JP2023161012A - Electronic apparatus, method of control, program, and flying device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that improves convenience of a flying device, and to provide a method of control, a program, and a flying device.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes: a power supply part for supplying power to a flying device; and a control unit for controlling the power supply part to supply power to a flying device when determining that the flying device is a flying device that is configured to supply power on the basis of information relating to the flying device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, an electronic device control method, and an electronic device control program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device that collects information regarding a flying device such as a drone, a method for controlling such an electronic device, and a control program for such an electronic device.

In recent years, typically unmanned flying devices, such as drones, have become rapidly popular. For example, there are commercially available flying devices such as small, unmanned multicopters equipped with imaging devices such as cameras. According to such a flying device, it is possible to take still images or videos from places that cannot be easily reached by humans. In the future, it is expected that such unmanned, small-sized flying devices will become even more popular as their uses expand and legislation progresses.

When a flying device as described above is powered by battery power, it is required to land at a predetermined location before the battery runs out of power. For this reason, takeoff and landing gears have also been proposed that can serve as bases for flight devices to take off and land. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a takeoff and landing system that guides the landing position to the normal position even if the flight device lands slightly deviated from the normal position.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-175490

If information regarding the flight device can be appropriately collected when the flight device is parked at a predetermined location, convenience can be improved.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device, a control method, a program, and a flight device that improve the convenience of the flight device.

An electronic device according to an embodiment includes:
a power supply unit that supplies power to the flight device;
a control unit that controls power to be supplied from the power supply unit to the flight device when it is determined that the flight device is a flight device to which power is supplied based on information regarding the flight device;
Equipped with

A method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment includes:
providing power to the flight device;
If it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies electric power based on information regarding the flight device, controlling the power supply unit to supply power to the flight device;
Equipped with

The program according to one embodiment is
to the computer,
providing power to the flight device;
If it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies electric power based on information regarding the flight device, controlling the power supply unit to supply power to the flight device;
Execute.

A flight device according to one embodiment includes:
A flight device that is supplied with electrical power,
When it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies power based on information regarding the flight device, power is supplied from an electronic device that supplies power to the flight device.

According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device, a control method, a program, and a flight device that improve the convenience of the flight device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of an electronic device and a flight device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

The electronic device according to one embodiment may be a device that collects information regarding a flight device when the flight device approaches. Further, the electronic device according to one embodiment may be a parking device for parking a flight device. Here, the flying device may be a typically unmanned and small flying device, such as a drone. Further, the mooring device for mooring the flight device may be a device used for purposes such as a base for mooring the flight device, such as a docking station. Further, the parking device for parking the flight device may be a device such as a base that simply has a space for parking the flight device without docking, for example. The mooring device may be capable of communicating with the flight device when the flight device approaches. In addition, by parking the flight device, this parking device can determine the failure status of the flight device, obtain information on the state of charge of the flight device battery, and charge the flight device battery. good. In this way, the electronic device according to one embodiment can have a wide variety of configurations. Hereinafter, several examples of electronic devices according to one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing some examples of electronic equipment according to an embodiment together with a flight device.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic device 1A, an electronic device 1B, and an electronic device 1C as examples of electronic devices according to an embodiment. Further, a flight device 100A, a flight device 100B, and a flight device 100C are flying or floating near the electronic device 1A, the electronic device 1B, and the electronic device 1C, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1A, the electronic device 1B, and the electronic device 1C are each connected to, for example, an external server 300 via a network N, either wirelessly or by wire.

Hereinafter, if the electronic device 1A, the electronic device 1B, and the electronic device 1C are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may simply be collectively referred to as "electronic device 1." Similarly, if the flight device 100A, the flight device 100B, and the flight device 100C are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may simply be collectively referred to as the "flight device 100."

In one embodiment, the flight device 100 may be a device that has various flight functions that allow it to float in the air even if the horizontal movement speed is low. For example, the flying device 100 may be a typically small, unmanned helicopter, multicopter, drone, airship, balloon, or unmanned flying vehicle called an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Here, a drone is not limited to a military UAV, and may be used for various purposes other than military purposes. For example, a drone may be equipped with a CCD image sensor and may be used to capture images while in flight. Further, the use of drones may include, for example, transporting parts used in a factory from one place to another. Further, in one embodiment, the flight device 100 may be capable of wireless remote control or may be capable of autonomous control (automatic piloting).

The flight device 100 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 1, and may be any other flight device. In the following description, an example will be described in which the flying device 100 is a drone that includes one or more propellers (which may be blades, rotors, etc.), such as the four propellers shown in FIG.

The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may be a device that simply collects information regarding a flight device such as the flight device 100A, like the electronic device 1A shown in FIG. 1, for example. In this case, the electronic device 1A does not need to include a mechanism for stopping the flight device 100. For example, when the flight device 100A approaches the electronic device 1A within a predetermined distance, the electronic device 1A collects information regarding the flight device 100A. Furthermore, while the electronic device 1A is collecting information regarding the flight device 100A, the flight device 100A may fly near the electronic device 1A at low speed or float near the electronic device 1A. . The electronic device 1A shown in FIG. 1 does not need to have the shape (appearance) as shown in FIG. 1, and may have any configuration as long as it can collect information regarding a flight device such as the flight device 100A.

The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can be installed in a suspended state from any location, for example like the electronic device 1B shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1B can be approached by the flight device 100 from below the electronic device 1B. Here, the "downward" direction may typically be vertical. Further, the "downward" direction may be the direction toward which gravity is directed. The electronic device 1B may attach the flight device 100 to the lower part of the main body of the electronic device 1B, for example, by the magnetic force of an attachment mechanism such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. Further, the electronic device 1B may engage the flight device 100 with the lower part of the main body of the electronic device 1B, for example, using a mechanical engagement mechanism. In this way, the electronic device 1B can park the flight device 100. Further, the electronic device 1B may collect information regarding the flight device 100B while the flight device 100B is flying at low speed near the electronic device 1B or floating near the electronic device 1B.

The electronic device 1B shown in FIG. 1 does not need to have the shape (appearance) as shown in FIG. The electronic device 1B may have any configuration as long as it can collect information regarding the flight device, such as the flight device 100B, when it is approached from below, for example. The applicant filed a patent application in Japan for an electronic device such as the electronic device 1B shown in FIG. 1 as Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-102541. The electronic device 1B according to one embodiment may be configured as disclosed in the specification of the above-mentioned patent application, for example.

The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can be installed at any location, for example, like the electronic device 1C shown in FIG. 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1C can be approached by the flight device 100 from above the electronic device 1C. The electronic device 1C may include a recess in which the flight device 100 is parked, as shown in FIG. In this way, the electronic device 1C can park the flight device 100. Further, the electronic device 1C may collect information regarding the flight device 100C while the flight device 100C is flying near the electronic device 1C at low speed or floating near the electronic device 1C.

The electronic device 1C shown in FIG. 1 does not need to have the shape (appearance) as shown in FIG. The electronic device 1C may have any configuration as long as it can collect information regarding the flight device such as the flight device 100C when the electronic device 1C is approached by the flight device. The applicant filed a patent application in Japan as Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-102532 for an electronic device similar to the electronic device 1C shown in FIG. The electronic device 1C according to one embodiment may be configured as disclosed in the specification of the above-mentioned patent application, for example. Further, the electronic device (electronic device 1) disclosed in the specification of the above patent application is installed in a moving means. The electronic device 1C may be installed on a moving means or may be installed at a fixed location.

The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment includes a communication section, as described later. Further, the flight device 100 may also include a communication section as appropriate. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1A and the flight device 100A can perform wireless communication with each other via the network N, for example. Further, the electronic device 1B and the flight device 100B can perform wireless communication with each other via the network N, for example. Furthermore, the electronic device 1C and the flight device 100C can perform wireless communication with each other via the network N, for example.

The network N is configured by wire, wireless, or any combination of wire and wireless. The server 300 may be, for example, various types of servers managed by a business operator that operates the electronic device 1 and/or the flight device 100. Further, the server 300 may be, for example, a cloud server. For example, in the present disclosure, the connection between the electronic device 1 and the flight device 100 and between the flight device 100 and the network N may be wireless. For example, in the present disclosure, at least a portion of the section between the server 300 and the network N may be wired. The configuration of the network N of the present disclosure can be other than these configurations.

Each of the flight devices 100 can transmit various information regarding the electronic device 1 to the server 300 by communicating with the server 300 . Further, the electronic device 1 and the flight device 100 can each receive various information from the server 300 by communicating with the server 300. Thereby, for example, even if the flight device 100 cannot directly receive information from the electronic device 1, it can receive information transmitted from the electronic device 1 via the server 300. Similarly, for example, even if the electronic device 1 cannot receive information directly from the flight device 100, it can receive information transmitted from the flight device 100 via the server 300.

Next, the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment includes a control section 10, a storage section 14, and an information acquisition section 18. Furthermore, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may include, for example, a communication section 12, a power supply section 16, a reception section 20, and the like as appropriate. The control unit 10, communication unit 12, storage unit 14, power supply unit 16, information acquisition unit 18, and reception unit 20 described above may be installed or built in any location in the electronic device 1.

Control unit 10 may include at least one processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), to provide control and processing capabilities to perform various functions. The control unit 10 may be implemented by a single processor, several processors, or individual processors. A processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. An integrated circuit is also called an IC (Integrated Circuit). A processor may be implemented as a plurality of communicatively connected integrated and discrete circuits. The processor may be implemented based on various other known technologies. In one embodiment, the control unit 10 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. The programs executed by the control unit 10 and the results of the processes executed by the control unit 10 may be stored in the storage unit 14. The operation of the control unit 10 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be further described later.

The communication unit 12 can implement various functions including wireless communication. The communication unit 12 may realize communication using various communication methods such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). The communication unit 12 may include, for example, a modem whose communication method is standardized by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). Further, the communication unit 12 may realize wireless communication using various methods such as WiFi or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 12 may wirelessly communicate with the communication unit of the flight device 100, for example, via an antenna. Furthermore, the communication unit 12 may communicate wirelessly with the communication unit of the server 300, for example, via an antenna. Various information transmitted and received by the communication unit 12 may be stored in the storage unit 14, for example. The communication unit 12 may include, for example, an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a suitable RF unit, and the like. Since the communication unit 12 can be configured using a known technique for performing wireless communication, a more detailed description of the hardware will be omitted.

In one embodiment, the communication unit 12 may transmit various types of information regarding the electronic device 1 itself to an external database such as the server 300, for example. For example, the communication unit 12 may transmit various information such as position information of the electronic device 1 at an arbitrary time to the outside.

Further, the communication unit 12 may wirelessly communicate with communication units of other flight devices. In this case, the communication unit 12 may transmit various types of information regarding the electronic device 1 itself to other flight devices. For example, the communication unit 12 may transmit position information of the electronic device 1 itself at any time to another flight device. Furthermore, the communication unit 12 may receive various information regarding other flight devices from the other flight devices. For example, the communication unit 12 may receive various information such as position information at an arbitrary time of the other flight device from another flight device.

The storage unit 14 stores various information obtained from the control unit 10, the communication unit 12, and the like. In one embodiment, the storage unit 14 may store information regarding the flight device 100 collected by the electronic device 1. The storage unit 14 also stores programs and the like executed by the control unit 10. In addition, the storage unit 14 also stores various data such as calculation results by the control unit 10, for example. Furthermore, the storage section 14 will be described below as being able to include a work memory and the like when the control section 10 operates.

The storage unit 14 can be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, but is not limited thereto, and can be any storage device. Further, for example, the storage unit 14 may be a storage medium such as a memory card inserted into the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 may be an internal memory of a CPU used as the control unit 10.

The power supply unit 16 supplies power to the flight device 100. For example, the power supply unit 16 may supply power to the battery of the flight device 100 while the flight device 100 is parked in the electronic device 1. In this case, the control unit 10 may control the power supply unit 16 to supply power to the flight device 100. Thereby, the flight device 100 can charge the battery with power while stationary at the electronic device 1. The power supply unit 16 may wirelessly supply power (wireless charging) to the flight device 100. Further, the power supply section 16 may include a contact point for connection when supplying power to the flight device 100. In one embodiment, when the flight device 100 is stopped at the electronic device 1, the contacts of the power supply unit 16 may be configured to come into contact with the contacts of the electronic device 1. Further, in one embodiment, the electronic device 1 can receive power supply as appropriate, for example, at a location where the electronic device 1 is installed. As described above, the electronic device 1 may not include a mechanism for stopping the flight device 100 depending on its configuration. In this case, the electronic device 1 does not need to include the power supply section 16.

The information acquisition unit 18 acquires information regarding the flight device 100. The information acquisition unit 18 may adopt various configurations depending on the signal and/or information transmitted by the flight device 100 approaching the electronic device 1.

For example, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may receive information based on an optical signal from the approaching flying device 100. In this case, the information acquisition unit 18 may include a functional unit such as a photodiode that can receive and detect light emitted by the flight device 100.

For example, by including a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED), the flight device 100 can emit a light signal toward the electronic device 1 when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. In this case, the flight device 100 can transmit information based on predetermined rules by adjusting the blinking of the light emitting elements or the intensity of light emission. Here, the information based on a predetermined rule that is transmitted by adjusting the blinking or light emission intensity of a light emitting element may be information based on a rule such as Morse code, for example. Here, the predetermined rule may be any rule that is shared between the flight device 100 and the electronic device 1. The flight device 100 may include an arbitrary number of light emitting elements at arbitrary locations in order to emit a light signal that can be received by the electronic device 1 when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. Further, the electronic device 1 may include an arbitrary number of information acquisition units 18 at arbitrary locations in order to receive a light signal emitted by the flying device 100 when the flying device 100 approaches. Further, the electronic device 1 may include a mechanism that can change the direction of the information acquisition unit 18 in order to receive the light signal emitted by the flight device 100. In this manner, in one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may acquire information based on a signal by blinking light coming from the flight device 100.

Further, for example, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may receive information based on various identification codes and the like from the approaching flying device 100. Here, the various identification codes may be, for example, a one-dimensional code identifier such as a bar code, or a two-dimensional code identifier such as a QR code (registered trademark). In this case, the information acquisition unit 18 may include an imaging unit such as a digital camera that can read barcodes, QR codes, and the like. The imaging unit may be configured with various imaging devices such as a CCD image sensor.

For example, by displaying identification information such as a barcode or a QR code on the main body, the flight device 100 can show the identification information toward the electronic device 1 when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. In this case, the flight device 100 may display a bar code or a QR code by painting the main body (for example, the casing) of the flight device 100 with paint or the like. Further, the flight device 100 may include a display section such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) on the main body (for example, a housing) of the flight device 100, and display a bar code, a QR code, or the like on the display section. The flight device 100 may display any number of identification information at any location so that the electronic device 1 recognizes the identification information as described above when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. . Further, the electronic device 1 may include an arbitrary number of information acquisition units 18 at arbitrary locations in order to receive a light signal emitted by the flying device 100 when the flying device 100 approaches. Further, the electronic device 1 may include a mechanism that can change the direction of the information acquisition unit 18 in order to read the identification information displayed on the flight device 100. In this way, in one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may acquire information based on the identification code (for example, a barcode or QR code) displayed on the flight device 100.

Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may receive information other than barcodes or QR codes from the approaching flying device 100. For example, the information acquisition unit 18 may image at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers such as a model number displayed on the flight device 100, a predetermined mark, and the like. In this case, the control unit 10 may acquire information corresponding to the captured image by analyzing the captured image.

Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may be a reader that reads an RF tag attached to the flight device 100 when the flight device 100 approaches, for example. Further, in the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 performs wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi, infrared rays, NFC, wireless LAN, and any other communication medium or any combination thereof. It may also be a functional unit that performs

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information regarding the flight device 100 acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 can be various types of information. The information regarding the flight device 100 may be, for example, various types of information necessary for a manager of the flight device 100 (or a management company, etc.) to manage each of a plurality of flight devices.

For example, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 may acquire information regarding the battery or secondary battery of the flight device 100. Here, the information regarding the battery or secondary battery of the flight device 100 may be information regarding the remaining amount of power of the battery or secondary battery. Furthermore, the information regarding the secondary battery of the flight device 100 may be information regarding the state of charge of the secondary battery. Further, the information regarding the battery or secondary battery of the flight device 100 may be information regarding whether or not the battery or secondary battery is functioning normally.

Further, for example, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires at least one of identification information of the flight device 100, information regarding the affiliation of the flight device 100, and information regarding the type of the flight device 100. It's okay. The identification information of the flight device 100 may be information such as the model number or serial number of the flight device 100, for example. Further, the information regarding the affiliation of the flight device 100 may be, for example, information regarding the owner of the flight device 100 (for example, name, etc.), or information regarding the organization or company that owns the flight device 100 (for example, the organization name or company name). etc.). Further, the information regarding the type of the flight device 100 may be information regarding, for example, whether the flight device 100 is for observation, transportation, or experiment.

The receiving unit 20 may receive, for example, at least one of radio waves and ultrasonic waves in order to detect that the flight device 100 has approached, for example. For example, when the receiving section 20 receives ultrasonic waves, the receiving section 20 may be configured to include a receiver used in a general ultrasonic sensor. Furthermore, when the receiving section 20 receives radio waves, the receiving section 20 may be configured to include an antenna, an RF section, and the like corresponding to the radio waves to be received.

For example, the flight device 100 may include an ultrasonic sensor to detect surrounding obstacles during flight and avoid collisions with them. In this case, the electronic device 1 can recognize whether the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 within a predetermined distance by including the receiving section 20 that receives and detects ultrasonic waves. Further, the flight device 100 may include one or more wireless communication units that perform wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi, or wireless LAN. In this case, the electronic device 1 can recognize whether the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 within a predetermined distance by including the receiving section 20 that receives and detects radio waves. In this way, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 may determine that the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 based on the radio waves or ultrasonic waves emitted from the flight device 100. .

Next, the operation of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment.

When the flight device 100 approaches, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment acquires and stores information regarding the flight device 100. In this way, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment collects information regarding the flight device 100. Below, such an operation will be further explained.

In one embodiment, the operation shown in FIG. 3 may start, for example, at the timing when the electronic device 1 starts or starts. Additionally, the operations illustrated in FIG. 3 may be initiated, in one embodiment, based on the arrival of a predetermined time, for example. In this case, the predetermined time may be set in the control unit 10, for example. The operation shown in FIG. 3 may start when the electronic device 1 attempts to collect information regarding the flight device 100.

When the operation shown in FIG. 3 starts, the control unit 10 of the electronic device 1 determines whether the flight device 100 has approached (step S11). In step S11, the control unit 10 may determine whether the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 within a predetermined distance. In step S11, the control unit 10 may determine whether the flight device 100 has approached based on the ultrasonic waves or radio waves received by the receiving unit 20. For example, the control unit 10 may determine that the flight device 100 has approached based on the reception unit 20 receiving a predetermined ultrasonic wave. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 10 may determine that the flight device 100 has approached based on the reception unit 20 receiving radio waves of a predetermined intensity.

In step S11, the control unit 10 may determine whether the flight device 100 has approached, for example, based on information acquired from the information acquisition unit 18 or information received by the communication unit 12.

Further, in step S11, the control unit 10 may determine that the flight device 100 has approached, for example, based on information acquired from the server 300 or the like. For example, the control unit 10 may acquire at least one of the current position, flight speed, and flight plan information of the flight device 100 from an external source such as the server 300. By acquiring information in this way, the control unit 10 can estimate the timing at which the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1.

If it is not determined in step S11 that the flight device 100 has approached, the control unit 10 repeats the operation in step S11. In this case, the control unit 10 does not need to perform operations related to collecting information regarding the flight device 100 until it is determined that the flight device 100 has approached.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the flight device 100 has approached, the control unit 10 acquires information regarding the flight device 100 from the information acquisition unit 18 (step S12). In step S12, the control unit 10 may perform control to acquire information regarding the flight device 100 in various ways, as described above. Further, in step S12, the control unit 10 may perform control to acquire various information regarding the flight device 100, as described above. Here, in the present disclosure, information regarding the flight device includes, for example, a flight plan of the flight device, speed information of the flight device, information on the flight range of the flight device, position information of the flight device, remaining battery level of the flight device, Information such as the remaining amount of fuel in the flight device, the amount that the flight device can carry, the weight and/or type of cargo carried by the flight device, at least part of the flight device's past route information, and the future of the flight device. at least part of the route information of the flight device, failure information of the flight device, information of the failure location of the flight device, information of other flight devices in the vicinity of the flight device, information of the owner of the flight device, information of the supervisor of the flight device, flight Information on the operator of the device, information on the nationality of the flight device, information on the flight area of the flight device, information on the organization such as the company or local government to which the flight device belongs, the identification number of the flight device, the name of the flight device, etc. The information may include at least one of the following information.

When the information regarding the flight device 100 is acquired in step S12, the control unit 10 controls the acquired information to be stored in the storage unit 14 (step S13). In step S13, the control unit 10 may control the acquired information to be stored in the storage unit 14 after performing predetermined processing on the acquired information. Further, in step S13, the control unit 10 may control the storage unit 14 to store selected information about the acquired information.

Once the information is stored in the storage unit 14 in step S13, the control unit 10 may supply power to the flight device 100 from the power supply unit 16 (step S14). Further, once the information is stored in the storage unit 14 in step S13, the control unit 10 may transmit the information stored in the storage unit 14 to an external device such as the server 300 (step S15).

The process of step S14 and the process of step S15 may be executed in reverse order, or may be executed simultaneously. Further, the processing in step S14 and/or the processing in step S15 may be performed at appropriate times, and may not be performed at the timing immediately after step S13.

In this way, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the information acquisition unit 18 to acquire information regarding the flight device 100 and store it in the storage unit 14 when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. Control to remember. Further, the control unit 10 may control the information acquisition unit 18 to acquire information regarding the flight device 100 and store it in the storage unit 14 when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1 . In this case, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 determines that the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 based on information on at least one of the current position and the flight plan of the flight device 100. Good too. Further, as described above, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, it may be determined that the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 based on radio waves or ultrasonic waves emitted from the flight device 100. Further, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 may transmit information regarding the flight device 100 stored in the storage unit 14 to an external information processing device such as the server 300, for example.

According to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, various types of information regarding the flight device 100 can be appropriately collected. Further, the information collected in this manner can be effectively used by, for example, the administrator of the flight device 100. Therefore, according to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the convenience of the flight device can be improved.

Next, other operations of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment.

When the flight device 100 approaches, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment acquires and stores information regarding the flight device 100. However, if the electronic device 1 is always in operation even when the flight device 100 is not approaching, there is a concern that power consumption will increase. Therefore, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment is normally in a sleep state, and when the flight device 100 approaches, the electronic device 1 is released from the sleep state. In this way, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment collects information regarding the flight device 100. Below, such an operation will be further explained.

The operation shown in FIG. 4 adds some processing to the operation described in FIG. 3. The operation shown in FIG. 4 will be described below, but explanations that are the same or similar to the operations shown in FIG. 3 described above will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

When the operation shown in FIG. 4 starts, the control unit 10 of the electronic device 1 controls various functional units so that the electronic device 1 enters a sleep state (step S21). The sleep state in step S21 may be a state in which at least some of the functional units constituting the electronic device 1 are put into a hibernation state or a standby state, so that power consumption is lower than during operation. For example, the sleep state does not necessarily mean that the entire electronic device 1 is in a standby state, but only some functions may be in a standby state.

When the electronic device 1 is put into a sleep state in step S21, the control unit 10 determines whether the flight device 100 has approached (step S11). If it is not determined in step S11 that the flight device 100 has approached, the control unit 10 repeats the operation in step S11.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the flight device 100 has approached, the control unit 10 controls various functional units so that the sleep state of the electronic device 1 started in step S21 is canceled (step S22). Canceling the sleep state in step S22 may mean returning to the state before the sleep state was started in step S21.

When the sleep state of the electronic device 1 is canceled in step S22, the control unit 10 performs the processing from step S22 onwards.

In this way, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 controls at least some functions of the electronic device 1 to enter the sleep state, and when the flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1, the control unit 10 puts the electronic device 1 into the sleep state. may be controlled so that it is released. In this case, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 determines that the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 based on information on at least one of the current position and the flight plan of the flight device 100. Good too. Further, as described above, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, it may be determined that the flight device 100 has approached the electronic device 1 based on radio waves or ultrasonic waves emitted from the flight device 100.

According to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumed by at least a portion of each functional unit. Therefore, according to the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, power that is not consumed in the electronic device 1 due to the reduced power consumption can be used to power the flight device 100, for example. Therefore, according to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the convenience of the flight device can be improved.

In the operation shown in FIG. 3 or 4, the electronic device 1 may supply power to a particular flight device 100 only when the particular flight device 100 approaches, for example. It is also assumed that when a flight device other than the specific flight device 100 approaches, it is desirable for the electronic device 1 to not supply power to the flight device. Particularly, when operating a service in which the electronic device 1 supplies power to the flight device 100, it is desirable to supply power only to the flight device 100 with which a contract has been made in advance. Assuming such a situation, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 acquires information regarding the approaching flight device 100 and determines whether the flight device 100 is a specific flight device. You may judge. In this case, if the control unit 10 determines that the flight device 100 is a specific flight device, the control unit 10 may control the power supply unit 16 to supply power to the flight device 100.

In this way, in the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the power supply unit 16 to supply power to the flight device 100 when a specific flight device 100 approaches the electronic device 1. It's okay.

According to the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to avoid supplying power to a device other than the predetermined flight device 100 without permission. In this way, according to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, by supplying power only to a specific flight device, it is possible to reduce wasteful supply of power. Furthermore, the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment can prevent unauthorized attempts to supply power to a flying device without permission. Therefore, according to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, it is possible to expand services for managing and/or operating flight devices. Therefore, according to the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the convenience of the flight device can be improved.

In the embodiments described above, the flight device 100 may fly or float autonomously by automatic pilot, or may be operated by a human by remote control.

Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will be able to easily make various changes or modifications based on the present disclosure. It should therefore be noted that these variations or modifications are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, functions included in each functional section can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory. A plurality of functional units etc. may be combined into one or may be divided. Each embodiment according to the present disclosure described above is not limited to being implemented faithfully to each described embodiment, but may be implemented by combining each feature or omitting a part as appropriate. .

The embodiment described above is not limited to implementation as the electronic device 1. For example, the embodiment described above may be implemented as a method of controlling a device such as the electronic device 1. Furthermore, for example, the embodiment described above may be implemented as a control program for a device such as the electronic device 1.

1 Electronic device 10 Control unit 12 Communication unit 14 Storage unit 16 Power supply unit 18 Information acquisition unit 20 Receiving unit 100 Flight device (drone)

Claims (5)

a power supply unit that supplies power to the flight device;
a control unit that controls power to be supplied from the power supply unit to the flight device when it is determined that the flight device is a flight device to which power is supplied based on information regarding the flight device;
Electronic equipment. The control unit acquires identification information of the flight device as information regarding the flight device from the approaching flight device, and determines that the flight device is a flight device that supplies electric power based on the identification information. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device controls the flight device so that power is supplied from the power supply unit to the flight device when the flight device is operated. providing power to the flight device;
If it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies electric power based on information regarding the flight device, controlling the power supply unit to supply power to the flight device;
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: to the computer,
providing power to the flight device;
If it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies electric power based on information regarding the flight device, controlling the power supply unit to supply power to the flight device;
A program to run. A flight device that is supplied with electrical power,
A flight device, wherein power is supplied from an electronic device that supplies power to the flight device when it is determined that the flight device is a flight device that supplies power based on information about the flight device.

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