JP2005056208A - Navigation system and navigation method used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system which automatically arranges help support necessary for an old person or a handicapped person requiring help or an assistance instrument in time of walking by a wheelchair or the like. <P>SOLUTION: When a user inputs respective pieces of information about a departure point and a destination from a client terminal 1, the information is transmitted to a server system 3 via a network 100. The server system 3 performs path search on the basis of map information or a route information. By including information about presence or the like of a barrier that is an obstacle to the handicapped person or a wheelchair user in the map information, a route more suitable for the handicapped user can take preference. Path information searched for by the server system 3 is sent to the user's client terminal 1 via the network 100 and a base station 2. At that time, several patterns of pieces of the path information are exhibited in recommendation order to the user while changing a route or departure time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system and a navigation method used therefor, and more particularly to a navigation system that displays guidance information for a route to a destination for a handicapped person.

  Conventionally, this type of navigation system calculates a route including the use of transportation to the destination, and calculates and displays an optimal entrance / exit along the route calculated at the boarding station of the transportation used. There is a system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When people with disabilities use this system, calculate the optimal entrance / exit with few barriers at the boarding station when using transportation such as trains and buses to the destination. It is possible to provide guidance on an appropriate route according to the degree of handicap of the handicapped person.

  In addition, as another navigation system, a route composed of public transportation data, a departure station and a destination from a boarding station suitable for boarding in public transportation, a boarding station suitable for getting off, and a route therebetween. There is a system for searching for a route, searching for a road route from a departure place to a boarding station, and displaying the route route and the road route (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-296068 A JP 2001-116575 A

  However, in the above-described conventional navigation system, only the information on the optimum route is shown to the user. Therefore, when the user is a disabled person or an elderly person who needs assistance or assistance when walking, such as a wheelchair, There is a problem that you have to call for assistance when getting on and off the transportation.

  For this reason, the above-mentioned users must call a staff member every time they get on the transportation system, and in some cases, a lot of waiting time may occur. There is a high possibility that problems such as absence will occur.

  In addition, the conventional navigation system has a problem that there is no means to arrange the staff at the nearest disembarkation station before arriving when it is necessary to get off on the way, such as when feeling bad after getting on the transportation facility.

  In general, users using wheelchairs, etc., often get on the train at a position that can be seen from the conductor at the end of the train. In such a case, respond to the above situation through the conductor. May be possible. However, it is difficult to deal with the above situation when it is impossible to get on at the end due to circumstances, or when the ability to transmit will to the conductor is weak.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to automatically arrange assisting devices necessary for assisting persons with disabilities and the elderly who need assistance or assistance when walking, such as wheelchairs, It is to provide a navigation method used for it.

  A navigation system according to the present invention is a navigation system comprising a client terminal and a server system including an optimum route search means for calculating an optimum route by a transportation in response to a request from the client terminal. The server system is provided with assistance reservation management means for managing assistance reservation information for arranging user assistance when doing so.

  The navigation method according to the present invention is a navigation method of a navigation system comprising a client terminal and a server system including an optimum route search means for calculating an optimum route by a transportation in response to a request from the client terminal, The system includes a step of managing assistance reservation information for arranging assistance for a user when getting on and off the transportation.

  That is, the navigation system of the present invention is characterized in that an assistance reservation management function is provided in a server system used for route search from a departure place to a destination. This assistance reservation management function has a function of extracting information on a station or the like that needs assistance for getting on and off the transportation facility and automatically requesting assistance to each required station.

  Therefore, in the navigation system of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that the user can arrange necessary assistance for the station only by searching for a route from the departure place to the destination.

  The present invention has the following configuration and operation, so that it is possible to automatically arrange assistive devices necessary for assistive devices or elderly people who need assistance or elderly people when walking, such as wheelchairs. Is obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a client terminal 1, a base station 2, a network 100, a server system 3, a transportation boarding / exiting station terminal (hereinafter referred to as transportation boarding / exiting station) 4- i (i = 1, 2, 3,...).

  The client terminal 1 is an information communication terminal that can communicate with the base station 2 wirelessly. The base station 2 is a station for performing transmission / reception communication with the client terminal 1, and may be connected via a relay station (not shown) or the like as necessary.

  The network 100 is an information communication network such as the Internet, and is realized by wired or wireless, or both. The server system 3 is composed of a server and a database group (not shown) for performing route search and care reservation.

  When the user inputs information on the departure point and the destination from the client terminal 1, the information is transmitted to the server system 3 via the network 100. The server system 3 performs route search based on map information and route information. At this time, the map information includes information such as the presence or absence of barriers that are barriers for wheelchair users and persons with disabilities (such as structures that interfere with wheelchairs for persons with disabilities). A suitable route can be prioritized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by referring to the timetable information and the transportation operation information together, it is possible to minimize the influence on the waiting time due to the disruption of the schedule or the sudden trouble.

  The route information searched by the server system 3 is sent to the user's client terminal 1 via the network 100 and the base station 2. At this time, if the route information is changed in route and departure time, and several patterns are presented in the order recommended to the user, the range of selection is widened, so that more flexible support is possible.

  When the user selects a route, the server system 3 extracts assistance points necessary for the selected route. In addition to assistance at the boarding station and the getting-off station, this necessary assistance point includes getting on and off at these intermediate stations when it is necessary to change trains. In addition, convenience can be further enhanced by including assistance when there is a rear in the travel distance between stations.

  Next, the server system 3 notifies each station or the like where the extracted assistance point exists to request the user's assistance. As means for requesting assistance to the station, means having immediate transmission such as e-mail, telephone, FAX, pager (R), Morse code, etc. are used. The contents of the assistance reservation are stored in the assistance reservation information database. If this information is used, a reservation confirmation notice can be sent to the station before a predetermined time of the scheduled time.

  After making the assistance reservation, the server system 3 periodically or continuously checks whether there is any disturbance in the transportation schedule. When the transportation of the planned route is disturbed, the optimum route is automatically re-searched.

  As a result, when the route is changed to the searched route, the change content is notified to each station where the assistance reservation content is changed. In addition, even when the user wants to change the usage route, by performing a reservation content changing operation from the client terminal, the optimum route is re-searched and the change content is notified to the required station.

  After the user has received assistance at each station where assistance has been reserved, the information can be reflected in the assistance reservation information database by receiving notification from the stations that the assistance has been executed to the server system 3.

  The series of navigation flows described above ends when a notification that the user has arrived at the destination is input to the server system 3 and when the user performs assistance reservation or cancels the navigation.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the navigation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and the operation is the same as that of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the client terminal 1 includes a communication control unit 11, an information display unit 12, and an operation input unit 13. That is, since the client terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as a general mobile phone terminal, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the server system 3 includes a communication control unit 31, a server system control unit 32, an optimum route search unit 33, an assistance reservation management unit 34, a map information DB (database) 35, a route information DB 36, a time It consists of a table information DB 37, a transportation operation information DB 38, an assistance reservation information DB 39, and a user information DB 40.

  The communication control unit 31 performs information transmission / reception with the client terminal 1 via the network 100. Further, the communication control unit 31 may be configured to directly communicate with the client terminal 1 without going through the network 100.

  The optimum route searching unit 33 has a function of searching for the optimum route from the departure point to the destination using the database of the map information DB 35, the route information DB 36, the timetable information DB 37, and the transportation operation information DB 38. Since the search for the optimum route is a method that is very commonly used in navigation systems, a detailed description of the search method is omitted.

  The assistance reservation management unit 34 extracts the contents of assistance necessary for the user using each database of the transportation operation information DB 38, the assistance reservation information DB 39, and the user information DB 40, and registers and manages the assistance reservation information. Have. In addition, the assistance reservation management unit 34 uses the communication control unit 31 to notify the transportation reservation station 4-i of assistance reservation information.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing navigation processing according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing operations of the server system 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A navigation process according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the user inputs information on the departure point and destination from the client terminal 1 (a1 in FIG. 4), the information is transmitted to the server system 3 via the network 100 (step S1 in FIG. 5). .

  In the server system 3, the optimum route search unit 33 performs route search based on information stored in the map information DB 35 and the route information DB 36 (a2 in FIG. 4) (step S2 in FIG. 5). At this time, by including information such as the presence or absence of a barrier that is a barrier for wheelchair users or disabled persons in the map information, a more suitable route can be given priority to a user with a handicap.

  In addition, the optimum route searching unit 33 refers to the accumulated information in the timetable information DB 37 and the transportation operation information DB 38 together with the above information, so that the influence on the waiting time due to the disruption of the diagram or sudden troubles can be affected. It can be reduced as much as possible.

  The server system 3 sends the route information searched by the optimum route searching unit 33 to the client terminal 1 of the user (a3 in FIG. 4) (step S3 in FIG. 5). At this time, if the route information and the departure time are changed in the route information, and several patterns are presented in the recommended order to the user, the range of selection by the user is widened, so that a more flexible response is possible.

  When the user selects a route based on the route information sent from the server system 3 to the client terminal 1 (a4 in FIG. 4) (step S4 in FIG. 5), the care reservation management unit 13 is selected in the server system 3. Assistance points necessary for the route are extracted (a5 in FIG. 4) (step S5 in FIG. 5). The assistance points required for this route include assistance at the boarding station and the getting-off station, as well as boarding and alighting at these stations when it is necessary to change trains. In addition, if the assistance point necessary for this route includes assistance in the case where there is a rear on the road when moving between stations, the convenience can be further enhanced.

  Next, the server system 3 uses the communication control unit 31 to make a notification requesting the user's assistance to each transportation boarding station 4-i where the extracted assistance point exists (a6 in FIG. 4) (FIG. 4). 5 step S6). As means for requesting assistance to this transportation boarding / exiting station 4-i, means having immediate transmission such as e-mail, telephone, FAX, pager (R), Morse code and the like is used.

  Thereafter, the server system 3 stores the contents of the assistance reservation in the assistance reservation information DB 39 (a7 in FIG. 4) (step S7 in FIG. 5). By using the information stored in the assistance reservation information DB 39, it is possible to make a reservation confirmation notification to the transportation boarding / alighting station 4-i a certain time before the scheduled time.

  After making the assistance reservation, the server system 3 periodically or continuously checks whether there is any disturbance in the transportation schedule (step S8 in FIG. 5), and the transportation operation on the planned route is disturbed. At this time, the optimum route is automatically searched again (step S10 in FIG. 6). Thereby, when the searched route is changed, the change contents are notified to each transportation boarding station 4-i whose assistance reservation contents are changed (step S11 in FIG. 6).

  Also, when the user wants to change the usage route, the server system 3 re-searches the optimum route (step S10 in FIG. 6) by performing an operation for changing the reservation contents from the client terminal 1 (step S9 in FIG. 5). Then, the change contents are notified to the required station (step S11 in FIG. 6).

  After the user receives assistance at each transportation boarding station 4-i for which assistance has been reserved, the server system 3 is notified of the assistance being executed from each transportation boarding station 4-i (FIG. 4). A9) (step S15 in FIG. 7), the server system 3 reflects the information in the assistance reservation information DB 39 (a11 in FIG. 4) (step S16 in FIG. 7).

  In this series of navigation flows, when a notification that the user has arrived at the destination is input to the server (a10 in FIG. 4) (step S17 in FIG. 7), the user performs an assistance reservation or navigation cancellation operation. When it is performed (a8 in FIG. 4) (step S13 in FIG. 7), the server system 3 reflects the information in the assistance reservation information DB 39 (a11 in FIG. 4) (step S18 in FIG. 7), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, since the user information DB 40 and the route information DB 36 are provided in the present embodiment, each use can be made by comparing the degree of user's handicap with the contents of the assistance services available at each assistance point. A more suitable route can be provided for each person.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by including the past statistical information regarding the degree of hourly congestion of each route in the route information DB 36, it is possible to navigate routes and vehicles with less congestion according to the time used. You can also.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. 8, a navigation system according to another embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 except that a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite 6 is added and the client terminal 5 is provided with a self-position detecting function. The same configuration as that of the navigation system according to FIG. The operation of the same components is the same as that of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client terminal 5 of FIG. 9, the client terminal 5 has the same configuration as that of the client terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 except that the own position detection unit 51 is provided, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is. The operation of the same components is the same as that of the client terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The client terminal 5 includes an own position detecting unit 51 for acquiring own position information from the GPS satellite 6. In the present embodiment, by using this self-position detecting unit 51, it is possible to use the self-position information as a starting point at the time of route search. Therefore, it is used when the self-position is not known, such as when getting lost. It is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user's input operation.

  In addition, by constantly monitoring the user's position in the server system 3, troubles may occur in the trains that are traveling between stations when changing trains or on the train being boarded, making it impossible to keep up with the transportation system of the reserved transfer destination. In such a case, it is possible to predict the arrival time at the station in advance from the distance between the current user position and the transfer destination station, and to automatically change the assistance reservation.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if you get off the station by mistake while riding, it is possible to automatically detect it from the user's position and re-search for the optimal route to the destination. There is also.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to using the GPS satellite 6 as the self-position detecting unit 51, self-position detection is performed by using a ground antenna or the like as in EOTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference technology) or using a gyro. You may use the method to do. The self-position detecting unit 51 is well known to those skilled in the art and is not directly related to the present invention, so that the detailed configuration and operation thereof will be omitted.

  In this way, in the present invention, since necessary reservations for assistance can be automatically made in advance, the user himself / herself can save the trouble of arranging for assistance, and the user until the attendant comes to the station etc. The waiting time can be shortened.

  Also, in the present invention, assistance reservations can be changed from the client terminals 1 and 5, so if you change your schedule and want to get off on the way, such as when you feel sick after getting on transportation, Can be arranged before arrival.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the self-position detecting unit 51 is installed in the client terminal 5 so that the distance from the current user position to the transit station can be detected and the arrival time can be predicted therefrom. If it is likely that the reserved transit time will not be in time, the assistance reservation details can be changed automatically.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, since the own position detection unit 51 can detect a deviation from the current position of the user and the position information of the station where the user is going to get off, Even if you get on by mistake, you can re-search for the best route to your destination and automatically change your assistance reservation.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation system by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client terminal by one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server system by one Example of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows the navigation process by one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server system by one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server system by one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server system by one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation system by the other Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client terminal of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,5 Client terminal
2 base stations
3 Server system 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 Transportation terminal station
6 GPS satellites
11 Communication control unit
12 Information display section
13 Operation input section
31 Communication control unit
32 Server system controller
33 Optimal route search unit
34 Assistance Reservation Management Department
35 Map information DB
36 Route Information DB
37 Timetable information DB
38 Transportation Operation Information DB
39 Assistance Reservation Information DB
40 User information DB
100 network

Claims (16)

  A navigation system comprising a client terminal and a server system including an optimum route search means for calculating an optimum route by a transportation in response to a request from the client terminal, and assisting a user when getting on and off the transportation A navigation system characterized in that the server system has assistance reservation management means for managing assistance reservation information for arranging a reservation.   2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the server system includes extraction means for extracting an assistance point that exists on a route to a destination and needs assistance of the user.   The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the extraction unit performs extraction of the assistance point after route search.   4. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the server system includes means for requesting user assistance to at least a station facility corresponding to the assistance point after the assistance point is extracted.   It includes a self-position detecting means provided in the client terminal and detecting the self-position of the client terminal, and by notifying the server system of the current position of the user from the self-position detecting means, at least to the station of the connection destination The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the route, traffic, and assistance reservation used when arrival delay is expected are changed to optimum contents.   6. The navigation system according to claim 5, wherein, when the assistance reservation is changed to the optimum content due to the arrival delay, the assistance request change notification is sent to at least the corresponding station facility in accordance with the changed content of the assistance reservation.   When the client terminal deviates from the searched route, the self-position detecting unit detects the route and re-searches for an alternative route, and accordingly, includes a means for extracting a necessary assistance point for the user. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:   When changing to the alternative route by deviating from the searched route, at least one of the cancellation, addition, and change of the assistance request is notified to a station facility that needs to change the assistance reservation. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A navigation method of a navigation system comprising a client terminal and a server system including an optimum route search means for calculating an optimum route by means of transportation in response to a request from the client terminal, wherein the transportation facility is provided on the server system side. A navigation method comprising a step of managing assistance reservation information for arranging assistance for a user when getting on and off a car.   10. The navigation method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of extracting, on the server system side, an assistance point that exists on a route to a destination and needs the assistance of the user.   The navigation method according to claim 10, wherein in the step of extracting the assistance point, the assistance point is extracted after route search.   12. The navigation method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a step of requesting a user's assistance to at least a station facility corresponding to the assistance point after extracting the assistance point on the server system side.   The client terminal is provided at the client terminal and the client terminal's own position is detected by the own position detecting means, and the current position of the user is notified from the own position detecting means to the server system, so that at least the arrival at the station of the transfer destination The navigation method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the route, traffic, and assistance reservation that are used when delay is expected are changed to optimum contents.   14. The navigation method according to claim 13, wherein, when the assistance reservation is changed to the optimum content due to the arrival delay, the assistance request change notification is sent to at least the corresponding station facility in accordance with the change content of the assistance reservation.   When the client terminal deviates from the searched route, it is detected by the self-position detecting means, the alternative route is re-searched, and a necessary assistance point is extracted accordingly. The navigation method according to any one of claims 9 to 14. When changing to the alternative route by deviating from the searched route, at least one of the cancellation, addition, and change of the assistance request is notified to a station facility that needs to change the assistance reservation. The navigation method according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

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