JP3613558B2 - Voice guide - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit the range of a voice guide, and to surely conduct return and recovery from a borrower regarding the voice guide lent out to a specified user. SOLUTION: The positional information of the voice guide can be detected by installing a GPS function to the main body or by a bi-directional communication means, which is mounted within a guide zone and whose range is limited, and an alarm and a transmission signal are emitted from the main body while all functions of the guide are stopped when the communication means exceeds the voice-guide zone.

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to an audio guide used in various exhibition halls such as art museums and museums, or tourist attractions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, in museums and various exhibition halls, a guide device (hereinafter referred to as “voice guide”) for introducing and explaining exhibits to a visitor by voice is increasing.
In particular, if you are a family with elderly or young people, you are often hesitant to read the instructions that are distributed or posted in front of the exhibits, and you can listen to the instructions with simple operations. Is very favorable for such visitors.
In addition, it is not preferable for the organizer to cause a stagnation for explanation and to deteriorate the flow of visitors.
The usefulness of the voice guide is recognized as a means for improving both of these disadvantages.
[0003]
Specifically, an audio guide with an earphone as shown in FIG. 3 is often used, and a device that outputs the guide information of the exhibit as sound is often used when the number of the exhibit on the main body is pressed. ing.
[0004]
Also, in a specific art museum or the like, there is also used a device that emits predetermined light or radio waves from the vicinity of the place where the exhibit is installed and outputs guide information when the voice guide receives the light or the like.
[0005]
Conventionally, such devices have been used in closed places such as exhibition halls for arts and crafts, museums, etc., because the explanation contents of objects are easy to limit and the range of use is limited and easy to manage. It was.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when applying such conventional techniques to meet various requirements, it is necessary to overcome the following problems.
[0007]
In general, for families with elderly and young people, the usefulness of obtaining guide information that can ensure the introduction and explanation of exhibits etc. by voice is not limited to closed places such as museums as described above. Absent.
Nowadays, the number of elderly people for tourism is increasing, and there is a great demand for voice guides in open areas in a wide area, and devices that can be used for such use are demanded. For example, taking Kyoto city sightseeing as an example, this corresponds to a request for securing voice guide information with one voice guide at historical sites such as Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera.
If you are an organizer of a certain size, you can prepare a dedicated guide for specific group tours according to these requirements, but it is limited to pre-prepared landmarks, and users can act freely, It is difficult to obtain the appropriate guide information desired individually. Particularly, the voice guide that can be used by a small number of people is more difficult.
[0008]
Also, if a device using conventional technology is applied to such an open place, the recovery of the device must be reliant on the user's morals, and it must be recovered by means of transportation such as a bus or hotel or inn. It will be limited to consecutive guests such as. In this case, a large number of hotels and the like need predetermined facilities, and there is a problem in profitability from a great investment and work.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the conventional voice guide, the use of the stored guide information is only a function for the user to listen to, and the voice guide can hardly be used as a means for collecting information from the customer. It is common to collect information through a separate questionnaire or the like, but it requires a lot of work, and the burden on the user / device provider is large.
[0010]
In recent years, local governments are also actively promoting local tourism and other industries, but the availability of audio guides that are highly convenient for users and contractors will be useful for such activities. It is also useful from a public point of view.
Therefore, an audio guide that can be returned and collected reliably at low cost is required also from several viewpoints as described above.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an apparatus for voice guidance having the following characteristics.
[0012]
The voice guide is characterized in that the use area range is set, and when the range is exceeded, an alarm and a transmission signal are issued from the main body, and all the functions of the guide are stopped. (Claim 1)
By supplying a device having such characteristics, the user can recognize the necessity of return, and the information can be transmitted to the device supplier so that the device can be reliably recovered.
[0013]
The apparatus having the above-mentioned feature [0012] is characterized in that a GPS function is provided in the main body and the position of the main body can be detected. (Claim 2)
By supplying a device having such characteristics, even when using a wide range of devices, the user can recognize the exact position of the device and the necessity of returning the device, and communicate the information to the device supplier. Can be reliably recovered.
[0014]
The apparatus having the above-mentioned feature [0012] or [0013], characterized in that the position information of the guide body can be detected by bidirectional communication means provided in the area of use. (Claim 3)
By supplying a device having such characteristics, it is possible to make the user recognize the necessity of return, convey the information to the device supplier, and perform reliable collection of the device.
[0015]
A device having the above-mentioned features [0012] to [0014], wherein a signal from the voice guide main body is transmitted to a monitoring device via a receiver. (Claim 4)
By supplying a device with these characteristics, the user can recognize the necessity of return, convey the information to the device supplier, and track the position of the device for reliable collection of the device. It becomes. At the same time, it is possible to record the usage status of the user.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Here, for the sake of convenience, a description will be given by taking as an example a voice guide that displays position information on the screen and has several functions such as GPS.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows the appearance and function of a voice guide that is an apparatus using the present invention.
Map information or object information is displayed as image information on the screen display unit 3 of the voice guide 1.
Further, at the lower part of the screen display unit 3, there is a key unit 4, and number keys corresponding to the numbers (displayed as (1) to (3) in FIG. 2) shown on the screen display unit 3 are displayed. When pressed, the audio information 2 corresponding to the sights / historic sites at the position is output.
These audio information and map information are taken into the guide via the memory card 5.
When the map information is displayed on the screen, the position of the user is displayed on the mark portion 6 of the screen display unit 3 from the information obtained by the GPS function built in the guide.
As a result, the user can know his / her own location and can also know information such as the sights to be visited next in advance, and decides the next destination after knowing some information. It is also possible to do.
In addition, even when the main body does not have a GPS function, a method of detecting the position of the main body within the use range by receiving radio waves and radio waves from a plurality of specific calling places provided in the guide use region range. Further, it is possible to employ a bidirectional communication means installed in the area where the guide is used. As an example of the latter, there can be considered a method of detecting a position of the main body by transmitting a response signal from a specific transmission place that has received a radio wave from the main body and receiving signals from the plurality of transmission places by the main body. .
[0018]
When the device supplier provides such a voice guide to a specific user, specifically, before providing the user with the user, it is necessary to set a voice guide use area range.
For example, in the case of an art museum, the voice guide use area range means a case where a certain range surrounding the building is exceeded from the center of the building, and if it is a Kyoto city area, Kameoka City, Yawata City, etc. on the map The case where the boundary is exceeded by a certain range.
For the setting, in the type in which the map information can be built into the memory inside the apparatus, a method of inputting the boundary on the map is possible, and specifically, the method of writing in the memory card 5 as the information associated with the map information. Can be considered. As one embodiment, a voice guide use area range 21 surrounded by a thick line in FIG. 2 is shown.
When the GPS function is not used, the type that detects external radio waves, radio waves, etc., inputs the intensity of radio waves from a specific source, that is, the distance from the source and the time difference between radio waves from multiple sources. It is possible to set the range.
In addition, with the type that can detect the position information of the guide body by bidirectional communication means, the time difference etc. can be doubled compared to the detection method using unilateral radio waves from a specific transmission place, and the position of the body can be detected. And the precision with respect to the setting of a range can be improved.
[0019]
The device is set so that when the range of use is exceeded, an alarm and a transmission signal are issued from the main body and all the functions of the guide are stopped.
Whether the alarm and transmission signal are set to continuous or intermittent is determined from the capacity of the battery that can be built in, taking into account the capacity required for the operation time and function of the device. However, it is also possible to have a function capable of selecting either.
[0020]
Furthermore, the transmission signal from the main body may be transmitted not only when it exceeds the area of use but also constantly transmitted and stored as data in the monitoring device via the receiver. In such a case, the footprint of the user can be obtained as information from the usage status of the device.
[0021]
Next, the procedure for using the apparatus will be specifically described.
First, at the time of lending, the apparatus supplier inputs “lending start” to the apparatus main body.
There are methods such as providing a dedicated key on the main body or by inputting a battery.
At this time, the voice guidance function is made usable, and if it has a GPS function, an operation for specifying the position of the apparatus main body is started.
[0022]
If the device is in the area of use, it will continue to be maintained.
When the user operates a key having a number corresponding to an object on the apparatus, the compressed and stored information corresponding to the object is decompressed and output as audio or / and displayed as an image.
In addition, when a user operates a key (eg, number (0)) on the device, it is also possible to input a voice of “live voice” such as impressions / requests about famous places / historic sites, etc. Is compressed and stored in the same manner as other inputs.
[0023]
If the device exceeds the area of use, the user is first warned.
The warning includes, for example, a method using sound from an earphone or directly from the main body of the apparatus, or a visual method such as flushing the main body display unit.
In the case of an alarm by voice, a certain sound is emitted from the earphone or directly from the main body with a predetermined sound pressure and volume, and in terms of time, what is continuously pronounced or what is intermittently pronounced for a predetermined time can be considered.
[0024]
At the same time, a certain signal is started from the main body at the same time as the warning to notify the apparatus supplier that the apparatus is in an abnormal use state. The transmission signal is also transmitted continuously or intermittently so that the device provider can confirm that the device exceeds the use range and the current location of the device.
[0025]
Thereafter, if the same state continues after a lapse of a certain time, all functions relating to the guide are stopped and the transmission signal is continuously transmitted.
The apparatus supplier can recognize the abnormal use state of the apparatus by this transmission signal, and can detect the position of the user and take a collecting means.
[0026]
When the device is finally returned from the user, the device supplier inputs the “lending end” of the device. There are methods such as pressing a dedicated key or resetting the battery.
If the data of the total usage time of the user and the history until collection are stored by the memory card of the main body or a separate personal computer, the data can be used for setting the range of use of the apparatus and improving the collection method.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
By implementing the invention having the features as described above, even when the voice guide is used outside the area of use, a predetermined warning can be issued to notify the user and the device supplier of the situation. As a result, it is possible to alert the user to prevent the user from forgetting to return it, and to enable reliable return / collection of the device by the device supplier.
In addition, if the place of use is in a building, it is not necessary to have a GPS function, and a wireless signal is received every certain time emitted from the building, and whether the location is inside or outside the building Judgment is also possible, and it is possible to return and collect the device reliably with a simpler device.
In addition, when the signal from the device is constantly transmitted and stored as data in the monitoring device via the receiver, the importance of the tourist information required by the user is inferred from the usage status of the device. can do. Unlike conventional questionnaire information, these data can also be used as highly reliable information actually used by tourists.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of implementing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a conventional implementation method.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Voice guide 2 Voice information 3 Screen display part 4 Key part 5 Memory card 6 User position (▲ mark part)
21 Voice guidance area

Claims (4)

Regarding the voice guide, an area for use is set, and when the range is exceeded, an alarm and a transmission signal are issued from the main body, and all the functions of the guide are stopped. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a GPS function is provided in the main body to detect the position of the main body with respect to the voice guide. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the guide body can be detected by a bidirectional communication means provided in the area where the voice guide is used. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal from the voice guide main body is transmitted to a monitoring / recording apparatus via a receiver.

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