JPH02190888A - Personal guidance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To deal with each of many visitors by allowing each of the visitors to carry a reproducing unit, receiving a code peculiar to each exhibit by radio and reproducing the corresponding explanation speech, etc. CONSTITUTION:A transmitting means 10 sends out repeatedly and continuously code information allocated to each exhibit by a feeble radio wave 20 which reaches only a limited range. On the other hand, in a recording medium 90, an explanation speech, etc., of each exhibit are recorded as one unit, and it is stored in a reproducing device 30 together with a reproducing part 110 for reproducing the explanation speech, etc. In this state, the reproducing part 110 reproduces the explanation speech, etc. corresponding to each exhibit, and informs them to a visitor who is carrying the reproducing device 30. Accordingly, it can be executed to listen to the explanation from the head and not to listen to an undesired explanation without being influenced by an arrival timing to an exhibition place. Thus, it can be dealt with each of many visitors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a personal guidance system using an optical disk or the like, and particularly to a system suitable for providing guidance to each individual using audio and a simple display device.

[Conventional technology]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For example, the following system is well known as an audio explanation device for exhibits for visitors at various museums, art galleries, and exhibition halls. When it is detected that a visitor has come in front of an exhibit, or periodically, an explanatory audio of the exhibit recorded in advance on an audio cassette tape or the like is repeatedly played from a loudspeaker, or when a visitor is in front of the exhibit. There are several telephone receivers installed, and when a visitor picks up the receiver and presses it to their ear, there is also a device that plays an audio explanation.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Among the conventional technologies mentioned above, the former system, which uses loudspeakers to give explanations to multiple visitors in parallel, may not be able to hear the explanation audio from the beginning depending on the timing of arrival at the exhibition location, or it may be difficult to view the exhibits quietly. For some people, it may actually be a hindrance. On the other hand, the latter system using handsets solves the above-mentioned problems, but the number of handsets that can be installed is limited by the exhibition space.
There was a problem in that it was not possible to handle situations such as when a large number of visitors flooded in.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to make it possible to listen to explanations from the beginning regardless of the timing of arrival at the exhibition location, and to avoid hearing explanations that are not desired.
Moreover, the object is to provide a personal guidance system that can individually accommodate even a large number of visitors.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting code information different from each other, receiving code information transmitted from the nearest transmitting means, and selecting from pre-stored information. and reproducing means for reproducing information corresponding to the code information.

The above purpose is to provide a transmitting means (transmitting means) for transmitting code information unique to each exhibit to the vicinity of each exhibit, a recording medium on which explanatory audio, etc. is recorded in advance, and a code information that is the output information of the transmitting means. a receiving means that receives information according to a user's instructions, a decoder means that specifies an area in the recording medium to be reproduced based on code information that is output information of the receiving means, and an explanatory audio etc. specified by the decoder means. This can be effectively achieved by providing a reproducing section for reproducing the information, and incorporating the parts other than the transmitting means into a single portable reproducing device.

[Effect]

The transmission method uses weak radio waves that can only reach a limited range.
Code information assigned to each individual exhibit is sent repeatedly. On the other hand, the recording medium records explanatory audio and the like for each exhibit as one unit, and is stored in a reproducing device together with a reproducing section that reproduces the explanatory audio and the like. This reproducing device also incorporates receiving means, decoder means, etc. Here, the receiving means receives and demodulates the radio waves from the transmitting means and supplies them as code information to the decoder means. The decoder means uses a table or the like to search for which region of the recording medium the code information corresponds to, such as commentary audio, etc., and supplies a signal specifying the region to the reproducing section. Thereby, the playback section plays back explanatory audio etc. corresponding to each exhibit, and notifies the person carrying the playback device.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the personal guidance system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 10 is a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits a preset code number, and 20 is a transmitting unit that sends a weak signal with a range of about 10 m. It's radio waves. Further, 30 is a portable reproduction unit that reproduces audio data etc. recorded in advance on an optical disk etc., 40 is a receiving unit that receives and demodulates the weak radio waves 20, 50 is the demodulated code number, and 60 is the code number 50. A decoder unit specifies the area of the optical disc to be reproduced based on the area, MA0 is the area designation signal, 80 is the optical disc fluctuation control unit, 90 is the optical disc, 100 is the reproduction data from the optical disc 9o, 110 is the reproduction data 100 An audio playback unit performs expansion, digital-to-analog (DA) conversion, etc., 120 is an analog playback output signal, and 130 is playback.

This is an operation switch that controls stopping.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the reproduction unit 30 and the environment in which it is used. Among the components in Figure 2, the first
Items that are the same as those in the figure are given the same numbers. In FIG. Among the newly described components, 41 is a receiving antenna of the reproduction unit 30, 140 is an earphone, and 150 is a receiving antenna of the reproduction unit 30.
is the volume knob, and 160α to 160c are the display stands where exhibits are placed.

One transmitting unit 10 (α to C) is incorporated in each.

Different code numbers are modulated from each of the transmitting units 10α to 10c, and the weak radio waves 20c to 20
It is transmitted as c. - In the unlikely event that the playback unit 30 is in a form that each user can carry around, when the operation switch 130 is pressed in front of a certain exhibition stand, the receiving antenna 41 transmits a weak radio wave 20 carrying a coat number unique to the exhibition stand. After being captured and demodulated by the receiving section 40 in FIG. 1, it is passed to the decoder section 60 as a digital code number 5o. The decoder unit 60 determines in which area of the optical disc 90 the explanatory audio corresponding to the code number 50 is stored, based on the code number 50 received by the receiver, with reference to a conversion table stored in a non-volatile memory in advance. A region designation signal 70 instructing reproduction of the region is given to the drive control section 80. When the operation switch 130 is turned on in the non-reproduction state, the drive control section 80 reads the area designation signal 70 and transfers the data in the designated area on the optical disk 90 to the audio reproduction section 110 as reproduction data 100. The operation switch 130 generates an input timing pulse and is normally in an off state. If the operation switch 130 is pressed during playback, the drive control unit 80 detects this and moves the optical disc 90
interrupts the playback operation. The audio playback unit 110 determines whether the playback data 100 is audio compressed data or uncompressed data, and if it is compressed data, it is decompressed and then DA-converted; if it is uncompressed data, it is directly DA-converted. The signal is converted and output as an amplified reproduced output signal 120. The reproduced output signal 120 is output as audio from the earphone 140 shown in FIG.

Next, using FIG. 3, the receiver 4 in the reproduction unit 30
0, the configuration and operation of the decoder section 60 and the audio reproduction section 110 will be explained in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reproduction unit 30, and the constituent elements already shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are given the same reference numerals. The newly described components are: 41 a receiving antenna, 42 a demodulator, 43 an analog-to-digital (AD) converter, 111
112 is a DA converter, 113 is an amplifier,
170 is a microprocessor (hereinafter abbreviated as MPU) with built-in system memory etc., 180 is MPU 170
The pass line 190 is a non-volatile memory 190.

First, in the receiving section 40, the aforementioned weak radio wave 20 is received by the receiving antenna 41, and detected and demodulated in the demodulating section 42. When the demodulated signal is digitally converted by the AD converter 43, a code number 50 unique to each exhibit transmitted from the aforementioned transmitting unit 10 is obtained. Next, the decoder section 6o is mainly composed of an MPU 170 and a nonvolatile memory 190.

The operation first involves reading into the nonvolatile memory 190 a conversion table that has been recorded in advance in a fixed area of the optical disc 90 and converts the code number 50 into the area designation signal 70.
This means that when the optical disk 90 is installed, the MPU 17
0 detects this and instructs the drive control section 80 to transfer the data in the fixed area to a predetermined address in the nonvolatile memory 190 via the pass line 180. - The conversion table read once is stored as long as the optical disc is loaded. Then, when the aforementioned operation switch 130 is turned on, the MPU 1
70 detects it and reads the code number 50,
Using this information, the conversion table in the nonvolatile memory 190 is searched, and the area in the optical disk 90 where the corresponding audio data (information) is stored is known. Based on the area information, the MPU 170 provides the drive control unit 80 with an area designation signal 70 that designates the area to be reproduced.

The drive control section 80 receives the designation signal 70.

The audio data in the corresponding area of the optical disc 90 is transmitted to the audio playback unit 1.
It is given to the audio decompression unit 111 in 10. Audio expansion section x11
Then, the header part of the received data is identified, it is determined whether or not it is compressed audio data, and if it is compressed audio data, it is passed through the decompression circuit, otherwise it is directly input to the DA converter 112,
Obtain an analog audio signal. This analog audio signal is input to the amplifier 113, the output signal level is adjusted according to the state of the volume knob 150, and the output signal is given to the earphone 140 as a reproduced output signal 120 to become audible audio.

If each visitor to a museum, etc. is provided with a playback unit such as the one described above, each person can listen to the audio explanation of the exhibit they are currently viewing from the beginning when they arrive, allowing them to listen to part of the explanation. You won't lose anything or have to wait until the next commentary begins.

You can also avoid listening to unnecessary explanations.

Next, the second embodiment of the personal guidance system of the present invention will be explained in the fourth embodiment.
This will be explained using figures.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment, in which the following components are added to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Reference numeral 200 denotes a mode setting key 210, which is a data separation unit that divides playback data into audio data or display data, and 220, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter abbreviated as LCD).

), an LCD control unit 230 is an LCD that can display simple characters and graphics.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained focusing on the added parts.

First, the mode setting keys 200 are composed of a level selection key, a language selection key, and an execution key.

The level selection key is used to register the user's level of expertise, allowing users to obtain explanations tailored to their level in the form of audio, text, and graphics. Further, the language selection key is used to select a language to be used for explanations desired by the user.

Specifically, when the level selection key is pressed once, the types of levels prepared on the screen of the LCD 230 are displayed in letters, such as "upper" and "middle".

The menu will be displayed as shown below. Further, each time the level selection key is pressed once, the above three characters are displayed in black and white inverted one by one. If you press the ENTER key when the desired level character is highlighted, it will be registered and displayed on the LCD 230.
displayed at the bottom of the page.

To select a language, first press the language selection key and then perform the same operation; for example, "Japanese" or "English".

When you select one of the displayed menus, such as "French Edict" and "Chinese," it is registered and displayed along with the specialty level at the bottom of the LCD 230.

The above operations are mainly performed by the MPU 170. That is, when the level selection key is pressed, the MPU 170 detects this and writes the character string necessary to configure the menu screen into the display memory in the LCD control section 220.

Then, the LCD control unit 220 develops and displays it as a screen on the LCD 230. MPU also displays black and white inversion
170 is realized by rewriting the data in the display memory. When the execution key is pressed, MPU 170 detects the currently highlighted character and stores its level information at a predetermined address in nonvolatile memory 190. A similar process is performed for language selection, and the result is also stored at another fixed address in non-volatile memory 190.

Next, the operation of reproducing data on the optical disc 90 based on such registration information will be explained.

A conversion table is read into the non-volatile memory 190, which searches the corresponding explanatory information storage area in the optical disc 90 from the code number of the exhibit when the optical disc 90 is mounted, as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, the number of conversion tables is equal to the combination of the number of professional levels and the number of language types. Then, when receiving the court number 50, the MPU 170 first checks the professional level and language registered in the nonvolatile memory 190, and
Using a corresponding one of the plurality of conversion tables, the area of the optical disc 90 in which the data to be reproduced is stored is known.

The MPU 170 controls the sleep control unit 8 to reproduce the area.
When 0 is specified, the data in the specified area is transferred to the data separation unit 210. The data separation section 210 decodes the header part of the transferred data, and transfers the data to the audio reproduction section 110 if it is audio data, and to the LCD control section 220 if it is display data. The processing of audio data is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

On the other hand, the display data is written to the display memory in the LCD control unit 220 as image data, and the display data is displayed on the LCD 23.
Displayed as characters and figures on the 0 screen. LCD 2
30, when the operation switch 130 is turned on, the code number 50 being received and the name of the corresponding exhibit are also displayed. This is because the conversion table in the nonvolatile memory 190 includes the code information as well as the name, and the MPU 170 writes this information into the LCD control section 220.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the optimal explanation in the user's native language among those prepared in advance according to the level of expertise of each user, and
Since multifaceted expressions can be made using letters and figures in addition to audio, explanations can be made easier to understand and user-friendliness can be improved.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to immediately check on the screen which exhibit's code number has been received, so even if the code or number of an adjacent exhibit is received incorrectly due to the orientation of the antenna, etc., it can be detected immediately. to receive the correct code number again.

A third embodiment of the personal guidance system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The configuration is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 4, so the explanation will be omitted, except that the mode setting key 200 also includes numeric keys.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the reproduction unit 30 according to this embodiment, and in FIG. 5, 240 is a keyboard consisting of operation switches, mode setting keys, and numeric keys. The other components are 1. Since it has already been explained in the second embodiment, it will be omitted here.

The keyboard 240 corresponds to numeric keys from 0 to 9, a level selection key included in the mode setting key 200 described in the second embodiment, a language selection key execution key, and the operation switch 130 described above. It consists of a start/stop key and a navigation key that you press when you need directions.

Next, the flow of operation of this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing reproduction/registration processing performed by the MPU 170 in response to key input.

First, regarding the level selection key and language selection key,
It works almost the same as the example above, but when selecting the menu,
The difference is that the desired item can be selected more directly using the number keys and execution key. The start/stop key has the same function as the operation switch 130 described above, but when pressed manually, the input value of the number key is regarded as the code number of the exhibit, and the corresponding explanation is reproduced.

As a result, even if you are far from the exhibition site, you can view the explanation of the desired exhibit as long as you have the code number table. This code number table can also be stored in the optical disc 90 and searched on the screen of the LCD 230. Additionally, if you accidentally select a code number that does not exist, you will be notified by voice and text.

Finally, the functions of the navigation keys will be explained.

When you get lost in the venue, when you press the navigation key, the playback unit 30 learns the code number of the nearest power A water product from the receiving antenna 41, and displays a guide map of the entire venue and the current location on the LCD 230. do. Next, press the navigation key and enter the code number of the exhibit you want to see.

Finally, by inputting the execution key, the exhibition location of the desired exhibit will be displayed on the screen of the LCD 230, superimposed on the guide map of the venue and the current location.

According to this embodiment, the code number of the exhibit or the item number of the menu can be directly entered using the numerical keys, so the desired explanation can be obtained even outside the exhibition area, menu selection is easy, and Usability is further improved because guidance functions and the like can be added.

In the above three embodiments, the medium for storing explanatory information etc. has been described as an optical disk, but this may be a CD-ROM,
It may be a write-once optical disk, a rewritable optical disk, etc., or it may be a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, IC card, etc. as long as it has sufficient storage capacity and searchability and is compact.

Furthermore, for convenience's sake, we have explained that the code numbers for each exhibit are transmitted by radio waves from a unit built into each exhibit's stand. The essence of the present invention does not change in any way even if it is transported.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, each user (visitor) carries a playback unit, wirelessly receives a code unique to each exhibit, and plays the corresponding explanatory audio, etc. You can freely choose whether or not you would like an explanation for each exhibit and when to start viewing it, so even if it's a little crowded, you won't have to line up in front of the commentary equipment or wait until the first commentary starts. This allows you to conduct tours more efficiently.

Additionally, since no loudspeakers are used, users can tour in a quieter environment.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the personal guidance system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view showing the first embodiment of the present invention described in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the second embodiment of the personal guidance system of the present invention, showing the main parts thereof. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the personal guidance system of the present invention. It is an external view showing the main part. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Code number transmission unit, 30... Reproduction unit, 40... Receiving part, 60... Decoder part, 8
0... Drive control unit, 90... Optical disk, 110.
...Audio playback section, 130...Operation switch, 170.
・MPU, 190 ・Non-volatile memory, 220 ・・
-LCD control unit, 230...LCD.躬1's P 2 Mouth l Kei/d0 E1 tyc r1 payout, Power Jiao No. 1 concave country dO, P + 5 unit r 躬

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting code information different from each other, and receiving the code information sent from the nearest transmitting means, and selecting the code from among pre-stored information. A personal guidance system comprising a reproduction means for reproducing information corresponding to the information. 2. The reproduction means includes a reception means for receiving and demodulating the code information, a storage means for storing reproduction information corresponding to the code information in advance, and searching information in the storage means according to the code information. A claim characterized by comprising: a retrieval means for outputting information from the storage means, an output means for notifying the output information of the storage means to the outside, and an input means for supplying instruction information such as a start mode, a stop mode, an operation mode, etc. to the playback means. The personal guidance system described in Section 1. 3. The personal guidance system according to claim 2, wherein the search means changes information in the storage means to be reproduced based on user attribute information set in advance by the input means.