Toilet guidance system, toilet guidance program, and toilet guidance method

Abstract

To provide a technique that allows a visually handicapped person to easily use toilets.SOLUTION: A toilet guidance system includes a mobile terminal carried by a visually handicapped person and a notification device installed near a target location. The mobile terminal comprises: a position detection unit that detects a position of the mobile terminal; a guidance generation unit that generates guidance information for reaching the target location from the current position obtained by the position detection unit; a voice output unit that outputs the guidance information as a voice message when a distance to the target location is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; and a notification control unit that causes the notification device to emit a sound to notify of the position when the distance to the target location is less than the predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet guidance system, a toilet guidance program, and a toilet guidance method. [Background technology]

[0002] Public facilities, commercial buildings, highway service areas, and other locations have public toilets (toilet facilities) that are used by an unspecified number of users. Users of public toilets include visually impaired people. When visually impaired people use public toilets, they use, for example, Braille guide maps installed near the entrances of public toilets. However, it is difficult for visually impaired people to understand the layout of public toilets using Braille guide maps, and there is a demand for a method that allows visually impaired people to easily use public toilets.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 proposes a system in which a terminal device of a user (visually impaired person) identifies its location based on a beacon signal and notifies a server device, and the server device generates voice data based on the location and notifies the terminal device, thereby providing voice guidance to the user from the terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-152537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When providing voice guidance on the location of public toilets based on the position of a terminal device as in Patent Document 1, it is limited to roughly guiding the direction of the target toilet and the distance to the toilet, and it is difficult to provide detailed guidance. In particular, when measuring the position of the terminal device based on a beacon signal, this measurement error is large and the position of the terminal device used as a reference is inaccurate, making it difficult to provide accurate guidance.

[0006] The disclosed configuration aims to provide a technology that guides visually impaired people to easily use toilets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the toilet guidance system of the present invention comprises: The system includes a portable terminal carried by a visually impaired person and a notification device provided near a destination location, The mobile terminal, A location detection unit that detects the location of the mobile terminal; a guidance generating unit that generates guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained by the position detecting unit; a voice output unit that outputs the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; The device further includes a notification control unit that causes the notification device to output a sound to notify the user of the location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance.

[0008] In the toilet guidance system, the sound output from the notification device may be a voice message or a notification sound related to the facility at the destination location.

[0009] The toilet guidance system provides a toilet bowl, a urinal, a flush button, a toilet bell, and a toilet fan at the destination position. A toilet entrance / exit or hand washing basin may also be provided.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the toilet guidance method of the present invention comprises: A method executed by a toilet guidance system including a mobile terminal carried by a visually impaired person and a notification device provided near a destination location, comprising: The mobile terminal, Detecting the location of the mobile terminal; generating guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained in the step; outputting the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; and a step of outputting a sound from the notification device to notify the user of the location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance.

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the toilet guidance program of the present invention comprises: For mobile devices carried by visually impaired people Detecting the location of the mobile terminal; generating guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained in the step; outputting the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; outputting a sound from a notification device provided near the destination location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance; The toilet guidance program may be recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0012] Here, a computer-readable storage medium refers to a storage medium that stores information such as data and programs through electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read by a computer. Examples of such storage media that can be removed from a computer include flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-R / Ws, DVDs (registered trademark), DATs, 8mm tapes, memory cards, etc. Also, examples of storage media that are fixed to a computer include hard disks and ROMs (read-only memories). Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a technique can be provided that guides visually impaired people to easily use toilets. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a toilet guidance system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a toilet booth. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the notification unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of an operational flow of a mobile terminal in a toilet guidance system. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of an operational flow of a mobile terminal in the restroom guidance system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of the process of introducing the facility in step S170 when the specified facility is a toilet booth having a toilet bowl. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing details of the process of introducing the specified facility in step S170 when the specified facility is a toilet booth having a urinal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the process of guiding the user to the hand washing basin in step S210 of FIG. 7B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the following example.

[0016] <Embodiment> (Configuration example) The toilet guidance system 10 of this embodiment is one form of a toilet guidance system that supports visually impaired people who use toilet facilities by informing them of the location of facilities, etc. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the toilet guidance system of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a toilet booth. The toilet guidance system 10 of this embodiment includes a toilet booth 100, a notification unit 200, a beacon unit 500, a management device 600, and a mobile terminal 700 carried by a user. The toilet facility includes a plurality of toilet booths 100. The toilet booth 100 is an example of facilities. The toilet booth 100 also includes facilities such as a toilet bowl 110, a paper holder 120, a door 130, a door control device 140, and a door opening / closing button 150. The notification unit 200 is an example of a notification device section.

[0017] The toilet booth 100 is a toilet booth installed in a public toilet (toilet facility) used by an unspecified number of users (public) in, for example, a public facility, a commercial building, etc. Here, the toilet booth 100 is a space (room) surrounded by a door, walls, etc., in which toilet equipment such as a toilet bowl 110 and a paper holder 120 are provided, where usually only one person can relieve themselves at a time.

[0018] The toilet bowl 110 is a facility used by a user to relieve himself / herself while sitting. The toilet bowl 110 is installed in the toilet booth 100. The toilet bowl 110 is provided with a toilet seat device 111. The toilet seat device 111 has a function of heating the seat surface on which the user sits, a function of discharging hot water to clean the user's anus and private parts, and a function of flushing the toilet bowl 110 after the user has used it by running water into the toilet bowl 110 to clean it. The toilet seat device 111 also has a seating sensor that detects whether the user is seated, a discharge button, and a flush button. The toilet seat device 111 controls whether or not to discharge hot water based on the detection result of the seating sensor so that when the hot water discharge button is pressed while the user is seated, hot water is discharged, and when the hot water discharge button is pressed while the user is not seated, hot water is not discharged. Based on the detection result of the seating sensor, the toilet seat device 111 may also perform control such as lowering the temperature of the seat surface and switching to a power saving mode when the user is not seated. The toilet seat device 111 controls the water flowing into the toilet bowl 110 based on the detection result of the seating sensor so that when the flush button is pressed while the user is not seated, the toilet seat device 111 flows water to flush the toilet bowl 110, and when the flush button is pressed while the user is seated, the toilet seat device 111 does not flow water to flush the toilet bowl 110. The toilet seat device 111 is communicably connected to the management device 600. The toilet seat device 111 may be connected to the management device 600 wirelessly or by wire. When the seating sensor detects that the user is seated, the toilet seat device 111 transmits a seating signal indicating that the user is seated to the management device 600. When the toilet seat device 111 detects that the flush button has been pressed by the user, the toilet seat device 111 transmits a flush signal indicating that the flush button has been pressed to the management device 600.

[0019] The paper holder 120 is a facility that holds toilet paper for use by a user who uses the toilet 110. The paper holder 120 is installed in the toilet booth 100.

[0020] Door 130 is installed at an opening (entrance) between the inside and outside of toilet booth 100, and restricts a user from moving between the inside and outside of toilet booth 100. Door 130 is opened and closed by management device 600. Door 130 may be a sliding door or a hinged door.

[0021] The door control device 140 executes operations such as opening and closing (opening and closing operations) and locking and unlocking the door 130 based on instructions (control) from the management device 600. The door control device 140 may be realized by a well-known door unlocking and locking device and door opening and closing device. The door control device 140 is connected to the management device 600 so as to be able to communicate with the management device 600. The door control device 140 may be connected to the management device 600 wirelessly or by wire.

[0022] The door open / close button 150 is a button for instructing the opening and closing of the door 130. When the door open / close button 150 is pressed, a notification is sent to the management device 600. When the management device 600 is notified that the door open / close button 150 has been pressed while the door 130 is open, the management device 600 instructs the door control device 140 to close and lock the door 130. When the management device 600 is notified that the door open / close button 150 has been pressed while the door 130 is closed, the management device 600 instructs the door control device 140 to unlock and open the door 130.

[0023] The notification unit 200 is a unit that notifies the user of the location of equipment, and is installed near equipment such as the toilet bowl 110, the paper holder 120, the flush button, the door open / close button, etc.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the notification unit 200. The notification unit 200 includes a communication unit 210 and an output unit 220. The communication unit 210 communicates with other devices such as the management device 600 and the mobile terminal 700. In this case, the communication unit 210 may be connected to the other devices wirelessly or by wire. The output unit 220 is a speaker that outputs sound such as a notification sound or voice, or a display, indicator, or projector that displays a position, a usage state, etc.

[0025] A plurality of beacon units 500 are installed in an area where users who use the guidance system 1 walk. The beacon units 500 are installed at any location within the area, such as a side wall, ceiling, or floor. Each of the plurality of beacon units 500 is arranged within the radio wave propagation distance of at least one other beacon unit 500 and has a function of communicating with other beacons, i.e., a function of performing mesh communication, and forms a multi-hop wireless network (mesh network) as a whole. Note that a plurality of beacons that can communicate with each other are collectively called a beacon mesh. The radio wave propagation distance of the beacon unit 500 may be determined according to the accuracy of determining the current location based on the beacon signal.

[0026] The beacon unit 500 transmits a beacon signal including identification information. This identification information is information that can uniquely identify each beacon unit 500. This identification information may be location information that indicates the installation location of the beacon unit 500. The beacon unit 500 is compliant with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), and wireless LAN. Therefore, the beacon unit 500 transmits a beacon signal and communicates with other devices (such as the beacon unit 500). In this embodiment, the beacon unit 500 employs Bluetooth Low Energy as a wireless communication standard and transmits an advertising packet as a beacon signal.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device 600. The management device 600 is an information processing device (computer) including a communication unit 610, a control unit 620, and a storage unit 630. The communication unit 610 is communicably connected to other devices such as the toilet seat device 111, the notification unit 200, and the mobile terminal 700. The communication unit 610 communicates with other devices in accordance with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and wireless LAN. The control unit 620 controls the toilet guidance system 10. The storage unit 630 stores signals received from other devices.

[0028] The mobile terminal 700 is an information processing device (computer) such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, a smart watch, or smart glasses carried by a visually impaired user. The mobile terminal 700 may be included in an object carried by the user (for example, a white cane).

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 700. The mobile terminal 700 includes a communication unit 710, a control unit 720, and a storage unit 730. The communication unit 710 is connected to be able to communicate with other devices, such as the toilet seat device 111 and other equipment, the management device 600, and the notification unit 200. The communication unit 710 transmits signals and communicates with other devices according to wireless communication standards, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and wireless LAN. The communication unit 710 constantly transmits a signal that identifies the user who owns the mobile terminal 700. The communication unit 710 transmits a signal based on a wireless communication standard, such as ZigBee. The storage unit 730 is a non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) such as a flash memory included in a microprocessor. The storage unit 730 also stores a predetermined The user's own identification information, etc., as specified in the user's name and password are stored.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. The information processing device shown in FIG. 6 has a typical computer configuration. The toilet seat device 111, the notification unit 200, the management device 600, or the mobile terminal 700 is realized by an information processing device 90 as shown in FIG. 6. The information processing device 90 in FIG. 6 has a processor 91, a memory 92, a storage unit 93, an input unit 94, an output unit 95, and a communication control unit 96. These are connected to each other by a bus. The memory 92 and the storage unit 93 are computer-readable recording media. The hardware configuration of the computer is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6, and components may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate.

[0031] The information processing device 90 has a processor 91 which loads a program stored in a recording medium into a working area of ​​a memory 92 and executes it, and each component, etc. is controlled through the execution of the program, thereby realizing functions consistent with a specified purpose.

[0032] The processor 91 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0033] The memory 92 includes, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The memory 92 is also called a main storage device.

[0034] The storage unit 93 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or a hard disk. The storage unit 93 is a removable media. The removable media may include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a disk recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The storage unit 93 is also called a secondary storage device.

[0035] The storage unit 93 stores various programs, various data, and various tables in a readable and writable recording medium. An operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc. are stored in the storage unit 93. Information stored in the storage unit 93 may be stored in the memory 92. Information stored in the memory 92 may be stored in the storage unit 93.

[0036] The operating system is software that mediates between software and hardware, manages memory space, manages files, and manages processes and tasks. The operating system includes a communication interface. The communication interface is a program that exchanges data with other external devices connected via the communication control unit 96. External devices include, for example, other computers and external storage devices.

[0037] The input unit 94 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, a wireless remote control, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 94 can also include an input device for video or images such as a camera, and an input device for audio such as a microphone.

[0038] The output unit 95 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electroluminescence (EL) panel, The output unit 95 includes display devices such as a display panel, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), a projector, etc., and output devices such as a printer, etc. The output unit 95 may also include an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0039] The communication control unit 96 connects to other devices and controls communication between the information processing device 90 and the other devices. The communication control unit 96 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, or a communication circuit for wired communication. The LAN interface board and the wireless communication circuit are connected to a network such as the Internet.

[0040] The computer that realizes the toilet seat device 111, the door control device 140, the notification unit 200, the management device 600, and the mobile terminal 700 realizes predetermined functions including the functions described here by the processor loading the programs stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing them. For example, the control unit 720 of the mobile terminal 700 functions as a position detection unit that detects the position of the mobile terminal 700 based on a beacon signal or the like. It is to be noted that, without being limited to the beacon signal, the position information may be acquired by photographing the surroundings with a camera, acquiring a known image photographed at a known position in the guidance target area, and identifying the photographing position by comparing the photographed image with the known image. In addition, the position information of the mobile terminal 700 may be obtained by autonomous navigation based on the moving direction and moving speed detected by an acceleration sensor and a direction sensor based on the position thus acquired as a reference. In addition, the control unit 720 functions as a guidance generation unit that generates guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained by the position detection unit. In addition, the control unit 720 functions as a voice output unit that outputs guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. Furthermore, the control unit 720 functions as a notification control unit that causes the notification device to output a sound to notify the location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance.

[0041] <Example of operation> An example of the operation of the toilet guidance system 10 in this embodiment will be described.

[0042] Figures 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example of an operation flow of the mobile terminal 700 in the restroom guidance system 10. When a user operates the mobile terminal 700 to start an application (toilet guidance program) that provides guidance about the restroom facility 1000, the control unit of the mobile terminal 700 starts the processing of Figures 7A and 7B. Here, the operations of the mobile terminal 700 and other devices will be described in addition to those of the mobile terminal 700.

[0043] In step S10, the control unit 720 starts a process of acquiring location information of the mobile terminal 700 based on a beacon signal from the beacon unit 500. This process of acquiring location information from the beacon signal is performed periodically in parallel with the process of Figures 7A and 7B until the process of Figures 7A and 7B is completed, and is used in a later step. In this embodiment, the location information also includes the orientation (posture) of the mobile terminal 700.

[0044] In step S20, the control unit 720 accepts the user's designation of the facility to be used. The user inputs the facility to be used, such as a toilet booth with a toilet bowl, a toilet booth with a urinal, or a multi-purpose toilet booth, into the mobile terminal 700. In addition to accepting input by the user in this manner, the control unit 720 may accept the facility by reading out pre-designated information from memory, such as a booth for men, a booth for women, or a booth for ostomates.

[0045] In step S30, the control unit 720 acquires information about the restroom facility 1000 from the management device 600. Here, the information about the restroom facility 1000 includes, for example, position information about the entrance / exit of the restroom facility 1000, the waiting area, the entrance / exit of the restroom booth, the washbasin, and the like.

[0046] In step S40, the control unit 720 generates guidance information for heading to the entrance / exit 191 from the current position of the mobile terminal 700, with the position of the entrance / exit 191 in the restroom facility 1000 set as the destination position.

[0047] In step S50, the control unit 720 outputs guidance information. For example, the control unit 720 outputs the guidance information from a speaker as a voice message such as "Please proceed 5 m in the 2 o'clock direction to the entrance of the toilet facility." In addition, in the case of a weak-sighted user who can confirm the display, the guidance information may be displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 700.

[0048] In step S60, control unit 720 determines whether or not entrance / exit 191 has been reached based on the current position of mobile terminal 700. If the determination is negative, control unit 720 returns to step S40, and if the determination is positive, control unit 720 proceeds to step S70.

[0049] In step S70, control unit 720 acquires from management device 600 information (availability information) indicating whether the facility specified in step S20 is available or not.

[0050] In step S80, the control unit 720 judges whether the designated facility is available based on the information acquired in step S70, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step S90 to guide the user to the waiting position. In step S90, the control unit 720 generates guidance information for moving from the current position of the mobile terminal 700 to the waiting position, with the waiting position as the destination position. For example, the control unit 720 generates a message such as "Please move 2 m in the 4 o'clock direction and move to the waiting position." If the user is already at the waiting position, the control unit 720 may generate a message such as "Please wait there" to guide the user to wait at that position. In step S100, the control unit 720 outputs the guidance message generated in step S90. The guidance information is output as a voice or displayed in the same manner as in step S50.

[0051] On the other hand, if the determination in step S80 is affirmative, the control unit 720 proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the control unit 720 acquires information on available (vacant) facilities among the designated facilities (toilet booths) from the management device 600. The facility information acquired here may include position information of the entrance and exit, and the address of the notification unit 200 provided at the entrance and exit.

[0052] In step S120, the control unit 720 transmits information indicating that guidance is being given to the notification unit 200 provided at the entrance / exit of the facility, and causes the notification unit 200 to display a message such as "This booth is being guided. Please do not allow anyone else to use it." This message may be displayed on the display device of the notification unit 200, or may be displayed on the floor or the like using a projector. If the facility has a door control device 140, the control unit 720 may instruct the door 130 to be closed and locked, instead of displaying the message that guidance is being given in step S120. Also, in step S120, the control unit 720 may instruct the door 130 to be displayed and locked, instead of displaying the message that guidance is being given in step S120. The step 120 may be performed by the management device 600 instead of the mobile terminal 700 .

[0053] In step S130, the control unit 720 generates guidance information for setting the entrance of the specified facility as the destination position and heading to the entrance from the current position of the mobile terminal 700. For example, the control unit 720 generates a message such as "Go 1 m in the 11 o'clock direction, then go 5 m in the 3 o'clock direction."

[0054] In step S140, control unit 720 outputs the guidance message generated in step S130. Note that the guidance information is output as voice or displayed in the same manner as in step S50.

[0055] In step S150, control unit 720 determines whether or not the facility being introduced is available for use. If the determination is negative because another person has started using the facility being introduced, control returns to step S70.

[0056] In step S160, control unit 720 determines whether or not mobile terminal 700 has arrived within a predetermined distance from the entrance / exit of the facility based on the current position of mobile terminal 700. If the determination is negative, control unit 720 returns to step S130, and if the determination is positive, control unit 720 proceeds to step S170.

[0057] In step S170, the control unit 720 provides information about the designated facility for relieving the user. Details of step S170 will be described later.

[0058] In step S180, control unit 720 sets the position of hand washing basin 1110 as the destination position, and generates guidance information for heading to hand washing basin 1110 from the current position of mobile terminal 700. For example, control unit 720 generates a message such as "Please proceed 3 m in the 4 o'clock direction."

[0059] In step S190, control unit 720 outputs the guidance message generated in step S180. Note that the guidance information is output as voice or displayed in the same manner as in step S50.

[0060] In step S200, control unit 720 determines whether or not mobile terminal 700 has arrived within a predetermined distance from the hand washing basin based on the current position of mobile terminal 700. If the determination is negative, control unit 720 returns to step S180, and if the determination is positive, control unit 720 proceeds to step S210.

[0061] In step S210, control unit 720 performs guidance for hand washing basin 1110. Details of step S210 will be described later.

[0062] In step S220, the control unit 720 generates guidance information for heading from the current position of the mobile terminal 700 to the entrance 191 of the toilet facility, with the position of the entrance 191 set as the destination position, in order to guide the user to the exit.

[0063] In step S230, control unit 720 outputs the guidance message generated in step S220. Note that the guidance information is output as voice or displayed in the same manner as in step S50.

[0064] In step S240, control unit 720 determines whether or not the position of entrance / exit 191 has been reached based on the current position of mobile terminal 700. If the determination is negative, control unit 720 returns to step S220, and if the determination is positive, ends the processing in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows the steps when the designated facility is a toilet booth 100 having a toilet bowl. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the process of introducing this facility in step S170.

[0066] In step S310, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided in the toilet, instructing it to notify the position of the toilet 110. In response, the notification unit 200 receives the instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. Upon receiving the instruction, the notification unit 200 outputs, via the output unit 220, notifying the position of the toilet 110. The notification of the position of the toilet 110 is performed, for example, by outputting a voice saying "The toilet is this way" or a predetermined sound effect. The notification unit 200 is installed in the vicinity of the toilet 110. Thus, a user who recognizes the notification can head in the direction of the toilet 110 from the entrance of the toilet booth 100.

[0067] In step S320, the control unit 720 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 700 has entered the toilet booth 100 based on the current position of the mobile terminal 700, and if the determination is negative, the control unit 720 returns to step S310.

[0068] In step S330, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided at the entrance via the communication unit 710 to instruct the door 130 to be closed. The notification unit 200 that receives the signal outputs, for example, a voice such as "The door will be closing shortly" or a predetermined sound effect. This allows the user to recognize that the door 130 of the toilet booth 100 is closing.

[0069] In step S340, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the door control device 140 via the communication unit 710 to instruct the door control device 140 to close and lock the door 130. Upon receiving the instruction from the management device 600, the door control device 140 closes and locks the door 130. This makes it impossible for a person to enter the toilet booth 100 from the outside to the inside.

[0070] When the door 130 of the toilet booth 100 is closed, the user can start using (relieving) the toilet booth 100. The user sits on the toilet bowl 110 when using the toilet booth 100.

[0071] In S350, the control unit 720 determines whether or not a seated signal indicating that the user is seated is received from the toilet seat device 111 via the communication unit 610. The toilet seat device 111 is equipped with a seated sensor that detects whether or not the user is seated on the toilet bowl 110. When the seated sensor detects that the user is seated, the toilet seat device 111 transmits a seated signal to the management device 600. If the control unit 720 has not received a seated signal (S350; NO), it repeats the process of S350.

[0072] In step S360, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided in the paper holder via the communication unit 710, instructing the notification unit 200 to notify the position of the paper holder 120. The notification unit 200 receives an instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. When the notification unit 200 receives the instruction, the output unit 220 outputs a notification of the position of the paper holder 120. The notification of the position of the paper holder 120 is performed, for example, by outputting a voice saying "The paper holder is here" or a predetermined sound effect. The notification unit 200 is installed near the paper holder 120. Therefore, a user who recognizes the notification can recognize the position of the paper holder 120 of the toilet booth 100 while seated on the toilet bowl 110. Therefore, the user can easily use the toilet paper held in the paper holder 120. The predetermined sound effect output by the notification unit 200 may be different from the sound effect output by the notification unit 200 provided in the toilet bowl.

[0073] In step S370, the control unit 720 determines whether or not defecation has ended. For example, The control unit 720 receives a seated signal indicating that the user is seated from the toilet seat device 111 via the communication unit 710, and determines that defecation is complete when the seated signal indicating that the user is seated is interrupted for a predetermined period of time or longer. Note that the user may input to the mobile terminal 700 that defecation is complete, and the control unit 720 may determine that defecation is complete based on this input.

[0074] In S380, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided on the flush button via the communication unit 710, instructing the notification unit 200 to notify the user of the position of the flush button. The notification unit 200 receives an instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. When the notification unit 200 receives the instruction, the output unit 220 outputs a notification of the position of the flush button. The notification of the position of the flush button is performed, for example, by outputting a voice saying "The flush button is here" or a predetermined sound effect. The notification unit 200 is installed near the flush button. Thus, a user who recognizes the notification can recognize the position of the flush button. Thus, the user can easily use the flush button. The predetermined sound effect output by the notification unit 200 may be different from the sound effect output by the notification unit 200 provided on the toilet bowl or the paper holder.

[0075] In step S390, the control unit 720 determines whether or not the flush button has been operated. When the toilet seat device 111 detects that the flush button has been pressed, it transmits a flush signal to the mobile terminal 700. The control unit 720 receives the flush signal from the toilet seat device 111 via the communication unit 710. If a flush signal has been received (S390; YES), the process proceeds to S400, and if a seated signal has not been received (S390; NO), the process returns to S380.

[0076] In step S400, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided on the door opening / closing button via the communication unit 710, instructing the notification unit 200 to notify the position of the door opening / closing button. The notification unit 200 receives an instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. When the notification unit 200 receives the instruction, the output unit 220 outputs the notification of the position of the door opening / closing button. The notification of the position of the door opening / closing button is performed, for example, by outputting a voice saying "The door opening / closing button is here. Please press this button", a predetermined sound effect, or the like. The notification unit 200 is installed near the door opening / closing button. Therefore, a user who recognizes the notification can recognize the position of the door opening / closing button. Therefore, the user can easily use the door opening / closing button. The predetermined sound effect output by the notification unit 200 may be different from the sound effect output by the notification unit 200 provided on the toilet bowl, the paper holder, or the like.

[0077] In step S410, the control unit 720 acquires a signal indicating whether the door has been opened by operating the door open / close button 150 from the management device 600 via the communication unit 710, and determines whether the door has been opened. If the determination is negative, the control unit 720 returns to step S400, and if the determination is positive, the control unit 720 proceeds to step S420.

[0078] In step S420, the control unit 720 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 700 has left the toilet booth 100 based on the current position of the mobile terminal 700, and if the determination is affirmative, ends the processing in FIG. 8 and proceeds to step S180 in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing details of the process of introducing the specified facility to the toilet booth 100A having a urinal 1120 in step S170.

[0079] In step S510, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided in the urinal 1120 to instruct it to notify the position of the urinal 1120. In response, the notification unit 200 receives the instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. Upon receiving the instruction, the notification unit 200 performs an output from the output unit 220 notifying the position of the urinal 1120. The notification of the position of the urinal 1120 may be, for example, a message saying "The urinal is here. The notification is made by outputting a voice saying, "Please come to the urinal 1120," a predetermined sound effect, or the like. The notification unit 200 is installed near the urinal 1120. Therefore, the user who recognizes the notification can recognize the direction of the urinal 1120 from the entrance of the toilet booth 100.

[0080] In step S520, the control unit 720 acquires the distance to the user from the sensor of the notification unit 200 or the urinal 1120 via the communication unit 710, determines whether or not this distance is within a predetermined range, and if the determination is negative, proceeds to step S530. The predetermined range is, for example, 50 to 300 mm.

[0081] In step S530, the control unit 720 generates guidance information according to the distance to the user. For example, the control unit 720 generates a message or a notification sound according to the distance, such as "The urinal is 50 cm ahead in the 12 o'clock direction," "Please take one more step forward," or "You are approaching the toilet. It is okay to step back 5 cm."

[0082] In step S540, control unit 720 outputs the message and notification sound generated in step S530 from the speaker.

[0083] In step S550, the control unit 720 judges whether or not defecation has ended. For example, the control unit 720 acquires information indicating the distance from the user from the notification unit 200 provided in the urinal 1120 via the communication unit 710, and judges that defecation has ended when the distance from the user becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Note that the user may input to the mobile terminal 700 that defecation has ended, and the control unit 720 may judge that defecation has ended based on this input. If the judgment in step S550 is positive, the control unit 720 ends the process in FIG. 9 and proceeds to step S180 in FIG. 7B.

[0084] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the process of guiding the user to the hand washing basin 1110 in step S210 of FIG. 7B.

[0085] In step S610, the control unit 720 transmits a signal to the notification unit 200 provided in the hand wash basin 1110 to instruct it to notify the position of the hand wash basin 1110. In response, the notification unit 200 receives the instruction from the mobile terminal 700 via the communication unit 210. When the notification unit 200 receives the instruction, it outputs, via the output unit 220, notifying the position of the hand wash basin 1110. The notification of the position of the hand wash basin 1110 is performed, for example, by outputting a voice saying "The faucet of the hand wash basin is this way" or a predetermined sound effect. The notification unit 200 is installed near the faucet of the hand wash basin 1110. Therefore, a user who recognizes the notification can recognize the position of the faucet of the hand wash basin 1110.

[0086] In step S620, control unit 720 acquires the distance to the user from the sensor of notification unit 200 via communication unit 710, and determines whether or not this distance falls within a predetermined range. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S530. The predetermined range is, for example, 10 to 600 mm.

[0087] In step S630, the control unit 720 generates guidance information according to the distance to the user. For example, the control unit 720 generates a message or a notification sound according to the distance, such as "The hand washing basin is 30 cm away in the 12 o'clock direction" or "Please take two more steps forward." In step S640, control unit 720 outputs the message and notification sound generated in step S530 from the speaker.

[0088] In step S650, the control unit 720 determines whether or not hand washing is completed. For example, the control unit 720 may transmit, via the communication unit 710, a notification to the notification unit 2 provided in the hand washing device 1110. 00, information indicating the distance from the user is obtained, and it is determined that defecation is complete when the distance from the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The user may input to the mobile terminal 700 that hand washing is complete, and the control unit 720 may determine that hand washing is complete based on this input. If the determination in step S650 is positive, the control unit 720 ends the process in FIG. 10, and proceeds to step S220 in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

[0089] (Actions and Effects of the Embodiments) In the toilet guidance system 10 of the present embodiment, when the user carrying the mobile terminal 700 is far from the destination position, guidance information for heading to the destination position is output from the mobile terminal 700 as a voice message, and when the distance to the destination position is less than a predetermined distance, a sound informing the user of the location is output from a notification device provided near the destination position. As a result, when the user is far from the destination position, the user can grasp the direction and distance to head to by the voice message. At this time, since the voice message is output from the mobile terminal 700, the user can clearly hear the voice message. For example, when a voice message is output from a distant destination position, it becomes difficult to hear the guidance on the direction and distance by the voice message. Then, when the distance from the user to the destination position becomes less than the predetermined distance, a sound for informing the user of the location is output from a notification device provided near the destination position. As a result, the user can recognize the destination position by the position where the sound is output. That is, the user can grasp the destination position with high accuracy, regardless of the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal 700. This allows appropriate guidance to be given whether the location is far from the destination or close to the destination, and allows visually impaired people to easily use the toilet.

[0090] <others> The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned illustrated examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be combined as much as possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10: Toilet guidance system 90: Information processing device 91: Processor 92: Memory 93: Storage section 94: Input section 95: Output section 96: Communication control section 100: Toilet booth 110: Toilet bowl 111: Toilet seat device 120: Paper holder 130: Door 140: Door control device 150: Door opening / closing button 200: Notification unit 210: Communications Department 220: Output section 500: Beacon unit 600: Management device 610: Communications Department 620: Control section 630: Storage section 700: Mobile devices 710: Communications Department 711: Communications Department 712: Storage section 1000:Toilet facilities 1110: Hand wash basin 1120: Urinal

Claims

1. A toilet guidance system comprising a mobile terminal carried by a visually impaired person and a notification device provided near a destination location, The mobile terminal, A location detection unit that detects the location of the mobile terminal; a guidance generating unit that generates guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained by the position detecting unit; a voice output unit that outputs the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; and a notification control unit that outputs a sound from the notification device to notify the user of the location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance. Toilet guidance system.

2. The toilet guidance system according to claim 1 , wherein the sound output from the notification device is a voice message or a notification sound related to a facility at a destination location.

3. The toilet guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the destination position is provided with a toilet bowl, a urinal, a flush button, an entrance to a toilet booth, or a hand washing basin.

4. A restroom guidance method implemented by a restroom guidance system including a mobile terminal carried by a visually impaired person and a notification device provided near a destination location, comprising: The mobile terminal, Detecting the location of the mobile terminal; generating guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained in the step; outputting the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; and outputting a sound from the notification device to notify the user of the location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance. Toilet directions.

5. For mobile devices carried by visually impaired people Detecting the location of the mobile terminal; generating guidance information for heading to a destination position from the current position obtained in the step; outputting the guidance information as a voice message when the distance to the destination position is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance; outputting a sound from a notification device provided near the destination location when the distance to the destination location is less than a predetermined distance; A toilet guidance program to help users.

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