JP2014157389A - Stick, transmitter, portable terminal, guide system and guidance method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a guidance system according to a patent literature 1 cannot guide a visually handicapped person to a destination in a medical treatment facility such as a hospital.SOLUTION: A guidance system is a system for guiding a user having a stick and a portable terminal to a destination. The guidance system overlaps prescribed position information corresponding to a place where the guidance system itself is installed on light of a prescribed wavelength by blinking a light source provided in the guidance system itself. At least one transmitter for transmission is installed on a floor or passage of a medical treatment facility. When the stick receives the light of the prescribed wavelength, detects the position information from the blinking of visible light, overlaps the detected position information on a radio signal conforming to a Bluetooth and outputs it, and the portable terminal receives the radio signal, the portable terminal detects the position information, determines a direction in which the user should move next on the basis of the position information, coordinate of a prescribed destination, and prescribed map information, and outputs a prescribed signal corresponding to the direction in which the user should move next.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cane, a transmitter, a portable terminal, a guidance system, and a guidance method, and in particular, in a medical facility such as a hospital, a cane, a transmitter, a portable terminal, a guidance system, and a guidance method for guiding a visually impaired person to a destination. About.

  In general, a guidance system for guiding a visually impaired person to a destination is known. The following Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a guidance system for guiding a visually impaired person to a destination.

  The guidance system of Patent Document 1 includes an IC tag embedded in a guidance block for a visually impaired person (hereinafter simply referred to as “guidance block”) laid in a passage or the like, a white cane held by a visually impaired person, And a portable terminal carried by a handicapped person in a pocket or the like. The IC tag is a tag used for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). An IC tag used for RFID emits data (hereinafter referred to as “guidance data”) stored in itself as a radio wave. When a visually handicapped person walks, the white cane receives radio waves from the IC tag and reads guidance data stored in the IC tag by a reader provided near the tip of the white cane. The white cane has a built-in wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the portable terminal, and transmits the guidance data read from the IC tag to the portable terminal. The mobile terminal has a built-in wireless communication device for wireless communication with the white cane, and when it receives guidance data from the white cane, it determines the direction to travel and the distance to the destination based on the guidance data. And output audio. Wireless communication between the white cane and the portable terminal can be realized by Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  With the configuration and operation described above, the guidance system of Patent Document 1 can guide and guide a visually impaired person to a destination.

JP 2009-222388 A

  However, the guidance system of Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot guide a visually impaired person to a destination in a medical facility such as a hospital. The reason is that since the radio wave from the IC tag affects the medical device, the guide block cannot be installed in the medical facility.

  An object of this invention is to provide the cane, transmitter, portable terminal, guidance system, and guidance method which solve the said subject.

  In order to achieve the above object, at least one transmitter according to the present invention is installed on a floor or a passage of a medical facility, and blinks a light source provided in the transmitter, whereby predetermined position information corresponding to a place where the transmitter is installed is provided. Is superimposed on light of a predetermined wavelength and transmitted.

  In order to achieve the above object, the walking stick of the present invention receives light of a predetermined wavelength, detects a position information from blinking of the light, and the position information detected by the light receiving section, A Bluetooth communication unit that superimposes and outputs on a wireless signal conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  To achieve the above object, the mobile terminal of the present invention, when receiving a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which position information is superimposed, detects the position information from the wireless signal and outputs a Bluetooth communication unit, and an input Based on the position information, the coordinates of the predetermined destination, and the predetermined map information, the direction to reach the destination, the next direction to move, and the signal corresponding to the next direction to move, That is, a control unit that outputs a movement direction notification signal and a notification unit that outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the movement direction notification signal when the movement direction notification signal is input.

  In order to achieve the above object, a guidance system according to the present invention is a guidance system for guiding a user having a cane and a portable terminal to a destination, and is provided on the floor or passage of a medical facility. A blinking light source superimposes and transmits a predetermined position information corresponding to a place where the light source is installed on light of a predetermined wavelength, and the wand receives the light of the predetermined wavelength. A visible light receiving unit that detects position information from blinking of the visible light, and a Bluetooth communication unit that outputs the position information detected by the visible light receiving unit superimposed on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth (registered trademark) When the mobile terminal receives a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which position information is superimposed, the mobile terminal detects and outputs the position information from the wireless signal. Based on the oth communication unit and the input position information, the coordinates of a predetermined destination, and predetermined map information, the direction to reach the destination and the next movement direction should be determined, and the next movement should be performed. A control unit that outputs a signal corresponding to a direction, that is, a movement direction notification signal, and a notification unit that outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the movement direction notification signal when the movement direction notification signal is input.

  In order to achieve the above object, the guidance method of the present invention is a guidance method for guiding a user having a cane and a portable terminal to a destination, and is installed by flashing a light source provided to the user. Superimposing predetermined position information corresponding to a place on light of a predetermined wavelength, installing at least one transmitter on the floor or passage of a medical facility, the cane receives light of the predetermined wavelength, The position information is detected from blinking light, the detected position information is superimposed on a wireless signal based on Bluetooth, and the wireless terminal receives the wireless signal on which the position information is superimposed. The position information is detected from a radio signal, and based on the position information, the coordinates of a predetermined destination, and predetermined map information, the direction to reach the destination and the next movement direction is determined, and the next movement Where to correspond to the direction And it outputs a signal.

  According to the present invention, a visually impaired person can be guided to a destination in a medical facility such as a hospital.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the visible light communication part 1 which comprises the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention was laid in the channel | path. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the white cane which comprises the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the portable terminal which comprises the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the information previously inputted into the portable terminal which comprises the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a view (continuation from FIG. 6) for explaining the operation of the guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view (continuation from FIG. 7) for explaining the operation of the guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the structural example of the guidance table set to the portable terminal of the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the guidance system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the white cane 5 which comprises the guidance system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the portable terminal 6 which comprises the guidance system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the guidance system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
The guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention guides a user having a white cane and a portable terminal to a destination without using radio waves that affect medical equipment. Specifically, in the guidance system according to the first embodiment, the white cane acquires the position information by visible light communication until reaching the destination, and the mobile terminal is based on the position information acquired by the white cane. Next, the person who is visually impaired is notified of the direction to move. Details of the configuration, function, and operation of the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[Description of configuration]
First, the configuration and function of the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1) Configuration of Guidance System in First Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The guidance system of this embodiment is comprised including the visible light communication part 1, the white cane 2, and the portable terminal 3, as FIG. 1 shows.

(2) Configuration and function of each part constituting the guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention (2-1) Configuration and function of visible light communication unit 1 Visible light communication unit 1 performs transmission that performs visible light communication Machine. The visible light communication part 1 transmits the positional information of the place where self was installed using visible light. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the visible light communication unit 1 constituting the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is laid in the passage. As shown in FIG. 2, the visible light communication unit 1 is installed in a passage or floor in a medical facility. The visible light communication unit 1 may be woven into a guide block, a mat, or the like. Details of the configuration and functions of the visible light communication unit 1 will be described below.

  First, although not shown, the visible light communication unit 1 includes a light source and a memory.

  The visible light communication unit 1 stores position information of a place where the visible light communication unit 1 is installed in a memory. The position information may be data indicating the latitude and longitude of the installed location. The position information is set by a person who installs the guidance system of this embodiment. In addition, the visible light communication unit 1 superimposes the position information stored in the memory on the visible light by turning on and off the light source provided at high speed, and transmits the information as a digital signal. The light source may be an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

  The visible light communication unit 1 can be realized using an electronic circuit. Further, the memory may be a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

(2-2) Configuration and Function of White Cane 2 The white cane 2 acquires position information from the visible light communication unit 1 and notifies the mobile terminal 3 of the acquired position information. The configuration and function for this purpose will be described below. In addition, FIG. 3 is a figure which shows the structural example of the white cane which comprises the guidance system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the white cane 2 includes a Bluetooth communication unit 21 and a visible light receiving unit 22. The visible light receiver 22 is provided at the tip of the white cane 2. Further, the visible light receiving unit 22 includes an optical filter that allows only a predetermined wavelength to pass, although not shown. The predetermined wavelength is a wavelength of visible light emitted from the visible light communication unit 1. A person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment selects an optical filter that allows only the wavelength of visible light emitted from the visible light communication unit 1 to pass through from among general optical filters. As a result, the visible light receiving unit 22 does not receive light other than visible light emitted by the visible light communication unit 1 that can be noise, for example, natural light such as the sun and moonlight, artificial light such as a ceiling light and a flashlight, etc. Can be.

  The visible light receiving unit 22 is a receiver that performs visible light communication. Specifically, the visible light receiving unit 22 receives visible light that has passed through an optical filter provided in the light receiving device, and detects a digital signal, that is, position information superimposed on the received light, from blinking of the received light. To do. In addition, the visible light receiving unit 22 outputs the detected position information to the Bluetooth communication unit 21 as an electrical signal.

  When an electrical signal corresponding to position information is input, the Bluetooth communication unit 21 superimposes and outputs the position information indicated by the signal on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth.

  The above-described visible light receiving unit 22 can be realized by using a light receiving device and an electronic circuit configured by light receiving elements such as an image sensor and an avalanche photodiode. Also, the Bluetooth communication unit 21 can be realized using an electronic circuit.

(2-3) Configuration and Function of Mobile Terminal 3 When the mobile terminal 3 acquires position information from the white cane 2, the visually handicapped person moves next based on the acquired position information, a predetermined destination, and the like. The direction to be calculated is determined and the direction is notified to the visually impaired. The configuration and function for this purpose will be described below. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal that configures the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 3 includes a Bluetooth receiving unit 31, a control unit 32, a map information unit 33, an audio transmitting unit 34, and an audio receiving unit 35. The mobile terminal 3 is a general mobile terminal and performs wireless communication with the base station. Therefore, the mobile terminal 3 includes a general wireless communication unit (not shown). A general wireless communication unit has a function of stopping a communication function and not transmitting a radio wave for performing wireless communication with a base station when a signal designating a communication function stop is input.

  The Bluetooth receiving unit 31 performs a receiving operation compliant with the Bluetooth communication standard, detects position information from a radio signal on which position information is superimposed, and outputs the signal to the control unit 32.

  When the position information is input from the Bluetooth receiving unit 31, the control unit 32 uses the coordinates of the destination (described later in the function description of the sound receiving unit 35) and map information (described later in the function description of the map information unit 33). In order to reach the destination, the visually impaired person determines the direction to move next. The method for determining the direction to move next will be described in detail later in [Description of operation]. The control unit 32 outputs a signal indicating the next direction to be moved (hereinafter referred to as “navigation information”) to the voice transmission unit 34. The control unit 32 has a general route search function. The general route search function may be a route search function used in a car navigation system.

  The map information unit 33 stores map information of medical facilities. The map information is data corresponding to a plan view of the medical facility whose direction is also indicated. Moreover, map information is set to the map information part 33 by the person who installs the guidance system of this embodiment. Further, the map information unit 33 also stores the coordinates of the input destination (described later in the function description of the voice receiving unit 35). Further, the map information unit 33 also stores input position information.

  When the navigation information is input, the voice transmission unit 34 outputs a predetermined voice signal corresponding to the navigation information. The predetermined audio signal is set by a person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment. The audio signal is converted into audio by the earphone connected to the audio transmission unit 34, and notifies the visually impaired person of the direction to move, that is, left and right front and back.

  The voice receiver 35 has a general voice recognition function. When a visually handicapped person speaks the destination through a microphone connected to the voice receiving unit 35, the voice receiving unit 35 recognizes the destination from a voice signal input from the microphone by a general voice recognition function. The voice receiving unit 35 obtains the coordinates of the destination, that is, the latitude and longitude of the destination from the coordinate table. The coordinate table is a table in which the location in the medical facility and the coordinates (latitude and longitude) are associated with each other, and is set in the voice reception unit 35 by the installer of the guidance system of the present embodiment. The voice receiving unit 35 finds a location corresponding to the destination from the coordinate table, and uses the coordinates (latitude and longitude) as the latitude and longitude of the destination. The voice receiving unit 35 outputs a signal indicating the coordinates of the destination.

  The Bluetooth receiving unit 31, the control unit 32, the voice transmitting unit 34, and the voice receiving unit 35 described above can be realized using an electronic circuit. Moreover, the map information part 33 is realizable using memories, such as RAM.

[Description of operation]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information input in advance to the mobile terminal constituting the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram (continuation from FIG. 6) for explaining the operation of the guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 8 is a view (continuation from FIG. 7) for explaining the operation of the guidance system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, information input in advance to the mobile terminal 3 of the guidance system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Then, operation | movement of the guidance system of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS.

(3) Information input in advance to the portable terminal of the guidance system in the present embodiment First, the portable terminal 3 of the guidance system in the present embodiment stores the map information in the medical facility and the coordinates of the destination in advance. It is assumed that Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the map information in the medical facility and the coordinates of the destination are input to the mobile terminal 3 in advance. The mobile terminal 3 may receive the map information and the coordinates of the destination as described in (3-1) and (3-3) below.

(3-1) Input of map information to mobile terminal 3 First, when a visually impaired person arrives at the entrance of a medical facility such as a hospital, the mobile terminal 3 is connected to a dedicated terminal, and the map information in the medical facility is carried. Download to terminal 3. The dedicated terminal is installed near the entrance by the installer of the guidance system in the present embodiment, and further stores map information in the medical facility. The dedicated terminal has a general USB device and a USB driver, and the portable terminal 3 and the dedicated terminal are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The visually handicapped person may request connection at the entrance of the medical facility in order to connect the portable terminal 3 to the dedicated terminal. When the dedicated terminal recognizes the connection with the portable terminal 3 by the USB driver, it downloads the map information to the portable terminal 3. In the mobile terminal 3 in which the map information is downloaded, the USB device provided in the mobile terminal 3 inputs the map information to the map information unit 33. The map information unit 33 stores the input map information.

  The dedicated terminal described above may be connected to a server that stores map information in the medical facility via the Internet. When the dedicated terminal recognizes that the portable terminal 3 is connected, it acquires map information in the medical facility from the server and downloads it to the portable terminal 3. The map information in the medical facility stored in the server is stored by the installer of the guidance system in the present embodiment.

(3-2) Operation of the control unit 32 before and after the map information is input to the portable terminal 3 In connection with the operation in which the map information unit 33 stores the map information, the control unit 32 performs the following operation. Do. The following operations are preparations for calculating the direction in which to move next (described later in (4-2)).

  (A) First, after starting, the control unit 32 recognizes its own state (hereinafter referred to as “mode”) as a normal state (hereinafter referred to as “map information acquisition mode”), as shown in FIG. (S1).

  (B) The control part 32 confirms whether the map information part 33 memorize | stored map information, ie, acquired map information, for every predetermined period (S2). The predetermined period is set in the control unit 32 by the installer of the guidance system of the present embodiment.

  (C) Next, when the map information is acquired (Yes in S2), the control unit 32 changes the mode from the map information acquisition mode to the destination setting state (hereinafter referred to as “destination setting mode”). (S3).

(3-3) Coordinate Input of Destination to Mobile Terminal 3 Next, the visually handicapped person stores the map information in the medical facility in the mobile terminal 3 and then inputs the destination to the mobile terminal 3. Specifically, the visually handicapped person speaks the destination to the microphone connected to the mobile terminal 3. The microphone is connected to the audio receiver 35 of the mobile terminal 3 and outputs an audio signal to the audio receiver 35. The voice receiving unit 35 recognizes the destination by a general voice recognition technique, and obtains coordinates corresponding to the destination from the coordinate table. The coordinate table is a table in which a location in a medical facility such as each room or reception is associated with coordinates (latitude and longitude). The voice receiving unit 35 finds a location corresponding to the recognized destination from the coordinate table, and sets the coordinates (latitude and longitude) as the latitude and longitude of the destination. The voice receiving unit 35 outputs a signal indicating the coordinates of the destination to the control unit 32.

(3-4) Operation of the control unit 32 before and after the destination coordinates are input to the mobile terminal 3 The control unit 32 performs the following operation before and after a signal indicating the destination coordinates is input. The following operations are preparations for storing the coordinates of the destination and calculating the direction to be moved next, which will be described later in (4-2) below.

  (D) First, after the above (c), the control unit 32 confirms whether the mode is the destination setting mode as shown in FIG. 7 (S4).

  Since the above (d) operates after the above (c), the control unit 32 normally confirms that the mode is the destination setting mode. However, if the control unit 32 cannot confirm the destination setting mode due to a failure or the like (No in S4), the control unit 32 returns to S1 and sets the mode to the map information acquisition mode.

  (E) Next, when the control unit 32 confirms that the mode is the destination setting mode (Yes in S4), the control unit 32 confirms whether a signal indicating the coordinates of the destination is input from the voice receiving unit 35. (S5). In FIG. 7, the coordinates of the destination are described as destination information.

  (F) Next, when the signal indicating the coordinates of the destination is not input (in the case of No in S5), the control unit 32 returns to S5 described above and receives the signal indicating the coordinates of the destination. Wait for it.

  (G) Next, when the signal indicating the coordinates of the destination is input (Yes in S5), the control unit 32 outputs the coordinates of the destination indicated by the signal to the map information unit 33, The map information unit 33 stores the coordinates of the destination (S6).

  At this time, although not shown, the control unit 32 outputs a signal designating the communication function stop to a general wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the base station. When a signal designating a communication function stop is input, a general wireless communication unit stops the communication function and stops the transmission of radio waves for performing wireless communication with the base station.

  (H) Next, the control unit 32 changes the mode from the destination setting mode to the guidance implementation state (hereinafter referred to as “navigation mode”) (S7).

(3-5) Operation of the control unit 32 after the above (h) Next, the control unit 32 performs the following operations (i) to (k) after the above (h), so that It is in a state of waiting for a signal corresponding to position information to be input, which is an opportunity to start an operation for calculating a direction to move to (described later in (4-2)).

  (I) First, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 32 confirms whether the mode is the navigation mode (S8).

  Since the above (i) operates after the above (h), the control unit 32 normally confirms that the mode is the navigation mode. However, if it is not possible to confirm that the navigation mode is in effect due to a failure or the like (No in S8), the control unit 32 returns to S4 and confirms whether the mode is the destination setting mode.

  (J) Next, when the control unit 32 confirms that the mode is the navigation mode (Yes in S8), the control unit 32 confirms whether a signal corresponding to the position information is input from the Bluetooth receiving unit 31. (S9).

  (K) Next, when the signal corresponding to the position information is not input (in the case of No in S9), the control unit 32 returns to S9 described above and determines whether or not the signal corresponding to the position information is input. Check. That is, the control unit 32 waits for a signal corresponding to the position information to be input.

(4) Description of the operation of guiding the visually handicapped person to the destination of the guidance system of the present embodiment The guidance system of the present embodiment is for the visually handicapped person 2 who walks in the medical facility with the white staff 2 Is a guidance system that instructs the direction of movement by voice via the portable terminal 3 each time it passes over the visible light communication unit 1 and guides it to the destination. Below, the detail of the operation | movement which guides the visually impaired to the destination of the guidance system of this embodiment is demonstrated. The visible light communication unit 1 will be described on the assumption that it is installed along a passage in a medical facility, as shown in FIG.

(4-1) Description of operations of the visible light communication unit 1 and the white cane 2 in the guidance system of the present embodiment First, the visible light communication unit 1 is a transmitter that performs visible light communication, as shown in FIG. At least one is installed on the floor or passage of a medical facility. In addition, each visible light communication unit 1 stores the position information of the place where it is installed, and the position information is superimposed on the visible light by blinking the light source provided therein and transmitted as a digital signal. ing. The position information is data indicating the latitude and longitude of the installed location. The position information is set in the visible light communication unit 1 by a person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment.

  Next, it is assumed that a visually handicapped person having a white cane 2 and a portable terminal 3 starts walking in a medical facility. When the white cane 2 passes on the visible light communication unit 1 with walking, the visible light receiving unit 22 of the white cane 2 passes through the optical filter and receives light emitted from the visible light communication unit 1.

  Next, the visible light receiving unit 22 of the white cane 2 detects a digital signal, that is, position information superimposed on the received light, from blinking of the received light. Further, the visible light receiving unit 22 outputs the detected position information to the Bluetooth communication unit 21 as an electrical signal. When an electrical signal corresponding to the position information is input, the Bluetooth communication unit 21 superimposes the position information indicated by the signal on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth and outputs the signal to the mobile terminal 3.

(4-2) Description of Operation of Mobile Terminal 3 in Guidance System of Present Embodiment Next, the Bluetooth receiving unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 performs a reception operation based on the Bluetooth communication standard, and wireless with position information superimposed thereon Position information is detected from the signal. Furthermore, the Bluetooth receiving unit 31 outputs the received position information to the control unit 32 as an electrical signal.

(4-2-1) Operation of the control unit 32 that guides the visually impaired to the destination Here, as described in the above (k), the control unit 32 determines the position in the process of S9 shown in FIG. Waiting for a signal corresponding to the information to be input.

  When a signal corresponding to the position information is input from the Bluetooth receiving unit 31 (Yes in S9), the control unit 32 outputs the position information indicated by the signal to the map information unit 33, and the map information unit 33 is Information is stored (S10).

  Next, the control unit 32 reads out the coordinates of the destination (that is, the latitude and longitude of the destination) and the position information stored in S10 (that is, the latitude and longitude of the current location of the visually impaired person) from the map information unit 33. Then, it is confirmed whether the destination has been reached (S11).

  Specifically, the control unit 32 obtains the distance between the current location and the destination of the visually impaired from the latitude and longitude of the current location and the destination, and confirms whether the obtained distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is assumed that the control unit 32 arrives at the destination when the obtained distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set in the voice receiving unit 35 by the installer of the guidance system of the present embodiment. The predetermined value may be several meters. Further, the control unit 32 holds the read position information.

  Next, when it is confirmed that the destination has arrived at the destination (Yes in S11), the control unit 32 determines that the guidance has ended (S12).

  Next, the control part 32 returns a mode to map information acquisition mode, ie, a normal state, and complete | finishes operation | movement (S13).

  On the other hand, when it is not possible to confirm that the destination has arrived at the destination (No in S11), the control unit 32 calculates the direction in which the visually handicapped person reaches the destination and should move next (S14). .

  Specifically, the direction to be moved next is calculated as in the following (I) to (IV). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a guidance table set in the portable terminal of the guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  (I) The control unit 32 stores the position information held in S11 described above (that is, the latitude and longitude of the current location of the visually handicapped person) and the position information held when S11 was last operated (that is, the location of the place where the person walked in the past The direction in which the visually handicapped person is traveling is determined from the latitude and longitude.

  Specifically, the control unit 32 calculates, for each latitude and longitude, the difference between the position information held when S11 was last operated and the position information held in S11 described above. Then, the control unit 32 determines that the visually impaired person is traveling in the north direction if the difference regarding the calculated latitude is a positive value, and eastward if the difference regarding the calculated longitude is a positive value. On the other hand, if the difference regarding the calculated latitude is a negative value, the control unit 32 determines that the visually impaired person is moving in the south direction, and if the difference regarding the calculated longitude is a negative value, the visually impaired person is moving in the west direction.

  For example, the position information held by the control unit 32 in S11 described above is 35.00000 degrees north latitude and 135.00001 degrees east longitude, and the position information held during the previous S11 operation is 35.000 degrees north latitude and 135.000000 degrees east longitude. To do. In this case, the control unit 32 calculates (35.000000 degrees north latitude-35.0001 degrees north latitude) and also calculates (135.000000 degrees east longitude-135.00001 degrees east longitude). As a result of the calculation, the difference regarding the latitude is −0.000001 degrees and the difference regarding the longitude is −0.000001 degrees, and thus the control unit 32 determines that the direction in which the visually impaired person travels is southwest.

  (II) Next, the control unit 32 reads map information from the map information unit 33.

  (III) Next, the control unit 32 stores the coordinates of the destination (latitude and longitude of the destination) read in S11, the position information (latitude and longitude of the current location of the visually impaired person), and the above map information. In addition, the route from the current location to the destination is calculated by a general route search function provided in itself.

  (IV) Next, the control unit 32 obtains the direction from the current location along the route calculated in (III) (hereinafter referred to as “route direction”) based on the map information, and the obtained route direction, The direction in which the visually handicapped person should move next is determined from the direction in which the visually handicapped person in (I) travels. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 32 displays a guidance table in which the direction of the route, the direction in which the visually impaired person proceeds, and the direction in which the visually impaired person should move next are associated with each other. The direction in which the visually impaired person should move next is determined based on the guidance table. For example, when the visually impaired person travels in the south and the route direction travels in the west, the control unit 32 determines from the guidance table that the right direction should be moved next with respect to the traveling direction. The guidance table is set in the control unit 32 by a person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment. The person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment sets the direction to move next so that the visually impaired person proceeds in the direction of the route. In the guide table, a direction including an angle such as 45 degrees to the right may be set as a direction to be moved next.

  Next, although not shown, the control unit 32 outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as “navigation information”) indicating the direction to move next determined in (IV) above to the voice transmission unit 34.

  Next, when navigation information is input from the control unit 32, the audio transmission unit 34 outputs a predetermined audio signal corresponding to the navigation information to the connected earphone. The earphone converts the sound signal into sound, and guides the direction to move to the visually impaired (S15).

  For example, when it is determined that the next direction to move is the right, the control unit 32 outputs a signal indicating the right to the voice transmission unit 34, and the voice transmission unit 34 converts the input signal into a corresponding predetermined voice. Change to signal and output to earphone. The earphone converts the sound signal into sound and guides the visually impaired person to “right”.

  Next, the control part 32 which implemented S15 mentioned above returns to S9, and waits for a visually handicapped person to reach | attain the next visible light communication part 1, and the signal corresponding to a positional information is input. When the signal corresponding to the position information is input, the control unit 32 performs the processing after S9 and guides the direction to move until the visually handicapped person reaches the destination.

  In the guidance system of the present embodiment, the white cane 2 and the portable terminal 3 communicate using Bluetooth. This is because Bluetooth is said to have little effect on medical devices. The white cane 2 and the mobile terminal 3 may use HDP (Health Device Profile) for connection with a medical device when communicating with Bluetooth.

  Further, the position information and the coordinate table described above may include information indicating the height, for example, the number of floors of the medical facility, in addition to the latitude and longitude. In this case, the voice receiving unit 35 outputs the signal indicating the destination coordinates including the floor number of the destination to the control unit 32 in the above (3-3). In addition, the control unit 32 recognizes the floor number of the destination from the input signal indicating the coordinates of the destination in S6 described above. Furthermore, when determining whether or not the destination has arrived at the destination in S11 described above, the control unit 32 also checks whether the floor number of the current location and the destination is the same, and if not, the operations of S9 to S15 described above are performed. Shall be repeated. As a result, the guidance system of the present embodiment can more reliably guide visually impaired people even if the current location and the destination are different floors. In order to allow a visually impaired person to move quickly to a different floor, the position information of the visible light communication unit 1 installed in front of an elevator, for example, in front of an elevator, is information indicating that the vehicle is in front of the moving means. May be included. In this case, if the position information includes information indicating that it is in front of the moving means, the control unit 32 outputs a signal indicating the floor number of the destination to the voice transmission unit 34 instead of performing the above-described S14. To do. Next, instead of performing S15 described above, the voice transmission unit 34 changes the input signal indicating the floor number of the destination to a predetermined voice signal and outputs it to the microphone. The microphone converts a predetermined sound signal into sound and guides a visually impaired person such as “Before the elevator. Go to the third floor by the elevator”.

  Furthermore, in the guidance system of the present embodiment, the visible light communication unit 1 and the white cane 2 communicate with visible light, but this is not restrictive. The visible light communication unit 1 and the white cane 2 may communicate with invisible light as long as the communication between the white cane 2 and the portable terminal 3 is not hindered and the medical device is not affected. For example, the visible light communication unit 1 and the white cane 2 may communicate with light such as infrared rays or ultraviolet rays.

[Description of effects]
According to this embodiment, the guidance system can guide a visually impaired person to a destination in a medical facility such as a hospital. The reason is that the cane constituting the guidance system of the present embodiment acquires the position information by visible light communication or the like that does not affect the medical device, and the mobile terminal uses the position information acquired by the cane to This is because the direction to move next is determined and notified to the visually impaired.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The guidance system according to the second embodiment notifies a visually impaired person of the next direction to move by vibrating the white cane.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a guidance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The guidance system in 2nd Embodiment is provided with the white cane 5 and the portable terminal 6 instead of the white cane 2 and the portable terminal 3, as FIG. 10 shows.

(1) Configuration and function of each part constituting the guidance system in the second embodiment of the present invention (1-1) Configuration and function of the white cane 5 FIG. 11 is a guide in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the white cane 5 which comprises a system. As shown in FIG. 11, the white cane 5 includes a Bluetooth communication unit 51 instead of the Bluetooth communication unit 21. Further, the white cane 5 includes a vibration unit 52. Although not shown, the vibration unit 52 includes a vibrator and a vibration pattern generator.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 51 receives a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth, detects a signal indicating a direction to move from the wireless signal, and outputs the detected signal.

  When a signal indicating the direction to move next is input, the vibration pattern generator of the vibration unit 52 outputs a signal indicating a predetermined pattern corresponding to the signal to the vibrator. For example, when a signal indicating the right is input as the signal indicating the direction to be moved next, the vibration pattern generator of the vibration unit 52 generates a signal indicating that the vibration is intermittently performed three times and a predetermined pattern. It may be output to the vibrator as a signal to indicate. The predetermined pattern is set in the vibration pattern generator by a person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment. When a signal indicating a predetermined pattern is input to the vibrator, the vibrator vibrates in that pattern.

(1-2) Configuration and Function of Mobile Terminal 6 FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal 6 that configures the guidance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the mobile terminal 6 includes a Bluetooth communication unit 61 and a control unit 62 instead of the Bluetooth communication unit 31 and the control unit 32.

  When a signal indicating the direction to move next is input, the Bluetooth communication unit 61 superimposes the signal on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth and outputs the signal.

  The control unit 62 outputs a signal indicating the direction to move next to a predetermined output destination. The predetermined output destination is set by the user of the portable terminal 6 constituting the guidance system of the present embodiment. The user of the portable terminal 6 sets either or both of the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61 as a predetermined output destination. The user of the portable terminal 6 may be a visually impaired person himself or a family of visually impaired persons.

  Since the configuration and functions other than those described above are the same as those of the guidance system in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

[Description of operation]
The operation of the guidance system of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the control unit 62 outputs the calculated navigation information, that is, a signal indicating the direction to move next to a predetermined output destination. For example, if the predetermined output destination is set as the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61 by the user of the mobile terminal 6, the control unit 62 controls both the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61. Next, a signal indicating the direction to move is output. Hereinafter, the case where the predetermined output destination is the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61 will be described as an example.

  Next, when the signal indicating the direction to move next is input from the control unit 62, the Bluetooth communication unit 61 superimposes the signal on a wireless signal conforming to Bluetooth and outputs the signal to the white cane 5.

  Next, the Bluetooth communication unit 51 of the white cane 5 receives a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth, detects a signal indicating a direction to move next from the wireless signal, and uses the detected signal as a vibration of the vibration unit 52. Output to the pattern generator.

  Next, when a signal indicating the direction to move next is input from the Bluetooth communication unit 51, the vibration pattern generator of the vibration unit 52 outputs a signal indicating a predetermined pattern corresponding to the signal to the vibrator. . For example, when a signal indicating the right is input as the signal indicating the direction to be moved next, the vibration pattern generator of the vibration unit 52 outputs a signal indicating a predetermined pattern corresponding to the right to the vibrator.

  Next, when a signal indicating a predetermined pattern is input, the vibrator of the vibration unit 52 vibrates in that pattern.

  On the other hand, the control unit 62 also outputs a signal indicating the direction to be moved next to the audio transmission unit 34. As a result, the guidance system according to the present embodiment guides the visually impaired person in the next direction to move as in the guidance system according to the first embodiment.

  When one of the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61 is set as an output destination, the control unit 62 sends a signal indicating the direction to be moved next to one of the voice transmission unit 34 and the Bluetooth communication unit 61. Output to. As a result, the guidance system of the present embodiment notifies the visually impaired person of the direction to move next by voice or vibration of the white cane and guides it to the destination.

[Description of effects]
According to this embodiment, the guidance system can guide a visually handicapped person to a destination in a medical facility such as a hospital by vibrating a white cane. The reason is that the mobile terminal that constitutes the guidance system of the present embodiment notifies the white cane of a signal indicating the direction to move next, and the white cane is a predetermined pattern corresponding to the notified signal, This is because it vibrates its own vibrator.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a guidance system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The guidance system in 3rd Embodiment is equipped with the transmitter 100, the cane 200, and the portable terminal 300, as FIG. 13 shows. Although not shown, the cane 200 includes an optical receiver and a Bluetooth communication unit. Although not shown, the mobile terminal 300 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a control unit, and a notification unit.

  At least one transmitter 100 is installed on the floor or passage of a medical facility, and blinks a light source provided in the transmitter 100 to superimpose predetermined position information corresponding to the place where the transmitter is installed on light of a predetermined wavelength. send. The predetermined position information may be latitude and longitude, and is set by a person who installs the guidance system of the present embodiment. Further, the light having a predetermined wavelength may be visible light, infrared light or ultraviolet light.

  The light receiving unit of the cane 200 receives light of a predetermined wavelength and detects position information from blinking of visible light.

  The Bluetooth communication unit of the cane 200 superimposes and outputs the position information detected by the light receiving unit on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth.

  When the Bluetooth communication unit of the portable terminal 300 receives a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which the position information is superimposed, the Bluetooth communication unit detects the position information from the wireless signal and outputs it.

  The control unit of the mobile terminal 300 determines the next direction to move to the destination based on the input position information, the coordinates of the predetermined destination, and the predetermined map information, and then moves. A signal corresponding to the power direction, that is, a movement direction notification signal is output. The coordinates of the predetermined destination are set by the user of the portable terminal 300 of the guidance system of this embodiment. The coordinates of the predetermined destination may be the longitude and latitude of the predetermined destination.

  The notification unit of the portable terminal 300 outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the movement direction notification signal when the movement direction notification signal is input from the control unit.

[Description of operation]
The guidance system in 3rd Embodiment guides the user who has the cane 200 and the portable terminal 300 to the destination. Below, operation | movement of the guidance system in 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, at least one transmitter 100 is installed on the floor or passage of a medical facility, and blinks a light source provided in the transmitter 100 to superimpose predetermined position information corresponding to the place where the transmitter is installed on light of a predetermined wavelength. And outgoing. The light having a predetermined wavelength may be visible light, infrared light or ultraviolet light.

  Next, the user having the cane 200 and the portable terminal 300 starts walking in the medical facility. When walking stick 200 passes on transmitter 100 with walking, the light receiving unit of walking stick 200 receives light of a predetermined wavelength and detects position information from blinking visible light.

  Next, the Bluetooth communication unit of the cane 200 superimposes the position information detected by the light receiving unit on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth and outputs it to the mobile terminal 300.

  Further, when the Bluetooth communication unit of the mobile terminal 300 receives a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which the position information is superimposed, the Bluetooth communication unit detects the position information from the wireless signal and outputs the position information to the control unit.

  Next, the control unit of the mobile terminal 300 determines the next direction to reach the destination based on the position information input from the Bluetooth communication unit, the coordinates of the predetermined destination, and the predetermined map information. Determine. Next, the control unit of the mobile terminal 300 outputs a signal corresponding to the next direction to move, that is, a movement direction notification signal to the notification unit.

  Next, when a moving direction notification signal is input from the control unit, the notification unit of the mobile terminal 300 outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the moving direction notification signal. The predetermined signal may be an audio signal. When the above-described audio signal is input to the speaker of the portable terminal 300, the portable terminal 300 can guide the user who has the portable terminal 300 by voice to the next direction to move. The predetermined signal may be a signal for vibrating the vibrator. When a signal for vibrating the above-described vibrator is input to the vibrator of the mobile terminal 300, the mobile terminal 300 may guide the user who has the mobile terminal 300 by vibration in the direction to move next. it can. The vibrator of the mobile terminal 300 in this case is a vibrator that vibrates in a predetermined pattern corresponding to an input signal. The predetermined pattern is set by a user having the mobile terminal 300.

[Description of effects]
According to this embodiment, the guidance system can guide a visually impaired person to a destination in a medical facility such as a hospital. The reason is that the cane constituting the guidance system of the present embodiment acquires the position information by visible light communication or the like that does not affect the medical device, and the mobile terminal uses the position information acquired by the cane to This is because the direction to move next is determined and notified to the visually impaired.

  The embodiment described above is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

Furthermore, a part or all of each of the above embodiments can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.
(Appendix 1)
At least one is installed on the floor or passage of a medical facility, and by flashing a light source provided on itself, predetermined position information corresponding to the place where the device is installed is superimposed on light of a predetermined wavelength and transmitted.
A transmitter characterized by that.
(Appendix 2)
A light receiving unit that receives light of a predetermined wavelength and detects position information from blinking of the light;
A Bluetooth communication unit that outputs the position information detected by the optical reception unit by superimposing the position information on a wireless signal based on Bluetooth (registered trademark).
A cane characterized by that.
(Appendix 3)
An optical filter that allows only a predetermined wavelength to pass through,
The cane according to supplementary note 2, characterized by:
(Appendix 4)
The cane is a white cane,
The cane according to any one of appendices 2 to 3, characterized in that:
(Appendix 5)
When a signal indicating the movement direction is input, the vibration unit vibrates itself in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the signal indicating the movement direction,
The Bluetooth communication unit receives a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which a signal indicating the moving direction is superimposed, detects a signal indicating the moving direction from the wireless signal, and transmits a signal indicating the moving direction to the vibrating unit Output to
The cane according to any one of appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that:
(Appendix 6)
When receiving a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which position information is superimposed, a Bluetooth communication unit that detects and outputs the position information from the wireless signal;
Based on the input position information, predetermined destination coordinates, and predetermined map information, a direction to reach the destination and the next direction to move is determined, and a signal corresponding to the next direction to move That is, a control unit that outputs a movement direction notification signal;
A notification unit that outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the movement direction notification signal when the movement direction notification signal is input;
A portable terminal characterized by that.
(Appendix 7)
The control unit outputs the movement direction notification signal to a predetermined output destination, that is, the Bluetooth communication unit, one or both of the notification units,
The Bluetooth communication unit superimposes the movement direction notification signal output from the control unit on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth, and outputs the superimposed signal.
The mobile terminal according to appendix 6, characterized in that.
(Appendix 8)
The control unit holds the input position information, obtains the direction in which the person holding the mobile terminal is moving from the position information held this time and the position information held last time, and held this time Calculate the route to reach the predetermined destination from the position indicated by the position information, and determine the direction to move next so that the direction in which the person holding the mobile terminal travels is the direction along the route To
The mobile terminal according to any one of appendices 6 to 7, characterized in that:
(Appendix 9)
A guidance system for guiding a user with a cane and a mobile terminal to a destination,
Including the transmitter according to appendix 1,
The cane is the cane according to any one of appendices 2 to 5,
The mobile terminal is the mobile terminal according to any one of appendices 6 to 8,
A guidance system characterized by that.
(Appendix 10)
A guidance method for guiding a user with a cane and a mobile terminal to a destination,
By flashing the light source provided to itself, the predetermined position information corresponding to the place where it is installed is superimposed on the light of the predetermined wavelength, and at least one transmitter is installed on the floor or passage of the medical facility,
The cane receives the light of the predetermined wavelength, detects the position information from the blinking of the light, outputs the detected position information superimposed on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth,
When the mobile terminal receives the wireless signal on which position information is superimposed, the position information is detected from the wireless signal, and based on the position information, coordinates of a predetermined destination, and predetermined map information, Determine the direction to move next to the destination, and output a predetermined signal corresponding to the direction to move next,
A guidance method characterized by that.
(Appendix 11)
The light having the predetermined wavelength is visible light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light.
The transmitter according to supplementary note 1, wherein:
(Appendix 12)
The light having the predetermined wavelength is visible light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light.
The walking stick according to any one of appendices 2 to 5, characterized in that:
(Appendix 13)
The predetermined signal is an audio signal;
The mobile terminal according to any one of appendices 6 to 8, characterized in that:
(Appendix 14)
The predetermined signal is a signal for vibrating the vibrator.
The mobile terminal according to any one of appendices 6 to 8, characterized in that:
(Appendix 15)
The position information includes information indicating the height of the installed location,
The transmitter according to any one of Appendix 1 or Appendix 11.
(Appendix 16)
The control unit determines the direction to move next when the height indicated by the position information and the height of the predetermined destination are not the same.
14. The mobile terminal according to any one of supplementary notes 6 to 8, or supplementary note 13, which is characterized by the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Visible light communication part 2 White cane 3 Mobile terminal 5 White cane 6 Mobile terminal 21 Bluetooth communication part 22 Visible light receiving part 31 Bluetooth receiving part 32 Control part 33 Map information part 34 Audio | voice transmission part 35 Audio | voice receiving part 51 Bluetooth communication part 52 Vibrating unit 61 Bluetooth communication unit 62 Control unit 100 Transmitter 200 Cane 300 Portable terminal

Claims (10)

At least one is installed on the floor or passage of a medical facility, and by flashing a light source provided on itself, predetermined position information corresponding to the place where the device is installed is superimposed on light of a predetermined wavelength and transmitted.
A transmitter characterized by that. A light receiving unit that receives light of a predetermined wavelength and detects position information from blinking of the light;
A Bluetooth communication unit that outputs the position information detected by the optical reception unit by superimposing the position information on a wireless signal based on Bluetooth (registered trademark).
A cane characterized by that. An optical filter that allows only a predetermined wavelength to pass through,
The cane according to claim 2. The cane is a white cane,
The cane according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein When a signal indicating the movement direction is input, the vibration unit vibrates itself in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the signal indicating the movement direction,
The Bluetooth communication unit receives a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which a signal indicating the moving direction is superimposed, detects a signal indicating the moving direction from the wireless signal, and transmits a signal indicating the moving direction to the vibrating unit Output to
The cane according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: When receiving a wireless signal based on Bluetooth on which position information is superimposed, a Bluetooth communication unit that detects and outputs the position information from the wireless signal;
Based on the input position information, predetermined destination coordinates, and predetermined map information, a direction to reach the destination and the next direction to move is determined, and a signal corresponding to the next direction to move That is, a control unit that outputs a movement direction notification signal;
A notification unit that outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the movement direction notification signal when the movement direction notification signal is input;
A portable terminal characterized by that. The control unit outputs the movement direction notification signal to a predetermined output destination, that is, the Bluetooth communication unit, one or both of the notification units,
The Bluetooth communication unit superimposes the movement direction notification signal output from the control unit on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth, and outputs the superimposed signal.
The mobile terminal according to claim 6. The control unit holds the input position information, obtains the direction in which the person holding the mobile terminal is moving from the position information held this time and the position information held last time, and held this time Calculate the route to reach the predetermined destination from the position indicated by the position information, and determine the direction to move next so that the direction in which the person holding the mobile terminal travels is the direction along the route To
The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal. A guidance system for guiding a user with a cane and a mobile terminal to a destination,
A transmitter according to claim 1,
The cane is a cane according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The mobile terminal is the mobile terminal according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
A guidance system characterized by that. A guidance method for guiding a user with a cane and a mobile terminal to a destination,
By flashing the light source provided to itself, the predetermined position information corresponding to the place where it is installed is superimposed on the light of the predetermined wavelength, and at least one transmitter is installed on the floor or passage of the medical facility,
The cane receives the light of the predetermined wavelength, detects the position information from the blinking of the light, outputs the detected position information superimposed on a wireless signal compliant with Bluetooth,
When the mobile terminal receives the wireless signal on which position information is superimposed, the position information is detected from the wireless signal, and based on the position information, coordinates of a predetermined destination, and predetermined map information, Determine the direction to move next to the destination, and output a predetermined signal corresponding to the direction to move next,
A guidance method characterized by that.

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