JP2002024983A - Route guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for detecting the deviation of a user from a route and guiding the user to return to the route. SOLUTION: Two parallel RFID rows are mounted to tiles, and the tiles are arranged along a route to be set. Each RFID holds ID information that can identify a right row and a left row. A user such as a visually handicapped person uses a stick with an antenna 13 and a controller 14 of a reader-writer built therein. A portable computer 15 guides the user through a voice output device 16 on whether the user correctly advances on the route on the basis of the ID information of each RFID read by the reader-writer. Only when the antenna 13 of the stick is in the middle of two RFID rows along the route, the RFIDs on both sides are simultaneously read to recognize the present place to be on the route. In the case of detecting only the ID information of one row, the portable computer 15 informs the user of the deviation onto that side with voice or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a system for guiding a route of a pedestrian or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art To guide a visually impaired person, for example,
On platforms, stairs, and sidewalks of stations, tiles with uneven patterns are laid, and the patterns of the tiles indicate the traveling route and the presence of steps. The visually impaired identifies the tile with the feel of a walking stick or sole and knows the traveling direction and position. Also, as a visual route guide, in hospitals, lines of different colors are often drawn from reception to a specific medical office. These tiles and lines are fixed and changeable but costly.

[0003] There is no other than a map that indicates a route flexibly in a temporary hall or the like.

Recently, RFID (Radio Frequency ID)
entifier) embedded in the corridor surface, and the user
The guidance system of the method of acquiring the peripheral information stored in the area was developed. The RFID is composed of a loop antenna and an IC chip, and has a size that can be accommodated in a normal card. This RFID can perform data communication with another antenna called a reader / writer by the principle of electromagnetic induction. RFID
Depending on the communication distance and the frequency band used, the reader / writer can be of the contact type (usually battery-less, communication distance of several millimeters), proximity type (usually battery-free, communication distance of about 20-30 cm), or proximity type (usually It is called a battery (communication distance of about 70-100 cm) or a microwave type (usually with a battery, communication distance of about several meters). In these systems, a multi-read function, that is, a function of simultaneously reading a plurality of RFIDs, has been put to practical use. The reader / writer usually includes an antenna portion and a signal processing controller.

[0005] PHS as a simple system to know the current location
(Personal Handy-phone System). The position accuracy of this system depends on the coverage area of the base station and is at most 10m to 50m. This accuracy is not suitable for guiding a pedestrian in a building or the like. Installing a large number of base stations indoors is costly.

As a high-accuracy position measurement system, G
Systems using a PS (Global Positioning System) have become widespread. However, this is not yet accurate enough to guide a visually impaired person indoors. Also,
When the route is three-dimensional such as the second floor and the third floor, it is difficult to discriminate between two positions that differ only in height. Also, GP
Only the position information is obtained from S, and no other information is obtained.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system which can easily set or change a route or the like. I do. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system capable of providing guidance for eliminating deviation from a route with a small system configuration. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a user to provide a recommended route according to a desired departure place and destination.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a system according to the present invention includes a portable tile having an RFID, which is installed according to a guide route, a portable tile having an RFID, and a portable tile having the RFID. A reader means for reading data from the RFID, and a guide means carried by the user and generating route guidance information based on the data read by the reader means and providing the route guidance information to the user.

According to this configuration, the route can be easily changed by changing the arrangement of the tiles carrying the information on the route.

[0010] In a preferred aspect, the reader means includes a wand-shaped member held by a user, and an antenna provided near the tip of the wand-shaped member and communicating with the RFID.

In another preferred aspect, the guidance means includes means for outputting route guidance information by voice.

Another aspect is an ID of an RFID of the tile.
So that the numbers are in a predetermined order along the direction of travel of the route,
The tiles are arranged according to a route.

In another aspect, a tile on which an RFID storing information indicating that the route is an intersection or that the intersection is close is disposed at a place where the routes intersect.

[0014] The system according to the present invention is a group of RFIDs arranged in parallel in two rows along a guide route, and stores data for distinguishing whether each RFID is a right row or a left row. RFID groups that have been carried by the user,
Reader means for reading data from the RFID of the tile, and guidance means carried by the user for generating route guidance information based on the data read by the reader means and providing the route guidance information to the user; Is characterized in that the reader unit detects a tendency of deviation in the left-right direction with respect to the route from the data of the RFID group read substantially simultaneously by the reader unit, and provides route guidance information according to the detection result. .

[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the tendency of the user to deviate from the route without using a large-scale absolute position detection system such as a GPS, and to provide guidance information for correcting the tendency.

Further, the system according to the present invention includes an RFID group installed according to a guide route and a guide tool carried by a user, wherein the guide tool includes the guide route group and its route. RFID ID placed at each position of the group
Means for storing information, a route group on those floors is displayed, a means for receiving an input of a departure place and a destination on this display, and a recommended route connecting the input departure place and destination are Means for obtaining from the information of the route group, and the RFID
Means for reading data from the device, and means for generating route guidance information based on the read data and providing the route guidance information to the user, and provides route guidance according to whether or not RFID ID information on the recommended route has been read. Performing means.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a recommended route according to the departure place and the destination desired by the user.

[0018]

[Embodiment 1] In this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of RFIDs 12 are mounted on a portable tile 11. The material of the tile 11 is RF
There is no particular limitation as long as it does not prevent communication of the ID 12, but for example, a rubber tile or a resin tile can be used. The tiles 11 are arranged so as to fulfill a predetermined guidance purpose on a floor of a facility to be guided during a guidance implementation period (for example, when a convention is held).
Then, when the period ends, the tile 11 can be removed from the floor. When it is desired to change the guidance route or the guidance content during the period, it is possible to cope with this by changing the arrangement pattern of the tiles 11 or the type of the tiles 11 to be arranged (route guidance tile or stop position guidance tile).

The tile 11 is desirably thin because it must be used on the floor. It is preferable to make the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the tile 11 a slope so that there is no step between the floor surface and the tile 11 during installation. It is preferable that an adhesive substance is attached to the back of the tile 11 so that the tile 11 can be attached to the floor so that the tile 11 is not easily peeled off by wind or the like. As a method for preventing the installed tile 11 from easily moving, it is conceivable that the tile 11 is formed to a certain weight in addition to being attached to the floor surface with an adhesive substance.

The RFID 12 is formed in a card shape, for example, and has a built-in IC chip having a circular antenna and a processor and a memory. Various kinds of route guidance information can be stored in the memory. The material of the RFID card may be plastic or the like. However, it must satisfy the points of light weight, sufficient protection of the IC chip in the RFID, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, a user (visually impaired person) uses a stick with a built-in antenna 13 of a reader / writer that communicates with the RFID 12. This antenna 13
The RFID 12 (proximity type, proximity type, or the like) of the tile 11 arranged on the floor or the like can be included in the communication range because the RFID 12 is built in the tip (stone thrust) of the cane. The user moves forward while swinging the cane left and right as before. Antenna 1
Reference numeral 3 is connected to a controller 14 built in a handle of a walking stick or the like. The controller 14 drives the antenna 13 to transmit an interrogation wave at predetermined intervals,
The response wave from the FID 12 is received, and data included in the response wave is obtained.

Further, the user wears a portable computer 15 in which a program for the route guidance processing is built. The controller 14 is connected to the portable computer 15 and controlled by the computer 15,
The data acquired from the RFID 12 is transmitted to the computer 1
Send to 5. In addition, the user is wearing an audio output device 16 such as an earphone or headphones. The portable computer 15 generates voice information for guidance based on the data read from the RFID 12, and outputs the generated voice information to the voice output device 1.
6 to realize route guidance for the user.

In this system, when a route is set at a certain place, the RFIDs 12 on which the same specific code for indicating a route is written are arranged and arranged along the route. In this installation, the tile 11 on which the RFID 12 having the specific code is mounted may be laid along the route. When the user walks while swinging the walking stick (antenna 13), the controller 14 acquires this specific code by a response wave from the RFID 12 to the interrogation wave, and transmits the information to the portable computer 15. Then, computer 1
5 executes the audio file corresponding to the specific code. As a result, the user can hear the sound from the audio output device 16 and can obtain guidance information.
Note that the voice information provided to the user may be a word representing the content of the guidance or a simpler beep sound. In the latter case, the user hears a beep to indicate that the user is traveling on the correct route.

In the case of displaying a place near a dangerous zone or a place where the vehicle must be stopped, an RFID 12 storing a specific code (a code different from a route instruction code) determined for such a case is stored. Tile 11 with
Is installed at that position. When the specific code is read by the user's antenna 13, the portable computer 15 recognizes that the code is a code indicating a dangerous zone or a stop place, and executes a sound file corresponding to the code. This audio file may be a simple beep or a word. In the former case, the pitch and sound pattern are different from those in the case where the vehicle is traveling on the correct route.

Since it is possible to write or change information in the RFID, even if the same stop location is used, a different code is used to indicate a stop for a signal and a stop such as going further beside the track, or a caution with a step. Can be distinguished and convenient for the user.

In order to further clarify the traveling direction on the route, as shown in FIG. 3, for each RFID 12, a simple increasing or decreasing number is stored in the order, and the number is read by the antenna 13. It is also preferable to output the audio from the audio output device 16 as audio. Thereby, the user can confirm that the user is traveling on the correct route in the correct direction. In addition, in order to assist in arranging the portable tiles 11 having the RFIDs 12 so as to form an order sequence of such ID numbers, a number or the like may be displayed on the back surface of the tiles 11 or the like. It is suitable.

All the information to guide the user may be stored in the RFID, or the guide information corresponding to the ID information of each RFID may be stored in the portable computer 15, and the information may be stored in accordance with the read ID information. The guide information may be retrieved and output.

In this system, an uneven yellow tile conventionally used in a station or the like is detachably attached to a floor by RFI.
It can be considered that the tile is replaced with a tile with a D.
By using the RFID 12, it is possible to guide a wider variety of information than the conventional uneven tile. For example, even for the same "stop", detailed information can be provided by distinguishing the reason and meaning. This system also supports each RFID12
Can be easily changed by rewriting the stored contents of.

Further, in this system, since the RFID 12 is mounted on the portable tile 11 which can be detachably mounted on the floor, it is easy to change the route setting and the contents of the guidance. Particularly, in a special venue such as a business show, the route can be easily set or changed, which is convenient. In the past, visually impaired people would need assistance from third parties and guide dogs when walking through special venues, but this is no longer necessary.

[Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment relates to a method for making it difficult for a user to lose track of a route.

The equipment on the user side is basically the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), and uses the antenna 13 built in the tip of the cane as a reader / writer. The controller and battery of the reader / writer are worn on the user's body. However, in the present embodiment, a multi-read type reader that can read a plurality of RFIDs substantially simultaneously is used as a reader / writer.

In the present embodiment, the RFID 2
1 and 22 are arranged in two rows in parallel. Each RFID 21,2
2 stores information indicating whether each belongs to the right column or the left column, and returns a response wave including the information in response to a query wave from the reader / writer (cane) of the user. To The two rows of RFIDs 21 and 22 may be embedded in a floor or a tile fixedly embedded on the floor, or the first embodiment.
It may be embedded in a removable tile on the floor as shown in FIG.
In the latter case, tiles provided with two rows of RFIDs may be arranged along the path, or tiles embedded with one row of RFIDs may be arranged along the path in two rows in parallel.

Preferably, the right column of RFID and the left column of RFI
The interval of D is about 10 cm to the width of a person. The two rows of RFIDs 21 and 22 make each other's communication range overlap each other when a specific reader / writer communicates with a specific power. That is, when the antenna 13 at the tip of the cane is within a predetermined range in the center of the two rows of RFIDs 21 and 22, both the RFs 21
Although the IDs 21 and 22 can be read, only the right RFID 22 can be read when the antenna 13 (cane) moves to the right, and only the left RFID 21 can be read when the antenna 13 (left) moves to the left.

Therefore, the user always has the right and left RFID
By walking in the area where the responses of 21 and 22 are, the route can be made more secure. Left and right RFID2
While there is a response from 1 and 22, the portable computer 1
5 outputs from the audio output device 16 audio information (such as words or simple sounds) indicating that the vehicle is traveling on the correct route. Then, when the response of only the RFID 21 in the left column is detected, the user can hear the voice information indicating “too much left” or “return right” through the voice output device 16. I do. When the response of only the RFID 22 in the right column is detected, on the contrary, the voice information indicating that it is shifted to the right is provided to the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by arranging the RFIDs in two rows along the route in parallel, it is possible to recognize whether the user is deviating in the left or right direction with respect to the route, Can be provided to the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, fine route guidance can be performed for a user, particularly for a visually impaired person. By arranging RFIDs in two rows, one side of the RFI
While D is recognized, it can return to its original position.

[Third Embodiment] Route guidance in hospitals and the like includes direction guidance on ceilings in various places and color lines drawn on floors in corridors. Usually, at a reception or the like, the user is instructed on which color line to go to a desired destination (examination room or the like), and if the user goes along the color line, the user will be given a destination. ing.

In this embodiment, this color line is replaced with an RFID string. In other words, the RF is set so that each route is shown on the floor.
IDs are arranged. The RFID may be built in a tile embedded in the floor, or may be embedded in a detachable tile on the floor as in the first embodiment, and may be arranged on the floor. The user has a cane with a built-in antenna of a reader / writer and a portable computer such as a wearable computer, or receives a loan from a hospital or the like. The user knows the route by acquiring the stored information of the RFID by the reader / writer as in the first embodiment.

Now, it is common for different routes to intersect. In the present embodiment, a mechanism for guiding the intersection of such a route is provided.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a state where the RFID strings representing different routes cross each other. In this example, each RFI
D stores unique ID information (a number shown near each RFID 60 in the figure). In the present embodiment, R
When the FID crosses, the existence of the crossing is made known to the user in the following manner.

(1) In the first method, the RFI near the intersection is
For D61, predetermined code information (in the illustrated example, "*") indicating an intersection is stored in addition to normal ID information ("3" or "13", etc.).

(2) In the second method, as shown in FIG.
In this method, only predetermined code information indicating the intersection is stored in the RFID 64 near the intersection (storage of the ID information is omitted).

(3) The third method uses a normal R which indicates a route.
In this method, in addition to the FID column, an RFID having a special code indicating an intersection is provided near the intersection.

In either of these methods, when the sign information indicating the intersection is read from the RFID near the intersection with the staff of the user, the portable computer notifies the user that the intersection of the route exists by voice or the like. In these methods, it is sufficient that the tiles arranged at the intersections of the routes include RFIDs in which information indicating the above-described intersections is stored.

FIG. 7 shows a case where routes set by two parallel RFID columns intersect each other as in the second embodiment, and an RFID 51 in which a symbol "X" indicating the intersection is stored at the intersection. Is installed. This RFID5
Reading 1 indicates that the portion is an intersection.

In the case where it is not an intersection but the route is bent or the traveling direction needs to be changed,
The RFID provided at the turning point has a predetermined sign indicating that the route is bent there, and / or
Guidance information on how to change the course at that point may be stored. If the code or information is read by a reader / writer, the information is sent to a portable computer, which determines the code and uses a word to describe a turn or a voice such as "turn right". The file can be played so that the user can understand it. Instead of sound, the user may be able to recognize the light signals representing right, left and straight ahead to appeal to the sight.

According to the present embodiment, even when the routes intersect, the route can be designated without causing confusion to the user. The route information can be visually or audibly transmitted to the user, and the user can be guided to the destination more safely than conventional tactile information.

[Fourth Embodiment] It is assumed that the storage device of the portable computer 15 (see FIG. 2) stores RFID route information in advance. Portable computer monitors
The grid is divided into grids of several pixels square, and each grid is associated with one tile on which the RFID is mounted. As shown in FIG. 8, on the monitor screen 71, an array of tiles 72 is displayed in a map according to the RFID route information.

The monitor screen is configured using touch panel hardware, and the user can input a departure place and a destination by tracing with an attached pen or finger. If the starting point and the destination are known, a recommended route (for example, the shortest route) along the tile (RFID) arrangement can be easily obtained. The portable computer 15 stores the ID of each RFID on the recommended route thus obtained as information on the current guide route. It is also preferable that the display of the recommended route obtained in this way is displayed on a wearable display device such as a head-mounted display. In addition,
In the case of a visually impaired person, the setting of the departure point and the destination requires voice recognition means and the help of a third party.

Now, the recommended route is determined as described above, and while the user is walking while reading the RFID with the stick (reader / writer), the read RFID is included in the ID group of the recommended route stored at the time of the previous setting. If not, R
If the FID cannot be read, it means that the user has deviated from the recommended route, and the portable computer 15 informs the user of the fact. The guidance in this case is, for example, changing the color of the blinking point indicating the current location on the monitor,
It can also be performed by changing the display state, such as increasing the blinking speed. Alternatively, a sound such as "Departure from recommended route to destination" may be output.

On the other hand, if the user is on the recommended route,
The point display indicating the current position on the monitor is blinked at a fixed pitch, for example, in a color different from the color when the vehicle deviates from the route, and the user is informed of that fact. In this case, the audio guidance may be silent, may be output as "Recommended route to destination" or the like, and may be output at a gentle cycle to provide a sense of security with electronic sound. May be. Also,
Each time the user reaches the next tile (RFID group),
Since the user approaches or goes farther from the destination than before, the effect may be transmitted to the user as voice.

According to the present embodiment, RFID can be used in a large venue.
Even if many complicated routes are set using,
A recommended route from the departure point to the destination required by each user can be obtained and guided to the user. In addition, since the user can be informed by voice or the like whether the user is proceeding along the recommended route, the user can reach the destination along the recommended route.

In the above embodiment, an example in which guidance is provided mainly by voice has been described. However, it is also possible to notify the user of various kinds of information by using stimuli other than sound, such as a tentacle and visual sense.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a portable tile on which an RFID is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a tool equipped by a user according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case where an RFID column has a simple increasing number column ID.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining route setting using two-row parallel RFIDs according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating that, in the third embodiment, when RFID strings intersect, code information indicating the intersection is added to the RFID at the intersection in addition to the ID.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a point where a code indicating an intersection is stored in an RFID at an intersection when an RFID row intersects in the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a special RFID indicating an intersection is provided separately at an intersection of RFID rows in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a monitor display example according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 tile, 12 RFID, 13 antenna, 14
Controller, 15 portable computer, 16 audio output device.

Claims (10)

[Claims] An RFID installed according to a guidance route
A portable tile having the following; reader means carried by a user and reading data from the RFID of the tile; and route guidance information generated and used based on the data carried by the user and read by the reader means. Route guidance system comprising: guidance means provided to a person. 2. The reader means according to claim 1, wherein said reader means is provided with a wand-like member held by a user, and said RF means is provided near a tip of said wand-like member.
The route guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna for communicating with the ID. 3. The route guidance system according to claim 1, wherein said guidance means includes means for outputting route guidance information by voice. 4. The route guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the tiles are arranged according to the route such that the RFID ID numbers of the tiles are arranged in a predetermined order along the traveling direction of the route. 5. The tile includes two parallel rows of RFID groups, each of which stores data for distinguishing a right row and a left row from each other. 2. The route guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the reader detects a tendency of the route to shift in the left-right direction from the data of the RFID group read at substantially the same time and provides route guidance information according to the detection result. 6. The route guidance according to claim 1, wherein at a place where the routes intersect, a tile mounted with an RFID storing information indicating that the route is an intersection or close to an intersection is arranged. system. 7. A group of routes set on the floor using the tiles and an I / O of the RFID placed at each position of the group of routes.
Means for storing D information, means for displaying a group of routes on those floors, means for receiving input of a departure place and a destination on the display, and a recommended route connecting the inputted departure place and destination. , Means for obtaining from the information of the route group, wherein the guidance means comprises an RFID on the obtained recommended route.
The route guidance system according to claim 1, wherein route guidance is performed according to whether or not the ID information is read by the reader means. 8. An RFID group arranged in two rows in parallel along a guide route, wherein the RFID group stores data for distinguishing whether each RFID is a right row or a left row. Reader means for reading data from the RFID of the tile, and guidance means for carrying route guidance information based on the data read by the reader means and providing the route guidance information to the user. The guiding unit detects the tendency of the reader unit to shift in the left-right direction with respect to the route from the data of the RFID group read substantially simultaneously by the reader unit, and provides route guidance information according to the detection result; Route guidance system. 9. The RFID according to claim 8, wherein an RFID storing information indicating that the routes intersect is installed at an intersection between the routes set by the RFID groups arranged in two rows in parallel. Route guidance system. 10. RFID installed according to a guide route
And a guide tool carried by the user, wherein the guide tool includes the guide route group and the RFI placed at each position of the route group.
A means for storing the ID information of D, a means for displaying a group of routes on the floor and accepting an input of a departure place and a destination on the display, and a recommendation for connecting the inputted departure place and destination. Means for obtaining a route from the information of the route group; means for reading data from the RFID; means for generating route guidance information based on the read data and providing the route guidance information to a user; RFI
Means for performing route guidance in accordance with whether or not the ID information of D has been read.