JP2003317185A - System and method for guiding blind person - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blind person guidance system which gives accurate information to a blind person according to his/her location. <P>SOLUTION: This system is equipped with an information originating device equipped with a means of transmitting information regarding the position and name of an object and a portable blind person guiding device equipped with a means of detecting its position, a means of receiving the information regarding the position and name of the object from the information originating device, a means of detecting the distance from the object to itself based upon information on its position and the position of the object, and a means of outputting the name of the object and the detected distance. The information originating device sends various information on the object and the mobile blind person guiding device receives and outputs even various information on the object from the information originating device. The portable blind person guiding device is equipped with a means of generating new information based upon the information on the object received from the information originating device and information on its position and outputs even new information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a blind guiding system for informing blind people of information about objects existing around the blind, and more particularly to a blind guiding system using a GPS (Global Positioning System) and an information transmitting device corresponding to each blind object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most of the conventional guide systems for the visually impaired have been guided by guide dogs or landmarks on the road which can be identified by a walking stick or the like.

[0003] In addition to the limited number of places where landmarks can be laid, little information is available, and with regard to guide dogs, the supply of demand has not reached the demand.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-000263 transmits the current position and visual peripheral information obtained by GPS and a camera on the blind side to the guider side, and the current position and the visual information received on the guider side. It gives appropriate instructions to blind people based on such peripheral information. However, since the instruction must be based on the knowledge and judgment of the guide, the content of the guide is limited.

The technology described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-205891 is a so-called car navigator to which voice guidance and obstacle detection means are added, and information about the vicinity of a blind person is provided except that the blind person is notified that there is an obstacle. You cannot notify the blind.

The technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-231694 responds to an inquiry from a mobile telephone, and a traffic signal indicates a pedestrian crossing situation (a place name of a place where the pedestrian crossing exists, a road name, an intersection name, crossability, etc.). ) Is notified to the mobile phone, but it is specialized for traffic signals and is not versatile.

According to the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-241966, the response device having the identification information included in the short-distance signal transmitted by the search device returns a response to the search device, and the location of the response device However, it is impossible to know the distance from the search device to the response device.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] No matter how excellent a guide dog is, since it is still a dog, there is a natural limit in language ability, so it is not possible to handle it in situations that require audio information. The scene is fully envisioned.

In conventional systems (positional information navigation systems typified by car navigation systems, etc.), there is inevitably some information that cannot be grasped only by the navigation map (map information), and there is no particular problem for healthy people. However, information that is useful for the visually impaired, such as information on the site where road construction is in progress or the current lighting status of traffic lights, that requires real-time processing, and detailed additions to the target infrastructure Information (business type of stores, congestion status of restaurants, etc.) could not be reflected, and this made it difficult to apply it especially to the system for guiding the visually impaired.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a blind guidance system which enables a blind person to be provided with appropriate information according to his / her whereabouts.

[0011]

According to the present invention, an information transmitting apparatus having means for transmitting information about the position and name of an object, means for detecting the position of the object, and the information transmitting apparatus from the above Means for receiving information about the position and name of the object, means for detecting the distance from the object to the own position based on information about the position of the object and information about the position of the object, and the object And a portable guide device having means for outputting the name of the object and the detected distance.

In the above blind guiding system, the information transmitting device may further include means for detecting the position of the object.

In the above guide system, the information transmitting device also transmits various information about the object,
The portable guiding device may also receive and output various information about the object from the information transmitting device.

In the above guide system, the portable guide device further includes means for generating new information based on the information about the object and the information about its own position received from the information transmitting device, New information may also be output.

In the above-mentioned guide system, the information transmitting device and the portable guide device may perform short-distance communication, and a large number of the information transmitting devices may be provided in various places.

In the above guide system, the output may be performed by voice.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is installed in a self-position recognition system using an artificial satellite, a traffic infrastructure such as a traffic light, and an infrastructure which is a dangerous zone for visually impaired persons such as a store entrance and a construction site entrance. This is a guide system characterized by using an information transmission system together.

In addition to transmitting position information by artificial satellites to obtain rough position information, by disseminating small information transmission systems that can provide more detailed position information and accompanying information throughout social infrastructure, The aim is to realize a more accurate and detailed guidance system by receiving information from multiple latest information sources and processing various information received to realize a portable guidance system for voice navigation. Characterize.

For example, the information transmission device installed in a traffic light constantly emits the blinking information of the traffic light installed as a function thereof, so that the signal is currently blue even if the user cannot visually recognize the traffic light. You can get information about whether or not and how long after that it starts blinking.

Alternatively, if the information transmission device is installed on the stairs, it provides the user with detailed information such as the distance between the user and the stairs, the number of steps, the slope, the height of one step, and the number of users at that time. The device installed at the entrance of the store can provide useful information such as the opening / closing method and size of the entrance of the store and the business status of the store.

As described above, by disposing the information transmitting device for collecting and providing the information specialized for each target infrastructure and continuously transmitting the information grasped by itself at all times individually, the user carries it. The guide system can always receive such information, and can provide the user with detailed voice navigation by processing and shaping the information.

Further, since the present system takes a form in which a large number of information transmission devices are combined and operated, the information transmission device is a device having a small size to some extent and a high degree of freedom in installation / removal / relocation. As a result, the service provider can provide an information transmission device around the user's home according to the user's request, and can provide a service that can respond to the construction site where the place dynamically changes. . As a result, it is possible to realize a generous service that meets the needs of users.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration diagram of this system.

The satellite 1 is a communication satellite used in a general GPS, and it is assumed that the same satellite as a normal car navigation system or the like is used.

The information transmitting device 2 is important for the infrastructure such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, stairs, overpasses, platform of stations, etc., which is a danger zone for the visually impaired, and the social life such as store entrances, public telephones, public toilets, etc. It is a small radio wave transmission device that should be installed in infrastructure. The radio wave to be transmitted shall carry the latest state of the facility controlled by the radio wave transmission device and the current state of the surrounding environment, and shall always transmit radio waves at a level that can be received by the user's terminal within a certain range. To do.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the information transmission device 2.

As shown, the basic structure consists of four parts.

The radio wave transmission unit 201 is a portion for transmitting information of an object managed by this device to a radio wave of a specific frequency and transmitting it to the outside world, and uses a general radio transmission device.

The electronic information recording medium 203 is a device for recording various information (the types will be described later) regarding the objects managed by the information transmitting device 2.

Since the information to be recorded varies depending on the object, when installing the information transmitting device 2, the installer writes fixed information (information that has no possibility of fluctuation) into the recording medium.

Variable information (information that may change during operation) is also sequentially stored in this recording medium.

The self-position confirming mechanism 204 receives the accurate present position of this device from the satellite 1, and the electronic information recording medium 2
It is a device that periodically records the latest self-position information for 03. Since the portable guiding device 4 needs to refer to the accurate position information and the like of the information transmitting device 2, it is necessary to always grasp the latest position information even in a fixed installation. By placing the information transmission device 2 near the object, the position of the information transmission device 2 can be set as the position of the object.
If the information transmitting apparatus 2 cannot be installed unless it is separated from the object in a certain direction by a certain distance, the position of the information transmitting apparatus 2 is corrected by a certain distance in the certain direction to be the position of the object.

The central processing unit 202 is an information processing device used also in a personal computer or the like, and takes out various information stored in an electronic information recording medium, shapes the information according to a predetermined format, and then sends it to a radio wave transmitting section. , Send information.

FIG. 3 shows a format of information transmitted by the information transmitting device 2.

The user 3 is a user who enjoys the service provided by the blind guidance system, and is a user who has a visual impairment and is difficult to go out alone.

The guiding method is performed by collecting the information radio waves provided from the information transmitting device 2 by the portable blind guiding device 4 and providing it to the user 3 as voice information.

The portable guiding device 4 is a device carried by the user 3, and recognizes the current position of the user 3 based on a small GPS using the satellite 1, and the map information incorporated in the device itself. Position information / additional information from the information transmitting device 2 that can be received at the current position is grasped, and information suitable for the current action purpose from the current position and the traveling direction / destination of the user 3 is grasped from the information. User 3
Navigating voice should be provided according to the current situation.

Further, in addition to the guidance, by providing information on various stores (store name, type of business, presence / absence of business, etc.), it also has a function of providing an action assistance service when going out.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the portable guiding device 4.

The radio wave reception unit 401 is a device that receives the information radio wave from the information transmission device 2 and stores the received information in the electronic information recording medium.

The electronic information recording medium 402 is a recording device mounted with a non-volatile memory or the like having a certain capacity, and is a device for sequentially storing received information. The received information shall be kept stored until it is processed by the central processing unit 403.

The self-position confirmation mechanism 404 is a device which receives the accurate current position of this device from the satellite 1 and periodically notifies the central processing unit 403 of the latest self-position information.

The central processing unit 403 is an information processing device used also for a small portable terminal, etc.
A device for extracting the location information of the user 3 obtained by the step 4 and the information from the various information transmitting devices 2 stored in the electronic information recording medium 402, and grasping the peripheral information at the current position of the user 3 from the information. Is. Guide voice information for the user 3 is generated on the basis of the surrounding situation determined by the central processing unit 403, the destination information and the like. The generated voice information is sent to the voice guidance device 405.

The voice guidance device 405 is the central processing unit 40.
An actual voice signal is generated based on the guidance voice information sent from the user 3, and a speaker is driven to give an actual announcement to the user 3.

FIG. 3 shows a format of information that the information transmitting device 2 should have and an outline of authentication.

Next, the meaning of the main information transmitted by the information transmission device 2 will be described.

The outline of the following explanation is shown in FIG.

The information transmission device ID is a unique number for uniquely recognizing the information transmission device 2 itself. The real ID is numerical information of an arbitrary digit uniquely determined in the world, and the portable blind guiding device 4 refers to this ID to refer to the information transmitting device 2
Identify. This ID can distinguish the type of the device by an arbitrary number of digits at the head.

The managed object name is name information of an object to be managed (such as a traffic light, stairs, and a store entrance). The format of the name is arbitrary, but it is assumed that the name is transmitted in a format that can be automatically read by the portable blind guide device 4 (for example, Roman letters).

The management target object position information is the current position information of the management target object. In most cases, it means the position information of the information transmission device 2 itself. Information that can uniquely identify the position by longitude and latitude.

The management target altitude information is a numerical value indicating the height (altitude above sea level) where the management target object is currently located. By combining this information and the above-mentioned position information, the position of the object can be specified three-dimensionally.

The priority is represented by a numerical value and is the priority of information transmitted by the information transmitting device 2. For some reason, when the mobile blind guiding device 4 receives a plurality of competing information, the information having the higher numerical value is given priority.

The electronic certificate is electronic information for certifying that the information transmission device 2 has been installed by an appropriate (authorized) installer. As shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that a digital signature system widely and commonly used at present is used.

The related device type is a type of the information transmitting device 2 to which the information transmitting device 2 is related and which should provide information in cooperation with the announcement. The type can be determined by the first several digits of the information transmission device ID.

The management object incidental information is additional information unique to the management object. For example, in the case of the information transmitting device 2 installed at the entrance of a store, it is possible to transmit more valuable information by adding information such as the type of business, business hours, the number of people in the store, and the current congestion level of the store. Will be able to.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for determining the priority of information in the present invention.

First, the information transmission device is recognized (step S
101), the importance information of the unguided information is compared, and the highest priority information is determined (step S102). Next, it is checked whether or not there is a related information transmission device ID (step S10).
3). If so, create a voice guidance message for the related information transmission device (step S10).
4) Otherwise, immediately create a voice guidance message (step S105). Next, guidance is carried out (step S106), and it is checked whether or not there is an unguided message (step S107). If so, the process returns to step S102, and if not, the process returns to step S101.

This flow is a flow for determining information to be announced preferentially when information to be guided is received from a plurality of information transmitting devices 2 at the same time.

An important point in this flow is the operation when the portable blind guiding device 4 recognizes a plurality of navigation objects. This system is basically for guiding the visually impaired, and can be said to be a system that emphasizes safety. Therefore, the portable guide device 4 is
When a plurality of objects to be guided are recognized at one time, it is determined that the information is most important to the user based on the “importance” information (FIG. 3) provided by each information transmission device 2. It is necessary to have an algorithm that preferentially navigates from the information provided.

According to the guidance order determined by the "importance", it is possible to quickly and appropriately navigate even when a plurality of guidance targets are matched.

Further, based on the "related device type" information,
If there is an information transmission device related to the facility, the information can be linked to create an announcement message.

[0062]

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in the case of a traffic light.

The portable guiding device 4 held by the user 3 always receives its own current position information from the satellite 1 and grasps the current position information (step S111).

The two information transmitters 2 always grasp information about the object to be monitored by themselves and keep transmitting information to the outside at a specific frequency. The information transmitting device 2 installed in the traffic light constantly transmits the current lighting status of the signal (step S112), and the information transmitting device 2 installed in the pedestrian crosses the position information of the pedestrian crossing and crosses the stop line. The presence of intruding objects is grasped and the information about them is managed (step S113).

The portable blind guiding device 4 analyzes the information from the two information transmitting devices 2 and its own position information, and outputs a warning or guidance to the user 3 by voice. In this case, the content of the guidance is, for example, "There is a pedestrian crossing and a traffic light in front of 7 meters. The traffic light is blue now, and many vehicles are passing through the pedestrian crossing."

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in the case of a store entrance.

The portable guiding device 4 held by the user 3 always receives its own current position information from the satellite 1 and grasps the current position information (step S121).

The information transmitting device 2 holds the position information of the store entrance and various kinds of information about the store (opening / closing method of the entrance, store name, type of business, current point addition status, number of vacant seats, etc.). Is sending information. When receiving this information, the portable guiding device 4 voice-guides the user with the position information of the store entrance and the accompanying information about the store based on the current position of itself (step S12).
2). In this case, the content of the guidance is, for example, "There is a store at the entrance of the automatic door that opens to the left 12 meters ahead.
The store name is "Kiraikuken", and the category of this store is Chinese restaurant. This store is currently open and there are currently 7 seats available in the store. It will be.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in the case of a stage change.

The portable guiding device 4 held by the user always receives its own current position information from the satellite 1 and grasps the current position information (step S131).

The information transmitting device 2 grasps the location information of the stairs and transmits the position information, but as additional information, information such as the number of steps of the stairs, the inclination, the height of one step, the width, and the presence or absence of handrails. Outgoing. Since the portable blind guide device 4 recognizes its current position by the gyro compass method, it can also recognize the altitude at which it exists. Therefore, in the stairs, based on various information of the stairs obtained from the information transmission device 2, it is possible to navigate to the user 3, the number of steps that have been reached up to now,
It is also possible to issue a warning when the final stage approaches.
In this case, the content of the guidance is, for example, "There is a stairway on the right 9 meters ahead. The staircase consists of 25 steps, the width is 3 meters, and the height of one step is 25 cm.", "Currently, we have reached the 18th stage.",
"The final stage is approaching. Please be careful."

[0072]

[Effects of the Invention] At present, it is said that there are hundreds of thousands of persons with disabilities who need guide dogs due to visual impairment nationwide.
It is said that there are only a few hundred guide dogs at most.

In such a situation, if a visually impaired person who cannot use a guide dog has an automatic navigation system with a certain degree of reliability, he / she can announce the surrounding situation when going out for shopping or taking a walk. It is considered that it will bring great benefits in the daily life of the visually impaired by the support effect by giving and the guidance support by navigation to the destination when there is a destination.

The present invention responds to such potential needs and provides a new option for the navigation means when the visually impaired person is out, and provides information that is fully automatic, accurate, and has high added value. We believe that we can find a merit in being able to provide a navigation system that includes this.

According to the present invention, not only transportation infrastructure but also
For example, by providing information about the entrance of a store and information about the inside of the store (such as the degree of congestion and the type of store), it is considered that the auxiliary function in daily life can be sufficiently fulfilled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a blind guiding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information transmission device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a table showing information held by the information transmission device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable blind guide device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an authentication method of an information transmission device using a portable blind guiding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable blind guide device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 satellite 2 Information transmission device 3 users 4 Portable guide device

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information transmission device comprising means for transmitting information about the position and name of an object, means for detecting the position of the information transmission device, and information about the position and name of the object from the information transmission device. A means for receiving, a means for detecting the distance from the object to the own position based on the information about the position of the self and the information about the position of the target, and the name of the target and the detected distance are output. And a portable guiding device having means. 2. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission device further comprises means for detecting the position of the object. 3. The blind guiding system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting device also transmits various kinds of information about the object, and the portable guiding device transmits the information from the information transmitting device to the object. A guide system characterized by receiving and outputting various information about. 4. The blind guiding system according to claim 3, wherein the portable blind guiding device generates new information based on the information about the object and the information about its own position received from the information transmitting device. A guide system characterized by further comprising means for outputting new information. 5. The blind guiding system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting device and the portable guiding device perform short-distance communication, and a large number of the information transmitting devices are provided in various places. Characteristic guide system. 6. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the output is performed by voice. 7. An information transmitting device transmits information about a position and a name of an object, a portable guiding device detects its own position, and the portable guiding device transmits the information. Receiving information about a position and a name of the object from a device, the portable blind guide device based on the information about the position of the self and the position of the object, the position of the self from the object. And a step of outputting the name of the target object and the detected distance by the portable guiding device. 8. The guiding method according to claim 7, wherein the information transmitting device further comprises a step of detecting the position of the object. 9. The blind guiding method according to claim 7, wherein the information transmitting device transmits various kinds of information about the object, and the portable blind guiding device operates from the information transmitting device. And a step of receiving and outputting information about the object, the guide method further comprising: 10. The guiding method according to claim 9, wherein the portable guiding device generates new information based on the information about the object and the information about its own position received from the information transmitting device. And a step of outputting the new information by the portable guiding device, the guiding method. 11. The guiding method according to claim 7, wherein the information transmitting device and the portable guiding device perform short-distance communication, and a large number of the information transmitting devices are provided in various places. Characteristic guide method. 12. The guiding method according to claim 7, wherein the outputting is performed by voice.