JP2001155218A - Information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information terminal equipment with good operability regardless of the height of a user and the use of a wheelchair by supporting an operation means so that it freely turns or vertically moves. SOLUTION: A display/operation means 14 for operating information terminal equipment, a rotary knob 40 or upper/lower switches 42 being instruction means giving the instruction of the change of the height or the elevation of the display/ operation means 14 and a means changing the height or the elevation of the display/operation means based on the instruction from the instruction means are included in the information terminal equipment. Thus, the much more users can easily operate information terminal equipment regardless of the height of the user and the use of the wheelchair.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal device, and more particularly to a self-operating information terminal device installed on a street, in a store, an amusement facility, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A terminal device for easily obtaining information on a street, in a store, or in a store is installed. This terminal device generally comprises information processing means, display means, operation means, and information output means (display or printing means).

[0003] Since this terminal device is intended for use while a person of a height higher than that of a general high school student is standing, a display device and an operation panel are fixed at a relatively high position.

An automatic transaction apparatus which recognizes that a terminal is used by a visually impaired person, guides the operation method and the coordinates of an effective touch area by voice from a voice output device, and prompts the use of the terminal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7-21444. No. in the official gazette.

[0005]

In the case of a conventional information terminal device, a short person including a young user or a person using a wheelchair or the like is required to use the operation means and display means of the information terminal device. There was a problem that the location was too high, which caused support for use.

In addition, not only the height of the operating means but also the equipment of the information terminal device when used in a wheelchair interferes with the user's feet, so the operating means must be operated from a remote position. , And the display means is difficult to see.

In the automatic transaction apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-21444, only measures for visually impaired persons are taken.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an information terminal device that can be easily operated by more users regardless of the height of the user, use of a wheelchair, or the like. It is intended to be.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is installed on a street or in a store.
In an information terminal device used by an arbitrary user, an operation unit for operating the information terminal device, an instruction unit for instructing a change in a height or an elevation angle of the operation unit, and an instruction from the instruction unit. Means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operating means based on the information.

According to the present invention, an operation means for operating the information terminal device, an instruction means for instructing a change in the height or the elevation angle of the operation means, and the operation means based on an instruction from the instruction means Means for changing the height or elevation angle of the information terminal device, so that more users can easily operate the information terminal device regardless of the user's height, use of a wheelchair, or the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved.
According to the invention described in (1), in an information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, operating means for operating the information terminal device, and height detecting means for detecting the height of the user And means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operation means based on the height of the user detected by the height detection means so that the height or elevation angle is easy for the user to operate. Features.

According to the present invention, an operation means for operating the information terminal device, a height detection means for detecting the height of the user, and the use based on the height of the user detected by the height detection means Means for changing the height or the elevation angle of the operating means so that the height or the elevation angle is easy for the user to operate, so that regardless of the height of the user, use of a wheelchair, etc., more users Can easily operate the information terminal device.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ninth aspect.
According to the invention described in (1), in an information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, operating means for operating the information terminal device, and changing the height or elevation angle of the operating means And a mechanism for transmitting the operating force from the handle to change the height or elevation angle of the operating means.

According to the present invention, the operating means for operating the information terminal device, the handle for changing the height or the elevation angle of the operating means, and the operating force transmitted from the handle are transmitted to the operating means. And a mechanism for changing the height or elevation angle of the information terminal device, so that more users can easily operate the information terminal device regardless of the user's height, use of a wheelchair, or the like.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the information terminal device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an information terminal device to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, an information terminal device 10 displays information and the like obtained through a network 12, and has a display / operation means 14 constituted by a touch panel.
, A speaker 16 for outputting audio information, printers 18 and 19 for printing out necessary information, a coin insertion slot 20 for inserting a charge for use, and a return slot 22 for returning change and the like. I have.

In order to improve the operability in accordance with the height of the user, the display / operation means 14 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation support means 24 in the θ direction (hereinafter referred to as the elevation angle direction). In addition, it is configured to be movable in the H direction (hereinafter, referred to as the vertical direction) by the vertical movement support means 26. Direct display and operating means 1
4 can be considered as a manual driving method in which a user moves the hand 4 manually or an automatic driving method. In addition, the automatic driving method includes a manual remote driving method in which a user adjusts to a desired position by operating an operation button or the like, and the information terminal device 10 detects the height of the user and the use of a wheelchair. There is a fully automatic driving method in which the user makes adjustment without any operation.

The information terminal device 10 has a display / operation means 14
, A power source for automatically driving the motor in the elevation direction, a linear motion mechanism 32 for converting the rotational motion of the motor 30 into a linear motion, A link 34 is provided for converting into a pivoting movement. Therefore, when the rotation shaft of the motor 30 rotates, the display / operation means 14 makes a rotational movement in the elevation direction. The angle of inclination in the elevation direction can be uniquely obtained by the output code of the pulse generator provided in the motor 30.

A motor 36, which is a power source for automatically driving the display / operation means 14 in the vertical direction, and a linear motion mechanism 38 for converting the rotational motion of the motor 36 into a linear motion are provided. . Therefore, when the rotating shaft of the motor 36 rotates, the display / operation means 14 moves in the vertical direction.
The vertical movement position can be uniquely obtained by the output code of the pulse generator provided in the motor 36.

On the front of the information terminal device 10, the display
A rotary knob 40, which is an instruction unit for manually remote-driving the operation unit 14 in the elevation direction, and an up / down switch 42, which is an instruction unit for manually and vertically driving the operation unit 14, are provided on the front surface of the information terminal device 10. ing. Further, the information terminal device 10 is provided with height detecting means 44, 44, 44 for measuring the height of the user, and wheelchair sensors 46, 46 for detecting the approach of the wheelchair. If a non-contact type sensor such as a photoelectric type or an ultrasonic type is used as the height detecting means 44, 44, 44, the operation of the user is not hindered. As the wheelchair sensors 46, 46, metal sensors may be used in addition to the non-contact sensors. Further, a touch sensor 48 for detecting that a part of the user's body or the like touches when the display / operation means 14 is automatically driven is provided in a part of the movable part.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing device in the information terminal device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control means 50 of the information terminal device 10 communicates with the network server 52 through the network 12 and the network server 53 through the network of the public line 56. That can connect a modem 58 and input / output means such as a floppy disk and a memory card.
SII / F60 and C controlling overall information terminal device 10
A PU 62, a ROM 64 storing programs for operating the CPU 62, various constants, and the like;
A RAM 66 serving as a storage unit used as a work area when performing processing, a hard disk 68 serving as a storage unit capable of reading a large amount of data, printers 18 and 19,
A touch panel control unit 70 for controlling and managing input information on the touch panel of the display / operation unit 14; a display control unit 72 for managing and controlling the display information;
Motor 30 for driving the motor in the elevation direction and the vertical direction,
A motor driver 74 that can control the pulse generator 36 and detect and control the value of the pulse generator, and monitors the status of input devices such as the rotary knob 40, the up / down switch 42, the height detecting means 44, and the wheelchair sensor 46. And an I / O 76 for controlling the speaker 16. Each of the above peripheral devices is connected to the bus 78, and is configured to be controllable by a command from the CPU 62. The control unit 50 controls the elevation angle and the vertical movement of the display / operation unit 14.

The information terminal device 10 configured as described above
The operation of will be described.

In the initial state of the information terminal device 10, the display / display
Information such as a commercial screen, a use procedure of this apparatus, and a use amount is displayed on the operation unit 14. When the user inserts a prescribed usage fee into the coin insertion slot 20, the information terminal device 10 becomes available. At this time, the automatic adjustment shown below is executed when the elevation and height automatic adjustment mode of the display / operation unit 14 is designated, but the elevation angle of the display / operation unit 14 is designated when the manual remote drive mode is designated. And automatic height adjustment is not performed.

The CPU 62 of the control means 50 includes an I / O 76
The information of the wheelchair sensors 46, 46 is read via the. When it is determined based on this information that the user is using a wheelchair, the CPU 62 causes the motor driver 74 to operate the motors 30 and 36, and the display / operation means 1
A command to set the inclination angle of the elevation angle and the height in the up-down direction at a predetermined position suitable for use in a wheelchair is output, and the fully automatic setting operation is started. When the position of the display / operation means 14 reaches a predetermined position, the motor driver 74
A signal indicating that the fully automatic setting operation has been completed is issued to the PU 62.

Also, during the fully automatic setting operation, the touch sensor 4
8, when the contact signal is input, the I / O 76
The CPU 62 instructs the PU 62 to issue an emergency interrupt, and the CPU 62 that recognizes the interrupt issues an emergency stop command to the motor driver 74 to the motors 30 and 36, and prohibits any further driving in the direction in which the vehicle is currently driving. Output command. Therefore, when a contact signal is issued from the touch sensor 48, even if the rotary knob 40 or the up / down switch 42 is operated, only the direction opposite to the driving direction is moved until the emergency command is released. Can not be done.

In the above example, an example in which the driving direction is limited based on the contact signal obtained from the touch sensor 48 has been described. However, an increase in the driving force of the motors 30 and 36 due to the contact is detected (such as overload detection). ) To restrict the driving direction.

If it is determined from the information of the wheelchair sensors 46, 46 that the user is not using a wheelchair, the CP
U62 is provided with height detecting means 44, 44,
A process of reading the information of 44 is performed. Then, the CPU 62 displays and displays based on the information of the height detecting means 44, 44, 44.
The operating means 14 instructs the motor driver 74 to have a predetermined height. Then, the motor driver 74 operates the motors 30 and 36 to start a fully automatic setting operation for setting the inclination angle of the elevation angle of the display / operation means 14 and the height in the vertical direction. When the position of the display / operation means 14 reaches a predetermined position, a signal indicating that the fully automatic setting operation has been completed is sent from the motor driver 74 to the CPU 62. As described above, when a contact signal is input from the touch sensor 48 during the fully automatic setting operation, the CPU 6
2 is a motor driver 74 for urgently stopping the motors 30 and 36.
Command.

When the fully automatic setting operation is completed, manual remote drive becomes possible. When the rotary knob 40 or the up / down switch 42 is operated during manual remote driving, the I / O
O76 reads the operation status and transmits the operation information to the CPU 62. The CPU 62 outputs a drive signal based on the operation information to the motor driver 74. The motor driver 74 issues a command to drive the display / operation means 14 to the commanded driving direction or the commanded driving position.
0 and 36 are output. As in the case described above, when a contact signal is input from the touch sensor 48 during manual remote driving, the motor driver 74 is instructed to perform an emergency stop of the motors 30 and 36.

When the display / operation means 14 is set at an appropriate position for the user as described above, the user goes through the operations in order to obtain desired information while looking at the display / operation means 14. Start. If the information requested by the user is not inside the information terminal device 10, the information terminal device 10 connects to the network server 52 or 53 via the network I / F 54 or the modem 58 and reads necessary information. The read information is displayed on the display / operation means 14 and printed out from the printers 18 and 19 as necessary. As described above, the user can easily obtain necessary information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG.
0, a mechanism for rotating the display / operation means 14, a linear motion mechanism 32, and a link 34.
And a carriage 82 including a touch sensor 48 are configured to be vertically movable along the vertical movement support means 84. A counterweight 86 having substantially the same weight as the carriage 82 is provided inside the vertical movement support means 84. The carriage 82 and the counterweight 86 are connected by a timing belt 90 via a timing pulley 88. By rotating the timing pulley 88 connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 36, the carriage 82 and the display / operation unit 14 can be driven up and down. Further, a height detecting means 96 for measuring the height of a user 94 sitting in a wheelchair 92 is connected to the control means 50.

When the user starts using the information terminal device 10, the control means 50 reads the height information of the user obtained from the height detection means 96. Based on this information, the control unit 50 operates the motors 30 and 36 to automatically set the inclination angle of the elevation angle and the vertical height of the display / operation unit 14 to a position suitable for use. When the automatic setting is completed, the user can further instruct a manual remote operation via the display / operation means 14 to finely adjust the position of the display / operation means 14.

By configuring the information terminal device 10 as described above, not only the height of the operation means but also the equipment of the information terminal device does not interfere with the user's feet even when used in a wheelchair. Operability is improved.

In the above embodiment, the example of the touch panel in which the display means and the operation means are integrally configured has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display means and the operation means are separate. The object of the present invention is achieved even if the configuration is made as follows. When the display means and the operation means are provided in different housings, the elevation angle and the height of the display means and the operation means may be adjusted separately.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG.
The display / operation means 14 is provided with a handle 98
It is configured to be able to be rotated based on the operation force of. The mechanism for rotating the display / operation means 14 includes a handle 98, a linear motion mechanism 32, and a link 34.

The carriage 82 is configured to be vertically movable along the vertical movement support means 84. A counterweight 86 having substantially the same weight as the carriage 82 is provided inside the vertical movement support means 84, and the carriage 82 and the counterweight 86 are connected by a timing belt 90 via a timing pulley 88. Since the rotational force of the handle 99 is transmitted to the timing pulley 88, the timing pulley 88 is rotated by rotating the handle 99, and the carriage 82 and the display / display
The operation means 14 can be driven up and down.

[0040]

As described above, according to the information terminal device of the present invention, the operating means for operating the information terminal device, the instruction means for instructing the change of the height or the elevation angle of the operating means, Means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operation means based on an instruction from the instruction means, so that more users can use the information terminal device regardless of their height, use of a wheelchair, etc. Can be easily operated.

According to another aspect of the invention, an operating means for operating the information terminal device, a height detecting means for detecting the height of the user, and a height of the user detected by the height detecting means Means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operation means so as to have a height or elevation angle which is easy for the user to operate based on the height of the user, regardless of the height of the user, use of a wheelchair, etc. More users can easily operate the information terminal device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an operating means for operating the information terminal device, a handle for changing the height or elevation angle of the operating means, and an operating force from the handle are transmitted. And a mechanism for changing the height or elevation angle of the operating means, so that more users can easily operate the information terminal device regardless of the user's height, use of a wheelchair, or the like. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an information terminal device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing system in the information terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information terminal device, 12 ... Network, 14 ... Display / operation means, 20 ... Coin slot, 22 ... Return slot, 24
... Rotation support means, 26 ... Vertical movement support means, 30 ... Motor, 32 ... Linear mechanism, 34 ... Link, 36 ... Motor, 3
8 Linear motion mechanism, 40 Rotating knob, 42 Up / down switch, 44 Height detecting means, 46 Wheelchair sensor, 48
Touch sensor, 50 ... Control means, 52, 53 ... Network server, 54 ... Network I / F, 56 ... Public line, 58 ... Modem, 62 ... CPU, 80 ... Ceiling, 82 ...
Carriage, 84: Vertical movement support means, 92: Wheelchair, 9
4: User, 96: Height detection means, 98, 99: Handle

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, comprising: operating means for operating the information terminal device; and changing a height or an elevation angle of the operating means. An information terminal device comprising: instructing means for instructing; and means for changing a height or an elevation angle of the operating means based on an instruction from the instructing means. 2. An information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, comprising: operating means for operating the information terminal device; and height detecting means for detecting the height of the user. Means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operating means based on the height of the user detected by the height detection means so that the height or elevation angle is easy for the user to operate. Characteristic information terminal device. 3. The information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein said height detecting means is at least one of a photoelectric sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. 4. An information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, comprising: operating means for operating the information terminal device; and determining whether the user is in a wheelchair. Wheelchair detection means for detecting, and means for changing the height or elevation angle of the operation means based on the detection output of the wheelchair detection means so that the height or elevation angle is easy for the user to operate. An information terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The wheelchair detection unit has at least one of a metal detection unit that detects a metal part of the wheelchair, a photoelectric detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a wheelchair, and an ultrasonic detection unit, 5. The information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the user is in a wheelchair is detected based on a detection output of said detection means. 6. The information terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying at least information corresponding to an operation by said operation unit. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein said display means is provided integrally with said operation means. 8. The information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein said display means is a touch panel provided on a display screen of said display means. 9. An information terminal device installed on a street or in a store and used by an arbitrary user, comprising: operating means for operating the information terminal device; and changing a height or an elevation angle of the operating device. An information terminal device, comprising: a handle for transmitting a manipulation force from the handle to change a height or an elevation angle of the manipulation means.