JP2008055071A - Voice guidance device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice guidance device for safely and correctly guiding a user in a room with a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged therein. <P>SOLUTION: The voice guidance device is arranged in a space with the plurality of pieces of equipment arranged therein, and issues a guidance message to inform the user present in the space of a guidance route for guiding the user at least to one of the plurality of pieces of equipment and the existence of other equipment arranged in the middle of the route. Alternatively, the voice guidance device can input information on the positions of the pieces of equipment, generates the guidance message to inform the user of the guidance route for guiding the user at least to one of the pieces of equipment and the existence of other equipment arranged in the middle of the route, on the basis of the input information on the input positions of the pieces of equipment, and issuing the guidance message to the user present in the space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice guidance device.

  In a room, facility, or building used by a visually impaired person, the voice guidance device is effective in assisting the action. For example, in a multipurpose toilet in which toilet bowls, ostomates, hand-washing machines, beds, cigarettes, etc. are arranged, it is safe and convenient to provide guidance by voice so that visually impaired persons can easily reach their purposes.

  When there are many facilities that can be used, such as a multi-purpose toilet, the user cannot memorize even if voice guidance is given at once about the position where each is installed and how to use it. Therefore, in order for a visually handicapped person or the like to enter the room by opening the door, it is useful to transmit an optimum route according to the layout in order to proceed safely and smoothly to the target facility.

When a human body is detected, there is a technical disclosure example related to a voice guidance device that plays back stored first voice information and plays back second voice information in response to an input by an operation switch (Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-62684 A

  The present invention provides a voice guidance device that guides a user safely and accurately in a room in which a plurality of facilities are arranged.

According to one aspect of the invention,
Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
Flowing a guidance message that conveys to the user existing in the space the guidance route for guiding the user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided along the way. A featured voice guidance device is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention,
Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
It is possible to input information regarding the position of the plurality of facilities
Based on the input information regarding the position, a guidance message is generated that conveys a guidance route for guiding a user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided along the route. ,
A voice guidance device is provided, wherein the guidance message is sent to a user existing in the space.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
Variable parameters in the guide message template can be set,
By setting the variable parameter, a guidance message that conveys the guidance route for guiding the user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided on the way is completed,
A voice guidance device is provided, wherein the guidance message is sent to a user existing in the space.

  The present invention provides a voice guidance device that guides a user safely and accurately in a room in which a plurality of facilities are arranged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a voice guidance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic plan view showing a layout in a multipurpose toilet, and FIG. It is a model perspective view.

  A voice guidance device 100 is installed on the ceiling or wall of the multipurpose toilet. When a user such as a visually handicapped person opens the door 16 and enters the room, the sensor 10 provided in the voice guidance device 100 detects this. Then, voice guidance is performed from the speaker 14 of the voice guidance device 100 so as to proceed to the toilet 26 along the route (1) of the arrow illustrated in FIG. At this time, it is also informed that there are facilities such as the hand-washing machine 18 and the paper winding machine 20 in the course of the route (1).

The user proceeds along the left wall according to the guidance, knows that the hand-washing machine 18 and the cigarette machine 20 are on the left wall, and can reach the toilet 26 without hitting them. In addition, the user can confirm by touch whether or not there is toilet paper in the paper roll 20 before using the toilet 26. Still further, by notifying in advance the position of the equipment such as the hand-washing device 18 that is in the middle of the guide route to the target (in this case, the toilet 26), the user is in the middle of the guide route before reaching the target. You can proceed while confirming a certain facility, and you can proceed while confirming that you are heading toward the target without making a mistake.
Further, in this case, by guiding the positions of the hand-washing machine 18 and the cigar 20 in advance, an effect of informing the user of the positions of these facilities that are always used after using the toilet 26 is also obtained.
In this way, when the position of the toilet 26 is safely reached in accordance with the voice guidance, the toilet unit sensor 12 detects the human body and guides the correct position, thereby preventing a collision with the toilet 26 and using the toilet 26. Necessary information, for example, how to flush the toilet 26 is voice-guided.

  After using the toilet 26, it is possible to stop by the hand-washer 18 through the route (2) according to the voice guidance. After using the hand-washing machine 18, it is possible to return to the door 16 through the route (3) and exit according to the voice guidance. As described above, since the voice guidance is performed in a timely manner by detecting the movement of the user, the object can be achieved safely without colliding with facilities or walls. In addition, by voice guidance that there is a hand-washer 18 or the like on the guidance route, it is possible to grasp these positions and to proceed without hitting. Further, since the usage of the equipment such as the toilet 26 and the position of operation buttons of the equipment such as the toilet 26 are voice-guided as necessary, information such as the usage required for the equipment used is provided. Can be obtained accurately.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a voice guidance device 100 according to a specific example of the present invention.
The voice guidance device 100 of this specific example includes at least a first sensor 10, a second sensor 12, a speaker 14, a control unit 64, and equipment position data setting means 15. This voice guidance device 100 can be installed on the ceiling or wall of a multipurpose toilet. The first sensor 10 detects, for example, a user who enters the multipurpose toilet by opening the door 16 by monitoring almost the entire interior of the multipurpose toilet. For example, the second sensor 12 monitors the vicinity of the toilet 26 and detects a user who has reached the toilet 26.
Although this specific example has an integral structure, for example, a structure in which the sensors 10 and 12 and the speaker 14 are separated may be used. In this case, these separate elements may be connected by a wired or wireless system.

As the sensors 10 and 12, a microwave sensor, a thermal infrared sensor, an infrared light projection sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or the like can be used. Further, an open / close detection switch provided on the toilet door 16, a toilet key switch, a human body detection sensor or a seating sensor of a warm water washing toilet seat device provided on the toilet 26 can also be used. The control unit 64 will be described later in detail.
As the thermal infrared sensor, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) or LiTaO ₃ (lithium tantalate) which detects infrared rays and generates a pyroelectric effect can be used. In addition, although one sensor may be sufficient, voice guidance can be accurately performed with good timing by dividing into the human body sensor 10 and the toilet unit sensor 12 which can detect the whole room.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the voice guidance device 100 of this example. The sensor unit 13 including the entrance sensor 10 and the toilet unit sensor 12 is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 58. The control unit 64 represented by a broken line includes a CPU 58, a memory area 52, a reproduction IC 50, an amplifier 62 that amplifies the output signal of the reproduction IC, a power supply circuit 60, and the like. The output of the amplifier 62 is connected to the speaker 14 and provides voice guidance for information to be conveyed.

  The power supply circuit 60 is connected to the control unit 64 including the CPU 58, the speaker 14, the sensor unit 13, the position data setting unit 17, and the like. As this power source, in addition to a commercial AC power source, a battery or the like can also be used.

  In the voice guidance device 100 of this specific example, when the first sensor (room entrance sensor) 10 detects a human body, the sensor output is input to the CPU 58. The CPU 58 utters a guidance message from the speaker 14 via the amplifier 62. On the other hand, when the second sensor 12 detects a human body, the sensor output is input to the CPU 58. The CPU 58 utters a guidance message from the speaker 14 via the amplifier 62. This guidance message relates to, for example, how to use facilities such as the toilet 26 monitored by the second sensor 12.

Next, the relationship between human body detection by the first sensor (entrance sensor) 10 and the second sensor (toilet unit sensor) 12 and voice guidance will be described according to time transition.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating state transition in the voice guidance device 100 of this example.
Here, it is assumed that the entrance sensor 10 monitors almost the entire multipurpose toilet in which the voice guidance device 100 is installed, and the toilet unit sensor 12 monitors only the vicinity of the toilet 26.

  First, when the entrance sensor 10 detects a human body for 2 seconds or longer, the entrance sensor 10 moves to a non-standby state, and a guidance message to the toilet 26 is reproduced. Then, the user moves to the toilet 26 according to the guidance route specified by the guidance message. Here, if the entrance sensor 10 and the toilet unit sensor 12 are in the non-detection state for 10 seconds or more, the standby state is returned again. This is because it is considered that the user has left the multipurpose toilet. On the other hand, when the toilet unit sensor 12 continues the detection state for 1 second or more, it is determined that the user is using the toilet 26, and a guidance message regarding how to flow the toilet 26 is reproduced.

Subsequently, when the toilet unit sensor 12 continues the non-detection state for 1 second or more, the user determines that the user is moving out through the hand-washer 18. And if the entrance sensor 10 and the toilet bowl sensor 12 are in the non-detection state of the human body for 2 seconds or more, it is determined that the user has left and returns to the standby state.
By such control, for example, even a visually impaired person can achieve the purpose accurately and safely. In addition, for information other than the visually handicapped person, for example, elderly people, information on the guidance route by voice guidance and how to use the equipment is useful.

  By the way, since the layout of the multipurpose toilet in which the voice guidance device 100 is installed is almost different for each site, it is necessary to set an optimum guidance message according to the site layout. In a memory area 52 composed of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or the like, information on the position of equipment such as the toilet 26 installed in the multipurpose toilet, information on voice guidance, and the like are stored as appropriate. Information regarding the position of the equipment can be input to the control unit 64 via the position data setting means 17. As the position data setting means 17, for example, a setting switch 15 can be used. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the voice guidance device 100 can be provided with a setting switch 15 for inputting the positions of the door 16, the toilet 26, the hand-washing device 18, and the paper roll 20.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the arrangement of facilities in the multipurpose toilet.
As illustrated in the figure, the multipurpose toilet is provided with various facilities such as a door 16, a hand-washing machine 18, a paper roll 20, a washing button 25, a toilet 26, an ostomate 28, and a bed 30.
The toilet 26, the hand-washer 18, the cigar 20 and the like are equipped in most multipurpose toilets. Furthermore, although the ostomate 28 and the bed 30 are equipped as necessary, the frequency of use is lower. Therefore, after entering the room through the door 16, the order of guiding the user in the direction in which the hand-washing device 18 is arranged without passing through the ostomate 28 and guiding the user to the toilet 26 is efficient. In addition, since the ostomate 28 has a shape similar to that of the hand-washing machine 18, the user may mistakenly put his hand in such a case, which may cause a problem that the hand is soiled. On the other hand, by guiding a guide route that does not pass through the ostomate 28, it is possible to prevent a user such as a visually handicapped person from making a mistake and thrusting a hand into the ostomate 28.
In addition, since the user who uses the toilet 26 always uses the hand-washing device 18, when the user is informed of the guide route including the hand-washing device 18, the user smoothly moves to the hand-washing device 18 after using the toilet 26. Convenient in that you can move forward.

  Similarly, the paper roll 20 is used by the user in most cases. In many cases, a user such as a visually handicapped person touches the paper roll 20 to check whether there is toilet paper before using the toilet 26. Therefore, it is convenient for the user to convey the guide route including the paper roll 20 to the user.

  When inputting the positions of the facilities such as the door 16 and the toilet 26 provided in such a multipurpose toilet, for example, the toilet is divided into 16 parts as indicated by broken lines, and each of the facilities is divided into 16 regions. It is possible to input where it is arranged. For example, numbers 1 to 16 are assigned to the 16 divided areas. Then, the setting switch 15 is a rotary switch that can designate 16 options, and the location information can be input by designating the number of the area in which the door 16 and the toilet 26 are disposed by using these rotary switches. .

  Alternatively, each of the four walls of the multipurpose toilet is divided into a right side and a left side, so that a total of eight divided areas are set, and in which of the divided areas the door 16 and the toilet 26 are arranged. Each may be input by the setting switch 15. Also in this case, a rotary switch capable of designating eight options can be used. Or you may use the digit switch etc. which can input the number from 1-8.

  Thus, when the information regarding the position of the equipment provided in the multipurpose toilet is input, the control unit 64 determines the optimum guide route based on the information on the position. Then, a message for transmitting the guidance route is created.

  For example, “This is a multi-purpose toilet. The toilet is on the left side of the front wall. Proceed along the left wall in the order of a hand-washer and a cigar.” Or “This is a multi-purpose toilet. "The toilet is in the back left. On the left wall, there is a hand-washer in the foreground and a paper roll in the back. The toilet is beyond."

You can also create guidance messages about how to use the equipment. As the guidance message, for example, in the toilet 26, a message such as “The cigarette is on the right side while sitting on the toilet seat. To flush the toilet water, press the button on the right of the cigarette.” be able to.
By dividing the message to be sent to the user into a guidance message and a guidance message and sending them at suitable timings, the user can easily understand the contents of the message. That is, if the guidance route and the usage method of the equipment are sent together in one message, the user may miss or not remember. On the other hand, a guidance message about the guidance route and a guidance message about how to use the equipment are prepared, and the necessary information is streamlined to the user by flowing them separately at an appropriate timing. I can tell you with certainty.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first specific example for setting a guidance message.
As a first specific example of the present embodiment, for example, the control unit 64 may be able to synthesize such a guidance message or a guidance message based on the information regarding the position of the facility input by the position data setting unit 17. . In this case, the synthesized guidance message or guidance message may be stored in the memory area 52, or the location information of the facility is stored in the memory area 52, and these guidance messages and A guidance message may be synthesized.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second specific example for setting a guidance message and a guidance message.
As a second specific example of this embodiment, for example, “This is a multipurpose toilet. The toilet is on the XX side of the XX wall. Along the □□ wall, Please proceed in order. The guide message template such as “Proceed in order” is preset in the control unit 64, and the control unit 64 uses the variable parameters such as OO, XX, □□, △△, ☆☆ in this template. The portion can be determined based on the input location information of the equipment. For example, the control unit 64 determines “left”, “front”, or “right” for OO based on the input location information of the equipment. In this way, the guidance message may be completed. A template can be similarly set for the guidance message, and the message can be completed based on the input information.

  Also in this case, the completed guidance message or guidance message may be stored in the memory area 52, or the location information of the equipment is stored in the memory area 52, and the guidance message is displayed every time the reproduction is necessary. Or a guidance message may be completed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third specific example for setting a guidance message and a guidance message.
As a third specific example of the present embodiment, for example, “This is a multi-purpose toilet. The toilet is on the XX side of the XX wall. Along the □□ wall, Proceed in order. ”A guide message template, such as“ Please proceed in order. ”Is preset in the control unit 64, and variable parameters such as OO, XX, □□, △△, ☆☆ in this template can be entered. It is good. For example, three options “left”, “front”, and “right” are set for XX of the template. Depending on the layout of the multipurpose toilet where the voice guidance device 100 is installed, one of these options is selected. specify. There are also options for △△ and ☆☆ in the template, such as “hand-washing machine”, “paper roll”, and “ostomate”, and the appropriate one of these options is specified in sequence according to the layout at the site. This completes the guidance message. A template can be similarly set for the guidance message, and the message can be completed based on the input information.

  In this case, the setting switch 15 may be one that can specify each of the template variable parameters. For example, a switch capable of designating any one of three options “left”, “front”, and “right” may be provided for “XX”.

  Also in the case of the third specific example, the completed guidance message or guidance message may be stored in the memory area 52, or information on the designated option may be stored in the memory area 52 to be reproduced. A guidance message or a guidance message may be completed each time it occurs.

  For example, when the voice guidance device 100 is installed on the site, the installation operator can execute the input of the facility location information and the designation of the template for the guidance message or the guidance message as described above. Alternatively, when the site layout is known in advance, the voice guidance device 100 can be executed in the factory before shipping. Alternatively, when the voice guidance device 100 once installed at the site is moved to another site, or when the layout of the multipurpose toilet where the voice guidance device 100 is installed is changed, the contractor or the user can Then, it is only necessary to input the location information of the facility and specify the template option for the guidance message or the guidance message.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, instead of the setting switch 15, the position data setting unit 17 may be connected to an external device so as to be able to execute input of facility position information and designation of options. A dedicated terminal 66 can be connected to the voice guidance device 100 to enable input of facility location information and specification of options.
Alternatively, a network connection device 68 including a wireless LAN may be connected to the voice guidance device 100 so as to be able to input facility location information and specify options.

  In this way, it becomes easy to input more complicated data. Therefore, in addition to the location data of the equipment, for example, it is possible to perform settings such as editing and adding contents of guidance messages and guidance messages. .

  Next, an example of voice guidance transmitted by the voice guidance device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the first sensor (entrance sensor) 10 detects a user who has entered the multipurpose toilet.
At this time, as described above, for example, “This is a multi-purpose toilet. The toilet is on the left side of the front wall. Proceed along the left wall in the order of the hand-washer and the cigarette.” Will be washed away.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the user is guided along the left wall according to the guidance message and proceeds to the hand washing machine 18. Thereafter, the user can check the paper roll 20 and reach the toilet 26.
FIG. 11 shows a state where the user has reached the toilet 26.
At this time, the user is detected by the second sensor 12. Then, in response to the detection, for example, a voice guidance saying “The cigarette is on the right side while sitting on the toilet seat. Press the button on the right of the cigarette to flush the toilet water.” .

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the toilet 26 is used and then travels through the reverse path to the hand-washer 18.
Thereafter, the user can reach the door 16 along the wall and leave the multipurpose toilet.
In the above-described specific example, the case where the toilet 26 is targeted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a guidance message or a guidance message targeting the ostomate 28 or the hand-washer 18 may be prepared and appropriately flowed.

  As described above, the voice guidance device 100 according to this embodiment has been described as an example in which the voice guidance device 100 is installed in a multipurpose toilet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a room for OA work where fax machines, copiers, information terminal devices, etc. are arranged, if a user enters the room and there is a voice guidance of route guidance, target equipment location and usage method information, Achieving the purpose is also easy for the visually impaired and the elderly.

  For example, in a guest room such as a hotel or a ship, the voice guidance device 100 according to the present embodiment can be installed to perform voice guidance regarding the layout of a bed, a toilet, a dressing table, and the like. In addition, safety and convenience are improved by installing the voice guidance device 100 of the present embodiment and appropriately executing voice guidance according to the layout in various facilities used by the visually impaired and the elderly. Can be made.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these. The gist of the present invention is achieved even if various design changes have been made regarding components such as a control unit comprising a CPU, a reproduction IC, a memory area, etc. constituting a voice guidance device, a speaker, a sensor, and position data setting means. Unless it deviates, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, for example, various modifications can be made to the contents of the guidance message and the guidance message.

The operation of the voice guidance device according to a specific example of the present invention is shown, in which FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining the equipment arrangement and guide route in the multipurpose toilet, and (b) is a schematic perspective view. It is a schematic diagram showing the voice guidance apparatus 100 concerning the example of this invention. The block diagram of the voice guidance apparatus 100 of this example is represented. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state transition in the voice guidance apparatus 100 of this example. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates arrangement | positioning of the installation in a multipurpose toilet. It is a flowchart showing the 1st specific example which sets a guidance message. It is a flowchart showing the 2nd specific example which sets a guidance message and a guidance message. It is a flowchart showing the 3rd specific example which sets a guidance message and a guidance message. The state which the 1st sensor (entrance sensor) 10 detected the user who entered the multipurpose toilet is represented. The user is guided along the left wall in accordance with the guidance message, and proceeds to the hand-washer 18. The state where the user has reached the toilet 26 is shown. This shows a state in which the toilet 26 is used and then travels through the reverse path to the hand-washer 18.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Entrance sensor, 12 Toilet part sensor, 13 Sensor part, 14 Speaker, 15 Setting switch, 17 Position data setting means, 18 Hand washing machine, 20 Paper wrapping machine, 26 Toilet bowl, 50 IC for reproduction, 52 Memory element, 58 CPU, 64 Control unit, 66 Dedicated terminal device, 68 Network connection device 100 Voice guidance device

Claims (9)

Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
Flowing a guidance message that conveys to the user existing in the space the guidance route for guiding the user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided along the way. A voice guidance device as a feature. Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
It is possible to input information regarding the position of the plurality of facilities,
Based on the input information regarding the position, a guidance message is generated that conveys a guidance route for guiding a user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided along the route. ,
A voice guidance device that sends the guidance message to a user existing in the space. Installed in a space with multiple facilities,
Variable parameters in the guide message template can be set,
By setting the variable parameter, a guidance message that conveys the guidance route for guiding the user to at least one of the plurality of facilities and the presence of other facilities provided on the way is completed,
A voice guidance device that sends the guidance message to a user existing in the space.   The voice guidance device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the guide route is determined so as to include a hand-washing machine or a paper roll. A first sensor for detecting the presence of a user in the space;
The voice guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guidance message is made to flow according to detection by the first sensor. A second sensor for monitoring the vicinity of the at least one of the facilities;
The voice guidance device according to claim 5, wherein a guidance message about the at least one of the facilities is sent in response to detection by the second sensor. The at least one facility is a toilet;
The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the other facility is a hand-washing machine. The at least one facility is a toilet;
The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the other facility is a paper roll. The voice guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the guide route is along a wall that partitions the space.

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