JP2006258591A - Infrared guiding system and user guide terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an infrared guiding system and a user guide terminal device enabling a visually handicapped person to acquire information from not only the front but also right and left sides in the facing state to the front direction. <P>SOLUTION: The system is equipped with an infrared transmitter 11 for radiating an infrared ray from the left side to the front direction of a user, an infrared transmitter 12 for radiating an infrared ray from the right side to the front direction of the user, an infrared receiving part 2f for receiving an infrared ray from the front, an infrared receiving part 2l for receiving an infrared ray from the left side, and a right-side infrared receiving part 2r for receiving an infrared ray from the right side. The system is also equipped with a spectacle-shaped infrared receiving device 20, a signal processing device 30 for generating a guide signal based on individual information carried by a received infrared ray, and a voice output device 40 for informing of guide information by a voice based on the guide signal. For example the system can provide information of stores on the right and left sides to a visually handicapped person walking in a shopping street in the facing state to the front direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a user guidance terminal device and an infrared guidance system, and more specifically, an infrared guidance system and a user guidance in which a visually impaired person can obtain information not only from the front but also from the left and right while facing the front. It relates to a terminal device.

  Conventionally, there has been known an exhibition guide system that includes a transmitter that optically transmits commentary data related to exhibits, and a receiver that receives light from the transmitter and accumulates the commentary data and outputs the accumulated commentary data by voice. (See Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, a directional wave transmitted from a directional wave transmitter is received by a plurality of directional wave receivers that overlap in a part of the reception area, and the reception states of the directional wave receivers are compared. The directional wave transmitted from a plurality of directional wave transmitters that identify a target direction and output a guidance signal in the target direction, and a plurality of directional wave transmission devices with overlapping transmission areas, A visually impaired person who receives signals from a directional wave receiver, compares the reception status of directional waves transmitted from multiple directional wave transmitters, identifies the target direction, and outputs a guidance signal in the target direction. A guidance system is known (see Patent Document 2).

  In addition, an object detection device for a visually impaired person (see Patent Document 3) in which an ultrasonic object detection device is attached to spectacles, and a blind guide device (see Patent Document 4) in which an ultrasonic object detection device is attached to a hat. It has been known.

JP 2005-6046 A JP 2003-178391 A JP 2002-306553 A JP 2000-205891 A

  In the exhibition guide system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user needs to shake the receiver so that the front of the receiver faces in a direction in which light from the transmitter can be received ([0016] of Patent Document 1). For this reason, there is a problem that a visually handicapped person who cannot know in which direction the transmitter is located cannot be used. In addition, for example, when there are transmitters on the left and right sides of the passage, it is necessary for the user to frequently swing the receivers to the left and right, and there is a problem that the usability is poor.

  On the other hand, the visually handicapped person guidance system disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a system for guiding a visually handicapped person in a target direction, for example, providing information on shops on the left and right to a visually handicapped person walking in a shopping street. There is a problem that cannot be used for the use.

  In addition, the visually-impaired object detection device disclosed in Patent Document 3 and the blind guide / guidance device disclosed in Patent Document 4 are devices for informing the visually-impaired person of the presence of an obstacle, for example, walking in a shopping street. There is a problem that cannot be used for the purpose of providing information on shops on the left and right to visually impaired people.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an infrared guidance system and a user guidance terminal device in which a visually handicapped person can obtain information not only from the front but also from the left and right while facing the front.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a left-side transmitter that emits infrared light carrying individual information in a direction intersecting the front direction from the left side with respect to the front direction of the user and a right side with respect to the front direction of the user. One or both of a right transmitter that emits infrared light with individual information in a direction intersecting the front direction from the front, a front infrared light receiving portion that receives infrared light from the front, and a left infrared light receiving portion that receives infrared light from the left side And a right-side infrared light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays from the right side, and an infrared receiving device having a shape of an article to be mounted on a user's neck or attached to the article, or the front infrared ray A signal processing device that creates a guide signal based on individual information carried on infrared rays received by the light receiving unit or the left-side infrared light receiving unit or the right-side infrared light receiving unit; and the guide signal To provide an infrared guidance system characterized by comprising an audio output device for notifying by voice guidance information based on.
In the infrared guidance system according to the first aspect, since the guidance information based on the individual information placed on the infrared light received by the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit or the right infrared light receiving unit is notified by voice, the visually impaired person It is possible to obtain guidance information not only from the front but also from the left and right while facing the front. Therefore, for example, it can be suitably used for the purpose of providing information on shops on the left and right to visually handicapped persons walking in a shopping street. Further, since the user does not need to hold the hand in order to change the light receiving direction, the freedom of the other hand of the visually handicapped person whose one hand is blocked by the cane can be ensured. Furthermore, since the infrared receiving device has a shape of an article (glasses, a hat, a headphone, etc.) worn on the user's neck or a shape that can be attached to the article, the light receiving position becomes high and passes in the vicinity. It becomes easy to avoid that infrared rays are blocked by a person or the like.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to the first aspect, wherein a left side portion of a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving unit overlaps a right side portion of a light receiving direction range of the left infrared light receiving unit. The right side of the light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving unit and the left side of the light receiving direction range of the right infrared light receiving unit overlap.
In the infrared guiding system according to the second aspect, since the light receiving direction range of each infrared light receiving unit is continuous, the blind spot can be eliminated.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to the first or second aspect, wherein when the guidance information is notified, the guidance information corresponds to the front infrared light receiving unit or Provided is an infrared guidance system characterized in that it can be discriminated whether it corresponds to other than the front infrared light receiving unit.
In the infrared guidance system according to the third aspect, it is possible to know in which direction the transmitter corresponding to the notified guidance information is.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to the third aspect, wherein guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit is reported in a language, and corresponds to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit. An infrared guidance system is provided in which guidance information to be notified is notified by sound effects.
In the infrared guidance system according to the fourth aspect, even if the guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit and the guide information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit are simultaneously notified, the front infrared light receiving unit is supported. The guidance information can be heard without being obstructed by the guidance information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit. In addition, if the front is turned to the direction of the transmitter corresponding to the guidance information notified by the sound effect, the guidance information can be obtained by language.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the voice output means is configured such that the guidance information is the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, or the right infrared light. Provided is an infrared guidance system that outputs a sound that can be identified by stereo sound image localization as to which one of the light receiving units corresponds.
In the infrared guidance system according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to know in which direction the transmitter corresponding to the notified guidance information is located by sound image localization.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to the infrared guidance system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the magnitude of sound to be notified is changed according to the intensity of received infrared radiation. Provide guidance system.
In the infrared guidance system according to the sixth aspect, the direction in which the infrared transmission device is present can be accurately known from the volume of sound that changes when the user shakes his / her neck within a small angle range.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separate from each other by radio waves or through skin. An infrared guidance system characterized by communicating with each other is provided.
If the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are integrated, the weight applied from the user's neck to the top increases and the size also increases. Therefore, in the infrared guidance system according to the seventh aspect, the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separated from each other, and the weight applied from the user's neck up can be reduced and the size can be reduced. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise a signal processing apparatus so that it may accommodate in a pocket, for example.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the signal processing device and the audio output device are separate, and are transmitted by radio waves or through the skin. An infrared guidance system characterized by communicating with each other is provided.
If the signal processing device and the audio output device are integrated, the weight increases and the size increases, and it is difficult to install the audio output device in the vicinity of the ear. Therefore, in the infrared guidance system according to the eighth aspect, the signal processing device and the audio output device are separated, and the audio output device is easily installed in the vicinity of the ear. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise a signal processing apparatus so that it may accommodate in a pocket, for example.

In a ninth aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the signal processing device can be attached to or built in a cane.
In the infrared guidance system according to the ninth aspect, the signal processing device can be attached to or incorporated in the wand. This makes it easier for visually impaired people to carry a cane when they go out.

In a tenth aspect, the present invention provides the infrared guidance system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the article is spectacles, and at least one of a lens part and a frame part is provided in the infrared receiver. Provided is an infrared guidance system including a solar cell for supplying electric power.
By providing the solar cell to the glasses that are easily exposed to light, it is possible to suitably supply power to the infrared receiving device.

In an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides guide information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, and the right infrared light receiving unit in the infrared guidance system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. An infrared guidance system comprising a switch capable of selectively turning off the notification is provided.
In the infrared guidance system according to the eleventh aspect, by selectively turning off the guidance information that is not desired to be heard, only the guidance information that is desired to be heard can be heard without confusion.

In a twelfth aspect, the present invention includes a front infrared light receiving portion that receives infrared light from the front, a left infrared light receiving portion that receives infrared light from the left side, and a right infrared light receiving portion that receives infrared light from the right side. And it received light with the infrared receiver which has the shape of the article worn on the user's neck or the shape that can be attached to the article, and the front infrared receiver, the left infrared receiver, or the right infrared receiver. There is provided a user guidance terminal device comprising a signal processing device that creates a guidance signal based on infrared rays and a voice output device that informs guidance information by voice based on the guidance signal.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the twelfth aspect, guidance information based on the individual information placed on the infrared light received by the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, or the right infrared light receiving unit is notified by voice. It is possible to obtain guidance information not only from the front but also from the left and right with the person facing the front. Therefore, for example, it can be suitably used for the purpose of providing information on shops on the left and right to visually handicapped persons walking in a shopping street. Further, since the user does not need to hold the hand in order to change the light receiving direction, the freedom of the other hand of the visually handicapped person whose one hand is blocked by the cane can be ensured. Furthermore, since the infrared receiving device has a shape of an article (glasses, a hat, a headphone, etc.) worn on the user's neck or a shape that can be attached to the article, the light receiving position becomes high and passes in the vicinity. It becomes easy to avoid that infrared rays are blocked by a person or the like.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein a left side portion of a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving unit and a right side portion of a light receiving direction range of the left infrared light receiving unit are There is provided a user guidance terminal device that overlaps and a right portion of a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving portion and a left portion of a light receiving direction range of the right infrared light receiving portion overlap.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the thirteenth aspect, since the light receiving direction range of each infrared light receiving unit is continuous, the blind spot can be eliminated.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, wherein the guidance information is transmitted from the front infrared light receiving unit or the left infrared light receiving when the guidance information is notified. The user guidance terminal device is characterized in that it corresponds to which one of the right side infrared light receiving unit and the right side infrared light receiving unit is identifiable.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to know in which direction the transmitter corresponding to the notified guidance information is.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit is reported in a language, and the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit The user guidance terminal device is characterized in that guidance information corresponding to is notified by sound effects.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the fifteenth aspect, even if the guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit and the guidance information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit are simultaneously notified, the front infrared light receiving unit The corresponding guide information can be heard without being obstructed by the guide information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit. In addition, if the front is turned to the direction of the transmitter corresponding to the guidance information notified by the sound effect, the guidance information can be obtained by language.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, wherein the voice output means is configured such that the guidance information is the front infrared light receiving unit or the left infrared light receiving unit or the Provided is a user guidance terminal device that outputs a sound to identify which one of the right-side infrared light receiving unit corresponds to by stereo sound image localization.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the sixteenth aspect, the direction of the transmitter corresponding to the notified guidance information can be known by sound image localization.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present invention is characterized in that, in the user guidance terminal device according to any one of the twelfth to sixteenth aspects, the volume of sound to be notified is changed according to the intensity of received infrared light. A user guidance terminal device is provided.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the seventeenth aspect, the direction in which the infrared transmission device exists can be accurately known from the volume of sound that changes when the user shakes his / her neck within a slight angle range.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to any one of the twelfth to the seventeenth aspects, wherein the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separate from each other by radio waves or skin Provided is a user guidance terminal device characterized in that communication is performed via
If the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are integrated, the weight applied from the user's neck to the top increases and the size also increases. Therefore, in the user guidance terminal device according to the eighteenth aspect, the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separated, and the weight applied from the user's neck to the top can be reduced and the size can be reduced. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise a signal processing apparatus so that it may accommodate in a pocket, for example.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to any one of the twelfth to eighteenth aspects, wherein the signal processing device and the audio output device are separate, and are generated by radio waves or skin Provided is a user guidance terminal device characterized in that communication is performed via
If the signal processing device and the audio output device are integrated, the weight increases and the size increases, and it is difficult to install the audio output device in the vicinity of the ear. Therefore, in the user guidance terminal device according to the nineteenth aspect, the signal processing device and the sound output device are separated and the sound output device is easily installed near the ear. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise a signal processing apparatus so that it may accommodate in a pocket, for example.

In a twentieth aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, wherein the signal processing device can be attached to or built in a wand. I will provide a.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the twentieth aspect, the signal processing device can be attached to or incorporated in the cane. This makes it easier for visually impaired people to carry a cane when they go out.

In a twenty-first aspect, the present invention provides the user guidance terminal device according to any one of the twelfth to twentieth aspects, wherein the article is spectacles, and the infrared reception is performed on at least one of a lens part and a frame part. Provided is a user guidance terminal device comprising a solar cell for supplying power to the device.
By providing the solar cell to the glasses that are easily exposed to light, it is possible to suitably supply power to the infrared receiving device.

In a twenty-second aspect, the present invention corresponds to the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, and the right infrared light receiving unit in the user guidance terminal device according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-first aspects. Provided is a user guidance terminal device comprising a switch capable of selectively turning off notification information.
In the user guidance terminal device according to the twenty-second aspect, it is possible to listen to only the guidance information desired to be heard without confusion by selectively turning off the notification of the guidance information that is not desired to be heard.

  According to the infrared guidance system and the user guidance terminal device of the present invention, it is possible to obtain guidance information not only from the front but also from the left and right while the visually handicapped person faces the front. Therefore, for example, it can be suitably used for the purpose of providing information on shops on the left and right to visually handicapped persons walking in a shopping street.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an infrared guidance system 100 according to the first embodiment.
This infrared guidance system 100 includes infrared transmitters 11, 13, and 17 that radiate infrared light with individual information in a direction intersecting the traveling direction α from the left side with respect to the traveling direction α (= passage direction) of the user, The right-side transmitters 12, 14, and 18 that emit infrared rays carrying individual information in the direction crossing the traveling direction α from the right side with respect to the traveling direction α and the infrared rays from the front (= user's face direction) are received. Front infrared receiver 2f, left infrared receiver 21 for receiving infrared rays from the left side (= user's left ear direction) and right infrared receiver for receiving infrared rays from the right side (= user's right ear side) 2r and an infrared receiver 20 in the shape of glasses, and based on individual information placed on the infrared rays received by the front infrared receiver 2f, the left infrared receiver 21 or the right infrared receiver 2r. A signal processing unit 30 for creating a guide signal have, and an audio output device 40 for informing speech guidance information on the basis of the guidance signal from the left earphone part 4l and right earphone part 4r.

  The infrared receiving device 20, the signal processing device 30, and the audio output device 40 possessed by the user constitute the user guidance terminal device 110.

The infrared transmitters 11, 12, 13, and 14 radiate near-infrared rays carrying individual information (the individual information includes the guidance data of the store guidance message) from the store. The infrared transmitters 17 and 18 emit near-infrared rays carrying individual information of traffic signals (the individual information includes guidance data of signal lighting color messages).
A vector v11 connecting the light emitting point p11 of the infrared transmitter 11 to an arbitrary point s1 on the contour line of the transmission direction range S11 represents the direction and intensity of infrared rays transmitted from the infrared transmitter 11. The same applies to the other infrared transmitters 12 to 14, 17, and 18.

In each of the infrared light receiving units 2f, 2l, and 2r, the left side portion of the reception direction range Rf of the front infrared light reception unit 2f overlaps the right side portion of the light reception direction range Rl of the left infrared light reception unit 2l. The right side portion of the direction range Rr and the left side portion of the light receiving direction range Rr of the right infrared light receiving unit 2r are installed so as to overlap each other. Infrared light received by each of the infrared light receiving portions 2f, 2l, 2r is near infrared light.
A vector vf connecting an arbitrary point rf on the outline of the reception direction range Rf to the light receiving point qf of the front infrared light receiving unit 2f represents the direction and sensitivity of the infrared light received by the front infrared light receiving unit 2f. The same applies to the other infrared receivers 2l and 2r.

  In order to receive the infrared light emitted from the infrared transmitter 11 by the front infrared light receiving unit 2f, the vector v11 and the vector vf are parallel in the region where the transmission direction range S11 and the reception direction range Rf overlap. There is a need. The same applies to the other infrared transmitters 12 to 14, 8, and 18 and the infrared receivers 2l and 2r.

The signal processing device 30 can be attached to or built in the cane K that the visually handicapped person has when going out.
Each infrared light receiver 2f, 2l, 2r communicates with the signal processing device 30 through the skin, and transmits individual information included in the infrared light received by each infrared light receiver 2f, 2l, 2r to the signal processing device 30. .
Note that communication technology via the skin is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-229357, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-244395, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-314490, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-524905, and the like.

The audio output device 40 is a stereo headphone type.
The signal processing device 30 and the audio output device 40 communicate with each other by radio waves, and transmit a guide signal created by the signal processing device 30 to the audio output device 40.
For communication using radio waves, it is preferable to use, for example, Bluetooth.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the infrared receiver 20.
The frame portion of the glasses is provided with circuit portions 3f, 3l, 3r and electrode portions 4f, 4l, 4r corresponding to the infrared light receiving portions 2f, 2l, 2r. Moreover, the solar cell 5 is provided in the lens part of spectacles.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the infrared receiver 20.
The circuit units 3f, 3l, and 3r automatically adjust the amplification degree by an AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit to create an electric signal having a certain intensity from the infrared rays received by the infrared light receiving units 2f, 2l, and 2r. Extract individual information on the infrared signal from the signal. Then, a high frequency multiplexed with the infrared intensity information based on the amplification degree of the AGC circuit and the extracted individual information is transmitted from the electrode portions 4f, 4l, 4r to the skin of the user's face.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the signal processing device 30.
The signal processing device 30 can be attached so as to cover the cane K.
On the upper surface of the signal processing device 30, there are provided switches 6f, 6l, 6r for selectively turning on / off the notification of the guidance information corresponding to each of the infrared light receiving units 2f, 2l, 2r. These switches 6f, 6l, and 6r are arranged at the vertices of a flat isosceles triangle, and can be distinguished by searching the arrangement with a finger.
An electrode portion 32 is provided on the side surface of the signal processing device 30.
In addition, a circuit unit 33, a left antenna unit 34l, and a right antenna unit 34r are provided inside the signal processing device 30.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the signal processing device 30.
The circuit unit 33 is, for example, a microcomputer, and separates and demodulates infrared intensity information and individual information corresponding to the infrared light receiving units 2f, 2l, and 2r from the high frequency received by the electrode 32 from the palm skin. If there is individual information of the front infrared light receiving unit 2f, the guidance data included therein is accumulated, and a language message corresponding to the guidance data is notified at a sound level corresponding to the corresponding infrared intensity information. And a radio wave modulated by the guide signal is transmitted from the left antenna unit 34l and the right antenna unit 34r. In addition, if there is individual information of the left-side infrared light receiving unit 21, a guide signal for notifying the first sound effect with a sound level corresponding to the corresponding infrared intensity information is created, and the radio wave modulated by the guide signal Is transmitted from the left antenna unit 34l. Further, if there is individual information of the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2r, a guide for notifying the second sound effect (preferably different from the first sound effect) at a sound level corresponding to the corresponding infrared intensity information. A signal is generated, and a radio wave modulated by the guide signal is transmitted from the right antenna unit 34r.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the audio output device 40.
The left earphone unit 4l of the audio output device 40 is provided with an antenna unit 7l that receives radio waves transmitted from the left antenna unit 34l of the signal processing device 30, a circuit unit 8l, and a speaker unit 9l.
The right earphone unit 4r of the audio output device 40 is provided with an antenna unit 7r that receives radio waves transmitted from the right antenna unit 34r of the signal processing device 30, a circuit unit 8r, and a speaker unit 9r.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the audio output device 40.
The circuit unit 8l demodulates the guide signal from the radio wave received by the antenna unit 7l, and outputs the sound from the speaker unit 9l.
The circuit unit 8r demodulates the guide signal from the radio wave received by the antenna unit 7r and outputs the sound from the speaker unit 9r.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation will be described.
When the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the left infrared light receiving unit 21 receives the near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 11 and the first sound effect is heard in the left ear. This first sound effect is heard most loudly when the infrared transmitter 11 and the left-side infrared light receiver 2l face each other. Therefore, the user can accurately know the direction of the infrared transmitter 11 by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range. Here, when the user turns to the left, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 11, and a language message (store guide) is heard in both ears. This language message is also audible most when the infrared transmitter 11 and the front infrared receiver 2f face each other. Therefore, the user can accurately know the direction of the infrared transmitter 11 by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range.

  Next, when the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2r receives near-infrared light from the infrared transmission device 12, and a second sound effect is heard in the right ear. The second sound effect is heard most when the infrared transmitter 12 and the right-side infrared light receiver 2r face each other. Therefore, the user can accurately know the direction of the infrared transmitter 12 by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range. Here, when the user turns to the right, the near infrared ray from the infrared transmission device 12 is received by the front infrared ray receiving unit 2f, and a language message (store guide) is heard in both ears. This language message is also audible most when the infrared transmitter 12 and the front infrared receiver 2f face each other. Therefore, the user can accurately know the direction of the infrared transmitter 12 by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range.

  Next, when the user heads forward in the traveling direction α and reaches the intersection, the near-infrared light from the infrared transmission device 17 is received by the front infrared light receiving unit 2f, and a language message (signal guidance) is received at both ears. hear. This language message is heard most loudly when the infrared transmitter 17 and the front infrared light receiver 2f face each other. Therefore, the user can know the direction of the infrared transmitter 17 accurately by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range. At this time, the near-infrared light from the infrared transmitter 12 is received by the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2r, and the second sound effect is heard in the right ear. Since it is a sound effect, it does not interfere with listening to the language message. However, if the sound effect interferes with listening to the language message, the right switch 6r is operated to selectively turn off the guidance information corresponding to the right infrared light receiving unit 2r. do it. In this case, after crossing the intersection, it is necessary to turn on the notification of the guidance information corresponding to the right infrared light receiving unit 2r by operating the right switch 6r.

Next, when the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the left infrared light receiving unit 21 receives the near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 13, and the first sound effect is heard in the left ear. Therefore, when the user turns to the left, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 13, and a language message (store guide) is heard in both ears.
Next, when the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the right infrared light receiving unit 2r receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 14, and the second sound effect is heard in the right ear. Therefore, when the user turns to the right, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 14, and a language message (store guide) is heard in both ears.

According to the infrared guidance system 100 and the user guidance terminal device 110 of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) It is possible to obtain not only the front but also left and right guidance information while the user is facing the traveling direction α.
(B) Since the glasses are the infrared receiver 20, it is easy to avoid the infrared rays being blocked by a person or the like who passes nearby.
(C) Since the light receiving direction ranges Rf, Rl, and Rr of the respective infrared light receiving portions 2f, 2l, and 2r are continuous, the blind spot can be eliminated.

(D) It is possible to know in which direction the transmitter corresponding to the notified guidance information is located by the language message, the first sound effect, or the second sound effect.
(E) The language message and sound effect are heard most when the infrared transmitter and the infrared light receiver face each other. Accordingly, the user can accurately know the direction of the infrared transmission device by swinging his / her neck within a small angle range. Note that the user may be allowed to turn on / off this function. By turning it off, it is possible to listen to a language message and sound effect at a certain level, even when the infrared transmission device and the infrared light receiving unit face each other or slightly deviate from each other.

(F) The infrared receiving device 20 can be reduced in weight and size.
(G) The audio output device 40 can be reduced in weight and size.
(H) Easy to use for visually impaired persons who carry the cane K when going out.
(I) By providing the solar cell 5 to the glasses that are easily exposed to light, it is possible to suitably supply power to the infrared receiver 20.
(J) By selectively turning off the notification of guidance information that is not desired to be heard, only the guidance information that is desired to be heard can be heard without confusion.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the infrared guidance system 200 according to the second embodiment.
This infrared guidance system 200 differs from the infrared guidance system 100 of the first embodiment in the following two points.
(1) The transmission direction ranges S11 and S12 of the infrared transmitters 11 and 12 overlap.
(2) If there is individual information of the left infrared light receiving unit 2l, the circuit unit 33 of the signal processing device 30 accumulates the guidance data included therein, and provides a guidance signal for informing a language message from the guidance data. A radio wave created and modulated by the guide signal is transmitted from the left antenna unit 34l. Further, if there is individual information of the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2r, the guidance data included therein is accumulated, a guidance signal for informing a language message is created from the guidance data, and radio waves modulated by the guidance signal are generated. Transmitted from the right antenna section 34r.

The operation in FIG. 8 will be described.
When the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the left infrared light receiving unit 21 receives the near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 11, and the language message from the left store is heard in the left ear. At the same time, the near-infrared light from the infrared transmission device 12 is received by the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2r, and a language message from the right-hand store is heard in the right ear. Here, when the user turns to the left, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives near-infrared light from the infrared transmission device 11, and only the language message from the left store is heard in both ears. Alternatively, when the user turns to the right, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 12, and only the language message from the right store is heard in both ears. Alternatively, if the user operates the right switch 6r to selectively turn off the guidance information corresponding to the right infrared light receiving unit 2r, only the language message from the left store can be heard in the left ear. Alternatively, when the user operates the left switch 6l to selectively turn off the notification of the guidance information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit 21, only the language message from the right store can be heard in the right ear.

  Also by the infrared guidance system 200 and the user guidance terminal device 210 of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the infrared guidance system 100 and the user guidance terminal device 110 of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an infrared guidance system 300 according to the third embodiment.
This infrared guidance system 300 is different from the infrared guidance system 100 of the first embodiment in the following four points.
(1) The hat has a plurality of left-side infrared light receiving portions 2la and 2lb and a plurality of right-side infrared light receiving portions 2ra and 2rb. Corresponding to these, the number of circuit units and electrode units of the infrared receiving device 20 is also increasing. In the receiving direction ranges Rla, Rlb, Rf, Rra, Rrb of the respective infrared light receiving units 2la, 2lb, 2f, 2ra, 2rb, adjacent portions overlap each other and are continuous as a whole.
(2) A solar cell for supplying power to the circuit unit is installed on the upper surface of the hat.
(3) The circuit unit 33 of the signal processing device 30 accumulates the guidance data included in the individual information of the left infrared light receiving unit 2la if there is individual information. Then, a left earphone guide signal and a right earphone guide signal for outputting sound from the left earphone unit 4l and the right earphone unit 4r are created from the guide data so that a language message can be heard from the left front side, and the left earphone guide signal is output. The radio wave modulated with the guide signal is sent out from the left antenna unit 34l, and the radio wave modulated with the right earphone guide signal is sent out from the right antenna unit 34r. Further, if there is individual information of the left infrared light receiving unit 2lb, the guidance data included therein is accumulated, a guidance signal is created from the guidance data, and a radio wave modulated by the guidance signal is transmitted from the left antenna unit 34l. . Further, if there is individual information of the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2ra, the guidance data included therein is accumulated. Then, a left earphone guide signal and a right earphone guide signal for outputting sound from the left earphone unit 4l and the right earphone unit 4r are created from the guide data so that a language message can be heard from diagonally forward right, and the left earphone unit The radio wave modulated with the guide signal is sent out from the left antenna unit 34l, and the radio wave modulated with the right earphone guide signal is sent out from the right antenna unit 34r. Further, if there is individual information of the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2rb, the guidance data included therein is accumulated, a guidance signal is created from the guidance data, and a radio wave modulated by the guidance signal is transmitted from the right antenna unit 34r. .
(4) When the left switch 6l is operated, the circuit unit 33 of the signal processing device 30 turns on / off the notification of the guide signal corresponding to the left infrared light receiving units 2la and 2lb. Further, when the right switch 6r is operated, the notification of the guidance signal corresponding to the right infrared light receiving units 2ra and 2rb is turned on / off.

The operation in FIG. 9 will be described.
When the user moves forward in the traveling direction α, the left infrared light receiving unit 2la receives the near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 13, and the language message from the left front store whose sound image is localized diagonally left forward. Can be heard. At the same time, the near-infrared light from the infrared transmission device 14 is received by the right-side infrared light receiving unit 2ra, and a language message from the right front store, which has been localized in a sound image to the right front, is heard. That is, two language messages can be heard overlapping, but the direction in which each language message is heard is different. Therefore, when the user turns the front face diagonally to the left, the front infrared light receiving unit 2f receives the near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 13, and both ears can hear the language message from the left front store, The near infrared ray from the infrared transmitter 13 is received by the front infrared ray receiving unit 2f, and the language message from the right front store can be heard only by the right ear.
When the user further proceeds with the front facing in the traveling direction α, the left infrared light receiving unit 21b receives near infrared light from the infrared transmission device 11, and the language message from the left store is heard in the left ear. At the same time, the near-infrared light from the infrared transmitter 12 is received by the right-side infrared light receiver 2rb, and the language message from the right-hand store is heard in the right ear. In other words, four language messages can be heard overlapping, but the direction in which each language message is heard is different. Therefore, since the language message comes to be heard from the front when facing the direction of the language message to be heard, the left switch 6l is operated to notify the guidance signals corresponding to the left infrared light receiving units 2la and 2lb. By turning off and operating the right switch 6r to turn off the notification of the guidance signals corresponding to the right infrared light receiving units 2ra and 2rb, it is possible to selectively listen to only the store language message in front.

  Also by the infrared guidance system 300 and the user guidance terminal device 310 of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the infrared guidance system 100 and the user guidance terminal device 110 of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The infrared receiver 20 may have a shape that can be attached to commercially available glasses.

  It is good also as a shape which can accommodate the signal processing apparatus 30 in a breast pocket.

  As an audio output device, an ear-mounted Bluetooth earpiece (commercially available) may be used.

  You may install both the infrared receiver 20 and the audio | voice output apparatus 40 in spectacles, headphones, or a hat.

  The light receiving sensitivity level of the infrared light receiving unit may be manually adjustable. In this case, it is possible to know the approximate distance to the infrared transmission device based on the light receiving sensitivity level at which the reception intensity is constant.

  You may make it alert | report the measured distance by providing the ranging means which measures the distance to the infrared transmitter which has received light by the front infrared light-receiving part 2f. As such distance measuring means, for example, there is one that obtains the distance to the light source by the principle of triangulation with two infrared light receiving sections. In addition, a front-facing infrared light receiver with a narrow reception direction range facing directly in front is provided, and the light-receiving sensitivity level is automatically adjusted so that the received light intensity at the front-facing infrared light receiver is a constant reception intensity. The distance is obtained from the sensitivity level.

For example, when used for guidance to a destination, guidance data corresponding to a mark on the way is stored in the signal processing device 30 in advance, and the mark is specified from the individual information placed on the received infrared ray, You may make it alert | report by reading the guidance data corresponding to the mark.
For example, if the destination is “Braille Library” on the left side of the road and the mark on the left side of the road is “Post Office”, the individual information placed on the infrared light received from the left at “Post Office” If you specify “Post Office” from “You are passing in front of the post office. If you continue 100m, you will be in a Braille library. ”In the left earphone unit 4l (you can see that there is a“ post office ”on the left side), and if you specify“ Braille Library ”from the individual information placed on the infrared light received from the left side in“ Braille Library ” “I arrived at the Braille Library. ] Is notified on the left earphone unit 4l (it is understood that there is a “Braille Library” on the left side).

  For example, when used for the guidance of exhibits, the explanation data of each exhibit is stored in the signal processing device 30 in advance, the exhibit is identified from the individual information placed on the received infrared rays, and the exhibit is displayed. You may make it alert | report by reading the comment data corresponding to a thing.

  The infrared guidance system and user guidance terminal device of the present invention can be used to provide store information, traffic signal information, and public facility information to visually impaired persons.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an infrared guidance system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view of an infrared receiving device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an infrared receiving device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signal processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a signal processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an audio output device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an audio output device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an infrared guidance system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an infrared guidance system according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

11-18 Infrared transmitter 2f Front infrared receiver 2l Left infrared receiver 2r Right infrared receiver 20 Infrared receiver 30 Signal processor 40 Audio output device 100, 200, 300 Infrared guidance system 110, 210, 310 User guidance terminal apparatus

Claims (22)

Left-side transmitter that radiates infrared light with individual information in the direction intersecting the front direction from the left side with respect to the front direction of the user and individual in the direction intersecting the front direction from the right side with respect to the front direction of the user One or both of the right-side transmitter that emits infrared light carrying information, the front-side infrared receiver that receives infrared from the front, the left-side infrared receiver that receives infrared from the left, and the right-side infrared that receives infrared from the right And an infrared receiving device having a shape of an article that is mounted on or above a user's neck, or a shape that can be attached to the article, the front infrared light receiving section, the left infrared light receiving section, or the A signal processing device that creates a guide signal based on individual information received on the infrared light received by the right-side infrared light receiver, and voices the guide information based on the guide signal Infrared guidance system characterized by comprising an audio output device for informing. 2. The infrared guidance system according to claim 1, wherein a left portion of a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving portion overlaps a right portion of a light receiving direction range of the left infrared light receiving portion, and a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving portion. An infrared guiding system in which a right side portion of the right side and a left side portion of a light receiving direction range of the right side infrared light receiving portion overlap each other. 3. The infrared guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the guidance information is notified, the guidance information corresponds to the front infrared light receiving unit or other than the front infrared light receiving unit. An infrared guidance system characterized in that it is identifiable. 4. The infrared guidance system according to claim 3, wherein guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit is notified in a language, and guidance information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit is notified by sound effects. Infrared guidance system characterized by 5. The infrared guidance system according to claim 3, wherein the voice output means determines whether the guidance information corresponds to the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, or the right infrared light receiving unit. An infrared guidance system which outputs a sound in an identifiable manner by stereo sound image localization. 6. The infrared guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the volume of sound to be notified is changed according to the intensity of received infrared rays. The infrared guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separate from each other, and communicate by radio waves or through skin. system. The infrared guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the signal processing device and the audio output device are separate and communicate by radio waves or through skin. system. 9. The infrared guidance system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the signal processing device can be attached to or built in a wand. 10. The infrared guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the article is spectacles, and a solar cell that supplies power to the infrared receiver is provided in at least one of a lens unit and a frame unit thereof. Infrared guidance system characterized by The infrared guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a switch capable of selectively turning off guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, and the right infrared light receiving unit. An infrared guidance system characterized by comprising.
A front infrared light receiving unit that receives infrared light from the front, a left infrared light receiving unit that receives infrared light from the left side, and a right infrared light receiving unit that receives infrared light from the right side are mounted on the user's neck and above. A signal for creating a guide signal based on an infrared receiving device having a shape of an article to be attached or a shape that can be attached to the article, and infrared rays received by the front infrared receiving unit, the left infrared receiving unit, or the right infrared receiving unit A user guidance terminal device comprising: a processing device; and a voice output device that voices guidance information based on the guidance signal. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 12, wherein a left side portion of a light receiving direction range of the front infrared light receiving portion overlaps a right side portion of a light receiving direction range of the left infrared light receiving portion, and light reception of the front infrared light receiving portion. A user guidance terminal device, wherein a right portion of a direction range overlaps a left portion of a light receiving direction range of the right infrared light receiving unit. 14. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 12, wherein when the guidance information is notified, the guidance information is transmitted to either the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, or the right infrared light receiving unit. A user guidance terminal device, wherein it is identifiable whether it corresponds to a user. 15. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 14, wherein guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit is notified in a language, and guidance information corresponding to the left infrared light receiving unit and the right infrared light receiving unit is notified by sound effects. A user guidance terminal device. 16. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 14, wherein the voice output means has the guidance information corresponding to either the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, or the right infrared light receiving unit. A user guidance terminal device characterized in that the sound is output in a manner that can be identified by stereo sound image localization. The user guidance terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein a volume of a sound to be notified is changed according to a received infrared ray intensity. The user guidance terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the infrared receiving device and the signal processing device are separate, and communicate with each other by radio waves or through skin. User guidance terminal device. The user guidance terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the signal processing device and the sound output device are separate and communicate by radio waves or through skin. User guidance terminal device. 20. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the signal processing device can be attached to or built in a cane. 21. The user guidance terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the article is spectacles, and a solar cell that supplies power to the infrared receiving device is provided in at least one of a lens portion and a frame portion thereof. A user guidance terminal device characterized by that. The user guidance terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein notification of guidance information corresponding to the front infrared light receiving unit, the left infrared light receiving unit, and the right infrared light receiving unit can be selectively turned off. A user guidance terminal device comprising a switch.

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