effects of the First Embodiment]
According to this embodiment, a flight environment can be established in which unmanned aircraft (drones) can be safely flown by establishing online reservations between those who conduct flight training for unmanned aircraft (drones) and those who provide flight training fields, and by issuing drone passports that generate revenue for those who provide flight training fields.

[Second Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, when processing a reservation for one practice field, which is an example of an airspace, there may be a concentration of reservations from registered users who have operated drones. In such cases, pilots who are unable to complete their reservation may want to find out why.

Therefore, a control mechanism may be incorporated to warn the operator about the reason why the reservation completion process cannot be initiated.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the drone passport issuance process in the unmanned aerial vehicle passport system of this embodiment. Steps (14) to (16) represent the respective steps, each of which is achieved by loading the application program stored in the external memory 43 shown in Figure 4 into the RAM 16 and executing it on the CPU 12. Furthermore, the processes (1) to (13) are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted.

After completing step (7), the CPUs 12 of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N query the server device 10 to determine if there are any duplicate reservations for the same practice field, for the same time slot, and exceeding the specified number of aircraft (14). If the response from the server device 10 indicates that there are no duplicate reservations, the CPUs 12 of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N retrieve the usage fee calculated by the server device 10 (15), and proceed to step (8).

On the other hand, in step (14), if the CPU 12 of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N determines from the response from the server device 10 that there is a duplicate reservation, the CPU 12 of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N displays the double-booking (DB) status on the display unit (16), returns to step (5), and repeats the practice range reservation process.

[Effects of the second embodiment]
According to this embodiment, when a person conducting flight training for an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) and a provider offering drone flight airspace establish an online reservation, the centralized reservation processing allows for the notification of appropriate reasons to pilots who are unable to make a reservation. As a result, pilots can select less congested flight airspace as candidates and proceed with the drone passport issuance procedure online.

This will prevent bookings from becoming concentrated in certain airspace, increase the rental rate for landowners and building owners, and significantly increase their opportunities to generate revenue from usage fees paid by pilots.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the server device 10 notifies the third data terminal 70 of information about a pilot who is practicing beyond the reserved time. However, the server device 10 may also be configured to acquire the current time, acquire the current location indicated by the GPS function of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N operated by the pilot, compare it with the GPS information of the practice field registered in the flight airspace registration table, determine whether it is a place, time, and aircraft where it is permissible to fly within the permitted flight airspace, and notify a warning message to the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N owned by the pilot who is flying outside of the permitted time.

[Effects of the third embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the management burden on the system can be reduced by notifying those who are practicing drone flight with appropriate messages, without having to assign a manager to monitor the drones in the rented buildings or parks.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Drones flying in the flight management spaces C-1 to C-3 shown in Figure 8 may be controlled to be monitored on the server device 10 via a monitor screen showing the normal flight status and the off-hours flight status of each drone by identifying and determining whether they are flying with a properly registered user or flying outside of permitted hours based on their GPS information and aircraft information.

[Effects of the fourth embodiment]
This allows a monitor on the server device 10 to contact the registered owner of a drone flying outside of the designated flight area, reducing the burden on the pilot who is actually conducting the flight for practice and enabling safer flight. Furthermore, it also makes it possible to avoid collisions between drones.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle alert system shown in this embodiment. Components identical to those in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.
This example features an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alert system that manages UAVs flying using a drone information infrastructure system.

More specifically, the system features an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alert system in which multiple first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N, operated by registered operators piloting an UAV 100 capable of being equipped with a remote ID device 101 compliant with DIPS specifications, multiple second data terminals 30, operated by providers offering airspace for the UAV to fly, and a server device 150 managing the UAV's flight area, communicate via a network.

101 is an external remote ID device equipped with the hardware resources shown in Figure 13. It is mounted on the upper or lower part of the main body of the unmanned aerial vehicle 100, as shown in Figure 12, in a location that does not interfere with flight. It has the function of communicating with a predetermined data terminal while moving through space along with the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 100. Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware of the external remote ID device 101 shown in Figure 12.

In Figure 13, 101-1 is the CPU, which executes the communication program stored in ROM 101-2, thereby functioning as a remote ID device 101 compliant with the DIPS specification. The details of the function shall conform to the remote ID specification recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

101-3 is RAM, where a communication program is deployed to control communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 and the server device 150 using a communication protocol compliant with the DIPS specification. 101-4 is a radio antenna that transmits and receives data at 2,402–2,48 MHz. 101-5 is PROM, which stores, in a rewritable manner, the remote ID transmitted from the second data terminal 104, identification information for identifying the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 as described in the flight plan, and the permitted flight area as described in the flight plan.

Furthermore, the server device 150 is equipped with hardware resources similar to those of the data terminal shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the remote ID and permitted flight area stored in the PROM 101-5 are obtained from the unmanned aircraft 100. It then works in conjunction with the unmanned aircraft passport system shown in the first embodiment. The system compares the flight area stored in the unmanned aircraft passport system with the aircraft information and the remote ID and flight area of the unmanned aircraft 100 currently flying in the flight area. It determines whether the flying unmanned aircraft 100, piloted by the user who made the flight reservation, is an authorized unmanned aircraft 100 and is within the permitted flight area. If it is determined that the aircraft is not within the permitted flight area, or that the aircraft is not authorized, an alert is sent to the first data terminal 103 (pilot) and the second data terminal 104 operated by the provider of the flight area.

Furthermore, the server device 150 acquires a flight plan from one of the first data terminals 103, including first identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft 100 in the airspace and the first flight area, and registers it in the reservation table (held in RAM 101-3). It also acquires a second flight area permitted in the flight plan registered in the internal PROM 101-5 from the remote ID device 101, and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft 100 flying in the second flight area, and registers this information in PROM 101-5.

The CPU 101-1 then activates a first determination unit which is loaded into the RAM 101-3 to determine whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent. If it determines that they are not consistent, it performs a first notification step which alerts one of the first data terminals 103 or the second data terminal 104 that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft 100.
The unmanned aerial vehicle 100 may also be configured to have a remote ID device 101 built into the imaging device.

Furthermore, the determination of whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent, and whether the first flight area and the second flight area are consistent, will be performed at the timings shown in Figure 14, which will be described later.

Similarly, if it is determined that the first flight area and the second flight area do not match, a second notification process will be executed at the timing shown in Figure 14, later described, to alert the first data terminal 103 or the second data terminal 104 that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft 100 is flying within the airspace. The remote ID device 101 includes a PROM 101-5 as a memory for storing at least the configured first flight area and the first identification information. Similarly, the remote ID device 101 will store at least the configured second flight area and the second identification information in the PROM 101-5.

Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the alert method for an unmanned aerial vehicle alert system in this embodiment. Steps (51) to (53) correspond to alert processing with data terminals 103 and 104 and the server device 150, while steps (61) to (66) correspond to alert processing by the server device 150. The order of each step can be rearranged as appropriate, and other data processing may be added as specifications change. First, data terminals 103 and 104 transmit first identification information and a first flight area to the server device 150 (51).

Next, upon receiving an alert from the server device 150 (52), the data terminals 103 and 104 identify and display the content of the alert on the display provided by the server device 150 (53), and then terminate this process.

In this embodiment, Alert 1 and Alert 2 can be distinguished and displayed. Alert 1 indicates that the identification information does not match, and Alert 2 indicates that the flight area does not match. The control may also include displaying these alerts along with voice guidance.

Meanwhile, the server device 150 acquires first identification information from data terminals 103 and 104, and second identification information transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 (61). Furthermore, it acquires information indicating the first flight area from data terminals 103 and 104, and second flight area information transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 (62).

Next, the server device 150 acquires first identification information from data terminals 103 and 104 and determines whether the acquired first identification information matches the second identification information transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 (63). If, after acquiring the first identification information from data terminals 103 and 104, the server device determines that the second identification information transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 does not match, it notifies data terminals 103 and 104 of the mismatch in identification information (66) and terminates the process.

On the other hand, in step (63), if the server device 150 determines that the acquired first identification information and the second identification information transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 are consistent, the server device 150 acquires the first flight area from the data terminals 103 and 104 and determines whether the acquired first flight area and the second flight area transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100 are consistent (64).

If, at this point, the system obtains the first flight area from data terminals 103 and 104 and determines that it does not match the second flight area transmitted from the unmanned aerial vehicle 100, it notifies data terminals 103 and 104 of the flight area mismatch (65), and terminates the process.

[Effects of the Fifth Embodiment]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to create a flight environment in which unmanned aircraft can be flown safely, and by receiving a remote ID compliant with the DIPS specification transmitted from a flying drone, it is possible to determine whether a drone other than the one with the reservation has entered the flight area and notify the data terminal in the enhanced flight area as an alert regarding the flight status of the unauthorized drone.
Furthermore, the system may include a configuration in which the system obtains from the remote ID device 101 the second flight area permitted in the flight plan registered in the internal PROM 101-5, second identification information identifying the unmanned aircraft 100 flying in the second flight area, and from the server device 10 the first flight area permitted in the flight plan registered, first identification information identifying the unmanned aircraft 100 flying in the first flight area, and then performs a process to determine whether there is a mismatch, and if there is a mismatch, displays that fact on a display unit provided on the remote ID device 101.

The present invention can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. Furthermore, it can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

The disclosures relating to the present invention described above can be summarized to at least the following:

(1) An alert system for an unmanned aircraft in which a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered person piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with the DIPS specification communicate via a predetermined communication medium, a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies, and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft, wherein the server device includes registration means for acquiring a flight plan including first identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft in the airspace and a first flight area from the first data terminals and registering it in a reservation table, and the remote The system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from an ID device and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area; a first determination means for determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent; and a first notification means for alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace where the unmanned aircraft is flying, if it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information are inconsistent.

(2) The unmanned aerial vehicle is characterized by being equipped with an imaging device that incorporates the remote ID device.

(3) The system is characterized by comprising: a second determination means for determining whether the first flight area and the second flight area are consistent; and, if it is determined that the first flight area and the second flight area are not consistent, a second notification means for alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft.

(4) The remote ID device is characterized by having a memory that stores at least a second flight area to be set and second identification information.

(5) The aforementioned unmanned aerial vehicle is characterized by including drones, radio-controlled helicopters, and radio-controlled airplanes.

(6) An alert method for an unmanned aircraft alert system, wherein the following communicate via a predetermined communication medium: a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered person piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with the DIPS specification, a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies, and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft, wherein the server device includes a registration step of acquiring a flight plan including first identification information that identifies the unmanned aircraft in the airspace and a first flight area from the first data terminals and registering it in a reservation table, and the remote The system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from an ID device and second identification information identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area; a first determination step of determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent; and, if it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information are inconsistent, a first notification step of alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft.

(7) The system is characterized by comprising: a second determination step of determining whether the first flight area and the second flight area are consistent; and, if it is determined that the first flight area and the second flight area are not consistent, a second notification step of alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft.

(8) A computer in a server device that constitutes an unmanned aircraft alert system communicates via a predetermined communication medium with a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registrant piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with the DIPS specification, a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies, and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft, and registers the computer in the server device that constitutes the unmanned aircraft alert system with a registration means that acquires a flight plan including first identification information that identifies the unmanned aircraft in the airspace and a first flight area from the first data terminals and registers it in a reservation table, and the remote A program characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from an ID device, and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area; a first determination means for determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent; and, if it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information are inconsistent, a first notification means for alerting the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft.

In Japan, the frequencies allocated for drone operation, particularly the 5.8 GHz band, require an amateur radio license and station registration. Frequency Ranges CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, and CH8 are available.

However, due to legal revisions and deregulation, the number of usable channels and frequency bands may be restricted or expanded in the future. Therefore, in this invention, the frequency band used by the unmanned aircraft is not limited to the frequency band shown in the above embodiments.

Furthermore, the display units of the first data terminals 20-1 to 20-N operated by the drone pilot will display the available frequency bands identified when issuing the drone passport. In this embodiment, the system features a service (drone passport) that connects drone users who want to fly drones using spaces provided by landowners (inside buildings, rooftops, forests, cliffs, etc.) and shares spaces for aerial photography and practice. Drone users will be able to use airspace that they could not fly in before, and landowners can register their land and lease it to drone users, starting a new form of asset management. By centrally managing landowner agreements for drone flight with the drone passport system, it is possible to ensure fair airspace for all industries, including national and local governments, real estate, logistics, insurance, information, and entertainment, while providing a convenient, safe, and spacious environment where drones can be flown to their heart's content. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the Drone Passport system can be linked with DIPS 2.0 (a system for flight applications and flight permits), providing a mechanism for obtaining legitimate flight permits by paying flight fees to government agencies (national, prefectural, and municipal) and landowners. The usage fees returned to landowners can be used for maintenance costs or included as miscellaneous income. Moreover, by acting as an intermediary between users (all companies and individuals) who reserve airspace through the Drone Passport system and facility management organizations such as government agencies (national, prefectural, and municipal) and landowners of private land (including vacant land), it can contribute to test flights, including demonstrations of drone capabilities with untapped potential, as well as training for pesticide spraying and logistics-oriented goods transport.

While the above embodiment described an example of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reserving flight practice in a designated airspace, the present invention is also applicable to systems for reserving aerial photography flights using an UAV equipped with an imaging device (CCD camera), as well as flights for business purposes such as pesticide spraying, surveying, and inspection.

10 Server devices 20-1 to 20-N First data terminal 30 Second data terminal 70 Third data terminal

Claims (8)

An unmanned aircraft alert system comprising: a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered operator piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with DIPS specifications; a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies; and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft, communicating via a predetermined communication medium,
The server device is
A registration means for acquiring a flight plan from the first data terminal, including first identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft in the flight airspace and a first flight area, and registering it in a reservation table.
An acquisition means for acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from the remote ID device and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area,
A first determination means for determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent,
If it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, a first notification means alerts the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying in the airspace of the unmanned aircraft,
An alert system for unmanned aerial vehicles, characterized by having the following features. The unmanned aerial vehicle alert system according to claim 1, characterized in that the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an imaging device incorporating the remote ID device. A second determination means for determining whether the first flight area and the second flight area are consistent,
If it is determined that the first flight area and the second flight area do not match, a second notification means alerts the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft,
An alert system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the above. The alert system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote ID device includes a memory for storing at least a set second flight area and second identification information. The unmanned aerial vehicle alert system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a drone, a radio-controlled helicopter, and a radio-controlled airplane. An alert method for an unmanned aircraft alert system, comprising: a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered operator piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with DIPS specifications; a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies; and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft, communicating via a predetermined communication medium,
The server device is
A registration step of obtaining a flight plan from the first data terminal, including first identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft in the flight airspace and a first flight area, and registering it in a reservation table,
An acquisition step of acquiring a second flight area permitted in the flight plan registered from the remote ID device and second identification information that identifies the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area,
A first determination step of determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent,
If it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, a first notification step is made to alert the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying in the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft,
An alerting method for an unmanned aerial vehicle alert system, characterized by comprising the following features. A second determination step of determining whether the first flight area and the second flight area are consistent,
If it is determined that the first flight area and the second flight area do not match, a second notification step is to alert the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace used by the unmanned aircraft,
An alerting method for an unmanned aerial vehicle alert system according to claim 6, characterized by comprising the above. A computer in a server device that constitutes an unmanned aircraft alert system communicates via a predetermined communication medium between a plurality of first data terminals operated by a registered operator piloting an unmanned aircraft capable of being equipped with a remote ID device compliant with the DIPS specification, a plurality of second data terminals operated by a provider that provides the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft flies, and a server device that manages the flight area of the unmanned aircraft.
A registration means for acquiring a flight plan from the first data terminal, including first identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft in the flight airspace and a first flight area, and registering it in a reservation table.
An acquisition means for acquiring a second flight area permitted in a flight plan registered from the remote ID device and second identification information for identifying the unmanned aircraft flying in the second flight area,
A first determination means for determining whether the first identification information and the second identification information are consistent,
A program that functions as a first notification means to alert the first data terminal or the second data terminal that an unauthorized unmanned aircraft is flying within the airspace of the unmanned aircraft when it is determined that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match.