JP7844293B2 - Navigation device, navigation method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a technology for providing information about tactile paving blocks.

Braille blocks are known to be placed on the ground or floor in facilities such as sidewalks and train stations to guide visually impaired people. These braille blocks have protrusions on their surface that can be perceived by the soles of the feet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an information-providing device that, by arranging and coding the colors of the dot-like protrusions on a braille block according to a predetermined rule, can output guidance information linked to the code when the braille block is photographed with a camera and image recognition processing is performed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-15036

Visually impaired individuals can safely move by recognizing the tactile feel of tactile paving with their feet or by using their white cane to guide them, and then walking along the tactile paving. However, if obstacles such as bicycles are placed on top of the tactile paving, they have no choice but to avoid the tactile paving with the obstacle. When avoiding the tactile paving with the obstacle, visually impaired individuals may lose track of the tactile paving they were supposed to follow, making it difficult to ensure safety while walking and moving. Patent Document 1 does not address this problem at all. Furthermore, this problem is not limited to cases where obstacles are placed on the tactile paving, but is common to all cases where tactile paving is unusable for any reason.

This invention was made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and aims to provide a technology that contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving around.

The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized in the following forms: A navigation device comprising: a storage unit that stores information about braille blocks, including location information of braille blocks; a control unit that acquires the current location of a user of the navigation device; and a guidance unit that generates braille block information, which is information about braille blocks around the current location of a target user who requires guidance on braille block information, and which is information for the target user to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and provides guidance to the target user, wherein the storage unit includes congestion status, which represents the amount of foot traffic on or around the braille blocks, as information about the braille blocks, and the guidance unit generates the braille block information including the congestion status. In addition, the present invention can also be realized in the following forms.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a navigation device is provided. This navigation device comprises: a storage unit that stores information about tactile paving blocks, including location information of tactile paving blocks; a control unit that acquires the current location of the user of the navigation device; and a guidance unit that generates tactile paving block information, which is information about the tactile paving blocks in the vicinity of the user's current location, and which is information for the user to determine whether or not the tactile paving blocks are usable, and guides the user.

According to this configuration, the guidance unit generates tactile paving information about the tactile paving blocks around the user's current location, which allows the user to determine whether or not the tactile paving blocks are usable, and guides the user accordingly. Therefore, the user (visually impaired person) can use the tactile paving information to determine whether or not the tactile paving blocks are usable in advance without having to reach the location. For example, they can choose a route that avoids routes with tactile paving blocks that are unusable due to obstacles or other reasons. As a result, this configuration provides technology that contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving around.

(2) In the navigation device of the above form, the storage unit may include the presence or absence of obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, and the guidance unit may generate the tactile paving block information including the presence or absence of obstacles.
With this configuration, the guidance unit provides information about the tactile paving blocks, including the presence or absence of obstacles, so that users can find out whether or not there are any obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks.

(3) In the navigation device of the above form, the control unit may further update the presence or absence of obstacles in the storage unit using the information obtained from a third party other than the user, when information about obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks is obtained from the third party or a street camera, and when an obstacle is detected on or around the tactile paving blocks by image analysis of the image, the presence or absence of obstacles in the storage unit using the detected information.
With this configuration, the control unit can update information about tactile paving blocks using information about obstacles obtained from a third party other than the user. Furthermore, the control unit can automatically detect obstacles and update information about tactile paving blocks by performing image analysis on images obtained from a third party or a street camera.

(4) In the navigation device of the above form, the storage unit may include, as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, a congestion status indicating the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks, and the guidance unit may generate the tactile paving block information including the congestion status.
With this configuration, the guidance unit provides information about the tactile paving blocks, including congestion levels indicating the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks. As a result, users can learn about the congestion levels on or around the tactile paving blocks. Therefore, by using the tactile paving block information, users can learn about congestion levels in advance without having to arrive at the location, and for example, they can choose a route that avoids busy paths. Consequently, this configuration provides technology that further contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving around.

(5) In the navigation device of the above form, the control unit may further acquire the current locations of multiple third parties other than the user, calculate the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks using each acquired current location, and update the congestion status in the storage unit using the results of the calculation.
With this configuration, the control unit can calculate the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks based on the current locations of multiple third parties, and automatically update information about the tactile paving blocks using the calculated results.

(6) In the navigation device of the above form, the control unit may further acquire the current locations of a plurality of third parties different from the user, and the guidance unit may further use the user's current location and the current locations of the plurality of third parties to find a specific third party who may pass by the user, generate first passing information which is information to inform the user of at least one of the time and place where they will pass by the specific third party, and guide the user, and generate second passing information which is information to inform the specific third party of at least one of the time and place where they will pass by the user, and guide the specific third party.
In this configuration, the guidance unit further provides the user with first encounter information, which is information that informs the user of at least one of the time and place in which they will pass a specific third party. As a result, the user can use the first encounter information to request help from the specific third party. Furthermore, the guidance unit further provides the specific third party with second encounter information, which is information that informs the specific third party of at least one of the time and place in which they will pass the user. As a result, the specific third party can learn of the presence of the user (a visually impaired person in need of assistance) from the second encounter information and use the second encounter information (time and place of passing) to provide assistance to the user (a visually impaired person in need of assistance).

(7) In the navigation device of the above form, the storage unit includes a facility information database that stores information about facilities, and the guidance unit may generate information about facilities located around the braille blocks included in the braille block information, in addition to the braille block information, and guide the user.
This configuration allows the guidance unit to provide users with information about facilities located around the tactile paving blocks, in addition to the tactile paving block information itself, thereby improving user convenience.

(8) In the navigation device of the above form, the storage unit includes a road database that stores link connection relationships and link costs, and further includes a route search unit that searches for a route using the road database, the route search unit corrects the link costs in the road database using information on the tactile paving blocks, and then finds a route from the starting point to the destination specified by the user, and the guidance unit may generate route information for guiding the user along the route calculated by the route search unit, in addition to the tactile paving block information, and guide the user along that route.
In this configuration, the route search unit corrects the link cost of the road database using information about tactile paving blocks, and then determines the route from the starting point to the destination specified by the user. Therefore, the route search unit can search for a route that passes through many safe tactile paving blocks by making corrections such as increasing the link cost of links that include tactile paving blocks with obstacles. Furthermore, the guidance unit guides the user along the route thus searched, thus providing technology that further contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving.

Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, as an information processing device for generating and/or providing information on tactile paving blocks, a route search device for performing route searches using tactile paving block information, methods executed in the information processing device to realize the functions of each of these devices, a system including each of these devices, a computer program for realizing the functions of each of these devices and the system, a server device for distributing the computer program, and a non-temporary storage medium storing the computer program.

This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a navigation system as one embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal. This is a sequence diagram showing the steps involved in the guidance process. This figure shows an example of guidance using information about people passing each other. This figure shows an example of guidance using tactile paving information and facility information. This is a diagram illustrating the effectiveness of the navigation system. This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the navigation system according to the second embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the navigation system according to the third embodiment.

A. First embodiment:
Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a navigation system 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 1 is a system that primarily guides visually impaired persons with "braille block information," which is information for determining whether or not braille blocks can be used. Braille block information includes, for example, at least one of the following pieces of information (a1) to (a3). Hereafter, the case in which all of the pieces of information a1 to a3 are included will be explained as an example.
(a1) Whether or not tactile paving is safe,
(a2) Presence or absence of obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks.
(a3) Congestion on or around tactile paving blocks.

As shown in Figure 1, users of the navigation system 1 are categorized into the following attributes: (b1) to (b3).
(b1) Attribute 1: Users who require guidance on tactile paving information, such as visually impaired persons.
(b2) Attribute 2: Users who do not have a visual impairment and who provide information used by the navigation system 1 to generate tactile paving information,
(b3) No attribute: Non-users who do not use the services provided by Navigation System 1. Non-users only provide Navigation System 1 with location information used to calculate congestion levels.

As shown in Figure 1, the navigation system 1 comprises a navigation device 10 and user terminals 30 for each of the multiple users. In the following description, as examples of user terminals 30, we will explain using one user terminal 30a for user 1 (attribute 1), one user terminal 30b for user 2 (attribute 2), and one user terminal 30c for a non-user (attribute 3). The number of user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c can be arbitrarily changed. Furthermore, while smartphones are used as examples for user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c, user terminals may be any device such as an in-vehicle navigation system or a wearable device.

The navigation device 10 works in cooperation with user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c to perform the guidance processing described later. The navigation device 10 is connected to the Internet (INT) via wired communication. The user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c are each connected to the Internet (INT) via wireless communication through a communication carrier BS. The communication carrier BS includes transmitting and receiving antennas, wireless base stations, and exchange stations. In other words, the navigation device 10 and the user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c can communicate with each other via the Internet (INT).

The navigation device 10 is configured as a so-called server. The navigation device 10 comprises a CPU 110, a communication unit 120, a ROM/RAM 130, and a storage unit 140, with each unit interconnected by a bus (not shown). The CPU 110 controls the various parts of the navigation device 10 by loading and executing computer programs stored in the ROM 130 into the RAM 130, and also functions as a control unit 111 and a guidance unit 112. In the guidance processing described later, the control unit 111 communicates with each of the user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c, obtains information from each of them, and updates the databases in the storage unit 140. Hereafter, the databases will also be simply referred to as "DB". The guidance unit 112 generates tactile paving information in the guidance processing described later and guides user 1 of attribute 1.

The communication unit 120 controls communication with other devices via a communication interface (not shown). Other devices may include user terminals 30a, 30b, and 30c, as well as other servers (not shown).

The storage unit 140 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The storage unit 140 stores the following: Vehicle road database 141, pedestrian road database 142, map database 143, tactile paving network database 144, tactile paving congestion network database 145, facility information database 146, and user review database 147.

Vehicle Road DB 141 is a database that stores road network data for vehicles. Pedestrian Road DB 142 is a database that stores road network data for pedestrians. The road network data includes node information, which represents the locations of landmarks such as intersections and stations, and link information, which represents the roads connecting the nodes. Node information includes node location information, node type, node name, and other node information. Link information includes link cost for each mode of transport (average travel time for the road represented by the link), link type, link name, link status, and other link information. Vehicle Road DB 141 and Pedestrian Road DB 142 are equivalent to "road databases." Map DB 143 is a database that stores data representing map images. The data representing map images includes information necessary for map display, such as terrain, buildings, and road shapes.

The Braille Block Network Database (DB144) is a database that stores location information of Braille blocks. The Braille Block Network Database (DB144) holds location information of Braille blocks in at least one of the following two ways (c1) and (c2). In way c1, the location of a link in the Pedestrian Road Database (DB142) associated with the presence or absence of Braille blocks can be considered as the location information of the Braille block. Hereafter, the case using way c1 will be explained as an example.
(c1) The data for each braille block stored in the braille block NWDB144 is associated with the link information in the pedestrian road DB142.
(c2) The location information of the braille block itself (e.g., latitude and longitude) is stored within the braille block NWDB144.
Furthermore, the Braille block NWDB144 may store not only the location information of the Braille blocks, but also the content of the information that each Braille block points to (for example, guidance blocks, warning blocks, etc.).

The Braille Block Congestion Network Database (NWDB) 145 is a database that stores the congestion status of each Braille Block, either on or around each Braille Block, for each Braille Block stored in the Braille Block Network Database (NWDB) 144. Here, "congestion status" refers to any arbitrary indicator representing the amount of foot traffic. The Braille Block Congestion Network Database (NWDB) 145 is associated with the Braille Block Network Database (NWDB) 144 and the Pedestrian Path Database (P142), and the congestion status for each Braille Block is updated in real time during the guidance processing described later.

Facility Information DB146 is a database containing information about facilities. This information includes location data, facility type, facility name, and detailed information (such as business hours and facility ratings). Facilities include not only shops but also public transportation stops (e.g., train stations and bus stops).

The User Review Database (DB147) is a database that stores user reviews regarding tactile paving blocks. These reviews are usable to obtain tactile paving information a1-a3. For example, DB147 includes reviews that directly indicate information a2 (presence or absence of obstacles), such as "A bicycle is left on the tactile paving block in front of the west exit of XX Station," and "The area around the tactile paving block in front of the east exit of XX Station is blocked off due to sewage construction." DB147 may also include reviews that can be used to determine information a1 (whether the tactile paving block is safe or not), such as "There is a sound-emitting traffic light (traffic light for the visually impaired) in front of the west exit of XX Station," and "The east exit of XX Station has many stairs and is not barrier-free." DB147 is associated with the Tactile Paving Block NWDB144 and the Pedestrian Road DB142, and in the guidance processing described later, the reviews for each tactile paving block are updated in real time.

The Braille Block NWDB 144, Braille Block Congestion NWDB 145, and Word-of-Mouth Information DB 147, all stored in the communication unit 120 of the navigation device 10, are collectively referred to as "information related to Braille Blocks."

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal 30. While Figure 2 uses a user terminal 30a with attribute 1 as an example, user terminals 30b with attribute 2 and non-user terminals 30c have the same configuration as user terminal 30a. User terminal 30a comprises a CPU 310, a communication unit 320, a ROM/RAM 330, a storage unit 340, an input/output unit 350, and a current location acquisition unit 360. These units are interconnected by a bus (not shown).

The CPU 310 controls various parts of the user terminal 30a by loading and executing computer programs stored in the ROM 330 into the RAM 330, and also functions as a processing unit 311. The processing unit 311 works in cooperation with the navigation device 10 to perform the guidance processing described later, providing the user with guidance tailored to their attributes (see b1 and b2).

The communication unit 320 controls communication with other devices, such as the navigation device 10, via a communication interface (not shown). The storage unit 340 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The input/output unit 350 is a variety of interfaces used for inputting and outputting information between the user terminal 30a and the user. Examples of input/output units 350 include a touch panel, operation buttons, and microphone as input units, and a touch panel, liquid crystal panel, speaker, and LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicator as output units. The current position acquisition unit 360 receives radio waves transmitted from satellites constituting GPS (Global Positioning System) or QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) and acquires current position information (latitude and longitude) representing the current position of the user terminal 30a.

Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for the guidance process. For illustrative purposes, in Figure 3, the navigation device 10 is represented as "device 10," and the user terminal 30 is represented as "terminal 30." Furthermore, for distinction, user terminal 30a with attribute 1 is enclosed in a thick border, and user terminal 30b with attribute 2 is enclosed in a dashed border.

In step S100, the non-user terminal 30c transmits its location information (current location information acquired by the terminal 30c's current location acquisition unit 360) to the navigation device 10. Step S100 is performed automatically at predetermined intervals.

In step S102, the control unit 111 of the navigation device 10 calculates the congestion status and updates the DB according to the following steps (d1) to (d3).
(d1) The location information of the user terminal 30c obtained in step S100 is compared with the links in the pedestrian road DB 142.
(d2) The congestion level of the matched link (an indicator representing the amount of foot traffic) is calculated by combining it with multiple location information already obtained from other users.
(d3) Update the congestion status in the Braille Block Congestion NWDB145 associated with the link.

In step S110, user terminal 30b with attribute 2 transmits the user's attribute (2) and terminal 30b's location information (current location information obtained by terminal 30b's current location acquisition unit 360) to the navigation device 10, in addition to the posted review information, triggered by the posting of a review by user 2. Note that the user's attribute is set by each user after installing the application provided by the navigation system 1 on the user terminal 30.

In step S112, the control unit 111 of the navigation device 10 calculates the congestion status and updates the DB by executing the above-described procedures d1 to d3 using the location information of the user terminal 30b acquired in step S110. The control unit 111 also updates the DB using word-of-mouth information by following the procedures (e1) and (e2).
(e1) The location information of the user terminal 30b obtained in step S110 is compared with the links in the pedestrian road DB 142.
(e2) The reviews in DB147 linked to the matched links are updated using the review information obtained in step S110.

Furthermore, along with or instead of steps S110 and S112, the control unit 111 may update the word-of-mouth information DB 147 by image analysis. Specifically, the control unit 111 acquires images containing tactile paving posted on the web or social media by an unspecified number of third parties (not limited to users of this system), images taken by road cameras that contain tactile paving, and images taken by in-vehicle cameras that contain tactile paving. The control unit 111 detects obstacles on or around tactile paving by performing image analysis on the acquired images. If an obstacle is detected, the control unit 111 compares the location information of the obstacle with a link in the pedestrian road DB 142 and stores the fact that an obstacle was detected by image analysis as a word-of-mouth in the word-of-mouth information DB 147 associated with the matched link.

The steps S100 to S112 described above (Figure 3: within the dashed frame) are performed sequentially, independently of the steps described later. Note that the execution order of steps S100 and S102 and steps S110 and S112 may be reversed. This ensures that the congestion status in the Braille block congestion NWDB 145 within the memory unit 140 and the word-of-mouth information DB 147 are updated in real time.

In step S120, the user terminal 30a with attribute 1 transmits the user's attribute (1) and the terminal 30a's location information (current location information acquired by the terminal 30a's current location acquisition unit 360) to the navigation device 10, triggered by a guidance request operation from user 1. Any operation can be used as the guidance request operation; for example, voice command input or a predetermined operation on the user terminal 30a's screen can be used.

In step S122, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 calculates passing information. Specifically, the guidance unit 112 calculates passing information according to the following steps (f1) and (f2).
(f1) Since step S110 (Figure 3: within the dashed frame) is executed sequentially, there are multiple location information entries for user terminals 30b of attribute 2. The guidance unit 112 uses the location information of user terminal 30a of attribute 1 obtained in step S120 and the location information of each of the multiple user terminals 30b of attribute 2 obtained in step S110 to calculate the user terminals 30b of attribute 2 that are located within a predetermined range centered on user terminal 30a of attribute 1 (for example, within a radius of XX meters, where X is an arbitrary string or number). The user 2 of the calculated user terminal 30b is also called a "specific third party" who may cross paths with user 1 of user terminal 30a.
(f2) The guidance unit 112 calculates the time (passing time) and location (passing location) when user 1 of user terminal 30a passes by a specific third party of user terminal 30b. For example, the passing time and passing location can be calculated from the distance between terminals obtained from the location information of terminal 30a and terminal 30b. Alternatively, the passing time and passing location may be calculated using the direction and speed of movement of user 1 estimated from the change in the location information of terminal 30a, and the direction and speed of movement of the specific third party estimated from the change in the location information of terminal 30b. In the following examples, we will illustrate the case where both the passing time and passing location are calculated, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which only one of the passing time or passing location is calculated.

Figure 4 shows an example of guidance using passing information. In step S124 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 generates guidance data for a specific third party with attribute 2. The guidance data generated in step S124 is also called "second passing information." The second passing information is information (passing information calculated in step S122) that represents at least one of the time and place where the specific third party passes user 1 with attribute 1, and can take the form shown in Figure 4 (right side). In the example in Figure 4, the second passing information is image W1 displayed on the user terminal 30b. Image W1 includes a string A1 representing the location where the specific third party passes user 1 with attribute 1, a symbol A3 representing the current location of the specific third party displayed on the map, and a symbol A2 of user 1 with attribute 1 displayed on the same map.

Furthermore, image W1 may be configured so that detailed information about user 1 can be viewed when the icon of user 1's symbol A2 (attribute 1) is tapped. Detailed information about user 1 might include, for example, physical characteristics of user 1 that are useful for providing assistance (age, gender, height, hairstyle, clothing, etc.). In this case, user 1 can decide whether or not to disclose their detailed information, and if so, configure the detailed information settings in advance with the navigation device 10. Note that screen W1 is merely an example, and the guidance unit 112 may omit parts of image W1 (string A1, symbols A1, A2), and the second encounter information may be presented in a form other than an image (e.g., audio).

In step S126 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 transmits the guidance data (second passing information) generated in step S124 to the user terminal 30b of the specified third party. In step S128, the user terminal 30b of the specified third party outputs the guidance data. As a result, as explained in Figure 4, the image W1 representing the second passing information is displayed on the user terminal 30b of the specified third party.

In step S130 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 searches for information on tactile paving blocks around the current location of the user terminal 30a of attribute 1. Specifically, the guidance unit 112 searches the word-of-mouth information DB 147 using the location information of the user terminal 30a acquired in step S120, and obtains information a1 (whether the tactile paving blocks are safe or not) and information a2 (presence or absence of obstacles) regarding the tactile paving blocks around the current location of the user terminal 30a. Furthermore, the guidance unit 112 searches the tactile paving block congestion NWDB 145 using the location information of the user terminal 30a acquired in step S120, and obtains information a3 (congestion status) regarding the tactile paving blocks around the current location of the user terminal 30a. Here, "tactile paving blocks around the current location" refers to multiple tactile paving blocks located within a predetermined range centered on the current location. The predetermined range can be arbitrarily defined and may be set by the user 1.

In step S132, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 searches the facility information DB 146 for facility information located around the tactile paving blocks that were searched in step S130 (in other words, tactile paving blocks around the current location).

In step S134, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 generates guidance data for user 1 with attribute 1. The guidance data generated in step S134 includes first passing information, tactile paving information, and facility information around the tactile paving (hereinafter also simply referred to as "facility information").

The guidance unit 112 generates first encounter information from the encounter information calculated in step S122. The "first encounter information" represents at least one of the time and place where user 1 will encounter a specific third party, and can take the form shown in Figure 4 (left side). In the example in Figure 4, the first encounter information is message V1, which is output audibly from the user terminal 30a. Message V1 can notify the user of the time when user 1 will encounter the specific third party, such as "You will encounter user 2 in X seconds." Alternatively, message V1 may notify the location where user 1 will encounter the specific third party, such as "User 2 is X meters ahead."

Furthermore, in the case of message V1 in Figure 4 and the string A1 in image W1, the distance guided to user 1 (X meters) is shorter than the distance guided to the specific third party (XX meters) in attribute 2. In this case, in step S122, the guidance unit 112 can calculate the passing time and passing location individually for user 1 and the specific third party (in other words, individually according to their attributes). This way, user 1, who is visually impaired, is guided to the first passing information at a relatively close distance, making it easier for user 1 to request assistance from the specific third party. On the other hand, the specific third party, who is not visually impaired, is guided to the second passing information at a relatively far distance, which can encourage the specific third party to actively assist user 1, such as by referring to the map in image W1 and heading towards user 1.

Figure 5 shows an example of guidance using tactile paving information and facility information. The guidance unit 112 generates tactile paving information from the tactile paving information retrieved in step S130. The tactile paving information includes at least one of the above-mentioned information a1 (whether the tactile paving is safe or not), information a2 (presence or absence of obstacles), and information a3 (congestion status). The tactile paving information can be in the form shown in messages V2 and V3 (Figure 5) that are voice-output from the user terminal 30a. Message V2 is a form that guides user 1 to the location of safe tactile paving, such as "There is safe tactile paving X meters ahead to your left." Message V2 is a form that guides user 1 to the presence or absence of obstacles and congestion status, such as "There is an obstacle on the tactile paving to your right" or "The tactile paving to your right is crowded." If such guidance V2 and V3 are given, user 1 can proceed to the left and select safe tactile paving. In other words, by moving to the right, you can avoid encountering obstacles (or congestion).

The guidance unit 112 generates facility information from the facility information retrieved in step S132. The facility information can be presented in a format similar to, for example, the message V4 (Figure 5) output by voice from the user terminal 30a. Message V5 provides information about facilities located around the tactile paving blocks near the user's current location, such as, "If you continue straight along the tactile paving blocks you are currently following, you will find a pharmacy XX meters ahead. A convenience store is located another XX meters further ahead."

Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow user 1 to pre-set what kind of guidance data they want. In this case, user 1 may pre-set items such as those shown in (g1) to (g4) below in the navigation device 10, and in step S134 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 may generate guidance data according to the settings.
(g1) Specify which information user 1 wishes to receive and which does not wish to receive from the following: information about passing by, information about tactile paving, and information about facilities around tactile paving.
(g2) Specify which information a1, a2, and a3 included in the tactile paving information user 1 wishes to be guided to and which information user 1 does not wish to be guided to.
(g3) Specify whether guidance or warning is desired (for example, guidance to safe tactile paving, warning about dangerous tactile paving, or both).
(g4) Specify the criteria for narrowing down the facility information to be provided (for example, providing information only on pharmacies).

In step S136 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 transmits the guidance data (first passing information, tactile paving information, facility information) generated in step S134 to the user terminal 30a of user 1. In step S138, the user terminal 30a of user 1 sequentially outputs the acquired guidance data as audio. As a result, as explained in Figures 4 and 5, messages V1 to V4 are output to the user terminal 30a of user 1. Note that the transmission of guidance data in step S136 and the output of guidance data in step S138 may be transmitted or output in separate parts depending on predetermined conditions (for example, whether or not user 1 has reached the point where guidance should be output).

Figure 6 illustrates the effects of the navigation system 1. As shown, according to the navigation system 1 of the first embodiment, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 generates tactile paving information a1 to a3, which is information about tactile paving blocks around the user's current location, allowing the user to determine whether or not the tactile paving blocks are usable. Therefore, the user (a visually impaired person) can use the tactile paving information a1 to a3 to determine in advance whether or not the tactile paving blocks are usable without reaching the location. For example, they can choose a route that avoids routes with tactile paving blocks that are unusable due to obstacles or other reasons. As a result, the navigation system 1 provides a technology that contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving.

Furthermore, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 provides information on tactile paving blocks, including the presence or absence of obstacles (information a2), allowing the user 1 to know whether or not there are obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks. In addition, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 provides information on tactile paving blocks, including congestion information (information a3) indicating the level of pedestrian traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks, allowing the user 1 to know the level of congestion on or around the tactile paving blocks. Therefore, the user 1 can use the tactile paving block information to know the congestion level in advance without arriving at the location, allowing them to, for example, choose a route that avoids busy paths. As a result, the navigation system 1 provides technology that further contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving.

Furthermore, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 guides the user 1 with first passing information, which is information informing the user 1 of at least one of the time and place where they will pass a specific third party (Figure 4). Therefore, the user 1 can use the first passing information to request assistance from the specific third party. The guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 also guides the specific third party with second passing information, which is information informing the specific third party of at least one of the time and place where they will pass the user 1. Therefore, the specific third party can learn of the presence of user 1 (a visually impaired person requiring assistance) from the second passing information and use the second passing information (time and place of passing) to provide assistance to user 1 (a visually impaired person requiring assistance).

Furthermore, the guidance unit 112 of the navigation device 10 provides the user 1 with information about facilities located around the tactile paving blocks, in addition to the tactile paving block information a1 to a3, thereby improving convenience for the user 1.

Furthermore, the control unit 111 of the navigation device 10 can update information about tactile paving blocks using information about obstacles obtained from a third party different from user 1 (Figure 3: Step S112). Additionally, the control unit 111 can automatically detect obstacles and update information about tactile paving blocks by performing image analysis on images obtained from a third party or a street camera (Figure 3: Step S112). Furthermore, the control unit 111 can calculate the pedestrian traffic density on or around the tactile paving blocks based on the current locations of multiple third parties, and automatically update information about the tactile paving blocks using the calculated data (Figure 3: Steps S102, S112).

B. Second Embodiment:
Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the navigation system 1A of the second embodiment. The navigation system 1A of the second embodiment can guide a user 1 of attribute 1 to a route that passes through many safe tactile paving blocks, in addition to the guidance described in the first embodiment. The navigation system 1A of the second embodiment is equipped with a navigation device 10A in place of the navigation device 10 in the configuration described in the first embodiment. The navigation device 10A is equipped with a CPU 110A in place of the CPU 110. The CPU 110A has a control unit 111 and a guidance unit 112, as well as a route search unit 113.

In step S120 of Figure 3, the route search unit 113 obtains, from user 1, user attributes (1), location information of terminal 30a (current location information obtained by terminal 30a's current location acquisition unit 360), as well as the departure point and destination (Figure 7).

Between steps S128 and S130 in Figure 3, the route search unit 113 performs a route search from the departure point to the destination, obtained from the user 1. During the route search, the route search unit 113 corrects the link cost of the pedestrian path DB 142 using the word-of-mouth information DB 147. Specifically, based on the word-of-mouth information DB 147, the route search unit 113 increases the link cost of links with obstructed or congested tactile paving blocks, or decreases the link cost of links with unobstructed or uncrowded tactile paving blocks. Afterward, the route search unit 113 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination using the pedestrian path DB 142 after the link cost correction. The route thus obtained is a route that passes through many safe tactile paving blocks (Figure 7). In step S134 of Figure 3, the guidance unit 112 generates guidance data that further includes the searched route.

In the second embodiment, in step S130, the guide unit 112 may search for tactile paving information a1 to a3 around the explored route. Similarly, in step S132, the guide unit 112 may search for facility information around the explored route.

Thus, the configuration of the navigation system 1A can be modified in various ways, and the navigation device 10A may be configured to search for and guide users along routes that pass through many safe tactile paving blocks. This second embodiment of the navigation system 1A can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the navigation system 1A, the route search unit 113 of the navigation device 10A corrects the link cost of the road database (pedestrian road DB 142) using information about tactile paving blocks (word-of-mouth information DB 147) and then determines the route from the starting point to the destination specified by the user 1. Therefore, the route search unit 113 can search for routes that pass through many safe tactile paving blocks by, for example, increasing the link cost of links that include tactile paving blocks with obstacles. Also, the guidance unit 112 guides the user along the route thus searched, thus providing a technology that further contributes to ensuring the safety of visually impaired people when walking and moving.

C. Third Embodiment:
Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the navigation system 1B of the third embodiment. The navigation system 1B of the third embodiment includes a navigation device 10B instead of the navigation device 10 in the configuration described in the first embodiment. The navigation device 10B includes a storage unit 140B instead of the storage unit 140. The storage unit 140B does not have the vehicle road DB 141, pedestrian road DB 142, and map DB 143 described in the first embodiment.

As shown in Figure 8, the vehicle road database 141, the pedestrian road database 142, and the map database 143 are stored on a cloud server connected to the Internet of Things (INT) (a server different from the navigation device 10B). The vehicle road database 141, the pedestrian road database 142, and the map database 143 may be stored on the same server or on different servers. The navigation device 10B communicates with the server holding these databases to acquire information from the vehicle road database 141, the pedestrian road database 142, and the map database 143, while executing the processing described in Figure 3.

Thus, the configuration of the navigation system 1B can be modified in various ways, and the processing described in Figure 3 may be executed by the cooperation of multiple server devices. In the example in Figure 8, the case where the vehicle road DB 141, etc., resides on another server is illustrated, but other DBs (braille block NW DB 144, braille block congestion NW DB 145, facility information DB 146, word-of-mouth information DB 147) may reside on other servers, and other functional units (control unit 111, guidance unit 112) may reside on other servers. Even in this third embodiment of the navigation system 1B, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

D. Variations:
In the above embodiment, some of the configuration implemented by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, some of the configuration implemented by software may be replaced with hardware. Other modifications are also possible, as follows.

Variation 1:
In the above embodiment, the configurations of navigation systems 1, 1A, and 1B are illustrated. However, the configuration of the navigation system can be any configuration. For example, the navigation devices 10, 10A, and 10B may be cloud servers composed of multiple server devices. For example, the user terminal 30 can be a personal computer, a dedicated navigation device, a game console, a wearable device, or various other devices in addition to the smartphone illustrated in Figure 1. For example, the user terminal 30a with attribute 1, the user terminal 30b with attribute 2, and the non-user terminal 30c may each be different types of devices.

Variation 2:
In the above embodiment, the configurations of the navigation devices 10, 10A, and 10B are illustrated. However, the server configuration in the above embodiment is merely an example, and any configuration can be adopted. For example, the navigation device may omit or change some of its components, or add components. At least some of the databases provided by the navigation device may be stored in other servers or other internal/external storage devices. The configuration of each of the above-mentioned databases can also be arbitrarily changed, such as adding/deleting/changing items or changing the data storage format. Here, changing the data storage format includes splitting/changing tables and changing how relationships are established.

Variation 3:
In the above embodiment, the guidance process (Figure 3) was described with an example of the processing procedure. However, these processing procedures can be modified in various ways, and the processing content in each step may be added, omitted, or changed, and the execution order of the steps may also be changed.

For example, in step S138 of the guidance process (Figure 3), the first passing information, the tactile paving information, and the facility information around the tactile paving are output by voice. However, instead of voice (or together with voice), the information may be output by image display. By displaying images, the accompanying person of user 1 can confirm the guidance content. Alternatively, instead of voice, the information may be output by vibration. For example, if the tactile paving information is output by vibration, it can be done as follows (h1) to (h3).
(h1) The processing unit 311 vibrates the user terminal 30a when the user terminal 30a is pointed in the direction of a safe tactile paving block.
(h2) The processing unit 311 increases the vibration as the user 1 approaches a safe tactile paving block.
(h3) When the user 1 reaches a safe position on the tactile paving blocks, the processing unit 311 vibrates a predetermined number of times (for example, twice) and then stops vibrating.
Similarly, when outputting the first passing information by vibration, the processing unit 311 should vibrate the user terminal 30a in a pattern different from (h1) to (h3) above at the time when user 1 passes a specific third party.

For example, the generation and guidance of the first passing information in steps S134 and S136 may be omitted. In this case, steps S124, S126, and S128 may also be omitted.

For example, the generation and guidance of facility information around the tactile paving blocks in steps S134 and S136 may be omitted. In this case, the facility information DB146 of the navigation device may be omitted.

The configurations described in the first to third embodiments and the configurations described in the modifications 1 to 3 may be combined. For example, in the configuration described in the second embodiment, a configuration in which multiple server devices cooperate as described in the third embodiment may be adopted.

Variation 4:
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

The present invention can also be realized in the following forms.
[Application Example 1]
A navigation device,
A storage unit that stores information about tactile paving blocks, including location information of the tactile paving blocks,
A control unit that acquires the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A guidance unit generates braille block information, which is information relating to the braille blocks in the vicinity of the user's current location, and which is information that the user uses to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and guides the user accordingly.
A navigation system equipped with the following features.
[Application Example 2]
The navigation device described in Application Example 1,
The storage unit includes, as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, the presence or absence of obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks.
The guidance unit is a navigation device that generates the braille block information, including the presence or absence of the obstacle.
[Application Example 3]
The navigation device described in Application Example 2,
The control unit further,
When information about obstacles on or around tactile paving blocks is obtained from a third party other than the aforementioned user, the presence or absence of the obstacles in the storage unit is updated using that information.
A navigation device that acquires an image containing tactile paving blocks from a third party or a street camera, and when an obstacle is detected on or around the tactile paving blocks by image analysis of the image, updates the presence or absence of the obstacle in the storage unit using the detected information.
[Application Example 4]
A navigation device according to any one of the three application examples,
The storage unit includes, as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, a congestion status representing the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks.
The aforementioned guidance unit is a navigation device that generates the tactile paving information, including the congestion status.
[Application Example 5]
The navigation device described in Application Example 4,
The control unit further acquires the current locations of multiple third parties, who are different from the user, calculates the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks using each acquired current location, and updates the congestion status in the storage unit using the results of this calculation.
[Application Example 6]
A navigation device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5,
The control unit further acquires the current locations of multiple third parties, who are different from the user.
The aforementioned guide section further,
Using the user's current location and the current locations of the multiple third parties, a specific third party who may cross paths with the user is identified.
To inform the user of at least one of the time and place in which they will cross paths with the specified third party, first encounter information is generated, and the user is guided to it.
A navigation device that generates second encounter information, which is information for informing the specified third party of at least one of the time and place in which the user will pass by, and causes the specified third party to guide the user.
[Application Example 7]
A navigation device according to any one of the application examples 1 to 6,
The storage unit includes a facility information database that stores information about the facility,
The aforementioned guidance unit is a navigation device that generates information about facilities located around the braille blocks included in the braille block information, in addition to the braille block information, and guides the user accordingly.
[Application Example 8]
A navigation device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 7,
The storage unit includes a road database that stores the link connection relationships and link costs.
Furthermore, it includes a route search unit that searches for a route using the aforementioned road database,
The route search unit corrects the link cost of the road database using the information regarding the tactile paving blocks, and then determines the route from the starting point to the destination specified by the user.
The guidance unit generates route information for guiding the user along the route calculated by the route search unit, in addition to the tactile paving information, and provides the user with the guidance information.
[Application Example 9]
A navigation method in which an information processing device
The process of obtaining the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A step of referring to information about tactile paving blocks, including location information of the tactile paving blocks,
The process of generating braille block information, which is information relating to the braille blocks in the vicinity of the user's current location and which is information for the user to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and guiding the user accordingly.
A navigation method that includes the following features.
[Application Example 10]
A computer program, for use in an information processing device.
The steps include obtaining the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A step of referring to information about tactile paving blocks, including location information of the tactile paving blocks,
The steps include generating braille block information, which is information relating to the braille blocks in the vicinity of the user's current location, and which is information that the user uses to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and guiding the user accordingly;
A computer program that executes something.

1, 1A, 1B... Navigation system 10, 10A, 10B... Navigation device 30, 30a, 30b, 30c... User terminal 110, 110A... CPU
111...Control Unit 112...Guidance Unit 113...Route Search Unit 120...Communication Unit 130...ROM/RAM
140, 140B... Memory section; 141... Vehicle road database
142... Pedestrian Road DB
143...Map DB
144... Braille Block NWDB
145... Braille block congestion NWDB
146... Facility Information Database
147...Word-of-mouth information database
310...CPU
311... Processing Unit 320... Communication Unit 330... ROM/RAM
340... Storage section 350... Input/output section 360... Current position acquisition section

Claims (9)

A navigation device,
A storage unit that stores information about tactile paving blocks, including location information of the tactile paving blocks,
A control unit that acquires the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A guidance unit generates braille block information, which is information about braille blocks located around the current location of a target user who requires guidance on braille block information, and which is information that the target user uses to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and provides guidance to the target user .
Equipped with ,
The storage unit includes, as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, a congestion status representing the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks.
The aforementioned guidance unit is a navigation device that generates the tactile paving information, including the congestion status . A navigation device according to claim 1,
The storage unit includes, as information relating to the tactile paving blocks, the presence or absence of obstacles on or around the tactile paving blocks.
The guidance unit is a navigation device that generates the braille block information, including the presence or absence of the obstacle. A navigation device according to claim 2,
The control unit further,
When information about obstacles on or around tactile paving blocks is obtained from a third party other than the aforementioned target user , the presence or absence of the obstacles in the storage unit is updated using that information.
A navigation device that acquires an image containing tactile paving blocks from a third party or a street camera, and when an obstacle is detected on or around the tactile paving blocks by image analysis of the image, updates the presence or absence of the obstacle in the storage unit using the detected information. A navigation device according to claim 1 ,
The control unit further acquires the current locations of multiple third parties who are different from the target user , calculates the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks using the acquired current locations, and updates the congestion status in the storage unit using the calculated information. A navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The control unit further acquires the current locations of several third parties, who are different from the target user ,
The aforementioned guide section further,
Using the current location of the target user and the current locations of the multiple third parties, a specific third party who may cross paths with the target user is identified.
To inform the target user of at least one of the time and place in which they will cross paths with the specified third party, first encounter information is generated, and the target user is instructed to provide the information.
A navigation device that generates second encounter information, which is information to inform the specified third party of at least one of the time and place in which the user will pass by the specified third party, and causes the specified third party to guide the user. A navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The storage unit includes a facility information database that stores information about the facility,
The aforementioned guidance unit is a navigation device that generates information about facilities located around the braille blocks included in the braille block information, in addition to the braille block information, and guides the target user accordingly. A navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The storage unit includes a road database that stores the link connection relationships and link costs.
Furthermore, it includes a route search unit that searches for a route using the aforementioned road database,
The route search unit corrects the link cost of the road database using the information regarding the tactile paving blocks, and then determines the route from the starting point to the destination specified by the target user .
The guidance unit generates route information for guiding the user along the route calculated by the route search unit, in addition to the tactile paving information, and provides guidance to the target user . A navigation method in which an information processing device
The process of obtaining the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A step of referring to information about tactile paving blocks , including location information of the tactile paving blocks and congestion status indicating the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks ,
The process of generating braille block information, which is information about braille blocks located around the current location of a target user who requires guidance on braille block information, and which is information that the target user uses to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and providing guidance to the target user ;
Equipped with ,
The navigation method includes generating the tactile paving information, including the congestion status, in the process of providing guidance . A computer program, for use in an information processing device.
The steps include obtaining the current location of the user of the navigation device,
A step of referring to information about tactile paving blocks , including location information of the tactile paving blocks and congestion status indicating the amount of foot traffic on or around the tactile paving blocks ,
The steps include generating braille block information, which is information about braille blocks located around the current location of a target user who requires guidance on braille block information, and which is information that the target user uses to determine whether or not the braille blocks are usable, and providing guidance to the target user ;
Make it run ,
The aforementioned guidance step involves a computer program that generates the tactile paving information, including the congestion status .