JP7462845B1 - Route guidance device, information processing device, route guidance method, and route guidance program - Google Patents

Abstract

The route guidance device (2) is configured to include a sensor signal acquisition unit (11) that acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors (1-n) among one or more sensors (1-1) to (1-N) for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person, and a presence location identification unit (12) that identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit (11). The route guidance device (2) also includes a voice guidance data generation unit (13) that generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the location identified by the presence location identification unit (12) to a destination within a facility.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a route guidance device, an information processing device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance program.

There is a route guidance system that provides visually impaired users of a facility with directions to their destination within the facility.
As an example of such a route guidance system, Patent Document 1 discloses a route guidance system equipped with a mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal includes an information code recognition unit, a designated route generation unit, a location information acquisition unit, and a guidance unit.
The information code recognition unit acquires position information for a starting point within a facility and a destination within the facility. The designated route generation unit generates a route from the starting point to the destination based on the position information acquired by the information code recognition unit. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information for a current location of the visually impaired person. The guidance unit provides route guidance to the visually impaired person so that the current location of the visually impaired person follows the route generated by the designated route generation unit.

JP 2020-187059 A

If visually impaired people can receive support from facility staff when using a facility, they may be able to use the facility more efficiently. For this reason, for example, a location where a staff member can be contacted may be set as the first destination within the facility to which a visually impaired person should be guided when entering the facility.
The route guidance system disclosed in Patent Document 1 had the problem that unless a visually impaired person carried a mobile terminal, route guidance to a destination within a facility such as those described above could not be provided to the visually impaired person.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a route guidance device that can provide a visually impaired person with route guidance to a destination, regardless of whether the visually impaired person is carrying a mobile terminal or not.

The route guidance device according to the present disclosure includes a sensor signal acquisition unit that acquires a sensor signal from one or more sensors for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person, and a presence location identification unit that identifies a location where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit. The route guidance device also includes a voice guidance data generation unit that generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the location identified by the presence location identification unit to a destination within a facility , and a voice output unit that outputs the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit to a speaker, the destination being a location where a signage is installed within the facility where a switch for calling an attendant is provided, and the voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the location identified by the presence location identification unit to the location where the signage is installed .

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide route guidance to a destination to a visually impaired person, regardless of whether the visually impaired person is carrying a mobile device or not.

1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, and a signage 4 included in a route guidance system. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to a first embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of a route guidance device 2 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer in the case where the route guidance device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a signage 4 in which a switch 41 for calling an attendant is provided. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a route guidance method which is a processing procedure of the route guidance device 2. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, and a signage 4 included in a route guidance system. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, signage 4, and microphones 5-1 to 5-N included in a route guidance system. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of a route guidance device 2 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of a route guidance device 2 according to a third embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a signage 4 in which a switch 41 for calling an attendant is provided. FIG. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of a route guidance device 2 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing device 6 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of an information processing device 6 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer in the case where the information processing device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like.

In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, the form for implementing the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, and a signage 4 included in a route guidance system.
In Fig. 1, each of sensors 1-1 to 1-N is a sensor for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person. N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. In the example of Fig. 1, N=4.
The sensors 1-n (n=1, . . . , N) are realized by, for example, sound sensors.
When the sensor 1-n is realized by a sound sensor, the sensor 1-n detects the sound of a blind person tapping on the floor using a safety cane for the blind (hereinafter referred to as a "white cane") and outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected sound to the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 2 via a wireless or wired line.

The loudspeakers 3-n (n=1, . . . , N) are realized by, for example, directional loudspeakers.
The speaker 3-n is installed, for example, on a wall or a ceiling of the facility.
When a sensor signal is output from the sensor 1-n to the route guidance device 2, the speaker 3-n outputs a voice for route guidance.
If speaker 3-n is realized as a directional speaker, a visually impaired person detected by sensor 1-n can hear the audio for route guidance, but other facility users who are in a different location from the visually impaired person will have difficulty hearing the audio for route guidance.
The signage 4 is an electronic signboard provided with a switch 41 for calling an attendant.
The signage 4 has a built-in route guidance device 2. However, this is merely an example, and the route guidance device 2 may be provided outside the signage 4.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the route guidance device 2 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the route guidance device 2 according to the first embodiment.
The route guidance device 2 includes a sensor signal acquisition unit 11, a location identification unit 12, a voice guidance data generation unit 13, and a voice output unit 14.
The route guidance device 2 is a device that outputs voice for route guidance from any one of the speakers 3-1 to 3-N.

The sensor signal acquiring unit 11 is realized by, for example, a sensor signal acquiring circuit 21 shown in FIG.
The sensor signal acquisition unit 11 acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors 1-n among the sensors 1-1 to 1-N. The sensor signal includes, in addition to the sound of the floor being tapped, etc., identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being tapped, etc.
The sensor signal acquisition unit 11 outputs the sensor signal to the presence position identification unit 12 .

The location identifying unit 12 is realized by, for example, a location identifying circuit 22 shown in FIG.
The location identifying unit 12 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal acquiring unit 11 .
The location identifying unit 12 identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal.
Position information of the sensor 1-n related to the identification information included in the sensor signal is stored in the internal memory of the presence position identification unit 12. The presence position identification unit 12 determines that the position indicated by the position information of the sensor 1-n related to the identification information is the position where a visually impaired person is present.
The location identifying unit 12 outputs location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present to the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .

The voice guidance data generating unit 13 is realized by, for example, a voice guidance data generating circuit 23 shown in FIG.
The voice guidance data generating unit 13 acquires, from the location identifying unit 12, location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The voice guidance data generating unit 13 generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from a position indicated by the position information to a destination within a facility.
The voice guidance data generating unit 13 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 14 .
In the route guidance device 2 shown in Fig. 2, the destination within the facility is the installation position of the signage 4, which is provided with a switch 41 for calling an attendant. If a visually impaired person operates the switch 41 for calling an attendant, the visually impaired person can talk to a staff member at the facility and can receive support from the staff member. However, the destination within the facility is not limited to the installation position of the signage 4, and may be, for example, a ticket gate at a station, which is a facility, a lending window at a library, which is a facility, or a reception desk at a hospital, which is a facility.

The audio output unit 14 is realized by, for example, an audio output circuit 24 shown in FIG.
The voice output unit 14 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .
The voice output unit 14 outputs the voice guidance data to the speaker 3-n, which outputs a voice for route guidance in accordance with the voice guidance data.

2, it is assumed that each of the components of the route guidance device 2, that is, the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the location identification unit 12, the voice guidance data generation unit 13, and the voice output unit 14, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 3. That is, it is assumed that the route guidance device 2 is realized by a sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, a location identification circuit 22, a voice guidance data generation circuit 23, and a voice output circuit 24.
Each of the sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, the location identification circuit 22, the voice guidance data generation circuit 23, and the voice output circuit 24 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

The components of the route guidance device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the route guidance device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
The software or firmware is stored as a program in the memory of a computer. The computer means hardware that executes the program, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer in the case where the route guidance device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like.
When the route guidance device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a route guidance program for causing a computer to execute each of the processing procedures in the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the presence position identification unit 12, the voice guidance data generation unit 13, and the voice output unit 14 is stored in the memory 31. The respective processing procedures are a signal acquisition processing procedure in the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, a position identification processing procedure in the presence position identification unit 12, a data generation processing procedure in the voice guidance data generation unit 13, and a voice output processing procedure in the voice output unit 14.
Then, the processor 32 of the computer executes the route guidance program stored in the memory 31 .

Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows an example in which each of the components of the route guidance device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 4 shows an example in which the route guidance device 2 is realized by software or firmware, etc. However, this is merely one example, and some of the components in the route guidance device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software or firmware, etc.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a signage 4 on which a switch 41 for calling an attendant is provided.
5, the switch 41 for calling an attendant is a switch for calling an attendant at the facility where the signage 4 is installed. When the switch 41 for calling an attendant is operated by, for example, a visually impaired person, an attendant at the facility is called. Examples of the facility include a station, a library, a city hall, a hospital, or a shopping mall.
Each of the contact sensors 42-1 to 42-M is provided on the signage 4. M is an integer equal to or greater than 1. In the example of FIG.
The contact sensor 42-m (m=1, . . . , M) detects contact of the signage 4 with a visually impaired person.
On the display 43, for example, a conversation between a visually impaired person and a staff member is displayed in text form.

Next, the operation of the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a route guidance method which is a processing procedure of the route guidance device 2.
1, each of the sensors 1-1 to 1-N is embedded in the same floor surface as the floor surface on which the signage 4 is installed. However, this is merely an example, and each of the sensors 1-1 to 1-N may be later attached to a wall or floor like a footlight.
In the route guidance system shown in Fig. 1, the floor of the facility is divided by walls to form passageways. However, this is merely one example, and the floor of the facility may not be divided by walls, and the sensors 1-1 to 1-N may be embedded at equal intervals in the floor of the facility, for example.

When the sensor 1-n (n=1, . . . , N) is realized by a sound sensor, the sensor 1-n detects the sound of a visually impaired person tapping on the floor using a white cane.
The sensor 1-n outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected sound to the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2. As shown below, the sensor signal includes, for example, a header portion and a body portion.
Sensor signal=header portion+body portion The header portion of the sensor signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being tapped.
The body of the sensor signal includes, for example, sound data indicating the sound of the floor being struck.

The sensor signal acquisition unit 11 acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors 1-1 to 1-N, ie, the sensor 1-n (step ST1 in FIG. 6).
The sensor signal acquisition unit 11 outputs the sensor signal to the presence position identification unit 12 .

The location identifying unit 12 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal acquiring unit 11 .
The presence position specifying unit 12 refers to the identification information included in the sensor signal to specify the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being tapped.
The internal memory of the location identifying unit 12 stores pairs of location information and identification information of the sensors 1-n (n=1, . . . , N).
The location identifying unit 12 acquires, from the internal memory, the location information of the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being struck, which corresponds to the identification information.
The location identifying unit 12 identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the acquired location information (step ST2 in FIG. 6).
Specifically, the presence location identifying unit 12 identifies the location indicated by the acquired location information as the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The location identifying unit 12 outputs location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present to the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .

Information indicating a signal suggesting the identification of the presence position is stored in the internal memory of the presence position identification unit 12. For example, such a signal is a signal that "a visually impaired person uses a white cane to tap the floor surface multiple times at a predetermined interval."
When such a signal is stored in the internal memory of the presence location identification unit 12, the presence location identification unit 12 receives sensor signals from the sensors 1-n multiple times, and determines, based on the sound data contained in the body of each sensor signal, whether or not the visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at predetermined intervals with a white cane.
If the presence location identification unit 12 determines that "a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at specified intervals with a white cane," it identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the position information of sensor 1-n.

The voice guidance data generating unit 13 acquires, from the location identifying unit 12, location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The voice guidance data generating unit 13 generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position indicated by the position information to the installation position of the signage 4, which is the destination within the facility (step ST3 in FIG. 6).
For example, the internal memory of the voice guidance data generating unit 13 stores location information indicating the installation location of the signage 4 .
If the installation position of the signage 4 is, for example, 10 meters to the left of the position where the visually impaired person is located, the voice guidance data generating unit 13 generates voice guidance data indicating that "the signage 4 is located 10 meters to the left." The process of generating the voice guidance data itself is a known technique, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The voice guidance data generating unit 13 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 14 .

The voice output unit 14 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .
The voice output unit 14 outputs the voice guidance data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output voice for route guidance (step ST4 in FIG. 6).
If the voice guidance data indicates that "signage 4 is located 10 meters to the left," the voice output unit 14 outputs a voice indicating that "signage 4 is located 10 meters to the left" from the speaker 3-n as a voice for route guidance.

Specific examples of route guidance voices will be given below.
Here, it is assumed that the floor surface of the facility is as shown in Fig. 1, and a visually impaired person enters the floor surface of the facility from the elevator shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the audio output unit 14 outputs audio for route guidance for the visually impaired person to arrive at the installation position of the signage 4 after passing through the positions where the sensor 1-1 is embedded, the positions where the sensor 1-2 is embedded, the positions where the sensor 1-3 is embedded, and the positions where the sensor 1-4 is embedded as route points.

Specifically, first, the audio output unit 14 outputs a route guidance voice from the speaker 3-1 suggesting that the visually impaired person should move approximately 0△ meters to the right, in order to guide the visually impaired person to the location where the sensor 1-2 is embedded.
Next, the audio output unit 14 outputs a voice from the speaker 3-2 as route guidance audio suggesting that the visually impaired person move approximately △◇ meters to the left, in order to guide the visually impaired person to the location where the sensor 1-3 is embedded.
Next, the audio output unit 14 outputs a voice from the speaker 3-3 as route guidance audio suggesting that the visually impaired person should proceed to the location where the sensor 1-4 is embedded, to the left about ◇□ meters.
Finally, in order to guide the visually impaired person to the location where the signage 4 is installed, the audio output unit 14 outputs from the speaker 3-4 a route guidance audio indicating that the signage 4 is located "if you proceed approximately □□ meters to the right".
The suggesting voice may be output from the audio output unit 14 in the moving direction of the visually impaired person. If the suggesting voice is output from the moving direction of the visually impaired person, the moving direction can be shown to the visually impaired person, and route guidance to the destination can be smoothly provided. For example, if a voice suggesting to move about △◇ meters to the left is output from the left side of the visually impaired person, the visually impaired person can determine which direction is to the left, regardless of which direction the visually impaired person is facing.
Here, the audio output unit 14 outputs, as route guidance audio, audio for guiding the route to a waypoint just before the destination from the speakers 3-n (n=1, 2, 3). That is, the audio output unit 14 outputs, as route guidance audio, audio for guiding the route from the installation position of the sensor 1-n (n=1, 2, 3) to the installation position of the sensor 1-n (n=2, 3, 4) from the speakers 3-n (n=1, 2, 3). However, this is merely one example, and the audio output unit 14 may output, as route guidance audio, audio for guiding the route from the installation position of the sensor 1-n (n=1, 2, 3, 4) to the installation position of the signage 4 from the speakers 3-n (n=1, 2, 3, 4).

If the visually impaired person follows the route guidance voice, he or she will arrive at the location where the signage 4 is located.
Here, it is assumed that a visually impaired person touches any area of the signage 4.
For example, when the contact sensor 42-1 detects contact of a visually impaired person with the signage 4, the voice guidance data generation unit 13 generates voice guidance data indicating that, as the relative position of the switch 41 for calling an attendant with respect to the contact sensor 42-1, "the switch 41 for calling an attendant is located XX centimeters to the right and △△ centimeters above."
For example, when the contact sensor 42-2 detects contact of a visually impaired person with the signage 4, the voice guidance data generation unit 13 generates voice guidance data indicating that "the attendant call switch 41 is located △△ centimeters above" as the relative position of the attendant call switch 41 with respect to the contact sensor 42-2.
For example, when the contact sensor 42-3 detects contact of a visually impaired person with the signage 4, the voice guidance data generation unit 13 generates voice guidance data indicating that, as the relative position of the switch 41 for calling an attendant with respect to the contact sensor 42-3, "the switch 41 for calling an attendant is located XX centimeters to the left and △△ centimeters above."

The voice output unit 14 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .
The audio output unit 14 outputs the audio guidance data to, for example, a built-in speaker of the signage 4, thereby causing the built-in speaker to output audio for guiding the relative position.
The visually impaired person recognizes the location of the switch 41 for calling an attendant by listening to the voice for relative position guidance.
A visually impaired person can call a facility staff member by, for example, pressing switch 41 to operate switch 41 for calling a staff member.
By calling a staff member, the visually impaired person can talk to the staff member via the signage 4. By talking to the staff member, the visually impaired person can receive support, such as being shown around the facility.

In the above-described first embodiment, the route guidance device 2 is configured to include a sensor signal acquisition unit 11 that acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors 1-n among one or more sensors 1-1 to 1-N for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person, and a presence position identification unit 12 that identifies the position where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit 11. The route guidance device 2 also includes a voice guidance data generation unit 13 that generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position identified by the presence position identification unit 12 to the destination within the facility. Therefore, the route guidance device 2 can provide route guidance to the destination to the visually impaired person, regardless of whether the visually impaired person carries a mobile terminal or not.
In addition, the financial burden on visually impaired people is reduced because they do not need to purchase a mobile device to receive route guidance.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the signage 4 is provided with contact sensors 42-1 to 42-M that detect contact of a visually impaired person with the signage 4. The route guidance device 2 is configured so that the voice guidance data generation unit 13 generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the relative position of the attendant call switch 41 with respect to the contact sensors 42-m (m = 1, ..., M). Therefore, the route guidance device 2 can allow a visually impaired person to easily recognize the position of the attendant call switch 41, compared to a device that does not output voice guidance for the relative position.

In the route guidance system shown in Fig. 1, the sensors 1-n (n = 1, ..., N) are implemented as sound sensors. However, this is merely an example, and the sensors 1-n may be implemented as vibration sensors, for example.
When the sensor 1-n is realized by a vibration sensor, the sensor 1-n detects vibrations on the floor surface when a visually impaired person taps the floor surface with a white cane. The sensor 1-n outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected vibrations to the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2.
In this case, the header of the sensor signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that detected the vibration of the floor surface that was struck, and the body of the sensor signal includes vibration data indicating the vibration of the floor surface that was struck.
The presence location identification unit 12 receives sensor signals multiple times from the sensor 1-n, and determines, based on the vibration data contained in the body of each sensor signal, whether or not a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at predetermined intervals using a white cane.
If the presence location identification unit 12 determines that "a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at specified intervals with a white cane," it identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the position information of sensor 1-n.

In the route guidance system shown in Fig. 1, the sensor 1-n is realized by a sound sensor. However, this is merely an example, and the sensor 1-n may be realized by, for example, a pressure sensor.
When the sensor 1-n is realized by a pressure sensor, the sensor 1-n detects the pressure applied to the floor surface when a visually impaired person taps the floor surface with a white cane. The sensor 1-n outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected pressure to the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2.
In this case, the header of the sensor signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that detected the pressure applied to the floor surface that was struck, and the body of the sensor signal includes pressure data indicating the pressure applied to the floor surface that was struck.
The presence location identification unit 12 receives sensor signals multiple times from the sensor 1-n, and determines, based on the pressure data contained in the body of each sensor signal, whether or not a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at specified intervals using a white cane.
If the presence location identification unit 12 determines that "a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at specified intervals with a white cane," it identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the position information of sensor 1-n.

In the route guidance system shown in Fig. 1, the sensor 1-n is realized by a sound sensor. However, this is merely one example, and the sensor 1-n may be realized by, for example, an image sensor that images a monitoring area and outputs a sensor signal indicative of the image of the monitoring area.
The monitoring area is, for example, a three-dimensional area including the space above the area in which the sound sensor 1-n is embedded in the figure, and the image sensor realizing the sensor 1-n is installed, for example, in a position adjacent to the speaker 3-n. However, this is merely one example, and the image sensor realizing the sensor 1-n may be integrated with the speaker 3-n.
The image sensor realizing the sensor 1 - n captures images of facility users present in a monitoring area, and outputs a sensor signal indicating a plurality of still images or video to the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2 .
In this case, the header portion of the sensor signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that captured the image of the facility user, and the body portion of the sensor signal includes image data representing a plurality of still images or a video.
The presence location identification unit 12 receives a sensor signal from the sensor 1-n, and determines whether or not the visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at a predetermined interval with a white cane based on image data included in the body of the sensor signal. The process of determining whether or not the visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times based on image data is a known technique, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
If the presence location identification unit 12 determines that "a visually impaired person is tapping the floor surface multiple times at specified intervals with a white cane," it identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the position information of the monitoring area of sensor 1-n.

Here, when a facility user taps the floor surface multiple times at a predetermined interval with a white cane, the presence location identifying unit 12 determines that the facility user is visually impaired. However, this is merely one example, and the presence location identifying unit 12 may determine that a facility user is visually impaired if the facility user is accompanied by a guide dog. The process of determining whether or not a facility user is accompanied by a guide dog is a known technique, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
1, the sensors 1-n (n=1, ..., N) are implemented as sound sensors. However, this is merely an example, and the sensors 1-n may be implemented as laser sensors, for example.
White canes used by visually impaired people differ from canes used by people with leg disabilities in that they tend to make unique movements, such as swinging them from side to side on the floor.
When the sensor 1-n is realized by a laser sensor, the sensor 1-n detects the movement unique to a white cane on the floor surface, i.e., the trajectory of the white cane on the floor surface. Here, the movement unique to a white cane on the floor surface includes the movement when the white cane is in contact with the floor surface and the movement when the white cane is separated from the floor surface. The sensor 1-n outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected movement unique to a white cane, i.e., a sensor signal indicating the trajectory of the white cane, to the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2.
In this case, the header portion of the sensor signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the sensor 1-n that detected the movement specific to a white cane, and the body portion of the sensor signal includes trajectory data indicating the movement specific to a white cane.
The presence location identification unit 12 receives sensor signals from the sensors 1-n, and determines whether or not a white cane is being used based on the trajectory data contained in the body of each sensor signal.
If the presence location identifying unit 12 determines that "a white cane is being used," it identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the position information of the sensor 1-n.

In the route guidance system shown in Fig. 1, sensors 1-n (n = 1, ..., N) are embedded in the floor of a facility. However, this is merely an example, and sensors 1-n may be embedded in braille blocks laid on the floor as shown in Fig. 7.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, and signage 4 included in the route guidance system.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, a route guidance device 2 including an ambient sound collection unit 15 that collects ambient sounds around the location where a visually impaired person is located will be described.
8 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors 1-1 to 1-N, speakers 3-1 to 3-N, signage 4, and microphones 5-1 to 5-N included in the route guidance system. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 1 and Fig. 7 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.
Each of the microphones 5-1 to 5-N is installed near the sensor 1-n (n=1, ..., N). A specific installation position of the microphone 5-n (n=1, ..., N) is assumed to be, for example, on the ceiling directly above the position where the sensor 1-n is embedded.
The microphone 5-n collects sounds around the position where the visually impaired person is located, and outputs collected sound data indicating the surrounding sounds to the route guide device 2.

Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to embodiment 2. In Fig. 9, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 denote the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the route guidance device 2 according to the embodiment 2. In Fig. 10, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The route guidance device 2 includes a sensor signal acquisition unit 11 , a location identification unit 12 , an ambient sound collection unit 15 , a voice guidance data generation unit 16 , and a voice output unit 17 .

The ambient sound collecting unit 15 is realized by, for example, an ambient sound collecting circuit 25 shown in FIG.
The ambient sound collection unit 15 collects collected sound data from the microphones 5-n (n=1, . . . , N).
The ambient sound collection unit 15 outputs the collected sound data to the voice guidance data generation unit 16 .

The voice guidance data generating unit 16 is realized by, for example, a voice guidance data generating circuit 26 shown in FIG.
The voice guidance data generating unit 16 acquires location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present from the presence location identifying unit 12 , and acquires collected sound data from the ambient sound collecting unit 15 .
The voice guidance data generating unit 16, like the voice guidance data generating unit 13 shown in FIG. 2, generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position indicated by the position information to the destination within the facility.
In addition, the voice guidance data generating unit 16 generates obstructive sound data indicating obstructive sounds, which are sounds for reducing surrounding sounds indicated by the sound collection data.
The voice guidance data generating unit 16 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 17 , and outputs the obstructive sound data to the voice output unit 17 .

The audio output unit 17 is realized by, for example, an audio output circuit 27 shown in FIG.
The voice output unit 17 acquires the voice guidance data and the obstructive sound data from the voice guidance data generation unit 16 .
The voice output unit 17, like the voice output unit 14 shown in FIG. 2, outputs voice guidance data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output voice for route guidance.
Moreover, the audio output unit 17 outputs the obstructing sound data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output the obstructing sound.

9, it is assumed that each of the components of the route guidance device 2, that is, the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the presence position identification unit 12, the ambient sound collection unit 15, the voice guidance data generation unit 16, and the voice output unit 17, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 10. In other words, it is assumed that the route guidance device 2 is realized by a sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, a presence position identification circuit 22, an ambient sound collection circuit 25, a voice guidance data generation circuit 26, and a voice output circuit 27.
Each of the sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, the presence location identification circuit 22, the ambient sound collection circuit 25, the voice guidance data generation circuit 26 and the voice output circuit 27 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

The components of the route guidance device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the route guidance device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
4 stores a route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the sensor signal acquirer 11, the presence position identifying unit 12, the ambient sound collector 15, the voice guidance data generator 16, and the voice output unit 17. The respective processing procedures are a signal acquisition processing procedure of the sensor signal acquirer 11, a position identifying processing procedure of the presence position identifying unit 12, an ambient sound collection processing procedure of the ambient sound collector 15, a data generation processing procedure of the voice guidance data generator 16, and a voice output processing procedure of the voice output unit 17.
Then, the processor 32 shown in FIG. 4 executes the route guidance program stored in the memory 31 .

Furthermore, Fig. 10 shows an example in which each of the components of the route guidance device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 4 shows an example in which the route guidance device 2 is realized by software or firmware, etc. However, this is merely one example, and some of the components in the route guidance device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software or firmware, etc.

Next, the operation of the route guidance device 2 shown in Fig. 9 will be described. However, since the components other than the ambient sound collection unit 15, the voice guidance data generation unit 16, and the voice output unit 17 are the same as those of the route guidance device 2 shown in Fig. 2, the operation of the ambient sound collection unit 15, the voice guidance data generation unit 16, and the voice output unit 17 will mainly be described here.

The microphone 5 - n collects sounds around the position where the visually impaired person is located, and outputs collected sound data indicating the surrounding sounds to the surrounding sound collection unit 15 of the route guidance device 2 .
Examples of ambient sounds include the sounds of crowds, broadcast sounds from facilities, sounds of equipment installed in the facilities, and sounds of vehicles.

The ambient sound collection unit 15 collects collected sound data from the microphones 5-n (n=1, . . . , N).
The ambient sound collection unit 15 outputs the collected sound data to the voice guidance data generation unit 16 .

The voice guidance data generating unit 16 acquires location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present from the presence location identifying unit 12 , and acquires collected sound data from the ambient sound collecting unit 15 .
The voice guidance data generating unit 16, like the voice guidance data generating unit 13 shown in FIG. 2, generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position indicated by the position information to the destination within the facility.
In addition, the voice guidance data generating unit 16 generates obstructive sound data indicating obstructive sounds, which are sounds for reducing surrounding sounds indicated by the sound collection data.
An example of an obstructive sound is a sound that has an opposite phase to the surrounding sound indicated by the collected sound data. The process of generating the obstructive sound itself is a known technique, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The voice guidance data generating unit 16 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 17 , and outputs the obstructive sound data to the voice output unit 17 .

The voice output unit 17 acquires the voice guidance data and the obstructive sound data from the voice guidance data generation unit 16 .
The voice output unit 17, like the voice output unit 14 shown in FIG. 2, outputs voice guidance data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output voice for route guidance.
Moreover, the audio output unit 17 outputs the obstructing sound data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output the obstructing sound.
By outputting the obstructing sound from the speaker 3-n, the sound around the position where the visually impaired person is located is reduced, so that the visually impaired person can easily hear the route guidance voice even if the volume of the sound around the position where the visually impaired person is located is loud.

In the above-described second embodiment, the route guidance device 2 is configured to include an ambient sound collection unit 15 that collects ambient sounds around the position where the visually impaired person is located. In addition to generating the audio guidance data, the voice guidance data generation unit 16 of the route guidance device 2 generates obstructive sound data indicating obstructive sounds, which are sounds for reducing the ambient sounds collected by the ambient sound collection unit 15, and the audio output unit 17 outputs the obstructive sound data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit 16 to the speaker 3-n. Thus, the route guidance device 2 can reduce the difficulty that the visually impaired person has in hearing sounds when the volume of ambient sounds around the position where the visually impaired person is located is high.

Embodiment 3.
In the third embodiment, a route guidance device 2 including a lighting control unit 18 that lights up a part of the signage 4 will be described.
Fig. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to embodiment 3. In Fig. 11, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the route guidance device 2 according to embodiment 3. In Fig. 12, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 10 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The route guidance device 2 includes a sensor signal acquisition unit 11 , a location identification unit 12 , a voice guidance data generation unit 13 , a voice output unit 14 , and a lighting control unit 18 .

The lighting control unit 18 is realized by, for example, a lighting control circuit 28 shown in FIG.
The lighting control unit 18 lights up an indicator light 44 that is part of the signage 4 when a visually impaired person operates a switch 41 for calling an attendant.
11, when a visually impaired person operates the switch 41 for calling an attendant, the lighting control unit 18 lights up the indicator light 44. However, this is merely one example, and the lighting control unit 18 may also be configured to light up the indicator light 44 when a sensor (not shown) that detects a facility user present around the signage 4 detects the facility user.

The route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 11 is one in which the lighting control unit 18 is applied to the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 2. However, this is merely one example, and the lighting control unit 18 may also be applied to the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 9.

11, it is assumed that each of the components of the route guidance device 2, that is, the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the location identification unit 12, the voice guidance data generation unit 13, the voice output unit 14, and the lighting control unit 18, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 12. In other words, it is assumed that the route guidance device 2 is realized by a sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, a location identification circuit 22, a voice guidance data generation circuit 23, a voice output circuit 24, and a lighting control circuit 28.
Each of the sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, the presence location identification circuit 22, the voice guidance data generation circuit 23, the voice output circuit 24 and the lighting control circuit 28 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

The components of the route guidance device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the route guidance device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
When the route guidance device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the location identification unit 12, the voice guidance data generation unit 13, the voice output unit 14, and the lighting control unit 18 is stored in a memory 31 shown in Fig. 4. Then, a processor 32 shown in Fig. 4 executes the route guidance program stored in the memory 31.

Furthermore, Fig. 12 shows an example in which each of the components of the route guidance device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 4 shows an example in which the route guidance device 2 is realized by software or firmware, etc. However, this is merely one example, and some of the components in the route guidance device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software or firmware, etc.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a signage 4 provided with a switch 41 for calling an attendant. In Fig. 13, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 5 denote the same or corresponding parts, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The indicator light 44 is provided above the display 43 , and its lighting is controlled by the lighting control unit 18 .
In the example of FIG. 13, the words "in use" are printed on the surface of the indicator lamp 44, and when the indicator lamp 44 is lit, the words "in use" are highlighted.
13, the indicator light 44 is provided on the upper part of the display 43. However, this is merely an example, and the indicator light 44 may be provided, for example, on the lower part of the display 43 or on the side of the display 43.

Next, the operation of the route guidance device 2 shown in Fig. 11 will be described. However, since the components other than the lighting control unit 18 are the same as those of the route guidance device 2 shown in Fig. 2, the operation of the lighting control unit 18 will be mainly described here.
When the visually impaired person operates the switch 41 for calling an attendant, the lighting control unit 18 lights up the indicator light 44. This allows facility users other than the visually impaired person who are present around the signage 4 to know that the visually impaired person is currently talking to a facility attendant via the signage 4.
The lighting control unit 18 turns off the indicator light 44 when the conversation between the visually impaired person and the attendant ends.

In the above-described third embodiment, the route guidance device 2 is configured to include a lighting control unit 18 that lights up a part of the signage 4 when the switch 41 for calling an attendant is operated by a visually impaired person. Therefore, the route guidance device 2 can make facility users other than the visually impaired person who are present in the vicinity of the signage 4 aware that the visually impaired person is currently talking to a facility attendant.

Embodiment 4.
In the fourth embodiment, a route guidance device 2 including a voice guidance data receiving unit 20 that receives voice guidance data from an information processing device 6 will be described.
Fig. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a route guidance device 2 according to embodiment 4. In Fig. 14, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2, Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 15 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the route guidance device 2 according to embodiment 4. In Fig. 15, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The route guidance device 2 includes a sensor signal acquisition unit 11, a signal transmission unit 19, a voice guidance data reception unit 20, and a voice output unit 14.

The signal transmitting unit 19 is realized by, for example, a signal transmitting circuit 29 shown in FIG.
The signal transmitting unit 19 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal acquiring unit 11 .
The signal transmitting unit 19 transmits the sensor signal to the information processing device 6 via a wireless line or a wired line.

The voice guidance data receiving unit 20 is realized by, for example, a voice guidance data receiving circuit 30 shown in FIG.
After the information processing device 6 identifies the location where the visually impaired person is located based on a sensor signal, the voice guidance data receiving unit 20 receives voice guidance data from the information processing device 6 to provide voice guidance on the route from the identified location to the destination within the facility.
The voice guidance data receiving unit 20 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 14 .

The route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 14 is one in which the signal transmission unit 19 and the voice guidance data receiving unit 20 are each applied to the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 2. However, this is merely one example, and the signal transmission unit 19 and the voice guidance data receiving unit 20 may each be applied to the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 9 or the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 11.

14, it is assumed that each of the components of the route guidance device 2, that is, the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the signal transmission unit 19, the voice guidance data reception unit 20, and the voice output unit 14, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 15. In other words, it is assumed that the route guidance device 2 is realized by the sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, the signal transmission circuit 29, the voice guidance data reception circuit 30, and the voice output circuit 24.
Each of the sensor signal acquisition circuit 21, the signal transmission circuit 29, the voice guidance data receiving circuit 30 and the voice output circuit 24 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

The components of the route guidance device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the route guidance device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
When the route guidance device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the sensor signal acquisition unit 11, the signal transmission unit 19, the voice guidance data reception unit 20, and the voice output unit 14 is stored in a memory 31 shown in Fig. 4. Then, a processor 32 shown in Fig. 4 executes the route guidance program stored in the memory 31.

Furthermore, Fig. 15 shows an example in which each of the components of the route guidance device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 4 shows an example in which the route guidance device 2 is realized by software or firmware, etc. However, this is merely one example, and some of the components in the route guidance device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software or firmware, etc.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing device 6 according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of an information processing device 6 according to the fourth embodiment.
The information processing device 6 shown in FIG. 16 includes a sensor signal receiving unit 51, a location identifying unit 52, a voice guidance data generating unit 53, and a voice guidance data transmitting unit .

The sensor signal receiving unit 51 is realized by, for example, a sensor signal receiving circuit 61 shown in FIG.
The sensor signal receiving unit 51 receives a sensor signal transmitted from the route guidance device 2 .
The sensor signal receiving unit 51 outputs the sensor signal to the presence position identifying unit 52 .

The location identifying unit 52 is realized by, for example, a location identifying circuit 62 shown in FIG.
The presence position identifying unit 52 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal receiving unit 51 .
The location identifying unit 52 identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal.
Position information of the sensor 1-n related to the identification information included in the sensor signal is stored in the internal memory of the presence position identification unit 52. The presence position identification unit 52 determines that the position indicated by the position information of the sensor 1-n related to the identification information is the position where a visually impaired person is present.
The location identifying unit 52 outputs location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present to the voice guidance data generating unit 53 .

The voice guidance data generating unit 53 is realized by, for example, a voice guidance data generating circuit 63 shown in FIG.
The voice guidance data generating unit 53 acquires, from the location identifying unit 52, location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The voice guidance data generating unit 53 generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position indicated by the position information to the destination within the facility.
The voice guidance data generating unit 53 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice guidance data transmitting unit 54 .

The voice guidance data transmitting unit 54 is realized by, for example, a voice guidance data transmitting circuit 64 shown in FIG.
The voice guidance data transmitting unit 54 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generating unit 53 .
The voice guidance data transmission unit 54 transmits the voice guidance data to the route guidance device 2 via a wireless line or a wired line.

16, it is assumed that the components of the information processing device 6, that is, the sensor signal receiving unit 51, the presence location identifying unit 52, the voice guidance data generating unit 53, and the voice guidance data transmitting unit 54, are each realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 17. That is, it is assumed that the information processing device 6 is realized by the sensor signal receiving circuit 61, the presence location identifying circuit 62, the voice guidance data generating circuit 63, and the voice guidance data transmitting circuit 64.
Each of the sensor signal receiving circuit 61, the location identification circuit 62, the voice guidance data generation circuit 63 and the voice guidance data transmission circuit 64 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

The components of the information processing device 6 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the information processing device 6 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
FIG. 18 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer in the case where the information processing device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like.
When the information processing device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the sensor signal receiving unit 51, the presence position identifying unit 52, the voice guidance data generating unit 53, and the voice guidance data transmitting unit 54 is stored in the memory 71. Then, a processor 72 of the computer executes the information processing program stored in the memory 71.

Furthermore, Fig. 17 shows an example in which each of the components of the information processing device 6 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 18 shows an example in which the information processing device 6 is realized by software or firmware, etc. However, this is merely one example, and some of the components in the information processing device 6 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software or firmware, etc.

Next, the operation of the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 14 and the operation of the information processing device 6 shown in FIG. 16 will be described.
The sensor signal acquisition unit 11 of the route guidance device 2 acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors 1-1 to 1-N, ie, the sensor 1-n.
The sensor signal acquiring unit 11 outputs the sensor signal to the signal transmitting unit 19 .

The signal transmitting unit 19 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal acquiring unit 11 .
The signal transmitting unit 19 transmits the sensor signal to the information processing device 6 via a wireless line or a wired line.
Examples of the wireless line include a telephone line, the Internet, or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), while examples of the wired line include a wired LAN or a communication cable.

The sensor signal receiving unit 51 of the information processing device 6 receives the sensor signal transmitted from the route guidance device 2 .
The sensor signal receiving unit 51 outputs the sensor signal to the presence position identifying unit 52 .

The location identification unit 52 of the information processing device 6 acquires the sensor signal from the sensor signal receiving unit 51 .
The location identification unit 52, like the location identification unit 12 of the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 2, refers to the identification information included in the sensor signal to identify the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being struck.
The internal memory of the location specifying unit 52 stores pairs of location information and identification information of the sensors 1-n (n=1, . . . , N).
The location identifying unit 52 acquires, from the internal memory, the location information of the sensor 1-n that detected the sound of the floor being struck, which corresponds to the identification information.

Here, the sensor 1-n is assumed to be realized by a sound sensor, but this is merely an example, and the sensor 1-n may be realized by, for example, a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, or an image sensor.
The location identifying unit 52 identifies the location where the visually impaired person is present based on the acquired location information.
Specifically, the presence location identifying unit 52 identifies the location indicated by the acquired location information as the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The location identifying unit 52 outputs location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present to the voice guidance data generating unit 53 .

The voice guidance data generating unit 53 of the information processing device 6 acquires, from the location identifying unit 52, location information indicating the location where the visually impaired person is present.
The voice guidance data generation unit 53, similar to the voice guidance data generation unit 13 of the route guidance device 2 shown in Figure 2, generates voice guidance data to provide voice guidance on the route from the location indicated by the location information to the installation location of the signage 4, which is the destination within the facility.
The voice guidance data generating unit 53 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice guidance data transmitting unit 54 .

The voice guidance data transmission unit 54 of the information processing device 6 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generation unit 53 .
The voice guidance data transmission unit 54 transmits the voice guidance data to the route guidance device 2 via a wireless line or a wired line.

The voice guidance data receiving unit 20 of the route guidance device 2 receives the voice guidance data from the information processing device 6 .
The voice guidance data receiving unit 20 outputs the voice guidance data to the voice output unit 14 .

The voice output unit 14 acquires the voice guidance data from the voice guidance data generating unit 13 .
The voice output unit 14 outputs the voice guidance data to the speaker 3-n, thereby causing the speaker 3-n to output voice for route guidance.
If the voice guidance data indicates that "signage 4 is located 10 meters to the left," the voice output unit 14 outputs a voice indicating that "signage 4 is located 10 meters to the left" from the speaker 3-n as a voice for route guidance.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 14 is configured to include a sensor signal acquisition unit 11 that acquires a sensor signal from any one of the sensors 1-n among one or more sensors 1-1 to 1-N for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person, and a signal transmission unit 19 that transmits the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit 11 to the information processing device 6. The route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 14 also includes a voice guidance data receiving unit 20 that receives voice guidance data from the information processing device 6 for providing voice guidance on a route from the identified position to a destination within a facility after the information processing device 6 identifies the location of the visually impaired person based on the sensor signal. Therefore, the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 14 can provide route guidance to a destination to a visually impaired person, similar to the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 2, regardless of whether the visually impaired person carries a mobile terminal. In addition, the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 14 does not need to perform a process of identifying the location of the visually impaired person and a process of generating voice guidance data, and therefore the processing load is reduced compared to the route guidance device 2 shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, this disclosure allows for any combination of the embodiments, any modification of any component of each embodiment, or any omission of any component of each embodiment.

The present disclosure is suitable for route guidance devices, information processing devices, route guidance methods and route guidance programs.

1-1 to 1-N sensors, 2 route guidance device, 3-1 to 3-N speakers, 4 signage, 5-1 to 5-N microphones, 6 information processing device, 11 sensor signal acquisition unit, 12 presence location identification unit, 13 voice guidance data generation unit, 14 voice output unit, 15 ambient sound collection unit, 16 voice guidance data generation unit, 17 voice output unit, 18 lighting control unit, 19 signal transmission unit, 20 voice guidance data reception unit, 21 sensor signal acquisition circuit, 22 presence location identification circuit, 23 voice guidance data generation circuit, 24 voice output circuit, 25 ambient sound collection circuit, 26 voice guidance data generation circuit, 27 voice output circuit, 28 lighting control circuit, 29 signal transmission circuit, 30 voice guidance data reception circuit, 31 memory, 32 processor, 41 attendant call switch, 42-1 to 42-M contact sensor, 43 display, 44 Indicator light, 51 sensor signal receiving unit, 52 presence position identifying unit, 53 voice guidance data generating unit, 54 voice guidance data transmitting unit, 61 sensor signal receiving circuit, 62 presence position identifying circuit, 63 voice guidance data generating circuit, 64 voice guidance data transmitting circuit, 71 memory, 72 processor.

Claims (14)

a sensor signal acquisition unit that acquires a sensor signal from any one of a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person;
a presence location identification unit that identifies a location of a sensor that has detected the presence of the visually impaired person among the plurality of sensors as a location where the visually impaired person is present based on the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit;
a voice guidance data generating unit that generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the location identified by the location identifying unit to a destination within the facility;
a voice output unit that outputs the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit to a speaker,
the destination is a location where a signage in the facility is installed where a switch for calling an attendant is provided,
The route guidance device is characterized in that the voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the position identified by the presence position identification unit to the installation position of the signage. The sensor includes:
a sound sensor that detects a sound of a floor surface being struck by the visually impaired person using a blind safety cane, and outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected sound to the sensor signal acquisition unit;
The location identification unit is
The route guidance device according to claim 1, characterized in that it recognizes the presence of the visually impaired person based on the sound indicated by the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit, and identifies the location where the visually impaired person is located based on the installation position of the sensor that output the sensor signal. The sensor includes:
a vibration sensor that detects vibrations on a floor surface when the visually impaired person hits the floor surface with a blind safety cane and outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected vibrations to the sensor signal acquisition unit;
The location identification unit is
The route guidance device according to claim 1, characterized in that it recognizes the presence of the visually impaired person based on vibrations indicated by the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit, and identifies the location of the visually impaired person based on the installation position of the sensor that output the sensor signal. The sensor includes:
a pressure sensor that detects pressure applied to a floor surface when the visually impaired person hits the floor surface using a blind safety cane and outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected pressure to the sensor signal acquisition unit;
The location identification unit is
The route guidance device according to claim 1, characterized in that it recognizes the presence of the visually impaired person based on the pressure indicated by the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit, and identifies the location where the visually impaired person is located based on the installation position of the sensor that output the sensor signal. The sensor includes:
an image sensor that images a monitoring area and outputs a sensor signal representing the image of the monitoring area to the sensor signal acquisition unit;
The location identification unit is
The route guidance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence of the visually impaired person is recognized based on an image indicated by the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit, and the location where the visually impaired person is located is identified based on the position of the monitoring area. The sensor includes:
a laser sensor that detects a trajectory of a blind safety cane on a floor surface and outputs a sensor signal indicating the detected trajectory to the sensor signal acquisition unit;
The location identification unit is
The route guidance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence of the visually impaired person is recognized based on the trajectory indicated by the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit, and the location where the visually impaired person is located is identified based on the installation position of the sensor that output the sensor signal. An ambient sound collection unit that collects ambient sounds around a position where the visually impaired person is present,
The voice guidance data generating unit
In addition to generating the voice guidance data, an obstructing sound data is generated which indicates an obstructing sound which is a sound for reducing the surrounding sound collected by the surrounding sound collecting unit,
The audio output unit is
2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein in addition to outputting the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit to the speaker, obstructive sound data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit is output to the speaker. The route guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising a lighting control unit that lights up a part of the signage when the visually impaired person operates the switch for calling an attendant. The signage is provided with a contact sensor that detects contact of the visually impaired person with the signage,
The voice guidance data generating unit
2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of generating voice guidance data for providing voice guidance regarding the relative position of said switch for calling said attendant with respect to said contact sensor. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is embedded in a braille block laid on a floor surface. a sensor signal acquisition unit that acquires a sensor signal from any one of a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person;
a signal transmission unit that transmits the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit to an information processing device;
a voice guidance data receiving unit that receives, after the information processing device identifies, based on the sensor signal, the position of a sensor that has detected the presence of the visually impaired person among the plurality of sensors as the position where the visually impaired person is present, voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the identified position to a destination within a facility;
a voice output unit that outputs the voice guidance data received by the voice guidance data receiving unit to a speaker, the destination being a location of a signage installed in the facility where a switch for calling an attendant is provided,
The route guidance device is characterized in that the voice guidance data receiving unit receives voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the specified position to a position where the signage is installed. a sensor signal receiving unit that receives a sensor signal transmitted from the route guidance device;
a presence location identification unit that identifies, as a location where a visually impaired person is present, a location of a sensor that has detected the presence of the visually impaired person among a plurality of sensors based on the sensor signal received by the sensor signal receiving unit;
a voice guidance data generating unit that generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the location identified by the location identifying unit to a destination within the facility;
a voice guidance data transmission unit that transmits the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generation unit to the route guidance device,
the destination is a location where a signage in the facility is installed where a switch for calling an attendant is provided,
The information processing device, characterized in that the voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the position identified by the presence position identification unit to an installation position of the signage. A route guidance method performed by an apparatus including a sensor signal acquisition unit, a location identification unit, a voice guidance data generation unit, and a voice output unit,
the sensor signal acquisition unit acquires a sensor signal from any one of a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person;
the presence location identification unit identifies, as a location where the visually impaired person is present, a location of a sensor that detected the presence of the visually impaired person among the plurality of sensors based on the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit;
the voice guidance data generating unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the location identified by the location identifying unit to a destination within the facility; the voice output unit outputs the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generating unit to a speaker;
the destination is a location where a signage in the facility is installed where a switch for calling an attendant is provided,
The route guidance method, characterized in that the voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on the route from the position identified by the presence position identification unit to the installation position of the signage. a signal acquisition process step in which a sensor signal acquisition unit acquires a sensor signal from any one of a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of a visually impaired person;
a location identification process step in which a presence location identification unit identifies, as a location where the visually impaired person is present, a location of a sensor that has detected the presence of the visually impaired person among the plurality of sensors based on the sensor signal acquired by the signal acquisition process step;
a data generation process in which a voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the position identified by the position identification process to a destination within the facility;
a voice output processing procedure in which a voice output unit outputs the voice guidance data generated by the voice guidance data generating unit to a speaker,
the destination is a location where a signage in the facility is installed where a switch for calling an attendant is provided,
A route guidance program characterized in that the voice guidance data generation unit generates voice guidance data for providing voice guidance on a route from the position identified by the location identification unit to the installation position of the signage.

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