Patent Description:
<CIT>describes an air hovering type communication relay device which rapidly secures communication of a terminal device existing in a hazardous district or rapidly improves a communication situation of a terminal device existing in a hazardous district. <CIT> describes a security system that includes an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including an airframe with a power source and a propulsive system operatively mounted to the airframe for sustained, autonomous flight of the UAV. A flight control system is operatively connected to the airframe, propulsive system, and power source to control the sustained, autonomous flight of the UAV. An imaging device is mounted to the airframe. A wireless communication device is operatively connected to the imaging device to wirelessly transmit data including images from the imaging device. A remote server is operatively connected to receive the data transmitted wirelessly from the wireless communication device, wherein the remote server is operatively connected to communicate the data to emergency responders. <CIT> describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on storage devices, for drone-augmented emergency response services. In one aspect, a monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of monitoring control units, and a monitoring application server, wherein the monitoring application server includes a network interface, one or more processors, and one or more storage devices that include instructions to perform operations. The operations include receiving an emergency event notification from a first monitoring control unit of the plurality of monitoring control units, determining a type of emergency event, and a location associated with the emergency event notification, identifying one or more drones that can be deployed to the location associated with the emergency event, and transmitting an instruction to a monitoring station server associated with a drone base station to deploy the one or more identified drones to the location associated with the emergency event. <CIT> describes a method that includes monitoring a plurality of emergency event queues at an emergency network entity; determining that an emergency event in one of the emergency event queues corresponds to an emergency type that can be responded to using an unmanned aerial vehicle; determining that an unmanned aerial vehicle is available that has capabilities corresponding to the emergency type; establishing an unmanned aerial vehicle control link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the emergency network entity; and deploying the unmanned aerial vehicle to the emergency event location and providing data from the unmanned aerial vehicle on a display of the emergency network entity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control device is provided. The control device includes a location information reception unit which is configured to receive, via a communication device which is mounted to a flying object functioning as a stratospheric platform and forms a wireless communication area by beam irradiation to provide a wireless communication service to a user terminal in the wireless communication area, location information of the user terminal from the user terminal in the wireless communication area. The control device includes a detection device control unit which is configured to control a detection device of the flying object to detect a state of a region including a location indicated by the location information. The control device includes a detection information reception unit which is configured to receive, via the communication device, detection information indicating the state of the region which is detected by the detection device. The control device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle control unit which is configured to control an unmanned aerial vehicle to capture an image around the location indicated by the location information by an image capturing unit of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit. The control device includes a captured image reception unit which is configured to receive a captured image captured by the image capturing unit from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control device includes a rescue method decision unit which is configured to decide a rescue method of rescuing a user of the user terminal based on the captured image received by the captured image reception unit.

The control device may include a storage unit which is configured to store environment information related to an environment of the location indicated by the location information. The rescue method decision unit may be configured to decide the rescue method further based on the environment information stored in the storage unit. The rescue method decision unit may be configured to decide a movable object to be used to rescue the user. The rescue method decision unit may be configured to decide a movement path to be used to rescue the user. The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit may be configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to lead the user when the user moves on the movement path decided by the rescue method decision unit.

The control device may include a disaster situation identification unit which be configured to identifiy a disaster situation of the region based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit. The control device may include a communication device control unit which is configured to control the communication device not to form the wireless communication area in a region where the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition, but to form the wireless communication area in a region where the condition is satisfied. The control device may include an image capturing decision unit which is configured to decide whether the image around the location indicated by the location information is to be captured based on the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit. The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit may be configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle in response to decision by the image capturing decision unit that the image around the location indicated by the location information is to be captured. The disaster situation identification unit be configured to identify the disaster situation of the region by analyzing the detection information received by the detection reception unit.

The location information reception unit may be configured to receive a rescue signal including the location information of the user terminal from the user terminal. The image capturing decision unit may be configured to decide that the image around the location indicated by the location information is to be captured when the location information reception unit receives the rescue signal.

The control device may include a rescue method information transmission unit which be configured to transmit rescue method information indicating the rescue method decided by the rescue method decision unit to the user terminal via the communication device. The detection device may include an image capturing device. The detection device control unit may be configured to perform control to capture an image of the region by the image capturing device. The detection information reception unit may be configured to receive a captured image captured by the image capturing device. The detection device may include an SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). The detection device control unit may be configured to control the SAR to detect the state of the region. The detection information reception unit may be configured to receive the detection information indicating the state of the region which is detected by the SAR. The control device may be mounted to the flying object.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a program which causes a computer to function as the control device is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided. The system includes the control device and a flying object functioning as a stratospheric platform.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method executed by a control device is provided. The method includes receiving, via a communication device which is mounted to a flying object functioning as a stratospheric platform and forms a wireless communication area by beam irradiation to provide a wireless communication service to a user terminal in the wireless communication area, location information of the user terminal from the user terminal in the wireless communication area. The method includes controlling detection by controlling a detection device of the flying object to detect a state of a region including a location indicated by the location information. The method includes receiving, via the communication device, detection information indicating the state of the region which is detected by the detection device. The method includes controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle to capture an image around the location indicated by the location information by an image capturing unit of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the detection information received in the receiving the detection information. The method includes receiving, from the unmanned aerial vehicle, a captured image captured by the image capturing unit. The method includes deciding a rescue method of rescuing a user of the user terminal based on the captured image received in the receiving the captured image.

Exclusively for smartphone users present in a service area under an HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) dispatched in emergencies for hazard response, a system <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be able to identify locations of those who need a rescue by regularly aggregating location information of smartphones on a particular server to be shared with emergency agencies via a dedicated application downloaded with consent by the users. A scheme provided by the system <NUM> can also be applied to a user in a state of being unable to make an emergency call on your own, and a user who is required to inform emergency agencies again of the location information along with move of a primary evacuation site. By using a camera mounted to the HAPS, the system <NUM> also records a disaster situation in the vicinity of the corresponding location information as video or an image to be provided to the emergency agencies or the like, and also contributes to facilitation of rescue activities.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a system <NUM>. The system <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a flying object <NUM> and a control device <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include an unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include a radio base station <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include a gateway <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include a communication satellite <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include a user terminal <NUM>.

The system <NUM> provides a technology contributing to a rescue of a user <NUM> who possesses the user terminal <NUM>. The user <NUM> is, for example, a disaster victim in a hazard such as an earthquake or a fire. The user <NUM> may be a distressed person who is distressed in a mountain, sea, or the like. In particular, the system <NUM> produces an effect for an area where a wireless communication service by the radio base station <NUM> on a ground is stopped. In <FIG>, a case covering a disaster district where the provision of the wireless communication service by the radio base station <NUM> on the ground is stopped will be mainly described as an example.

The flying object <NUM> has a main wing portion <NUM>, a main body portion <NUM>, propellers <NUM>, a solar cell panel <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, and a detection device <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> has a communication device <NUM>, and a battery and a flight control device which are not illustrated in the drawing. The battery stores electric power generated by the solar cell panel <NUM>. The flight control device controls flight of the flying object <NUM>. The flight control device causes the flying object <NUM> to fly by rotating the propellers <NUM> using the electric power stored in the battery, for example.

The communication device <NUM> forms a wireless communication area <NUM> by irradiation of one or more beams by using the antenna <NUM> to provide a wireless communication service to the user terminal <NUM> in the wireless communication area <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may establish a service link with the user terminal <NUM> in the wireless communication area <NUM> by using the antenna <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may establish a feeder link with the gateway <NUM> on the ground by using the antenna <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> communicates with the control device <NUM> via the gateway <NUM> and a core network <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may be integrated with the flight control device.

The core network <NUM> is provided by a telecommunications carrier. The core network <NUM> may be compliant with any mobile communication system. The core network is compliant with a <NUM> (5th Generation) communication system, for example. The core network may be compliant with a mobile communication system of a <NUM> (6th Generation) communication system onwards. The core network may be compliant with a <NUM> (3rd Generation) communication system. The core network may be compliant with an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system.

When the communication device <NUM> cannot establish a feeder link with the gateway <NUM> due to a reason that the gateway <NUM> is not located in a wireless communication range based on the antenna <NUM> or the like, the communication device <NUM> may communicate with the control device <NUM> through another communication path. For example, the flying object <NUM> has an antenna for performing wireless communication with another communication device <NUM> mounted to another flying object <NUM>. By using the antenna, the communication device <NUM> establishes wireless communication connection with the other communication device <NUM> which has established the feeder link with the gateway <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may communicate with the control device <NUM> via the feeder link established by the communication device <NUM> of the other flying object <NUM>. In addition, the flying object <NUM> may have an antenna for performing wireless communication with the communication satellite <NUM>. By using the antenna, the communication device <NUM> establishes wireless communication connection with the communication satellite <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may communicate with the control device <NUM> via the communication satellite <NUM>.

The flying object <NUM> provides the wireless communication service to the user terminal <NUM> by flying in a stratosphere, for example. The flying object <NUM> may function as a stratospheric platform.

While circling around in the sky above an area of a coverage objective, for example, the flying object <NUM> covers the area by the wireless communication area <NUM>. In addition, for example, the flying object <NUM> covers the entire region by moving in the sky above the area by covering a part of the area of the coverage objective by the wireless communication area <NUM>.

The detection device <NUM> may be any device as long as the device can detect a state of a detection area <NUM>. The detection device <NUM> includes, for example, a camera. The camera is, for example, an RGB camera. The camera is, for example, a multi-wavelength spectral camera. The multi-wavelength spectral camera is, for example, a multispectral camera. The multi-wavelength spectral camera may be, for example, a hyperspectral camera. The camera is, for example, an infrared camera. The camera may be a thermal camera. By using the infrared camera and the thermal camera, the flying object <NUM> can detect the state of the detection area <NUM> even at night. The camera may be an example of an image capturing device.

The detection device <NUM> may include an SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). The SAR is a sensor which observes a state of the detection area <NUM> by irradiating an electromagnetic wave that is a millimeter wave or a microwave and observing a reflected wave. The millimeter wave or microwave irradiated by the SAR has a long wavelength in comparison with that of visible light, and can transmit through an obstacle such as a cloud. In addition, the SAR does not require a light source unlike an ordinary optical camera. Thus, by using the SAR, the flying object <NUM> can detect the state of the detection area <NUM> even at night.

The user terminal <NUM> may be any terminal as long as the communication terminal can communicate with the control device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>. For example, the user terminal <NUM> is a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, and the like.

The user terminal <NUM> has a functionality of acquiring location information of the user terminal <NUM>. The user terminal <NUM> acquires the location information of the user terminal <NUM> by using a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) functionality, for example. The user terminal <NUM> transmits the acquired location information of the user terminal <NUM> to the control device <NUM> via the flying object <NUM>.

The user terminal <NUM> may intermittently transmit the location information of the user terminal <NUM> to the control device <NUM>. For example, the user terminal <NUM> transmits the location information of the user terminal <NUM> in a predetermined cycle to the control device <NUM>. The user terminal <NUM> may change the cycle of transmitting the location information of the user terminal <NUM> to the control device <NUM> according to a remaining battery level of the user terminal <NUM>. For example, as the remaining battery level is lower, the user terminal <NUM> may increase the cycle of transmitting the location information of the user terminal <NUM> to the control device <NUM>.

The user terminal <NUM> may have a functionality of transmitting a rescue signal including the location information of the user terminal <NUM> to the control device <NUM>. The rescue signal is a signal for requesting a rescue in case of emergency. The rescue signal may include information related to a state of the user <NUM> such as the presence or absence of an injury. The user terminal <NUM> transmits the rescue signal to the control device <NUM> in response to an instruction of the user <NUM>, for example.

The above mentioned functionality of the user terminal <NUM> may be achieved by an application installed in advance.

The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> has a camera <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> has a battery which is not illustrated in the drawing. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> flies by using the electric power stored in the battery, for example.

The camera <NUM> is, for example, an RGB camera. The camera is, for example, a multi-wavelength spectral camera. The multi-wavelength spectral camera is, for example, a multispectral camera. The multi-wavelength spectral camera may be a hyperspectral camera, for example. The camera <NUM> is, for example, an infrared camera. The camera <NUM> may be a thermal camera.

The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> may have an antenna for performing wireless communication with the communication device <NUM> of the flying object <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> establishes a wireless communication connection with the communication device <NUM> by using the antenna. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> can communicate with the control device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> transmits a captured image captured by the camera <NUM> to the control device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>, for example.

The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> may have an antenna for performing wireless communication with the communication satellite <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> establishes a wireless communication connection with the communication satellite <NUM> by using the antenna. Thus, the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> can communicate with the control device <NUM> via the communication satellite <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls the flying object <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls the flying object <NUM> to provide a wireless communication service to the user terminal <NUM>, for example. The flying object <NUM> starts to provide the wireless communication service to the user terminal <NUM> according to the control by the control device <NUM>. Subsequently, the control device <NUM> receives the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from the user terminal <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls the detection device <NUM> of the flying object <NUM> to detect a state of the detection area <NUM> including the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received from the user terminal <NUM>, for example. The detection device <NUM> detects the state of the detection area <NUM> according to the control of the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> receives, via the communication device <NUM>, detection information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM> which is detected by the detection device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls, based on the received detection information, for example, the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture an image around the location indicated by the received location information of the user terminal <NUM> by the camera <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> moves to the location and captures the image around the location by the camera <NUM> according to the control of the control device <NUM> to transmit the captured image to the control device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> decides a rescue method of rescuing the user <NUM> based on the captured image of the camera <NUM> which is received from the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The control device <NUM> transmits rescue method information indicating the decided rescue method to the user terminal <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> may transmit the rescue method information to rescue agencies <NUM> via the core network <NUM> and an Internet <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> functions as MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing), for example. That is, the control device <NUM> may be an MEC server.

The control device <NUM> is installed on the ground, for example. The control device <NUM> is installed on the core network <NUM>, for example. Thus, the control device <NUM> can achieve low latency of the communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, and highly precisely control the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The control device <NUM> may be installed on the Internet <NUM>. The control device <NUM> may be mounted to the flying object <NUM>.

The rescue agencies <NUM> rescue the user <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> according to the rescue method information received from the control device <NUM>. The rescue agencies <NUM> rescue the user <NUM> by dispatching rescue workers, for example. For example, the rescue agencies <NUM> rescue the user <NUM> by instructing the rescue workers to transport the user <NUM> to a safe location. The rescue agencies <NUM> may rescue the user <NUM> by instructing the rescue workers to deliver a material.

In a conventional rescue system, in a disaster district where the provision of the wireless communication service by the radio base station on the ground is stopped, when the rescue method is to be decided by taking a state of the disaster district into account, an image of the disaster district has been captured by using a helicopter. Since an image capturing range where an image can be captured by using the helicopter is relatively narrow, it has not been possible to rapidly grasp a state of the entire disaster district when the disaster district spreads in a wide range. In addition, it has not been possible to specifically grasp a state around the disaster victim. In contrast, in accordance with the system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, even when the disaster district spreads in a wide range, it is possible to rapidly grasp the state of the entire disaster district by the detection device <NUM> mounted to the flying object <NUM> functioning as the stratospheric platform. In addition, in accordance with the system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, by controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> based on the detection information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM>, it is possible to specifically grasp the state around the user <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM>. In particular, when the detection device <NUM> detects the disaster district, it is possible to specifically grasp a state of a region the detection of which has been impossible by the detection device <NUM> as being hidden under a shadow of an obstacle such as a building or the like or a region the specific detection of which has been impossible by the detection device <NUM> as being affected by rain or the like. Thus, the system <NUM> according to the present embodiment can more rapidly and appropriately decide the rescue method as compared with the conventional rescue system.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, a deactivated base station information reception unit <NUM>, a target point setting unit <NUM>, a movement control unit <NUM>, a communication device control unit <NUM>, a location information reception unit <NUM>, an environment information reception unit <NUM>, a detection device control unit <NUM>, a detection information reception unit <NUM>, an unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM>, a captured image reception unit <NUM>, a rescue method decision unit <NUM>, a rescue method information transmission unit <NUM>, a disaster situation identification unit <NUM>, and an image capturing decision unit <NUM>. Note that the control device <NUM> does not necessarily include all of these components.

The storage unit <NUM> stores various types of information. The storage unit <NUM> stores unmanned aerial vehicle information related to the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, for example. The unmanned aerial vehicle information includes, for example, information indicating a waiting location of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle information may include information indicating a performance of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may store radio base station information related to the radio base station <NUM>. The radio base station information includes, for example, information indicating a location of the radio base station <NUM>. The radio base station information may include information indicating a range of the coverage objective of the radio base station <NUM>.

The deactivated base station information reception unit <NUM> receives, from a radio base station management device which manages the radio base station <NUM>, deactivated base station information indicating the radio base station <NUM> which stops providing the wireless communication service. The deactivated base station information reception unit <NUM> stores the received deactivated base station information in the storage unit <NUM>.

The target point setting unit <NUM> sets a target point of movement of the flying object <NUM>. The target point setting unit <NUM> sets the target point based on the radio base station information and the deactivated base station information which are stored in the storage unit <NUM>, for example.

The target point setting unit <NUM> sets, as the target point, a point at which the wireless communication area <NUM> can be formed in the range of the coverage objective of the radio base station <NUM> which stops providing the wireless communication service, for example. The target point setting unit <NUM> sets the sky above the radio base station <NUM> as the target point, for example. When a plurality of radio base stations <NUM> which stop providing the wireless communication service exist, the target point setting unit <NUM> may set, as the target point, a point at which the wireless communication area <NUM> can be formed in a range of the coverage objectives of the plurality of radio base stations <NUM>. The target point setting unit <NUM> may set, as the target point, the sky above a central location of each location of the plurality of radio base stations <NUM>, for example.

The movement control unit <NUM> controls the movement of the flying object <NUM>. The movement control unit <NUM> controls the movement of the flying object <NUM> such that the flying object <NUM> moves to the target point set by the target point setting unit <NUM>, for example.

The movement control unit <NUM> controls the movement of the flying object <NUM>, for example, by generating movement control information for controlling the movement of the flying object <NUM>, and transmitting the movement control information to the flying object <NUM>. The movement control information may be information for controlling at least one of a flight altitude, a flight speed, or a flight direction of the flying object <NUM>, for example.

The communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM> of the flying object <NUM>. The communication device control unit <NUM> causes the communication device <NUM> to form the wireless communication area <NUM> in response to arrival of the flying object <NUM> to the target point set by the movement control unit <NUM>, for example. The communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM>, for example, by generating communication control information for controlling the communication device <NUM>, and transmitting the communication control information to the flying object <NUM>. The communication control information may be, for example, information for controlling a range of the beam irradiated by the antenna <NUM>.

The communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM> based on the radio base station information and the deactivated base station information which are stored in the storage unit <NUM>, for example. For example, the communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM> to form the wireless communication area <NUM> in a range of the coverage objective of the radio base station <NUM> which stops providing the wireless communication service. When a plurality of radio base stations <NUM> which stop providing the wireless communication service exist, the communication device control unit <NUM> may control the communication device <NUM> to form the wireless communication area <NUM> in a range of the coverage objectives of the plurality of radio base stations <NUM>.

The location information reception unit <NUM> receives the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from the user terminal <NUM> via the communication device <NUM> of the flying object <NUM>. The location information reception unit <NUM> stores the received location information of the user terminal <NUM> in the storage unit <NUM>. The location information reception unit <NUM> may receive the rescue signal from the user terminal <NUM>. The location information reception unit <NUM> stores, in the storage unit <NUM>, the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is included in the received rescue signal.

The environment information reception unit <NUM> receives environment information from an environment information management device which manages environment information related to an environment at any spot. The environment information reception unit <NUM> stores the received environment information in the storage unit <NUM>.

The environment information includes, for example, hazard information related to a hazard. The hazard information includes, for example, disaster area information indicating a disaster area. The hazard information may include a hazard map. The environment information may include weather information. The weather information includes at least one of a rainfall, a snowfall, a wind speed, a wind direction, or a temperature.

The environment information reception unit <NUM> receives, for example, the environment information of the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received by the location information reception unit <NUM>. The environment information reception unit <NUM> may receive environment information of a location of the radio base station <NUM>.

The target point setting unit <NUM> may set the target point based on the radio base station information stored in the storage unit <NUM> and the environment information of the location of the radio base station <NUM>. For example, the target point setting unit <NUM> identifies the devastated radio base station <NUM> from the disaster area information, and sets, as the target point, a point at which the wireless communication area <NUM> can be formed in a range of a coverage objective of the identified radio base station <NUM>. The target point setting unit <NUM> may predict the radio base station <NUM> which is to be devastated from the hazard map and weather information, and set, as the target point, a point at which the wireless communication area <NUM> can be formed in a range of a coverage objective of the predicted radio base station <NUM>.

The detection device control unit <NUM> controls the detection device <NUM> of the flying object <NUM>. The detection device control unit <NUM> controls the detection device <NUM>, for example, by generating detection device control information for controlling the detection device <NUM>, and transmitting the detection device control information to the flying object <NUM>.

The detection device control unit <NUM> controls the detection device <NUM> based on the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received by the location information reception unit <NUM>, for example. The detection device control unit <NUM> controls the detection device <NUM> to detect the detection area <NUM> including the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>, for example. The detection device control unit <NUM> controls the image capturing device to capture an image of the detection area <NUM>, for example. The detection device control unit <NUM> may control the SAR to detect a state of the detection area <NUM>.

Detection control information may be, for example, information for controlling at least one of pan, tilt, or zoom of the camera mounted to the flying object <NUM>. The detection control information may be information for controlling an irradiation location of the electromagnetic wave to be irradiated by the SAR mounted to the flying object <NUM>.

The detection information reception unit <NUM> receives detection information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM> which is detected by the detection device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>. The detection information includes the captured image of the detection area <NUM> which is captured by the image capturing device, for example. The detection information may include information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM> which is detected by the SAR. The detection information reception unit <NUM> stores the received detection information in the storage unit <NUM>.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to be controlled based on the unmanned aerial vehicle information stored in the storage unit <NUM> and the location information of the user terminal <NUM>, for example.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, for example. The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the camera <NUM> of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, for example.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, for example, by generating unmanned aerial vehicle control information for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, and transmitting the unmanned aerial vehicle control information for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle control information may be information for controlling at least one of a flight altitude, a flight speed, or a flight direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>, for example. The unmanned aerial vehicle control information may be, for example, information for controlling at least one of pan, tilt, or zoom of the camera <NUM>.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> by the camera <NUM> based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit <NUM>, for example. For example, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> identifies a specific detection region which is required to be specifically detected by analyzing the detection information, and controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image of the specific detection region by the camera <NUM>. The specific detection region is, for example, a region including a road. The specific detection region is, for example, a region including a building. The specific detection region may be a region including a river.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> may identify an undetected region which is not detected by the detection device <NUM> by analyzing the detection information, and control the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image of the undetected region by the camera <NUM>. The undetected region is, for example, a region hidden under a shadow of an obstacle such as a building. The undetected region may be a region the detection of which can not be specifically performed by the detection device <NUM> as being affected by rain or the like.

The captured image reception unit <NUM> receives the captured image captured by the camera <NUM> from the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The captured image reception unit <NUM> stores the received captured image in the storage unit <NUM>.

The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides a rescue method of rescuing the user <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> based on the captured image received by the captured image reception unit <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> may decide the rescue method further based on the environment information of the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides a movable object to be used to rescue the user <NUM>, for example. The movable object is a car, a helicopter, a ship, or the like. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides, for example, a movement path to be used to rescue the user <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides, for example, a shelter to be used to rescue the user <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides, for example, a number of rescue workers who rescue the user <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> may decide a material to be used to rescue the user <NUM>.

The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides, for example, that the user <NUM> is to move on the movement path. In this case, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> may control the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to lead the user <NUM>.

The rescue method decision unit <NUM> may decide that the movable object is to move on the movement path. For example, the rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides that the movable object is to move on the movement path to transport the user <NUM> to a safe location. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> may decide that the movable object is to move on the movement path to deliver a material to a shelter.

The rescue method information transmission unit <NUM> transmits rescue method information indicating the rescue method decided by the rescue method decision unit <NUM>. The rescue method information transmission unit <NUM> transmits the rescue method information to the user terminal <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>, for example. The rescue method information transmission unit <NUM> may transmit the rescue method information to the rescue agencies <NUM>.

The user terminal <NUM> prompts the user <NUM> to confirm the rescue method information through display output of the rescue method information received from the control device <NUM> on a display or through audio output thereof. The user <NUM> moves on the movement path or waits for arrival of the rescue workers according to the confirmed rescue method information.

The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies a disaster situation of the detection area <NUM> detected by the detection device <NUM> based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit <NUM>. The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies the disaster situation of the detection area <NUM> by analyzing the detection information received by the detection information reception unit <NUM>, for example.

The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies a disaster region which is devastated out of the detection area <NUM> detected by the detection device <NUM>, for example. The disaster region is, for example, a severed road region where a road is severed. The disaster region is a cliff failure region where a cliff failure occurs. The disaster region is, for example, a river overflowing region where a river overflows. The disaster region is, for example, a ground liquefaction region where liquefaction of the ground occurs. The disaster region may be a fire region where a fire breaks out. The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> may identify a road traffic situation of the detection area <NUM> detected by the detection device <NUM>. The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies a traffic jam region where a traffic jam on a road occurs, for example.

The communication device control unit <NUM> may control the communication device <NUM> based on the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. The communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM> such that, for example, the wireless communication area <NUM> is not formed in a region where the disaster situation does not satisfy a predetermined condition, but the wireless communication area <NUM> is formed in a region where the condition is satisfied. The condition is, for example, an identification as the disaster region by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>.

The image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides whether an image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received by the location information reception unit <NUM> is to be captured based on the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. When the disaster situation of the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides that the image around the location is to be captured. The condition is, for example, that the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is included in the disaster region identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> may control the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> in response to the decision by the image capturing decision unit <NUM> that the image around the location is to be captured.

A configuration may be adopted where the control device <NUM> does not include the movement control unit <NUM>. In this case, the control device <NUM> may transmit the target point set by the target point setting unit <NUM> to an external device which controls the flying object <NUM>. The external device controls the movement of the flying object <NUM> such that the flying object <NUM> moves to the target point received from the control device <NUM>.

A configuration may be adopted where the control device <NUM> does not include the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM>. In this case, the control device <NUM> may transmit the detection information received by the detection information reception unit <NUM> and the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received by the location information reception unit <NUM> to the external device which controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The external device controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> by the camera <NUM> based on the received detection information.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> includes a reception unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, an image capturing unit <NUM>, a detection unit <NUM>, and a transmission unit <NUM>. Note that the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> does not necessarily include all of these components.

The reception unit <NUM> receives the unmanned aerial vehicle control information from the control device <NUM>. The reception unit <NUM> receives the unmanned aerial vehicle control information from the control device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>, for example. The reception unit <NUM> may receive the unmanned aerial vehicle control information from the control device <NUM> via the communication satellite <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> according to the unmanned aerial vehicle control information received by the reception unit <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> controls the movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to move to the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the camera <NUM> to capture an image around the location in response to the movement to the location. The control unit <NUM> may control the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to lead the user <NUM>.

The image capturing unit <NUM> captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may be an example of the image capturing unit <NUM>.

The detection unit <NUM> detects a state around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> is, for example, a radar.

The transmission unit <NUM> transmits various types of information to the control device <NUM>. The transmission unit <NUM> transmits the various types of information to the control device <NUM> via the communication device <NUM>, for example. The transmission unit <NUM> may transmit the various types of information to the control device <NUM> via the communication satellite <NUM>.

The transmission unit <NUM> transmits the captured image captured by the image capturing unit <NUM> to the control device <NUM>, for example. The transmission unit <NUM> may transmit, to the control device <NUM>, the detection information indicating the state around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is detected by the detection unit <NUM>.

The captured image reception unit <NUM> may receive the detection information from the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> may decide a rescue method further based on the detection information received by the captured image reception unit <NUM> from the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram for describing processing of changing the wireless communication area <NUM> to be formed by the flying object <NUM>. Herein, a description will be provided of the processing in a case where the wireless communication area <NUM> is changed such that only a disaster region in the detection area <NUM> is set as the coverage objective based on a disaster situation of the detection area <NUM>.

The disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies the disaster region in the detection area <NUM> based on the detection information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM> which is detected by the detection device <NUM>. The communication device control unit <NUM> controls the communication device <NUM> such that only the disaster region identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM> is set as the coverage objective.

The communication device <NUM> controls the antenna <NUM> such that an irradiation range of the beam by the antenna <NUM> covers only the disaster region identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM> according to the control by the communication device control unit <NUM>. For example, the communication device <NUM> controls a size of the irradiation range or an irradiation direction of one or more beams of the antenna <NUM> to cover only the disaster region. When the antenna <NUM> irradiates a plurality of beams, the communication device <NUM> may control the antenna <NUM> to stop beam with which the disaster region is not irradiated among the plurality of beams irradiated by the antenna <NUM>. Thus, the communication device <NUM> carries out the change to the wireless communication area <NUM> where only the disaster region is set as the coverage objective.

In the processing illustrated in <FIG>, the wireless communication area <NUM> is changed to the disaster region identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. Thus, while the provision of the wireless communication service is maintained to the user terminals <NUM> in the disaster region where the prompt rescue is required, congestion of the network can be avoided by reducing a number of user terminals <NUM> which communicate with the communication device <NUM> via the service link.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle information. The unmanned aerial vehicle information of <FIG> includes waiting locations and performances of unmanned aerial vehicles A to H. Herein, a description will be provided of the processing in a case where the control device <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures an image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among the unmanned aerial vehicles A to H.

For example, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among unmanned aerial vehicles waiting in an airfield with a short distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> received by the location information reception unit <NUM> and the airfield. Herein, it is assumed that a distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and an airfield a is shorter than a distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and an airfield b. In this case, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among the unmanned aerial vehicles A to D.

Then, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> determines whether the distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and the airfield a is longer than a predetermined distance. When the distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and the airfield a is longer than the predetermined distance, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among unmanned aerial vehicles to which a large capacity battery is mounted. Herein, it is assumed that the distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and the airfield a is longer than the predetermined distance. In this case, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> out of the unmanned aerial vehicles B and D.

Then, when a time period in which the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is to be captured is a daytime, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among unmanned aerial vehicles to which an RGB camera is mounted. On the other hand, when the time period in which the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is to be captured is a nighttime, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects an unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from among unmanned aerial vehicles to which an infrared camera is mounted. Herein, it is assumed that the time period in which the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is to be captured is a nighttime. In this case, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects the unmanned aerial vehicle D as the unmanned aerial vehicle which captures the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>.

The unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> selects the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the distance between the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> and the airfield or the time period in which the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is to be captured. Thus, the captured image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> can be collected by using the optimal unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a flow of processing by the control device <NUM>. In <FIG>, a description will be provided where a state in which the flying object <NUM> provides the wireless communication service to the user terminal <NUM> is set as a start state.

In step (step may be abbreviated and described as S) <NUM>, the control device <NUM> determines whether the location information reception unit <NUM> receives the rescue signal from the user terminal <NUM>. When the location information reception unit <NUM> receives the rescue signal, the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides that the image around the location indicated by the location information which is included in the rescue signal is to be captured, and the flow proceeds to S114. When the location information reception unit <NUM> does not receive the rescue signal, the flow proceeds to S104.

In S104, the control device <NUM> determines whether the location information reception unit <NUM> receives the location information of the user terminal <NUM> from the user terminal <NUM>. When the location information reception unit <NUM> receives the location information of the user terminal <NUM>, the flow proceeds to S106. When the location information reception unit <NUM> does not receive the location information of the user terminal <NUM>, the flow returns to S102.

In S106, the detection device control unit <NUM> transmits the detection control information to the flying object <NUM>. In S108, the control device <NUM> determines whether the detection information reception unit <NUM> receives, from the flying object <NUM>, the detection information indicating the state of the detection area <NUM> which includes the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>. When the detection information reception unit <NUM> receives the detection information, the flow proceeds to S110.

In S110, the disaster situation identification unit <NUM> identifies a disaster situation of the detection area <NUM> based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit <NUM>. In S112, the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides whether the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> which is received by the location information reception unit <NUM> is to be captured based on the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. When the location is included in the disaster region, for example, the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides that the image around the location is to be captured. When the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides that the image capturing is to be performed, the flow proceeds to S114. When the image capturing decision unit <NUM> decides that the image capturing is not to be performed, the processing is ended.

In S114, the unmanned aerial vehicle control unit <NUM> controls the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM> to capture the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM>. The captured image reception unit <NUM> receives a captured image from the unmanned aerial vehicle <NUM>. The rescue method decision unit <NUM> decides a rescue method based on the captured image received by the captured image reception unit <NUM>. Then, the processing is ended.

In the processing illustrated in <FIG>, whether the image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> is to be captured is decided according to the disaster situation identified by the disaster situation identification unit <NUM>. Thus, the captured image around the location indicated by the location information of the user terminal <NUM> of the user <NUM> who requires the prompt rescue can be preferentially collected.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a computer <NUM> that functions as the control device <NUM>. Programs installed in the computer <NUM> can cause the computer <NUM> to function as one or more "units" of the device according to the present embodiment or can cause the computer <NUM> to execute operations associated with the devices according to the present embodiment or the one or more "units", and/or can cause the computer <NUM> to execute a process according to the present embodiment or steps of the process. Such a program may be executed by a CPU <NUM> to cause the computer <NUM> to perform particular operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described in the specification.

The computer <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the CPU <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, and a graphics controller <NUM>, which are connected to each other via a host controller <NUM>. The computer <NUM> also includes a communication interface <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a DVD drive <NUM>, and an input/output unit such as an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller <NUM> via an input/output controller <NUM>. The DVD drive <NUM> may be a DVD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, and the like. The storage device <NUM> may be a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, and the like. The computer <NUM> also includes legacy input/output units such as a ROM <NUM> and a keyboard <NUM>, which are connected to the input/output controller <NUM> through an input/output chip <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> operates according to the programs stored in the ROM <NUM> and the RAM <NUM>, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller <NUM> obtains image data which is generated by the CPU <NUM> in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM <NUM> or in itself so as to cause the image data to be displayed on a display device <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device <NUM> stores a program and data used by the CPU <NUM> in the computer <NUM>. The DVD drive <NUM> reads the programs or the data from the DVD-ROM <NUM> or the like, and provides the storage device <NUM> with the programs or the data. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and/or writes programs and data into the IC card.

The ROM <NUM> stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer <NUM> at the time of activation, and/or a program depending on the hardware of the computer <NUM>. The input/output chip <NUM> may also connect various input/output units via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port or the like to the input/output controller <NUM>.

A program is provided by a computer readable storage medium such as the DVD-ROM <NUM> or the IC card. The program is read from the computer readable storage medium, installed into the storage device <NUM>, RAM <NUM>, or ROM <NUM>, which are also examples of a computer readable storage medium, and executed by the CPU <NUM>. Information processing written in these programs is read by the computer <NUM>, and provides cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. A device or method may be constituted by realizing the operation or processing of information in accordance with the usage of the computer <NUM>.

For example, in a case where a communication is performed between the computer <NUM> and an external device, the CPU <NUM> may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM <NUM> and instruct the communication interface <NUM> to perform communication processing based on a process written in the communication program. The communication interface <NUM>, under control of the CPU <NUM>, reads transmission data stored on a transmission buffer region provided in a recording medium such as the RAM <NUM>, the storage device <NUM>, the DVD-ROM <NUM>, or the IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to a network or writes reception data received from a network to a reception buffer region or the like provided on the recording medium.

In addition, the CPU <NUM> may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or a database to be read into the RAM <NUM>, the file or the database having been stored in an external recording medium such as the storage device <NUM>, the DVD drive <NUM> (DVD-ROM <NUM>), the IC card, etc., and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM <NUM>. Then, the CPU <NUM> may write the processed data back in the external recording medium.

Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in a recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU <NUM> may execute, on the data read from the RAM <NUM>, various types of processing including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgement, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval/replacement, or the like described throughout the present disclosure and specified by instruction sequences of the programs, to write the results back to the RAM <NUM>. In addition, the CPU <NUM> may retrieve information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored in the recording medium, the CPU <NUM> may search for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a designated condition, from among the plurality of entries, and read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, thereby obtaining the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute satisfying a predetermined condition.

The programs or software module described above may be stored on the computer <NUM> or in a computer readable storage medium near the computer <NUM>. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer <NUM> via the network.

Blocks in flowcharts and block diagrams in the present embodiments may represent steps of processes in which operations are performed or "units" of devices responsible for performing operations. A particular step and "unit" may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry supplied along with a computer readable instruction stored on a computer readable storage medium, and/or a processor supplied along with the computer readable instruction stored on the computer readable storage medium. The dedicated circuitry may include a digital and/or analog hardware circuit, or may include an integrated circuit (IC) and/or a discrete circuit. The programmable circuitry may include, for example, a reconfigurable hardware circuit including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, and a flip-flop, a register, and a memory element, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and a programmable logic array (PLA).

The computer readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing an instruction performed by an appropriate device, so that the computer readable storage medium having the instruction stored thereon constitutes a product including an instruction that may be performed in order to provide means for performing an operation specified by a flowchart or a block diagram. An example of the computer readable storage medium may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, or a semiconductor storage medium. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium may include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, or the like.

The computer readable instruction may include an assembler instruction, an instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instruction, a machine instruction, a machine dependent instruction, a microcode, a firmware instruction, state-setting data, or either of source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), and C++, and a conventional procedural programming language such as a "C" programming language or a similar programming language.

The computer readable instruction may be provided to a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a processor or programmable circuitry of another programmable data processing device locally or via a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet or the like in order that the general purpose computer, the special purpose computer, or the processor or the programmable circuitry of the other programmable data processing device performs the computer readable instruction to provide means for performing operations specified by the flowchart or the block diagram. Examples of the processor include a computer processor, a processing unit, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a controller, a microcontroller, and the like.

The operations, procedures, steps, and stages of each process performed by an apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams can be performed in any order as long as the order is not indicated by "prior to," "before," or the like and as long as the output from a previous process is not used in a later process. Even if the process flow is described using phrases such as "first" or "next" in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be performed in this order.

Claim 1:
A control device (<NUM>) comprising:
a location information reception unit (<NUM>) configured to receive, via a communication device which is mounted to a flying object (<NUM>) functioning as a stratospheric platform and forms a wireless communication area by beam irradiation to provide a wireless communication service to a user terminal in the wireless communication area, location information of the user terminal from the user terminal in the wireless communication area;
a detection device control unit (<NUM>) configured to control a detection device (<NUM>) of the flying object (<NUM>) to detect a state of a region including a location indicated by the location information;
a detection information reception unit (<NUM>) configured to receive, via the communication device, detection information indicating the state of the region which is detected by the detection device (<NUM>);
an unmanned aerial vehicle control unit (<NUM>) configured to control an unmanned aerial vehicle to capture an image around the location indicated by the location information by an image capturing unit (<NUM>) of the unmanned aerial vehicle (<NUM>) based on the detection information received by the detection information reception unit (<NUM>);
a captured image reception unit (<NUM>) configured to receive a captured image captured by the image capturing unit (<NUM>) from the unmanned aerial vehicle (<NUM>); and
a rescue method decision unit (<NUM>) configured to decide a rescue method of rescuing a user of the user terminal based on the captured image received by the captured image reception unit (<NUM>).