Patent ID: 12222734

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are described below.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation management system according to an embodiment. An operation management system1is a system that manages operation of aircraft that transport passengers on demand. The operation management system1includes one or more each of a server apparatus10, an aircraft12, and a terminal apparatus13communicably connected to each other via a network11.

The server apparatus10is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions. The server apparatus10is used by a provider that provides operational services with the aircraft12.

The aircraft12has a cabin similar in size to that of a passenger car, capable of accommodating one or more occupants, and a mechanism including one or more electric rotors for generating lift and thrust. The aircraft12is an aircraft piloted at least partially by visual flight rules (VFR), such as an eVTOL. The aircraft12has a drive mechanism, including a motor, to drive the electric rotors, a corresponding control apparatus, and a battery to supply electric power to the drive mechanism. The battery is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The aircraft12may be piloted by instrument flight rules (IFR). The aircraft12is provided with communication functions and information processing functions and is connected to the network11via a mobile communication network.

The terminal apparatus13is an information processing apparatus provided with communication functions, is used by a passenger aboard the aircraft12, and performs various information communication and information processing. The terminal apparatus13is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

The network11may, for example, be the Internet or may include an ad hoc network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), other networks, or any combination thereof.

In the operation management system1, the server apparatus10corresponds to a “control apparatus”. The server apparatus10includes a memory that stores information on the power consumption for flight of the aircraft12that flies by the electric rotor. The server apparatus10includes a controller that instructs the aircraft12to fly on a flight path passing through a power supply facility based on the remaining charge of the aircraft12and the power consumption according to flight conditions when the aircraft12flies to the destination.

Due to the need to reduce weight, a battery with a relatively small volume is mounted in the aircraft12. The amount of a full charge is constrained by the volume of the battery, resulting in frequent charging and discharging of the battery. Such frequent charging and discharging of the battery can easily lead to battery degradation, and in particular, fast charging near 100% or 0% may accelerate battery degradation. On the other hand, the motor that drives the rotor of the aircraft12is subjected to different loads depending on the flight conditions of the aircraft12. The power consumption therefore varies. According to the present embodiment, the flight path is set so that the aircraft12can be charged at the power supply facility at an appropriate timing based on the remaining charge of the battery of the aircraft12and the power consumption according to flight conditions when the aircraft12operates. The charging and discharging of the battery of an aircraft can thus be reasonably managed. In turn, charging and discharging that needlessly accelerates the degradation of the battery of the aircraft12is avoided, thereby maintaining the aircraft12in a good operating state.

FIG.2illustrates an example configuration of the server apparatus10. The server apparatus10includes a communication interface21, a memory22, a controller23, an input interface25, and an output interface26. The server apparatus10is, for example, a single computer. The server apparatus10may be two or more computers that are communicably connected to each other and operate in cooperation. In this case, the configuration illustrated inFIG.2can be arranged among two or more computers as appropriate.

The communication interface21includes one or more interfaces for communication. The interface for communication is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication interface21receives information to be used for the operations of the server apparatus10and transmits information obtained by the operations of the server apparatus10. The server apparatus10is connected to the network11by the communication interface21and communicates information with the aircraft12or the terminal apparatus13via the network11.

The memory22includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these types, to function as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). The memory22stores information to be used for the operations of the server apparatus10and information obtained by the operations of the server apparatus10.

The controller23includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), or a dedicated processor, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), specialized for a particular process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The controller23executes information processing related to operations of the server apparatus10while controlling components of the server apparatus10.

The input interface25includes one or more interfaces for input. The interface for input is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, or a microphone that receives audio input. The input interface25accepts operations to input information used for operation of the server apparatus10and transmits the inputted information to the controller23.

The output interface26includes one or more interfaces for output. The interface for output is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescent (EL) display. The output interface26outputs information obtained by the operations of the server apparatus10.

The functions of the server apparatus10are realized by a processor included in the controller23executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server apparatus10. Some or all of the functions of the server apparatus10may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the controller23. The control program may be stored on a non-transitory recording/storage medium readable by the server apparatus10and be read from the medium by the server apparatus10.

FIG.3illustrates an example configuration of the aircraft12. The aircraft12includes a communication interface31, a memory32, a controller33, a positioner34, an input interface35, an output interface36, and a detector37. One or more of these may be configured as a single control apparatus, or each component may be connected via an on-board network in the aircraft12to enable communication of information. The control apparatus may also be configured by a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, a navigation apparatus, or the like.

The communication interface31includes one or more interfaces for communication. Examples of the interface for communication include an interface corresponding to mobile communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4th Generation (4G), or 5th Generation (5G). The communication interface31receives information to be used for the operations of the controller33and transmits information obtained by the operations of the controller33. The controller33connects to the network11using the communication interface31through a mobile communication base station and communicates information with the server apparatus10via the network11.

The memory32includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these types. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The memory32functions as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The memory32stores information to be used for the operations of the controller33and information obtained by the operations of the controller33.

The controller33includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. Examples of the processor include a general purpose processor such as a CPU and a dedicated processor dedicated to specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The controller33executes information processing pertaining to operations of the aircraft12.

The positioner34includes a sensor or receiver for acquiring the position of the aircraft12by autonomous navigation, electronic navigation, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), or the like. Sensors for autonomous navigation include, for example, accelerometers, gyro-sensors, compasses, altimeters, and the like. Receivers for electronic navigation include, for example, VHF omni-directional radio range (VOR), instrument landing system (ILS), and other receivers for receiving radio waves from ground-based radio facilities. Furthermore, GNSS receives include, for example, at least one of Global Positioning System (GPS), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), BeiDou, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and Galileo. The positioner34acquires the positional information for the aircraft12and transmits the positional information to the controller33.

The input interface35includes one or more interfaces for input. The interface for input is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, or a microphone that receives audio input. The interface for input may further include a camera or integrated circuit (IC) card reader that captures images or image codes. The input interface35accepts operations for inputting information to be used in the operations of the controller33and transmits the inputted information to the controller33.

The output interface36includes one or more interfaces for output. The interface for output is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output interface36outputs information obtained by the operations of the controller33.

The detector37includes one or more sensors, or interfaces with sensors, that detect the condition or operation of various components in the aircraft12and transmits information indicating the results of detection by the sensors to the controller33. The sensors include sensors that detect the state or operation of drive mechanisms including motors, remaining battery charge, temperature, and the like. The sensors also include wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors, air temperature sensors, air pressure sensors, humidity sensors, illumination sensors, rainfall sensors, cameras, and other sensors that detect conditions in the environment external to the aircraft12.

The functions of the controller33are realized by a processor included in the controller33executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the controller33. Some or all of the functions of the controller33may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the controller33.

The controller33controls each of the communication interface31, the memory32, the positioner34, the input interface35, the output interface36, and the detector37while exchanging various information with these components and also presents various information necessary for piloting the aircraft12to the pilot via the output interface36.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal apparatus13. The terminal apparatus13is, for example, an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The terminal apparatus13includes a communication interface41, a memory42, a controller43, a positioner44, an input interface45, and an output interface46.

The communication interface41includes a communication module compliant with a wired or wireless LAN standard, a module compliant with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G, or the like. The terminal apparatus13connects to the network11via a nearby router apparatus or mobile communication base station using the communication interface41and communicates information with the server apparatus10and the like over the network11.

The memory42includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these types. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The memory42functions as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The memory42stores information to be used for the operations of the controller43and information obtained by the operations of the controller43.

The controller43has one or more general purpose processors such as CPUs or micro processing units (MPUs) or one or more dedicated processors that are dedicated to specific processing. Alternatively, the controller43may have one or more dedicated circuits such as FPGAs or ASICs. The controller43is configured to perform overall control of the operations of the terminal apparatus13by operating according to the control/processing programs or operating according to operation procedures implemented in the form of circuits. The controller43then transmits and receives various types of information to and from the server apparatus10and the like via the communication interface41and executes the operations according to the present embodiment.

The positioner44includes one or more GNSS receivers. GNSS includes, for example, GPS, QZSS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and/or Galileo. The positioner44acquires positional information for the terminal apparatus13.

The input interface45includes one or more interfaces for input. The interface for input is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, or a microphone that receives audio input. The interface for input may further include a camera or IC card reader that captures images or image codes. The input interface45accepts operations for inputting information to be used in the operations of the controller43and transmits the inputted information to the controller43.

The output interface46includes one or more interfaces for output. The interface for output is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output interface46outputs information obtained by the operations of the controller43.

The functions of the controller43are realized by a processor included in the controller43executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the controller43. Some or all of the functions of the controller43may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the controller43.

FIG.5is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation procedures of the operation management system1. This sequence diagram illustrates the steps in the coordinated operation of the server apparatus10, the aircraft12, and the terminal apparatus13. The steps pertaining to the various information processing by the server apparatus10, the aircraft12, and the terminal apparatus13inFIG.5are performed by the respective controllers23,33,43. The steps pertaining to transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from the server apparatus10, the aircraft12, and the terminal apparatus13are performed by the respective controllers23,33,43transmitting and receiving information to and from each other via the respective communication interfaces21,31,41. In the server apparatus10, the aircraft12, and the terminal apparatus13, the respective controllers23,33,43appropriately store the information that is transmitted and received in the respective memories22,32,42. Furthermore, the controllers23,33,43accept input of various information by the respective input interfaces25,35,45and output various information by the respective output interfaces26,36,46. Although an example of the procedures for the server apparatus10to operate in coordination with one aircraft12and one terminal apparatus13are illustrated, the procedures inFIG.5may be performed by the server apparatus10in coordination with two or more of each of the aircraft12and the terminal apparatus13.

In step S500, the terminal apparatus13accepts input of operating conditions from the passenger. The operating conditions include information such as the number of passengers traveling on the aircraft12and the departure location, departure time, destination, arrival time, and the like specified by the passengers. The controller53controls the output interface56to display an operating condition input screen and controls the touch panel or the like that forms the input interface45to accept information inputted by the passenger.

In step S502, the terminal apparatus13transmits information on the operating conditions to the server apparatus10. The server apparatus10receives the information transmitted from the terminal apparatus13.

In step S504, the server apparatus10receives positional information and status information for the aircraft12from the aircraft12. The status information includes information such as the current and the temperature of the motor in the aircraft12and the remaining charge of the battery that supplies power to the motor. For example, the aircraft12transmits the positional information and the status information to the server apparatus10at any appropriate period (for example, a period of a few seconds). Alternatively, the server apparatus10may request the positional information and the status information from the aircraft12and the aircraft12may transmit the positional information and the status information to the server apparatus10in response to the request. Identification information for the aircraft12is included with the positional information and the status information. This enables the server apparatus10to associate the identification information with the positional information and the status information for each aircraft12, even in a case in which a plurality of aircraft12exists.

In step S506, the server apparatus10creates a flight plan. The detailed operation procedures for the controller23in step S506are illustrated inFIG.6.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation procedures for the controller23in the server apparatus10.

In step S600, the controller23acquires the operating conditions. The controller23reads the operating conditions received from the terminal apparatus13from the memory22.

In step S602, the controller23acquires altitude information. For example, for each unit area of any size on the map, the altitude information includes information on the flight altitude required of the aircraft12according to the state of the unit area. The state of the unit area is the density of people, buildings, and the like, or the elevation of the ground surface. Here, the flight altitude is the altitude above sea level. The aircraft12is required to fly at least 150 m above ground surface objects in the airspace over non-dense areas and at least 300 m above ground surface objects in the airspace over dense areas. Furthermore, the elevation of the ground surface is added to or subtracted from the required distance from the ground surface. Accordingly, the flight altitude, or altitude above sea level, required for the aircraft12varies depending on the state of the unit area over which the aircraft12flies. When flying along the flight path, the aircraft12therefore ascends or descends as needed to fly at a flight altitude that varies according to the state of the unit area over which the aircraft12flies. Such altitude information is stored in advance in the memory22together with map information. The controller23reads the altitude information for the areas corresponding to the departure point and the destination included in the operating conditions.

FIG.7Aschematically illustrates an example of altitude information. For example, the controller23reads the altitude information for a rectangular area70, with a departure point71and a destination72as opposite corners, from the memory22. The rectangular area70has unit areas represented by blank or hatched squares. Each unit area is, for example, a rectangular area of several tens to several hundreds of meters square. Here, the unit areas are classified into a low altitude area73, a medium altitude area74, and a high altitude area75, in order of the flight altitude required for the aircraft12flying over the areas. The low altitude area73corresponds to an area for which a flight altitude of at least 150 m is required, for example, and which is a ground surface with no concentration of people, buildings, vehicles, or the like, or a water surface with no concentration of ships or the like. The medium altitude area74corresponds to an area for which a flight altitude of at least 200 meters is required, for example, and in which the flight altitude is specified by air traffic control, for example. The high altitude area75corresponds to an area for which a flight altitude of at least 300 m is required, for example, and which is a ground surface with a high concentration of people, buildings, vehicles, or the like, or a water surface with a high concentration of ships or the like. Whether the concentration is high is, for example, determined according to whether the population, number of buildings, number of vehicles, number of ships, or the like in each unit area meets an appropriately set threshold. The altitude information illustrated here is only an example. In a mountainous area or other unit area with relatively high elevation, for example, a flight altitude of several hundred meters or more with added elevation may be required.

In step S604ofFIG.6, the controller23acquires battery information. The controller23acquires the battery information, including the remaining charge of the battery, from the status information received from the aircraft12.

In step S606, the controller23acquires pilot information. The controller23reads the pilot information corresponding to the identification information received from the aircraft12from the memory22. Pilot information corresponding to each piece of identification information for the aircraft12is stored in advance in the memory22. The pilot information includes identification information for a pilot and information indicating the proficiency level of the pilot. The information indicating proficiency includes, for example, cumulative training hours, cumulative flight hours, and whether the pilot is certified in piloting techniques. Such pilot information is entered and stored in the server apparatus10once, for example, by the operator and is updated as needed.

In step S608, the controller23acquires weather information. The weather information includes, for example, information on the wind direction for each unit area. The controller23acquires the weather information corresponding to the rectangular area70from a server that distributes weather information, for example, and acquires information on the wind direction for each unit area.

In step S610, the controller23derives the flight path. The controller23uses any appropriate algorithm to derive a flight path from the current position of the aircraft12to the departure point, and then from the departure point to the destination. For example,FIG.7Aillustrates examples of three flight paths76,77,78from the departure point71to the destination72.

FIG.7Bschematically illustrates the changes in flight altitude for each of the three flight paths76,77,78inFIG.7A. The vertical axis ofFIG.7Brepresents the flight altitude, and the horizontal axis represents the unit area to be passed through and the flight distance.

For example, the flight path76passes from the departure point71through a low altitude area73, high altitude areas75, and a medium altitude area74, and then passes again through a low altitude area73to reach the destination72. The flight altitude required for the aircraft12thus varies sequentially from 0 m at the departure point71, to 150 m at the low altitude area73, 300 m at the high altitude areas75, 200 m at the medium altitude area74, 150 m at the low altitude area, and 0 m at the destination72. Therefore, in this case, the total change in altitude due to the ascent and descent of the aircraft12is 600 m, i.e., the sum of 300 m for the ascent and 300 m for the descent.

The flight path77passes from the departure point71through low altitude areas73and medium altitude areas74, and then passes again through low altitude areas73to reach the destination72. The flight altitude required for the aircraft12thus varies sequentially from 0 m at the departure point71, to 150 m at the low altitude areas73, 200 m at the medium altitude areas74, 150 m at the low altitude areas, and 0 m at the destination72. Therefore, in this case, the total change in altitude due to the ascent and descent of the aircraft12is 400 m.

Furthermore, the flight path78passes from the departure point71only through low altitude areas73to reach the destination72. The flight altitude required for the aircraft12thus varies sequentially from 0 m at the departure point71, to 150 m at the low altitude areas73, and 0 m at the destination72. Therefore, in this case, the total change in altitude due to the ascent and descent of the aircraft12is 300 m.

As illustrated in the examples inFIGS.7A and7B, the amount of change in flight altitude depends on the flight path. The electric rotor of the aircraft12is driven by a motor, and when the aircraft12flies, the motor is subjected to a relatively large load during vertical ascent and descent, resulting in a large power consumption. Therefore, the power consumption for each flight path differs depending not only on the flight distance but also the amount of the change in flight altitude.

In step S612ofFIG.6, the controller23acquires power consumption information. The power consumption information is information on the power consumption for the flight of the aircraft12. The power consumption information is stored in the memory22in advance. The power consumption information includes power consumption values that vary according to the flight conditions of the aircraft12. The flight conditions include the flight distance along the flight path, the amount of change in flight altitude, the wind direction, the pilot's flying skill, and the like.

FIG.8schematically illustrates the correspondence between flight conditions and power consumption values in the power consumption information. The horizontal axis inFIG.8represents the flight distance, and the vertical axis represents the power consumption value. The correspondence between the flight distance and the power consumption value for a relatively large and a relatively small amount of change in flight altitude are illustrated respectively by correspondences80and81. As illustrated by the correspondences80and81, the power consumption values increase with increasing flight distance. For the same flight distance, the power consumption value is higher as the amount of change in flight altitude is greater. Furthermore, the power consumption value varies depending on the direction of the wind to which the aircraft12is subjected. When the aircraft12receives a headwind during ascent or descent, additional lift is obtained, reducing the load on the motor compared to the case of no headwind and lowering the power consumption value. Furthermore, the power consumption value varies depending on the pilot's flying skill. The better the pilot's flying skill, the less power is wasted, and thus the lower the power consumption value.

In step S614ofFIG.6, the controller23uses the power consumption and the remaining charge of the aircraft12to determine whether charging is required en route in a case in which the aircraft12flies according to the derived flight path. The controller23derives the flight conditions of the aircraft12on the derived flight path, i.e., the flight distance, the amount of change in flight altitude, the wind direction, the pilot's flying skill, and the like, and derives the power consumption corresponding to these factors from the power consumption information. The controller23then derives the increase in power consumption due to the flight of the aircraft12and derives the decrease in the remaining charge corresponding to the increase in power consumption. In a case in which the aircraft12is expected to have an appropriately set minimum remaining charge at the time the aircraft12arrives at the destination, the controller23determines that charging is not required. The minimum remaining charge is the remaining charge required for the aircraft12to fly from the destination to the nearest power supply facility. The controller23searches for the power supply facility nearest to the destination and uses the power consumption information to derive the minimum remaining charge corresponding to the distance from the destination to the nearest power supply facility. The controller23determines that charging is necessary in a case in which the aircraft12is expected not to have the minimum remaining charge upon arrival at the destination. The controller23advances to step S620in a case in which charging is unnecessary (No) and to step S616in a case in which charging is necessary (Yes).

In step S616, the controller23generates a power supply plan. Creation of the power supply plan includes identifying the power supply facility at which the aircraft12can charge, changing to a flight path that passes through the identified power supply facility, and determining the charging time at the power supply facility.

The controller23retrieves power supply facilities near the current position or flight path of the aircraft12from the map information and derives the flight path from the current position or departure point of the aircraft12for each retrieved power supply facility. Based on the power consumption value corresponding to the flight conditions for each flight path and the remaining charge, the controller23identifies the power supply facility that can be reached at the earliest possible timing with the remaining charge of the aircraft12.

Furthermore, the controller23modifies the original flight path to pass through the identified power supply facility. For example, as illustrated inFIG.9, in a case in which initial flight paths93,94are derived from the current position90of the aircraft12to the departure point91and from the departure point91to the destination92, respectively, and a power supply facility95is identified as being the nearest to the current position90, then the flight path93is changed to a flight path97that passes through the power supply facility95. Alternatively, in a case in which a power supply facility96is identified as being the nearest to the flight path94, the flight path94is changed to a flight path98that passes through the power supply facility96.

Furthermore, the controller23derives the remaining charge of the aircraft12at the time the aircraft12flies to and arrives at the identified power supply facility, and the controller23derives the charging time for a full charge. For example, the controller23derives the charging time assuming that fast charging is performed when the remaining charge is within the range of 20% to 80% and slow charging is performed when the remaining charge is outside the range of 20% to 80%. The memory22stores information on battery specifications for each aircraft12in advance. Using this information, the controller23derives the charging time. In this way, battery degradation can be suppressed by switching between fast and slow charging according to the remaining charge level.

In step S618, the controller23determines whether the aircraft12can arrive at the destination by a specified arrival time by flying according to the derived flight path. The controller23derives the arrival time of the aircraft12from the standard flight speed of the aircraft12, which is set appropriately, and the travel distance. In a case in which the destination is reachable by the specified arrival time (Yes), the controller23proceeds to step S620and finalizes the flight plan. On the other hand, in a case in which the destination is not reachable by the specified arrival time (No), the controller23proceeds to step S614and changes the charging time at the power supply facility. For example, the controller23reduces the charging time by reducing the target remaining charge by a reduction amount appropriately set in advance. The controller23then changes to a charging time that enables arrival by the specified arrival time (Yes in step S618) and finalizes the flight plan in step S620. In this way, the battery of the aircraft12is charged, and the possibility of arrival by the specified arrival time is ensured, thus contributing to passenger convenience.

Returning toFIG.5, in step S508, the server apparatus transmits information on the flight plan to the terminal apparatus13. The flight plan includes information on the flight path from the point of departure to the destination, the estimated departure time, the estimated arrival time, and the like.

In step S510, the terminal apparatus13outputs the flight plan and accepts input of confirmation from the passenger. The controller43controls the output interface46to display the flight plan and a confirmation input screen. The passenger reviews the flight plan and inputs confirmation in a case in which the passenger wishes to board the aircraft12with that flight plan. The controller43controls the touch panel or the like that forms the input interface45to accept the information inputted by the passenger.

In step S512, the terminal apparatus13transmits information on a flight request to the server apparatus10. The information on the flight request includes passenger information. The passenger information includes the name, address, date of birth, user registration number, user account information, and the like for identifying the passenger. The passenger information may be stored in advance in the memory42as user registration information or may be inputted by the passenger to the terminal apparatus13. The server apparatus10receives the information transmitted from the terminal apparatus13.

In step S516, the server apparatus10generates a flight instruction corresponding to the confirmed and requested flight plan. Then, in step S516, the server apparatus10transmits the flight instruction to the aircraft12. The flight instruction includes the information necessary to fly according to the flight path. The flight instruction includes information such as the flight path, flight altitude, departure point and destination, location of the power supply facility to pass through, and the time to be spent charging at the power supply facility. The aircraft12receives the information transmitted from the server apparatus10.

In step S518, the aircraft12flies based on the flight instruction from the server apparatus10. The aircraft12outputs the information necessary for flight using a display or the like to present the information to the pilot, who flies the aircraft12by piloting in accordance with the flight instruction.

In step S520, the server apparatus10updates a battery usage history. The battery usage history is, for example, a score indicating the degree of battery depletion, corresponding to the power consumption when the aircraft12flew in accordance with the flight instruction. The usage history is stored in the memory22in advance. The controller23updates the score indicating the degree of battery depletion according to the flight instruction provided to the aircraft12.

By storing and updating the battery usage history, the server apparatus10can use the battery usage history to notify the operation service provider of battery inspection, replacement, and the like. For example, the controller23can transmit a notification to an information processing apparatus of the operation service provider when the score in the battery usage history reaches an appropriately set threshold, or approaches the threshold to a certain degree, to encourage inspection and replacement of the battery in the aircraft12.

According to the present embodiment, the charging and discharging of the battery of the aircraft12can be more reasonably managed. In turn, charging and discharging that needlessly accelerates the degradation of the battery of the aircraft12is avoided, thereby maintaining the aircraft12in a good operating state. This also enables recognition of the degree of battery depletion and ensures predictability of inspections, replacements, and the like.

The controller23may take into account the motor status acquired from the aircraft12when deriving the power consumption of the aircraft12in step S614to derive the remaining charge. For example, in a case in which the motor temperature is higher than an appropriately set standard, and the power consumption is estimated to be high, the power consumption value can be corrected to be larger.

The controller23may take into account the battery usage history of the aircraft12when creating a charging plan for the aircraft12in step S616. For example, in a case in which the score indicating the battery usage history is higher than an appropriately set standard, and a certain degree of battery depletion is estimated, the target charge amount can be corrected to be smaller.

In the above explanation, the server apparatus10corresponds to a “control apparatus”. However, at least some of the information processing by the control apparatus may be performed by the aircraft12. In other words, the controller33of the aircraft12may be responsible for some or all of the above-described operations of the server apparatus10, either together with or instead of the server apparatus10.

While embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings and examples, it should be noted that various modifications and revisions may be implemented by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications and revisions are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, functions or the like included in each means, each step, or the like can be rearranged without logical inconsistency, and a plurality of means, steps, or the like can be combined into one or divided.