JP2022133375A - Automatic door system for toilet and voice guiding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic door system for a toilet and a voice guiding method which are excellent in operability and convenience by further improving an operation assist function for visually handicapped persons, for whom support has been delayed until now among toilet users.

SOLUTION: An automatic door system for a toilet including a toilet door opening/closing switch is configured such that when the toilet is vacant if a user operates the toilet door opening/closing switch and subsequently a drive controller drives the door to open, resulting in that a voice guidance device notifies of the position of the door and utters a guidance message urging the user to enter the inside the toilet.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic door system and voice guidance method for toilets, more specifically, an automatic door system and voice guidance for toilets called "multifunctional toilets" installed in facilities where many people gather, such as airports and train stations. Regarding the method.

In a conventional toilet automatic door system, a door is constructed at the entrance of the toilet, and a toilet outer door switch 1 and a toilet inner door switch 2 are provided outside and inside the toilet as shown in FIG. there is The toilet outer door switch 1 and the toilet inner door switch 2 have substantially the same appearance, and can be operated by pressing anywhere with a state display part 5 indicating the state of the toilet in between. A large-sized opening push button part 3 and a closing push button part 4 which are easy to use even by a free person are arranged. In addition, each push button is provided with a light emitting part 6, and by continuously or intermittently illuminating only the operable push button according to the situation, the user of the toilet is prompted to operate the appropriate switch. Improves convenience.
Some automatic door systems for toilets are also equipped with a voice guidance device. It further improves convenience. Also, in facilities used by people of many nationalities, a voice guidance device is installed to provide voice guidance in multiple languages.

JP 2013-60799 A JP 2016-84616 A

Conventional toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2 shown in FIG. However, the ratio of Braille literacy among the visually impaired is not necessarily high, and Braille differs from language to language. It's hard to say that that alone is enough.
Voice guidance is also an effective means of improving convenience for visually impaired people. However, the effect of improving convenience for users was limited.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, the present invention provides an automatic toilet door system and voice system that enhances the operation assist function for visually impaired people, for whom the response has been delayed until now, and is excellent in operability and convenience. The purpose is to provide a guidance method.

An automatic toilet door system of the present invention has the following configuration to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
When the user operates the toilet door opening/closing switch when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the drive controller, the voice guidance device indicates the position of the door and the user enters the toilet. It is characterized by voicing a guidance message prompting to do so.

Moreover, the automatic door system for toilets of this invention comprises the following structures in order to solve the said subject.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
When the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals.

Further, the automatic toilet door system of the present invention has at least the following configurations in order to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person, and a proximity sensor that detects a person approaching the toilet door open/close switch outside the room,
When the proximity sensor detects the approaching person while the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message that the toilet is in use.

Moreover, the automatic door system for toilets of this invention comprises the following structures in order to solve the said subject.
After the proximity sensor detects the approaching person, when the detection continues for a predetermined period of time, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use.

Moreover, the automatic door system for toilets of this invention comprises the following structures in order to solve the said subject.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
When the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device informs the user of the position of the opening operation portion of the toilet door opening/closing switch outside the room and utters a guidance message prompting the user to operate the switch.

Further, the voice guidance method of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
When the user operates the toilet door opening/closing switch when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the drive controller, the voice guidance device indicates the position of the door and the user enters the toilet. It is characterized by voicing a guidance message prompting to do so.

Further, the voice guidance method of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
When the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals.

Further, the voice guidance method of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person and a proximity sensor that detects a person approaching the toilet door open/close switch outside the room,
When the proximity sensor detects the approaching person while the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message that the toilet is in use.

Further, the voice guidance method of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
After the proximity sensor detects the approaching person, when the detection continues for a predetermined period of time, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use.

Further, the voice guidance method of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
When the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device informs the user of the position of the opening operation portion of the toilet door opening/closing switch outside the room and utters a guidance message prompting the user to operate the switch.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the automatic door system for toilets which improved the convenience for visually impaired persons, and realized the further universal design, and the voice guidance method are provided. Specifically, the automatic toilet door system and the voice guidance method of the present invention, which are equipped with a toilet door open/close switch, provide voice operation guidance suitable for the visually impaired.

1 is a schematic plan view of a toilet equipped with an automatic door system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows the outline|summary of the automatic door system for toilets which concerns on embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view and a cross-sectional view showing essential parts of a toilet door opening/closing switch according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view and a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the tactile symbol of the toilet door open/close switch according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a front view showing the display state of each of the state display portions of the outdoor and outdoor toilet door opening/closing switches according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an utterance mode of operation assistance and guidance messages until the user opens the door when entering the toilet in the automatic toilet door system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operation assist and guidance message utterance modes from when the user opens the toilet door to enter the toilet and closes the door in the toilet automatic door system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operation assistance and guidance message utterance modes until the user opens the door in the toilet, leaves the room, and closes the door in the automatic toilet door system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view and a cross-sectional view showing essential parts of a toilet door opening/closing switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention; It is the front view and side view which show the principal part of the toilet door opening/closing switch which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view and a side view of a conventional toilet door opening/closing switch.

An outline of an embodiment of an automatic toilet door system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
(Example 1)
The toilet 21 has a sliding door 22 which can be opened and closed at a frontage 21a, and a motor (not shown), a door position detector such as an encoder, and a power transmission mechanism such as a timing belt, which are not shown, are placed in the upper part of the frontage 21a. and a driving controller 24 for driving the driving operation of the driving device 23 by an appropriate output signal. An electric lock 25 is connected to the driving controller 24 via an electric lock controller 26 so that the door 22 can be locked or unlocked in time according to the opening/closing operation.
A toilet 21b and a washbasin 21c are installed in the toilet 21, and an emergency call switch 34 is provided in the vicinity of the toilet 21b. is.

Further, a toilet outdoor door opening/closing switch 1 is arranged on the outdoor side of the toilet 21, and a toilet indoor door opening/closing switch 2 is arranged on the indoor side. The toilet exterior door switch 1 and the toilet interior door switch 2 have substantially the same appearance, and are collectively referred to as the toilet door switch. A display unit 5 is provided.

The toilet exterior door opening/closing switch 1 and the toilet interior door opening/closing switch 2 are connected to the drive controller 24 through an operation guide controller 27 for controlling their operations, and are linked to the opening/closing operation of the door 22. . That is, the door 22 is opened when an open signal or a close signal is transmitted by pressing the opening push button portion 3 or the closing push button portion 4 of the toilet exterior door opening/closing switch 1 and the toilet interior door opening/closing switch 2. , the driving controller 24 controls the driving device 23 to open and close the door 22 .

Further, the push button part 3 for opening and the push button part 4 for closing may be general push buttons, but each of them is formed with a light emitting part, and these light emitting parts are continuously or intermittently controlled by the operation guide controller 27. , and has an operation assist function that suggests to the user which push button should be operated next.
The toilet door opening/closing switch 1 and the toilet door opening/closing switch 2 may be arranged horizontally as shown in FIG. 1, but it is preferable to arrange them vertically as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the voice guidance device 28 includes a speaker 29, a storage unit (ROM) 30 in which desired guidance messages are recorded in advance and registered as a file, and a predetermined message is appropriately selected from the storage unit 30. and an audio controller 31 for outputting to the speaker 29. The voice controller 31 is connected to an operation guidance controller 27 that controls the light emission of the push button section 3 for opening and the push button section 4 for closing, and operates the push buttons of the toilet exterior door switch 1 and the toilet interior door switch 2. A guidance message is uttered to the user from the speaker 29 in cooperation with the operation of the unit.

Outside the toilet 21, an outdoor proximity sensor 32 for detecting a user in a non-contact manner is arranged inside or around the toilet outdoor door open/close switch 1, and the proximity sensor 32 is connected to the operation guidance controller 27. It is connected to the voice controller 31 via. As a result, when the proximity sensor 32 detects a user approaching the door open/close switch 1 for outside the toilet room, the voice controller 31 causes the speaker 29 to utter a predetermined voice message.
The proximity sensor 32 may be a capacitive sensor or the like, but may be an activation optical sensor that is used in a normal automatic door and that can subdivide the detection area and detect the position of a passerby. As a result, it is possible to distinguish when the passerby approaches the door 22 and when the passerby approaches the toilet room exterior door opening/closing switch 1, so that a more optimal voice message can be uttered.
Further, in the room of the toilet 21, an indoor proximity sensor 33 for detecting a user without contact may be arranged inside or around the toilet room door open/close switch 2. FIG. As a result, the user in the restroom can also be made to utter a voice message at a more optimal timing.

As shown in FIG. 1, speakers 29a and 29b may be arranged inside or near the toilet door switch 1 for outside the toilet and the door switch for inside the toilet 2, respectively. A speaker 29 may be installed inside the toilet so that the guidance message can be heard inside and outside the toilet room 1 respectively.
In the storage unit 30, guidance messages corresponding to the open/closed state of the door 22, the operation status of the push buttons of the toilet door open/close switches 1 and 2, the purpose of the guidance, etc. are pre-recorded for each type of voice in multiple languages and registered as a file. It is a thing.

Guidance messages are registered in the storage unit 30 in multiple languages for each situation, and the voice controller 31 cooperates with the operation guidance controller 27 to check the open/closed state of the door 22, the push buttons of the toilet door open/close switches 1 and 2, and the emergency call switch 33. A guidance message is selected from the storage unit 30 in accordance with the operation status, the detection status of the proximity sensors 32 and 33, etc., and the selected guidance message is uttered from the speaker 29.例文帳に追加

Next, the structure of the push button portion of the toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The toilet room door open/close switch 2 has a similar structure, and both are collectively referred to as a toilet door open/close switch.
In FIG. 3A, an opening push button portion 3 and a closing push button portion 4 are arranged with the state display portion 5 interposed therebetween. A thin frame portion 11 is arranged so as to surround the entire outer periphery of the toilet room door opening/closing switch, and both push button portions 3 and 4 that move up and down along the frame portion 11 are arranged so as to protrude from the frame portion 11. Therefore, substantially the entire surface of both push buttons 3 and 4 is an operable pressing portion, and has a structure that can be easily operated even by a physically handicapped person.

An opening tactile symbol 8 is provided near the center of the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3, and a closing tactile symbol 9 is provided near the center of the pressing portion of the closing push button portion 4, respectively. is formed so as to protrude from the peripheral surface of the The tactile symbols enable even visually impaired people who cannot read Braille to identify whether the touched push button is for opening or closing by touching it with their fingertips. In FIG. 3(a), by combining two equilateral triangles that imitate the shape of the arrowhead at the end point of an arrow and facing them in different directions, different tactile symbols are formed for opening and closing. there is This tactile symbol has a small number of strokes and a simple shape, so it is easy to identify, and it is easy to understand intuitively even for a person who touches it for the first time. However, the shape of the tactile symbol for distinguishing between opening and closing is not limited to this. A tactile symbol combining isosceles triangles or the like may also be used, but the shape is more complicated than the above example, and it is difficult to recognize if one is not used to it.

In addition to the tactile symbols 8 and 9, the pressing portions of the push button portions 3 and 4 are formed with a Braille portion 7 protruding from the peripheral surface. In order to avoid confusion for the visually impaired, the braille part 7 should be positioned away from both tactile symbols 8,9. At least the braille part should be placed outside the rectangle bounding the tactile symbol, and better, at a distance of 10 mm or more from the rectangle bounding the tactile symbol. As a result, confusion including erroneous recognition by the visually handicapped can be prevented.
In the present invention, both the tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the Braille portion 7 are arranged at the pressing portions of the push button portions 3 and 4, so that the user touches the push button with the tactile symbols or the Braille portion. When the part recognizes the push button part to be operated, the tactile symbol or the Braille part can be pressed as it is, making it easy for the visually impaired to use. Conventionally, there is no example in which both the tactile symbol and the Braille portion are provided on the pressing portion. After recognizing that the push button part is the desired push button part, it is necessary to search again for the pressing part of the push button part.

The base surfaces 3B, 4B of the pressing portions of both push button portions 3, 4 may be flat or curved. The base surfaces 3B and 4B of the pressing portion are surfaces from which the Braille portion 7, both tactile symbols 8 and 9, etc. project. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA when the base surface 3B of the pressing portion of the push button portion 3 for opening is flat, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA showing an example in which operability and designability are improved as a curved surface; In both cases, the tactile symbol 8 is formed so as to protrude from the base surface 3B of the pressing portion, which is the peripheral surface. In the example of FIG. 3B, the display surface of the state display portion 5 is flat so as to match the base surfaces of the pressing portions of the push buttons 3 and 4, and in the example of FIG. , 4 may have a convex curved surface in conformity with the base surface of the pressing portion. This improves the designability. Further, the base surfaces of the pressing portions of both push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the state display portion 5 may form substantially one surface as a whole. This further improves designability.

In addition, relatively large guide portions 10 are formed in the pressing portions of the opening push button portion 3 and the closing push button portion 4 so as to protrude circumferentially from the peripheral surface. The guide portion 10 has a diameter of at least half of the smaller widths of the pressing portions of the push button portions 3 and 4, and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 surround the tactile symbols 8 and 9. formed around.
When the base surfaces of the pressing portions of both push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the state display portion 5 form one surface as a whole, the design is improved when viewed by a healthy person. Since there is no step between the pressing portions of both push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the state display portion 5, visually impaired persons can easily find out where the push button portions 3 and 4 are on the toilet door switch. It was not easy to judge by touch. On the other hand, by arranging the convex guide portion 10 on the pressing portion, the guide portion 10 on the pressing portion of both the push button portions 3 and 4 protrudes higher than the display surface of the state display portion 5. Therefore, even a visually handicapped person can recognize the guide portion 10 as a projecting portion by tactile sensation. relatively easy to recognize. Since the guide portion 10 is located on the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4, it is needless to say that the push button portions 3 and 4 can be operated by pressing the guide portion 10 or the inside thereof.

Further, by providing the guide portion 10, there is an effect that the visually impaired person is reminded of the existence of the tactile symbols 8, 9 and recognizes the positions of the tactile symbols 8, 9. That is, when tactilely recognizing the guide portion 10 protruding from the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4, there is a high possibility that the tactile symbols 8 and 9 formed to protrude inside the guide portion 10 will also be touched. It is from.
In FIG. 3, the guide part 10 is projected in a circular shape, but it is not limited to this. or the shape of the tactile symbol surrounded by the guide portion 10. However, it is desirable that the guide portion 10 has a continuous shape without bending portions so that the guide portion 10 itself is not recognized as a tactile symbol.
In addition, in the portions without projections of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 inside the guide part 10, a point texture in which convex points lower than the projections of the tactile symbols are repeatedly arranged vertically and horizontally, or A texture 12 may be arranged, such as a line texture of repeating parallel low convex lines. The size, height, and spacing of the points forming the texture 12 and the thickness and height of the lines are preferably set so that the fingertip touches the bottom surface when the texture 12 portion is touched with the fingertip. This may make it easier to recognize the presence and shape of the tactile symbols.

When an LED or the like (not shown) disposed on the back side of the pressing portion emits light, the push button portion 3 for opening and the push button portion 4 for closing emit light by transmitting the light from the LED or the like. A portion 6 is provided. Here, two isosceles triangles are combined so as to face each other in different directions so that the light-emitting portion 6 can easily distinguish between open and closed by visual observation. In FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c), a circuit board on which an LED is mounted, a switch that is turned on and off by operating the push button, a return spring for the push button, and the like are arranged on the back side of the push button 3. are all omitted from the drawing. Also, FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the configuration of the light-emitting portion 6 that transmits light and the non-light-emitting portion that does not transmit light, and the configuration is not limited as long as these functions can be realized. For example, the entire structure may be made of translucent resin, and only the non-light-emitting portion may be coated or printed to block light, or the non-light-emitting portion may be formed of non-translucent resin, and the light-emitting portion may be translucent. of resin may be attached.

In this way, if light-emitting portions 6 having different shapes are provided in the push-button portion 3 for opening and the push-button portion 4 for closing, and only the light-emitting portion 6 of the push-button portion that can be operated according to the situation is lighted, it is possible to visually and intuitively. Since the shape of the light emitting part 6 which can be easily distinguished between the opening and the closing is displayed with high contrast, even a person with low vision (a person with low vision in society) can relatively easily operate.
Further, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 on both push button portions 3 and 4 are formed so as to protrude above the light emitting portion 6 so as to be entirely contained in the light emitting portion 6, and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are also formed from LEDs or the like. It is part of the light-emitting portion 6 that transmits light and emits light. Although it is not necessary to emit light as a function of the tactile symbols, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the light emitting portion 6 are arranged in the central portions of the push button portions 3 and 4, respectively, and are arranged according to their different shapes. It is for identifying whether the button part is for opening or closing, and since it is necessary to be at least a certain size or larger, it may be arranged so as to overlap depending on the situation. The tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the light emitting portion 6 may have the same shape and size. The shapes do not necessarily match, and it is often preferable that the light emitting portion 6 has a larger area. Therefore, it is preferable that all of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are formed so as to be included in the light emitting portion 6 or at least part of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are formed so as to be included in the light emitting portion 6 .

Next, the sizes and shapes of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, taking the tactile symbol 8 for opening as an example. When the size of the tactile symbol is represented by a circumscribed rectangle as shown in FIG. 4(a), the length D of the long side of the rectangle should be 10 mm or more and 60 mm or less. More preferably, it should be 15 mm or more and 60 mm or less. Also, the length C of the short side is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more. When the length D of the long side exceeds 60 mm, it becomes difficult to recognize the entire tactile symbol. There are many. Also, the length of the straight line forming the tactile symbol is preferably 5 mm or more, and if it is shorter than this, it becomes difficult to recognize the line. Further, the guide portion 10 is formed so as to surround the tactile symbol 8, and at the portion closest to the tactile symbol 8, the distance between the top surface of the guide portion 10 and the top surface of the tactile symbol 8 is at least 1 mm or more. It is preferable to leave a gap of 2 mm or more.

FIG. 4(b) is a BB cross-sectional view, and the height Ha of the tactile symbol 8 from the peripheral surface is 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. should be Also, the width Wa of the tactile portion of the upper portion of the tactile symbol 8 should be 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like, but is not limited thereto, and the height from the peripheral surface and the width of the upper portion may be within the above ranges. Moreover, even when the peripheral surface is not flat but curved, the height from the curved surface may be within the above range.
Similarly, the height Hb of the guide portion 10 from the peripheral surface should be 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. Further, the width Wb of the tactile portion of the upper portion of the guide portion 10 should be 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like, but is not limited thereto, and the height from the peripheral surface and the width of the upper portion may be within the above ranges. Moreover, even when the peripheral surface is not flat but curved, the height from the curved surface may be within the above range.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the state display section 5 of the toilet exterior door opening/closing switch 1 and the toilet interior door opening/closing switch 2 will be described. 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams for explaining the display of the toilet room exterior door open/close switch 1. FIG. FIG. 5(a) shows the state in which the toilet is in use, and the state display unit 5 emits light indicating that the toilet is in use. 3 and 4 cannot be operated, so the light-emitting portions 6 on both push button portions 3 and 4 are both in a non-light-emitting state. FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the toilet is vacant and can be used. can be operated to open the door, the light-emitting portion 6 on the push-button portion 3 for opening emits light, while the push-button portion 4 for closing cannot be operated, so the light-emitting portion 6 on the push-button portion 4 for closing emits light. It is in a non-luminous state. As described above, in the toilet room exterior door open/close switch 1 of the present invention, when the toilet is available and the room is vacant, not only is the character "in use" on the state display unit 5 non-luminous, but the character "empty room" is displayed by emitting light. Therefore, the user can safely operate the luminous opening push button part 3 to open the door and use the toilet.
On the other hand, with the conventional toilet door open/close switch, when the same toilet as in FIG. could not be made to emit light. Therefore, the characters in use are either faintly visible without illumination, or hardly visible. A person who is accustomed to using the toilet knows that the toilet is vacant when the light emitting part 6 of the push button part 3 for opening emits light. Not only when the room is in use, but also when the room is vacant, it is clearly displayed as vacant on the state display part 5, so that even a first-time user can use the room with peace of mind.

5(c) and 5(d) are diagrams for explaining the display of the toilet room door open/close switch 2. FIG. FIG. 5(c) shows a state in which the electric lock 25 of the door 2 is locked, and the state display portion 5 emits light indicating that the door 2 is being locked. Since the button portion 3 can be operated to unlock the electric lock 25 and open the door 2, the light emitting portion 6 on the opening push button portion 3 emits light, while the closing push button portion 4 cannot be operated. The light-emitting portion 6 on the closing push button portion 4 is in a non-light-emitting state. FIG. 5(d) shows that the toilet is in an unlocked state, and the state display section 5 lights up with characters indicating that the toilet is unlocked. At this time, since the door can be opened by operating the push button portion 3 for opening, the light emitting portion 6 on the push button portion 3 for opening emits light. On the other hand, depending on the conditions, the closing push button portion 4 may be operated to lock the door, and at that time, the light emitting portion 6 on the closing push button portion 4 also emits light. As described above, in the toilet room door open/close switch 2 of the present invention, when the door is unlocked in the state display section 5, not only does the character "locked" not emit light, but also the character "unlocked" is displayed by emitting light. The user can use the restroom by operating the luminous closing push button part 4 to lock the door without forgetting to lock it.
On the other hand, in the conventional toilet room door open/close switch 2, in the case of FIG. 5(d), only the characters indicating "locked" in the state display section 5 are in a non-luminous state, and the characters "unlocked" cannot be illuminated. rice field. Therefore, the locked characters are either faintly visible without light emission or hardly visible. A person who is accustomed to using the toilet can recognize that the toilet is unlocked when the light emitting part 6 of the closing push button part 4 emits light. By clearly displaying "unlocked" even when unlocked instead of displaying "locked" on the state display part only when it is locked, even a first-time user can use it with confidence without forgetting to lock it. .

Next, the operation of the automatic toilet door system and the voice guidance method will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.
In FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the toilet 21 is in use (STEP 1). If the toilet 21 is in use, the user approaches the toilet outdoor door open/close switch 1 and the outdoor proximity sensor 32 is turned ON. (STEP 2), and if the proximity sensor is turned ON, for example, voice (1) "Toilet is in use." Speak (STEP 3). In conventional automatic door systems for toilets, for example, when the user operates the push button section 3 for opening, there has been a system that utters a guidance message informing the user that the toilet is in use. If the handicapped person finds out that the toilet is in use before searching for and operating the push button part 3 for opening, the burden can be greatly reduced.
In the above example, when the outdoor proximity sensor 32 detects the user's approach while the toilet is in use, the voice message is output. A voice message indicating that the toilet is in use may be repeatedly uttered at predetermined time intervals.
In a place where passers-by other than toilet users pass near the toilet door open/close switch, when the outdoor proximity sensor 23 detects a user and continues detection for a predetermined time, the toilet is closed. A voice message may be uttered to indicate that it is in use. As a result, only the person who really wants to use the toilet can be notified that the toilet is in use, so unnecessary utterances can be suppressed.

Also, it is determined whether the toilet 21 is in use (STEP 1), and if the toilet 21 is vacant, it is determined whether the user has approached the toilet exterior door opening/closing switch 1 and the outdoor proximity sensor 32 has been turned ON. is determined (STEP 4), and when the proximity sensor 32 is turned ON, for example, voice (2) "Push the upper button to open the door." (STEP 5). In a conventional automatic toilet door system, a guide message such as "Press the open button to open the door." was not necessarily a highly effective guidance message. On the other hand, in the case of the above voice (2), the position and direction of the button to be operated can be notified, so the burden on the visually impaired can be reduced.
Further, as the guidance message, for example, voice (2) "Push the illuminated button on the upper side to open the door." may be uttered. In this example, in addition to the position and direction of the button to be operated, it is possible to inform the user that the button to be operated is illuminated, so it is possible to reduce the burden on people with low vision who have difficulty recognizing characters. .
A voice (2), which is a guidance message prompting the operation of the push-button section 3 for opening, is uttered (STEP 5). 3) After uttering "The door will open. Please be careful" (STEP 7), the door 22 is opened (STEP 8).

In FIG. 7, after the door is opened (STEP 8), a guidance message prompting the user to move into the restroom is given, for example, by voice (4) "The door has opened. Please enter through the right front door." (STEP 9). In a conventional toilet automatic door system, a guide message such as "The door is open. Please come inside." It cannot be said that the guidance message is highly effective for visually impaired people who cannot recognize it visually. On the other hand, in the example of the voice (4), the position and direction of the open door 22 can be notified, so the burden on the visually handicapped can be reduced. After that, the user moves into the toilet, reaches the vicinity of the toilet room door open/close switch 2, and determines whether or not the indoor proximity sensor 33 is turned ON (STEP 10). As a guidance message prompting the operation of the closing push button section 4, for example, voice (5) "Press the lower button to close the door." or "Press the lower illuminated button to close the door." Speak (STEP 11). These guidance messages can reduce the burden on visually handicapped people and people with low vision, as with voice (2).
A voice (5), which is a guidance message prompting the operation of the closing push button portion 4, is uttered (STEP 11). (6) After uttering "The door will close. Please be careful" (STEP 13), the door 22 is closed (STEP 14). When the closing operation of the door 22 is completed, the electric lock 25 is locked, and as a guidance message informing that the door 22 is locked, for example, voice (7) "The door is locked." is in use (STEP 16).
Note that the indoor proximity sensor 33 may be omitted. In this case, for example, when the user reaches the vicinity of the toilet room door open/close switch 2 after a predetermined time has passed since the voice (4) "The door has opened. Please come inside." For example, voice (5) "Press the lower button to close the door." or "Press the lower illuminated button to close the door."

In FIG. 8, while the toilet is in use (STEP 16), it is determined whether or not the user has come close to the toilet room door open/close switch 2 and the indoor proximity sensor 33 has been turned ON (STEP 17). ), when the proximity sensor 33 is turned ON, for example, voice (2) "Press the upper button to open the door" or "Press the upper illuminated button to open the door" (STEP 18). . When the push button portion 3 for opening the door opening/closing switch 2 for the toilet room is operated to be turned ON (STEP 19), for example, a voice (3) "The door will open. Please be careful." After that (STEP 20), the door 22 is opened (STEP 21).

After the door 22 is opened (STEP 21), the guidance message prompting the user to move out of the restroom is, for example, voice (8) "The door is open. Please go out through the door on your right and close the door. ” (STEP 22). In a conventional automatic toilet door system, a guide message such as "The door has been opened. Please go outside before closing the door." For a visually impaired person who cannot visually recognize whether the switch 1 is on the left or right, the guidance message is not necessarily highly effective. On the other hand, in the example of voice (8), the position and direction of the open door 22 can be notified, so the burden on the visually impaired can be reduced.

Voice (8) After uttering "The door has opened. Please go out from the door on the right and close the door" (STEP 22), wait for a predetermined time (STEP 23) and the user exits the toilet. For example, voice (5) "Press the bottom button to close the door." or "Press the bottom illuminated button to close the door." A guidance message prompting the person to operate the closing push button portion 4 of the toilet room exterior door opening/closing switch 1 is uttered. This guidance message may be uttered when the outdoor proximity sensor 32 detects the user who has gone outside. Since there are cases where they do not come close, it is preferable to utter voice (5) after waiting for a predetermined time after uttering voice (8). Instead of voice (5), guidance messages such as "Press the button on the bottom to close the door" or "Press the illuminated button on the bottom to close the door." may occur.
After the guidance message of voice (5) is uttered, when the push button portion 4 for closing the toilet door open/close switch 1 outside the toilet room is operated to be turned ON (STEP 25), a guidance message such as voice (6) "The door is Please be careful." (STEP 26), the door 22 is closed (STEP 27), and the toilet 21 becomes empty (STEP 28).

In the above description, the voice guidance device generates guidance messages in one language, but is not limited to this, and may sequentially generate guidance messages in two or more languages. Also, the number of languages to be spoken may be changed according to the type of guidance message. Also, the number of repetitions of the guidance message and the time interval between repetitions may be changed depending on the type of the guidance message.

(Example 2)
Since the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2, particularly the configuration of the guide portion 10 and related parts, only the different configurations will be described. A detailed description of the parts having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment will be omitted.

The structure of the push button portions of the toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2 of Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 9(a), an opening push button portion 3 and a closing push button portion 4 are arranged with a state display portion 5 interposed therebetween. A relatively large guide portion 10 is formed so as to protrude in a cylindrical shape from the base surface of the pressing portion, which is a surface. Although it differs from the first embodiment in that the guide portion 10 is formed in a columnar shape instead of a circular shape, the base surfaces of the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the state display portion 5 are formed as a whole. Even if one surface is formed, the columnar guide portions 10 on the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4 protrude higher than the display surface of the state display portion 5, so even a visually impaired person can It is the same as in the first embodiment in that the portion of the guide portion 10 that protrudes can be relatively easily recognized as both the push button portions 3 and 4 by tactile sensation.

Further, tactile symbols 8 and 9 having different shapes for opening and closing are formed near the center of the pressing portions of both push button portions 3 and 4 so as to protrude from the upper surface of the guide portion 10 which is the peripheral surface. . That is, the peripheral surface of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 is the upper surface of the guide portion 10 projecting from the base surface of the pressing portion of both the push button portions 3 and 4, and differs from the first embodiment in that it is formed projecting therefrom. However, when a visually impaired person recognizes the guide portion 10 by touch, there is a high possibility that the tactile symbols 8 and 9 protruding from the upper surface of the guide portion 10 will be naturally touched. , 9 can be expected to be recognized as in the first embodiment.
Further, the light-emitting portion 6 is also concentrated on the upper surface of the cylindrical guide portion 10 protruding from the base surface of the pressing portion, so that the structure is easy to manufacture.

The guide portion 10 has a diameter equal to or larger than at least half of the smaller widths of the pressing portions of the push buttons 3 and 4, and is sized to accommodate the tactile symbols 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. The shape of the guide part 10 is not limited to a cylinder, and the shape of the bottom surface may be a columnar shape such as an ellipse, an oval, or a square with rounded corners.

(Example 3)
Since the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2, only the different portions will be described, and the detailed description of the portions having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. do.

The structure of the push button portions of the toilet door opening/closing switches 1 and 2 of Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10A and 10B are a front view and a left side view of the toilet door opening/closing switch 1 of the third embodiment. Same as FIG.
In FIG. 10, an opening push button portion 3 and a closing push button portion 4 are arranged with the state display portion 5 interposed therebetween. Both push button portions 3 and 4 of Example 3 differ from Example 1 and Example 2 in that there is no guide portion 10 projecting circumferentially or cylindrically from the pressing portion. Since the pressing portions of both push buttons 3 and 4 as a whole protrude from the display surface of the state display portion 5, visually impaired persons can easily recognize both push buttons 3 and 4 by touch. .

In the vicinity of the center of the pressing portion of both push button portions 3 and 4, there is provided a light emitting portion 6 which transmits light and emits light when an LED or the like (not shown) disposed on the back side of the pressing portion emits light. there is The light emitting portion 6 of the push button portion 3 for opening is composed of two outward arrows, and the light emitting portion 6 of the push button portion 4 for closing is composed of two arrows directed inward. Since it is high, not only healthy people but also people with low vision can easily distinguish between open and closed by visual inspection. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, it is easier to distinguish between the two arrows with a small gap. Also, the thickness of the line of the luminous arrow should be thicker than a certain level so that it is easier for people with low vision to see. The shape of the light emitting part 6 is not limited to two arrows, but the combination of two arrows is easy to understand and does not require a large area, so it can be used for other characters, Braille parts, tactile parts, etc. It has a high degree of freedom in the size and placement of symbols, etc., and has the advantage of being easy to optimize.
Also, here, the two arrows are described as emitting light, but the two arrows may be opaque, for example, black, and the surroundings of the arrows may be the light emitting section 6 . Alternatively, one of the light-emitting portions 6 of the two push button portions 3 and 4 may have two arrows as the light-emitting portion 6 and the other may have the light-emitting portion 6 around the two arrows.

A tactile symbol 8 is formed on the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3, and a tactile symbol 9 is formed on the pressing portion of the closing push button portion 4 so as to protrude from the peripheral surfaces of the respective tactile symbols. The shapes of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, but the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are not included inside the light emitting portion 6, but are positioned slightly below the light emitting portion 6. It differs from the first and second embodiments in that it is arranged. However, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 do not need to be included in the light-emitting portion 6 because the shapes of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 need only be recognized by the visually impaired by touching them with their fingertips. A healthy person or a person with low vision can distinguish between the push button portions 3 and 4 for opening and closing by the shape of the light emitting portion 6 with high contrast. Since it is possible to identify the push buttons 3 and 4 for closing, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 do not need to be visually identifiable. It is good to configure in the same color. Further, even if the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are not included in the light emitting portion 6, since the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged in the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 It is not necessary to search for the pressing portion again after identifying whether the push button portion is for opening or closing, and the push button portion can be operated simply by pressing the tactile symbol or its surroundings. and the same as in Example 2. The size and shape of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 may be the same as in the first embodiment.

In addition to the tactile symbols 8 and 9, Braille portions 7 are formed so as to protrude from the peripheral surfaces of the pressing portions of both the push button portions 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. In order to prevent confusion for the visually handicapped, the braille part 7 should be arranged at a position 10 mm or more away from the rectangles circumscribing the tactile symbols 8 and 9, respectively. Furthermore, it is desirable that the Braille part 7 and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged apart vertically rather than horizontally. In FIG. 10, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged on the lower side of the light emitting portion 6 and the Braille portion 7 is arranged on the upper side of the light emitting portion 6. The portion 7 may be arranged below the light emitting portion 6 . Also in the third embodiment, the braille part 7 is arranged at the pressing part of both the push button parts 3 and 4. Therefore, after identifying whether the push button part is for opening or closing by the braille part 7, the pressing part is searched again. It is the same as the first and second embodiments in that the push button can be operated simply by pressing the braille part or its surroundings.

In Example 3, there is no guide portion 10 that protrudes in a circular or columnar shape from the pressing portion, and there is a degree of freedom in the overall arrangement of the light emitting portion 6, the tactile symbols 8 and 9, the Braille portion 7, characters, and the like. In addition, since the two arrows of the light-emitting part 6 do not require a large area, the characters such as "OPEN" and "OPEN" are made larger than those in the first and second embodiments so that they are easy to see even for people with low vision. there is In order to make the characters more visible, the characters may be illuminated as part of the light-emitting portion 6 . Conversely, the characters may be opaque, such as black, and the light-emitting portion 6 may be provided around the characters. Further, the light emission colors of the light emitting portions 6 of the push button portions 3 and 4 may be made different to facilitate identification.

1: Toilet exterior door open/close switch 2: Toilet interior door open/close switch 3: Opening push button portion 3B: Pressing portion of opening push button portion Base surface 4: Closing push button portion 4B: Closing push button portion Pressing portion base surface 5: State display portion 6: Light emitting portion 7: Braille portion 8: Tactile symbol for opening 9: Tactile symbol for closing 10: Guide portion 11: Frame portion 12: Texture 21: Toilet 22: Door 23: Driving device 24: Driving controller 25: Electric lock 26: Electric lock controller 27: Operation guidance controller 28: Voice guidance devices 29, 29a, 29b: Speaker 30: Storage unit 31: Voice controller 32: Outdoor proximity sensor 33: Indoor proximity sensor 34: emergency call switch 35: safety light

Claims (10)

A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
When the user operates the toilet door opening/closing switch when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the drive controller, the voice guidance device indicates the position of the door and the user enters the toilet. An automatic door system for toilets, characterized in that it utters a guidance message urging to do so. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
An automatic door system for a toilet, characterized in that, when the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person, and a proximity sensor that detects a person approaching the toilet door open/close switch outside the room,
An automatic door system for a toilet, wherein when the proximity sensor detects the approaching person while the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use. . 4. After the proximity sensor detects the approaching person, when the detection continues for a predetermined time, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message to inform that the toilet is in use. Automatic door system for toilets as described. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. and a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to the person,
When the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device informs the user of the position of the opening operation part of the toilet door opening/closing switch outside the room and utters a guidance message prompting the user to operate the switch. door system. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
When the user operates the toilet door opening/closing switch when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the drive controller, the voice guidance device indicates the position of the door and the user enters the toilet. A voice guidance method characterized by uttering a guidance message urging to do so. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
A voice guidance method, wherein, when the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person and a proximity sensor that detects a person approaching the toilet door open/close switch outside the room,
A voice guidance method, wherein when the proximity sensor detects the approaching person while the toilet is in use, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message indicating that the toilet is in use. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, after the proximity sensor detects the approaching person, when the detection continues for a predetermined period of time, the voice guidance device utters a guidance message informing that the toilet is in use. The described voice guidance method. A door arranged at the entrance/exit of the toilet, two toilet door opening/closing switches arranged outside and inside the toilet for operating the opening/closing of the door, and open and close signals from the two toilet door opening/closing switches. A drive controller that controls a drive device based on a signal to open and close the door, an operation guide controller that prompts the operation of the toilet door open/close switch according to the toilet state, and a use according to the toilet state. A voice guidance method in an automatic toilet door system comprising a voice guidance device that utters a guidance message to a person,
A voice guidance method, wherein, when the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device notifies the user of the position of the opening operation portion of the toilet door opening/closing switch outside the room and utters a guidance message prompting the user to operate the switch. .

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